Saturday, November 20, 2021

Butterflies

 Wow I got a package in the mail! 


Such beautiful work and so many butterflies! 


I know how much time is put into the embroidery....it is beautiful handwork.  These came from my long time blog friend Linda in Colorado!   I shall treasure the pillowcases...they are almost too beautiful to use...but I will use them!  Thank you Linda! 

Far Side

Friday, November 19, 2021

Ornaments 2021

 Most of the 2021 Christmas Ornaments have been delivered.  

Far Guy did all the carving this year.  ( My thumb was just not up to wood carving)  I did some touch up work and sanded them all in preparation for painting. 

Meet the 2021 Gnomes! 


Welcome to the dining room workshop.    The peanut butter jar stand should be patented, it works so well!   I can work on 12 carvings at once.  

The carvings this year are various sizes, shapes and colors.   There is ONLY one orange Gnome and that goes to special friends in Wyoming. 

Some have beards and some have smiles.  Each one is unique and one of a kind.   I used acrylic paint, sanded some paint off and did a brown wash and then added a sparkly glaze to the Gnome hats.


We are very pleased with them and hope that everyone on our list enjoys them.   110 carvings were made. It is truly a labor of love. 

Far Side

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Snowy Windy Day

 It was snowing and blowing around...the wind was moving the tops of the Oak trees and an occasional snownado came through the yard ( tornado shape wind picking up snow). The wind chill was near zero so it was  a tad chilly out there. 

Yup sure enough there was a ground blizzard happening out there. 


We went for a ride in the woods down to the river.  Far Guy said "It might be an adventure! "   We made it there and back safely. 


No sun now for days...typical November days ...cloudy and dreary...we use our special light most mornings when we are reading emails and news.

Far Side

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Idiot with some yarn

 That would be me... the idiot.   When I ordered yarn for Winter Wonderland I did not double check the order...so I have no cream color...well you need cream or white to make that blanket. 

I have lots of green. 


I quickly made another order...it probably won't be here til next week.  Oh well in the meantime I need to do a yarn inventory and work on the other mosaic crochet blanket. 

All the Christmas Cards have their words and I signed them all...next comes address labels and stamps.  

Far Side




Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Words

 I am working on words. 


Peace, Believe, Noel and Joy are the words I chose to use on the Christmas Cards.   I used the Gemini and dies to cut out the words.   Then I had lots of  poking out to do the centers of all the a, e, o, l's etc ...it was putzy work.  I got rid of a number of paper scraps that were accumulating in the paper drawer in my desk. 

One more afternoon and I will be done with those words!  My fingers get all sticky from the glue I am using. 



Far Guy entered all the addresses one by one on the Christmas Card list...he was a trooper and hopes he never has to do that again.  ( Windows to Mac was a nightmare)  The address labels have been printed.   He is working on the Christmas letter. 

The last of the Christmas Ornaments were mailed Monday afternoon...so I will reveal the ornaments at the end of the week.  Brain Dead Postal Lady had no Internet so she could not weigh packages or print out postage...I didn't know the scales were connected to the Internet...I wondered what they did in the olden days?  She told me to come back tomorrow...ya right. ( I may have said bad word bad word under my breath)  I went to a different Post Office that is open from 12 - 2 and she was more than happy for the business. 

Fever Blisters are no fun...I get them when I have had a fever for a couple of days...and guess what the Moderna Vaccination Booster gave me a fever.   In a couple of weeks they will be gone...it always takes time.   The ones inside my mouth are a bit better...but I am still cranky.

Far Side

 


Monday, November 15, 2021

More stupid sNOw

 Yup it snowed again overnight on Saturday night/early Sunday morning...  


It must have been about four maybe five inches...and it was good heavy wet snow like you make a snowman with.   I was tired after shoveling so no snowmen were made. 



The glass flowers were all covered with snow. 

I rescued the bird feeder, it had lots of ice in the tray...poor birds were struggling to find seeds.  Then I shoveled in front of the garages. 

Then I went to the couch and sat with my feet up feeling sorry for myself because I have fever blisters inside and outside of my mouth....I suppose there could be worse side effects from the booster shot. 

Far Side


Sunday, November 14, 2021

More Snow

 Not sure how much more is out there...enough.  Our big excitement yesterday was almost getting stuck in a snowdrift with Ranger Blue....we took recycles to Osage.  We were ditch riding until the snow got too deep. 

