SUPPER CLUB - Tuesday, April 25th

[purrfect-lady]

Good morning!

Our birds are up! and they want everyone to know it! lol! I love when all the birds come home for the summer. Speaking of birds, we came home from camping last Friday and found bits of insulation all over our front yard. At first we thought, 'what has Vicki done now?' Then some more came raining down on us. We looked up and found several of the holes in our bird blocking under the eaves had been pecked at and something was in there, digging out the insulation. We pounded on the side of the house and out flew a woodpecker! She was really making a mess as she was making her nest. So off to Home Depot to get some wire screening to cover the holes where the screens had been pecked out. and yes, we made sure she wasn't in there before we made the repairs. We have several other birds nesting in birdhouses we've put up round our property. But guess she liked the Big House instead.

CHRISS - you came back!! Yay! We're all excited! How's the cough? Does using a steamer help? Have you tried? Spaghetti is a good way to get your onions and garlic in. Hope they help. What a smart horse! I've heard of cats and dogs able to turn doorknobs, but never a horse. Are you sure?? ;o)

BECCA - postcards are easy. There are many ways to do them, but here is how I do it: You make a small block from fabric - 4x6". It can be appliqued, pieced, embroidered, fussy cut, or however you want to make it. If you applique securely, sewing down the pieces shouldn't be necessary for this purpose, but you can if you wish. It can enhance your picture. You can embellish with things, too, if you wish, like lace, beads, ribbon, buttons, etc. Once the picture side of the 'postcard' is complete, I sandwich it with a muslin back and for the 'batting' I use stiff, double-sided fusible pellon. All layers are cut to 4x6. I carefully position them together and then iron them. Then I satin stitch around the edges. For the back, you can leave it alone or you can use a marker to draw the lines that are distinctive on the back of a purchased post card. I would write your first name and last initial and your town/state on the back. And you could also put "friend of Autumn's Mom". You can write a message to the library. Or you can leave the entire thing blank. I doubt the backs will show. I just happen to have a rubber stamp that says "POSTCARD" that I use for the backs but it's not necessary. These post cards CAN be mailed but require first class postage and hand-cancelling. But it's better to put them in a larger envelope and mail them straight to the library. There are many ways to make post cards. This is just my own way that I devised. And it's quick and easy and addicting. Judi made some and used regular batting, quilted them, and bound them just like tiny quilts. That's HER way.

JANA - I'm with you on the weeds! Nothing seems to get them and I'm getting too old to fight that battle much longer. My kids would shake their heads watching me try to climb through our windows!

TINA - 8 hours is a long time in the yard! But then you're still a youngster! Do you hire out? Hope you got your nap in!

IRISH - Terry's job sounds pretty important! Anything that helps protect our servicefolk is a top notch job! Tell him we say thank you! Glad he's there for you. I hope Jim ate all his supper. I'd hate to think he got to wear it! What a bummer that Terry's ex is causing problems. Bill has an ex, too, and when they split many years ago, he never set foot again in the house again. (and it was HIS house before they were married!) All he got was his clothes,his ham radio, one bath towel, and nothing else. And she STILL harassed him by phone and by mail!

After our blood donation yesterday, I was zonked. Fell asleep at 7pm in front of the TV and went to bed at 8pm. Since I was so tired, we stopped on the way home for a quick supper, so tonite will be that grilled chicken, sweet potato, and veggies.

Have you got a supper plan yet?



CHICKIE - I'd like to plant tomatoes and begonias, too, but no longer have a place for them where they get the sun and/or shade they need. Our yard has morphed so much over the years, plus now we have a roof on our deck. So I to to the farmers market for tomatoes and I make do with impatients - more color in less space. I still think Doyal needs to make a sort of stand, like they sell for raised dog dishes, with holes to set the buckets in to stabilize them. and you can stand there and love on them while they drink. Tell him to get his best people working on that.

Edited to give Jana one more day to get ready for her girls! ;o) Turns out it's Tuesday and not Wed.

[FarmChick]

Good morning! I love it when our birds return, too. Yesterday I saw my first oriole at the humming bird feeders, then I saw the other one. Last year I had at least a dozen! I put jelly in the tuna can on the rail for them, too. They seem to like the hummer feeders better than a designated oriole feeder. I saw my first hummer of the season on Easter morning, and now there are more and more each day—still only the males, but I have had the dinner table out for them since mid-march.

Oh, yes, I’ve had the woodpeckers work on the cedar siding when I lived in Missouri. I kept putting caulk in their holes and re-painting. They never got all the way through to make a nest. We have about three dozen birdhouses up all over the farm—mainly bluebird houses, but also small bird accommodations.

DS3 brought me a pair of paramedic pants to repair this morning. I’ve got to figure out how to seriously reinforce them in a vulnerable area. I’ve repaired them before.

Yesterday was outside work, and it’s not finished. This is going to be short today. I’m going to get into my sewing room and work on my project, then the pants. This afternoon will be outside work. I can hardly walk from yesterday’s work, not to mention calf wrangling. They were yard calves all day yesterday, but I’ve still got them in their pen this morning. Later, they will probably be roaming. Tomatoes need sun or they just make lots of green and no tomatoes.

