More cards

 I have cleared the second card project off of my desk.  I had a drawer that had lots of photos that were meant for cards. 

It took me several days to complete the project.  I was either slow or had too many photos! 

The cards are safely incased in see through card sleeves... so it is practically like shopping when I am looking for a card OR when someone runs across the three boxes of cards they will appreciate how neat and organized I was:)

I ordered this box from some mail order place years ago and it is full of all kinds of cards. 

What's Cooking:  Philly's and corn on the cob!

Minnesota weather:  High 83F or 28C  Low 58F or 14C  

Far Side

Rudbeckia

 The Rudbeckia was doing really good until the heat spell.  We need a little rain soon ...the grass is turning brown.

We had a quiet day on Sunday.  Far Guy did some woodcarving until it was time for our Sunday afternoon date on the patio of our favorite place to eat.   I did some laundry and worked on another of my card projects and then some stuff that no one notices.

We came home and watched Grey's Anatomy...we are on season 12. We watch it most afternoons...sometime I nap through it and Far Guy has to give me an update. 

Minnesota Weather: High 86F or 30C  Low was 67F or 19C.

Far Side

First Tomato

 It is always something to celebrate when we get our first tomato of the season...luckily I found two so we can each have one.  

We like the Yellow Pear Tomatoes the best...less acid and great flavor.

Far Guy went out and found two more so we each had two!!

We are real exciting people when the highlight of our day was a couple of tomatoes:)

Far Side

30

 How can it be???  Our oldest Grand is 30 years old today.  Hardly seems possible. 

Savannah and me in 1996 the day she came home from the hospital.

Savannah and Far Guy in 1998

A couple of photos with Chance.  He loved Savannah she was a great water/ball thrower!

Savannah was throwing water in the air for Chance...this is most likely Namaken Lake or Lake Kabetogama in Voyageurs National Park in way Northern  Minnesota in 2008.

One of my favorite photos of Savannah on her birthday when she was 20 years old! 

Happy Birthday Savannah...Grandpa and I love you now and forever!  

Grandma

A Puzzling Book

 Jen had a book and showed it to me.  Needless to say I ordered a couple from Amazon...one for me and one for my friend Susie.  I hope she is still talking to me after working in the book.

It is a murder mystery with clues and 46,600 possibilities.  

Jen solved the puzzle...I have not...it is all consuming...but I put it down a couple of days ago to give it a rest!  Noah also has a book.  

The Wildfire Smoke is awful. It gave me a headache. We are lucky to have Air Conditioning and two air purifiers in our home. 

Far Guy had his weekly infusion and I ran errands...paint for the trim around the new screen door, to the accountant for tax advice, Aldi, gas and a car wash, the bank, Walmart for a grocery pickup and the Meat Market.

I saw a gal holding a sign that said 20 ribeyes for $39.99 on a street corner.   There was a truck in a nearby parking lot...called Backyard Butchers.   Well they try to upsell you from the tiny paper thin ribeyes...dinkiest rib eyes I have ever seen.   If it sounds too good to be true it probably is...lesson learned.  What a waste of time....I know where to buy good meat at the local meat market.

Minnesota weather:  Smoky air.  High 87F or 31C   Low 71F or 22C

What's Cooking: Far Guy made eggs and potatoes:)

Far Side

Wednesday happenings

 I had lunch with Susie a very old friend from a long time ago when we both had small children.   It was good to catch up and give her a hug.  Life throws us curve balls from time to time and it is good to have a friend that you can call anytime night or day.  Anyways we had a great visit with lots of giggles!   It was a girls lunch out as her husband was busy and Far Guy wanted to get some woodcarving time in before the smoke from the Northern Minnesota Wildfires  invaded our area. 

Our Niece Rachael and family left Ely Minnesota when the smoke got heavy and ash began to fall out of the sky.  Pray for rain, a good soaking rain!

Our nephew Jacob and family are here for the summer from Japan. 

Henry is four driving the green car...assisted by his Dad, Jacob. 

What's Cooking?  Nothing...I brought home a burger for Far Guy from the lunch place.

