MINOT | NORTH DAKOTA LIFESTYLE
living our best life in Practically Canada. let's carve out space for your mind to breate.
As a military spouse, I’ve spent my entire adult life being “not from around here.” By nature, I resist change at all costs–I long for roots, familiarity, and a lasting place to call home. My life has led me down a path that makes those ideals far-fetched.
Instead, I’ve become a specialist at integrating myself into a community. Minot, ND–a place I didn’t know existed before we were ordered to move there–has become my muse. Minot, AFB is often called one of the Air Force’s “worst” assignmets, but I find it utterly charming in the best, and quirkiest ways.
The following articles contain practical information on living in Minot, or have appeared in my popular opinion column, “She’s Not From Around Here,” which chronicles the nuances of small-town life, marveling at the goodness of humanity, and weaving the kind of stories worth telling.
Not A Vacation Destination | She’s Not From Around Here
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...
Creative Kindness | Good Ideas
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...
Trash Christmas | Spring Cleanup Week
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...
Prom in Hot Dish Land | She’s Not From Around Here
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,...
Life in Hot Dish Territory | She’s Not From Around Here
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 —...
Lighter Days | She’s Not From Around Here
Amy Allender [Photo: Amy Allender] Light at the End of the Cold, Dark Tunnel I think the darkness is harder to bear than the cold. Everyone who comes to Minot thinks about the cold. Everyone dreads the cold. Everyone talks about the cold. But very few mention the...
Participation and Enthusiasm | She’s Not From Around Here
I’ve always been an eager participator; I think that’s why I feel so at home in Minot. It’s a community of participators. Need someone to join in? Chances are I’ll raise my hand. Power of Participation On Monday, I went to the Soggy Doggy Pool Paw-ty at Roosevelt Park...
Cream of Mushroom Soup | She’s Not From Around Here
A sign that survival instincts have kicked in across Hot Dish Territory [Photo: Amy Allender] Hot Commodity in Times of Trouble We’ve got to talk about the blizzards one more time. Just once more. Then I’m done. Unless, of course we get another blizzard. If we get a...
The Honor Code | She’s Not From Around Here
I’ve never been robbed. Not really. There have been two instances in which something of mine was stolen. They are as follows: Once, at a pumpkin patch in Delaware, I painted a small pumpkin that came complimentary with each corn maze admission. I brushed on...
NoDak Bar Culture and the Perfect Bar Recipe |She’s Not From Around Here
There may be no perfect answer, but I have found the perfect bar recipe Midwest Bar Culture “Are you willing to bring a pan of bars for the after-funeral luncheon?” This sentence was written in a now nearly-decade-old email. As I read and reread that...
The Secret to Thriving Where You Live | She’s Not From Around Here
Today, I’m going to tell you a secret. To understand the secret, you’ll need to know the question I’m asked most often: “Why do you insist on liking Minot so much?”
Hot Dish Land | She’s Not From Around Here
Finding fun There are very few things I enjoy hearing less than the words, “There’s nothing to do in Minot.” I’ve spent the last three years intentionally combating this phrase, and the negativity that comes with it. Before a new transplant arrives in Minot,...
