WEST SIDE OF STRAIGHT

Morning walk

2012-02-04T15:05:00.002-06:00

Took a morning walk and took a few pictures. We've had frosty mornings and mild days here this past week. So far a wonderful winter. Not much snow, or cold. I'm rather liking it. Love that the heating bills are low.

What we see out our kitchen window. The dark clouds in the far background look like mountains! A couple of the cows are pictured. The others must be off to the side. Our youngest calf has been feeling frisky and getting out - exploring - daily. Then when we go out, she runs back to the pen! The little stinker!

This is snow and ice frozen in place having started to slide off one of the barn roofs. The corrigated ripples of the steel roof makes quite the pattern!

The frosty tree against such a blue sky is beautiful! The snow and ice crystals just sparkled - too bad pictures don't show that.

Too soon warmer weather will come and we won't have any more frosty mornings!

Here's Jessica's t-shirt quilt I started at Christmas time. Just finished sewing on the outside border, and it's now ready to take to the quilter to get finished. It will have red polka dot backing and binding. Will show you the completed project when it's done. Also have still been busy crocheting. That's almost every evening when I sit down. Have to keep busy doing something!

Have a great weekend!

Check list~

2012-01-23T15:06:00.001-06:00

Another project done and marked off my list! Made Amanda some curtains for her bedroom and a bigger curtain out of a single sheet, and trimmed with the extra material from the curtains made for the windows. They will look cute. The material she bought was really nice to work with. I'd given her coupons for Mill End Textiles (one of my favorite stores), and it was for 60% off. So she really got a good deal. She was so excited.

Here are 4 panels for 2 windows. All ironed and ready to go.

I took the sheet and used the top of the sheet for the header of the curtain, sewing a 2 inch wide piece of material on top, and the rod will go through that. Then I had to cut off some material from the bottom of the sheet, and hemmed it up; then sewed the bigger 11inch piece of material even with the bottom. It's funny how the sheet itself wasn't squared up! Fixed that, and then left 5 inches between the bottom trim and added the last 5 inch material piece. The dark brown and white material really goes nice with the tan or ecru sheet.

Some pictures from Jessica with Renee and her tutu's!!!!!

Now to get busy with the next thing on my list. I have 6 hats to crochet for an order, two crocheted scarves to do and then need to sew some infinity scarves. Think I also need to get a another purple tutu done.

Here's Renee late in the day when she got her tutu's in the mail. Nothing like jumping on the trampoline wearing a tutu!!! She then mowed the yard with her toy lawn mower in her pink tutu, and later fell asleep on the floor in her green tutu!!!! So fun for little ones.

Here she is dancing with one of her daddy's cousins this past weekend. It was their New Year celebration!

I was there a couple of years ago, and the food was out of this world - so good. Great to be part of another culture. Sandra and Ho put on a great feed.

Now off to the next project - more later. Have a great week everyone.

Meet my new model!

2012-01-11T17:18:00.000-06:00

Odda wearing Renee's tutu!!!!

The last couple of days, I've been busy making Renee some tutu's! Once I started I couldn't stop, and I'm now sending 4 of them to her. They all have rhinestones on them and a couple also have ribbons tied on too. She can have all her little friends wearing them and dancing like little fairies! Also made some cute barrets and fluffy hair bands to wear with. Of course Odda wasn't so sure she wanted to wear one, but she doesn't like to be hollered at, so she finally layed down and was perfect!
There is a pink one, purple, green and this blue one! Now to pack them and get them in the mail. I'm sure they'll get a little wrinkled, but will shake out just fine! Renee had so much fun dancing in her princess dresses, that I'm sure she'll like these!
Now to get back to finishing Jessica's Tshirt quilt. Also I'm sewing some scarves. My next project to show pictures - another day. Just have to keep busy doing something. The most negative part of that keeping busy, is that my kitchen stays a mess. Have to use the kitchen table to cut. Steve does rather well at eating around my cutting board, the mess on the table and the ironing board when that's also up!
Have a great evening everyone.

SNOW ANGELS!

2012-01-05T18:50:00.002-06:00

Snow Angel made by Jessica

Renee making her snow angel

She did it! It is next to Mommy's angel!

As kids when we got our first snow, that was the first thing we did, was make snow angels!

So much fun. It is hard to realize that many of my blogging friends that don't live in snow climate have never been able to make a snow angel.

It gets to be a learned art to be able to get up to a standing position after you've made your wings and legs or skirt of the angel without ruining the look. We got pretty good at it, and then would finish by making a foot mark and a head and halo. (which we didn't do here).

Some day if you're in snow country, you've got to try this.

Today we had 53 degrees here - so back to brown grass again. Only a few small snow piles! Can you believe this winter!!!!!!!!! Sure is helping us out with heat bills ~ but I hope we do get some good permanent winter snow cover. We need it.

Talked to Leah, and she and Amanda got sick and Jessica called yesterday, and she was sick. So we sure had / have the bug! I'm feeling better, but coughing and sinuses have plugged me up and my ear!

I've been looking at Pinterest and pinning a little. Have you? Just something else to keep up with, right? Rather interesting looking at all the things people are doing, and giving me ideas of things I want to do.

Going to get a cup of Chai Tea and sit in the living room - relax a little. Have a great evening.

My Friend!

2012-01-04T17:49:00.000-06:00

My friend that I can't seem to live without this winter is sitting on the stove waiting for me!

Isn't he cute? He stays all summer long hiding in the cupboard, but spends all winter on my stove top.

This year I found a Chai Tea Mix recipe that is delicious and have been making it ~ drinking a lot of it ~ and sharing with friends.

Chai Tea Mix

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer (I used sugar free)

2 1/2 cups white sugar (I used Splenda)

1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea (I used unsweetened decaf)

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cardamom (I use just a small pinch, or this can be left out)

In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom.

In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time (I did more) until the mixture is the consistency of fine powder. Keep in sealable jar/container.

To serve, stir 2 heaping Tablespoons Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water. Use a little more if your mug is large.

I use substitute sugar, most of the time. On a diet and you can't tell the difference in taste.

Try it, I think you'll like it. You can't really taste tea - it's more like a latte.

Let me know what you think.

Have a great evening.

Favorite Holiday Pictures

2012-01-04T02:35:00.001-06:00

I'm still here! Have several blogs started, and as I was partially done, had to leave them. So they're out there in "Edit" land waiting to be finished, and now will probably be deleted, as I'm going to show you some of my favorite pictures and leave it at that. I just got to really look at all the 652 pictures I took, and can pick out a few!

"A Spotty Christmas Photo"

Renee with Jack and Spotty (Steph's Rat Terriers)

We took Jessica and Renee back to the airport Monday, and after getting home about 2 pm, I slept for 16 hours! I wasn't feeling good, got the cold and ear ache back, and really needed some sleep! Felt pretty good today, but still not back to normal. Miss having the kids here, and now it is so quiet! But I feel so blessed to have had everyone home this Christmas. I'm sure there will be the day when we all can't get together. We know with work schedules, that next Christmas will be a challange, and we may be celebrating our Christmas on the New Years weekend. But that will be okey too. Now with the two older grandkids out in the working world and their partners, we have more families to work around too.

Showing us some of her dance moves!

Renee passed out all the gifts, and then decided to wear some of them.

I made all the big girls scarves. They were so nice and soft!

Leah got "Princess" sunglasses to wear when she's driving her

Mustang convertable next summer! (we're now looking for

a pair of glasses like that for little Renee. She wanted them

pretty bad!)

Jessica and Renee riding "Jack" later on Christmas day~

NO SNOW yet!

Our little princess got 3 princess outfits, and did she ever

love them. Wore them over everything, every day since Christmas

I had to sew them several times before she left. That

gift was sure a hit! She loved to twirl and dance!

Dancing girl!

After Christmas Jess and I worked on a Tshirt quilt for her out of a few of

her Volleyball and Basketball teams that she's coached at Catholic

High. Of course winning shirts from their state win last year.

I'm not done yet. So will show completed pictures later. It was

great having help with the ironing on of the interfacing and then I cut out the

12.5 inch squares. I have all the rows sewed together with black and

white polka dot strips, and now ready to sew the rows together.

Making a snow angel

Eating snow!!! Heehee! What kid doesn't like snow!

Renee and Amanda ~ Big hugs! or as they say "Tight-tight"

Throwing snowball at Mommy!

Working on old wooden puzzles that our girls had as kids.

Hope this isn't too many to post. Will pick out some more for another time. A new year started and I didn't make any resolutions. Probably should have, but didn't want to break them! Hope you all had a great Christmas too, and let's hope our New Year will be a great year.

A busy Wednesday!

2011-12-07T23:00:00.000-06:00

A great end of year give away at Melissa's Creating From the Heart blog. Check it out. I would love to win, as part of the giveaway is a great gift card for Michael's. Who doesn't like to shop at Michaels and get all you need for the next craft you're going to work on!

The giveaway is Jan 1st! So be sure to visit her blog!

A little warmer here today in northern Minnesota! We need snow badly to cover our cold cold ground!
I'd sure like a white Christmas again this year. Our Louisiana kids will be home for Christmas, and daughter and hubby and dogs from southern Minnesota will be here too. With Leah and her family and their kids home, we'll have great fun. I'm now feeling better (but still can't hear out of my right ear!). Hope no one else gets sick for the holidays. Little Renee is just getting over a bug too. She threw up last night, so Jess stayed home today with her. Our neighbors have been sick too, and I visited with Connie tonight on the phone. They've had a lot going on too. So we got caught up on each others doings, and hope we're all on the mend and stay well the rest of winter.

I'm not ready with my gifts yet either. Still sewing some and have more to do. I've been making Chai Tea Mix for gifts. Love that mix, it is so good. Kind of expensive to make, but once you have the supplies, it is fun to make. Leah and I have our last craft show on Saturday. Then maybe I can get our tree up and get the house ready for company and Christmas!

Hope you're all well ~ take care, Jo

November almost gone!

2011-11-29T11:46:00.001-06:00

At the gulf of the Mississippi!

I was excited to get a picture here, as in Minnesota, we live about 25 miles from the source of the Mississipi River. It is within a Minnesota State Park visited by thousands every year.

I think I've lost a month! I've got loads of things to get done before Christmas, and the month of November is usally when I'm getting things all finished ~ in a normal year. Not this year. Since October I've been busy crocheting and doing some small crafting for a couple of little craft shows that Leah and I are a part of. I should be done ~ but I'm not.
I was in Louisiana with Jessica from the 11th through the 15th to help take care of Renee during volleyball tournaments. We were in New Orleans for a couple of days. The team that Jessica coaches won the state tournament last year, and made it back again this year, but didn't get past their first game. Jess had felt that they could do it again, but that particular day just didn't work for the girls. You know so much pressure is put on kids, that we have to remember - they're still kids! Even though they didn't move up in the state tournament, they still had a wonderful year! Just to make it to be able to play at the state tournament is something great! Great season girls!

Jessica telling the server where to serve the ball.

Since our stay was cut short in New Orleans we went to the French Quarter one morning, planning on spending the whole day! I was very impressed. Nice and clean and so fresh. People very friendly and not overly crowded. So in my book, this would be a great time to visit there. We went on a horse and buggy narrated tour of the French Quarter. Very interesting. Renee loved the ride, but then got a little tired of sitting still and played under the blanket covering our legs!

Then we walked and toured the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis Kind of France. It was founded in 1718, established as a parish in 1720 and designated a Basilica in 1964. It is beautiful inside and out!!!! Went into some shops and bought a few things, and then started to enter the area of the Open Market. I wanted to spend some time there to see everything.

Standing outside the Cathedral looking up!

It's hard to believe how this could have been built in 1718!

Stopped to run and play and eat an ice cream bar in the church garden.

I now wish I would have bought this cute hat! We had fun trying them on!

Renee was getting tired by then, so we stopped to get some food and each of us girls, Jess, friend Molly and me, were going to get a drink. They were so pretty!!!! Well, I don't drink, and instead of ordering a non-alcohol drink, I was going all the way and ordered a Strawberry Marguarita. It tasted very good. I had taken 3 sipps! (really should have a picture of this, but don't) And then my elbow bumped the drink and it fell off the table - right on me!!!!!! I had been helping Renee with her chili, and guess it wasn't meant for me to finish my drink! I had hot pink ice and drink all over my shirt, down the front, and in my lap and both legs! It was cold and so wet!!! I was very mad at myself, because this was going to cause our day trip to be cut off SHORT!!!!! We wiped stuff up the best we could, and started to walk back to our car, that was parked quite a ways off. Back to the area close to the Mississippi river walker area. I looked pretty silly - all wet and still PINK! When we got to the car, thank goodness we had luggage and extra clothes, so I could change. I didn't care who saw, I stood inside the open door way and changed out of wet clothes to something dry. The girls thought this was pretty funny!
So our day was cut short at the French Quarter. I do want to go back, and see more.
I have more pictures and will share them later. Since I've been home I was busy that first week back with crafting, making a mess and then I got sick on Tuesday the 21st! Spent the first 3 days in bed, not getting up to lay on the couch or anything. So that's sick for me! Totally missed Thanksgiving
and still sick. Went to the doctor yesterday and I am now taking meds for my bad ear ache (very bad ear infection) and a cough that I sometimes just can't catch my breath or stop. So strong cough liquid med for that. It started out as a sinus infection. Throughout the years I would get this a couple of times a year as I was growing up and usually yearly as an adult, except I haven't been this bad for several years. I think the plane ride may have contributed a little. My ears gave me fits when I was flying. Seems kind of bad for an old lady to have an ear infection!!!! hee hee!
Anyway, I now hope I'm on the mend. Have a craft show on Saturday and need to get some stuff finished!

After we got back to New Iberia, we dropped Molly off at her home, and Renee got to meet her pet chicken. She sure liked her.

A really trained chicken to put up with a little girl holding it!

Well, now back to the recliner for awhile. I takes awhile to do this, and this old lady still not up to par, so think I'll go rest a little. I'll write more again this week. Hope you all STAY healthy during the holidays and enjoy yourself. I'm not going to worry about what doesn't get done either. We'll all be together for Christmas so will need to get a little baking done, but if it doesn't happen, oh well.

Talk to you all later. Jo

Sore back and apples!