It was nice to get out of the house.  It is nice and warm in Ranger Blue, after awhile you wouldn't even need a coat. 

I rested most of the day just doing a few things, I crocheted and watched a couple of Movies...Silver Linings I give it a 4 and Begin Again  I give that one a 6 out of 10.  I watched The Holiday a few days ago and I give that one an 8.

My yarn for my new project is stuck in West Fargo ND since Thursday morning at 8:34 AM...hasn't moved at all in days.  Buggers.

I felt better yesterday and hope today is even better.  I need to get back to normal...I must have been making antibodies to beat the band.   


Far Side

Saturday, November 13, 2021

sNOw

 It is white here and more white stuff is supposed to join this white stuff.  We have had snow before but it melted, so this is the first snow of the season that has stayed on the ground.

It was a rough day Friday with the after effects of the 3rd shot; headache, joint aches, chills and being tired.   I hope today is better..if not I will resume my spot on the couch watching and sleeping through Norsemen on Netflix.

Far Guy is taking good care of me. 

My baby brother came over and shoveled the walk. 


Far Side

Friday, November 12, 2021

Grocery Day and Mosaic Crochet

 Grocery Day was eventful, now they are substituting when I requested no substitutions.  Buggers...this is at the "other" grocery store in town...not at Wally World where I would expect some shenanigans.  Wally World seems to have their poop in a pile for a change. 

I got the booster shot for Covid...the booster is 50 % of the normal shot.  They would not give me the third full strength vaccination.  

We had a bunch of errands to do in town.  On a good note Ranger Blue is back at home after its first service call.  

I am going to Bingo with my Dad and hope I get home before I feel rotten from the shot. 

  It snowed during the night Wednesday night then it turned to rain and it rained most of the day on Thursday.

I finished a bit more on my Mosaic Crochet CAL (Crochet A Long)

Week Three



Week Four..it is getting more colorful every week!  The mustard color was a stretch...but after the next part I think it will all make sense...or not.




Onto week five out of seven while I am waiting for the yarn to arrive for my next project! 

Update:  Back from Bingo safely, we are getting rain and snow and the roads are getting slippery.    I had one bingo for 24$  ...no Bingos for Dad but he was one number away many times.   Shot report..my arm is sore and I am tired.  

Far Side


Thursday, November 11, 2021

A Veteran's Story

 Sometimes family history retold by others needs to be backed up by facts.   For years we all thought that my Dad's brother Hugo recuperated in California. 

Here are the facts from his Honorable Discharge paper. 

Inducted April 16, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.  He was 28 and 2/12 years of age and was a farm laborer, blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion.  He was 5 feet 9 inches in height.  He completed 2 years and 20 days service. 

He was a Rifleman qualifying with the M 1 Rifle

He was in the Sicilian Campaign

Decorations EAME Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal

Wounds received  Shrapnel wound in buttocks, left leg and ankle

Hospital Tuscaloosa Alabama dated 2 May 1944

Left U.S. 8 June 43, arrived North African theater 22 June 43; left North African theater 5 July 43; arrived European theater 10 July 43; left European theater August 43; arrived North Africa theater August 43; left North African theater 15 Oct 43; arrived U.S. 24 Oct 43

Honorable discharge button presented at Northington General Hospital Tuscaloosa, Alabama.   He spent 193 days in the hospital.

He was part of Company K, 157 Infantry in the United States Army.

My Uncle Hugo was a quiet man, who only spoke when it was necessary ...and when he spoke it was important so you better be listening.    He limped especially in the winter.   I have many memories of him.  He married Aunt Mia and they raised Mia's Grandson together.   Hugo had no children of his own but Grandson Joe was like a son to him.  

Uncle Hugo  4 Feb 1914 - 25 Oct 1987


Thank you Veterans! 

Far Side

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Before the snow flies

 I had a busy morning, I raked  the leaves from under the back deck, cleaned the leaves out of the two grates out front,  checked out solar lights and replaced a few, vacuumed up those darn old Japanese Beatles out of the sauna again. 

  Far Guy rolled the patio table away.  The important windows have been washed.

