Mom and me with the really weird squash we bought at the farmers' market

Word of the Day

Tellum - The complete opposite of a mullet; Short in the back, long in the front.

It's been a long and wonderful spring and summer here at The Lake. I've been keeping busy with gardening, cooking, brewing wine, enjoying visits with friends and family, berry picking, jam-making, fishing and canning. I left Arizona, heading to The Lake via Huntsville, Texas and Gretna, Nebraska on April 3rd. I'm leaving The Lake, heading back to Arizona, via Gretna, Nebraska and Huntsville, Texas, on September 29th. My garden needs to hustle because it's time to start thinking about putting The Lake to bed for the winter.

A picture is worth a thousand words so here's a summary of what has happened since the end of March and the last time I blogged.


Welcome Tammy!


Me and Tammy (Picture taken on April 6, 2011)


Celebrating the birth of Tammy


Rocking Out at Home(Picture taken on April 7

My new grand-daughter, Tammy, was born on April 5. I arrived in Lufkin, Texas, checked into my hotel, and headed to the hospital...just in time to see my daughter Sarge before she was rolled into surgery for her c-section delivery. Welcome, Tammy! She weighed in at 7#, 15 oz. and measured 19 and 1/2 inches long/tall. I took a lot of pictures, most of which will be saved until they can be dragged out and shown at some future, really embarrassing moment...for Tammy.


Kylee in Snowy Wisconsin


A Cold Welcome to Wisconsin

I left sunny Texas on April 9th, continuing on my way to The Lake, via Gretna, Nebraska where I enjoyed a short visit with DD Daughter, GI Joe, and grandchildren, Ms. N and Mr. T before continuing on to a not so sunny Wisconsin on April 12th. Thankfully, my road was clear but it was a bit iffy. Lots of snow. Good thing I packed my flannel-lined jeans and had plenty of firewood out in the garage for nightly fireplace fires. Kylee, with her thick coat, loved the cold. Me? Not so much.


Enjoying the Warmth of May


New Garden Support for the Raspberries


Hidden Support for a Rickety Old Split Rail Fence

As soon as the frost was out of the ground, I got busy with getting my flower gardens rejuvenated with a fresh layer of bark mulch, cutting back my raspberry bushes, stabilizing my slit-rail fence by the driveway, and adding some much needed support for raspberry canes near the garage. My Dad was a huge help with the fencing projects. Dad has been a great help this summer. He also helped me fix a torn screen door, adding a screen guard to protect it in the future from little fingers and sharp claws, and helping me fix the door out to my back deck which was de-laminating.


#1 Son and Girlfriend

Although I wasn't able to get the dock and boats in before the opener of fishing season, I did end up getting everything in by the following weekend. My son and his girlfriend have enjoyed using the boat a few times this spring and summer.


Three Sister Garden Experiment


Tomatoes


Deck Garden


Kylee and the Chipmunk


Waiting While May Gardens Grow

I got all my gardens planted by Memorial Day. Unfortunately, we got some late summer frost so I had to drag out sheets to cover things so they wouldn't freeze. this year I decided to experiment in my kennel garden with a Three Sister method of planting. Corn, pole beans and squash. At the ending of this summer, I can say that this experiment wasn't all that successful. The chipmunks kept digging out the corn and bean seed. I ended up trapping and transporting eleven chipmunks. As I couldn't tell if I was trapping the same two chipmunks over and over again, I decided to mark them with fluorescent paint before releasing them. Since I haven't seen and orange fluorescent chipmunks running around my yard, I've decided that there were just a bumper crop of chipmunks this year. My apologies to those poor people who have spotted weirdly marked chipmunks to their yards and have wondered if they might have been drinking too much. Aside from chipmunks, the corn kept toppling over so I ended up having to bring in supports, the pole beans went crazy and tried to choke out the corn, the squash kept producing male blossoms (which I enjoyed eating)and very few squash, and the corn doesn't really look like it will produce viable corn for eating. I also experimented with growing sugar snap peas and okra in my Earthboxes. Again, I don't think I'll repeat this experiment...or...I'll try again but keep Kylee off my deck. I had trouble getting the peas and okra to sprout in the Earthboxes, so I ended up having to replant. And then, Kylee ate the pea plants out of two of my Earthboxes. I ended up replanting yet again with Asian beans...which are producing, finally. The sugar snap peas that did survive in two my Earthboxes produced nicely so...maybe I'll try again next year. As for the okra, only four plants made it out of sixteen and those four haven't produced anything as yet. It definitely wasn't worth the effort or space in an Earthbox. As for my tomato plants. Despite the continuing problems with the dreaded blight, I've been canning V-8 to bring to Sarge for her step-daughter and I'll be canning diced tomatoes to keep here and bring to Arizona.


Father's Day at Carol's Place

We celebrated Father's Day at Sis' place and enjoyed a nice game of 500 Rummy afterwards. This was our first session of dinner and games for the summer. We've really enjoyed these nights with my folks. Sis and I have traded off on hosting our dinner and a game nights. 500 Rummy, Monopoly, and Fan Tan. Lots of fun.


Wild Oyster Mushrooms

The wild oyster mushrooms benefited from our June rains. Sis called me and told me to get my butt over to her neck of the woods because they were growing EVERYWHERE! So, I got over there and I picked 20# of these wonderful oyster mushrooms. I fried them up and froze them. They really taste great in chicken marsala. Yummm! I'll be bringing some home with me when I return to Arizona.


Pinot Grigio


Bottling Shiraz


Dad Helped with the Labels

Sis and I decided to leave off making our traditional summer wines in favor of making a couple of kit wines this summer. We made a really nice Pinot Grigio and a VERY nice Shiraz. Very tasty.


