tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38764886498999916582024-03-13T16:49:19.337-05:00little-shack-in-the-boondocksDawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-57572611355544213792024-02-29T22:39:00.004-06:002024-03-01T10:39:08.366-06:00Leap Year<div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>An extra day in our year.</div><div>Happy Birthday to Uncle Nelson who is having his 18th birthday today.</div><div><br></div><div>I was determined to write a blog post at least once each month. How fortunate there is an extra day in February this year (since I procrastinated.)</div><div><br></div><div>The pictures were taken in LaCrosse last May when Ellis and I were there for an appointment. These are two favorite places we've found to eat when we are in LaCrosse. </div><div><br></div><div>Today I went with Krysta to Owatonna. I held Gracia while Krysta walked with the twins into the building where they were visiting their bio Grandpa and Grandma.</div><div><br></div><div>Then we drove across the street where Gracia was getting her 2 month immunizations. I opted to stay out in the van and caught a short nap in the sunshine. </div><div><br></div><div>It looks like I was taking a break from writing - and I was - at least for this blog. We are celebrating 50 years at our church this spring. I've been writing some short articles for a book we're putting together for that occasion. </div><div><br></div><div>I looked back in my blog and found two blog posts that I could revamp and use. One about singing in local nursing homes (or care centers as they are called today) and the other about street work in Chicago. </div><div><br></div><div>We have secret sister/prayer partners at church. This is a custom we've kept for close to forty years. That was fun to remember and write about. </div><div><br></div><div>Two more little essays are waiting for me to finish. Christmas caroling and the annual bike ride our school goes on each spring. </div><div>Maybe I should call it :</div><div><br></div><div>Highlights and Horrors of Bike Day</div><div><br></div><div>Near Lanseboro Timber Rattlesnakes have been found sunning themselves on the trail.</div><div>Fortunately I have never encountered them.</div><div><br></div><div>One cold day we huddled in a shelter out of the wind when a snow shower blew in. We weren't really dressed for snow if I remember correctly. </div><div><br></div><div>The good things about the day far outweigh the snakes and snow.</div><div><br></div><div>Bird songs, flowers, sunshine, fishing at the pond in Lanesboro, my Dad with his antique bike joining the children on their bikes, little bikers peddling furiously and running out of steam before they get to the picnic lunch at the end of the trail ... older youth watching out for the little ones and helping them when they were too exhausted to go on.</div><div><br></div><div>Lois and Miss Freda started a good thing when they took the school children to Pine Island all those years ago and set out on the Douglas State Trail.</div><div><br></div><div>Here we are the first weekend in February </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Remember the little boys in overalls saying,</div><div>"You been farmin' long?"</div><div><br></div><div>This picture seems like they might be saying, </div><div>"You been cookin' long?"</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-68775448826315392772024-01-01T23:34:00.003-06:002024-01-13T16:09:44.830-06:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div><br></div><div>I've seen the quote, "Not all those who wander are lost." I've never taken the time to find out who wrote it. Then I saw this on Facebook.</div><div><br></div><div>Now I know. Sometimes poetry is over my head. I need to ask my friends who love poetry what the poet is saying. I'm like the character in Odyssey who hated the section of poetry in his Literature class. He complained to his teacher, "Why can't those people just write all the way across the page?" When he was assigned to write a poem he came up with:</div><div>I Like Pants</div><div>Part of the poem went something like this -</div><div>I feel sorry for ants</div><div>They can't wear pants</div><div><br></div><div>It's been a whirlwind of activities this weekend of the last days of the year. My writing challenge flew out the window. </div><div><br></div><div>I was given a new journal for Christmas. This year I should try to find all of my journals and arrange them on a shelf. I'm the kind of person who writes on the back of envelopes or on scraps of paper which then hide at the bottom of my purse. I drive myself crazy like that.</div><div><br></div><div>Two of my sisters came to visit Mom. They brought their husbands along. We had chili soup and bread sticks Thursday evening. </div><div>Friday evening we went to Perkins for supper. I made reservations for 18, then it turned out that Evan wasn't feeling well so they didn't come. The Aunties got to hold Gracia.</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday Ellis and I went over to Mom's place and had brunch with John and Ladina, Doug and Maria and Mom. We started a puzzle.</div><div><br></div><div>When John and Ladina started for home Ellis and I went to Owatonna for food and to pick up a Christmas ham from the bus company. I was given a coupon and we had to get it from a Cash Wise grocery store. The coupon had an expiration date of December 31, 2023. </div><div><br></div><div>Supper with our family Saturday evening at Allen and Krysta's shop ... The babies didn't want to sleep there when bedtime came so Allen and Krysta took them home to their beds. The rest of us talked and played Clue in-between talking. It got very late.</div><div><br></div><div>I think Ellis and I are getting too old to stay up past our bedtime. 😉</div><div><br></div><div>Even coffee does not help anymore </div><div><br></div><div>Sunday December 31, 2023</div><div>More family meals and cuddles with the babies. A much needed nap and a game of Scattergories to keep us awake until the new year came in. We're in the middle of town so we can't go out and yell or shoot a gun in the air or ring bells and whoop and holler like we've been known to do in the country. </div><div><br></div><div>Happy New Year to all of you!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-70796847797146132692023-12-27T13:49:00.002-06:002024-01-13T16:07:58.736-06:00Christmas 2023It rained and rained.<div><br><div>Our last day of school was Friday - the 22nd.</div><div>For the first time ever I didn't give each student a candy bar when they went down the steps of the bus. I decided to wait and give them candy when we go back to school after the first of the year. They got a "Merry Christmas" and "Enjoy your vacation!" from me. </div></div><div><br></div><div>Saturday we shopped for supplies. We took the groceries straight to the township hall just down the road from our house. We had food to prepare for Christmas Eve Day.</div><div><br></div><div>Ellis and I were host and hostess on Sunday. We invited a new family that's been coming to church and all of our family that live close by. Also all of the single guys that go to our church - it suited two of them. </div><div><br></div><div>I can't believe I didn't take pictures ...</div><div>I'll comfort myself and think that I was in the moment - enjoying all the fun. Ellis got one so I'll share that.