Mulching is over!

 I am declaring leaf mulching done for the year!  I was really lucky that my baby brother has a huge mulching mower and he came through our yard a couple of times. 

The mower was washed off and is drying overnight before Far Guy puts it away for the Winter.  My red boots were washed and my lawn mowing clothing is in the washer...so I am done. 

The weather was great yesterday as I made the rounds for the last time. 

Not sure when this Popple will lose its leaves but they can blow away!

My other baby brother has some trees that are still losing leaves...but I got what I could. 

Sounds like snow is in the forecast for next week.  Far Guy moved my regular snow shovel and my electric snow shovel to the front door. 

I mowed off the wild gardens West of the house, the ones East of the house are mowed in the Spring.

We still have a few things to do outside yet....but we are hopeful and will leave the patio table and chairs out for a few more days!

Minnesota Weather:  High 71F  or  22C  Low 55F or 13C  

What's Cooking: Eggs, sausages and potatoes:)

Far Side

Leaves

 The leaves from our Burr Oaks just turn brown and fall off.   They are about 75% down.  I have mulched twice and maybe a third or fourth time will be needed. 

We have a little color along the driveway.

Most likely a Northern Red Oak. 

I am painting Christmas Ornaments, Far Guy wood carved.  It was a very nice day! 

Minnesota weather: High 71F or 22C  Low was 42F or 6C.

Prayer Warriors:  Prayers for our Sister in law Beth as she struggles with side effects of Myasthenia Gravis.  Prayers for Brother in law Ron in Indiana who had surgery for Bladder Cancer. 

Far Side

Catching up

 We had ten medical appointments last week.  I like to bunch them all together if possible.  We had seven on Monday and Tuesday in Grand Forks, ND.  Far Guy saw his Palliative Care Dr, Pulmonologist and Oncologist.  A few meds were changed but nothing new is noted...he will have a PET scan in three months.   I saw a Neurologist who wants better nerve studies done that he will do himself, I had Visual Field tests at the eye Dr and she did a quick exam...I am still suspicious for glaucoma but don't have it yet, my eye pressures are great.  Then I had an MRI...I hate those things...The cysts on my pancreas are stable  the one on the uncinate process of the pancreas measures 5.2 cm x 3.8 cm  previously it was 5.3 cm x 3.5 cm  the cyst on the neck of the pancreas measured 9mm  and it measured 8mm in May.  I have not heard from the Gastroenterologist for his recommendations.  They can do nothing about them...I will have to go to Mayo at some point in time. 

Thursday Far Guy had his infusion and I ran errands.  On Friday we both saw the Dermatologist...I was all clear but Far Guy had a biopsy taken from his forehead. 

It was an exhausting week...next week we have three appointments...practically a vacation for me as they are all Far Guy's appointments. 

We are finally unpacked here at home, I am still catching up on laundry.  I had a nap every day since we got home. 

Far Guy has been fussing with Tilly and woodcarving. Hockey pre season games have begun.

I mulched leaves in the yard yesterday...they are about 50% down. 

Minnesota weather:  High 61F  or 16C   Low 40F or 4C

What's cooking?   Steak burgers, french fries and green beans.

Far Side

Friday

 It was a busy day.  I mowed a bit and washed one window inside and out!  I have one small corner of the house cleaned real well now!  Progress is slow.  Then I had a nap.  

The Liatris is blooming in the wildgardens. 

Something lost was located yesterday...never give up!  

Far Guy worked on his woodcarving Christmas Ornaments.  

Minnesota weather:  High  75F or 24C  Low was 50F or 10C   It may have hailed a bit in the early morning I was not awake at 6 AM  East of us had lots of big hail. 

What's Cooking?  Ham, egg and cheese croissants and corn on the cob.

Far Side

Busy

 The Hummingbirds are as busy as they can be.  It is hard to tell how many we have...more than four and a few are quite protective over the feeder.

Fun to watch them come and go.

I mowed the lawn yesterday before it got real warm.  We need rain....it was a dusty job.

Minnesota Weather:  High 89F or 32C  Low was 66F or 19C.

What's cooking...eggs and potatoes.

Aubrey's Surgery went well and she will be coming to her Grandparents soon...they live next door. 

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

Yard

The Oaks are slowly dropping their leaves in our yard. 

 Not sure how much time I will be able to spend on the lawn mower mulching leaves this year.  

We will see...one day at a time. 

Far Side

Weekend Stuff

 We wood carved on the Christmas Ornaments, made progress and will continue until we have it all done! 

My lawn mower still starts after it's Summer rest.  I used it to spray/kill the weeds/Round Up the rocks by the house, we even have a tree growing in the rocks.  I had to see if the lawn mower still mows and it does.  It went well for my first time on the mower since about June 6.  I know I cannot be on the mower for hours but a little at a time is possible unless I drive like a wild woman!

Flowers in town

Supper was a salad and leftovers.  Chalk up another night of no cooking! 

