Granny's Full Closet

Tree landed on House

2012-02-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

Diamond wall hanging

2012-02-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Made this wall hanging for a gal at work, she gave me some material so---it is made out of my scraps. I like it.

Autumn Eyes

2012-02-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

Well it is finished putting the pieces on--now to quilt--oh DEAR!

Snow Moon

2012-02-12T16:27:00.001-08:00

The full moon of February will hit its peak Tuesday night (Feb. 7) in what Algonquin Native American tribes have traditionally called the Snow Moon since heavy snowfalls typically occur in the northern regions this month.

Marvin

2012-01-11T16:00:00.001-08:00

Miss you missy girl. We lost our wonderful Marvin who we had for 16 years. She was a great cat. I miss her greatly.

First snow

2011-11-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah, our first snowfall, November 14th--and up to this date, November 28th we have gotten 45 inches of snow. Unreal.

New window

2011-11-28T15:36:00.001-08:00

The kids came up in June, end of July and they helped us put in new windows in the house. Let me tell you what a difference the windows make in the house. Love them.

The patio window, Galen and I did in November, let me tell you this was heavy, but we did it.

May 2011

2011-11-28T15:32:00.001-08:00

Here is the whole crew at my brother's celebration of life. Well almost everyone, we are missing Jesse, and Blake, one is napping the other one was being walked around in a stroller to keep him quiet.

whoops

2011-03-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

Someone made a mistake, these are hamburger buns, not hot dog buns. Wonder how many went out of the factory before they caught it. To funny.

New Ride

2011-03-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

We took the plunge--and we traded in the 2001 Ford Focus for this 2009 Dodge Journey. I really do like my new ride. It only had 15755 miles on it. Rides nice. It gets through the snow great. I am ready for a journey now.

Hankies

2011-03-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

I bought these hankies when we were in Wyoming at a flea market. I was able to get a bag full of them for 10.00. Some of them were priced at 3.00 a piece, as I was picking out a few, the guy says, I will sell you the whole lot--of course, how could I refuse!
Went on-line, some of the designs that I have, they are selling for $10.00 or more a piece. SCORE! I guess I could try selling them on e-bay, I don't know if I want to deal with that or not.

But I am going to try and make another butterfly quilt out of these. Maybe if I have some left over, I can try selling them.

Busy Busy

2011-01-26T10:02:00.000-08:00

Thumbs up! That is the new motto for 2011, at least for me!

Oh my, things have been crazy busy for us. I did my polar bear trip, Galen had a hunting trip for 2 weeks after that, then in October my brother, Mike passed away in California unexpectedly so we ended up down there for 2 weeks cleaning up his belongings and trying to take care of things on that end.
Galen and some of the hunters.

Then the first part of December we went down to see the kids in Wyoming, had a wonderful time. really needed that! It is amazing how they grow up and change so fast.

Then after we left them we went to Tacoma to see Roger Water's "The Wall" concert! Met up with some friends that we have not seen for years, hard to believe that 20 years had passed, that was a great time catching up with all of them.

Then of course, between the numbness of my brother being gone and trying to get through the holidays--and the next think you know it is coming up on February.

Polar Bear Tour

2010-09-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

Wow, where has the summer gone? And Yes, this is a real bear, not in a zoo, but out in the wild.
I went on this amazing polar bear tour up in Kaktovick, Alaska. We visited with the Inupait Eskimo's which is located on the coast of the Arctic Ocean on Barter Island, the only village within the Arctic National Wildlife Refugee. We were 260 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The tour group that we went with was a company called Warbelow's.

The arctic ocean was cold! I couldn't do the polar dip, so I did the polar toe dip instead. The weather was around 37 to 40 degrees, but the wind was blowing at 25 to 37 mph, non-stop, and I mean non-stop.
Me, being silly on a swan statue in Fairbanks, before we left for the polar bear tour.

This was a great trip! I would go again, we seen 10 polar bears, and a bonus a huge brown bear also came out!

Fireweed is blooming

2010-07-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

This plant is is called pushki or cow parsnips. You don't want to touch this plant on a sunny day, it

can cause a mild rash to blistering. It can even ruin the milk from cows if they eat it. So whatever you do, don't go grabbing it and putting your face into it to smell the flowers. You may look a little funny.

Like I mentioned in a previous post. The summer is coming to an end faster than one really wants it to end. As you can see, the Fireweed once again is coming into bloom. If you look closely, you see a bee and a moth on the fireweed.

Quilt and flowers

2010-07-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Man must BBQ! Here Galen is cooking a great steak dinner on the barbie. He cooks it in a hot cast iron pan...after he smokes it. It is so good, with caramelized onions that he also cooked in the cast iron pan.

Gosh, were has the time gone? Already it is past the 4th of July--and I am going what happen to the summer? But, I cannot complain, we had a wonderful spring. Warm and tons of sunshine. My plants did love it, but it seems like now we are back to the Juneau weather, which I hope doesn't last to long. My plants need a rain reprieve so they can continue to grow and not be eaten up by the slugs.

Here are some pictures of my hanging baskets. As you can see...it is pouring rain and low cloud cover.

The back of the quilt. Looks like I put all those squares together, but I didn't, bought the material that way, so I guess you can use it either side.

A Quilt that I finished, this is the front

Eagles

2010-07-09T10:04:00.001-07:00

The eagles are back in full force since the salmon are starting to come in. It is just amazing watching them, fight and go after the salmon. I must have been down by the channel for over 2 hours watching them and taking pictures.

Can you say Silver

2010-06-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Kiwi Wine

2010-06-07T08:31:00.001-07:00

How long does it take a person to peel 12 lbs. of kiwi's? A long time, but don't you think this will make a wonderful wine?

Busy Busy Busy

2010-05-07T20:33:00.001-07:00

As I ponder and say, "Oh my goodness." Where does the time go? How can it just zip by, without any paying attention?
Our granddaughter, what a trooper. She is in the Casper Swim Club. They had a swim meet about a week or so ago. Kamee and her mom walked into the pool area, and all these trophies are lined up to give to the place holders. It is funny, I guess Kamee turns to her mom, and says, "Mom, I want one of those", Kristine says you have to swim really hard. AND look, who has a trophy and swam her little heart out. The smile says it all.Let's see, my boss was down from Anchorage, took her on a quick fast pace tour of things around Juneau. The Glacier, the Shrine, up by the flume trail. Here are some pic's out at the shrine that was taken with my phone and not my camera. The sad thing is, I had my camera with me. It was one of those great Juneau nights that don't happen to often, and between rain showers, we were able to walk to the falls without so much as a rain drop.

Drain-o bomb

2010-04-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, someone, decided that they wanted to watch our mailbox get blown up. The cops called it a drain-o bomb, they mix drain-o with tin foil and the reaction makes things blow up. Well as you can see the damage it did to our mailbox.

So, thanks to whom ever set it off, we had to go and buy a new box. Just what we wanted to do.

Weekend of the 24th

2010-04-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend. Actually, I will say Saturday was the best. It was sunny and in the upper 50's, so of course, one had to be outside to play in the dirt. My friend gave me some plants that she had to separate since they were taking over the flower beds. So that was great. Did some planting of the potatoes, beets, cauliflower; my first year to try this and then of course brussel sprouts and my flower hanging baskets.

We had our first sighting of a humming bird on Saturday the 24th so that was great.

The bad news, the neighbors cat decided to go into my carrot raised garden bed and decided that he needed to take a crap in their. needless to say, he messed up all of my carrots and they were up about 1/4 inch or so...YES i was mad. So ended up putting wire across the bed in hopes to stop him from going in there. So of course I had to straighten things out and replant. I was not happy.

New quilt

2010-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

If things work out, my brother will be getting married either this fall, or sometime soon. I have started making a quilt for him. I have the top done here, now I just have to figure out what to do with the back of it. The best part, is most of the material has been made from my scraps.

What a weekend!

2010-04-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

How can one complain with the sunshine and the weather that we have been having? A person cannot stay inside at all when the weather is like this. Even if you just sit outside in a lawn chair--the summers are just to short and not much sunshine to be wasted inside.
It has been just wonderful. 25 to 26 degrees in the morning, but during the daytime, it has been up in the low 50's. Loving it! Hard to believe that 2 years ago we had so much snow that it took down our power lines on April 16th and even last year we had snow then.

We got a lot done this weekend, raked, burnt the leaves and dead tree twigs. Planted my carrots and onions. Turned the dirt over in the flower boxes, moved some blueberry bushes from the back of the yard to the side--hopefully they will all grow and I will have my own blueberry patch.

