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The smug face of a traveler who is fascinated by North Dakota airports.
Happy Minot Monday! Lots of us have been traveling for the holidays. Now that we are settling back into a regular routine, isn’t it time to think about spring travel plans? It’s no secret that I love living life in Practically Canada, however travel from Minot can be tricky. Whether that’s because you have a hard time finding a flight, or accepting the hours you’ll need to spend in the car…or you are simply shocked by the oddity that is North Dakota airports–I’ve got you covered. Today’s Minot Monday covers everything you need to know about flying out of Minot for your next big trip. (Future Minto Monday posts will cover car travel and train travel.)
Last time we lived in Minot I had friends ask me all the time how I convinced people to come visit. Most people hear the words “North Dakota” and immediately decide that they don’t want to live here, let alone visit. Before you can convince them to come for a visit they’re already talking about the winters being too cold and the fact that there’s nothing to do. (I hear these excuses even in the summer when it’s anything but cold and definitely not boring.) Come to think of it, maybe I should write a Minot Monday post about convincing friends to come visit.
The clincher for me is never convincing people they should come for a visit–it’s working out the logistics of how to get someone here. The same is true on the flip side. Planning trips out of Minot can be equally challenging. Flying from Minot is rarely direct and often pricey. But don’t let that stop you. Flying from Minot is also filled with sitcom (or Gilmore Girls-esque) terminals and characters. There’s no perfect formula, but I’m happy to share the good, bad and quirky that I’ve discovered when it comes to travel from Minot.
Flying From Minot | A few anecdotes
My preferred method of travel from Minot is flying. The first time I arrived in Minot it was July 2012. I had flown from Shreveport, LA to Denver to Minneapolis to Minot. A slightly drugged Panda-cat was my carry on luggage. It took all day. And I do mean all day. I had never set foot in North Dakota, now I was about to live here.
When I got off the plane and exited the jet bridge I was totally taken aback. I was standing in the smallest commercial airport I’d ever seen. I was frazzled from the day and eager to get something to eat and see Derek (we’d been apart for about two months at this point.) Because I was so exhausted I noticed very little except the size of the building and that there were only about four gates, all totally visible in the rectangular room.
Later, as I took more flights out of Minot, I came to understand that travel from Minot was a truly unique situation. Although everyone in town warned of long security lines (sometimes I heard of them nearly out the door), security never took me longer than 15 minutes. I don’t think I ever waited behind more than five people.
As stated, the gates were all fully visible at once. Rows of seats filled the space, most travelers (including myself after living in Minot for a year or so) would run into someone they knew while waiting for a flight. Once, while waiting for a flight, an employee walked to the middle of the terminal, cleared her throat and said, “Excuse me.” She wasn’t shouting, or using the intercom–but the whole room quieted down.
“Somebody dropped their keys.” She held them up for all to see. “I’ll have them up here at the desk. Everybody, just check to make sure you’ve got yours.” A minute later a man walked up to the desk to claim his keys.
There’s something special there, right?
There was a small snack bar inside security. For as long as anyone could remember one of the items listed was a “Hot Dawg.”
Once, after claiming our luggage, I left my laptop bag in near the baggage carousel. I realized when I got home. Derek went back and to discover it was waiting behind the desk. “As soon as you walked out, someone brought it up. We figured you’d be back quickly,” the man working told him.
Sadly, that tiny airport is gone now. It’s been replaced by a more modern model–but the feel of the experience is much the same. The “new” airport (as it’s still called in many local circles) is bigger and more spread out. While the “old” airport always felt busy because everyone waiting for a flight was seated close together, the “new” airport nearly always feels empty.
It’s clean. There are plenty of seats. The windows are beautiful. Again, if you are used to flying from a larger hub–security lines will floor you with their brevity. There is a snack bar…but don’t hold your breath. They no longer offer the Hot Dawg.
Flying From Minot
If you’d like to pursue air travel from Minot your best bet is to fly out of Minot (obviously) or Bismarck. The Bismarck airport is just shy of two hours away from Minot, but sometimes you can get a heck of a deal. (Since you’ll need to drive down, keep parking in mind. Don’t worry though–it maxes out at $40/week.)
The Bismarck airport is a lot like Minot’s. While traveling for the holidays we flew from Bismarck. It’s small, clean and friendly. Again, there is no music playing over the intercom. So you can sit in silence–or watch one of the living-room-sized TVs sprinkled around the terminal. Unlike large airports that might feel the need to micromanage what you watch, the TV remotes are left out in Bismarck for travelers to use and watch whatever they like. (I shared our real-time Bismarck airport experience on my Instagram and Facebook stories.)
Seriously, is North Dakota for real? This place is awesome. Flying from MOT (The Minot International Airport)
If you choose to fly from Minot or Bismarck here some tips and things to keep in mind.
Don’t pay for parking in Minot. Parking rates at MOT are $12/day or $72/week. The city of Minot is so small and well connected. A ride to the airport will take less than 15 minutes from most parts of town. Ask a friend or take a taxi/Lyft.
Be a flexible traveler. Flying from our small airports means rates tend to be high. The more flexible your dates, the better chance at getting a good deal. I like to use Kayak’s month view to find the best price.
Set an airfare alert. This goes hand in hand with being flexible. If you know where you’d like to go (like to your hometown to visit family) or where certain friends would fly out to come visit Minot–you can watch the rates and be alerted when they drop.
Remember to check alternate airports. Try to get creative with your flights. Be open to flying out of Bismarck instead of Minot–or flying in to an airport that might be a short drive from your final destination.
Be open to creative routes. Hacker fares that may require you to change airlines during your layover can save you big money flying out of small airports. This works especially well if you can pack light enough to only need a carry on.