 Minnesota Weather:  High 86F or 30C      Low 66F or 19C We have an air quality alert until Friday.

Far Side

Still Hot!

 Not much happening here.   A little cleaning, cooking and crocheting...that is about it.

Far Guy managed to sit outside and woodcarve a bit in the morning. Then it got too warm for him.

I trimmed around the bird feeder and around a couple of trees...that is an on going project.

Rudbeckia or if you wish a Black-eyed Susan. 

What's Cooking?  Pork chops and rice.

Minnesota weather:  High 94F or 34C      Low 69F or 21C  We are in a heat advisory and a Air Quality Alert due to the Wildfires in the Boundary Waters.  Sure hope it rains.

Far Side

Hot Weather!

 This is a warm spell for us.  I hope it cools off soon.  I keep busy inside.

I had parts of cards in the works for a long time...this is one project of about three different card projects.   A little at a time I am getting them accomplished.  Not that I need anymore cards but I like having a variety when I am choosing cards for people.  

I am also crocheting and I can see the end in sight with one project.  I read and I have a puzzle book that is a real challenge.  

What's cooking?  We made Apple Pancake in the cast iron skillet...it was very good...I hated turning the oven on but the new oven does not warm the whole house like the old one did.

Minnesota weather:  High 89F or 32C    Low 67F or 19C

The heat index was 107 on Monday....uffda. 

Far Guy is holding his own and improving slowly.

Far Side

Clematis Virginiana

 Clematis virginiana or Virgin's Bower started off as a tiny sprig planted in about 1999 a gift from Faye.

It is doing quite well this year.  some of it climbs up and some of it just spreads along the ground seeking a spot to climb.

It has a sweet smell that permeates our yard. 

We were finally able to continue our Sunday afternoon date out on the patio at our favorite place to eat.  It was quite warm out on the patio about 95F  ( according to our car) but we were in the shade and there was a nice breeze.   We have not had a date in three weeks.  I am thankful that Far Guy felt good enough to go out....there was no one else out on the patio everyone else opted for the AC inside.

Far Guy is getting a bit stronger everyday.

 

Minnesota weather: High 90F or 32C   Low 70F or 21C  We are still under an extreme heat advisory. 

Far Side

Solar Lights and Visitors

 I ordered a case of Solar Lights...they brighten up the night time.  

They glow orange and the light dances like a flame.  Pretty cool if I don't say so myself. 

We had a busy day.  We got the steel parts of the old screen door to my other baby brother's steel recycling bin and the glass from the old screen door to the transfer station.  I watered the tomato plant as we are in a hot spell.  Part of the plant got real heavy and flopped over in the wind...I will see what lives and what dies and trim accordingly. 

We had company in the afternoon...our Nephew and next door neighbor Josh and Missy stopped by and then our Niece Ellie is here with her three children from Oregon.  The kids are growing like weeds! 

What's Cooking:  Salmon and roasted potatoes for Far Guy and a Hobo dinner for me...cleanup was easy...just throw the tin foil in the garbage and wash the forks:)

Minnesota weather: High 90F or 32C  Low was 69F or 21C.  We are in an extreme heat warning until Tuesday. 

We are thankful for air conditioning!

Far Side

Petunias

 Finally a Petunia or two! 

No thanks to these guys.

I am sure one of these nights they will help themselves.

What's cooking?  Some Pork Ends from Aldi that were pretty good with corn, green beans, cherries and strawberries.

Minnesota weather: High 84F or 29C  Low was 65F or 18C.

Book Club 2026: July

 We had Book Club yesterday.  It was The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

It was a great read...the best so far this year.  I give it a 9.5 out of a 10.  I rated it that way because I wanted the book to continue on and on.  I was sad when I came to the last pages. 

All the gals liked the book. 

Thursday we were back to "normal"  Far Guy went to his weekly Infusion and I went to Aldi for fruit,  to Walmart for my pickup order, then to Hugos for the stuff Aldi and Walmart did not have ( it is Summertime and the tourists are buying lots of groceries)  then to the Post Office.  Far Guy messaged me as I was leaving the Post Office so I picked him up and we went to the Meat Market and to the bank. 

