Linds of MN Blogtog

raised garden bed heirloom tomatoes squash melons

A Partly Heirloom Garden

When I was a little girl, living on 2 acres outside of town, my dad and mom would grow several raised beds of veggies from lettuce to corn to potatoes to my favorite: cherry tomatoes (which I would eat by the handful after plucking them right off the vine). When I moved into an apartment, … Continue reading »

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Art-A-Whirling in Northeast Minneapolis

With friends in town, I woke up early, while they were still asleep to get in a quick bike ride before our day’s adventures Choosing to ride a different path, I wandered further away from home and the quick ride turned into 5 additional miles than was planned. After a shower and running some errands, … Continue reading »

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Backyard Landscape Design Vision

With building a new woodshop in our backyard, we thought landscaping would smooth the rough edges. We found ourselves pouring over perennials, bushes, and trees a large excel spreadsheet to document the dimensions, sunlight, soil preference, and maintenance and a mini encyclopedia reference to urls and images. Still we were left pondering placement and priority. … Continue reading »

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Farewell, Grandma

My grandma, Helen, passed away on Wednesday night at 84 years old. She was known to be ornery, often cursing and speaking her mind. Aunt Shirley told a recent story when she gave Grandma a bit of her soda. Grandma spilled most of the drink on herself, looked at Aunt Shirley with a look of … Continue reading »

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How to Make a Dog Bed

I’ve been browsing for a new dog bed for some time. Looking for a Made in America, big enough to hold a sprawled out German Shepherd male and shorthaired pointer with long toothpick legs. Oh, and it has to look pretty and match my decor. With these requirements, one could easily spend $100 or more. … Continue reading »

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New Years Resolutions

I’m not typically big on making a new years resolution. When a coworker asked me if I had made any this year, I jokingly said “you can’t improve awesome”. Though that is true, there are certainly goals towards continuous improvement. And there are plenty of goals for this year. Just thinking about projects that are … Continue reading »

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My Modern Yet Feminine Living Room – Fresh paint

Fridays off have mainly been an opportunity for some alone time with the pups plus punching through a few items on the to-do list. For months I have been dreaming of a rehaul of our upstairs living room. Scouring blogs and pinterest for ideas, I have quietly collected thoughts and a few weeks ago shared … Continue reading »

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Our New German Shepherd, Jasper

For months I have been talking to a German Shepherd breeder in St. Peter, Minnesota, following her tips and beautiful photos on Facebook, and emailing questions and updates from time to time. Mostly I was impressed with the quality of her dogs, which are imported from Germany, and the many photos of her young boys … Continue reading »

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A 5-Year Anniversary with Gioblastoma (GBM) Cancer

Cancer was the thought furthest from my mind five years ago on a cool November day. It was a few months after our wedding, we were about to celebrate one year in Minnesota. When we received the call from my mom, we immediately made plans to travel. Seeing my dad in a hospital was heartbreaking. … Continue reading »

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St Germain WI Cabin Trip in the Woods

With the pickup truck gassed up and washed, I backtracked just a couple miles to pick up the girls a day off and a weekend up north was in store for the 5 of us. The air was chilly, but that didn’t stop us – taking the pontoon out for a spin around the lake … Continue reading »

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Marshmallows, Wine & Family in San Francisco

Our only real goal for our week-long trip to San Francisco was to spend time with Kevin’s sister, her husband, and son. We had already spent a trip checking out sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf. So this time, we planned to “do as the locals do”. We had a great … Continue reading »

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MS150 Bicycle Ride Duluth to Twin Cities Recap

This weekend, Kevin and I participated in the MS150 ride from Duluth to Minneapolis for months in advance, we worked on our fundraising strategy wanting to be creative in the ask method I sought advice from my sister, who easily rattled off a few ideas that could serve as sponsorship opportunities and a list was … Continue reading »

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Painting the Woodshop

With our heads in the clouds, dreaming up multiple projects to tackle, we heading for Menard’s to gather supplies for the weekend: a paint roller, cedar wood, screws, electrical conduit. All this would finish up a garden project to trellis tomatoes and melons. Though as the weekend wound on, it became clear we would not … Continue reading »

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MS 150 Bicycle Ride Sponsorship Opportunities

Jennifer is now accepting your sponsorship requests for the MS150 bicycling event on June 9 & 10. She will be riding with Team Andersen. To sign up, submit your donation by donating to Jennifer at: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/MNMBikeEvents?px=10573737&pg=personal&fr_id=17515 . Purchase sponsorship for the MS150 Ride where your name could be seen by thousands of other riders and … Continue reading »

