Found Treasures

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We spent some time yesterday on the four-wheelers. We have never seen weather like this before in Northern Minnesota at the end of November. It has been un-seasonably warm.... 40 degrees F during the day....so we might as well take advantage of it.

At the back of our property there are piles of junk from when this land was an old junkyard. So while we were on a break from wheeling I asked Bob to pull over to one of the piles. I found this old washtub that I love and will use for planting flowers in next spring.

I also found this old oil can that has no dents or holes in it. I was quite excited as I love old stuff like this.

I am not sure what I will be using this for but I am sure I will figure something out.

The last few days have been spent wrapping Christmas presents and decorating the house. I have also been busy finishing up the last minute crochet projects that I have on the go. A friend of ours ordered a hat/scarf/mitten set for his two grandchildren so I really need to get these done! One set is finished and now I just have to get my motivation going to finish the other.

I hope you each have a wonderful evening with your loved ones!

Decorating

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We had a quiet Thanksgiving which was very nice. I spent the day cleaning and setting up the Christmas tree. I was getting anxious. I really enjoy the Christmas season and love having the tree up early but once Christmas is done... I want it gone! LOL



Tigger posing by the tree.

This year I decided to make my own wrapping paper and bows and use re-usable shopping bags that I made myself. I am liking how the wrapping paper is turning out. It reminds me of an old-fashioned Christmas.... brown kraft paper and fabric bows.

I still have alot of wrapping to do but I will take my time, enjoying the process. It was lovely last evening sitting on the couch in the glow of the lights from the tree. Such a special time of the year.

Now if I can just get my butt in gear to start my Christmas baking! =)

Happy Thanksgiving

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FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

ENJOY YOUR TURKEY AND PUMPKIN PIE!

Men!

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Why do men like to collect junk? It seems to be something that is born within them. Bob is a junk collector.... a LARGE junk collector.

We have two storage sheds, 2 houses on the property packed to the rafters with stuff, a large barn and a garage! In some of those buildings, you can barely move around and most of the stuff is his. He takes in all sorts of junk from friends that are usually hauling it to the dump and then decide to stop here first to save themselves a trip. They KNOW he will take their junk.





The other day these two motors were dropped off. Now I understand that alot of people love old motors like this for collections and I respect that. I have been to many fishing lodges where I have seen old motors displayed on walls and I think they look terrific. They suit the surroundings that they have been placed in.

Unfortunately, the items Bob seems to end up with will never be lovingly displayed...they will end up at the back of the barn, collecting dust and pigeon poop while I trip over them every time I need to venture into the dungeon to try and find an item I need.




Oh well, we can't live with them and we can't live without them.

I just wish that he would stop collecting junk! =)

Completing Projects and Starting New Ones

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I have been working on Christmas gifts lately, trying to tie up some loose ends and I finally finished this scrappy afghan for a friend of ours. He is a bachelor and just moved into a new place so I thought a scrappy afghan would be appreciated for those long, cold winter nights that will be here too soon.



It took me longer than expected with changing the colors each row but I am happy with how it turned out.

Now to start on the next one! LOL

It is the last hunting weekend and my house will soon be full of orange colored male hunters so I better get going on making some treats for when them come in from the cold.

Have a great day everyone! =)

Boys will be Boys

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This is for those Mothers of boys, sisters of boys, and boys that have grown older.

Yep, living in a house full of males ... except for one female cat.... I put up with alot! When I saw this email from my Mom, the pictures just reminded me of how much we put up with as women! LOL

Have a great day everyone and give your loved ones a hug. =)

Just Precious!

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My Mom sent me an email the other day and I just had to share it with you. It is just too precious!




One pound deer - he is beautiful! ! !This tiny deer was delivered by Caesarean section at a wildlife hospital after a car killed his mother. Little Rupert, who is so small he can fit in an adult's hand, was born after vets failed in their battle to save his mother.

At just six inches tall and weighing just over a pound, he is now in an incubator in the intensive care unit at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire. He has only recently opened his eyes.Les Stocker, founder of Tiggywinkles, said, "Rupert's mother had very severe injuries. We brought him out and got him breathing, and then he went into an incubator on oxygen. He is now being fed by a tube."

Tucked up: Rupert in an incubator

Rupert pulls a striking pose for the camera.

