My Red Basket

 My red basket has been full of yarn for a good long time.  It is Mosaic Crochet and it is called Hush.  This is my second blanket in this pattern.  

This is how it ended up when we lost power early Friday morning.  I had to get out my book light and read... finally gave up and went back to sleep...even though the security system was beeping telling me that the power was out.

Hush in Fall colors.   I started on this afghan November 18, 2023...uffda that was a while back.

Last Monday I put in a stitch marker to see if I could crochet 50 rows before a week is up (I have 42 rows added now)...and then possible 50 plus or minus rows the next week and then it could be enveloped in the border.    

I guess I made it a priority to finish up in May.  A goal. Keeping my fingers crossed!

One thing I finished this week was the final drawer #17 in the kitchen...the spice drawer.  Now to finish the rest of the cupboards in the kitchen...several are done...a few more to go and that project will be done too.  All in good time.

 It finally rained here and our high temperature yesterday was 52 F or 12 C  that is a whole lot cooler than it was earlier this week. 

For supper we made lasagna together about noon and put it in the fridge to marinate a bit so it was easy to throw in the oven by who ever was awake prior to supper (Far Guy) he woke me up when it was done and the table was set.  Rainy afternoon calls for double naps!

Far Side

Just one more thing

 The SD card slots on both of our Macs quit...must be a glitch or an update where they forgot about all the people that still use SD cards in their cameras...are we a dying breed or what?  I fiddled with it and swore a bit...nasty word...nasty word.  Researched the problem and ended up ordering a thingy.

What is one more wirey thing to hook up anyway...and it works...it transfers my SD card images flawlessly for now to the C slot in the back of my Mac.  Kinda the pits that it has a short cord as my computer has to be moved to put the SD card in.  Oh well. 

In other news.  Far Guy has relapsed a bit and he gave the crud to me.  I am on antibiotics and a steroid.  Both meds help with my Lymes Arthritis so I have less pain some of the time.  

This weeks meals:

Scalloped potatoes and ham, pulled pork and salad (Thanks Andy and Jen), omlettes with ham and cheese, pizza from Pizza Hut, a new to us chicken hotdish and one fend for your self night, last night was chili and grilled cheese. 

Company last week: My Other baby brother, my baby brother and his bride with Baxter and Smudge.   Last week Saturday we saw Jordan and Paige and Cole.  Paige helped with Spring House cleaning so I might have a handle on the house cleaning for now.  Cole helped with projects outside...we are very thankful for their help. I still have more drawers, cabinets and cupboards to clean out...a purge. And beds upstairs to wash up and windows to wash.  Enough to keep me busy when I feel better. 

The grass is turning greener every day after our rain.

And then I broke my toe...stubbed it so hard on an old trunk when I was barefoot that my toes cracked. Clumsy.  It is very sore...no need to go to the Doctor as they would just splint it to the next toe or three. 

I do my own pedicures obviously I could do better. 

Far Side

Spring Cleaning

Paige, Cole and their dog Rosie came to help Spring House Clean Upstairs.   They are good workers!  Much was accomplished in an afternoon.  Cole took care of a few things outside, we are very appreciative of their help. 

Upstairs the windows still need to be washed and the sheets and blankets on the beds need to be washed too...but I can work at that one project at a time. 

We have a busy week coming up...three doctors appointments.  One for me on Tuesday( hopefully it won't be a winter storm that day) and two on Thursday and Friday for Far Guy.  We also have to "people" a bit on Monday.  

Here is a photo of Paige in October of 2000.  The occasion was her Great Grandparents Y. 50th wedding anniversary.

 

Well... we can say goodbye to the long month of March after today. 

Supper was homemade pizza. 

Far Side

Blue Dishes

 I needed a project on Friday morning. So I washed those blue dishes in the open cupboards.   That was the end of the Spring Cleaning in the kitchen.   Far Guy helped!  Somehow we drag each other into some projects. 

We finished just in time to head for town for my last eye test.   I have looked at the green star twice now ...they told me they were two different tests and the test for macular degeneration where there are lights that move around and you have to press the button.  Old people tests.  I would guess I passed the tests..the Doctor will send out a written report after he has reviewed everything.  

It rained most of the afternoon and the temps were in the 40's.  A chilly Spring day in Minnesota.

Far Side

Done

 I have my second vaccination...I am done!  Yeah me!  My arm is sore and I have a bit of a headache other that that I am okay...so far anyway. 

I finished the majority of the kitchen spring cleaning...all the drawers and cabinets and even the fridge...I keep waiting for my new fridge to come...no word on that.   I still have the open shelves to do...but that will wait until my arm is better.  I also did the dining room except for the light fixture!   Far Guy did all the ceilings!  