Minnesota weather; High 77F or 25C Low was 63F or 18C 

Far Side

Almost done

 I am almost done with my Mosaic Crochet "Hush".  I did not make my goal of a finish in May, hopefully it will be a June finish. Fingers crossed.

Since Mosaic crochet is worked one row at a time from right to left one row/yarn color at a time there are many ends to tie. 

Those tied ends are sticking up and the envelope border has been worked but not closed yet. 

Here I folded it over so you can see how it looks as a finished border.

I have already decided what will replace this project...and it involves using up a considerable amount of left overs from other projects.  

I ran errands while Far Guy had his infusion yesterday, the usual grocery pick up at Walmart and a quick trip into Aldi and even a quicker trip into Hugos.  Gas for the car was $2.99 a gallon but if you told the cashier it was your lucky day you got 15 cents off every gallon.  A little old lady passed that info onto me...and I in turn passed it onto a young lady with lots of kids in her car. 

Supper was a ham sandwich and cherries. 

Minnesota Weather: High 71F or 22C  Low was 47F or 9C eh!  It spit rain in the morning.

I mowed the yard in the afternoon and killed some corn field ants..the buggers. 

Far Side

A view

 The places I mow sometimes have a view...mostly I mow in places surrounded by trees and not much of a view.  So a view is appreciated.  This is at the end of our old driveway...we don't use it anymore...it fills up with snow in the winter...the snow comes flying off that field. 

It was a good afternoon to mow.  I am not yet done with round one. I mow a number of areas.   

The weather was good; High of 71 F or 22 C  low of  46F or 8 C eh.  Almost a perfect day to be outside. 

Supper was a freezer meal...Chicken & stuffing hotdish.   I  can report that it freezes well.  Far Guy says the recipe is a keeper and we can make it again.  It made six large servings.

Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole  Hotdish

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (about 3 large breasts)

2. 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix (e.g., Stove Top)

3. 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup

4. 1/2 cup sour cream

5. 1 cup chicken broth

6. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

7. 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

8. Salt and black pepper, to taste

9. 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for extra richness)

10. Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven:

1.1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

2. Prepare the Casserole: Hotdish

2.1. In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, stuffing mix, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the optional butter for extra richness.

3. Bake the Casserole: Hotdish

3.1. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

3.2. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

3.3. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.

4. Serve:

4.1. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

4.2. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavor

Yes we call it Hotdish in Minnesota.  FYI I didn't add the onion powder, garlic powder, butter or parsley. 

Far Side

Green

 The tomatoes may be planted out this weekend.  I started them from seed back in late April.  They sit in the kitchen window and I turn them around a few times a day...and blow on them...simulating a wind:)

I grew some for my brothers and sister...nice to share. 

The belt slipped off my lawn mower, my baby brother came to fix it...I need to become more mechanical.  Then my other baby brother sent Mason over to fix it...I have a village surrounding me! 

Yesterday I saw a Dr for a sinus infection and got meds.  After that I had a four hour nap.  What is the time limit on a nap anyways?  You can guess the color of drainage...yuk.

Far Guy and I took Ranger Blue and went to recycle...stopping off at the cemetery where his parents are buried.  Flowers were left.  Friday before Memorial Day and the grass has not been mowed yet this year...buggers anyways.  I noticed that a few people brought their own mowers and mowed their own. 

Far Guy had a quiet day...he managed just fine the 70 minutes I was gone to the Dr.  He is resting and taking it slow and easy.

Minnesota Weather;  High 65 F or 19 C  eh  Low 40 F or 5 C eh.  

No cooking happened...supper was whats in the freezer already prepared..lasagna. 

Far Side

Mailed and other stuff

 I mailed a whole bunch of odds and ends AND this years Christmas ornaments yesterday.  It took the postal clerk about 30 minutes to deal with my 15 packages.  He said he hadn't mailed that many packages in the last six months.   The lady waiting behind me was not too happy. 

We still have a few Christmas ornaments to hand deliver.  

Back at home I gathered together all my lawn mowing garb threw it in the washer and washed my red boots off in the sink.  All of it including my hat will be stored in the old toy box until next year.  

I got two pair of snowboots out and washed up a pair of crocs for the shoe drawer.  Also decided to get rid of two pairs of shoes from the shoe drawer...progress! ( Truth be told I still have one pair of crocs by the door just incase I need to slip them on quickly instead of my snowboots)

Listed a few more things for sale on Facebook Marketplace.  It all takes time. 

My desk is full of "stuff" from upstairs...paper stuff...old stuff..."stuff" that my Mom kept..that needs to be sorted out...many things will find a home in the Grands three ring binders that I have been keeping for them.  ( I sorted things out for my siblings last Spring and my pile of "stuff" just sat upstairs.)   All that "stuff" needs a proper storage spot!

AND I am ready for the snow!  I can tell the snow is coming...change of weather is painful for me. 

Far Side

Fall work

 I think I am done with leaves for the year.  The ones in the woods will stay put especially if we get snow. 