Understand and accept you’ll be on a very small aircraft. The planes coming in and out of Minot (and Bismarck) are small. Accept that fact. You will not be able to bring a full-sized roller carry-on on board. They’ll gate check it for you (meaning you’ll leave it on the jet bridge and pick it up on the jet bridge upon landing.) Depending on the airline you may be charged an additional fee for a roller carry-on.
Airlines Serving Minot
Delta
United
Allegiant
Allegiant Direct Flights from Minot
Direct from Minot to Pheonix and Las Vegas are available through Allegiant Air. Fares are cheap, so this is a good way to escape the winter chill or meet up with family/friends who refuse to come all the way north (their loss.)
Airlines Serving Bismarck
Delta
United
American
Allegiant
Frontier
Allegiant Direct Flights from Bismarck
Daytona Beach. FL
Orlando, FL
Las Vegas, NV
Phoenix, AZ
I hope this helps–even a little. Here’s to a New Year full of fun travels and lots of visitors!
Minot Monday is brought to you by BeLocal Minot. All thoughts, opinions and awesome word-smithing are my own.
Christmas in Minot is truly a special season. Today, for Minot Monday I’m doing something a little different. Instead of using lots of words and a list to tell you something about our sweet, special town–I’ve put together an image essay for you.
I’ve told you before, I hear lots of complaints about being forced to move to Minot. I hear lots of groaning about the windchill. But there is something down right magical about a small town Christmas. Like a hybrid of a Hallmark Christmas movie and a quirky NBC mockumentary, Christmas in Minot is not to be missed.
Christmas in Minot: a photo essay
I’ve gathered photos from the season here. But this collection isn’t complete. It’s missing the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, where basically anyone in the community can join in the singing on stage–as long as you know the music. I missed the Christmas symphony concert. This year they had a bell choir and I heard it was breathtaking. There are no images from the lutefisk and meatball dinner, the Dickens Festival or pet photos with Santa at the mall. I missed the carol sing (where a friend warned me that saying “ass” in “What Child is This” can be taboo), the ballet and the many, many vendor markets.
I did ride a bus around town looking at lights with some friends. When asked how they got the bus she replied, “It’s a friend of a friend. I’ve never really met him. But he lets us use it. Seriously nice for a stranger.”
Christmas in Minot is much, much more than what I present here. But I gave it my best shot. I’ll try again next year. I hope this brings a little comfort to someone out there who may be nervous about relocating to Practically Canada.
It really is a great place.
A happy and glittering snowman near the town tree downtown.
Santa visits downtown shops throughout December. He looks especially cozy in Main Street Books–ready to hand candy canes to everyone on the nice list.
It’s not Christmas without a movie marathon. Minot’s Video Magic stocks shelves of Christmas movies for easy picking.
BeLocal has a complete guide to winter fun in Minot
The Christmas season kicks off with the Festival of Trees. A live auction of trees and wreaths and silent auction of gift baskets benefits Dakota Hope Clinic.
Two trees at the Festival of Trees included nativity sets.
Minot’s small coffee shops are the best place to taste the season. Minot’s Daily Bread’s counter looks festive and warm even on the coldest days.
Minot is full of local eateries. Sweets cases are always prettiest at Christmas. (This is at Minot’s Daily Bread.)
Small town shops decked out for the holidays make shopping local easy. (There are lots of places to grab good gifts–this is The Foundry.)
The downtown open house invites the community to shop local. During the open house, shops stay open late, chestnuts roast on the street, cocoa and cider are free for the taking–and the night wraps up with caroling and the town tree lighting.
Small town shops decked out for the holidays make shopping local easy. (There are lots of places to grab good gifts–this is The Foundry.)
Santa’s Reindeer (all the way from the Drayton Reindeer Ranch–it’s practically the North Pole) visited the mall.
Scheel’s sponsored the visit from Santa’s Reindeer.
TC Nursery is the only place in town to cut your own Christmas tree.
TC Nursery is the only place in town to cut your own Christmas tree.
Photographers across town bring their A-game to offer sweet Christmas card mini sessions.
Photographers across town bring their A-game to offer sweet Christmas card mini sessions.
Christmas in Minot wouldn’t be complete without the Olson’s annual light display or Sertoma’s Christmas in the Park.
Lowe’s Garden center is open year round and chock full of poinsettias and fresh trees at Christmastime.
Lowe’s Garden Center greenhouse is a warm and colorful escape on cold days. Nothing looks more Christmasy than a greenhouse full of poinsettias.
Light snow and freezing fog make the trees look like they belong in a gingerbread village.
While the train is stopped spectators have plenty of time to walk along the cars and see the light displays.
The Canada Pacific Holiday Train stops in Downtown Minot every year. Main Street is crowded with families bundled up to watch the show.
The Canada Pacific Holiday Train stops long enough for a live performance of Christmas music and a visit from Santa.
While the train is stopped spectators have plenty of time to walk along the cars and see the light displays.
Lowe’s Floral and Garden Center and TC’s Nursery are two favorite local places to get a fresh tree.
Christmas decor and arrangements like this one by the Depot make downtown holiday-ready.
Oak Park Theater brings holiday classics in to watch on the big screen.
Charlie’s downtown stays open late during special events. Coffee, wine and local eats are abundant downtown.
Minot is friendly year-round, but especially so at Christmas.
United Congregational Church of Christ offers a free community breakfast every Saturday morning. Minot has soup kitchens that offer meals every day all year long.
Churches across Minot host lovely public Christmas gatherings and events. This is a themed table at the First Baptist Christmas Tea.
Churches across Minot host lovely public Christmas gatherings and events. This is a themed table at the First Baptist Christmas Tea.
The annual Ugly Sweater Fundraiser at Grow With Me supports a local cause every year.
Christmas in Minot wouldn’t be complete without several picturesque snowfalls.
Cold winter mornings leave delicate, lacy ice on branches.
