Merry Christmas 2020

Far Guy and I wish you all a Merry Christmas!  

This is a sweet homemade gift from my baby brothers grands.   It was made especially for us and delivered with a smile. 

 

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. 

This year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that even though things may be different this year..Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Does that mean that we miss our daughters, son in law, grandchildren and great grandchildren  less...no.  We will miss the laughter that filled the house, the sometimes dangerous games of spoons and lining everyone up for photos by the Shiny Brite Tree....and the hugs. 

Possibly the only things that are the same this year ...the wreath by the front door, the Nativity on the mantle and the caramel rolls that await taste testing. 

We watched the Christmas Eve Service live streamed from the church we were married in....traditionally our family fills a pew or two at that service on Christmas Eve.

Far Side

Grocery Adventures

 No oranges..and I like an orange for breakfast...good thing I have a few extra in the fridge and I have a few containers of grapefruit...so I will get by.  No slices of ham...and the 2% Milk ordered became Skim  Milk.  Like I said always an adventure.  

After I picked up groceries curbside at two places I dropped off a letter at the Post Office Drop Box and went through the Drive Thru at the bank it was time to pick up Far Guy.

There is more than one way to skin a cat...we waited and waited at the local Meat Market...when we got there only one vehicle was outside...so I waited patiently for that person to come out and while waiting three more people went inside....it is a small shop ...they could not be social distancing inside. So I called in my order and said I was outside waiting and within a few minutes my order was delivered to the vehicle.  Far Guy said "Well that was slick." 

Two sets or ornaments were delivered! Two more to go...one day soon. 

Cookies...I was going to bake some...and then there was a delivery to our front door. 

Beautiful tins!  The bottom tin is filled with Swedish Gingersnaps that are really yummy.  The top tin has a Dutch dessert called Stroopwafel  two wafer like cookies with a caramel cinnamon filling inbetween the cookies...to die for!  Both gifts from a special blog reader Kay!  Thank you Kay! 

So I may be short of oranges and ham but we have lots of cookies! 

Far Side

Trees and a new ornament

 Yesterday I picked up groceries curbside and then put gas in the vehicle and then waited for Far Guy to come out of the Infusion Center.   They stopped taking temperatures and just ask you questions now about Covid; have you been exposed, been around anyone with Covid, do you have an symptoms of Covid and do you have a Covid test which results are pending?  Go figure...of course throughout the whole Pandemic things have been fluid and ever changing. 

We headed downtown to see what was happening on Main Street. This is the new tree.

Even the heart that says Cindy Lou and the Grinch is upside down. 

There is a new tree in Pioneer Park.

At least it is a tree. 

Not nearly as pretty as the one that blew over in the wind and was too damaged to be saved. 

Then we dropped off some Christmas Ornaments for friends...tied one bunch around the drivers handle of a vehicle and the other on the handle of a garage door.  It kinda felt like May Day! 

This ornament was a gift from a dear friend...it was hanging on her garage door for me to pick up.  It is fabric.  Being a non seamstress I have yet to figure it out.

Grocery pickup was ok...missing oranges, yogurt, and Outshine Fruit Bars.  After disinfecting everything at home and washing Far Guys town clothing I went to my office on the couch to crochet until it was time to fix supper;  salad and Philly Cheese pretzel buns. 

Yes I still make Far Guy take all his clothing off that he wears to town and insist that he wash up real good.  We have heard of several people that have gotten Covid at a clinic...so he tries to be real careful not to touch anything...but he still has to press the buzzer to get into the Center and sit in their chair.  He disinfects his hands twice in the Center and then when I pick him up I hand him a Lysol wipe. It is all we can do to try to keep safe.  

Far Side

Company bearing gifts

 Our youngest daughter and my sister are having a Christmas Gluten Free Baking Adventure.  They hiked over to visit.  They are baking at my baby brothers lake home. 

We visited outside on the patio.

My sister and her Boston Terrier

They brought gifts.

My sister made potholders for my birthday...they are too pretty to use!  Chex mix and a yummy Rolo, pecan, pretzel treat. All Gluten Free as they both have Celiac Disease... it comes from my Fathers side of the family...so far I have escaped it. 

Soon they got cold and left.  They had many more gluten free recipes to try.  Shortly before they came over they baked some Ginger Snaps and were not sure if they were going to be Ginger Snaps or Ginger Folds. 

Nice to have company.

Far Side

Tree and town report

 Curbside grocery pickup was a success...we got everything on our list. It was a miracle!  I got gas for the car and went through the car wash...we are having weather that is about 40 F during the day...I will take it.   Far Guy called me for his ride while I was inside the car wash.  He waited outside the clinic in the sunshine for me. 

