by Amy | Dec 30, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living
I hope you’ve all had a grand Christmas and are gearing up to celebrate in style tomorrow night as we wave “G’bye” to 2014 and usher in a brand new year.
As usual Derek and I journeyed to our home town in God’s Country {Indiana} for the holiday. It was lovely and unseasonably warm. I visited with my very dear family and some of my dearest friends…we only see each other if I traverse to California, or if we are all home for the holidays. I’m back to Practically Canada now…feeling refreshed and invigorated. Both by the restful week away and the subzero wind chill that I’ve over heard locals referring to as “brisk.”
One of these lovely friends I got to catch up with paid me a compliment that has rooted its way into my heart and made my whole soul smile. He told me that I have a gift for seeing humor in every day life. I never thought of it as a gift. I just figured everyone could look around and find comedy unfolding in every direction. From the evening news to interactions at they gym, and conversations I’ve over heard at the coffee shop…it’s true–I see hilarity happening all around me. So, if it is a gift, or a super power, I’ll claim it with pride.
While we were visiting I told him many tales from Practically Canada. But there was one he particularly liked. Today, before the holidays get too far behind us, I’ll tell you as well.
{This is what I feel like shopping at the mall at Christmas. Image via ChipChick}
The date was Thursday December 18, 2014. Because Derek and I were heading to Indiana on Friday the 19th, I had about a million errands to run before we loaded the car to leave. One such errand was to the {dreaded} mall. I don’t care how small your town is. The mall is not the place you want to be less than a week before Christmas. Especially if you have a cranky streak, like I do, and tend to get fussy when you can’t find/they don’t have/you think it’s too pricey.
I pulled in to the insane parking lot. Because the chaos was so eminent, I reverted to an old mall-going trick I learned back in high school: there’s always parking at Sear’s. It’s true. Unless you are buying an appliance or some tools…you probably won’t park at Sear’s. Think about it. Do you know anyone who parks at Sear’s because they plan to do most of their shopping there? I sure don’t.
So I park and go in to Sear’s. I’m now power walking because I have a thousand tiny things to pick up from all different stores and I have an urgent need to remove myself from the mall as quickly as possible. As I’m flying by the shoe section, I see her. She’s across a shoe rack that has been placed in the middle of the aisle, her face slightly obscured, but I see her nonetheless. Tall, perfectly done eye make up, and a cute, sparkly headband–as usual.
I’m two full days from my last shower, sporting gym clothes, touting a makeupless face {save for some mascara that had been applied days earlier}.
I’m aware of how I look. But I also want to be friendly. Normally, I force myself to “place the face” before speaking…as in–I have to know where I know them from before saying “Hi.” But for whatever reason, be it the cheer of the season, the urgency in my stride, or simply a lapse of judgement…I hear the words “Oh, hey,” come out of my lips. As soon as I said it, I regretted it.
I have no clue who this girl is.
She smiles awkwardly back at me and mutters a greeting. I’ve stopped in my tracks. Like we are going to have a conversation. I’m short and she’s tall and the ratty shoe rack is between us. I take a few weird steps forward and turn to look at her. Now on the same side of the rack. We make eye contact. I’m rolodexing my whole brain, straining to place who this person is.
“Did you think I was someone else?” She asks. Now here’s where things get weird. The correct thing to do, would be to reply, “Yes.” Then walk away. Because I’m me…that’s not what I did. I stand there and make it weird.
“No, I thought you were you.” WHY would I say that? What does that even mean? “Your affiliated with the base, right? Or your husband is?”
“Ummm, no. I’m not in the military and I’m not married.”
“Really? You don’t do anything at the base?”
“Nope.”
Silence. Then I decide to cut my losses and bail. “Okay. Sorry about that.” I walk away. But I walk away smug…because I’m sure {super sure} that I know her from somewhere. I’m confident that we are friends on Facebook. And when I get home I’m going to look her up, then send her a message. Okay, maybe not the message thing…but I’m confident I’ll find her and that I’ll prove we are indeed friendly acquaintances. Then I’ll put this awkward moment behind me for good.
I rack my brain for the rest of the shopping trip. I’m still thinking about it when I sit down at home to check email. I’m cursing Facebook for not having a search feature that will allow me to narrow my results by “tall, wears sparkly headbands, has good eyeliner.” I sit and close my eyes and try to picture her in the setting I know her from. Gym? No–you don’t wear headbands that pretty to the gym. Military? She made it clear it wasn’t that. Downtown? Maybe…
Then, all of a sudden it hits me. I see it clearly in my mind. She has a blue vest on. She’s sweeping. She’s scanning.
