Friday, October 29, 2010

Almost done!

Our garage that we started this spring is almost done!!!!!!!!   


Got two garage doors installed yesterday and today.  Oh, I can't wait to start parking inside.  We have had the outside done for a few weeks, and have done some dirt work and set bricks around where we will have river rock installed in the spring.  I think I'll plant some slow growing greens, like mugo pine or another low growing decorative bushes.  Just not sure what I want yet. 
We bought our garage doors from an installer that is now retired, but he did sell them to us, and came to help install two of them.  Steve is going to do the third door by himself.   So he'll work on that next week, while I'll be painting inside walls.  I've painted this east side with the two doors, and he has the west wall up, so I can start painting that. 
West wall - it takes a base coat and another coat of paint to cover this OSB board.  Our walls are 9' high, so there is a foot of plyboard at the bottom - so that if any water splashes when washing cars, etc. it won't be absorbed by the OSB board.  We have a drain in the middle of the floor and water faucet on the west wall.  This west wall will have a work table for Steve.  I'll get some extra storage for me on the south wall.
South side of the garage.

North side of garage and the third garage door.  Skidsteer and other farm equipment will be able to come in and get warmed up!

Lookin good.
My flowers have frozen, and little scarecrow boy is pretty cold.  Time to put him away soon!  Snow will be flying again soon, and next time it'll probably stay on the ground.  Look at how icey the deck is.  It did melt off later as it warmed up.  Our wet snowy week is past, and now a couple of nicer days are here again.
Are you all ready for the Halloween goblins?  We will have a few.  Looking forward to them coming.  Wishing my kids were little again - it was always fun to clean out pumpkins, decorate and help with the 4-H haunted house that we did as a 4-H club for years.  Happy Halloween to you all!


 


Thursday, October 21, 2010

Dead meat treat!

Should have taken a picture of two happy dogs that found a deer carcass in our field next to the house!  Why do people shoot deer and leave them - Plus it's not hunting season yet!!!!  We've had this problem in the past, drive by thrill seakers shooting from their vehicles - are we out in the wild west?    NOT ! 
Heard shots the other night, so spose that is the result of those shots we heard. 
Anyway, both dogs were chewing on the same leg - one at each end.  Picture in your mind is enough, right?
So I coaxed them away, by shouting out  asking if they wanted to go for a ride!  Well - that worked.  They're happy dogs when they can go for a ride - even if it's around the section!  I had to go to town to get groceries, so happy dogs came with.  Hooch sits on the council next to me.  He likes to look important siting up high and looking at the traffic.  Odda is in back.  She's happy there.  We have a SUV, and bars to keep her in the back.  While we were grocery shopping, Steve gathered up the carcass and bone so they wouldn't have anymore dead deer treats.  When we got home, they went right to the spot the bone had been and sniffed around.  I did find a small bone later, and got rid of that too. 
It just makes my blood boil when people leave carcasses lay after hunting, and how when hunting season opens, we'll have other bones turn up on the front yard.  Guess we need to call the game warden and let him know that this is happening before season, so they can start patroling our area better.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Amanda - Favorite Senior Pic

Leah and Amanda were up in the Smokey Hills woods a couple of weekends ago, and got some great pictures.  Here are a couple of my favorites.
Throughout the years we've taken some really nice pictures of our kids, and now the grands, up in the woods.  A fun thing to do.




Monday, October 18, 2010

Renee now at 15 months

Seems like I've been busy, but not getting much newsworthly accomplished.  Cleaned up one of the out buildings that I keep all my gardening stuff, washed clothes, cleaned, fixin meals, etc.   Who cares about that?  I noticed that Jessica had pictures of Renee on her facebook, so I'll share a couple.  She is getting so big.  And I will also share pictures of her in her Halloween outfit when I get them.  I haven't heard that they got that package yet.  Maybe tomorrow.  It takes about 5 days for mail to get from here to there.
Lookin pretty steady on her feet.  Guess she walks a little now, but sounds like it's not a big deal for her, so sometimes still crawling!