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>This is the old school house from many years ago. Now it's the township hall where there is a meeting held once a month. The neighbors come here to vote. We have been privileged to rent this building for those times when we have an overflow of company and also for youth activities. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>I took this picture of the flowers Ellis gave me on Saturday. Krysta went into the near by woods and found grasses and twigs for filler. And then she arranged it all with that special touch she has.</div><div><br></div><div>Krysta and Deanne made pizza for Saturday night supper. So the party began early. Allen was over at our place cutting down young trees and brush and the guys started a brush pile on fire.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div>Tablecloths and a Christmas table runner ...</div><div><br></div><div>Ellis filled his Dutch oven with pork and carrots and a few potatoes. Then I turned the oven too high so the broth boiled over. That made clouds of smoke later on when we stuck two pans of green bean casserole in the same oven and turned it up high to hurry it along. It was warm enough outside to open windows and air the place out. We also had cheesy potato casserole and two kinds of red jello. Evan and Chelsea brought cheesecake for dessert. We had a choice of chocolate, caramel or elderberry syrup to pour on top.</div><div>Ice cream and coffee, too.</div><div><br></div><div>For supper we had cheese ball and crackers and O' Henry Bars.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>We took games along to play. It's a bit tricky playing games with three toddlers running around taking bites out of each other and bashing each other over the head with toys.</div><div><br></div><div>It was more relaxing to visit and play with the toddlers and hold the baby. Now this shows that I wasn't completely in the moment because I can't remember if some were playing games or not. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>The view outside with decals on the window. Trying to keep the birds from flying into our big picture window. This was taken December 27th - after the rain stopped. </div><div><br></div><div>A lot of time was spent sweeping up box elder bugs that continued to dive bomb onto any surface available. This will be the year to remember no snow and lively bugs.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-43500128974160065842023-12-22T23:25:00.002-06:002023-12-23T11:32:46.641-06:00HaircutsIt was never my favorite job.<div>I had three boys and a husband. Every so often we had a haircutting spree.</div><div><br></div><div>I didn't go to school to learn how to cut hair. My only experience was watching Mom cut Dad's hair periodically throughout my childhood.</div><div><br></div><div>After Ellis and I got married he wondered if I would cut his hair. He had gone to a barber who charged Ellis for a very poor haircut. My thought was, "I think I can do a better job than that!"</div><div><br></div><div>That's how it began. It was harder to cut hair when the toddlers didn't like to sit still. I think Ellis could tell it wasn't my favorite job. He suggested giving the boys short haircuts - especially in the summer. "I'll just buzz it off."</div><div>I think that's how he worded it. </div><div><br></div><div>Ellis had story after story to tell about how he came to have a short short haircut when he was a boy. It seems he had a mean teacher who would grab the guys by the hair and shake their heads. (Apparently to shake some sense into them.) These days a teacher or bus driver who did such a thing would probably wake up in jail.</div><div><br></div><div>A classmate had broken some rule - maybe chewing gum. A favorite punishment was sticking the gum to the chalkboard then sticking the nose of the offender in the gum and making him stand there for awhile. This guy was very creative - he wrote four letter words in the chalkdust while standing there.</div><div>Next he was grabbed by the hair and found his cheek being used as an eraser.</div><div><br></div><div>Ellis was tall for his age so the desk didn't fit. The desk rested on his knees so the front legs/bar was off the floor. This irritated Mr. Teacher. He told Ellis to put his feet under the front bar and then he stood on that and forced it back to the floor. Ellis was not dumb. He quickly curled his toes back so the tennis shoes were empty under the bar. </div><div><br></div><div>All of this absurd behavior in the school room gave Ellis an idea. He asked his dad to give him a buzz haircut. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Isn't he cute?</div><div>Now I should round up pictures of our cute sons with their buzz haircuts. </div><div><br></div><div>That will be for a later day ....</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-70743628280222004832023-12-21T22:48:00.000-06:002023-12-21T22:49:09.602-06:00Shortest Day of the YearI was going to take some pictures then the whole evening slipped by without any taken.<div><br></div><div>Until I got home and this showed up on my phone.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div>Gracia was sleepy all evening until I laid her down. Then she got hiccups. She opened her eyes for me a little bit. I still remember when Krysta was a baby. People asked me if she was okay. "She never cries." I don't know how many times I heard that comment. </div><div><br></div><div>Later on she could make her voice heard.</div><div><br></div><div>We have a tradition for the shortest day of the year. </div><div><br></div><div>Rommegrot </div><div>A Norwegian Pudding </div><div>Deanne ended up making the *milk mush* because I was peeling sweet potatoes for </div><div>sweet potato fries. I cut them into fries, put a little oil on them and baked them in a 400° oven. For seasonings I used salt, pepper and garlic powder. They were good! </div><div><br></div><div>Mom made her famous barbecue sauce.</div><div>Ketchup </div><div>Mustard</div><div>Brown sugar</div><div>Vinegar</div><div>She poured this mixture over a pan of little smokies and popped it in the oven.</div><div><br></div><div>(We put lots of butter and brown sugar on the milk mush. And we eat it warm.)</div><div><br></div><div>It was a cozy evening. </div><div>This has been a wonderful winter so far.</div><div>I wonder what will hit us in January .....</div><div>At least the days will be getting longer now!</div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-42172844545524143712023-12-18T23:55:00.002-06:002023-12-19T11:35:29.085-06:00I can't be two places at onceThe third Sunday evening in December is always the Christmas party for the bus drivers. Bill Regan is the owner of the buses in Blooming Prairie, Hayfield, Owatonna, Medford and a few other towns. He, along with his family, give the bus drivers and their spouses a scrumptious dinner. <div><br></div><div>This year our Christmas program was the third Sunday evening as well. Usually, there is no event planned for the third Sunday. </div><div><br></div><div>What should we do? </div><div><br></div><div>We decided to go to the party. We took a box of cookies for Bill and Sally and their family as a thank you for letting us borrow the buses. He will never let us pay for the use of the buses. (Homemade cookies and candies crafted with care, then our school children form an assembly line, arrange them in gift boxes and we give one box to each family when we go caroling.)