it is a patch (?)

 

I really wasn't planning on gardening a lot .. elder #1 ... had other ideas ... so the search for seed has begun.  I have a few packets .... bought at Menards (on sale!) .. I've been searching for my last years leftovers and dang -- I must have tossed.

 

Not sure why, but we drove around with the bucket in the air while disking -- must be easier to see?  It's not the best picture -- the 2013 tractor and the 1940's disk -- grandpa's disk. 

 

We planted our first and second years of "patch" in the this very spot -- 12 years ago.  "what goes around - comes around"

 



tired diva ....

 

So, I've been on the go, go, go ..... and soon will need another night at the sewing machine.  I've been up 2 hours already ... (it's 7:00am) .... pressed a crib quilt and it's back, cut the batting to size, showered, gassed up ruby and had a car wash ... perused the on line papers and now it's time to work!

 

today's agenda -- mow the damn lawn.

 

M

 

living the dream

  so ruby (rube-ette) and I were on the road today.  Early morning meeting in St. James with a bunch of Commissioners ... beautiful morning driving that did not take very long (sorry, Dennis P -- I did it in 40 minutes) ... back to the office for an hour ...

  then off to Nicollet to hang out with a bunch more politicians about a road -- the death road to be specific .... entertaining.

  with the Commissioner gig I get to meet some really cool peeps and some jerks.  Today the cool peeps outweighed the jerks. 

   enough said (typed)

M
 

Free Press Article

Free Press Article -- okay family members here is the link to the Free Press Article on Lee/Jean & Nick. 

 

 

 

hello Tuesday

  I think coming back to work after the holiday weekend -- is probably a good thing.  Full speed on the go was exhausting ... I thought I was having a nap yesterday and someone woke me for a ride to town.....

  All in all - it was good.  Yesterday's adventures included yet another trek to Mankato.  Large pots from Menards.  SEED, yes, lots of SEEDS.  Lunch at the Olive Garden w/ leftovers for several days.  and of course, the GROCERY STORE!   I purchased some rose bushes for the giant pots ... interesting stuff in garden centers these days.  We also got the tomato's, peppers and eggplant transplants. 

  Tiller man needs to start tilling.

  Road construction begins today in my neighborhood.  Ruby will remain in the garage -- the morning commute is across the field and out the top.  Ruby does not go across the field (or up the back hill). 


Happy Tuesday

M
 

holy holy ...

so, the productivity (my productivity) has been off the charts this weekend.  Thursday night I FINALLY got my music from the iPod (the really old iPOD) to my desktop and re-mixed my play lists ... next up is to sync to my phone!

Friday I quilted a crib quilt, had a quick road trip to Mankato -- abbreviated by too many morel mushrooms (read between the lines)  -- and finished my book!

Saturday, I got the bindings on the big quilt and the crib quilt, got backs done for 3 other crib quilts and got them QUILTED!!!

Today, we had a road trip. craftiness and shopping in one trip.  7 shirts, 1 vest, 1 maxi skirt and a pair of sandals.  I'll be a well dressed Diva .... and I will smell much better -- the Bath and Body Store at the Outlet Mall had CUCUMBER MELON body wash --

On the techy end of my world .. my phone now talks to my desktop and pictures are downloaded.



We went to Waseca -- lots of ideas peeps, lots of ideas! ~

 

painted screen and painted ironing board

 

 

giant metal pumpkin -- like 3' by 4.

 

 

painted window

 

painted tin wash tub -- ..

 

oh yea, hand made fudge -- pretty darn tasty ...

carmel - coffee .. mix ..

 

it's back to the sewing machine tonight --

 



ahh Holiday Week-end...

 the project list is long .... not sure but I make to many frreeking lists.

 it's only 10:45 and I've

  X   -- 3 loads of laundry
                    (including 1 load of winter gear)
  X   -- pressed binding (ready to roll to the quilt)
  X   -- sewed binding
  X   -- made the bed
  X   -- at office making more lists

  X   -- headed for grocery store (yikes that'll be bad)

 
  This afternoon is a road trip (?) a spot of sewing and hopefully a spot of gardening.   Hoping tiller man has worked up our "patch" this morning!


Happy Saturday.
M




 

Got'ta Luv Friday's ..

especially --  when I start my day out at the long arm ... a whole bunch of quilting happened this week and it always makes me smile.

 so this morning I loaded and quilted this fun one.  Back in March, I purchased a 12lb scrap bag and these hunks/jewels/treasures were amid the "bag" -- This weekend is piecing up more baby quilts and throws from the "bag."  The Relay for Life is a mere 20 days away and I need some items to donate to the silent auction ...

 

  hopefully the weather holds for the weekend ... there's a spot of gardening in my future too ... not much, just a spot.

 

Happy Friday y'all ...

Marie

 

 

Hoping to link up with Crazy Mom's -- Finishing It Friday!

 

'tis good to sew ... best therapy ever.

A A

  A A as in attitude adjustment.  Need some attitude and some adjustment today.

  Lots of projects and no gumption to get at 'em. 


M
 

Road Trip II

 

Becky and Jean ... comparing notes on the lack of vendors!

