ALL BLOG POSTS

The Never-ending Winter “Mom, why is winter taking so long?” My four-year-old has asked me this question exactly every day for a week straight. When he says it, the phrase is drawn out. It carries that tone of voice only a genuine child can produce when talking to...

A different kind of date night We could see the glimmer of sunshine on water before we heard the splashing or smelled the sunscreen. My husband, Derek, and I pedaled our tandem bicycle up to the bleachers near the pool and climbed off. On the other side of the chain...

On a Quest for Canola “I just know by the time we find a good place, the boys are going to be cranky and it’s going to be a disaster.” This was my lament last Sunday, as I wove our car up and down country roads, scanning the horizon for highlighter-yellow fields. I...

What is "The Lake?" Can we talk about “the lake” for a minute? During my years in North Dakota, I’ve become a student of Hot Dish language, culture, and traditions. I celebrate Syttende Mai, enthusiastically watch Lawrence Welk reruns, participate in Trash Christmas,...

It’s time to dust off those sweaters. The Norsk Høstfest is nearly here. What's the Deal with the Høstfest? It happened while my family was at Logger Fest over the weekend. I was standing to the side of the bouncy-house obstacle course, waiting for my son to come down...

Just me taking in the Scandinavian Heritage Park Why not Minot? When my husband and I found out we would be moving to North Dakota, we got lots of unsolicited comments and advice. “Hope you like the cold.” “Have fun in the great white north — it’s just ice and wind up...

Snapping a photo in front of the Dala horse is pretty much a must when visiting the Scandinavian Heritage Park What to Do in Minot This month our house feels a bit like a bed and breakfast — and my heart couldn’t be happier. In a perfect storm of circumstances and...

Merry-Go-Round “I’m about to put a quarter in!” I called to a couple walking their daughter in a stroller at the zoo. “Does she want to ride?” They parked their stroller and helped their little girl climb onto one of the miniature horses on the merry-go-round at the...

Return to start You know how some board games can force your pawn to return to start? Or at least make you to move back several spaces? That’s spring snowstorms in Minot. You can play the game. You can execute strategy — but in classic board games like Life, Sorry or...

I’m rarely in town for the State Fair, and this year have thoroughly enjoyed soaking up this much-part of North Dakota’s summer IYKYK IYKYK. Have you seen this cluster of letters floating through the expanse of social media feeds and stories? Total transparency: The...

A Wonderful Hometown Last weekend we visited Rapid City. During the days we crammed in tourist activities. We hit Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, and Old McDonald’s Farm. We ate ice cream at Mount Rushmore and browsed Who’s Toy House downtown. In the evening we visited...

Bubbles and Books The van’s bright yellow exterior, accented by pastel, candy-colored sun rays immediately grabbed my attention. My children were more focused on the massive bubbles being blown in front of the Oak Park amphitheater. I followed, but kept side-eyeing...

Hauling items for Trash Christmas out of my creepy basement [Photo: Amy Allender] One Man's Trash... Something magical week is nearly upon us in the Magic City. It’s that special time of year that yields surprises, laughter, and neighborly cheer. It’s an emotional...

Hot Dish Prom On Saturday, Minot’s teenagers will dress to the nines and scoot off to prom. Which means, this the perfect time to chat about an outsiders take on Hot Dish prom. Before going further, let me be candid. I love prom. Though my prom years are long passed,...

Amy's son with Dizzy the Clown [Photo: Amy Allender] A Casseroler's Take on Relocating to Minot “Wow, look at all those shades of brown.” The comment was delivered with faux awe from my passenger seat. Her sarcasm was friendly, not fiery. We both laughed.  “Now, now —...