Strawberry Picking time!

Between showers today (rain showers I mean), I went out to the strawberry patch and picked strawberries.  There will be a few more to pick by Monday evening and then again next weekend.  There is nothing sweeter than home grown strawberries. 


Big Bowl of Garden Fresh Strawberries

 Before even washing them, they are so beautiful looking.  It started to rain while I was picking or I think I would have eaten half of them during the picking process.


Sweet Strawberries

 I planned ahead for dessert knowing that the Strawberries were ready for picking.  I cheated and picked up an angel food cake at the grocery store.  Not one of those rectangular loaf things but one that was cooked in a disposable pan that was a little bit crusty on top.  I know they are easy to bake but on a hot and humid day I didn't want to run the stove that long.


Summer Dessert

 It was a light naturally sweet summertime dessert.  I think Dale was angel food cake starved, because half the cake is gone and I had one slice.

Dog Days of Summer

Fetch in the lake brings out the competitive edge between these two Dobermans.  My Jenny is serious about winning.  Look at her pin her ears back giving Duchess the "be afraid" look.  Meanwhile Duchess has the "ha-ha I got the stick by the center and there is no way you are going to get it.


Fetch Competition

They spend enough time at the lake that it doesn't take them long even without playing fetch to run in and out of the lake many times.  It is so fun to watch them play together along the edge of the lake.

My Jenny Loves the Lake

My Jenny ahead in the competition by half a body twist.  Here she comes, stick in mouth, ready to charge out of the water so mama can't get the stick from her. 
 

My Jenny Wins!

A cold meal on a hot day

The humidity is back making the day feel hotter than what it really is.  So this morning, I thought to myself, "Self, why don't you mix together a cold tuna hot dish." Then I realized that I couldn't call it a hot dish so it must be a salad?  Oh well, whatever it is called I made it and this is what I mixed together:

 

A bag of frozen peas

2 cans of tuna (I may add two more)

1/2 onion chopped fine

finely chopped celery (about equal to the onion)

corn - (We had sweet corn last night and I de-cobbed the four leftover ears and mixed them in just to use them up.)

 



Veggies & Tuna

Then I added the cooked and cooled noodles and mayonnaise.  I had cooked up a bag of elbow noodles.  I just glob huge amounts of mayo in and as it rests throughout the day it absorbs into noodles combining the tastes together.

 

Add Noodles and Mayo

At the last minute I decided to add some chopped up cheese (A friend periodically gives Dale block of soft cheese.  There was a full block in the refrigerator.)  I also added sea salt and freshly ground pepper.  We will add more salt and pepper right before we eat. 

Cold Tuna Noodle Salad

I am hungry.  Is it time to eat supper yet?  ... I know this is best served after it has rested a minimum of four hours and it is even better the second day!

Happy 4th of July

Happy Birthday America, land of the free and home of the brave! 



Fly that Flag High

The Stars and Stripes of the US Flag should be flown with pride and I was excited to see as we road around the lake in the boat how many people had their flags out today.  The sun was shining beautifully in the sky although the heat and humidity are both rising.  Summer has come!


Fun in the Sun

We left the lake, throwing back the couple of fish that we caught.  The lake was quickly getting crowded with water skiers, Jet Skis and high powered motorboats. 


Loon Family

We came around the corner looking for a spot where the fish would bite better and Dale slowed the boat to a no wake speed.  Remember, I have a high power zoom on my camera.  We kept our distance from the loons and continued on to another area of the lake.  This is what I like most about  being out on the lakes.  The beauty and nature that is everywhere. 

God Bless America!  and may he forgive us of our sins and continue to find to find righteous children serving him and fighting against the sin of the many. 

How are the crops doing? Knee high by the 4th of July?

Last year, the crops were in so early they were amazingly tall by the 4th of July.  This year the crops were put in later than average.  So are they just as tall as last year????

 

Really? above the shoulders?

Look closely!  Dale is kneeling down.  LOL - - - we had to have a little fun.

As I said a while ago, to be on target the corn is supposed to be knee high by the 4th of July.  Dale was told the measurement was to stand up next to the corn and hold one of he top leaves up towards yourself.  Dale is 5'10" and according to the measurement a farmer told to Dale, the corn is chest high.


July 3rd, 2013 Stearns County, MN cornfield

There is no need for that with the crops around here.  We walked into a farmers field, careful not to do any damage, to show you how healthy the crops are this summer. The crops are well over knee high


July 3rd, 2013 Stearns County, MN cornfield

If it is in a box more than a year....

...toss it out.  I don't think so! Anyone who lives by that rule is not a crafter or an artist. Both craft and art supplies are too expensive to toss out that frivolously. As you can see, most of my supplies are stored in small, clear plastic boxes. It makes it easier to see what is in them



Art Studio Here I come!

I started taking boxes upstairs last night.  This is only about a third of the boxes that need to go upstairs. I started with the organized boxes.  I have many that don't look this "pretty" I have at least two shelving units that need to be emptied out and moved upstairs. A lot of work yet to do. 
It is good late night and early morning work (while the cool air is still blowing through the house.)

July 1st - The day of a new beginning

Every day should always be the first day of the rest of your life.  But today for me, marks a significant change.  My renter for five years has decided to move out.  It is bitter-sweet because she is a friend and she is at a point where she is moving a distance away.  It is time for her to move on to the next phase of her life. 


Craft Supplies

I used to live in a four bedroom house.  I had a 10 X 12 foot room as a dedicated craft room.  All of my craft items are in storage in the pantry and in an 8 X 10 foot room on the first floor.  I feel like I am tripping over my life.



More Crafts

 So I am showing you pictures of what is being stored way high up.  How is that what I am tripping over?  It means that other things are cluttering up the floor.  I also have a few boxes of office supplies, tapes and note pads for starters.  (I have a slight addiction to office supplies.  I have learned to stay out of the office supply area of department stores because I will never use all the supplies that I already have.)


Tubs and Tubs of Office Supplies

 I used to own a Day Spa and Salon, so I have a few tubs of capes, towels, rollers, and other salon supplies that won't go out of date.  After all, you never know when it might come in handy. 


Salon Supplies

 My winter and summer clothes are mixed together in one closet.  I have some extra in tubs of seasonal clothes too but I wasn't in the mood to dig them out of the spare room and go through them.  Now I will have a second closet to organize my clothing. 


Closet Cleaning Time

I will try to take the time needed for daily blogs.  Keep an eye out and maybe you will get to see the new craft area.  My renter was not able to move out 100%.  But she was able to clean out the bedroom.  So I will begin moving some of the things. I will post pictures as soon as I can.