2011-10-25T15:30:00.003-05:00

Have been busy, and just haven't been in here writting. My neck has been hurting and I have big knots in my shoulders! Stephani had tried to work them out when I was down to see her, but they are stubborn, and think coming from a neck issue. Yep - and now have had two appointments with the chiropractor. Xrays of neck aren't good. Instead of a curve to my neck, my vertebraes are straight and show that arthritis is present too. I can't turn my head to the right at all, and little to the left, and the xrays also show that a couple of vertebraes are protruding out to the left side. Ugh. So now we are going to take care of the problem, and not just the symptoms. I was having trouble all the way down in my left leg. Amazing how one thing can affect another area. The adjustments have helped and I'm not in as much pain, but it will take awhile. I can't remember the name/term that he told me and explained what I have. Makes me mad that I didn't write it down, so now wait for next week when I go back to do that. My pain level is a lot better, and that does help as I've been able to sleep pretty good that last couple of nights.
I've been busy sewing and crocheting and spose all that sitting and reaching forward hasn't helped. But I have to be busy.
Saturday I even make some applesauce! Had been given a bag of apples from a neice and they needed to be used. The house smelled so good when I was doing that!!!! Wish I could have bottled that smell up to use again later!

I wish I would have taken pictures of my whole process. The apples were smaller, but a little larger than the crab apples. The apples were kind of sour, so this turned out really good.

Crockpot Applesauce

3# apples - you can mix the types of apples you use. Peel and quarter.

1/2 c sugar

1 cinnamon stick (I used 3)

2 TBSP lemmon juice

2 TBSP unsalted butter (I didn't have, so used salted butter) (seems to have worked okey)

Place apples, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon stick in small crockpot. Cover and cook on high until apples are very tender; about 3-4 hours. Keep checking, and stirring, because some apples are done sooner than others. (mine only took 2 hours).

Remove cinnamon stick. Mash any lumps with a potato masher. Pour into storage container or containers. Add butter and stirr. Let cool and store in refrigerator.

(I hadn't read my directions carefully, and added the butter to the crockpot after making sure all the lumps were mashed up.- think worked out better, as I put my applesauce in small jars. I think it would even taste good on toast!!!)

I had seen this recipe somewhere, and then in looking up homemade applesauce on line, other recipes added more spices. I just know I'll do this again. Really easy!

A quick note!

2011-10-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

Steph's biopsy came back okey - benign! Whoopee!!! So now the doctor will watch to see if the nodule or growth grows. They took nine samples and she was pretty tired after the biopsy was done. She was to have given a horse riding lesson to a young girl that she canceled out of - she thought she'd feel better than she did. She has been on medication and that seems to be helping so she isn't so tired. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

It's getting chilly here in Minnesota!!!! I've had to dig out my lightweight winter jacket! Can't complain tho - we've had a very warm fall. More later.

Nite out with Walter and the crew!

2011-10-15T17:39:00.002-05:00

Awhile ago, daughter Leah and Steve were over one everning, and they gave us a Christmas Letter saying:

Christmas is coming early this year.....

Do you need a hint:

How about ~

Jalapeno

Texas

Walter

Bubba

Peanut

Achmed

Any guesses?

Well - we figured it out right away! I was so excited!

When the kids were over with the invite, we had to guess where we were going! We figured it out, because with the puppets named above, you know right away that our early Christmas present was tickets to a Jeff Dunham show. He came to Bemidji MN (about an hour away from us). The kids and us went on Thursday evening. It was a GREAT show and we laughed till our cheeks hurt.

We were in the perfect spot, the eleventh row, right in the middle! Thank you Leah and Steve for a pizza supper and a great evening!!!!!!!!!

Leah and Steve - I had my flash turned off, and took a lot of pictures before the show. You weren't suppose to take pictures during the show. The following pic was up on the big screen before the actual show started. I took over 90 pictures!

Oh, and Leah is such a funny planner and thinks of everything. Dad and I each got a goody bag with

"Care Package" written on the outside! Inside was some candy, a small package of kleenex, and an adult diaper!!!!!!!! In case you laughed so hard that you pee your pants!!!!!!! Funny Leah ~ she had such a great time planning our night out!

Here's Jeff with "Peanut" and in front of Peanut is a new puppet in the image of Jeff, and in his other hand, a little hand puppet in the image of a smaller Peanut. That was Jeff's last act for the evening. I thought one picture wouldn't hurt! Jeff is one talented ventriloquist! His preshow was about him growing up and his love of his puppets. That was very interesting. He's been doing this since he was 8 years old!

Thank you Leah and Steve for a great evening!

Our Sept Renee Visit!

2011-10-09T11:44:00.001-05:00

First picture after we got there, with Renee and the little pumpkin I grew. Growing conditions were the greatest, and this is the ONLY pumpkin that grew! But Renee didn't care! She likes her pumpkin!

I'm so far behind on blogging that I don't even know where to start!?!?! We had a wonderful trip south to see the kids and Renee and now have been home over a week and I haven't blogged yet ~ what's with me? We've been so busy. Steve is busy combining corn and working on fall clean up, getting barns ready for winter, fixing ceilings and walls in one barn, and I've been busy too, but it doesn't seem like it has been such important stuff going on for me. Cleaning house, washing floors; fall cleaning instead of what should have been done in the spring. Only I know I've done some of this stuff more than once or twice this summer! It's been so windy that it gets really dusty in the house ~ so it seems like I'm dusting all the time. Have been out in the garden, putting decorations away, picking flower seed pods and still need to get the peonies ready for winter and dig the canna lilies.

From our trip I have some great pics of Renee that I'll share, and we came home a different way this time, drove East through Baton Rouge and up through Mississippi, to Memphis. We stopped at Graceland on our way through Memphis, and spent 3 hours there. A wonderful tour that we both enjoyed very much. Elvis was such a musical icon to both of us and we still enjoy his music. Stayed just north of St Louis that night and then got home the next evening. Over 1400 miles in 2 days.

Renee helping Grandpa put together the antique 5 legged table that we brought with us for them.

They had a glass dinning table, and that now will be out. It wasn't very kid proof. This table has 3 12 inch leafs to make it larger for company, and will serve them good for many years to come. The table is over 100 years old.

She is such great help! Grandpa loved it!

We spent a lot of time watching volleyball, with Jessica coaching.

We went to several Sugar Cane Festival events. The livestock show to watch 4-H kids show their pigs. Checked out all of the other animals there too. Renee like the goats best.

We also went to the Friday night street dance and caught the tail end of the boat parade, saw the fireworks, and listened to great music for several hours that evening. Jess and Floyd saw a lot of people they knew. There were a LOT of people there. Also went to the parade on Sunday afternoon, and then Sunday evening went to Mama and Papa's for supper and also cut out pumpkins early, so we could all be a part of having fun with pumpkins and Renee! She sure liked the pumpkins!

Mommy and Renee did this one!

She sure loves the pumpkins!

I'm sure these are probably rotten by now, and they'll have to cut new ones when it gets closer to Halloween!

Evening projects!

2011-09-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

In the evenings after whatever we've been doing during the day I usually sit for awhile and try to watch tv. Starting a crochet project that keeps my hands busy, and not my brain! I've been making these kitchen hand towels that hang on the stove handle. Found some cute thick towels and have a bunch to make up to put a towel in with gifts. I like to make my towels with the double thickness instead of cutting the towel in half like most people do, and I buy the good towels where the image is not just painted on. Here's a few of what I've done. I've already given some cute pumpkin ones away, forgetting to take a picture. Have some other ones for Christmas that aren't included in the picture. This will also keep me busy in the car on our trip this week.

The hardest part is to find the cute towels at a reasonable price. But if you watch the sales you can pick them up for $3.00 a piece instead of $6.00.

A drizzly Sunday morning here. Yesterday I was cleaning out the area under our basement steps. That is an area that has been a catch all of left over paint cans (so they don't freeze in the winter months) and luggage keeper, old toy catch all and storage area for seasonal clothes. There was a big tub of Christmas stuff still there too. Went through everything, and now the paint cans will be moved out to the heated garage, and the Christmas stuff I went through and tomorrow I'm taking a load in to be donated to our local business that accepts donated stuff for resale.

It feels good to get down to the bare bones of that storage area. Now I'm going to have Steve put in some permanent shelves instead of the metal shelving that's in there now. We need to reinsulate a little and put up sheetrock in one area by the fuse box to cover the insulation there. Another project for when we get home from Jessica's.

Tomorrow, (Monday) I'll be packing, as we're leaving for Louisiana on Tuesday for a week. We're driving down, so should see some nice trees turning color. I enjoy our two day drive. We get a lot of talking done!!! Have too, as we're both STUCK with each other for a full two days! With no one to referee! hee hee!

Have a blessed Sunday, Jo

Cars and Bad Guys!

2011-09-15T01:50:00.000-05:00

Growing up as a child in a small town, we lived on the 600 block of Main Street. My parents had a business in the first block of our towns' main business area. We never had new cars that I remembered, but as I grew older, I remember one I especially liked. We got this different newer car, because the car we had was stolen. It ended up on the reservation, having been taken at night from in front of our house. It was wrecked by its joy riders and so the next day or so Dad brought home this little red and white car. I loved that car. It was so cute - red, with a white top, and a white wide stripe on the sides. The seats were leather and this was a a big step up from the old one, even if it was a used car. I'm thinking I must have been about ten years old at the time. My sister will correct me if I'm wrong!

I had to go on line to find a picture ~ you'll have to visualize that on our car, the blue color is red, and the top and stripe over the back wheel is white like this one below. I remember our car also having been a 2 door hard top like this one. The seats were white leather! Wow! Made me feel rich even though we weren't. I remember how smooth that leather was, running my fingers up and down each seam in the seat! Sure do wish I had this car now. Isn't it cute!!

Found this picture on line, for sale now for $23,000.00. All redone and just

like new. Wonder what this car sold for new in 1954? I couldn't find any pictures

of us near this car in any of the pictures I have, so I suppose there

aren't any to be had.

The next memory I have of this car is that it was also stolen. I remember my mother being especially upset, as it took the police several days to find the car, and it too ended up on the reservation. This time tho, there were people hurt. There had apparently been a fight with the chains that were in the trunk and some wrenches, as the windows were all broken out, and there was blood everywhere. I remember seeing the car and the dried up blood ruining the little car I liked so much. No more going for Saturday ice cream cones at the local DQ after taking the garbage to the dump in our red and white chevy. The next car we got, must not have impressed me, as I don't even remember what it was or looked like. I'm sure it was a Chevy tho, because I remember my mom always saying they got all their cars from Enfields in Osage!

Hubby has been gone a few days to a national hog show, the Austin Barrow show in southern MN, and a neighbor comes over and does the farm chores in the mornings and late afternoons. When he came on Monday, he asked me if I'd heard the news of the neighbors car being stolen! In fact there were several vehicles stolen recently in this area, and I hadn't heard that.   Anyway one was stolen in broad daylight in our little bird of a town of Osage. A young man was visiting his mom and dad before he was leaving at 3 in the afternoon to head to ND to the oil fields for work, and when he went out the door to leave, his pickup truck was gone. The joy ride and ruin of the vehicle ended north and west of town, with the pickup demolished (that would be about 2 to 3 miles north of  us as the crow flys. Then shortly after, another vehicle was stolen from the yard of a neighbor. They must have walked or been picked up and given a ride to this second place. You can't see the house or garage from the road, so it makes you wonder how these people case out their victims. This car ended up northwest on the prairie about 10 miles from here, also ruined.

I have heard we have some young gangs in the area and this worries me. Are we turning into victims of their gang initiations? I hope not, but you never know.  Probably just out partying and one thing leads to another.  This can happen ANYWHERE. You don't have to be in a big city. Apparently these two vehicles aren't the only ones, as I've heard of another vehicle and 4 wheeler having been stolen within the last 2 weeks.

We live so close to the road that it kind of scares me. While hubby was gone I locked everything up at night and even had Odda sleep in the house. Just like the feeling of having her with me, as she would be alerted if there was something going on outside. I would like to think that she'd growl or bark if something aroused her, and then that would alert me.  She's such a lover that I haven't seen a mean side of her, but you never know what your dog would do if confronted by complete strangers at the wrong time of day or night.   We've had other dogs that by their breed, you know they are protective, but Odda's is such a lover that she'd probably just lick the bad guys, giving them kisses, and then (as if she could) probably hand over the keys to them!

As I write this hubby is now home and went to bed dead tired! I bet a tornado wouldn't wake him up ~ wonder if I should go let Odda in again!

Until next time, hugs, jo

Freedom Isn't Free

2011-09-10T17:57:00.000-05:00

September already!

2011-09-09T10:09:00.002-05:00

What a busy, busy time it is! I've been enjoying our wonderful weather by getting the yard and garden ready to sleep for the winter. Was in Omaha and Fremont Ne for Labor Day weekend, so put over 1000 miles on the car. Sister in law Kathy and I went to the wedding in Omaha and had a great time visiting with relatives. We traveled pretty well together too! My sister and I had a birthday, and enjoyed BD cake together with Leah and family and now I'm going to get some sewing out again. I have a valance to make for a nephew and wife, and then valances to make for the local Community Center building. We have a new building, and the noise echos as the space is so big and noise bounces off the ceiling and walls. I'm going to make valances for the 6 large windows, and hopefully the material will help to absorb the noise. Have other projects to work on too, but this has to be done first.Steve and I are also planning on a trip to Louisiana, leaving Sept 20th, and will be gone for a week. We're driving down this time. Can't wait to see our little Renee! We'll be watching some volleyball games while we're there. Jessica coaches and has 3 games while we're there. Floyd will be home on his 14 days off, and Renee will be staying with us during the day instead of going to the babysitter. Steve and I are both anxious to be there and spoil our littlest granddaughter for a few days.

Sister and I sharing birthdays together. Hers is Sept 6th and mine Sept 7th; two years apart, with me the oldest! I have only one sister, no brothers. Hubby has 6 brothers and sisters! I remember as a kid, that I always had wanted a brother!!!! But with my sisters name as Georgia and mine as JoLynn, we were always called George and Jo, so do you spose our parents really had wanted boys?!?!? hee hee!! Actually we were pretty much tom-boys as kids.

In getting our yard done for the winter I was trimming my pumpkin plants back because I only had ONE pumpkin!!! Will be doing things different next year! Hubby told me to trim off the extra flowers, so I was doing that. Then one day last week, he said I should cut the end of plant off after my one pumpkin! Did that. I had planted 4 plants, thinking I'd get several good sized pumpkins. Not! Anyway, we decided to cut off the other three plants that weren't doing anything, but growing longer!!! So I was following the plant back through the tall grass, etc. and snip, snip! BUT, I'd cut the plant off with the one and only pumpkin!!!!! darn!!!! If I'd successfully cut the correct plants, this one and only pumpkin would have grown larger! I'd so wanted a big pumpkin. So I picked my little pumpkin (green) off and put it under the step to see if it would turn color. I figured if Mr Frost came, if it was unter the step and still able to get sunlite, it wouldn't freeze, and maybe still turn orange!

So here's my pumpkin - at least it turned orange!! So much for growing my own!

I thought I had some pictures to show you the vines, but can't find them. Enough whining about my single pumpkin and I think I'll now get busy working on my sewing projects for today.

