ROAD SAGE

DAY THIRTEEN: 524 MILES TO GO

2012-02-14T19:47:00.000-06:00

We are in Missouri, just across the Arkansas Missouri border. 524 miles from home. We thought we'd go out for a nice supper, but at six o'clock on Valentine's night, you don't just walk into a nice steak house and plan to get served and out within a decent amount of time. The places we checked were packed, and had long lines. We went to a Mexican restaurant, advertised as authentic. It was pretty good. I can say that I have never seen staff work as fast as they did in this place. All male staff, and they were almost running the whole time. Really busy place, but very fast service.

So, now it's a little TV to relax and then to sleep. I haven't slept well for several nights, so I'm hoping tonight I will. Then we have a busy day tomorrow, with 524 more miles. Then we're home, and staying there!

DAY TWELVE: BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

2012-02-13T20:13:00.000-06:00

We are the Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. We arrived early enough to do a little tour of the city. I had many surprises. First of all, Biloxi is much smaller than I had envisioned. And I believe it was much larger before Katrina. Many folks just left. But it is a charming little town, and I think it is a Phoenix and that it will rise from the ashes.

First of all, it was a lovely sunrise back in Florida where we started out our day.

Our travels took us through Mobile, Alabama where we saw this battle ship off to the left of the highway.

We also saw this fancy new bridge off to the right.

At the Mississippi state line we were greeted by this beautiful visitor center.

This is an area inside the visitor center! Isn't it beautiful? We were offered a cup of coffee along with our free maps and other information.

We took a tour of the city of Biloxi. In the old grave yard, this crypt was ruined by Katrina.

A new bridge, thanks to Katrina.

A FEMA shotgun home that the residents were allowed to buy for their permanent home. Tiny, isn't it?

This home is fixed up to it's pre-Katrina beauty, but they have added a high water sign.

This home has been condemned, but it still standing with the marks still visible on the door.

Biloxi was changed forever by Katrina. Huge hotels, casinos, and many businesses, in addition to private homes were lost in the storm. They received the full force of the category 5 storm, winds and all, not just the flooding as other places had. The people seem strong and determined to rebuild a town that is better than the one that Katrina tried to destroy.

DAY ELEVEN: WIND CHILL?

2012-02-12T07:13:00.000-06:00

The temperature in Panama City, Florida this morning is 29 degrees with a "feels like" of 20. Yes, folks. I said Panama City, Florida. And I said 29 degrees with a "feels like" of 20. Heading home tomorrow. Well, to be honest, we were already scheduled to head to Minnesota tomorrow.

DAY TEN: WINDY

2012-02-11T20:14:00.001-06:00

I headed to the beach by myself this afternoon, and I really did have the whole beach to myself. It was extremely windy, and probably a bit cool for many, but I loved it!

I met one young man on his way back to the parking lot, and a couple came down for maybe ten minutes and then left. I was alone.

I should have taken video as the waves were making quite a lot of noise as they crashed into the shore.

The sand was blowing just like the snow does back home, but it was much warmer!

Warmer until tomorrow morning. An Arctic blast is coming and they are talking temps in the 20's for parts of this area. Might as well go home! Which we will do on Monday. We will head north on Monday, probably taking it pretty slow, maybe taking four or so days.

DAY NINE: BIRD POST

2012-02-10T20:45:00.000-06:00

Today was a cloudy cool day, but we went ahead with our plans anyway. We went to Wakulla Springs State Park. I've been there twice before, and it is really fun, hence the third trip! It was a two and a half hour drive and we didn't even leave here until after ten, so we didn't arrive until after twelve thirty. We had lunch in this old lodge/restaurant, a lovely bowl of bean soup. Nummy!

The lodge and the furnishings tell of a day gone by when vacation lodges were a bit more elegant, where ladies and gentlemen dined and relaxed and visited in fancy surroundings.

The furniture is beautiful, if a bit uncomfortable looking!

The fire had died down to just coals, so it wasn't as inviting as it would have been had a nice warming fire been burning in the fireplace.

I especially liked the painted ceiling.

We saw a lot of birds on our ride down the Wakulla River, including this great blue heron. He is beautiful!

We saw our national bird, the bald eagle. Love eagles!

Some turtles were trying to find some sun to warm themselves, and the fellow below was just hanging around in the swampy area long the river.

Several movies were filmed in this area, including this one and some Tarzan movies with Johnny Weissmuller swinging through the jungle on the vines that hang from every tree.

DAY EIGHT: SHELL ISLAND

2012-02-09T20:17:00.000-06:00

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip.............

We rented a pontoon from Rec Services here on base, and Ernie, me, cousin Karen, Karen's husband Dave and Ben, Dave's nephew , took off on a 4 hour tour. Actually 4 1/2 hour tour. And it was a great trip, not a fateful trip!

We had supervision as we loaded the boat.

It may have looked like a nice warm day........

but it was a bit nippy! Notice hubby's Minnesota fleece jacket, and Karen's hood? She also had gloves on!

But once we got to Shell Island, and crossed over to the gulf side, it was lovely. Very nice and warm,

perfect shell hunting weather!

Another very nice boardwalk from one side of the island to the other.

Have you ever seen such clean water?

Or such white sand?

I love that about it, the clean, pure, white look.

Cousin Karen and her hubby, Dave. They are very special people.

Would you like to live this close to the water? It is pretty. And think of the gorgeous sunsets! Except for days like today when the sun wasn't around at sunset time.

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

DAY SEVEN: APALACHICOLA & ST. GEORGE ISLAND

2012-02-08T20:56:00.001-06:00

This morning dawned bright, sunny, and beautiful. We headed down to Apalachicola. Our first stop was to look at the shrimp boats in the harbor.

I liked this little fish cleaning house with the ferns growing on the roof!

This guy is harvesting oysters. Do you say "fishing" for oysters? No, you fish for fish. Do you say "oystering?" I have no clue. I will just say he is harvesting oysters.

We took the ~~nice long~~ really scary bridges across the intercoastal waterway, over to St. George Island State Park.

Right as we entered the park we saw this little guy through the grasses. He's kind of cool, don't you think?

At our first stop in the park, there wasn't a person in sight along the beach.

We did see two empty chairs.....

a starfish......

and a sand dollar.

Aren't these the cutest little condos you've ever seen? I think they look like bird houses!

We arrived back at the base in time to pick up a few groceries and sit out on our porch area in the Air Force blue rocking chairs lining the outside wall. And in time for another pretty sunset, this time with no visible sun.

I fixed the green beans, and Ernie grilled the steak.

Another fine day in Florida!

DAY SIX: SUNSET ON THE 17TH FLOOR

2012-02-07T21:05:00.000-06:00

We have been gone from home for 6 full days, and have already been here in Florida for 3 nights. Today was the most fun we have had so far. We went to visit my cousin Karen and her husband Dave at the condo they are staying in for a couple of months, right on the beautiful beaches of Panama City Beach. Oh, what a nice time we had! Thanks Karen and Dave! And happy birthday Dave!

Their condo is on the 17th floor. What a view!

The whole wall on the gulf side is windows, these in the living room, and to the right, in the master bedroom. Imagine waking up each morning to this view!

We were treated to wine, appetizers, salad, BBQ ribs, and sweet potatoes. Wonderful feast. And what a show outside!

There were no bugs, and the only sound we heard from 17 floors below us was the crashing of the waves on the white sand beach.

The sky changed with each passing minute......

....until the sun sunk into the water and went to sleep for the night.

It was a wonderful afternoon and evening, filled with good people, good food, and good sunset views!

Definitely worth doing again.

DAY FIVE: SAME STORY, ANOTHER VERSE

2012-02-06T20:01:00.000-06:00

This first photo is for my friend Carole. We met Glenn and Carole down here in January of 2007. We visited them at their home in Maryland later on that spring. Then we met them down here again in January of 2009 and traveled with them in Corpus Christi and San Antonio Texas in 2010. We have spent many happy hours together, talking, sightseeing, eating meals, having a glass of wine, and playing cards. Carole and I hit it off right away when we met, I think because we both traveled with our sewing machines and quilting supplies. And we spent a lot of time, and probably some money, at this neat quilting shop here in Panama City. Miss you Carole! Wish you were here.

We met my cousin and her husband for a salad lunch this noon, and made some plans for later this week. In fact, we are going to dinner at their condo tomorrow night. It was fun to see you Karen and Dave, and I'm guessing we're going to get together a few times over the next week or so.

Then it was back to the first beach I blogged about. Except this time we turned right instead of left. We walked, and walked and walked. Hubby is moaning and groaning about his sore back and leg muscles from walking in the sand. It is a good workout.

I was still pretty dry at this point, but by the end of our walk, I was pretty wet. I have a habit of getting a bit too close to the incoming waves, and my pants are always wet up past my knees.

The sky was kind of dark grey, and the gulf looked green today.

It looks like they had a snow storm on the beach, doesn't it? It cracks me up to see the drifts of white sand piled up against the fences.

With the grey sky today, it really does look like a snowy scene from Minnesota.

But stopping at a fruit and veggie stand shows that it was probably not a snow storm! Love these Plant City strawberries!

DAY 4: ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER BEACH

2012-02-05T19:29:00.000-06:00

It was really humid, but there was no sun shining this morning when we took off for another beach. This one is also on base, but way down on the southern end, about ten miles from where we're staying.

We did see lots of birds today.

And lots of shells.

Lots and lots of shells.

These two almost seemed to be doing a courting dance. They played around for several minutes, just a few feet from where we were walking.

Like I said, no sun, but there was sand and water. That's enough for me.

This young couple were traveling with a little toddler in front of mom. When they stopped the dad flopped down on the sand for a nap, and mom and the little girl played in the sand at the edge of the water.

Lots of broken shells.

Many whole shells.

Quite a few sand dollars.

Heading back. We had dark skies, but as you can see from this next photo,

the lack of sun didn't hurt the temps!

This photo is for my youngest sister, Lois. She knows what it means!

DAY 3: WE ARE THERE!

2012-02-04T18:32:00.000-06:00

We arrived at our destination around 1 pm. See the temperature that is registering on the car thermometer? So when it's 77, the sun is shining, and you are snowbirds in Florida, what do you do?

Well, you head to the beach, of course. That is after trading in your Smartwool socks, heavy shoes, jeans, and sweaters for white T shirts, khaki pants, and sandals.

Are you ready? Here we go!

Start following the boardwalk to the beach. You can't get lost. It's the only way to get there.

Keep going, past the little tower, and around the curve.

Around the curve and up the little rise.

Keep going! The end is in sight!

Here we are. Now we only have to cross the white sand.

And there it is. The Gulf of Mexico. I love big water. I need big water. I want to move to be close to big water. It is my very life. And it doesn't hurt that this big water is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and 77 degree temps.

I walked as far as you can see.

Until hubby said it was time to head back.

Goody-bye big water. I'll see you tomorrow.

And every single day that I'm down here.

It was a good day. We arrived safely, found our lodging for the next couple of weeks, and walked the beach. It was a very good day.

DAY 2: KERMIT WAS WRONG

2012-02-03T18:27:00.000-06:00

Well, maybe in Kermit's defense I should say that I am not talking about actually being green. But I am talking about looking at green, and it is not hard at all! It's really, really easy to look at green!

As in this beautiful field.

And this one.

No green yet on the tree or bushes, but look at the field!

Sorry about the glare on the windshield. The old barns were lovey sitting on the green field!

Love, love, love, green!

We are outside of Montgomery, only a bit over 200 miles from our destination. See you tomorrow from Florida!

DAY 1: MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, ILLINOIS

2012-02-02T19:55:00.000-06:00

We pulled out of our driveway before seven this morning and headed east and south for the first part of our trip. It was a beautiful morning, and I enjoyed taking some blurry pictures through the windshield.

This next one looks like a man made forest to me. Kind of ugly, uh?

The energy photo: the energy of the sun and the energy of the wind turbines.

Shortly after we cross into Iowa, we see this pretty scene off to the left of the road. I always look forward to seeing this old church among the pines.

A bit further down the road is the "silo and smokestack heritage area" of the state. Lots of interesting sights along the highway. Especially on a cold winter morning when the smokestacks are really puffing away.

But soon our beautiful morning disappeared, and for almost three hours we drove through this:

and this.

We crossed into Missouri, and sun came out, and we stopped for a lunch of rice crackers, white cheddar cheese with cranberries in it, and a good old Minnesota Honey Crisp apple. Nummy!

Soon the outside temperature reached a high of 64! On February 2!

Crossing the wide Missouri near St. Louis.

By the end of our day we had driven 563 miles, at an average speed of 59 MPH (all freeway!) and our gas mileage was 50.3 MPG. Yes, we stopped once to fill up. It drank all of 8 gallons!

We are at an AFB in Illinois, heading to Montgomery, Alabama tomorrow night. It was a good first day.

GOOD BYE JAMMIES!

2012-01-30T18:52:00.000-06:00

On October 30, 2010, I posted this regarding my favorite pajamas. I was planning to throw them in the rag bag. But guess what I did? I sewed them up, patched the rip on the leg, sewed a couple of new seams along the top so the drawstring would still stay in the casing, and I have been wearing them ever since. Last week I needed to patch the leg again, and while doing so I put my finger through the fabric.....it was that thin. And I still hated to give them up. They have served me well for,,,,what,,,,12 years? 15 years? In fact I wore them again last night. And put my finger through the fabric on the other leg. It's time folks. It's time they get thrown in the rag bag..

I had to go into town today for a hair cut appointment, but before I left I found my pattern, I found some fabric I could spare out of my quilting stash, and I decided I would make a new pair of comfy cotton pajama bottoms when I returned from town. After my haircut I decided to check out the sales at a nice department store at the mall.....way at the far end of the mall so I could just go into the door, check the sales, and go back out the door without having to walk the length of the mall. I don't like malls. I saw a huge sign, 70% off it claimed. It was in the fancy pajama department, so I was curious to see what they had. I found wonderful cotton pajama bottoms! Original price was $40 and above. Sale, plus 70% off sale price, was $8.00! I went home with three pairs in a bag. The fabric I had chosen to make my pajamas out of was about $14, so it was really a good deal. Saved me my fabric and my time!

