I’m good, how are you?!!

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Mama Carp

Well, for starts –the snow is finally gone; the lake is back in action and mowing the lawn never felt so good! Yes, I love to mow the yard- Craig is not allowed too lol! I throw on my music and its mindless work with instant gratification. Spring was misplaced this year and summer is turning out to be the same- WHAT IS GOING ON MINNESOTA?!!!! I’m not into the super-hot temp’s and especially not the humidity but its June and a sweatshirt seams kinda wrong.

Well, I have lots to update you with….

The gardens: This year Tyler & I brought Chelsie with us to the garden center…. Chels was not quite into the whole garden thing and Tyler was annoyed at her for rushing him. Too funny! Once we brought her out to the seedling area (the nifty pre-grown stuff) she started to get it- this could be cool. The funniest part of that trip was after we had a cart full of what would be her & Ryan’s very first garden -Chels (who understandably has been a little stressed with finishing their house and yard, the wedding and she’s a manager for a pretty big shoe store) looks at the cart and says “Thanks Mom!!! … Finally something I can control!!! And then there’s the “little “brother a few aisles away that nonchalantly and quite loud says – “- No its not” The women in the garden center around us were rolling!!!! That was some good stuff! And he’s right; last year my garden got the only heavy rain of the whole summer 2 days after I planted it! How sad was that?!!

The first garden to go in was Chels & Ryan’s- (Tyler helped by taking a nap….) it went together fast and she was so proud!

Tyler took to gardening like a fish takes to water! Well, like my sister Jo said, it is in his DNA…

He needed no help and he had fun changing it up from what we did last year. That’s what so awesome about gardening – you have all winter long here in Minnesota to figure out what you want to do in the spring : )

I have to say the joy I felt in my heart from watching the kids is amazing to me! To know that Craig & I taught them a little something is just so unbelievably cool!

My garden is in too…. It took me a little longer because I am back at it again- Yes, Miss Allie just closed on her first home. This particular foreclosure took 3 months to get…. That was a long wait. We went to her closing together & met up with Chelsie for a celebratory lunch <3

So, life just got a little bit busier for me….. And… this will be the first house that we’re refurbishing since I started this blog! So, I thought it would be fun to take you with as we put this sweet house back together- what do you think?!

Sometimes there are just no answers

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Mama Carp

I’m sorry it’s been so long…my Dad passed away on May 17^th, 2013.

Richard Francis Pollock- he was 90 years old.

I am the baby of the family. So many people love to tease us “babies”- that we’re spoiled, got the most attention or got away with murder…

Here’s what I have to say to that- As a parent -by the time you figure out that it’s your last kid, you tend to try to hold onto every little last thing ( it’s just so cute)… and you tend to get the camera out a little more and you’re slightly tired from disciplining the prior kids -so. be.it But the truth? The biggest sad fact about being the youngest is that you get the least amount of time with your parents (my mom was 38 and dad was 43 when I was born) And if things aren’t great between the parents after all of the “raising the kids” years -you get the worst of their marriage. I cannot and will not speak on behalf of my siblings- I don’t want to hurt my dad’s character as well. But I can tell you it was probably the worst week for me after he died. It is so sad for me to say that I was disowned at 15- I answered a question of his wrong. This way of life between him and I was still bad to the night before I was married at 23. Father Reiser pulled me aside and told me the most powerful words I have ever heard- “Forgiving someone does not mean what they did was right” It was a twist on how I could comprehend our situation. I am happy to say that my dad walked me down the aisle the next day- I kissed him before I joined Craig and I will never forget the feeling I experienced at that moment- it was a euphoric high and I was free. Craig never understood what was going on between my dad & I… he came from a huge family ( he’s #10 of 11 kids) and had the most incredible loving parents – what I had was ugly and stupid and made no sense. Craig urged me to try to fix it. The long heartfelt letter I wrote to my dad was not enough- I received a letter 3 days later that broke my heart- nothing was resolved, he would not meet my kids. Craig knew I tried.

