Darn! Maybe not in a tree...

After doing some minimal research. I might have to alter my tree house plans.  Other than the fact that I really don't like heights, building one in the tree I'm thinking of isn't going to be feasible.  I guess I'm more pragmatic than I thought. 

So my new plan is to follow through on something I thought about while in Norway last month.  Those intelligent Norwegians built these little house like structures (stabbur) for food storage.  They put them on piles of rocks and some on stilts so the rodents couldn't get at their stockpiles of food.

This must be the logo for Sons of Norway but considering my picture through the window of the bus in Norway didn't really turn out - I'm sure they won't mind if I show you my idea for my stabbur.

So we have an old chicken coop or small granary whose sides are bulging and begging to be restored.  Part of the floor is cement that has heaved in the frost our winter/spring bring.  This floor issue has stopped all discussion of rebuilding plans because it seemed like so much work to move huge pieces of cement weighing tons.

Now - my idea is to take the small building down - piece by piece.  My sig other has a planer that I could learn to operate I think.  I know we couldn't selvage all of the wood but selvaging some would be so satisfying.  If we saved some of the boards, we would have fewer boards to purchase.

If we use timbers outside each corner of the existing footprint site for footings, we can build over the cement that is too bad to use as a floor.  Raising the floor deck by - say 24" - might be the trick. 

So now I would have a new place to hide - or - create and we would be using the old to make the new short tree house type shelter.  I will have to choose the appropriate time and mood to approach my new plan.  Actually I introduced this idea in Norway but I'm sure someone was banking on me forgetting the idea.  No such luck!

Huh?  The SO (significant other) wandered in and I went over my new idea...so we're in research mode.  He will stop at Menard's tomorrow and get some prices on a metal building that will look like my Norwegian idea - red with white trim and maybe grass on the roof?  or not.  I'm still holding out for a wood structure but I'm pliable.

Go figure!  I might have to make his favorite for supper tonight.  Woo hoo!  An idea might become a reality in a different form.  I'm good.

Take care,

Bonnie

Invite 'em to Lunch and Sneek in the Slide Show!

I have to laugh...I love to laugh so its not such a burden to laugh but we just spent a few hours with my Dad and Brother.  What a hoot!

It was an invitation for lunch and the 250+ pictures of Norway and Sweden.  Sounds like a fun afternoon - don't ya think? 

I didn't get as much straightened up as I had wanted to yesterday and this morning I was wanting/needing just a few more minutes/hours of sleep.  I'm usually a list maker but I was flying by the seat of my pants this morning trying to remember what needed to be done and in what order to maximize my time.  Swede sausage (the last one in the freezer - time to make more) in the oven on parchment paper - good thought - no icky pan afterwards, peel the potatoes, micro the corn, chop the ham and onions, and unwrap the frozen buns to thaw.  Should I make chowder or hotdish?  Hotdish it is but par boil the potatoes then dry my hair, and throw hotdish together and put in the oven after dialing down the heat so the sausage doesn't overcook.  Whew!

No time to make dessert so ice cream and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies it is.  In the "just found"  Halloween take out containers, toss some cookies in cool Halloween baggies, add a few small candy bars and close the top!  Now it's almost time for the guests to arrive...just get the coffee on and set the table.  They're here!

Both are in a good mood and we settle down to eat.  Whew!  The only thing wrong is burned buns..the Hawaiian kind...methinks its the sugar that was the culprit.  Oh well...1/2 are ok and the other half we'll just cut off the tops and eat the bottoms!

The slide show was quick - should have slowed it down but I can't remember what all the buildings are anyway so we looked at the beautiful scenery, the buses rainy windows prevent perfect  shots but the buildings are gorgeous so who cares if its the Parliament or a museum.  I have to organize and identify things before I totally forget where I was. 

My Dad

Today was fun - with both guests trying to talk at the same time.  Got in some real belly laughs...Honey and Norma Jean got lots of extra petting time so they are happy too!  Yay!  and the house is a little cleaner too!

Take care,

Bonnie

10 Things About Me...

Today I'm going to record 10 random things...

1. I procrastinate doing the things I love to do.  Is it the guilt programmed into my head that I must do the things I hate first?  Yes - I suspect that is partly the reason.  The other part might be that I've started so many other projects that I think I need to complete those things first.  So beginning tomorrow I will spend time on things I don't like to do (ie. housework), things I've begun and not finished, and a new altered art project that I've wanted to try.  I bet I will be up early and to bed late!

