Tomato Update

 The tomatoes are surviving! 

The Patio tomato.

The Yellow Pear and the Cherry tomatoes in the sheep tank.  The old dog kennel works great to keep the deer out!

Far Guy will put some tomato cages up and wires for support soon before they get too tall.

They are standing nice and tall and not flopped over anymore:)

Thursday we had a nice visit and supper with Jen, Maddie, Benton, Hey Mikey, Cee Cee, Peach and Sadie.  We had pizza and breadsticks...those kids all like Ranch with their pizza. 

Minnesota weather High : 81 F or 28 C  Low 56 C or 14 C eh.

Far Guy had his infusion on Friday this week.  I picked up groceries and went to the bank. I finally made it through round one of lawn mowing. We are supposed to get heavy wildfire smoke this weekend.  Supper was Chicken Salad sandwiches and raspberries.  Clean up was easy! 

Far Side

Gone to a dog

 We went to see this dog.

Isn't she a beauty?

I think she missed me:)

She retrieved my house crocs from under the desk in the computer room. 

Far Side

Time to plant

 Finally the weather outlook is good as it may not freeze anymore. 

I am done rotating the seedlings in the kitchen window and saving them when the sun was too warm and blowing on them to simulate wind they will encounter when planted out doors.  

We have one patio tomato, one yellow pear and one cherry tomato.   The yellow pear and the cherry were planted out in the sheep tank and the patio tomato in a container out on the patio.  The seedlings were all very sad after planting...I sunk them really deep into their new soil ( lower leaves can be stripped off...each little hair on the stem will become a root)  I will take photos after they recover from their transplant shock!

Cross that project off our list. 

Wednesday was a quiet day with a long nap for me. 

Minnesota weather;  High 68 F or 20 C  Low 48 F or 9C eh.

We had over easy eggs for lunch and spaghetti for supper. 

Far Side

A view

 The places I mow sometimes have a view...mostly I mow in places surrounded by trees and not much of a view.  So a view is appreciated.  This is at the end of our old driveway...we don't use it anymore...it fills up with snow in the winter...the snow comes flying off that field. 

It was a good afternoon to mow.  I am not yet done with round one. I mow a number of areas.   

The weather was good; High of 71 F or 22 C  low of  46F or 8 C eh.  Almost a perfect day to be outside. 

Supper was a freezer meal...Chicken & stuffing hotdish.   I  can report that it freezes well.  Far Guy says the recipe is a keeper and we can make it again.  It made six large servings.

Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole  Hotdish

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (about 3 large breasts)

2. 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix (e.g., Stove Top)

3. 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup

4. 1/2 cup sour cream

5. 1 cup chicken broth

6. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

7. 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

8. Salt and black pepper, to taste

9. 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for extra richness)

10. Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven:

1.1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

2. Prepare the Casserole: Hotdish

2.1. In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, stuffing mix, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the optional butter for extra richness.

3. Bake the Casserole: Hotdish

3.1. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

3.2. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

3.3. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.

4. Serve:

4.1. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

4.2. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavor

Yes we call it Hotdish in Minnesota.  FYI I didn't add the onion powder, garlic powder, butter or parsley. 

Far Side

8

 Our Great Grandson was 8 years old yesterday!  

Hard to believe Hey Mikey is that old already!  He is the best big brother to his sisters!!

Happy Birthday Dude!  Love you lots! 

Great Grandma

Memorial Day 2025

 We remember those who died while fighting for our freedom.

My Dad's brother Arthur died on May 20, 1944 and is buried overseas in the Sicily Rome American Cemetery.   

I wonder when my Grandparents received the news...was it before or after Decoration Day in 1944?

My Grandmother is a Gold Star Mother.   She had 12 sons and 2 daughters.  Five of her sons would serve in the military...one died and two carried wounds for the rest of their lives. 

We visited the cemetery where my grandmother is buried.  Someone moved her Gold Star Mother marker over onto my grandfathers grave.  Well you can bet I moved it right back when it belongs. 

