Old Craft

 Before I had surgery Sara at Punkin's Patch sent me an email...are you aware of the witchcraft!  I was and I ordered a kit. 

Can you guess what old craft it is?

It brought back some great old memories for me. 

We had another quiet day at home. Far Guy is just not feeling well. 

Far Side

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

One bloom

 My Fern- leafed Peony had just one bloom again this year.   It was a gift from Larry years ago.  I hate to move it... I am just thankful for one bloom! 

  Pop on over to Larry's and say Hi, this week he brought his wife Della home from the hospital/rehab center...she has not been home since March 25.  So it is a big deal that she is finally home!   I am positive that you will enjoy all of Larry's flowers as much as I do.

Far Side

Talents

 Cards I have received lately, they are candy for the eyes and real keepers!

Jen’s painted Mother’s Day card on the right and Linda’s embroidered card on the left! They both have a special place on my desk where I can see them all the time.

Far Side

This week

 I got to see baby Maziar who lives in Boston, he is my baby brothers Grandson.  I last saw Maz  when he was just a few weeks old.  He sure is cute and we enjoyed watching him play!

He is now 17 months old and came to see his Grandparents and Great Grandparents...I heard he liked the buttons on the bed at the Nursing Home where my Dad is.  By the way Dad is doing okay physically for the moment, however he did not know who I was on my last visit. 

One day I got a package in the mail.  

Mug rugs and dish cloths from Sam in Arkansas  a perfect gift!   Thanks Sam!!

Here is one of of my projects that I finished at Craft Retreat. 

It is a mosaic pattern that is crocheted over a muslin zippered bag.  As you can see I still have plenty of yarn left!  Always fun to have a good supply of yarn for projects!  I have a number of muslin zippered bags waiting in the wings!

Far Side

Butterflies

 Wow I got a package in the mail! 

Such beautiful work and so many butterflies! 

I know how much time is put into the embroidery....it is beautiful handwork.  These came from my long time blog friend Linda in Colorado!   I shall treasure the pillowcases...they are almost too beautiful to use...but I will use them!  Thank you Linda! 

Far Side

Packages and more

 The mailbox has been full of great surprises lately. 

Sara from South Dakota sent a book with all kinds of card ideas!  Thanks Sara...by the way she is a quilter...and does some amazing sewing!  

The next day a package from Sam in Arkansas arrived.  By this time I was feeling real special! 

The knit Miss Marple scarf will keep me warm this winter! The scrubbies will be put to good use too! Thanks Sam! Sam always has all kinds of wonderful projects going on.  I admired this scarf all the while she worked on it! 

Bloggers are just the best kind of friends to have...especially during a Pandemic and Isolation...we all need each other! 

I got the South part of the yard done yesterday and mulched at the neighbors.  My brothers think I am too OCD (CDO) about leaves.  Oak leaves kill the grass and are a heavy mess to clean up in the Spring...been there done that!  I think I have mulched five times now.  

Another mulch or two/three and I will be all done with leaves for the year.  The Salvia 'Victoria Blue' in my flower garden has survived several frosts...the past few days a tiny yellow butterfly was visiting the flowers. The Impatiens are history. 

We had another very nice day yesterday...it spit rain a few times. ( I am not sweet enough to melt!) Far Guy worked on his new old car...valve covers is the latest project.  I got a few more things on my never ending Fall list taken care of. 

We made Green Chili Chicken for supper.  Chicken breasts seasoned with cumin, pepper and chili powder, place them on 1/4 cup of Green Enchilada Sauce in a baking dish...place green chilis on the chicken and top with more enchilada sauce and some cheese...bake 375 degrees covered longer than 30 minutes...depending on the size of your chicken breasts!  Bake uncovered about 10 minutes....serve over white rice.  Far Guy gave it a 10...and said he hoped I didn't like it so he could have all the leftovers...It was okay...I wouldn't eat it every week...but once in awhile it is okay.  Two servings went into the freezer for some night when we don't want to cook. 

I have three crochet projects going at once...too many!  So it is taking forever to finish anything. My shawl with pockets was way to heavy to take along to the cities last week...so I started another lacy shawl.  Then I saw that Cee Cee was wearing socks and her feet looked cold so I am crocheting her some cute little boots...one is done...now to get one to look like the other! 

Far Side

Masks and more

A package came in the mail.

It was from Shirley...she had a foaling contest and I was the closest guess on the date that Midnight Moondance was born. Thank you so much Shirley! The masks are just perfect!

Our weather has turned real warm. 

I am staying busy.  Far Guy is wood carving on the Christmas Ornaments out at the patio table.  I  join him for a short time...I have not carved in a little while so I am breaking in those wrist/fingers slowly so my hands don't sleep all night and keep me awake.

I began the someday project that was INSIDE the milk can. It is a many step project that involved some research and trial and error.  It is a labor of love for sure.  It will take me all summer to finish...maybe longer.
Far Side

Good Guess

Nancy over at Wyoming Breezes had a contest to see who could guess how many small quilt squares were in a pile...my guess of 233 was real close.  Nancy makes Quilts of Valor for Veterans in Wyoming, she also knits!

