Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from September, 2013 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 5:33 am on September 2, 2013 Permalink  

  Today was just a great day to sit in the backyard and watch clouds go by. Every once in awhile I found myself doing an out loud smile. At age five when Megan was staying over Little Einsteins was a hit on the Disney channel. Nicholas at age five is giving us a play by play of the Vikings and Titans game. In days gone by Megan was enchanted by the mail slot in our west porch and playing post office was her new favorite pass time. We drew pictures and stuffed envelops for deliveries to all the stuffed animals. Yesterday Nicholas thought a good craft project would be making some foot stools with lumber in Grandpa Dennis’ garage. Bless his heart. I know Nicholas could execute the stools but Dennis would have no idea what tools Nicholas would need. Megan is a wiz at the computer games of skill. She offered to let me play a set but I lost points big time. This is an amazing sign of changing times and it’s only been four years between Megan’s age five and Nicholas’ age five.

  The kids and I spent some time in the basement over the time they stayed with us and it just tickled me when Nicholas brought out the box of Lock Blocks, circa 1960’s. I do believe these were the fore runners for Lego’s. Us girls were doing some drawing and out of the blue comes Nicholas, “What am I suppose to do with these? There are no gears or wheels to build anything with.” It was a hard sell but we did build some pretty good looking structures. Though over the days I did hear the chant “BGE – BGE” (best grandparents ever). We have been left in the dust as to what the kids have so easily picked up on and what they’ve been exposed to. Dennis and I will continue to hang on by our toenails to stay in sync but I realize the kids will have to bring us up to speed often times in the future.

   
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  Noreen 6:33 am on September 1, 2013 Permalink  

  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 6:56 am on August 31, 2013 Permalink  

  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 7:14 am on August 29, 2013 Permalink  

  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 5:06 am on August 28, 2013 Permalink  

  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 3:38 am on August 26, 2013 Permalink  

  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.

   
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  Noreen 7:28 am on August 24, 2013 Permalink  

  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 5:08 am on August 23, 2013 Permalink  

  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 3:50 am on August 22, 2013 Permalink  

  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 2:41 am on August 21, 2013 Permalink  

  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.