She works at Hobby Lobby.
{this is a generic image via World Mag}
She doesn’t know me. Not at all. We are not friends. I don’t even know her name. Smugness crushed. Looks like one too many trips to the craft store this Christmas. Awkward. So awkward. For being so friendly and for a person who talks so much, you think I’d be less weird. Nope.
So, to the girl who works at Hobby Lobby: Hi. It’s Amy. I’m awkward and I’m sorry for being so weird that time at Sear’s. I like your headbands. Thanks for being such a good cashier. You are always really quick with the coupon code and I really appreciate that. K bye.
Have you had a moment like this? I sure hope your last days of 2014 are awkwardness free. Thanks for sticking around…even though I’m so weird.
Amy
by Amy | Dec 24, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Happy Christmas Eve everyone. I hope you are gathering in with family and friends to celebrate the really big deal that is Christmas! Just for kicks I thought I’d share a few images from a recent newborn session. It was Christmas themed, and precious. And really, who doesn’t want an extra does of cute going in to Christmas Day?
This little one belongs to the Rockwell family. You might remember their maternity session. Such a sweet, gorgeous couple. This was such a fun, relaxing session to shoot. And it was during this session that I learned about the amazing spatchcocking technique that worked out so well at Thanksgiving.
Merry Christmas all!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
–James 1:17
by Amy | Dec 17, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
It’s December 17th. Christmas is still more than a week {okay, eight days} away. But every year shortly after December hits the calender the holiday starts closing in. Slow at first. A party here, cookies there. Then things become faster and more frequent as last minute gifts demand to be purchased, gifts need to be wrapped, travel plans made, events organized and attended. And then, around December 17th I start feeling a knot in my stomach because the pressure is simply becoming too much.
Maybe I’m alone in feeling this way. Or maybe you feel this way at some point during the month of December too.
I think there’s a reason we feel so much pressure during these days. It’s because Christmas is a big deal. Now, I’m not talking about the commercial big deal of Christmas. I mean, Christmas is a big deal. It celebrates what is tied for the event marked as the biggest deal of all time–Christ’s birth. God coming to Earth in human form. {The event tied with this is Christ’s resurrection. And, for the record…this is referencing Amy’s Personal Book of Big Deals.}
With this really big deal in mind, it’s no wonder these become days filled with activity. This is a season of giving because God first gave to us. This is a season of celebration because God gave us a reason to celebrate. This is a season of outreach because the joy and excitement of Christmas is contagious, which makes it a great time to win hearts and share the Good News.
A lot of effort goes into Christmas. Because it’s a big deal.
But before you go off and tell everyone you know that I said Christmas is all about giving loads of gifts, getting new toys and eating until even your stretchy pants feel tight, let me add a few more thoughts.
We have to remember to focus our business, our celebrations, and even our shopping on the reason Christmas is so monumental–Christ. Through all that we do during this season {and the others as well} we must remember that, “…whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“ {Colossians 3:17}
So all those parties–attend them, but only if you can do it in the name of the Lord. Go and have fun. Show uncontainable joy that looks out of place at an office Christmas party…because you are celebrating more than a Christmas bonus and a few days off–you are celebrating the moment everything changed. The moment God came to Earth. The moment the prophecy was fulfilled. The moment God made it possible to have a personal relationship with Him–no animal sacrifice required.
Buy the gifts, shop your heart out. But do it joyfully, knowing your gifts are a small symbol of the best gift ever given. Wrap them up and even add bows if you like…use those gifts as a tool to open conversation about the heart and attitude behind the gifts.
As I’ve spent time thinking about Christmas this year, my heart has been drawn to John 3:17. I think it sums the whole thing up pretty well:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
That’s the Christmas story in a nutshell. Sure, there were angels and songs and kings and a journey and a barn–those are details, this is the main point.
This verse is significant because it dispels any notion of ulterior motive. Until Christ’s birth, God coming to our planet was often a terrifying and wrathful thing. The Israelites didn’t even want to hear God’s voice, because they were sure that encounter would cause them death. {Exodus 20} People knew He is great and they were sinful. Since sin entered the world, the human race feared not only God on Earth, but also His messengers. Think of all the stories that tell of angels being met with awe and terror. {Matthew 28, Luke 1:30}. Deep down, the human race knows it should fear, because it should be condemned and judged.
