"This Is Most Certainly True": Pam's Family Scrapblog: 2014

A few of Chateau Frontenac's visitors

So many people have visited Chateau Frontenac since it became usable last fall! Here are just a few:

Paul and Kelly Turner, from Texas!

Elizabeth Miller and Ariana Turner.

My old pal Laurie Hertzel, who drove down with Kristi Fuller.

My old pal Michiela Thuman, who brought Ned Barnett.

Susan Hammel and cousin Dan Broberg, who has a cabin just up the hill.

Jim Foti, who played his fiddle for me! He visited with his partner, Ralph Wyman.

Holly, Andy and little Delia Braford. They have since moved to Manhattan. Miss them!

And of course, Uncle Elmer (Joe) Sprick, who drops by often with Aunt Mavis, and son Noah!

Uncle Joe brought his own freeze-dried C rations once. Note to self: Serve better meals so he doesn't have to bring his own!

Chateau Frontenac in the winter of 2013-14

More recent photos from my beloved Old Frontenac house:

Neighbor Mikkel Gardner took this photo of a deer, one of four nearby, on Leroy Avenue between Gardners' and my houses on the evening of Feb. 23, 2014.

Not so recent! A photo taken of me with cousins Dan and Sam Broberg back in the late 1960s or early 1970s from almost the same angle as the deer photo above this one. The old shack and outhouse on what is now my land then belonged to Hart and Annette Kulseth, of course.

The name of the paint used for the front door is "Blue Plate." Of course!

The old swan in winter, bedecked by artistic neighbor Casey Gardner.

The house from the back.

Looking west across the back yard.

Old Frontenac winter twilight.

My favorite place in the green season

How I love my new place in Old Frontenac! Here are a few photos taken before the snow flew in late 2013:

The greatroom as seen from the porch, before I had moved much furniture down.

The family chest, full of scrapbooks, now resides at Chateau Frontenac.

The windbreak of grapevines was pretty tangled by late fall. This was before two of these scarlet maples came down. Sadly, they were split and threatening to fall. Three beautiful ones remain, though.

The week before the deer season in November 2013, I spotted a doe and buck in Wakondiota Fireld across the street.

The weathered old stone swan that once guarded the outhouse.

A few treasures, and lots of weeds, grow in the wildflower garden on the south end of my property.

E and A at 10 and 5

Two of my darlin' nieces, as photographed by Mary in her home studio.

Elizabeth, 10.

Avamarie, 5.

Chats' visit in fall 2013

The Rev. Mary Catherine "Chats" Miller Northrup's visits to Minnesota are few and far between, so it was great to see her in fall 2013. Cathy is a Presbyterian pastor in Rio Verde, Ariz., where she lives with husband Michael. So Minnesota felt a little cold to her!

Chats outside Chateau Frontenac. The scarlet maples were past their glory, but still pretty colorful.

Chats read in the Chateau Frontenac greatroom.

Chats at Buena Vista Park in Alma, Wis.

She's a golfer! We drove up to Mount Frontenac Golf Course to check it out.

Chats shows her swing.

A visit with Uncle Joe, Aunt Katie and Aunt Mavis in Lake City.

Chats and me during a visit to Chris and Mary's in Centerville.

Among those present were me, Jane and Mary.

Mugging with Avamarie.

Noah finds his path

Very proud of son Noah, 24, who was accepted at three out of four of Minnesota law schools and will be going to William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul this fall!

Noah after a walk-through at Billy Mitchell in early 2014.

Noah with his proud dad and stepmom, Steve and Ann, in early 2014.

Dec. 21, 2013: Kemberlie is settling in!

By winter solstice 2013, Kemberlie had been in Minnesota for a few weeks and already was settling in and smiling more. She seems to know she belongs here now, and is No. 7 in the Millers Seven! A few snapshots from our Dec. 21 gathering at Chris and Mary's:

I love all my relatives, but this may be my favorite one. Don't tell the others! Noah is 24, and headed for law school in fall 2014.

Me and Mo.

Elizabeth and Noah.

Mo and No.

Cousins Noah, Avamarie and Hannah.

Moriah and Katie. They are second cousins, but might as well be twins!

Look at those happy smiles! Kermberlie loves Andrea lots, and and vice versa.

Look who's learned to take her own photo! Kemberlie took this one of herself and my huge head.

Kemberlie with her beloved older sisters, Moriah and Hannah. She is where she belongs now!

Thanksgiving 2013 at Chris and Mary's house

Kemberlie Miller had arrived from Haiti just a few days before, so Thanksgiving 2013 was extra special.

Our amazing hostess, Mary Miller, ...

... and our host, Chris Miller.

The guest of honor was, of course, the newest little Miller, Kemberlie, freshly arrived from Haiti. She hadn't learned more than a few words of English yet, but she will in time, along, perhaps with Chinese!