tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63135559874282693902024-03-05T20:37:40.107-08:00ND Prairie GypsyND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-73344582671060192982019-12-07T14:47:00.001-08:002019-12-07T14:47:22.129-08:00Ramblings of Thanksgiving<br />
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I hope everybody had an awesome Thanksgiving. We took Jasper with us to Indiana for Thanksgiving. I'm so impressed with how well he did for being in the car so much. The trip each way was nearly 1000 miles plus all the driving we did while there. After getting caught in rush hour traffic in Minneapolis on the way there for nearly 3 hours, Mr. B was adamant we were going nowhere near a large city on the way back.<br />
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It was nice to see the family again. My aunt has been ill off and on for nearly a year now, including several hospitalizations, so it was important to get home and see her. My uncle came up from Alabama too. With my brother and his family and sister and her family, we were a gathering of 15 around the Thanksgiving table. My uncle gifted us all with homemade jellies and apple butter (yum). The jellies were made with beet water as a base. I'm loving the black raspberry beet jelly. Even Mr. B has been eating it, I just haven't mentioned the beet part. He also did a peach beet jelly that he used yellow beets to make. As I said, I just won't mention the beet part.<br />
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Wow, Plymouth has changed. It's been probably around 8 or 9 years since I was last there. I swear it doubles in size each time I go back. I wanted to take the lil dude over to the park but unfortunately, it rained Saturday and I wasn't able to. He could really have used some serious playtime with all the driving. I loved the park and spent most of my summers playing there. I loved walking my dogs along the trails by the river. The city pool was also located in the park and I spent a lot of time there also. Mom still remembers one of the last times I was back and my spending so much time in the park walking them. Man do I miss those pups, I sometimes wonder if the heartache of losing those 3 pups will ever lessen. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPway516BGMRbXuZc6bCByrvtkBfztVuEfNIihh_DVAoRajACqLzOePSmdpRlVGZmkPeFx-c1FjBMwrRXpHI_W0Uhjrml6POrZRi3jbPUpENxfIBOuFkdNIdfctxLyU3VmtOOCEL9nO1AP/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPway516BGMRbXuZc6bCByrvtkBfztVuEfNIihh_DVAoRajACqLzOePSmdpRlVGZmkPeFx-c1FjBMwrRXpHI_W0Uhjrml6POrZRi3jbPUpENxfIBOuFkdNIdfctxLyU3VmtOOCEL9nO1AP/s320/IMG_1718.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Friday we drove down to Monterey and showed Mr. B where I lived. First, we had to stop and get a haircut for the lil dude as my son hadn't gotten it cut like I'd requested him to. He looked adorable afterward. We drove by Culver Military Academy and drove around the lake. I don't think I've been to Monterey since I was about 10 or so years old. Some things have changed as you can imagine but yet surprisingly some were the same. I remembered the bar, the post office, the school, and the library. I hadn't realized the school there had closed. We also drove by the farm. Mom had told me my step-uncle had stopped milking cows but I hadn't realized he'd torn down most of the milking barn. It looked so different!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt32Cz3ZAj0dtMsRIB3P3UZg5MKWkujm5cfhp1zn8qHAcv3ZeiNypatLPc98tXA7BNCImoMH-tXHRSQpnHeJ7GMCZRB0r7zfp9TZlrHIEB8OuaIGhgaVaIlcG73g5q4bZv71Z_Ku3H1pT/s1600/IMG_1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt32Cz3ZAj0dtMsRIB3P3UZg5MKWkujm5cfhp1zn8qHAcv3ZeiNypatLPc98tXA7BNCImoMH-tXHRSQpnHeJ7GMCZRB0r7zfp9TZlrHIEB8OuaIGhgaVaIlcG73g5q4bZv71Z_Ku3H1pT/s200/IMG_1719.JPG" width="150" /></a>Saturday morning we gathered in Walkerton at the Corner Cup Cafe for a family breakfast before my brother and sister headed home. Jasper made us all laugh because he kept telling everybody he wanted pancakes and he ate the whole entire thing when he got it. He definitely put away a hearty breakfast.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent.fbis1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/77272605_976159502737793_2177962350840119296_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ohc=eaPoUvx1jBcAQk7cYop58atIODixS8U1FAPkEghgZZ35FKHKXdfn59LPg&_nc_ht=scontent.fbis1-1.fna&oh=6f733a9563a454eeb96878123332df95&oe=5E890CBB" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image may contain: cloud, sky, car and outdoor" border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent.fbis1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/77272605_976159502737793_2177962350840119296_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ohc=eaPoUvx1jBcAQk7cYop58atIODixS8U1FAPkEghgZZ35FKHKXdfn59LPg&_nc_ht=scontent.fbis1-1.fna&oh=6f733a9563a454eeb96878123332df95&oe=5E890CBB" width="221" /></a>Afterward, we headed over towards Breman to a store called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rentown-Country-Store/190479891094427" target="_blank">Rentown</a>. It's an Amish owned and run store. I wish we'd taken the truck so I could have loaded up with supplies there to bring back! The prices were crazy low compared to what I have to pay here in North Dakota.<br />
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Jasper saw an Amish woman putting out cheese into the cooler and went over and picked one out. I cut it up for us to nibble on for the drive home. After Jasper took his first bite of the cheese he'd chosen he grabbed the whole container and said "mine!" I grabbed some German-style bologna for Mr. B. I bought a package that was at least a pound for less than $3 - it cost me $5.50 for a package at the store the last time I bought bologna at the store. I picked up several spices and herbs that I knew I needed.<br />
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Our next stop was a little scratch and dent store in Wakarusa, also Amish owned and operated. I picked Jasper up some of the gummy fruit snacks for $1.50 a box. Mom and my uncle picked up several things while here. I knew we didn't have a lot of space so I didn't buy very much. My uncle bought my mom a case of grapefruit for $13. My uncle stocked up on stuff to take back with him at both stores.<br />
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Our last stop was at another Amish business, Kuhn Orchard, to get apple cider, the real stuff - not the store pasteurized stuff. I bought honey as well and my uncle picked up some pickles, honey and apple cider vinegar. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtEA0heK4mNBqh6Oy9Dgah_x31-xYtdrmK1IrTxQa1_GShVYAa4U4dwFmgsEcO3CdXtC1GwO7ZxuPQIIPPWXPuoU9yA-gXKYGnEx_ILaUl7slwusFDKmdvnbH60YOywiBZ7FKt3nfLO0H/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtEA0heK4mNBqh6Oy9Dgah_x31-xYtdrmK1IrTxQa1_GShVYAa4U4dwFmgsEcO3CdXtC1GwO7ZxuPQIIPPWXPuoU9yA-gXKYGnEx_ILaUl7slwusFDKmdvnbH60YOywiBZ7FKt3nfLO0H/s200/IMG_1720.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsCpJunfbeoskcJu9oh0aqbPiycSE40A58zVRE2TwCXiVnglcP-6dwyo6eQFjpVBtSeM9sYpQFOybQ2aabtHlOn2hPR9RG_MQX0H3eyZzpDhJDYVQFSGkFkVKHYi8AQ53IGZwu-TzWQ46/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsCpJunfbeoskcJu9oh0aqbPiycSE40A58zVRE2TwCXiVnglcP-6dwyo6eQFjpVBtSeM9sYpQFOybQ2aabtHlOn2hPR9RG_MQX0H3eyZzpDhJDYVQFSGkFkVKHYi8AQ53IGZwu-TzWQ46/s200/IMG_1722.JPG" width="150" /></a>We headed home on Sunday morning. We didn't leave super early but were on the road by 9 am. We stopped in Mankota for the night. At least we didn't run into a blizzard going home like we did going. Mr. B wanted to stop at <a href="https://www.countrycat.com/" target="_blank">Country Cat</a> in Sauk Center, Minnesota. I'm not sure who had more fun Jasper or Mr. B. Mr. B was eyeing an equipment bag and I told him to get it. It's large enough it should fit both our stuff in it. It will make it a lot easier to just be able to grab the bag when we go snowmobiling instead of having to grab everything individually and carry everything out. Easy to forget things so this bag will be great so we don't forget anything.<br />
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<br />ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-13082400889900486272019-11-20T18:45:00.000-08:002019-11-20T18:45:01.625-08:00Reminiscing of Falls in Maine...<br />
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Lately, I've been missing fall in Maine with the beautiful colors. It's been so many years ago that I lived there, yet the memory of the trees changing each fall is still vivid in my memory. The colors here in North Dakota just don't match the intensity of those I remember in New England. One day I will have to go back to see if fall is really how I remember it. It would be wonderful if we could take a motorcycle trip there in the fall.</div>
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Today is one of my rare days off. I'd planned to clean but we're having a problem with rust in the water so that's on hold so no cleaning or laundry today. I'm working on putting items up on Facebook Marketplace to start downsizing a bit before we move the house so that was my morning project. I got a nasty comment almost immediately after posting a pair of shoes that I'd only worn twice about his wife having gotten them without foot fungus. I mean seriously - what is it with people any more. I'm sure the new shoes his wife bought had been tried on a time or two before her purchasing them.<br />
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<u style="color: #cc0000;"><b>YUMMY AND WARMING FOOD:</b></u></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn0Fg-eWFT4P0zKGrnr3ljBj0AcP2WxRxyxg2jAnCH8sUzEIGCcNA4o4fD7rLY1rAEPPx0Vr9RaH9F636SrmZ9mG0OYLi1B5FDjzPcAUFscph_TLeY6atyVA6HCZFkYNbVe_TA30H9dRW/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn0Fg-eWFT4P0zKGrnr3ljBj0AcP2WxRxyxg2jAnCH8sUzEIGCcNA4o4fD7rLY1rAEPPx0Vr9RaH9F636SrmZ9mG0OYLi1B5FDjzPcAUFscph_TLeY6atyVA6HCZFkYNbVe_TA30H9dRW/s320/IMG_1594.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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As winter is starting to show her colors, I've been craving more substantial food along with warming drinks so my cooking has changed in the last couple weeks. I'm craving a warm drink after supper and before bed, so warm apple cider with a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom and hot chocolate have started making an appearance.</div>
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Venison steak with fried potatoes and acorn squash. This was soooo good! A little steak sauce and perfection! I used my air fryer to cook the venison steak and it came out perfect and didn't taste like dry leather.</div>
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Homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese dippers. Another cold-weather meal. (Sorry, bad picture.)</div>
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This is a new (to me) set of plates I bought. The dessert plates and cups have a barn on them. I paid $10 for 4 cups, 4 dinner plates and 3 bowls. I love the bowls as they are perfect for soups and pasta dishes. I imagine you'll see a lot more of this set.</div>
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Mr. B and I went on a shopping trip to Minot at the beginning of the month. Mr. B is remodeling the furnace room in the shop and needed supplies. He took me to a really nice restaurant/bar that I would have never found. We'd already been seated before I saw this beautiful fireplace or I would have asked to be seated by it. The fireplace is open on three sides so you can have a view of it from nearly anywhere.</div>
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The food was really good. I had a french dip sandwich with sweet potato fries and Mr. B had a burger with regular fries. We were so full from the meal we just ate a snack for supper after we got home. I hope we can go back here again to try the supper menu.<br />
<u><b><span style="color: magenta;">READING:</span></b></u></div>
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<img alt="It Happened In Scotland audiobook cover art" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Q0wrLg7pL._SL500__AC_PIAdblEscapeBadge88px,TopRight,0,0_US500_QL100_.jpg" width="200" /> <img alt="Lady Fortescue Steps Out audiobook cover art" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51son8wSrlL._SL500__AC_PIAdblEscapeBadge88px,TopRight,0,0_US500_QL100_.jpg" width="200" /> <img alt="You Are a Badass audiobook cover art" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vAIuJfqTL._SL500_.jpg" width="200" /> <img alt="The 12 Week Year audiobook cover art" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51QQXvMzkHL._SL500_.jpg" width="200" /> </div>
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I think I might have finished a couple more audiobooks but I can't remember which ones. I'm currently listening to the following books.<br />
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<img alt="The Witch of Little Italy audiobook cover art" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61u39CnR+JL._SL500__AC_PIAdblEscapeBadge88px,TopRight,0,0_US500_QL100_.jpg" width="200" /> <img alt="The Wealthy Gardener audiobook cover art" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vPtyErG1L._SL500_.jpg" width="200" /> <img alt="Think and Grow Rich audiobook cover art" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61atv8Q26iL._SL500_.jpg" width="200" /></div>
ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-7976231277208117752019-10-13T19:38:00.001-07:002019-11-20T18:48:34.070-08:00Winter Started in October this Year!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today I'm trying to recover from having been snowbound at work in Devil's Lake for the past three days. My body (previously injured right hip and leg) hurts badly and I need to keep my leg up BUT I have cleaning I'd planned to do over the weekend since I was SUPPOSED to have had it off that still needs to be done. Now I'm trying to recover and get two days of cleaning done in a single day since I have to work for the next three days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I've managed to get three loads of laundry done so far including our bedding, cleaned the bathroom, cleaned the bathroom, bedroom and living room. I plan to run the vacuum and if I have time left I hope to get some cleaning done in the kitchen.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking out window at work</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, the snow drift is all the way </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We just got dumped on this week with snow. Devil's Lake got over two feet of snow during the two-day blizzard. Here at the farm they only got a couple inches. The roads were closed so I couldn't get home and had to stay at work for three nights. Fortunately, they have rooms for staff that have to stay for any reason. The last day I ended up having to share my room with an overnight nurse, which felt a little weird. I just wasn't super comfortable sharing a room where I have my electronics and purse with someone I don't know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I looked out one of the windows at work and was started to see the drifts were up to the roof! I went to take the garbage out and there was a snowdrift blocking the door over 7 feet tall. I haven't seen this amount of snow in a single storm since I lived in Maine.</span></div>
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of the storm</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thankfully I had packed an extra pair of scrubs and some basic things just in case this storm did really happen. Lesson learned of additional things I need to include and keep in my vehicle just in case a freak storm happens while I'm at work. I really wished I'd packed my knitting so I had something to decompress with. Also, for any time this might happen I need to have something Mr. B can microwave easily to eat when I'm not here to feed him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I made a wise decision running to Walmart Wednesday night before it got really bad so I could grab some food for snacks and at the last minute decided to get a small package of dinner rolls, meat and cheese for sandwiches just in case. I was blessed to be able to share my food with others too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I also plan on suggesting improvements at work for future issues like this so we can work better as employees and feel appreciated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Items To Get: </b><i>Yes I'm one of those crazy people that packs everything including the kitchen sink so I'm comfortable and I have what I need to be able to relax and recharge on my downtime</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Electronics: I did a good job with this but I think I will invest in another electronic wallet and keep a set of cords for my devices (IPhone, Samsung Tablet and Kindle Paperwhite) and a multiple USB charger in my vehicle for freak stuff like this. I bought a large wallet for our motorcycle trip this year and have everything Mr. B and I need for trips but I think a dedicated one for my work bag would be a good idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Food: A separate bag for food items that I can keep stored in the car, which is always a good winter idea to keep in a vehicle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Food: Things that have a long shelf life to be kept in the vehicle. I will definitely buy individual size containers of fruits and veggies. I may also consider keeping a cooler in my vehicle so that I can keep things in my room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. Bedding: A travel pillow. The facility ones were not comfortable. I'll invest in a Mr. Pillow travel pillow and keep it in the vehicle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Comfortable sheets: These I don't need to buy as I have several sets of twin size flannel sheets in my storage tubs so I just need to get a set and put them in my bag. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Throw/Quilt: A nice throw blanket to cuddle in would be nice too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">4: Project: Something to work on during downtimes like knitting or crochet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">5: Clothes: More than one set of scrubs. I had the scrubs I wore to work and one extra pair I'd packed but it would have been nice to be able to have not had to do laundry. I plan to order some more new ones soon so I'll keep several older sets in my bag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">6. Laundry Supplies: A container with a couple laundry tabs and dryer sheets. I used the facility laundry soap and my scrubs are all scratchy so I need to make sure I have my own on hand if needed. The facility doesn't use dryer sheets so it's an important item to have.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">7. Clock: A clock that I can see the time in the dark. I kept waking up thinking I'd overslept and had to get up and check my phone to see what time it was.</span></div>
