Hark! Back! Issue #4

 Hark! Back! Is a look back at blogs that appeared in a now defunct blogging site before I started with blogger in September of 2008.  They are in no particular order.

January 7, 2008

Mission Impossible

I don't know about the rest of you but I hate grocery shopping...first of all you have to be organized enough to make a list. In order to do that ...I have to know what I want Far guy to cook.  Have you ever stopped to think how many times groceries are handled?  #1 Take it off the shelf and put it in your cart #2 take it out of the cart and put it on the grocery store counter #3 Put it into a bag #4  Put the bag into your cart #5 Put the bag in your car #6 unload car #7  put groceries away #8 cook..finally #9 serve food # 10 leftovers and clean up # 11 clean leftovers out of the fridge #12 take out garbage.  ...so in summary you must handle something at least 12 times just to be able to cook...plus the added aggravation of having to make the list in the first place. 

Sometimes when I am feeling especially like Suzy homemaker, I insist that Far Guy and I go up and down every aisle in the grocery store. He likes a heads up on those days and will wander around the entire store looking for people to talk to. ...as I am in charge of the cart. Other times, I take half the list, he takes the other half and we meet up in the store occasionally so I can dump my stuff in his cart. When Far Guy is in charge of the cart he will try to avoid me at all costs, he thinks it is funny to watch me peer over the top of an arm full of groceries to give him the evil eye.

Years ago when we had children living at home, I would play "Mission Impossible" with them. I would brief them in the car, everyone was in charge of three or four items the "Mission" was complete only when everyone had their items and was at the check out counter...seems to me that grocery shopping and cooking is still a "Mission Impossible"...and there are only two of us to cook for.

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Far Guy is a great cook!  

I love ordering and picking up groceries at Walmart and other grocery stores too.  What began in 2020 with the Pandemic continues for us.  Sometimes I have the groceries delivered to our door...especially when we order water for Far Guys coffee.  ( He uses bottled water for his coffee because our water has  lime deposits.)

We make menus for two weeks with room for change here and there.  At least I know what groceries I will need for the next two weeks:) 

We usually share cooking duties especially when we make chili or gumbo with portions to be frozen that end up on the menu as "freezer". 

When we are up North for the Winter our son in law Andy likes to cook and he is really good at it!  So we enjoy any meals he cooks and are so thankful for a cooking break!

Far Side

Dreary Day

 It was a dreary day here in Minnesota. 

Not much happening.  I finished the May Baskets and they are partially filled.  I did some laundry and hemmed a pair of pants that were too long for me.  No machine involved...I can sew by hand faster than dragging the old Sears sewing machine out. 

Far Guy was busy all day...walking, making ice with the ice machine and cooking supper...Impossible Italian Sausage Pie. 

Minnesota weather: Dreary.  High 50F or 10C  Low was 34F or 0C.

Far Side

Friday

 We rescued Tilly from the repair shop.  The gaskets she needs have been ordered.  She needed to come home and go into the garage just incase it rains.  She will go back to have the repairs and an oil change soon.

Far Guy replaced my lawn mower battery and fixed a flat tire so I could mow. I dug out my lawn mowing stuff...special long sleeved shirt, red rubber boots, hat, safety glasses and special carrier for my phone.  I mowed the wild gardens east of the house...we like to mow it to give the wildflowers a bit of a chance!  The grass is turning green after the rain we had earlier this week.

We made pizza for supper. 

Minnesota weather:  High 55F or 13C  low was 35F or 2C.

Far Side

Stash

 I made a small baby blanket...perhaps just right for a car seat in the Summertime.  

It is the linen stitch using a 3.5 crochet hook.  The yarn Stylecraft Special DK  and I have no idea what the colors are anymore.   I have a bunch of yarn yet to use up. 

Far Guy and I took Tilly to town for his Infusion and a blood draw for me.  Our Buick has been in the body shop getting a small dent fixed.  Tilly is now in the repair shop for a diagnosis about her transmission fluid leak.  We are glad to have the Buick back...although Ranger Blue is great transportation! 

Minnesota weather: High 77F or 25C  Low was 32F or 0C.   It rained early on Thursday morning.  Thundered enough to wake me up...which is really saying something as I am a sound sleeper!

Whats cooking: Freezer food...Vegetable Soup for me and Jambalaya for Far Guy.  One night we had Moons over my Hammy.  

Far Side

Update:  This blanket was given to Baby K so she would have a small blanket to have in her car seat!

A sign

 There is a sign of Spring out there.

Can you see them?

How about now?  The Pussy willows!

Far Guy and I went out for a ride on Ranger Blue looking for Spring.  Other than deer in our yard, a couple  ducks down at the river and a chippy feeding on a deer carcass...the Pussy willows were our big find for the evening ride. 

We made pizza for supper.  Far Guy putzed the day away.  I did some laundry and worked on the parts for May Baskets. 

Minnesota weather: High 53F or 12C  Low was 39F or 4C.  

