Twinsight 25 of 50: Remind Yourself of Labors of Love

Can you believe it's Labor Day weekend? The summer always feels like it goes too fast, but I'm honestly not sure where this one went. The Labor Day holiday was established to remember the rights and triumphs that workers in business and industry have gained over the last couple of centuries. We have certainly come a long way. My parents and grandparents were part of the generations who made such significant progress in American business, and maybe yours were as well. After I finished college and had been in the workplace for several years (and they had become SO much smarter!), I framed this quote for my parents:

A hundred times a day I remind myself that my inner and outer life

depend on the labors of other men [and women], living and dead, and that

I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure
as I have received and am still receiving.

- Albert Einstein

Gardar, ND, church and cemetery where my parents were laid to rest

I'm doing well if even once a day I remember that others have invested in my life, and that I, in turn, have the responsibility and privilege to give back to others in all avenues of my life. But today, as I reflect on the influence of my parents who have both passed away, I'd like to share a variation of some thoughts that I posted on my mom's CaringBridge site last year.

• My parents' influence has shaped so much of who I am. I knew that fact intellectually, but now it's more clear to me how they shaped me in so many ways that affect me every day, even after they're no longer on earth. In certain poignant moments of life - like dropping Leah off at college last week and remembering watching mom and dad silently walk to the car after we said goodbye on my first day of college - I even sense their presence with me now. We certainly weren't a perfect family. But despite our flaws and quirks, there was an implicit unconditional love and grace that permeated our home, something we actively seek to build in our home now.
• The memories become sweeter and crisper. I have countless memories that are more endearing and clearer in my mind now - like finding the gifts that mom had creatively scattered around the house on Christmas morning, sitting with my dad in his chair and reading newspapers together (he subscribed to 11 at one point), and watching him completely embrace and love our girls after he had been hesitant about adoption. Steve misses mom's ironing. She loved to iron and it was always on her job list when she came to our house. She even ironed his underwear. Wow, we miss that service although Steve can bend over with more ease now that his shorts aren't starched.
• God is a God of healing. Now when I have a ping of sadness about them - usually triggered by little things like hearing Rhapsody in Blue (one of my dad's favorite songs) or watching a teenage boy put his bare feet on a coffee table (something mom was famous for) - a little smile comes to my face...not so much tears anymore. Time does heal. But it's not as much about time as about how God is working. It seems that through people and circumstances, God just shows up when I need Him most and He assures me that He is with me through thick and thin and that won't ever change (Deuteronomy 31:6).
• Life marches on. While it's important to savor the memories, it's important to move on and live life to the fullest. Mom and dad wouldn't want it any other way. One of the pastors of our church, Joel, lent me a book called A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser who suffered a catastrophic loss. Sittser writes, "...the experience of loss itself does not have to be the defining moment of our lives. Instead, the defining moment can be our response to the loss. It is not what happens to us that matters as much as what happens in us." Fredrick Buechner writes, "Even the saddest things can become, once we have made peace with them, a source of wisdom and strength for the journey that still lies ahead."

If photos had names like paintings, I'd name this one "Lighten Up!"

Who has labored in love on your behalf? May today we remind ourselves of those labors and resolve to do the same for others.

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Twinsight 24 of 50: Don't Underestimate a Small Town

Cousins Connie, Ruthie, Kristi and Dorothy with me

As you may know, I grew up in a town of a few hundred people in North Dakota. What comes to mind when I say that? Through the years, particularly from people I've met from outside the Midwest, I've had questions along the lines of...

• Were you born in a barn? (No. As a one-time mom at age 41 in March of 1961, my mom drove herself to her doctor's appointment in a larger town of a couple thousand people. Her doctor decided to admit her to the small hospital there, and she delivered me and then called my dad to tell him that they had a daughter. So no, it was not a barn but it was a little unusual.)
• Did they have schools there? (Yes, but I had to walk six miles, uphill both ways. Sheesh. No, actually, we had grades K-12 and vehicles galore to get around.)
• Did it ever stop snowing? (Hey, I know that it's not 120 every day in Phoenix, so you should know it's not snowing every day in ND. As a matter of fact, it was 85 and sunny during my last visit.)
• How many restaurants were there in your town? (Two when I lived there, but none now. But there are so many great cooks so who needs a restaurant? And they have good pizza at the Cenex station.)
• Could you go to a gym to work out? (There were no health club options, but I did manage to get exercise through formal and informal school sports. And I did start running when I lived there. However, to this day when I visit, someone in a pick up or golf cart invariably stops and asks me if I need a ride. And by the way, in North Dakota it's a "pick up," NOT a "pick up truck.")
• Did you know everyone? (Pretty much. As a matter of fact, I was related to healthy percentage of the people in the county. And I've had the experience several times of someone calling our home by mistake and then proceeding to talk for 20 minutes because, of course, it was a friend or relative.)
• How close is the nearest Starbucks? (Now THAT'S a good question. I believe it was 400 miles away in Minneapolis until recent years. Now there are several only 75 miles away in Grand Forks. Wahoo!)