Happy Early 4th of July!


Enjoying the Buffet





DD Daughter and Tammy


Mr. T loved the beans Sis made


Sis and her Hubby


#1 Son and His Girlfriend


Sis and Tammy


HTP


Great-Grandma and Tammy


Froggy and Mr. T


Poor Ms. En


Hospital Bear


A Smiling Ms. En, enjoying the fireworks

Tom flew in from Arizona on July 2nd to spend a couple of weeks up here at The Lake. Sarge and Tammy flew in from Texas on July 2nd to spend three weeks with me here at The Lake. #1 Son and his girlfriend helped by picking everyone up at the airport. I drove to The Big City to help transport everyone to The Lake. Meanwhile DD Daughter, GI Joe and Ms. En and Mr. T drove up from Nebraska to spend one week with us here at The Lake. We had a FULL HOUSE! How wonderful to have the entire family here at The Lake! We missed D Buddy but maybe he'll be able to join us next summer.

We celebrated our Nation's birth on July 3rd with friends and family. I set up two additional tables out on our deck with much needed umbrellas to protect from the sun. Even with the additional tables, some of us had to eat inside. I'm glad Sis and her friends were able to help out. The celebration started on July 3rd and finally wound down in the early hours of July 4th with a second meal of leftovers. We had brats, beans, salad, and dessert. Poor Ms. En had a run-in with a sparkler that sent her to the emergency room with some nasty burns. A hospital bear that the nurses gave her made her feel lots better. We all felt so bad for her but she was smiling by the end of day, enjoying the fireworks that #1 Son and his girlfriend, Sarge, and my nephew Luke set off from the dock.


Getting together with HTP's Sis at a Chinese Buffet


Italian Family Reunion in The Big City


HTP and Tammy


Brunch at The Bluehills Supper Club


Eating at The Mall of America


Tammy is Worn out at The Mall of America

With very little time with the entire family, it was hard to fit everything in that we wanted to do, but we tried. All too soon it was time to say goodbye to family. #1 Son and his girlfriend left on July 5th but came back to drive HTP to the airport on the 17th. DD Daughter, GI Joe, Ms. En and Mr. T headed home on July 9th after an Italian family reunion in The Big City. HTP headed home on July 17th after a traditional family brunch at The Bluehills Supper Club. Sarge and Tammy headed home on July 21st but not before we had to make an obligatory trip to The Mall of America. It was sad to see everyone go. So quiet.


Kylee and the Crawfish


Yummm! Crawfish!

Kylee has been fascinated with my crayfish trapping. Here at The Lake, crayfish trapping is bountiful during the hot summer months. Unfortunately, I haven't spent too much time out on the lake doing any fishing so I've run out of bait for my traps. Maybe next time #1 Son and his girlfriend will find the time to come up to spend one more weekend up here before I head on back to Arizona. However, the weather is starting to cool off along with the water temperatures. Crayfish trapping needs warm temperatures.


Beaning Mom with One Weird Squash

In August my folks and I visited the farmers' market in the city. I picked up enough cucumbers and dill to make twelve quarts of dill pickles and one really strange Asian squash that tastes much like zucchini.

One of my best friends, her husband and daughter came to visit for a weekend. My friend wanted me to plan lots of activities for her husband to take care of while they were here....so I did. However, while they were here, her poor husband helped me replace the boards on my dock bench and then he had to go swimming when the drill battery fell into the lake. Yes, he was able to retrieve the battery. He re-nailed in some siding that was drooping and he replaced my kitchen faucet with a brand new one that works far better than my old one. I'll have to see if I can figure out more projects for next summer.

Unfortunately, none of us thought to take pictures during their visit, but, we picked blackberries, enjoyed the last of the summer raspberries, made ratatouille from the first of my eggplant, enjoyed brats on the grill, steaks on the grill, and sampled the Pinot Grigio and Shiraz wine that Sis and I bottled earlier in the summer. Good times.


Marigolds

And so, on this last day of August, I posted a final picture of the marigolds that I planted from seed at the end of June. It's a perfect day for blogging. Last night it rained and it's still drippy and dreary outside. I'd planned to go out berry picking but it's just too wet outside today. Tomorrow is another day.

Tomorrow? In July, Mom had cataract surgery on her left eye. Tomorrow I'll be heading to the city with my folks so my Mom can consult her doctor for getting cataract surgery on her right eye. Summer is winding down but there's much that still needs doing.

Random Thought of the Day

Why are the little styrofoam pieces called peanuts?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.

- Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

Ms En - Phoenix Zoo - March 3, 2011


Old Grey Frog - Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center - March 27, 2011

Word of the Day


Teletalktic - Describing one who talks frequently on the phone.


Since I haven't blogged for so long, I decided to post a review using pictures.

We planned a baby shower for my daughter Sarge at the end of February. A friend of Sarge's planned the shower. Since so many of the people we invited, including DD Daughter, had to bring their own children, we decided that Chuck E Cheese's would be the best choice when it came to location. While I flew over to Texas from Arizona, DD Daughter drove down from Nebraska with Ms. En and Mr. T. and a trunkload of baby things for Sarge. We all had a great time!


