Sara Stromseth Troy
@saratroy77.bsky.social
Bookseller, Nature Photographer, Music Fan, Cat Mom to Dibs & Bennett, Bi Pride, Studying Judaism (liberal movements).
Nate and I celebrated New Year's Eve by playing an '80's trivia game. I did well with music & Nate with sports. We each won once. Eventually, our tabby cat Dibs knocked the game off of the table!
January 1, 2026 at 3:35 AM
Nate and I celebrated New Year's Eve by playing an '80's trivia game. I did well with music & Nate with sports. We each won once. Eventually, our tabby cat Dibs knocked the game off of the table!
I usually am in Illinois with my extended family for their Christmas get-together on New Year's Eve, but it had to be cancelled this year. So, Nate and I are at home with the cats. I made my aunt and uncle's spaghetti sauce recipe & salad with raspberries & chicken with chipotle pineapple sauce.
January 1, 2026 at 3:33 AM
I usually am in Illinois with my extended family for their Christmas get-together on New Year's Eve, but it had to be cancelled this year. So, Nate and I are at home with the cats. I made my aunt and uncle's spaghetti sauce recipe & salad with raspberries & chicken with chipotle pineapple sauce.
We in the upper Midwest are getting a big winter storm, with rain turning to snow, 50 mph wind gusts and white-out road conditions. I am thankful I have a place to stay in town so I can walk to work rather than attempt my usual 20-mile commute from a neighboring town.
December 29, 2025 at 2:08 AM
We in the upper Midwest are getting a big winter storm, with rain turning to snow, 50 mph wind gusts and white-out road conditions. I am thankful I have a place to stay in town so I can walk to work rather than attempt my usual 20-mile commute from a neighboring town.
The books were a success! My nephew and my sister began reading through their books right away!
December 27, 2025 at 5:30 AM
The books were a success! My nephew and my sister began reading through their books right away!
I was happy to support Decorah's two independent bookstores when searching for Christmas gifts for my family.
December 27, 2025 at 5:29 AM
I was happy to support Decorah's two independent bookstores when searching for Christmas gifts for my family.
I had a great time finding books for my family from Decorah, Iowa's two independent bookstores!
December 27, 2025 at 5:26 AM
I had a great time finding books for my family from Decorah, Iowa's two independent bookstores!
Nate and I went to my parents' house for their Christmas dinner and gift exchange. We were joined by my sister and her family, my aunt Sonja, and a family friend. My mom made a variety of pies. My sister & I posed for a picture.
December 27, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Nate and I went to my parents' house for their Christmas dinner and gift exchange. We were joined by my sister and her family, my aunt Sonja, and a family friend. My mom made a variety of pies. My sister & I posed for a picture.
Christmas with Nate's dad and one of his brothers (the other 3 siblings and their families were unable to attend).
December 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Christmas with Nate's dad and one of his brothers (the other 3 siblings and their families were unable to attend).
Enjoying homemade hot chocolate after a busy day.
December 24, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Enjoying homemade hot chocolate after a busy day.
Our newest 'Garden Kitty' (resident stray) who is now taking winter weather shelter in our garage. I named her Sugarplum. We are in contact with a local person who does cat rescue, foster and adoption. Hope to get Sugarplum into the process of becoming a housecat.
December 21, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Our newest 'Garden Kitty' (resident stray) who is now taking winter weather shelter in our garage. I named her Sugarplum. We are in contact with a local person who does cat rescue, foster and adoption. Hope to get Sugarplum into the process of becoming a housecat.
We have a blizzard warning tonight due to high wind gusts. Housecats Dibs and Bennett are cozy and warm inside, while 3 stray cats are taking shelter in straw-filled cat beds in our garage.
December 19, 2025 at 4:54 AM
We have a blizzard warning tonight due to high wind gusts. Housecats Dibs and Bennett are cozy and warm inside, while 3 stray cats are taking shelter in straw-filled cat beds in our garage.
I did not expect another day at home this week, but winter weather made me wary of the 20-mile commute. So, I worked on writing and mailing out our holiday cards.
December 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I did not expect another day at home this week, but winter weather made me wary of the 20-mile commute. So, I worked on writing and mailing out our holiday cards.
More latkes, please!
December 15, 2025 at 1:17 AM
More latkes, please!
Wishing a Happy Hanukkah to all of my Jewish friends! Inspired by my Jewish best friend, I began studying Judaism in 2017. Hoping 2026 will be the year I begin the conversion process. I am making latkes in the meantime!
December 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Wishing a Happy Hanukkah to all of my Jewish friends! Inspired by my Jewish best friend, I began studying Judaism in 2017. Hoping 2026 will be the year I begin the conversion process. I am making latkes in the meantime!
Thankful that I was able to leave work early today so I could make the 20-mile commute home ahead of the winter storm. I enjoyed a latte at the bakery. So far, we have had freezing rain. Expecting 50 mph wind and ground blizzard overnight & tomorrow.
December 10, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Thankful that I was able to leave work early today so I could make the 20-mile commute home ahead of the winter storm. I enjoyed a latte at the bakery. So far, we have had freezing rain. Expecting 50 mph wind and ground blizzard overnight & tomorrow.
More winter home decor.
December 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
More winter home decor.
Nate did a good job decorating the tree. We typically use a star and snowflake theme. The tree is small, so the cats aren't interested in climbing it or knocking it down.
December 7, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Nate did a good job decorating the tree. We typically use a star and snowflake theme. The tree is small, so the cats aren't interested in climbing it or knocking it down.
Dibs relaxes with Nate.
December 7, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Dibs relaxes with Nate.
Happy Thanksgiving from Nate and me! We are spending the day with Nate's brother Jim and their father in Kieler, Wisconsin.
November 27, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from Nate and me! We are spending the day with Nate's brother Jim and their father in Kieler, Wisconsin.
Northern Lights over our house in Cresco, Iowa. Amazing light show and spectacular reds and greens!
November 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Northern Lights over our house in Cresco, Iowa. Amazing light show and spectacular reds and greens!
Northern Lights just outside of Cresco, Iowa. It was amazing to witness; some of the pink colors in the sky could be seen with the naked eye! These are the first Northern Lights pictures I have taken.
November 12, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Northern Lights just outside of Cresco, Iowa. It was amazing to witness; some of the pink colors in the sky could be seen with the naked eye! These are the first Northern Lights pictures I have taken.
A relaxing evening.
October 31, 2025 at 3:28 AM
A relaxing evening.
A sleepy Sunday.
October 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
A sleepy Sunday.
Autumn leaves at Phelps Park in Decorah, Iowa.
October 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Autumn leaves at Phelps Park in Decorah, Iowa.
Autumn leaves at Phelps Park in Decorah, Iowa and a view of the Upper Iowa River.
October 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Autumn leaves at Phelps Park in Decorah, Iowa and a view of the Upper Iowa River.