Life goes on

I haven't posted in a long time, looking at my last post it has been well over a year - where does the time go?

Life has been full of ups and downs and the times are uncertain.

Summer is definitely in our neck of the woods. 90 and humid today - not my favorite but I should remember it beats 30 below the donut, I suppose.

Went on a trip to restock to Costco, what an event! Last time we went was before all the crazy. Glad we did too because TP wasn't such a hot commodity! We just restocked after 3 months so we're good.

Work has mostly been remote but sometimes that doesn't work out but trying to stay clear of this virus, mostly for Frank's sake - that would NOT go well for him.

Been practicing smoking meat.

This is a chuck roast that I used a rub for brisket on and then we made pulled beef sandwiches. I basted it with au jus, it was fantastic. The ribs were awesome too.

Nature is still a beautiful thing - Until next time...

Minnesota

Just keeping the woodstove filled and us warm.

Better days are coming...

Happenings at the Sprucehaven

This morning we were greeted by 3 wolves. I got some pics (with my phone) and a small video of them. They are about 200 yards from our house so, needless to say, the hound doggies had a conniption fit!

I couldn't get them all in a picture but there were 3 all together. So, for the time being the doggies will be quarantined to the pen only. It's breeding season for the wolves so maybe for the next month or so the doggies will need to stay closer to the house.

I'm not sure what happens when it gets cold but it puts me into hyperspastic cooking mode. I wish it put me more into hyperspastic cleaning mode. Not super helpful with the new eating plan but it will pass.

Biscuits are just 2 cups self rising flour, 1/2 stick butter (cold), and some milk or buttermilk - enough to make the dough.

The bread is a good recipe but I can't link it, I can't find the link anymore. Blogger won't let me upload a pdf file either but it's basically a white bread recipe and then I used lard to oil the pans, generously. It is soft and super good! I made (but forgot to take a picture) Salisbury steak to go with it and green beans. I didn't have a recipe for Salisbury steak, just added what I thought would work.

I bake with recipes but I rarely cook with them. I can remember asking my Mom how to make certain things like how much of this or that to add and her response was, "Until it looks right." - Really? Well, now I'm doing the same thing so I guess it has come full circle.

Here's the thermometer at our place on Saturday morning - Sheesh!

That's air temp - a bit colder with windchill.

Reality Check

It is currently 8 degrees below the donut with a real feel of -18. This is definitely a downturn to what our weather this winter has been to this point. This is when the locals start flocking to warmer climates. If I were retired I can honestly say I would be joining them - UFFDA!

It all started earlier in the week when we woke up to the beauty that only a good hoar frost provides

You instinctively know that things are about to change. 2 days later we were in the deep freeze. Tonight the wind chill is supposed to reach -35.

But still we are blessed with beauty - Check out the moon dog!

Card night was a bust again - They won.

Great day for a mini roadtrip

When I got up this morning I was greeted with this beautiful sunrise.

And that was just the beginning. It was a beautiful, warm winter day. I don't know what the warmest temp was but it was melting so...above freezing. That's good enough for me.

Plans at work fell through so we decided to get in the car and head to a nearby town to do some thrifting. We had a great time and left most of it behind for others to enjoy :)

Had a nice lunch and headed back home to get ready for card night. I made a new brownie recipe that flopped so I threw in some microwave popcorn and called it good. We watched a live feed of game cameras in Georgia while we played cards. Got to see possums, deer, and a rabbit.

P.S. They won 😝

Here's to 2019

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions"

I'm not one to really make "New Years Resolutions" although it does give me pause to consider making better choices and decisions so maybe that is a resolution.

There are a few changes, let's call them improvements, that I would like to make in the coming year. First, and foremost, taking better care of myself. I tend to be an emotional eater. And, not just eating but junk eating. That has to go. I went down the path the year I turned 50 - it worked out marvelously.  But, that was 6 years ago - 6! I lost 70 pounds, looked and felt much better and then....the bad habits slowly creep back in. Within a couple years I was right back where I started. So, I would like to get back on track.

I have managed to stay off the stinky butts but am still using the e-cigarette (also known as vaping). I have kept dropping nicotine level and would like to be free of that too by next years end. I'm also an emotional smoker. *sigh*

Last, but not least, I would like to finally get ORGANIZED. I need to take the emotional eating/vaping and turn it to getting organized. Seems completely rational. Skip the bad in lieu of the good. Easier said than done but I'm going to give it a whirl nonetheless.

So, those are my top 3. We'll see how it goes. 😏

P.S. They won.

Mother Nature brings it on

The weather through the holidays was pretty mild. Actually, REALLY mild for this time of year. Mother Nature decided enough of that last night.

We woke up to anywhere from 8 - 12" of fresh snow and it looked lovely until it had to be removed from the walkways, around wood stove, front of garage, etc.

It continued to snow all day and there was about as much again tonight with the added pleasure of wind - Uffda!

I haven't posted much lately - too much going on, I guess.

