Sunday, December 26, 2021

cheese ball and crackers

December is the month for snacks. Cheese ball and crackers are at the top of the list. I don't remember where Mom got the recipe in the first place. I think it called for Velveeta cheese, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, thinly sliced deli meat chopped very fine ...

Our recipe has progressed to sharp cheddar cheese, grated. Any assortment of favorite grated cheeses, with whipped cream cheese mixed in. Add a cup of sour cream to make it easier to stir. Sprinkle in a pkg. of ranch dip, a little garlic powder, oregano, basil, some Lawry's seasoning salt, finely chopped onion if your family tolerates onion. Mix, spread on crackers, eat, smile. Watch your family gather around ... 

I made a batch yesterday afternoon while we played a game. Our supper was barbecued pork, cheese ball and crackers, sliced cheeses and summer sausage, lime flavored finger jello, apple pie and ice cream. 

Auntie Trenda joined us to meet Jasper. He has many great aunts to become acquainted with. 

Today Trenda and I are heading to PA, munching on snacks as we drive across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. We watched the sun rise in a beautiful sky. Drove in some fog, now it is cloudy with patches of blue sky peeking through. 

Many years ago my family lived in Indiana in the summer then traveled to Rosedale, Ohio so Dad could go to Bible School. I'm thinking of four small girls and Dad and Mom in our car. I can imagine we had snacks to eat and dolls to entertain us. 

Of course, this was in the days before car seats and seat belts were the law. I don't suppose our baby sister wore disposable diapers. Were disposable wipes even invented yet? 

Today, we saw a most disturbing sight. A van was parked on the edge of the road and a  urinal was being emptied into the grass in the median. We are traveling on toll roads. I guess the bath rooms are few and far between. 

We couldn't ask for nicer weather. The temp is in the 40s, no snow, rain or ice in sight.


Here is Jasper's Great Grandma, Marmee, and three Great Aunties - Trenda, Maria and Ladina

Christmas 2021

Merry Christmas 


Photo credits: Deanne, Krysta and Zoey

Saturday, December 11, 2021

One month

notes from Jasper:   
My Grandma reads a bunch of blogs. She often gets a letter from a little girl (written by the girl's mother) so now Grandma (or Marmee) is thinking of writing a blog post as though I (Jasper) am writing it. Is she being a copy cat do you think? 

Let me tell you about my first month. First off, I was born in Lacrosse WI even though Daddy, Mama and I live in MN. Something similar happened to my Grandma. She was born in Fort Wayne IN, but she grew up in MN. She says she is a MN girl even though she has lived in many different states. 

Oh, that reminds me. I hear my mom and Auntie Dea and Grandma talking all the time about what I am going to call Grandma. Auntie Liz even read a long list of names that takes the place of Grandma-like Nana, Mimi, Marmee and lots more. one day Auntie Dea was holding me and asking me, "What do you want to call Grandma? How about Memaw?" You'd like that wouldn't you?" Just as Grandma and I started to look interested Mom said, "That reminds me too much of HEEHAW!" She said Heehaw so loudly and everyone started laughing hysterically. I threw my arms up in the air and acted so startled that they laughed all the more. 

It was forever decided that I won't call Grandma Memaw, mostly because it reminded Grandma of being nicknamed Donkey when she was younger. Cause you see, if you say her name too fast, Dawn Kaye, it can sound a little bit like Donkey. So I think I'll call Great Grandma "Grandma". I'll call Grandpa "Papa" and Grandma "Marmee" 

We had a family reunion already so all my uncles and aunts could meet me. It wasn't in our cosy house. Instead we packed our bags and went to the Bible School. It was sort of cosy because we spent a lot of time sitting in a room with lots of couches and comfy chairs and a fireplace. Don't tell anyone but it wasn't a real fireplace. The whole family played a game called Scattergories. It must be a fun game because they laughed a lot. 

My mom said she thought I could tell we weren't in our small cosy house because I acted differently. Wouldn't go to sleep as easily and little things like that. My dad took me for a walk down a long hall and when we came back I was more wide awake than ever. My eyes were wide open and my back was stiff, not cuddly like usual. Mom said something about being stubborn like the Harshbargers. I wasn't crying loudly, just looking all around so I think that was being curious - not stubborn. 

