More Cemetery Clean Up

Last weekend we did some cleanup at the cemetery

where my maternal grandparents and others

are buried.

Some of the markers have shifted and the grass

is growing over the marker ~ we brought the guys

with to see if we could bring the markers up

level.

Inez and baby (this was my grandfathers' first

wife - she died in childbirth along with

their baby in 1939).

This is where my grandparents, Gregory "Ike"

and Helga, are buried.

We also took care of these markers - DeLoss and

Alma Hess (Alma was my grandfather's sister), she

and her husband passed away at the same

time in an accident.

~~~~~~~~

Three of the markers were "lifted" bringing them

back level again.

We removed the marker, added sand underneath

and replaced the marker along with the sod.

The process worked really well ~ Hubby had helped

at the cemetery near our house last year so he

knew just what to do (it didn't take very long).

Afterwards we cleaned off the markers, raked and

did some weedwacking.... 

It looks much better.

Before we left we also cleaned up around the

headstone where Hubby's grandfather 

is buried.

Leading Up to Cooler Weather

Fall has arrived at least on the calendar and we are

getting some color ~ we now have some yellows

and golds peeking through. 

Our temperatures though have been very nice

almost more summer like.  We have had

our air conditioner on a couple of times the

last few days to help remove some of the

stickiness and humidity.

Last night the weather was beautiful, we

decided to have a fire and watch the eclipse, 

after some clouds in the very beginning,

we had a great view.

(I wasn't having very good luck using our
little camera to get pictures - so hubby 
took over)  He found a new setting and
did wonderful!

The evening was perfect ~ didn't need a

sweatshirt until later, no bugs ~ perfect!

Now today, the folks just north of us have a 

warning for frost so I decided it was time to

get those pumpkins out of the garden.

Last spring I bought my pumpkin plants late

when there wasn't anything to choose from.

I believe these are called Big Max Pumpkins ~

which they aren't so big but they are shaped

funny not like regular pumpkins.

We pretty much just use them for decoration

so they will be fine.. should fit in real well

by the front door.

Clean up of the flower gardens hasn't started

yet - I still have blooms.   The delphinium plant 

is blooming again and is bigger and better 

than it was this summer.

The maple tree/bush is starting to get

some color ~ I wonder if it will get bright

yellow and orange this year (it looks

kinda iffy).

We haven't had any frost yet, maybe tonight

maybe not. 

Fall Has Arrived

Looking out my window - some of our mornings

have been a bit foggy.  The birdfeeders are full and

so is the hummingbird feeder - I last saw a hummingbird

a week ago so they must been done with the 

feeder.   Time to put the feeder and the other

yard decor in storage for the winter.

The potato field was abuzz Thursday and

Friday ~ we have been hearing potato trucks

sometimes starting at 4:30 in the morning

since the days have gotten so warm they have

had to start early.

(it echos as they drive through a low area on

the road near us).

As I watched - there is a technique between

the driver of the tracker and the driver of the 

potato truck - the field looked and sounded like

a busy little city... getting those potatoes out

of the ground and out of the field.

It sounds like this field won't have potatoes in

it now until 2019.

Clean, Fresh Pup

On Tuesday, Opie made a visit to our local Dog Spa...

he is now squeaky clean or was until

he jumped out of the truck.

Opie has joined me on walks this week as I get

back to the routine (he loves to go).   Funny

how dogs love when those certain things

appear  ex: leashes!

In the evenings, I have been working on 

gathering pictures of our first cocker spaniel,

Moe.  There are so many things that are

similar  until Opie 

comes home all clipped (when his hair

is short you realize how light he is).

Opie will probably stay clean until the weekend -

he really does love to be outside.

Another Weekend Gone

Another beautiful weekend gone by.... we

cruised to a car show (it was a 1st Annual so

was pretty small) -- we both had our favorites....

You learn a lot about cars and people when 

you go to some of the car shows.  This Torino

was a beauty!

Before we left we had lunch with a new car

friend ~ casino hamburgers and frybread tacos.

9.19.2015

Our fall colors are just starting to change.. will

try to remember to do an update of this lake

location over the next few weeks.

September sunset ~ our sunsets have been 

fabulous.

I finished this old barn window - broke what glass