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-22693577381619451952019-08-13T09:11:00.000-07:002019-08-13T09:11:49.042-07:00AUGUST RAMBLINGS ....<br />
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Good morning! We woke to a gloriously cool morning with the temp in the house about 69'. It was cool enough it woke me up and I almost got up to get a blanket but decided not to and snuggled up with Mr. B instead. I grabbed my heavy winter robe when I got up instead of my cotton one too and when I got dressed I pulled a sweater out of my winter stash to put on. Definitely my type of a morning and a blessing to start the morning on my day off. Temps are supposed to be back up close to 80' again today though so I will enjoy these brief glimpses that tell me fall isn't too far away. I brewed some tea up for ice tea later in the day when it gets warmer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KyfarGE5c_rBaketoZpQUra4L0vcb9nt606qPVysqZ77jaXOaSELrJqXZVbJLjDfq5MArokyBeQ4u4f5Mkjf9cJOiXgTtH_WlfG4z05xru0D68gO5mUTRa-djN_0zxhgtGNMOIAz-W5n/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KyfarGE5c_rBaketoZpQUra4L0vcb9nt606qPVysqZ77jaXOaSELrJqXZVbJLjDfq5MArokyBeQ4u4f5Mkjf9cJOiXgTtH_WlfG4z05xru0D68gO5mUTRa-djN_0zxhgtGNMOIAz-W5n/s320/IMG_1504.JPG" width="240" /></a>My patio garden is growing and has started producing. I finally have baby peppers. We've been having temps in the mid to high 80's for the last couple weeks and it's been doing wonders for my garden but depleting my energy - I just don't seem to be able to handle high temperatures like I use to and end up feeling like an overcooked limp noodle with no energy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ4XGUEYX2CfxokCOPDbzRkWk-QYJtB64NtHpj7wiyngvWVtafEuC0QKXVdsPeQq3_NQN5fhQ4BcgRxIVWe8Tq4djIgkoxcZU-i57pIprZ6GkI8uIabcuSP0Wrb6S3jA27L78FRz9eb_M/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ4XGUEYX2CfxokCOPDbzRkWk-QYJtB64NtHpj7wiyngvWVtafEuC0QKXVdsPeQq3_NQN5fhQ4BcgRxIVWe8Tq4djIgkoxcZU-i57pIprZ6GkI8uIabcuSP0Wrb6S3jA27L78FRz9eb_M/s320/IMG_1502.JPG" width="240" /></a>I'm so excited but a bit worried that something will happen to all my glorious tomatoes that are ripening. I have the worse luck with tomatoes for some reason but I keep trying! I have big plans for marinara sauce for those beauties if they ripen. Hadley has already tried to take a bit out of one on the vine and Jasper this past weekend picked one and brought it in and handed it to me so proudly. I hated to scold him but he can't pick until grandma says he can. I've also been craving bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers so I hope my pepper plants produce well. </div>
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41YBqktMY2L.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zazzy 2ft 8 Layer Black Mesh Hanging Herb Drying Rack Dry Net" border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41YBqktMY2L.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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I've also been harvesting my chamomile flowers to make tea with. I bought a <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y6mwlrpk">dehydrating rack</a> to hang and start dehydrating my herbs. It's a LOT bigger than I thought it would be - 2' across - so it's going to take up some room. I will need Mr. B to put some type of hook up for me to hang it on, probably in Jasper's room so it's not in sunlight. Jasper was trying to figure out what it was for so I picked some sage leaves and put them in it so he could sort of an idea of what I was going to do with it. My son thought it was for Jasper's toys. I have mint, chocolate mint, oregano, sage, rosemary and dill I want to dehydrate.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #e69138; color: white;">GRANDKIDS:</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LeKNbW-pjxniBz-x_ta1E22w3gCVx9HH_T_RYODly8UNR2Kur-lHdGGRPLFrjo00R8VVKaKfKGMnUuAPLaOTlP-UB7N-sP5EF9NtdLn9yP79iNzYCE9AzAmGIfURMctF82lH2SJBOMyQ/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7Eok_zWWRMy36br74CyIP-tbxDn2CwTAgafrbP3SA1aPs1wSf1BNrf13LzeGZefKSClwjRoi7qX_DGBlFXZWTN9ycH-ngT9xXRZLoIYT-qRj17zapYMSpwvkX-W00D9DUX1LSw_CenVk/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7Eok_zWWRMy36br74CyIP-tbxDn2CwTAgafrbP3SA1aPs1wSf1BNrf13LzeGZefKSClwjRoi7qX_DGBlFXZWTN9ycH-ngT9xXRZLoIYT-qRj17zapYMSpwvkX-W00D9DUX1LSw_CenVk/s200/IMG_1501.JPG" width="150" /></a>Jasper turned 4 years old this week!!!! I thought they were going to be up for the entire week so I was caught unprepared when my son announced Monday night they were leaving the next morning. What!!!! So I grabbed a no-bake cherry cheesecake mix out of the cabinet (since I didn't have any cake mixes) and Jasper got a birthday cheesecake. So much for the birthday cake I was going to pick up and his presents. </div>
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I had bought some magnets in car shapes and he designed a transformer on my refrigerator with them. He also used his legos to make a monster that actually looked like a monster so he's getting pretty good! </div>
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We took them to Demolition Derby on Sunday in Balta. He was a little scared of all the noise the cars made but then got into it. He doesn't like loud noises and I should have taken his ear protection I bought when he went to the Mud Truck Fest with us. He helped me take the picture of the cars in the pit with my phone.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfBDbSvhyL_mbW1vu7KJF6ExZsoMu8Fez7eCvo2c2QCGGmlSZVRONq1LCuINIU3sBGYJ8SMiyYOPMHftdYzUyGqGIEJlfSm7SO02rxIsPejhYfibE_Gv8CYznSsA73ava-henWUuJtyN6/s1600/Balta+Demolition+derby+2019.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfBDbSvhyL_mbW1vu7KJF6ExZsoMu8Fez7eCvo2c2QCGGmlSZVRONq1LCuINIU3sBGYJ8SMiyYOPMHftdYzUyGqGIEJlfSm7SO02rxIsPejhYfibE_Gv8CYznSsA73ava-henWUuJtyN6/s400/Balta+Demolition+derby+2019.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img alt="The Quiche of Death: The First Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries Book 1) by [Beaton, M. C.]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51u0MaIn8TL.jpg" width="130" /> <img alt="The Vicious Vet: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries Book 2) by [Beaton, M. C.]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51I8eki7mmL.jpg" width="124" /> </div>
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I am truly addicted to the <b>Agatha Raisin Mystery Series </b>by M.C. Beaton. The two audiobooks I'd already bought and listened to were out of order so I've gone back and started with book 1, <b>The Quiche of Death</b>, and book 2, <b>The Vicious Vet</b>. I bought these on July 30th and I've already listened to both. As I mentioned in my last blog, I have a lot of travel time to listen to books. I've gotten so caught up in these I've listened to them after I've gotten home too. I was going to try and watch the TV series, but immediately took a dislike of the woman they have playing Agatha. In the book, she's described as a stout woman with short brown hair. The actress they have is nothing like the description - she's skinny and BLOND!!!! Seriously, couldn't they have at least dyed her hair brown!</div>
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51CZgEJGZZL._SX402_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51CZgEJGZZL._SX402_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="161" /></a>I also ordered a used copy of <b>Trim Healthy Mama Plan</b> off Amazon and the Audible version. I want to get the spiral cookbooks but at over $30 a piece that's a chunk of change so I'm going to investigate Ebay and see if I can find them cheaper. Since my injury, in February, I have packed on extra poundage, which I wasn't surprised about since I was laid up on the couch for over two months. I thought when I started working again I'd drop it but I only dropped a few pounds and the rest needs to go! I've experimented with possibly doing Keto but I've noticed major mood swings every time I've tried to start it. From the research I've done recently I think this approach might be a better option. I'll keep you updated! They sound like a hoot on the podcast I listened to so I added them to my subscribed podcast list. I've been neglecting my podcast though due to my addiction to Agatha Raisin. </div>
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-58391544381853021372019-07-30T18:29:00.007-07:002019-07-30T18:29:53.449-07:00JUNE & JULY RAMBLINGS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This truck actually runs and drives!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq33RqAbzSABF6rYGMcdfnuP9Y4Tu2TbUurbFuF-YVgP0c6yK3wdzDLAX0aF-wdqwNaWKIZot7NQ1X3NIhPTuk0GciIHVM4_SNCVLhutuUFGdi9yg6vxivHcU7csjxRf16nfuB2yI3ooIY/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wow, where has this summer gone! This year is just speeding by like a freight train and it needs to stop so I can get off and enjoy it for a little bit before harvest is upon us! I will try and get a post with pictures of our trip to South Dakota up soon. It was a wonderful trip and I have told Mr. B that I want to retire to Spearfish, South Dakota. </span>Last night I went in the tractor with Mr. B to rake hay. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcnjcmYMsh-BgY9mzGdM2VLB5neAa-dLA43TlJ3N0rY4brXs3xv5XYU_l5EsMAI_vJyXFkVuj9L0_3XacH41_crr3EW4Mo2yoG_VTUx_8jb5wvMlpuodNay7yyBnKSWxJw03AR35DqE2S/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcnjcmYMsh-BgY9mzGdM2VLB5neAa-dLA43TlJ3N0rY4brXs3xv5XYU_l5EsMAI_vJyXFkVuj9L0_3XacH41_crr3EW4Mo2yoG_VTUx_8jb5wvMlpuodNay7yyBnKSWxJw03AR35DqE2S/s320/IMG_1477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr. B has already told me that harvest will be early this year as his boss planted barley and it should be ready in about two weeks to start harvesting. With that forewarning, I need to get some projects to occupy myself through November. One of the projects I have planned is to move this blog to Wordpress and out of Blogger. I think the new platform will allow me more creativity - or at least I hope so. I'm extremely limited with Blogger on fonts and add-ons to name a couple things.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMYBgqJQfsuDeNj4V01I23M8lghPsD8freaAtQ86IbGabUW26CckdZrKna0Wt1jyFPPArZada_yTklJwyB1Rw0u0D-Zj3O56wUmNo2WCDNVrujngpLn03VZWvS3NzyK75XWPm-gXqYpWc/s1600/IMG_1415.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMYBgqJQfsuDeNj4V01I23M8lghPsD8freaAtQ86IbGabUW26CckdZrKna0Wt1jyFPPArZada_yTklJwyB1Rw0u0D-Zj3O56wUmNo2WCDNVrujngpLn03VZWvS3NzyK75XWPm-gXqYpWc/s320/IMG_1415.MOV" width="180" /></a>My grandson came up and spent the 4th of July with us. The daycare was closed so my son needed me to help and take him as he had to work. I also had to work so Mr. B volunteered to babysit (isn't he awesome!). The weekend after the 4th we went down to Bismarck to Mr. B's brother's for a BBQ with Jasper. We spent the night and then dropped Jasper off at home on our way back. That was one LONG day of driving. There were several families with kids there and they had an awesome time. One family brought a giant blowup bouncy house like you'd see at fairs and it wore the kids out thankfully.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDHI1ysKv9plF_J3nceLd4u4yvehZR2ko4zPMyv-eTILxyf2r8egbOA6nygDN5-uW2J6vtRxZQvIB7OzCQUhEiV-2LfbGVT9SyaRga_3cYIDa0PlnpJhYkCOJ9BFjA1T4SsjvIeYl8ENb/s1600/IMG_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDHI1ysKv9plF_J3nceLd4u4yvehZR2ko4zPMyv-eTILxyf2r8egbOA6nygDN5-uW2J6vtRxZQvIB7OzCQUhEiV-2LfbGVT9SyaRga_3cYIDa0PlnpJhYkCOJ9BFjA1T4SsjvIeYl8ENb/s200/IMG_1471.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-QBTIfLZ7J21-ShcSo50ZZ4IsuS65Kea1YGQdq774E-dYCV3pMIZt5Yahwj-lW_DAVAapVzOwZU0oD0Dh2pRBpmMX_yXi5tIgrRid0KXArispzP5hnZZdf19vYSznDtsJ2JS5EIkxKcB/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-QBTIfLZ7J21-ShcSo50ZZ4IsuS65Kea1YGQdq774E-dYCV3pMIZt5Yahwj-lW_DAVAapVzOwZU0oD0Dh2pRBpmMX_yXi5tIgrRid0KXArispzP5hnZZdf19vYSznDtsJ2JS5EIkxKcB/s200/IMG_1466.JPG" width="150" /></a>Mr. B and I took off down the road this past weekend for a ride. We road up by Lake Metigoshe and back. That area is so beautiful with the trees. We stopped at a couple bars as it was hot out. The A Frame Bar was where he took me on our first date so lots of good memories there.</div>
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Mr. B also surprised me and took me to the State Fair in Minot last Thursday. I didn't think to take photos there. We looked at a lot of hot tubs as we're talking about turning the garage attached to the house into a family/recreation room with a pool table and a hot tub after we get it moved down here. I did pick up a purse from the Harley Davidson stall to use when we're riding. It hangs down the leg and has a strap that buckles at the waist and another on the leg to keep it from flapping around while riding. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLz_svRzWY_mHbn4fWD-GUhmZw4V0H_8gLeyGx6dDNFxbuemF9-wpDRW6hm5q4kkN8hp-wU5m4BehgFmxxTW3NwevZzqhTFsG_hU_xBBI5buUrLy7AFW9EDAV1Ixs_7lReZMMKAzV5C0W/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLz_svRzWY_mHbn4fWD-GUhmZw4V0H_8gLeyGx6dDNFxbuemF9-wpDRW6hm5q4kkN8hp-wU5m4BehgFmxxTW3NwevZzqhTFsG_hU_xBBI5buUrLy7AFW9EDAV1Ixs_7lReZMMKAzV5C0W/s320/IMG_1459.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU_prc7s7Le8yAxLCqLlavgJ2trlPLdRe9SuGXOL2aNgWl0xG6m3J5ucxUD5Aoaw7ZXDMxrR3CTRgObeMysGi2nFTPenLeyeuYxXGfftwuIXbREjDymCptB1EOhssdruabWtSm-wOQSGr/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU_prc7s7Le8yAxLCqLlavgJ2trlPLdRe9SuGXOL2aNgWl0xG6m3J5ucxUD5Aoaw7ZXDMxrR3CTRgObeMysGi2nFTPenLeyeuYxXGfftwuIXbREjDymCptB1EOhssdruabWtSm-wOQSGr/s320/IMG_1480.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDlsUQcc_A7LTFr7bi26Xxhrz-3CWQi4QfSrbsVcDngei53fba4lD6UgfxeorBW0EWrXj4EH7KxHFvO8vwtSnStGxZTbyywbuP1CzNeMCQkj_jzX6w5KyeJdFRUmEHtzooQ7aX6G0XXim/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDlsUQcc_A7LTFr7bi26Xxhrz-3CWQi4QfSrbsVcDngei53fba4lD6UgfxeorBW0EWrXj4EH7KxHFvO8vwtSnStGxZTbyywbuP1CzNeMCQkj_jzX6w5KyeJdFRUmEHtzooQ7aX6G0XXim/s320/IMG_1481.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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My patio garden is doing great! I'm anxiously awaiting to see if my tomatoes fully develop with no problems. I always seem to end up with blossom rot. My herbs are doing great and I'm already starting to harvest them. I plan to order a <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y5l7u55g">hanging drying rack</a> from Amazon to put them in. I'd planned to use my electric dehydrator after watching a video where the guy was talking about how much was taken out of the herbs with any type of heated dehydrating (either electric or microwave methods). I've been putting my chamomile flowers on a cookie sheet with a paper towel to dry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwHXKgapOt8BqXGBxHvNSfnHVHMuQ_y_9hr1N2BoIU5duKxoQYqSHDT4wKOodrAEaiYHbw1bhYejn3VzA93UfuAURNOBDG-3RCpT_COZI3Eagtstu_K7L-dcaCXwa8Gb75e1xjq16ticS/s1600/IMG_1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwHXKgapOt8BqXGBxHvNSfnHVHMuQ_y_9hr1N2BoIU5duKxoQYqSHDT4wKOodrAEaiYHbw1bhYejn3VzA93UfuAURNOBDG-3RCpT_COZI3Eagtstu_K7L-dcaCXwa8Gb75e1xjq16ticS/s320/IMG_1482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've started listening to audiobooks again while driving to work since I have over an hour drive each way. I'm also reading books, although, not nearly as much as I use to. Word of warning: The Agatha Raisin series is addictive!!!</div>
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<u style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>The Science of Getting Rich</b></u><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> by Wallace D. Wattles, read by Diana Majinger, (LibriVox). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>American Hygge: How You Can Incorporate Coziness Into Your Living Space and Bring Warmth to Your Relationship Without Moving to Denmark</u></b> by Melanie Morgan (Kindle Unlimited)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><u style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks Than Others Do in 12 Months</u><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"> by Brian Moran, read by Tom Pile (Audiobooks)</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Sense and Sensibility</u> </b>by Jane Austin, read by Karen Savage (LibriVox)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><b>The Miracle Groom</b></u> by Lucy McConnell (Kindle Unlimited)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Educated: A Memoir</u></b> by Tara Westover (Audible)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>The Enchanged April</u></b> by Elizabeth von Amim (Audible)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist</u></b> by M. C. Beaton (Chirp)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener</u></b> by M. C. Beaton (Chirp)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Made with Love</u></b> by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore (Kindle)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>The Jane Austen Diet</u></b> by Brian Kozlowski (Kindle)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-15994352646708695842019-05-26T11:51:00.001-07:002019-05-26T11:51:04.187-07:00MAY IS HERE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO2M40tp5ZgwGAGnhgnemGxKxuL8s8aECO1I60Div_6ZSK0qhGnSrMp9CxoUKkupiu2GwgJPG2JoP06BHHOcLH7_99p1klHhXqrUYZxACizRRkLQ1ZwpZrsy9Bq2lGRBT7FEPk62xJm-g/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO2M40tp5ZgwGAGnhgnemGxKxuL8s8aECO1I60Div_6ZSK0qhGnSrMp9CxoUKkupiu2GwgJPG2JoP06BHHOcLH7_99p1klHhXqrUYZxACizRRkLQ1ZwpZrsy9Bq2lGRBT7FEPk62xJm-g/s400/IMG_1221.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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May is here with it's blowing winds and warming days (FINALLY!!!). Vacation plans are starting to push to the front as we prepare to leave for another bike vacation in June. My big news is I gave notice and started working at my new job this week!!! I have to get up earlier though so I'm working on reprogramming my body to get up a little bit earlier each week and hopefully I won't be too sleep deprived. It's so nice to be done at 2:30 pm though!<br />