It’s been 35 years now and I am guilty of not going to see him to try to make things right. I am so happy that he was cared for by my oldest sister Jackie- I am so grateful to her and her husband John for all the hard work these past few years as he fell into dementia. This is all so sad and inexcusable. There are just no answers. When I got the phone call that he was gone I sadly felt nothing. That’s just not right. I called my mom crying because I felt like such a bad person. My daughter Allie just held me and her words of such young wisdom were right – I felt he’d been gone a long time ago. The next few days were filled with solid prayer and serious soul searching. I knew that by praying to the Holy Spirit that I would hopefully get some kind of answer so I could say good bye to him properly. I walked out into my kitchen Wednesday night and there it was in all its beauty- an absolutely incredible sunset and another twist of words whispered into my heart- that my dad was the one that was finally “free” – Free of a horrid spirit that tore a family apart – and with that I was free as well. I was so happy for him- my heart was given an answer that I had not ever figured out. I put together two of the most beautiful picture boards for his funeral– Craig was proud of me. Friday morning the 5 of us kids – all together for the first time since my wedding, along with our mom attended a beautiful send off. It’s so hard to have so many thoughts and emotions flood your head – good, bad and yes, ugly. Standing out at the grave site I stood alone- the sun was pouring down so warm and beautiful on my face- and I knew that I was ok <3

I will never ever have the answers to why this was such a failed relationship. I thank God for giving me him for my dad because I am here with traits that are inherently his. Through all the bad times I believe that I am a better person for it- I am strong, I love hard , I am funny & creative- I am an advocate for young kids and broken down houses.

Dad, I love you – I wish you would have met my kids… and me. Be free <3

(and yes; I saw the two twigs in the sign of the cross on my chair Friday morning in the veranda- nice touch <3)

Love always, Teri

“In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never know when you may not have that chance again” (Thanks Cathie <3)

“Gardening is grocery shopping for the future”

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Mama Carp

With every house we redo, there is always some kind of fun discovery. In the spring of 2011 my son Tyler bought his first house (flip #7) It had been previously owned by a little old couple for 60 years…and behind those overgrown trees in his backyard we found a 60 year old organic garden! Oh my goodness-we come from a long line of gardeners… how cool is this?!

It took the entire summer to make this little house into Tyler’s home (away from home) We finished just in time for him to attend the University of Minnesota for Mechanical Engineering in the fall. Although we are not ready with the pictures of his house we couldn’t wait to share with you his very first garden. In the following spring we rototilled and discovered 2 feet of rich black dirt- I knew this garden was going to be something else!!! When I asked Ty what he wanted to grow he said he didn’t want just tomatoes and cucumbers- he wanted to try to grow things that were different. Off we went to the store and we had such a fun time <3 My favorite memory that day… while I was pushing the cart, Ty walks up behind me and with a muffled mouthful says “Ma – YOU GOTTA TRY THIS!!” I turned around asking him what in the world he was eating … he was holding a tray of baby spinach plantings- lol -oh how I love him!!! So in the cart they went, well, what was left of them…. It was a hot day- we transplanted his 9 rhubarb plants to the other side against the garage, and then planted his garden. I took his picture- I was so proud! I told him that I couldn’t wait to take a picture again at the end of summer to see the goodness that had grown.

I knew with his summer classes that watering and weeding would be tough for him to squeeze in…. Allie & I stopped in to see him and to check on the garden- it was amazing to say the least…

His 8 heirloom tomatoes were so big & heavy they bent all their cages! The tomatillo plant turned into a “tree”, the age old morning glory took over everything else- and the pumpkins took on a life of its own!

Beets, carrots, Swiss chard, 2 different spinach, sugar snap peas, climbing beans, artichokes, zucchini, acorn squash, pie pumpkins, giant pumpkins, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, jalapenos, tomatillos, and that’s just what I can remember…..

Yes, those are peanuts! My Grandma Metz taught me this way when I was little; it was fun repeating the lesson!