My Dad does still not have a Veteran's flag holder but someone left him a flag. 

Far Side

Birds

 A Indigo Bunting visited us for a few days.

Such a pretty guy! 

Yesterday we noticed a Bluebird at one of the nesting boxes.  Fingers crossed for a good hatch. 

The latest flag.

Minnesota weather; High 66 F or 19 C eh, Low was 40 F or 5 C eh.

Last night supper was BLT's and raspberries. 

Far Guy continues to recover...slowly...he feels a tad better than a few days ago. ( Probably due to the Prednisone)

Far Side

Green

 The tomatoes may be planted out this weekend.  I started them from seed back in late April.  They sit in the kitchen window and I turn them around a few times a day...and blow on them...simulating a wind:)

I grew some for my brothers and sister...nice to share. 

The belt slipped off my lawn mower, my baby brother came to fix it...I need to become more mechanical.  Then my other baby brother sent Mason over to fix it...I have a village surrounding me! 

Yesterday I saw a Dr for a sinus infection and got meds.  After that I had a four hour nap.  What is the time limit on a nap anyways?  You can guess the color of drainage...yuk.

Far Guy and I took Ranger Blue and went to recycle...stopping off at the cemetery where his parents are buried.  Flowers were left.  Friday before Memorial Day and the grass has not been mowed yet this year...buggers anyways.  I noticed that a few people brought their own mowers and mowed their own. 

Far Guy had a quiet day...he managed just fine the 70 minutes I was gone to the Dr.  He is resting and taking it slow and easy.

Minnesota Weather;  High 65 F or 19 C  eh  Low 40 F or 5 C eh.  

No cooking happened...supper was whats in the freezer already prepared..lasagna. 

Far Side

Frustrating Day

Thursday is Infusion Day for Far Guy...he needs the infusion once a week to protect his fragile lungs.   After his infusion it was imperative that he see a Dr.  Something was just not right this entire week.

They ran blood tests and did a Cat scan...he has infiltrates in his lungs but not pneumonia... yet.  

FYI a pulmonary infiltrate is a substance denser than air and can be blood, pus or protein.  Until it is investigated further who really knows what is going on?   Is there a plan in place?? Nope the ER Doc gave us no direction...see your Primary Care Dr or Pulmonary Specialist for a follow up.  

They sent him home with yet another course of antibiotics and steroids after a four plus hour wait in the ER.   ( He has had two rounds of antibiotics and steroids in the last month. )

I thought they should give him IV antibiotics and steroids...but what do I know...well probably more than they do about his lung problems. 

Far Guy is discouraged, I am discouraged.  Far Guy feels crummy.  I feel crummy cause he feels crummy. 

One day at a time. 

Far Side

26

Our oldest Grandson Noah is 26 years old today!  They grow up so fast!

Back in October of 2000 he was 17 months old.  

Noah with his very young looking Dad, that is Noah's Great Grandmother ( my Mom) holding out her hands for Noah to come.  I am not sure he did as he was a shy kid. 

Happy Birthday Noah, we hope you have the best day/year ever!  

Love you always and forever!

Grandma

Rainy Day Craft

 I can multi task...as in do laundry and stamp a bunch of cards to watercolor.

The project had a number of stamps.

 New stamps that I got for Mother's Day from Jen and Andy.  

This one may or may not be a Christmas card...time will tell.  This set of stamps were $1 at a garage sale.

And one of my favorite stamps of all time. 

I love this bouquet of flowers in a mason jar, I can do all kinds of color combinations and I hope when I mail the cards out people feel like I sent them flowers! 

It was a great rainy day project and kept me out of trouble for the afternoon...I missed my afternoon nap...but I had a morning nap...so there ya go. 

Minnesota weather; High 45 F or 8 C eh  Low was 38 F or 4 C eh  It was a chilly rainy day.  What a big change from last week at this time. 