</div><div><br></div><div>Bill is going to have a birthday this week. He will be 91 years young. Unfortunately, he couldn't be at the party Sunday night because of poor health. His daughter got him on the phone and asked us all to sing Happy Birthday to him. </div><div><br></div><div>It is a sad time for their family, but they are all taking care of their dad and enjoying this time with him while he's still here.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>When we got back to Blooming Prairie there was a light dusting of snow on the ground.</div><div><br></div><div>The Christmas program was recorded so we'll get to listen to the songs.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-40793734231117465162023-12-16T23:56:00.002-06:002023-12-17T22:58:59.319-06:00FriendsBack in the day, before cell phones, I would sometimes be sitting at home and wondering, "What is taking so long?" when Ellis didn't get home at the usual time.<div><br></div><div>Or I might be sitting in the car when he ran in to Fleet Farm for a quick purchase and wait and wait and wait. Finally I'd walk in to see what could be keeping him. Ellis and Trapper John, one of our neighbors, would be standing in the middle of the shoe aisle solving all the world's problems.</div><div><br></div><div>I learned to pack a bag with a book to read, paper and pen for writing in case something hit me in the head and needed to be written and maybe even my latest crocheting project. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Now Ellis will groan when he sees my bag. I just remind him that I am never bored.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, I'm the one who stood and talked with a friend. Time slipped past as we chatted about all sorts of things. Of course, first of all I showed her a picture of the baby. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br>Honestly, this little gal looks just like a baby doll. This evening when I was cleaning the church another friend called. She was wondering if the baby had arrived. I had failed to call her or even drop a quick note in the mail to let her know. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Anne Marie shares my last name but we've never discovered if our husbands are related. She grew up in Austria - she still lives in her own home at the age of 96. I am always glad to talk with Anne Marie ... I should say ...</div><div>listen to Anne Marie. Sometimes I don't get a word in. She was happy to hear about Gracia Anne. I need to send her some pictures. She doesn't text and she doesn't have a computer at home so I can't email her. We have to rely on phone calls, snail mail and visits to keep in touch. </div><div><br></div><div>What a fun day. We even got to have supper with my mom. </div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-81331762111571703812023-12-15T23:58:00.001-06:002023-12-15T23:58:16.007-06:00Christmas Caroling 2023<div>This might be the first time we went Christmas caroling in the rain!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>Fortunately, it didn't rain very much. </div><div>Look at that green grass!</div><div><br></div><div>Long ago my dad asked the bus company he drove for if he could borrow a bus for an evening to go Christmas caroling. The owner of the bus company said yes. That started a tradition. It's hard to believe we could fit in one bus. Now we borrow two buses. We have two routes in the town of Blooming Prairie. </div><div><br></div><div>Each route has six stops. It takes awhile to load and unload at each stop. I wish we could stay longer at each place, but before we know it it's time to move to the next house. </div><div><br></div><div>We Wish You a Merry Christmas !!</div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-62646636223047547462023-12-10T22:39:00.001-06:002023-12-10T23:05:27.699-06:00HomeGoodbye little home away from home. <div>Deanne and I went through the house packing up. Sometimes we didn't know if it was Krysta's or belonged to the the house.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Krysta draws. Did she bring her colored pencils?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Pooh? Or the pink scooter?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>One last breakfast in the little house</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Creamer?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Balloons with confetti </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> a cozy idea ... house slippers for guests</div><div><br></div><div>After everything was packed Deanne, Ellis and I had lunch together. Allen and Krysta took the van and four babies home.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>This Mobile sign reminded me of the Mobile station on a corner in Blooming Prairie. Many years ago. Ran by old family friends. When we stopped for gas, they not only filled the car with gas, but also washed the front window. <br></div><div><br></div><div>The station is long gone now.</div><div><br></div><div>Happy home coming, Gracia. Welcome to Blooming Prairie!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-84769049167873205092023-12-09T22:13:00.001-06:002023-12-09T22:13:17.395-06:00Gracia Anne Nolt<div><br></div><div>So happy to hold our newest granddaughter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>She weighs 7lb. 4oz. and length is 18.7 in.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Who does she look like? She shares a birthday with one of Allen's brothers.</div><div><br></div><div>We took all three toddlers to the hospital to meet their new sister. They have no idea how their lives are going to be changed by this little bundle.</div><div><br></div><div>Sweet dreams, Gracia Anne!</div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-8369845026729807462023-12-09T18:18:00.002-06:002023-12-09T20:18:04.679-06:00waiting<div>December 8, 2023</div>... they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.<div>Isaiah 40:31</div><div><br></div><div>Waiting is hard. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Blowing bubbles helps for awhile.</div><div><br></div><div>Allen made omelets and scrapple for breakfast. It was another beautiful day. The babies took a walk with Allen. Half walking/running and the other half riding in the wagon.</div><div><br></div><div>We sat on the front steps while Krysta combed the curls. Nova and Angie have lots of curly hair! Combing involves spraying their hair with a squirt bottle. Before we knew it there was a water spritzing going on - in December. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>This weather is hard to believe.<br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> An art project </div><div><br></div><div>Krysta was getting lots of rest. In between she was doing exercises that supposedly help baby be in the right position for birth. </div><div>After lunch Allen and Krysta made a trip to Walmart to get some food. At the same time we hoped naps would overtake the three </div><div>little ones.</div><div><br></div><div>They soon came back and I drove the van around - through residential streets where the speed limit was 25 mph. We stopped behind a school bus four or five times. This was very distracting for Jasper and I started to think he would not fall asleep.