Mr. Squirrel in the forest, watching me rake and clean up the back yard.

Yep, that is me, playing in the dirt!

Me again, doing what I love to do, garden and being at home.

Have to keep the truck shiny and new looking!

Easter weekend

2010-04-05T11:17:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter. We had a busy weekend. Saturday, after the rain showers, the sun came out so we were able to rake up the yard and get that all cleaned up. Pulled off all the dead leaves etc from all of the flowers around the yard.

Galen cooked us a ham, Saturday, with a whiskey bbq sauce which was very good.

Then we woke up to a little over 2 inches of snow on the ground Sunday morning. What a surprise that was. But we headed out to the glacier and from there we also drove out to the end of the road, Mile marker 37--and we stopped at sunshine cove and walked around there and enjoyed the sunshine. Was a very good day.

The falls

Self timer on the camera in front of the falls.

Some one made a chair and coffee table out of rocks out by the falls. The chair was actually kind of comfortable. Felt like the Flintstones for a moment.

As you can see, not much for snow on the ground. Last year we had walk through 3 to 4 feet of snow and it was snowing/raining. I will take a winter like this one anytime. It has been very mild.

on our way back to the car, we heard like this flute music, of course we both looked at each other and were like, do you hear that?? This gentleman was playing this flute type instrument on the hill. It was very pretty.

The snow, fog and glacier.

out at sunshine cove. Hope everyone had a nice Easter holiday.

Pineapple wine

2010-03-22T15:45:00.001-07:00

The vintner man checking out his brew.

Pineapple wine, moving from one carboy to another.

isn't it pretty, and oh does it smell like pineapple. I can not wait to taste this one.

We tried the Saki that he bottled this weekend. if you like Saki, you would love this. Goes down smooth and then that burning sensation. WOW!

Grandkids are a treat

2010-03-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

Was down in Wyoming helping out our daughter who had hip surgery. So I was able to spend some very busy days with the grandkids, of course there were no complaints from me. This picture is when we were at the park and I laid down on the grass and looked up at the clouds...

Kamee, the swimmer. We had to go to Gillette, WY for a swim meet while I was there. The best part, is she was able to get some ribbons, 4 and 6th place. For her 100 yd free style.

Oh yes, brother and sister on the scooters. Yes, Grandma even rode on Tobee's--talk about a work out. I just kept thinking, if I fall, will I break an arm?

Brotherly and sisterly love.

Kamee and friend at the swim meet.

Kamee talking to grandpa on the phone at the motel.

Was it hard leaving them? Oh yes. I had a great time. Kristine is doing better, just wish I could have stayed another week or so....

Sandy Beach, North Douglas, Wetlands

2010-02-22T09:16:00.001-08:00

Wetlands around 3:30 PM, the fog was starting to roll back in.

As you can see the fog was coming in.

The wetlands, views of the moutains and a plane

Yes, our golf course is about straight ahead.

Wonderful weekend as you can see by the blue skies and not a cloud. this is sandy beach at North Douglas looking down the channel to Juneau.

Sandy Beach, looking down the channel, the white line across the channel is the fog bank. It has been really foggy in the mornings and the evenings here the last couple of days.

Sandy beach some old piers from the old treadwell mine.

More piers

Old treadwell mine ---sandy beach

looking across the channel, at sandy beach

fog bank leaving North Douglas, when I first drove by here--this was all covered in fog, you couldn't see mabye 1/4 mile in front of you on the highway, when I came back the fog was rolling back.

N. Douglas boat ramp, looking towards the glacier

A tree on False outer point trail in the fog

Tree stump on the wetlands

This is at 10:30 AM, out by the wetlands--it sure was nice getting some real vitamin D, rather than in a pill form. I think I walked about 6 to 8 miles this weekend.

Eagle

2010-02-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

I'm watching you.

Talk about giving me the evil eye.

Ready to take off.

I spent a couple of hours outside this weekend. The sun was out and it felt like may rather than February. On this walk I spotted an eagle. it was funny first the sun was to his face, then he flew into another tree so that the sun was to his back, this way he could really keep his eyes on me.

The Moon 2.19.2010

2010-02-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

Had to try out my new camera on some moon shots....This one below is taken by hand on auto focus--I cannot believe that I stayed still enough to get the shot.

The the pictures below I took on night mode, with a tripod...did ok---but I was still shaky.

Scrap quilt done

2010-02-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

I finished the top of this scrap quilt. Man, that took a while to complete. It is huge, it will fit a queen size bed right now--plus, I still have tons of scrap pieces to sew together.

Now, I just have to figure out what to do for the back of it. I thought about making the same number of scrap blocks again for the back, but that might make it to heavy. See what the mind comes up with. I think I am going to have to find someone to quilt it together, I think it is way to big for me to handle with my machine.

Is it Spring yet? Varied Thrush

2010-02-12T19:52:00.001-08:00

Varied Thrush, picture taken through the window with zoom

Look what I noticed today--yes a varied thrush. Usually seen in the spring time. We do have some that hang out around here during the winter, but you don't see them much or hear them for that matter. Now, I will be listening for their sweet song. Talk about one amazing winter so far. Usually by now, I would have gone through maybe 5 to 10 bags of birdseed, 40 lb bags, but this year, so far only maybe 1/2 bag of seeds. And what, I think we had to snowblow once. Shovel maybe three times. Great winter! I just hope March or April it doesn't decide to drop us 5 ft of snow.

New Camera

2010-02-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

Some pictures with my new camera.

At the end of the road and there is the regular picture and then me zooming in on the top of that moutain

Just pass the shrine

A view from the road, zooming in with the camera

I went and bought a new camera, so I am in the process of learning how to operate it. It is a Canon Powershot SX20 IS--and so far, I am loving it. Have not taken it off auto focus yet to see what all happens, that will come. for now I am just trying to figure out how to turn it off and on.
I wanted something that I could zoom in with when we go to see the Polar Bears in September up at Kaktovick which is 260 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Don't want to miss that perfect polar bear shot.

So, of course, with a new camera, comes new pictures. I had today off, to make it a long 4 day weekend --and the sun was out, so there was no way I was going to be staying indoors. Away I went to the end of the road. Boy, I have not been out there for awhile. They have a lot more snow that we do around here, plus they are redoing the road, so construction--they are making the road wider and putting in better turn outs. Going to be pretty nice. I guess I just missed a pod of killer whales...that would have made my day.

At echo cove

50's quilt done

2010-01-26T08:31:00.001-08:00

I finished another UFO project that has been laying around waiting to be done. It is my 50's quilt. All the material came from fabric that was placed all over my office for my 50th birthday. They decorated the office in a Hawaii 5-o theme. So, I thought what better way to remember my birthday but to make a quilt out of the material--plus it is reversible.

I think I only have 3 more UFO projects to complete. WHAT! Once those are done, I can create more.

Bowling 1.22.10

2010-01-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

We had a work bowling lunch afternoon. As you can see I have such style and grace, such a techinque when it comes to bowling. LOL big score 66. Had a fun time--looks like we will be doing it again next month--maybe I will have improvement pictures.

2 more projects complete

2010-01-18T18:27:00.000-08:00

spider web quilt up close and the back of it

the back of the zig zag red white and blue

Oh yeah for me! I completed two more quilts--had the tops all done, just needed to put the backs on them. I hate doing that part. But they are done and now only a couple more to go LOL--it never ends!

Back to work tomorrow. Sure have enjoyed these days off. I can get so much done around the house.

Curtains

2010-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

OLD
NEW

Made some curtains for the sewing room. As they say, out with the old and in with the new. Change of times I guess. Can it be cabin fever already?!
I meet some friends at the "coffee" shop, I know, I don't drink coffee, but it is kinda of fun, visiting there with friends you don't see enough of, and want to stay in touch with.
And did I tell you, that the Vikings won--come on. Maybe?????? Superbowl?? I said it! Ok, it could happen!

Don't up just LOVE the curtains Wendy!

The eagle as landed

2010-01-15T08:07:00.001-08:00

This was amazing. I was walking by the living room window and seen this black thing on the tree stump, thinking it was a raven or even a porcupine....eating the left over bread that I threw out for the birds/squirrel......low and behold-it was an eagle. Talk about shocked to see. I tried to get some pictures of him, but he seen me and took off. That tree stump is maybe 10 ft away from the house. The poor gnome looks like oh my, don't eat me. I won't move.

About and hour or so later, he did come back, but.......me unprepared didn't get a good shot then, but today, I have my
camera on the tripod in hopes he will return and I can get some better shots. We will really need to keep Marvin, the cat, inside. I just hope that the neighbors do the same with their cats, for if this eagle is eating bread, he has to be hungry.