Asleep: Rupert takes 40 winks.

Staff members are optimistic that Rupert, now five days old, will make a full recovery.
"Deer are very, very tricky, but this one has spirit. He's an extremely feisty little guy and quite pushy," Mr. Stocker said.

It is little things like this that make life so precious.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Not much new here!

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Another busy weekend with the hunters here. My weekend was spent cooking, baking and keeping drinks filled. I am relieved that there is only one more weekend left for hunting as I need to start concentrating on Christmas! I love Christmas!

Today the weather was a warm 48 degrees and sunny so I decided to get my outside Christmas decorations up before the weather turns nasty and cold.

We don't put up much outside...lots inside though! Just a wreath, a little lighted deer and some garland on the step railing. This year I also hung some cute little signs in the birch tree outside the front door....but that's it. It didn't take me long but I am glad that it is done so I don't have to think about it anymore!

I took some time to move furniture around in the livingroom, give it a good cleaning so I can put up our tree after Thanksgiving. A little baking and some visiting with company and that rounded up my weekend and my day today.

Just waiting for Pasie and Luke to come in from hunting. I am hoping to hear a shot but it is almost time to come in so I think they will be skunked again today. Well, there is always tomorrow.

Have a great evening everyone with your loved ones! :)

Treasures

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Do you remember items from your childhood? I do. Certain things stand out in my mind that bring back wonderful memories. My Grandpa use to smoke a pipe. To this day whenever I smell the aroma from a pipe, I remember him. He use to sit in his chair in the livingroom and always wear a sweater....smoking his pipe. He had an ashtray that he always used to tap the ashes out of his pipe and I loved that ashtray.





I loved it because it had a Momma doggy and her babies following behind with a little gold chain that connected them all together. I remember playing with that chain all the time while Grandpa smoked his pipe.

One summer my Mom and I were hitting all the garage sales in town and what did I find? The exact same ashtray that I remember as a child. I grabbed it right away and bought it for a quarter. The chain was broken but I didn't care, it brought back so many wonderful memories that I just had to have it. I treasure my little ashtray and everytime I look at it, I remember my Grandpa. He passed away when I was only 7 years old.

The other item that I am desperately searching for is a cookie jar. I would love to add it to my most treasured items. This cookie jar also brings back wonderful memories at my Aunt's farm where we, as children, would spend our summers. My Auntie always made sure that cookie jar was full with treats for us kids. We were not allowed to touch it, she would have to give us the treats herself...that is how much she loves that cookie jar.

I would love to be able to find this. I keep trying but no luck so far. I keep my faith that I will someday find this cookie jar so I can always remember those wonderful summers on the farm.

So if you ever spot one, please let me know! =)

Warm Weather Memories

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Cold weather is here. Every day the temperature drops a little more. I was looking through our photos and decided to share some warm weather memories from this past spring and summer.

Enjoy!

Have a great evening everyone and thanks for stopping by. =)

Happy Rememberance Day/Veteran's Day

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HAPPY REMEMBERANCE DAY TO ALL MY FELLOW CANADIANS

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

(1872-1918)

Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved,

and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep,

though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY TO ALL MY FELLOW AMERICANS

From a Grandmother to a Grandchild

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A poem for my son Lucas from his grandmother (he calls her Nanny).

My grandson is a man now

The years just passed so fast

I watched him grow but I still see

The little boy he was.

My first-born grandchild and I did not know

How deep my love would grow

I held that baby in my arms

And felt I held the world.

The time I spent with with him was precious

A beautiful little boy

So many memories crowd my mind

Of love and laughter and joy.

He grew up strong and healthy

I'm so proud of him today

He's kind and gentle and loving

And, to me, perfect in every way.

Woo Hoo!!! One Proud Mamma!

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Busy weekend with hunters and much excitement. Saturday morning started out slow with many shots heard all around us but not from any of our men. Then bang ... but nothing. Our great nephew Chase shot at a doe but it got away. Disappointment!

Around 3:30pm, they headed out once again. At about 4:40 we heard shots, then Chase running in the door yelling Luke got a buck!

We whooped for joy as it is Luke's first hunting experience and with one shot in the neck at 75 yards he bagged an eight point buck.

I was never so proud and excited. We jumped on the four-wheeler, tagged and dragged it to the shop where the engine hoist was ready for gutting.