Far Side

Stash

 I finished one blanket using up part of my "stash."

It is a shell stitch.  I  was not thrilled with the one blue/grey bunch of yarn but it is what it is. 

Yesterday was a busy day.  Far Guy tackled all kinds of small projects while I did some laundry and got rid of a bunch of over the hill stuff in the fridge!

We made pork chops and rice for supper with peaches. 

Friday night we went out with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first for supper at a local place...the food was good.  

Saturday was the Frozen Four Championship.  So we watched hockey in the afternoon. 

Minnesota weather:  High 46F or 8C  Low was 40F or 4C.  It rained a little.  It is supposed to be 70F on Sunday...we will see if that happens.  I think we still have too much snow cover for that to happen!

Far Side

The Snowbank named June

I think that June may be gone in April this year.  We are supposed to get really warm weather this weekend. 

Always fun to see June disappear! 

Something missing was not found so we did the best we could and had a new key made.  It took three different visits to two different places of business to accomplish it....but now we can cross it off of our list and I can say with certainty that the missing keys will show up now. 

Far Guy has been out to visit his old car Tilly in the garage and the next door neighbor/great niece Anna stopped by with Remmy. (Remmy is a pup that was rescued from a ditch nearby last Fall...someone threw her out the window) She grew over the Winter! 

What's cooking: My other baby brother brought us over a couple of jars of venison soup that was really good so we didn't have to cook our first night back.   Yesterday we made Chicken Enchiladas before watching the big Hockey game...we lost so it was not a fun game to watch. 

Minnesota Weather:  Sunny.  The breeze coming off the snow is chilly.  High 46F or 8C  Low was 30F or -1C eh!

Far Side
 

Easter Weekend

 Far Guy and I and Sadie had a quiet weekend.  Sadie enjoyed walks each day with Noah. (She came back tired!)

This is Sadies I think you forgot to feed me look.   FYI she was fed! 

Far Guy and I are packing up and venturing back to our home in the woods one day this week.

Jen and Andy have been off on an adventure with beautiful views!

They will return today.  Sadie will be thrilled! 

Whats cooking: Far Guy made a steak and baked potato along with fruit for our Easter meal.

Minnesota weather:  High 41F or 5C   Low was 19 or -7C  it was a windy day so it felt cold.  Some of the snow melted a little.

Far Side 

April 1 Snow

 It began to snow about suppertime.  Huge flakes. Sounds like we may have some weather in the next three days or so. 

It is not even an April Fool's joke. 

Andy and Jen made supper....chicken, potatoes and fruit. 

Minnesota weather:  High 35F or 2C  Low was 30F or -1C eh! 

..WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 8 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. * WHEN...From Friday afternoon through late Saturday night. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.

Far Side

Last day of March

 We can March right into Spring...but the wind is still raw and you need a parka, mittens and a hat....note to self your crocs with socks just don't cut it yet. 

We completed #21 and #22 of our appointments in March.  What a relief to put that behind us!  One Doctor says come back in a year and the other said 6 months!  Alrighty then.

Far Guy can see without glasses.  His vision is pretty near 20 20. We have eight drops left to do...out of 318 that is an accomplishment itself.  The Doctor reports his eyes are healing well after the cataract surgery. 

I am getting better at scheduling appointments...we have some scheduled in June and some in September all on the same day or two. Unlike last year when we had appointments every week and had to drive up North often....or appointments every day that had us staying with Andy and Jen a fair amount of time. 

Minnesota weather: High 42F or 6C  Low was 29F or -2C. There was some sun but mostly wind.  I am thinking that March is going out like a Lion as we have snow in the forecast.

Whats cooking?  I made Chili and Grilled Cheese:) 

Far Side

Blooms

In warmer climates..they have blooms.  Photo from my sister.

 We will have blooms in a couple of months.  After all it is Minnesota...my Dad used to say that over his years he witnessed snow in Minnesota every month of the year.  I wish I could recall what years he said...but I cannot.

Minnesota weather: Sunny!  high 48F or 9C low was 25F or -4C eh!  

We had a quiet day on Saturday.  Far Guy did some woodcarving.  I did some laundry and crocheting. 

I made potato salad and Andy grilled steaks so it was almost a Summertime meal.  And it was delicious!

Saturday evening they are all watching hockey, I will join them for a bit...hockey is ok ...I can watch a bit and no one gets upset if I ask dumb questions!  Then I will escape to read:)

Far Side

what to cook?

 That is a daily question.  

Today I am cooking.  Pork roast, mashed potatoes, gluten free gravy and baked carrots. 

If I had more energy I would make a dessert.

We had an adventure yesterday...a trip to an antique shop that was stuffed to the gills with "stuff".  I did not buy a thing.  However I did see some cute signs.

Far Side

Eyes and Yellow

 I saw the eye Doctor again for visual field tests...etc.  I do not have glaucoma or macular degeneration!

Come back in six months. Yeah me!  