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Iowa Mini Vacation

Kevin and I broke a Friday record by heading out of work by 1:00. After a Star Wars May the 4th party at work, I had to close up last items and grab a tauntaun gut for the road. Kevin swung by the local lumberyard for some project material, and we met up around 2:00 … Continue reading »

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Woodshop concrete poured and nails painted

The concrete truck showed up at 9 AM, just after Phil and Linda pulled in. Kevin made sure the concrete buggy still ran, sat his tools out, Then quietly waited for the roar of the truck coming down our residential street. For the next hour, buggy load after buggy load was hauled up the front … Continue reading »

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Spring Project List Phase 1 1/2

This time last year, we still had several feet of snow and only ventured outdoors in a heavy coat and gloves. This weekend, you would have found me soaking up the sun and spying on my peonies and hydrangea poking out of the ground, putting two wheels of rubber to pavement, or walking through downtown … Continue reading »

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Making Multiple Sclerosis Personal

Kevin and I are planning to ride in the MS150 bicycle ride this June from Duluth to the Twin Cities. Though fortunately, neither of us knows anyone with multiple sclerosis, we feel the ride is important for building community. We will be riding with Team Andersen so not only will we meet and connect with … Continue reading »

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Roadtrip to Wisconsin

550 total miles, a quarter of the way to San Francisco, instead, that is round trip to our destination just Northwest of Madison, Wisconsin. Crossing the Mississippi, through the military forts, passing stained red cranberry fields and buzzing by the Dells waterparks. 75 degrees outside in March with the sun beating down, sandwiches and sodas … Continue reading »

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Weekend with Parents in Town

The warm, early March Minnesota weather brought the two people who know me better than anyone they traveled from the south five hours through miles of rolling fields and open highway. We spent 3 1/2 short days together sharing frustrations over heartache felt separately but simultaneously from family members who moved away, and enjoying great … Continue reading »

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Framing and drying in the Lind Woodshop

An update on the Lind Woodshop from November 2011 to date (written by the non-builder in the family): Four men (two fathers, two brothers) built the framed structure en-likened to an Amish barn-raising: in one weekend we went from concrete piers in the dirt to an entire framed wood building. The family joked and looked … Continue reading »

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Lind Winter Family Photo Session

Getting the whole family together can be a challenge. With siblings spread across the country it’s important to take advantage of the short time we have to laugh, smile, and talk face-to-face. To some, professional pictures may be a silly, frugal thing to do, something that is ordered and society has encouraged only when you … Continue reading »

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My Lovely Valentine

Last night was Valentine’s day. Kevin surprised me with tickets to the Guthrie theater to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, staring Emily Swallow as Margaret . Since we moved to Minneapolis, we have been awed by the Guthrie’s architecture and also the great views of the Mississippi river from its deck. We have … Continue reading »

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A Guide to Turning 30

Step 1) Skip the Pity Party! The day I turned 30 years old I did not cry or throw a fit I didn’t even study my body in the mirror, looking for signs of wrinkles or gray hairs as others have suggested. Step 2) Be Open to Encouragement from Others Who Survived Their 30s That … Continue reading »

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For My Nieces and Nephews

My family is currently separated from my niece and 2 nephews. I pray they are safe and remain strong. I know we will see them again soon. In the meantime, here are a couple words that I wish for each of them, that they use each of their talents to both question their situation in … Continue reading »

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The Aftermath of Christmas

On hands and knees, I cleaned up the needles woven into the corner. Kevin must have picked the tree up and shook it in place! I unwound the garland from the deck posts. Finding a large nut that a squirrel had placed underneath for spring awakening. Kevin drove my car to work Friday to drop … Continue reading »

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Willow – our German Shepherd – lost to Canine Lymphoma

Early this December, Willow, our sweet, 5-year old German shepherd dog, began getting feverish and she lost her energy and appetite. She had been itching her ears so we thought this was caused by an ear infection. When we took her in, the vet confirmed her ear infection, but also told us she had lost … Continue reading »

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Remembering Sweet Willow

You were a ball of fur in my arms, we couldn’t wait the two weeks to bring you home. You had already made your mark on us by falling asleep on Kevin’s shoe as we looked over the litter. We researched names, the best dog foods, the best toys for you. Soon after, realizing you … Continue reading »

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Christmas will soon be here!