John 3:17 spells out God’s intentions. Jesus didn’t come to wipe out the mess, to tell us that we will never be good enough for God. Just the opposite. He came to save us. To tell us that He loves us, He knows us, and He wants to be with us. It’s a huge gift, totally free. He didn’t come to ask us to be perfect, but simply to love Him. And when we love Him, really and truly, it becomes easier to do everything, even Christmas, even shopping, even travel, even overbooked schedules in His name and for His glory.
Maybe take a minute tonight to refocus on the big deal that is Christmas. Remember why it’s such a big deal. Let that reality sink in. I’m going to take some time tonight to let that knot that’s started to form unwind…to wipe away the pressure of man–to make things sparkly and over the top for the sake of appearance–and cover my attitude with the joy of Christ’s arrival. Let your knot unwind too, and let the next 8 days pass by with insurmountable, unspeakable joy.
by Amy | Dec 16, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living, The Art of the Moment
When Jessica got in touch with me to ask if I’d be willing to do a photo session for her and a group of friends I was immediately excited. I know this group. I like this group. They are 100% fun.
In Jessica’s initial message asking about the session she told me that they wanted to capture this unique season in life. Young, unmarried, most of them living away from family. In a lot of ways this group of friends has become family. And that’s a magical, special thing. Maybe as you scroll through these images you’ll see a piece of yourself and your own friends looking back at you. I hope you’ll smile as you remember those good times with the family that didn’t share your DNA. Or that you’ll feel especially grateful for your own amazing friends. Or that you’ll pick up your phone and send a message {or actually place a call} to a friend from a season in your life that has come and gone. Moments are special and relationships are gifts worth cherishing…a big thanks to every single member of this group for letting me hang out and capture the art of this moment for you.
You might be wondering what it is about these people that is so dear to me. Well…let me tell you. As you can tell by that list I wrote up of things to do in-and-around Minot this winter, I like doing things. And I like people who do things. This group does things. They go out, they stay in, they are welcoming and hospitable to new-to-the-area folks and {correct me if I’m wrong} the Minot Young Adult Facebook group sprung from this very gang.
I simply adore that these antlers were worn constantly during the session.
This was a VERY windy, very snowy, very cold day. But what is a full length, Practically Canadian, Christmas photo session without a few outdoor shots? So, we watched the window carefully. And when the snow and wind had calmed enough that we could actually see more than a pure sheet of white…we bundled up and braved the cold. It was very brave.
Then they literally ran back inside for more cookie making. I’ve never seen so much raw cookie dough consumed in one sitting before. I’m not judging. I’m not even mad…I’m impressed. Oh, and please notice the amazing cookie cutter shapes they had.
by Amy | Dec 12, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Projects
Over the last month or so, I’ve been busily putting together Christmas gifts…in an effort to keep from losing my mind at the very end. All in all, it’s going well. I just have one more gift to put together, then I’ll call it good. And while what I’ll be showing you today doesn’t exactly have to be a gift it’s nice to have on hand and does make a lovely present for someone moving to a cold climate, a college student, or that person on you list who has a loooong commute.
{Image via}
Today, we are talking a DIY winter emergency car kit.
This idea surfaced the week of Thanksgiving when I realized my own winter emergency car kit had been depleted of some of its necessities. My kit was, fittingly, given to me as a gift by my dad when I left for college. I think he even gave it to me for Christmas my freshman year. Even though it is winter appropriate, I’ve left in my car year-round since I got it. Luckily I haven’t needed the major stuff…but I regularly burn through some of the smaller items, at which point I replace them.
When my parents were in town for the holiday, I asked my dad for tips on restocking my kit and making a second kit–for Derek’s car. You see, he’s kind of an emergency preparedness guru. For a while he was our county’s Emergency Management Coordinator. Even now, his work involves creating plans for the “what ifs” of life. It’s safe to call him a trustworthy and expert source.
The following in a list he put together for me. It is formatted in order of importance with the necessities first and the “nice-to-haves” toward the end. Start with an empty backpack. If you are making this for yourself, just use what you have on hand. If it’s being given as a gift, splurge for new, or like-new, items.
1. First Aid Kit. This should have supplies for treating injuries {bandages, gauze, cold compress, aspirin, antiseptic ointment, etc.} as well as medications needed/taken by you and your family, or personal hygiene items custom to you {prescriptions, extra glasses, spare contacts, etc.} The Red Cross sells ready made first aid kits, or you can pick one up at a local drug store.
