Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Circle Link-up: Blog Name Stories

I'm joining Kiki over at In Its Time again this month for the Circle Link-Up. This month we're talking about how and why we named our blogs.

Most of my readers know this, but if you're new here then this is a pretty simple explanation. I was raised in Florida. I married a boy from Minnesota and ended up moving to his home town. I was a true "fish out of water".

So the "sand" in my snow boots is really the nitty-gritty, every day details about my adventures acclimating to living in the Great White North.

I've learned a lot about Midwestern culture, Minnesota Nice, and living in a frigid climate. While I may never be a "true" Minnesotan, I feel like I'm starting to blend in well with the natives. Here are some things I've learned:

1. Tater Tot Hot Dish is a legit thing. You will find this casserole dish in many a church basement (probably Lutheran) for the monthly (or weekly) pot-luck lunch/dinner. Consisting typically of ground beef, some mixed vegetables, tater tots, and cheese, this dish can go either way. Really good, or...not so much. If it's the latter, you have to pull your Minnesota Nice card and say something like "I'm saving room for the cookies!" or "You'll have to give me the recipe!" Just smile and nod. There will definitely be cookies.


2. Pasties are a food item. Past like "in the past", not the other kind of pasties that sound more like "paste". Because that would not be appropriate in your Lutheran church basement. This dough pocket is usually filled with ground beef, some kind of vegetable, and maybe potatoes. Best eaten with ketchup. Usually made as a fundraiser for the hockey team/volleyball team/insert-random-team here.

It's ok if you skip it. They have no flavor unless you drown it with ketchup. If you get stuck with one, just smile and nod.


3. Minnesota was settled by mostly Norwegian, Finnish, and Swedish immigrants. Lots of Sven and Ole's abound here. I don't think any of them know what spice or seasonings are. See above for examples. Will that get my Minnesota Nice card revoked? Sorry! But they sure can bake. There will definitely be cookies.



4. Winters are no joke. You think you know cold? Unless you are Canadian, you do not know our cold. -20 is not unusual as a daytime temp in January. When it warms up to 0, many people you encounter that day will say "Hey, it warmed up to 0!" Even better if the sun is shining - then it almost feels warm! 

Mountains of snow are just business as usual here. Almost every one of our neighbors either has a) a snow plow blade on their truck or b) a snow plow attachment on their ATV. I am kind of jealous. School is rarely cancelled for snow. Pffft. Cold? Sure. But snow? Come on!


5. Drinking is both a social activity and basically a lifestyle. Even those Lutheran church ladies - they love their wine. Hey, you have to combat the cold somehow. 

6. Summers here more than make up for winter. Seriously, you should visit in July or August. June and September can be a crap-shoot. May is still pretty chilly - there will be no lake swimming for me in May.

Our lakes are beautiful. Is there anything better than cruising the lake in a pontoon on a gorgeous summer day, drink in hand? Nothing makes you appreciate the sun on your face and a warm breeze more than knowing that winter is probably just a month away. 


Views like this are the reason we stay.

After living here for nearly 6 years, I will say that I'm getting used to it. There are still days when I miss Florida, but we've built a happy little life here. I'm even getting the accent down pat. Dontcha know?

If you have a blog, where did the name come from? 

Join up and tell us about it!

THE CIRCLE LINK-UP



17 comments:

  1. This is such a fun post!!! I loved reading it! I've never been to Minnesota but I have a good friend from there and I always love hearing her accent, haha. Love all of the fun facts!

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    1. It is very easy to slip into. If you visit, you'll probably go home talking like a Minnesotan!

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  2. This was so fun to read! I love your name and how it combines both your backgrounds. That's hilarious about the pasties and lack of seasoning :O we do tater tot casserole but ours has green chile and is delicious! Stay warm as you finish out that frigid winter of yours!

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    1. Thank you! We're finally getting some temps in the 40's/50's, and everyone is walking around without their jackets. It's beautiful!

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  3. Really a great read! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!

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  4. I never knew any of these things about Minnesota! I've honestly never heard of pasties or Tater Tot Hot Dish before, either. Who knew I would learn about these dishes in this month's link-up? :)

    And I love what you said about the sand being the nitty-gritty real life details about your adventures in Minnesota--it's so well-worded!

    Thanks for linking up!

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    1. I had never heard of them until I moved here. But I don't think you're missing out on anything!

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  5. I've been to MN once, and I was so impressed. It's gorgeous! But it is cold. I was there for Memorial Day weekend, and it was freezing. That's one battle Oklahoma wins :) I think your blog name is really creative!

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    1. Memorial day can still be chilly! Usually it's celebrated with a BBQ and a bonfire - with everyone wearing sweatshirts!

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  6. I have never been to Minnesota, but it sounds a lot like Michigan minus the accent and the tater tot hot dish. Summers make Michigan worthwhile too, but geez I don't know how you manage Minnesota winter weather after living in Florida!

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    1. It has definitely been an adjustment! I was born in Michigan though (I don't remember if I ever told you that?), so I must have thicker blood that most Floridians. :o)

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    2. I didn't know you were born in Michigan! That makes sense. You were introduced to freezing weather before Florida. That would probably make freezing Minnesota weather more bearable.

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    3. Yes, but we moved when I was 5, so I really don't remember what our winters were like there. I definitely remember Florida better!

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  7. My Floridian spirit is reaching out and hugging your Floridian spirit. I have never in my life felt negative anything temperatures- although honestly I would not be opposed to some real winter adventures!

    Also, those pasties look delicious, I can't believe they are bleh! My husband is Puerto Rican and his mom makes something that looks very similar and... it's pretty much why I married into that family. :) Maybe I should send you that recipe and you can make it for the next church dinner and introduce them all to extreme seasoning!

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    1. Are you talking about empanadas? They are 100x better than pasties!

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    2. Oh, and we'd love your recipe! My husband and I love Latin food.

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