Bits of Life Wednesday

The high bush cranberries are ripening fast!

Well, another week has flown by and here we are at Wednesday already. Summer is the shortest season of the year, not only because winter is interminable, but also possibly because we have a lot of family birthdays in the summertime. Personally, I'm glad to have a birthday in August, rather than in the dead of winter.

Cactus zinneas. Planted late, and giving me
more than I deserve

My favorite cherry tomato, tasty and prolific!
I think they're 'Red Currant,' but the identification tag
seems to be buried beneath the mulch.
I put about 20 of them in my salad.

FAVORITE PERSONAL SALAD:

Romaine lettuce
Red cabbage
Shredded carrot
Chopped onion (some)
1/2 avocado, cut into chunks
About 20 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
About a dozen green olives, cut in half
About 1/8 c. shelled pistachios, chopped
1 T. EVOO and 1 T. fresh lemon juice

McIntosh apples, the first windfalls

After nearly dying from a very harsh winter a few years ago, our trusty McIntosh apple tree is bearing apples once again. I was sure it was a goner, and there is dead wood that needs to be cut back, but we're getting apples, my favorite kind. I learned from experience to pick up the windfalls each morning to prevent the tree from producing wormy apples (Is it an old wives' tale? Anyway, it works) and that the best apples are a bit later on - better formed and tastier. I might put this picking out on the edge of the hill for the deer to eat. Perhaps it will keep them from eating the apples from the tree itself! Perhaps not. At least it will keep worms and ants away from the tree's drip line.

All hands on deck,
trying to catch the microscopic toad.
I think it was a very quick catch and release.

It was the eight year old grandson's birthday yesterday.
It's fun watching these kids going back to the serving table to get an extra handful of broccoli. :-) Wasn't it President H.W. Bush who hated broccoli?

Over the weekend, we visited their (my daughter, not Prez. Bush) place and had a party. One of the gifts we gave the grandson was a pr of Harry Potter PJs. Unfortunately, they were sized WAY too small. But as I was putting them back into the bag for a return, the little sister popped into view with, 'WAIT! Let ME try!' (I could hear Cinderella's voice in my head just before she tried on the glass slipper). She is normally a size 4. The pajamas were size 8, and even she had to struggle to get into the legs and arms. But once she did, she was thrilled, so I'm going to be ordering another [probably different style] Harry Potter PJs for the birthday boy.

Struggling on tippy toes
to get into the act.

We went to the park just in time to see a white, horse-drawn carriage containing bride, flower girl, and the bride's father, presumably, arrive. I was amazed that the horses willingly walked across the long wood bridge to get to the island where the guests were being serenaded by loud country western music. I shudder to recall. (I have to keep remembering: hate the sin, love the sinner). JUST KIDDING, all you country western fans. :-D But you know it's Rutter for me. ANYWAY, we tried to be as inconspicuous as possible and merely watched from afar and then took a nice walk along the river. There's a great paved path from the park to infinity downtown and beyond. 

 You might mistakenly have thought the bride was the main attraction at this wedding.

Look at those gorgeous work horses!

One of a few fishermen we saw

fishing in the great Wisconsin River

next to the walking trail

Tommy & Smokey

enjoying the screen room

Could they possibly be comfortable?? Looks like a great opportunity for a crick in the neck. But they never listen to advice, persist in their risky behavior, and refuse to see the chiropractor, so what can you do.

***

Neighbor Bill's Barn

August of 2010

(Note Card available in my Etsy Shop,

since it's one of my favorite barns) 

*I think it's next Wednesday that Joyce will be back with Wednesday's Hodgepodge - and not a moment too soon. We're all treading water here, Joyce! ;-)

***

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Have a great Wednesday, friends.

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My Second Bloggiversary

First, just a quick reminder of my 25% off Hope of Spring sale on my luxury homemade soaps (at Homemade Soap'n'Such) running this week only, February 6-10. Sale ends Friday night at midnight.