Cousins Jackson, Taylor, Joe & Sam with Leah & Chloe
Gotta love the height difference between Chloe and Joe:)

Despite the fact that life is on a smaller scale and every opportunity isn't at your fingertips (oh, and the winters are crazy cold), it is a pretty great way to live and I feel incredibly blessed for having spent my first 18 years there. In my experience, here's what you'll generally find in small towns. Well-adjusted people with strong EQ. True blue, honest, authentic, loyal friends. A less complex, down-to-earth life. Hardworking, responsible, smart farmers running high-tech businesses in a global economy. And people who have a genuine faith, can make the best of any situation, and are simply there for you no matter what.

A glimpse into the farm with cousin Fred

But don't take my word for it. Here are a couple of amazing facts. North Dakota has a bustling economy, which in turn, has resulted in the nation's lowest unemployment rate. Per this recent USA TODAY article, "The state's unemployment rate hasn't touched 5% since 1987. The state's per capita income rose over the decade from 38th in the nation to 17th, the biggest advance of any state."

And North Dakota was the #2 state on Gallup's wellbeing index that came out this week. Hawaii was #1. Since competing with Hawaii is completely unfair, ND is #1 to me.

If you have a chance to spend time in a small town, I encourage you to do so. No place is perfect, but small towns certainly provide a good way to get grounded in what's real and lasting. And they simply warm your heart.

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Twinsight 23 of 50: Sneak in One More Summer Book

I'm always a little melancholy as summer comes to an end...the end of another season of warmer, more carefree days without school schedules and activities, and enjoying all the outdoor activities around the wonderful Minnesota lakes and trails. At the same time, I love fall. Part of me is looking forward to a little more structure to life, pulling out the sweaters, running and biking without sweating like a pig, and watching soccer and football games out in the fresh, crisp air.

With the transition, there's also the fun of pulling out last year's school supplies and clothes and doing some start-of-high-school and start-of-college shopping with the girls. And then there's the garage that desperately needs cleaning, closets that need organizing, fall work trips that need to be planned, and the graduation photos from early June that still need sorting. But I also want to sneak in one more book. I really don't have time. And maybe that's true for you, too. I do think, though, that I'm a better family member, friend and consultant when I'm keeping my mind fresh and I'm learning from others' experiences. So there. That's my justification!

What are you reading, skimming, or guiltily looking at on your night stand these days? I recommended some books in a blog post on May 1, 2011, including The Help (Kathryn Stockett, 2009). Have you read it or seen the movie? I haven't seen the movie yet, but am looking forward to catching it soon.

After doing that post, some of you shared your book recommendations, and I wanted to share them with all of you in case you're looking for one last good summer read. I haven't read any of them yet so I need to choose one. Hmm... Click on the titles to open links to more information about each one.

• Cutting for Stone (Abraham Verghese, 2009), recommended by Susan.
• Independent People (Halldor Laxness, 1955), recommended by Pam.
• Half the Sky (Kristof and WuDunn, 2009), recommended by Aimee.
• The Girls from Ames (Zaslow, 2009), recommended by Karri.
• Lucky Girl (Hopgood, 2009), recommended by Janet.
• Do The Work (Pressfield, 2011), recommended by Darcy.
• When It Pours, He Reigns  (Wagner, 2004), recommended by Barb.
• Culture of Honor (Silk, 2009), recommended by Andrea.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain (Stein, 2008), recommended by Sue.
• Bonhoeffer (Metaxas, 2010), recommended by Kevin.
• Breakthrough Prayer  (Cymbala, 2003), recommended by Jennifer.
• Anything by Bill Holm, recommended by Kathy.
• Lit (Karr, 2009), recommended by Mary.
• One Thousand Gifts (Voskamp, 2010) recommended by Kristin.

