A Southern Spring Break

 

I love how in the US you can get to a vastly different climate in the span of a day. After kicking off our Spring Break in Wisconsin to see Z's musical and freezing our tails off, we hightailed it to Tennessee. We shed layers of clothing along the way. 

We've been living back in the States for almost four years now. I can't believe it! Of course, part of that was Covid which kind of cramped our traveling style but we're happy to be back at it. With my parents now calling South Carolina their home state, we have much to explore along the way. 

Even though I lived briefly in Memphis growing up, I never made it to Nashville. We finally made it happen! 

I used to be much more proactive in my planning and organizing trips. It's either an age thing, the Halldorson way of flying by the seat of their pants rubbing off on me, or a combo of the two. Wayne at least had made the hotel reservation but I was googling "what to do in Nashville for a day" as we were driving into town. 

We did a tour of the iconic Ryman Auditorium first and that was the perfect Nashville vibe and a great way to start the day! 

After that we headed over to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and walked through the exhibits. I surprised myself how many artists from the past I recognized. I suppose I can thank my grandparents for that! 

While we were there, we were blocked off from entering one particular area because we were told cameras would be coming in. Suddenly the place was buzzing waiting for someone important to arrive and in walked Trisha Yearwood! She was coming in to respond to a new display that featured her and we were just steps away watching the interview! 

After that excitement we headed over to the Johnny Cash museum. It was fascinating! I was so glad that we had done Memphis last summer and had been through Graceland because so much of the history overlapped. Texas, specifically Luckenbach and Austin, were also mentioned throughout the Hall of Fame linking us to other locations we've been exploring since we moved south. 

We were amused just people watching on the Nashville strip while live music blared from every single bar and restaurant. Thanks to my brother for a last minute dinner recommendation, we ended up at Hattie B's for some Nashville chicken, pimento mac and cheese, iced tea, and peach cobbler. Let's face it, I'm here and everywhere for the food!! 

From Nashville we headed to South Carolina to visit my parents and Bekah and Tom who were on their US tour from England. There was no way we were going to miss a chance to see my sister!!! 

My parents new house is adorable and already has their personality all over it as they make it their own. 

And we took more than a few rides in the new golf cart. Thankfully I didn't actually have to play golf.  

We did however go bowling (a favorite Hanson pastime) at the clubhouse in their community. 

We didn't have much time to stop and smell the azaleas before we were off to Charleston, SC for a quick trip. Once again I found myself googling What to do in Charleston for a day.  

First thing we did was take a bus tour. We find this to be the easiest and most direct way to get overall information about the area and for Wayne to get his bearings on the lay of the land since he's the one tasked with getting me from point A to point B. Then we know what we want to get back to and take a better look at. 

Charleston is the most colorful city! It's historical, romantic, scenic, foodie, and fun! When can we go back?!!

So I bought a hat..... It felt like a Charleston vacation thing to do. Also, I love this guy! 

Sister time!! Rebekah married a Brit and has been living in England for almost 20 years. Spending time together is a rare occasion! 

Brother-in-law Tom is a HOOT! . He has the funniest t-shirt collection.  Everything he says sounds intelligent basically due to his British accent and I'd like to think he gives our family an air of sophistication despite the occasional swear (just kidding - he was on his best behavior, haha). He's the best! 

Spending time with our girl is always a treat. We had such a fun time together! 

We also took a tour of a historical Charleston home and gained some more insight into the area's past. And I can't forget to mention the food. Because it's really all about the food. 

Oysters, Crab Cakes, Asparagus and Grits. Be still my beating heart! 

We had one more destination planned while my mom and dad took Tom and Bekah to the airport. Savannah, Georgia here we come!!

We had part of a day and we hit the ground running. First thing we did was get a bus tour. Then we went back to see all the places we wanted to visit before heading back to my mom and dad's. 

It was beautiful! The weather was gorgeous, the flowers were in bloom, and we had a fantastic day. 