Hope you all have a great Friday ~ and weekend coming up! Hugs ~

By Myself a Few Days!

2011-08-29T09:25:00.001-05:00

A busy week last week as usual getting ready for hubby to go to the State Fair. He was there on Friday for the 4-H livestock show, and now left again last night for the State Fair with some pigs to show in the open classes. He'll be get home late Thursday. So I have a few days to get some things done by myself. Don't have to cook for anyone but me - so that means I can eat when and what I want!!!!!

Every evening he has been letting those pigs out to walk (actually it is called "driving" your pigs). He uses the small black pvc plastic stick to tap them on the top of the shoulder to "drive" them where he wants them to go. The idea is that you work with your pigs every day; he does it in the cooler of the evening, on the East side of the 70' barn in the shade. The pig then learns to walk at a calm pace and you drive your pig back and forth in front of the judge. You don't slap your pig on the back "ham" area, or the rib area - as you don't want to damage the good meat areas. Another little spot you can tap your pig is in the area behind the front legs. It actually is quite an art to "showing" a pig. You see alot of kids just letting their pigs out and they RUN all over, with the kids Running after them. That doesn't happen here.

We have had many workshops on getting your pigs ready for the fair and "Showing"! Our girls did an awesome job of showmanship throughout the years. We have been very proud of them. They learned from their DAD!

Have had this on our wall in our back entryway/office. Stephani, Leah and Jessica each won Showmanship Overall at our Becker County Fair many times throughout their 4-Y years. The trophy Leah is holding was the "traveling" trophy they each won several times. This picture was taken in 1997. They learned well from their DAD! Like him, they were always "cool ~ calm ~ and collected" out in the showring. It was so fun watching them. I really miss those days! Now Leah and Steve are also at the end of their watching Blake and Amanda showing. We figured it out one day this summer, that this was the "first" time in 50 years that we didn't have a "Nilson" showing a pig at our county fair. That is really something. It started with hubby and his brothers and sisters and through them and our kids, and his brother Don's kids showing right along side of our kids, that we had many years of hard work and enjoyed them all.

Well, that took me on the wayside of what I'm going to get done this week. Plans are to get the deck stained - hopefully without Odda getting paw prints all over. Spose I'll have to tie her up for a few hours. Also have more sewing to get done, and want to start painting the old pump house. Brother in law is also coming out one day to help me cut out dead branches of some trees. So I have another busy week ahead of me before the weekend when I'll be heading to Omaha for a family wedding.

Steve comes home Thursday night, but won't be going to the wedding, as he'll have too much to do when he gets home. It will be just sister in law and I going.

Have a great week everyone!

Old, but New for Someone!

2011-08-23T21:06:00.001-05:00

Our daughter in Louisiana has mentioned that she wants to replace her glass dinning table with a wood one. She has long admired my 5 legged table, and I found a 5 legged table for her! We are driving to see them in September, and it fits in our SUV, so south it will be traveling.I am in the process of cleaning and polishing it all up.

It measures 42" x 36" and there are three 12" leaves for it. I had stopped at an antique shop and the owner refinishes furniture. He said all I should do with this is use Howards on it to clean and polish it up. I also got 2 chairs for the kids, but they'll have to find other chairs down there. I'm sure there are a lot of antique or used stores there too. The antique store owner said an eighty year old fellow brought this table in, and said it had been his mothers table; so it is well over 100 years old. I'm sure he hated to part with it, but a young family will enjoy it for many years.

Here's the two chairs I bought. They need a little cleaning too! Very well built.

Here's my table: You have to excuse my sewing stuff on it, but I wanted to show you the legs. I love them! The sewing stuff on the table are the bean bags I'm making for my brother in law. Sorry the picture is a little dark.

Here is the sunset almost done, as I was feeding Odda and putting her in her kennel tonight.

The sky looks like you had taken a brush and painted it. Click on it to see it larger, and it looks like a painting!

The evening is almost over, so I'll wish you a good day tomorrow!

Saturday Girls Day!

2011-08-22T07:54:00.001-05:00

Mothers, daughters, grandmothers! We met at a local tourist shopping complex called Summerhill Farm, about 9 miles north of Park Rapids. There are several buildings to shop in, from gardening and antiques, to another building with rugs, wind chimes, and other yard art, to a couple of clothing shops, one that has wonderful new ideas for the kitchen, with wines, accessories, cook books, ice cream bowls, scoops, etc.; one of the buildings had many new roosters, and other collectibles; a gazebo area with seating for lunch, and indoor area for dining. There was one with the best candles I've seen in a long time. They smelled great. They were made in New York state somewhere. They were in beautiful glass and came inside a stylish black satin box. Price wasn't bad either. Might need one of those on another trip!
For lunch I had a wonderful spinach salad. Always so much better when someone else makes it! The others had sandwiches and soup, or salad. It all looked so good.

I had made a couple of autumn table runners, and gave to the two young daughters. Looks like they like them! The middle of the runner is patterned with dogs and pumpkins, fall colors. Amanda on the left is my granddaughter, and Dena is my grandsons girlfriend.

From top left, Amanda; Dena; Leah (Amanda's mom & my daughter); Edie (Leah's MIL); me and Jeri (Dena's mom). A new outing that we will for certain do again!

I bought a few things, mostly for gifting, except I did buy a lightwight hoodie that was on sale.

These shops will be closing for the winter after Labor Day, and they have really good sales on Labor Day weekend. I'll be out of town that weekend and will miss this years sales. In past years I have bought some great gifts that I've given for Christmas. Always love a good sale, ya know!

Sunday was a nice relaxing day. I cleaned the inside of my SUV out really good. Put the third seat up and got the car ready for Steve to take to the cities this week. He and 5 others are going down for the 4-H swine livestock show on Friday. I'm staying home! Just don't want to go that far for the day. However, I've been known to do just that~drive 200 miles one way for a short day outing and then drive another 200 miles home! Later in the afternoon, we visited Steve's brother Don and wife Loretta; played Pinochle and ate supper with them. Then when we got home, Steve did his farm chores, and we relaxed. So another weekend done and gone!

Hope you all have a great week too! Jo

ANOTHER busy week!

2011-08-18T10:51:00.000-05:00

Try as I might; I just don't seem to be getting it right and posting daily! This has been another busy week; with after my yearly checkup earlier this month, all the hosp. testing was scheduled this week. Monday I had a colonoscopy, so that shot that day, as after getting home I slept off and on the rest of the afternoon; Tuesday had a dental appointment and got my teeth cleaned and checked; and then yesterday had my titties pinched! Mamogram done for another year; and today I'm off to town to sit with Connie's husband Gene at a booth for the historical society/museum at our town's opening of our new main street renovation. We'll have a booth with pictures and stuff of what our town has looked like throughout the years. Will be there all afternoon, and then this evening husband Steve will drive to town, and we'll visit with friends and listen to music. There will be music all afternoon, and evening. Should be another fun, interesting day. I'll take pictures and post about it. Then tomorrow, Friday, I go weigh in. That's another story that I haven't told ya all. Been on a good, good diet. Losing good, and will need to write about that too. The weather has been great here, cooling off a little, and feeling a lot like fall coming. (Love this time of year!~except it doesn't last long enough!)

Picture of my father and his brother probably in the late 30's or early 40's before wartime, in the dry cleaning shop they owned on Park Rapids main street. It was in bussiness from when their family came in early 1900's to 1966. Sister and I grew up on main street, knowing all store owners.

Think we were called "main street brats" (not really!) I remember getting quarters for standing up on the counter and singing! he he!

Gene just called, and picking me up in 20 minutes, so til later. Jo

A new Flower in My Bed!

2011-08-15T09:08:00.001-05:00

Threw some seeds in the dirt this spring - and this is what grew! Connie told me early on they were a "poppy", but when it flowered, I wasn't so sure! But they are poppies! So pretty I think!

They are little fluff balls! So soft!

I love 'em!

Pink Feathers Papaver Poppies

The only pink in my August garden!

Says they're an annual, so I'll save some seed pods in case nothing comes up next spring.

When I looked on line, there are pink and white, and other varieties. Think I'll have to do some seed ordering for next year. These grew with no trouble! I got the seed from a girlfriend, and after planting I wasn't sure what I'd planted where! These grew, but the other seeds didn't.

New Calf!

2011-08-14T09:04:00.002-05:00

Another busy week over, and beginning another. I was in southern Minnesota this last week visitng Stephani and Cullen. Left Steve home to do field work - he is now done until the corn is ready. Yesterday we had a new calf born. They are so cute. This little one likes to hide in the tall weeds - to keep away from the flys.

Then as we were getting done watching the cow and calf, we heard the noise of the geese coming in to land for the evening.

The noise of the fall season beginning! Cooler evenings (turned the air conditioner off finally) and shorter days! I have one big pumpkin growing, and hope more develop! Love the fall season best!

Have a great Sunday!

Kitty Friends

2011-08-07T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sophie and Cat keeping cool in the garden!
My rhubarb leaf bird bath is tucked away there in between the tall grasses. Think I ‘ll need to move it out to the open. I used a pvc pipe for the pedistal, rather than have it sit on the ground.
Keep smiling!

Pumpkin Plants and Flowers!

2011-08-06T10:25:00.003-05:00

I planted 4 pumpkin seeds at the end of my flower bed. Knowing full well what could happen, and it is happening! They’re taking over my yard area in the back. Okey, so I don’t need to mow there!! I hope I get a few pumpkins for decorating. We had so much rain, that I got the seeds in a little late. In fact everything I planted was a little late. If I don’t get any pumpkins, I’ll re-try next year.
Here’s more pictures of some flowers.

My header picture was taken the same day as these this week. The lilies in my header were transplanted in the 1970’s from my mothers house. So they’re very old! They get really tall, and I almost have to be on the ground looking up to take a picture of them.

One lone sunflower seed grew! Just getting ready to open up!

The day lilies will soon be done. They’re so pretty too and easy keepers!
I’m going to be traveling a few days. On my way to Minneapolis tomorrow Saturday morning to attend a wedding of a great nephew in the afternoon. Minneapolis is a good 4 hour drive from here. Steve is staying home because of farm work needing to be done. Since he won’t be with, after the wedding I am going to drive to Stephani’s in SW Minnesota. Spose that’s another 5 hours from where the wedding is. I’m going to stay with her until Tuesday. I’ve been bad, and haven’t been there all summer. So really need to spend some time with her and Cullen. Steph is taking Monday off work, so we’ll be in Sioux Falls SD most of the day. Gotta shop you know!
Have a great day! jo

Farm Photo Friday

2011-08-05T15:17:00.001-05:00

Now that I’m able to post pictures again, I thought I’d join in on Fresh from the FARM ~ Farmchick’s Farm Photo Friday! Boy, this old body/brain is learning new ways around the computer~after I was very comfortable doing it the other way! But it will get easier I’m sure. Now also trying to figure out how to change my header pictures and pics on the side.
Our love of horses has been a love affair since we were married. Have had quite a few horses on the place, but there are always “very special” ones that remain in your hearts forever.

This is “Jack”. He now belongs to our granddaughter Amanda, but Jessica grew up with Jack. She bought him as a yearling colt when she was about 11 with her money she’d saved from 4-H winnings. They had a special bond, and when Jessica comes home in the summer and rides him again, it’s like he remembers her. It is so special that Jessica’s little girl Renee is able to ride him. A wonderful horse friend to Amanda and Jessica.

This new filly is at Stephani’s farm in southern Minnesota. Her name is “Wren”. Stephani breeds quarter horses, and started out riding a pony when she was 5. Her first experience on a pony wasn’t a good one, and she started riding the big horses right away.

This is Skoal. He has been around for a long time too. Stephani’s first horse of her own has been gone for a long time now, and Skoal is now the “old guy”!

Here is “Jack” and “Ace”. Leah, Jessica and Renee had a good ride when Jessica was home. Look at that smile on Renee’s face ~ she really likes to ride the “horseys”.

Isn’t this cute!!!!!!!!!

Amanda on Jack back in 2007 at a 4-H horse show.

Here is Stephani on Leah’s first pony “Tinkerbell”. The pony would stand there while Steph would take a running jump to get on! It was so funny ~ we’d watch and laugh so hard, because her running jump came to a complete stop before she would jump! I have an old movie of it somewhere. Should get the old projector out some time to watch and get it copied. Leah was given this pony when she was 5 years old as a Christmas present from her babysitters family. That was the beginning of horses for the kids.

Leah’s first bigger horse, a POA named “CurleyJo”. Here Leah is close by in case Steph needs help.

I am so happy that our girls grew up with their best friends ~ their horses. That love affair still goes on today as adults with their own families!

To check out the other Friday Farm Photos, click on the Fresh from the Farm link in my first paragraph. Please leave comments on all the links you check out. You know we all love to hear from blogging friends!

Have a great Friday and weekend.

A walk around the farm!

2011-08-04T19:55:00.001-05:00

The last several days we have had great weather, and last evening, Odda and I (and the camera) took a little walk.

We walked west through what I call the machinery parking lot! The cows are laying in the shade just watching us. They don’t get up to check us out-it’s too hot!
Here’s the old combine that is for sale. We put it on Craig’s List and have had many calls on it. A young man came today to buy it, and drove it back to his house taking all the back roads. He had about 85 miles to go. I don’t know how fast he could go, but it was going to take awhile. His mom came with and then followed him home. He refurbishes machinery, and was excited to get it home. When Steve found out he redid tractors and machinery, he had him look at one of his tractors that he wants to get redone.
This is the tractor that he wants to have repainted and all fixed up. I guess Farmall didn’t make many of the 504’s. As it is now, it works great, but not so pretty! I think that Steve would like to show it at a tractor show someday when it’s all fixed up!

“Cat” and “Sophie” followed us on our walk too. The little yellow one never was named, so just “Cat”! They ran in and out checking for field mice!

                             The peas were cut and swathed the other day. I opened up a couple for you.
                         Aren’t the little peas cute? I put one in my mouth. Hard as rocks! They’re ready to be combined and stored. Then mixed in when hubby grinds corn and peas together with other stuff for pig feed.
                              The windrows are so big and fluffy. There are vines and also weeds. The weeds need to dry before he combines. This afternoon he did make a couple of rounds with the newer combine. It is a 1980’s model and it works like a charm.    He’s having fun ~ it has air conditioning, it’s quiet, and even has a radio!   A boy and his new TOY! Now he can combine, and not even get dirty!
The combine lifts up the windrow and shakes the peas out. They go up a wide belt into the hopper (middle of the combine) while the vines and weeds are chewed up and spit out the back.    Then when Steve fills up the hopper, he drives back into the yard and swings out the shoot and the peas are checked for dryness and put into the bin. The dryness count was 13, and that is good. He’ll still have a fan running in the bin in case some peas aren’t as dry.
Here’s Odda on our walk. We didn’t use a leash, and she was just a little ahead of me. If I called her came right back.
By the time we were headed back to the house, her tongue was hanging out! She got pretty warm ~ her black hair just soaks up the hot sun.
Well, this is my first time using Windows Live Writer. Connie had to talk me through starting. I going to have to use this, as I can’t post pictures anymore when I write in the blogger dashboard. I even had paid for more storage, and couldn’t get it to work.
Another nice evening, so I better get outside to enjoy a little bit of it.   More soon, have a grat Friday tomorrow, Jo

Where's Summer Going?