 

 

the spire in the middle of the picture is the Saint Paul Cathedral

 

 

tea, not beer ...

 

table tile = future quilt block?

 

Jan and Jean

as I said before lunch (and the company of the Stamping/Scrapping Diva's) was the best part of the trek.

 

We only made one wrong turn!  Not bad for country girls!



Road Trip!

   no, Ruby stayed in the garage. 


   The scraping Diva's and I took a trip to St. Paul (well, Falcon Heights to be precise).  To the Rubber Stamp and Scrap Expo -- to visit .... (insert drum roll) .... all 5, yes 5 vendors.  It was a dud.  The last time we went 3 years ago there were 24/25 vendors ---

   Instead of buying paper and gizmo's we didn't need -- we bought salsa mix, origami owl charms and made tacky necklaces for $3 .... then we ate lunch.  And well --  lunch was awesome.  Chili's ... pretty dang tasty.  There are pictures floating around somewhere ....

  'Twas the weekend of good food.  El Agave on Friday for lunch ... Mark and Sara's wedding Saturday night and Chili's yesterday -- I need to not eat all week .....


Happy Monday!
M
 

random-ness

 

after oodles of advice from facebook - I swapped out the lower left corner ... still not sure if I like it but for now -- it's pressed, the back is ready and all are ready for the long arm.

 

 

 

 from Dad's camera -- you know we had a lot of snow when the bring out the big stuff and keep pushing it back  ...

 

 

 

 

 

ya, he's looking at you !   (again Dad's camera) ... since elder #1 was probably feeding this critter -- he posed for the camera. 

 



friday travels and tribulations

 

not a plane, not a bird -- just a guy with a chain saw ...

 

ruby and I are getting along well ....

found the gas tank today ...

 

 

So from Dad's camera ... looking north on our road ... from the tractor .... looks like we live deep in the forest -- not on the edge of town

 

 

I've become a hoarder of nike sneakers.  my size and favorite model have been 1/2 price lately at shopko ... 3 identical pairs.

 

 

project of the week ... not really feeling the love -- it looked better in the dark sewing room I think I'm going to rip out the brown/pink slabs and replace with something -- or maybe move the 2 rows on the right to the left ... comments and opinions are most welcome. 

 

I thought the pink/brown/green had more green in it ... the dark green print actually has a black background and the brown/white dot really looks white. 

hmmm.



cold Diva

   I broke down and turned the furnace back on.  5.15.14 and the furnace is running -- here at the office.

  As those wiser than I have pointed out -- global warming means colder weather for our slice of this earth. 

  I don't like it.  Frost the last two nights.  frost -- you know, the frozen dew on the plants, frost.  argh.

  2 hours at the cutting table and sewing machine.  the projects continue.


M

grass Diva

  today I am a lawn mowing DIVA.

 

  one way or another -- the first cut of the year must get done.

 

 

  pour a little gas down the carburetor and pull --- spit sputter and away it went on the first pull ..... so the north 1/2 is done.

 

  I need oxygen and beverage ... soon.  then on to the other side.

 

 

  So I had two meetings in Gaylord Minnesota this week ... Ruby and I had a good time on the road.  Yesterday, I carpooled with the ditch kid.  Poor Nate, he had to ride with the middle aged woman with the hot looking car ... I'll have to let him drive it the next time! 

 

 

happy grass mowing!

 

 

Ready for quilting action!

 

took me a while but I got the long arm set back up ... have some extra rails and cannot remember if I had extra rails or they're missing pieces ... old age

 

 

the filing cabinet was extra storage during tax season -- which I don't think ever got used but it's holding my leaders, thread, iron and whatever else I want stashed.  it's tucked under far enough to be out of the way ...

the ipad was listing to the right -- not the floors (well I hope not the floors)

 

rainbow in Mankato Saturday night -- yes, I was at Jo Ann fabrics ... someone needs to keep the local economy rolling.  I only bought 8 yards of dots at $3 a yard ....

on of the crafting diva's made this card at the all day crop ... I'm thinking I need to fuse fabric straps to card stock!

 

Happy Tuesday!

rainy days and monday's always get me

  in the mood to sew. 


  Time to get that long arm out of storage!  It will take a couple of days to get it set up and ready to sew. 

   I decided as a reward for every nasty project I complete -- I get to spend an hour at the sewing machine! 

   And I have to walk a mile.


    Time will tell.
    Results on the 5:00 am news!


toodles
M
 

so, day two, new wheels

   Ruby and I have went to work and went to Mankato for a spot of shopping.  Finally got to Hobby Lobby for some cheep yarn and cards/envelopes. 

   Hobby Lobby the only store in the world that never puts away the Christmas goods -- dang -- Christmas stuff crap is ugly next to patriotic 4th of July stuff .... but they carry a brand of blank cards/matching envelopes that I like for cards and I always find $2 yarn for my scarf projects .... last night the had Kona's for $5.50 a yard .. pretty picked over and I'm not allowed to purchase any fabric. 

