Happy New Year !

Happy New Year !! ..........that is Mr. Menace........he is always helping me when I am on the computer.

I hope each and everyone of you will have a safe and happy New Year !!
Going out ?......staying home ?.........making resolutions ?...... whatever it may be........Happy New Year !

There was snow on the ground yesterday morning.......it was a long run......but I think winter has found us now. Snowing again now....and a winter weather advisory for our area today and tonight....wind and more snow with possible freezing rain mixed in.
I think I will just stay in the house till......March.
The only good thing about the snow is it covered the dirt in the yard and the dog's feet are not as muddy.

I better get busy on my "list of resolutions" for the new year.........(all I have to do is change the date on last year's list.)

Happy New Year !!!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful......

Mr. Menace resting up after the busy holiday.....................

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas......sorry I didn't mail any cards this year. But I do appreciate the cards, letters and pictures that I got from family and friends. I will try to do better next year.

Today I am putting away some summer clothes....(most people do this in September) I am just a bit slow. Guess I was hoping to skip winter all together this year. Our weather continues to be amazingly warm for this time of year.......but they are warning of some slick roads, because it is too warm for snow......so we will get some rain......... And then again.....maybe it will dry up and miss us again. This time last year we were waiting for the second blizzard to hit.
I so hope we have minimal snow this year......I just don't want to drive or trudge through drifts of snow. Everyday we are one day closer to spring.

Got plans for the New Year ??? Making all sorts of revolutions ??....... I just change the year on the top of the paper that I write down ALL my revolutions that I just swear that I am going to do THIS year. LOL.......

I am also organizing my list of blogs that I read.........I read too many........I try to keep up on too many........I hate to delete them just because they don't post for a few days..... ( I am sure some have deleted me for the same reason) How many is too many ?? Which ones do I say good-bye to ?........tough decisions.
Deleting is hard to do on the computer............some days I do real well........some days I think I will go back and read emails and other stuff..... I suppose that is another form of hoarding.......and soon there will be a reality show about people who KEEP everything on their computers.

Guess I better move on to something else....
till next time......... I wish you well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011

Look at these temperatures !!! This was the forecast from the other day........this morning it is just beautiful out ! It is 10:45 am and it is 34 out. Going for a high in the low 40's. MOST of us are very excited here about this warm, brown Christmas because this has cut at least a couple months off our normal North Dakota winters.

Sunset last night as we went to our kid's house for Christmas Eve.........

I am not a Grinch.............but this was on a pillowcase that I made for our Grandsons.......and I thought it was a cute picture.

Good 'Ol Grinch !............ Love this fabric.

So.....now I better go eat breakfast - my hubby has made waffles and bacon......and I need some more coffee in my cup.

Have a wonderful day ......................enjoy your family and friends....................

Merry Christmas !

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

See those grain bins in the top picture............they have been there for years.

Yesterday they tore them down............... not sure why ........... but it sure looks different.

Christmas is almost here - are you ready ?......Guess I am as ready as I will be.

I hope next year I decorate more, make more gifts, bake some cookies.......and all those fun things.

We are still on track for a "brown Christmas" here in eastern North Dakota.

Time to get the dogs in and head to work. Have a good day everyone.

Almost Christmas

Can somebody tell me how the last two months have just flown by ???? Where does the time go ??? And now Christmas is upon us and I really, really way behind. I had all these plans for decorating, making gifts, enjoying the music and getting all this and more done. And.....well, I got out a Christmas coffee cup - guess that will have to do.

We have been very busy at work - which is good.......But I hear that lots of other people are not quite ready for Christmas either. Tomorrow I am going to sit and sew with friends at the quilt shop. We all bring treats to share and do a little game and gift exchange and sew and visit. That will be a fun Christmas celebration, just enjoying the company of friends.

See that bare ground...............shhhhhhh...........no snow here in eastern North Dakota.

We have really had wonderful fall weather........dry.........and above normal temps. Today was cold and windy........but still not more than just a smidgen of snow. So...winter is already a good 2 months shorter this year. Yeah !!! ........I will take that.