2011-08-02T07:44:00.001-05:00

Can't believe how fast time goes! Have been so busy, that I guess I also took a blogger break! Have been busy in the yard, working on county fair auction stuff till late into the night and haven't even been into blogger for a week or so. Shame on me, and I will try to get better at checking out blogs and writing. Seems like I've said it before, just need to get back into the routine!
We've had a very warm, muggy summer. The heat is doing a number on our yard. Have a lot of brown patches now, so that also means a little less mowing, and that fall is just around the corner.

This is the quilt that our friends little girl made for the county fair. She is 10 years old and did it all by herself. I showed her how to do the binding. Amazing work for a 10 year old!

Sally got Reserve Champion on her quilt~great job!

Her sister, Samantha, made two teacup pincushions for creative arts.

The girls also showed pigs, sheep and one also showed her goat. They had photography entries and really did a good job on all of their projects.

Sally and Sam are the two girls in the middle with black jeans on.

The judge asking Sam some questions during the showmanship contest.

Sally walking out with Grand Champion Jr Showmanhip trophy.

Sam in the middle showing her goat.

Another year done with our County Fair, and now these two girls will be busy soon deciding what projects to start for next year, and finding a place in their rooms to exhibit all of their trophies and ribbons!

I'm making them a slide show, as I took quite a few pictures of them showing their animal projects, as I know how hard it is as a parent to get pictures when you're busy helping them and other kids to get their animals into the show ring at the right time, etc.

Granddaughter Amanda didn't show this year, and she missed it. Her friends at the fair from other towns asked if she was going to be there. Amanda and her boyfriend went in the evening and I hope she got to see some of her friends that had asked if she was going to be there. A great thing about

4-H is making great friends from all over. These friendships last forever.

We sell a lot of pigs to 4-H families, and hubby Steve goes to all the area county fairs to watch the swine shows to see how the kids do that bought pigs from us. These families sure appreciate that he does that, and he is always available to answer questions that they have during the summer months before the fair. A lot of the kids have done very well this year in exhibiting the animals they've bought from us.

Have a great day everyone!

Trip and suprise from daughter!

2011-07-19T11:30:00.025-05:00

Had a great Saturday day trip with daughter Leah.

Paul Bunyan and Babe look fresh in their new coat of paint.

We'd planned to go to a neighboring town of Bemidji, (the home of Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue OX) to an Art in the Park show, lunch out and bum around. Then she said she had a surprise stop for me. Of course, everyone likes surprises! We stopped at the Headwaters Quilter's Guild Quilt Show. It was wonderful. The show "theme" began with a glimpse of the beautiful quilt designed by Laurie Aaron Hird from her book, "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt" (Letters from 1920's farm wifes and the 111 blocks they inspired). The quild featured the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt, which was raffled off. It was beautiful, and we missed taking a picture of it, darn. Apparently Leah or I were not the winners, as we haven't been called. We listened to readings of entries from readers of the Farmer's Wife magazine from 1922 that had written in answers to this: "If you had a daughter of marriageable age, would you, in the light of your own experience, want her to marry a farmer?" One of the answers was from Mrs. S.O., from Mille Lacs County, MN: ...And so, folks, I want my daughter to marry a farmer, a good man, upright, steadfast and true, with visions of the farm-life-to-be in his heart. Then hand in hand, they can work to make their dreams come true, and she will know the happiness I have known. I could not ask for more.... wouldn't you have loved it if your mother had written that for you! I would have! We listened to other letters being read as we walked through looking at all the quilts. Then we stopped and visited with the lady that was doing the readings. She was dressed up in vintage clothing, sitting in her rocker reading to everyone.
Here are a few of the many quilts we saw.

Love this table runner of sun flowers.

I also really liked this one.

Cute wall hanging of canned goods all lined up.

This was my favorite.

This was Leah's favorite.

The note on this card said that she made this in one weekend! Wowsa!

There were so many pretty quilts, that it inspires you to go home and start a new project.

The month of August, there is a quilt show at the museum in Park Rapids. I'll be sure not to miss that. Someone asked if I was going to exhibit something, but everything I've done recently has been given away!

So far the pictures loading the old way for me. So I'll keep doing as I was. We had a nice shower this morning, and now comes more heat and humidity! Keep cool everyone.

What's going on with Blogger!

2011-07-18T23:07:00.000-05:00

Finished this now on Monday evening, but I'd started on Sunday to write and here is that little story:
I have been working on two posts, wanting to insert pictures, and I can't. It says I've used up all my space. So now what do I do? I've been trying to reach my friend Connie, because I'm sure she'll be able to help me. Think I'll need to start writing off the blog site and transferring here? I was so excited to show you pictures of our (daughter Leah and I) trip to Bemidji yesterday to Art in the Park, and a quilt show. So until I get it figured out how to install pictures again, etc. I'll just have to write!
Well, now a day (now Monday eve) later, and I just tried to download a picture again, to see if it would happen again, and lo and behold - it worked. What the........... I was also looking for the same result as yesterday, because I now know that I'll need to pay for the service of installing pictures. Apparently the Blogger gets full, and then you have to pay a yearly fee for storing pics in Picasa. So, guess I'll just finish what I've started writing and see what happens.

This picture below is Renee when they went to see Stephani in southern MN. This old horse was off our girls old swing set. I repainted it years ago, and had it in my flower garden for a few years, and then when Steph was getting interested in planting flowers, I asked her if she wanted it. So that little pony is pretty old. Leah, Steph and Jessica all rode that pony and played on that swing set. We bought it probably in 1970!

This was my test upload picture.

One note of interest on Saturday was that I met Sandy. Late afternoon on Saturday, hubby and I were sitting under the tree in our front yard, trying to keep cool, and just enjoying the day starting to cool off. A car slowly drove by, and two people inside were looking our way. Then it stopped, and backed up for a little ways, and then went forward again, twice! Neither Steve or I could figure out who it was, but we decided to wave for them to come back. Maybe they were looking for directions ~ or maybe they were looking at the yard where the old house used to be. The car backed up, turned in the driveway, and they got out. Still didn't know them. We walked over to greet them, and she said she reads my blog, and they were looking for the new sign that we put up on our new garage, as she would recognize it from the road. However, our garage/shop sits back from the road and the sign looks pretty small from that far away.

This is the sign that they were looking for! The garage sits back from the road a little ways, so it is hard to read!

I was so excited to meet a blogging reader that I gave her a hug! We all sat under the tree and visited, and it is such a small world, as it turns out that we know quite a few people that they know!
She said she started reading Connie's blog first from Area Voices, and then her blog, and ventured out from there reading Jen's (Connie's daughter, mine and others).
Steve kind of knew the husband Bob from Crookston Winter Show days, so it was a fun visit. Bob and Sandy - please come visit again!

This little blog is quite garbled, so good luck in reading it and following my meandering!!!

Highlights of Renee's 2011 Summer Visit

2011-07-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

Picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

We have many more photos, just couldn't post them all. Had a great time with all of our kids and Renee!!!! Wish we all lived closer together to do this more often!

Renee's First Horseback Ride!

2011-07-08T01:10:00.001-05:00

Tuesday and Wednesday, Jess, Renee and Floyd drove to Stephani's home in southern MN as Steph and Cullen weren't able to come home while the kids were here. She has a small farm just south of Pipestone, and has horses and dogs. Our girls all grew up on horses, and Jessica is the only one now that doesn't have any horses. After this trip, I have a feeling, there will be a day as Renee gets older, that they will move to a place further into the country so they can have horses. Stephani had a pony there for Renee to ride, but Renee liked the big horses better! The kids got to Stephs just after lunch time, and promptly went outside to see everything and ride. Stephani does training of horses (and people); has a great Quarter Horse stud, and has a breeding program. She gives lessons to kids and adults and when she is home, she is always busy. Her husband Cullen loves the horses too, and after their work day and weekends, they are always going to horse shows, trail rides, training or busy with their horses. Come see the pictures!

Steph and Renee walking out to the barn.

Getting to know "Skoal". This is now Steph's oldest horse. Anyone can ride Skoal!

Jessica and Renee on Skoal.

"Cheese" ~ Steph must have told both of them to say Cheese!

Resting after their ride and planting some flowers. Stephani and Renee planted a plant that is now Renee's plant. I can't find a picture of that, but I remember seeing one! Oh, I bet they're still on Jess's camera!

More pictures later. Think I need to get to bed; it's after 1 am!

Happy Trails to You,

Renee is here and July 4th Celebrating!

2011-07-05T14:51:00.001-05:00

The kids arrived on the 3rd! After getting up at 3 am to drive to New Orleans to fly to Fargo ND, they were pretty tired. Picture of Renee, just after they got off the plane. The pilot gave Renee her "Wings". She was pretty proud! For a two year old she traveled just fine. Our other granddaughter, Amanda, flew home with them. She was glad to get home after her 2 week vacation in Louisiana. Renee sure likes her cousin "Manda". After getting to our house, we celebrated Renee's 2nd birthday (was the day before July 2nd) and watched her open up gifts. It's so fun to have a little one around!

Then yesterday for the 4th we had another busy day. In the morning, we rode with the neighbor Dave on his pontoon in the Straight Lake Boat Parade. Another neighbor Paul, just his double barrel shotgun, shooting into the air to start the parade. Another fellow in the next pontoon, played his trumpet and off we went. The ride was very relaxing.

We heard some stories when Jessica started telling how she and Jenny (Connie and Gene's daughter) would swim, paddle boat, canoe, etc. on the lake. She hadn't been on Straight Lake for 10 years!

The morning was sunny and no wind. Just perfect. I thought it was getting rather warm, but Jessica and Floyd thought it was great. They're used to hot, humid Louisiana weather, so our 80+ degrees didn't bother them a bit. After the boat parade, both Jessica and Renee rested under the tree in our front yard, while Floyd helped Steve grind feed.

In the afternoon, we headed to town for the parade and fireworks. To get the place we like to sit, we usually get there an hour before it starts. Spread out our blanket, chairs, goodies and sit to wait for everything to start. Visited with childhood neighborhood friends, Joan (now lives in Wisconsin) and Nancy (lives in Crookston, MN) and their cousin from California. Got updated on all their family goings on, and found out that Nancy READS my blog. Couldn't believe it! Now when you read this Nancy, be sure to go to the comment section and sign in as "Anonymous", write me a note, and just put Nancy F and I'll then know you've been here.

I even go to the river - the old beach area, and leave a blanket where we like to sit. A lot of people do that to reserve a chosen spot for the evening festivities. After the parade we get pizza to go, eat and visit with friends. Jessica and Renee went walking around and visited with old high school friends and found some teachers she hadn't seen in years. Leah, Steve, Amanda and TJ, and later Blake and Dena; also my sister Georgia and Vern were all there. This year other daughter Steph and Cullen didn't make it home. We missed you Steph. So we were still quite a big group. After the Community Band played, neighbors Barb and Roger sat with us too.

The weather started to let us know we had a storm coming. Lightning in the distance and clouds building up, so the fire works started a little earlier than normal, but that was fine. We even had some lightning action in with the fire works photo shots, plus we made it home just as it was starting to sprinkle. The thunder and lightning show on the way home was quite impressive. Guess God wanted to show us what a real lightning show was all about! We got just over an inch of rain, and did have some wind too. The swing was blown over and the dog dish off the steps. I'm glad I stacked the patio chairs, or they would have been blown off the deck too.

Floyd forgot to bring a hat from home with him (for his bald head), so he wore my garden sun hat all day!!! Doesn't he look dapper?!?!? So funny! I asked him if he'd been at home, would he wear my hat, and he said a big "NO"! Guess he didn't care here, because not too many people know him!

Nothing prettier than fireworks over water. I love the reflection in the water and how everything takes on the color of the fireworks!

Lightning filled the skyline too!

Lightning lit up the sky and fireworks. It wasn't striking lightning, it was different, lighting up the whole sky, filtering through the clouds. Later, on the way home, we saw some striking lightning.

I took a LOT of photos, and filled up my SD card before the finale! Next year I'll have to be more selective, so I have room for the last fireworks. Our town of Park Rapids puts on the best show I've seen, and it is all paid for by donations. I am glad to donate, as I don't have to worry about anyone getting hurt. Leave it to the professionals. Years ago I worked in hospital admissions, and saw some horrible accidents come in from kids to adults that got hurt badly from accidents and carelessness in handling fireworks. Decided then, it wasn't something I didn't want to see happen to any of my family members.

I hope you all had a safe 4th of July!

2011-07-01T01:15:00.000-05:00

More of my flowers that will soon be all done blooming. They sure are pretty this summer.

The sun is shining through the trees behind the flowers, and a little spot of sunlight shows on the one petal, by the stamins (think that's what they're called).

The peonies are all from my mother-in-laws garden, and she would be happy to see that they are doing so well. Both Stephani and Leah have some planted, and their flowers are so pretty too. This is the first year mine have bloomed, and they were transplanted 3 years ago. Don't know why it took mine longer that the girls before they flowered. Maybe I had planted them a little too deep. Understand they don't like to be planted with a lot of dirt over them.

The tiger lilies are from my mothers yard, and she passed away in 1977, so they have been around for a long time and have done well. It feels good to have transplanted these flowers, and I think of both of my moms every time I'm out checking the flowers, or weeding! Some day, when the time comes, my girls can move these to their gardens, along with some of my other plants!

Here's an update of the swing set I've repainted, and recovered the cushions. It's now nice and comfy!

And thanks you Connie and Gene for a very nice swing. The hunt for material to recover the cusions was something else. Couldn't find anything less than $8.00 a yard and what I wanted and liked was over $12.00 a yard. JoAnn's didn't have any on sale and their prices were all over $19.99!!!!! I just couldn't afford any of those prices right now. So a day or two later, I was on another mission and went into the Ben Franklin in Detroit Lakes and they were having their 3 year anniversay sale, with 1.00 off per yard! I checked their remanent material area and found this red for $3.99 per yard; so on sale I got my 7 yards for $2.99 per yard! Wow, what a deal! It of course isn't water proofed, it's a heavy almost canvas weight, so will be just fine. I can get some spray and spray the cushions, to waterproof them; if I remember to look for some the next time I go to town! For now, I'll keep the cushions in the garage at night and when it storms. If I forget and leave them out and they get wet - oh well, they'll dry out! The spray paint was right at 4 dollars a can, and I used two. Makes that swing look good as a new one. I told C that she was going to want it all back now when she sees it. Hee hee!

