Nature At It's Best

I'm amazed each day at how much my flowers change and grow. More blooms and vivid colors keep me gazing and constantly looking for a new picture in which I can capture the beauty of the them at their best. I planted the majority of the flowers in these pictures. But many of them are volunteer plants! They look as nice if not better than some of the plants that I put in just this past spring. The greenery seems to be thicker and more full on some of them too. You'll just have to look for yourself. I only wish you could see them in person. These photos just don't do them justice.

Moss Roses



One of the volunteer plants! Isn't it big?


Moss Roses and Snap Dragons

Marigolds

Today, as I was driving into my garage, I happened to look down into the flowers and noticed a rather large Monarch butterfly just sitting on the plants. I stopped everything and took out my cell phone to record the evidence of it's presence. I hadn't seen one so large in a very long time.

If you look closely, in the center, is the Monarch butterfly.

Isn't it pretty?

The butterfly is making its rounds across all the plants and happens to be checking out my snapdragons. If you click on the picture, you can see all the beautiful colors in the dots around the edges of its wings. The body is very large and velvety looking.

The flowers towards the bottom third, the yellow and light pink and dark pink, are all volunteer plants! Love them....they grew in between the sidewalk sections.

I wish I could keep the blooms just as they are for the winter time. They are gorgeous and I think Mom is helping them to bloom better and bigger! These were some of her favorite flowers to plant. She used to have a two tiered flower bed and the bottom area was all Moss Roses. The top had Petunias. Years ago, prior to remodeling and adding on to the farm house, She had a rectangular shaped flower bed west of the house. Some of the plants in it were the Marigolds. Hers seemed to grow very tall. There were yellow, gold, and some two-toned colors.
I hope She likes the view from her perspective!

Air Show 2010

This past weekend the annual Offutt Air Force Base Air Show was held in Bellevue, NE. Even though the admittance is free, the traffic and parking can be quite the hassle, so I'm told. I've never gone in all the 15 years that I've lived in Omaha! Can you believe it? However, one of my friends lives directly north of the air force base and has a bird's eye view (sorry, I had to say that!) of all the action! So I and a few others drove over and we sat on her driveway and watched it from our lawn chairs. The noise was as if we were actually there. They were that close overhead!
The Thunderbirds were part of the big show and even though my camera isn't a zoom I did get a few good pictures. They will travel all over the US and put on shows. They were even in Huron, S.D. one year when I lived there. I believe it was back in 1989. But I missed seeing them because I happened to be in ND for vacation during the week of the air show! Go figure!

I had planned on attending in person so that I could see some of the new jets that were on display. But it was such a hot and humid day I decided against it. So unfortunately, I don't have many pictures. Maybe another time....

But I took a couple of videos with my cell phone too. This one was the best.

(click on the arrow to view video)

Because I wasn't actually there, I don't have a whole to share on this but I wanted you to see what I pictures I did have!

New Music For Your Review

I think I forgot to mention one of the inspirational songs/singers in my post from the Tastefully Simple conference that I recently attended.
No worries. I'll tell you about it now. Once a contestant on American Idol: Season Eight, Danny Gokey , 28, and a native of Milwaukee, WI, made it to one of the top 3 picks on the show! I've only watched this program a few times and never actually saw this particular season. But even though he wasn't chosen the winner, he has made it big anyway! His CD, "Danny Gokey: My Best Days", is for sale and I decided to buy it because of one song that I heard at the conference. The CEO of Tastefully Simple, Jill Blashack-Strahan, had heard it and knew that it was something that would fit into our vision as consultants. We watched the video that he made to go with the song and we all really loved it.
I just have to say that the CD is awesome! His song, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me" was the selection played for us during conference. Give a listen.....and take note; there are many little messages posted for you throughout the video so pay close attention.
Anyway, I just wanted to share this little tid bit of information with you. I'd be selfish not to! Check it out!

ND-Day 7

It's my last full day in ND. Tomorrow I will be leaving to go back to Omaha. Last night my brother and his family went home. Today my sister leaves on her 2 day journey back to Oregon. But for today, there are no definite plans to do anything so I'll just hang out at Dad and Beverly's.

