Birthday…

Today I took mama and daddy out for their birthdays. Mama’s is Thursday the 13th and daddy’s is the 29th. We had the best breakfast, a country skillet breakfast with eggs, hash browns with sausage, green peppers and onions. Homemade sweet rye bread and orange juice. Then next door is a shop called the Country House. It is the most amazing house turned into a gift shop. I took pictures to share with you cuz if you are ever in the area you have got to go and eat at the School House Cafe and shop at the Country House. If I had a million dollars, heck even a hundred I would of found tons of great things. I did get some pretty napkins.

Now enjoy the pictures. I’m sorry they aren’t top quality since I took them with my cell phone but you’ll get the idea.

 

This is mama, with one of the hats they had. Isn’t she cute?

 

 

I want this sunflower canvas. I’m going to have to look into some of the pictures I have and get them printed on canvas and framing them.

Mama’s favorite color is purple and she loved this purple room. We saw some glass ornaments she really liked. Ideas for me for later on.

  

I loved these two necklaces. I make jewelry so I noticed these and really feel in love with them.

We had a great day. We don’t get out to do this very often and I am sure glad we did today. Happy Birthday mama and daddy. I love you both so much!!!

Take care my friends and enjoy your visit to McGregor Minnesota. God Bless!!

crafting..sorta..and...

It’s just been busy here with the kids, the holiday, daycare taxes, jewelry sales tax, paperwork and so much more I haven’t had much time for anything else but the other night I was out surfing about and came upon this site..

Skip to my Lou and she had the coolest braiding technique she used on a headband. I’m not interested in the headband but I sure do love the braiding. I am thinking cool book marks, cool accents on a pouch and maybe even handles for a tote. Here’s a couple of worked on.

 

I’m not where near perfect yet on the braiding. The little one I did with the tiny ribbon, 1/8” stuff and the other one is with 1/4” stuff. I like that one and am thinking it would make a cool handle to a tote. I’m going to start making up some totes for our up coming craft show in April. People are getting more and more into them and I just make a cheap one with a little cool this or that on it and it makes them pretty special.

I’ve also been doing a lot of baking, cooking and what not. With me on my life style journey I am learning to cook the old recipes a bit more healthier. This week was black berry muffins and bread made with applesauce for the oil and a generic brand of splendid for the sugar. They tasted pretty darn good and no one was the wiser.

I also made scalloped potatoes and ham with a tiny bit of cheese. The ham was a turkey ham and the cheese a low fat variety and the guys thought it was the best yet.

Now for supper last night I made grilled chicken and roasted potatoes. It was excellent except the chicken was a tad dry. I enjoyed it but Mike used ketchup on his chicken.

I’m learning. It’s not easy turning old favorites into healthier food but I love the challenge and with almost 40 lbs gone from this frame of mine I’m happy.

Now for some funny pictures. Mike loves his animals, his kids and more so I am also snapping pictures of this and that. Enjoy my friends. Have a blessed and wonderful Friday and an excellent, relaxing and awesome weekend.

                

From my kitchen window…

I’ve been wanting to try and get some up close and personal pictures of my feathered friends but I have a few furry friends that love the seed/feed as much as the birds. Doesn’t matter if the cat can reach out and touch him. Check this out…

  

                   

Well a persons got to do what a persons got to do when it’s cold outside and their hungry. I just feed anything that comes. We have deer too that come up and clean up the food and the bunnies, boy are there bunnies. I love them all. Cheap entertainment and the kids are learning something new each day.

Take care my friends and God Bless!!!

It’ll be a while…

As the seed catalogues are coming it,

The Park Seed Company..

The Burpee Seeds and Plants…

The Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Company…

I was out yesterday and think it’ll be a long time, 5/6 months before we’ll be doing anything. Check out my tomato cages..my garden in the back ground…

Nope, I’m pretty sure it’ll be awhile still. Are you getting your seed catalogues? Are you dreaming about your next garden? Come April I’ll host another Spring/Garden Swap. It’ll be a great way to bring in the new growing season.

Take care my friends and have a blessed day.

Snow, snow, snow…now cold…

Just pictures to share. I love taking pictures and sharing the beauty we have here. Even if it’s –25* when I get up in the morning. Even if it means shoveling, snow blowing and more. It’s Minnesota!!!

 

                           

Hope it’s warmer where you are or at least your house is toasty warm.

Take care my friends and God Bless!!!

Mike…

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared Mike with you and of course you know how a mom has to brag sometimes about her only son. So get ready cuz I have a few really good things to share.

First of all, in all my life I have never gotten a gift like this. 

 

                

It is beautiful.

Now last month Mike finished up evening welding classes. He is now a certified entry level welder. He plans on going on but is now looking into Rescue and Recovery. So the next thing is to become a Master Diver, meaning Minnesota School of Diving. Anyways, back to school, Mike aced his final exam and this was his final project. It’s a 4’ fire ring. Pretty darn cool. He still wants to sand blast it and paint it.

For Christmas Mike made this pencil holder for his dad. It’s two pliers taken apart and welded back together. He loves fabricating.

Last month Mike’s grandfather sold him his 1969 Arctic Cat Snowmobile. Mike is in love. He has been riding all the time and also taking Scott and the kids for rides. He has rolled it twice, busting the windshield but he’s learning what a sled can do and can’t. Like turning on ice. Anyways, here’s some great pictures.

  

                    

Mike’s partner and guardian……

 

So there you have my one and only. There’s always lots more but I don’t want to have you sitting here all day.

Hope your New Year is excellent. Mine is!!

Take care my friends and God Bless.