Happy St Patrick’s day folks! Today I pay hommage to the little slice of Irish that is part of my heritage. As I am writing the blog this morning, I am listening to one of my favorite Irish rock bands, the Blaggards, to get me in the mood for the day. I celebrate all food-related … [Read more…]
Alas, winter has arrived ladies and gents. Even though there is no snow in the “cities” currently, our last trip to Rustic Pines proved that the winter is in full force on the North Shore. The white-covered scenery was beyond stunning and serene. Although my sweet hubby was not successful in his first deer hunting … [Read more…]
Ingredients: Baking Soda Essential Oil Mason Jar Recipe: Combine baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a mason jar. Cover with a lid and screw down. Tap a few holes into the lid of the jar with your husbands beloved tools. Shake well. Sprinkle liberally on carpet and let sit … [Read more…]
Hello again, ladies and gents; gardeners and chefs alike! Welcome to fall, the season that all nature lovers happily welcome in Minnesota. It’s the season of viewing stunning tree colors, the sounds of acorns falling to the ground, and the sight of geese in the sky, as they form a “V” and bid us a … [Read more…]
I love spending time outside in the warm weather months. There is nothing that centers me more than spending some good quality time in nature. When I am really stressed out, if I talk a walk in the woods, it doesn’t take long for me to inhale and exhale, expelling all of my stresses and worries … [Read more…]
This isn’t a story about Rustic Pines, but rather a story about what happened when we arrived home from our last trip. Fair warning, this is a long story, but in our opinion, worth the read. After our incredible trip over the extended Fourth of July weekend, we sadly made our way back to … [Read more…]
Summer time is prime grilling season. Aromatic smokey sizzling meat can be scented far and wide throughout American neighborhoods. Coinciding with the crack of a cold beer, and the laughter of people gathering to greet their neighbors that they haven’t spent time with during the winter months. A day by the grill often ends in … [Read more…]
I have a confession to make. Every time I leave Rustic Pines, it is becoming more and more difficult. I don’t want to leave, I want to stay and make it our home permanently. I consider myself to be a pretty patient person. I know we have a solid plan, and that plan will take quite … [Read more…]
John and I discussed what we wanted to accomplish during our next trip to the property. One of the issues we have experienced thus far is lack of time. It is pretty time consuming to pack up all of the gear we need each trip, make the three hour drive, then spend a few more hours hauling the gear … [Read more…]
Chicken noodle soup is the topic of the month, folks. Are you thinking “why is this crazy lady blogging about chicken noodle soup in April”? My response: welcome to Minnesota, it’s snowing! I have been thinking a lot about how my grandmothers cooked, and I realized for the most part, they did not cook from scratch. … [Read more…]