Friluftsliv! This Norwegian phrase roughly translates to open air life and it has become our family’s motto this year. As our children grow, we’ve narrowed our values and are working to more thoroughly embrace the beauty of nature and our diverse seasonality here in the midwest. Many families have been looking to spend more time […]
Rain Garden 101: Budget & Eco-Friendly Landscaping
It’s spring! It’s spring! It’s finally spring! Hooray! I’m so excited for a new batch of yard projects this year. Last year, we moved to a new home and yard projects included the necessary fence for our dogs and a patio — big projects to help our yard fit our family. This year we get […]
3 BIG Perks to Going Solar NOW!
We recently took the plunge into solar and I’m so, so excited! Investing in panels is something that my husband and I have always considered, but until recently it was just on our “someday” list. Honestly, we knew nothing about going solar, but assumed it would be a daunting undertaking — contractors, electric companies — […]
Wool, Wood, and Wonderment: Why You Should Attend the Chippewa Valley Museum’s Fiber Arts and Folk Life Festival
Come one, come all! To the Chippewa Valley Museum’s Fiber Arts and Folk Life Festival! Every February, the Chippewa Valley Museum hosts its annual fiber arts and folk life festival. This is one of my favorite events to attend, as it’s a great place to learn about new media, interact with like-minded crafty-folk, and support […]
Funky Crunchy Mama’s Creamy Wild Rice Soup
If you’ve ever been up nort’, I’m guessing you’ve been introduced to a few local favorites: cheese curds — both squeaky and fried — a local Friday night fish fry (and hopefully the fish was a locally sourced walleye), and wild rice — probably in a soup, possibly in a pilaf, perhaps stuffed in mushrooms, […]
My Favorite Family Frequent: Our Local History Museum
I’ve been involved with our local history museum for many years: originally, as a student with an interest in museum studies, then as a volunteer at the gift shop, and eventually as a board member. Over the years, I’ve seen and experienced many of the amazing things that a this wonderful place offers, as well […]
Happy Blogtober!
Holy moly! It’s October! I love this time of year. It’s a last chance to get outside without piling on clothes, it’s cool enough to go outside without sunscreen or fear of overheating (or being eaten alive), and there’s enough wet weather so that you can have a fire in the fire pit without fear […]
Grandma Lori’s Midwestern Pasta Salad
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen an episode of How I Met Your Mother (none-the-less binged the entire show), but if you have, you’ll learn that Jason Segel’s character, Marshall Eriksen, is a midwestern boy from a stereotypical, oversized, Minnesota family. There’s an episode where Lily and Marshall return to St. Cloud and Marshall’s […]
Fruitful Lessons and a Berry Delightful Day
Some days I’m so grateful for where I live. Today I went blueberry picking with my daughter and one of my best friends and the day was perfect. As a working mom, I often find it difficult to find fun, toddler-friendly activities outside of the house on my day off; activities that are also conducive […]
Stockholm: A Mother-Daughter Tradition
This coming weekend is one that I look forward to every year. It’s the weekend of the Stockholm Art Fest. No, not that Stockholm — Stockholm, Wisconsin. This year will be the 45th year of the fest and it’ll be my 11th (I think) with my mother. It’s my favorite tradition. While I spend a […]
