Ten on Tuesday

 I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We sure did, it was marvelous but I am sure enjoying being back in my own house and taking a lazy morning. Well I am, Bryce is busy taking apart things so we can make them better (pictures to come) 

Here is the Ten questions I know you are dying to know about me!!! Taken from this website

1. What was the number one item on your Christmas wishlist?
A sewing machine. I don't have a certain project in mind right now to work on, just want to have one to be able to use in those situations that come up that you really need one.

2. Did you get the number one item on your Christmas wishlist?

I did! My husband gave it to me. I had told him what to get, and then it was delivered in the middle of December in a clear plastic bag, just sitting on the front steps when I came home one day. So it wasn't a hue surprise. He did manage to fool me though. He took the machine out of the box and hid it in one of the spare bedrooms and filled the box with other pampering things. So I open the gift and fake act surprised, and then he told me to look inside and it wasn't a sewing machine. He brought that out later. Not only that, I got a sewing machine case from my grandparents, and my in-laws gave me an adorable case for all my sewing tools they gave me, I am set! To top it all off, my parents gave me a nook, which I didn't even know was on the top part of my wish list, but it is great and I can't wait to really play with it and learn what all I can do on it.

3. How long has it been since you’ve had a pedicure?
I've only ever had one, and that was so long ago probably 4 years ago or so. I would much rather have a manicure than people playing with my feet.

4. How cold is it in your city today?
It is a whole 25 degrees today and it feels great! It was so cold back in MN this weekend that this feels like a heat wave.

5. How many pillows do you sleep with?
Two, always two.

6. Can you roll your tongue?
Roll it and flip it!

7. Do you always buy the same mascara or do you try new ones each tube?

I don't have any brand loyalties when buying mascara. It all depends on how much I feel like spending that day. If I want to splurge I go with Maxx Factor, and if I feel like being cheap I'll grab Rimmel. Most of the time I'm somewhere in between.

8. What’s your favorite cookbook?
I love using Recipezaar online. Its great. But if I want a tried and true good old Norwegian hot dish or cookies I turn to my hometown's church cookbook they put out years ago. I know so many of the people that submitted recipes that it makes it feel like you're cooking with them.

9. What was your first pet?
I honestly don't remember. We always had barn cats around and a dog. The one that was always loved when i was little was Fluffy, my gray barn cat. She was amazing, loved to ride on my shoulders, when she was about to have kittens she would sit at the front steps and meow so I would come down to the barn with her, and just so lovable.

10. Do you wear jewelry on a daily basis?
I always wear my wedding ring, and lately I've been wearing one of my Claddagh rings. If I feel like dressing up I'll maybe put on a necklace or earring in. 

Ten on Tuesday

Well its Tuesday again, so here are 10 random things about me.

( once again the questions came from Chelsea over at this website)

1. Growing up, what was one favorite item that you had to have with you at all times?

When I was really little I had my Mockey, a blanket of my sister Liv's that I stole and claimed as my own. I wore that thing out to just the embroidered edges. 

2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?

Hair Ties. Not so much anymore now that I have shorter hair, so maybe now it is bobby pins. I can't stand when my hair is in my face and I don't have anything to pull it back with. I don't think I would go back for it, but it sure would drive me nuts.

3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment?

Ronnevik Lake Cabin. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. There isn't a place that is more suited to just getting away from everything and letting go.

4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don’t have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life)

How do you pick one thing? Bryce is full of wonderfulness. I love his thoughtfulness, his weird humor, the fact that he does a jig down the ice cream aisle because he is so excited to pick out the next flavor to grace our freezer, his steadfastness, the way he loves me, his family, and friends, the list could go on forever.

5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don’t have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)

The fact that it is completely flexible, and I only have to work a few hours a week.

6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?

Once again, how do you pick a favorite. My parents raised the four of us in a Christian, loving, and fun household. They taught us how to love our family, how important Christ is to us personally, how you can have fun in a car without a DVD player going constantly, how important Christian education is, that you don't need to go to Mexico every year as a family vacation to have great vacation memories, how to work, and the list goes on.

7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?

Love Story by Taylor Swift. It was really popular when Bryce and I started dating. The morning after our first date I woke up with that song in my head. Now it always reminds me of how much fun, and the hours in the car driving back and forth to each other, our dating relationship was.

