#North Iowa Bloggers + Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank = A Very Good Thing

Dec 6, 2014

Friday was a gray and gloomy day in Mason City, Iowa but some of my local blogging buddies definitely brightened up my day and their actions will brighten the days of others in our area. We took a field trip to Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank located at 122 S Adams Street in Mason City to drop off our trunkfuls of food and cash donations that the bloggers and their readers had collected during November.  It was a fun morning for all of us and volunteer Ozzie Ohl was the consummate host and gave …

In His Pocket

Dec 4, 2014

Mr. Diamond (Chris) and I have an interesting relationship.  We have always had a lot of fun together and he reminded me not too long ago that we have been together an amazing 2/3 rds of our lives.  That is a long time in dog years as a favorite pastor used to say. The geographic separation is wearing a bit thin as we are at almost 5 months of him being in Texas and me being in Iowa.  The good thing is that we DO get to see each other.  More than some other couples who have to be separated …

Going Home

Nov 28, 2014

I have been living a pretty charmed life these days.  A trip to Ohio to see all of my Ohio family that I could see and now a trip to North Carolina to catch up with family and friends.  It is what I love the most---being with family and friends and just living in the moment. One thing that I loved was being able to go to church on Sunday to the church that Chris and I and the boys attended for almost 9 years when we lived in North Carolina.  It was at this church, Fair View UMC in Mount …

The Sun Still Comes Up

Nov 24, 2014

Did you ever think about that?  The sun still comes up. Every day.  Some days it may be hidden by clouds.  Some days it may be covered with raindrops.  Some days, heaven forbid it, there may even be snow that covers the brilliance of the sun but it ALWAYS comes up.  Without fail. I was just pondering that fact this past week when I have felt the burdens of several of my friends.  If I could offer one word of comfort to any of them it would be just that fact---the sun still comes up.   No …

Be The Ripple

Nov 17, 2014

Recently I gave a little presentation at our local Social Media Breakfast entitled Be The Ripple.  I shared with the group some of the great things that have happened to me over the years through having my blog and how fabulous it has been to be a part of this big world that becomes smaller when you have access to social media and the internet.  The basic theme of my talk that morning was that we can all start a ripple of our own in a variety of ways. I never have sought fortune and fame or …

Good Food, Good Friend, Good Time and An Unexpected Sighting

Nov 10, 2014

I went on a little adventure last week to meet up with fellow blogger Doreen from Treadlemusic.  Doreen is a Minnesota blogger and quilter extraordinaire who quilted a few quilt tops for me that came from Chris's grandma.  She is an amazing quilter (check this link for my finished quilt) and an even more amazing friend. She suggested we meet at this tearoom that she loves in Wykoff, Minnesota called The Bank Haus Gifts and Margaret's Tea Room.  I LOVED this place as she knew I would. From the …

Harvest Continues—The Soup is On!

Nov 7, 2014

Disclaimer: The Franklin County Harvest Bloggers Tour was sponsored by the The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce & Franklin County Farm Bureau who provided our lodging, meals and activities. All opinions and thoughts are totally my own. Remember awhile back when I was part of a fabulous Blogger Weekend in Franklin County?  If you want to read a couple posts about it you can click here and here and here and here to catch up on what the fun included.  But wait--there's more!  Of course …

Going Above and Beyond—#North Iowa Bloggers Are Making a Difference

Oct 31, 2014

I love how things come together unexpectedly sometimes.  I love how I can still find so much good in the world amidst the sadness and tragedy.  I love how people continue to amaze and astound me.  Quite frankly---I am loving life right now. When I had this little idea I threw it out to my North Iowa Blogger family and they all jumped on board so I am thrilled to announce that we are embarking on a campaign of sorts to raise more awareness and help stock our local food pantries. The month …

Somehow I Remembered It Differently

Oct 30, 2014

When I was little I lived in this house.  My grade school friend, Beth Rich Brown (Yes, she now has MY maiden name) was in Hannibal, Ohio recently and took a picture of my old house and sent it to me.  How sweet was that??? I have very fond memories of living here --at least for the years that I can remember.  We moved here the summer after I was born in April so the first few years are a bit of a blur but I do remember this old brick house with fondness. I remember the spiral staircase. I …

For the Love of Cowboys

Oct 27, 2014

I have been living it up large in Texas lately!  I twisted the hubby's arm to take me into Fort Worth to see the Stockyards and my one goal was to get my picture taken with a longhorn cow.  I can officially say that that mission was accomplished.  First selfie was so-so---the cow (his name was Cotton) was a tad bit uncooperative. He kept turning his head and actually later I read the signs that said to stay 20 feet away from the fence.  My bad. Then I found Padron.  Padron was less than …