Twenty Ten (2010)

2010-01-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

Look Santa came, he left us a pile of wonderful gifts to open.

Look, a Wii game, a remote starter, oh Santa baby does love me, and so many other goodies.

Dang it, she found me in the back of the closet behind all of the material. Now to find a new hiding spot.

Everything a man could want, WHAT! Spam bacon.

Hooking up the Wii--nothing but legs, no honey, don't see anything yet on the TV.

Amazing, 2010 is here. What can I say, we had a great 2009, I hope that 2010 is just as good if not better.

Oh boxing with the Wii, nice form.

Had a quiet New Year's Eve--stayed home and played the new Christmas gift, the Wii! We just love it. I would not have guessed that a video game would have you working out so much. Sure is passing the evening by and could it be sharpening my bowling/golf game. LOL

The neighbors having fun--pulling the kids around the streets. They were having a blast.

new quilt

2009-12-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

It has been rather cold the last week, well, for up here. We had about a week of 17 to 23 degree days. The frost on the trees is rather neat.

Oh, let's see. We have been busy up here, with the holidays just around the corner. I am working on this quilt, in hopes to be able to send it to the grandson, Tobee, for Christmas...yes, I am pushing it. He loves pirates so, as you can see the front and the back.

We got the outside Christmas lights up, so Santa can find us. Have had one Christmas party done and over with us, still one more to go. All the cards and gifts are out the door.

Here is another frost picture, this is a picture of a cedar tree with frost all over it.

And now what is funny, it is 38 degrees outside and it is raining.

Thanksgiving weekend

2009-11-29T10:41:00.001-08:00

We had a nice thanksgiving, darling husband, cooked the whole meal, other than the pie. It was just the two of us, but we were thankful for lots of things. Being healthy, so far, we both have a job, and oh the list could go on. He made a smoked paprika turkey, which was a rub all over the turkey--and it was yummy.

Then let's see, Black Friday, well, we did not get up early to go check out the sales, have no real desire when there is only 2 stores to really hit, Fred Meyer and Walmart! So---sleep in we did, then we went shopping. It was a great day, even though we didn't buy much except for us LOL--

We did go to the public market. I felt like a salmon going up stream, holy crap there were a lot of people there. Didn't see anything that went hey buy me....but I did find a person who is selling Watkins, so bought some grapeseed oil and took her catalog. Pretty cool.

Yes, this is Casey, hanging out on one of the wind turbines--this picture actually gives the perspective how big they really are. He is about 280 ft high. Not a job for me. No thank you. But I bet he has a view from hell.

Here is our daughter and her family! Sure do miss all of them.

Look, Santa came in to the mall by helicopter, as you can see at around 11:00 how dark and raining it is up here. It is a good thing that Santa made it.

We sent up the house to be totally wireless. Since Santa brought all those goodies early and a little purple netbook to play with. This wireless thing is pretty nice. One can be out in the garage surfing the net and it is fast!

We got our tree all decorated up. A little 3 to 4 ft'er. It is all decorated in purple this year, lights and bulbs. Next will be do decorate the outside house in lights....need it stop pouring rain.

Here the husband is also planning on his hunting adventure for 2010--oh my, if he gets all the permits he is putting in for.....lots of meat! Moose, Elk, Caribou---maybe even a bear!

Other than that, I think we have updated everything that has been going on for the last week anyways. Now to get ready and mail out the packages and Christmas cards and we will be all set to enjoy the holidays.

Busy doing what?

2009-11-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

A lot has been going on--but what? The snow has been slowly inching it's way down the mountain. Today it has been snowing on and off down here in the valley floor. Trying to get things ready for winter. Cleaned the carpets! Number one on the list. Shrink wrap the windows etc. etc.

Our granddaughter is in swimming and she totally kicked butt at her first swim meet.

Pretty good I think for a 7 year old 25 Free 30.27 S197 7 11/06/09Collins, Kamee L Female (12 & Under) 25 Back 30.63 S197 7--what is so great, she even beat the times of other swimmers that are older than her, like 8 years and up! Way to go Kamee. When I talked with her she said, first, Grandma when are you coming back down to visit us and then she said that swimming was awesome and that she had so much fun!

Here I am with the lady that came from Longaberger--she made the basket that I won. Kind of
neat.

Basket

2009-10-27T10:16:00.001-07:00

I'm a winner! of a Longaberger Basket. How cool is that. I actually was able to watch the lady make this basket. They had a big cancer connection fund raiser awareness at the Jordan Creek Center put on by Longaberger rep.'s--Pretty cool. It is a nice size basket, now to find a place to put it and use it.

Hubby has been sick for about a week. All signs and symptoms, pointed to the swine flu. They won't test for it up here, they figure if you are sick with the symptoms you have it. They have had just so many cases. I just am hoping that is misses me. He ended up missing a whole week of work and even after that, he still isn't up to par.

The weather has been mainly rain for the whole month of October. I see last night that Thunder Mountain has snow about quarter of the way down.......so, it is getting closer to us having, I am afraid snow on the ground.

New quilt

2009-10-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, have been busy. But when I ask myself what, I really don't have an answer, just know that I have been sewing, cleaning, all the usual things I guess one does daily. I did get the carpets cleaned this past weekend. They look so nice when they are clean. Take my advise and don't ever have a cream/white colored carpet.

Here is a new quilt that I hope to have done for the granddaughter at Christmas time, if not, maybe for her birthday in February. I still have to work on one for the grandson.

Here is the front of the quilt--

The back of the quilt.......

The quilt will fit a queen size bed. It is hard putting the layers together when you don't have a huge quilting machine, which I would love, hint hint.

Blackberry Wine

2009-10-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Look at all the wine that is getting ready to bottle.

Not much going on up here in Juneau. We bottled another batch of wine, Blackberry this time. We got about another 25 to 30 bottles.

This actually tastes pretty good. I like this one also.

Look at all the different mushrooms

2009-09-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

The rain stopped for awhile on Sunday afternoon, so I was able to go out and empty some of my hanging baskets into the compost pile and walking around the yard, there were all of these mushrooms. Here a few pictures of some of them and there were probably 4 other different kind that I couldn't get a good pictures of.

Oh and this is my comfrey plant, still a few pink flowers on them, and of course the mountain ash berries. They say we are suppose to get a light frost tonight. Which I believe it will happen, it is starting to clear up outside and the air has been getting a little bit more frigid out there. Really need some frost to kill the remaining plants so I can clean those up.

Another project done

2009-09-28T10:08:00.001-07:00

I finished one more project. Finally put the back on this one and sealed it all up. So the cat's meow is all done. I like doing these zig zag quilts. They go together pretty fast and they have a neat design about them. Couldn't do much outside this weekend, since all it did was rain.

Front and close up of the zig zag.

The yellow that you can sort of see, is actually piping that I put around the edges. Turned out rather cool.

and of course the front and the back.

And I am still working on this scrappy piece. I will put 2 more rows across the top, so it will be 8 rows long and 6 blocks across, and then work on the same thing for the back so it will be reversible. I have enough scraps to that won't be a problem that is for sure. LOL And as you can see, it has Marvin's seal of approval.

Oh the rain keeps coming

2009-09-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

I guess we are getting pay backs from all of the nice summer we had with no rain. It sure is not letting up. I think it stopped raining maybe for part of a day since we have been back from vacation and that was Sept 9th. So, have been busy sewing.

My newest project, it is a bird quilt.

Golf anyone

2009-09-18T20:38:00.001-07:00

At least someone is enjoying the sunshine somewhere. Darling husband was out golfing today back in MN, in the sunshine. Oh his arms hurt.....after 18 holes and it was so hot BOO HOO--here is was raining, turned to sunshine for a bit. At least him and his brothers are having a good time.

Rain and more rain

2009-09-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

It is the fall time here, and of course, true to mother nature and Juneau weather, it has been in full force. Rain and wind. We have had almost 10 inches of rain since August 20th. The days are getting shorter and the nights longer. Then of course it won't be long and good ole daylight savings will kick in again. Which makes it worse up here.

Darling Husband (DH), is on his way back to Minnesota for a couple of days to wish his grandmother a 95th birthday. She will be very surprised to see him. No one knows that he is going back except for his two brothers that are picking him up.

Two projects done

2009-09-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this remind you of the old wallpaper that were in the older homes? It does me!