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Other news on the homestead is that we have a house Mr. B bought to move down to our homestead! I'm still getting my head wrapped around it. All the plans I'd had for fixing things in the trailer or now on hold. He's hoping we can get everything moved, the ground leveled, and the foundation put in by winter and then move it down in the spring. It will be at least a year, possibly two, before we will be able to move into it. The inside has some cosmetic things that need to be done before we move in. The outside will need to be painted and a new roof put on.<br />
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<u><span style="color: blue;">VISITORS:</span></u></h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8JlH2Ln-CHh85RAkMQFWYhs_ysBzdPNglsFXVjSo7yEi1T78Pn01t5NjSZxfeeALgGwOAE6A3iAu1d8iTeowkIB0jlcv2yLRg-9Lui7LRAZx4wHqEGAmG1V18cHgipqGEMMdQHVjEd61/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8JlH2Ln-CHh85RAkMQFWYhs_ysBzdPNglsFXVjSo7yEi1T78Pn01t5NjSZxfeeALgGwOAE6A3iAu1d8iTeowkIB0jlcv2yLRg-9Lui7LRAZx4wHqEGAmG1V18cHgipqGEMMdQHVjEd61/s400/IMG_1171.JPG" width="400" /></a>My mom arrived for a week-long visit last week. The winds were high and the weather cold while she was here so several outings I'd planned (namely going to the Peace Gardens) didn't happen due to the weather. I'd hoped we could spend some time outside doing things like having her help me plant my patio garden and some flowers, but that didn't happen either. What did happen was we got to spend a lot of time indoors relaxing and watching TV and/or working on our craft projects. We also did some bird watching out the window as we have a beautiful yellow finch that has visited us.<br />
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Lil dude came up and spent a week also with me while my mom was here. The last day and a half were hard as the weather wasn't nice enough for him to go out outside and work off some energy so we had some issues but otherwise he was a lot of fun to have. He got to see planes at the airport when we picked up my mom and was so excited.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><u><b>DINING OUT:</b></u></span></h2>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64fOjFLqtCjv5zlQvf2NkCyFzAV7168vR8pvDV34Wdp_X6Pv7NGFK_szOF68O24JmKlc80z56HKni7AbayleJN82uY88csHHeHx6UHpotzVyn3YhKTycFtWtZx4vA-vktsgSYQaRFNOKw/s625-no/" /><br />
The day my mom left we tried out <a href="http://www.nd-asia.com/">ND Asia Bar and Grill.</a> They have hibachi tables or regular seating so mom and I decided on the hibachi table. It was such a good meal before she left and she had leftovers to eat for supper so she didn't have to buy airport food on the way home. I was surprised they actually had a lunch menu for the hibachi tables, normally it's a set price whether lunch or supper. I also ordered vegetable sushi, which was really good. Mom ordered chicken and I ordered steak for our meats and the meal came with a broth soup and an Asian-style salad - both were delish! I will definitely be returning to this restaurant.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><u>PERSONAL PROJECTS:</u></span></h2>
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One of my projects this month has been to start adding my favorite blogs to Bloglovin' so I can start reading them on Bloglovin instead of following them on Facebook. I've gotten so frustrated with Facebook and not being able to see all the blogs I follow because of their algorithms which only allow you to see the top 25 blogs/pages you look at. Considering I have way more blogs/pages I follow than that, something needed to be done.<br />
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I've also been noticing a lot of people taking hiatuses from Facebook or all social media lately. I can see the benefit in this and may consider it in the near future. I was listening to a podcast and the gentleman said he'd deleted all social media apps from his phone. Considering the average person spends over 3 hours PER DAY on their phones it's a pretty huge amount of time we could use for something more useful.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #3d85c6;">FOOD:</span></u></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPmfispXEwOdgmoUWd-vXYjcKHAe2MbQj0gjLiZcJQBOocbhsBZjma1RCSLB8T21W3nYBmQHOOaw8T6GqPnFfo3MkE40kD0lZZVEsXnWJY3lDv36ywidnh5CeMNnlYiNy3ziH3hzakUl2/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPmfispXEwOdgmoUWd-vXYjcKHAe2MbQj0gjLiZcJQBOocbhsBZjma1RCSLB8T21W3nYBmQHOOaw8T6GqPnFfo3MkE40kD0lZZVEsXnWJY3lDv36ywidnh5CeMNnlYiNy3ziH3hzakUl2/s400/IMG_1223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I worked at Walmart I saw college girls constantly buying sugar-free pudding and protein shakes, I'm not over exaggerating when I say they'd buy close to 100 boxes of the sugar-free pudding at a time. I asked them what they did with all of it and they said they made protein shakes from it. So this morning I was trying to figure out something low carb to make for breakfast and decided to try it. I checked out Pinterest and decided on a combination of flavors I wanted and OMG was it good! Honestly, it was so filling I didn't drink the entire thing. I will probably start making these for my breakfasts on days I work so I can drink them on my way to work. Check Pinterest out as there are tons of recipes. Note: A package of pudding I estimate will make at least 3 shakes so keep it in an airtight container after opening.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pudding Protein Shake</span></b><br />
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1 container of Premier vanilla protein shake<br />
1 tablespoon PB2 powder<br />
1 tablespoon sugar-free chocolate pudding<br />
Ice<br />
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Put all ingredients in a blender (I use my Ninja). The more ice you use the thicker the shakes will be - so adjust the amount of ice to your preference for thickness.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #38761d;">GARDENING:</span></u></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYdD7Lil9T3C0xXtM5fnNU2B0Vfsf_s7ymqOCQXP5HbtLJ9FUex5ghOitP8su7WWA8vtRNJp0iG9CHu-m5DXmyQAFSjXxQoNcDdvkT_7TxC0YPJdStoo2La54-vJ8AUHv16fIq-cPlTBG/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYdD7Lil9T3C0xXtM5fnNU2B0Vfsf_s7ymqOCQXP5HbtLJ9FUex5ghOitP8su7WWA8vtRNJp0iG9CHu-m5DXmyQAFSjXxQoNcDdvkT_7TxC0YPJdStoo2La54-vJ8AUHv16fIq-cPlTBG/s320/IMG_1220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of my spring/summer projects was to put in a raised bed garden this year. This got put on hold until we get the house moved down here to the homestead so I decided to do a patio garden to satisfy my gardening itch. I bought a package of 10 of these 5-gallon <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y36hwmvq">gardening bags</a> to use as planters. I also got a package of 3 of these <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y4dvpwxx">7-gallon gardening bags</a>. I bought 4 tomato plants, jalapeno plant, anaheim pepper plant, and 2 green pepper plants to plant in these. I used the 7-gallon bags for the tomatoes. I'll see if the tomatoes do better in the 7-gallon or 5-gallon bags.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVzruqyDTdjbC1Iuklhj_8BAaejAvKD-Rluvk0gjhyphenhyphenATgLF2RUFX_EvnAiMVKt3a8KwWaTZbirGrn7XpJvNjPGO8eR8sJBnyL5cQk1M2doQHexWgQwB7Rx8oeGi9Cjx4Uuwb8rF48Sdw5/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVzruqyDTdjbC1Iuklhj_8BAaejAvKD-Rluvk0gjhyphenhyphenATgLF2RUFX_EvnAiMVKt3a8KwWaTZbirGrn7XpJvNjPGO8eR8sJBnyL5cQk1M2doQHexWgQwB7Rx8oeGi9Cjx4Uuwb8rF48Sdw5/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Seedsheet - I think this is the salad one <br />
- less than a week after planting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img height="304" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/718Wd8o91UL._SL1050_.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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I also ordered some <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y4oua6eh">Seedsheets</a> to try - I bought the salad and the herb ones. These are from the Shark Tank show, which I never watch.ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-61610666900160685032019-04-11T13:57:00.000-07:002019-04-11T13:57:04.019-07:00First Bike Ride!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpXTPQtbSGh4Lgjxh7TLDOaNxYiWjjNerQJcNOFOlyr98sWX58FtHn6mZNqnE1OEwXDcW9i1efkamyACTrMrcivlITUt9owqqr8FLhYOXFDqx80tyAaKtFYg8oBb-t84abeAK5GSNpxJW/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpXTPQtbSGh4Lgjxh7TLDOaNxYiWjjNerQJcNOFOlyr98sWX58FtHn6mZNqnE1OEwXDcW9i1efkamyACTrMrcivlITUt9owqqr8FLhYOXFDqx80tyAaKtFYg8oBb-t84abeAK5GSNpxJW/s640/IMG_1075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday we went for our first ride of the
year!!! It was a little strange riding and looking over the fields still
scattered with snow but it was wonderful to be flying down the road
again. The kids had bought a side-by-side and we met them in Bisbee for
lunch at The Chocolate Shop. We warmed up there with a cup of hot chocolate and I had a bowl of corn chowder and a ham and cheese sandwich.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CEr-eiFdPr5dEQl84cNH7Sa6oFBtht11oCuTi45kOpN8QQ0ET7P3897SB-E1p_cdHlqIJhObjxtbVSzc9QkaO4l1ZFBaDGAdnd1g28WshAyzrJ4hy59rcXMa90ouy20q0_BLynFiA-yY/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CEr-eiFdPr5dEQl84cNH7Sa6oFBtht11oCuTi45kOpN8QQ0ET7P3897SB-E1p_cdHlqIJhObjxtbVSzc9QkaO4l1ZFBaDGAdnd1g28WshAyzrJ4hy59rcXMa90ouy20q0_BLynFiA-yY/s320/IMG_1073.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There was a sign in the restaurant with prices for camping in Bisbee so we decided to take a ride over and see the campground and the dam. With my ankle still messed up I wasn't able to walk out and look at the dam like I would have liked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was worried about getting
cold so I wore fleece leggings under my jeans, a thermal shirt, zippered
sweatshirt and my leathers. I plan to buy a neck gaiter to keep my neck warm on
future cold rides. I also tried to wear a knit cap but it was not tight enough
and it started to blow off so I had to grab it and hold it until we got to our
destination. I'll make sure I wear a tighter knit cap the next time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Finally got my Christmas present from Mr. B.
He'd originally gotten me a pair of knee high boots but they didn't fit my fat
calves so I had to send them back. I looked for another pair but we never
submitted the order. I'd recently found a pair I really liked on Facebook
Marketplace but they were the wrong size so I contacted the person and asked
what style they were but got no response. I went back on Amazon and looked for
the boot style but couldn't find it but I did find these. I received them this
week and they fit! I was so happy! I like the fact they're tall enough I can
tuck my leggings in but not so tall I can't wear pants over them. Wish I would
have had them Sunday for our ride. It's supposed to be nice this Sunday so with
any luck we'll be able to ride again.</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FOOD:</span></u></h2>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tuesday I was hungry for a salad so decided to
make a buffalo chicken salad. Romaine lettuce, cucumber and some chicken strips
drizzled with bleu cheese dressing. Simple to fix and filled me up nicely
without being heavy.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDhGU5AQ2nBD3RnxHnsUokm6mK_K9Nm04WcaWel9-kPMG8fSGJa9txE1SnVrsfaXaYmrHom54LefrtOH13O8aGMcoP4q7x65L5lho2fRgi4UyQsjwETa5yEKSQfrUY4TgTmAjZg4WSCRW/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDhGU5AQ2nBD3RnxHnsUokm6mK_K9Nm04WcaWel9-kPMG8fSGJa9txE1SnVrsfaXaYmrHom54LefrtOH13O8aGMcoP4q7x65L5lho2fRgi4UyQsjwETa5yEKSQfrUY4TgTmAjZg4WSCRW/s320/IMG_1078.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-29938764175391561742019-04-10T17:12:00.000-07:002019-04-10T17:12:20.454-07:00Grandma's Helper came for a visit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today has been another warm day. We can finally see our driveway! I was sitting on the bench swing watching Jasper and pondering how long the snow will take to disappear. You can see from the school bus on the far right how tall these snow mounds are.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUrbjULZZgOyQH4zuD757MI-iU4JXLQtPvTQWpc4-p5sXtPGb9-Pr77PACuNw5a5ioQ4usKU2rSSKBvpKNauFSJ-ONxWaHYn0vGqku_kDbimrpKI0j_o1yYKxg2LH7GOcDXfzunEbU758/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUrbjULZZgOyQH4zuD757MI-iU4JXLQtPvTQWpc4-p5sXtPGb9-Pr77PACuNw5a5ioQ4usKU2rSSKBvpKNauFSJ-ONxWaHYn0vGqku_kDbimrpKI0j_o1yYKxg2LH7GOcDXfzunEbU758/s320/IMG_0990.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFp37p6Ju5cEbYrS81zMzZpClvs59laWxJwTVzd4fZYA_a6jFwL4G9E70IJ4_FmKV8SVDkEKZeAR3e_Zx-qS7unZ1uchdJLxVPVoqF94sPV_bomr_i_rFxye22Rv-jCCQbOdMWWE6SYvo/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFp37p6Ju5cEbYrS81zMzZpClvs59laWxJwTVzd4fZYA_a6jFwL4G9E70IJ4_FmKV8SVDkEKZeAR3e_Zx-qS7unZ1uchdJLxVPVoqF94sPV_bomr_i_rFxye22Rv-jCCQbOdMWWE6SYvo/s320/IMG_0987.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Jasper and Bella were enjoying the outdoors this afternoon. They got out their containers of bubbles and were running and twirling around to make the bubbles. Bella brought baby Hadlee out in her stroller and she got to enjoy the bubbles they were blowing for her along with some sunshine. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Jasper took off to climb the mountains of snow and explore on his own. I had to laugh watching him lay down in a puddle and move his arms and legs like he was making a snow angel. He came in absolutely soaking wet and cold after his exploration but happy as could be. If he hadn't been so cold I would have thrown him into the tub to warm up. I'm not sure if his snowboots will dry out any time soon. I need to invest in one of those boot dryers. He also came in exhausted and crashed while eating his snack. I couldn't let him sleep too long. The night before he had done the same thing - falling asleep at about 6 pm, waking up at about 11 pm and staying up until after 3 am - grandma was exhausted!!!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_EyB4LTAwCDXI8b9dgpq06YbOpJIkxIRHBmsMVDZ7kG0wBubE1lcg0wO-bkq5E-ys7d2FnZlsPFY0LL3mB-haU3QDtjoLN94qTTmQEGxc-Lr6tE9N_l1aSBJsSf6DXvwD-uwvQMhV-cm/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_EyB4LTAwCDXI8b9dgpq06YbOpJIkxIRHBmsMVDZ7kG0wBubE1lcg0wO-bkq5E-ys7d2FnZlsPFY0LL3mB-haU3QDtjoLN94qTTmQEGxc-Lr6tE9N_l1aSBJsSf6DXvwD-uwvQMhV-cm/s640/IMG_0985.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lil sleeping beauty!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6jC7TfJwJSGnG5MbelykcEjZ4ML5a0hyphenhyphenkTEcK2ASnq_hyd3o8WOSSkZudkgruqV2XN66vY2MlwB4Q7ZTVtZ1PSOIkfwD1GLTk17PMg_3cMCWePDi4lXMzSZOWaEIvU1VQOsIxMZzEjY1/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6jC7TfJwJSGnG5MbelykcEjZ4ML5a0hyphenhyphenkTEcK2ASnq_hyd3o8WOSSkZudkgruqV2XN66vY2MlwB4Q7ZTVtZ1PSOIkfwD1GLTk17PMg_3cMCWePDi4lXMzSZOWaEIvU1VQOsIxMZzEjY1/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
We have baby chicks on the farm again! Desi and I picked up 8 new ones. Bottineau had them for 1/2 price so they picked up 10 more. She bought 4 different varieties. They're starting their ugly stage now. I was surprised that Jasper didn't show any interest. I thought for sure he'd want to hold them but he looked at them and walked off. He wouldn't even help feed them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6EPjiWiFchRm36iw1fIZ-Wlw_4JJs9yQkFKL8hA5W1gXUMzOF3QEHS2xRgOGAx9ga5bExdGk-2IPKswb9UlNyuOsuYV77vuIep5xcDLDfWwO78vS0GUIXnYMvgHTv7KYc2WzgXVzYVEo/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6EPjiWiFchRm36iw1fIZ-Wlw_4JJs9yQkFKL8hA5W1gXUMzOF3QEHS2xRgOGAx9ga5bExdGk-2IPKswb9UlNyuOsuYV77vuIep5xcDLDfWwO78vS0GUIXnYMvgHTv7KYc2WzgXVzYVEo/s400/IMG_1001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lil dude intently watching TV</td></tr>
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-18643009708837571292019-04-06T04:54:00.001-07:002019-04-06T04:54:30.043-07:00A Gray Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh__yxnqzfzgEK9DMWUN2b8H-kZb2V4ZVc4PjoMP937Q66IedQ5nUSmOQaJfLbkUsYdBQ9xuS8LV7H1IkjtIWSTO0k-V30eP73oiXbhDmizZ06zsWHSrD2PFdgHaBYtpu7df8OM1DQcE3/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh__yxnqzfzgEK9DMWUN2b8H-kZb2V4ZVc4PjoMP937Q66IedQ5nUSmOQaJfLbkUsYdBQ9xuS8LV7H1IkjtIWSTO0k-V30eP73oiXbhDmizZ06zsWHSrD2PFdgHaBYtpu7df8OM1DQcE3/s320/IMG_1018.JPG" width="240" /></a>It was a cold, gray windy and rainy day Thursday - which suits my mood. The rain had turned into a mix of rain, ice pellets and snow so it was an ugly day. Thankfully that mess quit before I left for town for my physical therapy appointment. I had very little motivation and just want to curl up with a blanket and sleep. I know it's because I was gone so much Wednesday and my body needed to recharge so I planned to take it easy after I got home from physical therapy. I really would have preferred some sunshine to sunbath in through the window or sitting on the bench swing.to help recharge my batteries but nature hasn't cooperated this week.<br />
<br />
So my plans for the day consisted of doing a quick pickup, unloading the dishwasher and curling up with my new books and magazine for the afternoon. I finally got to Barnes and Noble on Wednesday to use the gift card that I got for Valentine's Day. Nothing I'd hope to accomplish got done due to events I describe below.<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">PETS:</span></h2>
<br />
I took Annie, Mr. B's border collie, to the vet Wednesday as she had been having a lot of problems and had stopped walking or getting up. Blood work confirmed she had diabetes along with some other serious issues including kidney issues (from diabetes), a sinus infection and an infection in one of her legs that he wasn't sure the cause of. She was under close supervision as she was not doing well at all. The vet did multiple x-rays to rule out a couple possibilities and gave her two injections of antibiotics at the office and sent her home on insulin, an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory.<br />
<br />
When I got back from physical therapy Thursday I walked in and saw pale red blood scattered across on the kitchen floor. Being in the medical field, I was glad to see no bright red blood. It appeared she cut or bit her tongue and that was where the blood was coming from and mixing with her saliva (she had been drooling). I almost wonder if she might have had a seizure while I was gone. She wanted to continually drink water (a symptom of diabetes) so I had to put the water bowl on the counter and give her limited amounts or she'd drink until she threw up. Babies and pets are the worse when they're sick and have no way to communicate with us.<br />
