I Think I'm Nesting

Recently I've felt that ole' "nesting" feeling.  You know, the feeling pregnant women get when they're about to deliver.  They go around cleaning up the nest preparing for the rascals wee ones.   Sanitizing, straightening, organizing, scrubbing, and general detailing.  Well, good news for all, especially John, I'm not pregnant, maybe just a little menopausal.  I have although been in "that" mood.  Note the pics below.  I do hope it sticks around awhile (I feel like I'm just getting started).

Our dishes are black and red.  The black are a bit hard to spot in the photo.  I have always preferred having the dishes in a drawer vs. a cupboard.  Easier access.

Lids neatly organized.  I actually threw some out.  I don't think I really needed a lid for every bowl since the bowls are all alike.  How often would I actually be using every bowl and lid.

Bowls all nicely stacked.

Pantry

 I have since gotten ahold of the spice cupboard and the utensil drawer and pretty much all the other kitchen cupboards.  Next is the hall closet and bathroom.

There's Monsters In My House

Raycee, Briley and I had a blast making these fun little monsters.  They were so easy to make using craft paints, tissue boxes, an egg carton, and a few wiggly eyes.  As much fun as Briley had painting her monster, my joy was 10 fold just watching her.  And...we all scared Papa when he got home.  Hehe! Thank you Mariah over at Giggles Galore for the great idea.  

Next we gathered up some leaves in the front yard, more fun than the project itself, and glued them together to make the two adorable foxes.

First Fish Feature

Do you remember your first fish?  My mother was an avid fishermanwoman, whatever, and would often take off on a fishing exhibition anytime, day or night.  For her it was all about location.  Going down to the local fishing hole dangling your rod over your shoulder and sporting a sack lunch was OUT-OF-THE- QUESTION.  The "perfect" location was usually down a steep bank with a rocky barely-there shoreline.  That in itself probably would be manageable once we were set-up and established in our spot, but my mother was never actually set-up or established.  To begin with we would spend the first hour or so carving steps in the side of the bank to haul down her fishing gear.  And the gear came in great abundance.  I guess you never know what's going to be biting that day and you must be prepared with the proper rig, or is it jig?  Apparently, I didn't have much interest in the whole "sport."  Not only did my mother have an arsenal of gear, she packed enough food for twenty people.  (note:  I'm an only child,  the total count was, at the most, three.)  We would haul down massive coolers full of potato salad, coleslaw, pork and beans, burgers, dogs, chips, and every condiment thinkable.  Plus, coolers of beer and soda.  Three hours post arrival our life's belongings were perched among rocks, boulders, tree stumps, and much brush.  Alas, the lines are casted out (or whatever that's called), we drop in our lawn chairs (wobbling on unstable ground), look around at mother nature, and sigh with relief.  Unfortunately, the moments of tranquility are short lived.  Snagged line.  I try to avoid the pleading puppy-dog-eyes by not making eye contact, but then I hear in the sweetest motherly voice there is, "Robin, my line is snagged.  Would you please."  So I find myself wading out in slimy, mucky, fish smelling, water to untangle a line that has hooked itself on a fallen tree branch.  This pretty much sets the stage for the whole day.  Adding in the fact that back then sunscreen was just for geeks.  Not good news for this tender Northern flesh.  The sun was NOT my friend.


I do remember the feeling of catching that first whopper though.  Adrenalin flowing way too fast to even keep up with the auctioneer-style sideline tips on how to reel the big guy in coming from over my shoulder.  Oh, the pressure.  Then, there it is dangling from the line.  A moment of pride, quickly taken over by my own unexpected gasp at the sight and sound of "Whack!"  Off went his head.  Minutes later mother was offering up some fresh grilled fillets.  Ugh!  The poor guy.  I'm wayyyy too sensitive for this sport.


My granddaughter, now three, recently caught her first fish.  She was giddy with excitement.  Even anxious to touch it and take a closer look.  When the little guy finally took it's last breath she was right there taking it all in.  I told her the little fishy must have went to sleep.  Her explanation, "Nah grandma, he's just dead."  So much for sensitivity.

Our 10mi Shopping

We didn't just eat in the cities.  Of course we shopped.  Here's just a smidgeon of the fun we had:

And after all that...I really needed this:

In this color.  I bit of Autumn on my feet..you like?

Our 10lb Weekend

John and I took off early Friday morning for another "spur of the moment" trip to the twin cities.  No agenda, just rode trip for two.  Living in a small rural farming town we are greatly limited in many areas including cuisine.  When we take off on one of our excursions we tend to be intrigued by the food palette available.  We actually begin salivating with anticipation as we pull away from the house. The two of us must stay calm, take deep breaths, and resort to the "eeny, meeny, miny, mo" technique to make our dining selection.  Unfortunately, on this particular trip I suggested a "multiple choice" style and John agreed.  After reviewing A, B & C, we chose D.  All of the above.  We're so weak.

Fresh organic ginger from Caribou Coffee.  Refreshing.

Saturday Lunch @ The Cheesecake Factory

My selection was the Thai Lettuce Wraps.  John chose the Meaty Fire Roasted Pizza.

So delicious, colorful, and messy.  Yum!

It would have been completely, foolishly, unthinkable to not have cheesecake at

The Cheesecake Factory.  We did share though. 

We went light for supper.  Spent the evening at John's cousin Steve's house.  Steve is a joy to hang out with and the evening was perfect.  Thanks for entertaining us Steve.

Sunday lunch @ Bubba Gumps. Coconut shrimp.  No need to say more.  We hung out here awhile and watched the Vikings kick some Cardinal butt.

Sunday supper @ Chevy's with family.  John & Lynn LaBahn, Steve LaBahn 

and Mary & Steve Korngable.  John and I shared nachos.  Our all time favorite 

food to eat anytime anywhere.  Great food, great company, great trip.

And They All Fall Down

Seriously now, who doesn't find Autumn the most beautiful season?  I just can't help myself.  As much as I want my favorite season to be Spring, or even Summer, hands down (or should I say leaves down), Autumn rules.  Although my favorite color has always been green, (Spring again), I'm fast faaallling in love with orange and yellow.  The color combinations that make up this season are breath-taking.  Yep, I'm seriously out of breath (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the crazy year we've had). 

Not only is Autumn full of colorful splendors, but it's a last hurrah of sorts.  Especially living up in the northern tundra of the U.S. of A.  We rush to squeeze in the last BBQ and pool party, admire our failing blooms, take our bikes for a quick spin, (just so we can say we rode them this year), and run around outdoors in our tanks and shorts wayyyy longer than tempts practically allow. As beautiful as it is now, we know what's coming!  And, apparently so do the birds and squirrels.  They are really psychotic possessed crazed frantic silly this time of year.  They know what's coming too!!!

And They All Fall Down!

How Great Is Our God