The buckets are the kind you hang on the fence. The little idiots think they need to suck my fingers to suck up the milk. Lint knows how to suck it on her own, but… Blackie is slower and younger. I have to monitor, or Lint will try to get Blackie’s meal. I can’t put one inside and one outside, or you-can-imagine-which-one will stick her head through and try to get at the other one… yes, I know this for a fact. They are just like kids!

Yesterday’s rice-a-roni and ham turned into ham fried rice, and it was good. It garnered a second helping by DH. The leftover bit tonight will be sides to DH’s steak and my s—m-n.

Bon appétit!

[auntjana]

Good morning!

OK, isn't Tuesday? I sure hope so. I am not ready for my girls if it is Wednesday.

It is snowing and raining both at the same time. It's almost May, stop with the snow, already!

A big steam engine is on its way to Ogden this morning. And so are my kids. This will be the first time that Ethan will see a "smoke train" under power, as they are all chasing it as it comes in to Ogden. That is his name for steam engines. Along with antlers for street cars. With Michael's episode, we are staying home. He is doing better, but he is still not driving under the new added med. He is doing much better.

Humm, dinner, chicken parmesan with asparagus.

Off to get that quilt done,
Enjoy,
Jana

[auntjana]

Update - Sarah just called and found a sweet spot along the track for pictures and Ethan to watch the train come into a station in Brigham City, north of Ogden. She is strategically parked for a quick getaway to chase it from the freeway.

Matt called her and there are about 1500 cars chasing the train as well!
Michael is manning the google map here to help them out. Glad i am heading to the Batt Cave! I am getting too old for this! ROFLOL

[Becca]

Hello everyone,sunny & warm today.Just got in from Dr,errands ,ordered new glasses & ate out.DH wore me out at Dr.We had to wait 45 mins in office waiting for Dr.know his pain is out of control but it is hard to cope.Excuse Me!

I made a giant step by ordering my glasses.I pray they work after the price I'll pay.Smarts.

Maryz Ill try on the postcards.After a trip like this morning I have to destress.Yours sounds so neat.
Glad you found the bird before he did major damage.

Jana Hope the train watching is fun.I grew up close to a railroad & we saw the trains all the time.The one we watched for was the Curcus train.You could see the animals in the cars.Barnum & Bailey.

Chickie Know thebirds have a great time on your farm with all the housing & food available.i am wondering if it's worthmyefforts to even plant tomatoes this year.I may just go to Farm here close.We don't have enough sun.I use the neighbors garden.Which isn't handy.Coming home it's A half mile up hill.Getting tooold for that.

Chris's Wel love you at the table with us.Hope your day was a good one.You always have a great attitude.Cheers me up.

Irish I am grateful for Terry's service to our country.And that he's close by to you.

Yesterday I walked 5 miles with neighbor.It was a good one.Everything is so lush & green.And I got 1 morelittle doll finished.Only have 2 more to go.I found another rag doll pattern I want to try for younger ones.Has a real sweet face & the hair is wool Felt.DD is mailing me the pattern.
We ate out so no-cooking here. Becca

[QuiltGram8]

Thought I would pop in to say hello. As for cooking. Well last night was my night to cook for the whole gang. Spaghetti and tortellini or ravioli. Tonight, DH and I are on our own. We are going into town maybe to IHop .
Tomorrow I am the cook again. It's going to be taco night.
I love reading about what you all are cooking. Great ideas.
Vel

[Marilynsgrammy]

Howdy, my chef is preparing my spaghetti. lots of garlic and lots of onions. I will be feeling better soon.

Maryz, glad you figured out it was a bird in your eaves. She will find a new residence. and her kids will hear about how you shut her out. and when you park your car outside they will have their sweet revenge. I don't have a steamer for my cough. I do have one I use when I cook my asparagus. My sleep apnea machine has a heated humidifier on it. I turn it on the lowest setting but maybe I should kick it up a notch?

Chickie. your cow stories are funny, bet it would make a great book. Are you planting tomatoes? I just bought some at the fruit stand along with some strawberries Jerry will make a pound cake (I think) but I will only have the berries with whip cream.

Jana, crazy to think of snow when it's 70* here. Glad Michael stayed home, good for him to rest. I'm Sure Ethan will tell him all about it. And it's great the whole family can get involved with the great chase. YOu guys are a hoot. I love chicken Parm. my gosh, what a great dinner you're having.

Becca, glasses sure aren't cheap. Even with insurance they cost a few bucks. Thankfully they last a while. Sure wish I would walk five miles. Heck, I'd settle for a mile. After work Moose chases me around till I get my things put down then he and I go outside and walk around. We come in and he gets an ice cube then lays on the floor. but he runs and I walk. thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it. I think you should plant one tomato and one cherry tomato.

Velda, Taco night sounds wonderful. but so does dinner out. Enjoy.

Not sure what we are having for dinner tomorrow. Maybe either chicken or meatloaf. I like to leave you with a little indecision.

have a great night
Chriss