<br />
I did some research and the essential oils that are good for humans are good for dogs with sinus issues so I put some eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender in the diffuser. I thought it helped a little bit, she didn't sound as labored.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Annie passed while Mr. B was trying to give her the evening medications after he got home. We had thought she might be able to make a recovery as she was only about 10 or 11 years old. It's been a rough winter. The kids lost two of their cats and a horse and we've lost two dogs since the beginning of the year.<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #990000;">FOOD:</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzinpFjtS3486RvDOhbqzMqsx3a03tnTX6tJUrpO5bHTVwYvFx9fT1bP7vwqcbrWKWD40bmXvWSIcvaqcA0nwpbz6hMBPX97eJO27sLveBDAB9L7XV7ksWcnWMJrtl1K3IRKYev8jL9TWx/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzinpFjtS3486RvDOhbqzMqsx3a03tnTX6tJUrpO5bHTVwYvFx9fT1bP7vwqcbrWKWD40bmXvWSIcvaqcA0nwpbz6hMBPX97eJO27sLveBDAB9L7XV7ksWcnWMJrtl1K3IRKYev8jL9TWx/s320/IMG_1019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I've been reading off and on for years about Ayurveda, a medical system that originated in India over 2000 years ago. There are three dosha types and I'm a Pitta or Pitta-Kapha, depending on which test I take. One of the books I just bought encourages you to eat based on how you feel at that moment, so you have to listen to your body. Since I've been feeling the cold and damp outside I decided to try one of their suggested breakfast ideas of cooked apples.<br />
<br />
I took some apples that were starting to wrinkle and weren't pretty, peeled and cut them into thick slices. Then I put the apple slices into a saucepan with a little water and cooked on medium. The water was cooking off so I decided to use one of Jasper's apple juice packets and add some apple juice to boost the flavor a bit. I cooked the apples until they were tender but still firm, don't overcook as you don't want applesauce. I threw some Wolfberries / Gogi berries into the pot as I didn't have any cranberries for a pop of sweetness then added a bit of honey and a couple pinches of cardamon. Ayurvedic theory says not to combine fruit and dairy but I added a tablespoon or so of cream to it as it needed a bit of something. It was a nice light breakfast and I used up some apples that would have gone bad otherwise.ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-41666974659530460442019-03-11T08:56:00.001-07:002019-03-11T08:56:14.430-07:00Winter-y Days<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdi6dOq2j8geaZNPARs7GTlj5Z9U_-jW66oRw_LRlIHuTMsSPt-X9n9FrZMgO27CnenDpPgWkBYVdExRiW8zoroZkwsucbWcBb6mqQlUPcPNTu3NseGftPw9_lKqb9ExNjLPSWkRGrEYZ/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6313555987428269390" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdi6dOq2j8geaZNPARs7GTlj5Z9U_-jW66oRw_LRlIHuTMsSPt-X9n9FrZMgO27CnenDpPgWkBYVdExRiW8zoroZkwsucbWcBb6mqQlUPcPNTu3NseGftPw9_lKqb9ExNjLPSWkRGrEYZ/s320/IMG_0962.JPG" width="240" /></div>
There are some days it's so nice not to have to be at work before the sun comes up and this morning was one of those. It's so beautiful outside in its starkness with the trees frosted, a light scattering of snowflakes and the fog in the distance. These are the best mornings for sitting on the couch and sipping on a cup of chai tea as one plans one's day.<br />
<br />
It looks like it might be a nice day. It's currently 8' out and the forecast is predicting 25'! Temperatures that are above 0' practically swoon worthy! Okay, a bit over dramatic BUT we're tired of the arctic weather temperatures and the record amount of cold weather we've been having up here. We've had a record 28 days of below 0' weather so we're hoping this warming trend continues. The vehicles are starting to have issues with these continued low temperatures too, even ones that typically have no problem. Temperatures this low are hard on the engines.<br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plans for the Day:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X9oQEaunJE6e6m9iP3v-NyF7ydse9NEt52s3yeJlHHO27LgaFlahDAFJVhRYtbvdG_dpaQKMHGdr-wLsjD42DqFqviqOCrtNfWKQAvNhCDGskKhxpx2VsRMEXs5BpeRApTcPDG11OXuH/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X9oQEaunJE6e6m9iP3v-NyF7ydse9NEt52s3yeJlHHO27LgaFlahDAFJVhRYtbvdG_dpaQKMHGdr-wLsjD42DqFqviqOCrtNfWKQAvNhCDGskKhxpx2VsRMEXs5BpeRApTcPDG11OXuH/s320/IMG_0962.JPG" width="240" /></a>
<li>Organizing my office area in the living room better so I can get my new printer set up. I have to get the printer set up today as I have a bunch of papers I need to scan and get sent to my insurance and Worker's Comp. Keeping up with the Worker's Comp is taking more time than I thought it would and they still haven't approved my claim yet so I haven't been paid. It's becoming a little bit more than frustrating. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I also have physical therapy this afternoon so I'll be gone at least 2.5 hours for that.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I plan on visiting Mr. B's dad after physical therapy as he's still in the hospital.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Set up my business Facebook page.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><u>FOOD:</u></span></h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1AJDsDmDkG8mSeapUoFHfDxTpHlWHSobD83iRhXc25PIvHJiZl5k54sJuOuiMrTmLjZBn4pOjlX0NrOnWo-wAIcdGM-f22CeNpJxh1EuyZLjcHs5SWBYeVLds3X2ozG6QUMWfghPK1cf/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1AJDsDmDkG8mSeapUoFHfDxTpHlWHSobD83iRhXc25PIvHJiZl5k54sJuOuiMrTmLjZBn4pOjlX0NrOnWo-wAIcdGM-f22CeNpJxh1EuyZLjcHs5SWBYeVLds3X2ozG6QUMWfghPK1cf/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" width="240" /></a>Last night I'd planned on making a roast chicken in the Instant Pot but we didn't get home until 7 pm so that wasn't going to work. I had some thawed hamburger in the fridge so I decided to try making salsbury steak for supper.<br />
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I don't remember my mom ever making it when I was growing up but I do remember having it in the frozen TV dinners on occasion. It seemed an easy enough recipe and ended up tasting great. Find the recipe <a href="https://goo.gl/N8WFhM">HERE</a>. I did use low-sodium brown gravy mix.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mr. B said "Tasted better than if we'd gone to town!"</blockquote>
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Sides were mashed potatoes and buttered corn.<br />
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This was a great budget meal and cost less than $6 for the whole meal. I'd gotten a clearance deal on hamburger a while back so that was only about $2 for the meat, the gravy packets were probably about 90c each, the corn was 88c for the bag on sale and I used half the bag, and the Idahoan mashed potatoes were $1. I had everything in my pantry so that was a huge plus. I was going to grab some rolls and heat them but forgot.<br />
<br />
The recipe made about 8 patties so this would have fed four people. If I were feeding four people, I would have made 2 packages of the mashed potatoes and used the whole bag of corn. I think I might also have increased the gravy as we like gravy on everything so maybe another packet of that. I only ate one patty myself and Mr. B ate two. I have leftovers in the fridge for our lunches.<br />
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<h4>
Some planned meals for the week include:</h4>
Roast chicken and sweet potatoes<br />
Shrimp fettuccini and salad (for me)<br />
Hot Dogs and baked beans<br />
Brat burgers and potato salad<br />
Pancakes and sausage<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><u>READING:</u></b></span></h2>
<img alt="Purls and Potions: A paranormal cozy mystery (Vampire Knitting Club Book 5) by [Warren, Nancy]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zMGxlfn9L.jpg" width="133" /> <img alt="Witch Summer Night's Cream (BEWITCHED BY CHOCOLATE Mysteries ~ Book 3) by [Hanna, H.Y.]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51t%2BcZgF9JL.jpg" width="133" /> <img alt="Living Lagom: A Swedish Guide to a Balanced Life by [Thoresen, Maya]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Imvw5tEOL._SY346_.jpg" width="125" /> <img height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41r7Tlp4oHL._SX367_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="147" /><br />
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<br />
A new book came out in the Vampire Knitting Mystery Series!!!! I'm so excited I've got it downloaded for my next read.<br />
<br />
Witch Summer Nights Cream - 57% completed<br />
<br />
Living Lagom - 51% completed<br />
<br />
Cozy Minimalist Home - 43% completed<br />
<br />ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-24774734948201156262019-03-09T10:45:00.000-08:002019-03-09T10:45:36.357-08:00SUNDAY LUNCH AND THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYIlUXZmNe-uSjV55peNxYi7BS5AuoCsKV3IgACBOf6Q5Djwzzd2yADBKup_F6BQAjcvDqHnbHnZ0mMX4WAYwA6CdDdcQSfEfEhziUmDkTytkMTvyJu7OSjGiHSAOXxP12HervL2QSZ-6/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYIlUXZmNe-uSjV55peNxYi7BS5AuoCsKV3IgACBOf6Q5Djwzzd2yADBKup_F6BQAjcvDqHnbHnZ0mMX4WAYwA6CdDdcQSfEfEhziUmDkTytkMTvyJu7OSjGiHSAOXxP12HervL2QSZ-6/s320/IMG_0947.JPG" width="320" /></a>Physical therapy, doctor's appointments, Mr. B's dad was put in the hospital and visits with him, car breakdowns (see below), and attended a wedding. I feel like I haven't had a chance to catch my breath lately! All I want today is a simple and relaxing day after a hectic week.<br />
Mr. B wants us to go snowmobiling today. I'm hoping he'll let me stay home but I have a feeling it's just wishful thinking. We have his family arriving throughout the day that will be staying at his dad's farm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_l1PVijcBqpECEJSUgSBEzjrsDuvdwALFgXgiRw26978S0tDobE6NsbXJnclSsocagybnS_33mIXuTseZSC3MRdiwtgIDQjf0LGcdgQOXhyphenhyphenMo9a1hW1POY1_ey-BUtnbbnchSSO78tFj/s1600/57298866896__814BEEB7-CC8E-4A0F-A79A-406110E1A36B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_l1PVijcBqpECEJSUgSBEzjrsDuvdwALFgXgiRw26978S0tDobE6NsbXJnclSsocagybnS_33mIXuTseZSC3MRdiwtgIDQjf0LGcdgQOXhyphenhyphenMo9a1hW1POY1_ey-BUtnbbnchSSO78tFj/s320/57298866896__814BEEB7-CC8E-4A0F-A79A-406110E1A36B.JPG" width="320" /></a>We all watch things on videos or TV and think we know how we'd react if it ever happened to us. I learned otherwise. I was heading into town for my physical therapy appointment when my front tire broke off and it rolled down the road in front of me (told you it had been hectic!). I learned that these moments are surreal and I didn't react at all. I remember thinking to myself "so that's what this is like." Called Mr. B and he came out and picked me up, took me to physical therapy and then met the tow truck. Isn't he awesome! He picked me up after my physical therapy appointment and we went to the garage where he had the Jeep towed. We have no idea why the lug nut posts broke off but thankfully it was a fairly cheap fix and he was able to do it in under an hour.<br />
<br />
Then I was heading to Minot for my appointment with the specialist when I noticed smoke pouring out from under my hood and through the vents in the Jeep. Talk about scary! I was so worried it was on fire or would catch on fire. I was fortunate that I was close to the garage and drove it in. Thankfully it was only the water pump. I had to be rescued again though, this time by Desi, who kindly drove me to Minot for my appointment. It was her third day in a row having to drive someone to Minot for doctor's appointments so she was a great sport!<br />
<h2>
<u style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">FOOD:</u></h2>
<u style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><br /></u>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FLRIOVENBInmxNjJOxkQjBog-U4HW4MhqMjPSclb1ZzR6GXIcJhQMWt-WGRUlGjssezosyvbZcopVg7LEpq9MnrDo4uogtaqnRJwac5tnDUUkgvus33hEJZIxvAOzVk_kGb-zLXid4PQ/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FLRIOVENBInmxNjJOxkQjBog-U4HW4MhqMjPSclb1ZzR6GXIcJhQMWt-WGRUlGjssezosyvbZcopVg7LEpq9MnrDo4uogtaqnRJwac5tnDUUkgvus33hEJZIxvAOzVk_kGb-zLXid4PQ/s200/IMG_0950.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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I finally got to break in my new-to-me KitchenAid mixer. Today for lunch I made Mr. B a homemade pepperoni pizza. I apparently have been depriving him of the homemade version because he ate nearly the entire pizza by himself! I used this recipe - <a href="https://goo.gl/DEA4b5">pizza dough</a> </div>
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The dough takes about 15 minutes to make. A jar of pizza sauce or tomato sauce, pepperoni and a bag of mozzarella cheese makes it a fairly easy meal and typically less than $5, which makes it a great budget meal. A bag of pepperoni makes us about 3 to 4 pizzas so it's cost effective.</div>
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The kids went to Minot Friday so I picked up Bella from school and we made these Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies from <a href="https://goo.gl/NuqcJA">Pretty.Simple.Sweet.</a></div>
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These were a definite hit and will be added to my recipe box for future batches. The vanilla pudding gives a wonderful boost to the flavor. I used Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips. </div>
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<u>READING:</u></h2>
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I haven't gotten to read much this week as I've been on the computer nearly constantly. I did treat myself to lunch at Rancho Grande in town and enjoyed reading more of this cozy mystery while I sipped on my Marguiretta after my doctor appointment. I'm a little over halfway through the book so I should be able to finish it off this week, especially with another doctor appointment, this one in Minot.</div>
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I did download The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and there are a couple other business books I want to read. Years ago I read The 7 Habits but I don't remember anything so it will be a good read for me. </div>
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-20386216515381442222019-02-24T14:06:00.001-08:002019-03-01T07:01:11.342-08:00February 2019 Ramblings<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTwOG6zvC0sISstujaWvOwQgPnnaWfEiupGAA8GLNnPYkRlzC_cbCU35AGer9-UXRAKaDCdQ-i4qUZjP3mef1YcX27rvLWvVSYnIFSLZF6ygjyO3BCtz36rlAltwASlCB4z8NGyfAUXna/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTwOG6zvC0sISstujaWvOwQgPnnaWfEiupGAA8GLNnPYkRlzC_cbCU35AGer9-UXRAKaDCdQ-i4qUZjP3mef1YcX27rvLWvVSYnIFSLZF6ygjyO3BCtz36rlAltwASlCB4z8NGyfAUXna/s320/IMG_0876.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New air boot</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">LIFE</span></h3>
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It's definitely been an interesting month. I got injured at work on the 12th and I'm still off work. Initially, I ended up on seven days of no weight bearing and crutches. Went in for a follow-up appointment a week later and ended up with more x-rays, getting an air boot put on and getting an orthopedic surgeon referral and physical therapy referral and another seven days off. I'm waiting for a phone call with my appointment dates. I'll have to go to Minot for the orthopedic surgeon as there are none closer. I was supposed to go snowmobiling this weekend but that doesn't look like it will be happening.<br />
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I'm going to look at this downtime as a blessing. I mentioned last month that I'd started a virtual assistant course so I'm working on that. I'm also working on their tech courses and just finished with their Trello training module. I think I'm going to jump into their new LinkedIn module next. I'm still working on a name for the business. I really need to get that pinned down so I can order my EIN number.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">GRANDKIDS AND FAMILY:</span></b></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukHmcHjW9o2z2SbU5j48_44UJk_RLHZCXvdOFIH3f8bzdE8Fsb9SCTxJzJhyphenhyphenR20aDJ9XxAnSFlX6edBCNHNXi-4uy03RQhgg60uLmhTZjdxJqAXSggTo9DlxlnvHrKMM4Ih-GqSWaAlwY/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukHmcHjW9o2z2SbU5j48_44UJk_RLHZCXvdOFIH3f8bzdE8Fsb9SCTxJzJhyphenhyphenR20aDJ9XxAnSFlX6edBCNHNXi-4uy03RQhgg60uLmhTZjdxJqAXSggTo9DlxlnvHrKMM4Ih-GqSWaAlwY/s320/IMG_0875.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lil dude totally focused on a cartoon</td></tr>
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I figured that since I was going to be laid up for a while I would grab Jasper and bring him up so Desi and I drove down to Jamestown and got him. Mr. B wanted us to road trip with him to taking grain to the elevator. Lil dude, unfortunately, started throwing up on our way out to the farm so I had to turn around and bring him home. He appears to be fine now. Thankfully I'm well stocked with Gatorade and juice. We did manage to go with Mr. B the next day. The crew next door has been having this stomach bug over there so I'm assuming he picked it up from them.<br />
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I started a crockpot of chicken and noodles after I got back home and got lil dude's coat and clothes in the washing machine. I figured it would be good for whatever bug is going around. Mr. B won't eat it so he can have leftovers. A big bowl of hearty chicken and noodles sounds good.<br />
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I still need to take the car into the shop to clean it out. I'll hose his car seat off and let it dry in the shop. Hopefully, he didn't get vomit on anything non-washable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LSeibnf-U2XeI3IQhxa0BtSo2FUxExe1VSPolYMk5n9CgOWF10DYhhFk7B0W7D1TpBoo-8sXUTgE2ZqdpgziGLEbWOA_SWiL91YrELHR1NmvROiBxIRB94CrXHTVTJ3T86Fzctdn28-e/s1600/IMG_0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LSeibnf-U2XeI3IQhxa0BtSo2FUxExe1VSPolYMk5n9CgOWF10DYhhFk7B0W7D1TpBoo-8sXUTgE2ZqdpgziGLEbWOA_SWiL91YrELHR1NmvROiBxIRB94CrXHTVTJ3T86Fzctdn28-e/s320/IMG_0868.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup it's Prairie Gypsy and Mr. B</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOVdcd4zSP4d79SfLjoOrw-EPWY5iCxj2HkpGCbHLwMF7pUDi3VzFOZwZB9LTcqLZPFrnKUkz18GNe2zoRA0FOgj8GCwkU5Cfo_ddQdgkOa5SGi6bHh06fnO0DY9KNcY_9yOKNyitmDJm/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOVdcd4zSP4d79SfLjoOrw-EPWY5iCxj2HkpGCbHLwMF7pUDi3VzFOZwZB9LTcqLZPFrnKUkz18GNe2zoRA0FOgj8GCwkU5Cfo_ddQdgkOa5SGi6bHh06fnO0DY9KNcY_9yOKNyitmDJm/s200/IMG_0860.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hadster after enjoying a cupcake</td></tr>