Supper was a baked chicken breast on top of a salad (mine will be on a separate plate) and fresh baked bread, raspberries for dessert.

Far Side

Red

 I made the 50 rows on my Hush Mosaic Project in a week..the rows are 160 stitches long.  That is many stitches in a week.  I put the stitch marker in place again. I have five new rows. 

I am not sure if it needs 50 more rows this week...I keep holding it up..it still needs more. I will see how the week goes.  Then I need at least a week to do the envelope border to enclose all those ends.  Progress is slow but sure.  I am using a size 4 mm crochet hook and Stylecraft Special DK. 

We had  vibrant visitor.

My best photo through the window...a male Scarlet Tanager. 

Yesterday I mowed the front yard, cleaned one bathroom, scrubbed some floors and did some laundry. 

Supper was pulled pork, jambalya, green beans and a biscuit. 

Minnesota Weather: The wind was cold. ( I should have dressed warmer when I mowed and wore gloves.) The high was 50 F or 10 C and the low was 36 F or 3 C. 

Highlight of the day: The mailman brought a couple of deliveries...new projects,  a morning nap and our June great grand baby just may be a May great grand baby.  Prayers for Maddie and baby. 

Far Side

Quiet Sunday

 I think we are enjoying the quiet two nap days too much.  

The Oak danglies have turned brown and will soon fall off.   The rain what little we got less than an inch helped to wash down the pollen.  The Oak leaves are getting larger every day soon we will have dense shade. 

Mowing will be on my agenda this week. 

I will leave the dandys in the side yard yet for the bees. 

Minnesota weather; the high was 53 F or 12 C  the low was 37 F or  3 C   it was a chilly morning. 

We went for a Sunday afternoon drive to our favorite Mexican place it was too cold to sit on the patio but the place wasn't too busy so we sat inside.  Lupper was great as usual. 

Far Side

Cool Day

 What better activity than to color and glitter up some fronts for cards.  They will be trimmed matted and attached to cards some day. 

It was a cool day. The high was 43 F or 7 C.  

We had a quiet day, supper was steak and green beans...Far Guy sauteed a bunch of mushrooms for his steak...I do not like mushrooms so I had a baked potato. 

I organized some of my ideas for birthdays coming up...getting my ducks in a row and a few things ordered for the two great grands that have birthdays soon. 

This week three great nephews and a great niece graduated from two year programs; Hailey with a degree in Forestry, Jordan with a degree in Butler/Caterpillar Service Technology and Mason in Diesel Technology.   Always fun to see these young adults going to school, doing the work and graduating!  Onward and forward to adulting! Congratulations kids!( All are grands of my other baby brother and she who sees robins first)

Far Side

My Red Basket

 My red basket has been full of yarn for a good long time.  It is Mosaic Crochet and it is called Hush.  This is my second blanket in this pattern.  

This is how it ended up when we lost power early Friday morning.  I had to get out my book light and read... finally gave up and went back to sleep...even though the security system was beeping telling me that the power was out.

Hush in Fall colors.   I started on this afghan November 18, 2023...uffda that was a while back.

Last Monday I put in a stitch marker to see if I could crochet 50 rows before a week is up (I have 42 rows added now)...and then possible 50 plus or minus rows the next week and then it could be enveloped in the border.    

I guess I made it a priority to finish up in May.  A goal. Keeping my fingers crossed!

One thing I finished this week was the final drawer #17 in the kitchen...the spice drawer.  Now to finish the rest of the cupboards in the kitchen...several are done...a few more to go and that project will be done too.  All in good time.

 It finally rained here and our high temperature yesterday was 52 F or 12 C  that is a whole lot cooler than it was earlier this week. 

For supper we made lasagna together about noon and put it in the fridge to marinate a bit so it was easy to throw in the oven by who ever was awake prior to supper (Far Guy) he woke me up when it was done and the table was set.  Rainy afternoon calls for double naps!

Far Side

Preschool Milestone

 The smile says it all.   Preschool is behind our oldest Great Granddaughter Cee Cee...onward and forward to Kindergarten in the Fall.  