Haven't started the awning yet. Don't think I'll get that done before next week when Jess and family will be here. Besides keeping the lawn mowed, I've been busy cleaning to get ready for more company. Friday, yikes, it's already here; I'll be mowing more and getting the car seat installed in the car. I took the car seat all apart and washed the cloth seat, now to get it all back together with the straps in the correct holes, etc. and strapped into the car. Saturday, we have a funeral of a good friend that passed away after her 2nd battle of cancer. They live 3 hours away, so Saturday we'll be gone all day. Then we drive to Fargo ND to pick the kids up at the airport on Sunday. Granddaughter Amanda flew there 2 weeks ago, and will come back with them. Her boyfriend TJ will also drive over to Fargo to get her. He has been pretty lonesome! Can't wait to see them and of course little Renee. She turns 2 on July 2nd, and they'll get here the 3rd. When we get home, we'll have a little birthday party, and later in the week we be having a big picnic with neighbors and friends.

Picked a couple of the peonies that were almost ready to bend to the ground. The wind kind of got to them - next year I'll have to put taller fencing around to hold the flowers up better.

I used a wine bottle as a vase - Cupcake wine - (didn't like it, so poured it out) makes a very nice vase, and I'll save the cork for another project.

Well, hope you'll all have a great weekend. Til I write again -

Keep smiling ~

Yum! Yum!

2011-06-24T07:06:00.005-05:00

If you like rhubarb, you'll like this recipe.

Cheryl's Rhurbarb Cake
Do not grease your 9 x 13 pan

3 1/2 cups cut rhubarb in bottom of pan

Cream together:
6 T butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup milk
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Spread over the rhubarb

Mix together:
2 cups sugar
2 T cornstarch
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I used more)
Sprinkle all over the top of cake

Boil 2 cups water and pour over the top of cake. Don't stir.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for approx 1 hour.

In the pan, already half eaten!

It's wonderful! Especially still hot, with ice cream!!!!!! When I serve it, I turn it upside down on the plate with some whipped cream, if not ice cream. We all love it, and it's so easy to do. Hope you enjoy it!

Flower pics before the weather ruins them!

2011-06-21T09:55:00.001-05:00

Flowers in my gardens are starting to bloom, and my "grandma" peonies are beautiful this year. They haven't bloomed since I planted them 3 years ago, but I'll have many flowers this year. I seperated my bulbs when I planted them, so they're in different places throughout the yard. They're just starting to open up, so I hope the rainy weather we're suppose to get these next 3 days doesn't beat them up.

They're such a pretty pink!

Very fragrant hybred lilac bushes. These two bushes were planted years ago, and never did grow much. But the flowers are a soft lavendar color, and almost white. They don't sucker out like the older variety of lilacs, and they bloom late, as my other lilacs, pictured below are all done blooming. My allergies are acting up this year with the lilac strong smell. A bad spring for allergies!

Odda's spot where she lays down to watch me work! She love cool days. I've been combing and brushing her every other day, filling up a grocery bag each time with loose winter hair! She is shedding all her winter undercoating hair that keeps her warm in really cold weather.

This is part of my new project! Friends (you know her - Connie (Far Side of Fifty) gave us her old swing, as it needs a new canopy and covered cushions. She decided to get a new one and the framework is just to good to throw away. So since its raining out today, I think this project will get started today! I'll keep you up to date how that is going - hope it won't be too difficult to do.

And like several others, pictures of the Showy Ladyslipper. They are so pretty.

A close up of inside the slipper - isn't it pretty! I think I need to find some yellow flowers, and I also know where the white ladyslippers are!

Hope you all have a great Tuesday! Plans are already in the making for this upcoming weekend, as there is a craft show in our town, so NEED to attend that just to see what everyone is doing. Don't really need to buy anything! On Father's Day we went visiting with Steve's sister and brother to visit the Nebraska cousin that was vacationing near Brainerd MN. Had fun looking a old family pictures and just had a relaxing day.

As I'm typing this, the rain has started to come down hard. So I will probably have to mow again on the next sunny day = love summer!

Til next time,

2011-06-16T13:38:00.001-05:00

A new first for Odda and I on Saturday ~ attending a Dog Expo! We had a great day. It is put on by volunteers to raise money for our local Animal Shelter. We did the dog walk for part of the way, visited with new people with interesting dogs, met up with old friends, visited with all the vendors, and Odda even got her nails trimmed and her coat brushed out by Deana from Dogs Paw (for a donation that went to the Shelter). We were even asked to be one of the "Meet The Breed" dogs for next year. There was a booth that was micro-chipping pets for a reduced fee, and a pet chiropractor at another booth.

Odda - Happy and all ready to go!

Deana (on the right) and her crew. They were busy clipping nails and brushing dogs for donations for the shelter.

This is Fletcher. He was homeless, and our daughter Stephani had him for several years. Our nephew and his wife Jenny got him from Steph after they got married and moved into a rural home. He is now Jenny's pal, and is so happy. He likes to be the only dog!

Odda met new dogs friends. This dog is a Komodor. I don't remember his name, but he sure was a nice dog.

We're pretty much wearing the same colors! Ha!

It was a great day to be out with your pet. This is the 3rd year, but the first sunny day they've had. The past 2 years it was raining and wet, but they still had the expo and walk.

Now it's already late in the week, and we're getting ready for another weekend!

Happy Tails - opps!, I mean Happy Trails!

Talins Corner giveaway!

2011-06-16T13:20:00.001-05:00

If you have a Go Accuquilt Cutter, or a Baby Go, stop over at Talins Corner to sign up for a prize. She is giving away 3 cutting dies! Her blog has cute ideas too! A great way to meet another blogger. Jo

A beautiful Saturday Morning!

2011-06-11T07:34:00.001-05:00

Projects for today: Brush Odda again! Every other day this week, to get out undercoat of winter hair. I've brushed out 4 grocery bags of hair this week! A dirty job, but with dogs like her, it needs to be done. We're going to a Pet Expo and Walkathon today! Will take pictures so we can post about it. Odda will enjoy herself. She loves to go to town and socialize with people and other dogs!

Then I need to make cookies today for church coffee between services for tomorrow. Think I'll make Mrs. Coppola's Italian Xmas Cookies. Even tho it's not Christmas, everyone will love them.

Then possibly do another batch of jelly. Made two batches last night of Strawberry-rhubarb. Turned out great, and I still have a lot of rhubarb to use. Need to get more strawberries tho. I've frozen a lot of rhubarb for later use, so if it doesn't get done, no big deal.

Homemade Ice Cream

We celebrated grand daughter Amanda's 18th birthday this week! Her other grandpa made this wonderful homemade ice cream that everyone loves. Usually done for birthdays. This time he had trouble making it and was afraid it wasn't going to be any good. As you can see, a good share was already eaten by the time I thought to take a picture.

Blowing out her 18 candles! Cake was a white with chocolate swirls and good frosting!

I didn't eat any cake as I'm on a diet. So can just imagine how good it was! After graduation, this party was small, with just Amanda, Mom, Dad, and the 4 grand parents. We'll be having another birthday party when Jessica, Floyd and Renee get here, as Renee will have turned 2 the day before their trip here.

Steve is in Iowa since Thursday at a National Hog show. Kind of like his annual trip with the guys!

He'll be home late tonight. I had called a repair man, as our clothes dryer went on the fritz and wasn't heating enough to dry the clothes. A repairman came out and checked everything and the dryer is okey, but we need to take down the (what I'll call the exhaust pipe) that goes from the dryer to outside to get rid of the lint. It is kind of a long pipe, and probably has lint stuck in a bunch inside somewhere. I couldn't do that myself (unless I really had too,) so he can do that when he gets home. I just stuck a nylon knee high sock on the dryer to catch lint, and have dried clothes. My wash and drying of clothes was getting backed up.

Now we just have a $75.00 service call bill to pay - wish we could have figured that out ourselves!

Oh did I tell you all, that Jessica from Country Whispers emailed me and suggested what to do so I could comment on everyone's blogs again!. When you sign on to google with your email and password, leave or uncheck the box where your sign in would be remembered. AND it worked for me. Now I need to get back to commenting on everyones blogs again. Will start that later today ~ so see ya all later.

Thanks Jessica!

Well, off to get ready for the Dog Expo.

Have a great Saturday everyone!

Look What I Won!

2011-06-09T13:56:00.000-05:00

I received in the mail this last weekend a beautiful doll "Bloom" from Nancy at Primdolls by Nancy. She is so cute.

I've tried daily to make a comment on her blog to publicly thank her for picking my name out of the hat, but darn blogspot isn't working right for some to leave comments. I've tried reporting it to them, and found out that this is quite the problem, and they've noted that it should be fixed soon. But it's been going on quite awhile, so what's the problem!
Anyway, Nancy, I'm so happy to have her, as about a year ago I'd purchased a doll, and gave her to my daughter. Thank you again so much. For those of you that aren't aware of her great dolls, please check her blog out.

Today a much cooler day here in Minnesota. How can it drop 60 degrees in one day!!! Anyway, I'm feeling better, because I like cool weather a lot better than sweltering hot!

Another great weekend coming up! Take care everyone ~

Graduation weekend over!

2011-06-01T06:48:00.000-05:00

Granddaughter Amanda graduated from high school this past weekend. A great reception party at their house followed, with a lot of relatives and friends. It was a cool day, but at least there was NO rain!
Here are a few pictures of Amanda's day.

Amanda's name just called, waiting to walk across the stage to get her diploma.

With her friend Molly

Both grand kids!

All dressed up in cowboy boots!

Always will be a country girl.

Congratulations Amanda! and also to Leah and Steve for raising two wonderful grand kids.

My sister and hubby checking out all the displays Leah put up. She decorated so cute, with pictures and posters that they had kept all throughout Amanda's school years.

There were pictures on each table, displayed in a big clothes pin.

Two bean bag games were set up, and the men gravitated to them for many games.

This is the game I make the bean bags for.

Daughter, hubby and pups made it here from Southern MN.

Later a bunch of us ended up at the fire pit, and that lasted late into the night.

A fun day it was - it was a great party Leah and Steven.

Now I'm really feeling old!!!! ha, ha!

Now another weekend coming up - hope summer gets here pretty soon. We've had some nasty straight line winds and rain the last couple of days. Some sunshine sure would help make the corn grow.

Come on Sun!

Hugs to you all!

Gifts Done

2011-05-28T20:35:00.000-05:00

Amanda's quilt is done! She's getting it as part of her graduation gift tomorrow. I love it ~ the colors are so bright and pretty. I think that I'd like to make another one for me.

and here is pic showing a little of the backside.

Then I also made a small table runner for our grandson. His 22nd birthday was yesterday, and he just recently bought his own home. It turned out nice too, except I took a picture of it earlier, and today as I finished it I was in such a hurry to wrap and get it to him, that I forgot to take a picture of it finished.

When I finished it, I meandered on that last outside area. I'm having trouble just doing a straight stitch with my machine. It ends up puckering. Even when I use my walking foot. He liked it, and I'm sure doesn't even know about all the mistakes!

Well, now I'm off to make a salad for graduation party tomorrow. Leah asked me to make a fruit salad. I was going to make the regular fruit salad with apples, bananas, small marshmallows, and cool whip, etc. but decided that I'd do something a little different. This is the recipe I'm using:

Fruit Salad

3 bananas

1 qt. fresh strawberries

3 oranges or 1 can mandarin oranges, drained

1 (32 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained

1 (32 oz.) can mixed fruit, drained

1 jar stawberry glaze

In bottom of bowl, slice bananas and sprinkle with lemon juice. Slice strawberries and sprinkle with sugar. Add other fruit and stawberry glaze. Chill.

It is good. I think I'll make it double.

Hubby Steve is allergic to pineapple, and friend Connie is allergic to strawberries, so they'll have to eat some of the other fruit salads. I know Leah is making a mellon ball salad, but I don't know what kind of fruit salad Leah's mother in law is making.

Stephani and Cullen will get here tomorrow, and leave for home on Monday. Also on Monday sometime we are getting more company. Hubby's cousin and 2 guys from Nebraska will be here for 3 days and nights. They plan on fishing!!!!!! They're a riot to be with, so that will be fun visiting with them. Other relatives will come over also, so we'll be busy next week too!

We've been getting off and on rain showers today. Tomorrow is suppose to be nice ~ just for graduation and receptions!

Hope you're all enjoying the weekend too!

Spring ~ It's slow to get here!

2011-05-26T21:32:00.001-05:00

What a late spring this year. Now we're mowing, but the trees are so slow to get their leaves, and some of my trees are now in flower. The lilacs aren't blooming because we had frost so late and it nipped the buds so badly. They look terrible.

So pretty, now it just needs to warm up.

Last night we had light frost, so I still haven't put out any annuals yet. The only thing growing is the rhubarb.

It's huge! I need to pick some of those big ones and get rid of them, and start pulling the good stock. Will be making some Rhubarb Cobbler - and then some strawberry-rhubarb jelly. Don't know when I'm going to squeeze it in, we'll be having a lot of company for granddaughters graduation. Daughter Steph, hubby and her 4 dogs are coming for graduation. Odda will be happy ~ she's kind of lonely. Health wise, she is doing fine. Still on her meds. Looks like we have a couple weeks left and then I'm going to take her in for a recheck to make sure that the meds did their job.

Here is a picture of one of my bushes that didn't do well through the winter.

I have two bushes looking like this - looks bad, and that brown never turns green again, and when you cut it out, it looks terrible. Easier to just replace them. Then there also was another bush that is bad too, but guess I didn't get a picture of that one. I'm not sure if too much snow caused this or if somehow the reflection from the heat of the house caused it. Like a sunburn.

Had company last weekend and also will be getting more fishing relatives coming next week. So have been busy, and will be busy. That and just trying to get some things done have kept me away from computer projects. Hope you all have a great Memorial weekend. Remember our military!

Goodbye Hooch

2011-05-20T10:22:00.000-05:00

This has been a terrible week for us as our wonderful Hooch dog didn't survive his battle with the tick born disease Anaplasmosis. The disease went to his neurological system and on Monday his system started to shut down and we had to have him put to sleep on Tuesday after it continued to get worse. Poor thing he was hurting so bad and went into continuous seizures. Couldn't let him suffer like that. Now he's in heaven with Steve's parents playing frisbee with Grandpa Carl and no doubt Grandma is fixin him eggs every morning, like she used to do.

Odda is doing okey. The medicine seems to be working for her. We're not done with it yet, but will keep on checking her closely. I'm sure she misses her buddy, and when Connie and Gene came over the other night with Chance, she had fun running and playing. She doesn't fetch like Hooch did, but maybe Chance will teach her how!