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For Valentine's Day we went to Corrigador Bar for supper. They'd advertised they were having lobster tails. I haven't eaten lobster in ages and it sounded so good until I saw the price they put on them. I ended up getting a ribeye steak instead. I'll buy a frozen one and make it myself. We had a fun time with the kids despite having the worse service in history.<br />
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It was interesting to maneuver on crutches in deep snow, to say the least. Needless to say, I'm very glad I have the boot on now as it's so much easier to maneuver.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;">FOOD:</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw7ntgKO2ekHftnzDXOVSitXW5loAbzLWBxBSd9v1xjoLHe-gTMUpGLO1jRQpjzOuAb2McoPWZjam-4HoogtzEpflpCpLWlQKo0NxnoryQhHiNFP7po8QxuahXC5rbPrYgkL6l654P3XF/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw7ntgKO2ekHftnzDXOVSitXW5loAbzLWBxBSd9v1xjoLHe-gTMUpGLO1jRQpjzOuAb2McoPWZjam-4HoogtzEpflpCpLWlQKo0NxnoryQhHiNFP7po8QxuahXC5rbPrYgkL6l654P3XF/s320/IMG_0877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lil dude's on right with apples in middle and mine on right</td></tr>
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For today's road tripped I'd packed a nice bento style lunch for lil dude and I. His (left) was ham slices, gouda cheese, munster cheese cubes and apples.<br />
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My bento style lunch (right) was a ham and lettuce wrap with Spicy Ranch, gouda cheese and apple slices.<br />
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Saturday I made some pancake bites. As you can see from the pan (below) they disappeared pretty quickly so I'll call them a success.<br />
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To make these yummy breakfast treats (or anytime treats), just mix up your favorite pancake mix per package. I used Bisquick to make these. Then fill the mini-muffin cups about 3/4 full and add whatever you want. I flavored these with mini chocolate chips, blueberries, grape jelly and cherry jam. Bake at 350' for about 12 to 15 minutes (make sure they're golden brown on top). I think this made 36 bites.<br />
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-12677372782960506902019-01-30T13:49:00.000-08:002019-01-30T13:49:12.506-08:00January - Welcome 2019!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNVz_BalqP3Sez_qXjt2Rz66WhYtb4IX7vj8rSGVa-yqMhBBBNrTDizYc2mboj37Y1_zdAXXsN7EBjtlfM5sJT32-7_5symdrLOYvV6eJV6vm1F0De7PVpjDGesErwBvMy6_sgFck1ymb/s1600/IMG_0822.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNVz_BalqP3Sez_qXjt2Rz66WhYtb4IX7vj8rSGVa-yqMhBBBNrTDizYc2mboj37Y1_zdAXXsN7EBjtlfM5sJT32-7_5symdrLOYvV6eJV6vm1F0De7PVpjDGesErwBvMy6_sgFck1ymb/s320/IMG_0822.PNG" width="179" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow, January has flown by already and it's been a busy month! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our temperature today is -35 with wind chills in the -40's. I'm dreaming of a warmer climate! I'm so glad I wasn't scheduled to work today or tomorrow. Friday is supposed to be back up in the 20's which will seem absolutely balmy after these arctic temperatures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankfully my Jeep has started every morning that I've needed it to. We did put it in the shop yesterday morning just to be sure I could get to work. I couldn't believe how many people called in the night before without knowing what the roads would be like the next day. Yes, there was a travel advisory out, but the roads were almost totally clear when I drove into work. It might not be a huge thing in most fields but when you work in the medical field, staff not showing up is a huge problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This morning I got up and did 35 minutes of yoga (on Gaiam TV) targetting the neck and shoulders since my back has been tight - a hazard of working as a CNA. Lunch was some leftover BBQ pulled pork I made Sunday. On Sunday I also did a batch of low carb chili to take for my lunches. I was nice and shared some with my traveling nurse since I know she can't make food like that in her hotel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">January 2nd we went snowmobiling with about a dozen family and friends. We rode from the farm to Rugby, stopped for lunch at the Eagles in Rugby, rode to the bar in Balta and then rode back to Wolford through Rugby. We stopped at the Corrigator bar in Wolford for supper before returning to our place. The trails weren't in the best shape as there had been a ride earlier that day so the trails had gotten pretty torn up especially when we returned. We saw a herd of deer that ran out of a slough and Mr. B's brother found a 4-point antler laying on the ground in the field he picked up to take home. Mr. B's sled broke down so he had to be picked up and his sled loaded to bring back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: white;">FAMILY:</u></span></span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lil Dude enjoying his strawberry margarita (virgin)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My poor son was diagnosed with a huge kidney stone mid-month. Surgery was scheduled for the first week of February and all of a sudden I got a call on the 21st saying his surgery was the next day! Talk about having to change gears quickly! I had to pack and drive down to Jamestown so that I could drive him to Fargo the next morning. I decided to treat myself and stay in a hotel. My second thought was the pool would give my grandson a way to wear off some energy before having to be confined with me at the hospital the next day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My son was supposed to have surgery at 11:15 am, but they didn't get him into surgery until almost 4 pm. While he was in recovery, I made the decision we would stay in Fargo for the night. The news reports were already advising that I94 was already becoming slippery and I didn't need to slide off the road with my son still coming out of anesthesia and my 3-year-old grandson, so I got a hotel room in Fargo. I'd planned to take lil dude to the pool to wear off some energy, but after a whole day of dealing with him at the hospital I was just too tired and let the TV entertain him. Unfortunately, I didn't get much sleep as he woke up at 1:30 am crying, pulling on his left ear and it took several hours before he fell asleep again. Needless to say, I came home totally exhausted.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>LIFE IMPROVEMENT:</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been toying with trying to find a job working from home but hate the idea of dealing with other company's office politics and drama so I've decided to launch my own business. I was hired by an online transcription company but they take most of the profit away. I waste so much time having to research online that they pay isn't that great. I really want to work 40 hours or less and be able to set my own schedule again. I miss having my pet sitting business, but it's just not workable where I live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So based on my skills I've decided to launch a Virtual Assistant and Transcription business. There are a lot of things about launching this type of business I wasn't sure about so I researched and decided to join the Virtual Savvy Bootcamp and Savvy Tech Training courses. I found programs ranging in price from $300 to almost $5000, Abbey's program is somewhat in the middle ranging from about $1000 to $2600, depending on how many options you want. I added the Savvy Tech option as I know I need to learn some new programs and felt the cost for a year was affordable, especially since she adds about three new courses every month to chose from. If you're considering a change into the Virtual Assistant field, please check out their programs (and yes I will get a small reimbursement if anyone signs up).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Virtual Savvy Homepage <span style="color: #a3aaae; font-size: 15.6px;">https://bit.ly/2RplPaY</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Savvy Tech Training <span style="color: #a3aaae; font-size: 15.6px;">https://bit.ly/2Bb7tpf</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.6px;">Jump Start </span><span style="color: #a3aaae; font-size: 15.6px;"> </span><span style="color: #a3aaae;"><span style="font-size: 15.6px;">https://bit.ly/2MLf56I</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15.6px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Jump Start program was free when I took it but that might have changed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>BOOKS:</u></span></h3>
<img alt="In the Shadow of Denali (The Heart of Alaska Book #1) by [Peterson, Tracie, Woodhouse, Kimberley]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xCDQYO98L.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" width="129" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><img alt="Hanish: House of Storms (Dragon Guardians Book 6) by [Grove, Scarlett]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51QS11BjDqL.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" width="133" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><img alt="Hygge: The Complete Book of Hygge To Discover The Danish Way To Live Happily by [Jensen, Sarah, Nielsen, Carl]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51d92x6i7ML.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" width="125" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><img alt="Dark, Witch & Creamy (BEWITCHED BY CHOCOLATE Mysteries ~ Book 1) by [Hanna, H.Y.]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51qfWbi8chL.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" width="133" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was able to read about a book a week, which for me right now is doing pretty good, and makes my Kindle Unlimited subscription worth keeping. I liked Dark, Witch & Creamy, so I downloaded the next book in the series. I haven't quite finished In the Shadow of Denali but I'm 75% done with it, and I'll be downloading the next in that series also. Hanish was an amusing romance. I've downloaded Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith, The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker, Witch, Chocolate Fudge by H.Y. Hann and Aquaponics by Celine Walker for future reading.</span>ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-79025375589196502252019-01-13T20:51:00.004-08:002019-01-13T20:51:52.304-08:00December Ramblings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, the New Year is here and hopefully this year will be filled with blessings and not fly by quite as fast as last year did. I pray all my readers had a great holiday! Working in the medical field makes holidays difficult, to say the least, and caused crazy scheduling. I felt like I never could get caught up or catch my breath. I was blessed my son and lil dude were able to join us although they returned home the day after Christmas so I didn't get much time visiting with them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1KMsiV3_6xszX0w8lcDpR51ZpgnF1ub2XO34HJxxAwr5XzCtEOEXtCvaxTEqzsAeKgI79c4kCOQcBkG2yrTiSkp25e9X4rQ006Y7kqgT3Dn2KZ548n4PCuihIDfqyoNm5GnGYItV_noe/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1KMsiV3_6xszX0w8lcDpR51ZpgnF1ub2XO34HJxxAwr5XzCtEOEXtCvaxTEqzsAeKgI79c4kCOQcBkG2yrTiSkp25e9X4rQ006Y7kqgT3Dn2KZ548n4PCuihIDfqyoNm5GnGYItV_noe/s320/IMG_0742.JPG" width="240" /></a>The day after Christmas I got stuck at the hospital overnight because of an incoming snow storm. The hospital informed us we were not allowed to leave if we couldn't guarantee that we could make it back in the next morning. I couldn't guarantee I could get back in so I had to stay. I decided to make it an adventure and went out for supper at my favorite Mexican joint in town (okay it's the only Mexican joint in town). Nothing beats a nice margarita to help a girl relax! I had put a bag in my Jeep with a pair of scrubs and other necessities along with a few food items just in case of such an event and was thankful it was there. The one thing I forgot to pack was a pair of pajamas so I stopped and grabbed some at Shopko after I ate supper, which helped kill some time. After returning to the hospital I made up my bed and then decided to try out the jetted tub for a relaxing bath. I was amazed at how well I slept. I was glad to go home to my own bed the next night though and Mr. B was very happy to have me home.<br />
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Right before Christmas, we did a road trip to pick up used oil. Mr. B has a furnace in the shop that reuses oil and we were low on oil to heat the shop. All our water pipes come from the shop to the houses so it's important they don't freeze and the shop has to be heated. He gets used oil from farmers and garages after they change the oil in vehicles or equipment. It was a beautiful day out so I took a lot of pictures while he was driving. Mr. B's brother also picked up some used oil by him and brought it up so we were able to get enough oil for at least a couple months.<br />
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Mr. B and I attended a wine pairing at Marie's in Bottineau on December 12th. It was a wonderful night of wines and food serviced in six courses. Mr. B won us a bottle of wine and a Fireball t-shirt. We returned home with several bottles of wine and the leftover cheese from the appetizer tray. It was something Mr. B had never done before and I was worried about him eating anything, but he was a sport and tried everything.<br />
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On the homefront I decided to finally break down and clean the oven, which I don't think has been cleaned since Mr. B's wife died four years ago. I felt it really needed to be done before I cooked the Christmas turkey in it. Unfortunately, the oven doesn't have an auto clean feature so I had to use Easy Off Extra Strength and a lot of elbow grease to get it clean. It was so bad I had to spray and let it set a second time before I finally got it clean.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white; font-size: large;">BOOKS:</span></h3>
I did manage to get some reading done in December. A lot of it focused on Hygge and Logam.<br />
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<img alt="Hygge: The Complete Book of Hygge To Discover The Danish Way To Live Happily" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51d92x6i7ML._SY300_.jpg" width="125" /> <img alt="Living Lagom: A Swedish Guide to a Balanced Life" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Imvw5tEOL._SY300_.jpg" width="125" /> <img alt="Sweet Tea and Southern Grace" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/511TJN7FJwL._SY300_.jpg" width="128" /><br />
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-30472634306908234882018-12-04T09:09:00.000-08:002018-12-04T09:09:27.752-08:00November 2018 Ramblings<div style="text-align: justify;">
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It's hard to believe that November is already over and Christmas is just
weeks away. I'm listening to Celtic Christmas songs on Pandora as I type this. This whole year has felt like it's been on fast forward and
November continued that way for me. November started off with snow for
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I still love the look of frost on windows. As a kid I use to use my nail to make designs in the frost. The frost on the morning I took this picture looked like swirls. </div>
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I was able to do a couple road trips with Mr. B to haul canola to the elevator in Velva. We had to load the semi trailer up (top left) before we left. When I got out of the semi to move a truck for them I noticed a lot of deer tracks (bottom left). The elevator is about an hour and a half away plus wait time so it takes up a good portion of a day. We had several trucks ahead of us so we ended up waiting probably close to an hour before we were able to unload. We can watch the trucks go down onto the scale and then head to where they unload (right pictures). The slope down to the scale can get really slippery and we saw one truck slide a bit. Thankfully a truck came out and put some dirt down right before we went down.</div>
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I was super excited I was going to get to go on my first overnight trip with Mr. B to take wheat to Grand Forks, actually I was going to go two overnight trips with him. Unfortunately my adventure didn't get too far. We hadn't gotten far down the road when we noticed the lights on the back of Mr. B's boss's trailer started flashing and then we noticed the taillights were out on one side. A quick phone call as Mr. B dodged pieces of tire in the road and we pulled over to figure out what was going on to discover that one of his boss's back tires had peeled off and had ripped out his taillights and wiring and the wiring was wrapped around the axle. The tire had then flipped up and put a HUGE dent in the back of trailer. We switched semis and brought back his boss's to his farm and my adventure sadly ended. The trailer is now in Fargo for repairs.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><u><b>BIRTHDAY & THANKSGIVING:</b></u></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv8QEFEE3LI9_CWRngbDkwKFRcUWArFjnTOgdHPc-1MpmF_lzUJpSy96__BaH8WWEq_Lwj_HBBQ5Iz517NRDiQFj9JLbSyzWK0nG3iVotwZ0J5ZAAAzqcqZokcpNn4c-2lHomIqJsFVEf/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv8QEFEE3LI9_CWRngbDkwKFRcUWArFjnTOgdHPc-1MpmF_lzUJpSy96__BaH8WWEq_Lwj_HBBQ5Iz517NRDiQFj9JLbSyzWK0nG3iVotwZ0J5ZAAAzqcqZokcpNn4c-2lHomIqJsFVEf/s400/IMG_0672.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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On my birthday I arrived home after work to find a present (a candle) and this cake that Mr. B's granddaughter, Bella, made for me. Mr. B took me out to the bar for supper later in the week.</div>