Nancy said a package was on the way.  I had no idea what was inside that package.  It arrived safely and it is just perfect! Nancy kept encouraging me to keep knitting socks!  She knows me well as she and I have been following each others blogs for many years.

Sock yarn and a Christmas Ornament!  Thank you so much Nancy!  The ornament will be a great reminder of our special friendship!

Far Side

Colorful Gift

This week the mailman brought me a package from Kansas.
Imagine my surprise!

Thank you Mary Lou!  It has a home on our couch  where it's warmth can be enjoyed!  I have been following her blog and she has been following mine many years now.

Far Side

Jeanne’s Book

I met a blogger a long time ago…she has a wicked sense of humor.  She has finally realized her dream of having a book published.  It is called The Demon Always Wins.

I bought the book from Amazon. It is a paranormal romance novel.

Finished the book a few days ago.  It was entertaining.  Not my usual kind of read but I enjoyed it none the less.

As soon as the book arrived I made a book cover for it…it is difficult to make a book cover when your eyes are closed.

Why a book cover?…those of you who know me well should have guessed by now.

Here is a link to Jeanne’s website

My review:  It was a entertaining, sexy, wildly descriptive good read.  I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Way to go Jeanne!  I am thrilled that you are published and look forward to the other books in this series.

Sunflower

Last week I got a very special gift. 

Something for my little flower garden.  It is just perfect!

Do you see it?

A sunflower!  Thank you Leah!  She is a neighbor and a fellow blogger!

The sunflower is a perfect addition to my not so perfect garden.  The squirrels damage/eat plants…it is what it is.  The sunflower makes it look lots better!

Sheeps

Sheeps always make me smile.

Some of my favorite things that make me smile sit on the shelf above my computer.

A Equinox Farm Calendar showed up in the mail, many thanks to Sara for all the smiles…her sheeps are special!

I think I live vicariously through Sara and her photographs.  A long time ago raising sheep and goats was a possibility for me…we tried to buy my Grandparents Farm (my uncle wouldn’t sell it)  and then we put an offer on a farm near the ND and MN border along the Red River…it was in the flood plain and had a few other problems so we did not purchase it.  Eventually I took one of those fancy smancy tests that tell you what profession you are best suited for…Police Officer…Child Care…Horticulture. Sheep/Goat farmer was not on that list.  I figured at 45 I was too old to be a Cop and I just wanted to be a Grandmother not take care of kids everyday…so I chose Horticulture. Funny how things work out.

Painted Rocks and a book

We got special mail last week.

I have been to this place on Lake Superior…it makes me want to go back when it warms up a bit!  I love the idea of painting on rocks.

I found a good place to display it.

It fit perfectly leaning against the Border Collie that sits on the dining room window sill.

Far Guy got a book all about trains.

What fun to get stuff in the mail.  Thank you Larry!  It is wonderful to have such talented generous blog friends!

Shiny Brites with a history

On Saturday morning I received a box in the mail.  It was from Colorado. A whole box of ornaments now named Cyndi arrived!  Five Ice Blue and Five Red.

Cyndi writes:

I Immediately thought of you when I unearthed my Christmas Ornaments and came across a box of Shiny Brites,  They aren’t the prettiest…but they have been on my tree every year I’ve had a tree since we bought them for our first Christmas together in 1972.  They were purchased at the Rhinebeck Hardware Store in Rhinebeck, NY.  The price is still on the box, $1.19!  We were married in October but I had to finish student teaching about 300 miles away.  I remember finishing the semester and driving home a few days before Christmas.  We were giddy about celebrating that Christmas.  We went out and purchased a small tree, a stand, some lights and two boxes of Shiny Brites.  This is all that remains, with the exception of a few that have lost their tops or have borrowed a top from some other ornament.  Enjoy them.  I will look for them on the next year’s Shiny Brite tree.  Best always, Cyndi

Thank you so much Cyndi!  I think they are just perfect!  I love when Shiny Brites have a history.  I will tuck their history into the box with the ornaments!

Cyndi and her husband are selling their home and many of their possessions because they are “downsizing” and moving.

Nine years

I have been blogging for nine years.  It doesn’t seem like it has been that long. It has been an adventure, one that I enjoy.   I have met many other bloggers from all over the world, visiting them is like going on a vacation without leaving the comfort of my home.

The Grands have grown up on this blog. A few even read it from time to time.

I guess I have just a few more things to say….a few more history related stories to leave for the Grands…I have all the emails that I sent during the Flood of 1997, a Indiana friend Ardith saved them for me.   I also have a whole bunch of letters that I wrote to my best friend Susan in the late 1980’s and 1990’s… she actually saved them all for me.

So I will continue.

 

These beautiful George Vancouver roses are for me today and I hope you will enjoy them too. In the midst of winter I can almost smell these blooms that are clustered together on the bush like little bouquets.

Thank you for reading!

A Shiny Brite gift and snow fun

I got a Shiny Brite tree in the mail!!

