preserving the fruits of our labor

Wow, just about a week since I last blogged. Dont know where the time went. However, the last 3 days have been productive. Yesterday I climbed the ladder and picked tons of apples. We have a Goodland tree and last year I didn't even know it was there. Of course, in the fall when there were apples on the ground I did happen to look up and saw a few on the tree. So this year I picked and peeled and preserved. Yes, I made applesauce. I tried 3 jars without the hot bath method and 4 jars with the hot bath. I remember my mom doing applesauce without the hot bath.
Today we went to the Morden Corn and Apple Fest. I sent my hubby to the stall to buy corn and he came out with a HUGE bag (4 doz.) of corn. I got out my vacuum sealer and froze tons of corn.
I called my kids and asked if they want some. My DD was very excited and wants a whole 4 cobs. Probably that is all DIL will take. Maybe 6....Nobody wants more than 6. OK...back to my corn.

Road trip

I am back from a wonderful road trip to Sioux City and Mt. Rushmore and other places. Here is the wonderful suite we had at Sioux City. The suite normally costs $400 but because we were at the Shriner's Convention it was a deal at $150. Just a beautiful place. I loved the decor, very woodsy, mountain log cabin like. We had our own sun room with lawn furniture and a jacuzzi, and a KING bed. I just didn't want to leave. But we arrived there Aug. 11 and left on the 14th.


We rented this little cabin at Hill City, S.D. The first day was extremely noisy because we arrived as all the Motorcycle people were leaving Sturgis from the motorcycle days....seemed like a gazillion Harley Davidsons went ripping by all day and all night.


Our first place to visit was Crazy Horse mountain...an amazing story behind the sculptor. You can read about it here.http:///. sememorial.org/greetings-from-ruth.html On Sat. Aug.14 it was our First wedding anniversary so while we were visiting the shops at Crazy Horse I was watching a Native man painting on this feather...he was just amazing to watch. I bought this as an anniversary present for my hubby. He was very pleased. We drove through the Needles Hwy. beautiful but scary hairpin turns and no guard rails on most turns. Then we went to Mt. Rushmore and drove back on Sat. through the Badlands. It was a great trip. Much has changed since we were there about 20 years ago with small kids. Next year I think we will go on a trip in the winter because when we got back the flowers and garden were in a sad state.

These are just a few of the close to 200 pictures I took. Now to get them all printed out and put in a scrapbook before I forget what each picture is about.

trip

Oh, I am so excited..we are going on a road trip. First stop is Sioux City, Iowa until Sat. Then off to Hill City, South Dakota. We have rented a cabin for 8 days and will be doing all the tourist stuff during the day and coming back to our cabin at night. This year I wanted a cabin rather than a hotel room. We can cook our own meals or go out if we want. I like the choice better than always eating at a restaurant. I have been packing for a week. Today I have to be done but now I forget what is in my suitcases so probably will take everything out and start again. I am so very excited. The bad part is that my Zazu has to be home alone. The dog is going to the kennel and my daughter will be coming to visit the cat every couple of days. Not my idea of a perfect arrangement but my daughter has a cat that is 20 yrs. old and does not take kindly to other animals, so this is the only solution. It worked last year, so hopefully it will work this year.
Well, off to pack. (again)

Zazu

So today I am picking orange to blog with because it is about an orange cat named Zazu. It all started when I decided to clean out my car...oh, what a job. I use my little car for everything and then some. I have Sobey's bags full of school stuff and never have a bag for groceries. Anyways, I digress. I found a little bottle of bubbles so I brought them in and called Zazu. When I call her I chirp and she will chirp back and trots over to me with her tail up. Well, she was wondering what I was up to so I started blowing bubbles. At first she didnt know what to make of it but after awhile she became curious as most cats do. She loved the bubbles and kept looking at the bottle and sniffing it for more. Here are some pics of her playing with the bubbles.

gardens

I love this time of the year when you start to get results from planting. We have been picking some produce but today was very exciting. Look what we found and guess what we are having for supper. I am grilling the zucchini and barbquing some chicken. Fresh potatoes with TONS, of butter, cucumbers with sour cream and fresh bread from the bakery. MMMMM., a meal fit for a queen and king.

While I was weeding the side flower bed I had an unexpected visitor. She was very co-operative and posed for me for quite a while. Then off she flew after she had enough picture taking. But she came back for a couple more shots. Isnt she beautiful?

Long weekend

August 3rd already...where has the summer gone. Soon we will be getting ready for school and going back. Parents are happy to see this time come closer. But I am still enjoying the summer and the best part is still coming in 8 days. We are going to Sioux City and then on to the Black Hills for a couple of weeks. Last time we were there was when our kids were small. We have rented a cabin in Hill City and are going to be regular tourists and see all the touristy things and buy touristy souvenirs.(well, maybe just a couple).

This weekend was quite busy. Sat. we had a barbq with about 20 people. My hubby's sisters, brother and their kids were here. Then Monday we went to another vintage car parade in Gimli. Great day, beautiful weather, even if a little hot. The worst part was driving back in hubby's non air-conditioned car.

