Traveling Through

Valentine's Day 2011

2011-02-14T22:09:00.001-06:00

Antony and Cleopatra tea from The Tea Table...

"The tradition of pressing black tea into various forms and shapes dates back to the early Song Dynasty, 960-1279 B.C. Sculptors and artisans would work with tea the way others worked with clay or textiles to form delicate works of art. Unlike traditional art pieces, however, these tea creations were never meant to be permanent, instead serving to represent the impermanence of life, love, and happiness here on earth." (The Tea Table)

"The tea hearts serve as a testament to fractured love. Like love itself, the tea hearts are fragile and breakable and when the trials and tribulations of life come to bear on it, can unravel in the same way boiling water poured over the hearts causes them to undo, creating a rich bold liquor."

HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!

Uhmmm, okay anyway,

A little heart-shaped tea cake, a pink heart-shaped cake,

Set a little table with our pink Cunningham & Pickett, Inc., Norway Rose...

Pink, pink, pink, lots of pink!

Let's add our newly purchased Futura by Pope-Gosser (Sharon pattern) creamer and sugar...

Aren't these just as cute as can be?

We started out on the little table but soon moved over to the dining table.

Pink cake on the inside!

And...our Little companion was pink today too!

I hope you all had a very...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Here I am, over here!

2011-02-08T17:33:00.000-06:00

Okay, so January is out and February is chugging along.

It's still cold but, as we all know, spring is just around the corner.

January had some interesting twists and turns this year. Found out that two of my offspring have incomplete right bundle branch blocks. They are just fine but it was rather worrisome until we found out just what was going on with them. Interestingly enough those are the two here in North Dakota. Anyway, it all worked out and their tickers are still ticking and no operations are looming in the near future so we are thankful about all that.

We also decided that we would pull Little Companion out of the public school and homeschool her for at least the rest of the year. There were many things that contributed to this decision. We will just say this gives her a more flexible schedule.

We have always had extra education material for her here at home anyway so it has not been hard to go full time with the homeschooling, just a little time consuming getting started.

There is a little more to the story but will leave that for a later date.

In the meantime, Little Companion would like to remind everyone that it is Girl Scout Cookie time and encourages you to show your support.

All the Brownie Girl Scouts in the house say hey!

Will be checking out blogs in the next week or so. Hoping and trusting everyone has remained well and safe!

January challenges

2011-01-14T13:20:00.000-06:00

The first half of January has been very busy with unexpected challenges.

I have not been able to visit blogs as I would have liked to but think of my blogging buddies often.

Hoping to have things ironed out within the next couple of weeks and get, ha, "back to normal."

Using what time is available to keep my hands busy with crochet and my spirit drawing near to God.

Looking forward to getting back soon!

Christmas Tea 2010

2010-12-29T21:16:00.001-06:00

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

We have been enjoying the Christmas break with the little things that keep you busy this time of year.

I have also had a cold and so have been resting between adventures. But, before we ring in the new year I figured I should get some pictures up of the tea this year.

Snowflakes.

I thought it was appropriate for a North Dakota Christmas day tea.

I made the snowflakes. They are pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

We used the Old Country Roses china and flatware. I even got to use the medium platter my sweet daughter got for me this year for the gingerbread scones.

We had:

Egg and Chive Tea Sandwiches

Banana Bread

Chocolate Tea Bread

Gingerbread Scones with mock Devonshire Cream

Sugar Cookies

Our Tea was

Holiday Dreams from The Tea Table.

This is a blend of China black teas with citrus peels, rose petals, cloves, almond bits, and genuine Bourbon vanilla pieces.

My oldest daughter and her daughter, aka, Little Companion.

Steve who is in college and therefore thought he was exempt from the dress up a bit request. Should we give him a break?

The angels...

The angels from a different angle...

Awwww.

Hope you had plenty of hugs and kisses this year along with joyful memories.

I'll leave you with a poem:

On Christmas day at half past three

Brew yourself a cup of tea.

Ill think of you, you think of me

Sitting beside the Christmas tree.

Looking forward to 2011!

2010-12-22T15:47:00.001-06:00

Wow, it is almost Thursday!

2010-12-15T20:38:00.000-06:00

As is with just about everyone this time of year we have been busy too!

You have your normal busy and then little surprises that pop up along the way that make you just one day realize that it is almost Thursday, again! My computer was on the fritz for awhile but I was able to get to it today and restore it's usefulness. We also had the school program and package wrapping...

I have been working on my white doily on and off for the last couple of weeks. I finally completed it today and will share it with you at the end of the post.

Last week I shared with you that I had finished the dress I had made for Little Companion but we still needed to have the photo shoot. It is nice that my Little Companion lovingly complied and that we now have these pictures.

We were going for a classy young lady look that was fun and a little vintage.

I have had so much fun over the years with this.

She has an enormous amount of hair for a 7-year-old (and she is not too keen on hairspray).

Love this picture, gives you a little inkling that she is really full of vim, vigor, and vitality.

Little Companion is a lovely young lady and a joy to be around.

***

On to the doily...

Now I don't mean to complain but I have to say this was ummm... difficult!

You had your tr, FPdc, FPtr, 5-DTR decrease, beginning 2-DC cluster, 2-DC cluster, beginning 3-DC cluster, 3-DC cluster, beginning split 6-TR cluster, split 6-TR cluster, ending split 6-TR cluster, and your picot. Yes ... difficult. I would have to put it down and really think about coming back to it. In the end I had to take out 3 rows, and re-do.

But, in the end it was worth it. I have not washed it yet or blocked it in this picture but I did want to share. Now if you think this is an absolutely gorgeous doily that is because the pattern is from the Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies book by Leisure Arts. It is the Perfect Pineapple pattern. I definitely feel that I have climbed another rung on the crochet ladder with this one and am happy that I continued on to completion.

Happy WIP Wednesday!

I am joining Marie Anne for Work in Progress Wednesday.

Please go over and visit her at http://macrochet.blogspot.com/ and see what everyone else has been up to.

WIP Wednesday

2010-12-08T10:39:00.000-06:00

I am feeling a little better this week as I have managed to finish up some of my projects.

Finished up the crochet ornaments and got them hung.

Finished up the dress I was working on for Little Companion.

See the little bow in the front? There is a matching bow to go in her hair too.

Hopefully we will have some time to get a picture soon. She is very busy with school, Brownies, and all the holiday happenings!

Finished up the lap blanket.

Almost finished my hot cocoa gifts, just need to put some stickers on the jars.

The first recipe I used tasted like it was just missing something so I started over. I found a recipe that used pudding as an ingredient and it was wonderful!

I think if I do these again I will use smaller jars. This amount may last some folks years!

I also made this hat this week.

Little Companion asked if it was for her and I told her no.

She asked if she could try it on and I said yes.

She said, oh, it keeps my ears nice and warm.

Ya ... she walked away with it after all!

This doily I finished last month but wanted to wait to share it until after Thanksgiving.

Helps to add to the holiday spirit!

Happy WIP Wednesday!

I am joining Marie Anne for Work in Progress Wednesday.

Please go over and visit her at http://macrochet.blogspot.com/ and see what everyone else has been up to.

Crochet ornaments

2010-12-03T22:59:00.001-06:00

Well, I really am moving on with my projects. Tonight I got the ornaments on my little tree.

Through the years I have occasionally had one or two crocheted ornaments on my tree and I wondered what it would look like to have a tree entirely decorated with crochet ornaments.

The tree topper is a last minute improvisation that did not want to stay straight ... just ignore it.

Angels we have heard on high...