And I went home and found some T shirts that had seen better days but were too good to throw in the rag bag, and I matched them up with my new jammie bottoms, and I now have 3 new pairs of pajamas. Yay me!

I am almost thinking I should have a special ceremony tonight as I throw the old jammies in the rag bag. They have been my faithful friend for a long, long time. We've slept together for many years! But I am dumping them. Yup. Tonight.

547 b

2012-01-27T11:24:00.000-06:00

I don't like red lipstick. I don't like pink lipstick. I don't like orange lipstick. I like 547b and it's getting hard to find. Now granted, this isn't an earth shattering problem; having some 547b won't save the world or even make your life easier. But, when you don't like red, pink, or orange, it is a big deal to me.

547b is a light, almost lip glossy chapsticky kind of lipstick. The color is a little brownish pinkish clearish. It's all I wear. And I was out. I had to go to three stores before I found some, and then they only had two tubes, so I bought them both. And if I see it again, I'll buy whatever they have on hand, if I can afford it that day. After all, it is 99 cents a tube. I know. I'm an extravagant girl, but it's nothing but the best for me. 547b or nothing!

IT'S FINALLY WINTER

2012-01-23T13:47:00.000-06:00

The weather news this morning said we had about 3 inches of snow last night. That makes a grand total of 12 inches for the winter. Last year at this time? 55 inches. Yes, we are way behind in moisture, which does not make the farmers happy. And the new flower beds filled with all those perennials my friend Charlie gave me? I sure hope the mulch I spread and the leaves that blew in will be enough to protect them from the cold without the blanket of snow.

It does look kind of pretty out there. For a few minutes this morning, maybe 3 minutes, the sun broke through and it was very sparkly white, but the sun quickly disappeared behind the clouds and it has been grey since.

I love snow covered berries. It reminds me of my favorite trip with my mom and sister. One year, just about now at the end of January, we took mom and my sister up to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a winter retreat. We rented a small cabin, complete with fireplace, and spent several days in about 3 feet of snow, right on the big lake. We saw beautiful sunrises and sunsets, made dreamy looking by the steam from the lake and the ice chunks alone the shore. It was beautiful! One day we took a trip up the Sawbill Trail, to the Sawbill Outfitters at the north end. The road was plowed very well, and we had no fear of getting stuck along our 20 some mile trip through the beautiful pine forest. Poor Ernie had to make countless quick stops along the way when either my sister or I would yell "stop!" for a photo op. Mom was busy looking for the trees along the road that contained beautiful snow covered red berries. She'd spy a berry tree, holler "red berries!" and Ernie would slam on the brakes as Lois and I were already climbing out of the van door to take pictures. We were cold and wet by the end of the trip, but that just made the little cabin with the warm fire even more cozy. I will never forget the trip that has come to be known as the Red Berry Trip.

We had a little drizzle last night before the snow, so there is a thin coat of ice under the snow.

On another subject: Next week is the one year anniversary of me going gluten free. Do you think I'm suffering? Nope! I am not! I've not felt so healthy in years, I have less pain, and I will not be giving up this new eating style. I love it!

This morning I made pizza crusts from this recipe in my favorite cookbook, Cooking for Isaiah , and froze three of them for future use. (See Linda! I told you I had orange post it notes in my cookbook!) I make them about 8 inches in diameter, perfect for hubby and I to share for lunch. They smelled so good that I fixed one up today for lunch.

You thinking that looks like I am missing out on something? No way! This pizza had the great crust, sauce, a few pieces of pepperoni, fresh tomatoes, red onions, wonderful fresh Crimini mushrooms, and cheese. This photo makes it look like the cheese is really thick. It's not. But the veggies and mushrooms underneath were! And it was delicious!

BEACH WALKING

2012-01-22T19:16:00.000-06:00

I was just looking back at posts from a year ago, and I discovered that we left on February 2 for Arizona last year. We plan to leave on February 2 for Florida this year. I didn't realize that we have picked the same departure date. Maybe we should make that a yearly thing.....leave Minnesota on February 2 every year!

I am beginning to make my lists and starting to get things in piles, ready to pack for our trip. We will be staying in temporary quarters on the AFB, and we will have a kitchen with dishes, silverware, pots and pans. However, I don't think they will have my cast iron skillets, which I need. They won't have my big red pot, which I need. And they won't have my Wusthof knives, which I need. Therefore, I will pack them. But this time there is no need to pack bedding and towels as they are provided.

So it's really only a matter of packing my sandals for beach walking, my capris for beach walking, and my short sleeved T shirts for beach walking. Beyond that, I need my camera to take pictures of my beach walking, and my computer to distribute pictures of my beach walking.

At first we wondered if we should waste the money to leave town this year as the winter has been so mild. But this last week the temps fell below zero, and we've had some blustery winds with a bit of snow. Today was freezing drizzle and falling temps, so it will probably get cold and slippery. Yup, time to waste some money and head south for a couple of weeks.

The invitation is still open for you all to come along. Just let me know when and where to pick you up!

HALF WINTER

2012-01-19T08:09:00.000-06:00

We have been so spoiled this winter. We have had no snow and we've had no cold. I remember one little snow fall of maybe three inches that melted the next day in the 40 degree temperatures. It's been weird, to say the least. In fact I wondered if we should even waste the money to go to Florida for a week or two because it hasn't been real winter here. Nothing to get away from.

However.

This morning we are being treated to half winter. It's cold. Still no snow though.

Even in the cold, we are blessed with beautiful sunrises. I love the bright orange ball that rises behind the trees every morning. It almost feels warmer when you see the ball of fire in the sky. Almost.

A PRETTY GOOD DEAL

2012-01-17T18:50:00.001-06:00

I am sitting here tonight, patting myself on the back. I think I got a pretty good deal today. I went to the mall, only because I had received a $10 rewards card for a clothing store in the mail today. About the only thing that will get me to the mall is free money!

I found a sweater that was kind of cute. It was 3/4 sleeved, long enough to hit below the butt, and it had ties to cinch it at the waist. It was kind of a rusty cinnamony color, one of my favorite autumn hues. It was originally $49.95. It was marked down to $44.95, not a big deal at all. But it was on a rounder of 70% off sweaters. And my rewards card was for $10.

So I paid $3.49 cash for my sweater! Yay me!

BE CAREFUL LITTLE BIRDIES!

2012-01-14T18:24:00.000-06:00

Be careful little woodpecker.......

Be careful little sparrows.....

especially when bathing.....

Be careful little finches.....

Be careful blurry little cardinal.....

There is danger among us!

THOUGHTS ON BEING GREAT

2012-01-13T08:03:00.000-06:00

My daughter Kari took her blog private last year, so I am not able to link over to it. However, I think I am allowed to tell you the contents of this morning's post. An ultrasound picture. Of her grandbaby! My daughter is going to be a grandma so what does that make me? Great! It makes me great! I am going to be a great grandma!

Kari and Mike's oldest daughter, almost 26, surprised them yesterday afternoon with a DVD containing the ultrasound picture of her little tic-tac sized baby, a tiny little spot on a fuzzy photo that God willing will grow and flourish into a healthy little baby ready to face this world in late summer. There are concerns. My granddaughter is a diabetic. She is checking blood sugars often, and told me she is eating healthier than she did before. One thing we know for certain....this baby's brain will not be destroyed before birth by alcohol. Thank God!

So I have been pondering this business of being great. When I was born I had four great grandparents, as this baby will have. I especially remember two of them. They were old. Oh my, were they old. Gros Papa sat in a black leather rocking chair in the living room of my grandparents home, and smoked stinky cigars. He spoke German. I was scared of him. And he was really old. Grandma Martha lived in a tiny house next to a hill. She served us rice and milk with sugar and cinnamon, or canned goods from her cellar under the kitchen, reached by a trap door with a metal ring for a handle to lift it up. And she was really old.

I don't think I'm old. Oh, I have aches and pains some days, but I am not old. I can't imagine my great grandparents hiking on the state trail, or taking a bike ride, or driving to Alaska, or going fishing, or walking the streets of Rome or Florence for many hours, or babysitting active grandkids! I especially can't imagine that last thought..... they were old! I am not old.

It is early yet. She's only at two months. And as I said before, there are concerns. Granddaughter needs to take very good care of herself in order to keep herself and her baby healthy. I'm sure this is now her top priority. My top priority will be to pray.

And to begin plans for a great baby quilt!

TABLE BOOTS

2012-01-12T19:02:00.000-06:00

It looks like my table has boots on, doesn't it. But the fact is, I found the bed risers I was looking for to raise up the table I use for cutting fabric in my sewing/guest/computer room. I should have known. Tarjay had them. I hadn't thought to go there because I avoid the mall at all costs.....do not like all the people or all the stuff. But I got brave and went in the door.....and found a totally different floor plan than the last time I was in there. Ummm, maybe 4 months ago? They are remodeling and rearranging, and no one knew where anything was. Fortunately, I found a sweet young gal, probably a college student, who said she had no clue where anything was, but that we would search together to find the bed risers. She said the last time she saw them they were by the hangers, but she had no clue where they moved the hangers to! So we found another clerk and asked her, and she pointed us in the right direction. And there they were! Right by the hangers! So the search is ended, and I am happy. I am cutting out another table topper now, and the table is the proper height for my 5'8" frame. Thank you young Tarjay clerk. You were most helpful.

BEEN BUSY

2012-01-11T20:22:00.000-06:00

I have neglected to post for a few days, but I have been busy. Mostly busy blowing my nose. YUK! Did I ever tell you how much I despise colds? I absolute hate them. Such a waste of time. Anyhow, Monday and Tuesday were stay at home days.....in fact I didn't even get dressed on Tuesday. But I sat at the sewing machine for quite awhile on both days.

This small quilt/wall hanging of just 12 blocks was a lot of fun to make. Each of the blocks is only about 3 inches.......It is called The 12 Days of Christmas. Do you see why? The first block is 1 piece, the second is 2 pieces, the third is 3 pieces, and on until the last block, the twelfth block, is 12 pieces. I've not made many blocks that small, so it was kind of fun.

Then I made a table topper, or small wall quilt, of these soft colors. It is on my table waiting to get marked for quilting as we speak. This one was pretty straight forward and easy. I have several charm packs that will probably be turned into this little quilt.

I didn't sleep well last night at all, but this morning I was blessed with this beautiful sunrise, so sleep didn't seem to matter anymore. Daughter Kari and I went to the co-op and after buying groceries we had a nice salad for lunch. And then I bought a new iron. Whoopee!

BED RISERS

2012-01-06T15:03:00.000-06:00

After wandering around in over a half a dozen stores, I have decided that I should have just ordered online like we've been doing more and more recently. It would have saved my finding a parking place; it would have saved my sanity as I searched the store for the item, and then for a clerk to ask if they carried the item. And it would have saved my growing anger as each place said "no, we don't have them, but so and so does." Guess what? I checked all the so and so places, and no one has them. Not in our town of over 40,000, anyhow.

What on earth is this elusive object that my town doesn't carry? Bed risers. Plastic or wooden, I don't care, just want bed risers. And not for our bed. That is already so high that we need to take a flying leap to get into bed at night. I want them for a table in my sewing room to raise it up to use for a fabric cutting table. And I have looked. I looked at Maynard's, Home Fix It place, Lowley's, a furniture store, a bed/mattress store, Cheapko, and finally I got brave and went to the Wall of Marts, and came up empty each and every time. I do have to say, however, that I did have three people willingly and cheerfully helping me at Lowley's, which was a great improvement over the other six stores.

A quick search online shows exactly what I want, so I think I'll just order them. Should have done that in the first place. I have learned my lesson.

SUNRISE, SUNSET

2012-01-05T18:32:00.000-06:00

Sunrise

Sunset

Sunrise, sunset,

Swiftly flow the years.

One season following another,

Laden with happiness and tears.

QUICK UPDATE

2012-01-04T19:02:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update before I head for the shower and some scalding hot water pulsating on my aching neck and shoulder muscles.

Daughter is still hospitalized in a lot of pain, but it is better than yesterday. The Morphine makes her itch, so they switched to Dilaudid, which gives her a headache, which triggers the nausea, which then causes the pancreas to go into it's cycle of pain. I think they decided to switched back to the Morphine for the next 24 hours.

Thanks for the prayers.

I am going to wrap in a blanket and watch Mama Mia after my shower. A very healing show!

I DON'T UNDERSTAND

2012-01-03T18:29:00.000-06:00

I haven't bought any new Christmas decorations for quite a few years, so I thought I'd check the clearance sales now that Christmas is over, and I headed out to a few stores today. What? There is nothing left? It's only 9 days after Christmas. Either they didn't carry many decorations this year (and I wouldn't know because I didn't go into the stores or the mall during the Christmas shopping season) or they are all gone. Already.

However, you are able to purchase your Valentine, St. Patrick's Day and Easter decorations. Get serious! I guess I should have looked for clearance sales a month before Christmas. I don't understand.

And on another matter. Our daughter is in the hospital with pancreatic pain, again. Please keep her in your prayers.

AN INVITATION

2012-01-02T08:43:00.000-06:00

You are cordially invited

to accompany

hubby and me

a short winter vacation

with the

destination being

We'll walk the beach,

pick some shells,

go to the Quilting By the Bay Quilt Shop,

eat some Plant City strawberries,

and try to avoid the Panama City Beach Spring break gang!

Leaving on or about February 2.

Want to go?

THE DAWNING OF A NEW WEEK AND A NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T08:10:00.000-06:00

Happy Sunday! Happy New Year! Our world changed just a little bit overnight as we had maybe an inch of snow. It is white. Clean. Just like the calendar for the new year. Wonder how we will mess it up this year!

LET GO!