We drove down Main Street to see the 2020ed tree. 

 

Yup still 2020ed...I wonder how long they will leave it there?

At home groceries were disinfected and fruit washed...even the bananas.   Did you know if you scrub bananas vigorously they turn all funny...one week Far Guy said "What in the world is wrong with the bananas?"  A gentle rinse is what they get now. 

So we are all set for a while or at least another week.  I even ordered some stocking stuffers for the Grands. 

The Covid numbers are very scary in our area.  I wonder if another lock down is imminent...Dial Back/ Gov Walz solution to the pandemic doesn't seem to be working very well here in Minnesota.  Stay safe out there! 

If you have not entered the drawing for the hand carved one of a kind ornament then leave a comment here and you shall be entered. 

I will be drawing winners on Saturday! So I can get them mailed out the next week. 

Far Side 

Cee Cee Baptism Day

  We drove up North.  Our Great Granddaughter Cee Cee was baptized last evening.

The baptismal gown has been packed away in the trunk since it was worn by Great Grandson Hey Mikey for his baptism.  The gown hung in the living room all week.  The cap had blue ribbon but Jen brought some pink ribbon along with her. 

We met Jen, Andy and Cee Cee in the parking lot of the church...everyone else was inside at Mass.  I changed out the ribbon and Jen dressed Cee Cee in the backseat of her vehicle. (luckily it was reasonably warm  40 F)

Jen and I both wore masks...I stayed a distance away and just watched. 

The gown fit just fine.  (Big sigh of relief)  For those of you who don't know...this baptismal gown was made out of my wedding dress....next door neighbor Jo and I made it.

I knew that my big girl camera wouldn't like the dark so I used my cell phone to take a few photos. 

Cee Cee looking at her Great Auntie Jen as if to say "Why are you wearing that mask?"

Jen and Cee Cee 

 

 Saying Hi to Great Grandpa.

Other family members were already in the church.  We did not go inside..we felt that it would be unnecessary exposure for Far Guy.  We left for home as Jen and Andy walked toward the church with Cee Cee.

Andy took a video for us ...so it was almost as good as being there.  The important thing was that she was baptized.  We got to deliver the gown and see her dressed in it. 

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19

Far Side

After Thanksgiving Day

 We visited via zoom with daughter Jen and her husband Andy and all of our Grands and our two Great Grands...it was wonderful to see them all. We had a good visit. 

Far Guy and I roasted that 8 pound Turkey Breast...we have turkey coming out our ears...enough to have sandwiches, biscuits and gravy and who knows what for a number of meals.   I like turkey... but once a year works for me. 

For fun I joined Jigsaw Planet and made some puzzles.  Some I made are more difficult than others.  I will get the hang of it sooner or later.  I like puzzles and with the online ones there are no pieces to lose.

Here is a link to this puzzle.

I hope you all are staying safe out there! 

Far Side

Sunny Day

 The local Post Office is only open for a few hours on Saturday mornings...I got up and dressed cause they frown on jammies and got the Christmas Ornament packages in the mail.  One person came into the Post Office to wait in line behind me. 

Far Guy and I walked to the mail box and afterwards we sat in the sunshine and watched the birds.  It was good to sit outside.   It was about 35 F or 1 C eh! 

I went immediately upstairs and mostly finished my dusting and vacuuming up there...Far Guy says he has no dust on his train set...I will tackle that and show him the dust another day.  His idea of dusting all that old train stuff is waving a swiffer duster around while he holds the vacuum hose in the air...he also uses canned air.  For a long time he had a remote control aircraft that moved lots of air...then one day it crashed too many times. Uffda. 

Far Guy worked on the Christmas letter...I looked at Christmas paper designs online and will order our paper on Monday so I can pick it up on Friday at a local business.  Far Guy ordered all the postage stamps online. 

Hairy Woodpecker...a female I think.

Embrace every sunny day you can! 

Far Side

Grocery Day

 Well what do you know we got almost everything on our grocery list. They are still out of green enchilada sauce but daughter Jen found some for us....and I have one can in the pantry shelf. Ah yes hoarding big time.  Usually when I use something it goes right back on the list.  

It was a nice day around 40 F or 4 C eh!  So I disinfected the first grocery order right there in the parking lot...I get lots of stares but I just don't care. I didn't disinfect at the next curbside pickup ( I disinfected at home)...and then went by the Post Office drop box and the drive through at the bank and just about that time Far Guy was done with his infusion. 

