A few months ago, Logan asked us if Orange City, IA was the center of the universe. Don’t you think that’s funny? If you know Orange City, or Northwest Iowa, which a lot of people evidently do around here (more on that another time), you may not associate this small dutch community with the center of the universe. I don’t, but that’s just me. And, to this day, I’m not even certain I know why he asked that! I bring this up because we leave at the break of dawn tomorrow for the city of oranges. HAHA! I kid, again. That’s not what it is. Seems like it should be, though. My new mission while I’m there is to find out why it is called Orange City. Logan will want to know that too, I’m sure. In fact, now that I think about it, he already asked that question. Here’s where we’re going:

My original and still number one mission while vacationing there is to get a photograph with windmill and its founding fathers. You see, being the 100 percent dutch community that it is, you can bet your klompen (wooden dutch shoes) that there will be plenty to choose from! Maybe we’ll even see this one!

The only problem, though, is that upon picking windmill up the other day to bring him inside for repairs from his fall over the weekend, he completely broke in half. There will be no packing of the little wooden windmill. Don’t worry though, we figured out at way to still make it work and it will take up much less space. Check it out!

We took a photo of Windmill propped up, because its the only way he wouldn’t just fall to pieces, and had a large copy made. All we have to do is roll it up in the suitcase and throw in a roll of duct tape and it will be as if it were the real thing. Brilliant, if you ask me!

I find I am very excited for this trip. Not only because it is a few days off, and we get to show the kids where Chris grew up and visit with relatives, but because I find the Midwest to be relaxing and an easy place to slow it down. A while back in July, I randomly comprised a list of 10 things that I associate with the Midwest, whether truly Midwestern or not. Want to see it? Ok.

1. Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream (even though I know it comes from Texas-its just that flavor).

2. Drive-up ice cream stands

3. Diners with the turning pie case – my favorite pie is Cherry-oh man, delish…but only if it comes from a case that turns automatically and comes from the Midwest! hehe!

4. Semi-trucks

5. Fire flies?

6. Friends hanging out by their cars outside the diner at dusk, or gas station, neon lights flickering overhead, the sticky, damp smell of farm in your nose.

7. Home cookin’.

8. Soda

9. Folgers coffee

10. Chotchkies-The Urban Dictionary describes this as small, decorative, knick knacks that serve little or no purpose but can be pretty or sentimental.

If you want to see the post where I took this list from, go ahead! It’s right here!

I can’t wait to see how many of these I can confirm or deny as Midwestern after I’ve been there a few days. I’ll let you know!