Summer Might Be Here, Finally

   At long last, summer might be here. We made it up to 86 today and tomorrow is suppose to be hotter. Summer is nice, but it's really OK with me if we don't have really hot temperatures. I know, some people are never satisfied.
   Hopefully, the garden will start to take off. All the cloudy, overcast days sure haven't helped it any. People have been upset that their gardens aren't doing well, due to the wonderful weather we have been having.
   With the warmer weather comes garage/yard sales. Friday, I spent $2.00 on an unused Black and Decker food processor. The date on the box is 1986. I couldn't pass it up. Alyssa did tell me that it is older than her. I also found one of those glass barometers you fill with water. I've been looking for one of those for quite a while. It was $1.00. It even works. It changed to cloudy weather when the clouds rolled in yesterday afternoon and so far it also is right with the nice weather. Even if it didn't really work, it's interesting. I figure since they have been around and used since the 17th century, they had to work.
   At the same yard sale I found what I really needed. I have been needing a sleigh hook so I can warp my loom, but didn't have one. Well, sitting on top of a shelf was a sleigh hook, The only weaving thing out there and the only thing I really needed. It was $0.50. A steal. Who'd have thought that I'd find one at a yard sale? Of course, Tim did tell me if he knew what I was talking about, he could have made me one a long time ago.
   I figure I will never win the lottery, but eventually, I find just what I need at garage/yard sales. Just goes to show you that the old saying of "One man's junk is another man's treasure." I find all kinds of goodies. I'll turn Amy into a good garage sale shopper. Daniel just shook his head and slapped his forehead with my finds. I really need to teach him that you don't play like you didn't see the garage sale or sign.
   Last Friday, a small circus came to Deer Park and a week before it was due to arrive, a clown was passing out fliers about the circus and she said setting up the tent was open to the public and afterwards there would be an hour long tour of the circus. Amy and I thought it sounded like fun, so we drug Tim and Daniel to go see it. Neither wanted to go.
   Once we got there, there was no one else to watch and nothing to see. The only animals were a miniature horse and some dogs, so we passed on seeing it. Tim and Daniel rubbed it in all day. I still think it would have been fun, if there was anything to actually see. Knowing my luck, all the animals came right after we left. I can't win them all. I guess I should never trust a clown.

Fishing Was Fun

My bass

   We went fishing today, and we all had fun. We all even caught fish. Tim caught a small bass, Amy and Daniel each caught a sun fish and I caught a small bass and a larger keeper bass. It's a good thing Tim brought 2 fishing , because we forgot mine.
   For a free fishing day, there just weren't  many people fishing at Fan Lake, where we were fishing at.
   The mosquitoes were out in force, and it did start to rain. We only stayed for about 3 hours because we were soggy by then, the fish had stopped biting and Michaela was getting fussy.
   Michaela was pretty bundled up trying to keep the mosquitoes from biting her. The rest of us were bundled up, too. Amy and Daniel in hooded sweat shirts, and Tim and I in hooded windbreakers. I'm beginning to feel where I was bitten through my windbreaker. I'll know tomorrow when they really will itch.

My cooked bass

    For supper tonight, I had my bass and everyone else had leftover pizza that I made last night.
   My bass was good. I didn't even brag and rub it in. Much. 

Free Fishing Day Tomorrow

   We are going fishing tomorrow. Daniel swears he's going to out fish everyone. It will be Michaela's first fishing trip. I found my old fishing license in my tackle box and it's dated 1989. I knew it had been a long time since I have been fishing, I have gone ocean fishing since then, but it was also a long time ago.
   Hopefully, the rain will hold off, it won't be really crowded where we are going and the bugs stay away. Some fisherman I am, not wanting to but up with that.
   I doubt we'll be staying long since we are bringing a almost 6 month old baby with us. We should have a good time, anyway, and I really want to catch something for a change. I'll let you know.
  