Snowflakes, no two are the same (some are very close though!).

I heard the bells on Christmas day...

Snowflakes!!!

Ta Da!

Christmas Bells

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth good-will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

There is no peace on earth, I said;

For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;

God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men!

***
The poem is set to music in the video below.
Hoping you have a wonderful peaceful weekend!

Casting Crowns: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

2010-12-03T22:54:00.000-06:00

WIP Wednesday

2010-12-01T10:15:00.000-06:00

Today I feel as if I have too many projects going.

I tend to like to start something and finish it before going on.

I have my thread crochet doily I am working on...

A lap blanket...

and a dress for my Little Companion...

She really appreciates the dresses I make for her.

I did get my ornaments all starched and blocked...

with the help of my fancy new homemade blocking board, but have not put them on my little tree yet.

(It is so dry here you do not really have to worry about rust and can use regular pins.)

***

So those are my works in progress and I hope to finish up a couple of them this week then on to a couple more I have in mind before Christmas...

Happy WIP Wednesday!

I am joining Marie Anne for Work in Progress Wednesday.

Please go over and visit her at http://macrochet.blogspot.com/ and see what everyone else has been up to.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-25T18:04:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you had a very nice day, we did. We made turkeys...

Two years ago we learned from Ceekay, over at http://thinkinofhome.blogspot.com/, how to make these little cookie turkeys and it has since become a tradition for my Little Companion.

She also was in charge of napkin folding for the table.

She did a very fine job.

It was just Little Companion and me for this Thanksgiving dinner, the roads were not safe today for the group in Minot to travel out.

We are thankful for the family that loves us, the friends who remember us with fondness, and the savior who gave his life for us so we can live eternally with the most high God.

Wishing you peace.

WIP Wednesday - green doily

2010-11-17T10:25:00.000-06:00

Well I finished my Afternoon Tea green doily.

The pattern is in the Leisure Arts Tea Time Doilies book. I used a #6 hook and it turned out to be right about 18 inches which is not too far from the pattern at 17-3/4 inches.

I ended up having to re-do about 6 rows toward the end because of a couple of careless errors. Don't you just hate careless errors?!

In the end it was well worth the re-do.

I have to say this is one of my favorite doilies so far. It will go well with my Old Country Roses.

This week I plan on creating a fancy cardboard blocking board ...

and using it to block these ornaments for a little tree I picked up not long ago.

I am joining Marie Anne for Work in Progress Wednesday.

Please go over and visit her at http://macrochet.blogspot.com/ and see what everyone else has been up to.

Blue Monday - Outside

2010-11-15T10:10:00.002-06:00

I am joining Sally today at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday. Please go over and visit her to see all the other wonderful Blue Monday posts.

Driving to and fro here recently there have been enormous amounts of birds in migration. At times the flocks nearly fill the visible sky.

This weekend we saw some resting in the Blue water along the way.

And when I say some, I mean a lot!

When they are in flight and the sky is lined as far as the eye can see

you feel as if there is something ominous just over the horizon

and you are the only thing that does not know the danger ahead.

You are pushing forward as they are escaping in the other direction, flapping their wings with determination and desperation as if to say...

flee now, flee now!

Ha! Of course it is winter just over the horizon and no matter how brutal it may be I have to thank my lucky stars...

I am not a bird!

Work in Progress Wednesday

2010-11-10T21:30:00.000-06:00

I am joining Marie Anne at http://macrochet.blogspot.com/ for Work-in-Progress Wednesday. Thank you for hosting this event, Marie Anne!

My current project is a doily from the Leisure Arts Tea Time Doilies book.

So far, so good!

This and that

2010-11-09T10:32:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I had to put aside my hooks and bust out ye olde sewing machine.

We had found some material that I thought was very much in line with the cottage style. We found this material for $8.00 at Goodwill, yards and yards, and in very good condition.

Of course we washed and dried the material first. I don't think it had ever been washed, just stored. Tape measure and pencil in hand... sewing machine and iron at the ready... we began.

Through the magic of blogging ... we are now finished!

The curtains are really more red than pink. Think we need some red hand towels now?

I also made these ties to coordinate.

Okay, see how they appear to be going up hill?

Looking right the same thing appears to be happening. This is called an "OPTICAL ILLUSION" and really the ties are all approximately the same length. (But I am sure you knew that. Be sure to use your fingers and make the quote signs when you say "OPTICAL ILLUSION" it can be quite entertaining.)

See, all approximately the same length. Also made the little mat on the floor.

SWITCHING GEARS...

On a very different but totally exciting note, I received the boots we had ordered in the mail yesterday. I am quite excited about this.

I don't know if you remember the old rain boots that you would stick your shoes into but these are the same concept ... on steroids. These overshoes are Stabilicers by Neos.

They are exactly what I wanted. I don't like snow boots because when I pull my foot out my sock will come off, or the inside comes out, and causes me intense irritation. These I can put on with any of my shoes or boots and take them off once safely inside.

They open very wide and Velcro almost all the way down for secure fastening. There is also a strap that attaches and detaches to secure the overshoe around the front.

On the bottom not only does it have great tread there are also little bolts sticking out for traction on ice. There is a little tool in an inside pocket for removing the bolts if you don't want them attached. I'm thinking with these babies, this year I won't land face down on the concrete sidewalk again!!!!

So there you have it. My daughter once told me I was like the character Nicole Kidman played in Cold Mountain, ladylike and yet competent in tough situations. I like that description.

Blue Monday - Town Murals

2010-11-08T09:52:00.001-06:00

Once again it's Blue Monday hosted by Sally over at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/. Please stop by and check out the other wonderful blue posts today.

As you meander through Harvey, North Dakota you will notice, here and there, some wonderful murals. Not one to just appreciate the art and not investigate a little further, I found that a now local artist by the name of Chris Wakefield can be credited.

Chris Wakefield moved from Alaska to Harvey to have a starting point to travel and do more art shows in the lower 48 states; however, the family decided they liked the area enough to make it home. (Minot Daily News.com, November 9, 2009)

(I am sorry about the quality of pictures but these were taken this morning on the way home from taking Little Companion to school and it was wicked foggy outside!)

This huge mural is titled Koi Pond.

The city pays for the paint and Chris donates the work.

Isn't this one sweet?

I'll share more later, hopefully I will be able to snap some pictures on a day that is not so wickedly foggy!

I want to give you his website in case you would like to see more of his work: http://www.wakefieldarts.com/index.htm.

Thank you for visiting me today. Wishing you a wonderful week!

Oh look, a doily!

2010-11-03T10:50:00.000-05:00

My most recent completed doily...

As soon as I had finished this I tossed it over to my daughter and said, "there, I finished your doily." Ha, ha. Had I actually meant that? Well, whether I did or not daughter claimed it and she now has a new doily!

Okay, so here is my daughter's finished doily. I also have this doily in blue, which I had crocheted back in April (http://travelingthrough2.blogspot.com/2010/04/doily-day.html ).

This pattern is from The Complete Guide to Thread Crochet
by Leisure Arts and is the round doily.

Hope you are having a good week!

Halloween just past

2010-11-01T09:57:00.001-05:00

We had quite the busy Halloween day yesterday. A 70 mile drive into the city, a morning filled with worship, a fine Chinese lunch, a little shopping, back 70 miles and then... Halloween!

Our Little Companion went as a girl from Little House on the Prairie.

Have you ever heard of or participated in a trunk or treat? (Blue car)

With this one you registered your trunk and fancied it all up, then congregated with others in a big parking lot where children then trick or treated around. (Blue trunk)

Very fun seeing all the creative ideas.