Here's to squeezing every ounce out of these fleeting summer days!

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Twinsight 22 of 50: Balance Confidence with Humility

Steve Wagner

Today is my last of four posts featuring friends of mine who are age 50+. Each of them is particularly gifted at one of these leadership qualities that can converge in your 50s - energy, interdependence, wisdom, and humility. I'm excited to introduce you to Steve Wagner. When I thought about leading with a measure of humility, he was the first person who came to mind. I had the privilege of working with Steve at Hewitt Associates (now Aon Hewitt) before he retired in 2006. When I went to client meetings with him, he was usually the smartest, most experienced person going to the meeting, and also had modestly prepared the most. So where did that humility come from, and how does it strengthen his leadership? Here's what he had to say.

How did you get started in the business world?
I grew up on a farm in Nebraska, and started working when I was 13. When I went to the University of Nebraska (yes, I bleed red), I decided to study math because it was always easy for me. Because I didn't have to study, I could also work and socialize. I didn't really want to teach, and one of my math teachers said, "You should be an actuary." It sounded kind of interesting, so I took the first of 10 actuarial exams and passed it.

I graduated from college in 1971, and then joined the Army for three years. When I was discharged, I learned that through the GI bill, the Army would pay for me to get my Masters in Actuarial Science at Nebraska as well. When I was graduating in 1976, I interviewed with eight companies that came to campus - four consulting firms and four insurance companies. Because ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) had just passed and there was a real need for actuaries, all eight organizations offered me a job. I ended up deciding to join Hewitt Associates because consulting sounded interesting, and my mom and I thought there was just something classy about Hewitt. My dad didn't want me to work in the big city of Chicago, but I told him I'd be in the suburb of Lincolnshire where there was bound to be some cows and chickens nearby. I worked in Lincolnshire for four years - working 40 and studying 20 hours a week while continuing to pass the exams.

One day in 1980 after I'd passed all my exams, the manager of the actuarial practice came into my office and presented me with a decision. He asked if I wanted to be an actuary working in the office on client projects or an account manager out with clients. I said that I'd rather be out meeting people. The next thing I knew, the Hewitt CEO offered me the opportunity to open another office. Of the options, I chose Denver. I was 31 and starting the adventure of my life. Computers were just starting to get good, and the fax machine had just come out. I remember the first time I saw a fax come through our machine. It was like magic!

I obviously had no experience running anything, but I did know how to work hard. I committed to learn something every time I got hired for a project and apply it to my future work. In 1984, the Denver office was running successfully, and I was asked to move to the Minneapolis office. "Too cold!" I said, but somehow they persuaded me, and I've lived here ever since. Because my first love was solving complex retirement design issues for clients and I never really liked the internal management part, I was able to carve out a great niche.

With all your accomplishments, how do you live with confidence yet stay humble?
I really don't think I'm a great leader and not really a great people manager, and I used to tell the big wigs at Hewitt that. But I have learned to capitalize on my strengths and the talents that God has given me. Through a "Living Your Strengths" program, I discovered my top five strengths in the Strengthfinders model:

1) Harmony - building consensus and focusing on what brings us together.
2) Responsibility - taking the lead in getting things done.
3) Includer - accepting everyone and casting few judgments.
4) Communication - being able to explain things clearly.
5) Input - gathering ideas and insights from everyone along the way.

How have you been spending your time since you retired?
At least five years before I retired, I started reading about retirement and planning what I'd do. Everything in my life revolved around my job and I was going 100 mph, so it was important for me to learn how to make the transition well. Now I'm as busy as when I was consulting, but I don't really have stress.

I've been spending a lot of time with my family. My wife, Dee, has had some significant health issues, so it's been a blessing to have more time to devote to her as well as our two sons who've been at home, and our adult daughters and their families. And I'm involved in volunteer work at our church around issues that are important to me and what I believe Jesus would do. I'm on a justice counsel in the southwest suburbs with the goal to make a dent in eliminating poverty in our corner of the world. It's amazing how close homelessness and poverty are to us in suburban America. I also like to cook, garden, and take fishing trips with my brother.

I've also tried to become more humble. You can always do better.