2.  I do like to cook but not difficult recipes...just simple ones that come under the heading...comfort foods.  It's great creative fun to find things in the cupboard/refrig and create something wonderful - like meatloaf, chocolate chip cookies or potato dish of some sort.  Now if only I like healthier food and less of it.

3.  I want to build my own tree house out in the middle of our driveway that circles around to our barn.  I want to create/find the building plans, buy the supplies and put it together with my own tools.  I'd like to do it in the spring so I can hang out and write and see things from above.  Looking for some plans will be my next step...or should I design it myself.  Hmmm...

4.  Driving is a passion of mine.  I love the freedom and the power of getting into the car, turning the key and leaving for anywhere.  When my adventure is over - usually exercise, coffee with friends and errands but also my 200 mile round trips to a bigger city for real shopping - I really like driving back home into the driveway and finding my husband, cat and dog waiting for me.  Everyone updating me on their day and me updating them on my day.  My bright red Chev HHR makes me smile when I see it outside waiting for me to power her up and go again.

5.  The hunt for things I think I might need for my altered art or to repurpose and sell for our two sales is a thirst that is never quenched.  My mind races as I look through my favorite magazine thinking of where I might find baby shoes or old vintage lace.  Should I make the thrift store route again or a garage or estate sale or ???  How can life ever be boring?  I cringe when people say they are bored.  I have a million things to do - buy - make - sell - write!  How can I share that passion with those people or do I want to?

6.  If a relationship becomes too difficult, I can usually walk away.  I wonder if this is a weakness I have or because I've hit the senior discount age I just don't have time to invest with those who make life too difficult or dramatic or competitive.  I'm not sure I like this part of me.

7.  I love my dog but there is something about a cat on my lap that melts me most days.  It must be the unconditional and haughty part of a cat that is satisfyingly comfortable to me.  It also means fall and colder weather which means I'm usually reading or knitting or crocheting while she naps.  Sometimes it means that my hubby will get my coffee out of the microwave where I forgot it.  I like that part too.

8.  My kitchen studio and fabric room are a mess and I really prefer working in that atmosphere.  I know it would look better when others peek into my room where my fabric appears to be falling out of the cubes where they used to be color sorted.  I like digging through the stacks of whatever to discover a long lost piece that will work just perfectly in what I'm making.  Ha!

9.  I miss my Mom every day.  She died almost 16 years ago.  I have a million things I would like to ask her about when she was young and growing up on the farm where boys were more important than girls.  I want to know everything she knew, everything she learned about life and what should I do today about this and that.  I would hug her more even though she wasn't a hugger.  I would do that for me.  How did she survive her mother dying when she was 15...was she scared about going to "town" and being a nanny...where did she learn to be so self sufficient.  I want to know what she knew.  I talk to her but she doesn't talk to me.  I miss my Mom.

10.  I need my Dad to live longer than I do.  I love him.  I don't want to be an orphan.  Period - the end.

Long were you a dream in your mother's sleep...

and then she woke to give you birth.

- Kahlil Gibran

What a beautiful baby - don't you think?

We welcome our new great grandgirl, Audriana Marie, to our family and our world!  Mom Bailey and Audriana are tired but are doing fine.  Gram Alissa is almost recovered too.  Auntie Gabby and Brooke are so proud along with Great Aunt Jen!  What a joy to celebrate this new little life!

Great Gram (me) just spent the last week at two different quilt retreats making a quilt and diaper bag for this great event.  I just finished the binding on the quilt last night so hopefully I can deliver the gifts and hold her soon.

The back of the quilt is the same pink fabric of the diaper bag.  The diaper bag closure is made from a metal tape measure so it snaps closed.

 

I hope Audriana will take a nap or two with my Crawling Baby quilt.  It was so much fun to make...lots of love sewn in those seams.

When I got home from my retreat, I cut my roses again so the blossoms wouldn't freeze.  There are still buds out there...imagine roses in October in northern Minnesota.  We've had a beautiful fall and with the birth of our newest family member it is quite a memorable fall at that.

 

Take care and hug your kids!

Bonnie

Ok - now for the gorgeous Norwegian scenery!!!

Ta Dah!!!  It's time for me to reveal some the dramatic scenery that we experienced on our Scandinavian Tour.  

First of all this is a map of our path beginning at Oslo...because of weather and other unfortunate happenings, we missed the Copenhagen leg of our tour.  We travelled about 2000 miles on a tour bus with the greatest driver ever!

