Getting ready

 One by one things are getting ready for the Christmas Gathering.  I must make Pumpkin Bread as the Grands think it is required along with Far Guys Caramel Rolls.  Some traditions go on and on with foods they recall from when they were little. 

We are gathering with them on Sunday the 17th so that means everything should be done well before actual Christmas. 

I made envelopes for their gifts.  Stocking stuffers will be purchased this week.  I am certain that will put me in a mood to be thankful that we just do stockings and one gift to do a white elephant exchange. 

Far Side

Happenings

 Far Guy and I ventured out yesterday to his Doctor appointment, his old Primary Care Doctor here relocated so he has a new gal.   He needs a tetanus shot ...his ten years are up. She made him a list on a sticky note for things she wants clarified...like Advanced Care Directives...we turned them in last Spring...Far Guy wants to know how many copies they need?  He needs fasting lab work...all things that can be done here in town.  

After the appointment we went to Menards and then to Hobby Lobby where yarn might have been purchased for  new project.  You never can tell with these patterns how they will turn out...but I will give it a whirl. 

Sunday Jen was sick all day with the puking stomach flu...seems to be a six to seven day incubation...so we will see who gets it next.  

Andy and I made Chocolate Truffles and Bourbon Balls on Sunday.  Andy made Caramels on Saturday and Far Guy and I got them all individually wrapped on Sunday.  So we have a start on Christmas goodies. 

The tree across the street is all decorated with snow.

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Saturday stuff

We had an eventful morning.  We loaded up Ranger Blue with recycles and garbage for the transfer station...on the way there we encountered blue and red flashing lights.  It was a Conservation Officer...he wanted us to turn on the headlights of the Ranger, he also wants us to display larger letters of our license number ( the place where we bought the Ranger said ours were just fine) and he wants us to drive on the shoulder of the road.  He ran Far Guy's Drivers License.  No ticket just a warning.   Our Ranger is street legal ( it has mirrors and turn signals)...so driving on Township and County roads is permitted....in my opinion he was a little picky.   

 Far Guy finished the Christmas letter, soon they will be tucked into the cards and mailed. We ran out of ink so we made a trip to town.  Town was really busy...we grabbed our printer ink, milk and light bulbs and left the store as quickly as possible.  I think we stood in line longer than we shopped.  After our printing was finally complete we had a nap.  Our weather is cold. 

We had chicken alfredo and green beans for supper.  Far Guy watched some Hockey in the evening.  

I watched two very good movies yesterday.  Love actually...I enjoyed it so much I may watch it again.  Over on tubi there was a show called Finders Fee that was written and directed by Survivor's Jeff Probst that I also found interesting. 

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Tiny Stitches and more

 I am trying to keep my fingers moving and exercising the dexterity I still have.  

I am doing a blanket stitch around some dish towels.   No not all my stitches are perfect.

Yesterday I made it to Ben Franklin for some embroidery floss and a few other supplies.  I also got my Driver's License renewed, had blood work at the clinic and a mammogram...yeah me.  I stopped and visited with my Mom at the Nursing Home.   Came home and had a nap.  I am making some progress on my list of things to do.  

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Town and Visitors

 I ran errands while Far Guy had his infusion.  I had quite a list at Wally World.  Main Street was full of cars, there are still a few tourists around. 

I have a list of many others things to pick up here and there but did not feel up to doing it yesterday.  One day soon I will have Far Guy drive me around and drop me off here and there to get everything on my ongoing project list.  Embroidery floss, Seven Ant Killer, white primer and paint, a wood sealer for some wood trim that needs a refreshing and bath tub molding...our tub has a rounded back edge and the sealant and molding need to be replaced.

My Cousin Chuckie came out to visit us in the afternoon and my baby brother and his bride and Baxter visited us in the evening.

1933 Buick that was at the last Car Show.

The oven repair fellow is supposed to be here today (Friday) to fix my oven.  It works for a couple of hours then makes dinging noises and shuts itself off.  It is a Jenn-air range that is 24 years old.

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Busy Day

 Far Guy drove me around to do errands in town, whilst waiting for me he played with the new car finding out all about the features.  They have changed a few things in three years. 

2024 Buick Encore GX Avenir

We stopped by the Nursing Home, Wally World and DQ:)  Town was nuts with the Rodeo and the 4th coming up...every other car was  from a different state...lots of North Dakota people. 