 I still have one hose out but not connected....I would like to wash the Ranger but it is off getting its 25 hour service appointment.   I should sweep the garage floor one last time....that is on the bottom of my list.  Of course I could add some brush trimming to the list.

Then we went to the Dentist, I had a fine checkup...Far Guy has to return.  

Far Guy is going crazy trying to work on the Christmas card address label list...Windows to Mac...oh my.   I told him to just start all over again entering them one at a time...that met with resistance. 

I made the appointment for my third shot....Thursday. 

I ordered yarn.  That was great fun.  I needed to order yarn for a new Crochet Along that starts Thursday....it is called Winter Wonderland and will be shades of Ivory and Greens...all shades of greens....and I might put a little light blue in there too.   It has snowflakes, snowmen, reindeer...all things winter...there is no escaping winter so I may as well embrace it. 


Far Side

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Adventures on Monday


 I spent about 25 minutes in the Post Office mailing off ornaments to family and friends...you know who you are so be on the lookout!   The postal lady is practically brain dead and kept exclaiming how many packages I had (16) and wasn't it fortunate that no one else was coming into the Post Office to stand in line.   It is  first come first serve brain dead lady.   I seriously thought about going in there five minutes before she closed just to irritate her...and even though I am daylight savings time cranky I figured I would be nice. On our first trip of the day to town we bought bird seed, and paper to print out the Christmas Letter.  Last of the big shoppers.

We had a leak under the kitchen sink.   That drain has always been a problem...we fix it every couple of years.  This time we may have fixed it for good... crossing our fingers.  I was just the plumbers assistant...we had to go to town for new parts and fresh plumbers putty.  Far Guy was the plumber in charge.

I took down the flags in the yard but didn't get new ones put up yet.  


I suppose I should take this scarecrow gal down for the winter.  She makes me smile.

The S word is in the forecast....bummer.

Far Side

Monday, November 8, 2021

Ornament Winners!

 I will share their stories about their favorite Christmas gift! 

My favorite Christmas present when I was young was a bicycle. I remember how much I loved that bicycle. It was pale yellow with dark green stripes. The hand grips had streamers which made it even fancier. My father attached a basket on the handlebars. I would peddle over to our neighborhood grocery store to pick up items for my mother or take dinner over to my grandpa’s. I took such good care of that bicycle that I would compare my feelings about it to someone getting a new car.
Thank you for helping me remember some really happy times growing up. Whether my name is drawn or not just thinking of that bicycle made my day. I was such a proud and happy kid because of it.
Thanks again,
Marlys

Congratulations Marlys! 


My favorite gift as a kid was a pair of steel roller skates. They could expand and contract to fit different sized shoes, so I think they were a gift to all 4 of us. I can still remember the sound and feel of those steel wheels rolling on the sidewalks.


Congratulations Dawn!


My favorite Christmas gift was a doll that I received when I was when about 5 years old. She had curly hair and was just about the same height that I was!


Congratulations Jan!

I enjoyed reading all your stories about your favorite Christmas gifts!  I wish I could mail ornaments to everyone.

Marlys, Dawn at Change is hard and Jan at Jan's Journey  I will need your mailing address please contact me by email captainconnie2001atyahoodotcom

This week we have Dental appointments and the third covid shot for me later in the week.  It is a good time for me to get the third as yard work is pretty much done and I have no plans for next weekend. 

Deer Report:  Hailey and Brooke got their deer also! So it was a good hunt for our Great Nieces!



I shoot my deer many times with my camera!  

Going on the record now to say I hate the time change. 

Far Side

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Leaves and Hunting

I am pretty much done with the leaves in the yard.  The last mulch  (10 1/2 times) was completed yesterday...I could rake a bit out back when I have the energy...maybe.   I raked in front of both garages....one of my pet peeves is the leaves that blow inside the garage when the door is open.  If there are none there they cannot blow inside! 

It was a fine weather day yesterday...it was 56 F or 13 C eh for a high...practically summer like. 

The old lawn mower was put up for sale and it sold within a few minutes.   Yeah! 

The new lawn mower is sitting in the garage...after it gets its mulching blades and kit it will be ready for next spring.  I drove it around the yard a bit just to make sure that it was working.  It steers much easier than the old one. 

I have a few things yet on Fall work list...but it is coming along.  

Deer hunting season started yesterday.  What a beautiful day to be out in the woods! Great Niece Olivia got a deer! 

