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

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  

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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.

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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

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

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

A little pink

 The Showy Lady's Slippers are in full bloom.

They can be found in the roadside ditches for another week or so then they will be gone for another year. 

Such a perfect flower.   It is Minnesota's State Flower.

Far Guy has a cold.  He thought it started as allergies late Thursday..but it is a full blown "man cold"  I am keeping two eyes on him.   He has begun the medication prescribed by his Pulmonologist.  

Minnesota Weather:  It rained.  High 73F or 23C  Low was 67F or 19C.  We are supposed to warm up into the 80's F this week.  I like the 70's F  the best. 

What's Cooking Lately:  Spaghetti, Pizza, Eggs...nothing very exciting.

Far Side