Just Peachy

 Our local Lion's Club sponsors Palisade Peaches for sale in August every year.  It is a good fundraiser for them. 

I bought two flats and my baby brother picked them up and delivered them to us. 

One flat was ripe and ready to peal, slice and seal.  I put a teaspoon or two of sugar and sprinkle with fruit fresh on about 1 1/2 sliced peaches seal them up and freeze them.  

When I put the first batch away in the bottom of the freezer I found three bags from last year.  

They looks as good as the day we froze them. 

All of the peaches from Palisade Colorado are delicious!  Using my Food Saver Sealer locks in the freshness and it is like having fresh peaches year round. 

Most of the last flat will be processed in the next couple of days.

What's Cooking? Not cooking!  Pretzel buns with ham, turkey and cheese.  Yellow Pear Tomatoes!

Minnesota weather:  It rained about a half an inch early Thursday morning with thunder and lightening.

High 81F or 27C   Low 58F or 14C 

Far Side

About Time

 Having another Arthritis flare, Prednisone was started so I will be productive again in no time.   I suppose it was about time. 

We had a quiet day Wednesday, we both worked on Christmas Ornaments. 

What's Cooking?  Chicken Alfredo...the chicken was supposed to be cooked in a crock pot...alas the crock pot bit the dust...I bought it back in 1995 so I suppose it was about time.  I can still chop up chicken and fry it in a pan! I do have another crockpot from about 1976 that still works just fine...avocado green:)

We had a fellow stop by to check out our garage door situation...our new vehicle is a tad wide for an 8 foot garage door...only 3 inches to spare on each side. So I am certain that we will be getting a new larger garage door! 

Minnesota weather: High 78F or 26C  Low was 59F or 15C

Far Side

Layers of color one day last week. The greenest part is a Potato Field

Granny Square Shell Stitch

 I finished an afghan.   I started it mid July and finished it mid August.  I was pleased with how it turned out.

I did not go rogue with the colors...the main color is called Stone and then I used six different repeating colors. Some of the colors were Petrol, Copper, Cyprus and Claret...plus two more whose names escape me.  I am not sure how much yarn was used for the main color...3 maybe 4 skeins...I had partial balls from previous projects.

I began another using Stylecraft Special DK using just two colors Parchment and Denim using a 3.5 crochet hook.  I am starting this project with 4 skeins of Parchment and 1 of Denim and we will see how far that gets me. 

I suspect this one will take about a month maybe longer to finish. 

I crochet in the afternoon when we watch Grey's Anatomy and in the evening when I watch TV. 

My stash is not going down very fast...I have not ordered yarn in a long time...I have four large totes of Special DK in all kinds of colors:)

Far Guy had company for coffee on Tuesday morning an old friend from the Air Guard.  

After the visitors left we worked on Christmas Ornaments in the garage.  With Fall in the air around here I cannot waste a nice day. Progress is slow but steady. 

Minnesota Weather: High 71F or 22C  Low was 46F or 8C

What's Cooking?  Brats and Far Guy's Famous Dip. 

Far Side

Little company

 My Nephew Jacob, his wife Saki and their boys visited yesterday, they will head back to Japan soon. 

The boys had fun running around and swinging in the Ferris Wheel Seat.

We had a quiet day.

What's cooking?  Freezer meals...Chicken Enchiladas.

Minnesota weather: High 79F or 26C  Low 54F or 12C

Far Side

Catching Up

 Two of our Grands were here yesterday...Savannah, Paige and Paige's husband Cole. 

They came to catch us up on housework and yard work.  We are good to go again for a while.  The girls...one took upstairs and one downstairs...they vacuumed and scrubbed floors and washed some windows.  They did all the climbing on the step stool that I used to do...dusty decorative items were all cleaned up.  Cole worked outside he dug up a dead shrub, cleaned out the window well, cleaned out the grate by the front door, blew out my garage, washed the garage door and sprayed down the house...oh yes and washed Ranger Blue.  

Best of all we got to catch up with them and the goings on in their lives and we all went out for lupper at our favorite patio place.  The food was great as usual!

The girls...Paige and Savannah

Far Guy and Cole

As you can see from the photos is was a blue sky with white fluffy clouds day. 

