I am gradually coming back down to earth after a memorable Thanksgiving! For the past 6 years we have celebrated hosting Ron's family for Thanksgiving but always with a bit of nostalgia curious about what the holiday would be like with my family. Wish granted! As always, I was thrilled that my two adult children, Auburn and Trey,could travel together from Auburn University and be home for the holiday. Auburn University is about 2 hours south of Atlanta so they usually drive to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and travel via Delta non-stop to MKE. It's an effort to get home, particularly as final exams loom in a matter of weeks. The end of their semester is December 10th so this trip in the middle of a busy time can be demanding. Thanks for coming home kids!
In addition to the Larson, Mundinger, and Seaman clans I had the good fortune of my own dad plus siblings, spouses, and their children being present the entire week. This is the first time in 10+ years that we have all been together in Wisconsin and had a cousin reunion on my side of the family. My husband will say, ever since it was decided in August that we would host, my thoughts had been preoccupied with recipes, food, housing, logistics...and did I say food? My sister and I channel my mom when it comes to hospitality and we will browse recipe ideas for hours, days and weeks before deciding on a menu.
In addition to the Larson, Mundinger, and Seaman clans I had the good fortune of my own dad plus siblings, spouses, and their children being present the entire week. This is the first time in 10+ years that we have all been together in Wisconsin and had a cousin reunion on my side of the family. My husband will say, ever since it was decided in August that we would host, my thoughts had been preoccupied with recipes, food, housing, logistics...and did I say food? My sister and I channel my mom when it comes to hospitality and we will browse recipe ideas for hours, days and weeks before deciding on a menu.
Although we have an ideal home for entertaintaining, we have just one guest room. My dad slept there while my sister and brother were agreeable to staying at hotels with their spouses. The teen cousins kindly adapted to air mattresses in the Pilates room and my 7 year-old nephew Colton even spent one night here before deciding Hardy Boy mystery books read by mom before bed provided the best slumber. I did enjoy putting together a couple of travel snack baskets filled with home-made chex mix, paleo granola, fruit, wine, Larabars and salt & vinegar almonds to ensure nobody went to bed hungry, whether at my house or hotel.
We ventured into West Bend's Main Street Wednesday morning both to get out of the house but also to check out my sister-in-law's graphic design products on display coincidentally at the West Bend Pilot. Amy developed Paperfinch Designs more than 10 years ago. Her products are sold in 50+ brick and mortar gift shops and boutiques across the country but also available via Etsy and her website. She specializes in, "Magical, meaningful items you can't find anywhere else. Unique goods curated for you." In addition, because she and my brother have the travel bug, she loves to highlight city skylines, maps, state symbols and more to help illustrate your life. A few years ago, my sister Shannon in Raleigh, NC created a wall in their home featuring some of Amy's unique artwork with a North Carolina theme. In the West Bend Pilot, the owner Beth had purchased brightly colored graphic designs of Wisconsin's state flower and state bird plus hand towels with the Wisconsin state logo. If you need Christmas gifts, whether an ornament, pillow, kitchen towel, stationery, or wall art, visit her Etsy store or website for amazing, unique ideas! paperfinch.com/
www.etsy.com/market/paperfinch
www.etsy.com/market/paperfinch
It was refreshing to bounce ideas back and forth between generations of family! Much like the entrepreuneurial spirit of Amy, my brother is equally adept with side-hustles, passions, and interests. Mike was one of the first classes to graduate from Auburn University with a degree in Management Information Systems in 1997. Since that time he has often worked as a self-employed, independent computer contractor with a variety of companies from the Wynn Hotel, to Oracle, to NAPA auto parts. It is a career that has served him well often from his own home-office. Years ago, long before VRBO and Air B&B's were in vogue, he created Scenicrentals.com. Eventually he was able to sell his site to a competitor. After moving with his family from Atlanta, GA to St. Pete, Florida to be closer to my parents in Homestead, Florida he organized the popular St. Pete-Clearwater Auburn Affiliate Alumni Group to satisfy his need to be connected with those who share a love of the Auburn Tigers. With hundreds of members and thousands of followers, he has hosted Auburn Watch Parties for years, currently at Sea Dog Brew Pub Treasure Island. There is no bigger day than today, The Iron Bowl! www.facebook.com/StPeteAuburnTigers
Working as a contractor, there is always the possibility that you may lose your contract due to a pandemic, market fluctuations, or simply complete a job and no longer be necessary to the employer. In addition to the fatigue that sometimes accompanies a 20+ year career, Mike felt it important to have a side-hustle. Living in southwest Florida with a thriving real-estate market, Mike obtained his realtor's license. Around this same time, as a tribute to his love for the area, he developed a social media page called Loving St. Pete. www.facebook.com/LovingStPete Together, he and his son visit small businesses, restaurants, unusual tourist sites, and special events and highlight the amazing owners and their unique stories. While Amy would sometimes accompany them to these hidden gems, it was often an opportunity for her to do her work and for Mike and Colton to create special memories. During Hurricane Ian this year his site gained fame as an organic, grass-roots effort arose to deliver much needed items to hardest hit barrier islands near Ft. Myers, Florida. Loving St. Pete page became a connector for other local businesses and residents to contribute and support their neighbors in South Florida. Eventually, Mike has merged his Loving St. Pete informational page with his work as a realtor. The relationships he and his family have created through their varied pursuits, many of which stem from his original degree at Auburn University in Management Informational Systems, is a bit mind-boggling! Suffice it to say, life has a way of using your strengths for the greater good even when the journey seems unclear or complicated. Mike continues his work in computer consulting but his greatest enthusiasm comes from the creative processes involved in Loving St. Pete plus the social aspect of organizing parties on the SW Florida coast to celebrate the Auburn Tigers! lovingstpete.com/
While the house is now quiet and empty, my heart is full! My dad, who is a retired Delta pilot and continues to farm avocados in Miami, Florida, made the trip at 86 years young. We all commended him for his willingness to make the trip alone in spite of the challenges that accompany holiday travel. In addition, my sister, who is a physical therapist, and I both noted he has the functional mobility of someone half his age. Squat, kneel, lunge, and get up and down from the floor are automatic actions for him thanks to his hard work as a farmer! This was his first visit to our new home in Wisconsin and as someone who built his own house in 1975, he enjoyed examining all the custom details from the woodwork, to the counter-tops, plus water pumps and heating units. I was thankful for the exchange of ideas among family and friends young and old. My 7-year old nephew explained to me the process of world development on Minecraft while my neice Lindsey taught Colton how to bake an apple pie. Within the span of 5 days, my nephew Brian, an amazing high school tennis player, completed 2 thousand piece puzzles with the support of aunts, uncles and cousins! My brother-in-law Beau is a talented surgeon in North Carolina yet has the most patient, calm demeanor that endears him to everyone. He is a wealth of wisdom on many topics and even helped my dad learn to use his new Iphone! I am grateful they all invested the time, effort, and money to travel to the midwest for this special reunion. It's a huge rivalry game day, so time to sign off and cheer for the Tigers and Badgers! Thanks for reading!
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