More snow....

The table was clear before last night's snow so you can see that we got about 10-12 inches.
On Sunday, Dan and I spent about an hour shoveling snow off the deck of the cabin.  Here we are, almost finished!  We didn't clear it all, mainly the snow that was up against the wall.  We're trying to protect the paint.  It's probably full of snow again but hopefully, not on the siding.
Look at the crack in the road going all the way down the road that leads to the cabin-It was like a river a week ago.
This morning, I shoveled snow and spread out about a gallon of cracked corn for the juncos and finches.  It took the red-winged blackbirds about 10 mn to find it.  There were at least 100 of them-poor things. I was not expecting them-we've never had one in our yard before-that I've seen anyway.  Usually, they are down in the marsh.  It was kind of funny to have snow coming down like crazy and the song of spring birds right outside our window.

Monday

And if the storm arrives, I will be spending more time there on Tuesday morning.
The robins came a bit too early this year-hope they manage the storm okay.

I have a few gravy boats and never thought of using it for napkins-love this idea!

I like this look!

Gotta run, it's time for Jay Leno's Monday headlines-always hilarious!

Shoes!

These are Dansko sandals for only $7!!!!  Brand new from Marshall's-should be very comfy at school this spring, if we ever truly get spring.  Normally, these shoes are $125.00!
I really like these!  Purchased at the Fergus Goodwill on Saturday for 2.99.  Brand new, originally from JCPenny.  Fairly comfortable despite the high heel.  

Sunday/Spring

Maisy soaks up the sun on her scratch pad.

Tiny malted milk eggs look like the real thing.

Kris, do you recognize this bird?  I love it.

The basil is growing!

Candles from wax scraps

I've started saving all my candle scraps to make into new candles. Here are 4 I made today.

Here's everything you will need, jars, wicking, metal base, old pan for double boiling and candle scraps.   Tea cups would make a pretty candle holder too.  I get my supplies at Ben Franklin. (wick-metal tabs) They are very cheap.  Everything else is recycled.  If you google candle making you will get many results.   The glass pan I use is one I picked up at a thrift store and I use it only for candle making so I never have to clean it out.   I was getting tired of all the wasted candles, especially when I had over half the candle left.

Did you know...

that fresh eggs are extremely difficult to peel when boiled?  I learned this the hard way. Use your older eggs and another tip I read recently is to put a little oil in your water when boiling, just a couple tsps.   Keep that in mind when you are making your Easter eggs and deviled eggs this summer.
that the tops of celery have the most flavor?  I used to cut them off and throw them away.  Now, I wash them and chop them up with the rest of the stalk.   Don't waste the best part.

terrariums

I picked this little jar up at the Goodwill in Fergus on Saturday. I think I will make it into a tiny terrarium.
Here's a large terrarium I got at Marshalls a while back for $2.99.  The moss you see is from our oak trees and there's ivy too.  A little metal frog is sitting on a stone.  Have you noticed all the terrariums in magazines this spring?

March

Pretty neutral colors here but I wish you could hear all the birds-they know it's spring.

A little color in the sky tonight.

A soggy gravel road.

My road to work was closed for a couple of days.  They say it's good to take an alternate way to work now and then.  It's open now and Kris, don't worry, there were no cars behind me when I snapped this.  I needed Dan to see how bad it got.  

Trumpeter Swans and Flooding

This morning on the way to work I was very surprised to see that where the Golf Course Road meets 79 was totally under water.  It was about 15 feet of water not more than foot.  After driving through it a pair of trumpeter swans flew  right along side of me for 50 yards or so.  They were gorgeous and looked just like this pair that I Googled.    I suppose they could have been tundra swans as they are almost identical but I don't know if people see them around here or not.  Joel would know.

On the way home, the Golf Course Rd was closed (much more water this afternoon than am) so I had to go all the way around to the interstate and then took the gravel roads home.  It is really a mess out there and I wouldn't be surprised to hear that we're late tomorrow due to flooding.  Our gravel road on Sandy Point is not in good condition but still very passable.  Going down the point there is a 1 foot wide/deep gorge going down the side of the road. It looks like a waterfall. Unfortunately, most of the sand and gravel is going right down the hill into Jan and Gary's back yard.  I walked down there earlier this evening.  More thunder and lightening here for about an hour this evening.  So, that's the weather report in our neck of the woods.  Not good at all.  Drive carefully.

New Season-New Look

This photo came from another blog.  It has three things I love: pale pink peonies, tea cups and vintage jewelry.
Don't worry, we didn't get another cat.  But doesn't this picture make you wish she was yours?

IF we ever got a camper, I would want one just like this.

We're having a pretty quiet weekend here.  Dan is pretty much glued to the TV for the NCAA tournament.  I've been reading my book for book club, The Whistling Season, and liking it very much.  It's a story about a one room schoolhouse out west.  We meet this Wed and I'm halfway through which means 150 pages yet.  I also made lasagna for dinner tonight and am doing some spring cleaning inside the house.  In about a month, the inside of the house will be severely neglected so I'm trying to de-clutter, get rid of any winter decor and just lighten things up a bit.  It's very windy here today and we haven't had much sunshine all weekend.  I'd say 80% of the snow is gone and what remains is pretty ugly.  This shall pass!  Have a wonderful week~Laurie

Happy Spring!!!!!