Cathy and I were still staying out at the farm and while she got her things packed up and ready to be on her way to Tioga to say goodbye to Dad and Beverly, I was outside burning some piled up trash. It's quite a bit different in the country. There are no garbage trucks that come by to get your trash. So you burn anything flammable. If you do recycle, it needs to be taken into town.
Once that job was done and it had burned down a lot, I got cleaned up and headed to Tioga. When I rounded the corner on Dad's street, I saw Cathy's vehicle still in the driveway! I was surprised! She had wanted to be on the road by that time. And about 10 minutes after I got there, long time family friends, Floyd and Doreen, came driving up in their motor home on their way out of town to visit more family. They live in Seattle, WA but had driven here for the centennial as well. Mom and Doreen were friends since back in school. So Cathy got to see them before she was on her way.
After eating some cake and having coffee, Floyd and Doreen also left so that they could leave and go to Jamestown, ND. Without hesitation, I grabbed my camera. No surprise there, right?

Dad, Beverly, Floyd and Doreen Hunt

The Hunt's traveling rig.

Later during the day, it was quiet at Dad's. He was busy paying bills while I was on my computer. Beverly was napping. But we had a phone call from my Uncle's wife, Janet. She invited us to come out that night for birthday cake for my Uncle Alden's birthday, which is the 12TH. They would be leaving later in the same week for a trip so they were having company over tonight instead. They happen to live in the house that my Grandparents lived in years before. And it is located 1/2 a mile up the road from my Dad's farm where I grew up and was currently staying! So it was a bit strange for me to walk into the house and still smell the old familiar scent that once belonged to my Grandparents. My cousin Laura that was there noticed it too! We got permission to look around the house to see what had changed.

Not one to miss out on any pictures, I began taking more snapshots of everyone that was there. But I think all of us had a camera. However, I was snapping some sneaky shots! Not many caught on to what I was doing!

My cousin Laura (Dad's brother Ray's daughter), Aunt Penny(Dad's sister), cousin Jeff's wife Wanda, and Jeff talking to my Dad who's shoulder is barely visible.

Uncle Elton (back to camera), Dad, Alden (Dad, Penny, Rose and Ray's brother) and cousin Randy (Elton's son).

Randy, Elton, Beverly (Dad's wife) and cousin Laura (back to camera).


Uncle Ray and his wife Connie, Janet (Alden's wife), Rose (Dad, Ray, Penny and Alden's sister) and cousin Joel (Alden's son).

Aunt Penny, cousin Laura, Connie and Dad

Wanda, Jeff, Elton, Randy, Alden

Alden's birthday cake....very annoyed at having more pictures! Hee!

It was fun just to sit around and enjoy quiet conversation after such a busy weekend. Even though we started out on the driveway in the cool air, a thunderstorm moved in and we were forced to go inside. Again, it reminded me of family get-togethers for pretty much any occasion!

Eventually everyone made their way home and I went back down the road (all 1/2 mile of it!) and stayed at the farm. I can't remember the last time I was there alone. Much different than being in my house in the city of Omaha. Very peaceful. The only noise I heard was the air conditioning coming on and going off....well, until I fell asleep. My mind was racing and full of the weekend's activities and conversations that I'd been involved with. I'm already looking forward to my next trip back to North Dakota.

ND-Day 6

Church services today were to begin at 10:30AM. I, being the organist, wanted to be there a little bit early to play prelude. I had a feeling that people would begin arriving rather early. The church is small and seating is limited, and due to the special occasion we knew that many would come. Kevin and I had planned on playing some sacred piano duets besides my organ prelude.
We also had other music for the service itself.
The day was another nice one and promised to be warm. The church was filling with people and the temperature was going up at the same time. Many fans were being used throughout to help circulate the air as the church has no air conditioning.

The yellow rose on the organ was placed in memory of my own Mom who was organist and a dedicated member of Zion before she died. She is dearly missed by members of the church as well as our family.

Kevin and I played duets before church started.

Cathy, Dad and Kevin singing "The Lord's Prayer" during the service. I accompanied them on piano.

Once we finished with the service, anyone that had purchased meal tickets, could go to the basement and get in line for a noon meal. Seating was also available outside the church where if you were lucky, you may feel a breeze in the shade at one of the tables that had been set up behind the church.
At 2PM, a program had been scheduled in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the church. Yes, both McGregor and the church were celebrating the centennial this year. Again, we had agreed to do more music during the program. After the program was over, a special cake had been made and was being served in the church basement along with coffee and lemonade.

My home town church....

Me, Cathy, Dad and Kevin

Me, Abigail, Hillary, Cathy, Suzanna, Kevin and Susan

Outside the church the sign has been decorated with beautiful flowers. I remember this sign before the brick was added. It's a nice update.

