Where the heart is.

As we drove into my sisters driveway, I felt at peace with the end of our vacation.  The house was so welcoming, but for the people who lived in this house, they were even more welcoming.  My sister is the yard person.  My brother-in-law is truly a motor head, so each have their hobbies. 
For my sister, each step in the process of making their home beautiful, is thrilling and labor intensive.  But she seems to enjoy it.  We have more in common as we get older. Flowers, and greeting cards are the top two.  But as I said before, age seems less important as we grow older.  We are no longer big sister and baby sister, we are friends. 

We have always been miles apart, but our hearts have stayed close.  More pictures to come. This one picture doesn't show the beauty of her deck and garden.  Vacation soon to end, but for now, I will be with my sister, that little time will be well used. 

God Bless those who travel through my little world.
Carol

This is for my brother.

Kristi wrote me and ask about the picture of us toasting to the wine maker, my brother Vern.  Well, the truth is that it's a little blurry. Hum, it might be because of the wine I had enjoyed through the night that made my hand shakier or maybe its just me. 

The group decided to toast my brother for the great wine he made and we shared with them.  To you brother. I love you.

Your little sister
Carol

Fish, no Walleye.

Walleye is the king of fish in Minnesota. And the best way to serve it, for us Minnesotans is fried. Yummy. Our last night at their house, after the great walk, was a dinner with ex co-workers and friends. I couldn't believe they came and shared a meal. A meal we all got to take part in, the guys grilled, the gals worked at the salads, and Kristie fried walleye. Oh my gosh.

The meal was not just the food, but the friendship we had that night. The laughs the food and the dessert, no pictures of that, private joke. We even shared a bottle of wine my brother bottles.

We were on the last days of our vacation, and yet we were once again enjoying, laughing, and eating way too much. Lots to remember from the area we called home for over 20 years.

Carol

What, exercise?

Kristie and Joe treated us as tourists. But maybe they knew by this time in our vacation we need to get off our back sides and walk. These mines in Crosby have lots of trails, this is just one of the many. I have to say, that all the years we lived there, this is another thing we had never done. Thanks guys for MAKING us go. Not really, we were willing.

That evening we knew of the benefits to the walking that afternoon. I will write more about this in my next post. I have to say, it warmed my heart and brought so many laughs and memories to an already great vacation.

God Bless everyone.

Carol

How did we miss this?

This massive group of water are formed from mines in Crosby, Minnesota. John and I had never been here. Can you imagine, living near here for 20 years and not seeing this. Shame on us. Sometimes being close to beauty and too busy to enjoy it, is a sin.

God Bless everyone on this beautiful Sunday. Prayers for those in the path of Irene.
Carol

We make ourselves at home

One thing about having us for guests is that we know how to relax. Our next stop was Joe and Kristi's, they started out my bosses and turned into our friends. What an unexpected blessing.

The story goes, ours that is, that we arrived before they came home from work. So, John and I decided to enjoy their deck, we always carry wine, two crystal glasses and fine hors d' oeuvres. I bet you didn't know these were hors d' oeuvres? John and I pride ourselves in good wine and finger food when traveling. Not to say the napkins, yes fabric. Oh my.

Just because they weren't home doesn't mean we had to wait to start the party. When they did arrive we welcomed them as if they were the company. Lots of laughs and memories made.

This was just the start to a fine visit. What great friends we have.

Carol

Me and Lammie....

The other day a box arrived from PetCareRx. As Carol opened the box I new it was for me. Out from the box came a new lamb stuffed friend. She handed it to me and off I went, making a new friend and introducing him to his new home.

I had never seen anything so big. Lammie was huge, almost as big as me. Oh my gosh, lammie was wonderful. But after a few days of playing with lammie, I introduced him to my favorite place. My landing upstairs by the window. We both took a nap, as Carol would say attitude adjustment time.

Moral of the story is...be good and get new friends.

Austin

The world keeps changing.

I watch out my window in Carol's studio with interest in the world I have come to know. At six months old, I have learned so much. Humans are very interesting. They request obedience but in return give so much love.

Over the last few months I have entertained many humans. They tell me they are family. But what I know is how they act towards my humans and therefore how I treat them.

I also have a new love, her name is Helen. Be still my heart. She lives across the street from me. I know she loves me by the look in her eyes when she comes to see me after a long day of work. I also know she has a lot of things going on in her life. So I'm making sure my tail wags as fast as it can, and that my butt follows. She deserves lots of attention.

Life has been good to me. What more can happen, what more fun will I experience?

This wag is for you.

Austin

When did it happen?

When did we look at each other and know what was lurking in each others head. What not to say, what to avoid and when to speak up? When was it that I found myself in him and him in me? When does it occur to you that you could lose the one you love?