Tyler had an amazing harvest! He had a lot of fun with this and when I asked him what he thought of doing it again this year he said “Ma-of course! Gardening is grocery shopping for the future” He has a valid point! As soon as Ty has a little free time I made him promise me that he would share his recipe for his rhubarb cocktails- they must have been delicious…. He actually ran out of rhubarb (9 plants?!!) Until then, plant a seed & give it some love <3

She has eyes in the back of her head-

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Mama Carp

I have always been spooked out with that adage about “Moms have eyes in the back of their head” I have recently concluded that it’s really not true… I believe that they just have angels sitting backwards on their shoulders lol - I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Mother’s Day!!!

I needed to do a little something more than my usual sending flowers or gift certificate… my Mom is 86 after all. So I decided to pick her up and take her to one of my favorite garden places- Gertens. She was SO excited- she called me in the morning just to let me know she was ready to go lol. With Minnesota having such a looong winter this year I knew she had “cabin fever” She has heard me talking about my favorite place for a long time but it was a little further than she would ever drive and far too expansive of grounds for her to walk. BUT, I did know what her favorite flower was and I knew it was located in the first two isles in the entrance. This place is like going to the St. Fair lol… so I drove slowly to show her the different areas. She could not believe it! My Mom was a national African violet judge for years and a Master Gardener so this was food for the soul. Once in the wax begonia isle she was surrounded by every color and variety within that species. There is something so sweet about the role reversal as your Mom gets older- suddenly you’re the strong “adult” and they are the “younger” self that lives simply, appreciates everything and gets so excited to “pick one out” Just the way they hold their selection took me back to when I was a little girl at the dentist office. I had 8 silver caps – 2 in each corner of my mouth… and was not allowed to eat sticky hard candies because that would mean a trip back to the dentist. With all that work being done, Dr. Sweeney would always kiss me on my very round little cheek, remind me about the candy and out came the big foam tray holding a bazillion beautiful jeweled rings for being good… Picking one was always a big deal- I would hold my selection like it was straight from Tiffanies! This memory came rushing back as Mom stood there trying to pick out her favorite (s) in a rack of jeweled colors <3 She held each one so special. I snuck my camera in with us and surprised her with a picture to mark our memory. Thinking that a lunch date would make it perfect, she replied that subway or McDonald’s would be great… We went to AppleBee’s lol. I let her order for me, grilled Caesar salads and I added a delicious pretzel & beer cheese appetizer- something she would have never done. Funny thing she enjoyed that the MOST!! We laughed and had the best time ever just me & my Mom.

I believe that whether you have 11 kids or none at all… that every one of us women grows up to be a Mom. God gave us that ability to love beyond our wildest dreams, worry about everything possible, empathy and endless hugs when sickness or problems arise and the feeling of being so proud whether it’s something big or little. We wear many hats, and we all have a tattered cape that we wear each and every day. Maybe the gift of time is more significant than a plastic gift card. Bring your camera and make a memory… the picture will remind you of your time together and that is one thing you can hold on to when you can no longer hold on to them.

P.S. Mom, I’m sorry for all the times I ate the hard sticky candy …. And Mom, I love you more than you will ever know <3 Happy Mother’s Day, Teri

Pelicans on Forest Lake?

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Mama Carp

Thursday morning coffee at 7am came to a halt as I grabbed for my camera. I was staring out the window and could not believe my eyes- Pelicans-on Forest Lake?!!

