Thursday, February 13, 2025

Cloth Sloth

 Jen has been working on a cloth Sloth. 


It will eventually end up on a canvas and go over to flippin happy home decor and more

It is very very cold here.  We ventured out for a quick trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday when it was just 2F or -16C.  I needed a skein of yarn to finish a project! 

I laid down in between loads of laundry and watched Peanut Butter Falcon on Netflix.  It  was a good movie I give it a 8 out of 10. 

We made lasagna for supper.  
Far Side


Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Sugar Coma

We did not watch the Super Bowl game...just not football fans.  Andy and Jen were invited out, one of their friends loves football and she puts on a party.  Andy and Jen brought home cupcakes, candy and fruit pizza. 

The treat cups were filled with M & M s and then the candy bars etc were taped to straws with curly ribbon. 

There is now enough candy in the house to put everyone into a Sugar Coma...might not be such a bad idea as it is really cold outside...we could sleep off the cold spell. 

Yesterday I ventured out to the grocery store and the $1.25 store.  Far Guy stayed home. The wind chill was freeze your snot in place awful.  
Far Side


Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Cold

 It might be cold but at least its windy.  


I snagged this photo from facebook.  Just thought I would share. 

I finished the Coodie for Jen yesterday...they still walk Sadie on days when it is above zero. 


Here I am taking a selfie with Jen's Coodie.  So that project is done!

We went as far as the Post Office yesterday to mail the tax forms back to our accountant...so cross that off of our list too! 

It has been one week since the steroid injection into my back.  I still have pain and a horrid numbness...I have to be real careful how I walk...as I cannot feel the outer portion of my left leg and foot...all my toes are numb except for my big toe.  I am hopeful that this next week will make a difference in the pain. 

Far Side

Monday, February 10, 2025

Valentine Boxes

 When I was a kid we usually got a shoe box or a paper bag to decorate to collect Valentines from classmates at school.  What fun it was to read all those Valentines!


This week in the craft room Valentine boxes were made.  Paper, boxes and feathers. 


A flamingo and a pikachu for Cee Cee and Hey Mikey. 

Valentine boxes have come a long way:)

Far Side


Sunday, February 9, 2025

Visit

 Had a quick visit with my other baby brother,  she who sees robins first, Katie, Aubrey, Brooke and Olivia.  They were in town for a basketball game, she who sees robins first had a bit of a cold so we met at  Cabelas by the fish tank where there was a bench.  Good to see everyone and wave at my sister in law! 

They all would have stayed with us but they did not want to chance getting Far Guy sick. 

I ran across this photo the other day.

My other baby brother, cousin Kevin and our Paternal Grandfather (Grandpa Sam)
I believe the photo was taken in the summer of 1961 as my other baby brother was born in October of 1960. 

My Grandpa Sam liked to visit, he would often show up at our home unannounced.   In this photo he is dressed for a weekday or a Saturday; long underwear, shirt, bib overalls, coat and his everyday hat.  The pink peppermints that he shared with children would have been in one pocket wrapped in a white handkerchief.  He wore long underwear year round to keep the heat in or out.  His Sunday clothing was different than everyday, on Sunday he wore dark pants and a white shirt and tie....he also saved his hearing aid batteries for use on Sunday so he could hear the sermon in Finn.  He chewed tobacco and could spit a long ways...which used to irritate his many daughter in laws and his two daughters.   Grandpa Sam was widowed when he was 63 years old ( Grandma Hilda was 64 years old when she died) ...he visited many different widows over his lonely years and finally married a nice lady who we called Grandma Annie, who he outlived by 10 years.  Grandpa Sam died when he was five days short of his 88th birthday back in 1978.  

I got to thinking about my Dad's brothers and sisters...how old were they when they died?
Wilbert 77, Hugo 73, Jalmer 42, Ervin 59, Oscar 56, Arthur 23, Adolf 76, George 74, Einard 6 months, My Dad Jake 96, Marie 82, Andrew 67, Arnold 59 and Anna 85.  They mostly died from cancer or heart attacks.

Far Side


Saturday, February 8, 2025

Sorting

 I am sorting through photos on my computer.  Making copies of photos to put in the Grands albums.  It is a good way to go through my files and delete photos not good enough to keep and duplicates. 

It is a quiet activity that keeps me out of trouble....mostly.


Then I run onto photos that make me smile and think of Spring! 

Far Side

Friday, February 7, 2025

Owl Puzzle

 I came across a beautiful little puzzle that was a gift from Nancy last year, I had tucked it away for a special day. 


It is a wooden puzzle with very vibrant colors.


The back is very interesting too!  Note the bird shapes. 

Thanks Nancy it was a fun puzzle!  Nancy lives in Wyoming, she is a marvelous knitter and makes Quilts of Valor for Veterans, I have enjoyed her blog for a good long time!

