Field of Gold

Sledding on Overnight Snowfall

Many have been thinking that spring was finally here in the Northern Midwest (much of the snow has melted and the temperatures have been in the mid-40s), but Old Man Winter (and Mother Nature) thought that a reminder was necessary. So last night we received about an inch's worth of snow. Not too much, but enough to require plowing and enough to move a sled over.

Since having two little boys, I've really loved the time right after a snowfall, where the streets are plowed and there's still enough snow on the roads and driveway to pull my boys in a sled.

Last spring, my friend was throwing away a perfectly fine sled, so I thought to keep it. At the time, I thought it would be good to have in case if I wanted to take my son(s) sledding on a hill. I didn't think I was going to use it this much this winter, and I'm so glad that I kept it.

The best way for me to use this sled is to pull my boys on unplowed streets. I think they enjoy it most of the time and it gives me a little exercise. It's also really making me take my boys outside and try to "enjoy" the winter season.

How do you enjoy the winter season in your neck of the woods?

Horseshoe Bend, AZ

Books of 2017

This past year, I read a lot. More than I have ever in a year. I don't know I did it, but I did. I also came across "cozy" mysteries. My sister wanted to know why I continued to read some of the cozy series, and I think it's because I get sucked into the world that the author has created; I keep wanting to find out what's going to happen to the character. Regardless, for some reason, these books have become my favorite books to read while relaxing. So, the following are the books I read in 2017:

1.  The Madwoman Upstairs--Catherine Lowell
2.  The Secret Ingredient of Wishes--Susan Bishop Crispell
3. The Bookshop on the Corner--Jenny Colgan
4. The Glass Magician--Charlie N. Holmberg
5. The Master Magician--Charlie N. Holmberg
6. The Witch's Market--Mingmei Yip
7. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children--Ransom Riggs
8. Death of the Black-Haired Girl--Robert Stone
9. The Martian--Andy Wier
10. Labor Day--Joyce Maynard
11. The Bonesetter's Daughter--Amy Tan
12. The Talented Ribkins--Ladee Hubbard
13. Secondhand Spirits--Juliet Blackwell
14. A Cast-Off Coven--Juliet Blackwell
15. Hexes and Hemlines--Juliet Blackwell
16. In a Witch's Wardrobe--Juliet Blackwell
17. Tarnished and Torn--Juliet Blackwell
18. A Vision in Velvet--Juliet Blackwell
19. A Haunting is Brewing--Juliet Blackwell
20. Spellcasting in Silk--Juliet Blackwell
21. A Toxic Trousseau--Juliet Blackwell
22. If Walls Could Talk--Juliet Blackwell
23. Dead Bolt--Juliet Blackwell
24. Murder on the House--Juliet Blackwell
25. Home for the Haunting--Juliet Blackwell
26. Keeper of the Castle--Juliet Blackwell
27. Give up the Ghost--Juliet Blackwell
28. Witch Way to Murder--Shirley Damsgaard
29. The Trouble with Witches--Shirley Damsgaard
30. Charmed to Death--Shirley Damsgaard
31. Witch Hunt--Shirley Damsgaard
32. The Witch's Grave--Shirley Damsgaard
33. The Witch is Dead--Shirley Damsgaard
34. The Seventh Son--Shirley Damsgaard

Let me know what you've read this past year. If you've read or happen to read any of these books, let me know of your opinion. Happy reading!

Cobblestoned Path

[Taken October 15, 2017 in Washington D.C.]

Happy New Year's Eve

Have a great New Year's Eve.

I can't believe how fast 2017 came and went. I remember the beginning of the year going by so quick because I was looking forward to giving birth and not being pregnant any more. When my little boy entered into our lives, a quarter of the year already passed. The next thing I knew, my two little boys were taking up all of my time and I only wanted to sleep. I returned to work and then it was the holidays. Suddenly, today is New Year's Eve.  Family-wise, I've had a great year.

In my professional life, I've had a sad, heartbreaking, but eye-opening experience. I had to go deep into myself and ask what it was that I wanted to do with my life. Some truths came to the surface, and I realized that it was time to move on from my organization and my profession. I had to accept the reality that I wasn't going to go any further with my organization and I had to be okay with it. Once, I accepted it, I then started dreaming about what my life could look like, and what exactly I wanted to do with it. 2018 is a time for me to create and bring my dreams into reality.

So how are you? What happened to you in 2017?

Hello, Stranger!

Dear Friend,

I'm sorry that I haven't kept up with my posting.  I've been meaning to.  I noticed that I didn't post a single entry in  October (even though I wanted to), and I am reminded that if I didn't post today (the last day of November), then I wouldn't have posted at all in November.

I didn't mean to ignore you.  I've been busy, and it's not an excuse.  I've just been really busy.  With two babies under the age of two, a full-time job, and many transitions because "life happens," I've had to prioritize.  So, blogging has been put down at the very bottom of the list.

I do want to say that I've thought about this blog a lot.  I've been wanting to share so many stories about my children/parenthood and tell you about the adventures that I've been on.  Yet, finding time to write has been hard, especially when my oldest knows that an open computer means that he can get onto YouTube.  (My oldest also loves taking off the spacebar on the keyboard.)  So, I will try to make some more time to write and post.  Although, I will say that I've been able to post semi-daily pictures in my other media accounts, so I don't feel too bad.  Yet, I do want to post more here.

My children are not only teaching me the principles of patience, but also to be present and to enjoy every moment of every day.  They remind me how much time is passing me by and that I need to just appreciate the time I have.  And I hope you are appreciating your life and I hope you are doing well.  I hope you are enjoying life, laughing, and loving.

Take care,

My Favorite Things 

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!