Here are some places I've been in the last month. Church, clinic, Tea Party, Bible Study, Great Grandma's house, Bible School, Vivian's house, Chris and Dawn's house...on Christmas Day we are going to see the Nolt family. There we'll see Daudy and Mommy and lots of uncles and aunties and even some cousins! Caleb, Gerald and Tristan. All boys so far since my big sister, Pearl India, is in heaven. 

Papa and Marmee come to my house very often. I have lots of visitors coming to my house with gifts for me and food for Dad and Mom. Soon I am going to meet cousin Joanna. Earlier this week Auntie Dea's friend, Essy, came with her mom, Christina. It started snowing Tuesday morning when we were all sitting around eating brunch. Before you could say Jack Frost Essy and Christina started off for home. It was snowing where they live and they wanted to avoid bad roads. 

Well, I'm going to stop for now. Maybe Auntie Dea will help Marmee put some pictures on this blog. I'm growing and growing.

Monday, November 22, 2021

Jasper Beau Nolt

A wee gentleman has arrived. 
That's what the message said in the early hours of November 7th. 
Jasper Beau Nolt was 7 lb. 5 oz. 19 in.
Arrived at 3:13 am November 7, 2021

Before the day was over Ellis and I had a chance to hold our new grandson.
For some reason my car finds its way to Allen and Krysta's house almost every day.
Jasper is two weeks old and doing very well. 
Dad and Mom are some what sleep deprived but continuing to do a great job as new parents. 

         Great Grandma with Jasper Beau. 
Here he is after a bath, bright eyed and bushy tailed. I imagine you will see more pictures soon!

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Norway

Last summer our children gave us money to go to Europe. For our 40th anniversary. They have been listening to us talk, put their heads together and came up with this idea. Surprised us is putting it mildly. 

The other day I saw a picture of a couple fast asleep in a gondola with the caption, *Don't wait to travel until you retire.* Something like that. Not the exact words ... (on Facebook)

I thought of our anniversary September 6, 2021. We took a boat tour in Chicago, an Architecture tour. Both of us fell asleep as the tour guide explained the different styles of buildings. We didn't fall asleep at the same time. Ellis woke me up and then I attempted to wake him up when he dozed off. I don't think we snored. I hope not anyway. 

The tour guide was doing an amazing job and the info was extremely interesting. I got some interesting pictures of many different buildings.

This is one of them. I'm sorry, I can't remember anything more about this clock, who built this or what style the building is. 

Back to our future travels - the first thing we need to do is update our passports. Mine expires later this fall and Ellis's in January of next year. We should get on that.

We are hoping to go to Norway and Great Britain, more specifically, James Herriot's Yorkshire. 

Ellis already read a travel guide from the library - traveling for dummies. No, I'm just kidding. We need to do some more homework, ask a bunch of questions, read some more books, etc.

We want to visit the house my ancestors lived in. The Skrivseth house overlooks a fjord. "They left ocean front property to move to North Dakota!" This is a quote from one of my cousins who was looking at my parents pictures after they came home from Norway in 2003.

In preparation for this adventure I downloaded an app to my phone to
 learn Norwegian. Duolingo it's called. I'm learning to spell the Norwegian language.
It's a lot of fun so far.

I will keep you updated.

Saturday, September 4, 2021

August 2021


Ellis found a clock that reminds me of the clock in our church at Graceton MN. We even have to wind it every few days just like my Dad used to wind the clock in Graceton.
                  August 22, 2021

 A cute little library close to Krysta's house.
                          