Amy And Daniel Are Suffering From Culture Shock

   Today, we took Amy and Daniel to return their U-Haul trailer, and they found out just how small this town is and how much it differs from CA. First, the U-Haul rental place was also an assorted equipment rental yard, a video rental store and a fishing and hunting license seller and bait shop. All in a single wide trailer.
   They were surprised they rented a back hoe to someone who didn't know how to operate it, but they gave them lessons before they left the lot. Also, if they didn't get it back to the yard in time, the guy gave the people his home address and told them to just park it out in front of his home and leave the keys in the mail box.
   They had 2 pretty German Shepards as watch dogs that were really laid back until the gates were closed and locked and then they magically turned into guard dogs. The owners and others in side were talking about the dogs and they ask Amy and Daniel if they had dogs. They said no, because they didn't want to look funny when they said they had a chihuahua and a maltipoo.
   The owner backed the car with the trailer up to put the U-Haul where it belonged and said since he had the keys and I was in the car with Michaela and Amy, Daniel and Tim were outside, he and I should just go down the street and have breakfast.
   Tim thought it was funny when I told him the owner said it had been really slow, but since it was a really nice day today, all the men were coming in with their honey do lists and they all had their wives with them telling them what to do.
   After that, we went to the Deer Park Friends of The Library book sale. Of course, I found a couple of cookbooks and Amy found a couple of books.
   There was a multi family yard sale in the little grocery store's parking lot trying to raise money to send the wrestling team to camp. I should Amy the fine art of yard saleing. I found a 6 quart programmable, working crock pot for $3.00. My 6 quart crock pot's heating element base died and I wanted a programmable one, I just haven't had the money to buy one. Just goes to show you that good things come to those who wait.
   Michaela is not as cranky, since she's sort of getting her routine back. The dogs are another matter. Chip is really good around Michaela, but I still won't leave them together. Jake licked her feet and let her touch him. Sadie is Tim's new best friend and Jake won't let her near his person. Chip won't let the other dogs near me. Chip and Sadie wanted to play, but Jake won't let her near his poodle. Sadie and Chip had a good old time when Jake was outside.
   Chip wanted to play with Elsa and she attacked Chip and Jake laid into Elsa, because his poodle is a pest but Chip is Jake's pest and no other dog is going to mess with him.
   The house looks like someone is moving in and there is baby stuff all over. Baby things sure have changed sine our kids were babies.Michaela has a swing and a jump chair (not together) and they have just about everything but the kitchen sink on them. She seems to enjoy them, but they all make noise. Still, it's better than a screaming baby.
   Daniel and Tim dug up a good portion of the garden and Tim is hard at work planting while I'm sitting in the house writing this blog. I also hear Tim digging more. His vacation is over Sunday, so, it's back to work on Monday for him.
   Now, if only we were done with the rain. But, can you guess?? We're not!

Life As We Know It, Is About To Change

   Today or tomorrow, Amy, Daniel and Michaela are leaving sunny California to come up here. Life as we know it will be changing, since they are moving in with us. All their animals, and the biggest change, Michaela. It's been a long time since we have had a baby in the house.
   Amy told me today that Michaela started crawling, even if it is backwards. We're in trouble now. I must admit, that it will be nice spoiling a baby and then giving her back to her parents when she's fussy or stinky. It would be really nice if we were able to see the other 4 grand kids more often, so we could spoil them, too.
   Weather wise, our desert rat daughter is going to freeze, even if it's not really all that cold up here right now. Amy can freeze when it's 100 outside, so it will be a big weather adjustment for her. It's also suppose to be raining when they are due to arrive. Moving in the rain is just so much fun.
   I really suppose since it will take them 2 or 3 days to get here, I really should get busy and finish emptying the room for them. I work better under pressure, so I've got plenty of time. besides that, they are family and they get us as we are.
   Jake and Chip are also going to have a big adjustment to make, what with 4 cats, 2 dogs and a baby. We'll really have to watch the dogs. Jake is a about 7 or 8 years old now and sometimes acts like a grumpy old man. We didn't have any kids around when Tim and I got Jake 5 years ago.
   Chip was terrorized by daycare kids for the first 6 months of his life and now at the ripe old age of 2, he still isn't over kid noise. He has made some progress in the 1 1/2 we've had him. At least he doesn't want to attack the TV whenever he hears kids on it.
   Tim and I have turned into set in our ways middle aged people. We need a change since we've turned into dull, boring people. Yup, life is going to be different around here. I hope all 5 of us and all 8 animals survive with our sanity intact.

Finishing Projects

   I have been busy finishing projects lately. Here are pictures to prove it. This is the Christening set for my sister-in-law, Myrna's nephew.

Christening Bonnet



Christening Booties

Christening Afghan

Close up of stitch and border

   This is the bear I crocheted for our grandson Nathan's 1st birthday. I almost didn't finish it in time. Next bear I make, I'm going to have to change the overall pattern some. As usual, I can't get faces on straight. I even pin everything in place and things are even, but when I'm finished sewing things in place, they aren't. Oh, well. It gives things character and makes them unique. I'm the only one that is bothered by it. Now, I only have bears for 3 more grandkids to make.

Nathan's bear undressed

The soles on Nathan's bear

A well dressed bear

The back of the well dressed bear

   The last project is our granddaughter, Ashlynn's, purse. Ashlynn will be 6 in June, so for once I am ahead of schedule. I thought Ashlynn needed something homemade, too, because this is her first birthday with the family, and she's lacking in the homemade by Oma department.
   I modified the pattern to make it more little girly. I hope Nathan doesn't eat the ladybug button. Ashlynn's favorite color is pink, so of course, it had to have a great big pink flower on it.