We have had many sunny warm days........ the other day I even had the window open for a little while.

So............in case I don't get back to my blog...........I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Claudia

Almost December

It is Nov 29 - almost into the month of December........I wish time would slow down....so I could get more done.......so I could spend more time with my grandsons.......so I could write more.....so I could visit friends.......so I could get more sewing done........and a million other things on my list.

No snow here in North Dakota....(guess I better quit bragging) To go through November with no snow is cutting a good month off our winter - and THAT is a good thing. The mall is busy with shoppers and they got a record crowd on Black Friday.....and you know I was NOT there. I guess the shopping is good for our economy.

These nice "fall" days the dogs LOVE to be outside - they better enjoy it now....the snow will be a bit colder to lay in.

Take time to go for a swing............!

Wishing you all a good day !

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all.....................

May you have a wonderful day with family and friends.

November 18, 2011

Guess I have been absent for awhile.....wonder if anyone out there still reads my blog ? Please leave a comment from time to time, I would love to hear from you.

Almost Thanksgiving .......where did the year go ??? What are your plans for Thanksgiving ? Think back to your childhood days........what are some favorite memories of that special Thanksgiving meal? Isn't is amazing how times have changed - now when you talk about Thanksgiving most of the comments you hear are about "Black Friday". A few years ago the stores opened at some ridiculous early morning hour - now they are opening at midnight Thursday night. So.....I am sure many people will skip the family dinner so they get a good nap before they race to the doors of the midnight opening of the store where they are pushing and shoving for the special bargain. You have probably figured out by now that I am not a big fan of the "Black Friday" shopping experience.

So next year......will they have the sales starting early on a certain Thursday - which USED to be called Thanksgiving ? Guess we will have to wait till next year.

So.........till then...... I want to wish you a blessed Thanksgiving.

This is the little calendar quilt I did for October.

Our Halloween display at the quilt shop.

Don't you think that a "Dish-drainer Quilt" is a great idea ???............You could make one for each season and each holiday !! Com'on and get busy and make these cute little quilts for yourself and for gifts.

This is another great little wall quilt that was made by one of the gals who work at the quilt shop....I just LOVE pumpkins !!

We have a sunny day today !! No wind !! So.....that makes for a very nice late October day.

The dogs are sure enjoying these nice sunny days to just lay on the deck and soak up the sun.

My neighbor cleared off the garden, now it is ready for winter.

Just reading that the predictions for our northern winter weather is cold, wet, and lots of snow. Ugh. So..... I might have many snow pictures for the winter posts here on my blog.

Have a great weekend !! See you next week.

Tuesday - October 11, 2011

Last week I packed up the lake cabin and closed the door till spring. The day was so beautiful and warm .....and the lake was like glass.

The water is so clear and clean you can see the ripples in the sand on the bottom of the lake......I watched the fish swim back and forth under the dock.

Most have taken in the docks and boat lifts...............

So......I said good-bye to the lake till spring..........

Now it is time to get busy at home........decorate for Halloween........get ready for Christmas....... lots to do to keep busy till the snow melts and we head back to the cabin.

Where are all the bloggers ???

I am behind in reading all the blogs I follow..........and I noticed that many of the bloggers are behind in writing - LIKE ME !!! These days are so busy for everyone.........end of summer activities.....getting the gardens in........closing up the lake cabins.........kids in their sports for fall and winter. Busy times for everyone.
If you live in the upper Midwest - you have had a couple weeks of BEAUTIFUL WEATHER ! Yesterday was 86 degrees........I went to the lake and packed up the food stuff and anything that will freeze over the winter. It was so pretty down there.....and the leaves put on a beautiful show of their colors for the fall season. I took some pictures.......but they are still on the camera.
Off to start my day........hope your day is wonderful.

Beautiful weather !

The harvest is done for another season............

We had a few days of cool weather but now...................We are having such beautiful weather for North Dakota....... (I have seen blizzards other years at this time) Last week we hit 91 here in Fargo. Today is going to be warm again......and maybe another record breaking day tomorrow.

A drive to the lake cabin is in order to empty out the cupboards and close up the cabin till spring.

