Fall Color Begins

 We have a Burr Oak that is turning color. 

Not sure why it is stressed...

Boy there are very few acorns this year...a few but none can be heard plink plinking off the wood shed.  Some years the acorns are so heavy they roll under your feet ...and then I have to rake them up. 

There are no Hazel Nuts either...the ones that were there were eaten by deer or stolen by squirrels. 

The Hazel Brush is turning orange...the leaves have lots of holes. 

I made the Fall list...if nothing else it will be a reminder of things I have not done. 

Yesterday I sprayed for ants in several places, we recycled and went to the Post Office.  I took care of some Thistle in my other baby brothers lawn at his shop.   I worked on some cards while doing laundry and tackled two jobs that were overdue and didn't make the list.  Cleaning up the kitchen sink and the drain baskets...and the Whirlpool tub needed a good cleaning up...hot water and automatic dish soap and then a cold rinse. I managed to card some dog hair late in the afternoon...one more afternoon and it will all be ready to spin. 

Far Guy worked on his new old car.. he put the back seat together and scrubbed up the mats on the floor boards.  He ordered some special absorbent mats to put under the engine so my garage floor stays clean...so he drove the new old car out of the garage and then back in again.  We took photos for the insurance company.  

We had ribs and green beans for supper...and lemon pudding...like lemon pie without the crust....cause basically I suck at making pie crusts!

Far Side

Making a list

 I started a Fall list in my head...not such a great idea as I have no way to cross it off or scratch it out.

The sauna has not been used all summer...it is  not a summer activity!  I took a broom and swept the walls inside and outside...can you say cobwebs?  Then I gathered all the rugs to wash...and vacuumed up the floor.  I enlisted Far Guy to get the light fixtures down and washed them up.   Today I will return the rugs to the inside and on the bench outside.  Next summer the sauna needs to be painted...but that is a different list...anyways the sauna is ready to use! 

 Far Guy worked on his new old car.

He took the back seat out and was cleaning up the vinyl. 

So far the smoke from the wildfires seems to be staying high in the air...I could not smell smoke at all. 

I took care of some weeds in the rocks and some that were coming up on the patio then I carded dog hair until it was movie time and then I had a nap....I slept right on through some comedy.  

I really must make that Fall list on paper and not just in my head! Half the month is over and it will officially be Fall soon.

Far Side

Sunday Drive

 We went out for an ice cream date.

The trees are changing at our favorite ice cream eating spot.  Neither of us got out because the bees were really bad.  All bees in Minnesota go a bit insane after the first frost...they are very aggressive. 

All the detour signs have been taken down on our road.  So we drove over to see what the new road looks like. 

Big changes to this corner. 

You used to go downhill to make this corner...not so any more...what a big change. 

I am certain that everyone that lives on this part of the road is really happy that the construction is over.  We didn't go any further down the road...we will do that some day soon. 

Far Guy spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up his new old car.  It was fairly nice out so I carded some dog hair...two or three nice afternoons and I will have it all ready to spin! 

Far Side

Rainy Day Stuff

 I have lots of projects to keep me busy! 

Jen was kind enough to shop for some yarn for a new project.   I sent her three or four colors that I really liked...this was my last choice...but I am in love with the colors. 

I saw a pattern for a shawl with pockets...it would be perfect for me in the winter.  I began the pattern and it started out fine but then it called for a stitch that was too full of holes...so after a bunch of rows I frogged it (tore it apart).  So I am winging it with my own pattern...we will see how it turns out! 

Here are a few rows...

 

I like the way the colors are pooling....you never know with variegated yarn.  

I heard about an invisible join (joining one skein to another)...so I looked it up...step by step I did it at least once!   It could be real handy..you are never too old to learn something new. 

Other rainy day projects were laundry, straightening out some "stuff" in dressers, getting out some winter jammies, making a few cards and watching a movie called Adrift...a true story...I give it a 7 out of a 10....I always thought I might like to go out on a sailboat...not so much anymore. 

Far Guy was busy in the garage on his new old car...he is cleaning up the interior. 

