We were so glad we had a stretch of warm, sunny weather. Not only did it allow Will to go over and cut a nice field of hay, but we had a special visitor come all the way from Texas! Carrolyn’s husband and her sister were sneaky and made arrangements to have her fly up to visit us for her 80th birthday as she is a huge fan. It was so much fun. Her daughter, Shelley, drove up from Madison, Wisconsin, to meet her at the Duluth airport. What Carrolyn didn’t know is that Will and I drove down to meet her there too, for a big surprise.
Well, the suspense built, then her husband texted us and said due to her plane leaving late from Austin, she missed her connecting flight in Minneapolis. She had originally been scheduled in, at Duluth, at 7: 12 PM, but had to get a later flight, arriving at 10: 45. Well, Will and I decided after driving 1½ hours to Duluth, and looking forward to surprising Carrolyn, we would just go with Shelley to grab a bite to eat and visit until the plane arrived. We had a great visit and the time flew by. Carrolyn’s plane arrived, and she was pretty surprised to see Will and I, making the whole trip very worth it. I love making people happy!
We had a great visit up at the homestead the next day, visiting the gardens and horses. We couldn’t find the cows, but we did get to drive around the whole place in our golf carts.
In the late afternoon, I took them up to the Vince Schute Bear Sanctuary, west of Orr, to see lots of black bears, up close and personal. These are wild black bears that come from all over, to enjoy safety and lots of food. We got lots of photos from the safe, raised platform, right among the bears.
The girls are gone now, and we’re back to homestead business, but have lots of wonderful memories! — Jackie
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you both for opening your hearts and your home to welcome my sister Carrolyn and my niece Shelley. Your kindness and generosity made a lasting impression on them, and on me as well! Carrolyn has spoken so highly of you—she admires the life you’ve built and often calls you her “homesteading heroes.” That admiration grew even stronger after meeting you in person. The way you live with such intention, creativity, and openness is truly inspiring.
I’m deeply grateful that you gave up time to connect with them, share your world, and make them feel so welcome. It means more than I can express. You are truly amazing people!!
Spending time with you and Will was the fulfilment of a wish I have had since the first time I read “Ask Jackie” long ago.
It seemed like your answers were amiable, encouraging chats with friends and I often thought how wonderful being in your presence and learning from you first hand would be. But I never thought it could possibly happen.
Yet, you, my husband, sister and Shelley are in the business of making people happy and made this dream come true. (My other sister fits this category too.)
So it was that within seconds of meeting you in person last week, I felt as though we had been friends forever and amazingly you and Will took time out of your busy routines to share your world with two people you had not met before. We feel very honored that you did so. Every moment together was pure joy. I am still basking in the sweet memories we made. Thankyou for being such knowledgeable, loving, delightful and generous people. Shelley and I are truly blessed because of you.
It is going to be an early winter at least for my area. Mice are already moving in – spouse now admits it is due to colder weather coming, not the heat. Leaves on some trees are already turning/turned. Other foliage is starting to die back.
Our temps were cooler but humidity was still high. It has since come down. Wood stove is at the ready, plenty of seasoned firewood, plenty in the seasoning stage, and a good number of standing/hung up dead. Plus the huge (dead) red elm tree is on the ground and close to the house.
One can never have too much firewood!! I’m hoping we don’t get an early frost. I’m okay with an early winter but I sure need more time to get the garden more mature for seed saving and canning! We also have some leaves turning but here, I think, it’s from the heat and drought stress earlier in the year. I hope.
Sounds like you all had a blast!
We really did. It was so much fun. Visits like this inspire us too.
So cool that Carrolyn’s husband and sister schemed the trip plus her daughter drove up from Madison (which is about an hour north of me – love, love their vet clinic – both animal and human).
While Culver’s is not inexpensive – heck eating out these days is not inexpensive – we’ve found it to be a place with good help that does *not* cut corners. Have them in our area plus north and one in iA we’ve patronized. While no one likes prices to increase, I’d rather see a price increase than shrinkflation and/or cutting corners.
Probably have mentioned it but two sets of twin fawns for us this year. Bear cubs are cute (but I will keep my distance!).
Will dig up the last of the potatoes this weekend. I need to do some serious reflection and decisions when it comes to next year’s garden. I find it very disheartening to hear complaining about our overall harvest. I will do my best to ensure as little waste as I can manage.
Every year, the garden harvest is different. On a good year, everyone is overwhelmed with everything. Other years, you get lots of some and none of other. We are not immune in that aspect!