2011-12-31T07:51:00.002-06:00

I am a list person, are you? I like to make a list of what I have to do that day, and cross off each item as it is completed. I make lists of what to do, what to pack, what to read, what to blog, what to sew, groceries to buy, or phone calls to make......each little area of my life deserves it's own list. How about you? Do you need to make a list in order to feel you have accomplished something?

I am not a resolution person. I don't really make resolutions, but instead, I set goals, or I make lists. The last days of the year bring me to examining the past 12 months, and wondering if I completed most of the items on the list. Last year's list was pretty simple: Family, Friends, Faith. How did I do? I think I accomplished part of the list, but I still fell short in other areas. I wanted to either remain close, or get closer to family members. I think I scored a B on that portion of the year's goal. I really tried to stay more in touch with kids, siblings, and extended family. A portion of my attempts seemed to hit walls at times, and that isn't my fault. But I think overall, I remained as close, or got closer to most of those who are important to me. I have to credit cell phones with most of this success. Some of my kids seem to prefer to communicate by text, as opposed to talk phone. And if this is the way they want it, this is the way I will go. Fortunately, I am tech savoy for the most part. Other of my kids prefer a daily phone call. And I love this! Probably my favorite communication way. Some text many times during the day. Others are an email a couple of times a week. Whatever. I am up to each of these ways of communication, and I treasure each contact with my kids.

Same with siblings. With some there is a daily email, some a less often email, some a phone call, and with some a shared church service, or Bible study. Each is important to me. Each is a connection to a shared past. Each one a treasure. I think I have either maintained, or maybe increased communication in 2011. But it can always be improved upon!

Some friends I see quite often. Some friends I text with almost daily. Some friends are an occasional email, and others just a Christmas letter. But we are connected. And this year, with my fiftieth class reunion taking place in September, I have reconnected with numerous friends from my past, and have loved each and every contact. So I think I have succeeded in this area, also. Probably also a B.

In my faith. I have learned that the more I learn, the more I need to learn! I have attended my Tuesday Bible study faithfully, in addition to the Sunday services and Sunday bible study, and I have gained so much from each. But now I know how much more I need to learn. The completely overwhelming theme that has run through my faith walk this year is this: Amazing Grace. I have never appreciated Grace as much as I have this year, and I am continuing to learn how totally amazing His Grace is! But that said, I also know how much I still have to learn. I will grade myself with a B-, and will continue to grow in His Grace this year.

And now on to 2012. Have you made resolutions? Have you set a goal? Or maybe, like me, you have made a list. I think I have come to the conclusion that in order to further succeed with the 2011 goals, which I will still work on, I need to set the 2012 goal as Let Go. So, that is my theme for the year, Let Go.

I need to let go of anger as my number one item on the list. There are things from my past that I am angry about. I have not offered forgiveness for offenses, but have hung unto the anger portion of the hurt. Enough of that. Anger does nothing but make me ache. Fibromyalgia (FMS) is connected with stress.....my stress from anger is probably the main cause of my pain, and I am tired of hurting. I am going to work on letting go of this anger, and offering forgiveness, even if none is asked for. Let go.

I also need to let go of the ideas and plans I had made for my life, and accept what it is, instead. I have a good life, even though it isn't exactly what I had imagined 40 or 50 years ago. The ideas I had that have not come to fruition, are not that important anymore. Let go. Live in the present, where God has placed me.

Some things I need to let go of probably never even happened. They are imagined hurts, things I put on myself that were never the intention of the party I have classified all these years as the guilty one. Let go.

Stuff. I am going to make more of an effort to let my stuff go. We've done a lot of trimming down as we retired and traveled in a trailer for a year and a half, but after coming home and settling down again in 2008, we have acquired a lot of stuff. We bought a small home this past summer, and acquired more stuff to fill it. Now I would like to trim that stuff a bit again. Who needs stuff? What good does it do you? Let go.

Yes, as in every year, I can put losing weight on my list. However, I have done well in the health department this past year as I went gluten free which reduced my FMS pain considerably. I guess I was a year ahead of myself in that I Let Go of a lot of pain by letting go of gluten. I will most certainly continue that area. I feel so much better. And I have lost a little weight, but I can certainly Let Go of plenty more.

But the weirdest thing on my Let Go list is this: I am going to greatly reduce my use of plastic bags! I have a love affair with plastic zip bags and use them for everything. And I am germaphobic enough that I seldom reuse them. What a waste. I am filling a landfill all by myself with my plastic zip bags. Years ago I switched to glass containers to keep my leftovers and little bits of things in, and this year I have developed another love affair, this one with Mason jars, so I am doing pretty well in the storage department. But I always reach for a plastic bag for storage of produce, etc. I am going to get some of those reusable fabric net type bags I saw at the co-op, and am determined to use those and stop the plastic bag addiction. Let Go!

Now you know that I am a person of excesses. Too much hurt, too much pain, too much stuff, too much weight........and too much plastic! I am going to Let Go!

Do you have a list? What is your plan, goal, or list for 2012?

MY BIG BROTHER AND MY LITTLE BROTHER

2011-12-28T16:54:00.001-06:00

I have been working in the sewing room today. I have 32 stacks of 4 blocks each that will get put together into pinwheels like I've shown on the right edge of the table. Normally I despise putting together right triangle squares, but these were so easy! Do you know the easy way to make them? You put two 10 inch squares together right side to right side and you sew them together with a quarter of an inch seam all around all four sides. Then you slice them on the diagonal, flip open and press. You have four identical pieces to put together into the pinwheels! No stretching of bias edges! So easy. I think I'll have to find a solid piece for sashings and borders because the prints are pretty busy. The fabric collection is Charlevoix = Summer.... Beach....Rural Americana...1910-1935 by Polly Minick & Lauri Simpson.

Have I told you lately that I love my Big Brother sewing machine? Absolutely in love with it! Oh, and I love my little brother, too. My flesh and blood brother. He had a little heart problem this past week, and ended up in the hospital. Now mind you, this is my brother who has never drank, never smoked, has always been very active, excellent health.........and he ended up with a racing heart beat. He is home now, is on 3 medications, and feeling better according to his wife. I sure hope it's not going to be a lasting problem. He's too young, just 61. We have a sibling get together scheduled for Saturday, so we are all hoping he is fine and will be able to attend.

One year ago today we flew to Anchorage for my dear sister-in-law's funeral. We sure miss her. I've been thinking of my brother-in-law and the three kids and the grandkids all during the Christmas holiday. I can imagine that's it's been so hard for them to celebrate without her. We did go down to Seldovia to spend some time with Chris and Amy before we headed north to visit The Great One, our first time visiting her in the winter. She was beautiful!

And Minnesota is still without snow this year. The whole state is brown.....very strange for the last couple of days in December! But the longer it stays void of snow, the shorter the time until spring will be here!

THOUGHTS WHILE HANGING OUT SHEETS

2011-12-26T19:12:00.000-06:00

This morning I hung out the freshly washed sheets. In my pajamas, no less! And I was thinking how beautifully white they are. That reminded me of Bible verses: Isaiah 1:18: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; and Psalm 51:7: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. We have no snow, but the white sheets are as white as snow. Yesterday was Christmas, the birthday of our Savior, who shed his blood that covered our sins to make us whiter than snow. My thoughts went round and round, in color. Black sin. Red blood. Pure and clean, white as snow. Thank you Father for sending your Son those 2000 years ago, and for giving us eternal life, if we only believe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A couple of days ago I posted a photo of my siblings and me from 1953. Then I received an email from sister Ruth, with another photo, same parsonage, same wallpaper, same kids, different pajamas! This one is from 1954. On this one, sister Ruth has her walking doll, and Paul is clutching a gift, and Lois is excited about her dolly, but sister Betsy and I seem to be gift-less! However, we have wonderful matching polka-dot pajamas.

We are getting together for our sibling Christmas party on Saturday afternoon. We do a planned pot luck meal, and spend the afternoon visiting and remembering Christmas Seasons from our past. What fun! We have a donation basket, and everyone has a chance to drop in a gift. At the end of the day, the host or hostess, this year sister Lois, announces their choice of a charity to bless with the donation. Much better than exchanging gifts that are soon broken, forgotten, or discarded. I love this tradition we have. And I love my siblings.

ISAIAH 9:6: UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN!

2011-12-24T08:32:00.000-06:00

Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child, Make Thee a bed, soft undefiled,

Within my heart, that it may be a quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap; my lips no more can silence keep.

I, too, must sing with joyful tongue that sweetest ancient cradle-song.

Glory to God in highest heav'n, who unto us His Son hath giv'n!

While angels sing with pious mirth a glad new year to all the earth.

Martin Luther, 1483-1546

ELH #123, vs. 13-15

Photo from the Elementary Bible History book, published by Concordia Publishing House in 1935.

AN ANTIQUE!

2011-12-23T15:34:00.000-06:00

This photo is an antique! It was taken at Christmas time, 58 years ago, in a parsonage down in northeastern Iowa. The lovely children are: sister Ruth, baby sister Lois, sister Betsy, brother Paul, and me! Aren't we cute? Isn't the wall paper great? The dark color was green, with the creamy or white leaves. Paul is holding a truck or jeep, Lois is holding her little doll, and we other three sisters, in matching red pajamas, are holding our identical plastic or rubber molded hair dolls. I guess that was a good idea, however, as when we got a doll with "real" hair, it soon got a new hairdo, a hair cut, or we baptized them so often that their hair just got moldy or fell out! Being preachers kids, we played church often, and held many baptism services! Please excuse the glaring spots..... my copier doesn't work so I took a picture of my picture, and it glared on me.

F Y I

2011-12-17T15:30:00.000-06:00

Just an F Y I. Don't bother to bake gluten free casein free spritz. I could not get the dough to let go or break off out of the spritz maker, no matter what I tried. And I've been baking spritz for 47 years so it's not like I don't know how to make them. I ended up putting the bar shape in the cookie press and just making them into two inch bars. I'll drizzle with chocolate or something. They actually don't taste bad, just wouldn't come out of the press. Must be the flax which becomes kind of gelatin like when you mix it into the water. Live and learn.

MOVIE NIGHT

2011-12-16T18:42:00.000-06:00

The day dawned bright and beautiful again. As you can see, we have no snow on the ground. It's brown.

The only thing is, within half an hour, the sky was gray. Absolutely gray, just like it's been all week. Gray and depressing.

So I decided it was a good baking day. I got out my recipes, and went to work. This first batch is called Double Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint. They have melted chocolate chips, and whole chocolate chips, and dried cherries in them. But. I don't like maraschino cherries and the recipe called for a thumbprint with a maraschino cherry in it for the top. Not happening! So I didn't do a thumbprint and I stuck a slivered almond on the top for decoration!

Do you see three plain cookies on the upper left of the cooling rack? Sister Ruth is allergic to nuts, so I made her some plain ones! I don't know if she likes dried cherries, but I'm pretty sure she likes chocolate. Who doesn't?

This next batch is gingersnap cookies. I sprinkled a little powdered sugar on the top, just for a little decoration. They tasted pretty good, but I'll need to try one with a cup of coffee to be sure!

That is the total extent of my baking! I guess I had better get busy tomorrow and try to get a few more cookies made. Something the kiddos would like. But I am tired tonight. I'm kind of aching and just ready to call it a day. So, as soon as I fold the last two loads of clothes, I am going to pop in the movie I bought today! Right alongside the checkout line where I was buying birthday cards, graduation cards, and a couple of birthday gifts, I saw some movies on sale for $4.99. And I spied Australia! I loved that movie, so I bought it. Now I don't buy movies. We don't really watch movies. So this is a big deal! Movie night! First a shower, jammies, fleece blanket, and the couch. Then the movie. Sounds good, doesn't it?

CRAIGSLIST

2011-12-12T09:40:00.000-06:00

I love Craigslist. We have gotten some really good deals on Craigslist. Like on Saturday.

We picked up this small oak pedestal table for $40. Pretty good deal, I think. And it fits perfectly in our kitchen eating area under the window.

And my new Christmas tablerunner looks good on the top. No one needs to know that it is covering the damage to the table top!

I'M SCARED

2011-12-11T19:29:00.000-06:00

Yes, I'm scared. Do you quilters ever get scared to cut into your fabric? Are you ever a bit nervous to take apart the charm pack or layer cake or jelly roll, mess it up, get the fabrics out of order, and start a project? Do you agonize over a pattern, wondering if the chosen fabrics will look right or not? Well, I do all of the above. And that's where I am right now. This fabric line by Camille Roskelly is probably my favorite ever fabric line, and I don't want to mess it up! It's full of the beautiful reds, pinks and aquas that she seems to favor, and i absolutely love the combinations she has come up with. But, I am scared to death to commit to a project.

But this is my thought at the present time. It will probably change by morning, but right now this is what I am thinking. I would like to make this table topper pattern, into a quilt. Coming Home is from her book Simplify. She shows it here made out of her line, Cotton Blossoms.

I also made it out of this line, Cotton Blossoms, but I used some of the lighter colored prints vs the darker ones she used. I absolutely love it!

Now, the question is: Can I make that table topper about 4 times the size that it is here, so it will be quilt size? And do you think it would look good in the Ruby line? I need to get at this because Camille has a new line coming out this spring or early summer, and it looks like it will become my newest favorite so I'd best get this one done first!

And on another totally different subject, I found a recipe for dinner rolls or small buns that I think will become a weekly baking project around here. I used a recipe from a new cookbook,Gluten Free on a Shoestring and replaced the gluten free flour called for with the flour mix that I use for most everything, found here in the Cooking for Isaiah cookbook. I think it worked very well. I can see using these rolls or small buns for chicken salad sandwiches, Alaskan salmon sandwiches, or maybe small sloppy joes.

The taste and texture is very similar to the regular texture you find in a white dinner roll, or a small bun. I don't know if you can make them large enough for hamburger buns or not, but I'll be trying that the next time I make them. I do know that they tasted very good with the big pot of vegetable beef soup that I made for supper tonight. And I have a couple of quarts of soup for the freezer, too! Yay me!