Finshed two UFO projects this weekend. Yeah. The flowered one will be going back to MN for DH's grandmother's 95th birthday. The other one??? Not sure. The tumbling blocks was a lot of work. But it is done and now I can move unto some other UFO project that needs to be finished.

I'm Back

2009-09-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

Here's looking at you. A beluga whale at the aquarium. This aquarium is huge and amazing is all I can say. I really wish we would have had another day or two, there was so much we both would have liked to have seen and visited as far as sights go.

Jelly fish at the aquarium

Made it back from our mini vacation. We went down to see the kids in Wyoming and then from there we headed to Atlanta, GA to see a Nascar race. It is so amazing how the grandkids have changed since even in March when we seen them.

Backyard BBQ, lots of good eats!

Like always, the trip was way to short. We had a wonderful great time. The weather was great, 86 for highs and the lows maybe 70--lots of sunshine. Oh it felt wonderful to be out of the rain in Juneau.

Tobee is helping grandpa, notice he is also wearing rubber gloves

In Wyoming we were able to visit with my dad, brother, Scott who came from Minnesota and of course the daughter, son-in-law and the wonderful grandkids. How great it was to walk into the house, go into their bedroom where they were playing and have them look up with this shocked look and scream Grandma and they both come running to give me a hug. It was so wonderful.

Us girls went and had their nails done. Kamee and Kristine had a manicure, I had a pedicure. Oh how wonderful it was for all of us. Oh and I have to mention that my dad did come along to get a pedicure as well, no nail polish but clipped and massaged.
Yes, that is a crew!
We went and checked out the wind turbines where the son in law works--pretty neat. As you can see, we all tried to get a group shot. LOL

Kamee going to school.

a giant sting ray
Then when we arrived at Atlanta....we went to the Nascar race, went to the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca Cola, where we tasted all the different kinds of coca cola products around the world. One will never look at a soda pop quiet the same again. It was a pretty amazing tour. We also walked through Olympic Park. At the motel walking around the sites we kept hearing this chatter, not birds, I guess it was the locust. It was really a different sound. Never really did see any of them, but we heard them as they chattered from one group of trees to the next.

downtown Atlanta

the world of Coca-Cola and the giant polar bear.

Headquarters to CNN, we were not able to take this tour, we ran out of time, but we did talk to someone who did do it and said it was great.

We were brave and even took the MARTA train. There form of a subway. For two people from little town USA up in Alaska, let me tell you this was an adventure for us.

Night race at Atlanta. Man the cars were loud.

happy Anniversary to Us

2009-08-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it, 32 years today, my DH and I have been married. WOW, pretty amazing. I guess you can really say that we are in the 3rd ring, first is was the engagement ring, then the wedding ring and now the suffering. LOL.

We had some friends from Jackson, Wyoming stop in on Tuesday on a cruise through Alaska. It was a short 5 hours visit but it sure was nice to see them and catch up on things and show them around the town. Wish they could have stayed a day or so, but even a little time is better than no time.

Poor sunflower, he needs a little bit more sunshine and I don't know if he is going to make it our not to open up. Hope it does that would be rather neat. But we are in the raining season now, so....but he is trying.

A few more pictures of a few flowers--after our down pour of rain that we have been having. The sun came out for a little bit after work yesterday so we were able to do some lawn mowing and weed wacking before the rain came back. The flowers still have rain drops on them. Over 5 inches in a week of rain is what we have had so far.

Oh, and this is not one of my flowers, this is a mushroom plant of some sort that is growing in the back. It just started growing with all of this rain and moisture that we have been having. It is kind of a neat design.

They came

2009-08-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

It sure was a wild Monday today at work. So much to do and so little time, wanted to take of tomorrow since we have friends coming in on a cruise ship, but I will have to go back to work once they leave. Dang! BUT

the good news is, my books came. The Twilight series. Now I will have something to read on vacation.

where do the weekends go?

2009-08-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

Once again, another weekend come and gone. It is amazing how fast 2 days can go. Was a great weekend, despite the rain. In just a little bit over a week, we have had 4.93 inches of rain. Oh my goodness. Make it stop!
Made some more bear skins today. Stuffed a few of them as you can see from the picture above.

Getting ready for vacation!

Oh and look who is already for pre-school! Amazing, he is already 4.

Rain in full force

2009-08-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

Good bye summer, welcome to fall? DH put up our rain gauge collector for the weather station and since Friday evening, we have had 2.5 inches of rain.
Not only are we getting the rain, we are getting the wonderful winds. We have had gusts from 3.3 miles to 9.7 so far out in the valley. The rain is so bad that you can actually see it coming down sideways.

My poor plants are not liking this weather at all. Here is a picture of my dahlia that measures over 7 inches across before the rain hit, but now, his head is drooping. Guess I need to cut him off and bring him in so we can enjoy him for a little longer now that we can not be outside.

Oh and look at the new cherry wine that is coming along nicely. It is a real pretty color and will be ready to rack into bottles within the next couple of months. Strawberry and Blackberry are also waiting to be bottled. So much wine, so little time.

New Waterfall Mendenhall Glacier

2009-08-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

The new waterfall out at Mendenhall Glacier. It is really coming out from the glacier. It isn't just a trickle.

I kept hearing about the new waterfall at the glacier and thought, WHAT? I thought it was just one of those little run offs that you see, well.......I took a walk out to the glacier and oh yes there is a new waterfall.

The first picture was taken July of 2008 and then the one with the waterfall was taken Saturday the the 8th.

It is rather amazing to see how much the glacier has receded in even a one year time frame.

They are working on building a new trail out to the waterfall. It is going to be really nice, you can even walk now over the rock slide. They cut through some of the rock to make a path way. I am sure they will make it wheelchair accessible.

Been having some rain, I guess we needed it, but it can go back to sunshine and warm weather now that everything has been watered.

I am going to try and can some pickled green beans. See how the little process goes today.

Haze from fires

2009-08-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

What a difference a day can make. Woke up this morning and it was like is this fog, well turns out it isn't fog it is haze from some fires that are burning in Canada. I guess there are several large fires in the southern Yukon including a very large one just south of Whitehorse. So, we are getting some major smoke action. This is looking across the channel from DIPAC to Douglas Island. Believe me, not even on a heavy overcast day is it this bad to see the mountains.

Oh and look, my rose that I planted this spring decide to bloom. No, it is not the yellow rose of Texas, it is Donna's yellow rose of Juneau. I just hope it makes it through the winter. Now I have to get me some Sitka roses and plant around the back of the house.

OH OH! and it looks like a cruise ship lost a passenger. A cruise ship passenger reported missing by Holland America's Zaandam after it left Juneau bound for Glacier Bay late Sunday night. Beth Ipsen of the Troopers says they're told Mulkuch made a phone call to the ship's purser at about midnight or one a.m. She was also seen about that same time by other passengers. The woman wasn't noticed missing until ten this morning. Ipsen says the crew is searching on board and the Coast Guard is conducting a search in waters between Marmion Island and Glacier Bay. If she is not located by the time the Zaandam arrives in Sitka Tuesday, Ipsen says an Alaska State Trooper will board the vessel there to investigate. That investigation will include talking to the woman's traveling companion who was not identified.

Fireweed in bloom, patio privacy

2009-08-02T17:52:00.001-07:00

Oh look what the DH put up for me on our front deck. Bamboo shades. Now we have a little bit more privacy from the neighbors when we are cooking out on the grill. Then I put up some outdoor lights, they have dragon flies on the covers. We sat out there last night well he cooked dinner. Was rather nice and peaceful. Now we just need some type of little heater for when it starts to cool down outside.

Here is one my flower baskets

When I was up at the glacier the other day, here was a family of ducks in the stream, look that is sunshine that you see!

Fireweed along Egan drive just across the road from Fred Meyer, looking towards downtown

Fireweed at the Brotherhood Bridge trail

Fireweed along Egan, looking toward Douglas Island, I see I also have a picture of one the helicopter tours coming back from the tour of the glacier.

As you can see the fireweed this year sure is in full bloom. It has to be at least 6 to 8 feet tall. Fields of it every where, it sure is pretty this year. As you can see in the pictures, no sun this weekend. Just heavy overcast skies. We did break records though for the month of July for the warmest days and I would say for the most sunny days.

Looking towards the Mendenhall Glacier from Brotherhood Bridge parking lot.
Busy weekend, my the DH some banana bread, a double batch of that. Will be sending some to my dad by in MN.

Made some doggie biscuits and kitty treats. If Marvin eats the treats, then I know they are good, since she does not eat kitty treats at all. I think I will try and sell them at the craft fair or worse case, x-mas gifts. Worked out in the yard a little, along with the wonderful house work that I so enjoy doing every week.