For me, the relationship with John has slowly grown and with every breath I take he takes one with me. It's not only comfortable but loving. Is it boring? Sometimes it occurs to me that we have little to talk about, but on the other hand it's wonderful. Sitting on the porch, having ice tea and we are so comfortable with each other. We can shut the world out or we can talk about it. It's up to us at the moment.

I haven't been writing much lately because of health issues for my husband. John has had heart issues for years. And right off the bat we decided his heart had taken a down swing and we would do what was needed. That wasn't the issue. And unfortunately we still don't know. It's really hard on a strong man with vitality and than within weeks he losses some of that strength. We can't deal with something we don't know where it is in his body or what it is.

Prayer has been my outlet and I have to say, answers come from the world around you if you listen. That's what prayer gives you...an open mind. Maybe not answers but thoughts and maybe thoughts will lead to answers. John and I are now once again filled with hope that we will find the answers and move on.

God Bless those who travel through this little blog.

Carol

A Sweet Gift

While in Northern Minnesota, we saw John's ex partner and my dear friend. Funny how these two things occur in one person. Over the last few years Brandy and I have become best friends and I have grown to love her two children, who I write about here off and on. Breakfast was the best way to see them so we met at cafe in Emily.

During breakfast, Cordaye told me she had a new piece of artwork for me. I told her that the card they send me was still on my wall. Should I replace it. Wolfgang sprang into action, stating that he felt I could add it to my wall. Funny thing was that he didn't have anything to do with the new piece of artwork and he didn't want me to take down the card that both made for me.

When I got home I put the artwork above the card and now they are both have a special place on my wall and in my heart.

Carol

Light the fire...open the wine.

A day after the steak fry we drove to Northern Minnesota to visit friends we missed. It was by no means uneventful. The day went so fast and visiting friends was heart warming. We were blessed with an invitation to spend the night with my once bosses. Tucked in the woods, looking over a lake and their kids that treated us like family was by all means enjoyable.

The evening was full of laughs and a few glasses of wine. OK, one more than a few. We sat outside till it became chilly, yes I said chilly. We moved downstairs to a beautiful fire in the fireplace. The popcorn was popped, the wine was chilled and conversation was warm. For you southerners we did have the patio doors open all the way. For fresh air of course.

Summer in Northern Minnesota is by far the most beautiful place to be. Warm days, cool nights and open windows to sleep by.

Thanks to Joe and Kristi for their friendship. We are truly blessed.

Carol

Clearlake, Minnesota B&B

After John got home from fishing, life got just a little more hectic and fun. No more sitting around and reading, it was time to socialize to the max. We traveled only about five miles to the second youngest in our family.

A house nestled in the woods, with a deck that spans the back and a gazebo tucked further into the woods. What a place to think and be reminded of how blessed we are to have such a peaceful life. Outside of the gazebo is this incredible pond, which adds the background trickle to reading or visiting. My brother is not only creative in landscaping but also in the wood products he sells on my Etsy site.

This was also going to be the scene of the, "Steak Fry" but that the next entry. For this day, the relaxation was joined by my sister and brother in law for a pre-party visit. Visiting family is always tiring because we have so much to talk about and listen too. But being tired was a small price to pay for the memories.

Carol

Tears on Vacation

The week John was gone was truly hard on me. Don't get me wrong, I have been without him for a week before, many times. However, this was the first time I not only missed him but also Timber. I didn't realize how many times I looked in the back seat to see what she was up too, or waking up and seeing if I could sneak to the bathroom and get back before she knew I was up.

Let me tell you, it never fails to surprise me that at 58 years old I am having a hard time getting used to her being gone. I might add that nothing seems worth it, the lack of hair balls rolling around the house, the lack of responsibilty, or the nose prints on the windows. I miss the unconditional love and the naps in my chair with her snuggled in my lap and making me stay there because she is sound a sleep.

Vacation just highlighted my need for a little spirit that is dependent on me, who loves me and doesn't let me down with hurtful words and actions. Pets are truly God's gifts.

Carol

Our First B&B

Now you ask why I liken my families homes to Bread & Breakfast stops? My family is the most loving and accommodating, make staying so warm and wonderful. Their acceptance of our personality and needs make me smile. I am the baby of eight. So you can see I am a handful.

The first stop was at my second oldest brother and wife. We were welcome with open arms and the strongest hugs possible. Lucky they are older and their hugs can't take your breath away.

This is their back yard and I can tell you that it's not as beautiful in picture, as in real life. However, not having the Retired One to photograph for me. You know who you are, a virtual friend, my pictures are going to have to do.

My sister in law, who I consider my sister loved the peaches. Wow, I won her over, maybe that's why the hugs were so good.