We got some snow yesterday and it blew around.  Far Guy got his usual Thursday Infusion it was a one stick day...so that was good!

Far Side

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Quiet Day

 I had a quiet day, I slept late, did some laundry and cleaned the bathroom.  Far Guy and Jen ran errands.  For supper I had vegetable beef soup and Far Guy and Jen had Thai Chicken and Zucchini. 

My pain might be a little less at times...I am hopeful.

About supper time it began to snow.  We are supposed to get a few inches and then it will blow around. 


 The dirty snow is all covered up!  

Far Side

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Puzzling

My latest puzzle was only 300 pieces and the pieces were larger.


 However it made me feel like Spring!  

I did not like how my one crochet project was going so I frogged it (ripped it apart) and began again. 

Yesterday I made it to the grocery store, gas station, car wash and made supper (Philly Cheese Burgers, Steak Fries and Coleslaw)...the menfolk all passed on the coleslaw but they did eat carrot sticks. 

My pain is still there...it might be a little bit better...I am hopeful that I will see an improvement soon.

Far Side 




Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Dirt

 I cannot even call it snirt (snow mixed with dirt)...it is just dirt.

It was all over the windshield of the car....and in the distance.


Yesterday Far Guy accompanied me to Fargo to get the injections in my back...it was a pleasant young Doctor ...I have Grands older than him! 

Anyways 3 or 4 days or a week or two will tell if it helps my pain.  So far it is the same or worse.  I will keep hoping for an improvement.  

Far Side

Monday, February 3, 2025

Cee Cee's Coodie

 I took a few rows out of Cee Cee's coodie and now it fits much better!  She likes the sparkly yarn.


Almost a perfect fit.  No chance of the North Dakota wind sneaking in around her neck!  

Now I can focus on my other crochet projects!

The Gluten Free Sour Dough starter was used to make a loaf of flat as a pancake bread.   I am not hopeful for a great taste... the rest of the starter is in the fridge where I have to feed it once every 3 to 7 days. 



We had a quiet Sunday, the weather is changing and my entire body is protesting. 

Monday I am scheduled for injections in my back...we will see if that make a difference. 

Far Side


Sunday, February 2, 2025

Coodie for Peach

Our youngest Great Granddaughter Peach was here all day on Saturday.  Her family went to the Monster Truck Show.  She enjoyed her day here having a bath with lots of splash time and after a good lunch a long nap.

In between times I was able to cobble together a coodie for her.  Nice to have her here to try it on during the process!


It is not perfect but it does the job.

She is getting more teeth and really likes having her finger in her mouth. 

She is awfully cute! 

Far Side


Saturday, February 1, 2025

Maddie is a baker

 Maddie conquered the sour dough bread!  She named her sour dough starter Clint Yeastwood :)

Grandpa got the first loaf! 


It turned out great and was very tasty!


You can see my gluten free starter in the background...I mixed up my dough...it might make a pancake or a crepe...it is resting and then goes in the fridge overnight.  It may never be bread. Time will tell.

Maddie was very excited that she actually did it!  She is a sour dough baker now!!  

Far Side

Friday, January 31, 2025

Foggy but warm

 It was 37F yesterday or 3C...warm for Winter but foggy.  Jen and Andy have the cleanest driveway on the block...anytime there is a bit of snow Andy takes care of it.


See the dirty snow? 

Not exactly a Winter Wonderland.  But the streets are good...as in not icy:)

Far Guy had a four stick two nurse IV for his infusion...the next try would have been the third nurse.  He feels kinda cruddy....not sick...just off. 

The last day of January...finally!

Far Side


Thursday, January 30, 2025

Missing

 Jen has been on vacation all week and will return home today.  She has been in Arizona. 

Someone is missing someone.

I have made meals for the menfolk.  Last night was spaghetti.  

I do not cook on Thursdays...it is every man or woman for themselves. (there are left overs in the fridge)

The house is quieter with the glue that hold us together on vacation.

The jury is out on the Gluten Free Sourdough Starter.

Far Side


Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Greetings

 Hello...hi...howareya?  

This last week in January is dragging by, it seems like it has been a six week month. 

Appointments this week have been changed...some delayed until next week...others scheduled a month or two out.  Far Guy still has his usual Thursday Infusion appointment. 

And so it goes...laundry, naps, cooking, crocheting, petting Sadie...repeat. 

The weather is delightful...Sadie loved rolling around in the snow after her day at Doggie Daycare. She gave us a half hearted greeting when she came home today...she was hungry...all that playing with her Tuesday friends makes her hungry and tired!

 Snow is melting fast what is left of it after a record breaking day...it was 41F or 5C here today which breaks the previous record of 39F. 