Far Guy noticed some construction going on at his old house in town...he lived in that house for 19 years. 

Looks like it is getting an enclosed porch.   It is used as a meeting place for disabled folks. 

Town was not real busy...the deer hunters are gone. 

The Governor of the Great State of Minnesota has ordered a "Dial Back" for the Covid outbreak.   Closing bars, restaurants, gyms, theaters etc...but schools can remain open along with stores, barbers, beauty shops and churches.  Restaurants can do take out business only.  This Dial Back is in effect from Friday night November 20 until December 18.  I notice lots of bars were advertising specials to empty their taps before Friday night on facebook. Where ever will the bar flies go for a month?  Home??  Imagine that.

Far Side

Snowy Day

 We got about two inches of snow. 

So now it is colder too.  Far Guy shoveled the walk and I shoveled the patio...two inches is a piece of cake to shovel.

We have Pine Siskins at the feeders now, they came with the snow....no doubt they are just scouts and more relatives will follow.  They fought with the Chickadees and Assups for space at the feeder.  Why they wanted the black sunflower seeds instead of the thistle seed is beyond me. 

I finished up the Christmas Cards they are packed away for now...one day soon I will do the address labels...I have time.  Far Guy has not begun to work on his letter. 

We prepared supper together...smoked pork chops, corn and apricot sauce.  Yummy! 

Brother in law Ron had bypass surgery yesterday he had five bypasses.  We heard he came through the surgery just fine. Son In Law Andy's Father was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Stay safe out there!  Covid is everywhere! 

Far Side

Quiet Day

 We had a quiet day doing our usual stuff; housework, laundry, cooking and free time.

I worked on Christmas Cards and sewed buttons on some Cowls that I finished this week. 

Just a few that are finished.  They will be gifts most likely...I crochet to keep my hands busy.  Some of this yarn has been hanging around for a long time. 

 Bad news for some of the people we like...my Aunt is entering Hospice Care, Son In Law Andy's Dad is in the hospital with something they are unable to diagnose and an old friend has Pancreatic Cancer. 

Many people out there are struggling.  My prayers are with all who struggle with health issues Covid related and non Covid related. 

Count your blessings if you are in good health! 

November is half over today...the days are dark and dreary....which is usual for November weather.

Far Side

Fine Day

 We had a fine day yesterday.  We recycled and made a drop off at the Local Food Bank where there was a line outside but also a grocery cart outside for donations.  I had a few things that we were never going to use...so maybe someone else can benefit.

My other baby brother stopped by...she who sees robins first sent over blueberry muffin mix, disinfecting wipes and several jars of canned venison.  (She reads the blog.)    He wore a mask and we talked at a good distance outside...one of his daughters and several of his grands tested positive for Covid....they are all doing okay...their symptoms were like a bad cold.

We had the venison for lunch and it was fantastic.

Our snow melted...cause it warmed up a bit. 

Far Guy has been watching a series on his computer in the evenings...every once in awhile he would laugh out loud...sometimes he would say "you have got to watch this!"   I decided to watch for myself yesterday afternoon...funny stuff...just the break we need in our ever so serious lives.  The series is on Netflix and is called Norseman.  I give it a 10 out of 10.  Not everyone may appreciate the humor...but we sure do. 

Far Side

Snow again

 I am not sure what # snow this is...I have lost track.  It snowed big flakes for quite a while. Enough to make the ground white.

I couldn't pick up groceries until after Far Guys appointment...so he was with me...just like a little kid watching which people had masks and which ones did not...it was fairly exciting for the old guy to see people! (Groceries are the highlight of our week!  Old people are easily entertained.)

The grocery report was dismal.  No 20 ounce bottles of water, no Green Enchilada Sauce, no Blueberry Muffins, no Cara Cara Oranges, and no antiseptic wipes.   I ordered a Pork Roast and some fatty looking Pork Chops I never would have bought were substituted... in the reading department Co Jack Cheese was interpreted as Pepper Jack Cheese.  So they get an F this week. 

Sure I can make my own blueberry muffins and research how to make my own green sauce...it is just easier to order.  

I think we are on the brink of more shortages.  I was able to get a bottle of Lysol with bleach so I can make our own antiseptic wipes if I have to. 

The Covid numbers are going way up around here.  A wonderful lady died this week she was in the Nursing Home and we think it might have been Covid that contributed to her death.  She was married to Far Guy's Uncle.  She was 90 years old. 

One of Far Guy's Doctors said " Just assume that everyone has Covid." 