I sure can't wait to hug her! 

Yesterday we were over at Leah's and Amanda was home.  She is a senior this year.  So grown up, and I don't get many hugs there any more!   Blake and his girl frient came over later in the afternoon.  He needed a haircut.  So we got that done, and then played a game of "Golf".  That was a nice visit too.  Dena is on a fall break so is home a couple of extra days.  Blake had to leave for his home as he needed to work today.  He lives about 3.5 hours south of us.

Jessica's volleyball team at Catholic High in New Iberia, LA  is doing really well.  They are rated #1 statewide in Louisiana for 2A schools.  They have won 30 and lost 3, and have two games this week and another tournement on this next weekend.  Jessica says they are really playing well together!   That speaks for itself, with all those wins, they have to be playing as a "team".  Great job Jess and girls!


Saturday, October 16, 2010

Busy Hands

I've been busy making hats (crocheting) and also made granddaughter Renee a Halloween costume.  She is now 15 months old, and Jessica pulls her hair into a little pony tail directly on top of her head.  So she is going to be Pebbles Flintstone for Halloween.   I got some  cougar cat looking material and made her a little off one shoulder top and pants.  I hope they fit her.  Kind of hard when she is so far away!  Then I made her a little bone and tie for her pony tail.  Of course, couldn't just send the outfit.  Had to get a little pumpkin for our pumkin!  I had some books, but they didn't fit in the box, so will have to send them later when I'm using a bigger box.  The postage on this little box was over 8 dollars. 
Then I've also been busy making the hats.  Sit and do that when we're watching tv at night.  Not every night, but I'm getting quite a few done.  Want to get more done for a little craft show that Leah and I are going to have a table at in late November.

When I had the camera out the other day Odda, sat down, and I felt her saying to me,
"I'm good, take a picture of me!!!!!

Yesterday I started cleaning out the little barn shed that we have stored all our extra outdoor stuff in for years since the girls got done using it as a horse barn.  I'll have to finish today.  What a dirty, dirty job.  This is where all my garden stuff is stored, and overflow of everything from the barn to yard to house!
Start of another nice weekend here.  Have a great one y'all!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Halloween Memories

Steph (3) and Leah (8) with their pumpkins in 1975.  Jessica wasn't born until 1979, so only the two girls in this picture.  Uncle Vern and Georgia were here helping them.  A get together every year!  Pumpkins with curly hair!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Trip to Steph's

Last weekend, the dogs and I went to see Cullen and Stephani in southern Minnesota.  They live 8 miles south of Pipestone, MN.  The dogs were so excited to go that they almost mowed me down to get into the back of the car before I could even get the door open!   Happy Dogs!!!!!
Then I got a blanket on the passenger front seat, because as soon as I close the door, Hooch crawls through or under the guard to get up front!  So he sits there the whole ride while Odda is content in the back.  Looks like I need to tighten up the dog guard, as it is moved and the bars are crooked.  It sure does the trick tho.  Easy to install or remove, and I don't have to worry about Odda.

Left Thursday afternoon and got there about 7:30 pm.  They were just finishing up with their chores, and we went out for pizza at Dar's in Pipestone.    Steph took Friday off and after she did chores, we went to Sioux Falls to a big craft show.  It wasn't as good as last year - I didn't see anything new that said "buy me"!   All I got was a Lotion Bar for Steve and his itchy skin and a hot/cold neck pack made with of cherry pits.  Put it in the microwave for two minutes, or can use cold for sore muscles.  The lotion bar is made out of shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax and coconut oil.   Koelzer Bee Farm from Corning Kansas makes and sells it.  I think I'll try it too.  There was one booth that was selling childrens clothing - coats and hats made out of polar fleece in solid color pinks with black trim collars and cuffs, and hats to match.  They were so cute, but the jackets were $46.00 and higher and the hats $16.00.  I wanted to buy Renee one, but a little voice in my head told me "No - you can make that!"  So now, I may try to do so.  It won't be hard.  They weren't lined, and there just had snaps instead of buttons and button holes.  That booth was really busy.  A lot of Grandmas buying for grandchildren!  After we left there, we went to several 2nd hand stores and then to Sams and Michael's.  Later we met Cullen and had steaks for supper.  A very good supper at Texas Roadhouse.