Neighbors nearby were at the shop immediately to check it out. Many handshakes, pats on the back and then the cutting began.

The rule around here is.... if you shot it, you gut it. Luke had no problem and Loren our brother-in-law guided him along.

After the messy job was done, we headed to the house for a huge turkey dinner to celebrate.

Unfortunately the rest of the weekend turned up nothing else but there is still 2 and 1/2 weeks left to fill all the tags. We aren't too worried. LOL

Luke and I are headed to Canada tomorrow for some appointments so I will be back on Wednesday. Have a great evening!

It Has Begun!

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Deer hunting has begun! With a houseful of hunters, I will be cooking and baking from now until Monday. Then I will have a break during the week and it will start all over again on Friday.

I will be back on Monday....hopefully with some pictures of the deer that we have shot!

Have a great weekend everyone and make sure to give your loved ones a hug! =)

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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Pasie has been craving a pineapple upside down cake so in order to satisfy his sweet tooth I baked one up this morning. So yummy! I am hoping there will be some left for tomorrow when the hunters begin to arrive for opening season on Saturday but I doubt it.

Basic White Cake Recipe

1 3/4 cups flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 milk

Combine flour, baking powder and salt together; set aside. In small electric mixer bowl, cream butter with sugar, eggs and vanilla until light.... about 6 minutes. Pour into large bowl. Blend in dry ingredients gradually alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.

To make it into a pineapple upside down cake, you will need...

1 white cake recipe (above)

1/3 cup melted butter or margarine

1 cup brown sugar

9 slices pineapple, drained

9 maraschino cherries (I omitted these)

Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare white cake batter. Melt butter in small bowl, add brown sugar and mix well. Pour butter/brown sugar mixture into a 9 x 13 inch greased cake pan and spread uniformly on the bottom. Place pineapple slices close together on sugar and decorate cavities with cherries. Cover with cake batter. Bake in the oven until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of cake and invert gently on cake plate. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream.

Enjoy!

Morning Gossip Session

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Every morning the same scene unfolds. We rise, start coffee, shower, catch up on the emails, have a bite to eat and then it happens.

The cars and trucks begin coming up the driveway. I have to make sure a full pot of coffee is brewing as it is time for the Male Morning Gossip Session!

This morning when I snapped this picture, only two buddies had shown up so far but there will be two more on the way.

Usually Luke is sitting in there with the guys but he jumped out of the snapshot as he hates having his picture taken....just like his Mom!

People always say that women are gossipers. Well I beg to differ. I have never heard such gossip as that that comes out of males mouths! Each morning they sit there and gossip for a couple of hours before heading out to the shop so I need to keep the goodies baked and ready to be attacked when they show up.

So when you hear a male say that women gossip, be sure to mention that you know better!

Have a great day everyone and give your loved ones a hug =)

Snapshots Of Our Property

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Temperatures have been cool and cloudy so we spent some time yesterday investigating the property and noticing how the deer are travelling through the property. Hunting season begins on Saturday and the excitement is high.

I thought I would share some snapshots of the property with you.....

The sun is shining this morning so it is time for me to head out and clean up outside. I need to get the lawn chairs and bbq put away so Bob can plow once the winter snow storms hit. He is a crazy nut in that truck so I have to make sure everything is cleared away.

Have a great day everyone!

Handbags

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Halloween was a little disappointing this year as we didn't have one child show up! The weather was horrible with rain and cold so I don't blame the parents in not wanting to make the extra long trek to our place but it still would have been nice to at least see one little goblin or ghostie.

I have been spending the last couple of days sewing handbags. As mentioned in a previous post, I plan on wrapping some of my Christmas gifts in re-usable handbags that the recipient can use to go shopping with. A double gift!


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Here are a few of the ones that I had completed. Only one is Christmasy but if the recipient is going to use them year-round, only Christmas material really isn't the best choice. I have just finished cutting out another six so I better get busy!

They are so easy to make and the pattern is here... www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=514

Even if you can't sew well, you will be able to whip these up in no time. All the sewing is straight lines! That is about all I can manage myself. LOL

Since it is chilly and rainy here today, I might just have to put off the sewing for a while to bake a loaf of banana bread. Sounds good to go with my cuppa.

Have a great day everyone and give your loved ones a hug! =)