The Watermelon Diva

a busy busy weekend on 3rd Street

2012-02-13T06:29:00.000-06:00

okay I uploaded the wrong picture from my camera ... but truly I thought this was the pile of work on my floor ... which is now done, copied and ready to pick up ...

my other desk -- when I get tired of my normal four green walls I head out to this nook and have attitude adjustment and still manage to accomplishi a few things

I could yous a little green -- the pix I submitted to the Home / Garden section of the Mpls paper that led to an interveiw ( a really really really brief interview that no one read!) ... I was not so famous for a day.

Happy Monday !!!!

Marie

whitney houston

2012-02-12T18:56:00.000-06:00

is dead. So evidently it's a slow news month and the national news peeps have nothing better to chat about. yep, she was a very talented woman with a lot of demons. end of story.

I came home before sunset. odd feeling to be home in the daylight. it didn't last long enough. but the days are getting long. I overslept (not a national news event) and didn't leave home until 7:00 ish ...

off for some retail therapy .. i think i need an Adele cd ... i did roll up WH on my ipod this afternoon -- and belted along with WH .... I did this after Mrs. H left .... didn't think she needed to witness the insanity.

the madness continues....

Diva

T G I F (yes, I chant that every Friday) ....

2012-02-10T21:18:00.000-06:00

Mrs. H reminded me I hadn't been very diligent about blogging lately.

I'm pooped. I took a bunch of pictures on the spiffy new phone of my trashy, messy, stacked full of files office ... and tried to download them to my desktop. Didn't work.

Still pooped. Mrs. H finally got to go home, much later than normal -- the peeps kept walking in and out -- calling, whining .... sometimes smiling.

Really pooped. I never did get my Taco Johns supper I left the office after 8:00 ... I had frozen cheep pizza ... and a load of laundry....naked accountant would not be a good thing.

So off to bed .... hello sheets good bye blog.

M

tuesday ....

2012-02-07T15:00:00.000-06:00

holy holy it's Tuesday .... time flies.

Scrapping Diva's had a day of fun on SuperBowl Sunday ... I arrived in time to get sick. Must have been the soup. (he he he) Anyway home I went -- and off to bed. It was to be.

Okay I've been writing this for 2 hours ... time to post....

News Flash : The Scrap Shack is almost legal !!!!

Marie

t g i f T G I F T G I F

2012-02-03T07:25:00.000-06:00

yeppers, it is Friday -- I'm grateful for Friday.

yep, I was playing with my phone yesteday ... and posted a post. waaaayyyyy to much technology.

happy weekend

tired Diva

but hey -- January is done!

omg

2012-02-02T13:50:00.002-06:00

tis a busy woman who posts from her phone

# 1,200 ... blog post that is ....

2012-01-29T21:40:00.000-06:00

and yes that is another magic number in my world.

So, Dr. Lee, the computer geek, rescued me late this afternoon. I had a wild idea yesterday and started it in motion last night and attempted to finish it this morning. Alas, the best laid plans sometimes just don't happen as fast as I had hoped.

There are now 5 fully functioning computer workstations on Third Street. Yep, lots of spaces to work. Came close to sending me over the edge -- but he snapped his fingers and it worked. He literally snapped the memory chips in and out and it worked. Dang thing was being ornery.

So it was chugging along updating itself when I left. 49 windows upgrades ... it's been a while since it was plugged in ... I even gave the mouse and keyboard new batteries ... and a spiffy new desk lamp....

So happy post #1200 and I'm most thankful for computer geeks who make house/office calls on Sunday nights!

M

I still don't have a camera ... so here's some old ones of the shack during the snow .. unfortunately I think it's snowing now ... but the melting is also forecasted. Weird winter weather ...

it really isn't as big as it seems ... it is long and skinny ... and in need of some plumbing and probably a garage roof, a sidewalk and a real roof .... it is the money pit.

Weekends on Third Street

2012-01-28T15:07:00.000-06:00

after 3:00 on Saturdays it is kind of like Christmas Eve -- "not a creature was stirring .... " clients are gone for the weekend and it's just me and my stacks of files, papers, stuff.

Sundays are reserved for me (and the cleaning lady!) ... yes I work 7 days a week for the next 90 -- oops 80 days ... normally the countdown begins at 30 days and nights ... it goes fast.

so this afternoon it's me and MPR ... gotta love good radio when deep in thought ... and hummmmm fabric arrived in today's mail -- as did the "Watermelon Diva" Calendars .. let me know if you need a calendar -- it is full of goodness relating to being a DIVA.

toodles
Marie

so ... it arrived from Amy (the long arm quilter)

2012-01-27T07:23:00.000-06:00

on Tuesday, Mrs. Herberg delivered my quilt from Amy (the long arm quilting diva) ... and it's flipping fabulous. I had no idea it would look this cool. Now it's time for binding and the big dilemma is deciding on what color --- I had saved the brown/blue argyle but I'm ~~re-thinking~~ (over thinking) that choice ... I have little bits of every color and might just mix it up.

Sorry about the bad picture -- I used my SNP (spiffy new phone) and emailed it to myself -- it's really browns, blues and creams ... the green wall makes it change colors and since I was in a hurry and a dweeb I never bother to shut off the lamp ... Mrs. Hoehn had the privilege of staring at it from her desk for 2 days before it made the trip the scrap shack and finally home ... it may return in its unfinished state for the next couple of weeks.

This is #1 for 2012 (even though I pieced it last June -- )

TGIF --- happy weekend

marie

cause of the grumpiness

2012-01-24T07:11:00.002-06:00

it's the ice underneath that's the pits.....

hoping for melting

elder alert

2012-01-23T21:19:00.000-06:00

   I live with internet junkies.   "The Internet isn't working" was the first thing I heard coming in the door tonight ... OMG the world was going to end.

   No ... how was the funeral? no how was your day ?.... no "gee wasn't the snow pretty?" .... it wasn't but thanks for asking.

   So I waved my magic wand and fixed it. I am a talented woman. The fix -- turn off the modem, re-boot the computer -- makes me a genius every time. Now #1 seems to want the computer.

   The funeral was nice -- other than the grandchildren I was the youngest one there ... that's okay --- makes me feel younger than my 51 years.  The soloist was fabulous.

Good Night from the crabby 51 year old internet repair woman -- it's the only thing I actually finished/fixed today ...

Diva

beer sticks

2012-01-22T17:01:00.000-06:00

okay I ~~stole~~ borrowed the picture from the meat markets facebook page .... schmidts meat market to be specific .... the giant stick of sausage is made into 8 inch by 1/2 inch mini sticks to munch on ....wonderful ... all kinds of blends ... teriyaki -- original -- bold/brassy -- jalapeno .... maple .... smoked ... mild ....

good stuff .......
the head cheese on the lower left (the brick) is gross. yuck yuck yuck ....

m

I gots to get a life ...

2012-01-21T19:28:00.000-06:00

   Still at work on a Saturday night -- I did go home for a fast supper. The microwaved meals get a bit old after a while. I've managed to consume a dozen beer sticks from Schmidt's Meat Market. good stuff ---

   The next 7 days are a bit crazy -- a funeral (my old boss), board meeting, yogi, client appointments starting up, special Ditch Meeting, Special Board Meeting, a "see our new dairy" plans meeting, P & Z meeting and Barb's retirement party .... so .... it's going to be a busy week.

