Country church

I took the winter photo of this cute church near Linton, ND a year ago on our Christmas drive up. It worked well as a background photo at chruch behind the lyrics, so I was anxious to take a couple summer shots for the same purpose. I few more photos thrown in for the same purpose.

Finley turns 1

Finley had a birthday while we were in the Philippines, but we celebrated beforehand. He makes up for Keegan's picky eating! He's now walking like a sumo wrestler, so I'll post that soon.

One Step At A Time

New siding. New paint. And now step number three on the east end of the Party Pad. Expert excavation by Austin and Jeff. The project continues to move toward completion.

Andrew Mole's Alaskan submission

Andrew sent me an email from Alaska in response to the Totem Pole coloring:

If you haven't already picked a winner for the totem, I have attached my entry. I went for more of a theme... His name is Kerberos (pronounce, kur-bare-ose, not carebear-os for he is no care bear although he probably devours them. Demon of the pit! He will keep enemies from entering the Prentice Landing, but he could make small children cry. MUWHAHAHAHA! USE THIS TEMPLATE AT YOUR OWN RISK! CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!

thank you, Andrew.

Lake Updates

The completed party pad is looking sweet. Let the partying begin!
New Frigidaire from Lowe's just fits into the spot (notice the raised cupboard above). We are appreciating the extra fridge space.
New dishes! Edie spotted these at Kohl's - nice lightweight plastic and perfect shades of Prentice blue.
This walleye caught by Michael off the dock. So we know they're in there. It was delicious!
Lovely spot for the hammock from Ecuador. Perfect for napping.

Yes, liking it.

I like where this direction is going. Eyes (a bit larger) could be slightly more subtle both in the light blue and whites of eyes. Start earthy and light and add more color or contrast as you go. Would the black eye shape just be painted into the round circle?

Traditional Totem Try

(above:) Here is an example of what is always in my mind as a "true" totem pole.

(below:) Mother (Carol) came up with these colors after some mind-storming. Then, I tried to apply the "eyes" theme that I like. I would make the black and white parts larger on the actual wood (like the above photo.)


thoughts?

Total Totem

When at the Smithsonian this spring, I snapped a couple shots of a totem in the natural history museum. Earthy tones are nice.

Totem coloring #2

Darren...nice work in PS. Here's mine with color input from Julie.

Totem Coloring Entry #1

I know that you Lands really appreciate your Microsoft Paint, but I thought I would give it some nice Photoshop production. I'm not sure what I'm going to win... but I want to win it.

I think it would look good to do a dark stain on the brown parts.

also did a paintbucket approach with some different colors...

Totem Coloring (Now YOU, at home, can do it too!)

I'm almost done with the carving and now I must decide on colors. I want the family (or anyone who wants to try a color scheme) to try their hand at winning the color contest.

The middle picture can be saved on your computer and opened in "Microsoft Paint." From there, you can easily fill in the white areas. The areas I designated are by no means the only way to separate it. Do what you want and I am EXCITED to get your artsy results.

ps. remember that this totem pole will last for millenia, so choose your hues WISELY!

W/D Pedestal

Julie was soooo sad when her washer broke down...the old one that came with our house in 2004. We splurged on the #1 CR rated, front loading Samsung set. To get matching pedestals is $200 each and they're only 14" tall. I figured I could weld one unit for both and while I'm making it custom, why not 20" ? Of course it had to be strong and resist wobbling--the washer weighs 275 lbs and spins 3x faster.

New Zealand Guidebook

Hey all,
Just letting you know of something I accomplished this past semester in one of my classes. I did a massive project for my Comparative Cultures class over a country of my choice. I chose New Zealand and I created an in-depth, guidebook of it. I wish I could post the document here on the blog, but that is not allowed i guess. I also made a shortened presentation on the material in class at the end of the semester. My guidebook was one of only a few that were chosen to be presented at the Research Symposium that was hosted back in April. Also, when I got my guidebook back in May, my professor told me that he put no comments on mine because he thought it was so excellent, so that was really cool and a little humbling. If you wish to see this guidebook I'm happy to bring it along to the lake when we gather this summer or I could simply email it to you. Let me know! Thanks!

Nothing but love,
Austin

P.S. A post about my choir trip to China is coming soon as well!!

Apartment Remodel

Anders and I have been working on remodeling/ fixing up the apartment attached to his grandparents' house on the Wennstrom property since his great aunt died last summer. We started started fixing it up in January (which involved removing and sorting lots of Aunt Evelyn's stuff). Anders' uncle did all of the carpentry work but we did the majority of the of the painting, cleaning, and little stuff. We will live there May and June until his cousin moves in in July (then we'll move in with his parents for the rest of the summer.) Current projects include building a new covered deck in the front at the grandparents' house and painting the barn (from green to gray). I will be working at the nearby YMCA day camp this summer as the arts and crafts leader. Training wraps up this week and will start next Monday. We're also keeping busy with a giant garden!


Main level/ Living room: (photo taken from the loft), re-stained the windows, new paint (Swedish blue), new trim, new moulding, new facade on fireplace, refinished floors



Kitchen: new cabinets, new trim, new crown moulding, took out wall where island is, new counters, new floor


Downstairs hallway: new paint, new trim (wish there was new carpet!) cool spiral staircase huh?


2nd Bedroom in basement: New paint, new trim, new closet doors, (again wish the carpet wasn't green)


Bathroom in basement: new paint, new trim, deep clean


Master bedroom in basement: new paint "Swedish Yellow", new trim

SkyDiving

Skydiving

As most of you know, Michael and I went skydiving on CINCO de MAYO.

Here is a short album of sorts (to appease "doubting" uncle Brian)

This is the main building. The jumpers (staff) would land and then carry their parachutes through the back door and then walk in and start folding their 'chutes. They get $10 to fold the 'chute and $30 to jump out of the plane.


Andrew Moles (Michael's old roomate) and myself after just getting outfitted with our harnesses. We are psyched. And... we played hacky sack to pass the time.

Darren, notice my shirt of choice... "UNLEASH THE BEAST"


Michael and Andrew giving each other a nice sturdy chest bump before the fated jump

Michael and I, trying to look as official as possible.


This was where we all landed. Right next to the main building. We watched the earlier jumpers land only yards away.


This was my wing-man "Frank." Still "hangin' loose" after the jump. In order for an instructor to jump with a person attached (tandem), they must do a minimum of 1,000 solo jumps.


I am not going to try to explain the actual experience on here... talk to me (or Michael) this summer.

ps. We (Brian and I) are going to start a lake-dive tradition where we jump from the rope swing in a full wind-breaker suit with goggles. I was thinking July 4th, during the boat parade. Who's in?

DC Trip

We had a great 4-day 5 night trip to Washington DC. We stayed in Arlington VA just across the river and had easy access to Reagan Airport and the metro via the hotel shuttle. Mt. Vernon, Old Town Alexandria, Capital visit to chambers, National Gallery of art, Museum of American History, Air & Space Museum, Washington, WWII, Vietnam, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Jefferson Monuments, Georgetown, and the Naval history museum.

Great weather and the tail end of the cherry blossoms!