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I had to work Thanksgiving this year so Desiree cooked everything but the pumpkin pies, which I made. It was so nice after working a 12 hour shift to not have to cook. I was surprised that they provided workers a full Thanksgiving meal although after eating all that good food it was hard to go back to work. We had a small gathering here this year as my son had to work and lil dude was with his mom. I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meal at work</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><u>READING:</u></span></h3>
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<img alt="Stockings and Spells: A paranormal cozy mystery (Vampire Knitting Club Book 4)" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xJrzIY3lL._SY300_.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="How to be Chic in the Winter: Living slim, happy and stylish during the cold season" class="s-access-image cfMarker" data-search-image-load="" height="218" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Vl4N8EfFL._AC_US218_.jpg" width="218" /><img alt="Daddy Bear (Return to Bear Creek Book 1)" class="s-access-image cfMarker" data-search-image-load="" height="218" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HNZ8WsubL._AC_US218_.jpg" width="218" /></div>
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I waited very impatiently for 'Stockings and Spells' to be released on November 28th and read it in two days. Now I need to find another cozy mystery series to read since I have no idea when she'll release another book in this series. </div>
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I enjoyed 'Daddy Bear;' although, I wish they'd stop putting such graphic sex scenes in the books. I've gotten to the point I just skip over them. Otherwise, it's a nice romance and I'll probably read more from this series.</div>
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I'll be honest I was a bit disappointed with 'How to be Chic in the Winter'. There was really nothing there I haven't already read somewhere else. It mentioned menus to keep your chic figure but all she states is she eats a lot of salads. I for one don't like a lot of cold foods in the winter so eating salads every day won't work for me. Also, a salad isn't going to sustain me on negative temperature days, I need something that will sustain me. Soup and salad works better so I think I'll try and prep more soups to freeze and take to work. Salads are on hold with the lettuce ban right now. </div>
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Books I have on Kindle to read next:</div>
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<img alt="The Cottage Kitchen: Cozy Cooking in the English Countryside" class="s-access-image cfMarker" data-search-image-load="" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51T5tjlq6FL._AC_US218_.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="Sweet Tea and Southern Grace" class="s-access-image cfMarker" data-search-image-load="" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/511TJN7FJwL._AC_US218_.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="The Buddha Walks into the Office: A Guide to Livelihood for a New Generation" class="s-access-image cfMarker" data-search-image-load="" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41nT+60LWPL._AC_US218_.jpg" width="200" /></div>
ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-68263346022924701692018-11-10T16:36:00.000-08:002018-11-10T16:36:06.832-08:00November RamblingsWe're already 10 days into November and I ask again, where is the time going? I've been way to busy and as usual need to find a balance. It seems like just yesterday I posted and it's actually been about 3 months.<br />
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The Prairie Gypsy may be traveling in the near future so watch for more on that.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="color: blue;"><u>GRANDKIDS:</u></span></h3>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I was finally able to get lil dude for a week last month! I miss that little tike. He got to go out in the tractor several times with Mr. B while I was working and he loved every minute of it. It's amazing how well he jumped into riding in the tractor during the harvest with one day being nearly 11 hours and still got upset when I went to pick him up because he didn't want to leave until he realized Mr. B was leaving too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfJdkB-nHhezqkC8AktYOw4byNfQsHb6XupS4oLd553RdA-iK7TZiztttFFcsGOXsIXPJgd7rndkxNwMVsOT9Z3emQR_Jl6_wl8leVDfTjVRQ1c0Z3ZNtbNWCAzObn4RU6tNRpScDN_sW/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfJdkB-nHhezqkC8AktYOw4byNfQsHb6XupS4oLd553RdA-iK7TZiztttFFcsGOXsIXPJgd7rndkxNwMVsOT9Z3emQR_Jl6_wl8leVDfTjVRQ1c0Z3ZNtbNWCAzObn4RU6tNRpScDN_sW/s320/IMG_0615.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Our family loves Mexican food so we tend to go for Mexican whenever possible and this visit was no different. Desiree and Hadlee joined lil dude and myself for lunch at Rancho Grande in Rugby. When lil dude saw Desi's strawberry margarita he wanted one so I ordered him his first virgin strawberry margarita and he was in heaven! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BvxjiQffZK6cKXczhusFkBNEjv36yGUJDl5o5ZblCLZnrOrYcWLwgRQgUSmg_UI1CzU7dyptWpWXURN2pRmRiL_Eu6TCWF7MypZAS3h686m_FY_kmGbIypGSAl3jSYIsNtLFEPMVZqtA/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BvxjiQffZK6cKXczhusFkBNEjv36yGUJDl5o5ZblCLZnrOrYcWLwgRQgUSmg_UI1CzU7dyptWpWXURN2pRmRiL_Eu6TCWF7MypZAS3h686m_FY_kmGbIypGSAl3jSYIsNtLFEPMVZqtA/s320/IMG_0600.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I found this adorable dragon costume at TJ Maxx in Minot for $20 a couple weeks ago when I went shopping. The picture doesn't show the adorable long tail on it. He loved it! Sometimes when he went to show people the costume he'd hold it by the head and walk around growling. I had to laugh because Desi and I were at the bar for supper the other night and I noticed Hadlee was growling. Desi said she's been doing that and then it clicked that I'd seen lil dude hold the dragon head up to her and growl and now she's imitating him!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>READING:</u></span></h3>
<span style="color: #38761d;">1-3) I read the Vampire Knitting Club series by Nancy Warren. Currently there are 3 published books out and the third is due out this month. I read all 3 books the series is that good! It's a pretty calm book unlike a lot of books with vampires in them. They were light reading, which I needed, and totally enjoyable. These are free if you have Kindle Unlimited. I'm impatiently waiting for the next book.</span><br />
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<img alt="Crochet and Cauldrons: A paranormal cozy mystery (Vampire Knitting Club Book 3) by [Warren, Nancy]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51aed2gwGnL.jpg" width="133" /><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iTVx3%2BssL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Stitches and Witches: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Vampire Knitting Club Book 2) by [Warren, Nancy]" border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iTVx3%2BssL.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #38761d;"><img alt="The Vampire Knitting Club: First in a Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51yrI4+UgqL._AC_US218_.jpg" width="200" /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">4) The Autumn House by Alison May. A continuation of her seasonal series for the home. Lists of things that should be done in the fall like furnace maintenance to little treats for yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><img alt="The Autumn House (The Seasonal House Series) by [Alison May]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51d9saC%2BvwL.jpg" width="125" /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">5) How to be Chic in the Winter by Fiona Ferris. A continuation of Fiona's How to be Chic series and appropriate for the season. </span><br />
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<img height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Vl4N8EfFL._SX311_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="125" /><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><u>CRAFTING:</u></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I was finally able to pick up my WIP (work-in-progress) project that I started 2 years ago. I had to rip out a huge chunk of what I'd completed and redo as I'd messed up the band on the edges so I'm now where I was before I ripped it back. Hopefully I'll be able to complete this project soon as it's on large needles so it works pretty quickly so I can post a picture of a finished garment in my next post. I have the perfect floral print thermal top to wear with it too.</span></div>
ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-6709439751978143702018-09-06T16:14:00.000-07:002018-09-06T16:14:14.659-07:00HARLEY TRIP - PACKING<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG8I4aC8F49Y-akOK5gO5bXIHTs7oEYZucJT4REWQsJFyaE2YuYfK1P8FX7zsnpSVDYMy9cJsn_tE2hm4uUyP6TLnFdJQRF9OP2tbcvHdB2IDt4K94mnRe3iDs3L5ezYfWhUkitAxL6Nx/s1600/benny+and+I+on+harley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG8I4aC8F49Y-akOK5gO5bXIHTs7oEYZucJT4REWQsJFyaE2YuYfK1P8FX7zsnpSVDYMy9cJsn_tE2hm4uUyP6TLnFdJQRF9OP2tbcvHdB2IDt4K94mnRe3iDs3L5ezYfWhUkitAxL6Nx/s400/benny+and+I+on+harley.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. B and I getting ready to leave Cody, WY</td></tr>
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<h3>
PACKING:</h3>
I did laundry and started organizing and packing everything two days before we left so I would have time to adjust if needed. I really tried to keep things minimal and I think I did pretty good with packing for the most part. We had roughly planned our travels out and then ended up changing the end of our trip. Instead of traveling the last couple days, we were camping so there were a couple things so I would have changed packing if I had planned for camping as well but overall we did really well with what we packed.<br />
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One of the things I bought at the last minute were some <a href="https://amzn.to/2QccKTI" target="_blank">packing cubes</a>. I found them really helpful but wished I'd bought a second set in another color and plan to order another set before our next trip. I watched multiple YouTube videos on using packing cubes to get a good idea of the best way to pack them. Having one color for Mr B and one color for myself would have made it much easier when pulling them out to know which cube I needed. <br />
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Clothes were minimal: 2 pairs of jeans, 2 t-shirts, a hoodie, a swimsuit, 3 pairs of socks and 3 underwear. I also packed 2 bras, a pair of capri's and a button down long sleeve shirt for myself. Changes I would make to what I packed would include not taking the t-shirts as we both bought 2 t-shirts. I will also pack a couple more pairs of underwear for each of us next time. I should have also taken some type of sandals for Mr. B as he didn't have anything to wear while we were on the beach and sand. I thought I'd done pretty well with the toiletries but probably need to figure out how to reduce what I took a little bit. Maybe I'll take a tinted moisturizer instead of a moisturizer and foundation on the next trip.<br />
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So, all the packing cubes got put in a rubber bag we borrowed and put on the back of the sissy bar. Our electronics and toiletry bag were stored in the left saddlebag and my purse and sunscreen along with a few other things we needed were in the right saddlebag. I frequently put a bottle of water in the saddlebag for rest breaks between gas stops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glendive, MT - packed and ready for the last leg of our journey home</td></tr>
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<br />ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-25688462452072754282018-08-18T12:54:00.000-07:002018-08-18T12:54:54.270-07:00July Ramblings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sl5FYD5AbMrNTuL3qsy8XgFYHIcJ9tNHtZx6IRk39Hfk4qbzo9tSwyvLNTZM2pUvtgueFZFNf6BHzXItWGtNJk2wUFy2EjXqrbMfqnDz6LhgI2x8ZQ3as-sN54tXvkNGTr98dH3Iecl8/s1600/IMG_20180802_134533_444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sl5FYD5AbMrNTuL3qsy8XgFYHIcJ9tNHtZx6IRk39Hfk4qbzo9tSwyvLNTZM2pUvtgueFZFNf6BHzXItWGtNJk2wUFy2EjXqrbMfqnDz6LhgI2x8ZQ3as-sN54tXvkNGTr98dH3Iecl8/s640/IMG_20180802_134533_444.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out wheat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baling the hay</td></tr>
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I remember as a kid hearing adults complain they didn't know where time went and couldn't understand it because summer seemed to drag forever but now I totally get it - it's halfway through August already! Wow, where did July go? Okay, I will admit I was on vacation for about 11 days but still. I'll write about our vacation in the next post.</div>
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Today it's already 80' out and we're supposed to hit 90' before getting hit by rain. I'm excited about the rain as we desperately need it and I'm sure the farmers need a day off. </div>
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Our area is in full harvest mode now with farmers harvesting canola and wheat and haying. I've been riding after work and on my days off with Mr. B in the tractors and semi's so I'm not getting a lot done at home at the moment.</div>
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<h2>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">GRANDKIDS: </span></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6Bdv_6hqBNBZluLV8y_lom6qcCvYGT9kWYqJYd1bel2fdw4jvyi5oUQalEY_KjK2Q1G3k4sg28yIfXswTgA8Ad6oDB-pbLymeEuouEaBCVTKL66o5ZA-1ECmAm2Ad67We7wfunRTJlpz/s1600/FF3944A3-AAB6-483A-A270-F1D7EC45B1C8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6Bdv_6hqBNBZluLV8y_lom6qcCvYGT9kWYqJYd1bel2fdw4jvyi5oUQalEY_KjK2Q1G3k4sg28yIfXswTgA8Ad6oDB-pbLymeEuouEaBCVTKL66o5ZA-1ECmAm2Ad67We7wfunRTJlpz/s640/FF3944A3-AAB6-483A-A270-F1D7EC45B1C8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We were fortunate to have Jasper with us for most of the 4th of July week. He's so much fun! He turned 3 last week! I was so upset he wasn't able to come up to celebrate his birthday. Hopefully he'll be able to come up and stay with us soon.<br />
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He had so much fun while here and he got to go to work with Grandpa several days so he was in heaven. He has his little green <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20style=%22width:120px;height:240px;%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20src=%22//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ndprairiegyps-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B010MJH9PC&asins=B010MJH9PC&linkId=8b6d1c2f6a59678458a4776a6ea712e4&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">John Deere Backpack</a> that he puts his toys and pull-ups in to take with when he's with us. The first day he went the look on his face when I packed him a lunch and snack bag to take with and he carried that out to the truck with his backpack on was just too adorable. Of course I forgot to take a picture of it. I'm considering buying him a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20style=%22width:120px;height:240px;%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20src=%22//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ndprairiegyps-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01JX6SD0A&asins=B01JX6SD0A&linkId=1bbe5a90d10def289cca600cccee0d71&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">lunch bag</a> like this for when he's here, probably in blue. We also worked on potty training and had a really good start. Hopefully my son has kept up with it.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ndprairiegyps-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B010MJH9PC&asins=B010MJH9PC&linkId=8b6d1c2f6a59678458a4776a6ea712e4&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></p>
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You will also note that in most pictures of Jasper he has <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20style=%22width:120px;height:240px;%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20src=%22//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ndprairiegyps-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01MRXZ7F2&asins=B01MRXZ7F2&linkId=b62973c0b88b623f24840b1b0b41238f&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">rubber boots</a> on. He actually has 2 pairs, one is too big still, that he puts on while he's here. He loves the rubber boots and it keeps his city shoes from getting ruined. One day my son put his tennis shoes on out of habit and Jasper kicked them off and went over to his box that I keep his outdoor stuff in and grabbed his boots and pulled them on. He wears them with shorts or pants and even his PJs. They're great because if he steps into something I can wash them off and they also protect his legs when he wears shorts.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">READING:</span></h2>
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I haven't gotten to read much lately, hopefully once the colder weather sets in I can start reading more but this is my stack of books to be read (BTBR):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrgy5GKvOS1D_0GsdZj_n8_2MvJ1zczeGVHarE9uxAHZpBbIOtJmtM7ZNXZzePbX-8Jj2eoxtx3-0Brzia0EyJS6GeVJ-CvW4ucZ-yMRdEVU4ru4iV2XyXMArh7HWDmcQe1idFmvlx1v5/s1600/00F0BAFB-6558-477D-92E5-102741EB1395.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrgy5GKvOS1D_0GsdZj_n8_2MvJ1zczeGVHarE9uxAHZpBbIOtJmtM7ZNXZzePbX-8Jj2eoxtx3-0Brzia0EyJS6GeVJ-CvW4ucZ-yMRdEVU4ru4iV2XyXMArh7HWDmcQe1idFmvlx1v5/s400/00F0BAFB-6558-477D-92E5-102741EB1395.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On my <b>Kindle</b> I'm also readying the following books. I picked up the Runaway Heiress for a special price of $2.99. It was given a really good review on one of the book discussion groups I'm on on Facebook. </div>