   The good news --- all but two clients W2's are printed (ditto their quarterly payroll reports) -- 20 clients have yet to submit their 1099 info -- shame on them, it might not get done. 4 more annual sales tax reports to go and then we'll have met the 1/31/12 deadlines.

   I haven't worked for my old boss for 17 years -- somedays it seems like yesterday. Technically speaking I haven't had a "boss" for 17 years. Dang, I'm feeling old.

Marie

this is the "damn you -- my dish is empty" look

trust me this cat has attitude

next project ....

2012-01-18T20:41:00.000-06:00

It's hard to get a good picture with a cheep camera!

So any bets when it'll be done ... I'm hoping for May ....

New Technology

2012-01-18T05:36:00.000-06:00

Yep, Dr. Lee (the computer doctor) spent a couple of hours with us yesterday. A bit of fluffing and buffing on the network at the office ... a flip and switch of computers ... and a wireless network installed at home ... so I'm blogging from my laptop in bed with the morning news. odd.

It does give us the opportunity to have more than one of us on different computers and on the internet at the same time. My spiff new phone can work via the internet too.

Who'd have thought 20 years ago that (a) I'd have a blog and (b) we'd have internet within a 200' of the house....and I thought remote car starters were impressive.

I do not however like my laptop (or any other laptop) ... too small -- the touchy feeling mouse pad ... it's all bad.

Happy Wednesday
M

weekend progress

2012-01-15T20:07:00.000-06:00

well after the excitement of the fire -- it was on to work ... I finished the binding on a baby quilt, finished crocheting a scarf and got my strip sets done for the next batik project. Plus -- we watched two movies -- Bridesmaids and The Help -- the Help was much better than Bridesmaids. .....

food ... we always eat well ... Saturday night supper was homemade lasagna .... Friday night was potato/ham chowder and egg bake for brunch this morning....

cooking is a group process !! one to cook and one to supervise and one idiot documenting it all with her camera ....

and in between all of this fun I managed to put in 12 hour of office time and get a badly needed haircut! ... Mrs. H beware I have stacks ready for you on Monday morning ....

crafty weekend ....

2012-01-15T06:44:00.000-06:00

so far one word sums it up. FIRE ..... yeppers --- fire on the utility pole in the yard --- evidiently the "slapping out the fire with a kitchen towel in pink flannel pants" was quite entertaining .... 5 hours of powerless darkness arrived -- in rural america -- no power = no heat, no water (no flushing) .... so other projects got done.

I missed all of the excitement --- I was a working DIVA. the electrician arrived shortly after I did and an hour later temporary power was restored ---

we'll see what today brings ---

I have to mention our weekend of food. Dang we are all fabulous cooks .... potato chowder, lasagne, egg bake, dips and munchies are tasty!

M

T G I F (in bold font and all caps)

2012-01-13T08:07:00.000-06:00

yeppers, it's the weekend of Super Scraping or Stitch 'n Bitch -- or whatever you want to call it. The stamping diva's and I have a crafty weekend ahead.

so the rear of my vehicle contains -- two tubs of sewing machine, supplies (cutting stuff too), ironing board (and iron -- last year forgot the iron) ... 3 projects to work on ... one to finish -- two to start. I can't seem to decide what to start next -- 3 babies on the way and not sure if they are boys or girls .... so.

and the FOOD -- we eat drink & are pretty darn merry thru this process!!!!

first -- I gotta work all day!!!

ta ta

M

T G I Thursday

2012-01-12T14:33:00.000-06:00

because in 27 1/2 hours I'll be at the scrap shack being creative!!!! the stamping diva's and I have a weekend of crafting on the agenda -- unfortunately I have to work during the day (and get a haircut) but dang it -- I'll be sewing something.

I can't seem to decide on a project. too many choices and so little time. It might have to be "finish up" the WIP pile and order my garden seeds.

Yep, I came out of retirement !!! Now I need a truck and some electric fence (and solar chargers) I will win the battle of the wildlife ... one way or another!!!!

(insert smiley face)

few words wednesday

2012-01-11T11:17:00.000-06:00

holy shit -- it's snowing !!!

only in Paradise

2012-01-10T14:23:00.000-06:00

january 10, 2012 at 2:00pm yep a Harley at the neighbors

no snow so the cross country skiers have wheels on them ...

and those dark stripes ... pre-treating the streets for the "storm on the way" ...

yes all pictures taken on my stroll to the drug store for a prescription refill.....

it's 53' and flipping fabulous !!!

field cruise

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

yeppers -- the field road was surrounded by sweet corn in late july -- lovely looking green wasn't it ... I'm liking the lack of snow but not the "brown" look

manure man making delivery after labor day

last year (2010) it was surrounded by soybeans -- this was in September of 2010 during the flooding down in the Valley --

and in 2010 looking west into the setting sun and my favorite cell tower ....

and today --- it was driveable -- yep ... took the field road home from the scrap shack ... eastbound and downhill -- over a couple of frozen puddles, some snow on the back hill ... and a deer (what else) ...

when grandpa was alive we always had contests ... who would be the last to use it in fall and the first to cross in spring ... and that was 30 years ago -- and we did it without four wheel drive trucks and atv's ... This is the first year in my memory when I did it in January ... with light snow years it's pretty passable year around -- ice makes the back hill a bit challenging -- it's a 1.25 mile trek -- or 4 1/2 miles by regular road ... and it's been there since the late 1930's ... although it's been tweeked a couple of times.

and on the 7th day the

2012-01-08T10:06:00.000-06:00

the idiots of the world go to work. yep back at it today. first up a little internet -- seek and find -- fabric of course. I really should be camera shopping but camera's need to be handled and played with before the final purchase. the cheep one is in my tote bag for now.

the stamping diva's and I are having a weekend event -- gotta work so I can play later. need to decide on a project or two or three and pack up the stuff for the trek to the scrap shack.

so the bed is made, the laundry is done, the web surfing should be complete -- hi ho it's off to work it go!

55' tomorrow !!! can't wait ... needs to start raining or snowing -- need the moisture soon ...

ta ta ...

M

where's winter ????

2012-01-06T15:57:00.000-06:00

   what the hell -- the January thaw came before the winter freeze. not sure if I can handle to two 55' days in a row in January .... weather records are crashing everywhere. needless to say all of my ice is gone. last year it took until May.

   just another day in paradise -- if St. George, MN is the Holy Land -- St. Peter, MN must be paradise ....

   Happy Weekend.

   Marie

a brown paradise

blessings

2012-01-04T15:34:00.000-06:00

I have a lot of peeps in my life. Client peeps, family peeps, friend peeps. Clients come and go -- today I got to meet the daugher of a client. Her mom, B--- lost her battle with breast cancer a little more than a year ago. Her children live with foster parents. Daugher has matured into a nice young lady.

I'm sure B--- is looking down - smiling. B and family struggled thru the years -- relocating to St. Peter for a better life, job loss, cancer, growing up pains. But thru it all her children were raised with a lot of love and it shows. She did a great job.

Just another reminder to count the blessings.

Marie

back to the real world ...

2012-01-02T07:59:00.000-06:00

yeppers, I overdosed on the sewing Saturday Night. I did however vacuum the floors and empty the trash down there yesterday .... and in the midst of the vacuuming job that side of the room went dark ... and the furnace quit and the space heater quit ..... evidently the vacuum was drawing too much juice .... tripped the circuit breaker. sounds like a great reason to quit cleaning eh!