DD Daughter and Ms. En at the Rainforest Cafe at The Galleria in Houston - February 26, 2011



Mr. T at Sarge's Baby Shower in Conroe, Texas - February 27, 2011


Ms. En at Sarge's Baby Shower in Conroe, Texas - February 27, 2011



Cindy, Laura, Adrienne and Sarge at Sarge's Baby Shower in Conroe,Texas - February 27, 2011



Sarge Opening Her Baby Shower Gifts - Conroe, Texas - February 27, 2011

After flying home from Texas, I quickly baby-proofed my Arizona house in preparation of a grandchild invasion. DD Daughter, Ms. En and Mr. T drove from Texas to Arizona for a short visit and respite from the cold temperatures of their home in Nebraska. We did a lot of shopping and visited the Phoenix Zoo.


Old Grey Frog and Ms. En Riding the Carousel - March 3, 2011


DD Daughter with Ms. En and Mr. T at the Phoenix Zoo - March 3, 2011

Meanwhile, Kylee and I have been working really hard at our obedience classes. She, once again, graduated at the top of her class. If I worked with her more she'd do even better.


Graduation Day - March 19, 2011

At the end of March, a couple of my best friends met in Vegas for a Vegas Gal Weekend. We try to get together on annually for this sort of thing. It's fun to just get away with the girls. This year, on our first day, we hiked the Vegas Strip from The Riviera down to the Luxor with stops at Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum and some of the newer casinos, lunch in Paris, and a show (Menopause, the Musical) at the Luxor, followed by another long hike back down The Strip to pick up our casino shuttle at Harrah's. On our second day, we hiked Red Rock Canyon, exploring their new visitor center and enjoyed a picnic. We jammed our only two full days with activities.


Old Grey Frog and The Duke - March 26, 2011



Old Grey Frog and her friend Linda up on stage at the end of Menopause, The Musical - March 26, 2011


Hiking in Red Rock Canyon - March 27, 2011


Picnic in Red Rock Canyon - March 27, 2011


Old Grey Frog and Friends at Sam's Town - March 28, 2011

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (back home in Arizona), HTP had to buy a new computer to replace his old one (power supply died) and our water heater sprang a leak. Poor HTP. What a mess! Nothing like having to deal with a flooded garage full of boxes with who knows what is in those soaked boxes (I'll find out soon). And, surprise, surprise, the tile guy who had told us that he wouldn't be able to tile our back patio until mid-April called. He could start our project on the very day that I'd be coming home from Vegas...not that I'm complaining. I'm thrilled that I now have a beautifully tiled back patio.


Tiling Our Arizona Back Patio - March 28, 2011


Our Newly Tiled Patio in Arizona - March 30, 2011

And so, we've arrived at the last day of March. My daughter, Sarge, called on March 29th to tell us that the doctor has planned the induced delivery of our new grand-daughter on April 5th. So...I'm packing and will be heading off to Texas on Sunday, April 3rd. Panic time! I was expecting this but there's no getting around the fact that packing and loading a car for a LONG roadtrip is always a bit of a panic. HTP won't be able to come with me this summer since he'll be working. I'll be driving all by my lonesome...except for Kylee. So...

April 3, will find me in Las Cruces, NM. April 4, will find me in Sonora, Texas. April 5, will find me in Lufkin, Texas...where Sarge is having her baby. She'll either be able to go home (Huntsville) on April 6th or April 7th. I'll be staying with Sarge, D Buddy and the new babygirl (name as yet to be determined) for two nights before continuing on my merry way toward Omaha, Nebraska. I'll stop one night near Oklahoma City enroute to Omaha. I figure I'll be spending two nights in Omaha before continuing on to The Lake...where...I'll be for the rest of the summer. But...first I've got to pack.

Random Thought of the Day

Why does the Easter bunny carry eggs? Rabbits don't lay eggs.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.

Og Mandino (1923 - 1996)

Word of the Day

Telepathetic - Describing a miserable failure in an attempt to use mental telepathy to communicate or receive information.

Hi ho, Hi ho, it's off to work we go. HTP headed off to work this morning for the first time in years. It's going to take a while to get the hang of a new morning routine. With a few minor tweaks, I'm sure we'll become accustomed to this new routine by the end of the week. I'm going to have to get used to eating so early. I'm going to have to get used to making breakfast at the same time as I'm taking care of Kylee's needs. HTP has the worst of it. He's the one going off to work each day. Crap! I don't know what time he'll be getting home from work. When am I supposed to have supper ready? *sigh*

We had friends over last night for the Super Bowl. Fresh margaritas, seven layer taco dip, meatballs in marinara sauce, chips and dips, chicken wings and veggies. Lots of food. Any noteworthy commercials? Well...not so much. Half-time show? Ummmm....well, I guess it was supposed to be Tron-like but... I'm not into the whole rap thing. Major fail when it came to the national anthem. But, the game was great. The Green Bay Packers won.

Random Thought of the Day

Why does caregiver and caretaker mean the same thing?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked.

- Erich Segal

We've Got an Ice Fountain


Icicles? Really? In the desert?

We've had three solid days of very cold weather here in The Valley of the Sun. The over-night temperatures have been in the teens and twenty's. I shouldn't complain because temperatures back in Wisconsin are LOTS colder. But, we're not accustomed to that sort of cold weather here where I live. My fountain is frozen over...solid. I'll have to wait until things thaw out a bit before I can safely run it...maybe tomorrow...or the next day.

Word of the Day

Teleflector - 1. One who uses a television as a mirror in its off position. 2. The television, in its off state, used as a mirror.

Once again I find myself having to play catch up with my blogging. So much has occurred since the last time I blogged. To cut to the heart of the matter, HTP is going back to work. I've got mixed feeling about this and so does HTP. Ideally, it would be nice if HTP and I could live out the remainder of our lives without HTP or me having to go back to work. Unfortunately, with the economy the way it has been for the last eleven years.... Thankfully, HTP was able to find a job because jobs are pretty darn scarce these days, especially for those of us who are getting a bit grey. I know, age discrimination isn't supposed to happen but...it does. Apparently, most employers assume that all learning leaks out of the senior mind. We can't handle such modern devices...like the cell phone or, a laptop. And, of course past experience has become null and void.

