Living the Wisconsin Life

Much to my surprise, I live in Wisconsin. This isn't a place I would've put on a list of likely destinations or homesteads, if pressed to do so at some point in my life. Even more to the point, when originally presented with the career opportunity that would eventually bring us here, I spent a few months emphatically stating that "it sounds great, but I'm never moving to Wisconsin."

Ahhh, the quintessential Famous Last Words.

Our timing might have been better; we moved here right as the seasons were turning to fall and now winter, so we have yet to experience the moderate nature of the climate up north. In fact, the arctic blast of the last few weeks has had me say on several occasions, why do people live here? Why in the world did the original settlers stay?

My favorite answer yet to that question - because it's A Sunnier Version of Sweden.

You see, the heritage of this area is quite Scandinavian. The hardy folks of the countries close to the top of the world may have found even the Wisconsin winters to be a moderate version of home. Cold, yes - but the days are longer in the winter, and the sun makes all the difference when locked in the grip of the ice and snow.

As we fully embrace this new life, this new adventure, I felt like it was time to get back into documenting the big and the little, the things that happen in the 365 days of each year of our lives.

Here's to new beginnings that don't forget where we come from, but focus on where we can go and the possibilities that come with change!