One of my favorite parts of being a Realtor is in December when I make my way through Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties making my holiday visits to the homes of my past and present buyers and sellers delivering two foot tall, live Christmas trees. The trees are a beautiful holiday centerpiece and in the spring can add value to a homeowner's landscape. Last December, as I made my holiday trek through the north and east Twin Cities metro, I was distracted by a Viking!
In Minnesota, there are many fans of the purple and gold hometown football team but not too many go so far as to have a carved likeness of a Minnesota Viking on their front lawn. At the time, this fierce warrior was covered with snow so I made a mental note to return at the start of the football season and capture this artful distraction to share. This wooden tribute to the Minnesota Vikings is located at a home on a side street in Roseville, MN. The purple pride of this football fan is further evidenced by the sign on the front of the home. I don't know if this is supposed to be Regnar, the mascot of the Vikings, but Regnar or not, this is one committed fan! Skol Vikings!
In case you were wondering...Skol is a Swedish salute to an admired group and it is the beginning of the Minnesota Viking Fight song:
Skol, Vikings! Let's win this game.
Skol, Vikings! Honor your name.
Go get that first down, then get a touchdown,
Rock 'em, sock 'em, fight, fight, fight, fight!
Skol, Vikings! Run out the score;
You'll hear us yell for more.V-I-K-I-N-G-S!
Skol, Vikings, let's go!
Other Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions:
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: The North St. Paul Snowman
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Grrrr....Black Bear in Columbus
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: Giant Mouse and Buffalo in Center City
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Forest Lake Steam Train
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Ham Lake Bald Eagle in Nest
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: Little Gnome Facts in Forest Lake
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Hometown Version: Lindstrom Teapot Watertower
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Homeowner Version: D'oh! Homer at Home in Centerville
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions-Hometown Version: Giant Polar Bear in White Bear Lake
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Hometown Version: East Bethel's New Resident Black Bear
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Steel Dragons in Blaine
- Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions--Homeowner Version: Move Over Tiger! Yogi's Ready for the Links in Forest Lake!
Don't be distracted when making YOUR important real estate decisions! If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota..JPG)
Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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Teri that is great! There is no doubt that this guy loves his football team...LOL
Great Viking photo Teri, and no one will mess with this house with this guy protecting it.
Teri - I love when you post one of your artful distractions. I wonder if the viking scares the kids on Halloween?
You always have wonderful art stories Teri! I too....think about the photos to take when on an excursion :)
Hi Teri,
Great job on all the helpful links on this beautifully artistic & informative post! Bob is actually Swedish so I'll have to point this one out to him.
Lisa
Teri, I LOVE this series! You have some of the most talented and creative people there---I can't think how much fun it would be to own one!
Teri, Fall and football just go together. I love the photo and I can feel the Fall air and the excitement of the beautiful day and football. Great work!
Teri, I've got to start making note of the local artwork around my area - great pictures and post. Thanks for the idea, but I am surprised you have a man made snowman in MN, Karen
Bill--A little more of a Viking's fan than others...There are a few purple and gold fanatics in this state but this one is unique.
Gary--He has quite the sword in his hand doesn't he?
Sandra--Thanks!! I never thought of that...He would look a little frightening in the dark. I suppose most people in the neighborhood have seen him as he is a permanent display.
Sally--Thank you...Sometimes you just have to plan a day for photos. If it is around errands, you save gas!
Lisa--It is a fun series to do! My husband is almost 100% Swedish too...Lots of Scandinavians in MN!
Carole--It certainly shows the personalities of the owners doesn't it? I have only sold one home with one of these carvings. It was years ago and the home was in a very small town a couple hours north of the cities. I had just got my license so I would go anywhere to make a sale and get experience. The carving was about 20ft tall and it was of a man who looked a bit like a sea captain. I had to put in the personal property addendum, "carved man" right along with the refrigerator and washer/dryer. Wonder what the underwriter thought when they saw that? LOL
Jeanean--Would have been nice if that shrub in the front had some beautiful red or gold leaves to emphasize the season but you can't have everything. :)
Karen--You are welcome! There are so many of these eclectic art pieces that it is a fun way to present Minnesota. I guess when it is in the sunny and sweltering in the 90's and humid on a July day, the snowman is suppose to make us feel better!
I love football myself but would never go to that extreme. I think my neighbors might take offense as well:)
Hi Teri,
Bob's mother is Swedish born but his father is an all American with German roots. We meet Swedish born people all the time in our area and are always so surprised. For Bob it's like hearing his mother's and her relatives talking. Was your husband born in Sweden?
Bill--I would love to have a tree carved into something in my yard. But we are on acreage and no neighbor's would be able to see it...It would NOT be a Viking however. :)
Lisa--My husband was born in Iowa...maybe 4th generation (?) We always knew his mother's side was half Swedish and half German. His dad we found out when we saw the family tree is 100% Swedish. MN is a state with a strong Scandinavian heritage...But I am a native MN and 25% Irish, 25% Polish/Prussian, 37% German and 12% English...No Swedish or Norwegian background at all. But many Minnesotan's have that accent something we all pick up and cannot get rid of don't cha know. :)