Minot Monday | Craft Classes in Minot, ND
Happy Minot Monday! This is a very exciting post for me to write for a two major reasons. First of all, today I’m talking about places that offer craft classes in Minot–one of my favorite things. Annnnd…I’ve got something really cool to announce.
Amy Allender is Partnering With BeLocal Minot
I’ve partnered with BeLocal Minot to continue bringing you super-fun Minot Monday content!
You know I have a heart for changing negative attitudes toward living in or moving to Minot. I’ve made it my personal mission to proclaim the quirky awesomeness that is Minot, ND. BeLocal is a newly launched publication that shares that heart and mission.
BeLocal Minot is like a visitor’s guide, except it’s made for locals. It’s a guide to living like a local. It’s a comprehensive catalog of all the things that make Minot a great place to live–things that took me several years to discover the first time we lived here. I cannot tell you what a valuable resource this is for anyone new to our area, prospectively moving in, or people who have lived here a long time but haven’t found their groove yet. It’s a welcome mat inviting everyone to enjoy their life here–not just muddle through.
You can access the entire catalog online. Also be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook to join the BeLocal community. You’ll see me around there, too!
Craft Classes in Minot
Now, big announcement aside, let’s get to today’s topic. Craft classes in Minot.
The Foundry
On Friday, I went to a Christmas party at the Foundry’s classroom, the Makery. This was one of the best Christmas gatherings I’ve ever been to. Our group brought snacks to share and spent time visiting at the beginning. Then we all made a welcome mat. Our instructor, Sarah had loads of fun stencils for us to choose from. (Being a noncommittal, plain Jane–I opted to simply stencil the word “Welcome” on mine. But trust me, other people who are more fun came home with mats with colorful says painted in colorful tones.)
(Colorful or plain…the mat takes the edge off of the construction mess currently in the entryway of Acorn House.)
It was such a nice way to spend an evening. And I love my finished product! After we finished we had the Foundry to ourselves for shopping. If you haven’t been, I describe the Foundry as “Etsy in real life.” It’s an adorable shop that offers hand made items from North Dakota makers, found vintage pieces and other unique gifts, home goods and clothing.
The Foundry is one of many places offering craft classes in Minot. Check their Facebook page for upcoming classes. (They range from arranging succulents to welcome mats, signs and gnomes!)
Other Places Offering Craft Classes in Minot
There are tons of classes and meet ups happening for Minot makers. Seriously, our town is saturated with creative types who are willing to share their skills with anyone willing to learn. Every week when I do my weekly round up of events happening (you can see this in my Instagram or Facebook stories) I am blown away by the number of great craft classes in Minot.
The classes offered vary widely. You can learn to paint, arrange fresh wreaths, fuse glass, quill paper, knit, sew, quilt, and just about anything else you can imagine. In my opinion, one of the best features of Minot is that if there is interest and enthusiasm, anything can happen. Chances are, if there is a class you’d like offered (or a class you’d like to offer) you’re only a couple coffee dates away from making it happen.
Here are more places in town that offer craft classes in Minot. I hope you find one that speaks to you!
Market on 4th
The Market on 4th sells locally designed/made home decor, gifts and goods. They’ve got a classroom that regularly hosts workshops. Check their website or Facebook page for a calendar of events.
Creative Dimensions
Creative Dimensions is a quilt academy and supplier. They offer sewing classes that help students make take-home projects as well as quilting workshops. Check their website and Facebook page for more.
Margie’s Art Glass
Margie’s offers paint your own pottery–but they also offer lots of fun glass classes. Workshops teach participants to fuse, blow and work with stained glass. Additionally they offer classes in painting, ceramics and jewelry making. They offer “no experience needed” classes as well as classes for more advanced participants. Check facebook or their website for a schedule.
The Fiber Basket
The Fiber Basket sells yarn and knitting/crochet supplies. Their classes range from “no experience needed” beginner’s courses to classes for more advanced students. They offer workshops in knitting, crochet, and basically anything that is made with yarn. Check Facebook or their website for a schedule.
Nature’s Nook
Nature’s Nook is a children’s toy and book boutique, but they offer classs (for both kids and grown ups) on a regular basis. They offer lots of painting classes and craft classes for littles. Check their Facebook or website for a full list.
Taube Museum of Art
The Taube is right downtown on Main Street. They offer lots of classes–some for adults, some for kids, some for parents to create with their kids. They also offer a program for pre-school aged kiddos called a Start in Art which combines story time or a visit from a zoo friend with a craft. Check Facebook or their website for all events.
Adult Learning Center
The Adult Learning Center offers lots more than just craft classes. However there are lots of good offerings for makers through their community ed programs. I really want to learn the art of rosemaling, so I’m planning on signing up in 2020.
The Libraries
Both the Ward County and Minot Public library offer craft courses and meet ups. A wide range of crafts are offered and there are programs for all ages.
The Spot
You might not think of a pool hall as a place to take in a maker’s class…but the Spot regularly hosts classes in painting, sign making and other crafts as well as the occasional vendor market. See their Facebook for upcoming events.
The Flower Box
The Flower Box offers lots of seasonal workshops in garlands, wreaths, pots and pot gardens. If you’re looking to hone your green thumb skills check out their Facebook for upcoming events.
Souris River Brewing
Souris River Brewing offers occasional acrylic paint-along classes. Some are adult-only and others are family friendly. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events.
There you have it! Did I miss anything? If you know of someplace else that offers regular (or semi-regular) craft classes in Minot for makers I’d love to hear from you! Have a great week here in the Magic City.
Seven Unique Bible Verses for Christmas Cards
Today we’re talking Christmas cards. Specifically unique Bible verses for Christmas cards. If you’re stumped, or tired of sharing something classic, you’ve come to the right place.
I love Christmas cards. Every year we have fun coming up with a card idea. Most years I go overboard and create a Christmas card set, because nothing says the holidays like a perfectly staged photo. Am I right? I write a note along with every card we send–I think it’s fun to personalize the cards instead of just sending off a pretty picture of ourselves. But my favorite part is picking out a unique Bible verse for our Christmas card design.
A Christmas card is a special opportunity to place the Word of God into the hands and homes of family, friends and acquaintances. Quoting Scripture face to face with someone you barely know may be weird. However, sending a Christmas card to someone you barely know isn’t weird at all.
Christmas Cards That Point to Jesus
When sending a card out, I want to make it clear that we are celebrating more than just warm-cozy vibes. To our house, Christmas means God has come! It’s a monumental piece of the puzzle God is assembling to reconcile humanity to Himself.
Not everyone on our mailing list believes this. For those that don’t, I want our card to have a verse that reveals the truth of Christmas in a way that is easy to understand. I pray God will plant a seed there.
For other believers that receive our card, I pray that they will be encouraged and reminded of God’s greatness.
I believe Christmas cards sent out each year by believers can have a deeper meaning than sharing a cute photo. By choosing a unique Bible verse for Christmas cards, you shed some light on why Christmas is so important, what Christmas’s impact was. Why Christ came at all.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the classic “Christmas verses.” “For unto us a child is born…” “He will be called wonderful counselor, the prince of peace…” “Unto you a Savior is born…” These are music to my ears. But if you want to think outside the box I’ve got you covered. Here are seven unique Bible verses for Christmas cards. They are arranged in the order you can find them in Scripture.