Mom and I had a dash to Mankato -- yep, the last hurrah ... the deal of the day -- frozen dinners 5 for $10 at HyVee -- it is good to eat well and cheep!

The wind is howling, it's slippery and the rose parade is one TV today . It still irks me. It should always be on New Years Day.

birrrrr

M

no need to ring in the new year -- I've got a Bernina !!!

2011-12-31T22:59:00.002-06:00

finished the border on this stacked coins baby quilt and machine quilted it with random zig zags ... and the binding is attached -- awaits hand-sewing

got the final border on this "figgy pudding" project -- it was "crazy mom's tutorial from 2 (maybe 3) years ago -- didn't want to mess with the small pieces in the inner border on the pattern, so I bought yardage ... I think I'm going to hand quilt trees on it ...

"fresh cotton" jumbo stacked coins from the moda bake shop shortly before christmas -- ready to press on last time/decide on backing -- ready set quilt ....

all of the above have to be done before I can play with today's ebay arrival -- terrain .... it's so cool. I'm seeing a modern / bright version of a log cabin ... must keep rolling on the others first!

Gotta love a "Winter Storm Warning" --- we shoveled our way into 2011 and now we'll be shoveling our way out of it ..... dang weather.

Since I sewed so much today -- I'm allowed to let the Bernina have a break .... the annual "first shopping trip" of the year begins at 8:00 am -- winter storm warning permitting -- this will be my last --non work related leave town event for the next 4 1/2 months ... truly -- I don't leave Hooterville.

happy happy !!!

2011-12-31T18:05:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year !!!!

(may all your dreams and wishes come true)

finally friday ...

2011-12-30T08:38:00.000-06:00

yep, she's got a really messy messy desk (again) and too much stuff sitting around

I'm already working on that ....

my newest sewing masterpiece. yep, two pieces of fabric a hunk of batting and voila .... a case for my cell phone -- the worst part of the new phone --- can't toss it around --- and the dang thing needs to be charged daily .. and yes I just zig zagged the edges together -- I was in a hurry!

tgit

2011-12-29T07:37:00.000-06:00

yep, Thank God it's Thursday ....

I could use a bit more of this and much less of

this -- I swear year-end is worse that April 15th ... it brings out the worst -- not the best in peeps. I suggested to a client earlier in the week that they should be celebrating their financial rewards and the reply "not if I have to give it the the (you fill in the blanks) government" ...

by noon tomorrow all of the planning and plotting will be done and the real work begins !!!

New Years Eve will be spent at the sewing machine. It's missing me this week!

4 seed catalogs arrived yesterday -- making me regret the garden retirement plans -- and elder traded in both of the pickup trucks on a (yet to arrrive) new truck so .... if I un-retire I need to find wheels too. No he didn't ask my opinion. It'll be awhile before the new one arrives -- 2 1/2 months -- you would think it was being hand crafted.

I might be able to borrow Red/White from it's new owner -- he hauls wood and hunts (locally) with it ... it still never leaves town....

So, I think

2011-12-28T07:17:00.000-06:00

this holiday thing is getting a bit out of control. The Rose Parade is on MONDAY -- not New Years Day but MONDAY. That's messing with a lot of tradition.

guess I'll be watching at the office.

New Years Day is reserved for the final shopping trip before "the big rush" at the office. I have a list -- we are going to try to go somewhere we've never been before .. that's the only rule. Wal-Mart usually isn't busy NYDay morning (go figure) ... the picture kiosk and I will be bonding. Office Max will get most of my $$$ that list is huge.

I'm still kinda ticked about the Rose Parade --- Monday -- get serious!

M

Tuesday ...

2011-12-27T08:08:00.001-06:00

Already Tuesday -- time escapes me on Holidays. I did manage to return to work last night. I should have parked my tush at the sewing machine.
I did manage to clean out my desk drawers yesterday -- I swear on a stack of Bibles -- there had to be at least 1,000 ink pens, stubby pencils, worn out erasers etc....in 2 drawers. Gone. Today is the file cabinet behind my desk .... the County Cabinet!
Tonight I will sew. The Moda Bake Shoppe has had some pretty good projects lately. I made a pile of things to complete on Xmas Eve -- and it's my rest of 2011 and January of 2012 homework.

My office neighbor had a baby last Tuesday -- since I didn't know they were pregnant until the "facebook" blast about the baby .... I zipped this quilt of my wall -- shook it out -- wrapped it up and new baby has quilt -- my stash of baby quilts has been depleted. (I actually finished piecing this 2 years ago, had it quilted this summer, bound it and hung it on my newly painted walls!) ...

Happy Tuesday y'all!!!

post holiday bliss

2011-12-26T17:35:00.003-06:00

so I was the only idiot working on my block. so at 2:00 ... i went home for a nap. felt good. more bird. back to work, maybe.

might just need another nap.

ho ho ho

M

2011-12-25T07:14:00.000-06:00

yep, I even got the ornaments on the tree .... the fuzzy shot kinda grew on me so ...

merry christmas

2011-12-24T19:20:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas ...

'tis the season !!

2011-12-23T13:57:00.000-06:00

Rockefeller Center - New York City (a long way from here in Hooterville)

Washington DC on the Capital Mall .... (ditto the distance)

I received the above pictures in an email of lit trees around the world and I especially like those two....

my office front porch == nothing glows like a candle in the dark ... and a votive candle in a pint (or quart) jar works extremely well. I light them when I arrive in the morning and by 7:30 it's light enough to blow them out -- the mailman did it for me yesterday ...

still very "brown" around here and warm temperatures are in the holiday forecast !! loving every moment of the warmth -- easy on the back (no shoveling) and easy on the checkbook (low heat bills)

ho ho ho

just one more day

and the dude in the red suit

arrives

ho ho ho

excitement in a small town

2011-12-22T13:51:00.000-06:00

the bank at the south end of town got robbed this morning. 7:00am ... at gun point with an employee coming to work early ...

I tell ya -- people are nuts, just plain nuts.

M

ho ho ho

2011-12-21T07:20:00.000-06:00

   the wrapping is done (it doesn't take long) ... the tree is up, the lights are on (and working I bought new ones) ... the office is kind of under control.

   and THE DAYS ARE NOW GETTING LONGER. Yes, yell it from the rooftops. I really really hate our short winter days. January is bearable -- they are getting longer not shorter.

   i might even make time to sew tonight. or scan thru the latest seed catalog that arrived -- I'm re-thinking the garden retirement -- although I think elder #1 traded off my truck (again).

merry merry
Diva

ps. I'm not dreaming of a white Christmas --- just a warm one!

hello Monday!

2011-12-19T07:22:00.002-06:00

So I managed to avoid the office for 48 hours ... somehow it still looks the same (only cleaner -- thanks Lori) than when I left Friday night.

The elf did not finish up my project piles. dang I thought I had 'em trained better.

ho ho ho

M

A picture tells 1,000 words

2011-12-18T07:30:00.000-06:00

probably should be titled -- oh shit, she's gotta clean.

the sewing/creative room disaster .. actually the couch is now empty .... by sharing this jewel of a picture I have incentive to tidy up .... after the dusting, vacuuming and general upstairs cleaning I'm not sure I'm ready but.....