After unloading groceries I went off on my lawn mower....came home later and had a nap.  I still have some more to mow here in our yard. 

The place we bought the vehicle is having their 45th Annual Catchup sale...relish a deal don't get caught in a pickle.  A bottle of catsup with a test drive and a case of catsup with the purchase of a vehicle.

Goodbye June...hello July.

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Blue

 Yup decided on the blue one.  Boy it sure takes a long time to buy a car.  We did a test drive and liked it and they threw in a case of catsup and floor liners.  They filled it with gas while I took everything out of the old car.  ( The Catsup promotion starts July 1st...but they must have figured we qualified.) Catsup will go to relatives and to the food shelf:)

I wonder why we have so much "stuff and things" in that car.   How many face masks do we need anyway and how many bottles of hand sanitizer? I always throw spare change in the glove box....it is an old habit....one day before credit cards and debit cards I left my checkbook at home and scrounged up enough change in the glove box to buy milk and bread at the grocery store. 

Who came up with the name glove box anyways?  We have never kept gloves there...have you?  Ours is more like a junk drawer. 

We have car and Insurance papers, a map of Minnesota, a first aid kit, a puke bag, toothpicks, Tylenol, Kleenex, a crossword puzzle book, sunglasses, reading glasses, Tums, a charger for the I Pads, hand warmer and a multitool in the glove compartment.  In the door we have an umbrella and a lint roller and behind the drivers seat several ice scrapers.  I also have a Sub Zero fold up cooler that I love and several insulated cloth grocery bags and a quilt...just in case, it covers the cargo area.  Winter survival kit will go back in the car when winter approaches.

No time for a photo today...buying a car tired us both out.

Another shot of a pretty Buick.

Far Side

Decisions

 I/we have been thinking about buying a different vehicle.  I thought I wanted a Ford Bronco so that was what I was saving up for.   I drove one several times...I was just not in love with it.  I like the looks and the thought of one...but is that enough?

We have almost made a decision...we have owned two Buicks and we really like them.  I spent some time at a local car dealership and a young fellow there said he would like to sell a car.

It would have been a done deal if they had red...Cinnebar Red...instead they had Ocean Blue. 

It is not baby blue like this old Buick...it is a bit darker blue. 

We will see what the final decision is later today or tomorrow.

Far Side

Yarn and other stuff

 I bought some yarn for the new great grand babies blanket.   I have had fun buying her some cute little outfits over the winter. 

Karina will arrive sometime in July and the nickname I will give her is most likely Ree.   Her big brother and big sister are very excited. In fact they could not keep her name a secret...one day they told me it was a K name but they couldn't remember what it was...ask Mom. 

I will make one more run by Hobby Lobby for some water color pencils...it will be a busy week organizing "stuff" to pack up and take with us to our home in the woods later this week.  

Far Guy has three appointments this week and I have an errand or two or three. 

Far Side

Thursday Things

 Thursday's Infusion went okay only one stick but the IV bag had a slow leak.  If it isn't one thing it is another.  

We went to Hobby Lobby after Far Guy was done, he needed a piece of basswood for carving and I needed  wanted some yarn.  I had quite a list...I decided on the May Basket design and needed paper etc, and I needed some do dads for cards.

Far Guy, Little Elvis and I had a nap in the afternoon. In the evening I cleaned the kitchen at Jen and Andy's Air B&B...we had quite a crew... Jen, Andy, Noah, Adam, Maddie and me.  It is all ready for the next group. 

We are supposed to have a Winter Storm starting on Thursday night into Friday and possibly Saturday. 

We all have enough projects to keep us busy! 

Here is Jen's latest project...she has a completed flimsy.

She has been working on this robot quilt since October.  Well done Jen!  She sews much better than I ever did. 

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Busy week

 We have three appointments this week, one down two to go.  Everything was fine with Far Guy's appointment yesterday it was the 90 mile one way drive...the highlight was a trip to Hobby Lobby for supplies for Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Cards.  Far Guy went to get some lupper for both of us while I shopped.  

High Bush Cranberries were ripe earlier this month.  Far Guy's Dad used to like scouting for them and picking a bunch for jelly. 

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Spitting Rain

 It is spitting rain here from time to time.  No snow, but the sky is dark and the wind is blowing.  Up North at Jen and Andy's house winter has returned with twelve plus inches of snow.   I am thrilled for them.