I finished this delicious looking baby blanket a few days ago and started another one.  Single crochet using a 6.5 crochet hook and Snugs and Kisses Yarn in the Sunny Seasons color. 

We are happy to have Jen back home again!  

Minnesota weather: High 45F or 7C  Low was 25F or -4C  Snow was melting!

The kids made supper...bacon, apple pancake and fruit!

Far Side

Slow but sure

 I finished a blanket last week.

It is a linen stitch.  I used a 6.5 Crochet hook and 5 skeins of Cozy Occasion Yarn in Ivory.

Jen and Maddie sent a photo of a Mama Sloth with a baby! 

Monday activities...laundry, grocery store and cooking.  Biscuits and Gravy along with fruit for supper. 

Minnesota weather: Cold!  High 12F or -11C Low was -5F or -21C.  Hopefully yesterday was the end to the cold spell. 

Far Side

The Greats

 One guess where the Great Grandchildren are this week. 

Peach and Cee Cee waiting for their brother to come off of a ride that they were too small for.

Baby K and a Princess

Peach and a Princess

Looks like they are having fun.

Hey Mikey

And eating well too!

We had a quiet day at home.  I did some laundry and cleaned the bathroom for excitement.

Jen made egg bake and pineapple for supper.  It was delicious. 

Years ago when Far Guy was stationed at MacDill AFB in Florida we visited Walt Disney World several times...it opened in 1971 and we were stationed at MacDill in 1973 and 1974.

Far Side

More snow

 We had more snow overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday...about 10 inches total.   The roads are fair for driving conditions on snowy icy roads.  A few days of sunshine will help melt the roads. 

I took Far Guy to his Infusion appointment, I waited in the parking lot while Far Guy had his infusion.

I am feeling less pain after my back injection...fingers and toes crossed that it will be helpful for a while.

Suppers lately...hamburgers and French fries, chicken and wild rice soup with Gluten Free Red Lobster Biscuits and tonight is tacos and Far Guy's dip:)

I watched Song Sung Blue on Peacock TV and really enjoyed it...in fact I may watch it again.

Friday is a day off of medical appointments!!  

Far Side

Threads

 Embroidery threads are part of my recent days.  

I brought ten dish towels with me to be embroidered over the Winter.  Five are done...so I am making progress.  Slow but sure.  

Far Guy is doing good...he is back on the treadmill and doing at least 5,000 steps a day.  He has his sense of humor back and that is a relief.  We are waiting for the genetic testing to come back on his Thyroid Nodule biopsy.  He has two nodules inside his Thyroid...one is benign and the other is questionable hence the extra testing that takes weeks.  

We had breakfast for supper..we all cooked!  

Minnesota weather: High 42F or 6C  Low was 32F or 0C eh!

Winter Storm for Wednesday and Thursday

Description

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO MIDNIGHT CST WEDNESDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation and areas of blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches with locally higher amounts. Ice accumulations of a glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to midnight CST Wednesday Night. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult. Falling and blowing snow will lead to areas of quick and sudden reductions to visibility, making travel difficult, especially in rural areas that are prone to blowing snow. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.

Far Side

Quiet Day

 Tuesdays are usually quiet days as Sadie is in Doggie Daycare.  She was happy to see us when she came home. 

Far Guy drove me to the grocery store, we picked up a prescription, got gas and a car wash.  The car looks blue again instead of a grey blue.

We made pork chops, rice and green beans for supper.  We made the green beans with bacon and a bit of vinegar just the way the guys will eat them.

Far Guy was a bit hoarse yesterday from the biopsy on Monday.  He says it hurts a bit too.

This is Great Granddaughter Peach's Valentine box. She is going to love it...probably she will jump up and down many times in her excitement!

Minnesota weather: Partly sunny High was 32F or 0C  low was 16F or -9C. 

Relaxing moment yesterday...waiting for a train and admiring the art work on the boxcars.

Far Side

report

Not much snow in the fields between Grand Forks and Fargo.  The West side of the road has drifts of black soil.  We were thankful for no blowing snow this time around...not that there is too much to blow around. 

Gas prices are fluctuating from $2.29 to $2.49  and we saw one station today that was $2.23

 The sun was out for part of the day then it got gloomy.  Far Guy took a photo for me. 

Far Guy had a number of biopsies of the two nodules inside his Thyroid gland...results may take up to a week.  Now we wait.

I made chili for supper and grilled cheese sandwiches.  The guys did all the dishes.  Jen is on Vacation in Belize.

Minnesota weather: High was 39 F or 4C  Low was 23F or -5C eh!  Nice weather for February!

Far Side

Weekend Finish

 I finished the two dish towels my Mom left for me to do. I started on some of my own stamped designs that have been languishing in my embroidery box for a while.

Nice to have some completed projects. 

We had a quiet day, in the afternoon we watched Flipped it was a good movie.   Toward evening the Great Grandchildren were here to liven up the place! Andy made loaded nachos for supper. 

Far Side