Christmas in Crookston

We spent the holiday up north in Crookston with family. The day after Christmas, the sun came out.

We walked across the way to have a little something at Dave and Ida's place.

Although it wasn't super cold, about 5 degrees above zero, the moisture-filled air had covered the trees with hoar-frost.

It looked as if the trees were in bloom.

winter hike at the farm

Last Sunday, the sun was out, the wind had died down, and we went out on a hike around the Northfield farm. Two people had snowmobile suits on, two others had on snowshoes, and we struck out on a trail that had been broken by winter campers the day before. We reached the spot in the woods where a giant tree had fallen.

We tried out the sled, but the snow was too fluffy to get very far, so we left it behind.

These snowshoes, on the other hand, made the walk easier. I had never used snowshoes before! I think I need to find a place in Minneapolis where I can try them out.

There were lots of signs of life: tracks in the snow, and this fungus on trees:

Felices Fiestas/Happy New Year to all!

Dear family and friends,
the seasons change; our children grow; but our love for you remains constant. May the coming year bring you health, peace, and joy!
momo/Joanna

When you get winter, make winterade

After the first big snowfall, put on the snowsuits, break out the sliders and hit the slopes!

Farm pictures from September, part 2

Here is what is on the other side of the "pantry" wall, and below you can see the shutter Loren put up for the window between the bedroom and the living room. When you slide it open, you can have an uninterrupted view from the back bedroom all the way to the living room windows.

Farm pictures from September, part 1

It has been too long since I did a farm update!A new addition to the inside is the pergola. Always a part of Loren's vision for the house, it is made of the black walnut he harvested from the old farm site when he had to move. It is suspended from the ceiling, and rests on the wall of that marks off the kitchen from the entry. There was going to be a pantry there, but right now it houses a buffet that is so pretty, it may stay that way.

Along the wall of that entry way under the pergola is a bench made from pieces of Loren's favorite tree, the old birch tree, that Carrie rescued from the old farm site. You can see that the support piece still has the bark on it. Lining the wall opposite the bench are sections from a branch from that same birch tree.

These slabs from one of the branches have been sanded to show the grain and mounted to line the wall of the entry. When I walk in, I always touch them.

Here is a sunset looking west past the barn.

and this is what the place was looking like before the snow.

The day we made cider

Apples for cider.


Melon ready to be picked.

The end of summer...

Making cider in Carrie's barn

Friends brought over a cider press this weekend. While some of us had wine and the cheese that Carrie had made, others cut the apples, put the press together, and greased the squeaky parts with mineral oil. Then it was time to make cider! It tasted divine! The chickens got to eat the leftovers.

Pictures from the farm

When Loren painted the house last winter, it was all white. Against the snow, it looked blindingly white. He determined to repaint at least part with a softer color, and now the bedroom wing is a taupe ("Yearling Colt" is the name of the color!).

He and Blas have laid bricks for the last few weeks, creating a patio-walkway between the barn and the house. There are now three gardens; one has yielded buckets of tomatoes.

Some of the bricks were salvaged from the old farm, the ones with the pattern. Others were found at a re-use center.
We had a feast of sweet corn, and invited the guinea pigs, Louis and his new pal Keebler.

Carrie and Charlie's wedding

I wish I had pictures from the wedding to post here, but I forgot my camera!

The wedding was glorious--perfect weather, beautiful flowers, great music and food, and lots of love from family and friends. I hope the bride and groom enjoyed it as much as we did. They looked absolutely radiant and happy.

A walk in the woods

On Sunday we took a walk in a wildlife conservation area near Chubb Lake. First we tramped through a prairie that is being replanted with oaks, then we entered the woods to look for mushrooms. It was a perfect day. Loren pointed out all the poison oak, Charlie pointed to the ticks climbing his legs, and I resolutely decided to forge ahead and enjoy the bird songs,
the dappled light

the critters,

the wildflowers. We came across this shy wild orchid in the woods. We were looking morels. Those who knew about such things showed us how to look for just the right dead or dying elm tree around whose base to search for the magical ring of mushrooms. We did end up finding a few; here's a handsome one. It's so well disguised that you might not see it, and then suddenly it's right in front of your nose:

UPDATE: Here's a little video clip that gives a much better idea of what it's like to hunt for morels

Housewarming!

It's mid-December, and still no snow in this part of Minnesota!

The new railing by the stairway made it safe to invite a large group that includes children, so we gathered for cookies and treats at the new house--there are still a few details to finish, but it is ready for a party.

and a little dancing!

Louis welcomed us all to the farm, even the dog Bella.

Blas has grown out just enough hair that it looks as if he got it cut that way on purpose!


A special present for papa: a rubbery wig that looks like a sea urchin! We are so grateful for his recovery and good health.

Making new memories

The Skin Horse.

My first Christmas ornament.

Latest farm pictures!

For our friends and family who enjoy wood, building, and floors, here's a close of up a starburst shape in one of the oak floorboards in the bedroom. This wood was originally from the floor of a school gym, and now has a new life in the new house.
The winter light shines in from the south: for now, the "office space" is where the dining table will be, between the living area and the kitchen area. There is a lot of room for dancing right now, so we've been doing some twirling.

The first Christmas tree in the new house! in the southeast corner "living room."

The kitchen area: green soapstone counters, orange for the pantry space, maple floors from the old house. The main entrance is behind the pantry wall.


Looking south and west from the kitchen sink.

Viewed from the south, looking up the hill at the back of the house. The barn is just beyond, to the left.

Latest pictures out at the farm!

Louie feels right at home.

View from the kitchen window

Tile in the shower (colors are a little off).

R's room with lava lamp.

Kitchen before appliances and upper cabinets installed.