</div><div><br></div><div>When he finally fell asleep I drove back to the house and sat in the van with them for awhile. Allen and Krysta were getting ready to go to the hospital. Deanne arrived from home and they took off.</div><div><br></div><div>I decided to stay and help with the little ones instead of driving home. <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>We heard from Allen and Krysta that labor was moving along. Supper and dishes and baths and stories all filled in the time while we waited.</div><div><br></div><div>I fell asleep while planning this blog post. Suddenly I woke up with Deanne saying, "She's here!" </div><div><br></div><div>A message from Allen saying Gracia Anne was safely here. No other info was needed. We could sleep soundly. The babies slept and slept. <br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-26731355967465863422023-12-07T22:22:00.001-06:002023-12-07T22:22:54.220-06:00LaCrosse Wisconsin <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>I'm at an Airbnb with Allen, Krysta and the babies. It was 54° today - absolutely beautiful - so we took a walk this afternoon. There is a lake close by. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>That's a miniature light house by the water.</div><div><br></div><div>If Allen and Krysta have to go to the hospital tonight I will be here to take care of the little people. Tomorrow afternoon, Deanne will drive over and take care of them.</div><div><br></div><div>We had spaghetti and mixed veggies for supper. And a lovely cinnamon pastry for dessert. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> This house has a spacious feel to it.</div><div><br></div><div>Good night! Sleep tight!</div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-9506534887668468952023-12-06T22:10:00.000-06:002023-12-06T22:10:51.846-06:00Christmas Tea <div>Last night we ate a quick supper with Allen and Krysta. We left the babies with Papa and Dadda and went to the Baptist Ladies Christmas Tea.</div><div><br></div><div>It was the first Tuesday in December. Every year the ladies at the Baptist church send out an invitation. "Come join us for a Christmas Tea." </div><div><br></div><div>There's piano music, Christmas songs, the Christmas story, special entertainment and then soup and sandwiches and cookies in the basement. Of course tea and coffee as well.</div><div><br></div><div>This year they had an astonishing amount of people show up. The gal that sat beside me said they usually expect 75 - 100 ladies. This year more than 100 came. </div><div><br></div><div>The guys at First Baptist serve the food and beverages. They did an amazing job last night. They were kept quite busy with so many extra tables.</div><div><br></div><div>I think my favorite song was Mary, Did You Know?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div>I borrowed some pictures from my sister. Her family made these Christmas Trees as part of a fundraiser for a family in Haiti that needs to relocate to a safer place.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-39875919488569871782023-12-04T23:17:00.001-06:002023-12-04T23:17:31.114-06:00BelleThis morning Ellis drove to Redwood Falls MN to help with inventory at the HogSlat store. <div><br></div><div>I drove to Blooming Prairie and rode with Krysta to her doctor appointment in Winona MN. I heard Belle's heartbeat! A beautiful sound. We are all excited about meeting this little girl very soon.</div><div><br></div><div>Deanne stayed with the babies. They took long naps - catching up on sleep apparently. </div><div><br></div><div>Krysta and I went to a coffee shop and found some delicious peach muffins. I had coffee with mine. Krysta had a smoothie - or was it a slushy? </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>This was taken at Arby's on Saturday. I forgot to add it to the blog then so I'll fit it in now.</div><div>After the coffee shop we went to a goodwill close by.</div><div><br></div><div>That was fun. We found all sorts of treasures.</div><div><br></div><div>After supper Ellis and I helped Deanne with the little ones. (Allen and Krysta had a meeting) These little people are sitting still long enough to look at books and "talk" about the pictures. </div><div><br></div><div>Off to bed so we can get caught up on our sleep after the very short night we had Sunday night/Monday morning. </div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-32826513230160900712023-12-04T00:22:00.003-06:002023-12-04T09:33:28.474-06:00Sunday with friends Now the fun weekend is over and we're safely home. Sadly, I didn't get any pictures. <div><br></div><div>Several years ago our daughter, Deanne, met a spunky young lady from Wisconsin. They taught school together in western Montana.</div><div><br></div><div>Both girls decided if they were going to be friends then their mothers must be friends, too. They each bought a ticket and planned for our visit to Montana. </div><div><br></div><div>If I remember right they also gave strict instructions that the resident snake at school must be kept out of sight when their mothers were visiting. </div><div><br></div><div>Chris and I had never met until we saw each other at our gate in the airport. It was quite easy to get acquainted as we talked the whole way to Missoula, Montana. In spite of the Mennonite game we didn't come up with any blood relationship between us. But we discovered that my cousin's daughter worked at the same place as Chris.</div><div><br></div><div>The girls had every thing planned for a wonderful weekend. By the time we flew home we had all decided that we'd get our families together sometime that summer.</div><div><br></div><div>Deanne and Essy planned another weekend and we drove over to Marshfield so the "father figures" could meet. Neither one of them could understand why we were getting together to meet perfect strangers. They both cooperated with their daughters' plans, but at the same time felt it was unnecessary to add any more people into their lives. What in the world would they find to talk about?</div><div><br></div><div>It turns out they had many things in common and there was never any danger of running out of conversations. </div><div><br></div><div>A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing. </div><div>Proverbs 17:22 Amplified </div><div><br></div><div>I think we are very healthy after this visit if we're going by all the laughter that took place. </div><div><br></div><div>We are already looking forward to the next time.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-50357022647541832682023-12-02T23:57:00.000-06:002023-12-02T23:58:25.538-06:00Tuba Christmas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>This morning I made the favorite cheese ball. We packed our clothes to go to Wisconsin for the weekend, then met Deanne and started out. The first stop was Tuba Christmas in Austin. <div><br></div><div>Years ago this event was held at the Oak Park Mall. Since that closed they have met in different places. This year it was at the Historic Paramount Theater. </div><div><br></div><div>The first Tuba Christmas was held in New York in 1974. It's quite simple -- tuba players get together and practice Christmas songs for an hour. Then they perform for an audience. This event took off and now many cities across the country celebrate in December by hosting Tuba Christmas. Look it up and find an event close to you and join in.