I managed to avoid the office yesterday -- that doesn't happen often and will be paying the price during the week....I did get the treats for today's party picked up from the cupcake lady -- needless to say my vehicle smells like Bailey's Irish Cream .... not all bad.

I managed to finish my Christmas, Other Stuff and Grocery shopping in Mankato last night. It was BRUTAL at the mall. I had a mission and I stayed the course. Although, one of my favorite stores had 40% off .. I now have a new red tweed blazer and matching sweater...it's really hard to pass up 40% off.

I even bought Christmas cards and wrapping paper ... Hobby Lobby was actually tolerable -- Hancock Fabric's was even better -- alas no fabric only more yarn (which I don't need either). I am having fun with the scarves for the mitten/scarf/hat tree ....

Party on peeps -- it's only just begun......

Friday Night (and Saturday Morning) Sew In ....

2011-12-17T09:27:00.001-06:00

first I had to clean ... why o why does stuff pile up (don't answer) and no that's not Marshmallow FLUFF on the shelf -- it's my scissors jar ... I'm a famous re-user/re-purposer ...

I pieced another 4 row section of this project .... and then I got bored -- happens a lot when my mind is thinking too much ..

then I attempted to find wide double fold bias tape in this drawer ... navy, white, pink but ... no black so I had to make some and that became this

40 years of sewing and I've been reduced to Christmas banners from pre cut fabrics ... but I can make my own bias tape!

and isn't it lovely -- and it'll be more lovely with the roping and the rest of the Christmas trimmings .. we're a bit behind ... normal

someone deemed it okay to snow last night -- messy stuff ... 50 in the forecast for tomorrow so it'll be gone ... I'm loving our "warmer than normal so far" winter! The first banner went so well, I made another to use as a hostess gift for tomorrows brunch -- can't share it yet ... check back tomorrow!

So check out the rest of the products/productivity/talent/cool stuff .... FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN. Many thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Marie

T. G. I. F. (keep chanting) tgif, tgif, tgif

2011-12-16T12:56:00.000-06:00

okay -- it's been a crazy week or it feels like a crazy week. the good news -- I finally got a hair cut. the bad news -- it's been a crazy week.

poor megan .. she must have been cold. I'm kinda stingy with the thermostat and she's in the coldest office in the building ... I love the multi beverage thing happening ... one cold, one hot

Mrs. H diligently working away ... I snuck this one -- she's pretty good about dodging the camera ..

Kayla from the bank ..

rain

2011-12-15T07:15:00.000-06:00

yep, it rained -- 'twas a good thing. brown Christmas? -- looking like it -- it's okay

sailed thru the dental appointment yesterday -- not a lot of pain -- no need to return , soon

then sat on my tush and listened to the rain

need to
     put up the tree
     finish shopping
     start baking
     cut a haircut

ah the neverending lists have returned.....

Happy Thursday
Ho Ho Ho

M

another day shopping

2011-12-12T07:06:00.000-06:00

dang -- it's bad out there in retail-ville. although Target at 8:00am was good ....

yesterday's schedule
     Target
        at that hour it was empty ...
        and after my $300 there was very little left in the store ...
        they even sell gift cards for other stores!

     Old Country Buffet (once a decade is enough)

     Sam's Club
         200 lbs of cat litter (I'm good 'til April)
         (everytime the clerk asks "how many cats?"
           what the hell -- don't peeps stock up on cat litter?)
         20 pack of kleenex boxes
         48 pack of giant tea bags


      Herbergers ....
          where I managed to try on 7, yes 7 pairs of blue jeans ... when I got to the
             check out and the best pair was $14.99 -- I went and got another ... and
             didn't try them on ... got home -- the flipping things don't fit. evidently
             the size on the tag doesn't mean a thing.... the second pair w/coupon was
             $4.99 so .... I'll be returning them.

   home by noon ...

Saturday was ...
      Gander Mountain
      Herbergers
      Hancock Fabrics
      Joanne Fabrics....

the shopping for this spender has come to an end. the people were rude, the clerks were tired ... the traffic was odd ....

Marie

the beginning

2011-12-11T07:52:00.000-06:00

remember this

it is fast becoming this

sliced up and "randomly" sewed back together. I'm trying to be random I pull a "brick" out the box and attach it to the next -- the only time I reject it -- is if it is the exact same fabric

4 rows down 18 more to go ....

Happy Sewing!

Friday Night Sew In ....

2011-12-10T06:44:00.000-06:00

... well my fabric purchases arrived from ebay and the Missouri quilt shop yesterday and I spent a bit of time looking at them and feeling them ....

6 "red" fat quarters from the sweetwater hometown line -- a steal on ebay

cosmo crickets circa 1934 layer cake & charm pack ... and two basics charm packs by basic grey ...so ...what to sew .... I drafted this block

to use with the the layer cake and started cutting ..... and then decided one layer cake wasn't going to be enough ... so will use the sweetwater fat quarters and really mix 'em up !

once my hand got tired ... I finished the binding on this little jewel..... after all babies do not wait for the quilter to finish quilting!

Check out the rest of the HARD WORKING FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN PROJECTS here! It's a great show -- many thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting .... I'm not sure about the rest of the participants but I need a little prodding to get things done! Go figure -- blogger is having brain farts too ... hopefully this posts ...

Tired Kitty ....

2011-12-08T18:59:00.001-06:00

okay -- still no camera -- but I found the cord to download from my spiffy phone....but one of the relatives sent an email full of "reasons to always carry a camera" .. this tired kitty was one of them ...

tired but cute and he (she) looks a little peeved about having the picture taken ..... look at the paws ... huge -- probably explains the ability to run as fast as they do ....

Mr Nick has a matching belly ... heaping rounded .... missing the sassy look however!

hump day ..... is almost over

2011-12-07T19:23:00.000-06:00

   I was so busy today - smoke was rising from the building. Yep, lots got done. More to go --- only one pile left on my floor. Quit smirking Mrs. H, for real, one pile.

   I can hear the Bernina calling. Xmas in 17 days. Still haven't shopped for a thing. Gift cards really aren't that tacky. No returns !!!

   Really missing the camera ( hint hint hint).

Diva

O M G

2011-12-05T17:11:00.002-06:00

is it Friday yet?
dang the crazies are invading ...

and it's cold.....realllllllyyyyyy coolllllllddddddd.

white stuff

2011-12-04T18:19:00.000-06:00

home

2011-12-03T19:59:00.001-06:00

   12 1/2 hours
      (9 of them in the vehicle)

   535 miles

   50 miles on ice and crap (the last 50 miles)

   1 funeral

   lots of family friends

   lots of bonding in the vehicle

yep, it's early ....

2011-12-03T05:25:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure why -- but on weekends I'm up and functioning way to early. Tomorrow will be different.

Road trip today -- 225 miles north -- funeral service and 225 miles home. Gonna be a lot of car time. The elders, Jean and I. Family friend (and old neighbor) Jim lost his battle with cancer. Kinda fast, really fast, too young. And a storm is on the way ... although the weather gods have predicted it will be south and east of our travels -- weather gods really don't know -- do they?

Chaos reigned yesterday -- so after the worst of it I made choices. Choices that were good for me. Sometimes just need to be reminded to land with both feet on the ground. Last night assisted with the fall cleaning of the SCRAP SHACK -- getting ready for the Sunday event.