I only like going to town once a week especially in the Summertime.  It was a busy day. 

What's Cooking?  Cheesburgers and corn. 

Minnesota weather:  High 82F or 28C  Low was 62F or 17C

Far Side

Screen Door

 Son in Law Andy was going to be in our area on Tuesday with his pickup.   Our screen door had seen better days...so I picked out a new one...Andy picked it up and brought it over and installed it.  What a deal...he also brought us a rack of ribs....which are delicious! 

I need to get some paint to get rid of the green..our other storm/screen door was green. The color is Sandstone... hope I can find something that matches. 

Thankful to have a son in law who is handy and a wonderful cook!

Far Side

Tomato

The Yellow Pear Tomato sure took off when we had that warm weather.

It is half way up the garage.  Yes it is planted in a stock tank and surrounded by a dog kennel to keep the deer away.

There are flowers and even a few tiny tomatoes started.

I had a busy day on Tuesday...time to clean the bathroom really good...laundry and put some bread to bake along with a few other things that never show.

What's Cooking?  Lasagna that was in the freezer.   One of these days I will have to really cook.

Minnesota Weather:  Rainy  High  80F or 27C.  Low was 60F or 16C.

Far Guy had more of a rough day on Tuesday...forward progress is slow.

Far Side

 

Blanket Flowers

 The Gaillardia or Blanket Flowers join the Daisies in bloom in the Wild Gardens. 

They reseed freely. 

They even grow on the sandy area where the big greenhouse was once upon a time. 

I mowed some more yesterday...I am done for a few days now.  

What's Cooking?  Freezer meals...Spaghetti for Far Guy and Vegetable Beef Soup for me.

 Minnesota Weather: After Supper it was stormy.  High was 89F or 32C  Low was 65F or 18C.

Far Guy is gaining a bit of strength every day, yesterday he sat outside a bit. 

Far Side

Daisy

 The Daisies along the rocks are still doing well.

So nice that I can enjoy them from the inside!

I mowed the lawn yesterday, Far Guy rested while I was outside.   The lawn looks better...I dumped the rain gauge too it said 3 inches...that was for a week plus. 

One of my favorite photos of Chance.  I have a similar photo of him on the calendar for July. 

We had a quiet afternoon watching TV...House of Dragon and Grey's Anatomy.

What's cooking?  Omelettes with ham and cheese.

Minnesota weather: Humid... High 86F or 30C  Low was 63F or 17C.

Far Side

Books

 I have been reading quite a bit...when Far Guy first got sick I wanted to do quiet things so he could rest. 

I had some Debbie Macomber books as part of the Rose Harbor Series.  I read the two previous books in the series last Summer.

It was light reading...a bit of fluff. 

I now have 59 books on my list and the books are stacked up under the TV.  My goal is to get it under 50 books.  It doesn't help that my Sister was trying to get rid of three big bags of books...I took one bag and selected a few to donate to our local little library.   I have not added the ones I kept to read to my total yet....she said sticking her head in the sand. 

Presently I am reading a Sanda Dallas book The Diary of Mattie Spenser that is a very enjoyable read.

Oh yes Jen gave me a book...The Day of The Bonanza it is about the Bonanza Farms in North Dakota. I have not counted that one either. 

Far Guy is napping often and resting...I am encouraging him to stay upright more.  He has lots of sleep to get caught up on after being in the hospital.

What's Cooking?  I rescued a chicken hotdish from the freezer, then I made green beans that Far Guy will eat and peaches from the freezer. 

Man Green Beans

Fry up some bacon until it is crisp then cut it into small pieces.  Drain most of the grease out of the pan then add a can of french style green beans and about a tablespoon plus of vinegar.  My Mom used to make it with fried onions in with the bacon...I do not. 

Minnesota weather:  It rained several times in the afternoon on July 4th.  High 77F or 25C  Low was 62F or 17C.

Far Side

Home

 We are home resting and taking it easy.  No big plans just relaxing...

Happy 4th of July!