</div><div><br></div><div>Some fun facts about this group today:</div><div>The youngest player was 11 years old and the oldest was 74. One person came from Oklahoma, another from Wisconsin. Otherwise the players were from Minnesota - several towns close by.</div><div><br></div><div>We ate lunch at Arby's then started off for Marshfield Wisconsin to meet up with friends. We're spending the weekend here then back home Sunday evening. </div></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-89026548462939725002023-12-02T14:57:00.003-06:002023-12-04T10:08:55.156-06:00December Writing Challenge December 2023<div>Some first cousins and distant cousins had a writing challenge in November to write every day. It was hugely successful from a reader's view point. I loved reading their posts. Thank you <a href="https://stonehousescribblings.com/?fbclid=PAAaa7DzkAvdq6ZH8ai0oeIgklaPXoXidhE7yNiUdQaOgZiOddDEMjxNA_TnI">Arla</a>, <a href="https://threegreendoors.wordpress.com/?fbclid=PAAaYXtYnFEVJg8Yf7AGdyRvhPB0-e7mp8HZJXbbPCXsIlHevUoo2N0ifmyUE">Luci</a>, <a href="https://shilahs.blogspot.com/?fbclid=PAAabEBNciq0oE0f2Oq4oR0WOcnw0O7RI2Gj071p-2diLtdj5Ly71moTjXB1s&m=1">Shilah</a> and <a href="https://emilymiller85.wordpress.com/?fbclid=PAAaYkxsnIcsR8GnXczi_fHws1QQKPPz79t7nxtQf1FgJlWwH-de0LIN_Nd9s">Emily</a></div><div><br></div><div>I started to feel inspired and wondered if I could do the same in December. The first day went by. I can tell you what happened after the fact. =)</div><div><br></div><div>I was invited to a nesting party for Krysta. Her house was humming with gals dusting, washing, sweeping and preparing freezer meals. A young girl came along to be a baby sitter. We all contributed lunch items to make a delicious meal. I ended up slicing cheese, washing dishes, providing a recipe (which I just happened to have on my phone) and reading stories to the twins after they got home from a visit to their birth mom.</div><div><br></div><div>When the babies took a nap I also caught up on a nap. Drove bus and swept it. I took care</div><div>of the expense reports at HogSlat so Ellis can be reimbursed for the items he pays out of pocket. </div><div><br></div><div>Ellis had a delivery to make after work. I rode along for the fun of it. We stopped at Aldi on the way back through Austin. I bought several kinds of cheese, sour cream and cream cheese to make a gigantic cheese ball.</div><div><br></div><div>Ellis helped me clean the township hall down the road from our house. It was overrun with box elder bugs -- the pesky critters.</div><div><br></div><div>When we got home we had tea and a seasonal Scandinavian treat - rosettes. </div><div>December 1, 2023 - a long, full day!</div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-36410810709968400602023-11-23T16:06:00.001-06:002023-11-23T16:06:35.109-06:00Thanksgiving 2023Monday was the six week mark for my hip replacement. I was supposed to have an appointment that day, but it had been canceled and rescheduled for 10:00 Tuesday morning. <div><br></div><div>When I headed out the door Tuesday morning I saw the European mount on a bench beside the sidewalk. Our neighbor had dropped it off for Evan. I stopped to take a picture of it.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>I was going to send the picture to our family chat so Evan could see it. That's when I noticed a missed call from Gunderson. I listened to the message which said my appointment was canceled. "Please call this number to reschedule." I'm glad I caught that! </div><div><br></div><div> After calling Ellis to let him know I called Gunderson to reschedule. Looking at their schedule the gal said I could see Shelby next week on the 30th. The message had said it looked like there were several openings for Wednesday. (Maybe a half hour had gone by) When I mentioned that she looked again and said Shelby had no openings. "But I could get you in with Aaron/Erin." I didn't ask if this provider is male or female. I just said, "I'll take it." (Who knows if Shelby would be available next week when the day came. I didn't want to risk it.)</div><div><br></div><div>So I had another day to putter around my kitchen and attempt to bring order out of chaos.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>My reclaimed stove - minus a stack of dirty pots and pans.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>A beginning of cleaned off counters and empty sink. The dish drainer is still drying dishes. </div><div>I found the top of my work station. An old table that Ellis redid for me. It is a flat surface so guess what? It was piled high with stuff. </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Now I can roll out some pies or make a pumpkin roll and have a place to cool baked items. </div><div><br></div><div>Of course this stuff has to go somewhere. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>I will say right now I have a war going with mice. They're using the kitchen drawers as a maze/exercise tower. If the dish cloths are in the drawer the mice either chew on them (depending on the fabric) or leave evidence that tells me they were there.</div><div><br></div><div>All the traps are empty. Do you have a method of reducing mice in your house? </div><div>A cat is not an option, unfortunately. </div><div><br></div><div>At 9:50 I noticed a message on my phone saying Are you here? You have an x-ray scheduled for 9:50.</div><div><br></div><div>I called again and repeated my line. My appointment was canceled but now I see the x-ray wasn't canceled, etc. The gal I talked to was very nice and said she'd cancel it and reschedule it for tomorrow. </div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday morning we drove to LaCrosse WI. We listened to Odyssey on the way. The exciting episodes when Eugene and Katrina disappear and Whit and Jack's car is rammed into at the post office. They give their pkg. to a woman with a gun. And we find out Mitch is dead!? How is this possible?</div><div><br></div><div>I cannot believe how efficient they are at Gunderson! Ellis dropped me off a smidgen past nine. I walked to the elevators (no wheel chair) and Ellis met me there after parking the car. We checked in on the second floor. Went back for an x-ray. Then we saw Aaron who showed us the x-ray taken today compared to the one taken during surgery. He said everything looks good. He said it's okay to start driving bus. He answered all our questions. </div><div><br></div><div>I was startled to see that the clock in the car said 10:00 when we pulled away. I don't have to go back until next year! We are so thankful!</div><div><br></div><div>We got supplies to put together sweet potatoes for our Thanksgiving lunch at Maranatha Bible School.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div> Happy Thanksgiving!<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-33867244765967680192023-11-11T19:06:00.004-06:002023-11-12T15:30:26.974-06:00this brought back memories This morning I read Krysta's blog post <a href="https://krystaharshbarger.blogspot.com/2023/11/preparing-for-birth.html">here</a> and immediately started forming my own blog post in my head.<div><br></div><div>.... a weird thing that writers do every now and then.</div><div><br></div><div>Thoughts on preparing for birth.