a walk to the cabin

The morning after my Dad's service my brother Gary, Randy & I walked to my brother Ron & Deb's cabin. If you click the top pic you can see the cabin in the distance. It was so beautiful, quiet and peaceful up there.


Most of the time I was walking on top of the crusted snow, but every once in a while I broke through and that made for some pretty hard trudging. But it was good exercise.


The sun was so warm on our faces as we sat on the porch and talked and talked. Gary is one of my dearest friends. Randy & I are so grateful to have such a close relationship with him.


This the view that we're use to seeing when we go back there either in the summer or fall. Click the pic and you'll see the blue Harvestor silo on the farm in the distance.


I was thrilled to find a picture I took October of '08 (below) in the same spot as I took this winter pic. How cool is that! I love the contrast. I might have to frame them side-by-side.


Gary & I are basking in the sun. Seriously, I don't care much for all the sunshine in Phoenix, but I loved being cold and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face while in Wisconsin. Just the best feeling.

remembering my Dad

We honored him and remembered him. We celebrated his life. And we all came away blessed by the whole experience.
Hundreds of lifelong friends & family came to pay their respects to one of the kindest men they will ever know. We greeted these loved ones from 4-7 PM at the Sunday night visitation and then again at the 11 AM Monday morning funeral service.


The service was wonderful, truly momentous. The sharing, the music, the slideshow, the message all told the story of a man that lived a long, fulfilling, good life.


My brother Gary summed it up so well when he shared that- "Dad never worked a day in his life. Farming was his calling."

Gary goes on to share that-
"Dad was meant to farm, because it never seemed like work to him. He enjoyed all of it, so much so that he spent his free time cutting thistles in the fields or trimming weeds under the electric fence. You see, Dad spent as much time grooming the farm as he did farming it."

That was my Dad.


And my Dad would have loved the weather. So perfect. The sunshine warming our faces at the graveside service... the bright blue sky, the glistening snow, the Pastor's powerful message, the VFW military gun salute and taps, presenting the flag to my Mom... truly stunning. A visual I will never forget.


My siblings- Ron, Gary, Kevin, Ginny, me & Kathy.


The cousins.


After the graveside service we gathered in the basement of the little Lutheran church and ate a wonderful, hardy meal. No one does it better than the Norwegian Lutherans, as Garrison Keillor would say. I couldn't agree more. What a special meal.
You see, that's the best part... the blessing when a loved ones passes on. We gather together for a reunion... to reconnect, reminisce and remember. I talked to friends and family I had not seen in years. We all left hours later all the better for having spent time with those that loved and knew my Dad best.
Truly an unforgettable day.


I miss you Dad.

Wisconsin winter walks

We go for lots of walks when we're back on the farm. Even in the dead of winter. Crunchy footsteps, quiet & still, warm sunshine all make for the perfect walk. Oh and camera in hand. My new blog banner pic was taken on such a cold morning walk last week in WI. As we were walking in a winter wonderland, I mean along Timber Creek Lane, I was reminded of winters on the farm. I loved winters. Sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and building snow forts.


And when we'd be snowed in for days-on-end, I'd either knit, sew, crochet, journal or listen to Karen Carpenter, Bread, Carly Simon or Carol King. I was the last person you'd ever imagine living in Arizona.


Randy & I were actually visiting the farm 30 years ago last week. We had gone back for a wedding reception my parents had for us and for Christmas. And as luck would have it, the first time in decades that there was no snow for Christmas. I was so disappointed. This year more than made up for that Christmas of '79.


One of my fond winter memories happened back in 3rd grade. I went to a little two-room school (2nd-4th grade) in the tiny town of Northfield, WI. (just off I-94 between Eau Claire & Black River Falls) Seems Nanette, Shirley & I willingly took on the role as caregivers to a large family of chickadees living in the pine trees lining the back of the school property. Each recess we'd tend to our beloved chickadees, feeding them, mothering them. One day we decided that we would pretend that we did not hear the school bell that rang at the end of each recess, so we could stay in the pines longer. First of all, what were we thinking? Not hear the large school bell that literally lifted us off our feet when we'd pull on the rope seemed rather ridiculous! Because come on, everyone knew the whole town and all the surrounding farmers could hear that bell!


Mr. Blencoe was not happy with his girls that day. Which broke my heart. I vowed to never do such a naughty thing like that ever again. To this day, disappointing people... letting others down is the worse for me. May have something to do with this very incident. Oh the things we carry around with us for years.

