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 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.
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 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.
*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.
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!)
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.
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! 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!
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.
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!)
Happy Minot Monday, everyone! Today–in honor of our first big cold snap , I’ll be chatting about what a winter in Practically Canada is really like.
We moved from Minot to Rapid City (SD) in 2016. As we settled into town and told folks where we were moving from I heard a lot of responses like this.
“Yuck, it’s too cold up there. Bet you’re glad to be out of there.”
“Ugh. The winters are awful up there and there’s nothing to do. Bet you’re glad you live here now.”
“North Dakota? Ugh. It’s cold there.”
“The winters are too cold. I could never live there.”
Etc, etc, etc. You get the picture.
I actually refused to work with a couple realtors who thought they were making cute small talk by dishing negative comments about a town I happen to love. I mean, it’s fine if they want to harbor negative thoughts, but please don’t try to entrap me in negative camaraderie. It’s not going to work.
I get a similar vibe from people who find out they are moving here for military orders (“Minot is the worst assignment…” “You’ll be miserable because it’s so cold…” “I’ll hate it there…”)
And don’t forget about the snarky comments when we revealed that we were moving back:
Them: I’m so sorry you got stationed there again. That’s awful. It’s so cold and isolated.
Us: We actually requested to go back, if possible.
Them: …..
What is winter in Minot really like?
So today I’m going to clear some things up. If you found out you’ve got orders to Minot, or you’ll be moving here for work, or this is your first winter, or last winter was miserable–I’m here to tell you what winter is really like in Practically Canada and give you tips on surviving–attitude intact.
First of all, winter is no one’s favorite feature of Minot.
Winter is harsh. The windchill can be brutal. You won’t find anyone in town who says they love January weather.
But you know what else is brutal? July in Florida and Louisiana. Hurricane season in the Panhandle. Tornado season in Oklahoma. Everywhere has something that isn’t ideal.
I actually find the dark harder than the cold. After Daylight Savings Time, it gets dark pretty early. Like early enough that it will disorient you for a while. On the flip side, the loooong summer days are also a little confusing at first.
Yes, winter here is cold. It’s a fact. Accept it, don’t dwell too much on it, and move on. I promise you–the long, perfect summer days will make up for a lot of the pain of winter.
When does winter start? End?
I start to expect winter to come calling around Halloween. Around this time temperatures will become consistently colder with a few warmer days sprinkled in.
Winter is safely over by June. (I’m kind of kidding.) By April we’ll see warmer days, melting snow and even a little green grass. However, there are usually still some snowy days in April. May is more sure to be spring-like. June is perfect and summery. So I guess what I’m saying is, spring is very iffy around here.
How cold is winter in Minot?
We just got back from a week in Rapid City. While we were there, I had several people ask me, “Is winter really that much different in Minot than Rapid?”
The answer is YES. Winter here is different than any other place I’ve lived.
While some places get cold for a while, then warm up for a few days, then get cold again, Minot will get cold and stay cold. In Rapid City, and my home state, Indiana, snow will fall, sit on the ground for a bit, then melt a little (or completely) before more snow falls. In Minot, snow that falls late in November will likely not melt completely until April. (But sometimes a random 30-40˚ day does give us a pleasant surprise.)
Once temperatures fall for good there will be days when the high doesn’t get above zero (yes, I’m talking Fahrenheit.) Lows will definitely be in the negatives. Sometimes they high will be below zero for days.
If you want to sound like a true North Dakotan, you can say something like, “It’s really not that bad today. It’s just the wind that makes it cold.” (Even if you don’t care about sounding like a local, you’ll probably find yourself saying it anyway.)
This sentiment is 100% true. A 2˚ day with no wind will feel like summer vacation compared to a 2˚ day with a windchill of -20˚. The last time we lived here I remember marveling at the fact that the interior of my house was a full 100˚ warmer than the windchill outside.
But it’s a dry cold, right?
Yes! And that really helps. Because the humidity is so low it’s not damp, chill-you-to-the-bone cold. I’ve “felt” like the cold here is comparable to the cold in Indiana or Michigan where the humidity is high even in winter.
The dry cold also means that the snow that falls isn’t always the best for making snowballs and snowmen. Even the snow is pretty dry. It’s light and blows around pretty easily. (Which creates drifts and can be hazardous for driving, but we’ll chat about that in a bit.)
