Happy Fall

It is the first day of fall!  I love the excitement of changing seasons and the special times that come with each.  We've made our trip to the apple farm.  Today, my little one and I made a little art project with coffee filters to create sunflowers.  Here's a look at them.  And how they look from my front walk.  Enjoy God's blessings!

A Saturday in the Twin Cities

Saturday morning we awoke leisurely.  Breakfast was served at 9:00.  The professionally trained chef prepared us a culinary delight.  (Sorry, chef.  I don't remember your name.  But you are a wonderful person and your food is fabulous.)  For breakfast today, there was a plate of sliced fruit; scrambled eggs with mushroom, onion, and asparagus; sausage; salad greens with dressing; and crusty bread with blueberry butter.  The blueberry butter was the topper.  Who knew butter could be the highlight of your meal?

We ventured back towards the area we'd been in last night.  We walked the foot bridge.  We checked out the Mill City Farmers Market.  We looked around outdoors near the Mill City Museum, putting that on our to-see-next-time list.

on the foot bridge

the lock and dam

under the bridge

looking out through the farmer's market toward the Gutherie

some of the Mill City ruins

giant steel beams twisted by the explosion at the Mill City Museum

(On a side note, if you really want to see a farmer's market go to Des Moines, IA.  While Mill City can hold its own, it doesn't hold a candle to Des Moines's downtown farmers market.  They really know how to do it right.)

The day was getting hot and muggy, so it was time to find some water and a book store.  We went to Magers & Quinn Booksellers.

It's named by City Pages and others as one of the best book stores in the Twin Cities.  It did not disappoint.  And the thing this Dutch girl loved the most was the excellent prices!  God bless them.

Still hadn't gotten my water.  I was getting parched and famished.  It was about 2:30 when we got to Uncommon Grounds Coffee House.

I got an iced mocha.  Brad got a capuccino.  We shared a chicken caesar panini and one of the most decadent slices of chocolate cake I've ever eaten.  The decor was strangely 1980's victorian throw back.  But, I really enjoyed the food.

We drove to the Walker Art Center.  There were only two exhibitions--Christian Marclay: the clock; and works from 1958 to 1978.  We were a little disappointed that we were unable to see some of the works from their permanent collection that we'd become acquainted with in the past.

                                                  

                                                 Life is a bowl of cherries with my beloved

It was getting ready to storm and we were exhausted.  We went back to the New Victorian Mansion to nap while it stormed and poured.

We went to supper at the The Happy Gnome.  It was selected by my husband because of its impressive craft brew selection.  Here's the link to check it out.http://thehappygnome.com/

We started with pretzels with beer cheese.  It was so good!

I wasn't too hungy, so I looked for a sandwich.  I chose the walleye po'boy, because it's Minnesota, right?  The walleye's got to be good.  Here's what I got.  

Quite a bit of food!  The curious thing is that on both of the sandwiches I ordered at this pub and WA Frost & Co. which is just down the street from here, there were pickled red onions.  I've never had pickled red onions before.  Curious.  I did enjoy them.

Bradley chose the seared tuna.  It was delicious.  But, there was much less food on his plate.  He had room for dessert and chose the rhubarb crisp.  How can you not like a restaurant that has rhubarb crisp on the menu?  

I'm telling you this is a restaurant that's worth going to if beer is your thing.  But, the place was packed, so be prepared.

Afterwards, we went for a little walk.  This neighborhood is very walkable.  It has lots of cute shops and places to eat.  We were unable to enjoy it all.  We'll have to make another trip.

We relaxed again on the front porch. God gave us a beautiful rainbow over the cathedral to enjoy.  It was a blessed end to a blessed day.

The Gutherie

It had been a long time since we'd been to the Gutherie Theater.  The last time we'd been there, they'd been at a different location.  Now they're by the river next to the Mill City Museum, which is a charming location.  Here is a view from the back side.

The Gutherie now has three theaters: a thrust stage, a proscenium, and a black box.  They also have a restaurant, bar, and a great viewing area on the extended piece of architecture above.

The views are great!

We saw a show on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.

It was an historical drama about the power of theater.  It was set in Australia in the year 1789 in the penal colony of Sydney.  The Gutherie, as usual, put on a great show.  We were especially impressed with the use of simple set pieces ingeniously engineered to be multi-functional.  We also thought the lighting was spectacular.

It was a blessing to enjoy a night at the theater.  Art lifts my soul to a higher and deeper humanity, I feel.  It connects me spiritually to a Creative God in a way other human activities do not.  And, as this play seemed to convey, it connects me more humanely to my fellow man.  I deeply appreciate the work of these artists and am so thankful for the opportunity to experience a night at The Gutherie once again.

Afterwards, we went back to The New Victorian Mansion.  We enjoyed a little time on the front porch and the comforts of this beautiful home.  Next time, I'll tell you about Saturday's adventures.

Upstairs at the Mansion

From the tea cart, we can turn around and take the stairs.  Look at the lovely seat on the landing.