With the program being over it meant the end to a very fun weekend. It was bitter sweet at the same time as I knew that many people would be leaving to go home once again. Little McGregor would go back to being peaceful with quiet streets and just a handful of folks attending church each week. But it wasn't the end quite yet for my vacation. I still had another day here in ND.

ND-Day 5

A continental breakfast was being served at the church this morning which included: donuts, home made caramel rolls, coffee and juice. So I got up first and went in early. It was plenty for me and it left room for the pie that was going to be served at 11:00 AM!
I went in to eat earlier than the others just so that I could go upstairs in the church and practice piano and organ before too many people arrived. I didn't want to bother people or even give anyone a preview of what they would be hearing later that day and on Sunday. I had been asked to play organ for services on Sunday morning but I wanted to play through some of the songs before hand.

Not long after I started playing, others began showing up. So I finished going through all my songs and went downstairs again to find my family. Some had eaten and left the church to walk the streets for the flea market that was beginning outside. It's an annual event during this time of year. I remember helping Mom when we were growing up, with her booth and even shopping a little bit for myself to find a new treasure. So the streets were very active with folks meandering around. It was hard to walk very far without seeing someone you knew and stopping to catch up a bit. And even though the streets are quite short, it took a long time to get from one end to the other! Sometimes I couldn't even finish a conversation before another familiar face would walk up beside me! But it was so fun to see so many friends and extended family.

I found some relatives to join me back at the church for some yummy pie and coffee. Then it was back outside to walk it off. We went to look at the classic cars that were lined up along the street for the car show. Well, there wasn't a show but the cars were parked and open for people to check them out!
Here is Dad driving his old truck: 1929 International 6-speed Special.

This truck once belonged to his Grandpa August.

There was a concession's trailer parked near the tent. They had alot to choose from including some very tasty home made lemonade! People snacked on food from them throughout the day and many just sat under the tent out of the sun, visiting with each other.

Some extended family members visiting with my sister (her back is turned and she's wearing purple) sitting at tables under the tent.

More family....

Then it was time for the afternoon program. Several people took part including my family. Kevin's family and my sister sang a song while I accompanied them on Dad's keyboard. Dad also played some songs on his accordian with Cathy and her guitar and I on the keyboard. Later, after all the other performances, all the musicians that had been on stage, sang a song as a group about North Dakota.

My cousin Brenda, Me, my brother Kevin, my sister Cathy. We're reading a poem about McGregor and how times have changed since 1910.

Cathy, Dad and I are jamming.

Once the program concluded, we had time before the evening meal would be served under the tent. So I drove to Tioga as my vehicle needed gas! It's the nearest town that I could get it. It only took me about 45 minutes to go there and back. I returned and found my family again to join them for our supper. We got in line according to the tables that we had been sitting at while visiting. It cut down on time spent standing in the sun waiting for our turn to get our food. This meal had been catered by The Royal Fork from Minot, ND.

Later there was music by Jeff Nelson's Music Machine out of Williston, ND. Before the night was over, some raffles and an auction for a memorial gun took place.

Cathy and I found more people to visit with out on the street before heading back to the farm for the night. Another late night for us....but so worth it.

**Thanks to Kevin and Susan for a few of these photos.**

ND-Day 4

We all slept in a little longer today after the party last night. It was late when we got the food put away and got ourselves ready for bed. Kevin's family crashed in the living room anywhere they could find space. Cathy and I already had the extra bedroom. Tomorrow night we would all move our things to the farm where we had more room to sleep and had another bathroom. Today, however, we would be going to McGregor to register for the centennial. But first, we had to practice the music we had all planned on performing for two different programs and also church on Sunday. So once we decided just what all of us was going to do, we were able to rehearse.
Then it was off to McGregor. There would be registration in the town hall and then a picnic of sorts under a big tent that had been set up on main street. This is also where all the other huge meals and a program would be hosted.
After seeing so many people just at the hall alone and also seeing many items of memorabilia, we made our way to the tent to eat. I had so much anticipation of just who we might see or who would be in town for the big weekend. My expectations were filled. It was great to catch up with old school friends and friends of our family from when we were growing up. I was brought to tears on many occasions as people I'd talk to would tell me "you look just like your Mom." A true compliment in my eyes as she is deceased.