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I'm also working my way through Home Sweet Maison, which is the book we're reading in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesimplyluxuriouslifeblog/" target="_blank">The Simply Luxurious Life</a>'s Facebook's group. I'm way behind the weekly book discussion but I'm reading! Home Sweet Maison I find fascinating as it discusses how the French decorate their homes. The author herself is American and her husband is French so she gives insight to how she reacted to the French system and how her husband reacted when he came to America with her to live to how Americans decorate.</div>
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<br />ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-91468426312439874952018-07-16T21:28:00.000-07:002018-07-16T21:37:34.102-07:00June Rambling <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcS_Biv3IVrxvVXn26JPYPWXcnxxgCbTWQ-yTLbTaeaRUv9ZgRGMKQUPzmya3Tj7OPpxw7AGaqDk698JFRMio27OXi0xr4JI_PG7e3pULKuQRrPPMyor2663w3yVu65W405hEmMLfzkJb/s1600/0701181820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcS_Biv3IVrxvVXn26JPYPWXcnxxgCbTWQ-yTLbTaeaRUv9ZgRGMKQUPzmya3Tj7OPpxw7AGaqDk698JFRMio27OXi0xr4JI_PG7e3pULKuQRrPPMyor2663w3yVu65W405hEmMLfzkJb/s400/0701181820.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We've been having a really wet month with violent thunderstorms. We've had several tornado warnings and lots of funnels spotted. Hot days and cool nights apparently trigger some pretty violent storms. The storms have been causing a lot of electrical outages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU60ZLUy5obP9MuEttpgdYQ_VYqLXw72VezNPKj5m0NU_5k_u1Fzl1cwLvirCf2sX7s9Yp-2Qa8tyNKBb_4MFdUdAyGiaJp-_7NHkAdONkt15vIECVmkj5eJVTt0biYlJvku9YwuYJ8-zw/s1600/0614182135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU60ZLUy5obP9MuEttpgdYQ_VYqLXw72VezNPKj5m0NU_5k_u1Fzl1cwLvirCf2sX7s9Yp-2Qa8tyNKBb_4MFdUdAyGiaJp-_7NHkAdONkt15vIECVmkj5eJVTt0biYlJvku9YwuYJ8-zw/s320/0614182135.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivph9noXJ9nG1i2ngn2yBvNGlou9dnxZZox0-Z5UVrt4vNFekoP0RicEMWwQ95mbN3hayhwfF1uPG15CCUZVw-RakaOjqJKQOr1SXmKw948Tyj2VNumdFJHo_T5H7e_t32AVx3c5ypSpQ4/s1600/0614182137a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivph9noXJ9nG1i2ngn2yBvNGlou9dnxZZox0-Z5UVrt4vNFekoP0RicEMWwQ95mbN3hayhwfF1uPG15CCUZVw-RakaOjqJKQOr1SXmKw948Tyj2VNumdFJHo_T5H7e_t32AVx3c5ypSpQ4/s320/0614182137a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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MOTORCYCLING</h2>
Recently while we were out on the Harley and I had an epiphany - <b>riding on a motorcycle of any kind requires a great deal of trust</b>. You have to trust the person you're riding with for both riders to be safe. This epiphany occurred during a sharp turn as I started to panic he was leaning the bike too far over and we'd skid. In this case my rationale self reminded me he's been riding since he was a kid and knew how to drive the bike and I have no experience and the other part of me wanted to throw myself off the bike. Fortunately I went with the rationale part of my brain that told me to relax and move with him.and thankfully we didn't skid. It did lead to some thought on what a thermometer riding together can be. I can't imagine a couple being willing to ride together if they didn't like each other or were fighting. Either couple would have a totally different posture while riding on the bike.<br />
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I'm sure my starting to ride at 52 is causing some of the issues and I try to figure out what is causing the issue. With my allergies I frequently have minor balance issues due to fluid in my ears. I've moved while we were riding when I shouldn't have but I'm learning to compensate and not move when this is an issue. One more reason why our riding as much as possible before the trip was so important. Riding together we both have to communicate with each other more instead of assuming the other person is psychic. He had a tendency to bring up things weeks later so I couldn't remember why I had done something so he's learning to tell me immediately if I did something he would prefer I not do so I can analyze why I did it and figure out how to compensate the next time.<br />
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We didn't get a lot of time on the bike in this month due to the crappy weather. We did do a day trip up to Lake Metigoshe, which is a special place for me as it's where I met Mr. B. We met a friend of his and rode around the lake with a stop for lunch at <a href="http://www.kcdockside.com/" target="_blank">Dockside</a> to wait out the rain. I figured it was good to ride in the rain in case we end up with rain on our July motorcycle trip to Yellowstone. On our way back we stopped in Willow City to check out the street dance. It was a long but fun day, we left about 11 am and got home about 1 am. I was highly disappointed in the band they had for the street dance. They only played hard rock - no slow songs at all. I'd never heard most of what they played. The company was great though and we enjoyed our outing.<br />
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GRANDKIDS</h2>
Jasper stayed with us after Mudfest for a week. I took him with me grocery shopping in Bottineau so we stopped at the Chinese buffet there. I enjoy using chopsticks when I eat at Chinese joints to keep in practice. Jasper looked at me take a couple bites with my chopsticks and reached over and grabbed them. I'm not sure he quite got how to use them - at one point he'd stabbed watermelon pieces on each end of one chopstick and had chicken on the other chopstick. It was pretty hilarious to watch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T9I3HL9vPwkmQsat4jRwdpXV8FGpxGjNJOGLhcPp5ylnku6x06kLyyESU3FPdXwgKK4bYP6TjL6_29NKXvnnWSdYoPpo9kUfylrwgMkf6pdsx8qjUvb9AH_GpPsO8eyyMjVSmi7LurlT/s1600/0619181239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T9I3HL9vPwkmQsat4jRwdpXV8FGpxGjNJOGLhcPp5ylnku6x06kLyyESU3FPdXwgKK4bYP6TjL6_29NKXvnnWSdYoPpo9kUfylrwgMkf6pdsx8qjUvb9AH_GpPsO8eyyMjVSmi7LurlT/s320/0619181239.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<h2>
MUDFEST 2018</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5eaJXkfQmNT0wLFTdSk65gdHCPCanqs-fRgagZEb8BM5LwjHq5oaEu-GWI4T2RRW9kJUoIq_2KE22PNKQPCmzAsfke8gwcPsSR7Izk84Wp-45se2dSGEYYc8sKGhWMLj7CfN43scEzIg/s1600/0616181442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5eaJXkfQmNT0wLFTdSk65gdHCPCanqs-fRgagZEb8BM5LwjHq5oaEu-GWI4T2RRW9kJUoIq_2KE22PNKQPCmzAsfke8gwcPsSR7Izk84Wp-45se2dSGEYYc8sKGhWMLj7CfN43scEzIg/s320/0616181442.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids checking it out</td></tr>
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The annual Mudfest was held in June. Mudfest is guys or gals taking their trucks out through a mud hole or in this case it was a muddy slough. Normally the trucks are stripped down and are only used for these events. There are large tractors to pull any trucks out that get stuck. I'm not sure what the official tally was but would estimate there were about 30 trucks there despite the weather being crappy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud truck lineup</td></tr>
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My son and grandson were up to attend. At the last minute we decided to provide food for the Mudfesters. Jordon stepped in and acted as my griller and I worked the table taking orders and dealing with the money. We hadn't expected the day to be so cold or I would have taken some hot chocolate instead of all the cases of water. It was fun watching all the trucks getting stuck. Dustin blew his on the third time. As you can see the trucks get VERY dirty and their drivers tend to get just as dirty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truck needs a bath</td></tr>
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PETS</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPtm8Ix2qRK-WyEePtOPCv77yxQOISzPL05h2lYPf8Nm-cqZhHy18On5KZf1FmnryzmEyTZNnqt6Ob9UKaryw_IizLQ5vuisErZ5bDxf4XY4-od0ADadaRIc1nYYmdCPUfoNW_b0v03sJ/s1600/1001171308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPtm8Ix2qRK-WyEePtOPCv77yxQOISzPL05h2lYPf8Nm-cqZhHy18On5KZf1FmnryzmEyTZNnqt6Ob9UKaryw_IizLQ5vuisErZ5bDxf4XY4-od0ADadaRIc1nYYmdCPUfoNW_b0v03sJ/s320/1001171308.jpg" width="320" /></a>We had two pet deaths this month, a week apart. My border collie, Lacey, passed and then the following week Mr. B's toy Yorkie, Dixie, passed. Lacey was about 16 years old. Dixie hadn't been able to walk in about 10 months and the vet feared if she used anesthesia to do further testing to try to figure out what was wrong it would kill her so Mr. B decided he wanted to wait it out. She was only 4 years old but had a lot of health issues. Both are buried behind the house in the pet cemetery. </div>
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-52681968206108329132018-06-13T13:38:00.000-07:002018-06-13T14:37:43.272-07:00Summer DietingSummer is finally here! Or at least I think it is. We've had so many temp variations this month there are some days I wonder.<br />
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I don't typically like to talk about my weight but it's been a struggle for years due to my having hypothyroidism. Nothing is more demoralizing then to have your doctor tell you that you could totally stop eating and starve yourself and you're body would still put on weight, which is exactly what happened to me about 12 years ago. I'd been able to focus on myself and lost a lot of weight while I was single. It was much easier to focus on de-stressing, eating and exercising when I didn't have to worry about someone else liking the foods I was eating or working around their schedule to exercise or meditate. Now I'm back in a relationship plus the stress of the new job and the stress of life in general and I've started to inch back up again. I've found several things that have helped and some that haven't that I thought I'd share with others that are also struggling.<br />
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I'm watching my carbs but I don't consider myself on a low carb diet. I target my carbs at 50, which is much higher than the 20 carbs that low carb diets target or 10 carbs that some keto dieters target. I feel fruits and vegetables are important but I'm more aware of how often I eat certain higher carb fruits and vegetables. I like the Mediterranean diet but the man won't eat those types of meals so it would be difficult to follow so I'm trying to combine them and make a low carb Mediterranean diet. In about a month I'm down 11 pounds - not a huge weight loss, but I didn't put the weight on overnight (although at times it feels like it) and I'd rather lose slowly over a rapid weight loss that probably wouldn't be sustainable. I also want this to be a lifestyle not a short term yo-yo diet.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">UPDATE: I have decided to affiliate myself with Amazon. If you click on any product I mention and purchase the item, I may receive some monetary support from it. That being said, if I'm aware that Amazon is not the cheapest site I will let share the info with you.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">THUMBS UP:</span></h2>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">CARB MASTER</span> </b>(Android app which can be found on<b> </b>Google Store or Play Store)</h3>
This is an app that has both a free version and a pay version. I use the free version at this time. This app is designed for those on low carb or keto focused diets.<br />
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<h4>
PROS: </h4>
<ul>
<li>I like it because it allows you to set how many carbs you want. Typically the low carb diets target 20 carbs or less per day. I have set my target as 50 carbs per day and I'm still losing weight.</li>
<li>It has a weight tracker and food journal/log feature. The food journal/log has the ability to scan barcodes, which I really like. It does not have a built in pedometer but you can manually put your steps in or sync it with a pedometer like Fitbit.</li>
<li>There's a recipe search which has the neat feature of telling you if the recipe falls within your remaining carbs.</li>
<li>In addition to the food journal/log tracking your carbs it also tracks fats and proteins and shows everything in a pie graph. I like that it sets the amount of fats and proteins based on your carb target. Many low carb or keto diets only focus on the carbs and allow unlimited fats and push unlimited proteins.</li>
</ul>
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CONS:</h4>
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<li>If you don't want to follow a diet that tracks carbs specifically this probably isn't the app to use.</li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ZEVIA</b> </span>(beverage)</h3>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ndprairiegyps-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00ZK6KUUY&asins=B00ZK6KUUY&linkId=e0c619e528a75ab531d7bcdc621d6dee&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066C0&bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></div>
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I have a Mountain Dew addiction and knew I needed to try to find something to reduce the carbs I'm drinking. A 12 ounce can of Mt. Dew has 46 carbs! I don't like artificial sweeteners so the diet version wasn't for me. I started making tea but I don't like it sugar free so although lower in carbs, I was still consuming more carbs then I wanted. Zevio is a pop/soda beverage that uses Stevia as a sweetener. I could not find anywhere that sells this locally to try it so I ordered a case of mixed flavors from Amazon.</div>
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At $24 a case it isn't cheap but still only costs about $1 per can, which is acceptable. I bought the variety pack to try flavors to see which ones I would like. I was surprised that I actually like these. I've tried "natural" pops before and haven't liked them. They have a Mountain Zevia, which is supposed to be like my Mt. Dew. It's citrus-y flavored but I wouldn't say it was a close match to Mt. Dew - I did like it though. I have tried the Cola, Dr. Zevia and Cream Soda (my favorite so far) and actually like all of them. They have no artificial colors or dyes so it's a little odd pouring a clear cola. I'm not an orange or grape soda person so I'll let my son or grandson drink those. I've taken one of these cans to work several times over the past 2 weeks and have been satisfied without feeling like I've deprived myself. I haven't tried mixing them with alcohol yet but will soon. I have not gotten a artificial sweetener headache or after taste like I did with the diet sodas. I set this up for a monthly shipment to automatically be sent to me.</div>
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<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-extra-large" id="ebooksProductTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: small;">Craveable Keto: Your Low-Carb, High-Fat Roadmap to Weight Loss and Wellness <span style="font-weight: normal;">by Kyndra Holley (Cookbook)</span></span></span></h3>
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<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628602716/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ndprairiegyps-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1628602716&linkId=248c6bd61975d7fec9c6bee4af8745d3</span></span><br />
<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've stayed away from low carb cookbooks because most of them call for tons of items I don't have in my pantry and they also seem to rely on a lot of artificial products. I just downloaded the Kindle version of this for $9.99 and regret I didn't order an actual copy of it ($22.07). The pictures are great and the recipes simple. Kyndra Holley writes a blog called <a href="https://peaceloveandlowcarb.com/" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">Peace, Love and Low Carb</a> that I recently started following on Facebook. My mouth was watering reading the recipes and looking at the pictures with the recipes. I quickly decided to try out the Pizza Egg recipe this morning for breakfast and it was delicious! This came in at only 3 carbs! I can't wait to try her Alfredo sauce and I already added egg rings to my Amazon order to make the breakfast sandwich. I'll definitely be ordering more of her cookbooks and following her closely for food ideas.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9HwLEOJWB4sV3cKyvUKgAkEf8EuxfUq7TJZnNTJ0HphhugEP2bXcRBPdcQy2GLKgZfP7EidC6CtefeImMuYBmUp4FI_YMzwa-lvCAIcKYJfC1sYbwWhnzfAl9gk5zEK0GeUv5O5J_VLv/s1600/Pizza-Eggs-Keto-Low-Carb-Peace-Love-and-Low-Carb-1-2-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9HwLEOJWB4sV3cKyvUKgAkEf8EuxfUq7TJZnNTJ0HphhugEP2bXcRBPdcQy2GLKgZfP7EidC6CtefeImMuYBmUp4FI_YMzwa-lvCAIcKYJfC1sYbwWhnzfAl9gk5zEK0GeUv5O5J_VLv/s320/Pizza-Eggs-Keto-Low-Carb-Peace-Love-and-Low-Carb-1-2-400x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza Eggs from Peace Love and Low Carb webpage</td></tr>
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<h2>
DUDS:</h2>
<h3>
<b>NOOM</b> </h3>
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This program is being touted as the millennial's version of Weight Watchers. Facebook is popping it up in my feed at least once a day. They have a free 14 day trial period and then to continue you have to pay. To start you download the app and then complete a survey after which they assign a trainer.<br />
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<h4>
PROS:</h4>
<ul>
<li>If you have problems staying motivated you have a trainer to answer to. You can message your trainer about areas who need to work on.</li>
<li>App allows you to track weight, food journal and also acts as a pedometer. </li>
<li>After you finish your free trial period you can become part of support groups. I did not use this feature as I didn't continue after the trial period.</li>
<li>They do have a menu option for an additional fee for those that like to have someone else design their menus for them.</li>
</ul>
<h4>
CONS:</h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li>You have to pay to use this program.</li>
<li> I asked my trainer to help me figuring out meals/strategies for days when I get forced to stay over my 12 hours at work, sometimes having to work 16 hours, and coming home too exhausted to cook. Her first suggestion was to do a week of cooking on the weekends. I then informed her that I worked alternating weekends so that wasn't a viable option. I also pointed out that I have an extremely busy life and have things I have to do on my days off which typically would prevent me from spending hours precooking meals. Another point I brought up is that although I typically cook for 2, on any give day I could be cooking for a group instead depending on what is going on here on the farm or who might drop in unexpectedly. Her next suggestion was that "I" come up with an idea that would help me. Umm...isn't that what I asked her to help me with?</li>