Steph and Cullen

Hooch helping Steph do chores!

Looking out Stephs driveway to the north.  See the wind mill - there are three new ones that have been installed since this spring.  This area has many wind mills, as this Buffalo Ridge area is a glacier deposited ridge that runs diagonally across the state of Minnesota.  There are now over 1200 wind mills in the state of MN with 800 just in the Pipestone area.  Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world today.  I know there is an area in northern Minnesota that is putting up many wind mills too.  In 2007, then Governor Tim Pawlenty signed into law a renewable energy requirement that 25% of the electricity produced by state utilities is to come from renewable resources by the year 2025.  In the Pipestone area, the wind turbines each produce about 2,000,000 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power as many as 500 typical homes at 12,000 kwh per year.  The land is leased from local farmers, and each unit takes up roughly 1/3 of an acre for the euipment and access road.  The farmer receives a percentage of the revenue from the sale of electricity from each turbine.  Minnesota is noted to be the ninth windiest statem, so there are wind mills going up all over other states as well. 

On my way home - lots of wind mills!

Stephs house

Now the dogs and I are home again.  The dogs were glad to come home.  Like always, it's nice to go somewhere, but always nice to get home again!
Will have to show you soon what I've been busy working on here at home.
Have a great day!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Sunrise over Lake Superior




I was up at 6:30 am to sit by the lake to get some sunrise picutres.  I tried several different settings on my camera, but didn't write them down as I did it, so can't remember which setting this last one was.  I know the first was on auto.  Think this may have been on landscape.
I'm on the road again this weekend to see daughter Stephani in southern Minnesota, a 5 hour drive to get there.  I'm going to take the dogs with and leave Steve home to do farm chores.  I know he may try to combine some corn.  Steph and I plan on going to a big craft show in Sioux Falls on Saturday.  That should be fun.  Can't forget my walking shoes!
Oh - my finger is healing very good.  No band ade on it now.  Just hurts if I bump it.


Take care everyone and have a great weekend.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Asking for continued prayers for Tricia

Our friends Connie and Gene are traveling to Fargo, ND today, as their daughter Tricia who had a heart attack this past weekend is being transferred from the Bemidji, MN hospital to Fargo, ND today by ambulance.  So Connie called this morning and I will be taking care of Chance today.  They plan on coming home tonight, so I'm sure she'll post then, but thought that I'd ask you to continue praying for Tricia.  She is 38 years old and same age as our daughter Stephani.  They would ride horses together as kids and their girls are just like our daughters too. 
The doctors will be doing some more tests to the left heart chamber, so I think she'll be there awhile.  Now this extra traveling will bring more stress to family members, and Tricia's girls are still going to school in Bemidji, so I'm sure Tricia will be worried about them.
I know a lot of my blogging followers also follow Connie's "Far Side" blog - but if you haven't you can go there and read what Connie has written.
Thank you all - prayer does help!!!!   jo

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

More Gooseberry Falls Pictures.

There are at least 3 levels at Gooseberry Falls.  We were at the middle level, and this is looking over the edge to a lower level, with the next picture looking toward the upper level falls.

In the pictures below, the trees growing right out of the rocky cliffs amaze me. 


Look across, and  there is an area that looks like a face - with sun glasses, and huge nose.
Click to make larger, and look closer, there is a cave there.