But then it was time to go back to Tioga. We wanted to celebrate my niece Abigail's birthday. Her actual day isn't until the 12TH but we'd all be back in our homes by then. She didn't know that this was our intention though. There was another cake in the fridge that had her name on it. The gifts were brought out and we sang "happy birthday" before she could open anything. She stated, "I love birthday time!"

Suzanna, Abigail, Megan (my second cousin Stacey's daughter whom lives next door to Dad and Beverly), and Hillary.

Kevin and Susan's girls....Suzanna, Abigail and Hillary

Abigail studying her cake....she's amazed at the detail. For example....the braided hair and little flowers on the skirt.

After celebrating with Abigail, we "kids" packed up our things and paraded out to the farm for the rest of the weekend. For one thing, it's closer to McGregor where we would all be spending the majority of our time. And another thing is that there is more space for sleeping and another bathroom. Not to mention we like to be there when we're all home.

Saturday morning would be, yet again, busy.

ND-Day 3

It was time to start getting ready for the surprise party for Kevin and Susan's 40Th birthdays and their wedding anniversary that is August 14Th. Because Susan had been helping plan to surprise Kevin, it was convenient that she texted us early in the morning to let us know when they would arrive. They actually left their own home earlier than she thought they might. So an arrival of about 10AM was inevitable! But that was OK. We had a good start on setting up the tables and chairs. Decorations still needed to be hung but we decided that Kevin and the girls could help with that! We'll put them to work! Thanks for your help Kevin--hee hee! The food table was ready for food and I had already began preparing dips from my Tastefully Simple collection that would just need to go in the refrigerator to chill. The beer bread was baking and the salads were done. The birthday cake would be picked up later in the morning along with balloons and a few more hors d'oeuvres. Susan herself had baked some goodies to go along with the cake for dessert. It was all moving along nicely! And Beverly had prepared a turkey the day before to use for sandwiches. There's never a shortage of food when you get together with the Moberg family!

Once they all arrived and walked into the garage, Kevin took one look around and started pondering what in the world could be going on. After telling him "Surprise!" and explaining the set up, he was concerned and brought up that he hadn't had a party for Susan back in January for her 40TH. "That's OK," I told him. "The party is for her too but she doesn't know it!" He was good with that. Susan still thought it was only for Kevin. And Kevin had thought that by coming to Tioga a day earlier than planned, it was just so that we as a family could visit before the big weekend when we'd all be busy visiting with out-of-town friends and family. Not so much!

Now that everyone had said their hello's and unloaded Kevin's van, the preparing continued. Kevin and Susan went to the store to pick up the rest of our finger food and sandwich buns, the girls helped in the garage with the decorations along with Cathy and I, and Dad and Beverly (?) picked up the cake and balloons---I think. So much was happening that I'm not entirely sure if that's how it went.

Table confetti

The food table in the back is ready for the food!

This police-looking tape was put up outside over the big garage doors.....

We had told the guests, which included aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends, that the party would be around 7PM. All of Dad's sisters and brothers came by with their spouses, one of Mom's brothers and his wife, one of Mom's sisters, some of our cousins on both sides and a good friend of Mom from school days, Doreen, stopped by too. Beverly's son and wife were also there. I believe we had roughly 30 guests in attendance.

Kevin and Susan holding a Norwegian wedding cake that Susan had made herself! It's called kransekake. Otherwise known as "wreath cake".

Here is Cathy, Kevin's and my sister, presenting some gag gifts to them. I had given Susan a tiara with the number 40 and flashing lights. I also gave Kevin an inflatable cane (hanging over his arm), and Susan a hot flash fan. Kevin is also wearing a cap with a propeller....an indication of "I'm never growing up!" They were good sports through it all!

Cathy gave them each one of these to be signed in place of a guest book. Can you guess who got which one???

Checking out the gifts.

Here's all the food....waiting for the guests.

Kevin and Susan have always been active in theater, thus the mask decorations. And of course music has been part of all of our lives so that was an obvious choice for decor as well.

After they opened cards and gifts, we made sure to take pictures of Dad and his siblings. It's not very often that they are all together.

Dad and his siblings: back row-Penny, Alden, Rose. In front-Dad and Ray. Their sister Sharon is deceased.

It was such a great night! I can't remember the last time so many relatives were together to celebrate a birthday. It's been years. This was just the beginning to a great weekend ahead!

Here is Kevin's version of the surprise party. He has more pictures of the guests that you may like to see.