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1982 when we were expecting Jeremy to join our family we were in the middle of putting a chimney in our house. It was the last week of September in Montana. We still had a week before my due date. I mean, what's the rush? The weather is cold - we have no heat in the house - what could go wrong? We just moved over to Dad and Mom Harshbarger's for a day or two while the guys worked on that. </div><div><br></div><div>Jeremy announced that he was on the way in the middle of the night (early morning) of October 1st. We drove to the hospital and as we were driving lazy snowflakes slanted across the darkness in front of our headlights. </div><div><br></div><div>I remember Ellis talked to my sister-in-law and told her my contractions were 4 - 5 minutes apart. She later mentioned to me that she couldn't understand why we rushed off to the hospital if my contractions were 45 minutes apart.</div><div><br></div><div>Jeremy Ellis arrived later that afternoon. Before I came home - after two or three days of lollygagging in the hospital - the chimney was in and the furnace up and running. We moved to Minnesota when Jeremy was about five months old.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1987 the guys at church were in the middle of building a new church/school near Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Instead of prayer meeting September 2nd we had a work evening. The women gathered in Frieda Yoder's dining room and worked on sewing projects. The guys were getting an area ready for school. One bathroom was being finished and the front entrance was set up to be our little (temporary) school room.</div><div><br></div><div>I remember we brought Jeremy's bike along and he was zipping around the driveway. I felt the familiar contractions 4 - 5 minuets apart right in the middle of hemming a baby blanket for the church nursery. We hugged Jeremy goodbye and went off to the hospital to get a baby brother or sister for him. He spent the night with Grandpa and Grandma.</div><div>Evan Jared arrived in the wee hours, September 3rd.</div><div><br></div><div>Life with two boys was exciting. It became even more so when a little sister joined them May 10, 1989.</div><div><br></div><div>Did I have freezer meals made ahead? I can't remember. I had a suitcase packed and arrangements made for my sister to come over and stay with the boys if we had to leave in the middle of the night.</div><div><br></div><div>May 9th was a beautiful spring day. We went on a school picnic at Todd Park. In the afternoon when we came home we briefly talked about planting the garden, but then decided to call it a day. Fortunately, we were able to wake Trenda up around midnight. We piled in the car and headed for Austin the minute she drove in our lane. Florence Deanne arrived a couple hours after we got to the hospital. </div><div><br></div><div>Getting a name ready is part of the process, right? I think Ellis and I spent a lot of time reading baby name books out loud to each other. Oh, the many conversations involved in naming a child. For instance, why did we name Deanne - Florence Deanne - instead of Deanne Florence? We wanted her to have her Grandma's name, but also have her own name. We thought Florence Deanne flowed better than the other way around. </div><div><br></div><div>We looked for names that were unique but not too far off the wall. Ellis overheard a news reporter asking the nurse, "When's the last time you had a Florence here?" And he could almost see the eyes rolling when the nurse replied, "It's been forever!"</div><div><br></div><div>The reporter was doing an article on Mother's Day and talking to the nurse on duty. Since Deanne was the only baby in the nursery at that moment she got her picture in the paper. Held by the nurse who thought, "This baby has an old-fashioned name, poor darling!"</div><div><br></div><div>Jorgan Thayne has to spend his life explaining his name to strangers. When they first hear the name almost invariably the first thing they say is, "Jordan?" </div><div><br></div><div>I started saying, "It rhymes with Morgan," when I said his name. Thayne is a variation of Thane ... an author's name. I have enjoyed reading Elswyth Thane's historical novels through the years. Her Williamsburg Novels begin with Dawn's Early Light, Yankee Stranger, Ever After and The Light Heart. She follows up with Kissing Kin, This Was Tomorrow and Homing. </div><div><br></div><div>That's where the name Thayne came from. Another point of interest is my sister is named Maria Layne. Ellis and I both like Layne and thought about using it for Jorgan's middle name. Then we thought, "No, better not. What if Doug and Maria want to name one of their children Layne?"</div><div><br></div><div>When Jorgan was just a wee baby we got the exciting news that Doug and Maria adopted a little girl born in Haiti. Her name is Jaimie Layne and her birthday is five days after Jorgan's. We have twins in the family! Jorgan Thayne, born April 10, 1994 and Jaimie Layne, born April 15, 1994. </div><div><br></div><div>That brings us to Krysta Dawn who arrived March 30, 1998. </div><div><br></div><div>I got to choose Krysta's birth date. She kept on moving around and being sideways instead of head down. The Dr. said, "Choose a day, come in and turn the baby and induce labor." I said, "How about Wednesday?" She looked at the calendar and asked, "Do you want your baby to be born on April Fool's Day?" </div><div><br></div><div>Maybe not. </div><div><br></div><div>So I chose Monday of that same week. That's how it happens that Krysta does not share a birthday with Aunt Edith, Ellis's sister, who turned 50 that year.</div><div><br></div><div>Wash the baby clothes. Fix the freezer meals. Prepare for child care. Clean the house, but don't go overboard with that nesting instinct and get all tired out before the big day. Take walks. You're getting ready for a marathon. Drink water. Choose the soothing music and comforting Bible verses.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm so happy to think about a little granddaughter coming to that busy house on 2nd Street!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-14531758191261526112023-11-06T13:51:00.000-06:002023-11-06T13:52:33.591-06:00Brooke's Wedding <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>My favorite color is blue. Isn't this beautiful?</div><div>At each place a charcuterie in a jar (plastic cup). Originally Trenda thought about rounding up cute jelly jars for this. I'm glad she simplified that. I didn't get there in time on Friday to help. Maria got in on washing the fruit. Fruit, cheese, slices of meat folded in fourths, cucumber slices, small tomatoes - all arranged in the cup - why didn't I take a picture of one? </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>My mom with five of her great grandchildren.</div><div>Where was Ezra? These beautiful people are Trenda and Jerry's grandchildren.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Here comes the bride!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>There's the invitation which was hanging on my bulletin board at home. Ladina sent a picture so we had an address for the church.