Christmas will be another post. But I do have the final installment of my monthly fun socks. It was a very fun gift and my daughter is very creative. I looked forward to the package every month.

For Better or For Worse

39 years ago I walked down the aisle to join my soulmate in marriage. It was a simple ceremony - very low budget but meaningful nonetheless. We took our vows seriously and have, to this day, stayed true to those vows. Not to say it has been an easy path but nothing that is worthwhile is easy, or so they say.

We have been able to weather the worst of the worst and enjoy the best of the best. Maybe it's because we were driven to prove the naysayers wrong? Either way, we've made it this far and there's no turning back now.

Tonight we celebrated by visiting a local restaurant where we were surprised and thrilled to get a great meal, great service, and share some memories of days gone by.

When we eat out I am the one to try something new, hubby goes with tried and true. And so it is:

Steak and mashed for him.

Pecan encrusted walleye for her.

And the empty plate that was - French silk pie drizzled with extra chocolate sauce - YES!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today would have been my parent's 62nd Wedding Anniversary. I always seem to remember the date somehow.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all a bit early as tomorrow will be a complete ZOO around here as we are hosting. The SD crew just pulled in! The others will be here tomorrow.

Happenings in our neck of the woods

I have NO idea where this past month has gone, it was gone that fast.

A few notables, Rowan was in the 4-H play and, although he didn't have a speaking part, he sure enjoyed it. The people in charge weren't well prepared however. It rained on the 1st 2 performances and was wicked cold. The 3rd performance, the one I attended, was a matinee. It. Was. COLD - and windy. But to see his little face on stage warmed my heart so much it was worth it. Plus, the play was very cute. They did Kid Frankenstein (I think that was the name of it). Rowan was one of the students in the class.

He's the one in the Teenage mutant ninja turtle sweatshirt. ❤

Then, of course, there was Halloween...

I forgot to get a "line up" picture but here they are nonetheless. 👍

And, last but not least - November Fun Socks - yippee!

We have been getting snow here all weekend. I'd say a good couple inches and it's been windy and cold. 17 degrees as I type.

Card night has been hit and miss - This week we tied.

Rowan Joins The Club

This year Rowan has joined Taekwondo! He loves it. It's interesting to see how he progresses compared to Milo. They look at things, and react to things differently.

This past week he earned his first belt - he was VERY happy.

We even got to do a full "class" picture.

He had to have a new uniform ordered because the one they had didn't have the logo on it and it was too big - he's still itty bitty, only 5 years old.

This week I received another "care package" in the mail.

Yesterday we had a beautiful weather day (about 70 degrees!) so we took advantage and did some of the things outside that needed to be done. And then....the asian beetles showed up in droves. ARGHHHHHHH we were hoping the unseasonable cool weather for the past couple weeks would have killed them off but NO. I think their only natural enemy is the vacuum cleaner.

P.S. Last week they won, this week???

Halloween Fairy

Looky what was in the mailbox for me when I checked today....

Some of my FAVORITE things. There's even PUMPKIN! I am one of those people that when this time of year comes around I am all about the pumpkin. There's the pumpkin spice latte's at Caribou Coffee (yum!) and an ever growing assortment of Pumpkin goodies. And now, a first for me, a Pumpkin soap. Huzzah!

This time I also received a lip balm. I opened that up and tried it right away - LOVE IT!

I am so Thankful for this pick me up - I am truly blessed.

The Great Pumpkin

Our neighbors grew some great pumpkins this year. Saturday we had a Pumpkin Party. It was a great time for the big and little's alike. The bigs got tired.

It was a temporary disaster area but that's often true when having fun. It cleans up and the memories are so worth it!

Once safely home the pumpkins had turned into jack-o-lanterns and were set in their places with their ghoulish faces.

Frank made Apple Pie for Card night. He hasn't made one for ages. He even used those 8 apples from our apple tree! I was loving the heart <3

P.S. We won! (Must have been the pie)

No, you can not use my CC to book your AirBNB!

The post title says it all. The CC Company called to ask if I was trying to book a vacation property with AirBNB - seriously? I wish!

Well, the card is now cancelled until I get a new one in the mail. So, I guess there will be no online shopping this weekend. Probably for the best. With the weather today it was right there at the top of my list of fun things to do. I'm grateful that the company keeps a watchful eye - Amazon will just have to wait.

First snow here. Well, technically, it snowed yesterday but I was working and missed it.

I got a care package this week too. I wonder if Crystal will continue this next year!

Work has been INSANE - it doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon either. Today was cleaning catch up to make up for doing absolutely NOTHING at home all week. I remember it being easier and taking less time not THAT long ago.

Last weekend was a family birthday, my cousin. She turned 80 so they had a party for her. She danced and danced. I hope I got those genes.

The pups are in hibernation mode too:

P.S. After 3 weeks - YES 3, we finally WON - Huzzah!

A Great Time Was Had By All

The long weekend with the family went too quick. Time flies as it is but it seems to just sail by when there are new things to do.