A Giver of Good Gifts
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11
God Sent His Son to Save the World
God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world.
John 3:17
Jesus Came to Give Us Access to the Father
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 1For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Eph 2:17-18
Jesus is the Image of the Invisible God
The Son [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:15-16
God Showed His Love For Us By Sending Jesus
God has shown us his love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. 10 This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.
1 John 4:9
We Testify to the Fact That Jesus is the Savior
We have seen and testify to the fact that the Father sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 1God lives in those who declare that Jesus is the Son of God, and they live in God.
1 John 4:14
Jesus Came as a Light to the World
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46
I hope these seven unique Bible verses for Christmas cards get your wheels spinning. The whole Bible points to Jesus, so there are lots and lots of unique outside-the-box verses to choose from. Have you shared an untraditional verse on your card before? I’d love to hear from you!
Minot Monday |Ultimate Essentials for a North Dakota Winter
Happy Minot Monday! This week we’ll see high temperatures in the single digits and lows in the double negatives. Before the thermometer falls to highs in the double negatives I thought we should talk about practical items you can buy to make life more pleasant, despite very unpleasant temperatures. Today I’ve got a list of things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter.
I’ve read lots of other lists like this online. Most of them appeal to visitors. Or they focus on the obvious: snow pants, mittens, a car safety kit, etc. Don’t get me wrong. Those are all good things to own. (And they’ve made my list too!) But if you’re living here day in and day out you’ll need to be thinking about more than just a heavy coat to survive a North Dakota winter.
What You Need to Survive a North Dakota Winter
I mentioned a few of these items in my Minot Monday post that covered what a North Dakota winter is really like. However, with the holidays upon us, I’m sure you’ve got a couple people asking what you’d like under the tree. Or at very least you’ll be able to catch some good Christmas sales!
My list of things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter is geared toward folks new to the area. Locals, if you’ve got more tips–please send them my way!
Without any more introduction, here are my recommendations for things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter.
Things for the House
Before we get to the obvious things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter outdoors, let’s address the home. You’ll spend a lot of time in your home when leaving the house seems daunting (or is down right dangerous.) Here are a few things that will make your home happier in the dead of winter.
A Down or Down Alternative Comforter
Nights will get unbelievably cold. I’ve tried lots of things on my bed to keep me warm in the bleak winter months. Nothing comes close to a down comforter. You can pile a million blankets on and still be a little cold, or crawl under one down comforter and be perfectly toasty. For real. Invest in a quality piece and it’ll last you the rest of your life (or pretty close to it.)
**As a side note, please invest in down products made in the USA through ethical practices. Down alternatives are also a good choice, especially if you suffer from allergies.**
Flannel Sheets
This one might be a no brainer, but if you don’t have them–buy yourself some flannel sheets. I like these from Target because they have an extra deep fitted sheet that stays in place.
Small Space Heater
Even the most efficient house will have a chilly spot. If you tend to be on the cold side (or are moving in from a warm climate) I highly recommend getting a small space heater.
It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Just something that can take the chill off of a cold laundry room. I like to use ours when I’m working in the basement or to warm up the bedroom before bed.
Crock Pot Liners
In my opinion, this is a bit of a luxury item. Could you just wash the crock pot? Yes, yes you could. When it’s unbearably cold outside, there’s nothing better than coming home to a hot meal. Start looking up slow cooker recipes now and make yours work over time. Sometimes I shy away from slow cooker recipes because I hate the clean up. If this is you–get some liners. Clean up happens in about 30 seconds. You may never want to cook any other way.
Window Insulation Kits
If you were raised anywhere with cold winter you’ve probably seen these before. Basically, a window insulation kit is like plastic wrap for your windows. If you live in a house or apartment with inefficient windows, you need to sit aside notions that you’re too good to “plastic your windows.”
You know we love old houses, so I’m very good at installing these. They are a little gaudy and definitely won’t give your house high-end appeal, but they are effective. Believe me, when the wind chill is -40˚F you’ll wish you’d set aside your pride to keep that draft out.
Draft Stops
In my opinion, the name of the game during the winter is Stop the Drafts. Roll a towel at the base of a drafty door. Or invest in an actual draft stop created for this purpose.
Big Boot Tray
Save your floors (and yourself) a lot of heartache by getting your house a big boot tray. Even if you have a nice mudroom, a boot tray will pay off. Your shoes will track in snow and mud this winter. Additionally you’ll track in all the things used to keep snow and ice at bay. Salt, sand, and chemical melting agents will come in with the snow and can be a real pain to clean off of floor surfaces (let alone carpet!)
Sturdy Mat or Boot Brush
Hand in hand with a boot tray, you should also equip your house with a good mat for knocking snow and grime off of your shoes before coming in. Derek and I like to have one on the outside of the door and one on the inside. (Since an outdoor rug will often get coated in snow–even if it’s under an awning.)
If you plan to be outside a lot or work outside consider getting a boot brush to clean your treads a little more thoroughly before coming inside.
Humidifier
Winter air here is d-r-y. Dry. Your hair will be staticy. Your skin will be dry. Get yourself a humidifier to put a little moisture back in the house. This will be especially key when you catch a cold and your throat feels like it’s being rubbed with sand paper.
We like this warm mist humidifier from Vick’s. This year we also installed a dryer hose kit that vents our dryer into our house. We LOVE it! Every time we do laundry, instead of pumping all that warm, moist air outside–it is vented in to our house. It smells good and it boost the moisture content of our air.
For the Outdoors
Now that we’ve talked about the inside, let’s cover some outdoor items that will help you survive a North Dakota Winter. From your front steps to your car and driveway, here’s what I recommend.
Ice Melt or Salt for Walkways
Exterior stairs and walkways will accumulate ice. If your stairs or walk accumulates a dangerous amount of ice, the mail carrier will be unable to deliver your mail. (Seriously–this happened last time we lived here.) Chipping thick ice away is hard to do. Instead use an ice melt to provide traction and break up the ice so it can be cleared.
Snowblower
If you own a house I recommend buying a snowblower. The first year we lived here we did without. It was the hardest winter of my life. Because the winter remains cold for so long, snow accumulation rarely melts. By the end of that winter we were literally out of places to shovel our snow. Your snowblower doesn’t have to be the best, but I recommend you have one. (Or even share one with a neighbor!)
Back Saver Shovel
Even with a snowblower, there will be places you’ll need to shovel. Always opt for something ergonomic.
Remote Start
Okay. You don’t really need this to survive. But you will need to start your car a few minutes before you plan to drive. A remote start will save you a trip outside. And in my opinion, any time spent avoiding a North Dakota windchill is time well spent. If your car doesn’t have a remote start feature, you can have one installed at dealers in town.
Ice Scraper
I’m shocked at the number of people I’ve talked to that moved to the North and didn’t realize they needed an ice scraper for their car until the windshield was caked with ice. Don’t be that guy. Now you know.
Car Emergency Kit
I’ve never had a major emergency on the road, but I’d be a fool not to prepare for one. Stock your car with a pre-made emergency kit–or create your own. Then hope you never need to use it.
Car Shovel
It’s good practice to stock your car with a shovel, in case of a slide off–or getting stuck in a drift. (Or driveway.) You can keep a full shovel in your trunk, or grab one of these cute foldable models.