   Dashed down the hill to meet the elders for supper -- back up the hill for Joanne's and groceries.  I was the ONLY customer in Joanne Fabric's ... 1/2 price pillow forms!  Fresh raspberries at HyVee ... pretty darn tasty too.

   Then the always exciting grocery store.  Ruby really doesn't have a lot of room for groceries but I made it fit!  Got to love a trunk -- the back seat really isn't a back seat unless you are a little person -- a very little person -- I think they fold down somehow -- will investigate and get that done this week --- next up is some chrome & trim ... the rocker panels won't survive my gravel road for very long. 

  Happy Mothers Day !  
     (flowers and licorice for my mom today!)

M
 

New Years Resolutions ...

#8 is parked in my garage!

     it took 'em a while to find what I wanted ... but here it is ... one new 2014 Ford Mustang ....

     I've been doing pretty good on the lower resolution #'s ... now to work on the walking, reading and much, much more sewing (starting tonight!).

     The scraping diva's have named her "RUBY"....


     Diva

  (no I did not get the personalized license plates) ..

Day #7

#7 -- Don't get stopped for drunk driving when you are pulling a trailer with a coffin behind your vehicle.  Especially when the coffin contains your late husband and you are on your way to SD for his funeral. 

     True story from law enforcement last night -- evidently it was first for them too.  WTH.  So during the CNC event last night -- a tornado warning was issued .... we abandoned Johnson Hall for the EOC at the government center.  Sometimes it's good to have keys and connections.  The event relocated back to Johnson Hall after the nasty weather passed.  A memorable event for all.

   Happy Friday
       Marie
 

Life on the Prairie

 it rains and it rains hard .... it's a rumbling and rumbling often.  not a lot of wind ... we might get lucky and escape the nastiness.

 Wisdom #6 -- carry an umbrella at all times. 

 

Wisdom #5

#5  There are plenty of ways to enter a pool.  The stairs is not one of them.

 

 

(unless you are like me -- old and can't swim or like Jean --

doesn't get her hair wet)



Day of Wisdom #4

 

 

#4  Admit when you are wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

so, put that one into action yesterday ...

above is the first tulip of the season -- only 3 weeks late ... so I cut it off and it is resting comfortably in a vase on my desk.

 

and so it rolls ...

 

 

 

Day 3 of Wisdom

The most dangerous phrase in the language is, "We've always done it this way."

 

grace hopper

 

8 days of Wisdom

 

my buddy Baxter -- he lives upstairs and comes to visit once in a while.

 

#2 of 8 Days of Wisdom

 

Learn to drive manual/stick shift.

 

 

so yesterday

 

 

test drove one of these --- and fell in love -- so I think I'm purchasing one on Monday .... freeking awesome!

 

there was some waffling and I almost crossed to the dark side and purchased a GM product -- but for less money I'd keep my truck and drive this fabulously awesome car ... (summer car and winter truck).

 

Mine will be plain -- no convertible for me -- no snappy motor either (my heavy foot would get me in trouble) and I'm too old for stick shift! 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Wisdom #1

Dani's Mom .... your daughter is in this group somewhere!

  

    A night of good food, good friends and smiles.  The scrapping diva's took me to Monsters Inc -- the Mankato Figure Skating Club's annual show.  It was a hoot!  The kids were fabulous, adorable and darn good! 

    The little tykes in the green/blue tutu's ...  oh my, they were just the cutest!  The other little tykes were dressed in "Flintstone" costumes ... dang ... it was a hoot.

    The senior club members did solo skates -- a lotta talented skaters. 

Saturday's Wisdom:  #3 Don't knock it 'til you try it!

 

why am I crabby

 

I added a "sideboard" to my office project table to hold the overflow.  Not good, not good at all.  At least it is not on the floor and I'm not tripping over the piles any longer.

 

I told Mrs. H last week, I need to be locked in my office for 7 days with no interruptions and then, just maybe, I might get caught up.  So my plan of action -- go back into winter work mode. 

 

And the piles are dumb stuff.  Argh.

 

The scrapping Diva's are taking me on an adventure this evening.  Monster's Inc. on Ice -- the Mankato figure skating club is putting on a show -- a first for all of us -- I know we'll enjoy it.

 

Diva

 

TWENTY YEARS !!!!

so peeps, it's kind of a big day in my world.  Today marks the 20 year anniversary of purchasing the practice -- 20 awesome years!

 

 

this isn't the best picture of the beginning -- didn't have cell phones and digital camera's back then ... and the Wendroth Building shook a bit with the '98 tornado ... and most of the rest of the block got demolished ...

 

 

and the current place, well, it's pretty damn cool. 

 

I'm am blessed. 

I didn't do it alone -- great helpers, great customers and family and friends that picked up the pieces and propped me up when needed.

 

many, many thanks to all

 

Marie

 

 

 

 

 

lots of good helpers!

carl

gigi laura

cathy, jean

nancy, jenny

joy, kathy

nancy, sandi, Jackie, becky

Katie, tressa, will

Jacob, emily

Tessa, skylar, molly

robyn, kevin, meredith

cindy, abby

lori, mitzi, kevin

 

and I probably forgot someone ...