Northfield’s Winter Walk 2019

We had family visiting from Pennsylvania during Northfield’s annual Winter Walk last week. It was a fun way to showcase our beautiful downtown.

A favorite winter scene of mine: the lit tree on top of the Ames Mill building in Northfield.

Even though the air was cold, Gary’s brother and his wife were willing to participate in the festivities. The streets were full – with shoppers, carolers and folks just out enjoying the ambiance of this holiday tradition. Fresh snow had fallen earlier in the day.

Warming up at one of the many fire pits along closed-off Division street.

For the Winter Walk I always don a Santa hat – one I bought at Jacobsen’s Department Store at Northfield’s first Winter Walk, years ago. The beloved department store is no longer in business. I had an extra Santa hat and encouraged my sister-in-law to join me in the venture.

Santa’s elves?

It is always fun to look in the shops and taste a delicious treat or two. Many store windows are decked out for Christmas and offer wonderful viewing: Quality Bakery and The Rare Pair to name two.

One of the window displays at Quality Bakery.
The Rare Pair in Northfield has interesting and creative window displays all year long.

In the yarn shop window a young woman was sitting in a chair, showing off her knitting skills as she knit a sweater using huge needles. Apparently her goal (or challenge) was to knit a sweater in four hours or less. The clock was ticking down beside her. She was well along on the project and probably reached her goal by the end of the evening. 

This woman seemed to be enjoying herself, sitting in the window of the yarn shop in Northfield. The knitting needles were very large creating large stitches.

It was a delight to once again enjoy Northfield’s Winter Walk, and it was especially nice to share it with our out-of-town guests who experienced it for the first time, and liked it!

A vintage tree in The Rare Pair window.

Finding Jesus

The front cover of the book The Nativity. Illustrated by Julie Vivas.

Last week my 2 ½ year old granddaughter greeted me at her door with the these words,

“Grandma, will you help me find Jesus?”

Apparently when putting up the Advent Calendar, with characters from the nativity, the cloth embroidered Baby Jesus went missing and she had been looking all over the house for it.

My heart fluttered as I heard those sweet words, and my heartfelt response… “Of course Little One, I will help you find Jesus!”

The Hubbard House

We enjoy touring historic houses, especially at Christmastime when they decorate for the holidays. I also like mysteries, so when I read about the Hubbard House in Mankato, I was enticed because the attraction included a mystery to solve while on tour in the historic home.  We decided to go.

Entering the house just before dusk.

The house was built in 1871. R.D. Hubbard not only founded Hubbard Milling Company, one of the largest flower mills in Minnesota, but also the Mankato Linseed Oil Company, and more. We met his “character” in his office in the house and he was interesting.

The Hubbard house is a modest house, in comparison to other historic homes we’ve visited, but it was charming. There were stunning marble fireplaces in several rooms, magnificent woodwork throughout, some stained-glass windows, interesting wallpaper, and wall lamps (after electricity was installed). The Christmas bouquets that adorned the rooms were green and natural and lovely.

There were volunteers dressed in period costumes, representing the Hubbard family members and their staff. There was someone in each room and they were engaging. Guests were encouraged to talk with them and ask questions to try to solve the mystery. So we did, and it was quite fun. 

The beautiful blue sky at dust, as we left the house.

In the end we didn’t guess “who done it” (unraveled a knitted scarf – no murder here) correctly…but a maid did do it. This extra touch added a new layer of interest to this Blue Earth County Historical Society’s attraction, and made it’s history more memorable.

St. Olaf Christmas Festival

When I was the Christmas Festival Ticket Coordinator at St. Olaf College people told me over and over again that the Festival was a tradition they didn’t want to miss! Sometimes they’d get frantic about it (ha) but after many years of going myself I’m beginning to understand.

The Festival has become a tradition for us, a beautiful way to start the Christmas season. We attended the Festival last evening and were not disappointed. This year’s theme is, A New Song of Grace and Truth.

The Christmas Festival always features five St. Olaf choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra, and this year included the Handbell Choir for one of the orchestra pieces (approximately 600 students). The music is varied and there is something new each year, but the Festival always ends with the choirs and orchestra all singing their rendition (arranged by F. Melius Christiansen) of “Beautiful Savior” as the student voices surround the auditorium. 

Anticipating the concert is fun and excitement builds the day of. Being in the lobby with the crowds, seeing the new set design, reading the program and being surrounded by college students is entertaining. Then we find our seats, the glorious music begins and two hours later it’s all over, and another successful Festival has provided a delightful evening and a great start to the Christmas season.

Glass Ornaments

I have a collection of colorful glass… mostly antique art-glass vases…

My display of colored glass vases.

I find myself attracted to any colored glass pieces though, and to dishes in general. I have my grandma’s antique china set, which I love, and many other vintage glass pieces I’ve collected over the years from antique shops and thrift stores. I think it’s great fun to hunt for them, and I get a lot of enjoyment from using them too.