HTP starts back to work on Monday. That sounds pretty simple but the list of things that had to be done before Monday is just starting to come under some semblance of control. Because HTP will be working here in Arizona, we needed to officially "move" to Arizona. Since we've already been living here in Arizona during the winter months, there won't actually be any moving to do. However, we still had to do everything that needed doing to change our official residence status from Wisconsin to Arizona. We spent a LONG three hours at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) getting new Arizona driver's licenses and a new license plate for the car that HTP will be need here in Arizona. Our number was M852 and the first M they called (after one hour) was M825. I did have my Kindle with me which helped me pass the time. That place was packed. Unfortunately, I was so happy to get out of the place that I left my Kindle on the counter where they take those nice photos. *sigh* Oh well, we're official Arizona residents now. We've got our nice shiny licenses to prove it and at the same time, we were able to register to vote.

Thankfully, no-one stole my Kindle. However, to be on the safe side, I ended up calling the Kindle support people so they could make my missing Kindle unusable...after getting back home and finding out that my Kindle was among the missing and after calling the DMV and remaining on hold for the half hour from 4:30 PM and when they close at 5 PM. I know this because I was told, after holding for a half hour, that I'd have to call again in the morning. A computerized voice told me this.... I won't apologize for my language after I heard it. However, when I called the next morning, I actually got to talk to a person and was relieved to discover that my Kindle was safe and sound. I will say that everyone was very nice when HTP and I drove to the DMV the next morning to retrieve my Kindle and it didn't take more that a minute. We were out and about in that neck of the woods anyway.

Insurance. Because we changed the licensing of the car over to Arizona, we also had to stop over at our insurance agent's office to switch the insurance over to Arizona. And, because Wisconsin is east of the Mississippi river, that isn't as easy as you'd think. Even though our insurance company in Wisconsin is the same as the one in Arizona, they are in different regions. Apparently, these two regions don't talk to each other, Internet-wise. So, what should have taken a couple of minutes, ended up taking an hour. They had to write up a new policy. Oh well, another item checked off the "moving" list.

Next? One whole day was spent sorting through all the clothes that HTP has accumulated over the years in our over-stuffed closet. It turns out that HTP had a lot of clothes but very few of them qualified as official work clothes. Two huge sacks of his clothes ended up headed for our local Savers (Boys and Girls Clubs of America thrift store)because HTP has lost a lot of weight over the last few years plus, HTP keeps saving stuff to wear...just in case he needs to paint the house? Anyway, all of the work clothes that remained had to be washed because they'd been sitting in our closet for years. Although it looked like HTP had plenty of clothes to wear to work, most of the shirts had long-sleeves and there was only one pair of pants that wasn't black. Time to replenish and update HTP's work wardrobe. So, there went another day. Shopping.

Meanwhile, HTP had to read through all the various healthcare insurance options offered by his new employer. There are SOOOOO many different options these days. I won't go into all of them but it took days and days to decide which option made the most sense for us. And, of course, when and if Obama-care goes into affect, we may end up having to go through all the choices again because I think the one we chose might be eliminated. We'll cross that bridge when and if that road is taken.

I think we've got everything back under control now, here, not in Egypt, but I won't go into what will probably be a game-changer for the future, not because I don't feel that what's happening in Egypt isn't important, it is, but, there's really nothing I can do about what's happening there. I have enough trouble controlling my own little bit of my own little world and you'll just have to forgive my run-on sentences and trivialities. HTP just went off to get a hair cut. Our To Do List has more of the day to day tasks on it now. We're having friends over on Sunday for the Super Bowl so I'm working out a menu. I managed to get all the fruit off my trees and my neighbor gave me another three bags full of grapefruit which I'll either have to give away or juice. I made some orange marmalade, or maybe I should really call it tangelo marmalade from a few of my tangelos. We've been interviewing landscapers so HTP won't have to take care of that sort of thing now that he's going to be working. I think I finally found one that I can trust to do what I want while I'm not here to supervise but I still want to get another couple of bids. Kylee and I started her intermediate obedience classes which meant that I had to buy some new training equipment. There's the baby shower in Texas at the end of this month followed by a nice visit with DD Daughter, Ms. En, and Mr. T. before they head back to their home in Nebraska. There will be a Vegas Gal weekend at the end of March. And then it'll be off to meet and greet Sarge and D Buddy's new baby in April before heading up to The Lake for the summer. But...that's all fodder for future blogs.

Random Thought of the Day

Can a short person "talk down" to a taller person?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

To achieve great things we must live as though we were never going to die.

- Marquis de Vauvenargues

The Diploma


Kylee wasn't too thrilled when it came to wearing her mortar board hat.


Word of the Day

Telecrastination - The act of always letting the phone ring at least twice before you pick it up, even when you're only six inches away.


It's


Graduation


Day!


Kylee graduated from her beginning obedience class today. Woohoo! Celebration! She'll be starting on her intermediate classes next weekend.


Random Thought of the Day

If a bald person works as a chef at a restaurant, do they have to wear a hairnet?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

I'm not judging people, I'm judging their actions. It's the same type of distinction that I try to apply to myself, to judge, but not be judgmental.

- Jeff Melvoin, Northern Exposure, Crime and Punishment, 1992

Word of the Day

Telebility - Having the ability to tell if a television is on by hearing a high pitched ringing in one's ear from around the corner, or anywhere in the house.