Ooooweee --- she's got a lot of stamping & scraping stuff shoved in that Shack. So next weekend I'm feeling the need to be crafty (craftier?) ... in fact -- I'm headed down to the shower -- then sewing machine .. 30 minutes of bonding might be good for me!

Happy Saturday ....

Diva

2011-12-02T07:44:00.000-06:00

T. G. I. F.

oh no ....

2011-12-01T07:36:00.000-06:00

   it snowed.

   I missed the weather memo.
   I was too busy worrying about Sunday's weather ( a trek to the City is planned).

   So I shoveled in high heeled boots this morning. I really didn't look out until I hit the garage for the morning commute. Finally found sneakers stashed at the office.

   Full day of stuff planned. Hopefully, I'm home by 10:00 tonight.

   New "smartphone" is getting cooler by the minute.

Marie

curves ...

2011-11-30T06:00:00.002-06:00

life sometimes throws curves ... good ones, bad ones and sad ones. so Tuesday wasn't as crazy as Monday but it was full of curves.

I invested in a new modern phone. I have no idea how to operate it but I have texting, internet and gps on the phone. There is no such thing as a plain phone. Don't send me a text -- I don't know how to reply yet.

remember this block from last week .... over the weekend it became

this and tonight I quilted it and attached the binding ... it's a baby gift for a special baby to be ....

since I spent my life savings on a phone -- I'm still using the camera that casts the cloudy shadows... camera is next ..... the phone has a camera -- I just don't know how to get the pictures to me....ugh.

back to the quilt -- roughly 36" square -- I had to trim the blocks to square them up ... the little pieces get out of square quickly ... charm pack -- garden party ... garden blooms I've already forgotten ... it's the mind ... too much whirring ... sewing helps!

Diva

ah Tuesday ...

2011-11-29T07:52:00.000-06:00

   Tuesday is the calm day after the Monday $(*%)(*^#_)%(. Enough said. I did manage to hang the Christmas roping and wreath -- now if I could find the ribbon and bows the exterior decorating would be complete. Still brown out there (that is a good thing).

   My target chairs arrived and they are flipping fabulous. Too nice for my office -- so they are headed to the front room. The "some assembly required" isn't too bad. Might need to find a couple more similar seats!

   My 2011 software has arrived for $7,000 one would think it would take more than a disc. And yes, I had to pay extra for a disc vs. the downloadable version.

   ahh  the aroma's have returned to the farm. More poo being delivered -- two trucks at a time this week. Just bizarre .....

M

my kind of snack mix ...

2011-11-27T08:18:00.000-06:00

Betty's Snack Mix

1 bag pre made chex mix

1 bag gardello's ( I think that's how it's spelled)

1 can mixed nuts

1 bag craisons

and I added

1 bag pretzel m & m's

toss and serve

no cooking, no cleaning and tasty !!

I'm into heavy cooking, baking and mess making this week. Betty had brought this to cards one night and shared with the rest of us. Easy, effective and tasty. My kind of cooking. I will get around to the real homemade chex mix eventually.

Stitch & Bitch this afternoon. Lining up my projects -- it'll be completion day for this stitcher. Bindings, hemming (more pants), another scarf -- handwork on the apron (basting) -- redrafting the apron pattern.

And oh -- a couple of hours at the office to tidy up a few things. Nick decided it was okay to shredddd the plastic window kits. The claw movement will need to come to an end -- one way or another.

pattern drafting 101

2011-11-26T12:28:00.000-06:00

I had a request for aprons last week at the Looney Lutheran Adventure -- here is my version of a totally reversable apron. This is the first version ... the next version will have a smaller bib -- neck ties to attach with big yellow buttons. There is a large pocket under the rickrack -- it was to be yellow but I ran out of yellow fabric.

mini quilt #2 -- lots a little pieces ... this would actually be a nice block for a larger quilt ...

someone downloaded to my computer ....

2011-11-24T20:59:00.000-06:00

deer camera ..... amazing the info per picture .... no deer, I was told a falling leaf, dancing branch or squirrel can set them off -- this was before the heat wave

no snow yet -- I've got them out of order ... the oak leaves created quite the carpet ... really pretty now that all of the foliage is gone .. The white blob in the middle is the creek -- about 300 feet down...

self portrait from this morning.

self portrait with helmet & goggles on ...

cool afternoon ... pretty in the snow ..

so this afternoon, mom and I took an ATV cruise -- delivered the billion bags of trash to the dumpster (oh joy that was fun) .. and then checked out the manure project -- truck driver delivered more loads last night ... must not have anything important to do .... then we drove over to deer camera #1 and had our portrait taken ...

Happy Thanksgiving ....

2011-11-24T07:10:00.000-06:00

I just put the buns in the oven -- the turkey is in the electric roaster -- the rest of the prep work has begun ... and oh -- my coffee awaits me.

Since ie promises to be a fabulous day --- my ATV awaits me .... time for a bit of cruising!

Usually by now -- Bessie is at the office and ready for snowplowing -- I can ride it in next week -- but today we'll be cruising the neighborhood. First trek -- garbage to the dumpster !!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

(gobble gobble gobble)

oldies but goodies !

2011-11-22T11:41:00.000-06:00

I think (know) I've posted these before -- they are classics

the scary part of the picture -- the truck is still residing on the farm -- although it's headed to the iron recycling joint .... worth $$$ dead

If you've never seen my mom with brown hair -- here it is .. and I believe this was real not dyed. Don't ya love the bell bottom jeans ..fashionable in 1972 -- our Glendive Montana experience.

Jean and Grandma (fuzzy pix from my phone)

Me & Jack ( still fashionable -- love the gloves) I brought desert to the family reunion

Fishing on Lake Mille Lacs -- late 70's ... the fish do not seem happy either -- we used to camp on a dead end road that didn't have running water or electricity ... it was primative even with a camper

Jean and I on "Fred" ... Fred came to live with us in 1962 and died in 1982 so .... mean little dude -- and as he aged he got rounder (I'm going to resist a comment).

Cousin Nancy Lund, Mom, I, Jean and Grandma Yakimshuk ... at the annual sale of the patch ... it was a big deal at the time ... look at the piles of squash ....

Evidently ....

2011-11-20T21:21:00.000-06:00

   the rest of the world needs to know...

   Hotdish is a food group.
   Cream of Mushroom soup is the binder.
   Jello is good for you.

   I attended the presentation of the "Looney Lutherans" Sunday night. And of course it started with pie and coffee ... Me, the Scrapping Diva's and 994 other peeps were crammed into Hosanna Lutheran Church ... it was a hoot.

Here is the LINK to read more about the ladies. Young and old were rolling in the aisles.

the ~~shit~~ manure hauling project continues ... the boys left their toys parked in what remained of the melon patch after they spread the manure and worked it in ... the pictures of the steaming piles of poo did not turn out and frankly posting pictures of steaming piles of poo is a bit wacky -- more than a bit wacky.

Lots of equipment for lots of poo. Organic matter is a good thing ... I keep chanting "organic matter is a good thing" -- not sure what the "Looney Lutherans" would think about that!

Happy Week!!

Diva

oh no SNOW ...

2011-11-20T08:52:00.000-06:00

ya, for real. hopefully it will melt shortly. slippery driving last night -- went to town for supper and to feed Nick.

the stamping diva's and I are headed to Mkto for early supper and a play -- the Loony Lutheran's ... I'm sure it will be an event to remember.