We ate lunch at Paula Dean's restaurant. We wandered around the "Forrest Gump" square. It was a Sunday and on the quieter side which was nice. One of Zanna's classmates was even visiting on the same day and we were able to meet up with her and her mom for a brief visit. Small world! 

Then it was back to Mom and Dad's and finally back home to Buddy. 

Musical Weekend

In our six years as Prep parents, we have never attended any of the musicals or plays they put on every year.  I always thought Will would be great on stage being so dramatic about everything; I don't know where he gets it:) But he never did so we never had a reason to make the effort. This year Zanna got a part in the play South Pacific! We booked a VRBO in nearby Lake Mills to stay in with my parents and planned our spring break from there. 

Will was wrapping up his spring break that he spent in Florida with friends. He was able to meet up with us at the rental along with a buddy of his and see the Friday night show with us. After picking up my parents at the airport, we headed to Maders Restaurant for some German food! 

It was ridiculously cold while we were there. I mean ... ridiculous. It was ugly. There's nothing about that that I miss. My skin shriveled up in the first 24 hours. Static suddenly attacked my hair.  What I fondly remembered of my Columbia jacket was apparently over romanticized  because the reality of getting it on and off was frustration of epic proportions. But on the upside, I got to wear my corduroy pants that I really like and hardly ever get to wear anymore. 

The rental was ADORABLE.  They called it "the Treehouse" and it really did seem like we were up in the trees. There was plenty of room for all of us and it was very well stocked and cozy. It was a very sweet getaway and it was lovely all being together if only for a short time. This may sound weird but one of my personal unique memories from that weekend was the morning after Zanna stayed Thursday night with us in the house but had to get back to school on Friday morning. It was the first time I made her breakfast and got her "off to school" EVER. After homeschooling through 8th grade and sending her to a boarding school for high school, I've never had the experience of the morning rush to school.  I loved it! 

The whole play experience was magical. I don't know how else to say it. Maybe it was the lights. Maybe it was the music. To see her up on the stage was momentous. Truly a parental moment. It wasn't a huge role but it was perfect for her. She was in the first scene and also at the end and I think I held my breath the whole time she was "on". The Friday night show was packed and had its own air of excitement. 

She was beautiful and just glowed! The quality of the production was very impressive and all the kids that were apart of it just shined. What an experience for them!! You couldn't pay me enough to go back to those high school days but if you're going to do it, you might as well do it there because it's like no place else. 

Saturday was a "fun" day for us and my parents. We explored the area that included the small town of Cambridge, WI where I have wanted to go FOR YEARS as it's the home of Rowe Pottery. I've owned pieces of Rowe for over 20 years. Heck, every time I grab butter in my kitchen it's in a Rowe crock. Before that my mom had pieces. Anyway, the place did not disappoint. 

Just hanging out in the Treehouse was great too! Wayne helped Will "adult" with his taxes which is certainly cause for bonding. We visited with my parents. We did Saturday night church with Zanna. It was relaxing! 

Come Sunday my parents headed back to the airport, Will and friends headed back to New Ulm, and we packed up our stuff from the Treehouse to head over to a hotel for our last night. That afternoon Wayne and I had another treat as Prep parents; we were able to attend the Spring Sacred Concert for the first time.  Wow is all I can say about that. One of our members from Grace had recently moved to Milwaukee and we invited him to come to the concert. He and his daughter met us there and then we had a lovely dinner with them afterwards. 

Wayne and I attended the final show of the musical on the Sunday night and although not as crowed, we were able to catch things in the storyline that we missed the first time through. It was a bittersweet ending for the seniors that participated and their emotion at the finale brought back those memories of teenage life and the changes that come so fast. Time truly flies by. 

Zanna's Spring Break didn't officially start until later that week on Wednesday after classes but we pulled her out early and headed out Monday morning for our road trip. We were headed south and I could finally put that stupid Columbia jacket away!! Next stop -  Nashville, Tennessee!!! 