ANOTHER YEAR OF BLESSINGS

2011-12-09T15:50:00.000-06:00

Another year of God's blessings has gone by, quickly, and I am now a year older. Yup, I had a birthday this past week. Hubby and I went all out in our celebration this year, and we went to Fleet Farm! Be still my heart...... ha ha ha.

I really did receive some wonderful gifts. Daughter Kari gave me the cutest Christmas tree ornament....a pair of tiny tiny mittens.....

Aren't they sweet? I love them! And hubby came through with a charm for my Pandora bracelet that we've been building with charms that remind us of places we've traveled. He got the palm trees that remind us of our time in San Diego.

This picture is kind of dark and the palms are hard to make out. The piece right in the middle of the charm is a tiny gold coconut. Maybe you'd like to see the whole bracelet?

Let's see if I can tell you about each charm. The green colored beads remind me of the color of sea glass that I love to discover along the ocean. The red with hearts is the first bead I got for Valentines Day. The rest, from left to right, probably not easy to make out, are: my favorite green, a Snowman for my Dec birthday, a horsehead for time spent in Texas, a multi colored turquoise and coral for Arizona, a spacer, another green, another spacer, a Bible because that contains my eternal life, another spacer, a suitcase for my love of travel, another spacer, another green, another spacer, the red with hearts, a fish for my love of Alaska and fresh fish from the cold waters up there, a sea shell for Florida, my new palm trees and another green. Next I want the cute little Viking guy.......he will stand for New Foundland, the landing spot of Leif Eriksson, the Viking explorer. The silver beads all look black on this photo......believe me, they aren't! Very poor lighting and photo. I'll try again sometime!

And I received a wonderful surprise gift that came from Amazon. Some wonderful son of mine who lives in Alaska, and who was home recently and apparently did not like my kitchen knives, sent me this!

I still can't believe it! My very own Wusthof knife! I was so excited! He doesn't know that I have been trying for five years to win those knives from Pioneer Woman when she offers a give away, along with 50,000 other loyal readers! Well, you all will have a better chance now, because I have my very own Wusthof!

It was a good birthday. The morning sun was lovely

and I finished a table runner I made for my table. Yes, it was a good day.

No, it was a good year. We had no health issues, we bought a place and moved into a home we love, we are blessed with a wonderful family, with many friends, and with a great church and church family, and we look forward to the same for next year.

F I N A L L Y!

2011-12-05T07:24:00.000-06:00

The waiting is over. The anticipation has ended. The wishes have come true. Hubby has his first snow, and he finally was able to try out his Craiglist snowblower.

Notice the orange snowblower and hubby's matching blaze orange jacket. You need to pay attention to fashion when you are blowing snow, you know. Wouldn't want the fashion police to get you! What you can't see is that he is also wearing his new light weight, modern miracle fabric, long underwear, ordered off of Amazon. Not orange.

It was a pretty snow fall. I went for a walk when it was snowing the heaviest, and returned home soaking wet with a fogged up camera. But it was peaceful.

I found this interesting tree in the poor picture taking light of the afternoon.

And found the roof over the pergola is keeping the patio nice and dry. Thank you Chris and Amy!

The backyard is taking on a very different look than it has in the summer.

But the cute little sparrows remain!

THE REAL ROSIE THE RIVETER

2011-12-03T19:56:00.000-06:00

I would like to introduce you to the person I consider to be the REAL Rosie the Riveter.

And that person would be my mother-in-law, Alma. She has been living in heaven for more than twenty years now, but her memory is alive! Tomorrow would have been her 96th birthday.

My mother-in-law was one remarkable woman. She actually was a real live Rosie the Riveter! She, and my father-in-law, worked in the ship yards of San Francisco during WWII. She actually did weld ships together! But there was so much more to her than just being a strong woman who answered the call to help during the war. My little bitty 4 foot 11 inch mother-in-law gave birth to 9 boys. You heard me right. NINE. BOYS. Yup! One of the boys died in infancy during the influenza epidemic, and another son died in his 30's. There are 7 boys remaining. Yes, my hubby has 6 brothers living. Here is a picture of 6 of them when they were young.

All blond Norwegians. Hubby is second from the left. Can you imagine? Nine boys.

After the war, they came back to Northern Minnesota, and farmed. My MIL had a huge garden and she canned and preserved many vegetables and fruits. She washed clothes on a scrub board and hung them on the line. She baked loaves and loaves and loaves of bread. She made a mean spice cake. Her donuts were famous! She did all of this without electricity until the late 50's.

Their farm house burned down in the late 50's. They lost everything, and at that time they moved to southern Minnesota and worked at the same college where hubby and I worked many years later. He was a custodian, she the cook. How many cooks at colleges will make home made buns for the students? Well, Ma did. And that is what she was called by the students, Ma.

My MIL did beautiful embroidery. I always said you could scarcely tell the top side from the bottom side of her embroidery project, as both were beautiful. She began to make quilts, first for her kids, then for the grandkids. She liked to embroider the state quilts, with the state outline, the name of the state and the date that it was admitted to the union, the state flower and the state bird. I have no idea how many of these quilts she embroidered and then hand quilted, but I am privileged to have one.

After my inlaws retired, they moved back up to the farm for awhile, and because we were stationed at the AFB in Grand Forks at the time, we were able to go over to see them on weekends. Ma had an old cookstove set up in the yard, and she preferred to start a fire in it and cook outside when weather allowed. One of her specialties was cooking a beef roast and a pork roast in the same pot. Each piece of meat seemed to retain it's own flavor, but the gravy she made from the juices was to die for!

Later, they moved back down to southern Minnesota where several of her sons lived. When her health started going downhill, she and dad came to live with us. About this time our kids were starting to marry and to begin their own families, so many meals were served in our dining room with four generations around the table. After she died, my father-in-law continued to live with us for another 6 years, until just a few months before his death.

My mother-in-law was never rich. In fact, for many years on the farm, the family struggled. But there was always food on the table. She always found something to feed her large family. She loved her family and made everyone feel like family. There was always room at the table for another person, and always enough food to go around. She was a tiny thing, but a strong hard working woman. She loved the Lord, and she received her crown of life.

And I loved her.

LAZY SATURDAY

2011-12-03T15:27:00.000-06:00

This morning we made a trip to town, all of 5 miles you know, and got a few supplies. Then I decided we needed a couple of things from the food co-op which is about 12 miles from here, so we ran over there, too. We also had lunch there at their little hot food bar and deli. Nummy! Hubby had their wonderful mushroom soup, which I don't eat anymore because it contains flour, but I remember it fondly! I picked up some dried apricots and dried cherries, and a few other things before we headed back home.

This is the reason I wanted the apricots. I had found a wonderful sounding recipe for gluten free scones and decided I needed to make them. Today. And the rack below with 8 scones cooling, now only contains 7 scones. We decided to try one, and they are wonderful! I will certainly be making that recipe again!

Hubby is pacing the floor like an expectant father. Back and forth, front window, back window, over and over again. He is so anxious for the promised snow. It's been flaking for an hour or so now, but it is no where near the amount that he is praying for. You see, earlier this fall he bought his first ever snowblower on Craig's List, and he is beside himself with the anticipation of starting it up and clearing our driveway. And the neighbor's driveway on the left. And the neighbor's driveway across the street. And the street itself, most likely! And he ordered new long johns from Amazon so he would be prepared. (It's 33 degrees right now, not cold at all!) And he recently bought a new cap with furry ear flaps. He is ready! See the big orange beast he is hoping to use tonight?

And I am sorry to tell him that we don't even have an inch yet! It's just starting to cover the ground!

I'm afraid he has a long wait ahead of him!

MINNESOTA MORNING

2011-12-02T10:56:00.000-06:00

Another beautiful Minnesota morning.

Shortly after the sun arose, I spied Mr. Hawk up in the tree to the south of our yard.

He seemed to be stalking the little sparrows that I was also stalking...........

Our yard is now over run with the little buggers, but they are so cute!

We are expecting a little snow this weekend. So far we've only had a dusting, which frustrates the hubby as he has a big snowblower that he wants to try out. He'll be tired of using it by the end of winter, I'm sure.

WHERE IS MARGE?

2011-12-01T07:29:00.000-06:00

Something about those winter sunrises. I could post a new photo everyday.

Okay my friends, I'll come clean. I am right here, at home, in the kitchen cooking, or in the sewing room sewing, or in the living room decorating, or in the laundry room doing what people do in the laundry room. I just have had nothing exciting to share with you so I have kept my mouth shut. Good plan, uh?

Bread has been made, and pizza crusts are in the freezer, waiting for some sauce (also in the freezer) and pepperoni or sausage and a little cheese. Yesterday's meals all came from the freezer, too. I pulled out tomato soup for lunch, and some spaghetti sauce for an early dinner before we headed to church for Advent services. I like the feeling of having easy meals frozen so that at any time I can go on strike and refuse to cook!

The tree is up. Nothing fabulous, but then, that isn't what Christmas is all about, is it. I have my village up for the first time since 2005, when we still lived in the big house. Our Christmas season for two years was spent in an RV, so there were no elaborate decorations, and then the past three years we were in an apartment which also had little decorating space. The patio home we purchased this past summer is larger, but space is still limited, but I found space to display my Dicken's village. If I get some decent light one of these days I may take a few photos. I put the four snowman plates, and four coffee mugs in the hutch, and as soon as I put up the manger set I'll be finished with the decorating. Stuff just isn't at the top of my list anymore!

I've spent a few hours in the sewing corner of the guest room, too. Daughter Gail has a small fake fireplace and she wanted a stocking to hang from the mantle, so I made her one. Then I have a couple of birthday gifts that are needed for this month, so I've been busy creating them. Last night I cut out strips for a table runner for myself, so it's back into the sewing corner again today.

And the laundry? Well, that's what laundry rooms are for! It can stay stacked up in there until I get ready to tackle it again.

So now you know where I've been this past week. Not traveling, not sick in bed, not even in the mall (NEVER!). Just enjoying my home, and staying in my jammies yesterday until I took a shower at three in the afternoon to get ready for Advent services. It's been a good week.

HAPPENING AS WE SPEAK!

2011-11-25T07:10:00.000-06:00

Happy morning after Thanksgiving Day! The carcass is being picked to the bare bones and will be placed in the pot shortly. Turkey vegetable soup coming up. How many of you are doing the same thing? Are you all enjoying this sunrise though? I am blessed to see this out my kitchen window this morning.

GFCFVML Thanksgiving dinner

2011-11-24T05:31:00.000-06:00

I arose at four this morning, unable to sleep because of the daunting task awaiting me today. I am making my first ever GFCFVML Thanksgiving meal. That would be a gluten free, casein free, vegetarian, meat lovers Thanksgiving dinner. Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Have a wonderful day. I hope you are surrounded by family and friends, and lots of good eats. And maybe even some good weather. The weather people are saying this may be the warmest Thanksgiving Day EVER in Minnesota. We just may hit 60 degrees today! Unreal for the end of November!

2011-11-23T09:08:00.000-06:00

Come, ye thankful people, come;

Raise the song of Harvest-home.

All be safely gathered in

Ere the winter storms begin;

God, our Maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied.

Come to God's own temple, come;

Raise the song of Harvest-home.

All the world is God's own field.

Fruit unto His praise to yield;

Wheat and tares together sown,

Unto joy or sorrow grown;

First the blade and then the ear,

Then the full corn shall appear.

Lord of harvest, grant that we

Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord, our God shall come

And shall take His harvest home;

From His field shall in that day

All offenses purge away;

Give His angels charge at last

In the fire the tares to cast,

But the fruitful ears to store

In His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come

To Thy final Harvest-home;

Gather Thou Thy people in,

Free from sorrow, free from sin.

There, forever purified,

In Thy garner to abide.

Come with all Thine angels, come,

Raise the glorious Harvest-home.

Henry Alford, 1810-1871

FEED THE BIRDS

2011-11-21T09:30:00.001-06:00

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,

Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.

Feed the birds, that's what she cries,

While overhead her birds fill the skies.

Does anyone remember this scene from Mary Poppins? Mary is in the bedroom holding the snow globe with the cathedral and all the birds inside, singing Feed the Birds to the children. It's a very sweet song, and I once read it was Walt Disney's favorite.

This woodpecker feels safe enough during the first snow on Saturday to munch on the suet hanging right outside our kitchen window.

All of a sudden we are overrun by sparrows! But they are cute.

Some were in the heated water this morning, but flew quickly when I appeared at the window with the camera. I guess they were embarrassed to be photographed while bathing!

And it's not just birds that need to eat. Chris and Amy made a dish like this when they were here, almost two weeks ago now. They used onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, and kale and we served it with a pork loin fixed on the grill. I added some sausage when I made another pan full this past week. Good eating!

NOW I REMEMBER!

2011-11-17T06:15:00.000-06:00

It hit me right in the face last night. The wind. The cold wind. Full smack in the face. And now I remember exactly what I didn't like about North Dakota. The wind. The cold wind. Right now the temperature outside our lodging quarters on base is 5 degrees. With a wind chill or feels like temperature of 4 below zero. Now I remember. And guess what? I still don't like the cold wind. Brrrrr!

PHONE UPDATE

2011-11-15T18:03:00.000-06:00

Two days ago I wrote about the problems I was having with the phone company. I had time to stop there today between the laundry and the hair cut. As I walked up to the door I kind of peaked in the window to see if Mr. Swift Talking, Double Talking Sales Associate was there. I didn't see him, so I entered the store. Believe me, if I had seen him in there, I would have left and come back at another time! I went up to the counter where I was greeted by Teri, the nice lady who had tried to help me last month before Mr. Swift Talking, Double Talking Sales Associate stepped in and took over. She recognized me and asked how the phone was working. I told her the phone was fine. I told her that with the 70 minutes of work that the above mentioned person supposedly had done for me, my bill was indeed lowered. By $1.93! I told her that was not acceptable! She remembered the whole previous visit and agreed that it wasn't correct. And she said she would be happy to help me figure it out. And she said that Mr. STDTSA was no longer working there! I mumbled under my breath "I wonder why?" Teri proceeded to look everything up, found that such and such was not changed correctly so I was being charged two different plans, and that hubby's phone was incurring charges every time someone texted him when we had specifically requested that texts be blocked on his phone. He does not want to text.

