Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Almost Real

I have a thing for canvas paintings.
Other people's canvas paintings.

I pick them up here and there.
This one I removed from its wooden frame and then wedged it in one of the windows where I keep my plants.
I love the way it looks when the sun shines behind it.

Almost real.

(The plants at the bottom of the photo are real).  :)

Friday, June 22, 2012

The Old North Church Linen Give-A-Way

To those of you who think I have been doing more thrifting than sewing...
I want you to know...
I did sew a button on a shirt the other day!  :)

It is hard to blog about sewing when you do not want your family to see what you are up to!!!

I am pulling out my Fourth of July decorations today.
I was reminded of them yesterday when I made a quick stop in at my favorite store (you know the one).
I found this patriotic linen still in the packaging!

I thought it would make a sweet give-a-way!!
Hand Printed on Pure American Linen by
Kay Dee Handprints - Hope Valley, Rhode Island

I didn't want to take it out of the package to photograph it, but I believe it says Paul Revere's Ride

I always use linen towels in my kitchen for anything that comes into contact with food...because it doesn't leave any "fuzzies" behind.

I will pull a name out of the basket on Monday morning in hopes of getting it into the mail on Tuesday (my errand running day).
If you would like your name entered, just leave a comment.
If you tell a friend and they leave a comment, have them mention your name and I will stick your name in again.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Brenda's name was drawn this morning.
Thank you each for taking time to comment.
Have a wonderful week!!!




Thursday, June 21, 2012

World's Greatest Bath Boats

It was raining outside.

It was hot and stuffy inside.

But the motivating factor ....

his fingernails were filthy!!!


I filled the sink with water and got out a hefty supply of clean towels.
(I wasn't born yesterday)


I knew he would enjoy the boats I found at the Goodwill on Monday.


The boats were one of those grab on your way to the checkout type of purchases.


When I was picking the price stickers off the bottoms, I discovered they are World's Greatest Bath Boats


I docked his boats after an hour.
What awesome toys!!!
They are made by Dana McDill in Princeton, MN.

I anticipate these boats going on many a voyage in Grammie's house.....
but I think we will stick to the bathtub from now on.  ;)




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Duluth

We have been having heavy rains and storms this week here in Minnesota.
Today Duluth, MN is having flooding.
The polar bear, Berlin, has escaped from the Duluth Zoo due to flooding!!!!
It would not be a good day to visit.


We spent last weekend in Duluth.
Grandma's Marathon was the featured event.
My husband had his second best marathon finishing time despite the heat, humidity and vomiting the last 7 miles.  Of course he was hoping for his best time ever....but those last 7 miles really did him in.
Afterwards he insisted this was his last full marathon.
I have heard that one before.
He said, "I mean it this time!"
Well, we were barely home and he was talking about the Chicago Marathon in October....how he has already bought his airline ticket....and is sponsoring World Vision....and really should be supporting his friends.
I just gave him a hug and told him I wouldn't hold him to his post race puking declarations.....
to which he replied, "I haven't forgotten the puking".
Then he started talking about if/when they get into the New York Marathon.
Good Grief!!!!

I have not been to Duluth for many years.   I would have enjoyed some site seeing and shopping.
That is not something you ask your companions to do after running 26.2 miles!

After reading about Duluth Pack in a Country Living Magazine a year or so ago, I have been interested in checking them out.  I thought it would make a great Duluth souvenir.

Well...
guess what???



I made a quick stop at our local Goodwill on Monday evening.
Yep...
the exact Duluth Pack purse I was interested in!!!!
For $170 LESS than I would have paid in Duluth!!!


(Every Monday our Goodwill gets a truck in from Duluth with donations)





Thursday, June 14, 2012

He Is Bringing The Salad

My husband is a runner.
There is a big run this weekend.
Tonight his group of running buddies are gathering to make one of their pre-marathon meals.
He signed up to bring the lettuce salad.

On Tuesday I drove out to our CSA and picked up our share. 
 It provided two types of lettuce, onions, cucumber and turnips for the salad.
The only thing I had to stop at the fruit stand for was a tomato.

Today, in between rain showers, I wandered out to our garden boxes and cut more fresh lettuce and spinach leaves and I pulled up a few radishes.
Wow there was a lot of mud to wash off of every. single. leaf.


I found a dressing recipe in one of my Better Homes and Gardens magazine. (I think that is where I cut it out of anyway).

Red Wine Vinaigrette
Whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon each Dijon mustard and honey, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Wouldn't you know I was out of red wine vinegar...good thing we have a little health food grocer just up the road.  

Well, it took a while to prepare, 
but my husband's salad ended up looking quite delicious.

I wonder what motivated those runners to invite their wives along tonight.  :)


Monday, June 11, 2012

African Baskets

I have a thing for baskets.
I especially like my grass baskets from Ghana.

I have many baskets.
They all have a use.

Three of them stay in my car for grocery shopping.
They are awesome for hauling heavy or potentially dirty stuff because they are super strong and are easily cleaned with water.
The carry-out guys appreciate them because they hold a LOT of groceries and make their job easier.

Only one problem...
3 baskets don't hold all my groceries!


So I placed an order here for 3 more last week.
They come squished.
I wet them down and formed their shape...
now I am all set to stock up on groceries this week!!!


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Let The Greens Begin!

A basket a week....
for the whole summer!!!
Support your local CSA.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Nesting

While cutting down some weeds two days ago I came across this.


Last evening I wanted to show it to Friendie, and we discovered two tiny little blue eggs!

Unfortunately this nest is right outside our front door...
in a little hedge row...
where our dog likes to lay.

This morning I glanced over as I walked by and couldn't believe what I saw!
Four eggs in that teeny tiny nest...
and one of them doesn't belong!


And just now I went outside to shoo the dog away...
so I could take this picture!

She obviously isn't going to let a big ole dog keep her from her babies!
(The same big ole dog that sniffed out a dead bird under the window at our neighbor's house this morning...drug it into our yard....and then rolled in it)