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Warmth and Cold

The flights to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul were flawless.  Somehow I almost always do have great luck with flying (I hope I haven't messed up that good karma now).  When I left Vancouver it was 42 degrees and it was 76 degrees when we landed in Phoenix.  Finally when I got to Minneapolis the temperature was 5 degrees.  (For those of you who need Celsius that is 5.5 to 24.5 to -15.)  Since I was dressed for the cold of Minnesota, in Phoenix I was uncomfortably hot but warm enough during the seven block walk from the light rail to the condo in downtown Minneapolis.

Here's the one big reason for being here in this cold weather:

Snacking on Friday, feeding herself
Below is what my courtyard looks like in late November, and as I sit down to write this there is a light dusting of snow coming down.  It is as if the weatherman wants me to be constantly reminded where I am located.


Not as appealing as it was this summer, but in the evening it changes into a lighted mini-wonderland.



There is much to be done here before I return to the Lower Mainland most importantly is soaking up all the family I can.  Knitting will happen, but it will only fill in the open spaces during travelling times.

Here's a few photos of all the goodness that warms my heart starting with the birthday party.


This look says something like. really, you need to take another photo?

Opening gifts with Dad

Reading a card!

And there was a tamales making class, fueled with good Mexican food and drink.  And between the four of us we made over four dozen tamales pretty well made even for beginners.

Some of our tamales

Two guys pretty contemplative about tamales making.  Those empty containers held the masa and meat stuffing.

Corn husk fun
I am making the most of my limited time here and my family is making real efforts to help me do so.


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