These kids have way more energy than we do...we are tired out now.

Minnesota weather: High  75F or 24C   Low 53F or 12C

Far Side

Busy all day

 I was busy all day...laundry, cleaning a bathroom, some dusting then some time working on the Christmas Ornaments.  

It rained in the morning but the afternoon was nice working in the garage. 

This is one of my favorite Black eyed Susans...called Cherokee Sunset....it has bloomed in the same spot for the past ten or so years.

We called it quits about 4PM and watched Grey's Anatomy...we are in Season 14 now.  I did have a nap!

What's cooking?  Not a thing because our fridge has a bunch of leftovers that we warmed up in the microwave. 

Minnesota weather:  High 81F or 27C  Low was 59F or 15C  It rained about 3/4 of an inch according to my other baby brother.

August is half gone.

Far Side

Caterpillar

 I was very surprised to see a Monarch Caterpillar on the Milkweed, butterflies of any kind are few and far between this year. 

Friday was a busy day for me.  I had a list in my head of the most important things to do and I got most of them accomplished.   Just usual stuff that had piled up; My baby brother brought me more green beans...they were cooked correctly, cooled and vacuum sealed.  Pineapple was cleaned and chopped up.  Linens were changed and blankets that we use daily were washed and dried.  I cleaned the vacuum cleaner ...now the parts on are the kitchen counter drying.  

Far Guy did some wood carving.  

What's cooking?  Brats, corn on the cob and tomatoes.  I had a baked sweet potato...Far Guy does not care for them.

Minnesota weather:  High 83 F or 28C      Low 66F or 19C

Far Side

Town

 Our usual trip to town was okay.  Two sticks this week for the weekly IV for Far Guy.    I made it to Aldi for fruit and cheese, Walmart for my pickup order and Hugos for what Walmart didn't have. (The crackers Far Guy likes for lunch and lemon pudding )  Then to the bank...finally to the parking lot to read my book until he called for me to pick him up at the door.   Town was pretty busy for mid August....the tourists are hanging on longer than usual.

The Mandevilla is looking awesome in the planter outside the front door at the Bank, the planter also has Petunias and a single Gerbera Daisy. 

We came home and unloaded groceries...cut up the watermelon that was supposed to be seedless but was not...I did some misc things and then we settled down to watch Grey's Anatomy we are in season 13.

Minnesota Weather:  High 80F or 27C Low 59F or 15C

What's Cooking?  Pizza! The homemade kind and it was really good!

Far Side

August 13th

 Yesterday Far Guy worked on the wood carved Christmas Ornaments...I joined him in the afternoon.   In the morning...I did a whole bunch of "stuff"  I had a number of tasks going at once....making Humming Bird food, laundry, clearing off my desk etc...I had a Post It Note nightmare near my computer...recipes and notes to self.  

My baby brother and his bride visited in the evening...Smudge and Baxter like visiting here...I have Cheerios for treats:)  They brought me more green beans that I will cook up and freeze. (I shall watch them like a hawk)

Minnesota Weather: High 81F  or 27C  Low 61F or 16C 

What's Cooking?  Walleye,  corn on the cob, tomatoes and kiwi.

August 13th was the day my Father In Law was born back in 1914.  

This photo was taken on his birthday in 1994 when he was 80 years old.  That is Far Guy and Jen in the photo.  A few weeks later he would die from multi system failure after a surgery.  He was a very kind man...he is missed.

Far Side

Finally

 We finally had that Date!  Tilly cooperated...she had a dead battery for some unknown reason.  Far Guy will figure it out.

You can guess where we ended up!  Yes, that is Far Guy's newest dash ornament. 

We made it to town and back home safely. 

We had a quiet day we both worked on the Christmas Ornaments and after we got home both of my brothers and their wives visited!

Minnesota weather:  Warm day  High 82F or 28C  Low 58F or 14C 

Yes we went to A & W:)

Far Side

Driving

 We began the week thinking about the wood carved Christmas Ornaments.   Far Guy does the bulk of the carving and I help out with the final sanding and painting.  I had several ideas on how to paint them.  