Last night, one of my neighbors rang the doorbell (right during the movie Knowing...which was really a bit depressing despite the "hope for the future" thing.) Her daughter gave her several bags of lemons and she didn't need so many so she wanted to know if I'd like one of the bags. Argh! Of course, I took them but... What am I going to do with more lemons?! I'm NOT going to make any more limoncello. I end up gifting most of the limoncello I make and I already some limoncello from the batches I made a couple years ago. The single batch of limoncello that I've got brewing will be plenty for future gifts. I think I'll juice and zest these new lemons, portioned out and frozen, to make future lemon meringue pies. Thank goodness I have a freezer. I do love lemon meringue pie. I really don't NEED lemon meringue pie either but....

Have you ever noticed that when you're on a diet that almost every commercial on TV has a food or beverage theme? And the Weight-Watchers people and the like don't help either because all they show is more food. *sigh* Oh well, I'm doing my best. I've even given up my nightly glass of wine, in hopes that I can drop the extra pounds that I've picked up over the holidays. It doesn't help that HTP's brother is going to be here (in Arizona) this weekend and talked to HTP about getting together with us. However, HTP's brother may give us a call to tell us that he and his new wife are too busy to get together with us. Since they are in the process of getting their new vacation home furnished and decorated, which can take lots of time, I won't fault them if they do call us to cancel the possible get-together. And, HTP and I were asked to out for dinner and a movie with friends this weekend which we had to postpone until next weekend because of HTP's brother. I really wanted to see that new movie The Green Hornet. I hope the movie is still showing next weekend. oh well...at least HTP and I won't be able to cheat on our diets if we end up staying home this weekend.

Random Thought of the Day

How fast do hotcakes sell?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise.

- Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

Kylee

I'll have to make sure I post a graduation picture.

Word of the Day

Teenanswer - Any answer to a question that doesn't properly address the question, like those of a teenager.

Kylee had lessons yesterday. She did very well...even when we played musical dogs (switched handlers). Next Saturday will be her last day of the beginners' classes. Graduation Day. I hear that there are going to be pictures taken, and she gets a genuine diploma. Meanwhile, I signed her up for the next series of classes. Intermediate Obedience Training.

I had an orchestra practice at the church this morning....and next Sunday. It didn't take too long to run through the music. So, that gave me plenty of time to do some shopping. I picked up a some oranges so I could make more Arancello. I picked up some picture frames for the pictures that DD Daughter gave me of Mr. T and Ms. En. And...I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some groceries. All things accomplished and it wasn't even noon as yet.

I'd already started on batch of Limoncello from some lemons my neighbor gave me. At the same time I started a batch of Arancello from some of the tangelos from my own tree. However, after consulting with Sis, and since I really didn't think I had all that many tangelos growing on my tree this year, I picked up some oranges and started two more batches of Arancello, using navel oranges. Unfortunately, I was only able to purchase one bottle of Everclear at the store so....I'll have to buy more Everclear to add to one of the batches. Looks like I'll have to hunt up some more Everclear from a different store. As a matter of fact, I'll have to purchase three more bottles of Everclear because it turns out that I actually do have more tangelos on my tree. More than I thought. I picked enough tangelos to make another full batch of Arancello, and enough when added to the remaining oranges that I'd bought to make up a mixed batch of Arancello (1/2 tangelo, 1/2 orange). Waste not, want not. I'll have to run out to the store to buy some soda water to go with all the orange juice I've got in the fridge. I juiced up all the oranges. I'm going to have to freeze some of the juice. There's no way that I can drink all that much juice all by myself...even if HTP helps.

Random Thought of the Day

Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

A man may well bring a horse to the water but he cannot make him drink.

- John Heywood (1497 - 1580)

Kylee - January 14, 2010

I was only able to take the above picture because I ordered her to go to her box and put her on a Down Stay. Otherwise, she'd have been a whirling mass of blurred fur.

Word of the Day

Tearyold - Descriptive of the act of a two-year-old or such young child throwing a tantrum.

I treated myself to a facial and a haircut and style at Dolce Salon this week. Normally, a visit to this salon wouldn't fit into the budget but Groupon had a special deal so I took advantage of it. The hour long facial was fabulous. An hour well spent. And the hair-stylist who cut my hair did a wonderful job. Let's just hope that I can make it look just as good when it comes to washing and styling. I think I can...maybe. However, for right now, I love it. Two hours at the Dolce Salon & Spa and I'm glad I purchased an addition "coupon" for a future visit....just before I head back to Wisconsin for the summer.

I've been taking Kylee to obedience classes. She's doing quite well. I'm loving the Gentle Leader that the instructor advised me to purchase. Actually, I love it so much that I purchased one for my folks for their dog. My folks tell me that Sandy is a totally different dog when she's out for walks with my Dad (T-Square). T-Square tells me that it's a miracle. Meanwhile, Kylee sits on command and lies down on command. She's learned the "Leave it" command but is somewhat iffy on it. She's learned "Wait" but is still working on certain aspects of that command. I'm trying to keep her from exploding out of her kennel each morning when I open the door or racing out the front or back doors. Apparently, that lesson is being introduced this Saturday. Kylee is working on the "Stay" command and is doing fairly well at it....but has a few lapses. Most of Kylee's problems with training are directly attributable to her handler. Me. I need to take her for more walks and exercise her distractability quotient by taking her to PetSmart more often. Lots of distractions at PetSmart. But...she's doing quite well...and I'm learning.

