Great Faces, Great Places

As you know by now, I am a South Dakota girl, born and raised.  Though often times when I tell people I meet who are not from the US that I am from South Dakota, they look at me with that look... you know the look.. It is the I have no idea where that is look.  Occasionally, I get the brave soul who will ask if it is near Florida or Texas (south does signify warmth and southern US), though most times it is just the look.  

It has been referred to as "fly over state", "filler state" or the classic, "did you have electricity growing up".. I have to laugh as we definitely had electricity growing up.. running water as well!  As I mentioned in this post, I have fallen back in love with the state that taught me so many things.  It taught me to work hard.  It taught me that love of land, nature and animals is so important.  It taught me the importance of neighbors, friends and family (sometimes all three can be the same in SD).  My foundation as a person is because of my experiences growing up in South Dakota.  I am grateful.

For those that are still looking at me with that look... South Dakota is not the same as North Dakota and it is no longer called the Dakota Territory or the Dakotas.  Yes, I have been asked that!  Fun fact - In 1889, President Harrison is said to have shuffled the papers on his desk when making South and North Dakota into states.  He covered up the names so no one knows which he signed first, however as listed in alphabetical order, ND is the 39th and SD is the 40th.

There she is! - via

South Dakota, though has always been home, didn't really come to light just how much I appreciated it until I saw it though another person.  T loves SD and probably is the state's unofficial spokesperson.  I think it is just so different to anything he has ever experienced.  He has opened my eyes of seeing SD for the first time and I love it all over again.  

South Dakota Sunset

The sea of sky, the fresh air and the history.  Driving down the road, people will wave at you as they may know you but really they are just being friendly!  How refreshing, someone is just being friendly!  

South Dakota Badlands

From the Badlands and Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse to the rodeos, fishing and camping, there is something for everyone.

Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo, Mobridge, SD

Pheasant Drive-In Movie Theatre, Mobridge, SD - Opened in 1960.
Showtime at dusk during summer months.

I could go on and on describing what a great state South Dakota is, though I think I will leave you with this video from South Dakota Tourism.  I highly recommend for everyone around the world to look into exploring South Dakota.  It might just be what you need.  Go on now... explore this hidden gem.

Find out more here from South Dakota Tourism or feel free to ask me (or the state's unofficial spokesman).

SD Sunset in all of it's glory never gets old

No! No!

When my brother Shane was very little, he used to have issues pronouncing the "s" sound. He would look out the window and shout out, No! No!... Look Mom.. Nooooooooo.....

As you may have guessed, he was actually trying to say Snow... snow! snow!... Look Mom.. Snoooooooow....!! cute... 

When I looked out the window today, I actually did shout out - NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!  Oh yes, it is snowing in England... in APRIL!! Ok, so I am a SD girl and I have experienced all snow... not just this speckled effect that shows here but drifts taller than you are that you can build endless tunnels and forts in.. 

Ol Merlin is trying to protect the crocuses

But come on.. this is England.. maybe if I was writing this from the highlands of Scotland I would be ok with the fact it is snowing.  booo :(

I have a feeling I jinxed it yesterday with my post on Spring. (sorry)!  On the bright side..

1. It is pretty

2. Pocket (our chocolate button puppy) loves playing in the snow - yes fellow Dakotans... this is what we call snow in England...

3. Shane can now pronounce the "s" sound (has been able to for many years now), you might not be able to guess that from this photo....!

Prairie Crocus

Spring in the UK is one of my favorite times of the year.  Though, that is if we have a spring, instead of cold, cool, rain, rainy, snow... The signs of spring have been trying to show themselves for a while now, though for some reason the snow and cold have prevented Spring to fully be sprung.  Lucky enough, the daffodils have been showing off their beauty inside for a while now.  
This week... good old Mr. Sun has finally shown himself... people, please remember though... sun does not always equal warmth..  Regardless, I still have faith that it will get here.  

