Caldrea at Target

A couple of weeks ago I discovered that Target is carrying a cheaper Caldrea line in three different fragrances. I picked up the counter spray in Herbs of Provence when it was 15 % off. I think Citrus Ginger sounds yummy too. While googling Caldrea at Target I came upon this fun little blog called Target Addict. You might pick up some fun Target tips here.

Summer Reading

I am very excited about our Book Club's summer/fall selections! Nancy suggested The Help and we are starting with this one in June. Two other members have read it already but are happy to read it again. It has over 2,000 ratings on Amazon and 4 1/2 stars-pretty good!

Have you heard of Sarah's Key? It's getting superb ratings all over the net.

It's going to be sad.

Mom and Nancy both enjoyed this one. Mom picked up the second at the Bargain Bazaar for just 50 cents.

I have read Olive Kittredge and liked it, didn't I lend it out to someone in my family? Did you enjoy it?? I look forward to reading this one again in September.

We're also reading a book called Alice based on Alice in Wonderland. I don't know much about that one.

Let me know if you have read any of these books or have other good suggestions for my club.

Party!

A neighbor dog came over to join the guys' section.

We had a retirement party for my coworker Mary here on Friday night. We lucked out totally with the weather as it was the first warm, sunny day after a long cold wet spell. Everyone was so happy just to be outside and relax & celebrate at the end of a busy (dreary) week. We had 45 people attend. The party began at 4 and the last group left just after midnight. We had a bonfire at dusk and I learned that wet wood will indeed burn if hot enough.

Dan-the Grillmaster

We fired up the old barbeque for the old fashioned hotdogs. Dan is wearing his favorite Captiva shirt, Shari.

The back of the firepit works great as a bar.

I made rhubarb punch and it was very yummy, if I do say so myself.

I'm making another batch for the retirement party this Friday at Jan's for Jana.

Bird Central

It's been Bird Central around here this weekend and especially today. Yesterday, I saw the first hummingbird-a male as usual. Today, there have been at least two buzzing around. I saw the male grosbeak, a redstart, plenty of yellow warblers, house wrens and was very surprised to see a red breasted nuthatch stop for a drink at the bird bath. I see them once every year or two, sometimes longer stretches. They are darling little birds, about the size of a chickadee but more slender. I think I heard a cardinal this morning. It's very fun to see all these birds back and feels more like summer now.

Puppies!!!

Gracie's family is getting one of these puppies. Doesn't she look happy!!!

Saturday Sales

There were quite a few rummage sales in town on Saturday. One sale in particular was very good, an elderly lady who was quite a collector was selling everything. The sale began on Friday but they kept adding new items so even on Sat we scored. These red plastic shoes fit and are perfect outdoor shoes-super comfy for 25 cents. The basket belonged to her mother and is 75-100 years old-$1!!! Basket on left is from Shirley's sale, going in the pantry. Ribbon-25 cents.
A robin nest box for $2, that I will use as a feeder, unless someone makes a nest in it. Speaking of birds, I saw the first hummingbird and house wren of the season yesterday. This morning, I had a female grosbeak eating bugs of the hummingbird feeder. The orioles arrived this week too.
Stuff for my classroom. The "paint your own Tshirt" is going to Jana this week for her "art extravaganza" retirement party. The trolls are going to my coworker who makes statues out of them for the Flekkefest run. 4 for a quarter!
This is my favorite find of the day for 10 cents, a sweet Kerr jelly jar. It has little feet and the red tin cover is mint! I have never seen one like this before-have you??
This narrow shelf fit nicely in the pantry and gives me extra storage! It was 50 cents!! I picked up a metal one for the garage for $2. Isn't rummaging fun!!!!!

May Flowers

May bouquets are the best.

The little ones are my favorite.

I think lily of the valley is my favorite, because they're the first ones out and they smell so good.

The primrose did very well this year. I transplanted three that I got from Trader Joes late winter, they're indoor plants and instead of tossing them, thought I'd give it a try. These are from an established plant I already had.

The pansies outside my kitchen window are my favorite color variety.

Another Bear???

This is exactly what the bear did last summer. Rumor is that he was poached, either they were wrong or there's another bear. This happened twice this week. I snapped this photo on Wed.

Pretty Pictures for you!

Jackson-Mother's Day

Dan and Darlene on Mother's Day!

We had a very nice time down in Jackson this weekend. We drove down from Mpls on Saturday, arrived in Jackson mid afternoon, and stayed til Sunday afternoon. The Twins game we had tickets for on Friday night, which was the first game in Target Field to be called on account of the weather, were used by Dan's coworker Keith and his wife on Sat evening. Tim and Emily met us for dinner on Friday night and that was a lot of fun. So we watched the Sat. game from Jim and Darlene's warm living room instead which was a very nice Plan B! Earlier, we had dinner at Pizza Ranch and then went for a fun drive all around town, a drive down memory lane you might say and a chance to see all the new changes in town. Jim made his famous bacon and eggs for breakfast on Sunday and it wasn't long before we were dining on Darlene's famous chicken and rice. That's right Jen, your favorite! It's Dans too! :) Darlene's perennials look wonderful and I was able to dig up a few things to bring back to my garden. Thanks again, Darlene. I also bought a few herbs from the local nursery(they had a great selection) to get my gardening off for the season. Can't wait! It looks like 4 more days of cold and then we'll warm up again. I'm hosting a retirement party at the cabin on Friday after school so we'd appreciate a little warmth, otherwise it's at the house and I will be forced to clean. :( Have a great week, everyone! Happy Mother's Day to my own mother, Lorraine!

Baby Shower

Morgan adores Odin.

The happy mommy!

A yummy spread, courtesy of Aunt Jeanne and perhaps others? I know for sure she made the egg bake. Also featured left to right, Mary, Steve, Becky and Kris.

Joe's mom, Audrey, Lorraine, Kathy & Teri

Sarah's Birthday

Sarah is 18!!

Jen's fun new purse!

Her mother in law got it in Mexico-made from recycled materials.

Eric, Courtney, Kelsey and the Shadow.