Blue Monday - Outside

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!

Blue Monday - Town Murals

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!

Halloween just past

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!

Blue Monday - Cafe

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!

Blue Monday - Doiley

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!

Quark's - Blue Monday

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.

Remember the Maine...

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. 

Headed southeast ...

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!