On Friday all of us girls (Crystal, Angie, Abbie, and me) took a road trip to do some shopping and just have fun. The boys (Dale, Mike, Frank, Frank-o, Milo, and Rowan) stayed behind to hold down the fort.

We stopped at a cute little town with lots of cute little shops first.

Abbie reluctantly posed on the cool smore's bench. How cute is that? Ok, maybe I need to get out more.

I didn't take tons of pics but when any of us girls see's one of these - oh, it's on and is a MUST stop and have a kodak moment or two.

Anyway, then we were off to the next town to have lunch and more shopping but this time of the big box kind - Costco. We had a great lunch with a delightful waiter at Grizzly's. I didn't do much in the way of food pics but I did get one of these. They were so good! Plus we were starving by this time.

They were called Texas Egg Rolls. They were filled with pulled pork with a pretty spicy chili sauce. I would definitely order them again.

Oh, and the rotisserie that they cook their chickens on - OUT OF THIS WORLD! Best.Chicken.Ever.

And then...

P.S. One month today off the smelly sticks - wahoo!

South Dakota Visitors, etc.

Dale, Crystal, and grandpuppy Tucker arrived this evening for a visit. They will be here for 4 days! Things around here have been hectic and we're looking to spend some quality time with them. Tomorrow Crystal plans to take Dale to see where she attended college since she hasn't been back to that town for quite a few years. Friday she and I are planning a road trip to do some shopping.

School is underway for the grandkiddo's. They are doing an online schooling this year called Connections Academy - so far so good. Ang has been homeschooling the little boys in the previous few years but this way she can still keep a watchful eye. Rowan has joined Milo with Taekwondo this year as well.

I haven't posted in quite awhile. I have been kind of "out there". I finally was able to kick the smoking habit on August 18th after more years than I care to admit. I did choose the e-cigarette method and it seems like it was a good choice for me. I've tried almost every other method to no avail but I'm confident that this will be the ticket. Finger's crossed!

Time Flies

Time has been flying here lately. I don't know what the deal is with that!

We had a great time with Mr. Milo - he was able to spend 5 days with us on the Sprucehaven and, broken hand aside, we all enjoyed it.

There were movies (and Ice Cream). We liked the color of this Ice Cream (Cotton Candy) but we were under impressed with the flavor.

A LOT of video games - I haven't played actual video games in a LONG time. I think I used to be better at them : /

There was dog loving too. The hounds just adore the Grandkids.

He was able to do quite a bit of golf card driving too but that took place while I was at work so - no pictures. He also got to run the wood splitter.

Normally he would have spent a lot of time riding bike but that wasn't happening. He really wanted to split wood with the maul and wedges but that isn't a one handed sport either. He'll have plenty of time for those things when he gets healed up. We weren't sure what we would do with him since he couldn't do the things he normally would but it all worked out fine and it was just a nice, slower paced visit.

Oh, Milo!

While getting ready to go in for Franko's Birthday party on Sunday I got a text from Ang - from the E.R. (heart sink), Milo had hurt his hand and she thought it could be broken. It was.

He let his temper get the better of him and decided to punch the floor. Well, it punched back in the form of a "Boxer's Fracture". I don't think he'll be doing that again anytime soon. He was slated to come out to our place for a little vaca before school started. Well, he is here but his activities have been sharply impacted. Today he got the cast on and that's for 4 weeks. It may impact the first couple weeks of Taekwondo but the Doc thinks it will heal up just fine.

What a face.

Anyway, Franko's birthday was fun. He got mostly hunting stuff since that's what his current interest is. Well, besides growing his hair out. He turned 14 this year.

This and That

This week was hot/humid here again (uffda!) so I didn't spend much time outside. I did tackle hosing off and shampooing the hounds though. They sure get stinky, must be something with hounds.

Our eldest Crystal celebrated her 37th BD in Omaha, NE. this year. Sounds like she had a great time. Monday the 6th was the oldest Grandsons 14th BD - 14! We will celebrate with him this Sunday. Time sure flies...

Frank's been having a hard time with the air this week, there's an air quality issue due to the fires in Ontario. It's been pretty hazy around here and mixed with the heat and humidity it's pretty unbearable. I am thankful that we are not in a wildfire zone though and my heart goes out to those that are, and to the firefighters battling those blazes.

I plan on trying to see the meteor shower that is forecast for tonight. I don't know if it will be as visible with the hazy conditions but we'll give it a whirl.

P.S. We won!

Rowan Time

Last night was Rowan's FIRST overnighter all by himself. No brother. Just him.

We had a grand old time.

There was card playing - he really likes UNO (Grampa won that one)

There was game time after bath time in the big bathtub (a ritual with the boys)

And morning hide and seek after his breakfast favorite - Waffles (funfetti one's this time).

We treasure these overnighters and, I believe, they do too.

Sunny update - notice the tall kid in the back.

P.S. We won last week - Huzzah!