Photos by Maddie. 

What a great graduation cap! 

Cee Cee will be a big sister again this Summer before going off to full day Kindergarten in the Fall. 

Do you recall...back in the day?  Kindergarten was either mornings or afternoons every day or sometimes on a Full Day M W F one week and T Th the next week it was hard to keep track of.   

Congratulations Cee Cee you made it! 

Far Side

Sprung

 Spring has finally sprung here in Minnesota.  The warm temperatures this week made everything pop out of dormancy.  Green is all over...and pollen coats most surfaces outside. 

The Chokecherry's are blooming.

They begin  to bloom as tiny white dots.

Oh and the Oaks...we call the stringy male things ...danglies. 

Pollen filled...uffda.  The wind carries the pollen to the female trees so acorns can form.  The danglies fall to the ground when they are dried up and spent...they are messy but the lawn mower mulches them up nicely. 

It is not an easy time for Far Guy...he is still fighting a respiratory exacerbation...now he has pollen,  wildfire smoke and ozone to contend with.  We hope for rain to stop the fires and clear the air of smoke and pollen.   He is back on a different antibiotic.  Needless to say he is discouraged. 

Supper last night was a steakburger, carrots and tator rounds. 

Weather yesterday;  87 F or 31 C eh.  Sunny and warm, we watched a few thunderheads go by in the afternoon.  One more day of warmish weather and we are to get cooler temperatures and a chance of rain. 

Far Side

Sunny

 I finished the Sunny Yellow cheerful baby blanket.  It joins a green one waiting for a baby.  The yarn is Baby Bee from Hobby Lobby called Snugs and Kisses...I believe I used 4 skeins. 

I have not replaced this project yet..although there is yarn waiting in the wings for the next baby blanket...maybe two.

I am TRYING to work on an old mosaic crochet project that has been languishing around for a long time.  

We still have warmer than normal weather but it may freeze this weekend...so there is Minnesota for ya. 

My baby brother's bride, Beth and I went to Cousins lunch yesterday.   Nice to see the gals! 

Supper was Naan bread pizza and fruit.  

Sunny warm weather 90 F or 33 C eh...gale force winds all day and we are so dry they have issued Red Flag warnings for most of Minnesota.    There are fires North and East of us ...one of Far Guy's Classmates lost his home to a wildfire over the weekend. 

Far Side

Trolls

 Jen took Maddie, Hey Mikey and Cee Cee on an adventure! 

In a nearby town there is International Recycling Art by Thomas Dambo.  There is a treasure hunt and a map to find all the trolls.   It is a wonderful way to get out and hike to different areas and see something different. 

Maddie and Jen sent some photos! 

It was a great adventure, the great grandkids didn't think the Trolls would be so big!  

Yesterday was very warm again  91 F or 33 C and gale force winds all day.   I did some things in the morning but napped and crocheted the afternoon away inside in the AC. 

Supper was BLT's and peaches. 

Far Side

A Golden Day

 Mother's Day began out on the patio.  It was a beautiful morning that I enjoyed before the really warm weather descended.  By afternoon we had  92 F or 34 C eh...but at one point in the afternoon the car said it was 94 F ...anyways it was really warm for the first part of May. 

Jen and Sadie arrived just before dark the night before Mother's Day. 

Golden Morning.

Sadie busy collecting sticks in the yard.  She was very interested in all the smells in our yard, especially where the bear lounged around the other night.  Yes we have a steel sculpture of a small bear in the old flower bed. 

After playing ball and a swim in the lake!  

Jen helped me do some things around the house...stuff where I have to crawl up a step stool to clean.  She crawls up a step stool better than I do.