Traction Mats
These are so handy! I got stuck in a friend’s driveway once and her family pulled out a set of these to free me. I’d never seen them before. Now I can’t stop raving. They are small and easy to store and work so well to get unstuck when your tires are caked with snow and the ground is icy.
For Yourself
I wanted to address the the other categories first, because I think some of this self-care stuff can be obvious. Nonetheless, as your Minot BFF, I’ll tell you what I think is actually necessary to survive a North Dakota winter. (So you can skip over the stuff that you don’t really need.)
Coat
Yes, you’ll need a coat to survive a North Dakota winter. Shocking, right? I bet you already knew that. Here are my tips for getting a coat.
- Get a coat you’ll actually want to wear. You’ll be wearing it a lot.
- Make sure it has a hood.
- Consider getting two–one for sporty stuff, one for every day use. Also, if one gets wet you’ll have a fall back.
- A coat that covers your booty will make sitting in an icy car more bearable.
Boots
Invest (yes, this might be a little spendy) in a pair of boots you like to wear. Make sure they are waterproof and can accomodate thick socks.
Boot Socks
Speaking of thick socks–stock your drawer with some good socks. Make sure they are warm and also come up high so your boots won’t pull them down off of your feet.
Sunglasses
The glare off of snow and ice is blinding. On a clear, blue-sky, sunny winter day you need a good pair of sunglasses for driving. And doing anything outside, really.
Mittens and Gloves
Cover your hands with a thin pair of gloves (be sure to get some with “tech fingers” so you can work your touch screen without taking your gloves off.) Then add a thick pair of mittens over the top.
Hat
Get yourself at least one hat you like to wear. I know a lot of people who aren’t “hat” people. To survive a North Dakota winter, you need at least one hat you can stand to wear.
Thick Hand Cream
Remember how I told you that the air here is dry? It’s really dry. Without a great hand cream (and regular use) your hands will crack and bleed. Pick something unscented and thick.
I hope this helps you stay warm and cozy. Or at least will help you get through the winter. And remember the best way to enjoy the winter is to get out of your house and take advantage of things going on around town. Be sure to catch my stories on Instagram and Facebook for a weekly round up of great events happing.
The Great Cabinet Crash
It’s been more than a month since the cabinets fell off the wall. However, the Great Cabinet Crash of 2019 is still the bazaar happening I get asked about most often.
I get more questions about the time cabinets fell off the wall than the surprise mouse infestation, yellow jackets living in the walls, or all the weird treasures I’ve found since moving into Acorn House. Even people I barely know (or don’t know) seem to know about the cabinets.
So I thought I’d better sit down and write the whole thing out. That way it doesn’t turn into a “fish tale.” And the details don’t get too blurry.
Just a normal day.
October 25 was like any other day. Derek had just gotten back from a 3-month training in Louisiana and was at work. Gideon and I had spent the morning running errands and attending Baby Play at the Library. We came home and ate lunch, then we set to work in the kitchen. The roofer was working when we left, but gone when we returned.
While cleaning Acorn House (which was a MASSIVE undertaking) I found a multitude of keys. I dumped them all out on the counter to sort. Gideon likes to stand on a step ladder to be at counter height when we work in the kitchen, so he was standing next to me. Together we sorted through the keys, labeling the ones that matched and trying others in doors. It was all pretty mundane.
The Crash
At 1pm we went to Gideon’s room. We read a few books then he laid down to nap.
I went back to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee. Then, I sat on the couch and started scrolling Pinterest. Around 1:30, just as I was telling myself I shouldn’t be wasting nap time I heard a crash.
The crash happened suddenly, without warning. My first thought was that the roofer had returned and dropped something outside. My second thought was that Gideon would soon be crying.
I paused to listen.
Nothing happened.
No hammering. Silence from the roof. No crying.
I got up to investigate. From where I sat on the couch, I only needed to take a few steps to see into the kitchen. The first thing I saw was a glare off of something on the floor. Now I was thinking that our fridge had fallen over.
Only a few nights before Derek and a friend had moved a vintage refrigerator from the upstairs apartment kitchen (see the house tour here) into the kitchen on the main floor (there was no fridge there when we moved in.) I figured it wasn’t level and it had tipped.
In hindsight that’s totally implausible, but cabinets falling is also unlikely, so don’t judge me.
As I fully entered the kitchen I could see what had actually happened.
A wall’s worth of cabinets were on the floor. My cabinets fell off the wall.
Pure Shock
The cabinets were mostly intact. Only one had a significant crack. Doors were open, food was everywhere, glass was glittering across the floor, the terrible smell that is jams + salsa saturated the air. Gideon’s stool had been hit and was pushed across the room. Some of the keys we had sorted still sat on the counter.
Now I was completely in shock. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this is what I was going to find in the kitchen. I didn’t know where to begin. So I walked out. I turned and left the mess where I couldn’t see it.
I tried to call Derek. He had just given me his work number. I hate to call him at work. But this was an emergency. I tried several times, but there was no answer. Thanks for the help.
I sat down in a collapsable camping chair (it had been left at the house and my furniture wasn’t all here yet) and sipped my coffee. After all, the damage was already done. Things weren’t getting worse.
I posted the story to Instagram. Then after a few minutes I called my parents to talk things through. They helped me form a game plan. We all agreed that I should put the baby gate up to keep Gideon and Panda-Cat out of the mess.
Shortly after hanging up with my parents, I got a message from a friend who saw my post on Instagram. She offered to come hang out with Gideon after he woke up so I could clean up the mess. That was a huge relief since I didn’t know how late Derek would be.
The Damage
Now that I had vented my shock, I set to work. Five cabinets fell off the wall. Luckily, we keep our dishes in the cabinets on the opposite wall. Clean up was like a giant, nasty game of pick up sticks. I needed to pick up items that wouldn’t disturb others that would cause the rubble to crash again. Gideon still hadn’t made a sound, and I wanted to keep it that way. I began tiptoeing around to pick up glass and stack spice jars out of the way. It wasn’t a silent process, but the cabinets (in a precarious position) didn’t fall over again, and Gideon didn’t wake up.
Around 2:30 Derek came home. By this time the mess was mostly cleared up. Really all that was left was to move the cabinets to the basement, mop up the sticky food mess and vacuum. I honestly don’t remember what his reaction was like. He offered to do clean up, but by this time I had a system. I told him it would be more helpful if he would take care of Gideon when he woke up.
While Derek changed his clothes Gideon woke up. Derek got him dressed and our friend Naomi came over to take him to the park. Derek moved cabinets to the basement. I started mopping up the mess left behind from three jars of homemade jam and two jars of salsa. The smell of this combination still haunts me.
Together we got the cabinets all out and the floor thoroughly clean.
But, why??
So that’s the story. But the burning question everyone has is WHY? Why did they fall off of the wall?
The most common assumption is that the cabinets weren’t screwed into the studs. Good guess, but wrong.
The screws that once held up the cabinets are still screwed into the studs in my kitchen. Here’s what happened.
Whoever installed the cabinets screwed them into the studs through the back of the cabinets. If you’ve ever looked at an uninstalled cabinet you probably noticed that the back wall is just thin MDF. This is okay because no one sees it. It’s only there to protect the wall and enclose the cabinet.
The MDF adheres to the frame of the cabinet with glue and staples. It’s flimsy. Not meant to bear weight.
