Life's Simple Pleasures

DH decided he wanted a double burner for the garage; he is itching to cook again. Only problem is those dratted stairs going up to the kitchen...

So, tonight we went to Walgreens and bought a Signature Double Buffet Range for the garage.

DH couldn't wait to get it out of the box- he'd been wanting one for eons. I grabbed one of our less-used Calphalon saute pans, a pair of tongs and DH grabbed the Italian sausage, I added some sliced garlic, while DH added some roasted red pepper strips, some sliced red onions, and a little of the olive oil that the peppers were marinated in, and soon the garage was filled with the smells of an Italian kitchen. He cut up the sausage into bite-size chunks and browned them until the pink was gone, then served them on a couple leftover sesame seed hamburger buns we had laying around. Was it ever good! There's something about cooking outside, "roughing it" as I call it, that brings out the flavors of a meal.

After dinner, we hopped in the Blazer and took a ride around the lake, checking out the Summer homes. Nearly every one had at least 2 cars in their driveways, all IL plates. The July 4th weekend has officially begun~

fishing1

Uploaded by msgrfx on 30 Jun 10, 10.42PM CDT.

At dusk, there were fireworks going off in town, as well as the neighboring town of Delavan. One of our neighbors insisted on setting off as many, if not more, in his driveway behind us, prompting Igor to fits of barking at the darkening treeline behind us. He was pretty stressed by the time the Grand Finale was over, and the mosquitoes drove  us in for the night.

I completed 2 more rose motifs for the Rose Parade doily, totally absorbed in my work for a couple hours. I think it's going to look nice once it gets worked together.

I've decided to go with this color combo. I really think it will work best for Sharon.

Igor has had about enough of this day.

Summerfest - The World's Largest Music Festival

Summerfest - The World's Largest Music Festival



DD19 and her BF are at Milwaukee Summerfest tonight-at 9:00pm. They saw the B-52s, ROCK LOBSTER!, then went on to The Offspring at 10:00pm.

I worked on the Rose Parade Doily, got 8 of the 16 rose motifs done. What'dya think of those colors as representing the Blue Girl Rose, did I do good?

I finally got to upload pictures of teh GrandBaby!

 This last one is my personal favorite ♥♥♥

Seasons Shawl Kit - Fall/Winter from KnitPicks.com

I sooooooo want to make this Seasons Shawl, isn't it beautiful? the kit: KnitPicks, $22.99. Yarn and pattern included.

Seasons Shawl Kit - Fall/Winter from KnitPicks.com

Tonight we took a ride around the 'hood, saw some homes for sale, called and harassed our Chicago Peeps to come visit and promised them a tour- later we sat out front and enjoyed another beautiful sunset, while I crocheting on the Rose Parade doily. 

BLT's for dinner~ YUM! mosquitoes for guests~UGH....

Tonight I found another old friend from the Smith Valley Hood, and sent a friend request over her way. I got a reply a little while ago, and got off a quick reply back. We have 10 years of catching up to do; she looks content and is glowing as she holds an armload of Grandson ~ 


I have some photos of Baby (R)Honda to upload, so best get busy, tomorrow is another day and I will have pix for another blog :)

Lentils and other yummy stuff

I saw this recipe on the LHC boards, I'm not sure what to call it yet, I'll get back to that.....

1 pound lentils
7 cups water
1/2 vidalia onion
5 raw cloves garlic
1 head roasted garlic
3 tbs (about) garam masala
1 ancient sweet pepper
3 carrots

Chop all ingredients up, bring to a boil, simmer for an hour or so. then dump the entire mixture in a blender and puree.

Keep in the refrigerator, serve over rice or on a pita.

By Jove, I think she's got it!!

The thread for my Blue Girl rose motifs arrived, a day early!! WHOOT! 
I quick-worked one up last night, and I think I have the color combo I was after (or does she??) I see one more possibility...

The inspiration:

Now I can finish Sharon's Rose Parade doily!

We took a short drive up the road for a photo shoot, and learned more about some local long-horn cattle on Hwy A. There was a sign out front posted, and it told us of the Ankole-Watusi Cattle, of South Africa.