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div>Inside the church. I've never been to an orthodox wedding. At first Allen was going to keep the babies in the basement until the ceremony was over and join us for the reception. Then Allen and Krysta changed their minds and brought them to the service. They sat right behind us so we got to help show them books and keep them distracted. Jasper was almost sleeping. The twins had wonderful naps ahead of time. They all had lunch in their tummies. All in all they were quite charmed with looking at the chandeliers, pictures, stained glass windows and hearing the words chanted along with soft, harmonizing songs. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>The pictures are backwards I realize now - starting with the reception and then the ceremony. In real time it was the other way around, of course. Credits go to my sisters.</div><div>Thank you!</div><div><br></div><div>Welcome to the family, Will.</div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-77584645711085513212023-11-05T22:59:00.004-06:002023-11-06T12:55:39.587-06:00November No sooner was I done taking pictures of trays and posting them that I realized a few were missed. I'll continue that another day.<div><br></div><div>We just spent a weekend "up north" for our niece's wedding and now are on the way to southern MN after all the festivities. </div><div><br></div><div>Krysta and little ones, Mom and I traveled up on Friday. The babies were napping so we drove until we were past the cities then stopped at McDonald's for a late lunch. We found one with play equipment. </div><div><br></div><div>After the babies licked ketchup off their chicken tenders and munched on some fries and drank chocolate milk they got to run off energy in the play room.</div><div><br></div><div>They were amazing travelers. We loaded everyone back in the van and started off again. The trip takes five hours - if you don't stop. We made it in a little over six hours.</div><div><br></div><div>Without any meltdowns !! The only stress observed up to that point was a pacifier that had been chewed off. The nipple part was gone when we pulled into Jeremy and Janine's yard for supper. This little girl has sharp teeth! </div><div><br></div><div>After supper we drove to a cabin beside a lake. As soon as drove down the tree lined lane we lost service for our phones. It's a good thing I finished my Norwegian lesson on Duolingo before we got there.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Ladina sent a basket of toys along. The babies were "happily" entertained while Krysta unloaded the van. By this time they were missing Daddy and Papa. They were in a new place (again) and now it's time for Dad to show up! Dad and Papa were still driving north and nowhere to be found.</div><div><br></div><div>My leg was yelling at me so I wasn't much help with unloading luggage. Jasper and I looked at books and hooked up a toy wagon to a toy tractor multiple times.The twins were fast asleep in a very short time. I told you these babies are pretty amazing, right?</div><div><br></div><div>The highlight of the day was hearing gravel crunch in the lane when the guys drove in close to midnight. They both worked all day and then drove five hours to get there.</div><div><br></div><div>This will be continued --</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div> A picture on the wall in Ellis's office</div><div><br></div><div>On another note, Ellis and I got home safe and sound before it got too late this evening. </div><div><br></div><div>Tonight I'm remembering my friend, Lorraine. She died unexpectedly in April 2020. Today is her birthday. Sometimes I picture Lorraine and her daughter, Judy, taking care of our granddaughter, Pearl. </div><div><br></div><div>Happy Birthday, Lorraine!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-36234571120176704942023-11-02T12:08:00.000-05:002023-11-02T12:41:37.518-05:00Trays Collecting trays for the fun of it just sort of happened - all unbeknownst to me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>Someone gave me a tray that has legs and is super neat for breakfast in bed.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div> After that it just kind of snowballed.<br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> I found this tray at a flea market one day.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Sometimes they are metal, </div><div> sometimes made of wood.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Long </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Short</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div> Round</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Red or Blue</div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Small</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div> Large</div><div> This is the one that started it all. </div><div> Year after year it hung on the wall.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>I found this at a rummage sale in Washington state. I couldn't bring it home on the plane so JoAnna used it in her house for a year or so.</div><div><br></div><div>If ever you need trays for an event - large or small - give me a holler. I will loan mine to you.</div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-40816555115973368962023-11-01T16:02:00.005-05:002023-11-01T16:16:54.234-05:00assembly lineThe subject of butchering chickens came up.<div>Let me tell you my first memory of my parents preparing chickens for eating. </div><div><br></div><div>I was knee high to a grasshopper. We were out by the barn and Dad was chopping heads off the chickens with an axe. He gave each one a toss on the grass where they proceeded to flip and flop about. And bleed. One of those headless creatures began to chase me. I couldn't run fast enough. Soon I was splattered with blood from head to toe. </div><div><br></div><div>Well, I've always loved fried chicken so I guess I wasn't scarred for life.</div><div><br></div><div>A few years later, Mom and Dad raised some more chickens for eating. My sisters and I probably got involved with chores: giving the chickens their food and changing the water.</div><div><br></div><div>It seems that Dad and Mom butchered those chickens when we were at school. The freezer filled up with processed chickens and the pen outside got emptier and emptier.</div><div><br></div><div>Remember those wide mouth water jugs we used to fill with ice and water and take along on trips? Maybe we each had a cup of our own to drink out of. Or maybe we had one cup that we all shared.</div><div><br></div><div>I remember Mom getting up early and frying a chicken (with the skin on, we used to eat the skin, can you believe that?) Then she filled that wide mouth jug with hot chicken, screwed the lid on and took it with us on trips. The jug was insulated and kept everything piping hot. When lunch time came we had finger licking yummy chicken to eat. </div><div><br></div><div>Hopefully we were at a park where there was a pump with water so we could wash our hands afterwards. </div><div><br></div><div>The two bravest women I know are Esther Geigley and my mom, Leona Skrivseth. (And the most patient)</div><div><br></div><div>They provided their daughters with sharp knives, stood them in an assembly line and taught them how to butcher a chicken from start to finish. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm trying to remember if Dad chopped all the heads off the chickens before he went to work. Or did he let Ladina and Lorraine chop off some of them? </div><div><br></div><div>Then we plunged them up and down in boiling hot water until the feathers would come off. That was probably our first job, plucking feathers. Next, singing any hair that remained.