Three of my sisters Grands will return to Japan in about two weeks...so their ornaments were our priority on Monday.  They just need hangers to be complete.  Yeah us!  Four down and many to go!

Look what nephew Jacob and my sister found at the dump...it was cleaned up and the boys were having a blast. They even hauled hay to my sisters horse.  They have had a fun Summer here in Minnesota.  When they return to Japan school will have begun.

Far Guy asked me out on a date...but alas Tilly didn't feel like going...so we stayed home.  He reminded me that it was better than being in the ditch...a long time ago in the Winter he was supposed to pick me up for a date...he went in the ditch twice because of icy roads....each time he called me and said he would be late.  We never went on that date either. 

Minnesota weather:  High 79F or 26C  Low was 58F or 14C almost a perfect day!

What's Cooking?   Buttermilk pancakes, sausages and peaches. 

Far Side

Sunday

 Sunday was a quiet day... I needed it!  I did some laundry and put a few things away.  Far Guy did some woodcarving.  

We went out for lupper and got a car wash.   Far Guy picked tomatoes.  Then we watched Grey's Anatomy we are on season 13.

The deer are leaving my petunias alone enough for them to bloom a bit! 

Minnesota Weather:  High 77F or 25C     Low 52F or 11C

Far Side

Hitting the Wall

 If you have an autoimmune disorder you understand about "the wall." 

NO not the game show "The Wall."

Saturday I got up early...washed and dried my hair and got ready for the day.  Far Guy wanted to go to the Car Show...I dropped him off so he could visit with friends and appreciate the old cars and not have to walk blocks and blocks.  I waited in the vehicle and read my book.  The car got warm and I had about a ten minute nap.  When I woke up I knew I had hit the wall.  Soon after that Far Guy called and I picked him up where I dropped him off earlier.  We talked about going to a Community Picnic in the evening. I was pretty sure that I was not going.

For me the wall comes down like a veil.  There is no stopping it.  Back at home I did a few things...folded a load of laundry and got things ready for supper...for after my nap sleep.  I headed for the couch and was asleep as my head hit the pillow.  I slept for four hours.  I did not move...I had many dreams...I woke up stiff and sore.

How can a person sleep for four hours after a good nights sleep the night before...nine hours with only one bathroom break.  How can you feel like your body has been drug through a knot hole?  How can you be looking forward to ten PM when you can go back to sleep? 

Anyways I made us supper and cleaned up the kitchen. Now I am whining to you.   Thanks for listening.

Sadie against the front door...it came with a caption..."Sadie is broken"

Minnesota weather: High 83F  or 28C  Low 57F or 14C

What's Cooking?  Pork Burgers with no bun, corn on the cob and yellow tomatoes.  Far Guy cooked up a dozen ears of corn on Thursday then they are cooled put into storage bags in the fridge and then rewarmed in the microwave...it works for us!

Far Side

Friday

 It was a busy day.  I mowed a bit and washed one window inside and out!  I have one small corner of the house cleaned real well now!  Progress is slow.  Then I had a nap.  

The Liatris is blooming in the wildgardens. 

Something lost was located yesterday...never give up!  

Far Guy worked on his woodcarving Christmas Ornaments.  

Minnesota weather:  High  75F or 24C  Low was 50F or 10C   It may have hailed a bit in the early morning I was not awake at 6 AM  East of us had lots of big hail. 

What's Cooking?  Ham, egg and cheese croissants and corn on the cob.

Far Side

Book Club 2026: August

 We read Finlay Donovan is Killing it by  Elle Cosimano  for August Book Club.  

The book is a hoot!  I really enjoyed it.  I give it nine stars out of ten.  Jen recommended it to the book club and all the gals enjoyed it and said to tell Jen thanks! 

The book club gals meet in person once a year and yesterday was the day.  We had lunch at 3rd Street Market and then went next door to Beagle Books where the shop owners talked about a few different books.   It was a nice afternoon. 

Minnesota Weather: High 82F or 28C  Low 61F or 16C  

What's Cooking?  Soft shell tacos, corn on the cob, yellow tomatoes and Far Guy's famous dip.

Far Side

Out with the old

 In a moment of boredom I decided to dust the cookbook shelves.  Yes I have two plus an overflow.