Happy Minot Monday! This is a very exciting post for me to write for a two major reasons. First of all, today I’m talking about places that offer craft classes in Minot–one of my favorite things. Annnnd…I’ve got something really cool to announce.
Amy Allender is Partnering With BeLocal Minot
I’ve partnered with BeLocal Minot to continue bringing you super-fun Minot Monday content!
You know I have a heart for changing negative attitudes toward living in or moving to Minot. I’ve made it my personal mission to proclaim the quirky awesomeness that is Minot, ND. BeLocal is a newly launched publication that shares that heart and mission.
BeLocal Minot is like a visitor’s guide, except it’s made for locals. It’s a guide to living like a local. It’s a comprehensive catalog of all the things that make Minot a great place to live–things that took me several years to discover the first time we lived here. I cannot tell you what a valuable resource this is for anyone new to our area, prospectively moving in, or people who have lived here a long time but haven’t found their groove yet. It’s a welcome mat inviting everyone to enjoy their life here–not just muddle through.
You can access the entire catalog online. Also be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook to join the BeLocal community. You’ll see me around there, too!
Craft Classes in Minot
Now, big announcement aside, let’s get to today’s topic. Craft classes in Minot.
The Foundry
On Friday, I went to a Christmas party at the Foundry’s classroom, the Makery. This was one of the best Christmas gatherings I’ve ever been to. Our group brought snacks to share and spent time visiting at the beginning. Then we all made a welcome mat. Our instructor, Sarah had loads of fun stencils for us to choose from. (Being a noncommittal, plain Jane–I opted to simply stencil the word “Welcome” on mine. But trust me, other people who are more fun came home with mats with colorful says painted in colorful tones.)
(Colorful or plain…the mat takes the edge off of the construction mess currently in the entryway of Acorn House.)
It was such a nice way to spend an evening. And I love my finished product! After we finished we had the Foundry to ourselves for shopping. If you haven’t been, I describe the Foundry as “Etsy in real life.” It’s an adorable shop that offers hand made items from North Dakota makers, found vintage pieces and other unique gifts, home goods and clothing.
The Foundry is one of many places offering craft classes in Minot. Check their Facebook page for upcoming classes. (They range from arranging succulents to welcome mats, signs and gnomes!)
Other Places Offering Craft Classes in Minot
There are tons of classes and meet ups happening for Minot makers. Seriously, our town is saturated with creative types who are willing to share their skills with anyone willing to learn. Every week when I do my weekly round up of events happening (you can see this in my Instagram or Facebook stories) I am blown away by the number of great craft classes in Minot.
The classes offered vary widely. You can learn to paint, arrange fresh wreaths, fuse glass, quill paper, knit, sew, quilt, and just about anything else you can imagine. In my opinion, one of the best features of Minot is that if there is interest and enthusiasm, anything can happen. Chances are, if there is a class you’d like offered (or a class you’d like to offer) you’re only a couple coffee dates away from making it happen.
Here are more places in town that offer craft classes in Minot. I hope you find one that speaks to you!
Market on 4th
The Market on 4th sells locally designed/made home decor, gifts and goods. They’ve got a classroom that regularly hosts workshops. Check their website or Facebook page for a calendar of events.
Creative Dimensions
Creative Dimensions is a quilt academy and supplier. They offer sewing classes that help students make take-home projects as well as quilting workshops. Check their website and Facebook page for more.
Margie’s Art Glass
Margie’s offers paint your own pottery–but they also offer lots of fun glass classes. Workshops teach participants to fuse, blow and work with stained glass. Additionally they offer classes in painting, ceramics and jewelry making. They offer “no experience needed” classes as well as classes for more advanced participants. Check facebook or their website for a schedule.
The Fiber Basket
The Fiber Basket sells yarn and knitting/crochet supplies. Their classes range from “no experience needed” beginner’s courses to classes for more advanced students. They offer workshops in knitting, crochet, and basically anything that is made with yarn. Check Facebook or their website for a schedule.
Nature’s Nook
Nature’s Nook is a children’s toy and book boutique, but they offer classs (for both kids and grown ups) on a regular basis. They offer lots of painting classes and craft classes for littles. Check their Facebook or website for a full list.
Taube Museum of Art
The Taube is right downtown on Main Street. They offer lots of classes–some for adults, some for kids, some for parents to create with their kids. They also offer a program for pre-school aged kiddos called a Start in Art which combines story time or a visit from a zoo friend with a craft. Check Facebook or their website for all events.
Adult Learning Center
The Adult Learning Center offers lots more than just craft classes. However there are lots of good offerings for makers through their community ed programs. I really want to learn the art of rosemaling, so I’m planning on signing up in 2020.
The Libraries
Both the Ward County and Minot Public library offer craft courses and meet ups. A wide range of crafts are offered and there are programs for all ages.
The Spot
You might not think of a pool hall as a place to take in a maker’s class…but the Spot regularly hosts classes in painting, sign making and other crafts as well as the occasional vendor market. See their Facebook for upcoming events.
The Flower Box
The Flower Box offers lots of seasonal workshops in garlands, wreaths, pots and pot gardens. If you’re looking to hone your green thumb skills check out their Facebook for upcoming events.
Souris River Brewing
Souris River Brewing offers occasional acrylic paint-along classes. Some are adult-only and others are family friendly. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events.
There you have it! Did I miss anything? If you know of someplace else that offers regular (or semi-regular) craft classes in Minot for makers I’d love to hear from you! Have a great week here in the Magic City.
(Don’t mind us…one of many outtakes in which Gideon was more interested in eating fruit snacks than taking photos.)
Today we’re talking Christmas cards. Specifically unique Bible verses for Christmas cards. If you’re stumped, or tired of sharing something classic, you’ve come to the right place.