Big news! Sarge and D Buddy are going to have a baby! April. Sarge told us right before Thanksgiving. I'm hoping to go to Texas at the end of February so I can hostess a baby shower for her. In the meantime, I've just finished up making several baby blankets and a couple of baby afghans for the new grandchild. A girl...or so I've been told, however, Sarge told me that she doesn't want any frilly pink girly things (which tells me that my new grand-daughter is sure to become the head cheerleader at her school and haunt the malls looking for the latest addition to her shoe collection because that's just the nature of things). Of course, HTP and I also plan to drive out there in April to meet the new little one.

Random Thought of the Day

How far east can you go before you're heading west?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Martyrdom... is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability.

- George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

HTP, DD Daughter, and #1 Son - Sushi Night in Minnesota - December 2010

Word of the Day

Teamlet - A team within a larger team. Consisting of as few as one member, teamlets can research topics of great importance and report back to a team or larger teamlet which reports to an even larger team.

Happy


New Year


Everyone!

OK....so I'm almost a couple weeks late but...

So much has happened since last I blogged. Sadly, HTP's Mom passed away in December. We flew back to Minnesota for the visitation and funeral. Once again we gathered as a family to say goodbye and make the sad trip to Wisconsin where HTP's Mom was buried beside the church that both HTP's attended for most of their lives. Together once again.


Together Again

I had finished most of my Christmas preparations prior to our trip to Minnesota. I'd purchased a brand new artificial tree which required more space than I'd predicted and anticipated. I ended up having to move furniture in order to accommodate it. However, with #1 Son joining us for Christmas and his girlfriend joining us after Christmas, I pulled out all the stops and moved the furniture and decorated the house for Christmas...pulling out more decorations than I've used in years.


New Christmas Tree

#1 Son flew in on December 23rd and quickly prepared to play his trumpet at the Christmas Eve service at our church.


Brass Ensemble - Christmas Eve 2010

We celebrated Christmas quietly at home with friends. I made a prime rib dinner. Normally, I end up setting off the fire alarms when I make prime rib but I averted this ear-bleeding problem on Christmas. There's nothing quite like a quiet Christmas. After dinner, we enjoyed watching a movie that Santa brought us for Christmas and then broke out our new Wii (a gift from HTP and Me to HTP and me) and bowled. Fun times.


#1 Son - Christmas Morning 2010


Christmas Wine - A Christmas Present from my children


Christmas Dinner 2010

A few days after Christmas, #1 Son's girlfriend flew in to join us here in Arizona. And then we all drove to Las Vegas to ring in the New Year. I repeat. Happy New Year Everyone!


New Year's Day Breakfast in Vegas - Family and Friends

Christmas has come and gone. #1 Son and his girlfriend are back in Minnesota. The decorations have all been stowed away. I've been working out with our new WiiFit on an almost daily basis. Our friends came over to help me bottle some French Cabernet, a wine kit that I decided to experiment with for the first time. I was so pleased enough with the kit wine that I discussed the possibility of making future kits with Sis. Though our own efforts are OK, there's only so much of that stuff we can drink.

And so, this brings you up to date. I won't promise a daily post but I'll try.

Random Thought of the Day

Why do doctors leave the room when you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch.

- John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)

Kylee loves her Kong Frisbee

Word of the Day

Tch - An expression of disagreement.

The weather has turned cooler and my wardrobe is lacking. So far, I haven't needed the jacket that I left at DD Daughter's house but I KNOW I'll need it before too long. However, I'm not complaining...too much. It actually snowed where #1 Son lives. I'm not sure if it snowed at The Lake. Hopefully, our handy-man has adjusted the rocks on either side of our driveway at The Lake because the township won't be too pleased if they wreck their plow on those rocks.

I spent the day with my friend. Lunch and a trip to Saver's. I bought some cool weather appropriate shirts. Goodbye capris and sandals, hello jeans and long-sleeve shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts. Afterwards, I stopped at Target...just because. There is no Target at The Lake so it's nice to just wander through and see what's what. I actually bought some of their box wines, something that I normally don't purchase. However, it's hard to argue with the savings. One box of Target wine = four bottles of wine. And right now, Target box wine costs $16. There's no way that I could purchase a bottle of wine for $4...and live through the experience. No, Target wine doesn't taste like $4 wine. Quite frankly, Target wine tastes a lot better than some wines that have set me back a lot more. Besides, I have boxes and boxes of empty wine bottles out in the garage which I can use when I get around to bottling my pomegranate wine.

Aside from my trip to Target, I stopped at PetSmart to pick up a treat pouch for Kylee's training sessions...and a bucket of treats that the instructor recommended. Her next lesson is in a week. I plan to be prepared. I also plan to work with Kylee on a daily basis...before the class. I wonder if I should take my Advil before next week's class?

Random Thought of the Day

At a movie theater which arm rest is yours?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Make hunger thy sauce, as a medicine for health.

- Thomas Tusser, 1524

Word of the Day

Taterfamilias - The head of the Potato Head family.

Last summer my sister inventoried her freezers at The Lake. Yesterday, I bought a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving. I barely found room for it in my freezer. The turkey was my last straw. It became more than apparent that there are LOTS of things in both the big, upright freezer in my laundry room AND the freezer part of my side-by-side refrigerator. Time to do an inventory. If you don't know what is in your freezer...or cupboards...you just end up running out to the grocery store for things that you already have, in abundance. However, having said that. The turkey I bought yesterday, is the only turkey that is currently residing in my freezer.