I thought this truck was really cute with the farmer giving out treats. (Farmer's blue shirt)

Look at all the blue!

As we moved on to some of the houses, Little Companion recognized a friend from school with her puppy and little snow white sister. (Blue coat and part of little sister's costume)

Don't eat all that candy Little Companion!! She says she knows, she knows.

And in closing I just wanted to say I am so glad I am not ...

that guy!

On with the week.

I am linking up with Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday. Lots of wonderful blue posts to experience over there!

Did I mention it was snowing?

2010-10-27T10:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the rain began...

and the wind began to howl ...

and the temperature dropped.

By evening we had...

a very ominous looking evening.

The wind howled all night and the snow piled into drifts and by morning we had...

A heavy, wet, snowy, winter wonderland!

Oops! Can't get out the back door.

Reach around and snap this picture. There is the mighty Kia to the right, the chicken coop to the left. (Us chickens ... I think not.)

Luckily we can get out the front door cause you wouldn't like me when I start to feel claustrophobic!

I love how the snow just sat there and let me take its picture. No screen, it is just stuck that way.

Out the front door.

Oh no, too cold and windy! Back inside where it is nice and warm.

Love how this tree looks.

Almost half the country has had some wicked weather. Hope everyone is safe and warm!

The end of the weekend

2010-10-24T23:22:00.001-05:00

Well I finished my doily for the Crochet along hosted by Glor at

http://glor-crochetgalore.blogspot.com/2010/10/crochet-long-1918-pattern.html.

I used

a variegated thread consisting of yellow, baby blue, green, and pink.

Really makes me think of cotton candy and Easter when I look at it.

Thank you Glor I had a wonderful time with this!

We are not thinking of Easter at this time here in North Dakota, we are all waiting for winter to hit. The snow is supposedly set to begin sometime Wednesday or Thursday. While driving home today from church we passed this sign.

Ya, nice thought but I don't think it's going to work!

Hope you have a cozy week.

I will also be linking up with Sally at
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday. One of the colors in the doily is a light baby blue. Happy Blue Monday!

Pretties...

2010-10-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

You may think this post is about my first set of china, China Garden Prestige, that I acquired in the early '80s, but really that is not the focus today.

You may think it is about the doily and coasters I made while I was in Alaska, but really those are not the focus today.

The focus today is not the blue glasses from Pier 1 or the napkins or centerpiece I picked up along the way.

The focus today is on this sweet silverplate I picked up recently.

There are 8 matching forks, spoons, and knives. There are 2 matching salad forks and I picked up 6 of another pattern to mix if I needed to. There are 2 serving spoons, a cake server, and 2 tablespoons. Two other forks I liked came home with me too. Would you like to know (oh I just have to tell you) how much this all cost? Ready... $6.50. The way I look at it - that's a lot of fun for six dollars and fifty cents!

Thought I would add the salad forks and a Cuningham & Picket, Inc., Norway Rose salad plate.

One of the old rules was your knife pointed toward the plate, remember?

Napkin on the outside unless not enough room, then under the silverware.

I love the room we have now for artistic interpretation in our table setting and so many of the tables I have seen are truly works of art.

A simple table, a simple meal served with love and ...

really cool silverware!

I will be linking to Thrifty Thursday sponsored by Leigh of Bloggeritaville at Tales from Bloggeritaville
Thank you Leigh for hosting!

Blue Monday - Cafe

2010-10-18T11:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my Blue Monday post.
Blue Mondays are hosted by Sally at
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/. Thank you Sally!

If you are ever in Rugby, North Dakota and are feeling the urge for a hamburger or some delicious coffee you might want to consider...

Do you like the flags reflected in the window? US, Canadian, and North Dakota. Just a hop, skip, and a jump to Canada from here.

They blatantly advertise they are the home of Toe Jam. Hum... I did not stop to peruse the selection or purchase any of the products at this time.

Anyway, they also have quite a bit of blue around the place.

Bazooka Bubble Gum tin,

Doggie treat tin...

and this wall of license plates, primarily in blue.

Hope you are enjoying your Blue Monday!

Heart of the Home

2010-10-12T22:59:00.001-05:00

Welcome to our cottage kitchen!

And thank you very much Sheila at http://notesongs.blogspot.com/ for inviting us to your Heart of the Home party!

I Cor. 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

We shined up our sink.

We looked to the right and...

to the left.

We checked from up above and...

down below and are pleased to invite you in. Please come on in!

Our little cozy kitchen where we have been known to have chefed up a chiffon cake in the past.

Normally Little Companion and I have this ladder out because well, we are not as tall as some.

I bought this blender at a thrift store. It even had the cover still with it. It works great. It reminds me of one my mom had way back when.

Thank you for visiting our cottage kitchen. We leave the light on and folks tend to come through the back door here. Come on in and chat for awhile.

Blue Monday - Doiley

2010-10-11T07:28:00.000-05:00

We are joining Sally today over at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday. Thank you, Sally, for hosting!

My most recent crochet doily just happens to be ...

BLUE!

(Imagine that)

This is the Harmony pattern from the Leisure Arts Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies book and is worked with a #7 crochet hook and size 10 South Maid crochet thread.

Let's put my Crate and Barrel teapot on it along with the vase my youngest daughter crafted some years ago.

Now we are going to need a teacup. Let's use the Royal Doulton in the Elegy pattern. See the sweet little blue flowers!

Now put it on a tray and tote it over yonder.

My dulcimer stand doubles just perfectly as a tray table!

Okay, ready for tea.

Happy Blue Monday!

Out and about

2010-10-09T20:39:00.000-05:00

Little Companion and I had many little tasks to accomplish today and I must say we did well.

In addition to the mundane... post office, store, etc., we took some time out to have a little park fun.

The grasshoppers were plentiful.

We were very happy that little Flynnie did not pull on his leash today.

(So happy in fact I had to post about it.)

After visiting the post office we saw that the firefighters were having a pumpkin give away. So... I pulled into the parking lot of the itty bitty store and encouraged Little Companion to jump out and ask some questions.

She answered a question about fire safety and they graciously put this guy in our van and off we drove.

Of course when we got back to where we hang our hats she wanted to carve it, immediately.

Oh why not.

I'll carve if you clean Little Companion. (Now where are those knives the Rainbow Vacuum guy gave me ...)

Hahahahahah! Look at that face!

Okay, she was really happy with the end result.

Better after it got a little darker.

Beautiful fall day today.

Looking forward to the Lord's day tomorrow!

Fall over here

2010-10-07T20:42:00.001-05:00

I must admit I am not a go all out decorate every nook and cranny for fall kind of gal. However, we do have a few fall fandangles and doodads adorning our humble abode.

Take for instance we adorned our sun porch...

and we embellished our kitchen counter,

we even bedecked our Little Companion.

So I found the delight Little Companion showed over the newest fall flounce atop the bookshelves a tad bit amusing.

Ready?

Let us take a closer look...

Yes, we have a couple of faux garlands purchased at the local Ben Franklin.

Don't you just love 7-year-old girls?

We have yet to get all our belongings in one space. A love seat will eventually go between the bookshelves and the TV will migrate leftward. Do you like the curtains over the bookshelves? That was a fairly recent project of mine. I think they look less busy this way in a modest size space.

Hope you have a warm, comfy weekend!

Quark's - Blue Monday

2010-10-04T09:59:00.000-05:00

Joining Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday. Thank you Sally for hosting!

Today I am sharing my blue Quark's Bar and Restaurant glass with you.

I acquired this glass years ago when my sister took me to Las Vegas.