                       August 23, 2021
Goldfish or crackers? Coffee or tea? Water or soda? Choices - marvelous choices ... the difference between traveling in March 2021 and August 2021. This picture of goldfish in  tomato soup brings back memories.
                      August 24, 2021


Lefse - I am getting hungry for lefse.
                  August 25, 2021

Thursday August 26, 2021
Mexican food in Blooming Prairie MN


.      We got 6+ inches of rain in one week!
                          August 27, 2021

        A sign in a local bookstore. So true!
                           August 28, 2021



The church where Hans and JoAnna attend. 
                      August 29, 2021

Zucchini Quiche  That time of the year again.
                       August 30, 2021


We went camping last summer with our family. I hope we can do that again this fall.
                    August 31, 2021


Thursday, September 2, 2021

August 2021


                      August 14, 2021
                    Earthquake in Haiti 
Picture borrowed from my niece, Jaimie Weber, when she asked for prayers for her country. 


                         August 15, 2021
                       Roses from Texas 
    Krysta took this picture in January 2020
       
                         August 16, 2021
An old fashioned root cellar, still in use today.
We have hills at our place. I wonder if we can make one. One more thing to add to Ellis's *to do list.*


                        August 17, 2021
Speaking of old-fashioned, travel by train is stepping back in time. When I wrote to my friend and told her Ellis and I went by train to Williston ND she replied, "Twelve hours to get from the Twin Cities to Williston ND! You could have been in Norway by that time! Or Amsterdam at the very least!"


                        August 18, 2021
After snipping green beans and getting a canner started we went to Newport for pie and ice cream with Hans, JoAnna and family. 

Not to be compared with JoAnna's cooking which we enjoyed immensely during our visit, this place showed great hospitality at 10:00 pm after traveling from Spokane WA to the Twin Cities, MN.  We thought they were open, the door was certainly unlocked. Mom and I walked toward the gal at the cash register. She looked sideways at her co-worker and said. "We have two lovely ladies walking toward us. I think the door is still unlocked!" 
I said, "Oh, are you closed?" 
"The drive through is still open, but our dining room is closed. What can I get for you?"
I said we could go through the drive through but she said, "No, no, no, our door was open. We'll fix something for you." 
Our hamburgers and fries tasted wonderful! We ate outside at a picnic table. It was very warm and muggy after getting used to 55° - 60° in the evening in WA.


                     

                 August 19, 2021


My friend who told me we could be in Norway or Amsterdam in 12 hours. Anne Marie grew up in Austria, married a Mennonite man named John Harshbarger and we still have not found if our husbands are related. We are still curious about that even after 30+ years of being pen pals. I got side tracked a bit.

This is my Grandma Martin and the first half of her children (almost). I don't know if I took this picture at Aunt Grace's place or if my Aunt Rhoda took it and sent it to me. Here is Gladys (Byers) Martin with Lester, Ray, Grace, Mary and Martha.

                 August 20, 2021
The story of the moose. We went for a ride with Hans and JoAnna to see a fire. We saw this moose instead who crossed  the road several times trying to get her calf to follow. The calf was tangled in a fence,  but finally burst through, landed in a heap then scrambled to its feet and tottered across the highway. We cheered it on its way and breathed a sigh of relief when it melted into the woods.

                      August 21, 2021


August 2021


               August 1, 2021 ND Bible Camp


                           August 2, 2021


                          August 3, 2021
  An old township hall/school house in ND


     August 4, 2021
 Lupines in Mom's flower garden remind me of the book, 
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. 


                      August 5, 2021 
This sandwich should have had more bacon!


                         August 6, 2021 
    Our mailbox flower garden last summer. 


        August 7, 2021 The weeds took over.


            August 8, 2021 A country church 


         August 9, 2021 Beating back the jungle.


       August 10, 2021 Todd Park Austin MN


                        August 11, 2021 
                        Galveston Texas 
                 Picture taken in March, 2021


                        August 12, 2021 
The cupboard taken out of Mom's kitchen long ago has a place of honor in Hans and JoAnna's dining room. 


                          August 13, 2021
          Beautiful bouquet arranged by my 
            sister-in-law, JoAnna Skrivseth. 

