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Lilligren
Family Newsletter |
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Seasons Greetings for 2010. This past year was an event-filled one
for our family indeed - much joy, mixed with a little sorrow. The BIG event, of course, was the outdoor wedding at the Audubon Center of the North Woods on August 14th, when Hannah became "Mrs. Hannah Lilligren Russell." It was a beautiful wedding, and the feast (including homegrown beef and chicken) that followed was enjoyed by all. Most of Sam's family was also able to attend. The newlyweds are now living in Vancouver, Washington, after spending a wonderful honeymoon in France. Bel and Dave flew out in April to visit Hannah and the prospective in-laws, who live near Longview, Washington. We were able to do some sight seeing as well, including the cities of Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, and the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach, Washington. Josiah was hired in April by the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. He is a nursing assistant in the new spinal cord injury wing of the hospital. He now lives in Minneapolis, near the west bank of the University of Minnesota. He still visits the farm regularly, especially when he has laundry to do! Hannah and Sam were able to visit us for Thanksgiving. They will not be able to come back for Christmas, but hope to do so in 2011. After the tragic death of her dog, Chili, last fall, Hannah was able to get a new little "grand-dog," whom she named "Ami." Ami recently got a "brother," another little canine, named "Nemo."  September
was a sad month for us, as Gus, our faithful Australian
Blue Heeler, passed away. He was a once-in-a-lifetime dog, and
people told us that the day he died would be a rough one. They were
right. Gus made life easier for Dave around the farm. His
intelligence was only matched by his love for people. He will be
missed.Rosie, the Red Heeler, is now the "alpha dog." She has matured quite quickly since Gus died. Bel's two lap dogs, Casey the Shi Tzu, and Jackie, the black Pom, are still doing well. Bel is now in her ninth year as a server at the buffet in Hinckley, and still enjoys her job, particularly the people she meets and with whom she works. The summer was a busy one for as "project beautification" was in full swing in preparation for the wedding. She really loves her new cast-iron dutch oven, and bakes a roast in it at least once a week. She was happy to see two of her sisters come for the wedding, and her youngest sister was able to visit for an extended time.  Dave
had minor surgery in November, with the removal of a benign fatty tumor.
He continued to do some part-time computer consulting work in the area,
in additional to a bit of
technical training at QWEST in Minneapolis. He is continuing to
learn more about home-smoking meat the old-fashioned way. This
fall, he smoked bacon, ham, kielbasa, summer sausage, and a venison
snack sticks. He also plans to experiment with making smoked
pastrami. He helped other families butcher their hogs this fall. It was busy time, to be sure, and he cut up a whole cow just a week before the deer opener. The freezers are full again. Winter came early to the farm this year, and looks like it will be sticking around for a while. But, the wood shed is full of firewood, and we thankfully still have our health. Until next year, we wish for all of our friends a blessed Christmas time and a most Happy New Year!. |
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Soli Deo Gloria! |
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