2008

Hooch

2000 - 2011

Thank you everyone for your kind words,

Christmast Present Now Up

2011-05-16T17:44:00.001-05:00

Sunday Steve got out the present we got from daughter Leah and Steven. We love it. It is now installed on our new garage.

Pigs, because we raise Duroc hogs, selling breeding stock, show pigs and butchers to a lot of people.

Steve was a little boy in Nebraska when his dad started raising hogs, and their family moved to Minnesota in 1953 and there has been hogs on this farm since. They had milk cows when they first came here alongwith milk cows; and have had sheep and beef throughout the years too, but for many years just hogs. So he is real tickled the kids got that for us. The windmill is a picture of our windmill that Leah took.

I thought I was going to also show a view of the whole front. We have two doors, and the sign is between. But I see that I failed to get that picutre. Opps!

Hooch and Odda this afternoon after getting home from the groomers! Nice to have clean dogs after a long winter.

We're having a beautiful day here today. I need to get outside and get something done. Hope our week stays nice. Prayers going out to all the people that are and will be affected by flooding in Louisiana. Hope that the levies don't fail. Have a great week!

Amish Quilts

2011-05-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

Saturday I drove up north to an annual Amish Community Auction. My first time to one of their sales, but I plan to go again next year. They also have an auction on Labor Day weekend, but we'll be in Omaha for a family wedding, so unable to attend that one. There was all kinds of wagons full of stuff outside, and inside a huge tent was the furniture, quilts, baskets, rugs, veggies, canned goods, flowers, and lots of other stuff. The auction started at 9:30 am, and went until dark. I can't believe they got done with everything, as I left about 3 pm.
I bought some jellies. They sold them off one jar at a time, and I got some chokecherry, blueberry, strawberry, wild plum-raspberry, orange-rhubarband some applebutter. Steve opened the chokecherry first, and loves it. Says it is just like the chokecherry his mom used to make. So he is pleased with what I got. I also got a basket. It is supposed to be used for groceries, but I'm going to put my magazines in it. It is out in the garage yet, because of the wood stain smell. They must have been made recently, because the smell is so strong. Here are some pictures of some of the quilts that sold when I was there. There were so many more to be sold. I think they were going very resonable. The system they had was good. The quilts were all numbered, and after you got the last bid, they took the quilt back to the rack and the ladies put it in a plastic bag, with your bidder number on it. Then after you paid for your quilt, and showed them the receipt, they gave you the quilt. This way, the bidder didn't have to hold the quilt throughout the sale, with a chance of it getting dirty.

From the chair I was sitting in, looking over the platform they brought everything up to sell, we see a pile of rugs to be sold, and how the quilts are hanging. There were 286 quilts there!!!! So much work and time put into them. The tent was yellow and white, so it the light filtering in made the colors somewhat dull.

This is one of the quilt tops 100" x 112" that sold. It went for $180.00.

Another quilt top 53" x 53" that went for $65.00.

This 90" x 108" finished quilt went for $165.00. All the bright colors framed by black are so pretty.

This Texas LoneStar quilt was finished and measured 97" x 107". It sold for $280.00.

There were some table toppers and wall hangings that were just the tops that went for 10.00. I could hardly believe that. Some very good buys.

There was furniture, and here is a picture of a hickory bedroom set. It is beautiful!

I left before the sale ended, but the next one I go to, I'll stay til the end. Think I'll start saving some money too. I would have liked to have bought some outdoor furniture. So after having been to my first Amish Auction, I'll be ready to go again!

Sunday for Mother's Day, hubby took me and our daughter Leah and Steven out for brunch. The other two girls missed out because they don't live here. Wish we were all closer. My sister and hubby went to southern MN to be with our middle daughter Stephani and Cullen. They had a horse show on Sunday, but it got rained out. It is rainy here today, but now later in the day it's quit. I'd like a few days for sunshine. Need to get out into the yard to work on flower garden and get ready to mow for the first time.

I went to the chiropractor again today. He adjusted me last week, and again today. I needed adjustment on my neck, mid back and tailbone area. Now feel great again!!!!!!!! I can turn my head again without the grind of sand (arthritis), and stand without hurting!

Have a great week!

Hope you all have a great week.

Happy Mother's Day to All Women!

2011-05-08T17:48:00.001-05:00

Wishing you all a Happy Day today on Mother's Day! Even if you're not a mother to children, I bet you've been a great Auntie, or mother to wonderful pets, or husbands or boy friends (they can be pretty big babies)! Some way or some how, we've all mothered! I truely believe that. Our day started out cloudy, and oldest daughter and hubby and Steve and I went out for brunch this morning. The food was great and we all filled our tummies! The ride home was nice ~ Steve drove like a Grandpa! 45 mph on a busy highway, and he quickly figured out that he was going too slow when cars came up fast and had to slow down. We all laughed! Gosh, we're now the old folks! Our conversation at the table was also about how everything is changing! We're still stuck on our first phones we got after the "bag phone" went bye-bye! Things are changing so fast around us every day! We don't text; have ipods, iphones or droids; and we haven't rented a movie from a vending machine! We don't have a lap top at our house either. We figured we're doing pretty good to have high speed internet and cable TV when we live 15 miles out in the country!I've forgotten how to use our VCR player (it probably doesn't even work any more), and I have to learn each time how to do the DVD player! Electronics are passing us by!!!!!!!!!!!!

On another update note: Odda (our Bernese Mt Dog) is improving from her Lime and Anaplasmosis Disease. Still sleeps a lot, but she does run and play now. Took Hooch into the vet last week, and he too has Anaplasmosis. He is on the same meds as Odda, so I now mix canned dog food with their dry food. I push their pills into the wet food to hide, and it has worked real well. Hooch is very sore in his hind joints and spine, and real shakey. At first Steve and I thought it was from him getting older, but decided after Odda had two tick related illnesses, that we should have Hooch checked also. Darn Ticks, what are they good for? Hooch is 10 years old, and lots of Jack Russels live to be 17-18 years old. His shakeness seems to be a little better. He is a great dog; funny, because as soon as he feels a "little" better, he is up running around. Today for awhile was real normal, with the dogs chasing each other.

Friday, Leah and I went to Fargo to shop for graduation party supplies, but we went early, and went to an area in town that advertized 60 sales in one close area for Saturday, but many were open on Friday. That was great fun. Still a lot of people going, but not as many as was there on Saturday. I got a youth bed for Renee for $25 dollars, from another Grandma, so it hadn't been used much. I also got a car seat just like the one the kids have, so now they won't need to bring theirs with them when they fly. They will be here again in July. Leah found some glassware that she'll be using for her table center pieces, a cute clock and some other stuff. We had the SUV full, especially after getting our groceries and stuff at Sam's club. We were wishing we'd brought the truck, but I wouldn't have liked rummage saleing with that big thing and the traffic in that neighborhood! It sure is fun to spend a day like that with your daughter - thanks Leah! I'll have to do that the next time I go to Steph's and Jessica's. They like to go to rummage sales and thrift stores too. It's always fun to get a bargin!

Hope you all a having a good day!

Sick Odda!

2011-04-29T16:26:00.001-05:00

Took Odda to the vet today. She tested positive for Lime disease and Anaplasmosis. She is now on doxycycline medicine and a pain med, and after the doxy is done, she'll be on Amoxicillin. I also bought some canned dog food, as she hasn't eaten and has lost 7 lbs. Poor dog ~ I feel so bad for her. I needed to have her eat some dog food so we could get the pills into her, and it's easier to hide the pills in with wet dog food. If she figures that out, I'll have to get the pills into her by putting them way on the back of her tongue, holding her head up and getting her to swallow. The doctor said she should be feeling better soon and if she isn't getting around better in a couple of days, to get back to them. She ate the canned dog food good after we got home. Tomorrow I'll mix the wet food with her dry food, so she won't hate it so bad when the canned food is all gone! Her temp was 104.5 F, so she was very feverish. Anything over 102 is high. To get her into the SUV was something. I had to lift her into the car and out again. She is a heavy dog when all dead weight. You can tell she hurts as it takes awhile to get up from laying down and sitting down.
The vet suggest that since this area is so bad for tick borne diseases, that along with the monthly use of Frontline, we should also use a tick/flea collar and daily or each time they go outside to also spray or wipe repellant daily around their neck, head and top of head area where Frontline doesn't get too. So now we'll be doing that for both dogs, and we'll be watching Hooch closely too, to make sure we catch it quick if he starts to show any symptoms. They are: lameness; fever; swollen, very painful joints; loss of appetite; can have kidney failure; vomiting and diarrhea.
Friend Connie and Gene have gone through this with Chance last fall. He has recovered nicely, so I think that Odda will too.

So that's the update on Odda ~ I'll keep you posted to how she is doing.

Home again!

2011-04-28T12:52:00.000-05:00

Got home late yesterday afternoon. Still tired, but need to post some pictures for you. I tried when I was at Jessica's, but they recently purchased a new computer, and it wasn't working for me at all! They don't do their emails on it anymore (use their phones), so they don't have Microsoft Outlook, and that really made it rough. Couldn't even send pictures out after downloading them. Well, I could, but they ended up really big, and I couldn't downsize them easily, like before. So rather than screw up things, I decided to wait until I got home!

My sister and hubby had sent a gift card for Easter, so it was spent on a new little outdoor castle slide. Renee loves it, and it is easily moved inside to play on too. Just the right size for her.

"ALL MINE!"

Easter Morning, Renee picked up the Bunny tracks the Easter Bunny left, so she could find her Easter Basket. The Bunny came in the front door, leaving tracks from there to her bedroom, and then back to where he hid the basket! When she got up her eyes got big, and she followed and picked up all the foot prints right up to the basket. It was so cute!

Then she carried her Easter Basket with her everywhere she went.

She finally figured it out to put the basket on the landing first. It took a couple of times with her trying to climb up holding the basket handle and everything just getting in the way! It's amazine how these little ones figure things out so quickly.

More pictures tomorrow. Now home to nice cool weather. It was too hot there for me! Flying yesterday over some nasty weather. The plane ride was pretty bumpy.

Came home to a sick dog. Odda hasn't eaten for 3 days. Real lethargic, so called the vet and taking her in tomorrow. I fed her today with some drippings over the dog food, which she usually gobbles down, and she didn't, so she just isn't feeling good. They're going to test her for limes disease. I think she also may have some female problem thing going on too. Will let you know about the vet visit too. This weekend is our annual pig sale for show pigs, so busy getting my clerking stuff ready.

It was nice to go visit Renee and Jessica and Floyd, but it is nice also to get back home and back into a routine! We'll see them again in July when they come home for a week.

Have a great day!

One last snow storm????

2011-04-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

This is what we woke up to this morning April 16th, 2011. Five inches of wet, heavy snow.

I shoveled off the deck and Steve did the back steps, but we're leaving the rest to melt, because the skidsteer would just tear up the yard and driveway. Too soft. So melt damn snow, melt!

After shoveling I had to go to little town of Osage, 4.5 miles to mail something and restock up on more milk and bread for Steve while I'm gone. Got groceries in larger town the other day, but we tend to go through milk and bread pretty fast, and the prices don't vary so much on those items. The trees are decorated with heavy snow. Pretty. Here's more pictures of my ride home.

Looking west toward "Smokey Hills" and the clouds are still dark. More show? Hope not. Besides that the weather needs to shape up, so I can fly outta here tomorrow early!!!!

These trees are planted at the corners of the irrigated farm fields. Usually at dusk or early morning you have to be careful of the deer that come out to cross the road. But this is also at a 90 degree corner, so us drivers should be going slower and should miss the deer. It's been a long time since I've hit one with a car.

Two lonely chairs waiting for the sun to come out!

I did get the snow shoveled off the deck, but left it on the chairs. We'll see how long it lasts!

Good thing I had not put the shovel away yet.

Things should look better when I get home on the evening of the 27th. It's good that I will miss the mud again. I hate the muddy part of spring. Maybe things will have started to green up when I get home.

Then I'll be itching to get into the garden to clean that up and get started. So many of you bloggers are so much further ahead in your flower gardens than we are.

Hope the rest of your weekend is great!

I'm Otta Here on Sunday!

2011-04-15T18:58:00.000-05:00

Sunday I'm on my way to Louisiana to visit daughter Jessican, SIL Floyd and Renee! Whoopee!!!!
Floyd will be going back off shore next Wednesday am, the 20th, and Jessica will be goin to a conference for a couple of days to New Orleans. I will get to babysit Renee and have her all to myself! How lucky am I?
Just got off the video cam. Renee calls me Gama! cute! Steve is Gampa! Pretty good. The other grandma is called mama, but not said like mama, it's maMa. Stronger emphasis on the second ma. I still don't have all the nicknames, and terms figured out for everybody down there. Here we didn't use nicknames for everything, so it gets confusing. It's like I'm going to a different country! Well, not really, but things are done a lot differently in Louisiana. I guess that is why it is so unique there.
Here are some new pictures Jessica took:

love this one. um, wonder how I can make it bigger. Tried, but gets a little fuzzy. She must have taken it with her phone.

Renee last night after her bath. Jessica braided her hair and she sat there real good for her. I can't wait until I get there and can fuss with her hair. I used to braid Jess's hair real fancy. When Jessica was going to Kindergarten, she sat on her hair, and then we cut it for 1st grade and she wore it short for a few years.

But it was fun to fix my daughters hair when they were little.

This one must have been taken with her phone too.

We are getting that wet snow here. The ground is covered, and I suppose the roads are getting slippery. Haven't been anywhere to see, and think I'll stay home. Steve went to an auction today to get a header for his combine. He had to go about 200 miles, into North Dakota, up by the Canadian border by Cavalier North Dakota. Guess they were getting dumped on with a lot of snow!

Come on Spring! Quit fussin and just get nice out!

Try to have a good weekend everyone!

Spring Vet Check

2011-04-14T10:09:00.002-05:00

Waiting at the Vet office for their turn to see Dr. Gretchen! They don't look too happy do they?

However, they love coming here. Weighed the dogs; Odda weighs 85 lbs and Hooch 24 lbs. Had my hands full, so didn't get pictures of that, and then when they got their shots, I was sitting there and visiting, forgetting to take more pictures. I thought that Odda might weigh a little more, because she feels like it when she leans on you. She is a leaner! I have to work with her when she is sitting next to me so she doesn't move so close and start leaning on me. She just loves to be close enough to touch you!

Patty giving Odda hugs! Tail just a waggin! Hooch checking out the treats.

After they got their shots and Frontline Tick boxes and Heartguard boxes, and Hooch some stuff for daily treats that will help his arthritis.