We had a busy day; ran errands to Wally World, Post Office and the Meat Market.  Stopped by my parents and Dad knew who I was.  They are moving into Assisted Living on Wednesday.  My other baby brother and his work crew are helping as is his wife, Stacey and Megan.  I will join them and do what I can.

Photo of a Swan taken a few days ago.

The brain dead lady at the Post Office told me I didn't need tracking on my packages...talk about lazy. 

The fellows at the Meat Market were happy to see me again.  Meat prices have stayed about the same there.  Town was fairly busy. 

Far Side

Old Barn

We went to Menards, everyone wore masks and kept their distance. 

We always look for this old barn along the road.

One of these days it will be a heap on the ground. 

We got almost everything on our list...a birdbath, umbrella for the patio table, a flexi hose and solar lights...possibly a few other things may have jumped into the cart! 

Youngest daughter Jen got her 2nd vaccination ( Moderna) on Thursday...she is feeling tired and not quite herself.  Son In LawAndy and Grandson Adam had their first shots (Pfizer) on Friday and are feeling just fine.

I did not get a haircut...there was a three hour wait and all check ins beyond that were not available.  Everyone must have wanted a haircut! 

Far Side

There and back

 We were gone 11 1/2 hours yesterday.  The moon was beautiful in the Western sky when we left and the sun was slowly coming up in the East.  Our youngest daughter Jen helped drive...since I am still feeling tired and my very handsome husband does not drive in "The Cities."  

Far Guy had a bunch of special tests...and we will not know the results for a couple of weeks.

We watched a helicopter land on top of the hospital in the distance.  Someone was either having a really bad day or a good day (maybe a transplant organ arrived).   It was very windy and the helicopter took a very long time to land. 

On the way home it was like a dust bowl just out of the cities, visibility was reduced due to the dirt in the air.    It was 79 F degrees  yesterday...and today the high will be about 30F.  March in Minnesota weather can do just about anything.  

We stopped by Crafts Direct a huge arts and craft store in Waite Park Minnesota.  I bought some paper to make the owl May Baskets and one skein of scrubby yarn, a whirly gig and a pretty shopping bag.

 Last of the big shoppers!   It was nice to be in a store again.  Everyone had a mask on. 

It is good to be home.   We returned home before dark...Jen had to drive in the dark another three hours to reach her home.   We were so thankful to have her go with us! 

Far Side

Foggy Day

 Yesterday it was foggy.  We went to town to return a new old car wrong part and ordered the correct part.  Stopped by Wally World and picked up our order from them.  

There is progress on the newest gas station in town. 

We hope it has a decent car wash.  We waited at the car wash last Thursday about 35 minutes for our turn.  When it gets below 5 degrees the car wash is closed. 

It was a dreary day.  

Back at home I made some rhubarb raspberry jam ( I like it swirled in my Greek yogurt)...delivered some jam to neighbors...a taste of summer on a dreary day.  I met the newest neighborhood dog...a Border Collie/Great Pyrenees cross by the name of Titus.  He has Border Collie coloring...and is a real friendly fluffball.  He joins Putz and Snoopy. He made Jo and I laugh with his puppy antics. 

Today we pick up our normal grocery order...always an adventure.

Far Side

C for Changes and Car

 I got the car to town for the oil change /tire rotation appointment.  What is there to do in a car dealership whilst you are waiting...give our old salesman Joe a bad time about vehicles. Joe has been gone for a year he worked for a different dealership for a bit.  Now he is back...I shared with him how the other salesmen just didn't want to find us a Buick that had heated seats and steering wheel that was NOT white, black or silver.

I sent a text to Far Guy...then Joe called Far Guy. 

I took a picture so Far Guy could see the color. 

Far Guy says "I like that color."   This is NOT the vehicle...cause this one does not have heated seats or steering wheel.  However one this same color with  heated seats and heated steering wheel is available at a different dealership... so we are thinking about it. 

Yes it is a Buick...my Grandparents always drove a Buick.  

It is exactly the same as the Buick we have now...except that one is three years old and Winterberry Red. Far Guy says we should probably trade it in since the bugs are hard to get off the front.

Oh well...time will tell...who goes to town for an oil change and comes back with a new car anyways.

Far Side

New Art Supplies

I have watercolor pencils and pens and a set of shimmery water colors but not a real set of various colors.