I left within a half an hour. Teri was fabulous. She kept apologizing for Mr. STDTSA and I kept telling her that it was not her fault. My phone bill is now fixed to reflect the price I was quoted three months ago. And they again took a huge chunk of this bill off. I believe it will now be okay. And I told Teri that I did not expect to come in to complain again next month, but that I would stop back to wish her a Merry Christmas. Maybe I'll bring her a plate of cookies. She was professional, something that had been lacking when Mr. STDTSA was there.

I am happy!

TUESDAY HAPPENINGS

2011-11-15T06:45:00.000-06:00

Today is my 8 am Bible study with some of my favorite girls and I need to start getting ready for that soon. Then this afternoon is my monthly haircut. So it's a very good day! Tomorrow we are heading north to see our kid and grandkid in North Dakota. So it will be a good week!

Just a followup on the last post.....I didn't get to the phone company yesterday as I worked at the lunch at a funeral at church for over four hours. A beloved member of our church passed away. We lived next door to them back when I was in my late teens, so I knew them and their kids very well. This humble man was the principal of the small Lutheran high school I attended, and later became academic dean and then president of the small college. It was a sad day as we said goodbye to a wonderful man, but it was a fun day as we reconnected with the family and friends. Funerals are like that, aren't they.

Our Chris and Amy have left to visit her folks, and then to return to Alaska on Thursday. We had such a good time when they were here. I love those kids so much......and Stella, too, of course. Can't wait for next August when we'll head up there for a couple of weeks with them. But remember the cover for the pergola that they built for us? Well, we are using it. Now that the temps are in the 30's, we're probably not going to be out there quite as much, but we love it and will probably bundle up and sit out there until the snow gets too deep!

The wood still has to be stained, but it's too cold to do that now so it will have to wait until spring. It turned out much better than I dreamed it would. Did I tell you that hubby is getting tired of my ideas? But I think it was a good one!

Bye bye Chris and Amy. Come again, any time, and stay as long as you can. Love you to pieces!

EXCUSE ME, PHONE COMPANY?

2011-11-13T06:41:00.000-06:00

We don't have a land line. We don't have a car phone. We each have a cell phone. His is the most basic phone they offer. He can say hello and goodbye and that's about it. He does not text. In fact, he may use his phone for about 13 minutes a month! I have a smart phone, but don't purchase apps or music or watch TV or movies or do anything that would cause additional charges. Is any of this too difficult? Why can't the phone carrier get it straight?

The problem started when I upgraded my phone. Oh, I was assured that all would be fine and even though they couldn't give me a "real" monthly charge, they did give me an approximation. I had paid for my phone upgrade up front, so that wouldn't be included on the billing.

Last month I received a bill for $158.89, which was way over the numbers they had given me, so I marched down to the phone store where the swift double talking salesperson assured me once again that every thing would be fine. The plan had been set up wrong, and now that he had fixed it, the correct amount would appear this month. Then in his generosity, he took $100 off last month's bill to show me that I was a valued customer and that they were working with me to fix THEIR mistake. I thanked him for his help and for the bottle of water he gave me during our 70 minute visit, and left the store, hopeful that things were corrected.

Yesterday I received my next bill. $156.96. Oh, thank you so much Mr. Swift Double Talking Salesperson! I never dreamed you would be able to lower my bill by a whole $1.93!

I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning.

THE WRECK

2011-11-10T07:05:00.000-06:00

On November 10, 1975, our family was living on K. I. Sawyer AFB near Marquette, Michigan, where hubby was stationed in the Air Force. We remember this happening faintly, but the song that Gordon Lightfoot wrote just a few weeks later, has remained strong in our memories, and each year one of us mentions "remember when we were in Michigan and the Fitzgerald went down?" The Lightfoot song has a haunting melody, and one can't read the words to the song without the notes coming along with the words!

Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down

of the big lake they called "Gitche Gumee."

The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead

when the skies of November turn gloomy.

With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more

than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,

that good ship and true was a bone to be chewed

when the "Gales of November" came early.

The ship was the pride of the American side

coming back from some mill in Wisconsin.

As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most

with a crew and good captain well seasoned,

concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms

when they left fully loaded for Cleveland.

And later that night when the ship's bell rang,

could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound

and a wave broke over the railing.

And ev'ry man knew, as the captain did too

'twas the witch of November come stealin'.

The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait

when the Gales of November came slashin'.

When afternoon came it was freezin' rain

in the face of a hurricane west wind.

When suppertime came the old cook came on deck sayin'.

"Fellas, it's too rough t'feed ya."

At seven P.M. a main hatchway caved in; he said,

"Fellas, it's bin good t'know ya!"

The captain wired in he had water comin' in

and the good ship and crew was in peril.

And later that night when 'is lights went outta sight

came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does any one know where the love of God goes

when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay

if they'd put fifteen more miles behind 'er.

They might have split up or they might have capsized;

they may have broke deep and took water.

And all that remains is the faces and the names

of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings

in the rooms of her ice-water mansion.

Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams;

the islands and bays are for sportsmen.

And farther below Lake Ontario

takes in what Lake Erie can send her,

And the iron boats go as the mariners all know

with the Gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,

in the "Maritime Sailors' Cathedral."

The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times

for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down

of the big lake they call "Gitche Gumee."

"Superior," they said, "never gives up her dead

when the gales of November come early!"

HERE WE GO AGAIN

2011-11-08T07:10:00.000-06:00

Have you had enough posts on building the pergola? Fed up with redoing the back yard? Ready to move on to other subjects? Well just hold your horses. We will get to other things shortly. Meanwhile consider this. It's well into November, the weather has been beautiful with sunny skies and no rain or snow, we use the pergola every single day, and we're dreading the rain and snow that will be starting any minute now and will make our daily visits to the patio pretty cold and wet. So, when son Chris comes home from Alaska to visit us, and he and Amy are enjoying our back yard with us, AND HE IS A CARPENTER....what do you think is happening? Well, we are putting a solid covering on the pergola to make it useable for a longer time!

After considerable talking and measuring and ciphering, hubby and son were off to the big box lumber store and several hundred dollars later, we have another project!

Hubby is using his new jig saw that he bought on Amazon to cut the whoop-di-doos on the ends of the roof pieces. They will then match the whoop-di-doos on the ends of the pergola cross beams. Chris is doing all the hard work, and all of the climbing on the top of the roof work. He's only 40 and still able to do such things whereas hubby is 68 and grounded.

Hopefully the roof will have enough of a slope that the snow will slide off. I think we will find out shortly.....like maybe tonight. Forecast is calling for a rain snow mixture for southern Minnesota. Meanwhile, the building project will continue this morning, thanks to our own personal carpenter.

This beautiful lady is Her Royal Highness, the Princess Stella. Now Stella loves to play ball. Stella is addicted to playing ball. You might say she lives to play ball. The night before every one had been taking their turn throwing the ball for her, and she'd have it back at your feet in about 17 seconds, ready for the next throw. Arms were getting pretty sore from throwing, and after a pretty strenuous session of fetch, Stella was told that it was enough for now, and Chris put the ball up on the rafters of the pergola. Yesterday morning when Stella woke up she went right to the back door, and when I let her out she went immediately to the spot and sat, staring up at the corner where her ball was waiting for the next round. She is the funniest grand dog!

These orange candles on my new table topper look like Thanksgiving to me. And I am being very thankful right now. Having Chris and Amy with us for a few days, having one of my kids at my supper table each night, can't help but remind me of God's wonderful blessing of family. And I am thankful.

CUTE, UH?

2011-11-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

I made this yesterday for a birthday gift for a daughter-in-law. It came from this tutorial by my blogging friend, Kristyne, who does some of the nicest work I've seen. And it was easy!

Now I am waiting patiently (NOT patiently!) for Chris and Amy to come, which won't be until tomorrow. And we found out they are bringing grand dog, Stella! All the way from Alaska! Can't wait to see them all!

Wonder if she'll remember us?

I LOVE THIS!

2011-11-02T07:17:00.001-05:00

Other than the fact that this sat in my UFO pile for about 9 months, and other than the crooked bottom edge, and other than the uneven stitching, and other than it's dark because I took the picture at six in the morning, I love this table runner!

It's made from a Honey Bun of Sandy Gervais' Christmas fabric called Adoring and is a gift for someone who had a birthday last April.

Our son from Alaska, Chris, is on his way home for a visit. He and Amy boarded the ferry last night in Seldovia, spent the night in Homer, will drive to Anchorage today, fly tomorrow, spend Friday with her folks, and will come here on Saturday for a few days before they go back to her folks. I can't wait!

We last saw them in January when we went to Alaska for dear SIL Gail's funeral. Chris was last home in April of 2008 when he came home to visit his grandmother, my mom, a few months before she moved to Heaven. If you clicked the last link, you know he brought halibut that trip. He hasn't mentioned fish this time, so I don't think he's been fishing recently. Guess I'll have to feed him from my freezer where I have plenty of food, but no halibut. Chicken thighs or pork loin?

AARRRGGGHHH AGAIN!

2011-10-30T19:24:00.000-05:00

Am I allowed two aarrrrggghhh days in a row? Well, I had one. I had just put six butternut squash in the oven, halved and divided between two baking sheets on two different shelves, when I blew up my oven. It was quite the pyrotechnic display, white flashing lights, sparks of white, yellow, orange and red, and then the smoke. Oh, boy, the smoke! I quickly turned off the oven and turned on the fan to disperse the smoke, then waited about five minutes before I dared open the oven. Yup. I fried the element. Totally.

Thing is, I hated this stove. Or should I say I didn't very much like this stove. It was here when we moved in, it worked, kind of, so that was it. It was our stove. The broiler element never did work, the oven, supposedly a self cleaning oven, was not clean, nor would it come clean, the temperature wasn't accurate, and I just plain didn't like the whole stove. Hubby says I jinxed it by saying I didn't like it, so it showed me! Well, it sure did show me. Right in the middle of baking squash to freeze for squash soup.

I do believe I will be stove shopping in the morning. Early. Soon as the stores open. I need an oven!

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!

2011-10-29T18:50:00.000-05:00

Despite the lovely beginning to the day.......

and despite the fact that I had a cute new bag to carry........

it was an "aaarrrrgggghhhh" kind of day.

This is the fourth time this baby quilt has been hanging on my clothes line. The directions for the new quilt marking pencil said "erase marks or wash in warm water." Nope. Don't do it! Do not wash. The marks did not come off. I noticed them right away when I took the quilt out of the washer, so I did not dry it in the dryer, but hung it on the line. When it dried I erased the marks then rewashed it. Hung it again. Nope. Not out yet. So I used some mild detergent and rubbed the marks and rewashed. Hung it again. Nope. Not out yet. So I got serious and used Shout and a toothbrush. Rewashed it. Hung it again. Nope. Not completely out, although it is better. I hung it out again and decided this was it. I may just remake it. Not a happy person today!

Though I did make some awesome gluten free pumpkin bars and a delicious gluten free pizza for supper.

2011-10-25T16:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon we took a trip out to our LMSP (local Minnesota State Park), a place we used to frequent several times a week in the fall. Now we live several miles further away from it so we haven't been out there as often. It's a lovely park, full of hiking trails, trees, weeds, birds, and an old mill.

The day began with a beautiful sunrise. I love my back yard early in the morning, and the temps yesterday were such that I could sit out there for a bit and watch the sun come up. With coffee, of course.

The leaves are getting sparse on most of the trees, but these red maples are still holding on to a few. The sky was so blue when we left home that I grabbed the camera, hoping for good light for picture taking.

By the time we picked up Subway salads and arrived at the park, the sun was hiding under the clouds, but it was still nice and warm, so we had a picnic.

We drove through the park with the dusty roads creating a film on my just washed Prius!

I call this tree the Halloween tree. It has looked exactly the same for 10 years, I think! Kind of spooky, isn't it?

This is the old flour mill. It is quite beautifully preserved. I love our LMSP and will be heading out there more often as I have really missed the times I've spent hiking out there.

THINGS TO COME

2011-10-21T07:59:00.000-05:00

This in August became

this in October. And today it was crispy!

And this is why.......see that forecast? Brutally cold and dry for Minnesota this coming winter.

We turned on the heat this morning.

ENDS AND BEGINNINGS

2011-10-20T10:52:00.000-05:00

It is most definitely the end of one season and the beginning of another season. Some of the flowers in our back yard are a bit droopy after the 30 degree temperatures this morning. The sun was shining brightly, but the air was nippy.........and I am one of those weird people who love it!

These red beauties are still looking pretty chipper in the muted morning sun, but it won't be long and they will be finished cheering me up each time I step out my kitchen door.

Two weeks ago, during the hot, dry windy days, I thought this planter was done for, but it too is hanging in there.

However, these petunias that were so lush just a couple of weeks ago, are now on their last leg.

And the hanging plants are saying it's time to give up on them, too.

This is the reason......ice on the bird bath this morning. Time to plug in the heated bath tub..........

......and bake some more bread, like I did yesterday. Have I told you how much we enjoy this GF bread? I have started baking two loaves at a time so I don't have to bake every single day.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THEM!

2011-10-19T12:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our 47th anniversary, and today is daughter Kari and SIL Mike's 27th anniversary.

