this is enthusiasm: minnesota

Showing posts with label minnesota. Show all posts

Going Big

Great Camp

While on the Lake Bemidji State Park Trail between two parts of Big Bass Lake, I noticed the similarities of Northern Minnesota and New England. Particularly New Hampshire. The history of Adirondack architecture has always fascinated me and I am sorry to have not explored it when I was living in Vermont. Today I saw an island with a house perched on it and I wondered about its quality. Its livability, or current habitation. The thought of boarding up a house for the winter is saddening to me. The value I have for Place is perhaps stronger than most. To not have taken part in the unique New England architecture is perhaps a saving grace for me. For I may have never departed. One reckoning I have is the varying sacrifice it requires to build a beautiful rustic home in different regions of the country. Breathtaking historic architecture is scarce in Northern Minnesota. Overall, it seems that excessive design is not welcomed here. Its exciting to imagine living in an era where famous movie stars can hire construction of marvelous rustic cabins, Great Camps, as their temporary vistas. Knowing that I thrive in sharing my time with a multiplicity of Places, near and far, that lifestyle appeals to me. But here, it seems there is a greater reward for modesty. Owning a practical home in a beautiful land, that was built by your friends and neighbors with all the money you could spare, is unique if not for its simplicity and is a dream my fellow Minnesotans can admire.

Community of a Plate Exhibit Process

This summer I have been doing some dreamy work for an organization I strongly believe in.

The Community of a Plate design team used their personal experience from life on the farm. Ruth Sauvageau and Terese Elhard were able to donate all of the barn wood with the help of their families in northern Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota. Kathleen Reitan, Terese's cousin, assisted as carpentry mentor during five weeks of production. Each frame was built as part of a set that is hinged together to form seven towers, all of which hold the panels of stories. The exhibit is intended to engage the viewers in an authentic farm atmosphere, and display the Community of a Plate stories that highlight the tradition of farmers providing food to their communities.

Community of a Plate Flickr - Exhibit Process Set

Be sure to visit our exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair this August 27th—September 7th at the Eco Experience Building in St.Paul, Minn.!
For more information about the project, please visit the Community of a Plate website http://communityofaplate.org.

Motto

I have to say, my first interest with design began here, in the pages and covers of my parents' yearbooks (1978 & 1976). Not only was this a representation of a farm community during a historical era, but the style of dress at the time continues to be my favorite, and my parent's younger years fascinating.

When I last revisited these books, as I have routinely done since I was a young schoolgirl, I was intrigued by the lightheartedness of the design and its irony when paired with such valiant class mottos.

My mother and I laughed as I acknowledged the charm of the layouts. She explained, "Its called doin' the best with what 'chya had!"

And that is the wisest bit of knowledge I have heard in a long time, which I now have adopted as my personal motto for my upcoming graduation from sixteen years of academics. Susan B. Anthony also supports my sentiments, when she said "Failure is impossible." And in summation of my extended years of collegiate experience, I know that the best I can do is try.

Be sure to browse the black and white photograph pages for my mom and future-uncle, as life goes on around them, (when they were dating before my mom married his brother...) and note my father as president of Future Farmers of America! Any relation to my goal of being a Future Farmer?

the SQUATCH

I truly wish the sasquatch was real. This rugged video was made a long time ago, and its rugged quality is charming to me now. My friends who I worked with are far beyond college. Tyler is making snowboarding videos with Alexandra, Bud is working at Thirst, and Cassi is due for a baby soon.

When I graduate college this spring, I'm thinking about going in to the study of Cryptozoology. Show me the non-evidence.