I love Christmas cards. Every year we have fun coming up with a card idea. Most years I go overboard and create a Christmas card set, because nothing says the holidays like a perfectly staged photo. Am I right? I write a note along with every card we send–I think it’s fun to personalize the cards instead of just sending off a pretty picture of ourselves. But my favorite part is picking out a unique Bible verse for our Christmas card design.
A Christmas card is a special opportunity to place the Word of God into the hands and homes of family, friends and acquaintances. Quoting Scripture face to face with someone you barely know may be weird. However, sending a Christmas card to someone you barely know isn’t weird at all.
Christmas Cards That Point to Jesus
When sending a card out, I want to make it clear that we are celebrating more than just warm-cozy vibes. To our house, Christmas means God has come! It’s a monumental piece of the puzzle God is assembling to reconcile humanity to Himself.
Not everyone on our mailing list believes this. For those that don’t, I want our card to have a verse that reveals the truth of Christmas in a way that is easy to understand. I pray God will plant a seed there.
For other believers that receive our card, I pray that they will be encouraged and reminded of God’s greatness.
I believe Christmas cards sent out each year by believers can have a deeper meaning than sharing a cute photo. By choosing a unique Bible verse for Christmas cards, you shed some light on why Christmas is so important, what Christmas’s impact was. Why Christ came at all.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the classic “Christmas verses.” “For unto us a child is born…” “He will be called wonderful counselor, the prince of peace…” “Unto you a Savior is born…” These are music to my ears. But if you want to think outside the box I’ve got you covered. Here are seven unique Bible verses for Christmas cards. They are arranged in the order you can find them in Scripture.
(Another outtake. The timer ticked away and Gideon refused to take part.)
A Giver of Good Gifts
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 1For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
The Son [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created:Â things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;Â all things have been created through him and for him.
God has shown us his love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. 10 This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.
We have seen and testify to the fact that the Father sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 1God lives in those who declare that Jesus is the Son of God, and they live in God.
I hope these seven unique Bible verses for Christmas cards get your wheels spinning. The whole Bible points to Jesus, so there are lots and lots of unique outside-the-box verses to choose from. Have you shared an untraditional verse on your card before? I’d love to hear from you!
Happy Minot Monday! This week we’ll see high temperatures in the single digits and lows in the double negatives. Before the thermometer falls to highs in the double negatives I thought we should talk about practical items you can buy to make life more pleasant, despite very unpleasant temperatures. Today I’ve got a list of things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter.
I’ve read lots of other lists like this online. Most of them appeal to visitors. Or they focus on the obvious: snow pants, mittens, a car safety kit, etc. Don’t get me wrong. Those are all good things to own. (And they’ve made my list too!) But if you’re living here day in and day out you’ll need to be thinking about more than just a heavy coat to survive a North Dakota winter.
What You Need to Survive a North Dakota Winter
I mentioned a few of these items in my Minot Monday post that covered what a North Dakota winter is really like. However, with the holidays upon us, I’m sure you’ve got a couple people asking what you’d like under the tree. Or at very least you’ll be able to catch some good Christmas sales!
My list of things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter is geared toward folks new to the area. Locals, if you’ve got more tips–please send them my way!
Without any more introduction, here are my recommendations for things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter.
Things for the House
Before we get to the obvious things that will help you survive a North Dakota winter outdoors, let’s address the home. You’ll spend a lot of time in your home when leaving the house seems daunting (or is down right dangerous.) Here are a few things that will make your home happier in the dead of winter.
Nights will get unbelievably cold. I’ve tried lots of things on my bed to keep me warm in the bleak winter months. Nothing comes close to a down comforter. You can pile a million blankets on and still be a little cold, or crawl under one down comforter and be perfectly toasty. For real. Invest in a quality piece and it’ll last you the rest of your life (or pretty close to it.)
**As a side note, please invest in down products made in the USA through ethical practices. Down alternatives are also a good choice, especially if you suffer from allergies.**
Flannel Sheets
This one might be a no brainer, but if you don’t have them–buy yourself some flannel sheets. I like these from Target because they have an extra deep fitted sheet that stays in place.
Small Space Heater
Even the most efficient house will have a chilly spot. If you tend to be on the cold side (or are moving in from a warm climate) I highly recommend getting a small space heater.
It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Just something that can take the chill off of a cold laundry room. I like to use ours when I’m working in the basement or to warm up the bedroom before bed.
Crock Pot Liners
In my opinion, this is a bit of a luxury item. Could you just wash the crock pot? Yes, yes you could. When it’s unbearably cold outside, there’s nothing better than coming home to a hot meal. Start looking up slow cooker recipes now and make yours work over time. Sometimes I shy away from slow cooker recipes because I hate the clean up. If this is you–get some liners. Clean up happens in about 30 seconds. You may never want to cook any other way.
Window Insulation Kits
If you were raised anywhere with cold winter you’ve probably seen these before. Basically, a window insulation kit is like plastic wrap for your windows. If you live in a house or apartment with inefficient windows, you need to sit aside notions that you’re too good to “plastic your windows.”
You know we love old houses, so I’m very good at installing these. They are a little gaudy and definitely won’t give your house high-end appeal, but they are effective. Believe me, when the wind chill is -40ËšF you’ll wish you’d set aside your pride to keep that draft out.
Draft Stops
In my opinion, the name of the game during the winter is Stop the Drafts. Roll a towel at the base of a drafty door. Or invest in an actual draft stop created for this purpose.
Big Boot Tray
Save your floors (and yourself) a lot of heartache by getting your house a big boot tray. Even if you have a nice mudroom, a boot tray will pay off. Your shoes will track in snow and mud this winter. Additionally you’ll track in all the things used to keep snow and ice at bay. Salt, sand, and chemical melting agents will come in with the snow and can be a real pain to clean off of floor surfaces (let alone carpet!)
