More Swedes per capita in Minnesota than any other state

I went to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a national conference for AAFCS (American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences). I was out of town from Wednesday - Sunday. The conference started Thursday and went through Monday, but I skipped part of Sunday and Monday. 

Natalie had a goal to see all 50 states and Minnesota was her last state, so she brought a printed sign. We got to our hotel and checked in, freshened up, and went to the Mall of America to take pictures and ride the roller coaster. We had to celebrate #50! We got a great dinner. The air conditioning was out in our hotel and never got fixed while we were there. It wasn't too bad, because I was able to open windows. They did discount our rooms. 

Tickets to ride the roller coaster. No line. 

I'm laughing at how bored these 2 Disney girls look on this coaster

This Crayola store was super cool. COLORS

Thursday included a meeting for US members of IFHE (International Federation of Home Economics). Natalie and I went to that meeting, but didn't contribute much. It was primarily old ladies who have been running things for a long time. 

Before that meeting, Natalie and I went to the Sculpture Garden. We discovered the garden in a funny way. We were shopping at the mall for magnets (we both collect magnets) and the one we liked had a very large cherry and spoon on it. We didn't know how that represented Minneapolis until Natalie looked at a children's book. Same large cherry and spoon and mention of the Sculpture Garden that housed it. So, before the day got too hot, we walked over there and enjoyed seeing some fun art. 

The giant cherry and spoon

Look at the beautiful sky! Spy the blue rooster in the background. 

We presented on Blended Learning in the Post-Secondary FCS Classroom. I think our presentation went well. It was well-attended. We'd worked hard on the presentation. Natalie had to fly to Texas for family things on Friday afternoon, so I was on my own, which I don't mind. I attended a leadership meeting that went until 9:30 pm, but I left early so I could walk home while it was still light. 

My conference dreams came true on Saturday when I met someone who teaches foods at the post-secondary level. Utah State outsources their foods classes to food science, which I feel is quite different from what I teach. A woman in a breakout session on teaching foods mentioned that she teaches foods at the university level. I recognized her and talked to her after the session. She attended my session at ACTE in December. Wow, I'm starting to network and it feels good. We exchanged contact information and I look forward to collaborating with her when possible. Her name is Carol Erwin and she teaches at Wayne State College in Nebraska. 

I also got to know a woman who teaches in Wisconsin better. Susan Turgeson is taking some students to the international conference in Ireland next week and they are stopping in London and Edinburgh before. They're going to some places that we went and she has given us some great ideas of places to add to our itinerary. My sister Kelly had told me that networking was the fun part of conferences. Now I'm seeing that. Next time I go to a national conference I'll see if Carol wants to meet up for dinner or something. 

A nice woman who works for extension in California stopped me and asked if I was a member of the church. She is and had attended mine and Natalie's session. She took a picture with me because I didn't want to take one alone in front of the cute background. 

I went to a lot of sessions that were very informative. I have notes in my work files. I sat at the same back table in big sessions with Natalie and Lacee and Melissa Clark from USE and a nice woman from Wisconsin that Laces knows. I stopped at Target everyday to buy Diet Dr. Pepper and snacks. 

Gwen and Lacee presenting on how to recruit to state affiliates

The highlight of the trip was my Saturday midday trip to the American Swedish Institute. I walked about 40 minutes to the location. I found this place online. They had a new exhibit that started on Saturday. It spotlighted Karin Larsson's work. She was an artist, designer, and style icon. She was also the wife of famed artist, Carl Larsson. She gave up her career opportunities to raise their children and to create their home. The interesting thing is that much of what we associate with Swedish style is from Carl's paintings of their home and family life - things that Karin created. Her refashioning of women's clothing, her tapestries, her love of home and family showed in all of her husband's paintings. One question posed in the exhibit was "how does your home reflect your personality and legacy?" I love it when I get to think about home and what it means to me. My home definitely reflects my love of my culture, the Gospel, and my family. There is color because I'm not drab. I like color and life. 

Another thing I really liked was the following story: "while helping weave mats for the Larsson family home, one local weaver made a mistake to which Karin simply said ' - go on...the hand should be seen.' This comment illustrates Karin's attitude to textile art and creativity. Karin was an artist who followed her own path." Perfection is not what we are looking for. Beauty and authenticity are what I want to see in what I create. 

The exhibit and institute are housed in an old mansion that was built by an immigrant Swedish family. The details of the home were so incredible, but I just got so drawn in by Karin's work and story. I cried when I entered the 2nd floor exhibit. My Swedish heritage is beautiful. The day helped me really connect with dad. I talked to a very nice couple who was vacationing. I didn't want to leave, but had to get back to the conference. 

The basement of the building had a play area for kids that was a replica of an interior of a stuga. They were hosting a kid's birthday party while I was there. 

Look at this beautiful fireplace

Kitchen

Sunroom. Kristen and Bekki would love this!

Look at the replica of Karin's tapestry that is in one of Carl's paintings

These two paintings are Karin's work

Some people just don't get it

Karin's style. She made her own clothing, omitting corsets, making clothes practical for farm and family life. Still beautiful and feminine with collar and sleeve details. 

Priorities. I love this!

You can see why I cried. Beauty, design, individuality, family, home!