We worked on supper together...steak, baked potato and vegetable. 

Far Side

Reporting In

 Grocery Shopping was marginal this week.  They remain imperfect...they charged me for bread we did not get...luckily I noticed the bread was missing when I was disinfecting everything in the cart...I called them and they brought the bread out...I was so preoccupied with the missing bread I did not count the yogurts...two were missing so I called that in when I got home.  So I give them an D for the week. I guess it is still better than going in the store myself. 

We had many errands to do in town...banking, picking up the license tabs for the new car and buying some gas.  We splurged and ordered a Pizza...it was really good. 

Yesterday was a day at home...Far Guy worked on his new old car...he took apart the rear passenger door that wouldn't open from the outside...found glass in the bottom of the door...Far Guy says "The car has stories to tell." Anyways the door is fixed now. 

I did some housework in the morning and worked on some cards...then I went outside to card some dog hair...it barely made it to 60 F ...so it was a tad chilly.  I am about half done with my milk can/dog hair project.  I need about five or six afternoons to finish up that part of the project. 

My flowers are sad...it froze. 

This is the small garden before the freeze.  You can see the Impatiens are much shorter on the right side...Deer. 

The Salvia survived the freeze but the Impatiens are looking real sick.

The Hummingbirds are still here and some traveling through Goldfinches showed up. We also saw a few Monarch Butterflies...I hope they head out soon. 

Fall is in the air for sure. 

Far Side

Old Glory

 Old Glory...long may she wave. 

Far Side

Thirsty Deer

 The deer are thirsty...they could go down to the lake and drink water...instead they empty the birdbaths. 

Caught red handed

I took this photo through the kitchen window...excuse the chair...it is a doe and one of her fawns...one is little and one is big.  They both drank out of the bird bath.  They have also been eating my flowers during the night.

This is the bigger fawn...a male I think ...he is losing his spots. 

Well that was the excitement for yesterday!  

I did some laundry, some odds and ends...ordered groceries, worked on some more cards, and made a pan of lasagna.    Far Guy likes lasagna so some servings went in the freezer...it was a chilly day so having the oven on felt comforting! It got real near freezing if not freezing early Wednesday morning.

Far Side

Wistful Wednesday : 1959 Desoto Explorer Station Wagon

 Far Guy's first Desoto was a nine passenger station wagon.  At the Drive In Movie Theater you could back it in...get out and fold up the seat and get in the back to watch the movie. 

I was along when the Highway Cop gave Far Guy a ticket for 92 mph...we were talking and driving along minding our own business...the local judge thought the car might have been doing 72.

I was also along the day her oil light came on and Far Guy was pretty bugged about that light being on...so I spit out my gum rolled it into a ball and stuck it in the round warning light...it did not make him feel  much better but at least he laughed.  I was just trying to be helpful! 

Now for the Explorer part. 

 A question from  a friend;

So this winter will you drive it or store it?

Far Guy's reply;

As I remember Desotos hate winter.  If they start they may just drive off on their own .... do you remember that?

A friend does have a good recall;

Yep was winter time colder then shit. I was driving my brother's red dodge cornet..  Heading down hwy 34 and saw the sea foam aircraft carrier parked in front of the citizen national bank with the motor running. One could do that back in the old days.

I thought i would just pull in behind and wait for you to come out. As I started to pull in The Desoto slowly drove off.  Thought shit I missed him then noted no one was in the car. I parked got out and ran after it thinking i would hop in and hit the brakes.

That thing went down to the alley way, made a left turn across the oncoming traffic lane and perfectly into the alley, went a few feet and stopped.

The part I don't remember is if I hopped in and hit the break or if it was locked and it stopped on it's own due to the deep snow and me hanging on to the door handle swearing.

Anyway ran back to the bank and you and your dad where sitting at a desk and I told you our car drove away.  You mumbled something about it sometimes slips out of park or something and went out to get it.  I would have been more freaked out but you seemed awful casual about it.

If that happened to me it would have run over a group of small school children or something on that order. 