Sturdy Mat or Boot Brush
Hand in hand with a boot tray, you should also equip your house with a good mat for knocking snow and grime off of your shoes before coming in. Derek and I like to have one on the outside of the door and one on the inside. (Since an outdoor rug will often get coated in snow–even if it’s under an awning.)
If you plan to be outside a lot or work outside consider getting a boot brush to clean your treads a little more thoroughly before coming inside.
Humidifier
Winter air here is d-r-y. Dry. Your hair will be staticy. Your skin will be dry. Get yourself a humidifier to put a little moisture back in the house. This will be especially key when you catch a cold and your throat feels like it’s being rubbed with sand paper.
We like this warm mist humidifier from Vick’s. This year we also installed a dryer hose kit that vents our dryer into our house. We LOVE it! Every time we do laundry, instead of pumping all that warm, moist air outside–it is vented in to our house. It smells good and it boost the moisture content of our air.
For the Outdoors
Now that we’ve talked about the inside, let’s cover some outdoor items that will help you survive a North Dakota Winter. From your front steps to your car and driveway, here’s what I recommend.
Ice Melt or Salt for Walkways
Exterior stairs and walkways will accumulate ice. If your stairs or walk accumulates a dangerous amount of ice, the mail carrier will be unable to deliver your mail. (Seriously–this happened last time we lived here.) Chipping thick ice away is hard to do. Instead use an ice melt to provide traction and break up the ice so it can be cleared.
Snowblower
If you own a house I recommend buying a snowblower. The first year we lived here we did without. It was the hardest winter of my life. Because the winter remains cold for so long, snow accumulation rarely melts. By the end of that winter we were literally out of places to shovel our snow. Your snowblower doesn’t have to be the best, but I recommend you have one. (Or even share one with a neighbor!)
Back Saver Shovel
Even with a snowblower, there will be places you’ll need to shovel. Always opt for something ergonomic.
Remote Start
Okay. You don’t really need this to survive. But you will need to start your car a few minutes before you plan to drive. A remote start will save you a trip outside. And in my opinion, any time spent avoiding a North Dakota windchill is time well spent. If your car doesn’t have a remote start feature, you can have one installed at dealers in town.
Ice Scraper
I’m shocked at the number of people I’ve talked to that moved to the North and didn’t realize they needed an ice scraper for their car until the windshield was caked with ice. Don’t be that guy. Now you know.
Car Emergency Kit
I’ve never had a major emergency on the road, but I’d be a fool not to prepare for one. Stock your car with a pre-made emergency kit–or create your own. Then hope you never need to use it.
Car Shovel
It’s good practice to stock your car with a shovel, in case of a slide off–or getting stuck in a drift. (Or driveway.) You can keep a full shovel in your trunk, or grab one of these cute foldable models.
Traction Mats
These are so handy! I got stuck in a friend’s driveway once and her family pulled out a set of these to free me. I’d never seen them before. Now I can’t stop raving. They are small and easy to store and work so well to get unstuck when your tires are caked with snow and the ground is icy.
For Yourself
I wanted to address the the other categories first, because I think some of this self-care stuff can be obvious. Nonetheless, as your Minot BFF, I’ll tell you what I think is actually necessary to survive a North Dakota winter. (So you can skip over the stuff that you don’t really need.)
Coat
Yes, you’ll need a coat to survive a North Dakota winter. Shocking, right? I bet you already knew that. Here are my tips for getting a coat.
Get a coat you’ll actually want to wear. You’ll be wearing it a lot.
Make sure it has a hood.
Consider getting two–one for sporty stuff, one for every day use. Also, if one gets wet you’ll have a fall back.
A coat that covers your booty will make sitting in an icy car more bearable.
Boots
Invest (yes, this might be a little spendy) in a pair of boots you like to wear. Make sure they are waterproof and can accomodate thick socks.
Boot Socks
Speaking of thick socks–stock your drawer with some good socks. Make sure they are warm and also come up high so your boots won’t pull them down off of your feet.
Sunglasses
The glare off of snow and ice is blinding. On a clear, blue-sky, sunny winter day you need a good pair of sunglasses for driving. And doing anything outside, really.
Mittens and Gloves
Cover your hands with a thin pair of gloves (be sure to get some with “tech fingers” so you can work your touch screen without taking your gloves off.) Then add a thick pair of mittens over the top.
Hat
Get yourself at least one hat you like to wear. I know a lot of people who aren’t “hat” people. To survive a North Dakota winter, you need at least one hat you can stand to wear.
Thick Hand Cream
Remember how I told you that the air here is dry? It’s really dry. Without a great hand cream (and regular use) your hands will crack and bleed. Pick something unscented and thick.
I hope this helps you stay warm and cozy. Or at least will help you get through the winter. And remember the best way to enjoy the winter is to get out of your house and take advantage of things going on around town. Be sure to catch my stories on Instagram and Facebook for a weekly round up of great events happing.
It’s been more than a month since the cabinets fell off the wall. However, the Great Cabinet Crash of 2019 is still the bazaar happening I get asked about most often.
So I thought I’d better sit down and write the whole thing out. That way it doesn’t turn into a “fish tale.” And the details don’t get too blurry.
Just a normal day.
October 25 was like any other day. Derek had just gotten back from a 3-month training in Louisiana and was at work. Gideon and I had spent the morning running errands and attending Baby Play at the Library. We came home and ate lunch, then we set to work in the kitchen. The roofer was working when we left, but gone when we returned.
While cleaning Acorn House (which was a MASSIVE undertaking) I found a multitude of keys. I dumped them all out on the counter to sort. Gideon likes to stand on a step ladder to be at counter height when we work in the kitchen, so he was standing next to me. Together we sorted through the keys, labeling the ones that matched and trying others in doors. It was all pretty mundane.
The Crash
At 1pm we went to Gideon’s room. We read a few books then he laid down to nap.
I went back to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee. Then, I sat on the couch and started scrolling Pinterest. Around 1:30, just as I was telling myself I shouldn’t be wasting nap time I heard a crash.