There was a movie star activist in our area and she made all the news...so not impressed.  Enbridge Line 3 is a big deal...but she arrived in a car..not on a horse ...although I hear that horses will be used...probably when the weather gets warmer...they do war paint and everything.  No one has been protesting inside the pipes lately although some people suggested that she squeeze her skinny body inside a pipe and stay there:)

I am done with Bridgerton...I give it a 5 out of 10 stars.  I enjoyed the gowns and hair styles...the story line was written like a steamy romance novel...one of my readers described it as a bodice-ripper.  Wealth, Lust with a capital L and betrayal...to each his own. 

I started watching Anne with a E...marvelous production!  I already give it a 9 out of 10.  I think there are three seasons...so that will keep me busy for awhile.  It is much more to my taste in entertainment.  Plus I have not read any of the Anne of Green Gables books.  The actress who plays Anne is excellent!

A trail cam photo...showing a couple of survivors after Deer Hunting was over. 

Happy St Patrick's Day to those who celebrate it! 

Far Side

All about the drawers

 I finished the 17th drawer yesterday...so glad to be done with them.  I have five cabinets yet to clean and the fridge....and everything on the open shelves must be washed and put back in place...that is a day project by itself....so I can see the end but I am not there yet!

Far Guy built most of the drawers and cabinets.  The fellow who made the  large pantry with drawers got so busy building cabinets that he showed Far Guy how to build them...we spent most of one summer building cabinets and drawers.   

I love drawers...so much easier to clean.  The drawers are very large and well built! The drawer and door pulls are made from black walnut. 

Spices, paper products, storage containers on the left, on the right silverware and a kitchen utensil drawer. 

Kitchen towels, table top decorations, canning stuff, junk drawer, strainers and potatoes, Chance's drawer, potholders and bread boards, bread pans and casserole dishes, Corning ware on the left.  Then on the right a full set of dishes, cookie sheets and roasting pans, cast iron fry pan along with misc fry pans and pots with covers. 

Yes we still have a drawer for Chance...he used to lead people there.  We still have some collars a couple of leather leashes, various brushes, a number of new balls, a water dish and a food dish and a jar of food.  Kinda sad to clean that one out...everything was put back in.  Little Elvis might need a snack some day..or a good brushing...the water dish goes outside come summer...used to be for Odda now it will be for Baxter and Little Elvis when he visits.

I like drawers, no losing stuff way in the back or getting on your hands and knees to retrieve something! 

I dislike the time change...not sure why we do it anymore.  Here in Minnesota it is too cold to sit out and enjoy an extended evening.

Far Side

Sunshine can be a shovel

 The snow is melting off the patio...I didn't shovel the patio as this last snow was really heavy.  Sunshine was my shovel!  We may have more snow coming soon...perhaps it will go south of us and get the banana belt of Minnesota.

I worked in the kitchen most of the day...12 of 17 drawers have been cleaned and a bunch of cupboards.  Not sure that I will get the entire kitchen done by Tuesday...we will see.  I am not holding my breath!

 By 3PM I was shot and went to my office on the couch and watched the second season of Virgin River...I liked the first season very much and have been waiting to watch the second season...a reward after cleaning works for me!  I give the Series a 9 out of 10 stars.

Far Guy went for a walk several times and worked on his carvings.

Far Side

Snow

 It snowed.  Winter white is back again but melting fast. 

The roads were slushy but mostly okay when we went to town. 

Two grocery stores, a fill with gasoline and by the drive through at the bank, a short wait in the Clinic parking lot for Far Guy and we were on our way back home again.  I had to call one of the stores again...they never seem to get it right...they left me a note that they no longer carry Deans Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream...why then did they charge me for it?  That was my question...they said they were sorry yet again.   I am certain that they are tired of hearing from me and I am tired of calling them and pointing out their errors. 

We are still disinfecting everything.  We have a process...I wipe everything down, it sits on the counter to dry and Far Guy puts it away. 

Just for fun I cleaned the microwave...much easier than the oven and I washed a bunch of stuff in the open shelves above the microwave...one more drawer was finished...so that is 6 out of 17.  I would like to be all done with the kitchen by the time I get my last vaccination next week.  Just in case my arm doesn't feel like scrubbing cupboards. 

Far Guy worked on some woodcarvings.  I watch some movie called Stupid Crazy Love which I give a 2 out of 10...I watched the beginning, fell asleep and woke up for the ending and in time to cook some supper...French Toast...I have not made that in a long time...possibly the last time I made French Toast it was for Adam....several  many years ago.  Far Guy had syrup...I had some of that marvelous Chokecherry Jelly slathered all over it!  I am not a fan of syrup on anything...except with some pork sausage in an acorn squash.  