2. Cell Phone Charger. Keep a spare phone charger in the car that can plug in to the cigarette lighter.
3. A Gallon of Water. Don’t store it in an old milk jug. Instead, keep it in unopened bottles, empty/washed pop liters. Don’t fill bottles all the way to the top. Leave some space as the water will expand if it freezes.
4. Food. Keep about a three day supply. This doesn’t mean you need a ton of food…just some high calorie, high nutrient items, like protein bars. Clif Bars are a great choice.
5. Flashlight. Don’t store batteries in the flashlight. Instead, store them in a separate, unopened container and update them regularly as cold temps can deplete their power.
6. Waterproof Matches. Get the strike-anywhere variety and keep a stash of them in an old prescription bottle. This will keep them from scattering at the bottom of your bag and it will keep them dry. Heat is vital to surviving a winter car catastrophe. Matches can provide heat. You can burn the candles {that you’ll put in the kit in a minute}, or–if needed–items in your vehicle.
7. Candle in a Can. Dad recommends putting several candles in a coffee tin with a plastic, seal-able lid. The can will offer a place to keep your fire safe and will keep your candles dry.
8. Emergency Blanket. A blanket or sleeping bag that can compress is ideal for your winter car kit. I really like these compression bags, made for backpacking, that help pack a sleeping bag or blanket into a very small, tight bundle.
9. Extra Clothing. These can be things that were headed to the Goodwill. Bigger is better than smaller in this case. Put in a coat/sweatshirt {fleece is good since it repels water}, hat, sturdy gloves, socks, boots, a rain poncho, and a compact towel.
10. Tools. Add a multipurpose tool like this one, traction pads for stuck tires, a small {but sturdy} shovel, an axe, plastic sheeting or tarp, and duct tape. If you can’t find traction pad, or don’t want to buy them you can pack a gallon bag of clay cat litter instead.
Dad also added these nice-to-have items.
11. A battery powered, or hand-crank radio–a weather radio, if possible.
12. Extra batteries.
13. A written list of family contact information–in case your phone dies and you don’t have the numbers memorized, or if help arrives and needs to know who to contact.
14. Extra cash.
15. A state map.
16. Playing cards.
by Amy | Dec 11, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Gathering, The Art of Living
This year I’m celebrating my golden birthday. 28 on the 28th of December. I know it hasn’t quite happened yet…but with a birthday that close to Christmas, I’m usually worn out, full of over eating, or on the road driving cross country on the actual day. This year, this golden year, I was determined to make sure my birthday rocked.
I told Derek the only thing I wanted was tickets to the White Christmas Ball in Denver. Yes, that’s an extravagant request. But I wanted it so bad. And, Derek is amazing. So we went. And it was fabulous. The best party I’ve ever been to. The best birthday gift I’ve ever gotten.
{It should be noted that photos being shared in this post were mostly not taken by me…as I was determined to enjoy the moment instead of documenting it. You can click the images to go to their sources. Most of them are from the fabulous Sheila Broderick Photography. The ones that look really cruddy were–no doubt–taken on my phone.}
You might be wondering what the White Christmas Ball is and how I came across it. By now, you should know that I’m an expert at finding really fun things to do. It’s just a knack I have. When something amazing in mentioned to me, I file it away in my beady little brain and pull it out at just the right time. In this case, I heard of this little ditty from a friend while we were shopping at Minot’s city wide garage sale. She saw a 1940’s military cap and said it’d be perfect for the 1940’s Ball. I have that moment, and Google to thank for getting me to Denver last weekend.
This event is actually an off shoot of the 1940’s Ball. A non-profit summer event in Denver that celebrates the Greatest Generation with a…1940’s themed ball. The White Christmas Ball is the winter side of things. The 1940’s Ball is a nonprofit organization, whose proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and the Spirit of Flight Center in Colorado.
Okay, back to the ball. I think the thing I love most about this event is that it is attended by participators. People who are willing to commit to the theme, come in era-appropriate dress, and have a great time. As soon as we walked in to the venue, the atmosphere started to swallow me up. The Christmas decor, the lighting, the 1000 guests all beautifully dressed, and the amazing live music threw off an aura of warm, cozy, Christmas fun just waiting to be had.
