"Da Ranger" 911 Christmas Giveaway

When I started up my blog, I was ready to go live only to find out that a website named Ranger 911 already existed!  Go figure.  I was not about to start from scratch, so I just added da to my blog address creating http://daranger911.blogspot.com/. 


If you've seen this address and wondered why, there is a method to my madness.  In the 1970's somebody coined the phrase "I'm from da Range" to poke fun at the Iron Range dialect.  Well, we Rangers took it all in stride and embraced this idea.  We proudly wore our T-shirts with the phrase emblazoned across the chest and slapped stickers onto the rusted out bumpers of our homemade El Caminos.  Picture if you will, a beat-up old junker with the rear passenger seat and part of the roof removed to create a unique car/truck.  Quite ingenious, actually.  You might even say the ultimate repurpose.

So, now you know the story behind daranger ( not to be confused with deranged).  It's time to get to the point of this short history lesson.  I'm embracing my Range roots and hosting a Minnesota Iron Range themed Christmas giveaway.  Without further ado, let me introduce you to the prize.

Meet Lena.

As you know by now, I have a collection of vintage sock monkeys and I create new vintage inspired monkeys from the original Rockford Red Heel socks that are still manufactured today.  Lena loves to shop at Rummage in the Park, our local vintage clothing shop, but unfortunately they had nothing available in her petite size. So, off to my artist studio ( kitchen table ) to design a stylish winter coat and hat for her.

She is wearing a festive red corduroy swing coat accented with faux fur collar and cuffs.  When her hands get cold, she warms them in her fur-lined muff.  She is feeling very "Jackie O" in her retro pillbox hat edged in the same fur with a black feather peeking out.

To keep her tootsies warm, I made her a pair of Steger Mukluks.  For those of you unfamiliar with these boots, they are manufactured by the Will Steger ( most famous for his polar expeditions ) family in Ely, MN, gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  They are guaranteed to keep her feet warm in even the coldest of weather!

There are many styles and colors to choose from, but Lena thought the blue Navajo design brought out the pretty blue color of her eyes. So stylish and warm!

I considered making her some leggings or snow pants, but there's always the problem of what to do with her tail.  And, really, would you cover up this cute tushie?

I almost forgot to show you her thrift store find!  She is quite a savvy shopper as you can see by this vintage suitcase she found at the local Goodwill.

And to complete the prize package, I'm including a 1 pound bag of Minnesota wild rice along with the recipe for Lena's favorite hot dish.  After all, this is Minnesota, dontcha know!  And you can put away your deer rifle.  There is no venison in this particular recipe.

Before I finish this post, I have a few disclosures to make.

• Lena does have those button eyes, so she is definitely not a toy for small children.
• She has already picked up the Range dialect, but don't worry, I've been working with her.

Me:     Now Lena, you must remember to say yes, not yaw, and no instead of nope.  Got it?

Lena:   You betcha.

As Uncle Uno always said, "You can take da Ranger outa da Range, but you can't take da Range outa da Ranger."

Lena's got her suitcase packed and she's ready to go!

To enter this drawing, simply leave me a comment to this post.  If  you are reading this post, you are eligible to enter!  The random drawing will take place on Sunday, December 18.  Alrighty then, let the game begin!

My name is Vickie and I'm from da Range.