* The farm with the white farm house is where I grew up.
* The blue house that my Mom, Randy & Tyler are walking in front of is the home my Mom & Dad had built next to the farm, when my brother Ron & his family bought the farm.
* That Amish buggy drove by the farm every single day to pick up their kids from the little Amish school down the road.

2010 is here

Happy New Year!
We actually celebrated the New Year an hour before those of you in the southwest. We left the farm (4 degrees!) arriving in Liberal, Kansas 14 hours later to welcome in the New Year... and to reconnect with the internet. It has been a welcome break from my Mac and makes me want to curb my internet use for the coming year. Hey, a girl can dream.


I have so much to tell you and show you. I took over 500 pics. I know, but the snow was so beautiful!
It has been a wonderful week, far exceeding what I thought or imagined. What a sweet, precious time with my family honoring my Dad's life. My heart is full of gratitude and peace.
Thanks again for your prayers as we traveled. I have never seen so much snow, but we were protected and sheltered throughout the whole journey. My husband is amazing. My God is good. Stay tuned.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you the Merriest Christmas from our house to yours.
My heart is filled with such a deep sense of peace & joy as we embark upon this journey back home. I feel loved, protected and prayed for. Thank you for standing in the gap... for interceding on our behalf. I know that the reality and finality of my Dad's passing will set in and I will be thankful to be among those that knew him well. It will truly be a celebration of a life well lived. My Dad loved his life. He loved working the land, milking the cows, harvesting the yield. He was the consummate farmer, totally and completely dedicated to his farm, land and animals. He loved his family in ways that produced secure, capable kids. We would strive to be like him... dependable, kind and generous.
My Dad's obituary was posted in our local newspaper yesterday. Click HERE if you would like to read more about my Dad.
I am hoping to keep you posted as we travel to and from the farm. Thank you so much for following along on the journey.
Have a safe & joyous Christmas everyone.
*** Click our Christmas picture to enlarge. And yes, that picture was actually taken here in Phoenix, less than a mile from our home, on Dec. 5th. I love how they turned out. I will be sharing more images in the coming year.
Thanks to Cora Kingston Photography! Erica, you're awesome!

25th Annual Eve Gathering

Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments about my Dad's passing. We feel your love and prayers more than you'll ever know.
We were grateful to find out that we didn't need to leave for Wisconsin till Christmas morning. That allows for us to spend Christmas Eve Day with our children here in Phoenix. Then Randy, Tyler & I will take off the next morning. We are well aware of the many snowstorms that are awaiting us. We are in for a couple wild travel days. We gave ourselves a little cushion in case we're delayed at all, but hoping to get there in 2 days. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we make our way across the country.

25 years ago Cindy, Stacey, Karen & I decided to gather our families together on Christmas Eve and thus began a tradition that we have honored every single year for the past 25 years. Only in the past few years have we decided to no longer celebrate on the actual Christmas Eve.

After that 1st year we decided to take an annual couch picture of our ever growing families. We each have 3 children and now with added spouses and grandchildren, you can see we have outgrown the couch.


Just for fun I thought I'd post one of our earlier couch pictures from 1990. Our youngest Tyler, happens to be the same age as our granddaughter's age this year. How cool is that!
Tyler is 2nd from the right sitting on the couch- Shawn & Miranda are seated in the middle of the couch.


Who would have thought 19 years later, I would be holding my 22 month grandbaby at our Eve gathering. God is so good.


Randy, Tyler & I can't imagine the below-freezing weather we are about to experience in Wisconsin in a few days... unlike our wonderful winter evenings here in Phoenix.


Look at our little Emolyn. She cracks me up!


She loves to do the motions to "My God is so great, so strong & so mighty...".

We always conclude our time together with the White Elephant gift exchange. Some of us spend months looking for the most unusual, unique, bizarre gift of all. And quite frankly I think I nailed it this year. This Bible-toting Bunny not only sings "Our God is an Awesome God" when you squeeze its hand, but its mouth moves and lights up in time to the music. Yes, unique but also rather creepy sounding. Emolyn adored the Bunny. Emolyn's Daddy got bobble-head Dwight.


Nights like these shared with loved ones have made it feel more like Christmas. And today I hope to fill our home with the scent of my gingerbread cut-out cookies. It's been hard to focus on Christmas when I'm so busy making plans to travel back home and all the while grieving my Dad's death. But I have never been more aware of God's hand on my life. Thank you all so much.

my Dad passed away...

