Last Dinner in March

Had fish, asparagus and roasted potatoes tonight for dinner with chives from our garden (the chives not the potatoes or asparagus).

So nice to have just a little something fresh and filled with flavor. I wonder what else I can find if I look around the yard a bit more? A few laying hens would be nice!

Another Conference...

I feel like I've spent the entire spring attending conferences...but this is the last one. I'm in Manchester, NH, for the American Camp Association New England Conference. It's a short one, and I'm home again on Saturday night.
I have a nice hotel room on the 12th floor, the top one, so my windows are slanted. All the light is very nice. My meetings start in about half an hour.
I hope you're all having a nice Thursday!

Sunny

Today it is sunny in Northern Minnesota. It is supposed to warm up a bit. I have sheets in the wash and am going to hang them out.
I do wish it was time to put away the flannels and get out the regular sheets and then change out the quilt to the spring one, but it is not that time yet. Joe would freeze.
Yesterday it almost hit 60. I am loving this March weather while I can. Tomorrow's high 37. Ah, such is life.
Pond still covered in ice, but water around the edges.
So far I have seen robins, red winged blackbirds, and a bluebird.
Happy Spring Ya'll.

In Spring

everywhere I look it is brown and dirty. The yard is filled with mud and standing water. I know it is just for a short time. In a few weeks things will be green and by June or so the standing water will be gone but Spring remains my least favorite season.

Leaving Comments

After writing your comment in the white box, you still have to drag down under "Select Profile" to "Name/URL" and write your name in the box (unless you are signed in and then your name will already be there). You do not need to put anything in the URL box.

Then click "Post Comment". I have noticed since I removed some controls that after the click the program is now giving you a window with a chance to "Edit" if necessary so a 2nd click must be make to "Post Comment" before it really posts. Or, if you read it and want to edit, click edit, make your changes and then " Post Comment" again. I don't know why that is. Before the edit was right by the profile selection.

Anyone familiar with Pieter Bruegel painting? I am often reminded of it when I am giving computer advice.

The painting is called The Blind Leading the Blind and just in case you can't tell from this small photo, one by one they are all falling into a large pit.

Before the crocus bloom.....

I better share the photos Jeff took at Christmas with his new camera!








(Note the stop, forward and backward arrows. Double click to go to the picassa web album so you can view them larger)

My Gosh from MN

We have been having the most beautiful weather. Yesterday it got up to 55.9 degrees. Today it is foggy right now and overcast, but I am guessing it will be warm again.

Hoping the weather holds out for Saturday. Remember, it is the annual Worm Moon Party. Y'all come!!!

Blooms in the Kitchen

Years ago, at Wal-Mart in Oshkosh, I saw a yellow orchid that looked neglected and was starting to wilt. It was already on clearance. I knew if I didn't bring it home right then it was going to die. Other orchids followed.

We don't know a lot about growing them. Our white orchid blooms once in awhile and a magenta one just plain died. But the first plant, this yellow orchid is just amazing. It blooms at least once a year with the blossoms staying open for 4 or 5 months or so. It has been blooming about a month now and is sending up a 2nd stalk for more blossoms.


Last night I was watching a gardening show on PBS and the host said most orchids smell. Well mine sits back by the window and I have never gotten that close to the blooms. I ran right into the kitchen----It has the freshest scent, not heavy like a gardenia or rose but light and citrus-like, think a blend of vanilla and fresh ripe grapefruit. I have been sniffing a lot today. Just lovely to see and smell.

OK, the violets are blooming also. These are orphan violets that really belong to Emily. I need to divide and re-pot them.

All this blooming got me in the mood for spring. Took down all the winter artwork, put away the two little snowmen I have and changed the flag outside the house from Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post "Four Boys on a Sled" to Audubon's "Nesting Robins". Watch it snow tomorrow!

Posting

OK, I know some of you were having problems posting and leaving comments. So I changed the preferences again. Anyone should be able to leave a comment without signing in and I took off the word verification. We will see how this works. If I start getting creepy comments from strangers I will have to change it back, because I am easily.... upset I guess is the word I am looking for =)

Okey Dokey

Thanksgiving, my gosh, that seems forever ago. So much so that I cannot even remember it, I am sure I ate some turkey, however.

We are in a lovely veritable heat wave up here. Up into the upper 30s every day, swampy areas in the yard, everything looks gross on the ground, but the sun is beautiful. So, everyone keep looking up.

I hope you all have enjoyed the wonderful moon that has been out for at least a week now. I hope you have all had clear skies.

Joe had his annual Big Winnie Fish Club outing last weekend and brought home some little fishies.

The annual Worm Moon Party is next weekend, March 13, 2010, and everyone is invited.

Today is the 19th Anniversary of the day Joe and I met. Whoot-whoot. We are going out for Vietnamese food. Yup, Andrew and Jill, I am ordering Pho!

Cabin Fever is just about doing me in. Miles of winter to go before spring.

Ta-ta

Better Late Than Never

Shortly after Thanksgiving Rachel's camera broke - well it suffered a debilitating blow and was sent to Massachusetts to get an estimate. We were very surprised when we phoned in our authorization for the repairs that the camera was no longer in Massachusetts but now on holiday in the Dominican Republic. (Do all Nikon cameras go to the Dominican Republic to either "pass on" or "have surgery"?)

The camera just got back from its vacation today and seems to be rested and working well. Thus, we were finally able to download the pictures from Thanksgiving. Too bad there are no shots from the nature walk.

This looks really cool but I was not in the room when Gordon looked at it, so I have no clue what he is holding. A plate with stripes? A twig weaving?

A beautiful table

I think it is time to make the gravy.

Since Amanda and Bryan were not there I was able to work on my Christmas gift. I just pulled out a huge twisted, knotted mess in the center of my skein. I hate it when that happens.

Enjoying a bountiful meal.

Since No One Else is Posting...

This must be a busy time of year or something. Let's see...there were/are birthdays to celebrate (Gramma, Chris, my dad, and my mom tomorrow). I went to Denver for four days for a conference, where my organization got an award, and I got to see some old camp friends. Bryan was promoted to Engineering Manager. We bought some new luggage. The Altbier got bottled. Work is really busy for both of us. Nearly all the snow has melted, and it has been a pathetic winter. We went to the gym tonight and then had cheese and crackers for dinner. That's about it. So, now it's your turn. Go!