The even staff does a great job of making sure there is lots to see and do. There is a vintage vendor fair, touting retro clothing and nostalgic memorabilia. Food trucks with some of the best mac ‘n’ cheese I’ve ever consumed. A huge dance floor. Continual live music, only occasionally broken up by live entertainment. Attire contests. Photo stations. Beautiful pro-photos from Cake and Knife Photography. And when your feet are tired of dancing {or for those of us still nursing a somewhat bad back…} there was a movie theater that played White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, and The Glenn Miller Story.
{via Sheila Broderick}
{via Sheila Broderick}
My second favorite thing about this event is that it’s full of people who know how to have a good time. They dance because they like it, not because they are peer pressured into it. And no one needs to be drunk to make their way to the dance floor. Was alcohol available? Sure, but it wasn’t the center of the party. I respect that. I like that. As a girl who never mixes drinking and dancing {my dancing is plenty crazy without the extra influence}, I love being surrounded by people who can have an uninhibited great time–and this party was full of them. There were even a handful of WWII vets cutting a rug with pretty girls on the floor. That’s an image I’ll never forget.
For those that weren’t up for dancing themselves, there were several great live performances to watch. And wish you could move like that. The group below, 23 Skidoo, rocked my world.
{via Sheila Broderick}
{via Sheila Broderick}
And what’s a White Christmas party without a few numbers from the movie?
At one point we stopped to take a photo with a Christmas Story vignette and a gal from 9News saw us. She took this photo and put it up on the station’s website along with others from the night.
{via 9News}
I really cannot say enough good things about the bands that played. Amazing! Just amazing. Toward the end of the night Rat Pack impersonators did a set with the The Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra. Hands down my favorite music of the night. These guys were so perfect it was trippy.
{via Sheila Broderick}
{via Sheila Broderick}
The only thing that was a little off was this large, mustached man who appeared on stage with “Bing Crosby” and introduced himself as “Danny Kaye.” I’m thinking there must have been some last minute change of plans…because he looked nothing like the limber, leggy, ginger we all know and love.
But really, who cares? Because while they were on stage they did a balloon drop!
{via Sheila Broderick}
Seriously this was an amazing night. A night so good it made up for every disappointing, lackluster New Year’s Eve I’ve ever spent. This is the greatest party I’ve ever been to. And I’m convinced it’s the closest I’ll ever come to the real Columbia Inn in Pine Tree, VT. So, thank you, thank you, thank you to the 1940’s Ball team for putting on such a great event.
And outside the venue–the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum–was a bedazzled B-52. So…yeah…
by Amy | Dec 10, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living
As the winter really settles in over Practically Canada, the grumbling tends to start. Oh, boy…here comes six months of frozen misery. For those that don’t complain {especially for those newish to the area} it can be a very uncertain time. What do you do all winter? It’s true, activities do have to be altered a bit, and you might need to get creative. However, this doesn’t have to be a time of woes and frostbite.
I’ve put together a quick list of 30 awesome things you can do right here in Practically Canada to fill these winter months. Some are Christmasy and time sensitive…those are first. Others are here until the thaw. And if this isn’t enough, you can review last year’s list of 40 fun things to do during the cold season. Here we go…37 Things to do in Minot this winter. {Maybe it’s better to say…in and around Minot…but you get the idea…}
1. It’s a Wonderful Life, a radio play–put on by the MSU theatre department. I love this story and tickets are cheap–only $6 for adults. More info here. Runs 12/11-14
2. Minot Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert–I’ve never heard a negative word breathed about the MSO. Their holiday concert will feature Christmas classics, followed by select scenes from the Nutcracker {performed by the Rinat Mouzafarov Institute of Dance & Ballet Theater}. More here. Concert 12/11
3. Historical Society Christmas Tea–This is the first year that the Minot Historical Society will be hosting an old fashioned Christmas Tea and Caroling. Will it be spectaular? I don’t know. It’s the first year. But I do know that events only get better if they are supported by the community. And I know that it’s better than sulking at home because you hate winter. So give it a try, and sip some tea, darn it. Tea on 12/13 2-4pm
image via
4. See the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train roll through town. Bundle up for one of my favorite holiday events! Music, dazzling lights, a concert, and {of course} an appearance from Santa. See their website here for complete dates and details. It rolls through Minot on 12/16.
5. Drive through Oak Park to see light displays. It’s not the Girswold house, but it’s still fun to see all the lights, and kiddos love it! Just a $5 donation per car that supports the Sertoma Club of Minot. Runs through 12/31. Info here.