That evening we were just chillin and the sky looked really weird. Not tornado weird just weird. The sun was going down and it looked like there was a huge fire in the west. I tried taking some pictures but they never do justice to what I really saw.

gardens

I am quite sad because all my caterpillars are gone. I am sure there is some very happy robin out there right now but I wish she would have left my caterpillars alone. I know, I know, it is the way nature is but sometimes that is cruel. Hubby said we should have covered them with a net or something , well next year we will be sure to do that. I am still sad.

gardens

I was out tonight doing a little weeding ...and I do mean a little bit. I was checking my butterfly weed or milkweed and surprise....look what is munching the leaves. I found six altogether and can't wait to see how they change by tomorrow. Now if those robins just stay away.

gardens

Isn't she just beautiful!!! This day lily opened up yesterday and is my most beautiful flower so far. I have 2 more day lilies planted that are just about ready to bloom. Can't wait to see their colours .

show and shine

Yesterday the weather was perfect. Nice breeze, a few soft clouds, a lot of sun, and NO MOSQUITOES. Hubby and I got up and had our morning coffee break (or tea break for him) on the deck. Then we left for Carman. Why would we go to Carman when we were there last weekend. Well, the car club he belongs to was having a show and shine. We got there early but people were already arriving and registering. They showed us where to park and we got all set up with our lawn chairs and me with my book because all you do for the whole day is sit and people walk around looking at your car.

Here's where the shine comes in...first you shine your already immaculate car with "special" cleaning stuff. Believe me this is a treat just to watch. The owners all have special things they do and don"t do to get their cars sparkling clean. Use this, don't use this, tons of advice.

Then we walked around looking at all the other beauties. My heart just about jumped out of my body when I saw this pink beauty. When I turned 16 my dad bought me this car, only it was a beautiful red with a white roof. The interior was white and it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen. Oh, how I wish I could buy it and call it my own again. If that old car of mine could talk...but never mind, that isn't what this story is about.

There were 180 cars and trucks here yesterday. Beautiful old beauties. Those were amazing vehicles. And the guys and gals love these cars....you can tell by the condition and the love that goes into restoring them and keeping them in mint condition.

All in all it was a great day even though at the beginning of the day I thought I would be bored. You meet a lot of nice people and hope that at the next show you will meet again.

discovery trip

Yesterday my hubby and I decided to go on a Discovery Trip. Since we are both off for the summer we are going to go on day trips throughout Manitoba and discover new things and see our beautiful province. We started our day by going to Elie to a B&B for breakfast.

Here is the web site if you want more info on this very interesting place. http://www.bedandbreakfast.mb.ca/listing.php?id=auberge

Then off we went to Treherne, to see the bottle house. Amazing. Here is some info on this place and the dedication that this couple had to make this. What I think is so great about these is that long after they are gone people will still remember them. They will always be a part of Manitoba.

http://www.treherne.ca/pages/glassbottlehouse.html

We continued on to Carman and then headed back. On the way back, I can't remember the name of the little village that we drove through but I had to stop and take a couple of pictures of this house. I want to live here. My kind of lady or man. Look at the sink on the pole out front...and that gingerbread trim on the house. I want.t.

gardens

My garden is growing beautifully so far. I had trouble with the deer for awhile but looks like they have gone elsewhere for now. We were going to put an electric fence around the garden but looks like we will put that on hold. I bought some "Vamoose" at our local nursery and dont know if that is working or the pepper I keep sprinkling on the plants after every rain. I honestly go out and sprinkle black pepper on all the plants and I dont know if it is coincidence or if the deer are actually staying away from the pepper.

I have tons of itty bitty cucumbers and a couple of finger sized ones, couple of zucchini that must be on steroids because they grow at least an inch every night, and a baseball sized pumpking on Max's plant. The beans are in full bloom and most of the potatoes are also. If you look close you can see the pepper on the potatoe plants. I had this funny feeling the other night that all our vegetables will be pepper tasting when we pick them.

Now if I could keep the rabbits out.

mama mia

A friend of mine is in love with the movie "Mama Mia". It is her "feel good" movie. So a couple of weeks ago she was having a Mama Mia Party, complete with feather boas and tons of food. The reason for the party.....well listen to this.....It was her 100th viewing of the movie.....yes you heard me....100th viewing. So she invited friends and co-workers to the party. There was vegetable lasagna and chicken lasagna and tons of other stuff. Also, a chocolate fountain. Just amazing. Such fun. It was a great evening. Good friends, good food, good entertainment. But the best part was , one of the younger guys came to watch. Such a good sport. Here are some pictures of the girls and guy.

tired

Yes, I am exhausted today. Yesterday we had around 35 people for a barbq. My hubby belongs to a Vintage Car Club and he is the captain for the past 2 years. It is the captain's "duty" to host the annual barbq. I love doing it but at the end of the day we are both exhausted. Today is cleanup day. We served steak and chicken. The steak was amazing thanks to my stepson. He was our chef and boy did he do a wonderful job. His gift to his dad on Father's Day was spending time being the cook. Everyone brings something to this supper and the food was amazing. Some brave souls sat on the deck while some sat in our garage. The bar was set up there so most of the guys hung out there. Here are 3 of the brave beauties battling with mosquitos...which were quite terrible. All in all it was a great day but I am glad it is over.

animals

Someone has been in my garden and ate my beets.....Last night a deer went through my garden. So far she ate some tops of my beets and ran through the carrots. I dont know if the beets will grow where she ate the tops off. I love living in the country but the deer were here first and they run the show. Then we found another critter on our front deck. This moth. It is huge. That dirty finger is my thumb. I am not a great fan of moths and spiders. I hope he flies away soon.