The inventory took me two LONG hours. I now have two printed pages of things that are in my upright freezer and one printed page of things that are in my side-by-side freezer. From the look of things, I've been preparing for The Great Famine. And I've been making those preparations since 2007, but I did find some blackberries that I'd vacuum-sealed in 2002. *sigh* I'm sure they'll be great in wine, but obviously, it's time to use some of this stuff up. I've already thrown away the mystery foods.

Mystery food? Apparently, someone (probably me), put some food in the freezer without bothering to identify it with the mistaken idea that I'd use it before having to label it. Wrong. I figure if you can't figure out what something is by looking at it, and you can't remember when you put it in the freezer, it's time to throw it out. I'm making a resolution to label things from now on. My memory isn't what it used to be. And NOTHING goes into the freezer before it has been entered into the inventory. What am I talking about?! NOTHING goes into the freezer until I whittle the inventory list down to ONE page.

As for vintage foods?...well, HTP and I are going to enjoy a couple of three year old "vintage" T-Bone steaks tonight. I'm hoping that the Fried Italian Peppers (also found in the freezer - Fall 2009, but vacuum-sealed) will help mask the freezer burn on the meat. I can say that the frozen burritos (2009?) that I cooked up for lunch tasted just fine.

Needless to say, no-one is going to be running out to the grocery store in the near future for any meat. We've got meat. Check the inventory. I suppose I should inventory my two pantries next. *sigh*

Thought of the Day Random

Why doesn't McDonald's sell hotdogs?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.

- Moses Ibn Ezra, Shirat Yisrael

Finished Landscaping...for now.


There was a rock under that palm tree?


Word of the Day

Tarnation - The land flowing with tar. The majority of the world's tar is exported from this country.


Happy


Veteran's


Day!


Wow! It's been a whole month since I blogged...over a month? Well...I've been a bit busy and I've also been just plain old lazy about blogging. Let's see if I can catch you up.

1. I planted two tomato plants, some lettuce, and some zucchini.

I know. I'd just managed to harvest all the fruits from my summer gardens at The Lake but I couldn't resist the thought of fresh veggies here in Arizona. The tomatoes are doing quite well. I wish I could say the same for the lettuce and zucchini. I don't think the lettuce likes how dry things are here and since I planted the zucchini into my flower bed...I'm not sure it likes our soil.

2. I've got everything unpacked.

All the boxes and boxes of stuff that HTP and I brought home from The Lake have been unpacked and everything has been put away. Unpacked doesn't necessarily mean put away in my household so I thought I should clarify.

3. I played my clarinet at the church.

I had a wonderful time playing my clarinet with our original contemporary group at the church. A couple of the original group have moved to the high country and some have retired so it was wonderful to get together again.

4. I raced off to Nevada to clear and clean up my folks' house so it could be put up for sale.

It took me a week to get everything accomplished. On the day that I arrived, I discovered that garbage pick up was scheduled for the following morning. So, I ran around the house (room to room) and filled 12 HUGE black garbage bags with things that I KNEW I couldn't sell or donate. I also called Salvation Army to schedule a pick up...which...I eventually cancelled. On Day 2, I called a used furniture store to see if they'd like to buy some of the furniture that my folks had in their home. I also started calling and scheduling possible Realtors. Oh...and I called Vietnam Vets to pick up a load of things for donation which I'd started to box and bag up the previous night. And I had GE come in to fix my folks' dishwasher. The water pump was bad. The used furniture people came over and appraised the furniture that they wanted and then sent someone over to pick it up and pay me. The Vietnam Vets took a truckload of other stuff. Meanwhile, I interviewed the first realtor. On Day 3, I continued boxing up things for donation and I had someone come in to clean the carpets. I also interviewed two more Realtors....who ended up having to wear booties to protect the newly cleaned carpets. On Day 4, the boxing up of stuff continued and I interviewed the last of the Realtors...and hired said realtor. I hope he does a good job. I picked all the almonds from my folks' tree AND all the pomegranates. I also hired a landscaper to clean up the yard and scheduled a window cleaner to come out to clean all the windows. And...I bagged up and hauled a bunch more stuff out for garbage collection. Day 5, more packing up so stuff. I shipped out two boxes of stuff (including almonds and pomegranates) to my folks. The landscaper did a great job with the yard clean-up and hauled off stuff that the garbage people refused to take. I washed up the patio furniture and got it set up outside. My friend and her hubby came over for supper (no I didn't get rid of EVERYTHING)and we ate outside...I did get rid of the kitchen table and the dining room table. Someone came out and installed the For Sale sign. Day 6 was spent packing, cleaning and clearing out all the kitchen cabinets and the garage and anything that I missed. My friend's hubby took five loads of stuff to The Salvation Army for donation. AND he installed the part for my folks' kitchen sink...which I ordered earlier in the week...AND he replaced the two anti-siphon valves on the hose bibs outside. I've got the best friends EVER! My friend even helped clean the showers! And, they agreed to take lots of stuff over to their home (in Vegas)for a future garage sale and because some things I just wasn't willing to part with and I'd already jam-packed (Tetris-style), everything that I could into the Gator. Then the best friends ever, took me to a nearby casino for supper which I paid for because they are the best friends ever. Day 7, my friend's hubby came over in the morning to pick up the last of the things that they were going to keep and transport for me....and I gave the realtor my key. Day 8, did I tell you that all this time Kylee was with me? She did pretty good...other than when she chewed up the cord for my Kindle. Kylee and I piled into a VERY loaded car, locked up the house, and headed back home to Arizona.


5. I discovered that #1 Son is coming for Christmas and he wanted to go to Vegas for New Year's.

So...HTP and I discussed going to Vegas to celebrate New Year's....and then we discussed going to Vegas for Halloween...just for fun. So I called our casino hostess and made reservations for HTP and me for the end of October and for New Year's with an extra room for #1 Son and his girlfriend...but not before I made reservations at a local kennel for Kylee.