Far Guy and I made pork chops with wild rice for supper ...one of those easy meals put in the oven in a roasting pan.  The menfolk really enjoyed the meal.  (Uncle Ben's wild and white rice, add a can of Cream of Chicken soup and a can and a half of water stir it up...submerge the pork chops and bake at 350 for 90 minutes...easy peasy) I have an oblong blue and white speckled roasting pan!

I am watching Night Agent on Netflix...the second season came out recently. 

From the shop:  Flippin' happy home decor and more

Far Side

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Stirring and starting

 I started some Gluten Free Sourdough Starter.  I am looking up recipes to try with the discard part of the starter.  It is all an experiment.  Maddie had a flop with her regular sourdough starter...she may have used it too soon.  Who really knows for sure?

Far Guy and I are making chicken in its own gravy on a bed of rice that is if the automatic rice cooker works... I can alway cook the rice the old fashioned way. (The old fashioned way worked...the rice cooker did not)

I did the grocery shopping on Monday and found a larger container for the starter...the pickle jar I was using was not conducive to a good stir. 

It has warmed up considerably the high yesterday was  36F  or 3C that is 50 to 60 degrees warmer than last week!

Far Side


Monday, January 27, 2025

Just a tad big

 I finished the pink coodie.  


Maddie stopped by so I sent it with her for a trial run.  I can make it smaller.  From the photos I know what I need to do to make it fit better. 

I asked her to try it on Peach.

Way too big for Peach! 

We also visited with our Grandson Noah on Sunday! 

Supper was pizza...our usual Sunday supper. 

Far Side


Sunday, January 26, 2025

Tail Waggin ' Good

 Sadie got a package. 


A Bark Box!


She was so excited that she jumped up on the bench where Jen had her treats all lined up. 

There were four different toys...and she loves them all.

She was one happy tail waggin' dog. 

Sadie continues to check on us and keep us entertained throughout the day.  She went to the Vet for her annual shots, she weighs 65 pounds. 

Far Side


Saturday, January 25, 2025

Yarn etc...

 Well I have another finish. The brown coodie is done!


Jen tried it on so I could see how it fit!  The original pattern was not quite what I wanted so I improvised.  I think it will keep someone warm!  Now that I know what I am doing I will re write the pattern for my own use.  In the original pattern the nose part was too short and left a gap at the neck...so I added to the pattern to make it work like I wanted it to!   Jen would like one in black...but I will do a very dark charcoal grey and maybe that one will work for her. 

I have a good start on the pink project for Cee Cee.  The pale green is a special project for someone special.  The big ball of variegated yarn is a two strand project that is in my brain and may come out on my hook one day soon.  In that colorful bag at the back is a shawl that is almost done...and yes I started another puzzle. 

My other baby brother send me a "how cold is it?" photo. 
He has a propane heater in his garage and the moisture from the exhaust froze in place. 

Far Side

Friday, January 24, 2025

Yarn Projects

 Remember this yarn?


Here is one project finished.

A finished coodie (hooded cowl)...the smile tells the story...Great Granddaughter Cee Cee loves it...but would like another one in pink.  

Since I had time during Far Guy's Infusion appointment...I went to Hobby Lobby.  Yarn was on sale and I am a yarn hoarder.  I stayed true to form and picked out some pink yarn.  Then I thought about other yarn I could possibly use..and a number of projects came to mind.  Who knew I could just look at yarn and dream up projects!

So the yarn stash grows...

The brown yarn project needed a bit of tweaking...that will be done real soon.  As with any new pattern it is trial and error to make it fit properly!  Yarn, gauge, hook size...sometimes it is all a puzzle.  I try to take notes as I go.  Then sometimes I forget. 

It warmed up!  Not quite bikini weather.

Far Side


Thursday, January 23, 2025

Dreaming of flowers

 Well... flowers and warmer weather for sure!  

I started a new puzzle, worked on my crochet projects...one is out for a trial by a little girl and the other needs a bit of an adjustment...so I will work on that.  

One of Jen's small stone creations. 

Far Guy gets to visit the NEW hospital today for his infusion.  He has heard from the nurses that the infusion rooms are all individual with private bathrooms and big screen tv's...parking is already a nightmare over there.  Good thing I just drop him off and pick him up. 

Still cold...our high yesterday was 10F or -12C   our low was -13F or -25C  with a real feel of -30 most of the day yesterday.  We might bust out of the deep freeze on Friday..maybe.

How cold is it?  Squirrels are throwing themselves at the electric fence to warm up:)

Far Side

 

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Still chilly

 We came out of the deep freeze to grey dirty snow.  You wouldn't even want to make a snowman. 

Far Guy had three appointments yesterday...all is well as can be expected.  He saw a Cardiologist and a Pulmonologist.  We went  out for lupper at our favorite Mexican place here in East Grand Forks.  Far Guy likes their tacos and I like the loaded nachos. 

We stayed out of the extremely cold weather for four days, ventured out for an afternoon on Tuesday and back in for Wednesday's sub zero temperatures. 