8. Do you have a passport? What countries have you been to?

Yes, Grenada, Russia, China, Norway, Canada, Mexico

9. Are you light packer or do you pack everything but the kitchen sink?
Everything but the kitchen sink. Although since being married I've learned its easier to do without the fourth extra pair of shoes than it is to explain why I think they are necessary. So I've started to pack a little lighter.

10. Do any activities on the road? (like road games, reading, sleeping, etc. )

Growing up we did a lot of road trips and mom was alway super prepared. We had books, toys, snacks, games, and it was all planned out so fantastically. Now I usually bring a book and food and maybe a Sudoku for a change of pace.

Some things never change

There are some traditions that I just don't let go of. Case in point, we were decorating our Christmas tree last night and after getting the tree set up we started on the ornaments. The first thing I do is put up this ornament:

It has been the first one that I put up every year since I was five (?) not quite sure but I don't remember ever not having it. It is a clown that I got from my grandparents, actually I don't know if they gave it to me or if I just liked it so much that I claimed it as my own. It used to have a little musical box on the bottom of it that played a really annoying song. I don't think my family minded at all when that fell off.

Just a fun part of decorating the tree and officially welcoming in the Christmas season.

Me and my boys, doesn't Bentley looked thrilled!

BTW - Bent turns one tomorrow, one year left of puppiness (hopefully)!

Highlight of Thanksgiving

making silly faces in the "fort" (dog kennel) with Uncle Bryce

4 seemed to be a bit to many for the fort though.

Ten on Tuesday (actually on Tues!)

I know you all are on the edge of your seats just dying to know if we made it back for Thanksgiving and YES! we did. It was such a wonderful weekend. I love having 4 day weekends at home. We got to spend a lot of time with both families as well as I got a fabulous coffee date with two dear friends. Perfect Holiday!

So now onto Ten on Tuesday (questions are from this website)

1. Where are you from? Have you lived there your whole life?
I am from Fergus Falls, MN. I have lived there most of my life, other than a few years in the cities and the last year and a half out here in the wild west. Can't wait to be back in the land of 10,000 Lakes though!

2. How would you classify your clothing style?
Pretty casual, usually what is on the clearance racks at Target. I loved when I had a clothing allowance for a bank I worked at and could buy all my clothes at New York and Company. That is the style I would be if I wanted to spend all my money on clothes.

3. What kind of car do you drive?
A Chevy Equinox. Absolutely love it! It took awhile to get used to driving a bigger vehicle but now wouldn't trade it (OK maybe something that had better gas mileage, but other than that it is great!)

4. What would your dream home look like if you could have it (or already do!)?
This is such a hard question! I have so many different favorite styles. I think if I could do anything I would buy an old Victorian and completely redo the inside, so I could get a more modern inside but keep the architectural beauty of the original. The things that I love most in houses are , big grand foyers, gorgeous master baths with steam showers and huge soaking tubs, really expensive updated kitchens with large islands and pantries, OK I could go on but that will be it for now. If I had the money I would hire Sara from Sara's House on hgtv to design and decorate my house. I'm pretty much obsessed with her talent and creativity.

5. Do you have kids, and if so, how many and how old were you when you had them?
No kids. Just my furbaby Bentley who is more than enough to handle right now.

6. What is your favorite hobby?
Reading and hiking. I'm so terrible at picking one thing, so you just get bonus answers on most of the questions!

7. Are you going to have any New Year’s resolutions for 2011?
Nope, I hate new years resolutions. I feel that most of the time you are just setting yourself up to fail.

8. What is something, if anything, that you’d want to change about yourself?

I wish I was a more motivated person, and went about my tasks with more purpose.

9. What is something that you love about yourself?

I am trustworthy.

10. Pick one of the following: Someone to cook for you, someone to do your laundry, or someone to do your dishes.
Someone to cook for me. I don't mind laundry and dishes well don't love them but it doesn't take as long as making a great meal. So I would hope that the person cooking for me would be creative and efficient in the amount of dishes that they are using!

So Thankful

I was so looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, but with blizzards raging here in ND and MN our trip is up in the air. Bags are packed and ready to go, it might be at 11 o'clock tonight that we head out, maybe at 5 in the morning, or maybe not at all. It is really stressing me out. So I needed to clear my head and remember what I am thankful for and what a blessed life I have. So in no particular order...

