Skip to main content

Ole & Lena Days

For many years I was an active member of the planning for Ole and Lena Days and thought it was yet another neat thing about Granite Falls to not only have a summer celebration, but also some wintertime fun as well.  Well, I don't miss being part of the planning and I still enjoy taking in some of the traditions.

Last weekend we were excited to be the "surprise" guests at the annual Granite Falls Chamber Banquet to applaud my aunt Barb Benson when she received her Community Service award.  The Banquet and awards have changed a bit from years ago when both my mom and my Grandpa Lundell received awards for Woman of the Year and Community Service respectively.  Back then, it was a huge surprise and a great celebration to be awarded and the speeches kept you guessing based on clues as to who the award winner was until the very end when the name was confirmed.  This year, they name the person from the start and then tell you everything he/she does to deserve this award.  Well Aunt Barb, you GREATLY deserved that award and we were happy to wait one and a half hours in the casino lobby to show you our support.

Barb's Award Presentation and Congrats!
 


And Aunt Barb, sorry if we ruined the surprise...  you see, we spotted Uncle Paul and didn't realize you weren't sitting with your husband at the banquet! So I'm sure you spotted your crew in the doorway once they started with the awards. Sorry!

Today we are taking in the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast!  And for a few moments I'm missing being part of the Kiwanians this morning and the other part of me enjoyed sleeping in a little... We'll also walk through the vendors at the Craft Show, might have to check out the schedule and see when the International Smoosh Races and Lefse Fling will be held!

So the only thing missing this Ole and Lena Days was Donkey Basketball....  Might have to slip an anonymous note to someone about bringing that back!

Ole & Lena Days - Wintertime fun, Granite style.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Today.... The next chapter

And here we are... October of 2020. I'm not sure where the time has gone, while struggling between feeling it has gone too fast and yet being ready for things to move along and leave a few chapters in the past. To say that 2020 has tested our strength is a bit understated. But, even on our worst days and weeks - we have come out smiling.  Don't get me wrong, those smiles aren't always easy and sometimes they mask the exhaustion, the grief and the tears. But boy when they are truly out of happy moments and seeing how we survive from these difficult times, those smiles are worth millions. Today... was a day that hit me hard... unexpectedly hard. Today, being everything I need to be right now is hard...  it's exhausting... it's daunting... it's what this chapter is.  Today... oh boy today has been a hot mess... It was a recognition of how much I'm grieving and still so thankful for this life we have. I'm so thankful to have an amazing friend, Erica...
Post a Comment
Read more

And here we are in 2019!

I've gotten away from regularly writing, and with the start of 2019 I decided now is the time to revisit writing! It's a great way to look at events happening in our lives and remind ourselves of the blessings we have no matter how busy or complicated life gets! Part of 2019 includes returning to school work for me. As I look at my future goals for my career, I decided the time is now to look at getting my degree in Organizational Leadership.  I applied for admission to Metropolitan State University ( www.metrostate.edu ) and started courses in January! 1 week in and I'm already wondering why I thought this was a great idea. This first semester back at it will most likely be the most difficult as I'm taking on 3 courses - if I survive this, I'll be able to make this happen! What this means is fitting in course work during lunch breaks and after the girls head to bed, and of course hours on the weekends. If I look a little tired, this may explain the bags under m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never easy, in fact it's one of the most difficult things to do.  Our strength is being tested today as we make the decision for Botti that means we have to put his needs before ours. I will never forget the day we drove to get Botti.  It was a complete surprise to Emma, a Minnesota spring day, March 2006.  She was grumpy about having to go to the Twin Cities with us, thinking it was about getting stuff for the store.  But then we pulled up to Petco in Eden Prairie, again she thought we were just picking up things for the cats and Rosie.  Then we got inside and met up with the animal shelter there for pet adoption day and asked to see the collie puppies we had inquired about.  That's when we met Botti and a few of his litter mates.  His eyes captured our hearts.  Emma's smile was priceless when we asked if we should bring him home. Botti hasn't had an easy road health-wise, but he made it clear that he would always watch over...
Post a Comment
Read more