Star Trek: The Experience was a themed attraction that ran from 1998 to 2008 in the Las Vegas Hilton. Also housed in the Hilton was Quark's Bar & Restaurant which was modeled after the concourse in Deep Space Nine.

This glass held a smoothie type iced coffee beverage that was sooooo good!

We had a great time and came away with wonderful memories.

Happy Blue Monday.

Grab my button

2010-10-03T21:25:00.001-05:00

This was a very fun and at times very frustrating little project! Now once I found the easy to follow instructions at http://oikology101.blogspot.com/2008/09/make-your-own-button-for-your-blogger.html it made it a whole lot easier! I would like to thank Carrie very much for the tutorial!

I would be honored if you would grab my button!

Nifty Thrifty Thursday

2010-09-29T23:05:00.001-05:00

I am joining Leigh over at http://lbratina.blogspot.com/ this week for Thrifty Thursday. Thanks Leigh!

Last weekend we had a little thrifty luck.

We found a nifty candle holder, added a couple of mismatched glass sconces and a couple of wee little pink candles. All together the look was right around three dollars.

The twisted wire reminds me of the bracelets we made in high school in our jewelry making class. In Beaverton, Oregon, in the late '70s, we had jewelry making as an elective in high school. Had it before lunch and stagecraft after lunch. The '70s were great!

Okay, now see how it looks tucked away on our inside windowsill. Like it?

The lamp is sitting on the radiator cover. Not sure if that will have to be moved or not after we get the boiler de-winterized and fired up. This window looks out onto the little sun porch.

Happy Thrifty Thursday!

Fall in North Dakota

2010-09-29T17:47:00.000-05:00

Fall is settling in, in North Dakota.

The past couple of days it actually has been a tad bit warmer and dry.

Little companion and I took a walk around the park by the lake today after school.

She enjoyed it!

She claims this is her tree.

Hard to believe this will soon be frozen and ready for ice fishing.

These plants grow around a lot of the lakes here, sometimes quite densely. I will often ask Little Companion if she sees Moses anywhere.

Nice fall day.

Leaves almost gone, winter is just around the corner in North Dakota.

Hope you are able to enjoy your day!

Remember the Maine...

2010-09-27T11:54:00.000-05:00

Today for my blue post I am sharing my Remember the Maine candy dish.

Now the Maine was a battleship that sunk in Havana harbor on February 15, 1889. Two hundred and sixty-six men lost their lives as a result of the disaster. The cause of the explosion that sank the ship remains a mystery but it helped to catapult us into the Spanish-American war.

William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, held the office of president at that time. President McKinley was assassinated during his second term in office. There have only been four presidents killed in office; Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy.

This little candy dish commemorates the Maine and the men who lost their lives.

My mom gave this little candy dish to me not long after I decided to collect cobalt blue items. It is very special in so many ways!

Joining Sally over at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday.

Fall festivities

2010-09-25T00:19:00.000-05:00

There are many things that are associated with fall; the change of leaves, the cooler weather with the promise of winter around the corner, Halloween, and of course...

Homecoming!

Now I don't want to shock any of you but Texas is not the only state that has high school football. Although celebrated in different ways, I would venture to say all across America the homecoming football game and dance are a tradition.

Harvey, North Dakota is no exception.

This last week was a very busy week filled with a lot of spirit for the Harvey Hornets.

Today there was a parade, a pep rally, football game, and later the dance.

Here is one of our 3 friendly police officers leading the parade. Oh look, there is an American flag flying in the background.

The plan is to trap the Garrison Troopers!

King and Queen riding in their chariot.

Some of the football players.

The non-marching band.

I like this sign, "Hornet pride city wide." I have to agree, there was quite a turnout for the parade.

One of the fierce Hornets!

Oh look! There is our Little Companion.

She completed junior cheer camp this past week and was able to participate in a few cheers/chants at the pep rally earlier in the day and then again before the big game.

The Hornets on the right, Troopers on the left. Good sportsmanship is highly encouraged here (I know because the guy said so over the loud speaker.)

The sweet cheerleaders.

The younger girls had a great time.

Ah yes ... homecoming.

Memories from the past and making memories in the present.

Can you feel fall now?

Inside on a fall day...

2010-09-22T14:14:00.004-05:00

The sun did not shine.

It was too cold to play.

So we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day.

I sat there with Flynnie, we sat there we two,

and I said how I wish we had something to do.

Too wet to go out
And too cold to play ball.
So we sat in the house.

And...

we thought about fall!

Earlier that day I had gone into town where there just happened to be a Hallmark shop around.

I found two small candles all fallish and ready

to come to my house and sit with Brown Betty.

I added a doily all lacy and pretty to join the decor on the table

I had placed there already.

A little scarecrow snuggled up to Brown Betty and fine faux fall foliage stood at the ready.

So we two might have thought we had nothing to do but,

with the aid of Brown Betty,

we had fun inside where it was dry and warm.

Now...

what did you do?

(Would like to thank Dr. Seuss for letting me quote from The Cat in the Hat and for allowing me to make a few personal adjustments to his wonderful work.)

Headed southeast ...

2010-09-20T10:35:00.000-05:00

Saturday pocket poochie and I found ourselves all alone as the rest of the pack was staying in the big city for the weekend.

What to do, what to do.

Always ready for an adventure, pocket poochie Flynnie and I decided to head south of town about 3 miles and 2 miles west to the Lonetree Wildlife Management area to see what we could see.

Way back in the early '80s I briefly worked for the Bureau of Reclamation on the Federal Center in Denver, Colorado when James G. Watt was Secretary of the Interior. Now James G. Watt was raised in Wheatland, Wyoming right along side my dad.

James G. Watt has been attributed with such quotes as:

Liberals have shifted government into a position of being neutral between right and wrong. By concentrating power in government institutions, liberals chisel at the three pillars of society: the family unit, work ethic and faith. That's not good for America. U.S. News and World Report, November 11, 1985

and

"If the troubles from environmentalists cannot be solved in the jury box or at the ballot box, perhaps the cartridge box should be used." The Earth's Storm Troopers Phoenix New Times August 7, 1991.

but I digress..

So we drove 3 miles south and 2 miles west on this road

Fearless pocket poochie and me, until we arrive here

It was pretty but I just could not overcome the sensation that came over me when I imagined wild raccoons and badgers and such roaming around in this secluded place with just fearless Flynnie by my side.

So we surveyed the scene...

and pondered this for awhile...

Being citified I just can't really imagine this. Can you read it? It says, "Attention bird hunters. Deposit wings here, see instructions on envelopes." Ya, don't want to think about that much.

So we jumped back in the car, retraced the 2 miles back and 3 miles north and then headed southeast to Jamestown. What is in Jamestown, North Dakota you might ask?

WHY THE BIGGEST BUFFALO IN THE WORLD, THAT'S WHAT!!

This guy is colossal!

Ready?

Okay, he's concrete but still.

Built in 1959. A very good year if I do say so myself!

Having no Little Companion to photograph I made Flynnie pose. He likes his stroller very much. Makes him feel secure. It was a little chilly so he had a blanket tucked inside too. He is a cross between a Yorkie and a Bichon Frise and has only the top layer of hair, no undercoat, so we try and make sure he doesn't get cold.

After making him pose I chuckled all the way back to the vehicle! Posing my dog for a picture, who was riding in a stroller ha! Still makes me chuckle!

Okay, after buffalo hunting I decided to drop in on a couple of local thrift stores here. I found nothing at one but the other had these ...

Cobalt blue salt and pepper shakers in a little carrier. I just love cobalt blue.