There were two new calves this time, which were immediately surrounded by the "auntie" cows, while a formidable bull herded another female away from the group. What was so amazing were the horns-they were massive, one fellow's rack spanning nearly 5 feet and thick as trees at the skull.

I also got some new photos of some local barns and silos. One tile silo gleamed in the fading sunlight, looking as brand new as the day it was erected.

All in all, it was a glorious day, and I'm having a good hair day!

Rose Among the Thorns

Just had to share a surprise I got today. The first bloom on a Prickly Pear cactus a friend gave us 7 years ago. After realizing the first location was not working out (mostly shady)I moved it to a sunny spot in the shed garden, 2 summers ago, and it obviously was the perfect spot.

The first cherry tomato of the season fell off the vine today, before any critters had a chance to take a nibble. I found some blackberry volunteers over by the Wall Garden. Tasty treats!

I'm knitting away at the Alaska Jacket,while my pink crochet thread sits in a sorting facility in New Berlin,  patiently awaiting transport to our local PO. It will likely be delivered either tomorrow or Friday.

Sharon's Rose Parade Doily (an Elizabeth Hiddleson design) waits for it's circle of roses...

I'm thinking I'm pretty happy with my new shorter hair style (for now), but so miss the long length....someday it will be back to TB, but for now, I will enjoy it and try not to think about it...

I definitely want to be THIS Sandra when my hair grows back out ....

ComforSleepnumberPedic Memory Foam Flotation Devices and Their Many Uses

Eagle, WI was hit by tornado night Monday night. The devastation was incredible. Old World Wisconsin looked like an H-bomb was dropped on it.

WFRV News

Story Created: Jun 22, 2010 at 11:31 AM CDT
Story Updated: Jun 22, 2010 at 12:12 PM CDT

Waukesha County (WFRV) - Strong storms blasted across the state Monday evening producing a confirmed EF-2 tornado that touched down in southern Wisconsin, damaging homes in Waukesha County.

The National Weather Service survey crew in the area of the Town of Eagle has reported that the tornado was rated EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.  An EF- 2 tornado can have winds gusts over 130 mph.

This confirmed tornado's track was about four miles in length.  In it's path, one home was completely destroyed, while at least fifty houses were damaged, and two cars were flipped over.    

Multiple reports of tornadoes and damage were received Monday evening and the survey teams will continue to investigate if other damage is consistent with damage produced by tornadoes. 

At this point other areas where damage and possible tornadoes were reported include:

East-central Lafayette county from near Darlington to Wiota
West-central Dane County in the Town of Cross Plains
Southwest Waukesha County in the Town of Eagle - multiple reports of houses damaged
We will continue to provide updates on last night's storms as more information becomes available.

Video:
Chopper 4 Video: Storm Damages Old World Wisconsin | Today's TMJ4 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ | Local News

The last batch of storms passed by us early this morning around 6am, thankfully, nothing happened. Just a lot of rain, from what DH tells me-I slept through it, thanks to our new firm Steinhafels Memory Foam Mattress.
Uses of a Memory Foam Mattress:

• hide under during a tornado
• flotation devise after roof blows off and bedroom fills up with water 
• giant sponge for cleaning up rain-soaked carpet
• sleep through storms like a baby
• more cush for the Poodle (Note to self: shop fora Dog-pedic mattress for Igor)

Movie Reviews

Shutter Island was GOOD-it was a mind-bender, lots of twists and turns, well worth the extra day to keep and watch it. The first day was free, I had a Redbox coupon, so we didn't mind keeping it another day anyway. DH fell asleep half-way through it-he missed a good movie...owell.
SO interesting to hear about Sophie, she is such a cutie patootie! I have her book, I think you saw it on my blog page as a link to her website ~ DiCaprio didn't fit the bill as a US Marshall, in my humble opinion, but he still played a very compelling role. There were a few older actors I am sure you'll recognize-the names escape me right now, I'm not good with names anyway...but yep, see if it you are into twisty-turny movies-not bad, but a surprise ending, to be sure.

And now, back to our regularly schedule programming-Knitting on the Alaska!

Those storms were too stressful, Igor needs his beauty sleep...