This was a cookbook that one of Far Guy's old girlfriends gave him us as a wedding gift back in 1969.  So it has been used and appreciated for the last almost 57 years.

Many pages were falling out.  I will be able to have the best used pages for a long time now that they are  on the blog.

My original Pumpkin Bread recipe from Joyce.  She used to make it for her Grands and so now I make it for mine.  There is a Gluten Free option...take and mix everything up except the flour.  Then take 3 1/2 plus 1/3 cup cups of the 7 2/3 cups and then add your gluten free flour a bit more than 1 1/2 cups.   I used half the recipe for my Dad and I always put the batter in cupcake liners (bake about 20 minutes) so he could put some in the freezer and take them out as he wanted them.  Note I use a whole can of pumpkin:)

My Ginger Snap tried and true recipe...not sure who I got it from.

Recipe from my Maternal Grandmother Drewes...I think she gave it to me over the phone one day when I had ample cucumbers and dill.  These are by far my favorite pickles...either sliced or as spears...I prefer the sliced:)  This is the goup that you cook up to pour over the prepared jars filled with a head of dill on the bottom and filled to the neck of the jar with cucumbers.  Grandma never processed the pickles...she said they had enough vinegar to kill germs.  She had to think about the recipe a bit...hence the crossed out parts.  Oh yes I recall a slice of onion at the bottom of the jar!

And these are going along to Book Club for an exchange.  We meet in person one time a year.

Six recipe books out and no more coming in...now I do not have an overflow problem!

Nice day on Wednesday.  I took care of some weeds in the rocks and on the patio. 

Minnesota Weather: High 78F or 26C  Low 58F or 14C

What's Cooking?  Ribs in the crockpot, corn on the cob and yellow pear tomatoes...perfect!  We would have had Green Beans but there was a Green Bean incident...one should not leave beans cooking on the stove and take a couple of phone calls and be off in la la land:(

Far Side

Tuesday

 Tuesday is a no mail day....as in we hardly ever get mail on Tuesday.  

Far Guy is working on woodcarving Christmas Ornaments.  

I did three loads of laundry...sounds like a lot but one load was towels and another bath rugs.  I gave the bathroom a real good cleaning. 

Minnesota Weather:  A perfect day.  High was 68F or 20C  Low was 50F or 10C

What's Cooking?  Leftovers!

Far Side

Bee Balm

 The Bee Balm or Monarda is blooming. The Bumble Bees love it.

These plants are over in my baby brothers wild gardens.  I went to check them out one day and came across a bunch of baby turkeys and two adults.  As long as I don't come across the bear that is in the neighborhood...there are two of them. 

We only have one appointment this week!  Yeah us!  

I am not sure what I did all day on Monday...one load of laundry and some paperwork...hardly a days worth.

What's cooking?  Phillys on pretzel buns and corn on the cob.  We made enough so it was a cook once eat twice meal! Tuesday will be a no cooking day!

On Sunday we tried the Pizza Ranch in town.  We need a Sunday place to go when our favorite patio place closes for the season.  The pizza was good and so was the chicken after we stripped off all the coating:) Seems like it will work just fine for an alternate place. 

Minnesota weather:  High 83F or 28C    Low 55F or 13C 

Far Side

Peach and Lichen sclerosus

 Peach is our #3 Great Grandchild, her parents are Maddie and Brenton.

Last Winter Maddie said "Grandma look at Peach's bottom, the skin is turning white."  We talked about what it could be...maybe vitiligo.   Peach has Eczema and has been using a special soap for several years.  Maddie scheduled an appointment with the Dermatologist in March.   The skin on her bottom was white and in an hour glass shape that encompassed her entire bottom....think bikini like. 

The Dermatology appointment in March was cancelled because of a snowstorm and rescheduled for mid May.  On May Day Maddie said "Now Peach has a sore on her vulva."  Indeed she did...we were all feeling really uneasy now. 

Finally the day came in May and not with good news.  Peach has Lichen sclerosus and possible Vulvar Cancer. We were all shocked and scared. 

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition with thin white wrinkled patches of skin that causes itching, pain and burning.  The skin tears easily and can have blisters or sores. Ongoing inflammation can break down the skin.  If untreated it can become skin cancer.   It is thought to be genetic and or autoimmune....like having an overactive immune system.