The air feels brisk, the oven is warm with sugar cookies, icicles hang from the roofs, and candy canes dip from the pine trees. Silver bells, winter wonderland, and silent night fill the air, the crack of the fireplace draws in the cold air and blows a kiss of warmth over the little ones’ toes. … Continue reading »

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Paper Ornaments and Pine Needles

With Kevin out of town this week, I was left to my own devises – five nights to do almost anything I wanted!: Monday I joined a gym and tried a spin class, Tuesday I saw an acupuncturist, and picked up the Lind’s first real Christmas tree, Wednesday I hit spin class again, Thursday I shopped Michaels … Continue reading »

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Finding Hope in Disappointment

Rising hope as time passes a twitter in your stomach stiffened muscles planning for the good news but expecting another disappointment The unknown as you wait changing your life a holding pattern catch and release The turn of events when the moment arrives 50:50, it could go either way one look, one word and you … Continue reading »

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What The Linds are Thankful For

Driving to my childhood hometown Thanksgiving day for a family feast, The car tires are rolling, the dogs sleeping in the backseat, a mixture of tunes blaring on the radio for the 5 hour trek, Bottles of wine, dark chocolate, and frozen artichoke dip in the trunk, Kevin and I catching up on moments we … Continue reading »

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Concrete Piers & Sliding Curtains

Kevin’s tool of choice was a heavy duty, spinning, hole digging machine Him and his dad worked from first thing in the morning to last thing in the night, even though he would need to drive three hours back home. Free pizza in their bellies from a mistaken order. The twenty holes were dug, but … Continue reading »

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Wood / Garden Shop – Phase 1

The Lind Woodshop has been an idea since our house was purchased nearly 5 years ago, some homes were turned down with no potential others, heightened though other parts of the house crumbled. Our house’s big back yard was deemed acceptable, and finally this weekend a stake was placed into the ground and the first … Continue reading »

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Fright Nights

How I would describe the perfect Halloween weekend: Friday join up with friends at the scariest haunted basement in town: The Soap Factory Haunted Basement Spend 10 minutes walking in pure darkness holding a rope and other hand on person in front of you Strangers grabbing your feet and rubbing your hands Till you enter … Continue reading »

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Small Town Pals

This weekend, we went to Algona, Iowa, Kevin’s hometown, to attend a wedding reception for his best friend, Kyle. Kevin and Kyle grew up together and have remained close, even when Kyle joined the Army and spent two rounds at war and then moved 4 states away. Kyle has a beautiful wife and daughter, who … Continue reading »

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Baby Meet & Greet

In a snapshot of three short days, was all we had to catch up on life’s goings-on in a meet and greet circumstance with our far-away sister and eight-week-old nephew. The adults sat in chairs as the little man cooed on his blanket, inspecting all the items in the room with his large, gray-silvery eyes … Continue reading »

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Perfect Home

We’ve almost owned our house for 5 years (this December) – that is 260 weekends to fill with worry about cleanliness and organization I have spent many Saturday mornings running around with the vacuum and duster, frantically cleaning up from the long week of work, meals, rushing out the door Praying no one stops by … Continue reading »

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Zombie Pub Crawl

The city was wet and sloppy, road construction held the anticipation though in cars ahead and behind, I saw the undead in taxis, vans, cars. In the gray distance: a clown, Waldo, a taco, and brides. They moved slowly taking over streets, restaurants, bars; Leaving green, white, brown, and red on the wall they rubbed against. … Continue reading »

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Car Comparison Guide

We recently bought a new car, and wanted to be sure we were making a smart financial decision. We had a couple car options on the table with various sizes, features, and gas mileage. To make our decision easier, we decided to chart out our total cost through the life of the car, including a … Continue reading »

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Muscatine Memories

Consider this a continuation of the post from last weekend. How I Grew Up Sandburs in my feet Playing on the ground outside Riding my bicycle on a dirt road Exploring farm fields Muddy water in my nose Grandpa’s boat surging towards land An island oasis for tubing, floating Learning how the current flows Family … Continue reading »

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Elshoff Reunion

Excitement from a two year olds’ face As his eyes light up and he runs into your leg for a hug, When he hasn’t seen you in three months Yet recognizes you right away; Though your name comes out of his mouth Sounding more like a character from Star Wars, Unrecognizable to anyone else but … Continue reading »

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Summer’s End Bee Swarm

With few signs that summer was ever here – The pair of loons hasn’t been spotted in several weeks, The docks are pulled out and boats put away so that The lake has a wider view of the gray sky – Yet the birch tree’s leaves are still green In this limbo land of seasons, … Continue reading »

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Saint Paul Classic

Thirty nine miles around the city of Saint Paul. Two bicyclists on a mission to wrap up a great summer. A fast set pace. A couple bottles of gaterade. 7,000 people sharing the road. And a beautiful 80 degree September day. I have always been frustrated that Kevin can switch from couch potato to 50 … Continue reading »

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