Patina General

Glensheen...The Congdon Mansion in Duluth Minnesota, Part 1

During our recent trip to the Northshore, Bethany was excited to tour the Congdon Mansion. The guys opted out and took in the train museum instead.

A Few Days Away... the Northshore

A few days away with no schedules to keep and some quality time for our family, just what we needed before Jonathan headed back to college and Bethany full speed ahead into soccer season.

A Mother's Heart

On my heart today...  the hearts of many moms I know. They are all in the midst of sending a son or daughter onto the next step in their growth to adulthood.

Fishing Theme for Birthday Boy

My kiddos are too big for fun themed birthday parties, so guess I have to live vicariously through my sister's chubby-cheeked littles. Mr. Freckles, my baby, is going to be turning 16 soon, and think I'm having kind of an empty nest, emotional kind of summer, especially without the busy-ness of Patina General always hanging over my head. Advice from an old mom to the young moms: Have fun with your kids' birthday parties, because it goes so fast! Their precious little lives should be celebrated! Make it special for them, and make it special for you to remember.

College Visits and College Friends Tour 2016

A lot of this summer has been about getting Happy Girl ready for senior year, and college thereafter. The school year just seems to be too busy to really concentrate our search, so taking some trips this summer, mother/daughter style was at the top of the agenda.

When your days don't go as planned...

We all live by a weekly/monthly calendar of schedules, events and to do lists. Nothing that has happened lately has been on my calendar.

Celebrate our Independence

The fourth of July is such an important holiday in the history of our country, the day to celebrate our independence and freedom. We all look forward to the fourth to celebrate with family and friends, parades, picnics or an entire weekend away.

Berry Season Begins!

Mr. Fix-it has a saying, "Any day I can pull a trailer is a good day." My version is, "Any day I can drive in the country is a good day." Our first week of summer started out with a great day of driving in the country in pursuit of the first berries of the season. I was in my happy place.

Little Things

Yes, we told you we'd keep on blogging, even though we closed the store, and here it's been a solid week since you heard from us! Cheryl's busy getting rid of her PG leftovers in a garage sale, and I'm working hard to ignore mine...or borrowing it to friends for grad parties! 

The Last Few Months... It's been a Blurrrr

I told my husband earlier this year to fasten his seat belt, because this spring was going to be a wild ride.