Treatment:  Special creams that are applied twice a day.  It is a lifelong treatment. Maddie says there are two types of creams and she keeps track of which cream is used on each day.

Peach was three years old on her birthday...she loves The Lion King and I was lucky enough to find an outfit for her. 

Maddie, Brenton, Peach and Jen went to the Mayo Clinic on July 7.  The Doctors there confirmed the diagnosis of Lichen sclerosus.  The special cream was doing a really good job and the blister that I saw on May 1st was almost gone so no biopsy was needed.  We all breathed a sigh of relief that there is no Vulvar Cancer. 

Peach enjoying the pool.

I asked Maddie's permission to write about Peach and she agreed that it is important to share with others.  I asked Maddie if she wanted to write something and she did. 

Maddie wrote:

 To the parents of children with lichen sclerosus:

I know there are days when your heart breaks because you can’t take away your child’s pain. You question if you’re doing enough, research late into the night, and carry worries no one else can see. But never underestimate the power of your love. Every hug, every doctor’s appointment, every tear you’ve wiped away, and every moment you’ve spent advocating for your child is shaping a future where they know they are deeply loved, never alone, and stronger than this diagnosis. Lichen sclerosus is part of their journey, but it will never define their worth or limit the beautiful life ahead of them. Keep believing, keep fighting, and keep hoping—because your child couldn’t ask for a stronger advocate than you.

Keep your faith, trust in God, and trust in your instincts.

Maddie and Peach

 We love our Great Grandchildren so very much.  It is difficult to see them struggle with health issues especially when they are just three years old. 

But they keep smiling! 

Far Side

Chokecherries

 The Chokecherries along the driveway are ready to be picked...or left for the birds.

The foliage of the Chokecherry bushes looks all beat up...probably from the heat. 

When the berries are this color they are ready to be picked...they will strip off easily.

Yippie for the birds...sadly I do not have the energy to pick them.  Picking is only half the work...

We had a quiet day on Saturday.  I did some laundry and almost finished my current book. My other baby brother and she who sees robins first visited along with their Grand Lola. 

What's Cooking?   Smoked Pork Chops, Green Beans with Bacon and a Baked Potato. Yummy!

Minnesota Weather:  High 82F or 28C  Low was 61F or 16C  almost a perfect weather day! We could still use some rain!

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Tomato Report

 Our one little Yellow Pear Tomato plant likes the sheep tank and being next to the garage. 

Even the parts that fell over in the wind are doing okay.  I will need a ladder to pick tomatoes before long.

Right now we get about two sometimes three ripe tomatoes per day.

We had a quiet day...we did a few errands in town and then went to our usual Sunday Lupper Patio spot because this Sunday that little town will be full of people...so we did Sunday on Friday and will try out a different place on Sunday.  That is a win win for cooking!

Minnesota Weather:  We got about 1/3 of an inch of rain...enough to perk up the brown lawn.  High 78F or 26C   Low 57F or 14C

Far Side

Sunflowers and Seven Sticks

 The Sunflowers are just starting to bloom.

It was easy to stop by this field as it is off the beaten path....and there was an approach with a turn around...meant to be. 

Far Guy's fav Nurse is on vacation so his usual one stick for his IV became seven...uffda he looked like a pincushion when I picked him up. 

I ran the usual errands..Aldi, Walmart for the order pickup, Hugos for stuff Walmart didn't have, Walgreens and the Bank.  I made it in record time and was able to get 20 minutes of reading in the parking lot of the Clinic before Far Guy messaged me to pick him up.

We came home, unloaded the groceries put them away, had lunch and a nap. 

Minnesota weather: Hot  High 87F or 31C   Low 65F or 18C

It has been a very warm July...I wonder what August will bring? 

What's cooking?  Breakfast for supper; eggs, sausages and potatoes.

Far Side

Alrighty then

 The new vehicle was much easier on my back and legs as we traveled back and forth Up North to medical appointments. As with any new vehicle we have much to learn about the features.