Stay safe out there in the Covid world. 

My earache is much better...hope it stays away:)

Far Side

Windows and Two Rides

 Far Guy helped me and we finished up the windows...yeah us we are done with windows!  I began a deep cleaning upstairs...Fall Cleaning  instead of Spring Cleaning...it will take a while.  I will clean one small section at a time.   Good thing about working upstairs is I can leave a mess up there and walk away.

After windows we went for a ride in the Desoto.  Since the speedometer sticks at 25 mph Far Guy got an app for that...  we had it up to 56 mph...fast enough for us... we had it out on the Highway and then we drove over to Steve and Jo's and honked the horn...only Putz and Odda were home.  We have been waiting all week to go for that ride...it has been too muddy to take the new old car out. She ran like a champ! 

Then we went for another ride in the other vehicle ...up North to drop off some gifts at Susie's...we are behind on our Birthday and Christmas visits and gifts.  She was making Evergreen Swags outside.   It was fun to visit at a distance...better than no visit at all. We have been friends for 45 years.

They live further in the boonies than we do.  It was a mostly cloudy dreary day.

How about that ...a Swag was my Christmas gift! 

I hung it up as soon as we got home. 

Far Side

Pocket Shawl and other stuff

 I found a pattern for a pocket shawl on the interweb...it had a long fringe so I adapted the pattern...and it had small pockets...so I changed that also.

As I worked on this project I wondered who I would give it to...two people came to mind...I think I have it figured out. 

 I can tell you it is very warm...just working on it warmed me up. It is bright and cheerful!

I learned a bit about this larger project...I have yarn to make a another...a bit of a different pattern... perhaps sometime this winter I will start that project.

I am back to smaller projects with a quicker finish again.  (gifts)

We did our Wally World pickup...they are out of the 20 ounce bottles of water that Far Guy likes for making his coffee...we have to use bottled water or buy a new coffee maker every few months. 

I finally got the French Door washed up and sparkling...two more windows to go and I can cross windows and doors off my Fall work list. 

My baby brother came by with his huge mulching tractor...the wildgardens were done in no time!  Stiney (his little dog)  tracked him all the way over here and then went back home by himself...Stiney has not been feeling well...he is old and has liver issues....but he was running like the wind yesterday.  It is hard to have old dogs...you never know from one day to the next how they will be. (Stiney has been on many walks through the trails to get to our house so he knows his way around.)

My other baby brother and she who sees Robin's first came to visit and give us the Covid report...some neighbors tested positive but are feeling okay.  Scary times we live in...is there any rhyme or reason why some people get so sick and others have mild to no symptoms? 

Far Side

A day

 It turned out we needed a new pressure tank instead of a new pump in our well.   That involved two workers trapesing in and out of the house.  They did not have masks so I gave them some disposable ones. Far Guy went outside to sit in the sunshine.   I had to move some stuff for them...and then clean up after them when they were finished.  I opened the windows and turned up the heat and all the exhaust fans while we sat outside for a couple of hours.  My baby brother kept us company and then his bride showed up with our parents.  It was good to see them...they were going for rides in the ATV since it was such a nice day. 

There has only been a few people in our home since March...Jen, Andy, my Dad and three repairmen. It is a worry when someone strange comes inside....I disinfected things I knew they must have touched. 

After all that we ordered our groceries for the next week.  We had lots of misc on our lists...everything was ordered and we will see what we get.  I hear that turkey will be in short supply...lots of people eating Thanksgiving dinner at home I guess. I ordered a turkey breast...that will do for the two of us if we get it. Last week I got canned pumpkin for pumpkin bread...sometimes that is in short supply in a normal year. Normal...not quite sure what that is anymore.

Far Guy washed up my lawn mower...and I have a vacuum cleaner that totally comes apart so I cleaned that up...a few more projects crossed off the list...it was a day.

Far Side

Everyone must eat

 My parents have been calling in their grocery order....then the store stopped taking call in orders and according to my Mom "They were nasty about it."  ( I will complain to Corporate Headquarters for her.)

Let me ask you...what are the elderly without computers supposed to do?  Starve or go inside the stores?  How is that helping???   How do you look for the helpers when there are none to be found????

Luckily my Mom does have an I Pad.  She had difficulty finding the website for the store.  I finally emailed her a link to the store.  She was having difficulty creating an account...she couldn't get the emails to match or the password. The program locked her out several times.  I finally created a account for my Dad.  When she finally got signed in and we got her shopping she got a popup that cancelled everything...she was ready to give up. So she read me her grocery list and I ordered everything for her.  She is supposed to pick up her groceries today...as they do not deliver on Sunday.   She really needs to do delivery.. and they deliver free in town bringing everything to the door.   