I personally had never seen a pelican on Forest Lake…. I was sooooo excited!
My son found a link for the American White Pelican Migration.
It was absolutely amazing to see just how far they have traveled!
Here are a few pictures I took-

Saturday’s picture was just too cool- my loon and a pelican hanging out together-

White pelicans rebound, call Minnesota lakes and rivers home
Posted on May 8, 2012
By Rob Drieslein
There were no reports of nesting pelicans in Minnesota for 90 years, from 1878 until 1968. That was the year a nest was discovered at Marsh Lake, a reservoir of the Minnesota River at the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. From that one nest 44 years ago, the colony has grown to become the largest in the world, according to Carrol Henderson, DNR nongame program leader.
Pelicans will pioneer an area for years, even decades before nesting, but once one nest takes, the number expands almost exponentially. No known colonies exist on the Mississippi River yet.
Minnesota now has 22,506 pelican nests in 16 locations with 74 percent of them at Marsh Lake. There are also 1,300 pairs in the Lake of the Woods area and 1,200 pairs at Lake Johanna, plus smaller colonies scattered around the southern and western portion of the state.
“The Prairie Pothole Region of western Minnesota hosts 22 percent of the global population of this species, making it a stewardship species,” said Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer, DNR nongame wildlife specialist.
“Being a Species in Greatest Conservation Need in Minnesota helps to ensure the conservation and protection of these birds locally and also contributes significantly to their global conservation.”
Bigger than a bald eagle, pelicans can weigh 16 pounds and have a 9-foot wingspan. Henderson and others maintain that the large fish-eating birds mostly eat smaller fish and roughfish in shallow water. Unlike cormorants, which dive to catch their fish, pelicans aren’t targeting the deeper, fast-swimming.

From the recent DNR release on pelicans:
Pelicans winter along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Mexico and typically return to Minnesota in early spring. They leave each fall as lakes and rivers freeze. They are among the world’s largest birds and are easily recognized in flight. Wingspans up to nine feet, bright white plumage with black-edged wings and large, orange bills distinguish them from any other species.
“Pelicans often fly in evenly spaced lines or V formations,” Gelvin-Innvaer said. “Unlike swans or geese which fly with necks outstretched, pelicans fly with their necks doubled back against their shoulders. They often set up a rhythmic pattern of wing beats that ripple from the lead bird back to the end.”
The pelicans are highly social and live in large, dense colonies. They feed exclusively on small fish and crustaceans and will work together for a meal.
After yet another week of snow storms (yes, in May…) FINALLY we have ice out – Here are a few more pic’s from the week…..

“Fish Tales” from Forest Lake

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Mama Carp

With summer just around the corner, Forest Lake will soon be busy with boating, fishing & wakeboarding! If you happen to float by the house, give me a toot – one of us here would love to take a picture of your big “catch of the day”, a trick wakeboarding or a boat load of happy faces : )

Max Capra- summer 2012

I will post once a month all summer long of all the great pic’s I get-family, friends & visitors welcome!!

Minnesota’s April 2013- Fail….

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Mama Carp

Ok, so last year we were spoiled by an early spring, but come on! I don’t ever remember a spring this bad! We literally had no April- the joke definitely was on us. Well, not just us- the poor wildlife is having a tough time too! Even my cat has cabin fever….

Just when you think it’s safe to go outside, we get hit by another weather warning-

Miss Ruby just wants to do a little spring cleaning and find her buried treasures.

This last Sunday morning I saw the funniest thing- Yes, Miss Hunny and her man returned to check out their nest-

It looks as if they didn’t quite understand what was going on…

But the area was thoroughly checked out!

No eggs yet….

Mr. Eagle finally made his return-

- With no open water for fishing, then building a new nest would have to do.

But the saddest thing was this morning- I have a loon that faithfully spends his summer by the end of my dock <3 it is the sweetest part of my summers! But this morning I looked out and there he sat – in the snow and ice.

He kept looking back like I swear the dock is supposed to be right there…. I worry about him because he has a bum leg… I can’t wait to post of a great photo session I had with him from last summer! Soon- I promise : ) Until then, I hope we can all hang tight- hopefully in the next week the snow and ice will be gone, we can get out to do some yard work, bon fires, gardens & then the infamous mosquito season will be upon us….BBBzzzzzzzT !

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Flip #6- The Veranda

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Mama Carp

Back to flip #6- our house… So, to refresh your memory, here is the first picture of the back of the house, August, 2009.

The open arched windows on the left is everyone’s favorite room- the veranda.