I went to a memorial service on Saturday evening. A friend of mine her brother passed away and his memorial service was Saturday. It was a very nice memorial. I have been to more funeral's up here in Juneau in the last 8 years we have been here then the 18 years that we have lived in Jackson.

DH's wine is coming along nicely. The strawberry and cherry look very good and even at this early stage of the game, they taste pretty good. So now they sit for another 3 weeks or so before getting put into the next phase.

50's quilt

2009-07-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Working on my 50's quilt. It will be made from the fabric that decorated my office for my birthday, as it was all done in a Hawaii 50 theme. Thought what better way to save the memories of that year and that day. I made the back out of the same material so that it could be reversible, both sides will have a different design. I think it will turn out ok. As you can see, I have my big helper! She just loves laying on the new material.

Pretty laid back weekend all in all. Did some weeding in the garden since it wasn't raining. Had a BBQ at some friends on Saturday. They made some yummy pork ribs. DH was called into work today to try and get the shock box for the fish going. Seems they are having some issues.

Oh, and I am glad that Palin is leaving as our governor. You know, it is pretty sad, that she has to have her farewell party at Anchorage, Fairbanks and Wasilla. Come on, Sara! I guess she figured no would go to it in Juneau, the capital, the governors mansion so why have a party there, not enough fame for her. Good riddness.

Fiesta Ware

2009-07-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

It is done, 10 bobbins later, I finished it.

I was following this quilt along. My quilt took a little longer than I think of some of the others that were in the quilt along. I just finished mine. Course there was a small break in there due to the nice sunny weather. But this was a lot of stitching on the top of quilt. All I can say is I am glad that I am done. Now onto another project.

Bears and Fish

2009-07-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

Well we were awaken this morning by our friendly bear that has been roaming the neighborhood on and off all this summer. He decided that he needed to check out the patio window and of course Marvin the big tuff kitty had to hiss and hit the window at him to get away and of course made him look at her even a little bit more. He decided to leave once he seen me.

The fish are moving back in at DIPAC. There are all gathering around to get into the race way to end up in a holding pattern to meet their demise.

Did the survivor walk today for the relay for life. You would think that after 7 years of being cancer free that the walk wouldn't be hard, but I always cry. It is very emotional for me. I guess I try and not think about it and then just being out there by myself knowing that I am alive, thankful that I am alive. I donated this quilt for them to raise money. The picture doesn't do the colors justice. I named it HOPE.

Craft Fair

2009-07-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

All I can say is, this has been one great summer so far. The last time I remember a summer like this I think it was back in 2004! Love the warm and sunny days.

Had a busy weekend. I did a craft fair. My first one. This is what the table looked like, it was a little neater than this, but you get the idea. Everyone loved the bears. I only had two of them to sell and I sold those.

I did better than I thought I would, which is a bonus, especially since it was sunny and nice outside. The last place people want to be is inside, since you never know when the water spigot may come back on here in Juneau and we have rain and more rain. I may have sold more rain jackets for dogs if it would have been raining and dark outside! LOL, but, I will try and do one more come November 21 & 22nd.

Taking today off, Monday, since I was tied up all weekend. Need to put my things away and in some type of order. LOL and do a few things around the house that the DH didn't do. He did do a great job though with the laundry and dishes and cooking dinner, so that was a plus.

Can you say HOT?

2009-07-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

What a great week it has been. The weather has been more than wonderful.

We have a burn ban on, since it has been so dry and warm.

We broke a record on Monday, with the high of 85! Can you believe it? Yesterday it was 84, but we didn't break the record for that day, the high was 90 back in 1975. But that is OK, I will take the 80's.

They say we are suppose to have great weather all the way into next week. All I can say, is bring it on!

Here is a picture from July 2nd of one of the Ferry's coming across the channel out by Auke rec.

Wow it is the 4th of July 2009

2009-07-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the 4th of July weekend. Man did it go fast. Had a wonderful long 3 day weekend. Oh and Sara Palin resigned for those who did not hear. Amazing to run out on her commitments, must have a pretty good job offer!

Love three day weekends, guess I just need to take more of them off. I can get so much more accomplished and cleaned up. Felt good. Was able to visit with friends, BBQ, and still had time to relax! It was a great weekend.

Packaged up my bath bombs, and my DH made me these racks to hang my tote bags from when I enter the craft fair this weekend. Trial run for the Christmas season.

Now that is a basket of bombs.

I do have a lot of tote bags and also doggie jackets! And look we have a little visitor checking in.

Oh and my garden is doing great so far. Here is a picture of the brussel sprouts, look they have sprouts on them!

New neighbor

2009-06-28T11:30:00.001-07:00

We have a new neighbor. This visitor likes to come over and see Marvin, but Marvin doesn't like to play with the new cat. They sit outside and just stare at each other, until mom comes out and chases the cat back to it's home. Marvin is 14 years old and this cat is way bigger and younger than Marvin.

Oh to decide what to do today? Sew on the quilt, make some bath fizzes. I think I will be entering a craft fair July 11th, so I need to get my ducks in a row and get some product out there to try and sell.

Golden Girl Today--and a little bear

2009-06-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, today I am the golden girl! 50 years ago, at 6:15 AM central time, a beautiful child was born, that child is ME.

Today I am fifty years old. Wow, amazing. I have to say, it feels pretty good, being golden and all. Thanks you mom and dad for having me.

Oh and this is what I came to this morning at work. They had decorated my office all up in the Hawaii 50 theme, they are having a potluck and everyone is dressed up in Hawaiian theme shirts. Very nice surprise. As you can see, there are flowers and fabric all over in a Hawaiian type theme, which of course, I am sitting here thinking, wow, this will be great to make me a scrappy 50 quilt for me. I will use the same layout that I am doing with the quilt along that I am in. This will be perfect! Not the best pictures, it was taken with my cell phone, but you get the idea. Oh and they also had a small potluck birthday party for me at noon. So that was nice.

A co-worker made me this blanket and picture, which was really nice of her. And of course my Cake.

Oh yes, and we had a visitor on the street yesterday. We were just coming home from work and I spotted this black thing turning into the neighbor's drive way, thinking, that is not a dog, and sure enough. It is not a dog. A little black bear, checking out the trash cans. I think this must have been the same one that had it's way with our compost box.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

Father's day today. I have to say happy father's day to my dad. I hope he is enjoying his day and is out golfing or doing something fun. Speaking of a father................here is DH enjoying his day.
.

Look, Marvin is even wishing the DH happy father's day. Resting her head on his shoulder, saying I don't want you to be alone, just to let you know that I love you also.

What do these two photo's have in common? Yes, two good friends with a cat! See the resemblance?

"Did you feel it?" my friend Sue, asked on June 20, at about 9:45 p.m. on a sunny Alaska night, as we sat outside drinking DH's skullberry wine that had made and waiting for the BBQ to be finished. No it wasn't another earthquake. At that moment, the sun paused on its journey around our northern horizon, and we, for a second or two, experienced summer solstice.
Solstice is the precise time when the top of the world nods deepest toward the sun. Here's what it's like when solstice (a word derived from Latin words meaning "sun standing still") arrives in Alaska. Now, the days start getting shorter. And after saying that...........

While out on a walk took these pictures of the wild phlox that grows around town, it is sure a pretty flower and it smells so good. Also as you can see the fireweed is starting to develop it's buds. They say once the fireweed turns to cotton, Alaskans say there are about six weeks until winter begins. Oh dear. Don't even want to think about that yet.

First Pedicure

2009-06-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had my first pedicure, and here I am, almost 50! But hey, I can cross this off the bucket list!

Oh and let me tell you, it was wonderful. The chair I sat in had one of those total up the back and down massages. Oh how great it was, especially after a full day of work. Soak your feet in warm water, with some pretty colors. Get a little massage, trim the nails, get all painted up. Pretty nice. And as you can see, purple toe nails. Yes, purple, not red. Can you see them smiling?

Mr. Bear and crock pot goes bad

2009-06-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a bear last night come through the place. Not sure what time, but I thought I heard something around 2 AM--guess I should have gotten up. But, he hit our compost box. Broke open the boards on side and pulled things out he wanted to eat. Wish I could have seen him.

Still raining here, feels like fall. Been around 42 to 54 degrees all week with rain. Sure do miss the sunshine and the warm days we had, but..........it was better weather than we had for the last 2 years that is for sure.