I tried to get the app for Walmart set up on Moms phone but she cannot recall her apple id.  My baby brother may know what it is as he does all her phone stuff. 

Uffda...frustrating for sure. Trying to help her over the phone was difficult. 

Far Guy and I ordered from Wally World this week...there were no mistakes and pickup was slick as snot on a doorknob. 

Too bad we are not like birds and just visit people who buy and put out food for us.

Far Side

Quiet Days

We have quiet days at home.  I worked on Christmas Cards again...I am getting bored with them...but I don't have many left.  The card is complicated and uses three stamps...and then it has to be cut out and pass quality control before it is stuffed into a envelope.  I have not begun the cutting out part...but I made a template. 

Far Guy opened the garage doors and started up his new old car..the antifreeze was only good to ten below zero...so he drained some fluid out and replaced it with fresh antifreeze so he should be good to go into colder weather now.   He said he may have to replace some hoses.  I asked him why he didn't drive it out of the garage...his answer was it would get the tires snowy and then the snow would be carried into the garage.  

I watched a movie...fell asleep after a few minutes and woke up for the ending...I cannot even recall the name of it....oh well I am having two Fridays this week. 

I shoveled off the patio and walk...and created a spot under the bird feeder for the Juncos...hoping if I feed those snow birds well they will leave us alone...as it is they seem to have invited all their friends. 

Just heard that one of my Dad's cousins died of Covid he was 84 years old and a very nice man and Minister. His wife and son also have Covid and so far they are recovering.  The numbers in our area keep increasing. 

Far Side

Town

 Gas Stations and Auto Parts stores...that seems to be the norm for Park Rapids.  There is a new small antique shop in an old flower shop on Hwy 71 South....which I think is more of an Antique Mall where different people have areas. (I wish I dared to go inside.)

There has been talk of this Gas Station for quite some time. There used to be a Gas Station, Beer Joint/Laundromat, Stacy's Pizza Shop, a Tackle Shop/Art Gallery/Auto Parts Store, and another Gas Station on this block...oh and Hazels Beauty Shop behind the Gas Station on the west end...

Now there is a big crane moving huge concrete sections into place.  We have been watching the building site with interest...we wondered if the old alley will still be there...so far it looks like it. 

Grocery Pickup was an adventure.  It took three attempts but they finally got it correct.  The first time I was shorted three items and charged for a large peanut butter but got a small one.  After I disinfected everything right there in the parking lot I gave them a call and left a message for the online shopping department of the problems with my order....I told them I would wait in the parking lot for someone to straighten it out.  After a short wait a fellow came out...he heard my complaint and headed back in the store...he returned with two of my items and Jiff Peanut Butter (not Skippy)... he grabbed all the peanut butter and headed back in the store...a while later he brought out the rest of my order and the correct size Skippy PB.  This all took 30 minutes...so frustrating.  Of course the fellow was apologetic...they really need a detail orientated person to fill orders.   So I give them an F this week for a freaking failure. 

By that time it was time to pick up Far Guy from the clinic.  The onto the bank Drive Through and the Meat Market for some St Louis Style Ribs.  I waited outside the Meat Market for another customer to come out before I went in.  The fellows in the Meat Market are real nice...I can also call in my order and they will bring it out to the vehicle for me. 

 

Main Street was real busy...and the outdoor eating areas looked cold and empty. With the colder weather more people are going inside...not us....we are probably better cooks than they are anyways.   

Far Side

Normal?

 I am feeling almost back to normal after that horrid flu shot. Is there really a normal anymore...sub and ab the normal brothers seem to make themselves frequent visitors. 

I blew some leaves around on the East side of the house and mulched some of those leaves. It rained almost two inches the night before so the leaves from a Popple tree that are bunched up on the North side are wet...I can either rake them into the woods or wait for them to dry out.  I will wait. 

The grasses on the East side of the house still look good....we leave them alone. 

I finished unpacking the last of those suitcases...that is a done deal.  I did some laundry...  we cooked supper together ham, tator tots in the air fryer and baby peas. 

Covid cases are on the rise...two local eating establishments are closed for cleaning because of exposures.  We have not been to either place since last February.   Even the UPS Driver said that Covid is everywhere. 

I was feeling a bit down so I took a walk along the back road...I walked alone ...yet two shadows show up...Far Guy says it looks like the other shadow has wings.  My shadow is on the right.

Far Side