And here's the top of the stairs.

At the top of the stairs was our room--the first door.  It was called the cathedral room.

We chose this room because of the turret and the tub with jets.  The other rooms have bigger beds and small closets, but only showers.

And this is why it is called the cathedral room--the view.

After we got settled, we got ready to see a play at the Gutherie.  I'll tell you about that next time.

The New Victorian Masion

As I said, the aunt of the proprietors checked us in.  As you walk in the front door, this room awaits you.

That charming little tea tray has cookies for the guests.

To the right is the living room with a powder room for your convenience.

And to the left is the dining room.

Farther down the hall is a bedroom that a guest could stay in.  I didn't take pictures of it,  but you should be able to see it on their website.  http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/mn-st-paul-thenewvictorianmansionbedbreakfast.html

What a lovely home!  The Blessings and their employees did so much hard work.  It certainly paid off.  We enjoyed it immensely.  Next time I'll show you the upstairs.

Wandering to the Twin Cities

We headed to the Twin Cities to get away.  It was our way of celebrating 20 years of marriage.  We had a fun trip.

First we stopped at IKEA.

It was our first time exploring here.  There are so many things to see.  (For a first timer maybe a little too much.)  We'd just moved through the first gallery when we got a text from home that the electricity had been knocked out due to a storm.  Thankfully that was resolved before we were finished shopping at IKEA.

We headed to St. Paul to find our bed and breakfast.  We stayed at The New Victorian Mansion Bed & Breakfast. You can learn more here http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/mn-st-paul-thenewvictorianmansionbedbreakfast.html

We found it with little trouble.  We did have to turn around once because the front of the building surprised us.

It was a Montessori school.  When we drove by, the children were outside watering their little gardens.  (You can see the trellis on the left.)

We were a little early for check in.  We'd seen a coffee shop nearby and headed there.  But, when we got to that part of the neighborhood, we saw a restaurant that I'd come across in my research.  It was listed as one of the 10 most romantic restaurants in the Twin Cities.  It was so charming!  We ate an early meal, since we'd skipped lunch and were going to the theater later.  Because of the time, the menu was limited.  But, it was delicious.  We ate at W.A. Frost & Company.
http://www.wafrost.com/

My pictures don't do it justice. The ones on their website don't either.  The atmosphere is just enchanting. The weather was perfect for eating outdoors.  We ate at a table with an umbrella.  But, there were garden benches and an area with over stuffed patio furniture.  There were lights in the trees.  And beautiful gardens.  It was so lovely.

Brad got the grilled lamb burger.  I ordered the Yucatan style pulled pork sandwich.  Brad says the lamb burger was the best thing he ate this weekend.

We went back to The Victorian Mansion to check in.  The inn keepers' aunt checked us in and showed us around.  I'll post about that next time.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for:

1. Salvation
2. Jesus is a friend who will never leave me nor forsake me.
3. Bradley
4. My children
5. My family
6. Health for myself and my family
7. A warm house
8. My car working faithfully
9. My washing machine and dryer
10. My dishwasher
11. Telephones
12. Computers
13. Homeschooling
14. That my children had the freedom to play in the fresh falling snow impromptu
15. I live in a free country
16. As Elliot says, "Cake"
17. Helping others
18. The garbage men who were already working by 6:30 am in the dark and cold
19. Newspaper delivery people who also faithfully work in the cold
20. Electric linemen who fix up after weather troubles
21. Soldiers
22. Policemen
23. Healthcare workers
24. Children
25. Christian teachers
26. Books
27. Music
28. Art
29. Profitable work
30. Holidays
31. Laughter
32. That God hears and answers my prayers
33. That God's answers are always and only the best

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.

Pushing Through

2 Learn Something Tuesday

My students are complaining some about some of the educational matter I am requiring.  One subject is ABeka Book Cursive handwriting.  And, another subject is Apologia Science (particularly the study guides or if I require a chapter outline).

Some homeschoolers might argue that my problem is that I am not allowing my students to be self directed.  I hear that.  But, there are some skills I want to hone here.  And one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control.  Self control is a discipline that requires exercise.

So here are a couple of my suggestions for making that dreaded subject a little more tolerable:

1) M&Ms :)  Eat one after each line/question/problem.  "A spoonful of sugar..." La la la.
2)Exercises/Dancing:  After so much time worked, take an activity break.
3) "Buddies":  Change the clothing on a paper doll, printed character, or real doll.  (Hey, maybe even your mom or brother. I'm thinking silly hats or something here.)
4) Action figures or Legos:  Build one piece after each accomplishment in the lesson.

We're pushing through by trying to add a little fun.  Hope this encourages you as you try to learn something.  Sometimes things get a little tough.  Don't give up.  Change it up a little.

Oh, and don't forget to look to Jesus.  It's all His.  He knows the best way.  Say a prayer, read the Word, follow the Spirit.

God bless.

