July 2018 Midwest Nest

Edition 10

Unfortunately, our first series of lake shoots did not go off without a hitch. You may have noticed that we managed to capture nearly every rainy day in June. Contrary to my four-year-old’s firm belief, it is not always sunny and 80 degrees at the lake; but, it's certainly a destination that can brighten even the cloudiest of days. ​

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Vintage Camper Overhaul: page 14

Shoppes at Blu: PAGE 20

Extra/Ordinary Gala: PAGE 34

Las Vegas to Little Cormorant: PAGE 38

lake Living: PAGE 46

Skaff Family Recipes: PAGE 54

Mastering Mid-Mod in Minnesota: PAGE 62

Built for Family, By Family: PAGE 62

The New Dakota Vines: PAGE 68

Do you want to know what else brightens a cloudy day? Babies and baked goods. Visiting the Skaff family cabin, we were supposed to be shooting their beautiful lake home and yummy treats, but we just couldn't stop snapping pics of their granddaughter, Lauren. Those cheeks though...we're thinking of devoting a whole issue to her. We'll call it "Lauren at the Lake", ha. 

Amidst the photo shoots in the rain, it reminded me of a time when a rain-soaked weather forecast signified a family vacation. If you were raised like I was, in a family of farmers, rain meant a break from the field and a trip to the lakes. Although we didn't have a lake home for most of my childhood, we often packed the truck and hitched up our barely buoyant boat, in search of the nearest lake. We started camping in tents, graduating to pop-up campers, then finally a mauve Winnebago that we all agreed, desperately needed to be a different color. We met up with friends and camped at nearly every lake we could find within an hour's drive of the farm. Every weekend was a new adventure; and the rain - well, just like this month's photo shoots, we made the best of it and loved every second of it. 

Speaking of campers, this month, our lake-bound adventures took us to Fergus Falls, Minn., to meet up with a mother-daughter duo who have become pros at setting the scene for local weddings and lakeside events. If you love old camper overhauls, then you need to see their charming rental named Martha Barnaby. 

Whether you’re meeting friends or gathering with family, we hope your summer is filled with sun, sand and a little sweetness! 

Welcome to our 10th edition of Midwest Nest Magazine!

With Midwest regard,

Tracy Nicholson