Far Side

GERD and other crap

 Far Guy is being released from the hospital today and we will begin the trek back to our home in the woods. He needs to work at getting stronger…which means lots of walking!

I had a procedure called a EGD/EUS or a Esophagogastroduodenscopy with Endoscopic Ultrasound on June 17th.

I have GERD and some stomach ulcers and something on my pancreas...everything was biopsied and we are waiting on those test results.   They found the “something else”on my pancreas quite by accident on the MRI that I had for my back problem.  The Gastroenterologist's impression is that I should have MRI's every three months depending on the biopsy results.  He also said it is possible that my RA has gone nuts and attacked my pancreas. 

In the meantime my back problem has been diagnosed yet again ( facet joints and nerves are inflamed)..I am having test injections for a Medial Branch Block in late July and late August...thirty days apart for Medicare purposes. If it works then the real procedure may take place sometime in the Fall. 

  My Primary Care Doctors thinks I may have some other Autoimmune Disease....and he would not venture a guess as to which one.  I have an appointment with a Neurologist in September and I am on the wait list.

 Far Guy took really good care of me.  I am still recovering from the procedure. I was having lots of stomach/pancreas pain.  I could not sleep through that pain.  Everyday gets a bit better but I now have new pain (upper between the shoulder blades pain) that joins my lower back pain.

Biopsy results are taking a really long time. 

Finally got biopsy results this week it is a SD IPMN or side duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and I should come back in three months for an MRI or sooner if new symptoms develop.

Clouds in June.

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue #12

June 30 Update: Far Guy was admitted to the hospital in Grand Forks ND on Tuesday afternoon, he has a lung infection…perhaps by the time you read this he will be much improved and out of the hospital. 

July 1 st 9 pm update Well he is improved but not ready to be discharged yet he is very tired, I spent most of the day with him. His breathing is better, he is still getting IV  antibiotics. 

April 30,2008

An Old Recipe Box

I have an old recipe box. I paid a whopping 84 cents for it at KaMeapART a long time ago. The price sticker is still on the inside cover.  It was manufactured by Ohio Art of Bryan Ohio.  Imagine that something that wasn't manufactured in China....it may be collectible.  It has seen better days...kinda like me.  This recipe box is tin, it is a funny goldy/yellow color and has daisies on the top and a pot of daisies on the front. I have lots of other recipe boxes some tin, some wood and some a heavy cardboard.  I just keep tucking recipes into this old one.

What is on the inside is what is important. A very disorganized bunch of recipes, the favorites are toward the front. When I am in a pinch for an idea nine times out of ten...this is where the recipe will come from. Over the years I have collected recipes from friends and noted on the recipe who it was from.  Some are on recipe cards and some are on scraps and bits of paper.  Some are handed down from one person to another...tried and true.

Arvilla's Pie Crust (Arvilla got this recipe from Emma Lyons who used to cook at Doc's.)

5 Cups flour

2 tsp salt

2 Cups lard

1 Cup cold water

Mix with your hands and a fork...makes 12 shells

On the scrap of paper there appears a quote "Savor Every Moment, Take Joy In Every Day" I recall that day over coffee when I asked Arvilla for her famous melt in your mouth pie crust recipe.  She said "You can do it kid"  well I saved the recipe for too long without trying it...because if I have a question there is no one to call.  It's funny how a little slip of paper can bring you to tears.  Arvilla died last Saturday:(

**********

Arvilla was a wonderful neighbor and friend, I still miss her friendship. 

Last week at the Fly In a relative shared with me that at the Father's Day Fireman's Picnic someone made the best apple pie with the flakiest crust...so flaky they must have used lard.  Made me smile and think of Arvilla.  Possibly it was her recipe. 

The scrap of paper remains in my recipe box. I wrote at Arvilla's a long time ago.

48 years

 My baby brother and his bride celebrate 48 years of wedded bliss today!  

I found this photo amongst my Mother's photos.

My baby brother is making a kissing motion that has his bride laughing:)  They must have been dancing!

Happy 48th Anniversary!  I hope they dance a little today!

Far Side