Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas From Nebraska

We have had a white Christmas here.  There was quite a snow storm last week withe 8 in. snowfall.  It's been very cold since so, no melting.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Beer, Brats and Begonias

Jim and I went to the Beer, Brats and Begonia event put on by the Garden Gallery.  It's a quaint little business here in Elkhorn, Nebraska. The Garden Gallery is in and around her 100+ year old home.  She has lots of plants, hand made things, antiques and art work.  http://the-garden-gallery.blogspot.com/
The Adirondack Chairs were very nice, over $200.  The folks seated in the center said they were very comfortable.  I asked if they were hard to get up from.  She said she hadn't tried yet.  Then the guy said, "no reason to get up", as he took a swig of his beer.  On the left of the picture are some very heavy duty bright green tomato cages, $23 each. 
                                             I've seen how to make these, love.
 These things were in the garage, the junky stuff that I just love too.
Here are the Begonias!


                                                                           
                                                                                  BEER!
                                                                  Brats, they sure smelled good.  I asked Jim if he wanted one and he passed.  When we got home I was telling the neighbor girl she should go down there as they had free brats and bottled water.  Jim said, "it was free?".  Typical response from my humble and self sufficient husband.  He wouldn't presume something is free.
 This is the little room at the back of the garage w/ a side door entrance.  If you look, you can see that there's another little room at the back of this room...to the right.  Guess what's in there.  Come on, guess.
 You're right, an outhouse!  More junk to buy and an outhouse!  Gosh, I love old towns, especially this one that I'm from.
This is their back fence by the alley.  To the left are Greenhouses.  She also had a hippy singing folk songs for the afternoon.

I really enjoyed my time there, she's a creative person to develop this sort of a place for business, don't you think?

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Spring, Estate Sale and Lily

Here is our first poppy. 
We have June flowers here in Nebraska.  Everything is well over a month ahead of schedule.  I doubt that I'll see this again in my life time, who knows?  Meanwhile, I'm really grateful for all of the early flowers and lush conditions.  It's God's way of saying, there is still beauty in spite of the toll that real life is taking on me right now.
One of my blessings right now is my 24 yr. old son Nathan.  He went to an Estate Sale with me yesterday in this fabulous 70's house.  He's 6'4" and is standing by a $3,500 Grandfather Clock in the house.  Isn't it (and Nathan) magnificent?  Check out the wallpaper!
No, I didn't buy this but, thought it was neat.


I love these people, who ever they were, The estate sale folks spoke of them in past tense.  She was a  GOP delegate for the 1960 election so, there was lots of Nixon stuff in another room, JFK things too.  But, look at her sweet bedroom.  Don't you think that it was just GRAND when she had it decorated years ago?
I didn't buy this either but, it has his name on it.  The man was a medical doctor.  I imagined him taking this with coffee in it to the hospital each day.   People were so self sufficient 40 years ago and there wasn't a designer coffee shop in the hospital lobby.


For $3.50 I bought these vintage cooking booklets. The one that I really wanted was the 500 Thrifty Sandwiches.  It's didn't let me down w/ such recipes as:  Ham and Peanut Butter, Ham and Raisin, Liver Sandwiches, Lamb, Liver and Raisin, Liver and Bacon, Egg and Liver, Egg and Caviar, Baked Bean Sandwiches, Tongue Sandwich, Creamed Egg and Asparagus, Hot Sardine Sandwiches.  I'm going to stop, I'm getting nauseated.  

For $1 I got a lot of  mini staples and these staplers and such.  I LOVE the 70's stapler.  It's colors are perfect and the abstract fish is neat.

Last but not least, the obligatory photo of one of our dogs.  This is Lily sleeping with her tongue showing.  She's a Dogue de Bordeaux mix.  Love her!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Spring is Sprung

Just like most places in the U.S., spring has come early to Nebraska.  People say, "it's still March, we could have snow!".  But, the forecast is for highs of 70's for the next week.  I'll take it.
Here's our dog Lily riding to the Dog Park last Sunday.  We think she's the most interesting dog, loads of personality.  Curious about her mix we got a Dog DNA test and sent her DNA in to be analyzed.  We got a big surprise.  She's sort of a rare breed, her one parent was a Dogue de Bordeaux, also called a French Mastiff or Bordeaux Bulldog.  The other parent was a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd.  She actually does a LOT of herding.    We fostered her for a Rescue Group last year and I got attached to her so quickly that we just had to keep her.  
Are you all enjoying your Spring?  We are, went for a one hour walk this evening.  Lovely out!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Burns Night. I love me some Haggis!

January 25 is Burns Night in Scotland.  My best friend is from Scotland, only here for 3 yrs. now.  This delicious plate is compliments from Helen.    Robert Burns is the man we acknowledge on this day.  I love my friend and her traditions.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Best Christmas Ever...and 3 New Foster Puppies.




We spent Christmas Eve. at my mom's down the street from us. My nephew Brandon brought his girlfriend's family.  This photo is of her sister and family.  Don't you love my Nathan over to the right there?  He still has his "No Shave November" beard.  I told him it's December.  He said that it keeps his face warm.  Makes sense as he's a Jimmy John's bicycle delivery guy...in NEBRASKA!
 Christmas Morning was MARVELOUS w/ our little grands here.  Dorothy is 2 (left) and Della is 4.  The fellow talking to Della is my 19 yr. old son Zach.  How do you like our tv/fireplace?  I told Greg (23 yr. old step son) that we have a real fireplace (same room), he snapped back, "this is better".  Hilarious, I love that kid so much.
 SOMEBODY got in to Nana Cindy's lotion by the bed and made her hair all pretty with it.
 The Doctor Kit that Santa (us) gave the girls was a big hit.  Here they are w/ their Mom and Dad.
 My mom and dad came over for brunch and then board games.  The sun was blinding my mom (we have no window coverings facing the meadow to the west) so, she got her sunglasses.  This game was a lot of fun, Fact or Crap. My husband Jim is to the far right.  He wins nearly every game we play (MENSA) but I won this game by a landslide.
 New foster puppies.  They just turned 6 weeks old.  Tinker, Evans and Chance.  Below is Chance.
 Chance is on his back here, Tinker and Evans are playing.
There is nothing like having puppies.  These guys are THE most people oriented ones that we've ever had.  They look in your eyes and love to be held.  Gonna be big though.  Hope you're all having a good weekend.  As for me, I'm seeking serenity.