Pocahontas, Iowa

THE GROTTO

After the SPAM Museum, we departed lovely I-90 and headed south into Iowa. We passed through Clear Lake [read: last show of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & the Big Bopper]. You might wonder why we didn't stop - well, sources close to me (Kole) say that the Surf Ballroom isn't much different from the Riverside Ballroom in Green Bay - not much to look at. And, since the Riverside Ballroom was the 2nd to last show they did, and we've been there several times, a stop in Clear Lake seemed unnecessary.

We wove our way down to West Bend, Iowa, home of...Grotto of the RedemptionA collection of rock adorned towers and homages to the higher being. It was a sight. I really can't get over people's dedication to this type of project. It reminded me a lot of the Concrete Park in Phillips, WI.

The rocks were really beautiful, actually.

I know you're jealous that you didn't get to come along, and you're wondering where we're headed next. Well, you can plan your own tour d'roadside attractions on the Roadside America website.

Maiden Voyage

The wagon headed out on its first big road trip this past weekend. We packed up the family and headed to Iowa. Both the car and the smallest member of the family did quite well, though it was a very different form of travel for us - we're used to road trips with very few stops to stretch, and this one necessitated a stop every 2 hours or so to eat and whatnot.

Of course, one wouldn't dream of passing through Austin, Minnesota without stopping at the SPAM Museum! Okay, maybe that's just our family. We opted to stop here instead of a gas station because it was a LOT cleaner and definitely more fun.

After a quick trip through the museum and gift shop, we stopped for a photo op. with Spammie. Maggie scored a free spammobile (spelling?); Kole was uber-jealous.

Next stop - The Grotto of the Redemption!

We heart German engineering

We are through with the car buying process which was made extra stressful by the circumstances. But I am proud to announce that we are the owners of a new car! Is it wrong that everytime I write/hear that phrase I imagine Rod-Roddy of the Price is Right saying it?
I have always wanted a Volkswagen, Kole has, too (little did I know). Granted, I have always imagined a beetle or a mini-bus abounding with character. The station wagon isn't quite what I pictured, but I'm really loving this car.

Enjoying the weather

The first of what will hopefully be many naps in nature. *sigh* So peaceful.

La Pascua

It was a Happy Easter 'round these parts. A personalized Seroogy's chocolate fudge egg and some fun surprises for everyone!

Beautiful Day

It's the end of a beautiful day here. All day we were reminded of life after snow. I had forgotten the sun could shine SO brightly, or what it felt like not to wear 3 layers outside!

Spring was definitely peeking through...
-in the crocuses and hyacinth in the backyard, and the promise of tulips and daffodils.
-in the sound of clothes flapping in the wind as they dry on the line and birds singing at the feeders.
-in the smell of sunshine those clothes carry into the house as they're folded and put away.
-in the rustle of fall leaves and the sound flower stalks snapping as the yard is cleared for the blooms to come.

And I didn't take a single picture of any of it!

Note to self: carry camera...everywhere.

Making

We've finished up a few projects around here recently.

This thrifted pot of silk ties and some blown-out eggs became this:
And then this:

You can check out Martha Stewart's directions here. I used blown out eggs so that we could keep these and reuse them in future years and also because we don't eat a lot of hard-boiled eggs around here. I had a bit of trouble covering the whole egg - hence the white streaks, but I think it adds character. I'm hoping for better results next time.

In knitting world, I finished a scarf this week. I apologize for not modeling it, but it's early yet and I look frightful today.

Now on the needles - a Booga Bag knit with Japanese wool so that it can be felted when it's done. I got a good start yesterday while waiting for our new car to get a check-up.

The sewing machine turned out this purse for Aunt Tricia

Birthday

This little one and I have been in kahoots for a week or more to plan some fun surprises for her dad's birthday.

She was agreeable and slept while I made this little bag for the I-pod we gave him. We found this fabric months ago at Goodwill - isn't it a hoot? I've got like 3 more yards, so we'll have to see what becomes of it.
Then she sat quietly and dozed in her bouncy chair while I baked and decorated this gnome cake. Not quite as cool as what I had pictured in my mind, but it was only my second time using the decorator thingy. It kinda looks like grass, doesn't it?

I think our efforts were well received - Happy Birthday to Kole!

MIA

Dear Friends,

Sorry I haven't posted anything new in awhile. I do have a good excuse, unfortunately.

This happened last Saturday.

We were all in the car and weren't hurt.

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We were leaving parking lot near our house after picking up pizza to share with friends. The other driver looked down to answer his phone and hit us head-on. He was driving with a suspended license and no insurance. Our car was totalled. He drove away.

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I slept for one hour that night. The rest of the time I watched my family sleep. I held Maggie and rocked her and kissed her and thanked God that my family was still intact even if our roomiest vehicle wasn't.

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We have spent this week looking online for used vehicles, driving to car lots to test the leg room for the passenger once the car seat is in place, and waiting for the insurance company to call us. Still nothing.

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Hopefully next week I'll be back with better news. We've got a birthday in the family and we'll need to celebrate!