Properly installed cabinets attach to the studs through the framing piece at the top (and sometimes bottom too) of the cabinet. This is a piece of real wood and part of the structure of the cabinet. Our cabinets were screwed into the studs through the MDF backing, not the frame. The photo above shows the MDF backing, still hanging on our wall. Screws are in the studs, the staples are sticking out.
Properly installed cabinets attach to the cabinet next to it through the stile (the face of the cabinet) via a screw. This part of installation was correct.
The weight of the cabinets pulled the backing off of the largest cabinet on the wall. That cabinet fell. Since they are all attached to one another, the large cabinet pulled them all down together. The back of the largest cabinet is still on the wall. The other cabinets kept their backs, but the screws pulled through the MDF. This left holes in the backs of the cabinets and screws still securely in our walls.
What happened next?
This is our kitchen before the crash. Better, but not great. We were planning a kitchen remodel anyway. I hate to do work twice. So instead of rehanging cabinets destined for the garage or basement anyway, we chose to make do until we redo the kitchen.
Eventually I’d like them to live in a basement laundry room or kitchenette, but that’s a long way off.
We mounted a small cabinet on top of another over the fridge. The one above the fridge didn’t fall because we had already remounted it ourselves when we put the apartment fridge in the kitchen. We slid another one next to the range to use as a spice rack. It’s all very rigged and trashy. Living and cooking in this space has definitely taught me what I can do without. And it’s teaching me daily to appreciate well thought out spaces.
I’m looking forward to completing this remodel. I think what I miss most is counter space. Since we are short on cabinets, lots of things clutter up the already sparse counter.
A remodel is in the works. (You can see faint chalk lines on the walls where new cabinets will soon hang.) New cabinets are due to arrive in January. We’ve got appliances standing by. We know what walls are coming down and what walls are moving. The new flooring is already in the basement just waiting to go in.
It took a lot of planning, but we are finally ready to start. (Just as soon as we install our new front door…because it’s about to get really cold and I really want to keep the drafts out.)
One more thing. This was a really stressful situation. But it’s not hard to find the silver lining. I’m so grateful the cabinets fell off the wall when Gideon and I were out of the room. I’m grateful we are safe. It’s five fewer cabinets I need to remove. It gave us a definite direction on where to start on this house.
And now you know the whole story.
Minot Monday | Christmas Trees in Minot, ND
Happy Minot Monday! Today I’m sharing my favorite places to get U-Cut and Fresh Christmas trees in Minot.
Growing up, my family always cut a fresh Christmas tree. It was a whole thing. We’d pack up with cocoa and cookies and make the long drive to the tree lot. Then we’d walk and ponder our fabulous options until we found just the right tree.
Northern Indiana might not be Vermont, but we’ve got a fair share of great U-Cut tree farms. One summer my sister and I even worked for a tree farm. We spent our days whacking Christmas trees into shape with machetes. It was one of my weirder jobs, but I left the summer with a great tan, toned arms and only one nasty scar from nicking myself with the blade.
I’m getting off track.
Cutting a Tree is Always an Adventure
The moral of the story is this: I like to cut my own tree. Derek and I have always had a real tree. And we always try to cut it ourselves. After getting married and spending our first Christmas in Florida, we learned that we’d been really spoiled by all the tree lots in Indiana and Michigan.
The Christmas season has brought us a lot of adventures when it comes to finding and cutting our own tree. Especially since we rarely stay in a town long enough to get in a tree-cutting routine.
In Florida we stumbled across a weird lot in the middle of nowhere. There was a mailbox with a saw inside and brief instructions to use the saw and leave money in the box. We hauled that tree home in our 1995 LeBaron convertible.
In Louisiana we found a similarly odd lot and came home with a ragged tree that looked okay once we got the lights on. (At least we cut it ourselves.)
When we moved to Minot the first time, we were clueless about Christmas trees. If you’ve never been here, let me fill you in: trees are not abundant here in Practically Canada. We searched for a lot…but finally ended up cutting a mostly-fallen-over pine with its roots exposed…sitting at the edge of a construction site.
Another year we heard through the grapevine about a lot being cleared north of town. Sure enough, guys were out there with chainsaws cutting down 20 foot trees. All we had to do was pick one and specify how much of the top half we wanted.
In South Dakota we bought permits to cut trees out of the National Forest.
See what I mean? It’s always an adventure.
Christmas Trees in Minot, ND
By the time we left Minot the first time, we had found a consistent place to do U-Cut Christmas trees: TC Nursery in Burlington.
Now that we’re back, that’s where we headed to get a tree.
As I said, trees are not plentiful here. TC’s is the only place I know of (and we’ve looked pretty hard) that offers U-Cut consistently. The U-Cut trees are not like the U-Cuts in Indiana that I grew up with. There aren’t multiple species to choose from. The rows are a little more rustic. It’s akin to getting a tree in the Black Hills National Forest. Except instead of an entire forest, we only have to scope out one farm.
That’s what we did today. Derek had the morning off, so we headed out to Burlington for a tree. The weather was perfect and we had the lot to ourselves. We were told that our U-Cut options might be a little picked over, but we were welcome to give it a try.
We did find a tree to cut ourselves, but even if we hadn’t TC’s pre-cut trees were a nice fall-back plan.
Getting Christmas Trees in Minot, ND
Okay. You’ve heard my story about tree hunting. You know I prefer a tree I can cut…even if that means it’s not the prettiest specimen. Sure, you can grab a tree from a big-box store, but I’d rather shop small and gain some quality and have a unique experience. When it comes to getting a Christmas tree in Minot, here are my two recommendations.
TC Nursery
As I said, TC Nursery is where we got our tree this year. TC has trees you can scout and cut yourself if you’re into that. They also have a great selection of pre-cut “classic” Christmas trees (think Frasier Firs, Scotch Pine, Colorado Spruce, etc.)
TC Nursery is pretty quiet in the winter and the staff is so nice. They have nice, quality trees and the drive out of town is pretty. The nursery itself is a great place to snap pretty Christmas card photos too. If you are looking for a great precut tree with a friendly, festive-yet-straightforward experience, TC’s is your best bet. (TC’s also does occasional special events, like a visit from reindeer! Check their Facebook page.)
Lowe’s Floral and Garden Center
Lowe’s is my second recommendation. Getting a tree here is more of an “experience.” Lowe’s has more of a winter-wonderland vibe. There are lights, music and decor and decorated trees. The shop is full of holiday decor, ornaments, wreaths and spruce tops for purchase. The staff is so sweet and you can enjoy free hot cider and candy canes while you shop.
The trees are hand cleaned and fully displayed. The staff takes a lot of pride in selecting high quality trees for their customers. They also offer free delivery in town and free stand installation in store.
If you are looking for a pre-cut tree and some extra merry-making, head to Lowe’s.
I love both of these places and cannot recommend them highly enough. It’s great to shop big chains…but even better to support small business owners that make small-town America so stinking great.
Affordable, Practical Gift Ideas for Everyone
Coming up today: A HUGE list of affordable, practical gift ideas for everyone you know, love and are buying for.
I love gifts. Giving gifts, making gifts…getting gifts. Gifts that I’d like to give and things I’d like to ask for when the time comes flow freely through my brain all year. Then, around the holidays I suddenly freeze up. I can’t remember any of the genius ideas I’d thought of. The only thing I can come up with is candles and lotion.