And some beautiful red leafs.  Haven't seen as much red this year.  Maybe it's been too wet, and we've lost a lot of our color now.  What does that mean?   It's going to get colder, and soon we'll have snow!

Gooseberry Falls!

Already posted on the light house, but here is more on our weekend trip:

Living in Minnesota most of my life and having to say I'd never been up the North Shore of Lake Superior was embarassing to say the least!  In fact hubby had not been there either.  I used to work many weeks in Duluth in the late 80's, but that was work at our home office and no daylight hours off to tour the north shore.  Well, we finally made it north!   We left home on Friday, hoping to see alot of beautiful leaf colors.  We are 3.5 hrs west of Duluth, and it was a nice drive, but as we got closer to Duluth we ran into light rain!  There was no rain in the forecast for the weekend -  Go away rain! 
Our first stop was to check out the winter time sliding hill near Walker MN, called Shingobee Hill in the Chippewa National Forest.  We're standing at the top of the hill, looking out - not down!  It is a really steep hill.  Aren't the colors pretty, however, you can see some bare trees, where the Poplar or Aspen leaves are already done.
It was a beautiful day driving on Friday, and as we got closer to Duluth, we could see they were having rainy weather.
Stopped to take a couple of pictures of Lake Superior, and then things started to clear up.





Looking back toward Duluth from the roadside area where I was taking pictures.  The famous lift bridge at Canal Park.

Sun over Lake Superior on Saturday morning. 
We stayed with Germ and Sue (Steve's brother and wife) in their camper.  There were 8 of us there.  Steve's two sisters and husbands each had campers there too.  They all go camping several times together during the summer and this fall outing they have done together the last few years.  So we were the only ones that had not been this far north before. 

                             Saturday outing was to Split Rock Light House and Gooseberry Falls.


I'll have to do another post with more pictures.  I've had trouble all day pulling pictures over.  Things lock up.  Don't know if it my computer or the blog system.   So will do more later.



Monday, October 4, 2010

Split Rock Light House on Lake Superior

100 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR!

A wonderful tour of this lighthouse, and keepers homes.  It is so hard to believe how 100 years ago all this was built on this ROCK!  No road to deliver building material.  It all had to come by ship from Duluth , and lifted up by derrick  up the 100 foot cliff face from boats tied below. Over 310 tons of building materials were lifted up by derrick before a tramway was built.  Gusty winds made this a very difficult routine.  



Yup! the picture from yesterday, is a portion of this hugh lens of the Split Rock Light House that flashed light at 10 second intervals across 20 miles of Lake Superior's navagation waters.  The 6.5 tons of precision equipment traveled from Paris France and was assembled prism by prism in the lantern room.  The French came to install it, as they were the only ones that could install it.  The beacon is 168 feet above the water level and was in service for nearly 60 years.  Kerosene was used to keep it moving (it burns so dirty) and therefore every morning the keeper and wife would clean each prism of that hugh lens and also the windows, so that it would shine brilliant for that night.  What a responsibility!   Inspectors would come unannounced to white glove check the light lens. 


Hubby Steve going down the narrow stairway.  I believe that there are 32 steps to get to the top.

Stairway going down to the lake.  Very steep, and you see remains of the cement base that was built in 1916 for a tramway that replaced the derrick that lifted all building material and later monthly goods needed by the keepers.  The tramway was used until 1934 when a road had been built from Duluth, and the station received a truck to haul its supplies. Storms destroyed the dock for the last time in 1939, so there are no remains of the dock or boathouse.



It's wonderful what the Historical Society has done to keep these memories alive.
The use of radar on ships made the station obsolete and it was closed in 1969.  The State of Minnesota obtained the property from the federal government in 1971 and in 1976 the Minnesota Historical Society began to preserve and interpret the station as a museum and nationally known historic site.  The adjacent State Park offers hiking, biking, camping, picnicking and exploring the lakeshore.  I am so glad we finally went to see this famous light house.