I have been able to enjoy the Midwest and all of its wonders as the summer ended. For Kristi’s birthday Kristi, Kelly and I took a day trip into Wisconsin and visited all sorts of small towns. We went up a bluff and were able to enjoy all it’s beauty. We really have been spoiled with fabulous weather this year. I am so thankful I have been able to get out and enjoy it. We even found The Original Nelson’s Cheese Factory. It has a lovely deli and wine bar – the ice cream was sooo delicious. We stopped at a flea market and finally found a place to eat a very late lunch. It was a great day to ride around the Lake Pepin area on both the WI and MN side.
After that I had a great girls night with Kirsten. It was a great night to catch up – we had homemade cookies and milk. Plus Kirsten showed off her new bag – love it!
Next my Little and I took a day trip to Buffalo, MN where we went to Deer Lake Apple Orchard. There was lots to do pony rides, farm animals to feed, face painting, live music and even a wagon ride tour. We picked up some apples and were able to make 2 homemade apple pies. On the way home we stopped by Buffalo Lake or was it Lake Pulaski – well, either way – it was beautiful. I grew up around there and it was fun to go back there.
The next group of photos are celebrating Sarah’s b-day. I missed her delicious desserts but was able to hang out and catch up with the ladies. It was great to see everyone again.
Last but not least my office spent a day helping out with Habitat for Humanity’s Brush with Kindness program. We had a great crew with us. We did A LOT of scraping paint off of the wood siding of the house that day. I was not one of the brave ones way up on the ladder but I was able to help with things within my arms reach and on the lower ladders. We had so much scraping to do we didn’t know if we’d ever get to the primer painting part. We did get a little started and then the next crew later that week were able to finish it up. It was such a great day and I think the husband and wife who live there really appreciated what we were able to accomplish. I think we got a good arm workout that day, too. I could feel my pipes growing. 
There is something about giving and helping others that really lifts the spirits. If you have the time to give of your time I highly recommend it. Whether it’s getting involved at your church, in your neighborhood, giving to your family or friends or getting tapped into organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters or Habitat for Humanity. I think of all the times people have helped me through tough times in life and when I can do it I just want to give that back and help wherever I can. The littlest thing to you could feel like the biggest thing to someone else. You just never know.