Have a great weekend to all my virtual friends and real family.

Carol

Car Goodies.

Today while packing and of course our time spent on the porch, wondering if we remembered everything, a car turned around in our driveway, or at least that's what we thought. Until our friend stepped out of the car with a big purple gift bag. She said it was just a little something to get us going. Humm. I said or bribing us to leave. Well it turned out she wants us back.

Good thing she made that clear because she sent enough food to keep us busy eating and driving possible to Minnesota and back. There were two items that almost made me cry. A little looking glass and a journal. Why cry you say, think about it....looking at ones self and writing. Oh boy again, what is she thinking. But as I read the note I realized she is right. Even though I write most things on my blog there are times I don't publish thoughts. So, dear friend, I will write and read in the future.

I am so blessed

Carol

What more can be said.

Today while packing up the car for our cross country trip to Minnesota, I realized how blessed we are to be able to take a vacation, with clean rest stops,good roads, being able to pay for gas, and family willing to house us. Which explains this picture.

We just bought this licence plate because we only need one state plate on the car. When I saw this one on the Internet, I could hardly wait to order and have it on our car. Well I have to say, it was more awesome than I expected. It makes me realize during the busy process of life that I am loved by my husband, my family and protected by God. And I know God loves me also. What a great way to start Vacation.

Well as usual my plan to write everyday was well say we say, derailed. My sister-in-law and my brother have dial up and guess what. I ran out of patients. So here I am after a week on the road finally logging in.

Our trip was so very pleasant. Of course with my husband driving it was great. We listened to talk radio all the way, there went my reading. But as I said it was great.

I will write again soon. But for now, God Bless those who said a pray for us.

Carol

July's Supper Club

Once again the supper club assembled to laugh, eat and of course have a drink or two. Dinner was so very good we actually ate with quiet determination. Did I tell you the guys are the cooks? I hate to call them that because they are better than that. I know I don't give my guy enough credit for his creativity in the kitchen. But this post is for the guys always make marriage special. Thanks for everything guys.

Having new friends that will laugh and smile at the littlest things are in my eyes, God's blessings.

Have a great day everyone.

Carol

Look what we found. Step Two

Yesterday we took the next step. This was going to be a retaining wall that holds back the gardens. We have a slope built by the builder to navigate the water after a long rain. So the integrity of the landscape is very important. We decided to put two levels.

The first level, a garden of perennials, that won't need a lot of attention. The second level will be ivy that will only need pruning back. But for now the first level is what we're focusing on. The interesting part is, what we found two inches under the ground. Yes it's a wire. Was it hot, could it be important, this was the question. The funny part was that it went across our back yard from one fence line to the other. The power company came out, said it wasn't theirs but probably Charter cables. So we are waiting on them.

The amazing part is that our telephone line is only about two inches below ground and now this. In MN everything is at least at frost line. Which for all you hot land people is 36 inches. Every shovel push we do is a possible surprise.

John's best friend the tiller is most likely going to make a few mistakes and cut a few important or unimportant wires before we are done. We have already cut a few lawn watering system hoses. But hay, city living is new to us.

Tomorrow we hope to be back to building. But for today , we are wondering what secrets lie awaiting our next step. Thanks to all my friends. The Retired One and Vodka Logic. You guys rule.

God Bless all those who travel through my little world called Balsam Ponds

Carol

Small deck big grill

We have always had huge decks. Making it easy to house the grill and all the wonderful furniture it took to make the spaces work for lots of people and entertaining. When we decided to move here we realized we didn't have the deck. It was only about 12 x 16 feet. After thinking it over we decided it was big enough for the two of us. But if we had company it would be too small.

Building a new deck or what? We decided to remove the grill from the deck and making it a perfect deck for four to six sitters.

So this is our next step. Grill platform was the answer. I love it, it works so good. And again John did on heck of a job. I think I will keep him.....at least till the yard is done. Giggle.

Have a great day everyone.

Carol

More than just my husband.

The other day, while working at my part time job a gal was telling me that she has a wonderful husband. Not because his title was husband but because he was such a great guy. He loved her without thinking of every little difference. He gave her all of him.

Her thoughts were so simple and so easy to understand. Why, because I have a husband just like hers. After 23 years, we continue to grow in love. In our case it's because we don't take each other for granted. We work at our marriage. Sometimes it's a little harder but than we are worth it. I know him and he knows me.

When we lost Timber, I realized that he got over the loss so much easier than I did. But he understood me enough to give me time to heal. This is truly the reason he is such a great husband. He took time to know me and when times are rough, he knows what to give me. I hope you all have this kind of love. Remember this is not gotten overnight, this is from practice. And practice makes perfect.

God Bless all those who travel through my little blogger world.

Carol