I did manage to accomplish a bit of something yesterday -- laundry, cut out and began to stitch on a wallhanging (tiny pieces), a library book, another scarf and a nap!! cheesy Christmas letter was drafted. after much internet shopping I finally found some cool chairs for my office. Target. who'd a thought -- Target. free shipping. it doesn't get any better than "free shipping" !!!

happy sunday
M

projects ...

2011-11-19T06:46:00.000-06:00

Well, I knocked two things of my never-ending project list .... The PANTS finally got hemmed last night. Two pair done -- pressed & ready to wear! One more pair to go -- but they are lined and I'm not sure I want to tackle them -- might have them sent out. Then I sat down and worked on THE not so famous Watermelon Diva 2012 Calendar !! Done -- published & ordered! The 35% off coupon from Lulu was the "get 'er done" factor on the Calendar.

I ran out of black bias tape so one leg is blue .... only me.

I even took time to work on the binding for this table runner .... it was a practice piece on free motion quilting with the new sewing machine (yes it's been waiting for binding for 5 months).

Next up -- Christmas Cards and the Christmas Letter!

No SNOW yet this morning -- we're hoping for rain only.

2011-11-18T06:00:00.002-06:00

2011-11-17T15:20:00.000-06:00

2011-11-16T06:28:00.001-06:00

2011-11-15T12:49:00.002-06:00

and on the 7th day ....

2011-11-13T19:44:00.000-06:00

this Diva did very little.

The great accomplishment of the day was gas in the vehicle and a quick pass thru the car wash and while touring the neighborhood afterword -- it started to rain. Should have washed it sooner.

I got around to opening my mail. So, I've been tapped for a year of Grand Jury Duty. I guess it's good to be me. First time for me, ever. Maybe the last? It could be worse. It could be Federal or State Grand Jury Duty.

I did manage to get a wall hanging bound. It wasn't much of a project it's 18 inches square. The bed is made, the wash got done and put away --- and I finished my library book. and oh ... I've managed to use up an entire box of tissue -- blowing the dripping nose. The sneezing and wheezing are just extra sound effects.

I am a lucky Diva.

M

red ... he used to wander ... haven't seen him all summer ....

road trip !!!!

2011-11-12T16:15:00.000-06:00

mom and I took a drive -- there is an art project happening in the "Lake Washington County Park" .. this guy received an arts & humanities grant for this project. the "ribbons" are about an inch wide and are like webbing on a bag/purse and in every color ... it was kinda windy so they were dancing and whistling in the wind ... part of the performance -- and it was cloudy so the pictures are kinda dark ... I forgot to ask him how long it would be up -- he seemed pretty intense on the repair work .... not sure how many peeps ventured out there either ... kinda odd.

friday stroll ...

2011-11-12T08:42:00.000-06:00

found some green in the little garden.

the girls were busy chatting with me

sad sad sad garden -- not sure why I keep torturing myself by taking pix's ... I think Dad shot his deer in the patch....

Dad is getting ready for winter -- snow blower for the tractor and snowplow for his pickup

the elders retrieved their home-on-wheels from the lake, then 2 days later went shopping for a different home-on-wheels and well, this is the latest version of the home-on-wheels. it actually has a lot more room than the last one and it's basically the same size -- interior layout is a bit more efficient. here's the deal -- it doesn't fit in any of our buildings -- too tall. so it's going across the river for winter storage.

I'm the fabulous multi - tasker at the moment -- laundry is washing, potatoes in the crockpot -- sloppy joes browning on the stove and I'm typing this .... get the projects done. got plans for the balance of the day!

happy saturday!

Favorite Things Friday ...

2011-11-11T08:07:00.000-06:00

this is bessie, my favorite ATV. she rarely gets any care (mechanical or otherwise) but she keeps on humming along. a semi - annual bath -- blow the dirt off once in a while ... add gas and go. well, yesterday, elder #1 changed oil, air filter and bathed her --

I've been whining/harping/bitching for quite some time that she needed a little care (and he occasionally uses her too) .. so it was a 20 minute lecture about a "plugged air filter and oil like sludge".... and "what a pain in the ass" it was to work on her .... now he thinks something else is wrong too -- evidently she's not starting zippy enough -- which if I recall --- I whined/harped/bitched about in August ...

the good news -- she's still one of my favorite toys (she and the Bernina!) ... as soon as significant snow hits the forecast she'll be delivered to 3rd Street -- snowplow will be installed and we'll be ready to keep the sidewalks clean and tidy --

i love ebay !!

2011-11-09T21:09:00.000-06:00

i found some sherbert pips ... baby girls are in my future ...

some Whimsey by Joanna Figueroa ... for another window quilt at the office

and lastly, some cosmo cricket "circa 1934" ... i met the cosmo cricket designers at scrap fest -- they were hosting our "crop 'til you drop" session at Archiver's -- when they mentioned "Moda" my ears perked up!

3 bundles of goodness -- delivered by the US Postal System -- ordered it on Sunday -- delivered on Wednesday -- life is good!

aaaahhhh moment

2011-11-08T12:34:00.000-06:00

   A seed catalog arrived in today's mail. Gurney's. I'm missing the garden already. I thought retiree's were supposed to enjoy retirement !!

    the pepper pages has lots of cool stuff.
    ditto the watermelon page.

I'm tossing the catalog out as I type.

  SNOW !!! It will be south and east of me -- so Mr & Mrs Squash Blossom -- see my reading list are getting ready (or per facebook Mrs. Squash Blossom is working hard). They're going to get dumped on. I'm just hoping for rain. We need it bad.

   I'm at work and the picture selection is a bit slim. So ...

okay this was labeled "August 2004" ... I think this was our 2nd year at the market -- Nick was still in elementary school and in the band -- practicing -- look how short he is !

We didn't get fancy until year two -- added tables and a canopy ...Jean was hard at work. Mr. Maple Syrup was next to us and Art Shuck is the guy in the bib overalls -- Art has since passed away.

Mr. GW Lunderberg -- the salad man.

remember

2011-11-06T19:08:00.001-06:00

this dude

he's become rather coveted ... ... the camera is near Dad's deer stand which is near the melon patch (go figure -- they know where the treats were)

another shot from August ...

per the "great white hunter" -- his days are limited -- the deer not the hunter ...

and no I'm not eating it either.

I'm really not liking the daylight savings switch either. Awfully dark at 5:15pm. Yuck. It's time to begin the annual cave dwelling and I'm not looking forward to it. I need SUN and lots of it.

so have you ever

2011-11-05T21:22:00.001-05:00

had one of those days (or nights) where you've been thinking to much. I'm having a week of too much thinking. not good, not good at all.

On a lighter note. Deer hunting season has arrived. As has the wind. Dang it be blowing out there. I'm tucked in for the night.

Diva

whoooosh

2011-11-04T05:42:00.000-05:00

   wow, it's Friday -- the fastest 7 days on the planet just flew past.   are the days flipping by faster or is it my imagination.

   another seminar this afternoon -- this one is via the internet and telephone -- Mrs. H and I will be huddled around my monitor and phone for 3 hours. hope we learn something worthwhile.