Ashlynn's purse closed



Ashlynn's purse with the flap open

Poor Rototiller

   We were planting the root vegetables in the garden today when a terrible thing happened. Our trusty Troy Built Econo Horse engine blew up. Tim says there is no hope for it. We've had the trusty tiller since 1988 or '89, and it has served us well.
   Just to make things more fun, our little tiny tiller won't start, either. It's enough to shake your arms off when it does work. Now, Tim is out there digging the huge garden by hand. I really hope he doesn't kill himself doing it. He was preparing the potato area, and it was going to be a pretty big area. We planted onions red, yellow, white and bunching onions, garlic, shallots and 2 different verities of carrots. I was staggering their planting.
   Tim does admit he's too old to be working as hard as he is with the garden. And, just for more fun since he ran over some hidden barbed wire with the riding mower, he was thinking about cutting our massive area of wild grass with an old push mower. The barbed wire popped the only good tie on the mower and the side of the tire blew out. It did something to the blade, too, but I don't remember exactly what.
   Of course, we are suppose to have rain move in tonight and it's suppose to poor Sunday and Monday. Tim got his motorcycle out of his moms garage, where it winters, in the hopes of riding it next week. We have only 20% chance of rain after Monday, so maybe he'll be able to ride. He's going through riding withdrawals.
   While we were out and about yesterday, we had to stop at garage/yard sales, because it's required by law that we stop. For $5.00, I bought a brand new paraffin wax therapy thing I had been looking for in stores and could never find when I had money to buy one. $5.00 was a steal. We also bought an oak DVD/CD holder for $3.00, so we did well. I'm going to turn it into an all DVD holder. We should have a garage/yard sale sometime, but it just sounds like too much work.
   Me, I'd better get cracking and finish Nathan's teddy bear. Also, since it's finally warming up, I need to make some summer clothes.
    I also have a book to review that needs to be read. Soon, I had better find someplace to put the things we moved out of the spare room. I suppose they really don't need to be just plopped in the middle of the dinning room floor. There is also the usual baking and clothes washing to get done as well. The work around here just never ends.

Mica Peak Still Has Snow

   We didn't plant the garden this weekend because of rain. The weather forecasters also say there is still snow on Mica Peak, even though we can't see Mica Peak from our house, so we just have to take there word for it. Seems funny that Mica Peak is the planting guide.
   The sun is shining today and it's a really pretty day. Our berries are really taking off. No visiting sheep anymore. Chris the llama still walks around up and down the fence.
   Our seeds are growing that we planted in the house. One of these days, when we have a little extra money, we are going to make row covers and a greenhouse.
   I took yesterday off since it was Mother's Day and that means today I'm ding the usual cooking baking and bread making and clothes washing. Guess I had better get to it and stop being lazy. I also have to find places to stash stuff that we moved out of the extra bedroom.
  

This Is The Weekend

   This is Mother's Day weekend, and do you know what that means? It's time to plant the garden. Of course, it's suppose to rain. Temperatures are getting warmer during the day and above freezing at night, so the planting just might get done soon.
   We had planned on making the garden about twice the size it was last year, but now we are going to make it much larger since we will have more mouths to feed.
   Our daughter Amy, future son-in-law Daniel and baby granddaughter Michaela are moving up here and staying with us for a while. I'm sure, even though warmer temperatures will be here soon, Amy will freeze. I need to shovel out the future guest room now junk room so they can have a room to sleep in and hide out in. I knew I had to get that room done sometime, now, I just have a reason to get it done and stop putting it off.
   Last weekend I put out one hummingbird feeder and a tiny hummingbird is coming by. The hummingbirds seem to be much smaller this year, and I thought they were smaller last year.
   I still haven't seen any fawns yet. It could be too early yet. We'll have a nice garden for them to munch on when they are older if the 6 1/2' tall deer fence doesn't stop them.
   Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I hope you have a good day.

I Did It!

   Since this is May 1, I am assuming the Ultimate Blog Challenge is finished. Now you all know what I have known for years. I have no life.
   It's such a nice sunny day (for a change) today, I am going to putter around outside planting some things, like the sticks from the Arbor Day Society. Surprise, surprise, I noticed some are actually getting leaves on them. I didn't really think they would. I'm also going to plant tomato seeds in the house, since it's still too nippy outside for them.
   Our grandson, Nathan, turns 1 later this month, and I was rooting through my large yarn stash trying to figure out what to make him. I've decided I'm going to crochet him a dachshund. I came across a cute patter not too long ago and thought someone needed one. I'm going to make it varying shades of tan with some darker brown. I'll take a picture of it when it's finished.
   I found some cute lady bug buttons yesterday. I thought they'd be cute on a white sweater for our granddaughter, Michaela. They were cheaper than buying yarn, and since I already have some nice, soft white yarn. a white sweater it is.
   Also, I am going to make a cute little flower purse for our granddaughter, Ashlynn, who will be 6 in June. I'm going to use one of those cute lady bug buttons to button the purse shut with. I'll take pictures of everything.
   One thing I really need to do is clean the oven. I hate cleaning the oven, but since something boiled over in it, our super sensitive smoke alarms keep going off when I turn the oven on. Just so you know how sensitive our smoke alarms are, the smell of garlic bread cooking sets it off. Last night, they went off when Tim was talking to his mother. Last week, they went off when Tim was talking to his dad, and I'm sure, I'll never hear the end of that one.
   Sometimes, the smoke alarms just go off. Only one, and in different rooms. It doesn't matter if they have new batteries in them or not. And it's just a quick, short beeep. It really upsets the dogs. I'm not really worried about it, since I'm used to it by now. 3 years of them doing that will do that to you. I figure there is no need to panic unless all of them go off at once and stay on.
   Guess I'd better get a move on. After I'm done playing in the dirt, there are clothes to be washed and cookies to be made, and projects to get done.