My favorite gifts are never candles and lotion. (No offense if you’ve ever given me a candle or lotion. We can still be friends.)
I like things that I can use. Things that make my life easier, aren’t on my radar, or I wouldn’t buy for myself all make good gifts for me. In recent years my favorite gifts have been a screw-to-the-wall pencil sharpener, a meat tenderizer, and an amazing multi-bit screwdriver. In my opinion, the best gifts don’t have to cost a lot and they don’t need to come from the “gift section” of a store. Practical gift ideas are good gift ideas. When it comes to gifts I’m all about thinking outside of the box. The gift box, that is.
The First Annual Gift Guide
That’s why…for the first time ever, I’ve compiled a giant list of affordable, practical gift ideas. These are things I love. Most are things I’ve been given, have gifted, or I currently have my eye on. I consider them all affordable (there is one big-ticket item, but most items are under $20.) I hope you’ll find inspiration here for someone on your list…or find a few ideas of things you might like yourself.
I’ve broken the list into six categories:
- DIYers
- Home (think practical kitchen and household items)
- Travelers
- Grandparents (yours or your kids’…think hard-to-buy for folks who don’t need more “stuff”)
- Games
- Art and Decor
I’ve rounded up 50+ ideas for you, so let’s get going.
Gifts for DIYers
Last year, I gave Derek a box full of small gadgets that improve the home improvement process. Most only cost a couple dollars. It’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever given. A lot of those items made the list here, along with other items we love.
- A panel carrier makes lifting and moving sheets of wood and drywall not only possible, but easy.
- Tubes of caulk often come with a tip cover to save a half-used tube. Those are garbage. Buy these caulk tube covers instead.
- **On my wishlist this year** I just learned about a Center Point tape measure. It’s a dual scale which allows you to identify the center of what you are measuring in a matter of seconds.
- The Vaughn Bear Saw is hands down the best saw I’ve ever owned. I bought my first one in college and have only replaced it once.
- A magnetic wrist band holds nails and screws while you’re working. So much better than holding them in your teeth.
- Anyone who DIYs should hav a good pair of winter work gloves. I like these classics from Carhart.
- A paint can pour spout will change your life.
- Our favorite, most used tool is a ratcheting, multi-bit screw driver like this one.
- I love this magnetic utility light.
- Old House Journal is BY FAR my favorite house/DIY magazine.
- Derek has one. I want one. We love this winter weight work shirt from Menard’s.
- A quick change chuck lets you swap out bits on your drill super quickly. Perfect for renos and demos.
- Sure, you can cut drywall with a utility knife. That’s what most casual DIYers do. In my opinion, every DIYer should own a jab knife to up their game.
Gifts for the Home
I’ll never tell you to buy a candle as a gift. These are my favorite, practical gift ideas for around the house. An item that changes their life for the better is a great gift. I’ve also combined a few items below if you want to go above and beyond with a package deal.
- A mandolin slicer (add recipes for cucumber salad or homemade chips for bonus points.)
- Tiny spatulas like Spatty and Spatty Daddy get every drop for bottles.
- *On my wishlist this year* This butter knife grates butter so it’s spreadable, even when cold…so your bread doesn’t get ripped apart.
- Years ago my dad bought me this meat tenderizer. It’s still on of the best gifts I’ve ever been given.
- My dad also gave me this knife sharpener. My knives are nothing special, but people ask me about them often…because they’re so sharp and cut so well. Thanks, dad!
- Support small business by buying a locally roasted coffee, like this from Dakota Roasters.
- Once I was given a single serve french press, like this one. I still love it.
- **On my wishlist this year** A yeti mug that will keep coffee hot for hours…so maybe I can stop making trips to the microwave.
- A casserole carrier to keep hot dishes hot.
- The best gifts are thoughtful. Instead of buying a gift, curate a custom Pinterest board to make meal planning in the new year a snap.
- Glamorous Wash makes you think you are waking up in a fancy B&B when you use it on your sheets.
- Last year I bought Derek this steamer. It was kind of a joke, but turned into one of the greatest gifts of all time. (It’s basically the gift of never ironing again.)
- My favorite sheets are Threshold from Target. They’re fitted sheets are the only ones that stay in place through all my turning around through the night.
- There is nothing better than the gift of time. A load of healthy freezer meals is one of the best gifts ever! (Here are some ideas to get you started. Combine this with an awesome cooler–#15 and Crockpot liners for a double gift and easy gift wrapping.)
Gifts for Travelers
We love to travel and explore. These are some of our favorite items for traveling, exploring or day-tripping.
- A quick release key clip is handy for trips that require rental keys, extra house keys, etc.
- Help travelers actually record a few memories with this journal.
- Compression socks like these from Smart Wool may not be something a friend would buy themselves…but they’ll be so happy you did!
- **BUY THIS FOR A MOM** A Gorilla Pod has bendy arms that can cling to anything while securely holding a phone. This is the perfect gift for moms…who are always taking the photos and never in them!
- Binoculars like these are perfect for anyone with a trip planned for 2020.
Gifts for Grandparents
Grandparents are notoriously hard to shop for. Here are six of my favorite practical gift ideas for the people in your life that don’t need more “stuff.”
- Last year my dad bought my mom a gift card for a bouquet of the month club at their local supermarket. One bouquet every month for a year. How fun!
- Derek’s grandpa loves sending cards. We buy him stamps. (The price of sending those cards adds up!)
- Grocery gift cards or a restaurant meal delivery gift card.
- Car wash tokens–especially for those is cold climates.
- Photo books–I especially love making 5×7 “purse-sized” books. They come together quickly and are perfect for showing off photos of the littles.
- Service gift cards for things like gutter cleaning, window cleaning, snow removal, cleaning, lawn care, etc.
Games to Gift
It took a lot of self control to limit this list. Games always and will always be a great gift.
- Our house favorite game: Backgammon. There are few things classier than a nice set like this one.
- Deer in the Headlights is quick to learn and easy to play. It’s a great game to play with “non-gamers” and a great gift for those who aren’t into games that take an hour to learn.
- Kingdomino is quick, strategy driven and plays well with only two (but can accommodate more).
- Splendor is currently my favorite strategy game. It’s great for just two players, but more can join. The pieces are very high quality. Many different strategies can be employed, every game is different.
- Port Royal is a compact card collecting game. It’s easy to learn and so fun.
- Make ‘n’ Break is my pick for a family-friendly game. Players race to build and break structures. Great for motor skills, spatial reasoning and family game night.
Art and Decor Gifts
Not every gift needs to be useful, right? Here are my favorite, pretty art and decor items.
- I’m in love with prints from the Anderson Group. They’ve got multiple collections, including these State Pride prints.
- **Pricy** Here is my one splurge gift. A wool blanket is an heirloom item. Amana blankets are made at their mill in Iowa.
- Buy a live wreath for someone who is hopeless (like me) when it comes to growing their own greens.
- Items from Cavallini & Co look good in any home. They’ve got prints, office items, towels, aprons, etc…all in vintage inspired designs.
- Awesome book ends make even the tiniest library look regal.
- Window Shop Gal has the coolest prints that subtly shout out to your favorite pop culture obsessions, like The Office, Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls.
- Arranged, or not arranged really nice faux greens make a great gift. I love the selection of realistic succulents at Hobby Lobby.
- These monogrammed hooks from Anthropologie are eye candy.
Happy Gifting! Remember, my kid gift guide will be up next week!