They are not stamped, just say salt and pepper. I was happy to add these to my collection.

Pocket poochie Flynnie and I made it back home safe and sound after our most wonderful adventure.

I will be joining Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday. Thank you Sally for hosting Blue Monday!

Hoping you have a wonderful week!

Just another day...

2010-09-17T21:34:00.000-05:00

Remember when I said if you blinked you might miss fall around here?

What did that say?

It is going to be around 30 degrees tonight. Little Companion and I saw a few short-lasting snowflakes this afternoon. We are really thankful it reads 30 degrees and not 30 below!

Although Little Companion and I are extremely citified we love the wide open feeling of the prairie too.

Such colors!

Have a wonderful evening!

Blue Monday - Dutch style

2010-09-13T11:37:00.000-05:00

Today I will be joining Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ for Blue Monday. Thank you Sally for hosting!

My blues today are from my little Delft collection.

We have our Victorian Delft Blue tea for one set.

With our little Dutch musicians filled with song.

How cute is this little teapot!

The saucer.

Tea time and we are having an apple cinnamon herbal blend.

Happy Monday!

Pocket poochie kept a watchful eye out, protecting Little Companion's stuffed animal while I was busy.

He takes his job very seriously! He is also busy trying to grow out his hair from where the 7-year-old, wanna-be groomer (Little Companion) trimmed him up. Notice one eyebrow is gone?

Thrifty finds

2010-09-10T10:44:00.003-05:00

Granddaughter's dental visit in the big city (Minot, ND) got bumped up to yesterday so after, since we were in the city anyway, we went thrifting!

I found this cute buffalo china. Can you see the cute little buffalo on the bottom of the cups?

The saucers and bread plates are stamped.

Also found this Hallmark candle and this fine faux fall foliage. Around here as soon as the weather gets a little cool you must hurry to celebrate fall because as soon as you blink winter will be upon us!

I think they are fun.

Kinda looks like the cups are winking. I was actually using the cup on the left during the photo shoot!

I think I did pretty well. The Hallmark candle was 99 cents and so was the fine faux fall foliage. The dishes were 10 cents each so everything added up to $2.60. A fine price to pay for fun I think but ... here's the rub... we now find we will be going into the big city again this evening and there was more of this buffalo china to be had. I am thinking I should have gotten a couple of plates or platters to go with it too and maybe a couple more sets of cups. Oh my! How will this story end?

Only time will tell!

I am linking up with Leigh over at Bloggeritaville, http://lbratina.blogspot.com/, for Thrifty Thursday. Thanks for hosting this event Leigh!

Blue Monday

2010-09-06T18:22:00.000-05:00

I am joining Smiling Sally today for my first ever Blue Monday post.

Here is my little blue train chugging along!

Please visit Smiling Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ to see all the beautiful blues today.

Our Cottage

2010-09-06T00:03:00.000-05:00

So this is our cottage, the place we are currently hanging our hats.

Isn't it sweet?

We think so.

We have had a few challenges with the cottage but everything appears to be coming together. They still have not found the time to come fetch the lock box yet and I actually think they may have forgotten about it all together. Anyway, the house was built in 1911 and is just as cute as can be. Here is a picture of the front of the house. Not too much sidewalk (easier to shovel in the winter) and the front door opens to a little sun porch.

We have all been working on little projects around here this weekend. I painted the frames on the pictures I had painted so they would be fairly uniform.

Before...

After ...

Daughter and Little Companion like the look, kind of white distressed, and it goes with the feel of the cottage.

A very happy Labor Day to you!

Hope you are able to have a little fun and sun as we head into September!

Bloggerette Sorority

2010-09-03T17:30:00.000-05:00

Fun stuff!

I joined the Bloggerette Sorority.

If you are interested too you can head on over to Some Days Are Diamonds by clicking on the button in my side bar. It sounds like a nice way to meet people and just so much fun!

A poem for the day

2010-09-03T10:39:00.000-05:00

Please join us for tea as we ponder some poetry.

Ahmmmm...

The Duel

By Eugene Field

The gingham dog and the calico cat

Side by side on the table sat;

"Twas half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)

Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink!

The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate

Appeared to know as sure as fate

There was going to be a terrible spat.

(I wasn't there; I simply state

What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow!"

And the calico cat replied "mee-ow!"

The air was littered, an hour or so,

With bits of gingham and calico,

While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place

Up with its hands before its face,

For it always dreaded a family row!

(Never mind: I'm only telling you

What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,

And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do!"

But the gingham dog and the calico cat

Wallowed this way and tumbled that,

Employing every tooth and claw

In the awfullest way you ever saw --

And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!

(Don't fancy I exaggerate --

I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning where the two had sat

They found no trace of dog or cat;

And some folk think unto this day

That burglars stole that pair away!

But the truth about the cat and pup

Is this: they ate each other up!

Now what do you really think of that!

(The old Dutch clock it told me so,

And that is how I came to know.)

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Women's Equality Day

2010-08-26T09:50:00.000-05:00

Today is a very special day.

Today is Women's Equality Day.

Today we commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Women's Suffrage Amendment to the US Constitution, which gave United States women full voting rights in 1920.

This issue is very near and dear to my heart. Wyoming first gave women voting privileges in 1869. I am a second generation Wyomingite and am very proud to come from the equality state. Some women concerned with the voting issue were very impressed and would travel to Wyoming just to be somewhere this right existed.

My grandmother was a young girl when this amendment was ratified.

She knows what a privilege we have in this country.

I am very thankful to the women, and men, who worked so hard to make voting a reality for all women in this country.

In 1971 a joint resolution of congress established the first Women's Equality Day, it reads:

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States, and

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and

WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as Women’s Equality Day, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.

The suffrage movement's colors were purple, which represented dignity; gold, which represented spirit; and white, representing purity.

Today, in honor of Women's Equality Day, we are having tea.

We will be having a spicy chai tea and butter cookies. We will be using our Crate and Barrel tea set and our Embassy U.S.A. Vitrified china with little purple flowers, pretty white napkins, and gold tone tea spoons. The purple doily I made while we were in Alaska. Using the colors associated with the suffrage movement we celebrate our right under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

Amendment XIX
The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Happy Women's Equality Day!!!

Little Companion - First Day of 2nd Grade

2010-08-25T09:46:00.000-05:00

This is Little Companion 2 years ago when we first started our adventure.

This is Little Companion today on her first day of 2nd grade.

When I dropped her off the playground was full of happy children and when the bell rang they scattered to get inside.

She is very excited and we are all looking forward to what the new school year brings!

*

ahhhh, so quiet.

A cup of coffee, the pocket pooch.

That should last about a half hour while I catch some news and then maybe baking, maybe sewing...

SO MANY OPTIONS!!!

Cold cucumber soup

2010-08-24T12:02:00.000-05:00

Good day to you!

Do you like cold cucumber soup?

My oldest daughter gave me these old country roses soup bowls for Mother's Day. I dreamed of having a cold summer soup the first time I used them and so decided to make a cold cucumber soup.

We found a recipe and went to town blending. It smelled very refreshing.

Turned out so very pretty!

I have to be honest though I really didn't care for it very much. I don't think anyone at the table really did, although Steve dutifully ate his.

In the end I was very thankful that was not all we had that night!

My first chiffon cake

2010-08-17T19:29:00.001-05:00

I have a confession to make.

I have never made a chiffon cake.

Knowing how serious this omission in my life was, I decided stop delaying a moment longer and committed to here and now (last night) put an end to my procrastination and chef me up a chiffon cake!