Guess what I will be getting for my upcoming birthday present.....a new crock pot. We were lucky--I had food cooking in the crock pot yesterday and after we were home I could smell something, well, seems like the controls decided to burn themselves out. Nice little electrical fire. Glad it happened when we were home.

MN riders claim world record for longest ATV parade

2009-06-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

Way to go, this is so great.

SILVER BAY, Minnesota - All-terrain vehicle riders who formed a parade along Minnesota's North Shore are claiming a world record for their turnout.
The All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota tried Saturday to line up more than 2,000 ATVs in Silver Bay into the longest parade documented for Guinness World Records.
Group spokesman Les Schermerhorn said they fell short, but their count was 1,632 ATVs. They hope to have the Guinness organization verify the claim in the coming weeks.
The current record of 1,138 ATVs was set by the Harlan County Ridge Runners of Evarts, Kentucky, in 2006. Three-wheelers and side-by-side ATVs do not count.
The Minnesota group's attempt last year fell 55 four-wheelers short of the Kentucky group's total.

go to their website atvparade.org

Can you hear the grunting?

2009-06-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

Oh, you can see his smile for miles. A new lawn mower. What more could a man ask for? Self-propelled, goes like the wind. You should see this bad boy go. It just cuts the grass and you almost have to run behind it to keep up. You can push it with one finger. Pretty nice, I will have to say.

Our storybook

2009-06-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't told you about the story book I had made from Stories by Everyone.com. I had this book made up from when we were in Disneyland. What a great thing! It is about 30 pages, it has 55 pictures from our trip. You right the story or captions that you want on each page.

I had one made for us and one for our daughter. It was funny, when they received the book, Tobee is looking at it and he says, " Mom, we are in a book." How great is that?! They did a wonderful job, the price was good. Plus, no photo albums laying around, and people just do not throw books away. A perfect little memory piece. You could do this for anything. Love the idea and I am sure I will have more books made.

Where is the sunshine?

2009-06-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

Oh Marvin, she is such a helper.

Well, here we are day two of no sunshine and a light drizzle of rain. Man, things are so dark, the furnace kicked in this morning. We had 50 degrees on the thermometer this morning. Suppose to be like this for the next week or so.

Like I mentioned before, I am in this quilt along. Which is going rather good I would say. Each week we have a new task to complete. She is giving us complete instructions to go follow. So far things have worked out great for this project. It was rather easy and everything went together rather well. The best part, is, it is made from material that I already had, so right now, NO,! extra expense. Of course the DH loves that part, no more material in the house.

Here is a close up of the quilt.

Sunday Sunshine

2009-06-07T11:54:00.001-07:00

Wow! What a wonderful morning. Wake up, look out the window and see clear blue skies with lots of sunshine. You have to love. I read the Sunday paper out on the porch, already 61 degrees at 10 AM this morning. Keep the nice days coming. After 2 years of nothing but rain and cold, this is great. My plants are loving this weather. I did lose a few plants from the rotten weather last year. Yes, those are tulips around the mountain ash tree. They just came up not to long ago. Most other places around Juneau, their tulips have been done for weeks now.

Brussel Sprouts are looking great, so far 9 inches long--

and the Rhubarb and the comfry plant are in competition on who is going to grow bigger this year. This is the best my rhubarb has been for years.

My nasturtiums are growing great. I guess they can read the sign that says grow dammit. You can tell, but there are marigolds and Rosemary mixed in with the nasturtiums.

Look at this cute little kitten. Carla, who moved to W. Virginia, just adopted this little kitten. She is so cute.

And speaking of cute, here are the two cutest grand kids in the world, according to this grandma.

Talked with them on the phone last night. Asked Kamee about being done with school. I was informed that she is only on a break and she is not done with school that she will be going back after the break is done. She is still going to swimming and is doing gymnastics, which she says, " I guess it is good for me to go to." and she has been going to church and told me that she learns about God and that he sometimes answers your wishes. Tobee, well, he is Tobee and he follows his big sister around.

More sunshine

2009-06-06T09:31:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Friday, was great. More sunshine and it was warm. When we came home the inside temperature of the house was 79 degrees and we live in the shade from about noon on, plus we had the windows open. So it had to have gotten very warm out here in the valley. I don't think I have seen our house that warm, well, I have, when mom was up here and she was tending the wood stove. I think she had it above 80, but that was in November. This is June. Don't get me wrong. I am sure loving this sunshine and warm weather, after 2 years or more of rain and cold, this is nice. We are breaking records.

Record high reached Wednesday in Juneau, another record could be in store today.The record high temperature for the date yesterday was tied. The Juneau Forecast Office says it hit 79 degrees at 4:46 p.m. That matches the high reached in 1954. Another record could be in store for today. The high today is forecast to range between the upper 70's and low 80's. The record for this date is 80 which was also set in 1954.

Went to a BBQ last night. Of course, as always, was a great time. The only thing one could complain about is the mosquito's and noseams, man, they are hungry and big this year. Other than that, it was great.

I really don't like spiders, but, this web was hanging between the railing, you do have to admire the spider on they can create there webs. Pretty amazing.

Oh, yes, Guess who has taken over another quilt, and of course laying in the sun. Thanks mom.

A co-worker made us this pie, out of rhubarb. The story behind it--well, she needed rhubarb. I knew a couple of patches around town that were on the hillsides and no one was taking care of them--so we went for a walk and picked some rhubarb. Actually,we saved the rhubarb. Thinned it out so it could grow some more. And this is what I received for being a partner in crime. No keys in the middle!

June 1st, Happy Birthday to the Darling Husband

2009-06-03T10:57:00.001-07:00

Well, what do you get a 51 year old for a birthday gift. Why not a new toy, a monster sandwich and an apple tree.

Yes, this is one big sandwich. Cut a round bread roll into 4 or 5 layers--layer with your favorite sandwich meat, this one has ham, turkey, hard salami and bacon. Left off the roast beef this time. Course each layer has to have a layer of cheese, I used pepper jack, medium cheddar and Swiss and what sandwich isn't complete with layers of onions, green peppers and oh yes, horseradish, mustard, 1000 thousand island dressing and spicy brown mustard, put on each different layer. And to top it off, last layer, meat, onions and bacon. I have also put tomatoes on the top layer. You can bake it in the over at 250-300 degrees for about 45 minutes. This way it melts the cheese nicely and the meat is warm all the way through. This sandwich though was cooked on the gas grill--it was 80 degrees and did not want to turn on the oven.
Can you say most delicious?

Marvin is also enjoying the DH's birthday by relaxing in the best chair outside. She looks rather excited about the birthday.

Oh and the new toys. yes a remote control helicopter. I think I have him a little scared to try and fly this one. He is still reading the manual that came with it. Big dollars to fix this one if it falls and tumbles to the ground. Look at the remote control,Oh my gosh! They say it is like flying a real helicopter, you must do all the checks and balances etc. I know I won't be flying this one, since the one I got for Christmas is now in the trash. It can not be repaired any more. maybe now I can have the DH's old one.

and what birthday would not be complete without an apple tree. Our friend Wendy, grew this from and apple. If anyone can grow things it is her. But the funny part of the this story, is that we both bought apple trees 2 years ago on Mom's day. Well, for some reason, my tree died and hers is still growing great. So, she gave this tree to DH for his birthday. We will see what happens to this tree if he can keep this one growing.

Still enjoying the sunny warm days. Loving this week. 70 to 84 degree weather. Bring it on.

How many bottles of wine?

2009-05-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

How many bottles of wine does a person need? LOTS! And we have another rack this size that will be filled up in the next couple of weeks.

We ended up bottling the next batch of wine that was done, Peach flavored. It is very good.

Here is some pieces of fabric that I cut up, going to try and make this quilt with Old Red Barn. and her quilt along. It was hard to cut fabric when the sun is out in Juneau. It is suppose to be warm all week, they say the high could be 86 by Thursday. Bring it on! After the last 2 wet, cold summers, this is great.

Looking up at a wind turbine down in Wyoming.

When bombs go bad!

2009-05-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

Well, not sure what happened here, but I believe that by me putting a fire in the wood stove and trying to dry out the bombs a little quicker was not a good idea!

As you can see. I believe that they dried way to fast and now I have bad bombs, but they still work, just not to pretty to give away or try to sell any. Our daughter will be happy, she will have more bombs to soak in.

This is my very first batch of bath bombs, they worked.

Then of course today, made 3 double batches of bombs. Which was great, but I also shampooed the carpet and it is raining outside. Did I say raining, the skies have opened and said let there be rain for the last 30+ days you had of nice sunshine.

So the first batch is drying nicely, the last two, not so good.