My Dad passed away peacefully this morning at 83 years old. My heart is aching but comforted by the realization that he was only in the nursing home for 5 months with aggressive Alzheimer. He is now at peace with the Lord. His mind is clear, the suffering is over. Thank you Jesus.
I immediately wanted you to know who my Dad was, so I am including a post that I wrote a few years ago for my Dad's 81st birthday.
Dad, your little Lindsay loves you and you will be forever missed.

My Dad is 81 years old today. Let me tell you about my Dad...
My Dad's a farmer. He retired from milking many years ago... but he still gets up every morning at the crack of dawn and goes down to the barn to scrape the gutters, clean the stanchions, lime the floors, feed the calves. He is a thoughtful, kind and hard-working, humble man. He is well respected in the community, loyal and very patriotic. He is a man of few words but when he does have something to say, people listen. It matters what he says. He loves to read. He's always learning. He likes to be well informed.
He was a smart farmer... a successful farmer. He took chances. He was progressive, ahead of the times. He also takes great pride in how the farm looks... his beautiful lawn, gorgeous flowers, his many birdhouses. He is from a family of nine brothers & sisters. He served in World War II. He is one of the most honest and integris men I know.


How do I thank him for the many ways he has influenced me just by being who he is? How do I let him know I appreciate his commitment to my Mom, his 6 kids, his community, his country?
I guess, by doing my best to be like him... to be good and kind and grateful.
Yes, my Dad is a farmer... but he is much more than that... he is my Dad... and a good, good man. Happy Birthday Dad!

deck the halls

This year we combined my birthday dinner with decorating the tree. This is by far the latest we've ever decorated for Christmas. The flood/remodel pushed everything back, making me feel that I am in a constant state of catch-up. And now this family gathering is proving to be more significant than ever, because earlier that day I found out that my Dad is nearing the end of his life here on earth. And we may be traveling to Wisconsin and we have no idea when that will be. We are waiting on the Lord for His plan, His provision and quite frankly His peace. I am feeling very anxious and overwhelmed... but so thankful to be surrounded by my precious family. I needed them more than ever last night.


And this little lamb pulled through big-time. She had me smiling and laughing all night. She would ooh'n'aah at every ornament. She loved her great-aunt Patty's ornament that Emolyn's great-great-great-Aunt Ruth made many years ago. What a precious family heirloom. Randy's sister Patty died when she was 18, so it means so much to be entrusted with some of her special ornaments.


And did she ever love the Hallmark light & motion train ornament that we bought over 20 years ago.


She was mesmerized watching it go round 'n round the little mountain village.


And so was I............. watching her.


Miranda and one of her favorite vintage ornaments that we lovingly dubbed the "Battlestar Galactica" ornament.


Shawn's favorite is the Sugar Bear ornament, free inside a box of Super Sugar Crisp cereal in 1990. A few years ago the battery finally died, so we gathered around Sugar Bear and performed open battery surgery. The new battery took and I quickly sewed him back up and he was good to go... you know, to play music. We also surprised Shawn & Nicole a couple year ago with their very own Sugar Bear that we found on Ebay.


My favorite ornaments are the ones that the kids made in school with their school pictures adorning the ornament. Often times I would frame their pictures myself and hang on the tree... this one being Tyler's 1st grade picture.


Mimi sure loves this little girl.


And yes, she kissed her fair share of Santa's, Winnie the Pooh's and Mickey Mouse ornaments last night. She is so affectionate.


I love this one of Emolyn and her Pop pop. They simply adore each other.


Thank you Shawn & Nicole for cooking me a fantastic birthday dinner. Oh my gosh, the best chicken recipe ever!


Emolyn loves to get on her Mommy's cell and jabber on and on to well, nobody really. She has quite the imagination. And yes, that is the sunken living room that was full of water 6 weeks ago and now look at it! I love the carpet we chose. So warm & cozy.
Sure hope you're having many warm & cozy days leading up to Christmas.

it's Linda's birthday

~ so she shall eat cake
~ or in her case, a dozen hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts free on her birthday
~ she shall read in front of a warm woodstove because she prayed it would rain
~ and it did
~ she shall watch movies which make her sleepy
~ so she shall nap
~ she shall be filled with joy beyond measure for her many blessings
~ and it will leave her humble and weepy all day
~ she shall reminisce and be nostalgic
~ while scrapbooking old photos
~ because it's her birthday
~ and because she can.


*** You can be assured I am having a fun-filled, relaxing, all-about-me day.
Check out these fluffy, soft pillowcases my sister sent me for my birthday. She knows me so well... my unceasing love of mitten's and cupcakes. The mitten one is flannel for winter. (click to enlarge) Ginny custom makes them and they are selling like crazy. Thank you Ginny! I love them like crazy!