Most of the following jaw dropping scenes were taken - some out of the bus window in the rain - on our journey from Oslo to Bergen which was up the mountains to the tundra and down to Bergen.

I believe the mountain in the distance is actually a glacier...funny thing about glaciers, they actually move.  Scary to me!!  but so beautiful and mysterious.

One of the ferry crossing we made on the bus!



Loved being in this scenery!!!



 These homes were on the tundra - just rock and very little else.



Lakes, fjords and mountains - God's wonders!

A couple real good bus meeting bus, bus meeting semi stories - I'll tell you when I see you!

Waterfalls and tunnels define Norway!

Troll marshmallows everywhere!!!



I took a million pictures out of the bus window trying to capture these bags filled with grasses and seeds for cattle.  I thought they were wrapping bales of hay or straw but they are actually bags.  I had this great story for my grandkids about troll marshmallows.  It was creative in my mind...because you know that trolls never want to be seen and if they are, they turn to stone!

Well - I have so many more pictures so I will be carrying around my laptop and cornering friends...beware! 

Take care,

Bonnie 

My Discovery of Norse Ships

Archeology 101:  Can you imagine finding this Viking ship?  

Discovered in Norway in 1906, the Oseberg ship (above),
the best preserved Viking ship ever found,  reveals its Norse
shipbuilders' graceful construction style. - PBS site

The Viking Ship Museum displays the large Viking ships Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune, as well as founds from the chief grave at Borre in the Vestfold district. The three ships are the best preserved Viking ships known, found in royal burial mounds in the Oslo fjord. As burial ships, carrying the dead over to “the Other World”, the ships were equipped with unique treasures such as wagons, horses and especially textiles which are seldom preserved from the Viking age, now on exhibit at the museum.

- http://www.norway.com/directories/d_company.asp?id=671

Our guide said that they found evidence that this ship, built around 800 A.D., carried the remains of a woman with her textiles amongst other items displayed in museum.  For more detail on the items found in this ship:

http://www.forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/Oseberg/textiles/TEXTILE.HTM

Buried in cold water and silt, the Oseberg ship was reconstructed with very little new wood.  They restored it using the pieces that were found at the site.  The craftsman were just that master of their craft.  It is beautiful and majestic.

It was difficult to get a full view of the ship even though there were balconies to take pictures.  I found this museum so interesting and if you want more information, here's links for more Viking history. 

 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/ships.html

http://www.khm.uio.no/utstillinger/oseberg/indexE.html

Take care,

Bonnie

Lovely Norwegian Buildings

I love old buildings and so do Norwegians!  Norwegian buildings are so colorful and old!!!  They keep their old buildings - they don't tear them down like we have done to so many of our lovely old structures.

The green of this building in Oslo was so beautiful - of course, I love green but it was a sage green and the masonry trim around the windows made it look like a giant gingerbread building.

This building had murals painted at the top...unique!

This was The Grand Hotel in Oslo, I thought it was grand!  There was another Grand Hotel in Stockholm equally as grand!

Such a great picture even if I don't know what it was used for!  On our trip I found the buildings of Norway and Sweden so interesting.  They were almost like gingerbread but with lovely colors and lots of masonry detail.  Not only the buildings in the cities were unique to me but the homes in the countryside were such different and wonderful colors.

These soft pastel beauties caught my eye.  Except for this delivery truck, I believe this was a pedestrian walk...Karl Johan's Gate.  There was usually one of these areas in each of the larger cities we visited.  It helps when you don't have to worry about cars and trucks when you are gawking upwards at the great sites.  My new friend, Mary Kay, is doing just that!

Look at how the houses were crowded together in the distance and of course the wonderful building in front.  Houses were so close together that I wondered if they planned the windows accordingly so you wouldn't be looking directly into each other's homes.

I'll get back to you on what this building is but I guess it doesn't really matter because I thought it was so stately and lovely sitting at the end of an area of gardens and statutes. 

That's all for today - only 260 pictures left to show you - just kidding!!!

Norway is the land of my ancestors - it just felt good to be there and enjoy the people and the culture and the buffets!!

Take care,

Bonnie

Back Home - Yay!

Imagine our surprise when we arrived home from two weeks in Scandinavia to roses on the table, lasagna in the refrigerator, apple cake on the counter along with a beautiful card and lovely necklace!  I celebrated my birthday in Stockholm but what a wonderful surprise awaited me at home!  John and Addy picked out the roses - I love them!