Yay....it's officially spring!  We had a spring potluck at work and many dressed in spring attire too.  I was going to wear sandals but the fresh dusting of snow on our sidewalk this morning changed my mind and I went with white jeans and a springy top instead.  I made potato salad.  My first graders were happy to wear their spring headbands with bees and flowers attached with pipe cleaners.  One asked me why we still have snow if it's spring to which I replied, "because we live in Mn."  We had misty rain all morning and then the afternoon was full of sunshine.  Sounds like tomorrow will be very nice too.  Shari's birthday is on the first day of spring so it's always easy for me to remember when the vernal equinox will occur.

We are just getting ready to watch David's team (Eden Prairie) play online. If they win, they'll be in the state tournament and we'll get to watch him on TV next week!  Go Eden Prairie!!!!

First Robin 2009

About 30 mn after my last post,  Dan and I spotted the first robin or two just across the road.  We ran into Ashby for dinner at Murphy's Pub.  We enjoyed a pint of green beer and I was impressed that Dan actually wore a green shirt to work today, one of my favorite springy plaid shirts.   Green looks nice on him.  Hope you enjoyed another spring like day!

Just a warning-

I looked back in my nature journal, which goes back 9  years, and most Aprils had snow, quite a few inches of snow.  But then three days later it would be 80 degrees-only in Mn!  Maybe we'll get lucky this year and miss the late snow.  We've had enough.

One more thing-

I think I saw a great blue heron on the way to Ashby, but I can't say for sure as it was a ways off.  Jan, have you seen one yet?  I miss comparing bird notes with you at school.  

Spring Birds 2009!!!

Red Wing Blackbird

It's that time of year to post some of the spring birds as I see them return to this area.  Something fun to do while I wait for the ground to dry up enough to do something outside.  This morning, I spotted this bird on the way to work.  It's my official first spring bird.  I have yet to see a robin although many people are work have reported seeing them.  The Canada geese are going off in pairs I see.   There is usually a pair at the end of Sandy Road by the marsh but not yet.   Happy bird-watching!!

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Darlene sent this recipe for chocolate cake in a mug.  Maybe you have seen it before. You make it in the microwave and it's very good.   I tried it the other night and added walnuts to mine.  I was going to make it earlier but waited until we had ice cream in the house.  I only cooked mine for 2 minutes and it was ready.  I used a big mug.

You can find the recipe right here.

Good Luck at the BB

Brooks Brothers shoes made in Italy,   Price ticket on the shoe $288.00!!! Seriously? I think I could stand to wear these for a couple of hours, definitely not working shoes.

Cute little Old Navy Sock Monkey for $1.

Nike shirt with matching pants in Joey's size!

Lands End Turtle dress $2

Blue polka dot dress $1 (It had a big rip)

Faux fur trim long sweater $1.50.   Kind of fun  and Tracy Porter-ish, her website has definitely influenced me, have you checked it out in my side bar yet?

Front and back of a flower jumper, Gracie's size.

This is not even half of what I bought while "working" today.  Not bad for a grand total of $21.  

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Happy Saturday everyone!  I thought I'd get a quick post out before I head to the Bargain Bazaar to work the 10-2 shift with Shirley and Jean.  We always have a lot of fun working together so I'm looking forward to that.  Last night, I enjoyed watching Mama Mia at a friend's house for a girl's night.   It was a lot of fun and the movie was very good.  I loved the daughter's character.  She also plays the daughter in Big Love if you watch that.  She can really sing.

LOVE this little lampshade.  I think I need another little project to do inside.  My herbs are planted and I am waiting for them to sprout.  The coriander seeds have to be planted outside so I only have the parsley and basil going.  Hopefully, we'll get the warmth and sunshine soon.  It's warmer today but still so windy you hardly notice.  I really hate the wind.

Downtown Crows

This was published in the Strip this week.  Every spring the crows descend in the Loring Park area and I thought this was a cool picture.  I think it's very close to where Dan's apartment used to be.  Did you know that crows can be taught to speak and that they are very smart birds with amazing memories?  If you ever read "The Tarantula in My Purse" by Jean Craighead George you will see crows in a new light.  It was one of my favorite read alouds for 4th grade.  A collection of short animal stories-the kids loved them.

Gotta run or I'll be late for "work."  Maybe I can find another treasure for a give away on the blog.  That was kind of fun!  Have a great weekend!

Blizzard Warning-No School

We are in a Blizzard Warning and school was cancelled for the day.  No snow or anything else yet, just very dreary-perhaps the calm before the storm?  So, I'm doing a quick little post as Dan will soon have the computer line for the day as he's working from home.  It's always nice to have him here on my snow days.  I plan to do a little baking (biscotti), a little cleaning and organizing in the pantry/bathroom (yes, it's strange-kind of an oxymoron)  and plan to plant my herbs today too.  That's all for now-be careful out there!

Inspiration Photo's