What about school?
School just keeps happening. Schools are rarely cancelled for cold temperatures and snow. (If school did cancel for cold temps, kids would be making up days past the 4th of July.)
Recess happens outside as long as the actual temperature is above -5˚ or the windchill is above -15˚. What can I say, people are hardy here.
Is the cold dangerous?
It can be.
Believe me, you won’t want to spend loads of time outside on the super cold days. So when you go out, be prepared. Dress for the weather. Plan extra time into your outings so you have time to start your car and take extra caution on slippery roads.
Once, on an icy morning I struck up a conversation with an older man at a gas station. We talked about the brutal wind and he told me a story I’ll never forget.
He was a retired pastor and he told me about a cold winter when the boiler went out at the church. He and another church member went to the church–to try to prevent the pipes from freezing. When he reached to unlock the front door his jacket slipped up his arm exposing a bit of skin between his glove and sleeve. On that arm, he showed me a scar like a rope burn–where the wind had burned his skin.
Then he told me he felt a sharp pain like a bee sting on his other wrist. Even though it was covered, his watch had frozen to his skin! (Read the full story here.)
Then he pushed his sleeve up and showed me the scar. He laughed and told me that was the coldest day he could remember, but he still wears the watch.
Dress for the weather.
The other big danger comes with driving. Blowing snow can be very disorienting and wind speeds can be high. If you aren’t confident driving in snow, heed warnings to stay off the roads. Avoid driving in storms (duh).
So, what do you do all winter in Minot?
I’m so glad you asked.
I cannot stress this enough–the Minot community tries really hard to make this an enjoyable place to live year-round. Each week there are tons of events going on. VisitMinot has an awesome calendar (it’s super comprehensive). So if you are looking for something special to do, start there.
Winter is the perfect time to try something new. And since Minot is a small community, you can try lots of different things!
Minot Fun Zone–It’s FREE!
There are events that happen regularly–like story times, trivia nights, open gym, open hockey and the Fun Zone (a free play space for kids with games, bounce houses, coloring and other activities.) Again–check VisitMinot for a full list of what’s going on. But here are my personal favorite activities.
Curling–we learned to curl last time we lived in Minot and loved it! The curling club has leagues on three days each week. It gave us something specific to do each week and a reason to leave the house and socialize.
Ice Skating–I love skating at the Maysa Arena. It’s affordable, indoor and my personal favorite way to exercise or socialize. I like to go during the day, it’s super quiet.
Square Dancing–Another quirky hobby we took up last time we lived here. It’s not as dorky as it sounds (or maybe it is, but I don’t care). Square dances happen about once a month and is a nice way to get out of the house, interact with other adults, and do something active.
Walking at the dome–the MSU dome is open and free to the public for walking/running.
Being at home–Winter has consistently been the time that my Minot friendships take great leaps forward. It’s a great time to invite friends in, share meals, offer play dates and have marathon board game nights.
Special events–Like plays, concerts, the symphony and ballet.
Classes–Minot has started to boom with classes. There are cooking, craft, painting, glass, and sewing classes happening all the time.
I have never, ever been bored in the winter. Ever.
How do I survive?
First of all, make your house and car winter ready. For your house, stop up drafts, service your furnace, be sure your fireplace is safe. For the car, put together a winter-emergency kit, put a shovel in your trunk, get things serviced.
Then think about picking up a few things that will make your winter a little more comfortable. Here are some of my favorite winter-items.
A down comforter–I hate being cold at night. I got a down comforter as a gift and it is by far the item that keeps me most comfortable.
A sleep sack for your little–I bought a Gunapod for Gideon. It is SO soft and keeps him so warm. He loves it and sleeps so well in it. I highly recommend getting one if you’ve got a little that is too little to know how to sleep under a blanket.
A great jacket–Not just something that looks pretty, but something rated for very cold temps.
Boots–Again, don’t just get something that looks cute. Spend a little money to spring for something that will last more than one year and actually keep your feet warm and dry.
Two pairs of gloves–This is Derek’s big trick. Wear a thin pair of gloves under a big thick pair. You can take the big gloves off for dexterity–and still have your fingers covered.
A back-saver shovel–even if you have a snow-blower, you’ll still need to shovel every once in a while. This really does help.