Baxter is all set! 


Far Side



Saturday, November 6, 2021

Phoebe

Phoebe belongs to  our youngest grandson Adam.   But then again who really owns a cat. 

Phoebe is vocal...sometimes she sounds downright sad.   If something isn't to her liking she whines.

They lock her in a series of three rooms for the night...craft room, laundry room and bathroom...because otherwise she caterwauls at 4 AM. 


When you open the door in the morning...she is out of there like she has been shot from a cannon!  I know this from first hand experience. 

She is a beauty!  A Calico beauty.  Adam rescued her from the animal shelter.

Far Side

Friday, November 5, 2021

Blaithin Blanket is Finished!

 Two skeins of yarn later and my Blaithin Blanket  has a border!   The pattern for this blanket came out in September of 2019.   So what the heck it only took me a little over two years to finish. 


Pay no attention to the quilt on the bed....I had to find someplace to spread it out! 


80 squares all different colors, the pattern was supposed to be a stash buster!   It is a very heavy warm blanket....I was very cozy when I was finishing the border.   

So nice to have something finished!  

Far Side


Thursday, November 4, 2021

Days

 Seems like we were busy everyday so far this week.   A couple of windows have been washed.  Grocery day had to happen early...one substitution that did not make me happy...again ...when I said no substitutions.   We got a loaf of non moldy bread....it is practically a miracle.  


Far Guy's Godmother Marge died on Halloween.   That is "Marge Grass" in the photo.  She gave us a start of that plant about 20 years ago.   Services will be held at a later date... Marge was 88 years old. 

Psalm 23 Verse 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

A very nice young man...age of 60 died last week from Covid,  he worked at the place where we used to take Chance to be groomed.   He was always so cheerful and happy to see Chance...one time when we picked up Little Elvis from a grooming he hollered "Elvis has left the building! "  

Far Side

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Ornament finish and more

 3PM Monday afternoon I finished the ornaments for this year.  I was very happy to put the paints away and get the dining room table back to "normal"...is there really a normal anymore?  110 ornaments were finished. 



How about an ornament giveaway??   I will draw at least three people names on Sunday night ( November 7) and then get them off in the mail.  Well lets see...IF you want to be entered please leave a comment that includes your favorite Christmas Gift as a child.  You can also email me.   I will mail packages to the United States and Canada...all other countries are just too expensive to send packages to....sorry. 

 My favorite Christmas gift as a child was a pair of ice skates.    I wished for those Ice Skates for a whole year and got a pink radio...then I wished for them again and finally got them the next year.  I loved those ice skates and wore them for about 10 winters...a Christmas gift that kept on giving and giving! 

I was feeling guilty that no one won the Snow Stick contest last Spring...so I drew some names...Congratulations Karen at Wildflower Adventures and Pauline Persing at Pauline Persing Art, Writing and Natural history!   Karen I need your address, you can email me at captainconnie2001atyahoodotcom  Pauline I have your address.  Something will be on the way to you soon.   There I feel better now! 

Far Side

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Mystery Item

 We ordered something for Tilly. 


Do you have a guess? 


Now is it familiar?  

I can bet that some of you know what it is...

*****************************

Here is the answer! 

Remember going to a Drive In Movie?  This is the speaker that you took from the post and hung it in your window...some were real staticky...then you moved to a different spot.   Some people used to drive off with them before returning them to their  post.   I wonder how often that happened.   It seemed like as soon as the movie was over everyone was in a hurry to get out of there.

Far Guy cleaned the old speaker up and he is looking for an old cord for it...he has a blue tooth speaker inside and from his phone he can play music...he intends to use it during car shows.   We picked music from my phone and from his and made a playlist...all 1950's music. One of our favorites...Teen Angel ..........you are welcome for the earworm:)

Far Side



Monday, November 1, 2021

Snow and Great Grands

 Yesterday we had a weather event.  Snow/sleet fell on Sunday afternoon.   Our first snow this Fall. 


If I had been napping I would have missed it.   It melted quickly. 

Maddie sent me photos of our Great Grands on Halloween! 

Cee Cee was Pebbles from the Flintstones


Pebbles and their Dad and a Dirt Bike Rider (Hey Mikey)

We put our outside light on to welcome anyone that might wander by last night. 

 Far Side