Yorkshire, Scottish Blackface Sheep - my favorite!

I wonder if he'd loan me enough wool to knit a scarf?

 
It was two years ago today that I put up my FIRST BLOG POST  for all the world to see (Okay, make that about 2 people - Debbie and Kevin). I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, except that I was being pestered by a friend to start blogging. I listened to her. What was I thinking?? :-)

Actually, I've really enjoyed blogging the past two years. I've noticed a trend toward fewer words and more pictures in my posts, however.  I know that people are busy and may appreciate less text and more photos. I can do that.

I tend to write about whatever strikes me. Some kindly call my blog 'eclectic.' That's a nice way of saying that I don't seem to have any particular focus. :-)  My posts usually revolve around the following subjects:

• Favorite Recipes
• Arts and Crafts, including my handcrafted soaps, knitting, baking, cooking, sewing, etc.
• Gardening and canning
• My dogs and cats, those delightful creatures whom we love and who keep us awake at night... and sheep. No, I don't have sheep, but if I could import a Yorkshire/Scottish Blackface, I would! I suspect that Kevin would frown upon keeping him in the house, however.
• Our home, and the things we occasionally do to improve it
• Books I love, including those by C.S. Lewis, R.C. Sproul, G.K. Chesterton, Francis Schaeffer, Dorothy L. Sayers, etc.
• Scripture to ponder, especially those involving God's amazing mercy and grace, shown in sending His only Son to rescue sinful people - like me.
• Vintage, or things I've had around quite a while and thought weren't worth anything til I saw the same things in an antique store. (I still can't think of 70s clothing or decor as 'vintage.' To me they are simply an example of poor taste. Sorry to the younger generation who seem to love it.) :-)
• Travel, to infinity and beyond (but most likely Wisconsin, Texas, and England - I have not lost hope about returning to England.)
• Family, including those irresistible grandchildren 

 Eeyore, a happy defender of the Second Amendment

  Flags at Brit's Pub, Minneapolis
(one of my favorite places to go for dinner - on special occasions)

I've met some great bloggers over the past couple years, and although there are many blogs I love to visit, due to keeping this short, I will mention only a few of them here.  The following have been great readers and 'commenters' on Cranberry Morning, nearly since the beginning...and I appreciate it!

Mary, from Food Floozie, is a delightful blogger who has managed to find just about every cool place to eat in the Ann Arbor, MI area! (and on a budget as well!) She shares her thoughts and recipes and great Ann Arbor places on a nearly daily basis.

Jenn, from Jenn's Food Journey, is a terrific griller. With lots of wonderful recipes for the grill, and some for the smoker, she manages to entice us all with her enthusiasm and encouragement! So many of my recipe files have the name 'Jenn' next to them!

Gloria, from Under Her Wings, has become a great 'virtual friend.' Although she lives a long way from NW Wisconsin, I feel like I know her. She always has great insights into Scripture (and human nature) and brings me daily inspirational posts.

Pam, from Empty Nester is an amazing goal setter. Living in the South, she has such un-Scandinavian events as oyster roasts and beach parties! With a lovely family and cute Tucker (her dog), she has a great sense of humor which entertains and uplifts her readers.

J - on-Tour@Jayzspaze is from Northern England where he writes about that corner of the world. He's a great walker/ tour guide /writer and brings us seriously good posts packed full of information and wonderful photos he's taken. If  you're thinking about taking a trip to England, you should definitely check out his blog.

Jane, from Midwest to Midlands, posts daily gorgeous photos from the heart of England. Stunning photography of that enchanted island (and a hint of jealously) take me to her blog on a regular basis!

So let me close by telling all who follow Cranberry Morning just how much I appreciate you and your very welcome comments. I love hearing from you! Thanks for being such an encouragement to me. :-)

If you've just happened upon this blog, I'd love it if you'd follow along and keep the conversation going!

Thanks!

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