The color of the leaves are at their peak in most places - you have to go over to Minnesota to see the best leaves. I will enjoy seeing the colors tomorrow.

I have most of the flowers cut off and put to bed for the winter. Pumpkins are making an appearance on the steps of houses letting us know that Halloween is fast approaching.

Hope the weather is great where you are.

Where did the days go ??

I know it is a bit early for Halloween.........but that is my favorite time to decorate !!
LOL.....I will show you more later.

Can't believe it has been more than 2 weeks since I have posted here. I just don't know where the time goes.

I even have some new pictures to put on here.....hmmm, bet I haven't even downloaded them off my camera.

Well.....to fill you in - I was very busy at the quilt shop - We had the Indian Summer Quilt Show in Fargo on Sept 15 - 18 ....so that kept us very busy. Now that is over and we are working very hard getting ready for Christmas. You have to keep a few months ahead you know in any kind of retail business.

We have had some wonderful "Indian summer" weather. Just GREAT days to be outside, and the mosquitoes seem to have left. Today a girlfriend came over to help me work in the flowerbeds. She has the cutest little rototiller !! I still have a bit more to do....but I got too hot outside and had to come in.

It is just hard to think that soon the weather will be cold and the white stuff will make an appearance. But it better NOT till after Halloween.

9/11 - Ten years later

Today is the 10th anniversary of 9/11 - the day that changed America and all of our lives forever.

I am sure you remember the exact moment you heard about the events of that day.

Like today.....it was a beautiful blue sky, warm and sunny, what should have been a regular day in September. And then........the unthinkable happened.

My recollection of that day: I was laying in bed at 7:30am, I had just turned on the radio and I heard ........????. I didn't know what I had just heard, but I got out of bed, went to my sewing room and turned on the TV. As I watched I never thought of terrorism - I thought the radar had gone crazy and planes were going berserk. And I thought it was a small plane that had hit the tower of the world trade center. I saw the plane hit the second tower - time stood still.

I called my husband and they were all watching TV at work....... My husband had worked for many months in NYC and had been back home now for a few weeks. But he would have gotten off the subway in the bottom of the WTC at approximately that same time and crossed the street to go to the building where he was working. I am so thankful he was home.

Ten years ago ?.......It seems like only yesterday. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost loved ones in the events of that day - in New York City, in Pennsylvania and those in Washington DC. We will never forget.

God bless the USA.

Labor Day................

Have a wonderful day...........

Labor Day weekend..............

Labor Day weekend marks the end of the lake season for many.......today and tomorrow you will see many of the docks and boats come out of the water and many close up their summer cabins and say good-bye to weekends at the lake....................

We always hope for one last HOT weekend.....but not the case this weekend. It is sunny and breezy but quite cool by lake playing requirements. But just to be at the lake is enjoyable...even when it is breezy and cool.

We won't be pulling the lifts out today....we are hoping for a couple more nice weekends....to play in the water and ride around on the pontoon.

So for me - this is a weekend of sewing......and putting the final touches on some projects for the quilt shop. I know, I know.......I have not posted the pictures of them yet. LOL...... but they will show up soon.

Just want to wish everyone a fun and safe holiday weekend.

Saturday at the lake.........

Saturday was Jeff's birthday......and we were surprised by a visit from our daughter, her SO and the 3 grandsons. They had a very nice birthday gift for Grandpa - a deck tote to put all the life jackets and other "play gear" in. They even put it together and filled it up ! Empty jet-ski lifts means they are out on the water playing.......

Taylor was busy fishing off the dock.......Jennifer waiting her turn to ride.

Ike wanted to try to water ski..........he sure gave it a few (many) tries...... He was so sore and tired when he came in... I bet next time he will make it up out of the water.

Mark and Cayden riding the jet ski.....................nothing more fun than that !!!
It was a beautiful afternoon..........and very little boat and ski traffic on the water........just like having the whole lake to yourself !

After they were done playing........we ate "lake food".....grilled burgers and chicken, corn on the cob, pasta salad and a cold MDG64 (for some of us).