We went to our favorite Mexican place for a delicious lunch.   It was a wonderful day spent with Jen and Sadie!  (Andy is at the World's Vex Tournament in Dallas...and we missed him)

Far Side

Mothering

My days of "mothering" up close and personal are pretty much over.  My role as caregiver takes over my mothering ability/energy.  Yes, I am still available to my daughters, son in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and assorted in/out laws but in a limited capacity.  I can still give advice or an opinion when asked...sometimes even without asking.  I am pretty much past the holding hand stage. "Be careful when you cross the street look both ways" she said covering her eyes.

However...there is someone who has the energy to do the "mothering" in our family.  That is our youngest daughter Jen who is like a mother hen gathering all her chicks/cats...you know cats? 

Usually children can team up...Jen has no back up.  Our oldest daughter Trica struggles with alcoholism. She was a good Mom at one time, but the disease of alcoholism took over and has robbed the entire family.  

Jen cares for her elderly parents, making sure we have what we need when we need it.  She often asks "What can I do for you Mom?"  She has nine young adult children ( her boys and their gals and then Trica's daughters and spouses)  in her life that may/may not need guidance/financial assistance/ groceries/a good home cooked meal/ a soft welcoming place to land for a bit.  She has a very busy husband who needs attention too.   Then her three great nieces and great nephew with new great baby on the way to spoil, love and mother. (She will be in the delivery room)

AND then there is Sadie.

Yes being a dog mom is a very important job too. 

 I loved being a human mom but I also loved being a dog mom...when my daughters were teenagers they often said "Mom you love the dogs more than us"  Some days in some situations that was entirely possible. 

I am thankful to Jen for picking up the slack in our family, things I can no longer do...she embraces. 

Thanks Jen you are the bestest Mom/Daughter ever!  You are very important to so many people!

Love you lots!

Mom

Happenings

 My best friend Susie and her husband live North of us deeper in the woods than we are.   Her husband left on a Fishing Trip so we got together for lunch, conversation and a whole bunch of giggles.   We have children the same age and used to live across the road from each other back in 1975.   That is a 50 year friendship I am so lucky to have!  It was nice to get away for the afternoon...to enjoy the company of a like minded person!  We met at a place called Ice Cracking for lunch and a bit of slot machines!  No big winners but we still had fun! 

The woods are coming to life in the warm weather.  The Pin Cherries made their presence known...usually the blooms are frozen so there are no berries...if there are berries they are tiny and although it makes great jelly it takes a lot of berries...and the birds need food too. 

Late Thursday night we had a hungry visitor.

One of the Security Cameras caught him ripping down feeders and making a mess. 

The feeders were repaired and several were taken in...only a few will remain and be placed in a bucket inside the house overnight.   Bear have awfully good memories and he/she will be back.  I believe this is just about the earliest we have seen a bear...although one night over a week ago he visited Baxter and Smudge's house and they gave him/her the what for! 

It was a day. The high was 79 F or 27 C eh.  In the afternoon we had wildfire smoke come down from Canada...I hope they get a good amount of rain up there...we are dry here also. 

I brought home a Bacon Double Thunderburger for Far Guy for supper...that and a salad was a perfect end to the day.   Far Guy's weight he lost is just not returning as we had hoped.  He had another conference with his dietician.  He will try to do more high calorie stuff...smoothies...dried fruit...he is supposed to eat 6 times a day...and sometimes he is just not hungry. 

Far Side

Blast from the past

 I was searching for on old recipe.  Funny thing I never found the recipe but I did find this. 

Some kind of game was played...not sure what...not sure who kept score but I came in last (4th) place. Paige and Maddie are just one point apart...Savannah was clearly the winner!

I like to play games...board games, card games if you name it I will play it!  Far Guy used to play Scrabble with me a long time ago. 

In the Winter Jen and Andy like to play games in the evening.  I think it is a great family activity! 

The old recipe remains someplace in oblivion...but the score card remains in one of my recipe boxes:)

On the back of this sheet of paper was hand written pattern for a floral frame that I wanted to make.

Yesterday our high was 72 F or 23 C eh. 

Supper was scrambled farm fresh brown eggs and an English muffin.