was left out of it, painted it with Old White Chalk

Paint, added some dark wax and then attached

a foamboard covered with burlap to the back.

I am pleased with how it turned out and have

several ideas on where to put it ~ may add some

pinned pictures to it ~ ..... hallway, above desk, 

bedroom or ??  time will tell!

What Has Been Going On...

September in Minnesota ~ finds us not

knowing exactly what the weather will bring.

A week ago it was warm and pleasant...

We had a fire in the firepit ~ the first one in

a year or so.   It was beautiful and no bugs!

It was very relaxing - maybe a repeat this weekend.

Last weekend was perfect for cruising ~ we 

were out for a drive and ended up in Walker, 

looking over Leech Lake.   "beautiful"

---

Of course, when you live in Minnesota and fall

arrives the winter months are never far from

your mind..... nor is deerhunting.

We spent an evening in the woods making sure

that the trails were clear ~ we had a few

tree hazards to remove.

We also picked up our first loads of hay for

the next year.

It looks like the horses approve ~ Jack was still

down the pasture enjoying the grass... wait until

he finds out this hay is soooo much better than

last winter.  

Last night I picked the baby boo pumpkins and our

garden surprise (squash) - I love squash so I will 

be enjoying these when they come out of the oven.

The baby boo pumpkins were "something new" this

year and I was hoping to get a handful ~ looks like

the itty bittys like our dirt  :)

and last but not least a good ol' country sunset

from last night.

Funny how the weather has changed since this

morning... this morning it was warm, sticky and

humid.... tonight I had to shut the windows and

turn the fan off (it is a bit chilly). 

Happy Friday to you all!

Organizing -- Organizing

Sometimes I feel like I live in a world of piles,

organizing, going through stuff and over and

over again....

I am still trying to get through our retirement

plans ~ update information, visit with those

who know, etc etc.   Need to just get it done

and make a decision!

Transfer some education savings bonds that 

our haunting me ~ not used, not ours but

an act of congress to get them to their

rightful owner!

And fun busy-ness.... Shutterfly books ~ sales

are abounding so they are calling my name.

Just finished our summer trip (so fun) and now

both of the kids have a book regarding pre-

wedding preparations  :) 

Some that will take a bit longer to get done ~

Memories of Moe and Memories of Chili ~ next

on the list! 

And then the holidays are coming!  I have three

Christmas stockings to find some "special" fabric

for and get sewing! 

Fall has arrived!   I checked the pumpkin crop

and wa---la  I have two squash growing ~ that

is a pleasant surprise and will sure taste

good!

Earlier this week I had a lunchtime visitor ~ 

Ahh some baby snuggles! 

School Starts

First day of school here - is just memories.

 

First day of ABC School

First day of Kindergarten

It was tradition to celebrate the first

day of school by having something special

and fun to eat for supper!

First day of ABC School

First day of Senior Year 

First day of school after moving

to the country (somebody was still 

too little to go school)

First day of Senior Year

Good memories :)

Harvest Time - On A Small Scale!

We don't have a garden (only pumpkins this

year) - which are growing there will be 

a few for decorating this fall.

A couple of weeks ago we bought corn on

the cob from the neighbor girls ~ Hubby modified

a very slick way of removing the kernels with

a drill and kernel cutter.

23 dozen cut and in freezer bags

Grandpa does a pretty big garden (small now

compared to years ago) - we get plenty of

potatoes, carrots, green peppers and cabbage

from him.  For the  most part we just eat
fresh - tried a cabbage soup which is good.

We learned about the honey harvest ~ Lineman

Son and His Gal brought their honey to her folks

so that they could spin it and bottle it.

They had a very successful first year.

They also brought plums home ~ I made

two batches of freezer jam with them

Then what to do with the bucket of 

crabapples?  I got brave and tried making

jelly ~ I have watched it being made a few

times....  it worked and all jars sealed  :)

This was the poor crabapple tree.... it sounds

like the bucket we got was just one branch

I have one more batch to go.

Oh and then Hubby loaded up the dehydrator
with large apples - State Fair Apples (very 
appropriate since our state fair is currently
going on).

Harvest time here at our house - definitely

on a small scale.  Meanwhile, the grain fields 

in the area are pretty much done - they will be

starting on the potatoes soon.