Just an update on the weekend with the munchkins. The house is so quiet. The play animals left their stalls, aka: the dollhouse and went into their storage units without so much as a whimper. It was hard to take apart the creations that Nicholas had made with the Lock Blocks that were Kevin’s. It was a great time. No tears, no band aids needed, full tummies and good nights of sleep. The school routine starts for Megan and Nicholas on Tuesday and that means the visits to Stauffer Avenue will be less. Nicholas has put the squeeze on Grandpa Dennis to visit McDonald’s and purchase several Kid’s Meal as he is trying to fill out a type of power figurine. Grandpa didn’t say no. Time will tell.
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Noreen
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Noreen
Just taking a moment as I realize that I am putty in the hands of my grandchildren. It is a treat for them to watch the Disney channel. For me it’s one thing I don’t have to worry about as they could be flipping through channels and catch something less than desirable. Back to the putty issue. We are in the process of bartering and I am so loosing. Last night Nicholas didn’t get to see the last portion of the Vikings game and he was not a happy camper. Grandmas only want happy campers to make the few times we have them for several days to be great. Tonight the kids started a good movie and do I have the heart to turn off the t.v. when there is the cliff hanger yet to be seen? No. I will have to suffer the consequences of the mom and dad as the movie is over at nine. Bummer.
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Noreen
A Resting Spot
House Plants Thriving
As we are in the midst of heat advisories I can almost forget about the temps when I sit in the back patio. The Koi pond has the water fountain that bubbles nonstop and gives the illusion of cool waters. I always kick my houseplant outside during the summer. They enjoy rain water and even some dapple of sun. The west end of the Koi pond has been built up by Dennis to allow for plants to hover over the pond as well as giving the Koi a chance for hiding. Sad to think about having to take the plants indoors before long. They have really thrived and sprouted some great color. They have done so well that they will need a bit more real estate over winter. We’ll worry about that when we need to. Right now this area of the patio is my all time favorite in the early mornings before I retreat into the basement sewing room.
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Noreen
I have heard the word “whew” several times today as the heat continues. Our first priority this morning was to clean the filters in the Koi pond. The garden hose splatter felt pretty good as we got up this morning to an 81 degree temperature. Though we had 1.5 inches of rain on the 15th of August the flower pots were grateful for moisture. At some point when I was visiting a greenhouse I noticed the fish based fertilizer that could be bought and from that point on I use water from the Koi pond to make use of some natural fertilizer and the fish don’t mind a good dose of fresh water either. Take care, stay comfortable and I’ll catch ya later.
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Noreen
Hello world,
I took some time off yesterday to regroup in the sewing and craft room. The floors are free of scraps, thread and lint and Dennis even cleaned and oiled the sewing machine. Today we traveled to the metro to see daughter Carrie and her family. Carrie went through a huge surgery to repair a torn labrum muscle as well as remove a cyst that had nestled itself deep within that and was beginning to calcify. It felt good to check in on her recovery. We were able to make plans for Megan and Nicholas to come for one last summer visit the last part of next week. I must say it is good to be back home this afternoon as the temps are dangerously high to be out on the highways. Take care and stay comfortable. It’s not too late for me to enjoy a cup of cold coffee this afternoon. -
Noreen
Lots of errands today in the big city of Mankato. I don’t think I could do Minneapolis shopping as I did many times in the past. Possibly my needs are less. Possibly it’s not always greener on the other side of the fence. Time to put the feet up and see what the mail has brought. More than likely the recycling bin will get most of it. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
State Fair Time
Lena’s Purchase at the Minnesota State Fair
Today I took in all the hot spots at the Minnesota State Fair – via the news coverage. I would have totally wore out my shoes if I had covered all the events in person compared to a close and personal view with the news cameras. I did get into the spirit of fair food goodies by using my old garden butcher knife slicing open a cantaloupe and handing off a spoon for Dennis and one for me. Yup, right there in the backyard we enjoyed the juicy sticky treat.
During the Farmer’s Market season I am reminded on a regular basis of the best buy my Mom ever made at the Minnesota State Fair. In today’s kitchen gadget world it is called a Mandolin. In the early 1950s it was called a food slicer. For decades my Mom used this as a main stay in her kitchen. I was very happy to add this little workhorse to my kitchen. Dennis has sharpened the blade several times and it does wonders on carrots, potatoes, cucumber and onions. The only thing it does not do is protect the user from the flood of tears when doing onions. The notches that set and regulate the thickness of the slices have been worn smooth over the years but a little pressure of the left hand while the right hand whips the produce through makes for saving a lot of time compared to hand slicing. This for sure is one of my favorite things.
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Noreen
Slim Pickings to Protect
The Story of Farming Days Gone By
I almost feel as if a glacier covered our backyard this last winter. The last winter rains came when temps were warm, followed by bitter cold. Our flower gardens did not fare very well. In visiting with other perennial gardeners the consensus was the same: winter kill. I am enjoying what did come up and will wait until the spring of 2014 before I raid a garden nursery for replanting. This year is a year of being content with what I have.
Garden art is more fun than decorating within the home. The fact that dusting is not required tells the whole story. This particular piece of garden art just drew me in. It speaks volumes of times past. Hats off to the home welder that saw resources in someone’s junk pile. Though there was not a lot for this garden sentinel to protect this year as evident of all the bare dirt around him, I know he will be primed to be on board next spring after spending all winter in the potting shed.
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Noreen
Not up to much today. The air is heavy with temps stretching into the higher 80s. A trip to the farmer’s market and we are stocked with cucumbers, tomatoes, cantaloupe and green beans. We are so thankful that the market is here three times a week with wonderful bounty. Our yard being 90% shade really doesn’t make for a great vegetable garden. Dennis is tending to some tomato and cucumber plants but it looks doubtful. Most of my day has been in the sewing corner of the basement. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
Cousin Reunion in Brownton
Oh my gosh, my jaws are weary. This was the grandchildren of Laura and Christ Wendlandt. There were fourteen out of the twenty seven originals, some attended with spouses, some with grandchildren. Over time four have passed away. The oldest living is seventy five and the youngest being forty five.
Aunt Janet Alsleben and Uncle Kenneth Wendlandt
Aunt Janet is 79 and Uncle Kenneth is 81. Two of the original nine remain.
Aunt Janet had to share with me a story of a time when Christ’s boys worked together during harvest as the machinery was co-owned. It was harvest time and Dad was absent from our farm from morning to night. Aunt Janet at age 12 came to stay with my Mom and Dad to help take care of my sister (age 8) and me (age 2) while Mom totally had to do the livestock chores and the dairy milking. At that time the cows were all milked by hand. In 1946 there was no electricity on that rental farm. Out of the blue Aunt Janet noticed I had stuck a kernel of corn up my nose. She panicked as she had no way to know how to work with a toddler that would do nothing but squirm when help was offered.
Eventually Aunt Janet had to take me down to the dairy barn knowing that Mom would know better than her how to handle this. By this time I was crying. Janet said that without missing a beat Mom took the safety pin that was holding up the strap on my romper, pinched my nose very tight above where the corn kernel was – just as if she had to do this on a daily basis – with the pin opened she snagged the kernel with the pointed tip. Mom went back to stripping the utters on the cows and Janet took a crying toddler back to the house. Knowing how much mischief I did get into as I child I don’t doubt one bit that on a daily basis I gave my Mom grief. Janet remembered it as if it were yesterday. Janet never did have any children. Maybe I scarred her for life.
This entire day was spent with many stories of “do you remember when.” We all agreed that we need to get together again as this was just an awesome time of family.