Well, hello! I am Heather. I have been living in Rochester for just about 10 years. My husband, Ted, and I moved here from a Chicago suburb after I completed grad school. It’s funny though, even before I lived here I knew this was where I wanted to be. It seems that my heart has always been in Minnesota. I love all the green trees, the sound they make in the wind and our beautiful mix of farmland and hills.
I am a Registered Dietitian, but don’t let that scare you. I am an ice cream fanatic, lover of peanut butter, coffee, and a great plate of sushi. I feel like I got into nutrition more because of a love of food than anything else. In fact, I would actually consider myself a ‘nondiet’ dietitian. That basically means that I am all for eating real foods and being as least-restrictive as possible. A dietitian I admire named Ellyn Satter says, “When the joy goes out of eating, nutrition suffers.” I 100% agree.
I am also raising 3 rambunctious boys; Everett (2015), Judah (2016), and Monroe (2019). They are my whole world. I am a boymom to the end!! Prior to taking my current job as a Nutrition Specialist for Olmsted County WIC (Women, Infants and Children), I was working as a Licensed Family Childcare Provider so that I could be home with my boys all day long. That was a wonderful season. I love how seasons come and go; each new season has new and exciting adventures.
Do you collect anything?
I have collected coffee cups from my travels since I was in college. Even though I haven’t traveled as much in the past 10 years and my husband complains that I already have too many coffee cups, I still buy a new cup wherever I go. A few of my favorites are from: New Zealand, Austin, Canada, St. Lucia, and Wisconsin.
What is one thing you are working on changing/being better at?
I wish I were better at sending cards. Every time I get an alert from my phone calendar that someone’s birthday or anniversary is coming up, I think to myself, “This time I will get a card and put it in the mail ON TIME.” Sometimes I get really close. I will buy the card, fill it out, even put the stamp on it… then it will sit on my kitchen counter for weeks on end.
I will eventually do one of two things: 1. put the card in the mail and text the person to tell them how sorry I am that it is so late or 2. toss it in the trash and resort to get better at it next year.
What makes you the happiest?
I feel like saying that my boys make me the happiest is too obvious. While that it my ultimate answer, one other thing that I thoroughly enjoy is redecorating. But it isn’t just about going to a store and buying what I like. The part that I specifically like is finding a second-hand piece that pulls my whole space together. I think what I really enjoy is the thrill of the hunt.
My second hand finds usually need some fixing up. I have refinished plenty of furniture in my day. I like picking out colors and hardware. I like getting dusty when I am refinishing it and then cleaning it up so that I can put it in the perfect spot.
What is something you believe everyone should experience at least once in their life?
I believe that everyone should live by themselves at least once in their life. I had this experience when I was just a new high school grad. I moved to a town a few hours away from home and got a one bedroom apartment. That was a hard season but I learned so much about myself in it. I think there is something to be said about coming home to no one. In the beginning the solitude was lonely, but in the end I found it really comforting.
Your house can only be one color: inside and out. What color would you choose and why?
My husband and I have been dreaming about 20 acres in the country for some time now. I have had plenty of time to fantasize about what my dream home would look like. I am obsessed with white farmhouses. I love the crisp white exterior and the contrast of white interior walls mixed with all kinds of warm wood tones for the trim and floor. While I love how this looks, another part of me is wondering how crazy I would have to be to actually go through with it… painting all my walls white with a house full of boys sounds like a bad idea.
