A Touch of Spring

Jarad got me the most beautiful get-well tulips recently - they were this wonderful, rich shade of pink, and were just amazing!! I caught them in some of the nearly-springtime sunlight coming through the window a week ago...I can almost feel spring when I look at them!!

Music Therapy

Jarad's friend, Rick, asked if he could come jam with him at his mother-in-law's senior care home last weekend. I asked to come along, and ended up really enjoying the experience. The guys (and Rick's son Alec) played a nice mix of tunes, and the residents and staff really had a good time. It felt good to do something nice for others, just to do it. I think we'll go back for an encore!

True Love

The Vikings beat Dallas on Sunday (our 1-year anniversary). It must be true love.

Christmas Fun

So we ventured up north this week to celebrate Christmas with my vast array of relatives. A winter storm hampered travel conditions quite a bit, but we made it. Jarad & I stopped in the east end of Duluth, near Lester River, to get some pics of Lake Superior and the snow. Self portrait below:



We made it to my brother's house in Two Harbors, then carpooled back to Hermantown for the Christmas Eve feast at Mom & Bob's. Opening gifts came after stuffing ourselves - and what do we have here, but some damn good-looking siblings in some damn nice Vikes jersies? Heck yeah! (Mine was a birthday gift, the boys got theirs for Xmas.)

We were pretty much snowed in on Christmas Day, so we spent it just hanging at Brian & Jessica's. Intermittent trips outdoors to shovel proved to be plenty - that stuff was heavy!

The day after Christmas, we made it to Dad & Colleen's, where we once again stuffed ourselves with good food. All seven Gjerdahl/Beck/Dugas siblings were present, so a family picture was demanded (by me, of course). It's been 15 years since we last accomplished this feat - it seemed like a good time!

We headed back to the Cities on Saturday night. It wasn't too bad, but I was glad Jarad was driving - he took very good care of us on the roads! Pudder was ecstatic to have us back, and our own bed was a welcome sight. Now, to get ready for New Year's...

Vikings Visit

No, I wasn't visited by Vikings - football Vikings or other Vikings. (Although, Jared Allen could visit and I wouldn't be too upset!)

My brother Brian & his wife Jessica went to the Vikings game last Sunday against Seattle, so I got to host them and my niece, Livia, on Saturday night. Come game day, it was Auntie Di's chance to babysit!!

Fun was had by all - the Vikes won, Auntie Di & Livia played and had an indoor "picnic" and fed the ducks...it just made my weekend to see them!!

Now, only a month 'til Christmas, when I get to see them all again!!

Love Me, Love My Cat

Without a doubt, I think cats are excellent judges of character. They fluff up and hiss when something isn't right, they purr when things are fine and dandy, and they seek out those with whom they are comfortable and safe.

Pudder has definitely found someone else she can cuddle up with, and they seem to get along just fine. She is even allowed to bed down in the empty guitar case when Jarad is practicing a new tune...yep, love me, love my cat!

Minnehaha Creek Adventures

Just this past weekend, with a bit of sunshine and some late-fall temperatures on our side, Jarad & I took some time to walk along Minnehaha Creek. What a beautiful gem, right within the Cities! We will definitely be back, possibly with bikes, to explore some more.

Self-portrait on a bridge passing over the creek...

...just a great day altogether!!