The lure of colored glass prompted me to take a class on creating fussed-glass pieces. The first class I took, a few years ago, was detailed and instructional  – it taught us how to cut glass and introduced the different glass and glass making tools and explained the firing/fusing process. In that class I made four coasters, two mini bowls and a star hanging. It was an interesting class.

My funky bird coasters, made in the first class.

When a friend recently told me of a class being offered making Christmas Ornaments from fused-glass, in the small town of Kenyon MN, I was all in. 

The class was very relaxed. The instructor brought her glass supplies and gave simple instructions and let us use whatever we wanted from her supply. We didn’t have to do anything but create. No set up, no clean up…just show up and be creative. We entertained ourselves over and beyond the time class was to end, but it did, and we liked our results.

The snowman ornaments I made in the second class.

My friend wanted to start a tradition of making Christmas ornaments for her daughters so she made two wreath ornaments. I made three snowman ornaments, one for each of my grandchildren.

Happy Thanksgiving

Our tree (a lilac branch) of Thanksgiving…a tradition we started when our sons were little. As we go around the table we add a leaf and say what we’re thankful for. Simple but special.

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Colossians 3: 14-16

A Tough Job

We went up our son’s house in Minneapolis to babysit our 2 1/2 year- old granddaughter while our son and his wife went out of town for a few days. We had a wonderful time with her. 

When our son and his wife returned late on the fourth day they asked us, “Were you worn out by the end of each day?”

Thinking they were talking to her, our little granddaughter immediately said, “Yes!” 

We all burst out laughing…

Apparently it’s a lot of work taking care of a grandma and grandpa!

A fun children’s book.

Oh What Fun…

…it is to attend a Family Orchestra Concert at St. Olaf College.  The family friendly concerts are geared towards children and have become popular. We didn’t arrive early because we didn’t anticipate the crowd that completely filled the auditorium to overflowing. It was awesome to feel the enthusiasm in the room. 

Before the family friendly concert there was time for children to touch and feel the instruments (what I’ve heard called “an instrument petting zoo”). Children can learn a bit about instruments and meet the musicians. From our seats it looked like there was wonderful interaction going on between the children and the college students.

When it was time for the concert to begin everyone quieted down and one could feel the excitement in the air as the music began. The selections were upbeat and fun! 

The concert started off with the classic William Tell Overture and then a storyteller from Minnesota Public Radio (this is quality entertainment!) recited a story while the orchestra played “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” in the background.

Next the orchestra played a lovely piece from the movie Frozen. 

There was a children’s conductor contest and the winner stood on the podium, by themselves, and conducted the students playing “Do Re Mi” from The Sound of Music.

We were introduced to a Northfield duo who love to create children’s music. The two professors sang two of their original songs: one called “Underwear Spaghetti” and the other “I Love To Sing.”

The finale was Chewbacca, a Star Wars character, who appeared on stage and conducted the orchestra for the Main Title from Star Wars. It was fun, and a great animated performance by Chewbacca.

Chewbacca directing the St. Olaf Orchestra. photo by TA

It looked like the concert was as pleasureable to the student participants and conductor as it was for the audience. Everyone, young and old alike, seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a thoroughly delightful time. I wish my grandchildren could have been there.

We left the concert with our hearts full of joy.

The Butterfly Cake

Children’s excitement is fun to experience. Our oldest granddaughter turned five in October. Since we missed her birthday party in Colorado, we decided to have a party when she and her brother came to stay with us for a few days in November. Her Minnesota cousin, aunt and uncle would help celebrate too. She was so excited.

I planned a butterfly theme since Zoey and I went to a butterfly garden last summer. I found butterfly plates, napkins and hanging decorations. I found pink butterfly wings, with a bit of glitter, for Zoey to wear. I borrowed a vintage cookbook with cake patterns from a friend, and found directions to bake and shape a butterfly cake.

Although the butterfly cake ended up with a broken, but mended, wing you couldn’t tell after it was frosted. 

The grandkids had fun helping me enhance the cake with sugar, sprinkles and candy. I think a good time was had by all.

Rosella

A dear friend of ours passed away a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend her funeral. 

In preparation for our grandchildren coming to stay with us for a few days we brought out toys and playthings, including a play tent. 

The morning of our friend’s funeral our grandchildren asked to play with the tent, so we set it up for them and they were happily playing in it. And then our son asked, “Didn’t Rosella make that tent?” 

Why, yes, she did! 

I’m so glad he thought of that. How special that our grandkids were enjoying the same tent that dear Rosella gave to our own boys when they were young… and now happen to be playing in it the morning of her funeral. I think she was smiling from heaven.

Rest in Peace, Dear Rosella. You were very special to our family.