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Twinsight 21 of 50: Intentionally Grow in Wisdom

Art, Jo, Steve, Esther

A few weeks ago, I introduced the idea that four leadership qualities can converge in your 50s—energy, interdependence, wisdom and humility. I’ve really enjoyed gaining insights from four friends who are age 50+ about these qualities. Today I’d like to reflect on what I’ve learned from Pastor Art Grimstad about the core role that wisdom plays in leadership. At nearly age 93, he continues to be an amazingly wise, godly man, and a devoted husband to his wife, Esther, who will soon be 95.

Pastor Grimstad (whom we fondly call "Grimy") was a professor of ours at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. As a matter of fact, he is the teacher who had the most profound impact on my life. In addition to taking a biblical studies class from him, both Steve and I attended his packed-house weekly bible study during our college years and were under his leadership when we traveled with Christian music teams. Then, along with other engaged couples, we had the privilege of meeting with both Art and Esther each week throughout our senior year for group premarital counseling, ending with him marrying us after we graduated.

Throughout his life, he has served in many roles including student, husband, father, grandfather, pastor, teacher, small group leader, visionary, development leader, global ministry advocate, counselor, and friend. As I think about his life and influence on me, I am struck by the the fact that he didn’t just wake up one day wise. He has intentionally taken actions to grow in wisdom. He:

1. Asks for Wisdom. When you hear him talk about his life experiences - from recovering from a challenging childhood illness to leading the Billy Graham Crusade in Fargo, it's striking how his life has had many ups and downs but he has humbly sought God's wisdom at every turn. He embodies James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." How many times am I perplexed and have simply forgotten to ask and wait on God? I guess instant gratification and wisdom don't belong in the same sentence!
2. Shares Wisdom. His first love is small group teaching, and he is an absolute master at it. He has a way of sharing his knowledge and insights in a digestible, practical way that makes you want to learn and grow more. And he has impacted hundreds of lives. Even today, he gives the chapel messages in their senior apartment building each week (to a full house), and deftly meets people where they're at and helps them grow.
3. Cultivates Wisdom. When we visited the Grimstads this weekend, Steve and I were both struck by how he is still continually learning and discovering new ways that God is moving. He is reading a book about what's going on in the Middle East, and actively involved in a couple of global ministries. He continues to grow in wisdom and discernment, yet never feeling as if he's arrived.

His best piece of wisdom for us was a point he made over and over during our engagement, and reiterated in his meditation at our wedding. Remember that love is a choice. There will be days when you don’t feel loving and don’t want to love. But you wake up and choose to love. It’s simple, challenging, and life changing.

Thank you, Grimy, for profoundly impacting my life and spurring me on to continually seek wisdom.

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Twinsight 20 of 50: Live Interdependently with Gratitude

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the idea that four qualities can converge in your 50s—energy, interdependence, wisdom and humility. Four friends of mine who are age 50+ have graciously allowed me to interview them about one of these qualities. This week, I’d like to introduce you to an amazing woman, Bernice Flanagan. At age 74, she continues to work 10-hour days running her business, The General Store, in my hometown of Edinburg, North Dakota. She and my mom shared the same name and many common experiences and values, so she’s particularly dear to me.

As a business and community leader, I’m amazed at the way she lives so interdependently – really living and working in her community and beyond every day with an underlying sense of gratitude. How does she do it? Here's what she had to say.

How did you get started with your business? In 1982, my husband, Jim, our sons James (age 19) and Joe (age 9), and I were living a wonderful life in the farming community of Nash, North Dakota, when our lives changed dramatically. Jim died suddenly. I needed to quickly make decisions about where to live and how to support my boys and me. I decided to move to Edinburg and started selling World Book encyclopedias, becoming a district manager covering several counties. Everything just fell into place…it was pretty amazing. But the traveling was getting really tiring. Then in 1993, a “for sale” sign came up on the hardware store. I didn’t have any retail experience, but I knew I could learn. So I made an offer. As it turned out, three men and I became partners and bought the store. A year and a half later, the store burned to the ground but we didn’t let that stop us. Our business reopened in what was the Community Hall, a 1938 Works Progress Administration (WPA) project of the depression era. As time went on and changes came about, I eventually became the sole owner and now I get to "play store" Monday through Saturday! What I enjoy most is when a group like a Birthday Club, Red Hats group, or Senior Citizens Club books a tour and I have the opportunity to tell the history of the store, the story of the trains, show and tell them about the oxcart with its history, and let them experience the beauty and charm of our well-kept Small Town, USA.

