Have Trifle, Will Travel

As you can imagine, it's not easy to get 7 individuals to agree on one thing. What we've learned from 22 years of planning sister weekends, is that sometimes you just have to take a vote and majority wins.

I wanted to make a trifle for this weekend but wasn't going to assume they'd want a pumpkin or fall-themed one since there will likely be tons of pumpkin or fall-themed treats on a hand. So I used the SurveyMonkey app and asked them a few weeks ago:

Fall Flavor Forecast

Which trifle tempts your tastebuds? 

• Pumpkin Spice Girls
• For Our Enjoy-MINT
• We're a Bit Coconutz
• Frosted Animal Frenzy

Naturally the first 4 responses were all different so we had a 4-way tie going. That figures! And no, I didn't have time to make 4 trifles. Though we could probably polish them off in one weekend. We don't do anything half-ass here.

The final winner...

Yup... Pumpkin Spice Girls!

I took a "before" picture – as in before leaving the house with it. It survived the 3+ hour car ride to our undisclosed Up North location. Whew. So we got to dig in this evening after our traditional opening night meal of pizza! 

Oh and it's layers of pumpkin spice cake, cheesecake pudding, crushed pumpkin wafer cookies, pumpkin pudding, repeat. Sounds good enough to eat. 

And we don't mind if we do.

Lessons in Leadership

Good leaders come in all shapes and sizes and colors. And all walks of life. They might be dressed in a power suit with a corner office. They may preach from a pulpit on Sunday mornings. They might even don shoulder pads and a helmet – and push people around. 

I know one like that.

Thursday night is senior night for the Assumption football team. While Benny here should be walking proudly on the field when his name is called. The team captain will be hobbling out on crutches after a season-ending injury at last week's game.

With all the COVID rules in place, Assumption fans weren't allowed at the Almond-Bancroft field last Friday. Home team fans only. Thankfully our school has an agreement with a sports live streaming entity that allowed us to see the game. 

Well, most of it.

When Benny was injured, the camera panned away out of respect. But it left some two dozen mothers in the viewing audience wondering if that was their son out there. Even at 200+ pounds, they're still someone's baby.

Ben's mom got some texts immediately that her boy was badly hurt. But none of them were specific about the nature of the injury. She was understandably in a panic, not knowing if it was a head injury or what. Finally, she got confirmation it was his knee or leg. Not that that minimizes it. She still got in her vehicle and drove the 40 minutes to the field. As any mom would.

She told me the next day that she got there in time for the end of the game – the Royals' third-straight victory this season. What happened after that was heartwarming, to say the least.

"I just want everyone to know how amazing the coaches and players were. My heart goes out to them. They were so supportive of Ben. I just want people to know how special that was," she said. After the game, they gathered around their team captain and offered prayers and sincere sentiments that they were playing for Ben and winning for him. 

And his coach commended him for playing with so much heart and soul. Every game. Every down. And, ultimately, setting a good example for the younger players to follow. Play strong. Don't give up.

A good team leader is tough on the field. And is kind off of it.

That's our Benny.

I'll be out of town but sending virtual hugs and high fives to you as you continue to mentor – from the sidelines this time. Stay amazing, kiddo!

I Need To Get Out More

I've established I definitely have been sheltered too long in 2020. Especially when my celebrity sighting at a high school basketball is Dr. Fauci moonlighting as a referee. And considering the infectious disease expert to be a "celebrity."

You gotta admit, you can see it, too, can't you?

How about now? I mean he's clearly relaxing his mask standards.

Yup. I obviously need to get out more! But I am glad I got to Assumption volleyball tonight, despite their loss to Abbotsford. That was likely my last fall sports event to shoot, depending on football playoffs. Who knows if they'll have them if all schools in Wisconsin didn't participate in all sports.

What a crazy year. Right, Doc?

Three More Sleeping Spells

For some reason this parking lot photo reminded me that it's my sister weekend this week! Just three more sleeps and the 7 of us will meet up around a cauldron at some undisclosed location in the northwoods for our 22nd annual Wild Women's Weekend.

For what it's worth, I've been seeing reminders everywhere lately. Not that a fire-y dragon has anything to do with sister weekend.

Or a hen party, either! Just nice pictures at the Pumpkin Shed business around the corner.