Veranda- : a porch, usually roofed and sometimes partly enclosed, that extends along an outside wall of a building

Again, this house being a foreclosure and completely stripped, it was a perfect scenario for Craig & I. This next picture is also from the first day we were allowed to go in. As you can see it had plain 12 x12 tiles, no fans and very dirty. I did not take me long to put a couple lawn chairs out there … we only lived 3 streets away while we were working on this and when Craig couldn’t find me, he knew exactly where I was- with a cup of coffee, a quilt & a couple good cook books <3 This room of the house wasn’t part of the first 5? ( lol ) phases- so a cleaning up was all it got for the first couple of years.

The fans were installed the spring of 2011- just the look I wanted.

Craig surprised me in the fall of 2011. I came home and he had one of the tiles in his hand…. He said it was loose. I know the little boy look on his face when he did something naughty…. I looked out at the veranda and there were at least 12 tiles pulled up because they bugged him. Well, that was one area of this house I never thought that would get replaced. I WAS SO EXCITED. I absolutely love how we try to come up with how we would have it. I turned around and there the idea was- the back of the stove.

It was perfect- we set out the next day for a tile/lunch date. We had to move quickly on this as it was late October. We found exactly what we wanted and working against the weather was a trick.

There was a LOT of correction work needed to be done before we could have the new tile laid.

Yes, that’s a kitchen towel on my face…. So, guess what happens when there are strong gusty fall winds and there’s a window open somewhere in the house and you have the veranda door cracked open for the electrical cord?….

Yeah… after a morning working on grounding out the old floor came an afternoon of cleaning all the dust from the “vacuum” the house had created-thanks for helping Allie!

You gotta love how the kitties help out… I wish I could lay around and look cute.

After a few days of the new foundation setting up, the guys were ready to roll.

They were so awesome on how they got it to technically work out with the 3 drains. Not an easy task. After careful inspection, Miss Truffles gave it two paws up!

Next came the listello border and the remaining outside tiles and the grout.

All that was left for me to do was to put on a sealer. And out went the chairs! Unfortunately for the cold fall weather we would have to wait for spring to enjoy the new floor…. But we were very fortunate that the weather cooperated the way it did to finish the job!

Last spring, Craig bought me these beautiful window boxes for Mother’s Day!!! It was exactly what the back of the house needed – Thanks Hun <3

This is the favorite room of the family. I am able to take pictures from here that are pretty awesome-you can’t help but feel very blessed and fortunate.

Morning mist

Calm waters

Sunrise

And my Eagle pics <3 (this was from 3 days ago; he must be building a nest somewhere!)

And as much as all of us Minnesotans are really done with winter I thought I would share with you what our April looks like- Not Happy….. we were on the lake at this point last year-

I will be posting what we did to the front of this house very soon- until then, send us some sun and a heat wave!!! Love, t

“Untitled”

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Mama Carp

You know, sometimes it’s just amazing just where that inspiration comes from!

This quilt called “Untitled” by Karen K. Stone was started the day my Chelsie closed on her first house. Craig, Chelsie & I came out of her closing and walked right into a carpet place selling area rugs for “cheap cheap”. Going through the pile I recognized a rug that I had secretly been drooling over in a magazine. It was ½ the price and in the car it went for the first piece for Chelsie’s new home to be. I’m really pretty good at memorizing colors so through my fabrics I went. I decided to not only match up the area rug but pull in Chelsie’s personality and set the tone for my decorating. So much fun since carpet & paint and a million other components will come into play.

It took about 5 months to flip her house….(http://mamacarp.com/2012/12/30/flip-4-chelsies-house/)

Since I was pretty busy working on her house, the quilt was slooowly progressing. It actually went in my – ok, enough for now…. I’ll catchya’ later drawer.

A while passed and enter Mr. Ryan ♥

Now, a new flip house had evolved (we will show that flip eventually) Out came the quilt from my drawer and this time it was seriously time to get it finished.

It was taking on a really fun “tribal” vibe. Funny thing; Craig walked in my sewing room, looked at it and knew exactly who it was for lol- I’d say he’s getting pretty good!