As you've worked with people through the years, what have you learned? Throughout the year, I am always learning from customers as well as the hardware and gift market events that I attend four times a year. I've also learned that there are two vital components to making our life at the store enjoyable - coffee and fun. My helpers and I start the morning with coffee which gives us the opportunity to talk about the day in a positive, harmonious way. Coffee just always helps! I've also learned that it's important to have as much fun each day as possible. We draw customers from all over, and I love visiting with them. It seems like there's always something to laugh about. The children especially like playing with Muffin, the General Store Kitty, who always seems to get us laughing.

How have you had the courage to take risks along the way? It hasn't always been easy. My boys and I have worked very hard. And I've had to make some big decisions - like moving to Edinburg and buying the store - when I haven't known what to do. But I'm proud to say that they both graduated from college debt free. And other than losing my husband early in life, my life has been filled with many blessings as I simply trust God with each day.

  

What keeps you going? I have some quotes that sum up what I believe and how I want to live my life: 

• "I am rich in blessings. I don't have a desire to be wealthy, but I hope when it's all said and done that I have made a difference."
• "You're never poor as long as you have a dream."
• "The highest form of satisfaction in life is helping others."
• "It's such a gift to do work that you love to do, and then have that work be something that you're so proud of."
• "You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give. But the real secret of happiness is what you share."

What’s on the horizon for Bernice? When she turns 75 next year, she’s hoping to write a memoir. In the meantime, I'm quite confident she'll continue to learn and make a difference in others' lives.

 

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Twinsight 19 of 50: Get Energized by Doing Something You Love

Last week, I suggested four qualities that can converge in your 50s—energy, interdependence, wisdom, and humility. Now this week and the following three, you’re in for a treat. You’re going to hear from four friends of mine who are leaders age 50+ and exhibit one of these qualities particularly well. Today I’d like to introduce you to my first cousin and dear friend, Nancy TenHulzen. Along with her husband, David, she leads and runs Park View Alpacas in West Linn, Oregon just outside of Portland. They started the business in 1993 with 5 alpacas, which are essentially small llamas. Today they have 250 alpacas, raising them for breeding the future generation of herds and the wonderful fiber that produces cashmere-like material. I’m amazed at the high amount of energy required to run and grow a business that has never really been done before anywhere. How does she do it? Here are some of her insights.

What does a typical day look like?
Our home is on 6 acres and we are able to raise about 45 alpacas on our home ranch. The other animals are at our main ranch which is 15 minutes away. Our females have about 70 cria (babies) a year. I have a very talented, hard working, and caring staff who do most of the hands-on work. We shear about 200 alpacas in 5 days every May, and send their fleeces to a variety of processing mills including the Pendleton Blanket Project. I now mainly work on marketing our ranch and the Prestige Auction as well as planning our next trips to show our animals.

What do you do at the shows?

About 5 times a year, we show 30 animals in halter shows around the country. We have been fortunate to have been named Suri Breeders of the Year, had 2 different Herdsires named Herdsire of the Year, and won many Best of Show and Supreme Trophies along with a couple hundred Color Championships. Our goal has always been to create high-quality, healthy alpacas by purchasing and breeding the best alpacas available.

How do you keep up the energy to run a business?
Sometimes I feel like I'm running out of energy! But then I wake up and there are always things to do to keep everything running. I always try to eat healthy and in moderation. One advantage for me is that I've never really liked sweets. I also try to exercise 45 - 60 minutes a day (cardio, weights, core body work), get a decent amount of sleep, keep my stress under control, and make sure my vital health numbers are in check. And, because the alpacas are very calm, gentle and curious, it is a joy for me to look out at them and be around them.

What tips do you have for other business owners?

This business really started as a little hobby, and I had no business degree, no business background, and no ranch experience. It all really comes down to:

• Common sense. A lot of our decisions are simply common sense like working hard, investing in high-quality products, making decisions for the long-term vs. the short-term, hiring high-quality people and treating them well, setting a realistic budget and sticking to it, making a list of goals and reviewing and revising them regularly, and following the Golden Rule.
• Marketing sense. We have a strong network with other alpacas breeders and stay in regular touch with them through our website and emails. We also market by attending shows and events, and holding our own auction. I'm always thinking about why customers should want to come to us because it's really their choice, and we want to be an organization they're excited to choose.  
• Doing something you love and the money will follow. It’s not all glamourous, believe me. But I really do enjoy the business and  all the wonderful people we have met. It’s been really fun to see it grow and evolve, and to keep a good attitude and continually grow and learn with it

Thanks to Nancy for her insights! Next week: insights on how interdependence strengthens your leadership.

