Theres a kind of hush....

Well friends.
Its that time of year.

....already?
Yep.

Alot has happend in the past month. I forgot to blog. And then some of my favorite people from back home came up to MN to visit. We had our last bash on the beach with Island Time.
We fished. We drank. We were merry!

... And then, I got engaged! Woo hoo!
Here at my home of Eagle Lake! It was beautiful. It was joyous! It was perfect!
Plans are already in place for a wedding next summer. Here. At my favorite place in the world.
Eagle Lake!


... And now, all of a sudden, its Labor Day Weekend.
Moreover, its 4 in the afternoon on Labor Day. The final guests of the year left about 3 hours ago. As they pulled out of the driveway I had to take a moment.
As I took a deep breath part of me was relieved.
As that breath exhaled I felt sad.
The next breath I took was in honor of the fall season's arrival.

This time of year is always a bittersweet feeling. I am happy to have a break and enjoy being able to walk around my house in a towel, not afraid of anyone coming up to my door. I am happy because this is my favorite season.
But I am also sad because summer is over. The time spent on the water, enjoying the sun, and company is put off until next year. It is also the time when my family goes home to Colorado.
This is the part I hate.

But there are lots of things to plan. Lots of projects to work on. And lots of beautiful colors to see while the trees change.

Deep breath in...
Deep breath out....

Its fall. Can you feel it?

Pictures of Up North that I LOVE

Kathrine. Lake of the Woods

A quiet morning. Eagle Lake

Fishing with his best friend. Eagle Lake.

Eagle Lake at its finest.

Island Time Band with my dad and I. (yes. we sang with them that night.)
A perfect day on Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods

My Top Five Favorite Things of July!!!

July was a good month.
Nope.It was a great month.
It was busy at the resort which is great for business.
I got to sneak away on a mini vacation up north..And there are FIVE GREAT THINGS THAT MADE ME SMILE!
Thing #5 (yes I am counting down to the top favorite thing! I have to add some excitement!)

Ok... #5 My newest addition to my cute little family. Lola. What a heart breaker. Who knew you could find such a wonderful pet at the flea market! I knew my addiction to the flea market wasn't in vain.. .I was just waiting for that extra special find! And I did!

Thing #4
I was able to take a road trip to South Dakota with my family for a wedding. I had a great time seeing all my family and celebrating such a wonderful day with them all. The trip, however, to Custer was LONG! So we (as in the kids) entertained ourselves during the 12 hour drive with Kathrine's photo booth feature on her computer... let's just say, this is by far the prettiest picture of me that has ever been produced! (yes I have changed a bit from the other photos!)
I'm kidding!
I don't really look like this!

Thing #3
I have always heard about how my grandpa is the best snapping turtle catcher/handler this side of the Mississippi... but I finally got to see him in action! (see previous post "turtleman") I had to put him and that experience in my top five without a doubt! That was just awesome! I don't care who you are!

Thing #2
Sorry. I have to say it again... I won 1st place.... (finally!) at the flower show for Turkey Days!!! Of course this made the list! This was 6 years in the making my friends!
And finally....
Drum roll please....

Thing #1

My wonderful sister participated again in the Becker County Fair Pageant. She looked beautiful. Did amazing. Made me so proud! But above all this she is officially the greatest gal on the face of the Earth, because after the pageant when she could have easily sat at the queen's reception like all the other contestants, trying to still impress everyone with being proper and elegant... my sister slapped on some flip flops, pulled up her evening gown with red lipstick on and hitched a ride with me on the Phantom Fuery carnival ride... to celebrate all while exclaiming at the top of her lungs.... "world peace!"
Now that is what makes a real queen my friends! Cut all the "proper" crap... and kick back and have fun! I love her!!


Now lets see what August brings!

Last week we had 3 tornadoes hit around the resort. While I was nervous and hid in my house one of our guests continued to grill during the storm... which I might add I am beyond IMPRESSED....

I, on the other hand... hide until the storm passes and then rejoice after it has left the area. This week I was really feeling it and had to take a picture of the calmness "after the storm"

I love this picture.

Nothing says summer like a cute kid walking around with his life jacket on for no reason. I LOVE this picture.

Just a few things...

I have skipped a few days here and there on what has been happening around here.

Its been busy!
Busy resort week.
Busy weekend turnover.
Turkey Days!!
Art in the Park!
Flea Market!!
Baby Showers!

UFFDA!!!!!

Lets start at the beginning.
Last week at the resort was busy. Not where I couldn't handle it, but it was just a busy week of making sure everything was in working order, and not flooding... (yes we got MORE RAIN!), making sure no one at the resort got sucked up in a funnel cloud... (yes! We had 3 tornados hit around the resort!!). It was just busy.
Then to add to the list of excitment.. it was Turkey Days!
Frazee is home to the world's largest turkey! And every year there is a celebration in honor of this magnificant animal! This year was different though. The weather got in the way and we got rained out for the street dance. But... just like the past 6 years I entered another flower piece in the Turkey Days Flower Show... and this year...
I WON FIRST PLACE!!!!
(and yes! I have the blue ribbon to prove it!) I've waited 6 years for this exciting moment!
Yeah...ok... I'm tooting my own horn.

I woke up Sunday morning with the intention of having a wonderful day of leisure.. and that is exactly what I did.
I woke up early (well earlier than usual) and went to the flea market. I took Lola...(my puppy recently purchased at the flea market) with me and we spent the morning walking around looking at things and she basked in the love that every possible human gave her.
We continued on to the art in the park in Detroit Lakes where we met my mom. It was a great afternoon of doing nothing but walking around, talking, and enjoying the scenery. I needed it!

After that we continued on into Frazee to watch the Turkey Days Parade. It was shorter this year than most. It only lasted an hour and fifeteen minutes. But it sure was hot! Holy Hannah!
... then we ended up at my dear friend Jenny's baby shower and celebrated little baby Ava's upcoming arrival! I get to be an auntie three times within the year!
I'm so lucky!

But today took the cake!
My sister Kathrine talked me into doing something that I have never done before!!! She talked me into bathing in the lake.
Yes! It sounds crazy! And sure I felt a little goofy sudsing up my hair in front of a handful of strangers.... but it was awesome! Not to mention that it was my first time in the lake all summer! It was perfect.
Thanks Kathrine for getting my butt back into summer gear!
... ***Editor's Note..... swimsuits were worn during our lake bath! No worries!

And that is my weekend in review.

Her day vs. My day

Ding!
Round One:
... She steamed dresses at a bridal shop.
.... I helped clean out a greasy fish fryer.

Round Two:
...She got to dress up in heels and a pretty dress.
...I bought a new pair of crocs.

Round Three:
...I found a bug in my radish at supper.
...She won $202 bucks on pull tabs!

Round Four: (I'm getting weaker and weaker at this point)
*Editor's Note: we did a victory slide on the zip line at the park to celebrate Kathrine's big win!
...She made gliding through mid-air look good
...I hit the edge of the ramp going 30 mph hitting my shin and giving it a big ol' goose egg!

Kathrine had the knock out today with an over all day of good luck!
... I laughed at my short comings and had enough humor in it to write about it!


*** CONGRATS TO MY SISTER THE BIG WINNER!!! OWWWW!