Far Side

A Challenge

 What is the very worst spot to Spring Clean or Fall Clean or anytime clean?  

I will let you think about that a bit.  I got that worst job behind me and began to clean out kitchen drawers...I have 17 of them...5 are now done...progress is slow but sure. 

After a few very nice days ...yesterday was cloudy...and it started spitting snow in the afternoon. 

Far Guy had an appointment that HAD to be done in person at the nearest VA Clinic...a six minute walk so they could evaluate whether or not he still needs oxygen.  No surprise there.  We got to see Miss Paige for just a few minutes...we ordered out supper from the establishment she works at and she delivered our order to the car.   It was good to see her!  She is getting her first vaccination next week...she still works part time in a Nursing Home.  The next time we see her we might be able to give her a hug!

My cleaning challenge is the Oven...I clean the stove top on a regular basis...but that oven only gets my attention once a year.   I got every brown speck cleaned off the oven racks and then proceeded to stand on my head and scrub up the inside of the oven...I know you have a automatic cleaning oven...me too but the last time I turned it on to clean...it locked and it cost $200 to have the guy come out and unlock it....so no more automatic clean for me.  It look me the better part of a morning to get it almost as good as new.  I have a feeling it might be on it's last legs...and I have probably jinxed it by cleaning it! 

No spring cleaning today...it is grocery adventure day...which may be a winter adventure in new slushy snow. 

Far Side

Looking for Spring!

 We have a bit of nice weather...but it will not last it is Minnesota after all.

I went looking for Spring. 

Water in the corner ditch. 

My other baby brothers grands writing with sticks in the sand. 

The new neighbor puppy ...wearing a spring coat of dead grass. 

This is Titus a Border Collie/Great Pyrenees cross.   He is very friendly, has a soft mouth and seems real gentle.   He keeps Putz and Snoopy on their toes.  I had a good visit with Steve and Jo outside in the sunshine while watching the dogs play. 

I am done with Spring Cleaning the bathroom...not sure what I will tackle next...decisions...decisions. 

There is still snow, water and ice at the snowstick. 

Far Side

Melting

 We have had a few warm days!  Sadly June the snowbank is almost gone in March.   We have so much less snow this year...but winter isn't over yet.  March can be a fickle month and so can old man winter. We have some mud in the yard and the puddles of water freeze every night making a bit of a skating rink.

There are still about five inches of snow at the snowstick.

Yesterday I had a busy day.  The Living Room is completely Spring cleaned...yeah me!   I was at loose ends and didn't know which direction to go to next so I headed to the kitchen to make Far Guy's favorite dip.( Italian Sausage, Hormel Chili with no beans, Philly Cream Cheese, Velveeta Cheese and Jalapeno Peppers. ) Then my other baby brother and she who sees robins first came by to sit in the sunshine out on the patio.  After that I worked on my mosaic crochet project and had a half hour nap...getting up just in time to help Far Guy cook supper...pulled pork quesadillas....the dip is perfect to go along with this meal.  It also freezes well.

My Covid Arm is finally better! I still have a sore spot but the temperature is gone along with the red spot!  Now it will have time to get all better before the next shot in 10 days. 

Far Side

What day?

One day runs into another.  Other than the morning we listen to church and the day we go to town the other days are all the same.

Yesterday we went and recycled...no one else was there... just us.

There are now 13 cases of Covid -19 in our county...Far Guy keeps track of the Minnesota statistics.  They don't say what part of the county they are in.

Far Guy will have his U of MN Lung Transplant Doctor's appointment over the phone or computer in mid May.  He attended the Lung Transplant Support Group meeting via computer...a program called  GoToMeeting.  It was fun to hear the voices and have interaction with the group.

I finished spring cleaning in the Living Room. Cross it off the list!  Not sure which room or project I will do next.  The greenhouse/woodshop needs some attention before it gets too warm in there.  I have some brush along the driveway that needs to be trimmed back and spring is a perfect time for that.

Far Guy ordered some Pear Tomato seeds and some lettuce seeds so we will do a bit of gardening in containers.  As soon as the seeds get here we can plant in the greenhouse.  Some deliveries are really slow.

One of our daily visitors.  A male Downy Woodpecker.  The females have no red on their heads.

Far Side

Sassy!

Maddie reports that Cee Cee tested negative for Covid -19.   Thank you for all your prayers!