Jen searched through my old pictures to make copies to use for my card and in my necklace!  I love the old pictures, the flowered sofa my Mom and me are posing on and the horse I'm sitting on (made by my Dad for me!)  My necklace has a picture of me too in all my pudgy glory! I can't wait to find a new outfit to wear with my new accessory!  It's made on a glass slide with a handmade tiny flower with pearl center and it says "My Mother".  I do love handmade gifts - don't you???  So thoughtful and creative.

My daughter and her family took great care of our dog, Honey, and our cat, Norma Jean.  It was wonderful not having to worry about our furry "kids" at home.  Norma Jean caught two mice while we were gone much to Jen's surprise!  Norma had never hunted them down before so this was a very good thing - except to those who found them...(better her than me!)

While in Sweden, I commented that I would make spaghetti as soon as I got home after living on fancier food while traveling in Norway and Sweden.  But I didn't have to cook when we got home - we had a great meal of lasagna about 30 minutes after we arrived home.  It was a wonderful trip but it is nice to be home and in touch with family again! 

We had a hard frost last night so I cut most of the roses off the bushes that my son in law, John, has given me for past Mother's Days!  So beautiful to have all these roses in my house!  Yay!

We are feeling less jet lag so I will post some of the 265 pictures I took in future posts.  So many waterfalls, mountains, and fjord scenery I'd like to share with you...a few at a time so I don't shut blogger.com down!

It's so good to be home!

Bonnie

It must be fall - I have knitting needles in my hands!

There are a couple of things that happen at our house signifying fall is close at hand.  Suddenly I begin to hunt for my knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn and funky, easy patterns.  The next clue that fall is just around the corner is that my cat, Norma Jean, is usually found sitting on my lap.  The chill is in the air and its my favorite time of the year!

My knitting needles were calling me the other day so I set out to find them.  I have a bizillion baskets and tote bags filled with projects at various stages.  I like to be somewhat organized so I have projects in some kind of container with all the ingredients for that project.  Anyway I found my roll of bamboo needles in a small tote bag in my quilting room with an unfinished something that I began last winter I guess.  I love the bamboo needles as my hands age - something about the warmth of the bamboo instead of the cold metal.

With cooler weather coming quickly, I decided to make some wrist warmers that I found in the Chicks with Sticks knitting book.  They might come in handy when we take our trip up the fjords on the ferry being the temperatures in Norway have been similar to ours of late.  So I found some 100% worsted wool yarn and began my simple pattern.

Wrist Warmers:

Just cast on 32 stitches, then knit two, purl two, knitting in the knit stitches and purling in the purl stitches of each row for 7".  Cast off in knit and purl stitches.  To form the warmers sew the long side 4", then skip  1" - 1 1/2" for your thumb opening and then sew the remaining 2". 

Can't you see these in multiple colors? They would make great gifts for men/women/boys/girls.  Pretty easy to adjust the size smaller and larger I think.  I love projects that go fast and are serviceable for everyone of any age!

I love my old fashioned flower gardens...messy ones actually.  Other years I have done a better job of cutting flowers and bringing them in to arrange in my many, many flower vases.  I always bring in lilacs in the spring even if they don't last very long in the house.  I wonder what is different now than when I was young and we went to Aunt Dorothy's house in Cottage Grove to pick lilacs by the armfuls?  The bushes were so old and tall that we had to get the ladder out to cut some to bring home because all the flowers were at the top.  It seems like they would last for quite a while after they were cut.  Is there another smell so sweet and lovely as lilacs?  Maybe because we've been in the house for 6 months of winter that those first flowers are just heaven sent. 

Anyway, yesterday I picked some Rudbeckia (Brown-eyed Susan), some pink, cream and red zinnias with Queen Anne's Lace for accents.  It is so easy to do and looks so wonderful to have fresh, home grown flowers in different places in the house.  Next year I will remember to fill the house with my garden lovelies more often.

Off to make supper - meatloaf, baked potatoes, buttered corn, and coleslaw!  All I have to do is heat stuff and walla!  Then to begin the second warmer.  Oh! And then to make brownie cookies with chocolate chips and pecans. 

Brownie Cookie:

Mix together - One Brownie mix    1/3 oil   2 eggs    

Add 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and I added 3/4 cup pecans.  Drop by tablespoon.  Bake for 11 - 14 min.  Cool and frost bottom of one cookie with whatever frosting you like and top with another cookie!  YUM!