The crash happened suddenly, without warning. My first thought was that the roofer had returned and dropped something outside. My second thought was that Gideon would soon be crying.
I paused to listen.
Nothing happened.
No hammering. Silence from the roof. No crying.
I got up to investigate. From where I sat on the couch, I only needed to take a few steps to see into the kitchen. The first thing I saw was a glare off of something on the floor. Now I was thinking that our fridge had fallen over.
Only a few nights before Derek and a friend had moved a vintage refrigerator from the upstairs apartment kitchen (see the house tour here) into the kitchen on the main floor (there was no fridge there when we moved in.) I figured it wasn’t level and it had tipped.
In hindsight that’s totally implausible, but cabinets falling is also unlikely, so don’t judge me.
As I fully entered the kitchen I could see what had actually happened.
A wall’s worth of cabinets were on the floor. My cabinets fell off the wall.
Pure Shock
The cabinets were mostly intact. Only one had a significant crack. Doors were open, food was everywhere, glass was glittering across the floor, the terrible smell that is jams + salsa saturated the air. Gideon’s stool had been hit and was pushed across the room. Some of the keys we had sorted still sat on the counter.
Now I was completely in shock. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this is what I was going to find in the kitchen. I didn’t know where to begin. So I walked out. I turned and left the mess where I couldn’t see it.
I tried to call Derek. He had just given me his work number. I hate to call him at work. But this was an emergency. I tried several times, but there was no answer. Thanks for the help.
I sat down in a collapsable camping chair (it had been left at the house and my furniture wasn’t all here yet) and sipped my coffee. After all, the damage was already done. Things weren’t getting worse.
I posted the story to Instagram. Then after a few minutes I called my parents to talk things through. They helped me form a game plan. We all agreed that I should put the baby gate up to keep Gideon and Panda-Cat out of the mess.
Shortly after hanging up with my parents, I got a message from a friend who saw my post on Instagram. She offered to come hang out with Gideon after he woke up so I could clean up the mess. That was a huge relief since I didn’t know how late Derek would be.
The Damage
Now that I had vented my shock, I set to work. Five cabinets fell off the wall. Luckily, we keep our dishes in the cabinets on the opposite wall. Clean up was like a giant, nasty game of pick up sticks. I needed to pick up items that wouldn’t disturb others that would cause the rubble to crash again. Gideon still hadn’t made a sound, and I wanted to keep it that way. I began tiptoeing around to pick up glass and stack spice jars out of the way. It wasn’t a silent process, but the cabinets (in a precarious position) didn’t fall over again, and Gideon didn’t wake up.
Around 2:30 Derek came home. By this time the mess was mostly cleared up. Really all that was left was to move the cabinets to the basement, mop up the sticky food mess and vacuum. I honestly don’t remember what his reaction was like. He offered to do clean up, but by this time I had a system. I told him it would be more helpful if he would take care of Gideon when he woke up.
While Derek changed his clothes Gideon woke up. Derek got him dressed and our friend Naomi came over to take him to the park. Derek moved cabinets to the basement. I started mopping up the mess left behind from three jars of homemade jam and two jars of salsa. The smell of this combination still haunts me.
Together we got the cabinets all out and the floor thoroughly clean.
But, why??
So that’s the story. But the burning question everyone has is WHY? Why did they fall off of the wall?
The most common assumption is that the cabinets weren’t screwed into the studs. Good guess, but wrong.
The screws that once held up the cabinets are still screwed into the studs in my kitchen. Here’s what happened.
Whoever installed the cabinets screwed them into the studs through the back of the cabinets. If you’ve ever looked at an uninstalled cabinet you probably noticed that the back wall is just thin MDF. This is okay because no one sees it. It’s only there to protect the wall and enclose the cabinet.
The MDF adheres to the frame of the cabinet with glue and staples. It’s flimsy. Not meant to bear weight.
Properly installed cabinets attach to the studs through the framing piece at the top (and sometimes bottom too) of the cabinet. This is a piece of real wood and part of the structure of the cabinet. Our cabinets were screwed into the studs through the MDF backing, not the frame. The photo above shows the MDF backing, still hanging on our wall. Screws are in the studs, the staples are sticking out.
Properly installed cabinets attach to the cabinet next to it through the stile (the face of the cabinet) via a screw. This part of installation was correct.
The weight of the cabinets pulled the backing off of the largest cabinet on the wall. That cabinet fell. Since they are all attached to one another, the large cabinet pulled them all down together. The back of the largest cabinet is still on the wall. The other cabinets kept their backs, but the screws pulled through the MDF. This left holes in the backs of the cabinets and screws still securely in our walls.
What happened next?
This is our kitchen before the crash. Better, but not great. We were planning a kitchen remodel anyway. I hate to do work twice. So instead of rehanging cabinets destined for the garage or basement anyway, we chose to make do until we redo the kitchen.
Eventually I’d like them to live in a basement laundry room or kitchenette, but that’s a long way off.
We mounted a small cabinet on top of another over the fridge. The one above the fridge didn’t fall because we had already remounted it ourselves when we put the apartment fridge in the kitchen. We slid another one next to the range to use as a spice rack. It’s all very rigged and trashy. Living and cooking in this space has definitely taught me what I can do without. And it’s teaching me daily to appreciate well thought out spaces.
I’m looking forward to completing this remodel. I think what I miss most is counter space. Since we are short on cabinets, lots of things clutter up the already sparse counter.
A remodel is in the works. (You can see faint chalk lines on the walls where new cabinets will soon hang.) New cabinets are due to arrive in January. We’ve got appliances standing by. We know what walls are coming down and what walls are moving. The new flooring is already in the basement just waiting to go in.
It took a lot of planning, but we are finally ready to start. (Just as soon as we install our new front door…because it’s about to get really cold and I really want to keep the drafts out.)