To much moisture in the air I am sure. We have 84% humidity. So, now I have the De-humidifier going to try and dry the carpets and my bombs. I would hate to lose another 2 double batches. I made patchouli, Ginger and bergamot (suppose to be a citrus smell)--In Witchcraft, bergamot is used to control or command and for this reason is used in a variety of spells and formulas in which a practitioner might wish to subdue another person. Wow, pretty amazing stuff.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

A pansy from my garden

Memorial Day, here is to all of those that have fought to give us our freedom. Thank you.

So far it has been a great weekend. We had a couple of BBQ's, that we were able to visit with friends and have a good time with. There were a few rain drops late last night. Just enough to put spots on the car. Otherwise, sunny and dry. Amazing.

I went for a walk yesterday up by the glacier. I took the Moraine Ecology trail, or as the forest service labels it the ME trail. It is about 1.5 mile loop trail. It is a real easy hike. There are few other little trails that I think I will have to go and explore that come off of this one.

Oh, and some pictures of my garden and flowers that are finally popping through. It is great.

We have garlic, which was planted in the fall

We have brussel sprouts, here are two out of 3 plants

we have radishes and green onions

gladiolus and dahlias trying to grow them in buckets to keep them out of the rain and rotting the bulbs, which seems to happen or it gets to cold and they don't flower. One more try this year and if I don't get flowers, NO more!

and just what do you do with old cement blocks, but use them to plant flowers in!

Yes, we have lettuce growing also. Put them in these containers on the railing, in hopes that we can keep the slugs away from the food.

Finally, I have tulips coming up and look, just off to the left side of the tree, my blue poppy made it through the winter, now to see if will continue to grow.

My rhubarb is trying to come up
and last but not least, the hops, which seems to grow over and inch a day--amazing plant.

and we have nasturtiums, rosemary and marigolds

What a weekend

2009-05-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

Man, talk about a busy weekend. I feel like I accomplished so much. But looking at the clock and seeing it hit 5:00--knowing that the weekend will soon come to an end and i still could be doing so much more.

Let's see, washed the windows inside and out. I emptied out the spare closet of 2 1/2 very large garbage bag full of clothes, that somehow, managed to shrink in the closet. So took those to the salvation army along with a box of miscellaneous items. Declutter! Well, I am trying anyways.

Put the compost dirt that was ready all over my flower beds in hopes that the plants will grow even better. Finished raking the piles of leaves that I had in the back yard.

We have onions, radishes, garlic and lettuce starting to pop through.

I sewed on some more of little projects, table runners etc that need to be put together.

We filtered the pear and peach wine. MMMMMMMMMM it does taste rather good. Won't be long and those two flavors of wine will be ready to put into bottles. Now we are trying to find places to store another 60 bottles of wine and there is more brewing away.

Before and After

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Here is wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all of those mom's out there. I received these lovely flowers from my daughter. That was very nice of her and her family.I called my dad to wish him a Happy Mother's Day, told him since I don't have a mom to call, that I called him to thank him for marrying mom and having me!

Plans for today, oh yes. Running around to the nursery's today to pick up a few flowers to plant. Then plant the flowers, potatoes etc. since we have a beautiful sunny blue sky day. Yesterday, I planted some wild flowers, my brussel sprouts, carrots and onions.

Last week, I had to make a trip up to Anchorage for business. Here are a few photo's from the airplane. Talk about rugged country.

Wonderful Saturday

2009-05-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

This little crocus in the front yard is saying I know spring is over in some areas of the country and Juneau, but I still want to come out. We still have a few piles of snow in the front yard as you can see below with the crocus trying to pop out. But with the sunshine today you can see it melting away.

And WHO could complain with a 75 degree day in Juneau, Alaska? Not me! Well I do have one complaint, I did not win the Nenana Ice Classics, it went off on May 1st, and I had May 2nd. Oh well, guess I will have try again next year.

I just worked all day long in the yard. Busy day, we had to go shopping so I could get some flowers to put into my hanging baskets. DH need oil, plugs etc. to tune up the car. Once we got home from running around, I was busy planting away in the dirt. The sun felt so good. Then the best part at 4:30, DH said stop working and handed me a cold beer. Oh did that go down good, but there was still daylight and warmth to be had, so had to continue with more things outside. Even if that was taking a broom to all of the rocks on the main road and sweep them into the driveway.

Along the front of the house and at the end of the deck, has always been a sore spot. So, I found some azaleas and planted them there under the window. This place never received much sun, but since the neighbors trimmed up the pine trees to do their roof, we get a lot more sun. So, with the pine trees and more sun, I figured that the azaleas would do OK, since they like high acid and the pine trees give that off.

As you can see BEFORE:

And AFTER:

They will be so beautiful. If things go well, they should get about 6 ft high and about 4 ft across, so that should fill that area in very nicely!

I planted my hanging baskets. In the long baskets, I am going to try and out smart the slugs and plant lettuce, onions and radishes in those.

I also put in a burning bush in the front of the house by the deck and along the side of the house along with yellow rose bush. Not sure how well that will do, but.........we will try it.
Some more flowers in a pot.

Our son-in-law, was hired at EnXco, this company makes those wind turbines that supply solar energy. He will being doing maintenance on them. They sent us some pictures of them around the area. They have 156 of them around the arehe works at, and they stand 280 feet in the air. I know you won't catch me at the top of those!

If you look close in the picture with the semi, there are 4 or 5 antelope running in front of the truck. I am going to assume that they made it across!

Sunshine and more sunshine

2009-05-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

What a great week. How could it not be, with all of this sunshine that we are getting here in Juneau. Plus 60 degree days. Wonderful.
The first hummingbird made it. We seen him last night on the feeder. They are one day late, last year they arrived on April 29th. But---they are here. I have 2 feeders already out, I guess, now that they are here, I will get the third one out.

I actually have tulips popping up out of the ground now, they are about 2 inches high. Just maybe I will get some this year. My rhubarb is about 3 to 4 inches high. It is great walking around the garden and seeing things come to life.

This weekend, yard work, raking, burning of sticks and leaves, getting the compost dirt out and on my plants. Planting my hanging baskets. DH will be working on my car, new oil, plugs etc. so I can zoom down the road faster.

Not much for sewing when it is sunny outside.

The Mad Vintner

2009-04-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

The mad vintner is going at it. Doesn't he look like a mad scientist with his project. The blueberry wine is now getting filtered after what about 9 months of sitting. It sure is a pretty color and it actually tastes real good! Not to sweet which I am glad for. It will have to sit for a couple of days and then run it through a finer filter, then we will be able to bottle the blueberry and let it sit for a month or so to let it settle down. We should get about another 25 to 30 bottles of wine.

Dancing Skeltons

2009-04-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

I love this quilt. I love the colors, how bright they are, how the back with the hearts seems to go perfect with the skeleton's. This quilt is actually going as a wedding gift. I hope they like it as much as I do. Maybe today will be designated sew the backs on to the other quilt tops I have done, or maybe, start creating something else!

Another note, the snow is melting. I can see the fire pit now, so I can make fires. I can start raking some the yard and burning the leaves and the tree limbs that have fallen all over the place.

Earth Day

2009-04-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

For Earth day, our Department (Dept. of Environmental Conservation) had a garbage pick up day. We gathered together at 11:00 to collect our bags and gloves and hit the block's around the DEC building to gather up trash, and there was plenty of it. Amazing how people just through things away anywhere, verses finding a trash can. And then at noon, we all gathered together for a pot luck after we washed our hands, even with gloves on. Did not mind picking up the trash, what better way then to get outside for an hour and enjoy the sunshine and not have to deal with paperwork etc. it was a gorgeous day. Yes that is me with the BP bag, the third largest oil company.

It was also Admin Professional Day. I received flowers from the Director and how fitting is this, a quilting magazine. I gave one of my admin staff hazelnut coffee from Heritage and a new coffee cup and the other admin staff, a tea cup with a tea holder along with some new teas to try.

Oh and well I was waiting for my DH at his work--I was walking around and took a few snappies. They have the net pens up and loaded with their little baby chum salmon, and here is an old boat that low tide is showing and the sea is trying to claim.

Spider Web Quilt

2009-04-19T19:34:00.001-07:00

I found this quilt pattern on Mary Quilts. I loved how it looked, so I thought I would try it. Oh my goodness, it came together like magic, like we were meant to be! My DH says I need to applique an spider on it and then make like a spider web design going out from it for the quilting part of it. I guess he has more faith in me than I do. The best part is! I did not have to buy any NEW material. This is all from my stash that I have. I have been saving this material for about 2 years now--knowing that I was going to make a quilt, but could not come up with any design etc. that I liked and then, here it is. I don't think it turned out to bad. Oh and don't mind Daisy, she should have had her head on the outside.