Far Guys reply was: 

 You have a good memory.  One of the problems is there never was a "park" same with this one.  Emergency brake was  suppose to be the park brake and that only worked if it was adjusted right.  Cold as hell which I think made the fluid thicker and so despite it being in neutral it had enough to move the car.

Fun for me to hear this story as it was one I had not heard before...it truly was an Explorer! . 

1959 Desoto Explorer Station Wagon...Sea foam Green or Willow Green or Spring Green or Birdshit Green...photo taken about 1970.  Far Guy sold it in 1972 for $100  We are not sure of the purchase price when Far Guy's Dad bought it from Bob and Mary Harris in about  1966.

Far Side 

Sweater and sock weather

 A chilly day here yesterday... it was windy our high was 51 F or 11 C  eh.

No picnics this year...no big end of summer celebrations... it will warm up by the end of the week...maybe.

 This baby Pileated Woodpecker comes into our yard, he squawks up a storm.  We talk to him and he quiets down and eats suet.  His Mother brought him into the yard when he was little...he squawked then too all the while she fed him suet. 

Far Guy worked on his new old car...he got the horn working.  I did some house work and watercolored some more Fall cards.  Such is life at our place.

Far Side

Projects on Sunday

 Far Guy worked on his new old car ...the horn doesn't work and the brake lights need some work.   I think he may have used the vacuum cleaner too!  He moved a bunch of tools over there...my garage is being transformed into an auto repair shop.  The radio works...his project continues.

I carded dog fur for quite some time, my other baby brother and she who sees Robins first were our visitors along with my parents.  

I put my Christmas Card project away for a while...I am about half done.   I was getting bored with that project so I got out some different cards to work on...with an emphasis on Fall cards. 

I straightened out some of my yarn stash.  

The latest shawl project is Fall inspired...and it is almost finished.  After it has been blocked I will take a photo! 

Our summer type weather is leaving us for a few days...nights will be REAL cool with a possible frost and daytime highs in the 50's ...uffda.  I may have to move my carding dog hair project into the woodshop/greenhouse. 

School starts here in Minnesota this week.  They always start the day after Labor Day.  The kids will need jackets! 

Far Side

Saturday Drive

 I drove the new old car back and forth in the yard.  Far Guy took me for a ride just to see what she could do...yes we have decided that the car is a she.   Well she made it up to 55 or 60 when we both said "good enough."   It seemed like we were going much faster than that!  We did not go far from home!  She starts easy and runs like a champ! 

Here is a view from the passenger seat.

When we got back home I carded dog fur outside whilst Far Guy tinkered with his new old car. 

Our weather was just perfect...

Far Guy needs to take it a bit slower...and rest more often... he had to agree that he isn't 17 any more. 

The new old car brings up lots of memories for both of us.  The remember whens and laughter are wonderful! 

Far Side

New Old Car

 Yesterday was a long day.  We ventured up North to pick up Far Guy's New Old Car!  What an adventure.   With the help of Andy, Jen , Noah and Adam it was a memorable day! 

Sold

 Far Guy, Adam and Noah  going to the gas station.

It is road worthy. 

Adam driving with a huge smile on his face you cannot see because of his mask.

Noah driving.

Jen  driving.

They loaded it up on a car trailer.

Andy trailered it home for us with his pickup. 

It was an uneventful trip home...one strap came loose near Bagley Minnesota...we called them and told them and Andy pulled over and fixed it. 

Jen, Andy and Far Guy.   The new old car safely parked in our yard . 

It is a 1959 Desoto Firesweep 4 door Sedan, built at the Dodge plant.  It was first sold on September 27, 1959  by Nokken & Ryan Motors of Fargo North Dakota. The original New Car Guaranty was included in the paperwork.  The color is either Rose Beige or Morocoo Beige...when we get the Title in the mail we should know the color for sure. 

The entire car seems to be original...It will keep Far Guy busy for a long time. 

It may not be the Willow Green 1959 Desoto Station Wagon he drove in high school but it is close enough. 

Far Side

Anyone home?

 We had visitors...I think they were looking for water. 

I have blue stained glass in the window.  The rocks extend out about four feet from the house...there are there to provide drainage from rain and snow melting off the roof. 