Happy Minot Monday, everyone! Today’s Minot Monday post is a tribute to one of my favorite free community offerings. I’m going to tell you all about the Brass Band of Minot and why you should skidaddle over to their next concert (Sunday Nov 10, 4pm).
I grew up in northern Indiana, near South Bend (and Notre Dame.) It’s a great area with TONS going on all the time. While growing up, my parents regularly bought tickets (sometimes season tickets) for our family to attend the orchestra or symphony. I remember getting dressed up and going to the shows. Listening to music in historic and elegant halls was such a treat. I’m not sure if my parents really know how much I enjoyed it. (To be honest, my favorite part was always taking in the historic architecture–I’ve always been an old-place junkie.)
As an adult, I realize how special and important attending those concerts really was. I learned proper concert etiquette (ie the end of a movement isn’t time to clap). I learned to appreciate talent, live performance and the teamwork involved in making cohesive sounds. The music exposed me to new sounds and a type of music we didn’t listen to on the radio in the car.
As a mom, I realize how much intentionality must have gone in to getting our family to these events. First of all, there’s the parental challenge of taking two young girls out in public to a classy affair. I can imagine now my parents wondering if it would be worth the hassle–if the evening would be fun or just a giant strain. Second, there’s the cost. With my adult eyes I can see that taking the family to the symphony was a pricy endeavor.
I am so glad my parents were intentional about exposing us to the arts and budgeting wisely to make it happen for our middle class family. Now I see that spending the money on tickets was incredibly brave. What if we didn’t behave? What if the show was too long? How would they handle potty breaks? What if my sister and I bickered the whole time and it was no fun at all?
See, what I mean? Very. Brave.
As a parent, I’m already starting to think about how we will expose Gideon to art and music. Derek and I love attending live performances, and it’s something we are eager to share as a family.
Right now Gideon is just a toddler. But we would like him to grow up in an environment where music, performance and community events is a norm. Not to mention we like the proven benefits of exposing children to live music (increased attention span, the ability to sit and listen, focus, etc).
The Brass Band of Minot is one of several community music organization which performs regularly through the fall, winter and spring. They are so good, so talented and (best part) their concerts are FREE!! (Donations are welcome.)
I didn’t discover the Brass Band of Minot until just before we moved out of Minot in 2016. I got to attend one concert before packing up and moving out of state. That was a huge bummer! I couldn’t believe I’d lived in Minot for years and become a (self titled) Minot-guru and didn’t even know this existed.
Now that I’m back in Minot for round 2 of Practically Canadian living, the Brass Band of Minot was on my radar and I’ve already hit up one of their concerts.
So don’t be like me last time I lived in Minot. Start taking advantage of the Brass Band now. The next concert is coming up in less than a week! They’ll perform Sunday November 10 at 4pm, at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on the MSU campus.
Annnnnddddd–this is their HOLIDAY CONCERT! I’m usually a fan of waiting until after Thanksgiving to bust out seasonal music, but I simply cannot resist holiday classics on brass instruments!
Just in case you need a few more reasons why I love the Brass Band of Minot, here are a couple more.
It’s FREE
The Band performs at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at MSU. Concerts are free (with donations welcome). If you hate it, you aren’t out anything–you can even sneak out early. (But I don’t think that will be the case.)
Family Friendly
In my opinion, this is the perfect way to introduce littles to concerts. Since there is no monetary cost involved it’s very low risk. Concert length is fairly short (45 minutes-1 hour), so it’s just the right amount of exposure.
The hall is large, so grab a seat in back or up in the balcony (where there is space to pace behind the back row.) If your littles get restless or noisy just sneak out. When I took Gideon to his first concert last month I was shocked at how engaged he was. He got antsy after about 30 minutes, so we went out to the lobby to walk around (I could still hear the music) and returned after a bit to watch the rest of the performance.
Concert Times
Concerts take place in the afternoon. No need to find an evening babysitter or stay out past bedtime. Concerts don’t interfere with evening plans. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
The Music is Really Good
Who cares how convenient the concerts are if the sound is crummy, right? The Brass Band of Minot is made up of local musicians that range from students and parents to business owners, farmers and doctors. The music selections are interesting and well executed. It’s a good show and a good listening experience.
Don’t forget, their next concert is Sunday Nov 10, 4pm at Ann Nicole. Follow them on Facebook to see upcoming shows, or check in at the Visit Minot events page.
Here are some of my other favorite classical performing groups in town.
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