Come Thursday at high noon, though, this will be me heading out of town with my carriage loaded up with all the essentials – which seems to grow each year. Thankfully, since I'm at least half a state away from everyone, I drive to our destination alone. And can fill up my vehicle with "stuff."

I am excited to see everyone and am just hoping Mother Nature shifts her thought patterns a bit and warms it up for us. Our place has a nice deck where we could soak up sun and socially distance. Not when it's a high of 46 though.

I keep wondering which one of us sisters will pass out first this weekend. Not from drinking, but from laughing so hard they can't breath with a stinkin' face mask on. Shall I start a pool? Like I need to add one more thing to me "to do and to pack" list!

Just gotta get through work tomorrow and then I'll have my 5-day weekend. Yup. Today's my Monday and tomorrow's my Friday. That's how this witch flies.

S.N.F.

 I know you're thinking SNF is Sunday Night Football for us Viking fans. And you're right. To a point. There were a few other SNFs today, too.

Seeing Neighbors in Faith: While our church has not been open for worship since before Easter, our pastor has been providing weekly services online – through Facebook Live and then onto YouTube. Usually it's been just the organist, sometimes a musician, and always a sound booth-AV person. Now, just to add variety for the viewing audience, those of us who used to read on a routine basis, are doing it in person.

This morning was my turn. Very strange to be in a physical congregation of 5 and read to them – and the camera, of course – but so great to SEE my pastor and few others in person for the first time since March! We all wore masks and still no hugging. But it did my heart good to be back, though too brief.

Super Nasty Fall: Oh yes, it's been so nice, we've been giving all these shoutouts to the wonderful fall we're having. Not today. It was nasty.

This was our tee time temp today just after noon. To our credit, it was Super Nice Fall when we talked about golfing today! No sun at all and that wind... brr. There was some Super Nice Foliage though. Not exactly ideal for golfing unless the leaves stay on the trees and, oh, your ball stays on the fairway. 

Find the tee box!

Should've brought my good camera!

Before trouncing through the leaves to look for your ball, check to see what's underneath. Just escaped a hidden water hazard!

Hubby doesn't like taking selfies, but I managed to sneak him in one! In the end, we agreed the scenery was beautiful and our golfing (both of us, this time) was ugly. Time to put away the clubs.

Sunday Night Football: OK, now we're talking football! For us losers who only have one win under our purple belts, it's been nice to enjoy some So Not Fattening pizza (I'm lying) and watch our team have a good start tonight. Granted, we have the second half yet. But I'm gonna say that this about the game for one final SNF.

SKOL, Norse Force!!!

Tying That Important Knot

 An absolutely gorgeous, sunny, mid-60s fall day to do anything outside today. Include getting married.

I was shooting a wedding this afternoon and I have say this is one of the coolest things I've seen yet. And meaningful! Gone are the days of simply lighting a unity candle. People are getting pretty creative now. And I love this.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom each took one of the brown strands of rope and worked together to braid it with God's white strand. "A cord of three strands is not easily broken." In other words, putting the Lord at the center of your life – and marriage – will only strengthen it even more.

Love it! 

Looking forward to sorting through more photos of the newlyweds, who may have grabbed the last summer-ish day of 2020 as their own. And wishing many blessings to Craig and Jen – and their triple-strength cord.

Furry Fan Base

Despite the crazy pandemic that allows home fans only at high school football games, Sylvester and I were able to watch our Royals claim their second-straight victory tonight at Almond-Bancroft. Thanks to modern technology, that is.

A local sports streaming service is covering Assumption sports this fall so even if we can't be there in person like we WANT to be, we can see it, hear it, and cheer it.

Tonight I was uploading middle school soccer pictures from this afternoon while tuning into the game. Kitty decided to join me. Is it possible she could see "her human" on the sidelines on the tiny screen? She was looking for him. He was too busy taking stats to blow her any kisses, though.

 So she decided I shouldn't watch either. That's when I moved to the big TV anyway. Thank you, inventors of smart TVs allowing us to watch YouTube! Since we were barely leading at halftime, I wanted to see it on the big screen anyway.

Very nice victory! We're starting out undefeated after an 0-9 season just last year!

Take a cue from that. Failure doesn't have to be permanent. Just keep working hard and you can turn things around! A positive attitude goes a long way.

That and a solid group of talented underclassmen! Go Royals!