Sunday Alone Can Be Complicated

This has been the laziest day! I'm a confused house cleaner. I start in one room, and before you know it, I'm messing with something in the other part of the house. Hold on. I haven't touched the tv room. I had to go fix the pillows and pick up a magazine. Now I have been everywhere. Does it look like it? No. Clutter, clutter, clutter.
I also started out being very kind to me. I had juice and blueberry yogurt for breakfast. French fried oven baked sweet potato for lunch. Then I discovered nothing to drink. My one soda of the day was not around. I would have to get out of my huge shirt and flannel pants and drive six miles to town. Then I found the lemonade in the freezer door. Wow, it's been awhile for that drink. I got the iced glass and guzzled it down. Yum. Then I read the label while enjoying the taste. High fructose, corn syrup, and sugar! 31 grams of sugar! Yikes...
I guess I'll go back to water. Then I discovered one lonely beer. I wish it was a Chelada. My husband calls that, steak in a can. Oh well, this little bottle and my vitamins should round out the day.
Ha! Just kidding, back to the house. Have a great day.

When we returned from shopping I decided to attack the main restroom and clean. We've been using items to clean that are green. Sorry if that term is over used. I'm convinced though. I found a green book at Barnes and Nobles. Wow, it's amazing what vinegar, baking soda, lemon, salt, and other items can do. Plus, cheap! When I shut the door to do the floor this scene hit me. There is a little winter inside the house. Look at all those flannel granny gowns! I swear, I dress like a brown paper bag!

Wow, there are six more days and then Thanksgiving. The farmers have been scrambling with harvest because October was so wet. We are so amazed with this weather in November. We decided to go grocery shopping, and have a lunch date in town. I walked off the deck and saw this. November 19th and I have flowers! I'll never remember these next year when I purchase my few plants. I even bought these at a sell out in a grocery store lot. Maybe they like the chives and fallen leaves they share in the container. It turned out to be a beautiful day.

GUESS WHAT THIS LITTLE GUY IS SAYING

Hello???
It was Easter and he picked up all the sea shells and greeted them. It was really funny.

FACE THE DAY

Did you ever have one of those days when your brain is so full that you can't concentrate on anything. You have all these plans to do something, then BLANK! I'm having one right now. I want to do some ebay, blank. I want to bake a pumpkin pie, blank. I want to do some environmental research, blank. So my few friends that know I have this blog. Face the day! Let that sun shine on you and show no fear. Concentrate on the warmth of those rays. Everything will fall into place. Organize those thoughts, and count your blessings. In the mean time I will turn on a lamp, and throw another log in the stove. You got to love winter...

I forgot I wanted to post this picture of this tree with leaves. Nice view.

MORE ART DOWNTOWN

ART IN MY CITY

I spent a day checking out some art at a local museum. I had no idea how beautiful it was in the courtyard around the back.

PICTURES I FOUND

HELLO I'M BACK

It has been a busy summer. I put off a lot of things due to mowing, and no motivation. I received an email from a dear friend in South Dakota. Like what the heck is going on? Why did you stop blogging? That question inspired me to give it a try again. In fact I didn't even know I had a comment on my blog. Goat Creek I apologize for not returning your greeting. Gosh that was in June! Hello to you, and I enjoy your blog very much. Let me start out with a short and sweet recipe I tried over the weekend. With a cozy fire, and the smells of these ingredients made me want to embrace the rain and the cold. White cake mix, one 15 oz can of pumpkin, and several cinnamon chips. That's it! No water, oil, or egg. They made the best muffins! Moist. Top with cream cheese frosting and you have a quick yummy desert.

KENTUCKY DERBY

After the farmers market I went to visit mom. Then, checked in at the store to say hi. I saw a friends car at the local pub across the street. I had forgotten that the Kentucky Derby was about to be aired. Then in the back of the building I saw this group. Wearing sombreros celebrating Cinco de Mayo, and the derby all at once. They got everyone to donate a dollar for the race and pick a number. I picked 8. Ha!

THE STORE IS GETTING READY FOR THE GARDEN

I was really excited to see the plants arrive. They all looked so hardy. We have an arrangement of seeds inside also. Selling plants, and worms for bait make my day. Soon the pool will open, and we will get all the kids in for afternoon sugar, I mean snacks. I've already stocked the coolers with energy drinks and Gatorade for the bikers that come off the trail.