6. Catch a concert from the Minot Chamber Chorale. See dates here.
7. Skate at the Maysa Arena. Rental is cheap and skating is cheap too. Check here for open skating hours.
8. Get skating lessons at Maysa Arena from the Magic City Figure Skating Club. Learn a new winter skill. Go to their website for links to coaches, classes and events.
9. Skate for free on weekends at the State Fair Grounds! You heard me. If you own skates it is FREE. Otherwise, just pay rental. Details here.
10. See a play by the Mouse River Players. Schedule here.
11. Paint along with a local artist at the Taube Museum’s “Paint the Town Red” series. Here’s their website, but the most current dates aren’t up. I have {from a good source} that painting classes are happening on Dec 16, Jan 27 and Feb 24. You have to register, so call them to be sure.
12. Take a class or simply pop in and paint ceramics at Margie’s Art Glass Studio. {During December she’s offering fused ornament and glass blowing ornament classes.}
13. Learn to cook something cool at a class from Gourmet Chef.
14. Take your kids to story time with Ms. Danielle at Main Street Books. They offer several day time story times through the week and an evening story time on the first Thursday of the month.
15. Cross country ski in Minot at Oak Park, or at Lake Metigoshe State Park, or Cross Ranch State Park.
16. Escape for the weekend by renting a cabin…like we did last winter. The North Dakota tourism site has this list of 7 great, cozy cabin getaways.
17. Ski at Huff Hills or the Bottineau Winter Park.
18. Tube the lazy way at Bottineau Winter Park {a conveyor belt pulls you back to the top of the hill!}
19. Take the kids to Minot’s “Discovery Center,” the first phase of a permanent children’s museum. Admission is only $4. Supporting this mini-museum will help raise funds for a bigger, awesome, permanent museum for Minot’s curious kiddos.
20. Sled with the locals at the hill at Magic City Campus {Minot High}
21. Build your own hot cocoa at Sweet & Flour. It’s the best in town.
22. Go to open mic night at the Beaver Brew. Check their website for dates.
23. Get midnight breakfast, or what is rumored to be Minot’s best milkshake at Schatz Crossroads. Yes it is a truck stop. Yes, the locals have told me it’s a well kept secret and totally worth hitting up.
24. Learn to curl! The Minot curling season has already started, but you can contact the club to arrange an event for your organization or private party. Or, stop in and watch a game from the club house.
25. Stay in and read. Did you know Minot’s public library offers eBooks? You know what that means? You can check out a book for your eReader right from the library website. No cold air exposure whatsoever. Getting a library card is as easy as showing proof that you live here.
image via
26. Learn to dog sled. Yes, you heard me right. Visit Prairie Isle’s website for more.
27. Catch a class at the Minot Adult Learning Center. They offer all kinds of classes, from PowerPoint to yoga to watercolor…it’s a little known resource that offers lots of fun stuff. Some classes are one session and let you walk away with a finished product, like a wreath, pie, or paining. Here is the fall schedule to give you an idea of what is offered. New classes will start early in 2015. If you have a skill you’d like to share, they are always looking for good instructors.
28. Go to a hockey game. The Minotauros play all winter long. Schedule here.
29. Go to a game at MSU. It might not be the Big 10, but it’s still fun to take in a college game every now and then.
30. No gym membership? No problem. Get your cardio in at the MSU dome. It’s open to the public for walking and jogging. Mom’s even bring strollers…or just let their little ones jog ahead to wear them out. It’s totally free, and a great way to get out and be active while the world around us looks like Elsa’s been turned loose on it. Here‘s the public walking schedule.
31. Get your laser tag on at Planet Pizza. It’s a pretty good set up. If you go on a week night, or after 9pm…you’ll hit a sweet spot when there is no line of sweaty middle schoolers. Also, if there isn’t a line and you joke with the attendant, chances are he’ll give you bonus minutes of playing time.
32. Ice fish. Now, I’ll be honest. I’ve never been…and I don’t have a deep desire to try it. However, a friend called me out last night for not including it on the list. She loves it. And this winter time only activity does, indeed, deserve to be on the list. Woodland Resort has full equipment rentals. They are in Devil’s Lake, not too far from Minot.