Anyone home?

 He/she was very curious...

Finally Mama must have called him/her away.   They left the yard and then the other fawn came looking for them and  he/she took off into the woods.

Someone has been eating my Impatiens and drinking the water out of the bird bath...

My baby brother had a coyote over at his place.  So I guess our yard is as safe as any place for the deer. 

Far Side

19

 Remember when you were 19?  Baby Adam is 19 years old today.  I suppose I should stop calling him baby Adam...he is the youngest of our grandchildren hence always the baby. 

He cooks...

 

plays guitar...

and harmonica.

He is a busy young man.  He is taking all kinds of computer classes at Northland Community and Technical College and even takes a Speech class where guess who is the teacher? (Same person that gave birth to him 19 years ago on a Labor Day.)   He works part time at a eating establishment where he is a prep cook....and he likes to spend time with his girl friend too! 

Happy Birthday all grown up baby Adam!  Your Grandmother loves you! 

Far Side

Minnesota Twist

I made a new to us recipe...yes I know we are living on the edge!  

Long time blogger friend Martha had it over on her weekly menus.  She is much more creative than I am! 

She had a photo of what it looked like.   Mine is similar but different. We are not nearly as fancy as people in Florida! 

I made just 1/2 of the original recipe as there are just two of us and who knows if we would like it or not!

Minnesota Twist on Korean Beef Rice Bowls

1/2 pound of lean ground beef browned add some black pepper

In a separate bowl whisk together;

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce

Add to browned ground beef and simmer to reduce liquids.

I served it over Brown and Wild Rice 

You can add garlic to the ground beef as it is cooking if you wish...I did not as we don't like garlic.  You can also add sliced green onions, red pepper flakes or sesame seeds for garnish...I did not.

Review:

Far Guy said "Boy it is hot! What is in there?"  Perhaps I put in too much sriracha.

Me...It was tasty and hot.  But a good flavor.  Next time I will serve it with a side salad or coleslaw to cut the heat.  I had to stop eating when I started to have hot flashes...uffda.  It sure warms you up!  Frosty frozen Margaritas might be just the ticket....I have not had a Margarita in a year...I must be over due.

Here is a photo of my half eaten plate.  Far Guy mixed his all up...I kept mine as separate as possible on my plate.  Rice on the outside hamburger mixture in the center! 

Will I make it again ...sure for us it is probably a once every six weeks meal.

Have you cooked something new to you lately? 

Far Side

Lawn Day

 It was lawn day.  I was behind on my mowing and it kept raining and the grass kept growing.  I am mostly done for a few days. 

I mowed part of the back road and admired Coneflowers and Rudbeckia that I planted along the road twenty some years ago.  It was a good year for those Coneflowers.

Even the White Coneflowers ones are blooming this year.

Lots of deer tracks out there...but I saw no deer...or any other critters.  It was very windy, one gust of wind blew off my hat and I had to chase after it.   I wear a hat so my nose doesn't get sunburned and so my hair is contained under the cap...as I have numerous low branches that have caught my hair band and almost scalped me.  Go ahead and laugh...before the hat I used to come home with twigs in my hair.  I need to do some serious tree trimming some day.  

Far Guy was working on a wood carving and I joined him on the patio and carded dog hair for awhile before I needed a nap. 

Steak and baked potato was supper. 

Our weather has turned cool and I enjoyed it very much!  Far Guy wore a light jacket outside..

Goodbye August Hello September.

Far Side

Sunday happemings

 We listened to church...they are still having some problems with the sound system.  Apparently someone watches for comments on facebook when the live feed is happening...and they got it straightened out.  Truth be told the songs/music was much better imagined! 

I did some housework and then joined Far Guy outside...he was woodcarving and I carded some dog fur.  It was very windy all day.  

I finished up some small gnome hats for a project that Jen has going. 

Lots of ends to weave in after we are sure they will work...some may be too tall and need to be shorter and that can be accomplished much easier if the ends are not sewn in! 

My brothers and one bride visited in the late afternoon. 