I gathered my ingredients and set off in pursuit of a new kitchen adventure.

I whipped my egg whites, I put my liquid ingredients into a well I had dug in my dry ingredients, I mixed and I folded and everything was going along quite well.

I cooked it for about 55 minutes and went to turn up the heat a tad and it was at this point I got a smidge worried...

Oh my, it appeared to be growing at an alarming rate!

Well, it did eventually cook and I was able to contain it within the walls of the kitchen when I pulled it out of the oven.

Had to trim it down "a bit" before it would really stand on the little legs.

After it was cold I released it from its pan and decided to wrap it for the night and continue on the morrow.

This morning I de-crumbed it and frosted it with a vanilla-almond buttercream frosting.

Maybe not the prettiest cake I have ever created but tasted great and was fun to create. Next time I will only make the small batch of batter.

The cake fit perfectly on our new platter too!

Fun finds and a tale to tell

2010-08-13T22:29:00.000-05:00

My daughter has been gone the past couple of days and so Little Companion and I have taken the opportunity to see The Karate Kid, we went to the splash pad, and of course have had massive thrifting fun!

Now, while we were at the Goodwill store we came across some plates. There were 4 plates, 3 salad plates, and a round platter. These are vintage Noritake Craftone in the Buttercup pattern, they are dishwasher and oven safe. Do you think that means they are microwave safe? Okay, anyway, Little Companion and I thought they were pretty and would be nice to use occasionally.

I originally put 2 dinner plates and 2 salad plates in my basket and walked away. I had one set for me and one for Little Companion, enough right?

I got about halfway down the isle and figured that my daughter might just join us in using these plates and so I hustled back and got another plate and salad plate. Well, at that point there was only one plate left so I just put it in my basket too. I drew the line at the platter thinking this will just be a casual little setting, I wasn't paying the extra $1.49 for the platter, no way.

So... I'm minding my own business, strolling around with my goods safely tucked in my basket when, while rounding a corner, a lady peers into my basket and starts talking to me about how lovely the plates were. I asked her if she liked to tablescape and she affirmed that she did indeed! While chatting she informed me there was a platter that I really should get to go with the plates. She suggested using candles on the platter as a centerpiece and she was so very nice...

Okay ... so I forked out the extra $1.49 and got the platter.

It is a very happy platter!

Hello...

2010-08-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday!

Isn't this guy just plain cute?!

My grandmother does not care much for prairie dogs as they make those nasty holes that the horses can step into and hurt themselves. Comes from her farming days ya' know. But we thought this was a cute shot.

We found these cute dish towels at Joann Fabrics yesterday and brought them home, promptly stamped one, and hand embroidered it. Do you hear the peculator a perking?

Looks like it's time to take a break!

Ahhhhh, that's better!

Out and about

2010-08-07T23:04:00.001-05:00

Today we headed north to the ...

International Peace Garden.

The International Peace Garden is located between Dunseith, North Dakota and Boissevain, Manitoba. The garden was dedicated on July 14, 1932, and on a stone at the entrance are the words:

"To God in His Glory. We two nations dedicate this Garden and pledge ourselves that as long as man shall live; we will not take up arms against one another."

It was a beautiful day to be in a beautiful garden!

A view of the formal garden.

Oldest daughter and youngest son, some of my FAVORITE PEOPLE ON EARTH!

Ah ... the colors we saw.

Little Companion taking a brief respite.You can do that here, no fire ants!

The Peace Chapel.

These are Tyndall Stone walls embedded with marine fossils and they are inscribed with quotes.

This was one of my favorite quotes, it reads, " God did not come to me through a mystical experience. But through a human being. A neighbour. An agent of his love."

Peace Poles, presented by the Japanese Government.

"The four columns symbolize the four corners of the earth from which thousands of immigrants arrived in Canada and the United States in the 1800s and 1900s to build better lives for themselves. The foundation stands for our common base of democratic beliefs. The towers height represents the early immigrants soaring ambitions."

"Two columns stand in Manitoba and two in North Dakota facing each other in two similar but separate societies. The 4,000 mile long border lies in between them and is the longest undefended border in the world."

This is a working clock and so is ...

this!

Enjoying the beauty of God's world and wishing you peace!

Sunflowers

2010-08-04T08:33:00.000-05:00

Sunflowers ...

Miles and miles of sunflowers!

Thanking God for the beauty of sunflowers!

The Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota

2010-07-30T00:31:00.000-05:00

After we picked up our pocket poochie, and a few other things, we headed up I35 and continued pretty much straight north for almost a billion miles (or so it seemed) through Kansas and Nebraska and into South Dakota where we headed for...

Mitchell, South Dakota and the Corn Palace.

Some people are lucky enough to live here and see the new themes every year.

Other people are lucky enough to see the Corn Palace once in their lifetime.

Me? I am lucky enough to have now seen it twice in my life, once in the summer of 1977 and now 33 years later.

Imagine that!

We just looked at the outside and shopped around a little as we had the pocket poochie with us. It was actually cool enough that we could have left him in the car but we decided instead to chauffeur him around in his stroller. He was very comfy and calm and we were able to take him into the gift shops that way.

The corn palace is redecorated every year with a new theme.

600,000 pieces of corn are used to decorate the outside each year.

3,000 bushels of grains and grasses are also used each year: milo, rye, and sour dock.

Nine different colors of Indian corn are used to create the mural pictures and over a ton of nails, staples, and wire are used to fasten the corn and grasses.

The streetlights had these cute little corn pictures on them.

It was fun to stroll around the area close to the Corn Palace.

The view from across the street.

Now this is a true claim to fame, the world's only Corn Palace!

Little Companion, pocket poochie, and I had such a nice time we may consider visiting again next year. We would love to be able to see it all aglow at night.

For the moment though we are safe and sound and enjoying being reunited with our pocket poochie!

Traveling to get our pocket poochie...

2010-07-27T22:45:00.000-05:00

We were going to wait awhile longer and get everything situated before retrieving our pocket poochie but circumstances dictated we change our plans.

So... off Little Companion and I went.

From Harvey, ND we traveled southeast to Jamestown and on toward Fargo. We eventually got on I29 and headed south. Now as we were headed that way anyway, and I'm not always a get there and get er done type of gal...

we made a sharp left when we hit highway 14 and headed off toward...

Walnut Grove, MN.

While in Walnut Grove we were able to tour the little museum and grounds. We had a wonderful time seeing one of the towns Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up in and learn a little more about the author.

Caroline and Charles Ingalls

Now what do we have here?

Kind of looks like she belongs in a soap opera, the one where one gal would be the preacher, doctor, school teacher and, of course,

Most caring mother in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!

Okay, enough Little Companion, moving on ...

Laura Ingalls Wilder at age 17, very fun. It was quite a way off the beaten track but would recommend it if you are ever close to Walnut Grove.

Okay, had to but, honestly, you would have too!

North Dakota State Fair July 2010

2010-07-24T00:10:00.002-05:00

Finally the first day of the fair has arrived!

The weather? Just as you might imagine ... rain and about 66 degrees!

As you know Little Companion had really worked on her art the past few months. She entered four pieces.

For her all brush media entry she received an honorable mention. This picture is a unicorn planet (in case you are wondering).

For her colored pencil mechanical teapot, an honorable mention.

For her pencil drawing of what appears to be a cross between a VW bug and an RV, she won a third place ribbon.

For her mixed media watercolor on crayon Indian she won a second place ribbon.

We were all very happy to see her art work displayed. This was the first year she has ever entered and her art work was judged against kids as much as 2 years older. She loves all her ribbons but she really has her eyes set on a blue one for next year!

