MN State Fair 2017

This year, my Mr. Man and I took our oldest to the state fair and left our youngest with family.  It was his first time there, but earlier in the year we had already taken him to several summer events and a county fair, so he already experienced the carnival-like atmosphere.  Since we went on a weeknight, we didn't stay out too late. (I think I would've stayed a bit longer despite our son being very tired at the time we actually left.)  He got to ride the kiddie rides and see lots of farm animals.  I think he thoroughly enjoyed the fair.

I wanted to try new foods but never got around to it.  I really wanted to try the Dole pineapple "ice cream," which is suppose to taste like soft-serve ice cream but it's made only from frozen pineapples (apparently, the MN State Fair is only one of three places in the world where you can get this frozen treat).  I ate an indian bread taco, french fries, and Sweet Martha's chocolate chip cookies.  I didn't even have time to get cheese curds (which are the best from the state fair).

If you're in town, go check out the MN State Fair.  The last day to attend is Labor Day.  If you get a chance to try out the Dole pineapple ice cream, let me know what you think of it.  Have a great day!

Yosemite in 2017

Heading south on Hwy. 99, the eastern sky is smokey from the wildfires in the Central Valley.

Last month I took my children to see my family in California. While there, I visited Yosemite with family members. On the day we went, it was hot and hazy (apparently, there were severe forest fires occurring in Mariposa County), and continued to be hot and hazy throughout the entire day.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite was beautiful, but not as beautiful as I remembered it. Too many tourists, increased traffic, and environmental pollution had dulled the park's beauty. I also must admit that I've been away for too long and been spoiled by the greenery and clearer atmosphere of the Midwest.  The mountains were beautiful to look at, but the air pollution and haze was such a distraction.

Merced River

I also realized that I might be too old to be climbing up mountains.  I believe I've been to Yosemite in my teens, 20s, 30s, and now 40s, and this was the first time my knees were bothering me as I climbed up (and down) the path to Vernal Falls.  (I don't want to blame it on old age and will point out that I am a lot out-of-shape because I just gave birth at the end of April.)

Vernal Falls

I hope this isn't the last time I will visit Yosemite.  I need to take my Mr. Man there and have him experience the park's natural beauty.

Did you go anywhere interesting this summer?

What Eclipse?

Today was the big day! The solar eclipse was occurring and much of North America will be in darkness when the alignment was to occur. Where I was at, I would see it around the noon hour. Unfortunately for me, I was busy indoors during the noon hour, and it became cloudy and rainy after the noon hour. Boo! :( 

It had been cloudy for most of the day, so if there was a partial eclipse to be glimpsed at, it would've occurred right before the noon hour (close to 11 a.m.) and it would've been brief. Well, I hope you had a better viewing than I did.

Happy solar eclipse day!

Lavender Plants

I have an affinity for certain plants (e.g. cherry trees, blueberry bushes, rose bushes, etc.) and lavender is definitely on that list.  Yesterday, I discovered I actually have some lavender plants growing and may have figured a way to have the plant survive our winters.

I've tried growing lavender in the past (from seeds, as plants in pots, in the ground) and haven't been successful.  Last year, I tried again to grow lavender plants in my yard.  I planted two bushes in a rocky area where it got a lot of sun.  I let the plants grow big, flower, and seed.  This spring, I thought the plants were going to survive, but didn't (I was so sad).  So, I pulled out the dead plants and planted sage in its places.  Then yesterday, I began weeding that area and noticed tiny little lavender plants.  Apparently, some of the lavender seeds were able to germinate.  (Apparently, Mr. Man had also been weeding this area and been pulling out some of the lavender plants because he thought they were weeds.)

My hope is for the lavender plants to get bigger and to reseed itself so that I will have lavender plants next year.  Maybe this is the only way I will get a continuous supply of lavender plants in my yard.  I guess I'm just going to hope for the best.

Porcupine Quills

[Oakdale Summerfest in Oakdale, MN. Taken on Friday June 23, 2018.]

Tuesday's Tune: Human

This song, "Human" by Human League, is a total blast from the past.  I actually really love this song. Seriously, I really do love this song because the lyrics have always resonated with me, even before I made my own mistakes in love.  And since having made and learned from my mistakes, I've learned to appreciate the lyrics even more.

This song is really about forgiveness (despite the repeating chorus saying that it's human to make mistakes) and probably the reason why I love the song so much.  This song specifically focuses on asking forgiveness from those we've wronged, however, I also want to highlight that sometimes we should also seek to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we've made. 

For example, I've realized that I have no control over whether the person I've wronged will ever forgive me (forgiveness may never come).  Yet, I do have control over whether I will forgive myself. Sometimes the person I've wronged had already forgiven me but I still am harboring guilt and shame (in other words, I haven't forgiven myself). That is why it's so important for me to also forgive myself for the mistakes I've made, to figure out what the lesson(s) that I needed to learn, and to give myself permission to move forward with life. It's hard emotionally, but once I'm done, it's also freeing.

What do you think about this song?  Have you asked for forgiveness lately?  Have you forgiven yourself for the mistakes you've made?

Tbd

Dreary and Rainy

Despite the record heat that we are having here (and everywhere else in the US), it's also been cloudy, dreary, and rainy.  Today, its been dreary and rainy (with lots of thunder), yet, I actually don't mind this weather. Since I've been home-bound for the last few months, the rain gives me another reason to be indoors.

I feel bad when it's sunny out and I can't take my oldest outside to enjoy the beautiful day.  I'm also thankful for the rainy weather because it naturally waters our garden and the lawn.  Also, these days are great to cuddle with my kids and to have them slow down a bit, even if they don't fully understand the concept.

Here's to great weather in your 'hood.  What do you think about dreary and rainy weather?

My Field of Tulips

[Taken May 12, 2017.] 

Baby Quilts

Since having my children, I've realized that one can't have too many blankets.  I appreciate and love all the gifted blankets, but it's the handmade quilts that we'll be keeping for a very long time. Seriously, a handmade quilt just can't be easily thrown away (at least not for me) and we really do cherish the ones that were gifted to our children.

My first son received two handmade quilts (one from my friend and the other one from his father's friend) and my youngest also received two quilts (one from my friend and one from me).  They've been adorned in the boys' bassinet, but haven't really been put to proper use.  I'm hoping that once they get older, the quilts can be used as intended, and they can appreciate how much love and thought were put into each quilt.

(You might recognize the yellow quilt in the second picture.  If you don't, then this post might jog your memory.)

Do you have a favorite quilt or handmade item that means a lot to you?