One more thing. This was a really stressful situation. But it’s not hard to find the silver lining. I’m so grateful the cabinets fell off the wall when Gideon and I were out of the room. I’m grateful we are safe. It’s five fewer cabinets I need to remove. It gave us a definite direction on where to start on this house.
Happy Minot Monday! Today I’m sharing my favorite places to get U-Cut and Fresh Christmas trees in Minot.
Growing up, my family always cut a fresh Christmas tree. It was a whole thing. We’d pack up with cocoa and cookies and make the long drive to the tree lot. Then we’d walk and ponder our fabulous options until we found just the right tree.
Northern Indiana might not be Vermont, but we’ve got a fair share of great U-Cut tree farms. One summer my sister and I even worked for a tree farm. We spent our days whacking Christmas trees into shape with machetes. It was one of my weirder jobs, but I left the summer with a great tan, toned arms and only one nasty scar from nicking myself with the blade.
I’m getting off track.
Cutting a Tree is Always an Adventure
The moral of the story is this: I like to cut my own tree. Derek and I have always had a real tree. And we always try to cut it ourselves. After getting married and spending our first Christmas in Florida, we learned that we’d been really spoiled by all the tree lots in Indiana and Michigan.
The Christmas season has brought us a lot of adventures when it comes to finding and cutting our own tree. Especially since we rarely stay in a town long enough to get in a tree-cutting routine.
In Florida we stumbled across a weird lot in the middle of nowhere. There was a mailbox with a saw inside and brief instructions to use the saw and leave money in the box. We hauled that tree home in our 1995 LeBaron convertible.
In Louisiana we found a similarly odd lot and came home with a ragged tree that looked okay once we got the lights on. (At least we cut it ourselves.)
When we moved to Minot the first time, we were clueless about Christmas trees. If you’ve never been here, let me fill you in: trees are not abundant here in Practically Canada. We searched for a lot…but finally ended up cutting a mostly-fallen-over pine with its roots exposed…sitting at the edge of a construction site.
Another year we heard through the grapevine about a lot being cleared north of town. Sure enough, guys were out there with chainsaws cutting down 20 foot trees. All we had to do was pick one and specify how much of the top half we wanted.
In South Dakota we bought permits to cut trees out of the National Forest.
See what I mean? It’s always an adventure.
Christmas Trees in Minot, ND
By the time we left Minot the first time, we had found a consistent place to do U-Cut Christmas trees: TC Nursery in Burlington.
Now that we’re back, that’s where we headed to get a tree.
As I said, trees are not plentiful here. TC’s is the only place I know of (and we’ve looked pretty hard) that offers U-Cut consistently. The U-Cut trees are not like the U-Cuts in Indiana that I grew up with. There aren’t multiple species to choose from. The rows are a little more rustic. It’s akin to getting a tree in the Black Hills National Forest. Except instead of an entire forest, we only have to scope out one farm.
That’s what we did today. Derek had the morning off, so we headed out to Burlington for a tree. The weather was perfect and we had the lot to ourselves. We were told that our U-Cut options might be a little picked over, but we were welcome to give it a try.
We did find a tree to cut ourselves, but even if we hadn’t TC’s pre-cut trees were a nice fall-back plan.
Getting Christmas Trees in Minot, ND
Okay. You’ve heard my story about tree hunting. You know I prefer a tree I can cut…even if that means it’s not the prettiest specimen. Sure, you can grab a tree from a big-box store, but I’d rather shop small and gain some quality and have a unique experience. When it comes to getting a Christmas tree in Minot, here are my two recommendations.
TC Nursery
As I said, TC Nursery is where we got our tree this year. TC has trees you can scout and cut yourself if you’re into that. They also have a great selection of pre-cut “classic” Christmas trees (think Frasier Firs, Scotch Pine, Colorado Spruce, etc.)
TC Nursery is pretty quiet in the winter and the staff is so nice. They have nice, quality trees and the drive out of town is pretty. The nursery itself is a great place to snap pretty Christmas card photos too. If you are looking for a great precut tree with a friendly, festive-yet-straightforward experience, TC’s is your best bet. (TC’s also does occasional special events, like a visit from reindeer! Check their Facebook page.)
Lowe’s is my second recommendation. Getting a tree here is more of an “experience.” Lowe’s has more of a winter-wonderland vibe. There are lights, music and decor and decorated trees. The shop is full of holiday decor, ornaments, wreaths and spruce tops for purchase. The staff is so sweet and you can enjoy free hot cider and candy canes while you shop.
The trees are hand cleaned and fully displayed. The staff takes a lot of pride in selecting high quality trees for their customers. They also offer free delivery in town and free stand installation in store.
If you are looking for a pre-cut tree and some extra merry-making, head to Lowe’s.
I love both of these places and cannot recommend them highly enough. It’s great to shop big chains…but even better to support small business owners that make small-town America so stinking great.
Coming up today: A HUGE list of affordable, practical gift ideas for everyone you know, love and are buying for.
I love gifts. Giving gifts, making gifts…getting gifts. Gifts that I’d like to give and things I’d like to ask for when the time comes flow freely through my brain all year. Then, around the holidays I suddenly freeze up. I can’t remember any of the genius ideas I’d thought of. The only thing I can come up with is candles and lotion.
My favorite gifts are never candles and lotion. (No offense if you’ve ever given me a candle or lotion. We can still be friends.)
I like things that I can use. Things that make my life easier, aren’t on my radar, or I wouldn’t buy for myself all make good gifts for me. In recent years my favorite gifts have been a screw-to-the-wall pencil sharpener, a meat tenderizer, and an amazing multi-bit screwdriver. In my opinion, the best gifts don’t have to cost a lot and they don’t need to come from the “gift section” of a store. Practical gift ideas are good gift ideas. When it comes to gifts I’m all about thinking outside of the box. The gift box, that is.