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Twinsight 18 of 50: Take the World By Storm

When I turned 50, my brother-in-law, Josias, pointed out that it's not too late to make a mark on this world. (Thank you!) As a matter of fact, he shared that most CEOs are in their 50s. And it's true. If you look at the stats, you'll see that the average CEO is 50 something. While I don't necessarily aspire to be CEO of anything at the moment, I started to wonder why the decade of your 50s is such a choice time when it comes to leadership - whether it's leading in the marketplace, our homes, or in the community. I believe that it has to do with the fact that in our 50s, we have the opportunity to be at the vortex of our energy, interdependence, wisdom and humility.

First of all, our personal energy can be quite high if we're intentional about maximizing it. I've been particularly inspired by friends with chronic health conditions who've worked hard to take care of themselves and have a remarkable energy level as they strive to live full lives. We've also learned to live more gracefully in a place of interdependence - learning to collaborate and problem solve with others much more effectively. We also have enough combined book smarts and street smarts to be able to bring a measure of wisdom to the world on topics we've had experience with. Plus, by 50, we've had our share of hard knocks, and hopefully aren't as cocky as we once were, reflecting a healthy humility. The combination makes even high school and college reunions down right delightful.

How can we capitalize on this sweet spot? First of all, we can't take forever to figure it out! In her essay, Look for what's hopeful and go with it1, Wendy Wasserstein writes, "When you're 50, you know there isn't an endless amount of time. You just know it. But you still have to believe that you can change things."

So I suppose it's about time that I figure out what I'm going to do when I grow up. I'm blessed to enjoy the marketplace work I do in the area of engaging people in their health along with my ever evolving joint role with Steve to coach and guide our daughters as they move from being teenagers to young adults. But I struggle at times with questions like, "Am I making a difference in the world? Am I focused on the right things? Am I backing off where it's not my place?"

The mini ah-ha I've had recently is that God works in amazing ways as I come alive to His purposes and join Him in how He's working in the day-to-day world around me - regardless if I'm leading or following, at work or home, in the U.S. or any other part of the world. Howard Thurman advises, "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what make you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

When I turned 50, my friend, Carol, gave me this advice: "Enjoy the transition to the new decade. Take it by storm. You have much left to do in God's kingdom purposes. In fact, you're now just getting to the place where God is going to find you really useful. You've been refined by time and experience. God has tested your character in many ways. And you're mature enough to know that the world revolves around Him - and not you. Ah, you are the perfect age."

What does it look like for you to take your world by storm, whatever your age? As I've been writing this post during the last several early mornings, thunderstorms have been brewing. They've reminded me that storms are not safe, but they do shake things up, can be beautiful in their own way, and result in a new sense of calm. During the next four weeks, I'll share insights about energy, interdependence, wisdom, and humility. What have you learned in your journey? I'll share our collective ideas.

1 Wendy Wasserstain, "Look for what's hopeful and go with it," in Ronnie Sellers (ed.), Fifty Things To Do When You Turn 50, Ronnie Sellers Productions, Inc., Portland, ME, 2005, pp. 22-25.

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Twinsight 17 of 50: Savor Summer Meals with Friends

It is around the table that friends understand best, the warmth of being together. - Unknown

Don, Gerry, Maria, DeLonn
(counterclockwise)

When I think of the simple pleasures in life that I enjoy most, creating and enjoying a meal with friends is high on my list. And summer is my favorite time because the foods are freshest, we can sit outside on the patio, and there just seems to be more time.

I recently got around to skimming a book that I'd heard about, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver. With her husband and daughter, she describes how they took a year to deliberately eat foods in season grown near their home. Although that level of commitment wouldn't work in our lifestyle right now, it inspired me to always be taking advantage of the season's freshest food. I thought I'd share the recipes for a meal I enjoy preparing and sharing. It serves around six. The recipes reflect the way that I've learned and continue to learn to cook: through a real and virtual "village" of people who have added spice to my life.

Appetizer Platter
I usually simply arrange a light platter of some combination of grapes, pear slices, slices of a nice cheese, onion jelly, almonds, and crackers.