It’s always a good feeling when it’s ready to go to the quilter. I added my own paper pieced border to make it bigger- it now measures 71” x 71”. This would be the first time that one of my quilts would be in the hands of Quilter Norma Riehm. I was so excited to see she possesses the same whimsy that I do!!! She did a beautiful job & excited to work with her again!

This Christmas Chelsie & Ryan got to see what I had been up to! I can’t wait to see it in their new living room… when we get a little further we will post the pic’s : )

Permanent Heart Resident

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Mama Carp

Have you ever met that one person that will forever inhabit your heart? Where no time or distance would matter in where you last left off?

One day, while in my back yard I met Dorothy. It was an immediate friendship. She had just moved into the neighborhood with her husband and three darling little boys. Her oldest, Patrick was in Chelsie’s grade, Michael her middle child was Tyler’s age & Kevin was a curly haired 2 year old. It was Michael’s birthday and they were walking through the backyard looking for new friends… Tyler’s birthday was only 1 day later- needless to say they also became best friends.

My kids adored Miss Dorothy! She was a Nintendo playing, fun loving Mom. At that time was the big beanie baby rush. Yes, we would travel high & low in our mini-vans trying to obtain the impossible- we put on many miles & downed many happy meals lol!

Fuddruckers was a favorite spot- we even had our own table : ) Fires in the backyard, birthday parties, Halloween and oh- my favorite- the 3 AM black Friday event. I had never done a “Black Friday” She convinced me to go. Three AM?! Yes, she pulled up in a truck that I hardly ever saw her drive- she saw the look on my face and said- you might want to grab a Dr. Pepper lol… All I have to say is I DO NOT DO BLACK FRIDAYS ANYMORE! That was insane. Never again.

Dorothy even took my kids for a week while Craig & I were on vacation- now that’s a good friend. Dorothy & I shared another thing that was so very special- our kitties were sisters from my Mother in laws first batch of Persians that she bred. She raised Jasmine and then also raised a sweet little kitty boy named Aladdin. I know the joy she had with them <3

Originally from Northern California, she married a military man from New York, New York. They traveled to Philippines, Hawaii and Japan. Eventually John retired from the military and was now working in management for Wal Mart. They ended up residing in Blaine, Minnesota.

She is an amazing cook and has this adventurous spirit. Dorothy LOVES to drive- she will just up and go Grand Canyon, the Black Hills or all the way back to California! She is the perfect Mom for three boys! And do they ever love their Mama- how could you not?!One day they got word that John was transferred to Wal Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. The day Dorothy moved was the worst. I cried for 3 weeks. She would pop in for a visit – yes- a straight 11 hour drive! The problem was that I HATED driving- I never reciprocated. She made a beautiful life for herself and her family there and even opened a business. Dorothy loves to embroider and makes many beautiful things!

Distance is tough on a relationship. Even though it wasn’t like it used to be, we see each other on facebook and occasionally catch up on the phone. Recently she walked me through the “smoking” process (ribs, brisket…yummmm)- just like the old days, teaching each other really cool things. Dorothy is one of the most caring, supportive and strong women I know. In the last few years she has lost a sister to Lung Cancer and more recently her twin brother to Kidney cancer last summer.

Dorothy & Don

We’re not that old to be losing siblings like that. She has made a few changes through the last few years- her long hair is short, she is an avid tennis player, traded in her mini-van for a red Camaro and also rides a motorcycle!

Nothing would surprise me, it’s that incredible free spirit that I will forever love about my friend Dorothy <3

Mama Carp

Creative Solutions & Inspiring Ideas

I’m good, how are you?!!

Sometimes there are just no answers

“Gardening is grocery shopping for the future”

She has eyes in the back of her head-

Pelicans on Forest Lake?

“Fish Tales” from Forest Lake

Minnesota’s April 2013- Fail….

Flip #6- The Veranda

“Untitled”

Permanent Heart Resident

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