As long as you are ordering you may as well try a few other things too!   The Molotow mask marker is way cool...you put it on a card here and there... then watercolor over the top and rub the marker away and your white paper shows through...it looks like snow falling.  I  have tried every thing so far I really like the Tombow markers...they blend nicely.  I ordered an extra red and a grey marker...as I will probably use more of those colors on the Christmas Cards...I like that I could order specific colors.

I love all the watercolors! 

We had a very busy day yesterday, I did the usual laundry and then mowed the yard.  I had a bunch of lose ends to take care of and bills to pay...got it all done. 

Far Guy ordered a curb side pickup in town so we drove in and picked up his metal garbage cans...the squirrels or chipmunks have eaten several holes in his plastic bird seed can...one at the top and one at the bottom just like a drive through restaurant.  Well the restaurant is now closed!

My baby brother and his bride picked chokecherries so I washed and steamed them. 

As they were steaming I had play time with all my new art supplies! 

Far Side

Town and Home

Grocery pickup is always an adventure.  This week there was no bread, pretzel buns, ham, Dawn dish soap, cherries, lemonade mix or crackers.  I masked up and went inside a different grocery store that had all the things I was missing except the pretzel buns. Town was fairly busy, I dropped off mail and went through the drive through at the bank.   I waited only a few minutes for Far Guy to be done....we were in town about 45 minutes total.  Lots of people in town without masks.  In that County there are 12 cases of Covid-19, in the County we live in there have been 69 cases.

When we got home I mowed our yard...found out where the bear pooped back at the edge of the woods.  Far Guy trimmed grass around the trees. 

Our small raspberry patch that we pay no attention to yielded a nice bowl of raspberries for supper....very flavorful!  The wild raspberries are beginning to ripen...they are very small.

This is one of the sculptures at Goose Poop Park.  It is a circle with a dangling swirly part that has rocks inside. This one is not named.  Rocks in a Vortex might be a good name.

Christmas Ornaments ...  28 are completely finished.  Waiting on hooks to properly finish more.  We have just a few more to carve ...we should finish with them in the next few days.

Far Guy's sister had surgery yesterday for Breast Cancer, she had a double mastectomy and lymph node removal...a same day surgery....she still has radiation ahead of her and a hysterectomy.  She had the surgery late in the afternoon and by early evening was on her way home.   Seems like lots of surgery to have and then get sent home....Far Guy is quite worried about her.

Far Side

A New View and Possibilities

My baby brother has a drone... he was over here playing with it.  He got a great photo of the lake.

Ah the possibilities...

We had a busy Thursday.  Far Guy had to wait quite a while at the Infusion Center.  I ran the usual errands ...curbside pick up at the grocery store, then Drive Thru at the bank and a stop by the mail drop off box. To the gas station to buy our monthly gasoline.   I went to a different grocery store and picked up what has not been available at the other grocery store.  I wore my mask, disinfected as I went and stayed six feet away from everyone. What fun it was to pick out some more fruit!

It was too warm to disinfect everything before putting it in the car so I did that at home.  By the time I washed all the fruit it was time to put my feet up and rest crochet a bit.

I am working on a new crochet pattern...my own design.  I think it will be a keeper...not sure yet.  I know what I want it to look like...

 It is not freeform crochet but that is an art form I am thinking of trying...think using a yarn and a crochet hook like paint and paintbrush.  I saw some beautiful works of wearable art...and I have yarn...and more squishy mail will come next week....possibilities are endless when you have a real good yarn stash.

We are having quite a heat/humidity wave.  It was 87 F or 31 C eh and the humidity was about 80%.

Far Side

A thing of beauty

I splurged and purchased a juicer steamer. It steams berries and separates out the juice.

It is a thing of beauty.  It has three parts...top part is for the berries, the middle collects the juice and the bottom is for the water...juice is siphoned off with the hose from the middle part.  No more pillowcases or cheese cloths hanging and dripping in the kitchen.  We will use it mainly for chokecherries.  Possibly for raspberries too! The jelly from this juicer steamer should be beautiful!

 The chokecherries are going to have a bumper crop this year.  The tall shrubs/small trees are filled with tiny green berries that will be ripe the first part of August.

Chokecherries in bloom earlier this year...every itty bitty flower has the potential to be a berry.

The berries are forming nicely  June 26 2020

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