a personal style blog by Lauren Pfieffer

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Wisconsin Territory ❄

Hello there!

I'm sure you all know because I said it a million times, but I was up in Wisconsin for five days last week with my boyfriend's family! Ryan's mother comes from a very small, very cold Northern Wisconsin town with a population of 375. Once a year or so, they go up and visit his grandfather and aunts and uncles who still live there, and this year they were kind enough to invite me along!

I didn't really know what to expect to be honest. I'd heard so many stories about life up there but they were just too hard to believe I thought they were fabricated. His grandfather hand feeding turkeys and deer every morning...there being literally NOTHING around...that his uncle had raised a bear...that his grandfather logs still at 74 years old & cut all the wood and built his own house. And just too many more outrageous things that I thought had to be an exaggeration. I got to see first hand for myself though how seriously true it all was. 

We took a 12 hour drive up to this itty, bitty town google maps almost misses. The downtown is literally a barbor shop, feed store, restauraunt, and church and that's about it....It gets so cold, they can't use salt, so they use saw dust. I just couldn't pick my jaw up when we got there. The SNOW. I've never seen so much beautiful, untouched, magical snow. But boy, oh boy was it cold. It would get down to -18 degrees at night, and usually not above 0 during the day. The cold didn't stop us though, and Ryan showed me this whole new world that was so different that my own here in Ohio and all the ones I've discovered in Europe. Just the beauty of rural America is breathtaking. We spent our time exploring all bundled up (so much we almost couldn't move!), sledding, and even snowmobiling. The safety freak I am I was definitely cautious, but it ended up being amazing and fun; I'm so glad I got to try it. 

In between the adventures, we relaxed with home made quilts warmed up and hot chocolate, an watched movies + game shows. Oh, and can I mention I had pancakes every day? You could say I missed them a little bit when I was in Europe and they sure had the best I've ever had up North.

It was just so amazing to see this part of Ryan's life and get to learn more about his family and where he comes from. His family was so gracious to welcome me into their Christmas celebrations and into their home. I was especially blown away when his grandfather gifted me a hand made wooden clock! Meant so much to me. I feel like such a lucky gal. x

With much love, Lauren.
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9 comments

Kezzie said...

Wow, that sounds truly amazing and I can understand why you found it hard to Believe!!! Beautiful though and the clock? Wow!

Lauren | Chic Éthique said...

How fun! You are making me wish we got more snow down here in the south. I've always wanted to go up north and explore. That clock is gorgeous!
-Lauren

Natasha Atkerson said...

74? That's nothing! I know a lady who's 94, yes 94, who chops her own wood. I admire elderly people who keep active so much!
It's been cold where I live, -25 during the day :(
The only thing is, I wear a coat. I kid you not, I saw a guy wearing SHORTS!!
Natasha
A modest fashion blog: www.natashaatkerson.blogspot.com

Hannah | The Outfit Repeater said...

These snow pictures are just breathtaking! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay in the cheesehead state. ;)

-Hannah
www.anoldstoryblog.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like such a lovely lovely time! You look so adorable in those top pictures.

Britney @ Scout and Company said...

Eeeep! Lauren!! I am so so so so happy for you <3 It sounds like you had to the most amazing time! Lots of love from your kiwi gal Britney <3

victoriabee said...

I've been reading your review posts and following your blog for about a year now, and I've got to say you look the most joyful in these pictures than in any others. I hope you are truly happy, and maybe I'll see you sometime on campus!

Anonymous said...

This is such a great post and I am so thankful to read how God has blessed you with this young man in your life. You two seem to be really sweet with one another and had made nice memories. That is really nice that you got a handmade item from his family! wow!
+Victoria+

Unknown said...

You two are cute.

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