In the Garden

For many years when the kids were home, I kept the tradition of making a Lenten Grace Garden during the 6 weeks of Lent. It's a diorama of sorts and my version of different ideas floating around out there. It changed slightly over the years depending on the container I used and what plants were available at Walmart. For someone who's not known for a green thumb, I liked this project because I only needed to keep it alive for two months tops. However, depending on how early Lent started any given year (it depends on when Easter is) I often found myself out on the back deck of our Ottawa home in the snow trying to plant a container garden while wearing winter gloves. I was committed! 

I did it for the kids to see a tangible reminder of spiritual symbolism and as an added reminder that this time of year if different. I would get their participation in some of the construction. Will would be sent out to the snow covered back yard to search for fallen twigs we could use to fashion a cross. Zanna would be tasked with shaping dollar store molding clay into a tomb and stone. I dealt with the mess of putting it all together but every year we did it and it was worth it. 

Our Grace Garden reminded us of the some other gardens where the trajectory of mankind forever changed - the Garden of Eden where it all started: man's intimate relationship with the Creator, Adam and Eve's sin exposed, and the promise of a Savior. The Garden of Gethsemane brings to our minds and hearts the anguished sorrow Jesus was feeling before his arrest and crucifixion, praying for the Father to take that cup from him. I see myself in the disciples, too weak and tired to even stay away long enough to be present and awake for my Savior. 

All those years I thought I was making this liturgical Grace Garden for the kids. After not making one for the last few years, I missed it. I craved the ritual of it, the symbolism, and the reminder always present as the centerpiece of our table where I was sure to notice it and remember at least three times a day: 

... the little stick cross, so inadequately showing the horror of that gruesome death for me

... the hand- shaped quiet grave with the stone rolled in front, patiently waiting for Easter morning (when I will roll it aside and replace it with a paper butterfly!) 

... the path to the jar of water and the shell, reminding me of my baptism which cloths me with Christ and because of his sacrifice I receive all the benefits of being his child. Heaven is my inheritance. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, so will I and so will all those who die in faith. 

... the stone "You have been saved by God's grace" Ephesians 2:5. This is his promise. And God always keeps his promises. 

Among other reminders of the season is the tree in the corner that was the Advent tree four months ago. Now its ornaments are copies of iconic paintings that depict the hard stops of Biblical history that prophecy his coming, that fulfill those prophecies, and put to art the scenes that prove God knew what he was doing all along. 

The purple napkins and my purple nail polish prove I'm a liturgical nerd and I don't care! Purple is the color of repentance and royalty. Read more about the meaning of Lent here. This year Wayne and I gave something up. We don't always but we decided to this year. It wasn't the greatest timing as far as convenience since it included our two week vacation and sometimes proved to be a bummer. But it was the perfect reminder on a holiday from regular life of Jesus' far greater sacrifice. Reminders, because we forget and fall asleep just like those disciples in the garden. We don't do any of this to try to earn anything! Christ did it all. His sacrifice was complete. Our paltry little sacrifice is simply a practice of looking back in the smallest moments of our day to the biggest moments to have ever taken place. 

To up my nerd factor, in case you needed further proof, I was inspired from a recent Women's Ministry Bible 401 class to pick up the Book of Concord. I hadn't planned on ever reading that  and even commented how because I'll never take the time to read it, why doesn't someone just tell me what I need to know? Famous last words and short story is that I found a reading schedule online that breaks it up into readable chunks (full disclosure - I'm behind and won't be finished by Easter) and I lugged that thing all over the country on our Spring Break. To make matters even dorkier, I need my reading glasses to make out the font size of the print. Do I look smarter? I'd like to think so:) 

 Lent is coming to a close and it's almost Easter. But first, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday ... I better go find that paper butterfly! 

 

Welcome to 2022!