We sure had some tired boys - I am sure they slept all the way home.

So now our birthdays are done for the year..........and Jeff is a "Happy Grandpa".

On a clear day..........

Not a cloud in the sky and not a ripple on the lake.... what a great day at the lake! There is nothing prettier than the lake on a clear calm morning....

We have a lone loon that comes back here every year....there are other pairs on the lake, but this one is always alone. He turned his head because a fish came up out of the water ......hmmmm breakfast he was thinking!

He went under water and I was hoping he would come up closer to me.....but he came up way out in the lake.

Guess I better get busy.....I am going to a neighbors for coffee and then come back and get back to my sewing. I really am getting stuff done - but there are so many things to take pictures of outside....I haven't put my sewing pictures on here yet.

Boat just went by......

Beautiful morning for water skiing.............but it messed up the glassy water.

Have a good day.

Wednesday ............

Here is my tub of projects......

And more projects............ Hope I don't run out of things to sew. I know it really doesn't look like "projects" to some of you, but the quilters will understand that there really is "projects" in those piles.

It was a windy day on West McDonald Lake.........


I really love to watch the water and the waves.......reminds me of the ocean - on a smaller scale.

There were white-caps on the water almost all day....now at 6:30pm the wind seems to be dieing down a bit.

I have been sewing pretty much all day.......and really enjoying my day at the lake. I will share pictures of my projects next time....unless I find something pretty outside to take pictures of.

Tuesday night arriving at the lake............

I finally made it to the cabin about 6pm Tuesday evening...... after a day of running and appts.....I made it !
First on the agenda was a little supper..... I saw a "Sweet Corn Stand" on the way down... and I just had to stop. This was the first sweet corn I had this year......and it was delicious. I know, I have to be very careful with corn... I only had one. Yesterday while I was trying to leave the city....it got hotter and hotter... I knew it was going to be very warm when I got to the lake. At 9pm last night....it was still 92 degrees in the porch. But I toughed it out and didn't even turn on the AC !! LOL

So I got all my sewing stuff unpacked and laid out. And today - I am ready to get busy !!

This morning that cabin is nice and cool......with a brisk wind coming off the lake. I have pics and will post again later.

Saturday at the lake

Finally I made it to the lake for the weekend.........seems like forever since I have been here ! Rather quiet down here.......it is nearing the end of summer and many are thinking about closing up their cabins in a few weeks. Labor Day weekend is the last weekend for many.
I hope we can keep it open for a few more weeks......fall is a beautiful time of the year to be here. I enjoy the cooler days by the lake shore.
Next week I am taking a little mini-vacation to spend a couple days here and sew. So I "should" have a few projects to show you after that.
My husband and grandson arrived safely home from their 2 week vacation in China and they both have lots of stories to tell....Maybe he will let me borrow some pictures to share with you.

Have a wonderful weekend........till next time. .............Claudia

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Monday........Monday..........

Backing up to last Sunday, Aug 7th. This is the Bluestem Amphitheater in Moorhead, MN. One night I entered a drawing for Alice Cooper tickets......and WON ! So I took a girlfriend and we went to see Alice Cooper. (he is from the 70's for you young ones) I liked some of his music when I was in high school...........and now I got to see him in concert. This is a very nice new facility for outdoor concerts and such. The first thing you noticed at the concert.....was......LOL......we were all much older than high school !

But Alice Cooper !!.......he looked pretty good (I think he is 62) And I really enjoyed his music.

Sorry the pics are a bit blurred........I was sitting WAY back in the general admission seats.....but for as far away as I was.........they turned out pretty good I thought.

He is quite a showman and really puts on a good show. One friend told me that she liked this show better than his concert she went to 33 years ago !! Now that really tells our age doesn't it.

We really enjoyed ourselves........I should enter some more contests and see if I can win anything.

As for the beginnings of this week.....well, rain in the forecast for the next couple days....we DON'T need anymore.. our rivers are so full....we are all starting to think about next spring already if this water in the rivers doesn't go WAY down......and go down fast.

Till next time !...............Have a wonderful week.