33. Pretend it’s summer with indoor water slides at Splashdown Dakota.
34. Go bowling. Bowling is fun…but no one ever thinks about bowling. Minot only has one alley, but it’s big, smoke free and it turns galactic-glow-in-the-dark on weekends. Games are reasonable. And they offer a military discount. So…yeah. Here’s the North Hill Bowl site.
image via
35. Take a weekend trip to Fargo to explore the city and catch a flick at the historic Fargo Theatre. They feature a classic film series, indie movies, foreign films {they showed Belle!!}, and movies that don’t always make it to Minot. The theatre also boasts live performances too.
36. Rent snowmobiles and go riding. A rental place is tricky to come by, but…if you are military you can rent on base. I haven’t found a rental place for civilians yet. If you know of one–leave it in the comments.
37. Skate outdoors at Corbett Field or Polaris Park. The rinks are open now, and warming houses will be open as of December 15th.
PS–you should also follow the Things to Do in Minot page. They are the BEST at keeping me filled in on what’s happening.
by Amy | Dec 8, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Art
I’ve struggled for years to come up with an answer for this question: What do you do? Or…from the especially confused: So what exactly is it that you do?
I still don’t know how to put it into words. I do all kinds of things. Lots and lots of random things for lots of people, and lots of causes. And that’s fine. I like it that way. Even as the photography season slows down a bit, I’ve been plenty busy with the million and one other fun opportunities that Practically Canada is throwing my way.
One such awesome, fun, random activity was the Wild About Water Festival that happened a few weeks ago. Before Thanksgiving even. I know, shame on me for not getting this post up sooner. What is the Wild About Water Festival? In short, it’s a program for elementary school students that teaches them about all things water. Water in our bodies, how it effects health, ecosystem stuff, the water cycle, water shed, flooding, river history…you get the picture.
The next thing you are probably wondering, is how I fit into this equation. If you’ve spent time with me you know I’m not especially sciency. I’m a lot of things…but I’m no Bill Nye. So, you can probably imagine my surprise when the kind folks from Ackerman Estvold, a local engineering firm, contacted me about doing a short, art-centered presentation for the even. I was a little nervous, but I love kiddos and a kind word from the Minot Area Council of the Arts seemed to have given them confidence in my abilities, even if I’m not a rocket scientist. So I agreed. And…Just like that, I can now add “5th Grade Science-Art-Speaker Thing” to my list of skills. I think it should go between Nesquick mascot guide and Christmas tree shearer. {Both real, paying jobs that I’ve held at one time or another.}
I spent the weeks between our meeting and the festival preparing a short spiel about the basic natural water cycle…and pairing that spiel with a talk-and-draw mural that progressed with my words. I’d go through the steps of the water cycle, drawing a landscape and coloring it in with water color crayons {which are totally awesome BTW}.
Then, when the cycle was ready to start over, I swapped crayons and marker for water and a sponge. This time I asked the 5th graders {a multi-hundred crowd that although young and adorable also wielded the ability to make me a little nervous} to shout out the steps as I used the water to bring our drawing to life…because water brings things to life. Get it?
I had two major prayers going in. One, that the other adults there–history teachers, water treatment employees, and others who seemed much more legit than me–wouldn’t tell me afterwards that I’d gotten the cycle totally wrong and ruined hundreds of children’s water education. And two–that the kids wouldn’t think I was horribly lame.
I think we can all remember an elementary school presentation that was awful and the topic of recess mockery after it was over. I didn’t want to be that girl.
I must have practiced my water cycle talk a hundred times in the days leading up to the festival. I’d make Derek listen to it before bed. I’d say it in the shower. I’d recite it while I drove. On the big day, my palms were a little sweaty when I started. And I’m sure I messed up a couple times. But things went fine. The kids were impressed when the crayon turned to water color paint. Some even stopped me afterward to tell me that 1) “That was awesome. and 2) I talk like Princess Anna from Frozen. {I get that a lot–it’s an odd compliment.} And the grown ups seemed to think it was pretty okay too.
I had an amazing time. All of it was fun–from getting to know the folks at Ackerman Estvold, learning up on water, making new friends, and having the opportunity to draw, talk and joke with a crowd of kids…to learning the water cycle in a new way. I love art, and I’m very glad the Minot community strives to make it a part of the education experience. I’m so happy to have been a part of the Wild About Water Festival. Sharing my very varied skill set to do as much as I can, for as many as I can, for as long as I can is my heart’s greatest desire. And I thank all involved for letting me share in this amazing and important event.
**PS–a big thanks to Ackerman Estvold for giving me photos from the day!