 

2022. Otherwise known as "The Year of Dickens".  For I have declared this to be the year where I read all the best of Charles Dickens. I've been wanting to do this for years, ever since my friend Christine said she had a year of Dickens and I became smitten with the idea. I immediately put the books on my Amazon wishlist and waited for someone to make my dreams come true. I waited. And I waited. And I waited some more. I was starting to think that my family wasn't taking this seriously. Finally for this last birthday, my dear son fulfilled my wish by gifting me the whole beautiful set and I've been waiting ever since for the new year to start so I could get this party started. It's now almost the end of January and I haven't started yet. 

So which one first? There's Bleak House, Hard Times, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Obviously I know the Christmas Carol like the back of my hand (reference to the Muppet Christmas Carol there) and it makes more sense to let that be the last one I read at the end of the year. Oliver Twist would be the next familiar story as I've seen the movie and play several times. I'm thinking that would be an easy read. Which brings me back to the question ... which one first? Any suggestions? 

Ahh, Christmas in Texas. It means I might not have to wear a coat. It was actually so warm this year that I was totally comfortable going sleeveless! It's the little things....

As the kids get older, I treasure more and more when they come home for holidays and we're all together.  It was wonderful!! Zanna flew home and Will drove to Texas. He spent most of his time in Dallas with Emily and her family but we were grateful when they ventured out to the country. 

Zanna did a lovely job playing some preservice music for Christmas Day church service!

We had a chance to visit our family in Ft Worth and the cousins got to hang out. 

So this was crazy ... Wayne and I went to the Galleria in Dallas one afternoon during the holidays. I have memories of visiting this mall with my mom back in the day (the 90's). They have this big ice skating rink on the bottom floor and during Christmas they have a gigantic Christmas tree all lit up. Now most ice skating rinks in Texas seem to be the fake ice. I assumed this would be no different. But it was totally legit - real ice and all. The crazy thing was that the area wasn't cold. The ice was kept frozen from beneath so the air around it wasn't really any colder that the air elsewhere. Magical, I tell you. The funny thing was watching a bunch of Texans try to ice skate. On top of that, no one we saw of any age was wearing a helmet which was a given for kids 12 and under in Canada whether they could skate decently or not. Not that I think we should bubble wrap kids and put a helmet on them while they're walking around. All I'm saying is that some of those Texans trying to ice skate probably could have used some extra cushioning in the likely event of a crash or stumble, even if it was only some bunched up toilet paper stuffed into their pants. Or bubble wrap. 

Food is always a big deal during the holidays and my mission is to try to make some of everyone's favorites while they're home. We enjoyed Shepherd's Pie for Christmas Eve and were able to have our traditional Ikea Swedish Meatballs and Grilled Lobster Tails for Christmas Day. 

We had Emily's family over for New Year's Day. Since the kids wouldn't be home for Chinese New Year, we decided to do our homemade Chinese dumplings and chicken chow mien noodles and vegetables. It ended up being more work than I bargained for and by the time I sat down, I was a sweaty and exhausted hostess. Not exactly what I was going for. But looking at Zanna's smile and how much it meant to all of us, it was worth it! 

Zanna also made a Blackberry Pie from some of our frozen garden blackberries and put a New Year twist on it! 

For Christmas, Emily gave Will a Lego set! It was like old times with him at the kitchen table putting his Lego set together. Only difference is that his girlfriend supportively sat by his side reading her book while he was fully engrossed in his project.  And just like old times, I found myself throwing out all those little clear plastic bags that piled up and never quite made it into the trash - haha! 

My parents headed our direction after Christmas and were here through New Years. It's always fun to have them around! My Dad was super helpful in taking care of a few chores that Wayne has been unable to do because of his shoulder surgery. 

They are enjoying their new home in South Carolina and have been busy settling in and making new friends. We look forward to visiting them over Spring Break this year. 

I don't know if it's a pandemic thing but even though I know it's 2022, when I see anything referenced to 2020 I still think present day and not two years ago. Such a strange phenomena to have essentially three years all meld into a chunk of time in my brain. Is it just me? It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us....

Bring on Dickens.