Antique Sled and Ski Poles

Scandia Heritage Alliance had a display of outdoor sports and recreation gear. This is an antique sled and ski poles.

Major Snowfall

We received a lot of snow overnight. Everything is coated in white.

Luciadagen - St. Lucia Day

On December 11th, Gammelgården had its annual Luciadagen - a celebration of St. Lucia. A local high school girl is chosen to portray St. Lucia. 

Gammelgården Museum in December

Winter is here - with its snow and chilly temperatures. On this day, Gammelgården hosted a coffee party celebrating the winter and holiday season. 

 

19th Adoption Day Anniversary

On November 17, 2003, we adopted Olivia at the age of ten months old. She was born in Dianjing, China. It is hard to believe it has been 19 years already. 

I had the opportunity to do a quick photo session with her at Bethel University where she is majoring in Art and minoring in Photojournalism. The chair was in the photo studio, so we used that. 

The first photo is the one Olivia liked the best. The second and third photos are ones that make me smile because they capture Olivia's personality and mannerisms. The laugh with her eyes closed, and the hand covering her mouth when she laughs are very typical of her. I'm glad I was able to get these two shots because they are meaningful to me. 

Cooper is 10 Years Old

Cooper turned ten years old today. He was adopted when he was about six months old. He is a cross between a German Wirehaired Pointer and a Golden Retriever. He is looking out the window as the snow falls hoping to spot a squirrel or a rabbit. He ended up seeing more blue jays, cardinals, and finches than what he truly wanted to see. 

Resourcefulness

This artifact - a copper tea kettle - is at Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia. The director of the museum told me that the kettle was so valued by the family that they hired a tinker (a person who traveled from place to place to mend metal utensils as a way of making a living) to put a new base on it when it was no longer good. 

So, rather than throwing away an item, the family repaired the kettle to extend its life. How different the environment would be now if we all valued our possessions and repaired them instead of throwing them away.  

Unique Children's Book

Our World - A First Book of Geography is such a clever board book. The cover is magnetized so that it can attach to the back cover and stand upright as a globe. Written for 2-5 year olds, there is a story on the base and beautiful illustrations on the globe portion of the book.

Wood Carvings

I saw these cute little wood carvings of a gnome and tree. They are hand-carved and colored. I like that they are both in shades of blue...not a typical color you see with gnomes or trees.

Dala Horse Rotating Candle

I'm doing some photography work for Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia and one of the products in the gift shop is a Dala horse rotating candle. It reminds me of the Christmas one that my parents had that had angels on it. This one, though, is a smaller version with a single tea light.

Straw Goat

It is hard to believe it is November already. Later this month, the Christmas season will begin. This is a Yule goat which is a northern European and Scandinavian tradition and symbol. The Yule goat is typically made of straw. This one was at Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia.

Fencing on a Farm

With the recent ice and snowstorm, there was a coating of each on the fencing. We have two types of fencing here on the farm - woven wire and chainlink. The former fencing is around the pastures and most of the property and the latter is around the backyard to keep the dogs safe.

Ice on a Pine Tree

Overnight there was a storm that left a covering of ice on everything. Needless to say, walking outside today was rather precarious.  

Squirrel Eating Lunch

This squirrel - fuzzy with its winter fur - is grabbing a quick lunch before heading up the tree.

Snow Sculptures

 The snow sculptures in Stillwater were quite impressive. 

Checking on the Land

During the winter we still walk the property to make sure that everything is okay. It's important as caretakers of these ten acres that animals are safe and not hurt anywhere on it. We enjoyed seeing all the activity wherever we walked - tracks, rubbings on trees, and "beds" that the animals made in the grass and weeds.

Ice Crystals

It is so cold today that ice crystals are covering the doors and windows. 

Cooper in the Snow

Cooper loves playing outside in the winter. He was waiting for me near the gate, his muzzle dusted with snow.

Native Plants in Winter

We leave the native plants up in the winter to provide a landing spot for birds and cover for wildlife. Many of the plants have seeds still in them that can be consumed during the winter. 

Pileated Woodpecker

The pileated woodpeckers are looking for insects on the pine trees and eating the suet in the small, square feeders. I'm surprised at how low these birds will go to the ground looking for food.