Aren't they young? And skinny? And beautiful? They still are. Happy anniversary.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

2011-10-18T14:18:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that I haven't posted in almost a week. I guess I've had too many things on my mind, and blogging just wasn't one of them. We did go on an impromptu weekend trip, just Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, so I have a 24 hours excuse at least! Our son called Saturday at noon, and invited us for a dinner grill out and to spend the night. It sure didn't take us long to pack up a change of clothes, our toothbrushes, and hubby's CPAP and get on the road for the two hour ride to their place. And we had a wonderful time. Kevin fixed a nice steak and grilled veggies, and we just visited with him and Molly, and grandson Justin. Joe is in college in South Dakota, and was away from his computer on Saturday night, so we weren't able to Skype with him.
And, I have been working on this.........

Isn't it cute? It's going to be a baby quilt, and has another border in red on the outside of the white. It is from Camille's pattern, Sweet Pea, from her book Simplify. I used two older charm packs that I had in my stash, one is Snippets from American Jane, and the other is Baskets of Flowers from Mary Engelbreit. They mixed quite well,, I thought, and gave a much scrappier look than two of the same line would have. And it was so simple to put together.

Today is our anniversary. I had my Tuesday morning Bible study this morning, and after coffee with the girls, I came home and we went back into town for lunch at Chipotle , our favorite spot. Now I am going to work on the quilt, and hubby is in his recliner, wrapped in a fleece blanket to keep warm on this windy 43 degree day. After 47 years of marriage, we can't handle much more excitement than that!

THE GREATEST GENERATION

2011-10-13T19:41:00.000-05:00

The cloudy skies and gloomy day were fitting as we stood quietly while the guns were fired to honor a member of The Greatest Generation. Yesterday my Uncle Mike, age 88, who had served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, was laid to rest in a small town cemetery in northwestern Iowa. His widow, my dad's baby sister Vonnie, received the American flag from a young man in his Air Force dress blues, her grandson. What an emotional moment that was.

The pastor spoke about what a good man Mike was. How he had served his country as a member of The Greatest Generation, how he had fed thousands upon thousands of people during his more than 60 years of farming, how he had faithfully and passionately loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. But that even being a good man didn't mean anything when it came to his eternal life. The most important thing about Mike was that he had been baptized as an infant, was a faithful Christian, and had always put God and his church first. And that he was now in heaven waiting for the rest of us.

We visited with aunts, uncles and cousins that we see only at funerals. That is so sad. I hope we can arrange a family get together soon without having to gather to mourn the death of a loved one. I was struck at how much my dad's youngest brother had aged since I last saw him. And another uncle, and an aunt, were not able to attend because of their health issues. Even cousins of my generation showed their age, just as I do.

My thoughts as we left this little country church where Uncle Mike had been baptized, confirmed, and now buried were these: We will miss you uncle Mike, but will see you soon.

SUNRISE, TABLE QUILT, GRANDKIDS

2011-10-10T21:33:00.000-05:00

The other morning I arose before the sun, and as it finally woke up, I snapped a couple of pictures. The weather has been incredible in Minnesota this fall. We are almost half way through October, and we're still hitting 80 in the afternoons! I'm scared that we'll never have a real fall. One morning we'll wake up, and we'll have 12 inches of snow that won't leave until next May!

I finished up this small table quilt this past weekend. I really like it. I used the rejected fabrics from the layer cakes that I used to make the quilt top shown here. I shouldn't say rejected, because I love Cotton Blossoms by Bonnie and Camille.....they were left over from the layer cakes for that quilt top. I followed Camille's pattern, Coming Home, from her book Simplify, except that I didn't put borders on, I just bound it after I put the top together. And I love it. It is on my dining room table.

Tonight we had our two oldest granddaughters, and a grandson out for supper. Kjirsten and her boyfriend Ryan are on the right, Katie and Clayton are in the middle, and their brother, Adam, has his back to us. We had a very nice time, although the much needed rain did threaten for a few minutes. No biggie......we threw a tarp over the pergola and all was fine.

We had invited their brother, Aaron and his girlfriend Callie, and cousin Caleb, but they had other things going tonight. What fun to have adult grandkids who can appreciate Pioneer Woman's recipes! I made her Rosemary Creamed Potatoes.....the ones with butter, half and half, whole cream, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Awesome!

Now my friend Judy is coming to stay a couple of days. I hope she likes left overs, because we have potatoes, green beans, and burgers left over. Supper for tomorrow night is already cooked. Can't beat that!

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN, JIGGITY JIG

2011-10-05T07:28:00.000-05:00

We arrived home, safe and sound, late Sunday afternoon about 4:30. It was another beautiful day to travel, and I didn't mind the drive at all, other than the traffic on I 35. I am not a fan of heavy traffic all going at least 10 miles an hour over the posted speed of 70. I tend to hang between 65 and 70, but am passed constantly. Hubby spent the time listening to the Vikings get trounced for the 4th time in this new season which is only 4 games long.

Friday we arrived in Mountain View, Arkansas in time to head up to the Folk Center for a couple of hours. We have been there before, and enjoyed our visits both times. I love walking through the woodcarvers building, the pottery shop, the jewelry makers shop, candle shop, quilt shop, herb garden, and all the shops showing the lifestyle of the simpler life. Well, I don't know about that. Simple? Having to grow or raise the food instead of shopping for it, having to cook everything on wood fired cookstoves after gathering the fuel, raising the sheep, processing the wool, creating the garments, or sewing all the clothing....simple isn't the word. The Ozark Folk Center shows all the crafts of the area and is intent on preserving those talents and treasures. And Mountain View is the folk music capitol of the world.

In the evening we attended the Folk Center's music show. What a treat!

This family beautiful preformed, and the babe in dad's arms did not say boo the whole time. The children were happy, bright, talented and really looked to be enjoying putting on their show for the crowd.

This group was phenomenal. I believe I was told that the boys are 13, 14, and 16, and the older gentleman is their grandpa! They were very talented, and obviously enjoyed their music.

The next morning we headed north again, back to Minnesota. We arrived home Sunday night after another pleasant day driving. The trees are changing colors and the sun was shining brightly. Autumn is my very favorite time of the year. This year it has been much warmer than normal which makes me wonder what is in store for us this winter. Much colder? More snow than average? Everyone is speculating.....but my guess is that God will surprise us!

I just dawned on me that I didn't share with you the wonderful quilt shop I visited in Branson! It is advertised as 7,000 square feet, easily the largest quilt shop I have ever been in. And also easily the best stocked quilt shop I've ever seen! They had everything. Every patten, every book, every fabric, every tool........it was overwhelming. However, I kept my wits about me and spent my money. All of it. And some of hubby's too! I came away with 6 charm packs, 2 from Joanna's Butterscotch and Rose collection, 2 from 3 Sister's Etchings collection, and 2 from Bonnie and Camille's Ruby collection. And 2 layer cakes, one of Joanna's and one of Camille's, and a jelly roll, also from Camille's collection. So you see a pattern here? I love Camille's Ruby collection and can't wait to get started on a quilt. However, I have several UFO's to finish up first, so I'm afraid the new treasures will have to wait a bit. So in my opinion, go to Branson for the quilt shop, and if you have some extra time and money, attend a show or two!

CHUCKLES

2011-10-01T17:43:00.000-05:00

I saw a sign along the highway today that made me chuckle:

WHAT THE EARTH NEEDS IS MORE FRISBEES

The name of two beauty salons I've spied in the last couple of days:

CURL UP AND DYE

Yesterday we went through a town in Arkansas called Flippin. Along the highway was this sign with an arrow pointing left:

THE FLIPPIN BUSINESS DISTRICT

Last night I went into a large national chain grocery store. I asked a clerk if they had any gluten free bread:

WE HAVE SUGAR FREE BREAD. WILL THAT WORK FOR YOU?

Well, no, not so much!

Do you chuckle at signs and license plate messages? What are your favorites?

LIVE FROM EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

2011-09-28T21:33:00.000-05:00

What a fun little town we are in tonight and tomorrow night. We arrived in Eureka Springs and had lunch before we took a ride on the tour bus with a narrator telling us the history of this unique little place. There is only one industry here....tourism. The town is built in several hollows or valleys and up the steep mountain sides and connected by narrow streets that curve around and climb up the mountain and plunge down the mountain. Fun in September......I don't know about January or February after an ice storm!

Eureka Springs wasn't established as a town until after the Civil War. The homes are all in either the cottage style or the painted lady style. And I took a few (few?) pictures of them to share with you.

There are narrow, curving streets, filled with little unique shops all along the lower level of the town. Tomorrow we plan to do some walking and check out those little shops.

A very nice mural on the wall of one of the old buildings.

A very large home, owned by one of the original town's richest citizens. Railroad, I believe.

A lovely hotel, which at one time was a ladies college. The gardens were beautiful.

Below that hotel, on this street, is the roofline of a church which is below this street yet.

And when you get down to the church, you can look back up at the beautiful hotel on the top of the mountain.

The church is modeled after a church in Europe. A very nice little chapel.

I thought this corner between the priest's quarters and the church looked very inviting.

Almost looks like it was decorated by HGTV!

Across the hollow, on the top of the mountain on the other side, is The Christ of the Ozarks, reminiscent of The Christ of the Andes in South America.

A painted lady in shades of pink and rose and red.

One of the oldest homes in the town.

Another pink home. Actually we saw about 5 pink houses on this tour.

The mayor ordered this house from the Sears and Roebuck catalog and put it together from a kit!

A large lovely lady which was moved here to Eureka Springs from Branson.

I love old houses, so today was a lot of fun for me. I also love churches, so a little trip we took this afternoon was also fun. We drove just a few miles west of here to Thorn Crown Chapel.

The road to the chapel was a pretty drive.

See the chapel there just ahead? You don't? Really? Look closer.

See, it's there! Fits right into the forest, doesn't it?

The windows looking off to the right. Imagine a service at night, during the winter, with the lights from the chapel shining on the pretty white snow outside. Wouldn't that be lovely?

Lots and lots of glass in this chapel! A company from New York comes to wash the windows once a year!

There was soft music playing and people would come and sit awhile, some in prayer, some in wonder, and some in pain. It was a moving time in a lovely place. And where does one feel closer to God than when surrounded by nature? It was beautiful.

ROADTRIP

2011-09-26T17:12:00.000-05:00

We waited for you yesterday morning, but when no one showed up by 6:30, we took off on our roadtrip. We had a lovely day for traveling. The sky was blue and the clouds a fluffy white as we passed from Minnesota into Iowa.

We pulled over into a roadside park with nothing but this old school painted red. No table or anything, but it was called a park.

I made sandwiches out of the cooler in the back of our car and we ate while walking around and stretching our legs.

Our dinning companions stayed on the other side of the highway.

Soon we crossed another border.

And the scenery became very hilly......

.....and even hillier as we approached Branson.

We found our motel and I cooked our dinner in my rice cooker which I had brought along. It worked very well! I used a risotto gluten free mix and added canned chicken and cooked carrots on the upper layer. Good meal for nothing!

This morning we drove around a bit, and found the quilt shop to end all quilt shops. And there were signs all over saying "no photos" so I obeyed! But I bought some pre-cut fabrics. Yes, I did. Camille's Ruby and Joanna's Butterscotch to name a couple.

We enjoyed looking at the different buildings and signs for the shows. And after lunch we headed to our first show...............

WOW! I loved it!

They did some traditional Irish songs, Irish folks songs, opera, Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Queen, Glenn Miller and music from Les Miz. Oh my goodness, they are good! And energetic! I don't know how they could do a two hour show and be just as energetic at the end as they were at the beginning. I'd go again.

They signed autographs in the lobby after the show, and I got a picture of one of the stars of the show. This guy was funny, a big flirt, an incredible singer, and an awesome dancer. So it was a fun afternoon.

Hubby is grabbing himself a nap, I'm blogging, and soon we'll have dinner at the little place across the street. Then we're off to see the Acrobats of China, which should be a fun evening.

I'm sorry you guys didn't get there in time to go with us, because you would be having fun, too!

WE ARE DONE......WELL, ALMOST DONE!

2011-09-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

I keep saying that we're done. The flowers are all planted, the bark is all surrounding the transplants, the pergola is finished, and has lights on all the overhead slats, and all the bushes have been cut down, dug out, pulled out, or trimmed. Well, almost all. I have two in front and three along the garage that I'll get trimmed out in the next few weeks, but we're pretty close to finished. And then I remember the vegetable garden that we plan to make on the slope in back. The slope that leads down to the wetlands area. We pulled the bushes and have tilled it up, but we need to build the tiers into the little hillside. So I guess we aren't done.

Obviously there are a few rocks to pick around this newly planted rhubarb! But I am excited! Haven't had rhubarb since before 2006 when we sold our home. We had rhubarb there, unless hubby or one of the boys got a bit excited with the lawnmower and chopped it up before it had a chance to grow.

I will also put some of this wonderful compost around that rhubarb. Hubby got two loads of this beautiful black gold, so we're hoping the gardens do well.

After some of that beautiful compost had been applied, we spread some lovely wood chips. I knelt on each and every one of those cement blocks and I now have the ugliest knees you can imagine. Black, blue, yellow, brown, purple, and stiff and sore!

We planted hostas and lilies around the two trees. Some from my friend Charlie, some from BIL Ike, and some from DIL's friend Christine.

This back corner has phlox from Charlie and grasses from DIL. Molly. There are also some coral bells along the front. Those, and all the rest of the plants came from dear Charlie.

With the cooler weather and the little bit of rain, my two huge Boston ferns are looking better than they have all summer. They like hanging in this tree, I think. I had them on the pergola for a few days, but the sun was too hot and direct there.

This area that was ugly bushes now is the home of phlox, sedum and 11 colors of iris among other things.

We ran out of chips so hubby had to make another quick trip to the compost place to get another load to finish up. In the past couple of weeks we have planted about sixty plants that were gifted to me. Oh, I hope I can keep them alive!

And my beautiful purple planter is slowly going down hill. I cannot believe how the couple of dollars worth of flowers I planted in there have given me so much pleasure this summer. I'm hoping I can find the exact same plants next year.

And my bright red geraniums have new buds growing! They seem to like the south end of the patio at the outside of the pergola.