How cold was it?  Chickens would have lined up at the oven to bake:)

Far Side





Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Creating Fun Stuff

Jen had a couple of projects happening.  These are wall decorations.


Far Guy helped Jen by dipping the individual pieces of wood in food coloring.  I love the way it turned out...so vibrant!


This is one I helped paint, in this photo you can see how the wood pieces stick out at different levels. 

Jen took both pieces plus a few other creations over to the shop in Grand Forks. 

Fun Stuff! 

Still very cold here.  

Far Side

Monday, January 20, 2025

Quiet Sunday

 It was bitterly cold outside.  We have extreme windchills forecast through Tuesday afternoon.  We are staying indoors until Tuesday afternoon when we have to venture out for Far Guy's medical appointments...he has three on Tuesday afternoon, all in town thankfully. 

We finished a puzzle and Far Guy did some woodcarving and some painting.
He has some Purple Coneflowers in progress. 

Hope everyone stays warm during the cold spell. 

Far Side


Sunday, January 19, 2025

Cold and Cards

I picked a project and completed it!! Yeah me! 

We always put cash in cute cards for Christmas, last year I made my own cards and envelopes from card stock...this year I just decorated the front of the blank cards that I purchased...and the envelopes came with the cards...sweet... I am all set for Christmas 2025!   I can cross this project off my list!  In fact I can cross it off the next years list also as I made two years worth of cards!!

I wrote some notecards to people that I had been thinking about...they are ready to mail. 

Twas a cold day...the real feel temperature was -30 F the whole day.  Only Sadie ventured outdoors. 
Jen taught us a new card game called "Trash" it is a new fun game!

Far Side


Saturday, January 18, 2025

Windy Day

 It was very windy all day yesterday (Friday) not sure what the windchill was but winds were gusting around 50 mph...the snow is all a grey color now...some of the finest soil in North Dakota was airborne.  We are in the deep freeze now for a few days. 

Even Sadie wanted to stay in... the wind scared her.  Jen went out with her so Sadie could do her business. 

Three of six crochet projects...and a puzzle.  I wonder which one will be finished first. 

Supper was "What is in the fridge"  in my case that was peas and scalloped potatoes. 

Evening activities are...a hockey game on TV, petting Sadie, crocheting, maybe some Deal or No Deal Island, petting Sadie. 

FYI when I play tug with Sadie I should not sit in a computer chair on rollers...
Far Side


Friday, January 17, 2025

Nothing new

Not much new here.

I ran an errand for Far Guy...he needed some stuff... the store he sent me to had yarn for sale...more yarn may have been purchased for yet another project.  I am not doing very good on my word for the year ...focus.

Colorful artwork at the shop in Grand Forks.

flippin' happy home decor and more

We have one more day (Friday) of decent weather then our neighbors to the North are opening the deep freeze again:)   We have nothing planned for the weekend other than staying inside where it is warm! 

Far Side

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Nice Day!

 We had a great day, it was 39 F or 4 C eh...got gas in the car ($2.59 a gallon...$2.47 with my coupon)and got it washed.  Ran some errands and made some scalloped potatoes for supper, Andy put a ham in the smoker...it was a really good meal. No one joined me in eating vegetables...Far Guy ate two peas...go figure I am the only one who like peas in this house.  I will have peas for lunch:)


Last week I bought this box to hold scrubbies and the small pouches I crochet. 

They fit perfectly!  The box is good sized and full so I am all caught up with those projects for now. 

Far Side


Wednesday, January 15, 2025

All smiles!

 "The Greats" were here over the weekend.  Growing like weeds and full of laughter and smiles intermixed with a few squeals by Peach...she knows how to get attention! 



All three loving a blanket ride.


Sadie checking to make sure everyone is okay...secretly I think she wanted a turn too:)

We have been in the deep freeze. Today should be better...45 degrees warmer than yesterday.  I am going to fill the car with gas and get a car wash! 

Four medical appointments crossed off the list yesterday...one more later this week.  

Far Side


Tuesday, January 14, 2025

I won!

 Sara over at Punkin's Patch had a drawing and I was the winner!!  Yeah me!


Fun stuff...a project bag, a note pad and her Lamb Camp ...the bottle lambs booklet!  The lamb camp booklet is a treasure in itself! 

 Head on over to Sara's blog...she is better known as the crazysheeplady. Over there you will find great photos about her flock of sheep...she does the hard stuff...raises bottle lambs that are rejected by their mothers...and takes in/rescues sheep that need a home and special care from Sara.  She washes, cards, spins and knits the wool from her sheep. I have been reading Sara's blog for many years...following the ups and downs of her life on Equinox Farm (falling in love with all her critters). Her blog is a treasure!  I am a winner just reading her blog however I do appreciate the gifts!!  Thanks Sara!

Far Side