Beautiful Frost in the Trees

Iowa weather is always changing and this Christmas the view into our yard was beautiful.

Next Gen Visit From Africa

We enjoyed a very quick visit with Dana and Thea. They managed to travel from Lusaka, Zambia through London to New York to DC to Arizona before arriving here in Iowa. It was a real trains, planes and automobiles trip. Very quick day but special and very interesting as Thea is only 15 months old and has been on several safaris. She knows lions, elephants, etc. and what sounds that they make. The Keating girls are definitely world travelers. We were thrilled and proud.

Winter Comes to Creekview Coves

The mallards sit on the ice at the edge of the creek as we begin the transition to winter. Each season reveals a different view of the creek. This view is taken out the dining room window.

Happy Holidays

This year I decorated two trees on the main level of our house. I was determined to have a nine foot tree so I settled for a skinny one that I could set up in the corner.

This is the traditional tree that is set up in the dining room.

No holiday is complete without the gilded deer!

The Sunday Afternoon Nap is a Good Thing

It takes time to learn how to be a big dog and take real naps. We're finally getting there with Zoey.

Sparkles on the Ceiling in Master Bath

We designed transom windows in our master bath. In the afternoon the sunlight comes in and is reflected through the glass on the chandelier onto the ceiling. It is hard to see in the picture but it is very pleasing to see the sunlight dancing around the ceiling in little rainbows.

The Girl Room Gets It's Shutters

My cousin Tom Erger, our cabinet maker from Cabinet Studio, had some very nice doors made that fit inside the window and are very flexible. They are hinged and can be closed partially or completely depending on the need. They are the same pattern and material as all of the other cabinets in the house and fit perfect. It gives "the room" the look and style it deserves! Good progress as we settle into how we live in the landing. Enjoy!

John Creates Our Stools - We're Spoiled for Sure!

It was a nice education for us and we received near perfect kitchen stools. John Schwartzkopf, our furniture maker, took the time to build an adjustable prototype that allowed us to move the pieces to create the perfect fit for Liz. We were able to adjust the seat, backrest and footrest to get the right fit and adjust the size to allow the stool to slide under the counter out of the traffic when not being used. We waited a year to allow the wood to be selected and the prototyping process to mature, but it created the best result and was worth the wait. We use the stools almost every night to sit at the bar and have dinner together. It's a great joy and we feel very fortunate to have made the connection to John over 20 years ago. Check out the new addition and come on over to see for yourself. Something to drink and some good food are waiting on our menu at Sandstrom's Golden Landing!

Beautiful Day for Flying

It was a great day to enjoy some air time and check out a pretty day here in Iowa. The ducks are out in the fields enjoying the left-overs on the ground, pheasants are running around chasing the bugs and the wild turkeys strolling along the lane. The harvest is almost finished and the days are beautiful - no clouds and great sun.

Fall Trip to Move Grandma to Arizona

It was time to get Grandma out of the bad weather in Minnesota and down to Arizona. On the way we had the opportunity to meet the new Great Grandson. Lots of fun. The trip was fun as not many cars on the road and wonderful opportunity to visit during the 2600 miles of driving. We were pleased with the great service that we received all across the country. Grandma was eager to get the Arizona winter and miss the Minnesota snow.

Fall is Beautiful at our Golden Landing

The transition has begun to fall weather and we appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the changes easily viewed from our new place. It is such a joy!

Road Trip to See Will

Rick and I made a quick trip to Minneapolis (round trip in one day) to see Will a few weeks ago. Grampa took every opportunity to hold him. Here is Will in Dad's lap catching a few winks in between meals.

Sandstrom's Golden Landing

We talked about having a B&B, but Liz's wisdom prevailed. It was decided not to spend our time with unknown guests. Our new house was designed to share with our family and friends. This past weekend we were thrilled to share our home with a dear friend, Hubert Olivier from Paris. It was a great chance to do some good cooking, sample from the wine cellar and discuss a long list of subjects. Hubert and his family have hosted us in Paris several times and visited us several times over the past 15 years. It is great quality time to discuss everything from politics to family to the changing world and it's impact on our living. Great friends, good wine and food sure made the time go quickly. A small cooking challenge too as the beef tenderloin had one request for med well and the guest request for rare. Fortunately, our Cook's Illustrated was a big help allowing great success with very little stress. It's a wonderful life!

Tom is a Daily Visitor

Each day our Tom turkey comes to clean up the bird feeders, check himself out in the window and take a nap by the warm brick in front. He's up waiting for Liz to go to work and watches her drive out of the garage from the side of the driveway. No worries as he is busy catching the grasshoppers and helping manage the bugs in the flower gardens.