My mower had a problem but Far Guy fixed it ...mostly and put new blades on it and washed all the dust off of it and put it away in the garage. 

It is good to have the leaves done. I celebrated by vacuuming out the car.  

The mowing was hard on my left hip and leg...I am having an MRI next week.  I am still going to PT once a week and doing exercises daily. 

Far Side

Lists

 I have many things on my list for September...you know all the things I should have tended to before they made the list!

I crossed a few off my list the other day..I returned some photos to one of my cousins and had a nice visit with her, I also dropped off photos my Mom had for the American Legion Auxiliary Historian.  I got the car washed...and had some of the eye tests that my eye doc wanted...I still have one more test next week.

Far Guy finished carving this years Christmas Ornament, I did the final quality control check and they are all set to paint.  

I am researching ideas for this years Christmas card.  I may have to audition a few of the designs I found. 

My lawn mowing is done for now, we have hot dry weather and the grass is starting to turn brown.   I finished up next door on Monday...it had been two weeks or more since I was there. 

and along the back road...

Far Side

OH the places i mow

 Oh the places I mow.  Isn't there a Dr Seuss book called Oh the places you'll go? 

I have a phone, riding mower, bright red boots and many places to mow. 

Where will I mow next? Eeny meeny miny moe...which way should I go?

 

My mower is a bit dusty and sometimes so am I.

Mowing under the bright blue sky.

I can stop here for a chat.

What's better than that?

I can fill with gas here so my mower will go.

Oh the places I mow.

I am not far from home, if Far Guy is out woodcarving he can tell exactly where I am at. 

 I have not seen the bear...just lots of Fox scat. 

Far Side...so not a poet...just a lawn mowing goddess

Steamy

 When I woke up yesterday morning it looked very much like a sauna out the windows...steamy, humid and hot.  It had rained during the night...I heard it thunder. 

I did some mowing so that it doesn't get too long before I get back to mow some more.   In this weather the grass sure grows. (Similar to being in a Greenhouse I guess)  Monday was the last of our very warm days for  a bit...back to the 70's again...:)

Window boxes in town just beginning to show a few Dahlias.

We are getting a few more Yellow Pear Tomatoes everyday. 

Far Side
 

Green

 The lawns are still actively green and growing here.  We had rain last week and I could not mow for several days.  I was a bit behind.  Usually I have things under control in the rotation. 

 This is one of the places I mow.  The lawn looks great, I had to go over the overgrown spots a couple of times.  It is a pretty lawn, not many chokecherries there this year and few to no wild raspberries along the edges.  I saw no signs of bear activity over there. 

Usually by mid August the grass stops growing...not so this year. 

Far Side

Will it rain?

 We had two days of rain, there is an inch plus in the rain gauge.  It was time to mow a couple of areas. 

Will I get wet...I am not sweet enough to melt.  It was a cool day 64F  or 18C eh.   I added a hooded fuzzy jacket and brown gloves to my mowing attire.  This is the driveway into my baby brothers shop.

It got pretty dark but it did not rain.   After mowing I went home and had a nap. 

Far Side

Ants and Xrays

 Here is a mound I am watching for ant activity.  It has a trail headed off of it that disappears into the woods.  I put the old solar light as a marker for the small Lilac that is in the left of the photo.  This is in the wildflower gardens East of the house. 

I take the riding lawn mower out to apply ant "stuff"  easier than hobbling around and no ants bite my legs.  The Cornfield Ants are very busy this year and are quite a challenge for me. 

As for my hobbling around...I had Xrays and there are numerous reasons for left hip, knee, ankle and back pain.  Waiting to see what the specialists say about repairs or if they are all NRTS...not repairable this station. 

Me on the riding mower.  I wear a long sleeved shirt that has seen better days, safety glasses and a floppy hat, I tuck my sweat pants into my tall red rubber boots....I am quite a sight. Being a lawn mowing goddess is all about the proper attire.  I wish safety glasses had a nose guard as a branch that I should have cut off years ago keeps hitting me in the nose.

Far Side

Warm Spell and Dreaming

 We are headed for a warm spell...low 90's /high 80's for the next ten days. 

Thursday is infusion day for Far Guy and I ran errands.   Everyone and their Uncle was in town.  Only one parking spot at the meat market and I got it so I didn't have to hobble a block or drive around the block until someone left a spot.  Two maybe three more weeks of tourists, many States start school in mid August.  

I mowed yesterday, next door and at my other baby brothers shop.  It was comfortable to mow in the shade.  I have designed the perfect lawn mower many times in my head...too darn old to put it to paper and give it a whirl.  I think about it when I mow...it should be a totally enclosed deck with four mulching blades that are easy to change...no discharge chute...who needs grass flying in the air.  It would have room for two of my main sprayers...poison ivy killer and thistle killer and a spot for my branch cutter....maybe even an attachment that would come out on a robotic arm to trim the grass around trees....alas it is only a dream...but I can still see myself multitasking when I am mowing. 

Far Side