Yep, we don’t mess with the local bears. It’s a live and let live situation for us both.
We don’t eat out often; I think the last time I was in Culver’s was two years ago, with my sister.
But, regardless of the rising costs, I’d rather eat good food, prepared nicely, than cheaper food that I can barely choke down to be polite.
I’m so jealous Carolyn and her family got to see you guys. What a blessing to get to spend time with MY favorite people. You are the best. The bear sanctuary is a place I want to visit.
You’re welcome to come visit any time, Sue. Yep, the Vince Schute Bear Sanctuary is awesome and folks can sure learn a lot about bears there via talks by volunteers about them.
What generous folks you are to share your time with folks that think the world of you.
We’re always happy to have visitors but Carrolyn and Shelley were awesome!!
Dear Jackie and Will,
I know you don’t know us; but we feel like we are kinfolk as I have followed you for many, many years. I enjoy your pictures of flowers, gardens, chickens and all. It really is a comfort to visit even just virtually. I love your stories and also ALL of your books.
It is really hot here but next week we will have temps in the 50’s at night. Fall is just right around the corner so hop to the harvest and prepare for winter. I finished my summer canning last week. Now it is time to enjoy our canned bounty and the calm of winter.
Yep, today, the high was 65 degrees F and it’s feeling like fall today. I’ve got tomatoes and onions roasting in the oven to chop up and can later on. With such a cool day, the kitchen won’t heat up at all. Win-win!!
I’m glad you enjoy visiting on the blog. If you ever get the chance, please come on up!
What a happy time for you and your visitors! Visiting you both and meeting you a few years back was the highlight of my year. You are a celebrity!
I don’t know about the celebrity thing…. We’re always happy to meet like-minded folks and we sure enjoyed your visit!
Life is about memories. True friends are to be treasured. Weather for us sunny and much cooler-a nice reprieve. I’ve started digging potatoes -one 25 foot row. The crop is fair and I have 6 more rows to dig over time. My tomatoes are finally ripening and overwhelming me-we’ve canned 28 quarts. I took 2 boxes to the local food pantry which made them very happy. With the cooler weather I’ll resume cutting wood for next year. We’ve got an our hay made although I don’t think you can ever have too much hay. I’ve had a rare bear x 2 at our farm causing lots of “sightseers” and the DNR haul them away to somewhere else (not sure where). We are seeing numerous bobcats. Enjoy the sunny days.
Yep, harvest time is here. I’m seeding out our first tomatoes and I have a bunch of leftovers in the roasting pan, in the oven, which I’ll can up this afternoon. Our tomatoes are late and fewer this year. But we’ll still have crates full pretty soon. I dug a hill of potatoes, just to see. They’re a little small yet. The vines haven’t started to die back and many are still blooming. I’m thinking we’ll have a very good harvest there.
We have seen a few bears here, but they have kept their respectful distance and haven’t made nuisances of themselves. We are careful not to leave bird food or dog food outside. No trash or garbage either. We like them but want them to stay in the woods.
I always enjoy your news. Reading about someone who lives elsewhere and tries to live a sustainable life, like I do, gives me comfort. We are certainly not off the grid here in central MO, but we try to be mindful of the environment, garden and so on. We are having sun again, but finally cooler weather. Praying for much needed rain. Keep on truckin’
I love hearing what others are doing too. You don’t have to live off-grid to be more self-reliant. As you well know, there’s a lot you can do every day to follow that path. Nobody ever gets there entirely, but we try.
I love seeing all these smiling faces! This is the day that the Lord has made, after all! Jackie, thanks so much for mentioning in your last blog about cane sugar. That comment, and your comparison, really caught my attention. Then. . .I was watching yt’s Deep South Homestead at Pecan Grove, when Danny mentioned that they use cane sugar. Of course, they made their own. But, that too, got my attention after hearing your “mention”. My husband insist on table sugar, not xylitol, as I prefer. I will look deeper into cane sugar nutrition. Regards from far north California.
Looks like your mention of making chokecherry jam was the blog in which you talk about cane sugar.
No sugar has much nutritional value. It’s just used as a sweetener. I’m not much for artificial sweeteners after being a cancer survivor 22 years ago. I’m just trying to lessen our exposure to GMO’s and using cane sugar instead of beet sugar, helps with that as sugar beets are nearly all GMO now. : (
As I’m trying to lose some weight due to my sore knees following knee replacement, I’m also cutting out nearly all sugar and a lot of fat. (Frying, sour cream, cream cheese, etc.)