Thank you Mildred!  It is just perfect!  This tree is already decorated!

I have not begun the big Shiny Brite tree yet.  Soon …maybe.

Yesterday I dusted and put a whole bunch of dust collectors away in the living room so I can begin decorating.

It is cold here. The snow quit, the main roads are okay but the side roads are icy.

Far Guy got the snow blower started.  The darn thing needs a new electric starter…it was replaced about 18 months ago and used about six times since then.  Workmanship is not what it used to be. 

Far Guy and Chance went to the Post Office for me, everything is in the mail…cards and Christmas carvings.  I had a feeling “off” day yesterday…had a long nap…didn’t seem to help much…hope this passes soon.

We are supposed to get more snow today…so we will have snow fun again.

I got mail

I got some Royal Mail, it took six weeks to get here, it must have been on one of those tall ships or a row boat.

Alan collects postcards, earlier in the summer I found a postcard of Blackpool at a Flea Market and sent to off to him.  He in turn sent me a postcard from Pittsburg, PA of the Machesney Building that is now called The Benedum-Trees Building that was built in 1905.  The postcard has horses and carriages going up and down the street.  Doesn’t Alan have wonderful penmanship?  Thanks Alan!  He writes the blog News From Nowhere.

A few days later I got a box in the mail.  Johnson Cottonwood Bark from Colorado, from Linda.  She lost a huge branch in her yard and when I asked her about the bark she mailed me not one box but two.  Thanks Linda!  I will carve something for her…eventually.  Linda writes the blog Life on a Colorado Farm.

One of the great things about blogging is that I have wonderful friends from all corners of the world.

It is always great to get something in the mail other than bills:)

Four Years

One day back in 2007 I woke up and said..gosh I think I will write a blog.  Perhaps I will voice some of my opinions and tell some stories about how things used to be when I was a little girl.  Perhaps “The Five” will find it interesting and amusing someday to learn something about their Grandmother…then again maybe not..you never know.

I had been reading Buffalo Gal’s Blog for a couple of years..she was and is awesome with all of her stories!   She and I became fast friends.  I value her opinion and her friendship.

Today is post number 1,468.  I have not missed many days in four years. Daughter Jen guest blogged one time when I was hospitalized with pneumonia.  Chance guest blogs from time to time so I do get a break.

One thing I worry about is repeating myself..have I shown an old photo before on Wistful Wednesday?  If I repeat myself I hope my readers will just go with the flow, and chalk it up to getting older.  I thought about compiling an index..I decided it would be too much work.

Last summer when I was working at the museum I began to write in my mind and then spit them out into the computer late at night.  It seems to have worked.  I have discovered my best writing time is when the house is quiet and the phone is not ringing.  Blogging is a hobby.. a fun hobby.  Most of my blogs are written the night before and published in the early morning.

I also write Forgotten Old Photos.  A blog where old photos found in antique shops are sometimes reunited with family.  That blog brings me great personal satisfaction.  I also get to feed the old photo collection monster that dwells inside me.

Blogging would be a perfect job!  This winter I am being paid to continue writing the Hubbard County Historical Museums blog.

My personal photo blog Far Side of Fifty Photos began to suffer last summer..it was hard to keep up..photography is still one of my passions..and Chance is sometimes a willing subject!

How long will I be blogging for..I have no idea..I take it all one day at a time. God willing and the crick don’t rise I will be back tomorrow.

I have “met” some marvelous bloggers over the past four years. Some I have actually met in real life..some are neighbors!  I thank each and every one of my readers, especially those who leave comments!

Now for a pretty picture. I once had a blogging friend who said “No post is complete without a pretty picture.”  Heaven has been her home for two years now.  Yes, even in the blogging world there is death and feelings of great loss when we lose one of our own.  I cannot explain it..it just is.

Lupines in the wild gardens..with Veronica ‘Blue Bouquet’ providing the bokeh:)

Birthday Loot

I promised I would tell you what I got for my birthday.  Of course what I asked for wasn’t just something that is found in every 5 and 10 cent store anymore..years ago perhaps.

I asked for a Shiny Brite Tree Topper.

Far Guy found one..in it’s original box!

Here is some of my loot.

The old photographs are from my daughter Jen along with one of my favorite treats Chipsters..potato chips covered in chocolate…they are not in the photo..I put them in the fridge:)


The sunflower bowl and the sunflower table runner are gifts from Jo.

I got a pair of orange crocs from my parents and some money.  I bought a cookbook that I had my eye on all summer.  It is a collection of recipes from all the Hubbard County Homemakers’ Clubs from their Christmas Fair Booklets 1967 to 1985. I do know some of those cooks.  Far Guy got his hopes up for just a few seconds..he thought I would make some of the recipes in the book.  Not real likely as I just like to read cookbooks.

I got cards in the mail and many wonderful birthday wishes on Facebook and here on the blog..Thanks everyone for your good wishes!  I think I have finally accepted the idea that I am now sixty and older than dirt.  That would be just regular dirt..not the guy known as Dirt who is married to Lanny:)