</div><div><br></div><div>We were outside. This is early morning before it got too hot. Picture saw horses with plywood on them to make a table. Plastic tablecloths covered the plywood. Dish pans with cold water to put cut up chicken pieces in. </div><div><br></div><div>We were given the easiest jobs at first, cutting the skin between the legs and the body. Cutting the drumsticks and thighs apart. Carefully cutting open the gizzard without opening the sack inside.</div><div><br></div><div>I have a feeling Mom and Esther were competing to see who could cut up a chicken the fastest. We watched with bugging eyes. How in the world did they do that? </div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes they left the chicken whole, just removing the guts and we washed out the inside and froze them that way. Most of our jobs consisted of rinsing the pieces to make sure they were clean and packaging them for the freezer. </div><div><br></div><div>I remember watching step by step and attempting to butcher a chicken from start to finish. I didn't do it often enough to learn all the steps. </div><div><br></div><div>The only way to get the job done is have a crew to help. It makes me shiver to think of doing this job by myself. </div><div><br></div><div>One last memory is helping at a butchering day at Dad and Mom Harshbarger's place. For some reason we took our chickens home to finish cutting into pieces. I was slaving away trying to get those slippery creatures in the freezer.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile Ellis came home from work with chills. Not a raging fever, instead when Ellis gets chills he doesn't have a proper temperature. He can't get warm, no matter how many blankets are piled on.</div><div><br></div><div>It's too bad I hadn't read James Herriot's story of how a farm lady treated him when he came in soaking wet. A roaring fire place to sit in front of. Feet in a pan of hot water. A gigantic mug filled with hot ginger tea to sip on. He was soon steaming inside and out.</div><div><br></div><div>That was the end of my butchering days. I only take the skin off chicken pieces now or, better yet, buy boneless, skinless chicken breasts. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm not as squeamish as my friend's daughter who won't eat a drumstick because, "Eww, what's this?" when she finds a dark vein near the bone.</div><div><br></div><div>On second thought, I might remember butchering turkeys with my sisters-in-law on the farm. It's all a dark memory that I try not to think about any more. </div><div><br></div><div>Definitely it is the camaraderie and conversations and laughter and working together that make those days possible.</div><div><br></div><div>Otherwise - forget it! </div><div> </div><div>Please, don't get me started on cutting up a deer.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-42756102066809028632023-10-23T14:25:00.002-05:002023-10-23T15:00:58.500-05:00two weeks agoMom and I went to church together yesterday. Our minister walked over to Mom's side of the car when we were leaving. Mom rolled down the window and he said, "Now we have an 84 year old lady being a chauffeur for her 60 year old daughter." 🙂<div><br></div><div>Usually it's the other way around. I often am Mom's chauffeur. I think I could have driven. I'm not taking any narcotics. But I'll wait for official permission. </div><div><br></div><div>Ellis went by train to MT for the weekend and Deanne drove to WI to visit her friend, Essy. I stayed at Mom's place and we are <i>driving each other</i> <i>crazy - </i>no, I meant - keeping each other company. 🙂</div><div><br></div><div>Two weeks have gone by remarkably fast. </div><div><br></div><div>Today I cut up a squash and baked it. This afternoon I'm going to make my Grandma Martin's pumpkin pie. Using pureed squash. </div><div>It is really a custard pie - not a true pumpkin pie. </div><div><br></div><div>You can find the recipe in the Mary and Martha cookbook. That book contains recipes compiled from the ladies in the North Central Conference from years ago.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Here it is with a remarkable absence of instructions. It's my favorite and most likely I won't eat any other kind. Don't be offended, please.</div><div><br></div><div>On a side note - the lady bugs (Asian Beetles) are alive and well. Also box elder bugs.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>But it's OK I keep telling myself because we don't get those army worms that go through the northern part of the state every few years. Or the stink bugs that Deanne says they have in western MT. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>So we are fine, just fine. As you can see I did a Google search and took a screenshot and then put it on this blog. I hope that's not breaking a law of some kind. </div><div><br></div><div>This morning it rained and rained. Then we had a rip roaring thunder and lightning storm. There was a bright flash of lightning then a gigantic crack of thunder. It was very close.</div><div>After that everything was quiet and the rain soon stopped. </div><div><br></div><div>"Rain before seven - quit before eleven."</div><div>That's the old saying and it was true today.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876488649899991658.post-70330543292616405962023-10-16T17:29:00.004-05:002023-10-17T08:01:17.280-05:00updateEveryone asks, "How's it going?"<div><br></div><div>And I reply, "Great!"</div><div><br></div><div>Aside from a six inch incision at the top of my right leg everything is fine. </div><div><br></div><div>It really is. When I stop to think - I remember the pain in my hip every time I walked.</div><div><br></div><div>That's gone. I don't hear bones clicking and crunching against each other when I move.</div><div><br></div><div>People, this is perfectly wonderful!</div><div><br></div><div>I am praising God every day!</div><div><br></div><div>The pain is managed with Tylenol three times a day and I'm supposed to take an adult strength aspirin once a day for forty days.</div><div><br></div><div>Walking around the house, exercising to reduce fluid build up, reading, resting, deep breathing exercises, crocheting, writing, physical therapy - there's enough to do so I don't get bored.</div><div><br></div><div>This morning I made a batch of granola. That was fun. And tasty. </div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday Ellis and I listened to a sermon titled The Muddy Paws of Brumus, by Eric Ludy. </div><div><br></div><div>We had Taco Salad with Mom, Deanne, Allen, Krysta, Jasper, Nova and Angie. </div><div><br></div><div>Scrumptious! Mom made her jello salad with pineapple and mandarin oranges and there was O'Henry Bars for dessert. </div><div><br></div><div>Games</div><div>Naps</div><div>Lots of fun and activity with three babies under two years</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Flowers from a friend.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Friends have brought us meals. We won't starve. It has been a wonderful week.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Dawn Harshbargerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676650049456575037noreply@blogger.com3