Our weekly meal plan

                                      

MONDAY LUNCH                  tacos

MONDAY DINNER                                 ham steak, potatoes, corn, fruit salad

TUESDAY LUNCH           macaroni and cheese, apple slices

TUESDAY DINNER                                 salsa chicken casserole

WEDNESDAY LUNCH    baked potatoes with veggies and cheese

WEDNESDAY DINNER                           sloppy joe, fries, green beans, and peaches

THURSDAY LUNCH            chicken nuggets, fries, and oranges

THURSDAY DINNER                              crockadoodledoo

FRIDAY LUNCH                     chicken noodle soup and apple slices

FRIDAY DINNER                                    spaghetti and salad  

Give us today our daily bread.  Matthew 6:11   

Thank you Lord for your daily care and provision.

Fun Friday

This is a GIANT MESS to you and I.

But to my children it is a FUN FRIDAY activity to make an entire room into a blanket fort.  And since the temperatures have been cold, I'm having mercy.  But I'm glad the forecast is a little warmer and I'm hoping for those children to spend some significant time outdoors soon.  And be advised this fort is getting picked up soon!!!!!!

Third World Thursday

Let's pray for the third world.

Today, I'm thinking about Juarez, Mexico.  It's not the first place I think of when I think of third world.  And some may argue that a better word for Mexico is developing.  But developing doesn't alliterate with Thursday.

Furthermore, my friends are preparing to go to Juarez on a mission trip.  And hence, it is on my mind and in my prayers.

When I think of Juarez, I think of crime, especially murder and drugs.  But, as I've been thinking about it, I think it is really more important to think about people.  Juarez is a town, just like my town, full of people.  And God loves people.

Micah 6:8 comes to my mind.  "He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

And so I pray for justice in Mexico.  I pray for mercy for Mexico.  I pray that the Lord's gospel would move forth powerfully in Mexico that they may walk humbly with Him.  And I pray for the people who I know going to Juarez.  May the Lord's will be done and may He work His good plan and receive His glory which is due only to Him.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.


*****Update:  Please pray for my friends.  One team member had to drop out because of rare health concerns and another couple's brother is fighting for his life.  I pray that the Lord will help them  set their faces toward the goal and that He will battle for them and give them strength to fight a good fight.  Praise Him that we already know that His is the victory.

Wednesday in the Word

Being January, I was thinking about time.  I looked through the concordance under time.  The Lord drew me to Hosea 10:12.  It says, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you."

For it is time to seek the Lord...my spirit says yes to that.  But how do I sow for myself righteousness when I am unrighteous?  And how do I reap the fruit of unfailing love when my love so regularly fails?  And am I willing to break up unplowed ground?  That is a lot of hard work.  Yet my spirit resonates with that invitation for new growth and God's promise of showered righteousness.

I love the agrarian tone.  And coming from a farm background there is an understanding of the cyclical nature of the earth.  I think God is communicating the cyclical nature of abiding in Him.  I think that by the power of His Spirit he will pour unfailing love into my earthen vessel and shower his righteousness into my unrighteousness by his grace.  But there is a partnership intoned in the verse, something I must do.  I ask for ears to hear, eyes to see, and a soft heart to respond to this beautiful verse.

Another reason this verse delights me is because it is a little call and a little beacon of hope in a passage of filth. The rest of the passage is recounting Israel's offenses and unfaithfulness.  And isn't that just the reality of the battle of our fallen lives?  And yet God calls to us for relationship and renewal.

In my Bible study, this verse arose.  Isaiah 30:18 says, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!"

God's love is a powerful thing and a precious thing.  His love can change the world and certainly little old me.  And so I'll leave you with a link to a song to meditate on God's love.  And maybe He'll use it draw us and mold us.  This is How He Loves by David Crowder*Band.

To Learn Something Tuesday

Today we ate string cheese for a snack.  My daughter asked, "Mom, how do they make string cheese?"  So our self directed learning led us to a video.  We enjoyed our string cheese as we learned about it.  Here's a link if you'd care to learn about it as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qvrVxq1WvM

My Weekly Menu

          Hi!  I'm trying to get back into the swing of this.

          So I thought I'd start with a menu Monday. 

          Here's what we'll be eating at our house this week

          from Monday through Friday.

Monday lunch          leftover barbecue shredded chicken buns, chips, carrot sticks, orange slices
Monday dinner        baked chicken, kale quinoa and black bean salad

Tuesday lunch         spaghetti and salad
Tuesday dinner        minestrone soup, canned peaches

Wednesday lunch     deli meat sandwich, pretzels carrot sticks, apple slices
Wednesday dinner    tuna noodle casserole, pineapple

Thursday lunch         popcorn shrimp, fries, corn, and orange slices
Thursday dinner       chicken quesadillas and lettuce salad

Friday lunch             leftovers
Friday dinner           frozen pizza and apple slices


Lord, thank you for the food we eat.  Please bless it to our bodies.  In Jesus name, Amen

I. Timothy 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.