CHOPS

It was too chilly to eat on the deck, so we did the classy TV tray thing. My boss cut me a couple of thick chops. We marinated them in
1 c apple juice
1/2 c soy sauce
1/2 c honey
2 garlic cloves minced (use fresh)
1 tsp ginger
1 Tbls dry mustard
2 dashes if worcestershire
1/2 c rum
With the husbands killer twice baked potatoes, perfect!

JALEPENOS

These are stuffed jalepenos. We use sausage from the store I work at. Brown it, and mix in cream cheese. Stuff the pepper and secure a slice of bacon over it with a tooth pick. We found the perfect grill in Chili Pepper magazine. You just place the peppers in the holes and back away! The fire was welcome for a spring night.

GUMBO AND PARMESAN BAGETTE

This is easy and actually very good. Add the precooked sausage and shrimp towards the end. The parmesan we bought at Whole Foods. We have never had such yummy cheese. Don't forget to add the File' and Cajun Sunshine. The bowls are from Tabasco in Louisiana. His and hers.

VACATION IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD

This title was a billboard I saw along the highway. It really does make sense. I wondered about your own city and what haven't you seen? Being in the city on Saturday made it seem like vacation because of the noise. You're not inside, lots of movement, and smells. Going out to eat seems so blah anymore. The prices are getting higher, for example Tea for 2.50. You don't know about all the hidden calories, and sodium. So, for a rare moment my husband was home for 3 days. He drives truck and has odd days off. We decided to make a menu for those nights he was around.

PICTURES OF THE MARKET

FIRST DAY OF THE FARMERS MARKET

I know I've been talking about this a lot, but there isn't a better time than a Farmer's Market. We don't have a huge one, but it's good enough. I went with my friend Cindy who is a surprise around every corner. I led the way and she followed me through the crowd.

FLASHLIGHT ON HEAD

When I saw this bright light I was impressed. What an invention! This old school mechanic also knows how to play psycho billy. You need to see him on stage to believe it.

ANOTHER OLD SHOOL MECHANIC

Now wouldn't you rather trust this face to tell you about you motorcycle worries?

OLD SCHOOL MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC

On the interstate they call them certified technicians. They dress alike and have to wear badges to tell who they are. Same as it ever was.

OLD SCHOOL MOTORCYCLE OWNER

Big Decision

After years of motorcycles and a career of working in parts management I decided to move on. It was a very big shock, but I'm OK with it now. The big decision was choosing not to ride my Harley anymore. Grand kids are my focus which is pretty darn fun. The other day my husband loaded up my wide glide and I took it to our favorite old school motorcycle shop. The owner has been in the same location for over 30 years. It is on a small scale compared to the huge dealerships you find on the interstate, but they are very knowledgeable about all types of bikes especially vintage. I sometimes work there to help out, but I'm mainly at the little grocery store. My bike is getting restored back to stock so my husband can ride it. I went a lot of miles to the mountains, Mississippi River, Wyoming, Black Hills, races, and lots of poker runs. Close the book.

Thunder and LIghtning

I've spent the whole day on the computer trying to do my ebay. Also, downsizing clutter and listening to the weather. These clouds are outside my door to the deck. I kept the door open to really hear the full effect of the rain. The thunder and lightning has been non stop since way early this morning. Let's see...wow it's 4:40 pm. I love it! There's another one that shook the house!

The Tree

I discovered this tree on one of my country drives. Look how perfect it is. I'll take another picture when it gets leaves.

The Haymarket

This is the coffee house my husband and I like to hang out at. After we stumble through the farmers market we sit on the deck and visit with other people. The Mill has a lot of character. I'm with my friend at the coffee house across the street. She prefers it because there's more light. Next to the Mill is our favorite Italian restaurant. To get to it you have to walk down a corridor to some double wide doors. Across from this entrance is a small outdoor courtyard with a fountain. We like sitting by the windows and watching all the people. At Christmas there are twinkle lights on all the buildings. So serene.

Yea!!! It's here!!! The banner for the farmers market! I'm with my friend Cindy at one of our blogging meetings. I looked up out the window and sure enough it was the banner. This is a sure sign of spring.

This is a crazy climate. Preparing for Easter with a tornado one hour, and winter weather advisories the next hour. Both missed the house thank goodness. Soon for the summer! Like the cartoon Maxine quotes, there are two seasons...allergy and flu!

Patiently Waiting for Spring

I've been so amazed of the habitat getting ready for their summer retreats. The skies have been heavy with snow geese, and the constant honking in their flight. I drove to the closest lake to see if any landed for a break. I was amazed. The area had been dredged, and I didn't know the water came back. The corp took out old trees, and planted new ones. Picnic tables and privies are updated. It was excellent to see that they kept it natural with all the small changes. This has always been a favorite retreat.