Take care - its time to begin a project for yourself - something funky!  Let me know what you decide to make!

Bonnie

Fall gives me energy!!!

How refreshing to have cool temps, light breezes, and very low dew point.  When its like this I could create things all day...if I was disciplined enough, that is!

Tomorrow will be the day when I send out gifts I have finally completed!  Graduation was more than 3 months ago...and the baby is also more than 3 months old.  It seems to take me longer and longer to complete things lately.  It's so much more fun to begin new projects!  Don't you think?

I think part of the problem is that I want it to be an appropriate gift...not just a gift.  Also I think I'm making gift giving more difficult than I should.  The process is the journey for me and the destination isn't always high priority I guess.  Or could this be rationalizing???  Yup..and so goes my life!

Hunter's "Just Ducky" Quilt

Valedictorian Samantha's Handmades 

My best friend (Hubby) and I are getting ready for our first trip abroad in twelve years.  There are lots more rules now and it's making me kind of unsettled.  Holding up the security line is not on my favorites list...so I am checking and rechecking bag sizes, weight restrictions (if only I would have lost the weight I wanted to), liquid rules, etc.  Two weeks worth of clothes, shoes, prescriptions, books, shoes, and on and on into a suitcase that is the size of an overnight case.  Found a small bottle of Febreeze so we should be fine!?!  Now to make an address list so I can send postcards! 

Yesterday I cooked tomato sauce with Roma tomatoes and froze about six quarts.  Usually I bake them in the oven with olive oil, garlic, a little sugar, salt and pepper at 250 degrees for a couple hours.  Then I put them in a blender and pour into freezer containers.  This year I put them in the food processor, then added them to onions, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, and celery salt that I had cooked to transparent.  Then I cooked them for a couple of hours, cooled the mixture and poured into freezer bags.  I have another colander full of regular tomatoes on the stove waiting for me to decide what to do with them.  I'd love to have BLT's every day - tonight we had a large slice on a bacon cheeseburger ...yum!  Tomorrow is the last day to get them off my to do list and processed. 

While on vacation I started working on a bedroll quilt for my 2nd grade grandson, John.  I tried not to bring 1/2 of my sewing room when we went to the lake and forgot one of my most important tools...my ruler.

Forest Fun Nap Mat

Borrowed Vintage Wooden Ruler

Yarn Needle Card I used for marking 2 1/2" squares

So where there is a will - there is a way!  Using a rotary cutter and an old wooden ruler made creative memories at our August vacation at the lake.

The meatloaf baking is so aromatic - might have to have a meatloaf sandwich for a treat tonight! 

Take care!

Bonnie

 


  

Up at the Lake Again!

It's always a good day at the lake - I don't let the weather determine how I'm enjoying my time - usually.  This visit we've run the gamut...almost 90 degrees with dew point in the 70's when we arrived and today it began in the 50's and dew point/humidity way low.  So I have a sweatshirt and my winter vest on and I'm still cold and its afternoon!  However, I would rather put on clothes than take them off so I'm not really complaining!?!

I'm getting better at relaxing on vacation.   Our first year at the resort, I finished many projects of the quilting variety.  This year I haven't completed very many projects at all.  I think I'm okay with scaling back.  I tried to bring a reasonable amount this time.  Car was still full.  So far I have finished tying the quilt for our new great grandson.  Oh yes - I hemmed a pair of shorts today.

At the little store at the resort are many books by authors that I love and follow faithfully so that is a project deterrent.  I started one yesterday by Lee Child with Reacher as the main character.  I'm half done with the book so I'm not just staring out the window or at the TV - I'm staring at a book.  Oh well - I have to finish it and bring it back before I leave so the race is on. 

Here's our little store that makes pizzas for us, stocks ice cream, groceries, sweatshirts and t-shirts.  There's always a friendly face behind the counter in the store.

Here is a picture of my home away from home craft/sewing room:

My computer room/kitchen where I'm adding to my blog!

Our little deck and entrance to our wonderful screened porch.

The view while I sew.

I've always wanted a cabin...this is the best of both worlds.  We feel like its ours but don't have the year round responsibility of another property.  We come up in the spring and the fall to help open and then close the resort.  Another one week or two is spent just relaxing and not working.  We've met such nice people - we feel blessed.

Hope you are enjoying your summer - not much left in MN!

Take care!

Bonnie