Minot Monday | Minot Curling Club
Happy Minot Monday! Today I’m sharing one of my favorite winter pastimes with you, curling! Every year around Thanksgiving, the Minot Curling Club kicks off their season. This week starts the annual Minot Curling Open House, where new curlers can come learn the sport and join a team if they like it. So, there is no better time to devote a post to Minot curling than right now!
I Really Want to Be Athletic
If you know me in person, you know that I long to be athletic. In school I tried all the sports. Basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, tennis…Turns out, I’m crummy at all of them. I can’t comprehend plays. My ball throwing is pathetic. My volleyball aim is terrible. In tennis the ball went way too far, way too high, or fell way short, or hit the middle of the net. In track, any field activity I tried was a fiasco. Turns out I can’t run and jump. Or throw. Or sprint.
The only thing I ever excelled at was running. Because running is basically just fast walking. If you run consistently, you will get faster and be able to go farther. It’s science.
Even though I’m pretty awful in the area of sports, I’m an avid trier. As in I’ll join in and try just about anything. Regardless of if it seems dorky, dated, difficult, silly or requires funny clothes or public-use shoes. So when I found our Minot had a curling club I was eager to try it out. But I was fairly confident I’d end up with a broken arm from slipping on the ice.
Curling is my Sport.
When I finally did go curling I was pleasantly surprised. Turns out curling is my sport. I have pretty good balance. There are no plays to memorize. There is no jumping, or throwing. A pro even told me I was a “natural.” Me! I’ve literally never been told that about anything. Ever.
The first time we lived in Minot we didn’t know how to get involved in the curling club. Luckily, a student in our church youth group (we were youth leaders at the time) told us he curled and got us details on playing. Since you might not be as lucky–and I don’t want you to miss your chance to participate–I’m here to give you all the details on giving curling a try.
But first, here are a few reasons I think curling is so great.
Four Good Reasons to Try Curling.
It’s winter in Minot.
Winters in Minot are cold, dark and long. It’s easy to stay at home in stretchy pants and never leave. Every week Derek and I looked forward to curling night. It was one night each week when we knew we’d get out of the house, interact with other people, and do something active. Week by week winter will pass…soon it’ll be spring and you’ll realize you were having fun all winter.
It’s social.
The first time I ever curled an older woman said to me, “Where’s your drink? Part of the beauty of the sport is that your beer will stay cold all night!”
Yes, it’s competitive, but at its heart, the curling club is social. Every lane has drink holders at the end. Soda and beers are available for purchase upstairs (or…if you’re me you’ll BYO hot tea). The vibe is happy. The people are friendly. There’s time to chat…but not so much that things get weird. Curling is a great way to connect with others and meet new friends.
It’s not cutthroat.
Yes, everyone likes to win. But you won’t find aggressive competitiveness here. Even if you aren’t super-athletic, you’ll fit in and be encouraged. The skill level ranges from young and fit to retirees just getting some exercise to experienced players who’ve won at nationals. If I fit into the mix, so will you.
It’s active.
Curling isn’t going to give you the same results as doing a HIIT circuit at the gym, but it will get you moving. Winter in Practically Canada can be a bit stagnant. I walked several miles worth of steps on each curling night. In the dead of winter it always feels good to move, especially when going to parks is out of the question.
How to get involved.
So, you are sold. Now, I’ll give you the details on how to actually start playing.
Go to the Open House
The Minot Curling club hosts an open house at the beginning of each curling season. This is a time to come learn and try out the sport. Experienced players will be on hand to teach you. It’s free. All equipment is provided.
During the open house you can meet other players and sign up for the league, if you like it. You can form your own team or be placed on a team. The folks at the curling club are absolute gems. They’ll help you with all of that.
Even if you decide curling isn’t for you, you should still go and give it a whirl. I mean, seriously…why would you not want to try curling at least once in your life?
Here is a post with details about this year’s Open House. 2019 Open House times are:
- 11/25-Monday@630pm
- 11/26-Tuesday@630pm
- 11/27-Wednesday@630pm
- 12/2-Monday@630pm
- 12/4-Wednesday@630pm
- 12/5-Thursday@630pm
Let’s talk equipment.
Curling doesn’t involve much equipment. And the best news for novices is that the curling club provides nearly everything you need. Everyone playing needs a broom and slider. A slider is a slippery surface that fits over the sole of your shoe. When you throw (slide) a rock down the ice toward the target (house) you’ll need to glide on your front foot. The slider allows you to do just that. A slider is a slippery surface that fits over the sole of your shoe. When you throw (slide) a rock down the ice toward the target (house) you’ll need to glide on your front foot. The slider allows you to do just that.
The club has sliders and brooms for your use. (Club dues go toward maintaining the facility and purchasing equipment.) So no need to buy anything.
What you will need to bring is a CLEAN pair of tennis shoes. Everyone who plays brings shoes and changes before they play. Do NOT wear shoes that you’ve worn outside (or worn outside without a thorough cleaning.) Unlike figure-skating ice which is polished by the zamboni, curling ice is textured. Any tiny debris in the treads of shoes will affect the texture and the ability of rocks to slide on the ice toward the target. If you wear street shoes that scratch up the ice, you’ll be judged pretty harshly.
Dress in warm clothes that allow you to bend and move. I typically wore two layers of yoga-style pants, a long sleeved t-shirt and fleece jacket. You’ll also want a hat and gloves. Games take about an hour and are played in what feels like a giant refrigerator.
Sign up for a league, or don’t.
If you decide you’d like to play consistently you can join the Minot Curling Club and sign up for a league night. Games happen several days each week. You pick which day of the week you’d prefer to play. Your team will play on that night. As the season progresses each league night will have a tournament and a winning team from each night.
If you’d like to play, but decide you can’t commit to playing once a week you can join the club and play as an alternate. It’s unlikely that every team will have every player at every game. Subs and alternates fill in when players cannot attend.
If you love curling, but don’t want to join the Minot Curling Club, you can still take part in public events. Over the course of the season there will be opportunities for the public to play. You can participate in the open house, funspiel (a low-key tournament), and I’ve even heard rumor there will be another “learn-to-curl” night held this year. Follow Minot Curling on Facebook to watch for public events.
Whatever you decide to do, you can never go back to a time when you didn’t know how great curling is. And even if you don’t play, you should totally com watch a public bonspiel (tournament)–just to get in the spirit of things.
Happy Minot Monday!
Minot Monday | Toddlers and the Children’s Library
Happy Minot Monday! Today, I’m talking about the Minot Children’s Library (part of the Minot Public Library) and why I love it so much as a toddler mom.
I love the library. When I say “love” I really do mean it. In all of the places we’ve lived (and even the places I lived on my own before getting married) I’ve been an enthusiastic supporter of libraries everywhere.
This may be unusual to hear from a person who basically put aside most books once they stopped having pages with pictures. It’s true, I am not much of a book reader. For the most part all my “reading” happens through my ears via audiobooks. All my other reading is typically of books with large photos and small captions (think magazines, instruction manuals, how-to guides, etc.)
Nonetheless I’m a huge propionate of public libraries.
My Childhood Library Experience
I attribute a lot of this enthusiasm to the fact that growing up I didn’t have ready access to the public library. Yes, there are libraries in Northern Indiana. However, the area that I lived in was within “county limits”, but outside of “city limits.” This meant we didn’t pay taxes toward the city library and therefore weren’t eligible for a library card.