Oh and such a wonderful day today. 60 in the sun and 41 in the shade. WHAT! for Juneau. Loved it. I went over to Wendy's place to show her the quilt and she the let the chickens out. Yes, they loved the sun and the dirt. They are such babies. I keep telling my DH that I need at least 2 chickens, but he isn't buying it so far. If they eat slugs. I want them!

And the mad vintner, is busy making another new wine. Blackberry pinot noir. Sounds good to me. Keep them coming baby!

Varied Thursh

2009-04-18T18:12:00.000-07:00

What a way to wake up in the morning to the wonderful signing of the varied thrush.

They were just singing away this morning, and last night. I was standing outside and you could hear them singing, in all different directions. If you want to hear how these birds sound follow this link.

Then little missy girl decided that she could go outside for longer than a minute. I guess she is sensing spring is in the air. She is finally able to see something else other than a wall of white snow. She jumped up in the chair on the porch and enjoyed the morning.

Two days of sunshine and a Robin

2009-04-13T18:55:00.001-07:00

I spotted my first robin, it was downtown, but all the same. As you can tell not much snow is this yard.

Two days in a row for sunshine here in the capital city. But, I guess this could be short lived since they are saying rain tomorrow. Which I guess is ok, if it melts the snow, but I like the warm sunny days. Which to me are long over due here in Juneau.

I walked around today on my lunch hour and took some pictures so you can see where there is snow and no snow. Looking over towards Douglas on blueberry hill, they have snow. And looking towards the Federal building none. All along this stretch of walking it was amazing to see flowers growing, people out painting their homes, cleaning up the yards.

I heard that the hummingbirds are in Ketchikan so it should be about a week before they arrive here. Usually by April 29th I have my feeders out and I have hummingbirds, but this year I think I will get them out by this weekend. Not sure if they will come around with all of the snow and the pine siskins and redpolls that are out there.

As you can see the snow is slowing melting out by our house. Downtown there are hardly even snowbanks left.There are crocus's coming up. I won't see that for awhile that is for sure. The backyard is just as bad as the front as far as snow goes.

I have been checking out areas for us to move to. I think next year, a vacation will be planned to go to Washington and Oregon and make a drive and see if we like the area's--and if so, which ones. Time for us to get closer to the family.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

Easter is here. Let's see, we went to the Baranoff Hotel to eat their brunch that they put on. We have never been there before on Easter so we thought we might as well give it a try and give me a break from cooking, and I will tell you, it is a great feed. You name it, they have it there for you to eat. Prime rib, ham, lamb, and omelet station, a crepe station, smoked fish, crab legs, shrimp, lobster. Oh and the desserts, complete with a chocolate fountain. There was so much food. Plus a room with just other hot foods, eggs, potatoes etc etc. The list goes on for the food that they had.
Plus, it is complete with piano music in the back ground. A real live person playing not music pumped in.

After we stayed there and ate for about 2 hours, we left and headed out to the glacier for a walk to the falls. There is still snow out there, but we made it. It was a great day. We seen 4 mountain goats, an avalanche and there was sunshine. In the shade it was 40 degrees today, so I know in the sun it was warmer and it felt so good. Oh and we even seen pussy willows, so I guess that means spring is coming, or here?

The falls the avalanche

Looking for that giant piece of gold

2 mountain goats on the hillside

Pork stir fry

2009-04-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick and easy dinner and it tastes oh so good.

You will need:
1 to 2 lbs cut up pork
Cut pork into bite size pieces

1 egg beaten add 1/2 cup of milk
add pork to the beaten egg mixture to coat the pork

1 package of Panko crumbs--place the crumbs in a ziplock baggie
take the pork out of egg mixture and place into the ziplock baggie with the panko crumbs
Shake to cover the pork with crumbs.

Have a pan of hot oil, about 1/2 cup or so cooking add the breaded pork cubes, cook until done, about 15 minutes to 20 minutes

Remove the cooked pork out of oil and discard the oil. Put the pork back in the pan with maybe a touch of sesame oil and about 1/4 soy sauce.

Here is your stir fry sauce:

Mix up 1 cup of ketcup
1/4 cup of honey
1 T. of mustard seed to put on top of pork and veggies

Grab a bag of frozen stir fry veggies, put those into the pan with the pork add your sauce of ketcup/honey mixture
Cook until veggies are soft and there you have it a quick and delicious dinner. Serve over rice.

Bottling the first batch of wine

2009-04-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

We will bottle no wine before it is time. I guess it is time. Our first batch of wine, this is from a kit, it is called Gewurztraminer. You know, the wine that starts with a G and is hard to say.
As you can see it takes a lot of concentration

The happy vintner

Oh showing of his muscles as he corks the bottle.

Now that it is bottled. We have to wait for 3 months before we can start to open and really drink them. So, looks like some time in July.

Can you say 29 1/2 bottles of wine? Guess what is for tasting tonight? Can you say Gewurztraminer?

Nice surprise

2009-04-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

Talk about a nice surprise, a dozen roses were delivered to me at work on Wednesday. My DH sent them to me. It made my day.

And

then, I found out where Marvin likes to hide. My fabric stash way in the back of the closet. I caught a picture of here as she was sneaking out.

It has been raining here for the past week off and on, which is better than snow at this point and it is melting the snow fast, but not fast enough for me.

Happy Birthday Tobee

2009-04-07T20:29:00.001-07:00

Our grandson had his 4 year birthday. He ended up getting a new bike for his birthday, so, grandpa and grandma sent him a new helmet, with elbow pads and knee pads. He is ready to ride.

Giveaway for a sweet doll and pattern

2009-04-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Oh my here is another give away at Oh Sew Dollin--Free Primitive Raggedy AnnieCloth Rag Doll Patterns
She is offering a FREE e-pattern for you to download and print out yourself.

Another Sunday almost over

2009-04-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

The weekends sure do go by way to fast. Between cleaning the house and laundry and all the house chores and then try to relax and do some sewing, the next thing you know--the weekend comes to an end.

It has been raining most of the weekend, which is better than snow that is for sure. My dad called and Northern Minnesota was hit with 16 inches of snow. NO! So hopefully this rain will help melt back the snowbanks.

I am working on another quilt top. It is a Flag type theme. Not sure what I will do with this one, I am actually thinking of donating it. Not sure where?? but something will come to me. Maybe a Veteran's home?

The DH has been busy making more wine. He has blackberry and honey mead started. It won't be long and we will be bottling some of the first stuff that he has made. The true test! Is it drinkable? Here are some samples of the labels that he has been creating for the bottles.

Book giveaway

2009-03-31T19:47:00.000-07:00

Head over to Crazy Shortcut Quilts and enter in the drawing that is going to happen on April 4th.

An autographed book to give away! Easy Applique Blocks. As they say, you can't win, if you don't play.

Mt. Redoubt

2009-03-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some more photo's of Mt. Redoubt, it is sort of quiet now, but they figure it will be exploding again here real soon.

Zig Zag's

2009-03-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

This was a lot of fun to make. I think I am going to try and make some more. They go together quickly and they have a fun design. I have to attach the back to it--that will come another day.

The yellow around the edge of the border is piping. Gives it a nice clean look.

You have to ask yourself...what do the following items below have in common?

Not sure, it is prep work for a colonoscopy. Oh, man, what fun. That is a lot of gatorade to drink up and nothing to eat.

Feeling way better

2009-03-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Boy, it was amazing, last night, I started feeling better. I mean I could tell I was getting better. I could think, my nose wasn't running. Oh, I felt so good. I stayed up till around 10:30 sewing, so I must have felt good. LOL

Here is a lap quilt that I made to send off to Galen's grandma in Minnesota. Hope she likes it. Now, I must think of something for the other grandma. I may have to find something with birds, I think she likes birds.

Then today, Monday, we have the day off for Seward's day, so have a long weekend. Which I really need. I know I am not up to 100 percent feeling well, so any extra day of doing nothing, will be good for me.

I have been of course, in my sewing room. I have made a couple of table runners that I just have to sew together. And then I made another top of a quilt, have to find some type of material to put on the back. Not sure what, so will have to go looking this coming weekend.

This pattern reminds me of that old time wallpaper. Kind of different.

Then of course my table runners. I like to put things sort of together, so when I run out of my mojo and creative juices, then I can sew those things together and not think about anything. I guess there is a reason behind my madness after all.