Maddies 8 PM Friday night report was the baby was getting sassy and bratty and hopefully that meant she was on the mend!  Maddie was going to try and get some sleep in the room tonight they are on the Peds floor.

Cee Cee has her Mama's hair:)   This is a photo Maddie put up on facebook.

We pray that she has turned the corner and will improve with every hour!

It was very sad to miss out on May Day Baskets this year.  Far Guy said I could make him a basket if I promised not to run real fast so he could grab me for a kiss! This is the first May Day that I have missed in a very long time.

The Living Room is almost spring cleaned..I need to vacuum the area rug really good ...roll it up and scrub the floor, scrub under the last couch and clean the light fixture.

This week the grocery delivery was short of Ammonia, Chicken, Lysol Wipes  (for my Mom) and Outshine Fruit Bars..the Lime ones taste just like a Margarita without the te kill ya  (tequila.)

Far Side

Spring Colors

We have no spring colors outside yet so yarn has to do.

Just finished up a shawl out of these colors.  I will take a photo soon.

I am in between projects, only because I have not decided what to do next.  I knit on my socks and worked on some crochet squares for a charity project.

I am taking a day maybe two off of spring cleaning. 

Today I get a chipped filling fixed at the Dentist...they are allowing only one person in the office at a time.  I will pick up groceries during Far Guys Infusion, deliver a few items to my parents and come home and disinfect everything. 

Just a couple of thoughts;  I realized I am not high maintenance.   My hair has not seen dye in many years, I only get my hair cut twice a year and if worse came to worse I could hack some of it off.   I do my own toes and finger nails.  I have never had a spa day...what ever do they do for a whole day anyways? 

Far Side 

Projects galore

I stay busy.  I am still spring house cleaning..I attacked the area under the open stairs and put away winter boots and coats.  Miss Miney likes to lay under the stairs...so I crawled under there and scrubbed the floor and the grout really well. I began washing the log stairs... my arm got really tired so I took a day off and did some raking in the yard.  We had a really nice day yesterday almost 70 degrees!!

I carried the electric snow thrower away...Far Guy said I may have jinxed myself. The ice chisel and one snow shovel also made it back to their non winter spots.

I almost finished my afghan this week.  It still needs a border so technically it is not finished...I have to think about what border I want...

I put it out on the couch just so I could look at it a few days.  It is very colorful!  I learned so much doing this project. Many different stitches were added to my list of crochet skills.

I am still watching Ozark on Netflix.  I got out my socks to do some knitting...a little retraining for my crochet brain.

Far Guy has been woodcarving outside.

His project is nearing completion.

We are prepared now so I can patrol for Poison Ivy soon and drag the leveler around on all our back roads...fun stuff!  I am also ready to mow should the grass change from brown to green and grow.

Far Side

Carving and Cleaning

I got the little bark houses painted.  I also painted a bigger project for Far Guy.  Glad to have that project done.

We are working on a prototype for this years Christmas ornament…it is another woodcarving, different from anything we have done previously…we will see how it works out.


Now I am ready for the ever present snow to melt…we are very cold here…so that probably isn’t happening this week. So far we have record breaking low temperatures for the month.

I began some winter/spring cleaning …kitchen cupboards are on my list and I have a number of them accomplished…it is tedious work exploring cupboards.  I have 28 cupboard/drawers in the kitchen…8 are done…uffda.

I hounded Far Guy until he replaced all the batteries in the smoke alarms…even though they are supposed to be good and will let you know when the battery is low, I feel better when they are changed every six months.  He changed the batteries and tested them all…made Chance nervous.  For some reason we did not get them changed when the time changed…usually that is my reminder to insist it be done.

Spring Emerges

The forest fire smoke finally left our area, we got some rain, not sure how much as I keep forgetting to get out the rain guage.  It has been cool, the furnace still comes on several times a day. We will have freezing morning temperatures over the weekend…it is opening Fishing Weekend….traffic in town has increased.

Our first Hummer showed up on May 11, 2016.  He/she should have a little down filled parka.

Far Guys Lilac may bloom in May this year!

One day I worked on spring cleaning the kitchen, I am maybe 1/4 done.  At this rate I will be done in a month.

My Fern-leafed  Peony might have a tiny bud.  Larry from Iowa sent me this plant a number of years ago.

We have the Oriole Feeder out with grape jelly…so far they are a no show.

Garage Sale season has started!  One of our favorite activities!

Spring Cleaning

Does anyone Spring Clean anymore?  I mean the really old fashioned spring clean, where everything is removed out of every nook and cranny in a room?