1) My husband (OK this one is in a particular order! He gets number one always) Who has tried his best to keep me stress free in the last couple days as my happy face fades away. And is willing to work a ten hour shift at work and then jump in a car during a blizzard for 6 + hours so I can eat stuffing with my family.

2) A warm house that is so cozy and a safe haven.

3) Febreeze infused vacuum filters. It makes this job I really don't like bearable because the house smells great when it'd done.

4) Our wonderful families that just mean the world to us. Their love and support is never ending.

5) Coffee with Peppermint Mocha Creamer, oh what a glorious way to start my mornings!

6) Safe reliable cars that will hopefully bring us to MN sometime.

7) All the possibilities that are on the horizon for the Haugen household. Makes life an adventure

8) Puppy cuddles

9) Funny TV shows to keep me entertained

10) You

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ten on Tuesday...err Wednesday

So my friend Rachel used to do this on her blog, and I sort of miss reading hers. So I decided that I would start in hopes that she would get back on the ball! So Rach this is for you:

Ten on Tuesday ( I think I will start to actually do this on Tuesdays, but I just thought of it today unfortunately)


Here you go!



1. What is your favorite breakfast pastry?

Carmel rolls (from the FF bakery, I don't think I've had any better!) or apple turnovers


2. Were you ever in a Thanksgiving or Christmas play?

More Christmas plays than I can count at church. I think my shining moment was when I played Mary in sixth grade and was absolutely terrified that everyone was going to think that I was really going to marry Andrew who was playing Joseph!


3. What is your favorite clothing accessory?

 A scarf, because a scarf can make any outfit complete


4. What is your favorite item of clothing?

I have a tie between:
1) My lightweight wrap around sweater that is crazy comfortable and cute and
2) One of Bryce's sweatshirts that I can completely curl up in


5. What is your favorite color and why?

Lately I've been obsessed with a dark grayish/slate blue color. I've even been tempted to repaint one of the guest rooms (shh don't tell Bryce!) but who are we kidding that color looks best with white woodwork, so I guess it will have to wait until our next house. It is such a bold and dramatic color, but in the right shade can be very relaxing too


6. What is your favorite type of Christmas cookie?

Obviously the person who writes these questions has not gone to a Ronnevik Christmas celebration if they expect me to pick just one! I love fudge, angel whispers, Linda's mouse turd cookies (I've never learned the real name for them, but they are delicious) Kringle, rosettes, chocolate covered peanut butter balls, oh goodness I could go on forever but now I really just want to skip the next month and have it be Christmas Eve!


7. What is your favorite scent (food, perfume/lotion)

men's curve cologne


8. What is your favorite household cleaner?

Windex, you can make a bathroom look clean in 2 minutes with Windex


9. When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? And what did you actually grow up to be?

A mom or a dolphin trainer. Well so far I've missed the  mark on both of those. But I'm still holding out hope on at least one of them. Flipper here I come!!!


10. What is the last song or album you bought?

I just bought a lot of them on itunes to use up some gift cards. I think my favorites are Hallelujah by Kurt Nilsen and Need You Now by Lady Antebellum could listen to those forever

Hooray!

Grand Puppy Parents: ie those of you who have suffered through nights with a certain puppy crying and fussing all night long because he is in his deathtrap:

I needed to add this picture as proof, so you wouldn't think that I was making this up

Bentley is now accepting his kennel...to a degree!!!

The last few days we have been working on learning to go into the kennel. As you can see we haven't even put the door on it, just want to get him to get used to it. He will now run into it when we tell him to "Kennel" and he will even stay in there when we tell him to. He still will run out as soon as we turn our backs, but hey baby steps right? I now think that it will be possible to leave him in his kennel in say two or three years! O does that make me happy!

Dreaming

Its cold and raining outside and I'm supposed to be doing homework. But just can't stop dreaming of being back here in paradise...sigh

Running Around

This past weekend, as a way of taking a break from the house and rewarding ourselves we went off and found a trail that we hadn't hiked before and just went running around. Well the boys did, I played photographer. Here are a couple of my favorite pictures.

Bentley loves to climb up rock walls. I don't know how many times he went up and down this one and every other random rock formation we came across. He is such a good dog for Bryce, they wear each other out like none other!

For Liv

Hey Livie, I thought you would like to come on a walk with me. Can you guess where we are?

Yep that box is still there. Just a box, but I think it is a new one, you can't see anything inside, and it got a fresh coat of paint. Still have no idea what the heck it is for!