Far Side

Progress

 I bought a new pole for my flag outside the door.  My old flag pole was too darn difficult to attach a flag and this one works better.  I have enough flags I could change them every week.   (years of collecting)

This is the one I chose for a week maybe two.   The Loons are here down at the lake according to my baby brother.  I have not heard them ...but the Canada Geese are honking when flying over and the Bald Eagle circles above in the trees.  ( He is looking for small critters to eat as most of the road kill has been consumed.)

 The patch in the side yard might be grass someday.  If it doesn't rain soon I will have to get out the water hose and tend to it myself. 

I have been selling some stuff...a very Vintage 1970's love seat left the house yesterday!  One less thing to clean around.   It was fairly ugly... it was useful when youngest Grandson Adam was a little boy ...he could stretch out on it and sleep very comfortably. (He grew)

I bought a set..a sofa and this love seat from friends Bonnie and Rueben when they got new furniture about 1999.  Chance claimed the couch but never the love seat...so it was almost as good as the day I bought it.  No one ever sat it it anymore...Jen used it for a luggage rack.  

Progress is slow but still progress.   Trying to look at the bright side of things!

Supper was salad and a Philly on a pretzel bun.:)

Weather: High was 69 F or 21 C eh.  Warm for the first part of May. 

Far Side

Yard Stuff

 We got some soil for some bare spots in the yard and will plant some grass seed soon hopefully just before a rain.   We can always hope for rain. It is dry here.

I unearthed some of my pretty whirly gigs.

That bird feeder on the right side of the photo is supposed to be squirrel proof...well maybe for dumb squirrels...they have figured out how to unclip the springs that shut the feed off.  Buggers anyways. 

I put up some solar bees around the wreath next to the door.  Not sure if they get enough sunshine there.

I have some more "bee" stuff to add to the wreath but every time I go upstairs to retrieve them I forget and do something else... like put stuff away that I have thrown upstairs ...like look at yarn...sort yarn...:)

Nice day yesterday sunny and 72 F (Far Guy says it was warmer than that!) or 23 C eh.  Supper was tri tips over a baked potato and fruit..raspberries and pineapple.  Oh and a loaf of fresh bread.

Far Side

Project Replacements

 When I am crocheting on any certain project I am always thinking ahead..possibly that leads to yarn hoarding...ya think? 

Last week I finished this shawl.  It is crochet.

I like the pattern and it is simple enough to do while watching tv or traveling in the car or sitting someplace waiting.   It was in one of my project carrying bags all Winter.  It has been so long I am not sure what the yarn is called anymore. 

I started another one right after this one was finished...hence the immediate replacement...but from the stash.   I have a few more choices up there in the stash for this project...maybe more...maybe yarn replicates itself. 

This is Sheepjes Wanderlust in the Bangkok colorway.  I had two skeins of it stashed away for the past couple of years.  It is an acrylic yarn so a good one that can be washed, dried gently and blocked out to completely dry.  

 

I am curious to know if you rotate through favorite projects like I do?  My rotation is two different shawl patterns, baby blanket, scrubbies, small crochet bags and a mosaic crochet pattern for a larger afghan.  Oh and then a few projects..scarfs, baby hats and booties...but I am not CDO enough to want to replace them immediately. 

Right now I am trying to get this shawl completed so I can wash it and block it.  I have about 4 or 5 more skeins of this yarn for replacement...maybe more...it is a lacy shawl...it has been a while since I have worked on it also...so long in fact that I struggled with part of the pattern and a certain stitch...finally just relaxed and let my fingers do their thing instead of my brain...and my fingers recalled before my brain...amazing huh?  I have made many of these lacy shawls and given most of them away.   One this same color was given to Far Guy's sister when she was going through breast cancer chemotherapy...she loved it.

Another unseasonably warm day yesterday in Minnesota.  The high was 81 F or 28 C eh!  I worked outside on projects all morning and then came inside to have lunch, rest and crochet.   Supper was BLT's and raspberries.

Far Side