Zoo Bar

This is a picture of the Zoo Bar I mentioned in an early blog. I've seen some of the greatest on their stage. It's like their website says, the legendary Zoo Bar. Sunday my friend and I went there for wine tasting and sushi. Even the juke box has the greatest tunes. When we walked in they had the late Chris Gaffney and the Hacienda brothers on. What a voice Chris had! I like things that connect. Following his career led me to some history he had with other musicians I was familiar with. Great fun! Great venue!

Don't Ask

I really fell in love with this tile right away. The creator of it just got a contract to do the murals at the up and coming Union Plaza Park. Congratulations Su! I keep this next to the tv so I can look at it everyday. Then my husband commented on a song it reminded him of by Michelle Shocked. Here goes.....................................................................Don't Ask.................................................

Did I ever tell you about the time I was changed into a rabbit? That's right, I was. Changed into a rabbit by the midnight owl. That's right, the midnight owl. You don't believe me? Ask the red fox. He saw it. Shook him so bad he ran tucky tail, didn't even chase me that night. And you know he likes to chase rabbit. How I come to be there? That's another story. I was trying to get home, walking the flattire road, when the midnight owl swoops on my shoulder, wings flapping in my ear. I jump right out of my skin. I think that's how he did it. I jumped right out of my skin. Rabbit looking for a place to hide, he jumped right in.

And that is how I found the midnight owl who...who...who..sleeps in the beetleberry tree. I was just a little rabbit, but he woke with such a start that he jumped right out of his skin. And that is how I did, see. I jumped right in. I flew to the moon where I found the red fox and I can tell you he was sure surprised to see the likes of me. He winks and chases me once around the moon for old time's sake. And then I drop him off at six o'clock and he and I agree we would get our story straight. We got our story straight and I'm sticking to it now. I was changed into a rabbit, but please don't ask me how.

Beauty in a small childs eyes

These are items our granddaughter picked in our yard. Gpa helped her find a glass to hold the arrangement. The honeysuckle is the focal point surrounded by weeds. She did a grand job displaying it. Kind of pretty for something so simple.

Back at the coffee house with Cindy

This is week two for my blogging lesson. I just learned how to respond to comments. Of course I deleted one instead of saving it. It would be glorious to say it's sunny and warm. Only sixty some days for the farmers market to begin outside the windows of this coffee house. I can almost smell the fresh produce. I decided to start an herb garden. I got a great idea from a friend. She uses a huge potting container and plants all her herbs in one pot. I could do that, and keep it on the deck. That way the pesky rabbits will stay away.

The neighbors around the little store are getting restless. They have thoughts of spring and sitting on their porches and sipping wine. That thought reminds me to post pictures of some of their homes. Maybe that could be a project for me and my camera. This next picture was after a crazy storm.

Why do we live here???

Why do we live here, a question I constantly hear during any snow storm. It also comes up when the temperature is about to melt us down. I guess the word endure comes to my mind. My ancestors came from Prussia. A kingdom that no longer exists. They became one of Nebraska's first homesteaders. My great great grandmother had to walk, because she was pregnant with my great grandfather. The covered wagon was too rough for her to ride in. If you read about the terrain it states there weren't many trees at that time. No break from the wind. The dream to own land drove them here. Their faith kept them going. Great grandfather was the first white child born when Nebraska was still a territory. I can't believe I remember him. He smoked a pipe that I inherited, and called his little glass of wine "Betty." So after each storm we can see an amazing icicle, a rainbow, an orange moon, or a sprouting flower. Then we know we really can endure, and, why we live here.

I love living in a small town. My home is six miles from the little store I work at. We are between two major cities. This gives us choices for all kinds of entertainment. We belong to the Blues Society, and the blues world in both cities are like one. Everyone supports each other. My husband was in Connecticut and went to a BBQ and Blues club. The entertainer walked by to greet everyone. Marc looked at him and said Zoo Bar! He leaned in and said 14th street! He asked dude you know that place? Marc said, I live there...Oh, the picture is the store where I work. We sell fresh produce, all groceries, hardware, champagne, and even bait. I really love it there!

Nature in my backyard

Watching birds is the calmest feeling we could ever have. When the grand kids visit they dig out the books and binoculars to identify the different species. They scan everything to point out anything moving. We try to keep all things simple. It's good for all of us.