   I was the good woman yesterday -- started winterizing the shack. plastic window kits or in the windows in my office -- will slow down the drafts -- headed for the green room this morning -- front room tomorrow and then I'll be done. the energy savings are huge -- cuts the bill by a 1/3 .... huge.

happy friday all....
Marie

so, so far I've spent my week

2011-11-02T20:55:00.000-05:00

wasting time at a seminar .... I wasn't carpooling to the City-- this time; so I opted to spend the night. Okay, just gotta love the jets from the airport going over every 5 flipping minutes. A hotel without microwaves, fridges or room service. Don't even ask about the bathroom. I did the search for bedbugs and came up clean.

I forgot my toothpaste -- this lovely little mini tube was $3 in the gift shop --- which I found on my way to the bar for a pizza -- which, for bar pizza was pretty good.

Between 7:30 am and 2:00 pm I crochet this scarf .... I'm getting faster -- yes, the speaker spoke and I did needlework -- 3 of us were working on projects.

yesterday I worked on the folded up pink scarf -- it too is almost done!

How's the above for a still life -- toothbrush, comb, yarn, book, cat5 cable -- remote, cash -- does life get any more interesting.

oh, it's good to be home !!!

Happy Halloween ....

2011-10-31T10:16:00.000-05:00

it's all about the orange ...

farmers market from 2 years ago -- the year I actually made $$

it was the year of the pumpkin -- same year

lots of pumpkins

I'm at the office so the picture selection was limited.

Happy Halloween !!!

fun run ....

2011-10-29T13:11:00.000-05:00

yep this old gardener walked the St. Peter Halloween Fun Run this morning. I actually jogged in a a couple of spots .... (the downhill spots).

1,412 of us participated ... then off for beverages and lunch!

waiting for the starting gun to go off... kinda of a crowded mess

I was trying to get a picture of cousin Jan ... she's the witch with the pink hat and striped leggings behind the dude with the stroller that cut her off ...

okay this woman had a black cat suit on with sparkling pink undergarments over the top and a pink fuzzy coat ... way over the top ....

fun. i'll probably do it next year too!

Favorite Things Friday ...

2011-10-27T22:00:00.001-05:00

It's Friday and time for Favorite Things Friday --- Mrs. P suggested we chose our favorite technology tool ... sometimes I have too much technology in my world. And yes, I'm drooling over her i pad -- in fact it's a good thing she lives in another hemisphere -- we'd be stealing it!

My favorite technology is " MOTHER NATURE" ... because I cannot control her!

In my world the new year generally starts out WHITE !!! and cold and frosty and cold....

spring arrives and everything turns green and lush

summer color -- lots of summer color

and lots of fall color

more fall color - after frost we lose bugs, allergies and well it's just plain nice! this fall was the exception it was "flippin gorgeous"

and eventually we're back to winter color (no it has not snowed yet -- this was November 13, 2010 ... but it lasted until mid April 2011-- kinda awful when I think about it!

So head over and check out the FAVORITE THINGS FRIDAY at Mrs. P's ... it's a hoot!

Happy Friday !!!

Marie

road trip

2011-10-26T14:09:00.000-05:00

to the always lovely FAIRMONT, MINNESOTA !! ... it was dark when I left and just cracking light when I arrived. I was not able to appreciate the scenery on the commute down there but on the way home ....

they have barns painted with QUILT blocks. Way too cool. I counted 10 on Hwy 15 ... I was reading a Fairmont Chamber brochere and they have a whole tour of "barn quilts." So, I'll have to plan another road trip.

Diva

2011-10-25T08:05:00.000-05:00

holy crap, Tuesday .... did I really accomplish anything on Monday?

no, nada, zip, nothing ....

2011-10-24T07:34:00.002-05:00

oh, good grief, it's Monday !!!!

the day of rest

2011-10-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

   was yesterday at the garage sale. I sat in a lawn chair and enjoyed good company and lots of sun. beautiful beautiful day in the Valley. I took a little ride on the ATV -- pictures below. I then braved a shopping experience in Mankato -- gotta spend the garage sale $$$. Sneakers, underwear, lint rollers (damn cat), plastic window kits, blue jeans ... coffee, water, soup mix. It was an uneventful trip. All though the mall seems to be overrun by misbehaving teenagers.

   Today, however, is a different story -- unpacked the winter clothes, packed up most of the summer clothes, purged.
   Baked magic bars -- ooohhhyyy goodness with lots of sugar.
   Brewed ice coffee base -- the coffee.
   Dinner is cooking.
   Time to vacuum and tote the trash to the dumpster.

it just makes me sick -- look at the hoof prints -- damn varmits ... they discovered the taste and there is no stopping them -- they won't eat the "pecked by crows" melons -- which are rotting from within .. the aroma is bad.

the lode of bittersweet is looking good

too bad one would have to be a mountain climber with a 75' extension ladder to reach it...

weeds on the City property ...

hard to believe but this weed patch used to be the St Peter Municipal Airport ... gotta love progress -- it's an undeveloped industrial park/weed patch. if they'd control the weeds it would be a bit nicer

more horror ---

t g i f .....yelling it from the rooftops

2011-10-21T10:16:00.000-05:00

so exciting day ahead.

Garage Sale ! well I don't have much but the stamping diva's do. I'm giving away pumpkins and gourds (and making their breakfast tomorrow).

Friday Night Sew In ... I was going to prep some more last night but got in the garage sale mood and spent most of the night sorting clothes. I must have tried on a dozen pair of ill fitting pants. And after vowing to stop buying any more clothes -- dashed off to the computer and ordered socks and other "unmentionables" via the internet. It's so much easier.

So Friday it is -- shout it from the rooftops!

Diva.

missing the leaves already ...

2011-10-20T06:01:00.000-05:00

trek out to the garden

and the trek into the yard

and down the road we go ...

wore my down vest the last two days and have not regretted doing so

sun is in the forecast

hip hip hooray sun, the sun ....

Friday Night Sew In is this Friday ...

I started planning and cutting tonight -- lots of cutting ... will start early on the sewing too -- it is a multi night project !!!

yep ...

2011-10-19T07:33:00.000-05:00

long underwear, boots and turtlenecks have now become the normal wardrobe !! and it's flipping dark all the time .... the hibernation of the northern hemisphere has begun.

did the County road tour yesterday -- lots of drainage ditches, bridges and well road projects.

I actually sat at my sewing machine last night -- quilted a wall hanging -- didn't think about it -- just sewed. kinda fun.

M

Ready, Set, Snow

2011-10-18T06:10:00.000-05:00

50 lb bushel basket gourd and yep -- it's the size of a bushel basket .... need one, let me know ....

walmart

2011-10-17T10:59:00.001-05:00

yeah -- my semi annual trip to walmart was yesterday. I like the photo editing and fast printing options in the electronics department -- but while waiting for the printing of the pix's ... I manage to overspend. yesterday's shopping included:

4 cans deoderant
4 tubes shampoo
4 tubes face cream
4 toothpaste
new heads for toothbrush
8 tins of coffee (hot fru fru coffee)
6 boxs of cold coffee blend
chips & dip
scrapbooking paper
scrapbooking embellishments
4 rolls of packing tape
4 pads of post it's
1 storage bin
3 paperback books
dishsoap
soft scrub cleaner
2 scrubby bubble refills for shower

does any of the above seem to be necessary -- $ 155 later ... ugh.