We had a great time looking at all the creative work displayed. Of course we spent a lot of time looking at the crochet and quilts. A lot of beautiful work was displayed and we enjoyed the time.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Harvey Fest 2010

2010-07-19T01:31:00.000-05:00

Now not everyone knows this but every year,

about this time,

there is an event held in Harvey, North Dakota called ... Harvey Fest.

During this 2-day event there are numerous activities and happenings to participate in. There is a tractor show and a parade, there is drama, there is music, there is wine tasting, and there is an arts and crafts festival.

We were not able to, or chose not to, participate in everything but we did spend an early hour Friday playing in the street they had blocked off for dancing.

Harvey has a thriving downtown. Although not necessarily one of the prettiest downtowns I have seen, definitely one of the most viable.

Two random townspeople out for fun.

(Okay just kidding that's son Steve and daughter Heidi.)

Look at all the little girls having fun. The boys were walking around acting cool!

Saturday we were able to get to the arts and crafts festival.

We found a couple of fun things. The welcome to our cottage sign and then a microwave potato bag.

Doesn't this look fun? I have never seen this before. Going to have to grab some potatoes soon and try this out!

We were also busy shuffling things about at the house this weekend. We have a wonderful neighbor that brought us over some cucumbers from her garden. Very tasty indeed!

Sundays we head on into Minot for church. On our way home we cruised Balfour, North Dakota to see what we could see. Not much there, looks almost like a ghost town, but there is this cute church building tucked gently away in the back of town.

Sign says it was built in 1906. It looks like original stained glass. Isn't it sweet?

Wishing you a lovely peaceful week!

Before and after

2010-07-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

We have been busy with many things the last week or so.

Little Companion will be entering 4 pieces of art in the state fair this year. There are specific rules that go along with this and it makes it somewhat of a process. We have had them matted and shrink wrapped and now just have to put on the hanging devices, name and address, and get them there.

We have also been dealing with some house issues that we may or may not be blogging about later, although it has been very interesting!

We are living in a charming 1911 house that is just cute as a button, hoping to be able to start sharing some pictures soon.

We had a few things that we grouped together for the bathroom.

Here is what they would have looked like before a little spray paint...

hum, okay... after

Ta dah!!!

(The towel rack really is not curved.)

Better, yes?

Have a wonderful week!

Frisbee golf course

2010-07-08T22:59:00.000-05:00

Well look who decided to join us on our adventure in North Dakota.

It's Steve!!

Steve has decided to finish up his accounting degree at Minot State where they have a wonderful program and he can minor in tax fraud ... watch out!

This has made little companion very happy.

She doesn't really understand yet he will be living in Minot and she won't have him to wake up at 6 o'clock in the morning forever but for now she is soooo happy!

Okay, now on to the Frisbee golf course.

Today we went over to the Frisbee golf course and scouted it out.

It is so cute!

The grounds are very well taken care of. I think they mowed just for us.

We didn't have a Frisbee but we probably wouldn't have played right anyway. Might be a good idea to have a clue about the rules first!

A little area to sit a spell, picnic, or just...

Listen to a Taylor Swift song sung by Little Companion. (Amazing how she is growing!)

Wrapped it up and came on home. It was a beautiful day, about 72 degrees, a light wind blowing. I think North Dakota gets these kinds of days during the summer to compensate for those 30 to 60 below zero days during the winter.

We are thankful for the beauty of today!

North Dakota

2010-07-03T15:31:00.000-05:00

So here's the scoop...

After my daughter's husband made the decision to not be married anymore, in pursuit of other things, plans changed and it was no longer the best option to continue on in Florida. Daughter made the decision to take a 3 month contract position in Alaska until other options could be considered.

Well, when the hospital she had worked at in North Dakota heard the news they offered her a package that would have been unwise to refuse in exchange for returning to Minot.

So...

We loaded up the truck and we moved to ... North Dakota, again.

But we decided not to move directly to Minot and decided instead upon the little town of Harvey, North Dakota.

Now you might be wondering about North Dakota about this time and may have some preconceived ideas about the state that might just not be entirely correct.

The area we chose has an excellent elementary school, a safe environment, and a lot of outdoor recreation available, less than a mile away.

A beautiful recreational area with a beach, boat ramp, and fishing docks.

Room to play and run without an enormous amount of people.

Isn't this just so Little House on the Prairie?

People who have not lived in one of the plains states do not always understand there is beauty here to be enjoyed.

Antelope really do play here...

There are rolling hills of various colors...

You can honestly leave your doors unlocked...

Over each rolling hill there is a different scene, velvety grass waving in the wind.

Room to breathe and regenerate after a difficult time...

beauty and

a little bit of time to be a kid again.

Happy 4th to you and yours!

HELLO!!!

2010-07-01T13:16:00.000-05:00

I am alive and well!

We have been living a rather isolated life the past couple of weeks. By that I mean in the town we are now living in, we had no internet, no cell phone service, and no TV. We did, however, get one radio station channel...upstairs!

We now have phone service, internet, and TV. Glorious day!

Can't wait to catch up with everyone, share what we have been up to the past few weeks, and where we are hanging our hats now.

On our way

2010-06-10T23:20:00.000-05:00

We headed back to the lower 48 last Friday and have not really stopped to take a breath yet. We landed in Oklahoma and took off for Colorado and now are in Texas. We will leave Texas early, early Saturday morning. Will catch up on everyone's blogs as I can over the next couple of weeks. Stay safe and know that you are all being thought of daily!

Valdez 3

2010-06-03T02:35:00.000-05:00

We have reached our destination!!

It is just beautiful!

I believe this is the most spectacularly beautiful place I have ever seen.

The mountains surround and engulf you.

We were awestruck with the beauty. It gives the appearance of a quiet little fishing town, very peaceful.

This one is for you Big Kahuna...

Always good to see a familiar sight!

Semper Paratus!

Did you know that in 1964 a devastating earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale and lasting over 4 minutes struck 45 miles west of Valdez. The earthquake triggered an underwater landslide which then triggered huge waves. The death toll was severe for this little town. In 1967 it was discovered the entire town had been built on unstable ground and was moved 4 miles east. They moved 52 buildings and razed and burned the others. Very interesting history.

We enjoyed our stay in Valdez and were amazed by its beauty. The lush greenery reminded me very much of Oregon.

On the way back we stopped to pick some of these flowers.

The folks at the restaurant we stopped at told us these were Lupine. Very pretty! They don't last long when picked though. We also saw some forget-me-nots (Alaska state flower).

It has been interesting not having the chain restaurants along the way.

It has given us the opportunity to branch out, go beyond our comfort zone, and have some different experiences.

Look how cute this is. Now if there had been this place and a Cracker Barrel sitting side by side which would you have chosen by looking at the outside? This was charming and the people running it were very nice indeed!

Back to Fairbanks to wrap up our last week and head back to the lower 48.

What an adventure we have had!

On the way to Valdez (2)

2010-06-01T21:40:00.000-05:00

The next stop on our Memorial Day weekend trip was the Worthington Glacier. We had really wanted to see a glacier while we were here and this one was on the way to Valdez and had some interesting information for us to peruse.

The snow was all off the road and cleaned off some of the pathways but still has a lot of melting to do.

I talked with chain-smoking, weathered-looking woman who evidently ran the little visitors center there (or at least she had a key). She was very gracious and offered me some valuable information about the birds hereabout and toward Valdez.