Far Guys relatives Wayne and Craig visited on Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening Odda came to visit cause she was missing us and knows the way to our house...so I talked with Jo through the window.  

Always good to see someone else besides each other...although we are quite accustomed to a hermit lifestyle. 

The Yellow Pear tomatoes are ready...we enjoyed a few with supper. They are packed with flavor!   Pork Burgers and the last of the yellow carrots was also on the menu. 

Far Side

Milk Can Project

 The Milk Can Project began many many years ago. 

Photo taken about 1990.

We had two daughters and three Shetland Sheep Dogs or Shelties.   Jen with G'Day Mate, Trica with Misty and Moses.  Misty and Moses were the parents of G'Day Mate...and also Captain who lived for awhile with my parents, we took care of him when they went on vacation and one time he just stayed living with us.  

Moses, Mate and Captain in 1996.  Misty died in  the spring of 1996, Moses died in 1997 and G Day Mate in 1998. Captain held on and was a wonderful companion for us until 2002.

One constant was that I groomed them and cleaned their teeth...usually twice a week..  G'Day Mate loved double turns and Moses would fall asleep while I cleaned his teeth.  Bathing them was a group effort...I would wash and the girls would take turns towel drying them...we bathed them once a month more often if they found a smelly fish to roll in.

I saved all the dog hair.  INSIDE the milk can.  It has been waiting for me to do something with since about 1987.  

I began by sorting the hair outside in the evenings on the patio. 

Getting rid of all the twigs, burrs etc...  I rather enjoyed sorting...I could tell which dog was which and enjoyed the unique fragrance of all the dogs.  Just a few tears were shed.  When I had a bin full I washed it in the kitchen sink. I do like the smell of a wet dog...what can I say I am weird.

I rinsed it many times and took it out to the greenhouse/woodshop to let it dry out.  Batch after batch...I should have counted. I started washing and sorting mid June and finished the first part of July. 

Dog fur drying out. After it was dry I collected the fur in paper grocery bags. 

I ordered some carders.   Through the miracle of You Tube I taught myself to card.  It takes practice. 

I struggled with making rolags...but I think I have the hang of it now. 

The one on the far left  is correct the others will be carded again...although usable they will take up space! 

Otto Bruce my spinning wheel is waiting...Can I spin it ???...that remains to be seen...and that will be a winter project...right now I am concentrating on carding and making rolags. The rolags will be stored in old pillowcases or paper bags until I can work with them.  I have some special roving from some of my favorite sheep to mix in with the dog fur if needed when carding.   Did you know dog fur that is spun into yarn is  called Chiengora?? Someday I hope to make a lap blanket.

So my Milk Can project is coming along.   I hope to work on this project every day for awhile...the weather is cooler and I finally have time to concentrate on carding! 

The Milk Can itself found a new home and is going to be a project for Jen. 

I bet it will be painted burgundy or red and be used on her front porch.  ( She probably will not store dog hair in it as seeing the paper bags of dog hair made her gag.)

Far Side

Yarn experiments

I bought some Hobby Lobby yarns to try and see how I liked them.  Only two of theses skeins have been worked with...it is good to have a stash.

 The center skein Chloe color Carnation was the cowl with big buttons that I made for Jen...she has not reported how she likes it..or not...but hey it is summer. 

This was my own design.   I had a vision...and it is always fun to see how a variegated skein works out.  This yarn is a bit splitty and has a mind of its own...it is soft and has texture.

Onto the next skein ...Sweet Divinity  color Red Clay. This one just came off the blocking mats.

This one might be a candidate for a large button also. 

It can be worn many different ways. Frontwards, backwards, tied in front...

The yarn is very soft to the touch and nice to work with. One skein made a cowl, to be a proper shawl it would take three skeins of this yarn. 

It went into the cowl/shawl box...which may have to become a drawer upstairs as a few are empty after the big sort last winter. 

I have daughters and granddaughters that wear cowls... I have a favorite one I wear in the winter it has many colors in it so I always match!  It is large enough that I can wear it as a scarf or wrap it around my neck twice on cold winter outings.

Do you wear cowls? 

Far Side