The First Annual Gift Guide
That’s why…for the first time ever, I’ve compiled a giant list of affordable, practical gift ideas. These are things I love. Most are things I’ve been given, have gifted, or I currently have my eye on. I consider them all affordable (there is one big-ticket item, but most items are under $20.) I hope you’ll find inspiration here for someone on your list…or find a few ideas of things you might like yourself.
I’ve broken the list into six categories:
DIYers
Home (think practical kitchen and household items)
Travelers
Grandparents (yours or your kids’…think hard-to-buy for folks who don’t need more “stuff”)
Games
Art and Decor
I’ve rounded up 50+ ideas for you, so let’s get going.
Gifts for DIYers
Last year, I gave Derek a box full of small gadgets that improve the home improvement process. Most only cost a couple dollars. It’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever given. A lot of those items made the list here, along with other items we love.
A panel carrier makes lifting and moving sheets of wood and drywall not only possible, but easy.
Tubes of caulk often come with a tip cover to save a half-used tube. Those are garbage. Buy these caulk tube covers instead.
**On my wishlist this year** I just learned about a Center Point tape measure. It’s a dual scale which allows you to identify the center of what you are measuring in a matter of seconds.
The Vaughn Bear Saw is hands down the best saw I’ve ever owned. I bought my first one in college and have only replaced it once.
A magnetic wrist band holds nails and screws while you’re working. So much better than holding them in your teeth.
Anyone who DIYs should hav a good pair of winter work gloves. I like these classics from Carhart.
A quick change chuck lets you swap out bits on your drill super quickly. Perfect for renos and demos.
Sure, you can cut drywall with a utility knife. That’s what most casual DIYers do. In my opinion, every DIYer should own a jab knife to up their game.
Gifts for the Home
I’ll never tell you to buy a candle as a gift. These are my favorite, practical gift ideas for around the house. An item that changes their life for the better is a great gift. I’ve also combined a few items below if you want to go above and beyond with a package deal.
*On my wishlist this year* This butter knife grates butter so it’s spreadable, even when cold…so your bread doesn’t get ripped apart.
Years ago my dad bought me this meat tenderizer. It’s still on of the best gifts I’ve ever been given.
My dad also gave me this knife sharpener. My knives are nothing special, but people ask me about them often…because they’re so sharp and cut so well. Thanks, dad!
Support small business by buying a locally roasted coffee, like this from Dakota Roasters.
Once I was given a single serve french press, like this one. I still love it.
**On my wishlist this year** A yeti mug that will keep coffee hot for hours…so maybe I can stop making trips to the microwave.
The best gifts are thoughtful. Instead of buying a gift, curate a custom Pinterest board to make meal planning in the new year a snap.
Glamorous Wash makes you think you are waking up in a fancy B&B when you use it on your sheets.
Last year I bought Derek this steamer. It was kind of a joke, but turned into one of the greatest gifts of all time. (It’s basically the gift of never ironing again.)
My favorite sheets are Threshold from Target. They’re fitted sheets are the only ones that stay in place through all my turning around through the night.
There is nothing better than the gift of time. A load of healthy freezer meals is one of the best gifts ever! (Here are some ideas to get you started. Combine this with an awesome cooler–#15 and Crockpot liners for a double gift and easy gift wrapping.)
Gifts for Travelers
We love to travel and explore. These are some of our favorite items for traveling, exploring or day-tripping.
A quick release key clip is handy for trips that require rental keys, extra house keys, etc.
Help travelers actually record a few memories with this journal.
Compression socks like these from Smart Wool may not be something a friend would buy themselves…but they’ll be so happy you did!
**BUY THIS FOR A MOM** A Gorilla Pod has bendy arms that can cling to anything while securely holding a phone. This is the perfect gift for moms…who are always taking the photos and never in them!
Binoculars like these are perfect for anyone with a trip planned for 2020.
Gifts for Grandparents
Grandparents are notoriously hard to shop for. Here are six of my favorite practical gift ideas for the people in your life that don’t need more “stuff.”
Last year my dad bought my mom a gift card for a bouquet of the month club at their local supermarket. One bouquet every month for a year. How fun!
Derek’s grandpa loves sending cards. We buy him stamps. (The price of sending those cards adds up!)
Car wash tokens–especially for those is cold climates.
Photo books–I especially love making 5×7 “purse-sized” books. They come together quickly and are perfect for showing off photos of the littles.
Service gift cards for things like gutter cleaning, window cleaning, snow removal, cleaning, lawn care, etc.
Games to Gift
It took a lot of self control to limit this list. Games always and will always be a great gift.
Our house favorite game: Backgammon. There are few things classier than a nice set like this one.
Deer in the Headlights is quick to learn and easy to play. It’s a great game to play with “non-gamers” and a great gift for those who aren’t into games that take an hour to learn.
Kingdomino is quick, strategy driven and plays well with only two (but can accommodate more).
Splendor is currently my favorite strategy game. It’s great for just two players, but more can join. The pieces are very high quality. Many different strategies can be employed, every game is different.
Port Royal is a compact card collecting game. It’s easy to learn and so fun.
Make ‘n’ Break is my pick for a family-friendly game. Players race to build and break structures. Great for motor skills, spatial reasoning and family game night.
Art and Decor Gifts
Not every gift needs to be useful, right? Here are my favorite, pretty art and decor items.
I’m in love with prints from the Anderson Group. They’ve got multiple collections, including these State Pride prints.
**Pricy** Here is my one splurge gift. A wool blanket is an heirloom item. Amana blankets are made at their mill in Iowa.
Buy a live wreath for someone who is hopeless (like me) when it comes to growing their own greens.
Items from Cavallini & Co look good in any home. They’ve got prints, office items, towels, aprons, etc…all in vintage inspired designs.
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