6. We had HTP's brother and his new wife over for dinner.

HTP's brother and his new wife bought a new home (a second home) in Arizona. They flew in for a few days to take care of things and buy stuff for their new home so, HTP and I had them over for dinner one night. Steaks on the grill. They told us that they'd be coming back to Arizona for Thanksgiving. Now, I'm wondering if I should be planning on having Thanksgiving dinner here with them...or over there at their new place...or a quiet meal for just HTP and me. Regardless, I plan to buy a whole turkey and have it thawing...just in case.

7. I picked the pomegranates - from my tree this time.

I ended up having to really prune back my pomegranate tree. It had completely overgrown my air-conditioner over the summer which caused the poor thing to croak (the AC unit, not the pomegranate tree). So, I combined the chore of pruning with picking. It took me a full day to clean and juice the pomegranates. I canned the juice and stored the pulp in the fridge until I could start making the wine...after HTP and I got back from Vegas.


8. HTP and I went to Vegas.

After dropping Kylee off at the kennel (she couldn't come with us), HTP and I drove to Vegas, crossing the new Boulder Dam bypass bridge. Wonderful! I thought I'd be a bit nervous crossing such a REALLY TALL bridge (after seeing the bridge under construction from below as we crossed the Dam) but you don't even notice how far you'd fall if you went over the edge because they have retainer walls on either side. No stopping on the bridge. However, HTP and I noted that there were people walking on the other side of the retainer walls. We think there must be an elevator that takes tourist up to see the bridge from the Dam. Interesting but I'm not sure that I would ever actually do that. *shudder* Anyway, we spent three nights in Vegas just eating, drinking and having fun. And, Kylee was excited to see us when we got back. I'd rather not leave Kylee at a kennel but everyone there seemed to love her and it's good to know that there's somewhere nearby where I can take Kylee should the need arise again...like for New Year's.

9. I started a double batch of Pomegranate Wine.

This last summer must have been a bad year for pomegranates. I was only able to pick half as many pomegranates as I had last year. But...oh well...I still had enough to make a double batch of Pomegranate wine. Seven days of bubble, bubble and I was able to air-lock two buckets of wine which I'll have to rack at the beginning of December.

10. I sold lots of stuff at a garage sale.

Remember all those boxes of stuff my friends helped me with in Vegas? Well, there was a neighborhood garage sale scheduled for the beginning of November at my friends' house in Arizona. So, we had a garage sale....a successful garage sale. No, I didn't sell EVERYTHING we had hoped to sell, but we sold enough that there wasn't too many things left over for donation or for our next garage sale. Yes, I kept some things for next time.

11. Kylee had her first obedience class.

*MOAN* Kylee was a complete hoyden! Actually, this may have been a good thing because I learned a few things...and Kylee did too. But, by the end of the hour long class, I had a headache that made me wonder if my eyes were bleeding. Kylee was so excited to see all the other dogs in the class and all these people who she wanted to play with her, she barked (such a shrill bark!), for almost the entirety of the class, making it almost impossible to hear the instructor. Needless to say, I'm going to be working with Kylee on the "calming" exercise that the instructor showed us all AND I need to work on ignoring my dog when she barks commandingly and in such a shrill manner. The latter is going to take some work.

12. I've packed up and mailed several boxes of stuff to my folks at The Lake and I packed up and mailed a couple of boxes of stuff to Sarge in Texas.

Yes, I still had more things to mail off to my folks from their Nevada home. Plus, I had to clear out my own cupboards to make room for some of the things that I'd brought back from my folks' place, stuff that I wanted to keep. So, I packed up a couple of boxes of stuff to send to Sarge. I'm really loving The UPS Store. I forgot to mention that I sent a couple of boxes of stuff to DD Daughter after I got back from Nevada (after clearing out my folks' place). I may end up using them again to ship out the spinning wheel that I want up at The Lake...not here in Arizona. It sure would save me from having to pack it into the Gator next spring.


13. We had one of our windows fixed.

The weather has been really nice here in Arizona since we've been back. We've been able to open windows to air things out and cool things down at night. Unfortunately, one of the windows in our guest room wasn't working too well. The spring had sprung. Thankfully, we have a lifetime warranty on our windows here so they sent someone out to fix the window...not immediately but within a week from when we called.


14. I've pruned all the plants and trees in my front yard with the help of my wonderful neighbor.

I have a wonderful neighbor! She's been helping me prune my overgrown landscaping in the front yard...every Wednesday (except when I was in Vegas). Thursday is when our garbage collection is scheduled. Yesterday, I think, we finished up with the pruning in the front yard. That Mediterranean fan palm out front was vicious! We both ended up with blood dripping down our arms by the time we'd finished. HTP will be taking the clippings to the dump. By the time we'd finished, I'd felt like I'd been in a fight. However, our front yard is looking really nice. I'd planned to do most of this pruning last spring but the best laid plans oft-time go awry.


So...now you're all caught up on all the doings here in Arizona. We discovered that the dump is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so HTP and I will be taking the palm tree clippings to the dump this afternoon. Grocery shopping is on the schedule...after.

Happy


Belated


Birthday


Bro!


It was my favorite brother's birthday yesterday. Of course, he's my only brother but.... It was also the birthday of the Marine Corps.



Ooorah!




Random Thought of the Day

Do astronauts change their clocks when they move over different time zones in space?

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Oh sleep! It is a gentle thing,
Beloved from pole to pole.

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 - 1834)