She also entertained me with a story about an eagle she was semi nursing back to health. She also provided me with a map of the area and suggested a couple of places to eat while in Valdez. Good information for a traveler in the area.

After the snow melts it is easier to see the glacier.

The glacier here is in the part between the two mountains. It looks like a valley filled in with snow but it does have a few blue patches.

This is Thompson pass, about 25 miles north of Valdez. This is the snowiest place in Alaska.

Between Thompson pass and Valdez is an area of beautiful waterfalls. There had to have been hundreds of little waterfalls cascading down from the mountains. This one is called Bridal Veil Falls.

I think this was my favorite and is called Horse Tail Falls. By this time we were no longer getting 790 on the AM dial and resorted to a Taylor Swift CD and we were feeling...

FEARLESS!

Traveling to Valdez

2010-06-01T16:17:00.000-05:00

Our last big trip here in Alaska was to Valdez.

Memorial Day weekend we loaded up the car, jumped in, tuned the radio to 790 on the AM dial and went jamming down the road toward Valdez.

We picked a good weekend. The scenery was beautiful and the sky at this time was clear.

Good traveling companions helped to keep the mood light.

Hard to keep a good girl down!

Another view of the Alaskan pipeline.

The pipeline is an amazing structure built in the middle of the wilderness. For some reason seeing it here in this vast wilderness gives me a feeling of security.

Alaskan beauty.

Isn't this a magnificent slide area?

As we were standing there taking this picture we started hearing what sounded like rain. Turned around and noticed small rocks tumbling down the mountainside. Oh ya, we hightailed it outta there lickity split!

The Wrangell Mountains.

Angelic Little companion.

Mischievous Little Companion.

Smile... snap... off we go again with the AM radio pumping out the tunes!

Doily daze...

2010-05-28T23:30:00.000-05:00

I bet you thought my doily days were done, didn't you!

Well, think again...

I just haven't posted any the past couple of weeks.

Ready,

Set,

Doily!!

This is my first attempt at filet crochet. I enjoyed the outcome but found the process a little tedious. If I had been able to enlarge the pattern a bit and use a highlighter to mark out finished rows I probably would have found it a little more enjoyable. The mint green is a fun spring color.

This is Arabella. I had a lot of fun with this pattern and enjoy the process as well as the end product immensely. I used DMC Cebelia crochet cotton for this and just love everything about it from the color to the feel. I enjoyed it so much that...

I had to make some coasters to go with it.

I have hand washed every one of the doilies and coasters now and they will be ready to travel clean and fresh. After hand washing and blocking I also understand now why you should do this instead of ironing them. They turn out fluffier, the parts that need to be turned get turned, and it just has a nicer overall effect. I would highly recommend this method versus the washing and ironing route.

I will enjoy being able to use these when I catch up with my dishes in a couple of weeks.

We are off to Valdez tomorrow on a quest to peruse a glacier up close and personal.

Have a safe weekend!

Denali

2010-05-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

Today we are on our way to view the highest mountain peak in north America...

Mt. McKinley, in Denali National Park.

As we were headed there cars were stopped on the side of the road looking at...

this moose just off the road.

You have to be careful around these animals as they can be dangerous, they are not as docile as deer, but this one was peacefully grazing.

We're here!

There is a beautiful visitor's center with nice wildlife displays.

Can you see Mt. McKinley in the background? Almost looks like a cloud!

Traveling further into the park we could not believe we saw...

Grizzly bears!!!! Okay, now we've really seen Alaska.

A sweet little bird keeping watch.

Beauty in the park. Not many trees up this high.

Sweet little bird.

Look at the peaceful river.

The water was as clear as could be!

Daughter and Little Companion.

So glad I was able to see this all!

Time to head back.

Okay, time for a late lunch. We're going to have to check this out!

What do you think, would you try it? Ha! Well let's get to gettin then!

Menu.

I always think it's fun to get a little info on the place and what better place than the back of the menu!

The moose rack was shot by the owner's father.

Okay, they did have great hamburgers but the distinction of best would still have to go to the Alaskan Steakhouse in Delta as far as we were concerned.

What a day. Moose, grizzly, birds, fabulous scenery, wonderful company, and in the end a great burger.

Oh ya, what a day!

Eldorado Gold Mine, Fox Alaska

2010-05-24T04:53:00.000-05:00

The weather has warmed up and we are in Alaska, so naturally we must go panning for gold!

The Eldorado Gold Mine.

Once there we entered the train station and then boarded the narrow gauge train for the mine. Our order of entrance into the train was as follows: Little Companion, me, sweet daughter, and two random men (you will see why this is important later in my story).

Our conductor was a' singing and a' playing along the way.

Chug, chug...

Little Companion and I were snapping pictures hugging, really not paying much attention to anyone else on the train. Here we are about to enter a permafrost tunnel.

Once inside we were given a little talk about permafrost and the techniques used to mine under this condition.

Most gold miners have not succeeded in striking it rich.

First week of summer

2010-05-21T16:03:00.000-05:00

Well the first week of summer break is coming to an end.

Boy did we have some fun!

We visited the Alaska Bird Observatory, Little Companion had never been inside, and then we walked the Chickadee Loop Trail again.

No snow and ice this time and we were able to be much quieter!

I have just fallen in love with these trees! I believe them to be white birch. The bark has been used for so many things. These trees rattle in the winter wind and sound like a rain stick at times. On one of our drives we saw buckets attached as they were tapping them for syrup. Love these trees!

Want to know a secret? See how Little Companion is clutching her jacket? Ya, well it's about 75 degrees out, sunny, and just plain beautiful. There are, however, mosquitoes nearly the size of small planes out here and we are both a little citified and don't have on bug repellent, I was also wearing a jacket!

Down the trail we went loving every minute!

We have also been to Creamer's Field. Many cranes adorned the field this day!

Little Companion received a camera in the mail the other day (we wish we knew who sent it) and was busy snapping pictures.

Now as she was snapping, I was snapping her because to tell you the truth she was just a tad bit cuter than the birds!

Do you see the little robin she is trying to capture on film? He actually held still enough for her to get a picture!

We also hit the park for some running and general dandelion picking.

We went and saw Letters to Juliet on Thursday. It was a fun movie for a grandma and her granddaughter to see.

We like to do a bit of reading, writing, and arithmetic in the early morning and then head out to snag some fun afterward.

We will be headed out in just 2 short weeks so we are trying to fit as much in as possible before we leave this beautiful country!

Have a wonderful weekend!

To Chatanika, Alaska and beyond...

2010-05-19T12:55:00.000-05:00

You might remember that earlier this year we took a harrowing trip out to Chatanika in an attempt to watch the outhouse races. We pretty much waved at Chatanika, turned the car around, and headed back to Fairbanks.

Well, we tried it again and this time the roads were much better!

Fairbanks is now in bloom but most of the areas out this way have not budded yet.

We reached Chatanika as evidenced by the Chatanika Lodge. No outhouse races this time of year, too bad.

We passed an old gold dredge.

The road eventually turned to that stuff between asphalt and gravel, still drivable, and we came upon...

This.

Poker Flat Research Range.

Apparently they have a place to test rockets here in Alaska!

Looks top secret, doesn't it?

Very cool!

After awhile we decided to look for coffee and came upon this general store.

They did not have brewed coffee but did have some Starbucks cold coffee available. To begin with I was a little leery of the place but, always ready for adventure, I stopped.

The little river is still iced over.

How cute is this little street sign!

Gotta love Alaska!

We have come to terms with the fact that we will probably not see the Yukon River while here, but we believe the beauty we have seen will do just fine!

Can you hear the sound of the river? Beautiful!