Thursday, September 20, 2007

Minnesota Musings...


I'm still here at my folks' in Western Minnesota having a great time. Been doing some knitting, while my dad works away on his cross-stitch. Mom has been busy keeping us in 'comfort' food - i.e. rice pudding. I LOVE rice pudding and will share the recipe in my next post.

We were suppose to leave this morning to go shopping, but there are such bad storms that we are staying put until it lets up.




I finished my first Monkey Mitt. I would do it a little differently with another pair, but I like them alot. I will have to get the second one made so I can have them ready for the cooler weather that is coming our way. As you can see, mom still has me eating my bright colors....










I've had the opportunity to meet several of my mom's friends who are faithful readers of my blog! (Hi Carol, Lois, Barbara, Peg and Barb!) It's humbling to know that people read my blog and enjoy my ramblings. Lois even brought me a gift of her homemade Apple Butter. Yum! (I think I'll save it to take home and share with Steve.) Here it is pictured with my Monkey Mitt!









My parent's enjoy eating out and I humor them with tagging along. (Ok, ok, I enjoy it too!) Yesterday they took me to The Birdfeeder in Twin Brooks, South Dakota. This is by far the smallest town I've ever been to . Has a few houses and then the little Post Office with this restaurant attached to the back. Very cute. Not exactly fast food (our 4 course lunch took 1.5 hours) but it was very delicious.



Tonight I believe we are dining out again at another South Dakota restaurant with my Aunt and Uncle. Dad keeps talking about the Coconut Shrimp at this place and I'm pretty sure that's what I'll have to order. (Or at least try some of his).

Other than that, I am enjoying just relaxing and catching up on some much needed sleep. (Oh, and beating dad at cribbage!!) Their house is a gallery of their work - Dad's cross-stich and Mom's wheat weaving. I'll end with a sample of each. The first is one of Dad's Emmett Kelly Clowns that he has cross-stitched. It's one of a pair that hangs over their couch. It's amazing. His cross stitch hangs all over the house.










But where there isn't cross stitch, there is wheat. Mom weaves everything from these Scandinavian trees to crosses and is currently working on earrings.


Oh, and they have one of my felted bowls on display. (Filled with the farkel dice, which I have one win; one loss)







Well, back to knitting until the storm lets up. Then we'll head out shopping.




Until Next Time...

13 comments:

Yankee Girl ~ Missy said...

Ha ha I had to go to map quest and figure out where Twin Brooks, South Dakota was at. I've lived here my whole life and had never heard of it. Interesting!!! I love your blog also. Hope your enjoying your knitting during this wonderful thunderstorm we are having. Hopefully, it doesn't bring severe storms tonight!!!

Cheryl said...

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree". I'm sure whoever came up with that phrase was thinking of that artistic, fun, family of yours!! It is fun to see your folks...tell them they look great...and never age!! I love their craftwork and I love reading your blog. I am a regular addict. You have humored me, humbled me, inspired me, and made me proud to be your friend.

Deborah said...

ok, first the most important thing, the rice pudding recipe! I've been making the one on the back of the domino sugar bag for years and I can use a change! Second, the monkey mitt, is it your own? Where did you find it? Don't say Revelry because there are 400 people who hare hogging up the line in front of me...

monica said...

I love rice pudding to but I seldom make it because the rest of the family turns up their nose at it. Well teh you ngest might like it, she is a big rice eater.

Your Monkey Mitts are fantastic!!!

Your parents sound wonderful, and they are very talented, guess we know where you get that from : )

Karen said...

More evidence that craftiness runs in families!! Your parents do wonderful work. I'm going to have to try the Praline Bars in your last post (but I'll use almonds since I'm allergic to pecans), they look yummy.

Anonymous said...

The cross stitch and wheat weavings are beautiful. You have very talented parents!

Robin said...

I too love your blog. I am in Western Minnesota at the bottom of the state though. Eating out is always fun.

Anonymous said...

I love rice pudding too and I have never made it. I will make your recipe as soon as you post it. Do you think you could use brown rice?
Your parents are great and I love that your dad cross stitches, perhaps I will suggest it to my dad as he is about to retire.

Anne said...

Great work from all of you. I love the Scandinavian tree. I come from a strong Scandinavian heritage and we had them growing up.

AllyB said...

Your parents are soo cute! And I love, love, love those Monkey Mitts. Did you make them up? Please spill the beans...I'll be lurking to find out. Thanks for sharing your lovely family with us.

Janice said...

The Monkey Mitts are just a modification of Cookie A's Monkey sock pattern (which is a free pattern). I did the 1" of rib and 6 lace patterns.. put in a thumb and then did another inch of rib. If I do them again, I will do the rib, 6 lace patterns and put in the waste yarn for the thumb and then do another lace pattern and then the rib. If you haven't done the Monkey socks, you definitely should. It's a fun pattern!! (I have linked to the pattern in previous posts) If you have any other questions, feel free to email me :-)

rohanknitter said...

Wow, your parents are both so talented- what beautiful things they create!
Enjoy your visit!

marit said...

SO nice to hear about your stay with your parents, and seeing their beautiful art too! I'm looking forward to that rice pudding recipe- we eat a lot of riceporridge here, and sometimes I make ricepudding if there are leftovers- but I'm not sure if we are talking about the same thing! Have a nice stay!