They’re still stuck in my head: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Is it really over? Christmas 2022 is history and the New Year has dropped. Does that mean all we have left is ice and gloom? It might feel a bit like sailors who reach the stretch of water where they get stuck in the doldrums.  There’s nothing to move … [Read more...]

Sending Christmas cards first appeared in 1843. By 1860, it had become a custom. Our family has sent them since our children were small. We outlined Christmas cookie cutters and let the kids color them, while we parents wrote a verse or message about the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior. We created a little newspaper format card you might enjoy. We call it … [Read more...]

I’m experimenting on my kids.Don’t tell them that. Some of you actually know my kids, so I’m serious. What’s the experiment? For several years, I’ve been curating lack in their lives. Before you call Protective Services, don’t worry... my kids are clothed and fed. But here’s what I mean: Convenience in America has turned into quite the little beast. Somewhere along the … [Read more...]

Life in the clouds Gasp! “My water broke!” reported my wide-eyed wife. We had been looking forward to this day for 10 months, yet still the surprise took me off guard. After a quick recovery from the drop in my stomach, I got my jaw off the floor. “Alright! Yes! How are you? This is awesome!” Oh, the excitement that comes with a baby! My wife is a rock star! At 2:00 the … [Read more...]

We are in the midst of November. The end of autumn is a perfect point from which to look ahead to spring. The countryside reveals its period of rest and dormancy, a time when rebirth and renewal are just a few short months away. With the harvest ended, the land recovers. As it is now, we enter a season where hope takes us through the expectations of winter’s icy grip. … [Read more...]

A tradition of gnomes The holiday season is all about traditions.  Foods, decorations and hosting duties are often set in stone.  My family has had to become more flexible over the years. We have one unique tradition that can be practiced any time of the year!  It all started because my artist husband sold individually handcrafted ceramic figures at Nordic Fest in Decorah, … [Read more...]

A couple days ago, I failed to notice something. It was a beautiful morning. The cows were milked and fed, calves were curled contentedly in their straw, and the wind was moving the trees just a little too much to be a good flying day. Before heading in for breakfast, I thought I would haul one quick load of manure. That’s where my trouble began. I hopped in the tractor, … [Read more...]

Again we have come through a time of year that when it is passed, brings a sense of relief and rest.  The deadlines of processing foods from the garden before spoilage sets in have been reached.  The fresh garden vegetables are settled on the cellar shelves, or they are at rest in the deep freeze. Now I can look forward to equally-pressing work that has been set aside while … [Read more...]