So, anyone want to come and help put three tiers of beds on the slope? I have nice compost to work in, and I'll make you a nice cup of French press coffee if you'll help!

NO, THE REUNION DIDN'T DO ME IN!

2011-09-21T18:55:00.000-05:00

I had an email from a friend this morning, wondering if the reunion was too much for us old folks. Asking if we partied too much and were recovering. No, to both. We survived just fine. But I have been digesting and remembering and thinking and reliving...............

It was an awesome weekend. No other way to say it.

It all started on Friday evening at 6 pm. We had reservations at a nice restaurant in the downtown area, in a spot that used to be a furniture store, I believe. We walked in the door right behind a gal in a brown jacket, and when she turned around as we came in, I recognized Margie right away. She has pretty brown eyes, eyes that you don't forget. Margie didn't spend her senior year with us as her family moved, but I am so glad she came back for the reunion. We were good friends, and she lives part way between here and Grand Forks where our son lives, so I think we will be renewing our friendship.

After we were shown to the table we found that we were the first ones there, but it didn't take long for others to arrive. Ruthie! Mel! Dale! Jimmy! Marlene! Bruce! And all the rest. I am proud to say I knew everyone! We talked and laughed, and talked and laughed some more. Stories were told. Stories about a stolen jeep. Stories about an illegal car (students at the boarding school were not allowed cars). Stories about learning how to smoke. Stories about having one beer and not being allowed to participate in choir or cheerleading. Oh, boy. Those were the days!

I had purchased a dozen roses in our school colors of red and white, and I had come up with a list of questions to see who would win a rose. Mel came from the farthest away, St. Petersburg, Florida. Mel has been married the shortest time. Mel has the youngest kid. Mel made the first reservation for the reunion. So, he won a third of the roses! Marlene is the proud great grandmother of a little girl and has also been married the longest time, 49 years. Margie still has her class ring and occasionally wears it. Bruce has earned a PhD. My friend, Ruthie, won the rose for being closest to her high school weight. 50 years after graduation and she is still a zero, I think. Awesome! And yours truly and hubby have the most kids (7) and the most grandkids (15).

We left the restaurant and headed to the motel where most of the gang was staying. The management kindly let us use the breakfast room and we talked until after midnight, kinda late for us old folks.

Notice that it turns out that I am not the only person with white hair! Oh, everyone seemed to enjoy the booklet I had put together from the answers to my questionnaire and the graduation photos room our yearbook. And most of those coffee cups contained a bit of wine, not coffee!

Saturday morning we all met at the college under cloudy skies and gale force winds, and posed for a group picture in front of the class project for the reunion celebration, a water feature on campus.

There are 14 of us pictured here. Actually 3 others joined us a bit later, so we were 17 all together. Not too bad after a graduating class of only 24 and this being 50 years later. We spent the day together on campus, touring the new buildings and renovated dorms, eating in the cafeteria, and visiting with a couple of favorite profs.

Saturday night we had dinner reservations again at a nice restaurant. This time there were 17 of us, with numerous spouses and a few guests also joining us. The dinner was very nice. I had broiled walleye....remember this is Minnesota! I didn't see a single person overdo it on the alcohol.......I had two glasses of wine, not overdoing it for a 6 hour get together I don't think! It was so nice. I love these people!

These gals are some of my dearest friends......and all were cheerleaders. Looking good, don't you think?

We decided that we'd meet again in 5 years. We had 2 volunteers to head up the festivities next time. And I'm guessing that we won't get any older in the next five years. Forever young is the class of 1961!

My friend Sonja had a copy of the class last will and testament and the class prophecy. These things were hilarious! I had forgotten that my prophecy was that I would marry Troy Donahue! I did have a crush on him, I guess. Loved the movie Summerplace.

So, we survived the big celebration. Now if I can recover from the allergies this horrible wind is bringing me, and unstiffen from the bending and digging and kneeling on cement, I will be fine. Pictures of the backyard project that is almost completed will come tomorrow, and then we're all going on a road trip. Are you packed?

SO HOW OLD ARE WE?

2011-09-16T08:58:00.000-05:00

The day has arrived. Tonight we meet up with our classmates for the long awaited reunion. We are going to have so much fun! So this morning I am off to get my hair cut. Not specifically for the reunion, it's just my regular four week hair cut. I'm thinking I should bring my graduation picture along with me and see if Amy, who can work wonders, could style my hair like my picture. Oh, you say my hair was long then, short now. And dark brown then, and white now. And my face shows the results of many extra pounds.......well, okay. I guess we can scrap that idea. Hubby searched online for the name of one classmate, and he found him, and a photo of him. And he has white hair, too. Yay! Maybe I'm not the only one who aged!

So, I'm off. I will have plenty to say after the weekend, I'm sure, so maybe I'll get back to more regular posting.

Meanwhile, may God bless your day!

2011-09-11T21:07:00.000-05:00

Here are some of those wonderful spider webs again.

One of God's miracles. How do those little spiders create such beautiful and intricate webs, attached by a fine thread to a leaf here and a stalk of grass there. Awesome.

Last night, after a day of working on the pergola, we took son Lance and his two daughters out to 7 mile creek, which happens to be 12 miles from our place.

Two cuties, don't you think? And wonder of wonders, they didn't accidentally fall into the water!

I only saw the bug in the middle when I shot this flower. When I looked at it later, I saw the lighter colored spidery looking thing that blends into the petals.

Jaden gave a gymnastics demonstration.

I sure can't bend like that, can you?

This is Miss Madison, otherwise known as Miss Pyro. She loves fire.

We ended the evening with a campfire, and when we got back home, Madison asked if we could make a fire in the back yard!

This morning was sunny and warm, with a bright blue sky, perfect weather for finishing the pergola. Here are Ernie and Lance putting in the final bolt.

I cleaned up, swept, moved furniture, hung plants, and created my little outdoor room.

This evening I spent a few minutes sitting out under the twinkling lights, thinking about that horrible day, ten years ago. No, we will never forget.

MORE ACTIVITIES IN MY BACK YARD

2011-09-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

I believe that a couple of posts ago we left hubby sitting on the patio reading instructions. I checked on him yesterday morning and

found him making piles of wood in the yard. Our youngest son, Lance, was there too, and they were conversing about something on the patio table.

Oh, I see now. They were looking at little bags full of gold colored nuts and bolts of many different sizes and shapes, each beside a paper label with a number penciled on it.

Even the wood pieces have numbers taped to them. I wonder what's going on?

Wow! Now they are checking another set of directions!

Say, son, do you understand these instructions any better than I do?

Oh, ya, this is what that means. You connect part L9 with part Q18 with bolt CR57 and nut K49. I got it now!

And by early afternoon they had the initial frame bolted together and the cedar posts tentatively standing on the patio area! This morning they will center things, determine the exact spot for the posts, and will begin to put the beams and slats on the pergola!

Meanwhile, early today it was a misty moisty morning. (Do you know that poem?)

I crept out barefoot and in my pajamas to take a few pictures.

Dew drops decorated every blade of grass in the wet lands area.

The shape of every plant was outlined with the drippy wetness.

Ooops, something is turning color!

The moist air hung in every little boggy hollow,

accentuating the tall delicate stalks and

the fragile cobwebs.

I would have loved to have gone out into the swampy grasses to get some nice close-ups of these cobwebs, but remember,

I was barefoot and in my pajamas! I don't walk barefoot in bugs and mice and snakes and other creatures of the wetland area. Do you?

ACTIVITIES IN MY BACKYARD

2011-09-08T20:02:00.000-05:00

Back in the second week of August, this is what the back of the house looked like. There is a patio slab to the right, and then the door into the kitchen. These bushes were so big and overgrown and ugly that they had to come down!

A couple of hours later, hubby was just left with the big stumps to dig out.

He then filled the spot with sand and prepared for the planned extension of the patio into this spot.

This morning this spot was the center of attention in our yard as these three yahoos planned their next move.

Which was to dump cement into the empty spot!

In no time at all, the area was filled with wet cement, was smoothed out, and

the finishing touches were added.

I am so excited! This will make such a nice spot in the back of our place. We have tables and chairs and flowers and candles and lights and a bench and..................................

stay tuned for the next chapter of the backyard makeover to find out what else we have!

WHAT HAS MARGE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS?

2011-09-07T15:12:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been writing my book. Okay, so it's not a book. I have been busy writing my booklet. Merriam-Webster defines booklet as a little book. Okay, I guess it's not really even that. But I have been busy putting together the information I have gathered into a little bunch of pages that will be bound into a kind of pamphlet, small booklet, hence, little book!

I believe I had mentioned previously that my high school class reunion is next weekend, and that I had sent out a questionnaire to my classmates asking for a few facts to put into this little reunion memory booklet. Oh, what fun I've had! Some responses came by mail, some by email, and I've had a few phone calls. Reconnecting, after 50 years in some cases, has been great fun. I cannot wait to see everyone next Friday night when we meet for our first event of the weekend, a casual get together at a restaurant/bar in our little city. I can just imagine the screams and hugs we'll exchange as we see each other. We were a very small, very close class and we are anticipating a great turnout.

Now my time is being spent trying to think of funny questions to ask at this first night get together. You know, who came from the farthest away, who has the most kids, grandkids, anyone have a great? Who has earned the highest degree. Or who is closest to their high school weight, which I'm sorry to say won't be won by me! Anyone have any other suggestions? Keep them clean! This is a Christian school!

So, I have sent my book off to the publisher. Okay, the IT department at school, and they are going to print it for me. I'm sorry there won't be any extra available to sell to the general public. You know, you would have gotten a free copy if you would have been there with us! Fifty years ago! But I may think about editing my own responses a little bit and posting them for you. We'll see!

ODDS AND ENDS

2011-09-02T21:27:00.000-05:00

This is the restaurant for goldfinches............

....this must be the all you can eat buffet

Mr. Bunny cleans up the left overs.

The communal bath.

Must be the swimming pool.

look at the size of these blueberries! I have large fingers and nails........huge blueberries!

Seams match fairly well.

Not too bad.........

pretty good.....

UH? What happened? Guess who will be ripping seams tonight?

And the picture below is something you may never see again in a hundred years..........

......my hubby reading the directions before he starts on a project! Usually he waits until he runs into trouble, then pulls out the directions. I was so impressed I had to take a picture. I'll post in a few days what the directions are for........

Have a good weekend.

WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?

2011-08-31T09:47:00.000-05:00

And where am I? I am actually sitting in my Nonny chair in my living room, laptop on my lap, coffee on the end table, GMA news on the TV, but with my mind on the road to Wisconsin. My three sisters and one brother are all on their way to a great aunt's funeral, but I am not. Oh, I certainly had plans to go also, but last night after supper, I developed a headache and a stomach issue. It wasn't long before I knew that the 4 hour trip wasn't going to happen, and notified the sisters to head out without me this morning. I am missing not only the time with my sisters, but the opportunity to visit with my second cousins, my aunt and cousins, and long time friends. I am feeling better this morning, but still nursing a bit of a headache.

But that's not exactly what I mean by where I am today. What I'm talking about is where my mind is residing these days. It is in 1961! A few days ago I wrote that I was working on my high school reunion gathering taking place next month. I have sent out a questionnaire and am gathering the resulting info into a little booklet to give everyone at our Saturday evening dinner. And in doing so, I am reminded of so many things that happened fifty years ago! The memories involving our little close knit high school class are overtaking my whole life these past few days, and I feel I'm living in the past. In 1961 to be exact.

So yesterday I started researching the top events of 1961. Some of these things are ingrained in my mind, some of them are long forgotten, but all came back loud and clear as I googled them and read about them. Of course we all remember (or those of us who are OLD remember) that John F. Kennedy was our president. The population of the US was less than 184 million, and the national debt was 292.6 billion! A first class postage stamp was 4 cents and unemployment was 5.5%. This next fact got me......The Berlin Wall was built! Thank goodness that's gone now! The Bay of Pigs took place, the US broke diplomatic relations with Cuba, OPEC was constituted, and the Soviet Union put Yuri Gagarin into orbit, followed by our own first astronaut, Alan Shepard, taking his first ride 116 miles high on his 302 mile trip into space. I remember! Yes, I remember each of these things! Especially vivid is the first space shot. Our school at the time was a 4 year high school and a 2 year junior college, with dorms, a recreation room, and one TV set! I remember we were excused from class to go to the rec room to peer at a snowy black and white TV screen to watch the huge news story - the United States was entering the space race - starting out in second place to the Soviet Union who had already put Yuri Gagarin into orbit.

I suppose the more important things to me during my senior year when I was 16 and 17, were the entertainment events. The top movies were Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Hustler, West Side Story, and the Academy Award winner, The Apartment. Top tunes were Tossin' and Turnin' by Bobby Lewis, and the Grammy winner, The Theme from a Summer Place, by Percy Faith. That was my favorite!

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Dag Hammarskjold, and the Pulitzer Prize for fiction went to Harper Lee for her one and only book, To Kill a Mockingbird, which to this day remains one of my most beloved books.

It was a very good year!

FUNERALS & FLOWERS

2011-08-27T19:25:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago a dear friend lost her mom after a very short illness. It was an unexpected death and a sad funeral. This morning we attend the funeral of a sweet lady I have known for 60 years! Yes, 60 years! I was a very little girl when I first met her. She had just celebrated her 85th birthday and had just published a book of her memories. She was killed when she pulled out on the highway in front of a truck. It was a very unexpected death, as she was a healthy, vibrant woman, appearing and acting much younger than her 85 years. It was a large funeral, filled with her family and many friends. Last night we received word that our great aunt had passed away. I'm not sure of her exact age, but she was in her 90's. Aunt Lillian had been ill recently, so this death was not as unexpected as the last two. I don't know when the funeral is, but we'll be heading to Wisconsin in the next couple of days. I need to hug my cousin.

And these flowers are for my friend Linda who tells me she loves petunias! Hugs, Linda! Hope your head feels better after your clunk on the back of the neck!