Far Guy saw his Primary Care Doctor for a follow up after his hospitalization earlier this month.  He still has a nagging cough that is concerning so he will be on steroids for about a week.  Hopefully that will get rid of his cough.  Between the heat, humidity and wildfire smoke...good outside air is not here. 

I had test injections for a Medial Branch Block...my facet joints in my back are unhappy.   I did not have a good enough result to continue with another round of test injections.  You have to have 80% improvement and I only had about 60% improvement for the six hours that the test injections last for.  They have cancelled the tests in August ..so we are back to square one....or maybe it is square zero. 

Then I saw the Gastroenterologist to discuss my side duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (SD IPMN) on my pancreas.   It is considered precancerous.  Because of the size of the "cyst" (more than 5 cm) the Doctor recommends   1) MRI to watch what happens next  2) Referral to Mayo Clinic or the University of Minnesota  for surgery.   I have a MRI scheduled for the end of September and then we will evaluate the situation.  It is a nasty big surgery...many days in the hospital and a very long recovery.   I am not thrilled about that option. 

I had a video visit with my Rheumatologist...take prednisone he says ...he can do nothing for me. 

Yesterday was son in law Andy's birthday!  Now that is something to celebrate! 

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue#14

 March 26, 2008

The Good Towels

Why do we have stuff that is too good to use?

My Mother had seven "good towels" in her bathroom, two not so good and one towel you could actually use folded neatly near the sink.  Mom always had good towels. Shortly after they finished building the house at the lake she went towel shopping.  She purchased a set of white with tiny pink and blue flowers...and proudly displayed them over the tub.  I recall her dismay when they were used by some little boys who did a quick wash in the sink, quick enough to moisten all the dirt which in turn was deposited on her beautiful white towels. 

I don't have any too good to use towels, I don't have any towels that could remotely be called a "set" of towels.  You know the ones with a bath towel, hand towel and washcloth all of the same color or print.  I  have two categories of towels...light and dark.  The last time I had a whole set was in 1969.  I am still working on wearing out all those hand towels that we got as wedding gifts.  The bath towels are long gone ...but those hand towels remain.  Maybe one of these days I should make rags out of them and then go out and celebrate and get a matching set!

***********

I still don't have a good set of towels.  All those hand towels made fine rags!

Too good to use...I use most everything I have.  I do save a few blouses for good...not sure why...incase I need to dress up some day. 

Far Side

Hark! Back Issue #13

February 27, 2008 

Frozen Oranges

Gosh it has been years since I have thought about one of my favorite snacks...the good old frozen orange.  I would take an entire orange and throw it in the freezer, take it out an hour or two later, slice it in fourths and eat it...yummy.  Be really careful when cutting it, I would grab the biggest butcher knife I had, put the orange on a bread board and then work with the knife to get a good bite into the orange...those suckers are a little slippery when frozen...so again be careful. I injured a toe once when an orange went flying off the counter, perhaps you could actually peel the orange and freeze it in sections, or cut it in fourths before you freeze it...I am sure that would work too...I guess I like the novelty of freezing the whole orange.

Oh, how I miss the Florida tree ripened oranges...nothing compares...what we get up here in Minnesota resembles an orange...but you have never really lived unless you have had a Florida orange right off the tree.

Sometimes I miss living in Florida, the sunshine, the sand, the waves, 24 hour a day Bingo, fresh seafood and hush puppies.  Being asked if I would like grits with my breakfast (no thanks).  Going to a filling station, getting an all change and my tars checked.  Instead of toting my groceries around in a store I would use a buggy, Ya Reckon?  Where Goobers are peanuts and they sell the boiled kind, it is a taste I have yet to acquire.  I kinda like the idea of mashing buttons instead of potatoes.  Going to the Washateria down yonder dreckly.  Where soda is a pop, and a Coke is not a coke...it could be 7 UP or Pepsi (I like Coke and when someone asks me if I would like a Coke...I expect one).

Well I reckon that you as readers are hoping I am pert'near done...Y'all have a great day!

****

I still miss the Florida Oranges.

Far Side

Quiet Sunday

 We had a quiet day that was appreciated.  We went for our usual Sunday lunch out on the patio...it was warm, but there was a breeze and we had the patio all to ourselves. 

