Catching up

I finally feel like we are catching up with life. So let me catch you up.

We went to Rochester to visit friends. Sat by a pool, went to a honkers game, got a picture with Slider - their mascot, and had a wonderful warm weekend. The guy on the end is leaving us at the end of July and moving to Montana, so we have to soak up some Phil time before he goes. On the plus side, we will have a place to crash the next time it takes us three days to get home from Bozeman. (That is another story for another, more winter-y post).

Summer Solstice came and went as it always does. B and I attended two parties to celebrate. Our annual neighborhood bash and a roof-top fete. I highly recommend roof-top parties and parties in community gardens - the air is pretty good at both.

This next picture is of a Twin Cities oddity that is quickly becoming an institution. The Pedal Pub is pretty much just what it sounds and look like - 12 people sit around a bar and pedal their pub down the street. My friend Annie rented it out for her own bachelorette party. Thank you Annie. BEST. IDEA. EVER.

Finally - my hubby has been photographing weddings lately. I think the pictures are neat.
This is Annie on her wedding day (just 32 hours after the pub) looking gorgeous. The Farmkid has some more pictures here.

So, summer is in swing and I'm just trying to hold on for the ride. I hope you are all enjoying the fun, friends, family and sun!

My Linus Quilt

Our group had 19 very cute quilts for this years project. These Linus Quilts will be on display at the Grand Marais Library for the month of July and then will be donated. Linus Quilts are given to children who need a little extra love - most of them are very ill.

As a group we made a good variety of age and gender appropriate quilts. I think this one should be for a five to eight year old girl.

Happy Father's Day!

First Day of Summer

This is what the first day of summer looks like when your garden is north of the border. I am not complaining, at least I have some flowers blooming; as my nasturtium and Zinnea seeds are just peaking out of the ground. and the fish are biting!

Surprise Tulip

This weekend I accidentally found this tulip. It's growing in the woods along the west side of the house.

Years ago before I discovered a love of growing flowers Mom was visiting and thought we should have a flower bed. We made a little bed next to the cement patio in the back yard and planted tulips. After several years of not getting anything to grow but the leaves I dug them all up and threw them into the woods -

A Tour

A garden tour - clockwise from top right: straw flower; mint in herb pot; never give up on your seeds - nasturtium vs. cactus rose; lettuces; hanging pot with beautiful begonias; herbs in pots in galvanized feed bin (cilantro, lemon thyme, oregano, basil); red begonias

Sunday Project

This is my new flowerbed - it was Teeka's favorite place to pee so this should be an improvement. We will see if she can be retrained.

An Interview

The last two days at work I've sat through 8 interviews with potential financial workers for our office. This afternoon was the best answer - the question was "How would you describe a "difficult person" and tell us how you would handle this situation? The answer was -
The Mother of the Bride. The young man has been in the hotel/motel business for many years and apparently has dealt with many demanding mothers. My comment was - maybe that's why my assignment for the morning was picking up flowers in Silver Bay.

Oh yeah - I'm really sick of this weather. It's June 2nd and we have a freeze warning tonight - another night of hauling in and covering my flowers. Yesterday I walked with gloves on. Our furnace has been running - good we just got fuel oil for the summer.

JP

At least it zips

Mom,

Three weeks ago you taught me how to sew in a zipper. After buying a new purple zipper and attempting to finish off my skirt tonight - I need another lesson. Unfortunately, I have not on camera in our house right now (I know - our house with no camera? Brandon has both of his and I left mine at work), or I could take a picture of the M.C. Escher skirt I have made. I'm not even sure a photo would capture the genius. Somehow I wrapped the skirt around itself, so when triumphantly, I zipped it up and turned it right side out, I entered a never-ending spiral of fabric. Inside is outside and outside is in. All at the same time.

So I say: At least it zips and I will try again tomorrow.