Technically I think you could pay for a library card. But the details are foggy. Our family didn’t, and I don’t know anyone who did.
We only went to the public library during science fair season to do research and make copies of pages for our reports. Remember the hard, cold days before the Internet? Sometimes we went to the library with my grandma, who lived in a different town (within city limits) and used her card. That wasn’t very often though.
I got my first library card when I studied abroad in London my senior year of college. Yes, I was eligible for a library card in London, but not Elkhart, IN. The world is a funny place.
I ‘m a Library Connoisseur
I think my years of going without a library really built up the prestige of having a library card and being part of a borrowing community. Once I finally had my own library card, I became a bit of a library connoisseur.
I get a library card in every town Derek and I move to. It has been so exciting to see all the things that libraries offer–and how small town libraries are getting creative and continuing to grow, even in an age of digital reading. I’ve loved every library I’ve been a part of. Now, as a mom the library is more valuable to me than ever. I’ll write more about Minot’s Public Library in the coming months (there are so many great things to say, I can’t cover them in one post.) But for today, I just want to highlight a few things that I love about our library as a mom of a toddler.
If you’ve got older kids, or no kids–know that the library has plenty for you too! We’ll talk about that some other day.
Baby Play
Here’s the big one. Baby Play is my current favorite Minot Children’s Library activity.
Baby Play is a weekly story and activity time for littles 6 months-3 years old. It currently happens on Fridays 10-11am. However the date/time may change as we come into holiday season. (Check the full calendar.) A fun, young, amazing librarian hosts this special time in a separate room, with the door closed to contain the kiddos.
We start with stories, songs and dances. Then when the kids get restless (sometimes after 20 minutes, sometimes after only 10 or 15 minutes) the kids are free to roam the room and play at sensory activity stations set up all around the room. It’s the best.
There are all kinds of toys–musical instruments, walkers, a play kitchen, etc. But my favorite part are mess-prone stations: Bins of dried corn with shovels, bowls and funnels; dump trucks in flour; rice bins to practice scooping and pouring. These activities are set up on large drop cloths to contain the mess.
These activities are so important for developing motor skills, but it’s not something I am eager to set up for myself at home. At Baby Play we try to contain the mess…but at the end I get to go home to a (fairly) neat house, and the wonderful/amazing/spectacular library staff takes care of heavy clean up.
Second to the sensory activities, my favorite part of Baby Play is getting to connect with other young moms. It’s a low-key way to meet new friends–you already have something in common and a place to meet up each week. This is especially sweet for someone new to town. The library was the first place I took Gideon when we moved back to town. After our first time at Baby Play, I had exchanged numbers with two other moms and had a play date for the next week.
The Minot Children’s Library is a Separate Space.
The Children’s section is on the main floor, in its own, private area. There are no adults (or teens) milling around. Your kids won’t run off into shelves of adult books, copiers, computers, or bother grownups who are trying to read quietly. The entire space is made for kids and parents.
It’s Hands On.
No one is expecting complete silence. No one is expecting still children. Yes, it is a space to be calm and respectful–but you’ll be surrounded by staff and other parents who get what it’s like to have little readers on board.
Minot’s Children’s Library has a large space for play as well as reading. There is a huge busy board, motor skills activities, mirrors, and bead mazes, kid-sized tables and reading chairs.
The Books are Easy to Access
Books for the youngest readers (and lots of great board books) are all located on the perimeter of the play space. Gideon can help me pick out books for a bit, then go play, then come read. It makes picking new books easy, since he’s playing and contained andI’m not constantly herding him.
It’s a great way to spend time on a yucky day
Much like his mother, Gideon gets really cranky if he doesn’t spend a healthy dose of time outside every day. That can be hard when weather is cold, rainy or windy. On those days, we’ll often go to the library to play and read. It’s free, warm, dry and usually has other kids to play with.
Do you use the public library? Tell me what you love (or don’t love) about your library!
The Cold Snap | More on Lies and Redemption
Today, I’ve got a follow up to yesterday’s post about how dispelling lies has helped me reclaim my life and walk out of a long-term struggle against depression and anxiety. In addition to identifying lies and taking the time to properly address them, I’ve also learned that sometimes it takes a hard season to find them at all.
Before we get to that, I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who comes to do life together. Who reads and shares and takes a moment to tell me when something hits home for you. I am humbled, and affirmed by the reaction I got to yesterday’s post about lies. Sometimes I get nervous about posting something vulnerable–something that can make me look like a goon. Admitting to anyone on the Internet who cares to click a link that I’ve struggled with lies was intimidating for me.
So, thanks for being cool. Now back to the topic at hand.
Drafts and Lies
Let’s go back to the analogy I drew yesterday, between cold drafts coming into my house and lies coming into my life. (If you missed it, you can read it here.)
I gave a nice list of how lies are sneaky like cold air drafts that were finding lots of ways into my home. The affects of the cold air stretched much farther than my heating bill. The furnace worked overtime, to no avail–the rooms were still cold. I couldn’t sleep at night, which left me tired and cranky during the day, which in turn took its toll on my patience with Gideon.
Lies are the same. Their affects reach far beyond just the singular truth they’ve obscured. Lies can become devastating.
The Cold Snap
I was so glad when the draft problem was noticeably better. I was happy to have found the sources of cold air coming in, and happy to have a solution.
Even more than that, I was happy it happened when it did. I was grateful for the early October cold snap that made my problem clear. It was a perfect trial-run of how Acorn House will truly perform through the winter. The draft problem was revealed during a short stretch of 20˚ days. If it had happened when the windchill was -40˚, that would have been much, much worse.
Before I go any farther, please know that I’m not here to explain why bad things happen. I’m not opening a discussion on why bad things happen to “good” people. I’m not even going to say that “everything happens for a reason.”
The truth is, bad things happen. Hard circumstances face fun, loving, kind, good-hearted people all the time. Many of the hardest circumstances I’ve faced have come into my life unannounced, with little warning, and at no fault of my own. I had no control over their timing or the scope of pain they’d leave in their wake.
I can’t tell you why these things happen and I won’t offer you a solution. But I can assure you that God–the God of the Bible–is working to set all things right (see Ps 103:10-18). I can assure you that God is kind. He is almighty and able to redeem any circumstance. He is able to create beauty and life from dirt and death. Remember, He made man out of dirt in the garden. Also, Jesus’ gruesome death on the cross opened a sweet, full-access path to God, gives us eternal life and the Holy Spirit.
Those in Christ can always trust that God can and will create something worthwhile out of any ugliness we hand over to Him.
My Lie Problem
Which brings me back to lies.
When I realized I had a “lie problem” in my life I was in the midst of a mental crisis. I can’t pinpoint the exact cause. A surgery that didn’t go as planned; Chronic pain; Spiritual warfare; A major life change. These and other unwelcome circumstances added up to a depression and anxiety storm like I’ve never seen before in my life.
In counseling I realized that lies were major contributors to the poor state of my mental health. As I untangled the lies from the truth I found healing that I didn’t know was possible. I left the cycle of anxiety and low-self-worth that had plagued me for years.
Now, looking back I can see that I may never have gotten to the root of my problems, had it not been for the terrible circumstances in that season. When I turned that awful season over to God, He propelled me into a new phase of life. And it’s far better than the “good life” I had before.