I planted some Crocus bulbs last fall under Merlin.. Merlin is the massive tree in our back garden.  T likes to name things you see.  They are always usually clever names and make me laugh.  I will intro you to most of them in time.. as we have Oscar the chair, Bling the car, Maggie the Magpie, Jacques the Squirrel and Dollar the Deer (it is a Buck Deer...) Cute right?!  We refer to them as their name then.. 'oh look.. Dollar just ran through the yard!'

Meet Merlin

The crocuses have come up strong around Merlin, though a bit early as they faced a blanket of snow the other weekend.  They seemed to have pushed through and are now hopefully enjoying a bit of this sunshine.

Growing up in South Dakota, spring was always signified by beautiful prairie crocuses that blanketed my Grandma and Grandpa's ranch.  Amongst the sea of prairie was this beautiful purple flower.  Grandpa would say to me, "let's go find the crocuses Rusty Keller", and then we would drive out in his truck far into the pasture, amongst the newborn calves.  We would stop, admire the view and then he would help me pick the crocuses for Grandma.  Once home, I would rush up to give my Grandma the beautiful bouquet.  I can still smell the flowers and picture it like it was yesterday.  

Pasque Flower - Prairie Crocus - via here

Little fun facts about the prairie crocus or pasque flower:  It is the South Dakota state flower.  For my UK friends, yes that is correct, all US states have their own flowers, trees, birds, fish, etc.  The prairie crocus is not actually a crocus (lily family) as it is part of the buttercup family and it grows wild throughout the state.  The flowers are believed to blossom when the wind blows in the spring.  The Native Americans called it the "Ears of the Earth" as after the snow had melted, the prairie pushes up to listen for the first faint whisper of summer.  

So when I look at the first sign of Spring here under Merlin, I can't help but think of my Grandpa.  He was my best friend growing up.  I am so thankful I have such wonderful memories; so clear and vibrant that take me back to that 7 year old blond girl who thought her Grandpa hung the moon.

Grandpa Keller and I with Snip

Welcome...!

Hello Everyone and welcome to Dear London, Love Dakota.  I have debated how to start off my first post.  Should I just jump in and pretend that I have been blogging for years... or use it more as an intro to who I am and what this blog is going to be about. So the only aye vote was for option 2... here we go!

I was born and raised in a small town in South Dakota -- 707 peeps the sign reads to be exact!  Growing up, I was involved in every sporting activity and group you could possible be involved in (basically they needed the numbers.. bar choir.. they would have rather been short one than to have my voice plague the song!)   I loved being outdoors and knew everyone in town... though could not wait for the day I could move away.. I always dreamed of bigger and, at the time, better things.  During university I went to Australia for a semester which allowed me to meet many British backpackers... That was it.. I was moving to London.  No idea what I was going to do or how I was going to get there..  

Fast forward 8 years... and I have been living in London for 7 of those 8 years with a year spent in NYC.  Needless to say, I love London.. well I love the whole country.  I have met so many people and grown in my adult life here.  I met the love of my life and made a home.  In London, you can experience so many wonderful things - Drive across tower bridge, swing past Buckingham Palace and a wave to big ben... discover the eccentric life of shoreditch and hoxton to the pristine streets of Mayfair.  The history is woven in with an edgy side and all placed on a beautiful platter to enjoy.
  

My journey has allowed me to look at SD from the outside in, where generations of my family have lived.   Hard work and dedication made the roots deep with pride love and happiness. I have a new love and appreciation for SD.  I love that homemade and homegrown are staple words (you can't buy a M&S ready meal in SD!).  It is a place where farmers and ranchers know the land like a london cab driver knows the streets.  Their work doesn't end at 5 o'clock and there is no difference between a Tuesday and a Saturday.  You can look from horizon to horizon and not see another building in site and the sunsets can only be described as amazing.

I am excited for you to join me in my mash up of London living and South Dakota roots.