When we left, I 'd also bought each dog a "Greenie" treat. I had grocery shopping to do and another stop, so they ate their treats and waited for me. Well, it wasn't long after we got home and Odda threw up her Greenie. I think this was the first Greenie I'd gotten for the dogs. Lesson learned, probably should have waited until we were home to give them this treat. We haven't done Greenies or raw hides because I've always have worried about too big of chunks being swallowed. So this morning I'm boiling up three big soup bones. If I give the bones and all the stuff still on the bones, they get sick too. Just too rich for them.

-cooling off the bones before giving to the dogs-

I could even save the drippings to pour a little over dog food if I really want to spoil them!

Bought a package of 3 soup bones at the grocery store. They have a freezer end full of big bones for people like me that use them for their dogs! My brother in law that works there, gets really big bones for his dogs. Of course, he gets first pick!!!! This works better cleaning their teeth than raw hide - the only thing I have to do later is pick them up before mowing. Odda tends to hide her bones - gone forever!!! She buries them somewhere. We watch her chew for a day on her bone, and then off she goes to hide it from Hooch! I only due this every couple of months, so it's not something they get real often.

I do give them a daily treat of a large dog biscuit. Odda chows hers down right away, and Hooch sits and looks at his awhile before eating.

Hooch has been shaking noticeably this spring, and when the doctor checked him out, we found out that he has arthritis in his spine and back hip and knee joints. She said his joints are hot - so he is hurting. I feel so bad for him. But it isn't slowing him down. He still runs all over and is real active, it's just that when he sits down you notice it and when he's with me up on the couch. So now we will be giving him Glucosamine soft chews daily. So he'll get his soft chew in the afternoon as a treat. This Glucosamine HCI has MSM and other vitamins etc in it. Of course when I came home and told Steve, he said he would have shared his Glucosamine pills with Hooch - (anything to save a buck!) A chew is a lot easier to have a pet take than a pill! Maybe when Steve runs out of his pills, he'll be able to eat a chew!!! hee! hee!

Daughter Leah and Steven's new Mustang (pony) that they got. Amanda and boyfriend are in back - this picture taken Sunday evening, but they drove over again last night. Yesterday was Steven's Birthday! Mid forties! - Wish I was there again! Such a cute car and what fun they'll have this summer!

Here the dogs are enjoying their treat!!!!

Yum!

So Good!

A nice bright (cool) day here. We are in line for more snow tomorrow! Yuk! Hope it doesn't happen.

Our neighbors to the West (Fargo, ND) and North of us are flooding badly. They need relief - not more snow!

Have a great day!

Farm tour!

2011-04-13T10:04:00.002-05:00

We had little neighbor visitors yesterday to see baby pigs and the new calf. Of course they also had to play with Hooch and Odda and have treats afterward.

Viv holding a little day old! Cute! Cute! Cute!

Marne had just given this little piggy a kiss! They all wanted to hold the littlest pig- so Steve was changing pigs so they could all hold one. After a little while the babies would wiggle and cry - they'd had enough of being held! The alleyway where we were all standing is kind of narrow, so I couldn't get a picture of all the

kids holding a baby.

Keeping warm under the heat lamp. These are a little older, born last week. The kids didn't hold these - they're too strong for them already. They're so inquisitive tho ~

So now you see why Steve wanted Red Angus cows and calves ~ have to match his red Duroc piggies!!!!

I checked out Lynda's question. She didn't know there were Red Angus, and in checking out the Red Angus Association and the history, I learned that the in the 1940's cattlement started selecting and breeding red, cropped from the best Angus herds in America. in 1954 the Red Angus Association was established. The black (B) is a dominant gene; the red (b) color is a recessive gene, and then you get into homozygous red (bb) and homozygous black (BB) and heterozygous black, red carrier (Bb) charting. Very interesting, but the short of it is: when you have a black red carrier cow that cow will produce red calves. If your red cow is bred by a red bull, you will have a red calf, even if any red parent had a black parent. Red Angus carry no diluter genes so there are no greys that result when crossbreeding with blacks. The chart I have been checking out, is very interesting.

Soon the new momma and calf will be put in the pen closer to our house, so we'll be able to watch the little one run and kick up her heels!!!

We don't intend to get into breeding and selling cattle - just want to have a few cows and raise our own beef. This way we know where our meat is coming from and know that they will be fed and cared for!

We already have been eating our own beef from last year, and the meat is so o o o good. Sure beats getting it from the store!

New Momma and Baby

2011-04-11T10:25:00.001-05:00

We have a new addition to the farm. A new momma Red Angus cow and a 3 week old heifer. Steve got them yesterday and brought them home to a muddy yard. It rained here all day and it was so nasty, that I stayed home when he went to get them, but had to get dressed up to go out and help unload and get them settled in. Took pictures this morning, and they are both dry and fine in their little pen. We'll leave them there a few more days before moving them. Momma is 3 years old and so calm. She isn't afraid of us or the dogs.

Momma was chewing on that hay - I tried chewing it, but this is MUCH better!

So cuddly and soft. Now to think of new names!

Last years calf and his momma. Call him "Curly"- he has really grown!

Now after the rain we had yesterday, things will green up fast. We didn't have our rain gauge up yet, so don't know how much rain we got. Sure was a nasty, cool, wet day! Glad the sun is out today.

The neighbors are coming over to see baby pigs today. Will get pictures later of them.

Have a great day!!!!!

Can't Find What is in Front of Their Noses!

2011-04-06T21:58:00.001-05:00

Two old farts, digging for and looking for a DVD. If they would have let Chance in there to look, I think he could have found the DVD. Some time ago (can't remember when), we'd borrowed a DVD from Gene and Connie. A Willie Nelson & Friends. I don't remember if it was a good DVD or not, but after a half hour or so of them pulling pictures and junk out of the storage area the guys finally gave up looking for the DVD. The next day, though I figured I better clean the mess up, and found the DVD right away. It wasn't in the storage area - it had been on top of the DVD player, but had slid off and was behind the DVD player!!!! But now you could ask for any movie you like, and if we have it, it would now be found in alphabetical order!!!!!! Would you believe that! Really, the cupboard was a mess. I removed all the candles, and pictures, picture frames, remotes and stuff that had been tossed in there and found new homes for them. Now the only things there behind closed doors are DVD's and VCR's! Look at the mess below! Now both shelves are all nice and orderly. Didn't take a picture of the after - probably should have. How do you like Gene's bald head? Steve's loosing more hair all the time. Maybe one of these days when I give him a hair cut/trim, I'll shave it all off like Gene's!

After they gave up looking for the DVD, we played a couple of games of Golf! Easy card game that we can sit a still do a lot of visiting and munching. I'm about ready for another night of cards!

Open House!

2011-04-02T17:39:00.000-05:00

This morning we went to the Lions Pancake Feed and Open House for the new Fire Hall and Community Center in our little town of Osage. They also had nurses and helpers to check your eyes, take your blood pressure and prick your finger to check your blood sugar. We did it all - and we checked out fine. My one eye tested a little high for pressure, but I have my checkup this next week, so will show the doctor what this result was. There also was a lady there giving you a 5 - 10 minute free reflexology treatment on your ears! Works wonderful. It hurt, but really did help my sore neck, and sinsuses. I think I'll make an appointment with her for the hour treatment for hand, feet and ears. My left ear really hurt when she was rubbing them. It almost felt like she was milking them, (don't know really how that feels, but it felt like she was pinching and pulling pretty good on them!!!) Oh can you imagine that sight! Milking of the ears! (dah - stupid humor!!!)
I don't think Steve sat there for that, but there was a line up; so she was pretty popular!

I then went outside to watch the firemen show off some of their equipment. They already had done a pretty good job of cutting up a car - demonstrating the the "Jaws of Life", and other saws, etc.

Here you see them trying to start a rotating saw.

The dashboard in this picture is in place. The drivers side area, the guys are putting in something that will work like a jack, and the next picture they will be using the "jaws" to expand the dashboard on the passenger side.

I am so thankful that these men and women volunteer their time to help all of us in this wonderful area that we live. Without their dedication to we wouldn't have the quick time response to fire calls or accidents in this area. Late nights they leave their families snuggled in bed to go fight grass fires that some people have carelessly set on purpose (we have a problem with that in this area), house fires, and to help assist law officers at vehicle accidents in the area. We have had some bad accidents in this area with loss of life and that is very hard for the Firemen and First Responders to deal with. Hubby Steve was part of the fire department for 23 years. He was with the group that started this Volunteer Department, and is now retired from it; and the group is still growing. Now there are two fire halls and a wider area to be of service for. A lot of time is given by this great group of men and women. Across the country there are a lot of volunteer fire departments - Thank you to all of the volunteers!

Today has been a great sunny warm day - no jacket today weather! But we are supposed to get rain tonight - possibly turning into snow! You'd think having several inches on April 1st would be the end. We'll see!!!!!!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Good Morning Saturday!

2011-03-26T10:07:00.001-05:00

A nice bright winter / spring day. Snow better start melting today, as we're all so tired of looking at this - -

From our driveway looking south. Everyone's car dragged in the middle; the plows finally plowed the road on Wednesday afternoon. Now there is dirt peeking through. Notice - there aren't even any snowmobile tracks in this snow! The snowmobilers are tired of winter too!!!!

This is what I've been working on this past week. A lap quilt for a special girl that is graduating from high school this spring. Pretty colors, huh? Hope she'll like it. Think I'll have someone machine quilt it. It's too big to do on my little machine, and I don't want to have a messy job. Sometimes I don't get even stitches.

Odda had an eye infection earlier this week, but now doing fine. Maybe allergies? She is now TWO years old. Our big baby!

Her coat is nice and shiney (except for the white area), and I can't wait to take her to the groomers for a bath. We'll wait until all the snow is gone, and things are greening up. We laugh at her because she walks around puddles, mud and the brown grassey areas. She finds her way walking on the snow - well soon that should all be gone. Hooch doesn't care where he walks. We have towels at each doorway to wipe them dry.

Amanda with Odda when we brought her home!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

I love Popcorn!

2011-03-24T17:20:00.000-05:00

Did you see the news release today about how BAD theater popcorn is for you? A large bucket of buttered popcorn is comparable to 3 McDonald's Dble cheeseburgers! About 1600 calories. Well, if you're trying to watch your calories and keep them around 1600 calories per day, - don't eat all day and then have popcorn and drink at the movie that evening!!!! dah! lol! For us, we haven't been to a theater to see a movie for at least a year. So for me, the next time I go, I'll still have some popcorn! All those calories won't be eaten by me, as we share a bucket. It just made me hungry for good ol buttered popcorn when I saw the news release. Spose the FDA will get into this too, and ruin a good thing!    Probably by the time we get to a theater again, there won't be any popcorn.

Popcorn has been a good money maker for theaters. Now we'll see more theaters going belly up! Do you think the theaters might still offer the buttered popcorn, and then for those people that don't want the good stuff, they could buy the plain popcorn?  What if  kids wouldn't be able to buy the good stuff ~ and all they could buy was the plain stuff?!?

What happened to being responsible for yourself and what you eat? How can we all blame someone else for being chubby!?!     Last time I checked, I was the one that put the food in my mouth!

Aiden was here!

2011-03-14T13:44:00.000-05:00

Our weekend company just left. Steve's brother Germ, wife and one of their grandson's Aiden were here. We had a great time visiting with them and playing games. Aiden loved the dogs. They have dogs in their home, so he wasn't afraid of big dogs pushing him over! Got pictures of him with Odda and Leah's new pup Kodi, but missed Hooch.

Odda trying to sit on Aidens LAP!

Don't look at the boxes and mess - lol! Saving up for rummage sales!!!! Can't wait until I can get rid of stuff!

Leah came over for lunch with Kodi. She is now 18 weeks old, and 36 pounds.

Aiden is 10 years old, and had not been up here to "the farm" for over a year - now said he'll be back again! I could have kept him. A great kid. He and I played checkers yesterday. Our 3 out of 5 games took awhile. He studied the board pretty good. We both made some silly mistakes, but I did win 2 out of 3 times. So we'll be playing that again, as he wants to beat me! Then he played 5Straight with us adults, and the card game Golf. When we were all talking adult stuff, he was then playing with his own computer game. Since I'm not working anymore, I have become so dumb about all the new computer games, and technology that is being used. Guess maybe I was dumb all along, as our kids were young before it all really started. They had to use their imaginations, and played hard outside. The first Mario games were just coming out when they turned into teenagers. Being out here on the farm, we were all so busy outside and the girls with their horses and 4-H animals, that we didn't have to worry about them becoming "bored". In fact, if ever that word was uttered here, they were given a job to do! So I just don't remember that being a problem. I know that all their friends loved to come out here, because there was always something to do.

Need to head into town to restock up on groceries. Have a great day. It is nice and sunny here. Trying to warm up, and I think this week we will be loosing some of our snow!

A Bad Day for Many!

2011-03-11T16:58:00.000-06:00

My heart goes out to the many, many people that were involved in the earthquakes in Japan and the Tsunami resulting from the earthquake. The news releases we are watching on tv are so terrible, that I can't even imagine how family members can find all their relatives. No power there, and it will be a long, long time before some of the utilites will be functioning again there.
I will gladly take snow storms, rain, and tornados any day! We can all plan for those types of storms. I think that if I knew I lived on an earthquake fault, I'd sure as h___ move!
We had three exhange girls from Japan stay with us; two in the 1980's and one in 1993. Hope they are all okey. I wish I could find out if they're all okey. Praying is all I can do right now.

Happy Mardis Gras!

2011-03-08T11:02:00.001-06:00

Go check out "Embellished Bayou" for the best explanation post of the meaning and history behind Mardis Gras! Even though I knew the meaning, she has written a very good post of the history and about the floats, etc.
Leave her a comment too!

Our daughter Jessica and hubby Floyd were at a great Mardis Gras gathering last night. I'd asked her to take pictures of the costume contest, but she wasn't sure she wanted to take her camera! Darn. Those costumes are so beautiful. Here is a sample of the contest, the year I was there.

There were a lot of other costumes too. They paraded around the dance floor and danced. Judges picked out winners for many different classes, and then they were in the parade the next day. I can't get over all the glitz and glammer of these big costumes. There was a Mr & Mrs and there was a long train that they pulled behind them. I wonder how much this all weighed? The weather has been so cold that the kids have not been to any parades this past weekend. Bet they'll go today if their weather is better.
Happy Mardis Gras everyone!

Auction season starting again!

2011-03-08T00:36:00.000-06:00

Due to cold, snowy winters, outdoor auctions take a break. This past weekend hubby Steve and I and Leah and Steven went to a local auction. The first for this season. The first Sunday of the month they have a consignment auction, and this was a very good one. There was one party that is moving out of this area to Arizona for health reasons, and they sold everything from their home. Lots of collectibles, guy stuff - from tractors, yard equipment, many tools and sporting things. Household furniture, glassware collections, etc. etc. Saturday morning Connie, Gene and Steve and I went out for the "senior" breakfast and then stopped at the auction site to see what some of the things were, and decided that we should go Sunday. Gene was sick on Sunday, so they didn't go, but we got there just as the auction was starting, and didn't go home until 6:30 pm!!!!! Here's what I got:

A Royal Copley bird planter. Really cute isn't he?