11 Months on the 11th

Thea Elizabeth turned 11 months on the 11th of August. She's getting ready for the new venture Blue Moon in Zambia.

Next Generation Sandstrom is Born

Introducing William Aaron Sandstrom (Will) born on August 13th to Aaron and Ann in Minneapolis. 8lbs 9 oz. and 21" long.

Aubrey Elizabeth Knock

Aubrey Elizabeth weighed in at 9 lbs, 3 oz. & 22 inches long, born August 12. She has a big sister named McKenna that is 3 1/2 going on 13!

Sarah and I hosted a bridal shower at my house for a BFF we work with. The margarita machine was going and the conversations were flowing! Here is a picture of all of us.

Left to right: Sam, Janet, Brandi, Liz, Tammy

Sarah & Kelly

We picked out a micro fiber sofa and love seat for the cabin room.

We added some wood sculptures that were created by our furniture maker John. It really helps to tie our decorating style together.

More sculptures on the mantel.

We purchased 12 chairs to go around our table. Since there is just the 2 of us we used the extras in different areas of the house.

I came across this photo over the weekend and couldn't resist posting it. This is Sarah at age 8 holding Nicole shortly after she was born. In a few short months Sarah will be holding her second baby girl.

Sold!

On June 11, Rick and I handed over the keys to our house on 10th Street. Bittersweet really. It was a great house and we learned a lot about many things while living in that house. Life, love and loss, to mention a few.

Grandbaby Thea is 9 months old. She weighed in 9 kg and 74 cm (that's almost 20 lb. and 29 in. in"American"). She is on the go, pulling up to stand and crawling. It is fall in Africa and Miss T is enjoying her time in the garden.

Quack!

It's a clear sign of how much we enjoy our new house when we are reluctant to leave. April gives us the opportunity to attend the National Antique Decoy convention in St. Charles, Illinois at a beautiful facility on a golf course, but we found ourselves questioning whether we wanted to leave our new digs. Home Sweet Home!!!

The bird feeders that served the birds so well at our old house are up and filled with food. It didn't take long for the turkeys to decide that what falls to the ground is free for the taking. This big boy has been showing up each morning to feed and admire his own reflection in the window. Zoey watches nearby until she just can't stand it any longer and takes off after him.

zzzzzzzz

The joy of our new bed! Zoey has finally figured out how to stop and take a nap. It is silly to see her sleeping on her back with legs in the air.

Our neighborhood is growing. Right across the street from us two new foundations were poured this week. Eight lots have broke ground since we moved in last October. We're hoping it's a sign that the economy is turning around.

The snow is gone and our grass is getting green just in time for St. Patricks Day! Unfortunately there is snow in our forecast this weekend.

Thea is 6 months old and keeps Dana and Bob very busy.

Shopping in the Twin Cities

Over my birthday weekend we went to the Twin Cities to attend the first decoy show of the season. While there I intruduced Rick to the Pottery Barn experience. I had a lot of little things I was shopping for to make the guest suites more comfortable and that is the place. We met a great gal there that helped us and by the time we were finished we felt like we had known her for years. I didn't buy this bowl on this trip but wanted to share what I had done with it and how fun it can be to change it out when ever the mood strikes. PB is the best.

While shopping in Minneapolis we found the bathroom vanity stool. We hadn't spent a lot of time looking for one since we moved in but time we did spend told us that we weren't going to find it around here. We made a point to visit the Stool Store while in the cities and there it was!

During our trip a few weeks ago to Minneapolis Rick insisted on buying this life size golden retriever puppy. He thought Zoey needed it to snuggle with. Well- the picture says it all! She grabbed it and is getting ready to let her know that there's only one puppy in this house! Shortly after the picture was taken the "puppy" had to be put up out of reach. Grrrrrrr

Zoey is telling us as she only can that the idea of having a twin is not appreciated. In other words she's sulking (while on my bed).

Here is a favorite rooster of mine that stands proudly in the kitchen. I bought it several years ago while on vacation in Wisconsin. It was purchased with only a dream in mind of what our new home could and would be!

Here us the stain glass polar bear that hangs in the window in the laundry room.

Zoey walks the fenceline to check on the ducks. She really likes watching them take off and land in the creek.

Winter & Wildlife

Friday after work I took pictures of the deer walking near the creek. It was snowing so if you're seeing spots it's not your eyesight.