Mom and I then proceeded to keep spending. Cat food for His Royal Highness (that went up in price too). Herberger's had sales -- dress pants, turtleneck sweaters, black jeans with rhinestones on the ass, bras. Finally, we got to JoAnn Fabrics ... where the line for the cutting table was 15 people deep == no fabric for me! I really don't need any more.

Lunch was the China Buffet -- way to many people and way to many kids running around touching food they weren't going to eat .. germs can kill ya!

I finally made it home to my new paperback books and well -- enjoyed every minute!

Happy Monday!!!!

M

seriously - we have fun at Market

2011-10-16T06:23:00.000-05:00

t'was a chilly (and dark) start to Market yesterday morning. we were relocated up the street due to the first annual "Oktoberfest" ... evidently the Market ranks well below the "eat drink & be merry crowd" -- My garden retirement lasted 13 days ....

Grandma Pam ... what can we say ...

Mrs H took my camera and took my picture ... I thought it was cold. The wind a was a bit brutal -- worst part -- you can't see the long underwear but dang they did the trick.

Mr & Mrs. H ... it was their last week for the season -- next week they'll be making thousands of meatballs for the annual Lutefisk Dinner at the Scandian Grove Church --- yep meatballs for those of us who wouldn't dream of the lutefisk.

Fashionista Macy came to visit us! Her Dad is thinning out the deer population at my house --- GO ADAM!!!

Pickleman Keith with the award winning dill pickles -- I actually bought some for myself yesterday. Pretty tasty --

and Crystal moved behind the broom corn ...but she's back there!

So I've re-retired -- I did get rid of more stuff and now I'm down to 5 bushel of birdhouse gourds. Need any? Give me a call .... the balance of my pumpkins will go to the food shelf to hand out to those who need a pumpkin .... the remaining squash are mine.

And I just heard the forecast for Tuesday. SNOW up north -- oh yeah winter is going to return.

Marie

Favorite Things Friday ...

2011-10-14T07:08:00.000-05:00

Time for Favorite Things Friday --- so, this week's favorite (it's been a while since I played along) -- the stamping Diva's and I took in a Twins baseball game in late September -- Diva Becky dropped off a CD copy of her pictures and well -- here we are. We had a blast !! I know we will probably make it an annual event.

I'll work on not having the grumpy look in the future. I really don't like having my pix snapped!

So hop on the FAVORITE THINGS FRIDAY TRAIN and check out the other bits of goodness.

Happy Friday -- it took a long time to arrive.

Diva

ps. Diva returns to the Farmers Market tomorrow -- the shortest retirement in history ... I know me bad. But I scrounged a couple more bushels of squash, several decent pumpkins, and 3 tubs of birdhouse gourds -- they gotta go!

pps. There will be time spent at the sewing machine over the weekend.

the big Brown Truck arrived today

2011-10-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

and look what Smiley, the UPS man, brought me....

I was perusing the Fat Quartershop Website and found this lovely Bali Pop and the colorway was WATERMELON -- so I thought I needed it and well, two are always better than one....and they were on sale -- sorta ...

the orangy side

the pinks and

then I spied a fat quarter bundle of Terrain .... which I fell in love with a while back and ...

I spied this magazine in the bargin bin -- thinking it was from the "Country Threads" quilt shop in Garner Iowa ... well -- it's an Aussie publication ... and it's pretty darn cool!

So when the weekend hits -- guess where I'll be --- yep, bessie the Bernina is calling my name !!!!

Happy Thursday ...

picture alert (more from Sunday)

2011-10-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

cabbage in the melon patch -- popping up thru the weeds

bittersweet -- lots of bittersweet

watermelon rolled into the corn field -- 150' from the patch -- damn deer

blooming eggplant (planted in a tub -- and it's go aphids)

flowering kale -- fun to watch mature

delivery on the road to nowhere ... a fragrant delivery == 21 ton of cow bedding and poop

on the way to dump the poop! organic matter with a little fertilizer thrown in ....

it's a glorious day in the Valley

2011-10-11T15:33:00.002-05:00

and I'm stuck indoors working.

although the phone keeps ringing and I can't seem to get anything finished.

I am not working this evening. just can't. won't, ain't, no way no how.

any bets -- I'll probably be here.

M

Birthday Labor ....

2011-10-09T15:13:00.000-05:00

okay -- so it's my birthday and I've been laboring away all day ... went to the office this morning. projects, deadlines, etc ... and I actually was there most of yesterday and last night too. Anyhooo... look what I found in the patch ... there are more birdhouse gourds to pick ... lucky me... it's 85' flippin degrees with a hot stiff wind so ... it was a project. I pulled all of my row markers too. Bessie needs a bath (and gas).

"look no green" I really hate this time of year.

found some wild grapes

the old red truck ... kinda runs. needs air in tire ...

red berries over by the bittersweet "patch" .. not sure what they are ... will see if they disappear from the wildlife ...

Happy Sunday!

warning ugly pictures ahead ..

2011-10-08T16:59:00.000-05:00

it's probably a good thing I didn't get to see the patch this week -- the damage from the crows just makes me sick -- buggers.

the melons rot after the holes get pecked in 'em .. and the aroma is not pretty ...

what a waste ...

they could at least eat the flippin thing.

and more aroma -- cow poop is getting hauled in by the semi load this weekend. brown "gold" -- organic matter and well fertilizer all in one package!

after the 90' heatwave (really really unusual) and 50mph wind gusts most of the unsheltered leaves have blown away ... those that remain are colorful. but the browness of it is starting to sink in....

so ...

2011-10-07T18:15:00.000-05:00

a friday night with no committments -- no picking, no packing -- no nothing ... so what to do

a) sleep
b) read then sleep
c) sew (still need to hem the pants)
d) tv
e) ebay
f) nap then read?

and it's still light out for another 60 minutes ... but the wind --- ah the wind. 46mph wind gusts today ......

ahh.... read then sleep!

tgif

2011-10-07T08:15:00.000-05:00

I'm tired. I'm cranky. I'm ......

I haven't made it home before dark any night this week. Need a little garden time -- even if no garden to play in. I drove out to the patch in last night -- 8 deer munching away ... looks pretty darn tough by dark.

Girls Gone Wild went well. We had a lot of visitors to the office and gave a few tours. It was fun. Then we hit up El Agave for late supper and as usual the service and food were great! Nick survived his time in the basement/garage ...

I just delivered two plates of leftover cake to my friends at the bank -- they love me this morning. Rushed to unlock the door when they seen the CAKE. Plating up more for the rest of the neighborhood!

Diva

(big yawn).....

Jon is a client -- he posted this on his facebook page and I thought it worthy of sharing. Thanks Jon. Taken from a fire tower near Duluth .. fabulous shot.

Jon has oodles of expensive cameras & toys and takes a lot of cool pix.

Day Three

2011-10-05T20:37:00.001-05:00

I tell ya peeps. I'm never doing this again. The office is so flipping clean it smells clean from down the block. I've vacuumed so much the cat went into hiding -- probably won't see him 'til Friday. He's the reason for the hair .... furball.

he's been around since 2002 or 2003 so you'd think I'd be used to the hair.... his current blanket is my Twins throw ... I'm guessing I'll never get the hair outta that one. Need to pick up some more orange fleece and whip out a blanket ...

and oh -- he has his own facebook page -- Nick ThirdStreet ... find him and check out life ....