Tangy Mixed Grill
* My friend, Mary, who is from Seattle introduced Leah and me to this wonderful marinade that I shared in an earlier blog but it's my current favorite so I want to share it again! 
6-8 pieces of the meat you want to serve (salmon, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, etc.)
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2/3 cup olive oil
4 green onions cut into 1-inch strips
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Combine all ingredients, add meat, and refrigerate in Ziploc bag at least four hours. If you want to serve two kinds of meat (e.g., chicken and jumbo shrimp on skewers), divide the marinade in two Ziplocs (or double the recipe) and refrigerate the two types of meat in separate bags.

Mango Salsa

* I found this recipe on some website. I love the zip and color it adds to your meat..
1 large mango, ripe, peeled, pitted, cut into 1/4" cubes
1 small pepper (as strong as you want to get), cut in 1/4" cubes
3 tablespoon. minced green onion
2 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Combine ingredients. Refrigerate, covered, several hours to meld flavors.

Tomato Pie
 * Thanks to my cousin, JoeAnn, for this family favorite. It's essentially a fresh tomato pizza.
1 baked pie shell
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
4 medium ripened tomatoes
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Fresh (or dried) basil leaves to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place Mozzarella in cooled, baked pie shell. Slice tomatoes, and place on rack to drain. Place drained tomatoes in pie shell, and drizzle with melted butter. Season with salt, pepper and basil. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Let pie stand 5 minutes before cutting into 6 pieces.

Baby Greens with Pine Nuts
*I think I started making this salad from a recipe, but now I'm comfortable enough with it that I regularly change it up. Here's one variation.
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper to take
Baby greens (enough for 6 salad plates, usually 1-2 bags)
4 tablespoons shallots or green onions
1 cup Parmesan cheese shavings
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Whisk together dressing ingredients (vinegar, garlic, oil, sugar, salt and pepper). Place mixed greens and shallots in large bowl. Toss with dressing (you may not need it all) and divide salad among 6 plates. Sprinkle each with cheese and nuts.

Whole Grain Rolls
I pick up whatever looks good. I really like the taste and ease of the New French Bakery breads.

Blueberry Crisp
* My friend, Joyce, brought this Betty Crocker classic to book club many years ago and now it's a family favorite.
6 cups fresh blueberries (or 2-16 oz. pkgs. frozen unsweetened)
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
2/3 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Ice cream (my favs are cinnamon or vanilla bean)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange blueberries in a greased 9" x 13" glass pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Mix brown sugar, flour, oats, butter, cinnamon and salt; sprinkle on top. Bake until topping is light brown and blueberries are hot - about 30 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.

Colorful, flavorful...ready to savor with friends! Any summer favorites you have?

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Twinsight 16 of 50: Gotta Love Dogs



Guest Blogger, Pabby Swenson

In most families with dogs, it seems that there was one hold out to getting the dog in the first place. In our family, it was my mom. Here was her dog criteria: mute, bald, compliant, and no GI tract. There were actually quite a few dogs like that in the house before I arrived. She calls them stuffed. I call them chew toys.

She eventually caved and now wonders why she was so stubborn since I'm so charming and unconditionally loving. I'm a seven-year-old Schnoodle, and was named after Leah's imaginary friend. When she was four and Chloe arrived, the imaginary friend fled to Florida because the competition was too fierce. Leah wanted to give Chloe the name Pabby so the ring of his name would still be heard through the house. To ease the pain of not getting her way, my parents stupidly told her that if we ever got a dog, we'd name him Pabby. So that's how I got stuck with this name. But it is appropriate that Leah named me because she's my favorite. She simply shows me the most love. I've scheduled some canine therapy for myself (must snatch the Visa...) after she goes away to college since I basically stalk her day and night.

One morning, mom said out loud to me, "What should I write about in my next blog? What was I thinking when I promised 50 of these?" I really wanted to help her because she looked more desperate than usual. I said, "Hey, I might just be a dog, but I have friends. And they're good looking." So scroll down and meet some of my friends of all shapes and sizes.

  


Tilly Brady



Coconut Johnson



Dakota Jensen



Trout and Cider Beery with sister, Ella (she's the one in the middle)



WallE Walsh



Tehya Quinnell

 

Daisy Cook



Cozmo Strommen

 

Annie Kay Dick

 

Willy Jensen



Sissy & Lexi TenHulzen




Cosmo Brown Bloch with sisters, Callie & Tori

 

Cory Lima with sister, Sonia


Thanks for meeting my friends! If you have a dog, send me a photo of him or her and maybe mom will let me do another blog in the future. Later, Pabby

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