I finally finished spring cleaning the bathroom downstairs, I think I must have skipped last year…maybe even two years…shame on me.  Drawers were emptied out…new drawer liner was put in and everything put back in it’s proper place.  I should be able to find everything.  Expired medications were dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office for disposal.

A new bath rug was purchased and I may purchase another since it feels so good on our feet.  I did everything except deep clean the grout in the tile floor.

Not sure what room should be next?  Maybe the dining room, it has only one small drawer and a few bookshelves. Easily done in an afternoon if a peron puts her mind to it and isn’t distracted by a warm spring day or a bead project or day trips looking for more junk.

 

April so soon?

I am not ready for April to be here yet.  I want to go back to March..I want a do over.  This is my last month of freedom before going back to work May 1.

I have been working on many projects.

I thought I was done scanning old photos and then I went and found more that I had tucked away upstairs.  Then I found a bunch more of my personal old photos..when will it end.. all these odds and ends of photos.

I finished up the cleaning of the bathroom drawers and cupboards.  It is nice to have some sense of organization again especially in the two drawers I use.   I will super clean the grout between the counter and floor tiles one day this week it has been a few years since I have done that. ( Super cleaning involves a toothbrush and lots of elbow grease with a disinfecting steam finish.  Then the grout is resealed..clean and fresh just like new.)

I have to make a new list of all the things that I want to accomplish early in the month, and then add at least ten days of lollygagging here and there to round out the entire month.

I should go shopping one day too..I think I need a new pair of red crocs..and a red sweater with pockets and a hood…something soft but warm.

I am not looking forward to freezing half to death in the unheated museum..so I am hoping that our warmer than usual weather continues into May.  I have scheduled a day for the community to come together and help spring clean the museum and join us for a potluck lunch the first week in May.  We will see how the community responds.

If I could have physically executed a cartwheel I would have done one when one of the Board Members donated a brand NEW shop vac to the museum..not a garage sale used up one that was certain to catch on fire..not one with only the big huge hose that was duct taped on and spewed dust everywhere if the hose was kinked…a brand new one in a box and everything..I was so excited I nearly wet my pants.

We have another fundraiser dinner coming up in April.  Pre sale of dinner tickets could be better..but they are what they are.  I cannot single handedly pre sell all the tickets for them.  So far only a few people have returned their tickets..I sent them to everyone that was a member..and asked for their help selling them.

The Township Donation project that I implemented this year is having some good results.  Checks are coming in and will continue to do so for the next few weeks..early indications are encouraging.

I put many hours into the Township project..most of which were donated hours.  So I guess you could say that I work from home but only get paid for a small portion of my hours over the winter.  Part of that is my fault.  I had no idea how many hours  email, phone messages, blog writing, programs, fund raising and research would take during the winter.  Next year I will have a much better idea:)

Part of the Wedding Dress Collection at the museum.

Spring Cleaning

I an attempt to keep my head above water, I started some Spring Cleaning.  The downstairs bathroom is done..I went through the cupboards and through the drawers, tossing and organizing.

Men are so much different than women.. We have a toothpaste spatter ghost that visits our bathroom.  How do I know it is a ghost?  I brush my teeth while hanging my head in the sink.  Far Guy claims he never ever looks into the mirror while brushing his teeth. So it must be a ghost.

Far Guy has stuff to make him poop and stuff to make him stop pooping.  I told him that he has enough product on hand to supply a small country, and he better be careful that he doesn’t get all mixed up.  I tend to use the “natural remedies”..prunes and bran muffins..and then cheese.

Far Guy has a problem if he hasn’t pooped by 10AM..by 11AM he declares himself all stopped up. Then he begins to get crabby.  I tell him to drink more water..he replies “I drink coffee that is the same thing.”  We have a standing argument..I say “NO” it isn’t ..then he found some article that was written by a Doctor that said Coffee was as good as water…I give up.

I did an inventory of my makeup..do you suppose that if you open an old compact and the makeup sponge breaks in half that it is over the hill?  If you cannot get the mascara open anymore..and you cannot remember the last time you wore mascara.. do you suppose it is time for some new stuff? I usually only wear a little eyeliner and eye shadow and then my carmex as a lipstick. One minute or less and I can be done with “makeup.”

Hopefully I will finish up the laundry room/furnace room today. I did part of the kitchen a short time ago..so when I hit that room it should be a piece of cake.  It is not window washing weather yet..so that will have to wait.

Welcome to mud season, it rained yesterday, and then it snowed again last night.  We did not get the storm that they predicted for us.  Our driveway is very long..and very muddy and it is a good thing we have four wheel drive or we would not get in or out unless we walked:)