YUM, YUM, YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

2011-08-24T13:12:00.002-05:00

I spent the morning in the kitchen. You can just call me Helen Homemaker, Betty Crocker, or Paula or Ree! I made a wonderful potato leek soup, and I thought of Paula and Ree because it's made with both butter and cream in addition to the chicken broth, leeks, potatoes, onions, celery, thyme, and parsley. Yummmmm! Awesome if I say so myself.

So for lunch we had the potato leek soup, Not Rye bread still warm from the oven. And just made blueberry and peach jams. As I said before, yummmmmmmm.

I have 6 half pint jars of the blueberry and the peach jams to put in the freezer. I also have three quarts of the potato leek soup to put in the freezer. The loaf of bread is half gone. Not going in the freezer. I'll just make another loaf tomorrow.

Oh my goodness! What horrible lighting!

I love the jewel tones of jams and jellies. (That is not mouse droppings....it's chia seeds!) Speaking of jewels...........

......this is #2 granddaughter, Katie. Isn't she beautiful? Oh, Clayton, her husband, is beautiful too, don't you think?

And this little gem is Anna, #14 grandkid, with her cat. JB. Yup, Justin Bieber.

And a gem from my back yard. It's a beautiful day in Minnesota. Hope you had a good lunch. We did. Everything was home made and gluten free. Don't ask about the fat and calories.

HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1961

2011-08-18T16:29:00.000-05:00

Recently I have been spending time working on my high school reunion that is coming up in the middle of September. You now know how old I am......I graduated 50 years ago in 1961. I was 17. Yup, I am now 67. Some days I feel ancient, but other days I marvel that so much time has passed. Impossible that 50 years has gone by! And I am beginning to get excited about our reunion.

A few words of explanation. The college where I worked for 18 years is the same school where I attended high school and junior college. The high school was discontinued 40 some years ago, and the junior college has become a full 4 year BA degree granting institution instead of the junior college that I attended. So this place has been in my life for many, many years, and some of my friends from high school have also been in my life for many years. And it's a family place. My dad taught there, my husband attended there and worked there for almost 25 years. And his parents both worked there. Five of our children and two granddaughters attended there, as did my siblings and many of Ernie's siblings.

I volunteered to send out letters and a questionnaire to my classmates, and then to put the responses into a small booklet that will be available at our Saturday evening dinner. I am having so much fun, reading the responses, remembering each person, wondering what they look like today, and hoping each and every one can make it. After all we were a small class. I don't remember the exact number, but it was about 25. Yes, that's right. 25 in my high school graduating class! And I am hoping everyone can make it, although I already have heard from a few that say they won't be able to come. I am getting excited!

Have you changed since high school? I had dark brown hair, now it's white. I had eyebrows, now they are sparse and very light. I've never been skinny, but I am less so now! This is my high school graduation picture.

Most of us wore a black sweater for our pictures. Many of us wore a circle pin. Many of us also wore our hair in a pageboy. The guys wore suits. Today everyone strives for a unique picture, the more different the better. Pictures are taken at the lake, in the car, on a tractor, in a uniform, on a horse, or on a railroad track. Back in the day it was all about being the same. And all pictures were head and shoulder shots with the eyes looking off to the side. I like the variety of today's pictures much better!

We have two days of activities planned for our reunion weekend. I hope we can have an appearance by two of our favorite teachers. We have planned a get together on Friday evening for those who have arrived in town, and we will have a dinner on Saturday evening. I plan to have my camera with me at all times!

OH YA!

2011-08-17T06:49:00.000-05:00

Yup! The MPG readout right in the center says 59.1! Yay me! Love my new car!

2011-08-14T15:48:00.000-05:00

We sure have a lot of visitors to the back yard. Especially on the ground, under the feeder that the squirrels keep messing with!

This morning in Minnesota was a moist one, and heavy fog covered a lot of our state. Our back wetlands area was almost spooky looking, and then add in the

cobwebs that decorated the trees, it seemed we were getting ready for Halloween already!

You can see that the evergreen are dripping with moisture in addition to the cobwebs.

But the fog and moisture burned off with the bright sun,, and it has turned into a lovely, sunny day.

All too soon this pretty scene will be covered in white!

OH MY ACHIN' BACK!

2011-08-11T08:53:00.000-05:00

We have accomplished much in the past two days, but still have lots of work ahead of us.

We've gone from this

To this. This spot, about 6 X 10, will get a yard of cement and will enlarge the patio quite a bit.

The spot below, under the kitchen window, went from this

to this. I'll put the iris, phlox, lilies, peonies, and other perennials here.

The area on the slope that used to look like this has become

this. I think we took out seven overgrown shrubs here. And now I can see the gorgeous spruce trees!

But now we have this

and this

and an aching back!

In spite of the messy yard and the sore muscles, I think we are going to love the results.

BACKYARD REDO PLANS / TIME TO GET TO WORK!

2011-08-08T16:41:00.000-05:00

We have done nothing with the yard since we moved here in May except to set some pots of flowers around, but there is most definitely plenty of work to do. I'll post some before photos here, and hopefully can post some after photos in the not too distant future. Of course the big test will be next spring when things bloom.

Okay, first of all, the blooming things I'm speaking about......my dear friend, Charlie, is cleaning up her flower beds and splitting some of her perennials. She offered me the plants she culls out, iris, day lilies, peonies, phlox, hostas, and rhubarb! I am so excited! Those are my favorite yard flowers, reminding me of my childhood down in Iowa. Charlie wrote that she'll be bringing them over on Labor Day weekend. Okay, Marge, you'd better get busy! There is a lot of work to do!

Do you think these bushes are a bit overgrown? And they are pretty old and not very attractive anymore. We are going to pull these out, and then cement the bare space in to enlarge the patio space.

Ernie has hacked away at these two bushes, but they are also overgrown and ugly and will be removed. This will be a flower bed to hold some lovely iris, lilies, and phlox, right under my kitchen window.

This another view of the first bushes I told you about. Pulling them out and pouring another cement slab there will double our little patio space.

The corner of our part of the lot is also filled with some overgrown shrubs, and they will come out to make another flower bed.

And this spot will really change! This is on a slope leading down to the swampy wildlife area behind us. Those spruce trees are at the bottom edge of our lot. We will pull out these five huge overgrown bushes and make a tiered vegetable garden. And we'll have a better view of the spruce trees where the cardinals like to hang out!

Almost every night we sit on this little patio off the kitchen and have a glass of wine before dinner. We watch the birds enjoy the treats we put out for them.

Or laugh at them while they take a little bath

They're fun to watch, even if they are just blackbirds!

And we enjoy the pots of flowers that I have put out or

hung on the walls, or

in the trees.

I think we have a good week to get some of this done, as the temps are changing from the 90's we've "enjoyed?" for weeks, to the lovely 70's. Soon as the front goes through, with maybe a little storm, we should have lower humidity and cooler temps. I can't wait!

SAMMY, TRANSFORMERS, AND GLUTEN FREE BREAD

2011-08-03T19:48:00.000-05:00

Hello! I've been gone for a few days. In fact, we put 900 miles on the new car this weekend. On Saturday morning we decided to head to Grand Forks to visit son Lenny, wife Connie, and grandkid Sammy. We surprised them on Sunday morning and spent a very fun filled day together. Sammy has grown so much! After having a breakfast/brunch, we went shopping for Transformers, and then went to a park that had this water playground.

The kids were sure having a ball. Looked like it was a nice cool way to spend a hot summer day.

Of course Sammy had to play with his new Transformers a bit too.

And I'm excited to say that the new car performed admirably. We are pleased. And a couple of quilt shops along the way were pleased that we made the trip, too!

This morning we arose at 2:30 and picked daughter Kari up at 3:30. We delivered her to the MSP airport for her trip to NACAC in Denver. Then we came home and took a nap.

This afternoon I baked a loaf of gluten free bread. Remember the bread I was making last winter from the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day cookbook? And then we went to Arizona and I started eating gluten free. Well, I also have the Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day cookbook, and I finally tried one of the recipes. I've been using a recipe my daughter found and hadn't gotten around to trying this one. Boy, am I glad I finally did! It is excellent! I just made a small boule and the rest of the dough is in the frig to use in the next few days.

It is at least as good as the artisan bread I was making........maybe, dare I say it, even better? So I guess hubby will be getting his homemade bread daily again......even if it's gluten free. Judging by the three pieces he had for supper tonight, I don't think he minds a bit!

ONE MORE TIME

2011-07-29T20:19:00.000-05:00

Okay. Just one more post about my new car and then I'll spare you any further bragging! May I just say that I love my new car?

It's a cell phone picture, so it's a bit fuzzy, but this is the beautiful blue Prius in person! And that white haired person can't be me......naw.....I don't know who it is!

FIFTY TWO POINT FIVE

2011-07-28T19:28:00.000-05:00

We picked up our new car yesterday. I got to drive it home, all seventy miles or so! We took it out for a drive today, just to see how it felt on a little trip. We now have 222 miles on it, and we are getting 52.5 mpg!

Love my Prius! And I have pictures on my phone, not on my camera. I'll have to work on that!

BEEN PLAYING

2011-07-26T16:17:00.000-05:00

I have been playing the last couple of days, and I've had a lot of fun. Actually my Big Brother joined me in the fun. This is what we were doing:

Isn't it going to be pretty when it's done? The outside borders on the sides are just laying there next to the top, and the top and bottom borders aren't done either. This is Carrie Nelson's Open Season pattern from the Schnibbles times two book , made with Bonnie and Camille's Cotton Blossom fabric, which I love, love, love! Of course I pretty much love anything Camille does. I just purchased Simplify, her first book. Oh boy! Am I going to be busy if I make everything in both books!

Have you been having fun this week?

I'M LOVING MY NEW FRIG!

2011-07-23T19:51:00.000-05:00

The appliance delivery guys came yesterday afternoon, only about a half hour past the two hour time period they had given us. And they brought my new prize! I was a little concerned when the driver got out of the truck. He looked about 14 years old! No kidding! But his helper was much older, maybe looked 17 years old! Oh my. My boys didn't have those kinds of jobs at that age! I guess they probably were a bit older, but I could have sworn they were still in high school.

Isn't she a beauty?

I was so anxious for it to cool down so I could load our groceries.

Amd now look at it! It is packed full! A drawer of fruits, one of veggies, and then a whole shelf of veggies to boot! Love that narrow extra drawer below the fruit and veggie drawers. It holds odds and ends and lunch meat and bacon and cheese right now. We'll see how it ends up being used as I get used to the space.

So far I love it!

WAITING PATIENTLY, OR NOT

2011-07-22T11:27:00.000-05:00

This is my refrigerator this morning.

Two regular coolers, a water cooler, a six-pack cooler, and an insulated Sam's Club bag! All our food is in these coolers, including my treasures from the Farmers Market and the food coop that I purchased yesterday. Dumb, uh, to shop the day before your new frig is delivered!

When I got home from the Market, hubby told me he had listed our old frig on Craigslist and that he had already gotten calls on it. As I was fixing dinner the doorbell rang, a couple looked at the frig and bought it! I told them they had to leave it until today so I could get my stuff out!

So now I am not so patiently waiting for the new one to be delivered. French door, freezer on the bottom, frig of my dreams. Can't wait!

TOO HOT FOR OUR OLD VAN

2011-07-20T15:33:00.001-05:00

We were notified that we should be picking up our new Prius next Thursday. I can't wait as we had a bit of a problem with our 15 year old van today. It is usually very reliable. We bought it used long ago, and it's taken us many miles and has always done what it's supposed to do. However, today it must have decided it was just too hot to run, because it keeled over and died. In the Best Buy parking lot. In town. Five miles from home.

Ernie took off walking to the closest car rental place. I decided to just stay put. Of course I had to sit with the doors wide open because the windows don't work so there was no breeze coming into the van where the temps registered 127 degrees and it was only 95 outside.

He rented a car, we continued on our errands in town, and then notified the shop to go and pick it up and see if it's fixable. I sure hope so because he needs something to get around in. You don't think I'm going to share my Prius, do you?

COTTON BLOSSOMS

2011-07-20T09:47:00.000-05:00

Cotton Blossoms is the name of this Moda fabric line by Bonnie and Camille.

I love the blue, apricot/orangy and cream squares with a touch of chocolate and green thrown in.

I decided on this pattern, Open Season

from Carrie Nelson's Schnibbles times two book.

I started on it last night. Finally got the sewing room half way put together and could not leave my Big Brother sitting there alone any longer! So I put him to work. I only made 12 of the flying geese blocks, and I need 72, but the pieces are quite large so they go together quickly. I think it's going to be a fun project. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

I was trying to link these wonderful quilt sites but Blogger is giving me issues this morning. Sorry.

COMPARISONS

2011-07-18T08:08:00.001-05:00

I love to compare what I was doing six months ago, or a year ago, or even five years ago, with what I am doing today. It's fun to see the huge differences in our life activities from one time to another.

Three years ago this week we were spending our last hours with mom. I miss her terribly but rejoice that she lives in Heaven with Jesus.

Two years ago this week we were in Alaska, visiting our son Chris, his sweet Amy, and grand dog Stella. We were catching, eating, and canning salmon!

Last year we were camp ground hosting in a Minnesota State Park (they are closed now for the state shutdown!) and I was enjoying quilting on my Big Brother! My sewing room is now put together and I am ready to start my first project in our new house. A purse? A tote? A wall hanging? A quilt? I haven't decided for sure, but rest assured that I have enough fabric to do all of the above, 10 times over!

Six months ago I was baking bread. Now I am eating gluten free. Enough said about that, as that was the best bread I have ever eaten.

Also six months ago, the temps were hovering around 25 below zero! Today we will again approach 100 degrees.

But the comparison that prompted this whole post is this one: The only other spot in the Western Hemisphere with dew points in the 80's yesterday was the Amazon Jungle! Unbelievable!