And of course before we went into Como, we had to get in a zen state by walking that labyrinth new agey weird maze thing!

And now we're in. Hanging out with the monkeys

And there was the cutest little thing there. We could have stayed there a long time watching him.

I tried to get a picture of your favorite monkeys but it didn't turn out really well. Sorry!

The good news is that the polar bears got a whole new area! It is so much nicer than what they had before! But they still found certain paths to walk over and over again

And now we're at my favorites. The lions and tigers. They were all really sleepy, the tiger slept the whole time, but was really close to the glass so that was fun

 I don't know if this really is Jenga,  but I called him that since it was definitely the youngest. I like to think that they just don't age since we've been gone

 And now we are going to go for a picnic with the family in the field. Even Bentley was excited about it!

Wish you were here to join us, we miss you! Love you lots!

House Before and After

This past month our house project has been the house. We needed to reside the front of the house, and decided to paint the whole house too. Polly and Charlie came out to help, which we are so very thankful for!

Here's the house before: 

 With the wrap on:

 This was the view out of all the front side windows for several weeks until we got the painting done. Fun isn't it? I am so glad that that is done now, and we can get sunlight streaming in!

 Putting up the new siding

 Starting the painting. Such a long day(s)! We got all the base color done one day, and Bryce did all the trim around the top of the house the next weekend while I was back in Fergus

 And its all done! We still haven't decided what color it really is. When you're close up to it like in this photo it looks much more blue. But when you are driving up to the house it looks more greenish/gray. So who knows. I guess you'll just have to come and judge for yourself.

And just because I can't resist showing off my puppy, here's Bentley after he spent 6 hours running around in the mud with Tess (Charlie's German Shepherd)  Isn't he cute?!?

Fresh Sweet Corn and Year Old Cake

This past weekend, Bryce and I got to go back to Fergus Falls to pack in so many activities into a few short days. The main reason to go home was to celebrate the wedding of my friend Karla. It was so fun to see her getting married, and her happiness and love for her new groom.

I also got to go out to the farm to participate in a yearly event, that I will admit I dreaded every year living at home: Corn Husking Day! Where my family sits around in a circle on the lawn and husks sweet corn for what seemed an eternity, so we can freeze it an enjoy it throughout the year. This year it was better, although I don't seem to mind those things as much now that I am out of the house, and the fact that it is going into my freezer makes it a little better. We did a smaller batch because it was just for me and Bryce, so that was nice to get it done in just a few hours.

I also got to meet my parents new dog, Knightly. He is such a sweetheart!

The best part of the weekend was getting away for a night to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We went up to Fargo and enjoyed some shopping (and I have to point out that Bryce bought more than me!) a wonderful supper with my favorite desert Coffee Lovers ice cream at Cold Stone, and a relaxing evening hanging out at the hotel.

When we got back to our house, we pulled out our cake topper that has been taking up space in our freezer this last year.

We were oh so happy to eat year old cake!

                          Ok, so maybe our expressions were more like this:

We weren't overly thrilled with the cake on our wedding day (however my chocolate fudge cheesecake was delicious!) and it didn't improve over time!

But we did it, we participated in that time honored tradition

and now we can look forward to many more years together. Thank you darling for such a wonderful first year of marriage.

Family Camping Weekend

My family came out to ND for a quick camping weekend. We stayed at a nice campground outside of Medora, that I really like because there are lots of trees around (decent bathrooms don't hurt either!) which reminds me of MN.

Friday night Bryce and I went out for a hike around sunset before my family arrived.

Then on Saturday we were able to get out hiking around the campsite. We started hiking around on one of the trails and then decided to just pick a more direct line over the fields to get back to the campsite. There were a lot of random large rocks that were fun to climb on. Even Bentley got into it!

 

 

It was such a hot day so the afternoon was spent sitting around in the shade hanging out.

Sunday we went to Medora and drove around the National Park, and did a little hiking as well.

 

 

 

As usual we ran right into a big herd of buffalo. It is also so fun to be in the middle of the herd as they walk around the car, so scary close!

 

To wrap up the weekend we went to the Medora Musical, which is always fun. They had an illusionist as the featured act who was fun to watch and very funny. Thanks for a great weekend family! It was great to be able to spend a lot of exploring, laughing, hiking, chill time with you all!