Drafts Aren’t A Problem In Summer
Just like it takes a cold snap to find drafts, it may take a hard season to find lies that have been sneaking into your mind. You know when the drafts in my house didn’t bother me at all? Summer. When the days were 70˚ and sunny I didn’t notice extra air coming in at all. You know when the lies didn’t bother me so much? When everything was stable and good.
When things got rocky it was obvious there was a problem. Metaphorically, my foundation was fine, but my structure had air leaks that were causing my home to be miserable. My Salvation was secure, but the lies had come in and I was not living the abundant, joy-filled life Jesus wanted to give me.
We cannot control the circumstances that come into our sphere. But we can control our thoughts. We can be intentional about turning our eyes to the Redeemer of all things, allowing Him to create something positive out of a mess. We can be intentional about what we allow to manifest in our mind and hearts.
Hard times are…hard. But our God never leaves us alone, and He truly is working for the good of those who love Him.
Dispelling Lies, Reclaiming Life
Do you know anything about drafts? Not military drafts, or drafts of a paper. I’m talking the icy cold drafts that sneak into your home through even the tiniest gap. I do. I know more than I’d care to. Stopping drafts was my first major project here at Acorn House. In the midst of stopping up all those drafts, God started speaking to me about lies. In my heart I could feel Him reminding me of how sneaky, joy-sapping and detrimental lies are, and reminding me of how dispelling lies helped me reclaim my life. So today, I’m going to tell you a little about my journey with lies and drafts.
The first truly cold night in Acorn House was awful. In my room, under all the blankets I had in the house I was a block of ice. My face was cold. My nose was running. Yes, running like I was outside. In the hall, I could feel a cold breeze blowing from Gideon’s room. We barely slept that night. The next day I was miserable, but determined to find the source of the drafts and fix the issue.
The problem with drafts is this: they are invisible and unnoticeable until things get uncomfortable.
In our bedrooms I discovered that the windows hadn’t been insulated. Large gaps behind the trim was letting cold air pour in. A breeze was coming in from a gap behind the baseboard. A floor vent cover wasn’t actually covering a vent–just a hole to the icy basement, letting cold air up into the room. Then I found that the dryer vent had no cover on it. There was just an open tube letting cold air into my room.
When I saw the scope of the problem, I was overwhelmed.
The drafts were making us miserable. But there were so many to find and fix–I didn’t know how I’d ever get it all done.
For big drafts I used my hand to feel for air flow. For the sneakier wisps of air coming in, I used a lighter as a guide. I ran the flame along windows, doors and baseboards. The flame would flicker (or in some cases blow out) when I reached the source of a draft. I filled small gaps with caulk. Big gaps needed to be filled with foam gap filler–the kind that expands to fill the gap and kind of looks like yellow ice cream.
One by one I sealed the gaps. The house stayed warmer. It became livable. The problem isn’t totally fixed, it’s an ongoing process.
But I told you I was going to talk about lies. So let me get to the point.
Somewhere in the middle of my third can of gap-filler God laid some thoughts about lies on my heart. I don’t consider myself particularly gullible, but I’ve believed a lot of lies in my life. Big, important lies. The kind that wreak havoc on your mind, heart and spirit.
Whenever I talk to someone about my experience walking through depression and anxiety, I point to identifying and dispelling lies as the thing that brought me the most healing. In fact, I’d say dispelling lies that I had believed saved my life. Lies were the root of my problem. I needed to take measures to seal up my life against the lies I had believed.
In fact, lies are the root of a lot of problems.
Satan is called the “father of lies.” He is a liar and deceiver. The first sin he ever enticed anyone into was telling a lie.
Lies will make our lives uncomfortable.
Maybe not at first. But eventually, our lives will be uncomfortable (maybe even unlivable) as result of the lies we believe.
Lies are often invisible.
We may feel something is wrong. We might be able to sense it. But like drafts, lies are invisible. We cannot simply detect them with our eyes. They come into our minds, hearts and home in the sneakiest ways. Some are obvious (gaps around windows and doors.) Some are harder to see (remember, in some cases I needed to remove window trim and baseboards to find the source of a draft to fix.)
Big, glaring lies are easy to feel while small, tricky tweaks-of-the-truth may need a guide to find their source.
Lies can be overwhelming.
In our fallen world lies are all around us. The more lies we believe, the more confused we get…making us susceptible to believing even more lies. Just like the drafts blowing into my house, sometimes it seems like the air around me is saturated with lies.
Once I began uncovering lies in my own life I became overwhelmed by the amount of lies surrounding me, vying for my belief and attention. Lies, like drafts, can be addressed. Find them and eliminate them one at a time.
Lies can be identified
I love the image of using a lighter to detect a draft. So often the Bible talks about light–the antithesis of the darkness.
Just as a lighter can be used to find the source of a draft, the lights God gives us can help us find lies in our own lives.
- Jesus is the Light of the World–anyone in Him will not remain in darkness. John 12:46 (His Truth will dispel lies and darkness. Come to Him and ask Him to reveal the lies that wreaking havoc in your life.)
- God’s Word is a lamp for our path, Psalm 119:105. (In biblical times a lamp would have had an open flame. God’s truth is a perfect way to detect the source of lies. Hold the lamp of His Word up to your path, this flame will never extinguish, but lies may try to blow it out.)
- Believers are the light, Matthew 5:14-16. (A trusted mentor of friend in the body of Christ can help identify lies and replace them with Truth.)
Lies can be dispelled.
Lies hold no power of their own. Their power lies (no pun intended) in the power we perceive them to have. Once we identify a lie and name it as a lie–its power starts to wane. But the true problem isn’t solved yet. Identifying the source of a draft didn’t make my house any warmer.
A draft needs to be filled or fixed, a lie must be replaced by the truth. If a the void left behind from an identified lie isn’t filled with truth, another lie can easily take its place.
The truth may take a while to believe.
Like I told you, I’ve believed a lot of lies. And I’d love to say that I quickly identified them, found God’s Truth, replaced the lie and lived happily ever after.
Sometimes it really is that easy.
But the lies that do the most damage are often hidden, well engrained, and require some time. These lies are like the big gaps behind my baseboards. First I had to do a little deconstructing to identify them. Next I used gap-filler. Then I had to wait for the filler to expand. In some cases I needed to go back over it a second time. With diligence, eventually the cold air stopped coming in.
Sometimes we need to hear the truth over and over before we believe it. When we feel the lie coming back in, we need to restate the truth, to add another layer.
I got annoyed, when I was in counseling for not changing fast enough. For continuing to fall into the same lies over and over. My counselor assured me things would change. Those thought patterns, believing those lies–that was my normal, natural way of thinking. If we consciously, intentionally speak truth over lies we’ve identified, the Truth will become our new normal, natural thought pattern. Just like the draft problem at the House, fighting lies is (and will be) an ongoing battle.
I don’t know if this is resonating with anyone. I hope so. If you are struggling–please know that you aren’t alone. I’ve been there. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have a few lies they needed to dispel. You can do it. Don’t be hard on yourself, but do be intentional. Do be diligent. The lies that are causing your life to be cold, uncomfortable and unenjoyable can be replaced with truth. If I can do it, anyone can.
(PS– When I was unearthing lies in my life, this book was given to me by a friend. I cannot recommend it highly enough!)