I started a new afghan with a new to me pattern. It is call the Granny Square Shell Pattern.

It is interesting after I figured it out...the joins were not well written in the pattern or perhaps I am easily confused.  Not sure if I will continue the entire afghan with the light colored shells and the different color outlines or if I should mix it up! 

Minnesota weather: High 94F or 34C   Low 68F or 20C.  In town the car said it was 99...who really knows for sure. 

We have a very busy week coming up with 7 appointments.  3 appointments are Up North. 

Far Side

Picnic

 My baby brother and his bride hosted a picnic for family.  It was a good turn out.  All the little kids had a blast on the slip and slide on the hill. 

This Blue Spruce is on the edge of my baby brother's yard. 

Anyways the food was great...I made potato salad.  

It was a very warm day. 

Minnesota weather: High 89F or 32C  Low  68F or 20C

Far Side

Kids and a car

 Far Guy got Tilly ready to go for a ride.  A quick call to my baby brothers yielded two adults and five kids that wanted a ride!

Being captivated by the window that rolls down. How many kids can ride in the back seat?  Well five!

Maz,Otto, Jordyn, Lulu and Xavier

Five of my baby brother's Grands from Washington, Oregon and New Jersey.  11 of my baby brothers grands are here out of 13. 

#13 was born last Winter.  I got to meet him the other night, he is a happy kid!

Here is Keon with his Dad...Keon loves the front pack and walking puts him to sleep. 

Fun to see all the kids...most everyone got taller this year.  They are busy busy kids!

Minnesota weather: High 81F or 27C  Low was 65F or 18C

What's cooking?  Ham and turkey buns and potato salad. 

Today is my sister's birthday  Happy Birthday Julie! 

Far Side

Seeing Red

 Far Guy and I have been thinking about a different vehicle.  Although we like our Buick the seats are very uncomfortable in a longer (more than an hour) trip.  After an hour I have to get out and walk around, my left leg and back get so sore that I have to move around.  

Jen's vehicle has seats that support your whole leg up to your knee.  Of course it is a larger vehicle...but hey I might be worth it.  

So we have been talking and looking...thinking.  Sunday we drove past the dealership and looked at vehicles...they had two red ones.  

Finally yesterday we took the plunge.  Took it for a test drive and talked with a salesman.  We got the one without the moon roof.

It has what we needed ...comfortable heated seats and a heated steering wheel.  It is a 2026 Ford Explorer.

It won't get as good of gas mileage as the Buick and it fills up the whole garage.  We should be good for another three years. 

Love me a red car!  

Next week we have numerous Doctors appointments Up North so we will see how we like it for that trip.

Minnesota weather:  High 79F or 26C  Low 63F or 17C  We have wildfire smoke again.

Far Side

Slush

 Recently I ran onto this old recipe.  Rhonda gave it to me about 1977 or so.  It brought back some sad/good memories.  Her penmanship is very distinctive.

I made something similar using a can each of frozen orange juice and lemonade using whatever water is called for and about 1 1/2 cups vodka.  I also put it in an ice cream pail and let it get slushy.   Take out enough to fill your glass and then add 7 Up to brighten up the drink. 

Rhonda has been gone a long time, she was a good friend. She graduated from High School with Far Guy and we lived next door to her and her husband back in 1970.   She had MS and died from an infection in 2009, she lived her last years in a Nursing Home. 

Far Side

Afghan

 I have a crochet project that is finished.  It has been washed and dried in the dryer.  The yarn washes beautifully.

I used Stylecraft Special DK in all shades of purples and beige.  I used a 3.5mm hook and the pattern is Study of Reality which was a free pattern on Ravelry. 

I learned some new to me stitches with this blanket and I also learned not to go rogue...and when you think there is a problem...stop and re evaluate.   The edges of the blanket tend to roll.  I can do better...but someone will love this blanket someday. 

I had a busy day...some cleaning and dusting happened and some laundry.  Far Guy is feeling better...he still has a nagging cough...he sees his Dr next week for a follow up after his hospital stay.  He is woodcarving most days. 

What's cooking?  Ribs and corn on the cob.  Yummy!

Minnesota weather:  HIgh 73F or 23C  Low 50F or 10C

Far Side

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