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

July 2021

July 2nd Ellis and I were chauffeured by our lovely children to the train station in the Twin Cities. We were going to eat supper at Cracker Barrel but there was a long wait. We went to Perkins instead. If we would have only checked the train's status at that point we'd have found out it was late and we could have stayed at Cracker Barrel. Instead, we ate at Perkins, got to the station on time, said our "Goodbyes" and scurried into the station. As we ascended the escalator there was a dull roar getting louder and louder. The gigantic waiting area was curtained off and a sign announced a wedding was in progress. (An African wedding by observation) I have heard praise and worship music and know it is kind of loud. Never have I heard noise to compare with this roar. Someone was bellowing into a mike. This person didn't need a mike, let me tell you. There were drums, there were people chanting. I recognized some Sunday school songs and prayers and blessing the bride and groom. The whole thing reminded me of  "The sound of war." When I peeked between the curtains I saw men dressed in white robes, ladies in fancy gowns, a small group shuffling in a circle in time to the noise.
We walked down the hall to the door, found seats and resisted the urge to plug our ears. There was no one to ask about the train status. We eventually found out the train would be two hours late. "I can't stand another hour of this," I moaned to Ellis. It is surprising what a person can bear. I leaned against my pillow and shielded my other ear with my hand ... and dozed off. 

When the train came and passengers walked past us it was interesting to see the furrowed brows and pained look on people's faces as the barrage of noise hit them. Maybe we looked the same to them. 
We were happy to find our seats on the train. By this time it was midnight so there was no trouble in finding a comfortable position and conking out. 
When you ride a train you throw away your watch. At the very least, pack it deep in your suitcase, and forget about the hours passing by. Sleep if you can. Write, read a book, crochet. Don't think about the delays, just enjoy the ride. It feels like stepping back in time to the days of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
                                  Ellis's brother and his wife met us in Williston ND. We ate lunch then drove to the home place. Our stay there was superb. While the guys worked on the vehicle we were driving home we gals had a most amazing time visiting, crocheting, playing table games. More conversations, another round of crocheting and some more games. In between we fixed meals and washed dishes.
                                                                                            This is the rig we drove home
                                           We pulled this trailer- kind of an enclosed office on wheels - possibly used at some oil well site. (I'm not sure of all the history that goes with it.)

                    Tuesday,  July 6th 2021
The time to go home came far too fast. We left Ivan's at 4:15 am which is really 5:15 am because we're traveling east and lose an hour twenty minutes after starting out. 

We got gas at Grenora then Powers Lake and again at Velva, checking fluid levels each time and getting fresh air so Ellis could wake up. He was already sleepy! 

Ellis asked, "Do you want to drive?"
"I don't have experience pulling a trailer!"
"It's no different than driving your bus."
"But I don't have experience driving a trailer!"
Silence ...
"I mean pulling a trailer..."
"It's just like driving your bus."
"Okay then ...if you insist."

We pulled off the road. It is a long way to the ground with no running boards in existence or handles in the cab to hold on to.

We were both in our seats again when I discovered I couldn't pull the seat forward. After much grumbling and more adjustments we were on the way. 

Ellis is sleeping. I have time for quiet thoughts. I noticed all the miniature sunflowers along the road. I used to think they were black eyed susans, but now I know they only look like it from a distance. Up close they are quite different. 

There are lovely grasses in the ditches. We are passing beautiful summer bouquets every mile. I thought of the wild flower bouquets Krysta made for our neighbor using these gorgeous grasses for fillers. Wilma said, "Thank you!" then pulled out the grasses as we stood in her yard, talking. (Getting rid of the "weeds" in the bouquet)

The names of the towns intrigued me. Who thinks these up? Harvey, Anamoose, Drake .... each slowing us down to 25 miles an hour.
The sign that welcomed us at Anamoose features a moose head. The two oo's are the eyes and gigantic antlers loom above the head. Quite innovative!

We had a long drive home. Those 700+ miles never seemed longer. We avoided interstates and took back roads. There was no working AC so we were grateful for a cloudy day and even some rain as we got closer to MN.

This one of a kind vehicle is a 1981 Eldorada conversion van with low mileage and no rust because it spent its days in MT where they don't put salt on the roads in the winter.

                                    As we drove along we started talking about what to do with the trailer.  Ellis has an idea to take the little house off the trailer and make a garden shed/she shed. I promise this was his idea. I didn't suggest it. I thought he was making another work project for himself by the sounds of it. I'm pretty sure I like the idea immensely! We'll keep you up to date.