Happy New Year!

I have never been one to "celebrate" New Year's. I am usually found at home, in bed....long before midnight. My big celebration is Christmas! All of the presents, all of the food....its all soooo good. By the time New Years gets here, I am burned out. I want it all back to normal.

I must confess. I do reflect on events of the past year.

I quit smoking 11 months ago. I feel great. Now, I will work on the weight. I want my feet and my knees to not hurt anymore.

My son is another year older. He has grown so much. He is changing all of the time. He loves to read books, play with toys, have mommy or daddy chase him, have his picture taken, play in the snow, help with laundry and help with cooking. He is able to potty on the toilet with no help. He is growing up. He won't give "kissies" anymore. When you ask for one, he gives you his cheek!

Jason has found his artistic outlet in taxidermy. He does amazing mounts for himself and for others. One of my favorite things to do is to watch him at work, while I am on my computer. From where I sit, I can see into his studio. Its fun to watch him do something he enjoys so much. Its something that he has found that he really enjoys. He of course also busies himself with hunting, fishing and anything outdoors. He has become very passionate about bow hunting. He loves the challenge.

We have finished a great deal of our downstairs. The house we bought was unfinished in the downstairs. We put down carpet, bought new doors, drywalled, textured, painted, and have almost finished our bathroom. Upstairs, we pulled out our carpet and replaced the flooring with laminate. It looks great!

My Christmas trees are down, everything is put away, the funiture is rearranged. I am ready for the new year. I can't wait to see what it brings.

Oh Christmas Tree!!!

Christmas season is here...since I have been married I am loving each Christmas more and more. I have a new love.....baking. I love it! I bought my first cookie press and made Spritz cookies for two days! I still want to make more....but my freezer is full! Daniel, my son, loves to help. Its a way that he and I can really spend some good time. I get everything ready, he stands on his chair and adds the ingredients as I tell him too.

I made an Italian Creme cake....not Christmasy but never the less....my favorite kind of cake.

It was good....but I know that there must be a better recipie out there.

I forgot to take a picture before we ate it, and then Daniel rubbed his fingers in the frosting....but it looked pretty.

Then we set up out Christmas tree down stairs....so far, Daniel is leaving it alone.

Then Jason decided that we should have another Christmas tree upstairs....so he went and bought one. I loved the idea....it was what I had already thought I would do.

Then I had to go buy more decorations....shucks!

I guess that is all I have for you today. I have to get supper on the table.

Hunting Season is here!!!!

The Bakke Family Fun season is here! It was started off right....Jason got a buck during archery season. Not just a buck.....but a big buck! His deer scored a 130 (pope and young)....he was excited and proud. Not an easy thing to do.

Next came rifle season. I got my buck on Sunday evening an half and hour into the hunt. Its a nice little four by four.

Jason got his rifle buck today. His is about the same size as mine. He was happy.

We have three doe tags to fill between us plus I have an elk tag. That one in this state is a once in a lifetime hunt. If I get it, great....if not, too bad....my chance will be gone.

Our freezer will be packed full of meat this winter. I love our family tradition. I think that Daniel will love it too. He looks at the deer hanging in our garage and says "Buck" then rubs its fur.

I will keep everyone posted on the Elk hunt.....its coming at the end of November or in December. It will be in the western part of the state near my favorite vacation spot, Medora.

Talk to you again soon!

Happy Halloween

I had a great time last night. I got to bring my big, courageous Lion out for trick or treating. The evening went like this. I would bring him to a door, he would knock and enter without waiting for anyone to get the door, say, "treat" and start looking for the bathroom. (The toilet has been a long standing couriosity). Good thing we only went to family this year! Here is a picture of my Lion and daddy.

Out with the old.

So, I am the type of person that NEVER quits thinking about stuff. What exactly depends on what is going on. My blowdryer blew up. As I went to send it to its eternal peace, I thought back to when I bought it at my favorite Albertson's when I lived in Dallas. Then I thought of a blog that my neice did about living in the city and what she likes about it. She commented on the ability to blend in. (probably not in those words). That was the appeal that the city had for me. No one knew me. I was anonymous. Those who did know me....didn't judge me, didn't call me weird, didn't make me feel different in any way. I didn't go crazy in the city. I never got into the drinking scene....I dated a jerk (didn't make the best decisions...but I was growing up), I never did anything really wrong. I just was. I focused on "making it" down there. Being able to support myself....then I could leave. In a way, I was healing. I never REALLY left God. I was angry for sometime because of things. But if you are angry at God, you must believe in Him.

Do I wish I would do things over? Yes, but not all of it. I needed that time away. I needed to heal. My heart was hurt badly. I would take away the romantic relationships, I would take away the tatoos :) , but most everything else I would keep.

I laid my blowdryer to rest. I get excited when I throw something away that I bought in Texas. Not because I didn't like Texas. Its symbolic to me of letting go of the past and seeing where I am now. Sound silly? I see a loving husband who I think is pretty good looking, a little boy that is completely wild. I never knew I would be where I am. I am glad I got here. No one knew why I would come back to this little town I grew up in, this bedlam, this Peyton place. :) I see the good. I see the people I knew as a little girl. Its all familiar. I am not weird after all.

Uncle Vance

I saw something last weekend that made me so happy.

My brother in law, Vance and his wife Kelly came to stay with us. My little guy fell in love with his Uncle Vance. Every minute that Vance was here, my little guy was hanging on him. I have never seen him take to someone so quickly. I think what touched me so much was that there was a new family connection.

When Vance had to leave, Daniel cried.....a lot. Here is a picture of the two buddies.

My Favorite Time of the Year

Fall has forever been my favorite time of the year. Where I live, its a very short time of the year. It seems that the leaves fall and then so does the snow.

When I was a young girl Fall meant that I could wear my new cold weather clothes to school, I rarely waited for the cooler weather though. It meant homecoming and football. It meant the smell of apple pie, hot cider, and though most people won't know what this is, it meant Lefse.

Through my twenties Fall held no real traditions for me. I, in a way, forgot about tradition. Once in awhile I would get homesick and think of something that my mom did that no one, in my opinion, could do better. I loved the smell of wassail, a cider cinnamon drink. I loved having lefse with our holiday dinners. Oh, and my mom's homemade buns! Yum-o! But its hard to start those traditions for one.

Its funny how when you get married and start a family, some traditions start themselves and some, you discover, you have always wanted to start.

For my family, Fall means hunting, harvest from our garden, changing of decoration shopping for warm clothes, baking, canning, making deer jerky and deer burger, fall cleaning. I guess I could keep going...but I won't.

I guess its when I feel like our house becomes warm and cozy. I can't wait for the first fire in our fireplace!

My sister is inspiring me in making my house "a home". Here is the first of my Fall decorations. I am kind of proud of this.....I am 38 and never really did any of this before.

Have a happy Fall~