This McCoy planter with a Scottie and kitty.

The white 3 leg planter is also a McCoy.

Two tea cups and saucers that I will be making unto pin cushions.

Two wool blankets, one that I gave to Leah. They are really nice and soft.

Also got a track light fixture (just like the one I have in my sewing room now) that will work if I move my sewing to a basement room. I'll need more lighting there if I do move downstairs.

Hubby got a drill press and some tools. Funny how things happen. We'd gone to a larger town last week to Menards because he'd planned to buy a new drill press for about $200.00, but they were sold out. So maybe this $25.00 auction drill press (an older Delta bench drill press) was meant to happen. Steve says it works wonderful, so guess he can use this until it poops out, saving himself some money! SIL, Steven got some equipment for his yard tractor and tools too. I can't seem to remember what else Leah got. My brain is slow at this time of night!

There were some more things I would have liked, but I just don't buy what I can't use. No room to keep extra "stuff", and I keep having rummage sales, or donate to get rid of overload. The glassware and collectibles really went cheap. There was a couple there that has a second hand store, and they were buying a lot. I'm sure they'll mark it up good for their store!

We're suppose to get some MORE snow tomorrow! Do you think we'll ever have spring?!?!?!

Have a great Tuesday. Keep smiling!

Bow Tie!

2011-03-02T21:21:00.001-06:00

A bow tie (or four)! The middle looks like it's folded. Had seen it done, and had to try it to see if I could do it. Kind of cute. I'm trying to decide what I want to make. Like make four more of these, and connect to make a table topper, or should I go bigger and make a quilt. If I do decide to make a quilt, I'll have to get more of the light material. Have about 3 yards (more than plenty) of the dark material. But then again, if I want more color, maybe I should use more scraps and make the bows all different colors. That would be cute too. I'll post again when I've got something more going.

Have a great evening!

Got two done!

2011-02-25T15:20:00.003-06:00

This past week hubby and I made a couple of Ottomans. Got the great idea from a tutorial that Marty did awhile ago over at "A Stroll Thru Life". We needed one to use with our new sofa. I'll be getting a matching chair, but won't pay $399.00 for the ottoman that goes with it. Besides that, our living room is too small for both a bigger chair and big ottoman! Our living room is only 11' x 16', so is rather narrow!

We made two ottomans, a smaller one we'll keep, and a larger one for Leah for her birthday. Also made her some tapistry pillows, (she took them home already!). The smaller one is 14"x18" and the other one is 22"x22". In our small living room, the small one is just fine. Leah has a lot of open space in her living room to use the big one.

Sewed a piping that goes between the box and the top cushion.

After I got done, (forgot to take pictures of when I was putting the batting and foam all on!) I stapled on the bottom black material, and poked a pencil into the hole Steve had earlier drilled for the feet. Before putting the feet on, I dribbled a little seam sealent on the material at the hole, so the material wouldn't fray more. Here Steve is screwing in the feet he made and stained. Then he screwed on gliders that covered the bolt to make it easy for moving on carpet, etc.

I found these little feet at the upholstry place in Fargo, but they didn't have bigger diameter ones that I wanted for the bigger ottoman. I'm lucky to have a handy hubby to make them. His turned out so good, that he now has the job of making more!

My ottomans are a little different than the one Marty did her tutorial on. I made a top with a fitted seam instead of folding at the corners. With solid colored material, I couldn't get the fold to look good, and with the faux suade the thickness became a problem. So I used a seam at the top, and top stitched it. The only folds are where I turned the material under the board at the corners, then stapled it all around. I had some trouble with the folds on the larger one; and redid it several times! It still puckered a little, but with use , ha ha! and in the dark, no one will notice!

In daylight, the color seems brighter red. Of course, each brush of the hand, or blanket, makes it lighter or darker. A suede characteristic.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Happy Birthday Leah!

2011-02-21T18:41:00.000-06:00

Today is the birthday of our eldest daughter! Wow! Happy Birthday Honey! Hope you're home soon from your snowmobiling weekend. Dug through some pictures and here are a couple I found. What a cutie!

You at 2 years old, with Grandma Helga's dog Baber in your new buggy! He was very patient and let you dress her up so cute!!!

Then your 7th Birthday in 1974 when Grandma Helga made you a Raggedy Ann & Andy. I know you blogged about them not too long ago.

(((having trouble getting pictures to come forward!!!)))

We always played games when we got together for birthdays and other events. I'm not sure what game Grandpa Nilson was showing us!

I hope to finish your birthday present tonight. Will get together for B cake yet this week. I know you're tired after your long ride home! Happy Birthday and love you lots, mom

Pup sitting!

2011-02-19T10:36:00.001-06:00

Daughter, Leah and Steve, along with his brother Bill are snowmobiling this weekend out at Deadwood, South Dakota in the Black Hills! While they are there having fun, we got to puppy sit while Amanda was in school on Thursday and Friday. I went over to their place (about 3 miles from us) to let the three dogs out for awhile and then brought new puppy over to our house to play with our dogs and us for a couple of hours in the afternoon. She is growing so fast and is already bigger than Hooch. I got a few pictures, but not the best, as she was real busy and didn't sit still for me!!!!

She is so friendly and calm. Hooch and Odda like her. She and Hooch play "bitie face" for awhile, and then she went to play with Odda's tail! She got a hold of her big fluffy tail and just shook it. The look on Odda's face was so funny. She then pulled her self and tail away from the pup "Kodi" and laid down. It was pretty funny.

Her cute face, so dark you can't see her eyes unless you are really close to her! She loves the snow!

Take you time snowmobiling Leah - dogs are fine!!!!!!! I've called and talked to Amanda several times. She is fine also!

Wishing everyone a great weekend. We're suppose to get about 5 inches of snow today, and further south in MN it is forcast over a foot of new snow!!!! What's happened to our few days of spring!?!?

A Valentine Card!

2011-02-12T16:53:00.000-06:00

We got our first card for this Valentine season!

Isn't she just the cutest pup! Leah, Steve and Amanda got a new puppy yesterday. Leah is our oldest daughter, blog site: livingitupcountry.blogspot.com, and they had several pets and horses. They lost a beloved pet Rudy, and this little girl just happened to become available, so a new member to their family, and of course, they visited this morning to meet Odda and Hooch.

Pretty soon, she'll be larger than Odda! She is so soft and cuddly. A different kind of hair than Odda. Of course, she has her puppy coat, so I wonder what it will be like when she gets bigger. She liked our dogs, so I'm sure we'll be visiting often!

I'm busy getting food and stuff ready for our card party. Will post some pictures tomorrow.
Have a great evening. Our day has been wonderful here temperature wise. It's in the high 30's!!!!! whoopee!!!

Your Cereal Is Better Than Mine!

2011-02-09T20:38:00.001-06:00

I got up and walked into the kitchen to see this!

Odda thought that Steve's cereal was better than the dog food she was suppose to eat. Steve had gotten up to get his toast buttered, and Odda must have put her paw or mouth by the bowl, because she tipped it and milk and cereal spilled all over. She had a great time licking milk up from the floor. Neither one of us saw it happen. Opps! I let her help clean it up a little before I dug in and cleaned the mess up! Another good reason to wash the floor!

Had bell practice tonight at the Catholic church. They are short on players because so many of their players are on vacations South, so I've been a substitute player there on Wednesday evenings, as well as playing for my church on Tuesdays. We play bells on the third Sunday at our church, (Methodist) and I'll be playing for the Catholic church again this month on the fourth Sunday. It's fun to play different bells, and have the challenge of different music. I've been moving around the treble and bass clef music and that's a good challenge. Just to remember which bells I'm playing sometimes can be a challenge! If you've never heard a bell choir, you're missing out. The music is beautiful.

Also have been busy making a couple of things for prizes for our Whist card party we're having this Saturday evening. A Valentine party! It's been so long since we've played whist, that we've had to practice! It should be a good time. I've invited 5 other couples, so we'll have 3 tables going. It will be tight squeeze for our house, but that'll make it more fun also. Will have 2 tables in the kitchen, and 1 in the living room. I have to take out one lazyboy rocker to make room. But we'll all be within talking distance, so no one will be off in another room somewhere. I'm going to have a female and male prizes for winners, and losers. I suppose I should decorate a little for Valentines too! Don't have that done yet.

Oh, already mid week - it's getting closer to spring!!!!!!!

February - The Month of Love!

2011-02-01T16:25:00.001-06:00

I remember getting ready for Valentine's Day as a child. So fun to make a Valentine box out of an old shoe box. Sometimes a Kleenex box. We'd use red and white crepe paper - construction paper. I wish I had one of my boxes now. But can't save everything! Every kid had a Valentine box, and we made or used store bought cards like I have in my header picture. We'd take our box and cards to school and the box would go up in the front of the class room. We'd take turns putting all our cards into a box for each and every child. We didn't just give to our special friends.
In cleaning (boy the things I've found!) I brought out an old paper sack to the kitchen table and Far Side and Gene, and hubby and I looked through all the old cards and post cards that was inside. There were these Valentine cards. I think these may have been from the 50' or 60's. There is one little "puppy" valentine (actually there are 3 of those cards, that I'm going to be sending to Granddaughter Renee.

Click to enlarge picture. The wording on the mail boy card is cute!

I think these cards are so cute. When I tried to find a card the other day in the drug store, I had a terrible time picking one out. Got so frustrated, that I decided I was going to use some of these cards. Might as well, they just sitting in the brown sack and would probably be thrown out some day later when someone else would have to go through things!

Hope you're all warm and snuggly inside. Sounds like that snow storm is hitting a lot of my blogging friends!

We're having a chilly, but very sunny day. No new snow here. Minneapolis/St.Paul is 4 hours south of us, and they got about 4 inches. Our snow settled a little after last week when we were in the mid-30's for a couple of days.

Keep warm, Jo

Naughty or Talented!

2011-01-29T13:41:00.000-06:00

Good girl. Pictures were taken out of our kitchen window, so they may be a little fussy. Odda is laying there nicely, but a few minutes later I looked out again and this is what I found!

Laying nicely INSIDE the garage! We've had trouble with her using her paws to open the lever door knobs on the garage, but only once caught her in the act, and I didn't have my camera then. She has been scolded and scolded, but what can you say! We will be replacing the lever knobs with regular round knobs. Then we'll really see how talented she is!!!!!

Oh, you're not mad at me, are you?

We have locked the door, and watched her try the lever with her paw, and when that didn't work, she used her mouth. It was so funny to watch. I didn't have my camera handy then either. She seems to hear us when we're at the window, so we have to be really quiet!

We have been busy fixing up an old wagon so that she will be able to pull it. I need to get some pictures. Steve had started working on the wagon when I told him about her not having any trouble with the harness. I've worked several days with her in a harness, and dragging heavy rope behind her. I thought she might get skidish with the dragging rope - she turned to look at it a few times, but she readlly didn't have trouble with it, and listened well. She is ready for this new adventure of pulling a wagon. We are rigging up our garden wagon that has four fat tires on it, but will still beable to use it as a garden wagon later. More pictures later on that project.

A cooler Saturday here. I think our little January thaw is over and it's starting to cool down again. It did help to settle the snow some. How you all have a great weekend. jo

An Old Scottie!

2011-01-26T14:47:00.000-06:00

Still cleaning and game across one of my most favorite toys when I was little. Our dad made my sister and I each one, and it is one of the toys I've kept. Our three girls played with him and some of his face pieces had been lost. This was many years after my father had passed away, so my boss John W. made some replacement pieces for me. He had bought my dad's table saw and some of his other wood working tools, so he was more than glad to make a few pieces.

Dad made and painted the face pieces on each side, so that each piece has two different images. They all fit inside "Scottie"! Dad painted our initals on the bottom - probably so we wouldn't fight over them! Heaven forbid we would mix up the things!

His little tail is the handle to open and close the storage area! Just the right size for little hands.

Lift out the bigger mouth pieces (there are 3) and you have all the eyes and ear pieces.

I love the dappled wiskers on the mouth pieces! Or the round rosie cheeks!

I spose we got these in the early 50's, as I was born in 1947 and G was born in 1949. I wonder what it cost to make! Certainly not a lot, but love and time into making them!

Dad was a great craftsman and made us girls a whole back yard play ground. Had years of neighborhood fun in our back yard! He also refinished the interior of our house. It was a slow process, as I remember we always had some part of the house a mess in construction or in a remodeling mode.

Nothing like treasuring old toys. I can't wait until the next time Renee comes home. We'll have to get Scottie out again for her little hands to play with. Some day, Scottie will be played with by great grandchildren too.

A nice day here in northern MN. A balmy 32 above zero!!!!!!!!!! Think I better get my walk done before I go to bell practice. Have a great one! Jo

c o l d enough for you!

2011-01-21T02:04:00.000-06:00

Just on my way to bed and checked the temp for outside. Can hardly believe it.
It is -36 degrees below F. Way to cold. Let Hooch outside to relieve himself.
Think his pee froze in mid air! Poor dog, and he wanted to run around. I stayed by the door and called him in right away. No way was I going to have a dog shaking cold all night long. I know he wanted to run around a little, but he would have just gotten too chilled.
Why is it always colder when we have full moons? The sky is clear, but it is suppose to cloud up - that means the temps will warm up a little. Today we had some wind, so the wind chill was really cold.
I took some great pictures today, but need to make a disk of the card in camera, because when I went to download; instead of downloading just the new pictures of today, it wanted to download all 538 pictures AGAIN! dah! Think is just too cold for anything to work right. Think I'll go to bed and just forget about pictures!

Give A Hug

2011-01-19T13:24:00.001-06:00

Give A Hug

It's wondrous what a hug can do.

A hug can cheer you when you're blue.

A hug can say, "I love you so""

Or "Gee! I hate to see you go."

A hug is "Welcome back again!" and

"Great to see you!" or "Where've you been?"

A hug can soothe a small child's pain

And bring a rainbow after rain.

The hug! There's just no doubt about it.

A hug delights and warms and charms,

It must be why God gave us arms.

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,

Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers.

Chances are some favorite aunts,

Love them more than potted plants.

Kittens crave them, puppies love them

Heads of state are not above them.

A hug can break the language barrier

And make the dullest day seem merrier.

No need to fret about the store of 'em,

The more you give the more there are of 'em.

So stretch those arms without delay and

Give someone a hug today!

Anonymous

Have a great day & Hugs to You,
JoLynn