<li>You cannot personalize the food journal, at least in the trial version. It sets you at a specific amount of calories (1200 in my case). There's no tracking of carbs. It also does not let you pick the type of diet you prefer (keto, low carb, Mediterranean, etc).</li>
<li>The pedometer feature requires you to carry your phone on you at all times. When I'm home I rarely carry my phone so it is not accurate. I also noticed one day after walking up and down the hallway several times before leaving for work that it had only logged me as having taken 1 step - so I'm not sure how well their pedometer works. On days I work I walk well over 12,000 steps and I had one day that was over 18,000 steps. The pedometer feature automatically ups your target 500 every time you reach the goal. I don't think I need to have my goal upped 500 steps above these levels of activity.</li>
<li>There are daily assignments/activities to do. They claim these only take 10 minutes a day to complete but took about 30 minutes or more for me. </li>
<li>If you don't do the journal/log or log in they will send you prompts.</li>
</ul>
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-38562941283417744732018-05-27T09:09:00.003-07:002018-05-27T09:09:21.944-07:00MAY RAMBLINGS<br />
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Time is flying so quickly I didn't realize I hadn't posted anything on the blog. Spring is a busy time on the farm with calving, field work and getting all the summer toy ready. Mr B has been working 12 and sometimes 14 hour days in the fields. They finally finished seeding this week so he'll be back to banker's hours again thankfully. It's hard preparing food for him at 10 pm or later so he has at least one hot meal a day especially when I have to be up at 4:30 am.<br />
<br />Here are some highlights from the last couple months:<br />
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<h2>
<b>APRIL:</b></h2>
Easter arrived after a night without electricity at the farm. We'd just brought the kids in to take baths and Desiree was getting ready to take Bella home for bed when the electricity went out. I bought several old fashion oil lamps way back when I lived in Maine and found them extremely useful. I lost them somewhere in my moves so started picking them up again at yard sales and thrift stores when I found ones I liked. I definitely need a few more but the ones I have were extremely helpful. Desiree and Bella stayed here for a while as Bella was a bit spooked by the electricity going out. Bella and Jasper played together with his blocks for quite a while. It was such a nice relaxing evening despite not having electricity. We like to use what we have and the kids needed something level to build blocks on so I grabbed my cutting mat and they used that. They'd gotten a good size castle built before they both went to bed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTha5ldNYCnwReXiylQ7RKiKPzD5Uum0uG1T50841CspW7Vx20lHr1FTfgJvZjbNBN5NRYCvS9AhrWQ26oaJLbc6okgWxK6OMRmyAOVexqMO5_N2wXImOZUI608XIKHjV3EGAmA0jlwqlf/s1600/0331182219a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTha5ldNYCnwReXiylQ7RKiKPzD5Uum0uG1T50841CspW7Vx20lHr1FTfgJvZjbNBN5NRYCvS9AhrWQ26oaJLbc6okgWxK6OMRmyAOVexqMO5_N2wXImOZUI608XIKHjV3EGAmA0jlwqlf/s320/0331182219a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand kids playing with blocks together during the power outage.</td></tr>
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We had five calves this spring and two of the calves were born over the Easter weekend. Bella names them Ferdinand and Lana. We had to move Ferdinand into the shop because it was so cold out so he didn't freeze while we got an area set up for him. It was hilarious because he kept trying to charge Dustin even though he was only a couple hours old and still wobbling around on newborn legs. Jasper was so adorable helping us move broken bales of straw to the stall for bedding. He'd grab handfuls of straw and toss them between the bars of the panels and I'd use the pitchfork to grab the straw and toss it into the penned area. Every time we went out to check on them he'd run into the area with the bales of straw to help.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7-mpo1y3apXoyewuGSmpaQNtQvGCE9WTOF8q_7UsuvRBzWfjA0VTo5-K7FTVjhI0aDyAAqZ4xYx1AIQovJYpFhDIoaK2jV_chrB0Zlb1zUr5tLM8s0mXNMKkrgkcyAsYBckN942kYO6P/s1600/0329182051b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7-mpo1y3apXoyewuGSmpaQNtQvGCE9WTOF8q_7UsuvRBzWfjA0VTo5-K7FTVjhI0aDyAAqZ4xYx1AIQovJYpFhDIoaK2jV_chrB0Zlb1zUr5tLM8s0mXNMKkrgkcyAsYBckN942kYO6P/s320/0329182051b.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferdinand was not happy being separated from his mother</td></tr>
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The biggest news for April was Hadlee's birth on April 24th that I got to assist in. It was a rough delivery and both mom and baby had problems but thankfully both are doing well now. Hadlee had to be transferred to a larger hospital in Grand Forks that had a NICU.<br />
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<b>MAY</b></h2>
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I bought a new-to-me Harley Davidson jacket off Ebay for trips on the Harley. The day it arrived the batteries were dead in Hadlee's bouncer so it was a good excuse to run into Rugby on the bike to pick some up and I could test out the new jacket. Any excuse to get on the bike is good 😊😊😊 We're planning a bike trip in July that will take us to Montana and Yellowstone Park.<br />
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I've been spending a lot of my days off with Mr B in the tractors so we have some time together, otherwise I wouldn't see him very much if at all due to our work schedules. He even let me drive the tractor one day! I knew it was a bit complicated but WOW it definitely requires some serious multi-tasking skills on turns, otherwise, they drive themselves. I think I need some training on one aspect of it at a time instead of having to remember everything. There's turning off the painter on the GPS, raising the disks (but not too much), making the turn, lining it back up, turning the GPS driver back on, lowering the disks and turning the painter back on within about 30 second time span! The painter feature allows you to look at a field and know how much you've completed and how much still needs to be done. You upload the information for your fields to the computer and then create an overlay each time you do anything to the field so there's a record of everything that's been done and what is planted in the field.<br />
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This weekend for Memorial Day we went to the lake for a good portion of the day Saturday and enjoying the sunshine while playing in the kayak and on the jet skis along with grilling for everybody. We also had a surprise birthday party to attend. Today the kids are sunburned and tired so it looks like we'll be taking off on the bike and we have a graduation party we will be attending this evening. I have to work Memorial Day.ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-24904593217593942192018-03-26T11:07:00.000-07:002018-03-26T11:35:39.433-07:00MARCH RAMBLINGS<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Wow, I can't believe that we're already to the end of March already and Easter is next week. I'm still getting over the bug I got last month. The cough and fatigue just won't go away. The fatigue is getting better but I still tire easily which is frustrating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I'm trying to get back into menu planning again as well as stocking a pantry so I can make things easily. We were supposed to go to the bar for green beer on St. Patrick's Day. Friends started dropping in and we never left the farm. I don't know where the idea originated for people to hang out in heated barns but it's the best idea of all time - no people messing the house up. We broke out some folding chairs and then grabbed my camping chairs for seating. We have a ton of paper products so no dishes to deal with afterwards since neither house has a dishwasher. Bella and Jasper played and danced around to the music we had playing as everybody visited. It was a very enjoyable gathering. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmg25qACWZlZIq1Dbo74P8cI8d09PruqTOfLNkRq1i3CLlvWAFgPz8ARkxrXOoHOIv-svG1k13Lzu4ydjLmuvhQtGUwS67sfbOzY7o9-QsDxHb0huq0lS8BO01UlZeSh6apPiAZtvs1to/s1600/0317181700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmg25qACWZlZIq1Dbo74P8cI8d09PruqTOfLNkRq1i3CLlvWAFgPz8ARkxrXOoHOIv-svG1k13Lzu4ydjLmuvhQtGUwS67sfbOzY7o9-QsDxHb0huq0lS8BO01UlZeSh6apPiAZtvs1to/s320/0317181700.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing with Mr. H's welding helmet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thankfully I'd made cookies with Jasper that afternoon and Tyler had made two pots of chili for supper for everybody here on the farm. He'd planned to have leftovers but with the extra guests both pots were eaten. We took the food stuff out to the barn and had an impromptu party. I had bought a bag of frozen cheese curds a couple days before and fried those up for a snack plus the cookies for dessert. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A well stocked pantry is imperative so I don't feel stressed about feeding people that might show up unexpectedly as there's definitely no ordering out for food or running to the store - the nearest store or carry out is 30 minutes away. If we hadn't had the chili I did have several frozen pizzas in the freezer or I could have made homemade as I had the ingredients. I could have also done spaghetti for a quick meal option for a large group. It's important to have a couple options in the pantry to feed a group with no notice if needed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNJcG7fJt78OY1dWKvZ5IgioA4xxsspik4_YskQSHyJHTpbll9-ICAPXEQKIoXXZjmwokjHXLHdRbCoTZ-DJ1N4sq0I8aigyPG4tJYugaEwpQ-gvnohTleaf_S6Z-nwQEPs0AH1GrIwUh/s1600/0306181211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNJcG7fJt78OY1dWKvZ5IgioA4xxsspik4_YskQSHyJHTpbll9-ICAPXEQKIoXXZjmwokjHXLHdRbCoTZ-DJ1N4sq0I8aigyPG4tJYugaEwpQ-gvnohTleaf_S6Z-nwQEPs0AH1GrIwUh/s320/0306181211.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my dishwashing assistant</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jasper spent about two weeks with us this month split up for about a week at a time. One week was my birthday gift for my son as I knew he needed a break and the second week was due to weather. He loves it up here and I hope to convince my son to move up here. Desiree was getting a bit of cabin fever so she went with me to pick Jasper up in Jamestown and go through some baby stuff Jordon has stuffed in his closets. Desiree is due the beginning of May but could deliver any time now. She was able to get quite a few baby items and he was able to clear a lot out of a closet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsjMwuqaYe8DiAcS85llDt9FJssNxqtTGUNXi9FKCmBFjfbk8zte9FNRYmtVDBiyKZErP3lf0dtqFo_KA1Nk-QD4VlvvdUpvHlzdgSy9YnDw8GIUuQKtCinflAYwRkB2bmq-9mJftS7q0/s1600/0317181626a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsjMwuqaYe8DiAcS85llDt9FJssNxqtTGUNXi9FKCmBFjfbk8zte9FNRYmtVDBiyKZErP3lf0dtqFo_KA1Nk-QD4VlvvdUpvHlzdgSy9YnDw8GIUuQKtCinflAYwRkB2bmq-9mJftS7q0/s320/0317181626a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jasper finding the new toy Tyler bought</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 18.2px;">Jasper was sleeping when we arrived to pick him up. When he started waking up Jordon went in and brought him out - you should have seen how excited he was when he saw us. I bought him a pair of rubber boots and he immediately went and got his boots on and his coat. His love of his rubber boots makes us all chuckle. The first pair I bought with dinosaurs were way to big but he still insisted on wearing them everywhere even though they fell off constantly. I finally found a pair with monster trucks in his size and he won't wear anything else now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">Another thing he's taken to doing is letting the dogs in and out. He's not talking much so having him calling to the dogs to go in or out is amusing. Lady, a border collie-blue heeler mix, wasn't listening to him one day so he went over and grabbed her collar and told her to "go" quite clearly as he walked her to the door. Desiree and I were laughing as we watched him. (Side note: we always watch the kids and dogs when together.) Lady is also typically the last to come back and he'll call for her. He can't seem to say the "L" so it's "Ady" when he calls for her. He also doesn't get the "L" in Lacey's name so it's "Acey" or "Cey".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd2X5vHHy-Or08se5cvxr-x7gnwjR5awwgnbsLCzxkEok-0kEFzCsZyF1jjGSFYy901dgg_OG2sbLrO4At4aCVACgZFb_qX3qjyksnG1uHsSMc0N2dLZiU3VvlUwHlN1_xMrF7vcuER6z/s1600/0306181410a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd2X5vHHy-Or08se5cvxr-x7gnwjR5awwgnbsLCzxkEok-0kEFzCsZyF1jjGSFYy901dgg_OG2sbLrO4At4aCVACgZFb_qX3qjyksnG1uHsSMc0N2dLZiU3VvlUwHlN1_xMrF7vcuER6z/s320/0306181410a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie waiting for us to walk down to the mailbox</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">Jasper wants to be outside a lot. I'll be glad when he gets older and can play outside by himself. It's great that Mr. H's 8-year-old granddaughter, Bella, lives on the farm now so he has a playmate and she can watch him sometimes. He gets so excited when the bus drops her off after school. If he sees the bus coming he'll grab me and pull me to door and point to his coat and snow bibs because he knows she'll come get him to play. They bought her a small 120 snowmobile and she's been great about taking him on rides and pulling him on his sled. I came in one afternoon and they were curled up on the chair together and she was reading to him to practice her reading. It was so sweet. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7YYOKvZez-JPUIH45YJrIv2qg9Xr7zGWaTRiyfCWlsJOCkvJ_iB3TR2gSotJUPaZJUaIoi7k6OziFJ-BI-F2atUaEWr3-2sXPGU3-NP9a1PbWEqSc1GqnaZ1Nh3MRiaTT3sBwFeYr0Rg/s320/0306181426a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A boy and his wagon</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7YYOKvZez-JPUIH45YJrIv2qg9Xr7zGWaTRiyfCWlsJOCkvJ_iB3TR2gSotJUPaZJUaIoi7k6OziFJ-BI-F2atUaEWr3-2sXPGU3-NP9a1PbWEqSc1GqnaZ1Nh3MRiaTT3sBwFeYr0Rg/s1600/0306181426a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 18.2px;">I finally got to take another ride on the snowmobile. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We haven't been he able to ride since the trip in January as we haven't had enough snow up here. I actually had more snow in Jamestown until this last storm. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We did a ditch ride from the farm down to the local bar for supper one night. For those who are like me and have no idea what a ditch drive is, it's riding the snowmobiles along the ditches next to the road. So basically it's following the roads but not riding on the actual rode. A lot of snowmobilers will ride to town in the ditches. Some farmers don't like snowmobilers ditch riding so will put large round snow bales in the way. Thankfully there are no bales where we road. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">We got hit this past weekend with about 8" of snow. The storm started Friday afternoon and went through Saturday. Of course the storm started after I got to work. Driving was horrible and I probably should have stayed at work and slept there since I had to be back in Saturday morning but I wanted to sleep in my own bed. Driving to and from work I couldn't see the road edges so I centered myself over the center rumble strip. One of the disadvantages of living rurally and working in town. Those rumble strips are awesome and I thank whoever came up with them! It typically takes about 25 minutes to drive to work and it took me over an hour. </span></span></span>ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-43736329238599798672018-03-26T10:00:00.003-07:002018-03-26T10:00:32.517-07:00UPDATE RAMBLINGS<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lots of things have been happening since my last post so I'm going to do a quick overview to catch you up. Now things are settling down I hope to get back to posting on a regular basis.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #e69138;">NOVEMBER:</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The good news is I passed my State CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) test! I even passed with a 94% so I did better than I thought I did. I had two bottles of my favorite Chocolate Raspberry Port Wine from<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Kuhnhenn Brewing</span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> from my last trip back to Michigan and I cracked open one to celebrate! I think they renamed it a Dessert Wine but it's truly delicious and I wish I could get them to ship. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDw8ARwPqQGFB2nkbzYMtu4sIfYjZSpQBvK_7aJ0s3E9II4fQWgecaon-zb08tVjPHntVk9ovFwUg8ZxY1WoK1EnDzAtBsUJIFtYgg3Ntt7C-5Qj5HkoweEt9Ws3329A_axGul3XviDHE/s1600/1224171811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDw8ARwPqQGFB2nkbzYMtu4sIfYjZSpQBvK_7aJ0s3E9II4fQWgecaon-zb08tVjPHntVk9ovFwUg8ZxY1WoK1EnDzAtBsUJIFtYgg3Ntt7C-5Qj5HkoweEt9Ws3329A_axGul3XviDHE/s320/1224171811.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">DECEMBER:</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18.2px;">I started a new job working as a CNA. We decorated the farm since we had Christmas there. I put up a small fiber optic tree at my place but really didn't decorate. It was a small gathering for Christmas as my son had to work and Jasper's mother had him for the holiday. I picked easy decorations so Jasper could helped decorate the tree. They were little stuffed snowmen so they weren't breakable. I showed him a picture of the tree after we put the presents under it and he got so excited and started pointing to some of the decorations he'd put on it. He definitely remembered what he'd helped with.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeYUTPz-C3Fs0TtXqNdJ_-NGH7oXbsNSH9w4oHA8yYvVCOcTqM7ilqCNgwGHfsIf8iM4ZlPpSoiyF3-4eUJ2njw4VcZ30ASQbwn1xNMgH9A_yHCXryYpwTWRlyV192deQute-q_0fSCPM/s1600/.facebook_1517250570939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeYUTPz-C3Fs0TtXqNdJ_-NGH7oXbsNSH9w4oHA8yYvVCOcTqM7ilqCNgwGHfsIf8iM4ZlPpSoiyF3-4eUJ2njw4VcZ30ASQbwn1xNMgH9A_yHCXryYpwTWRlyV192deQute-q_0fSCPM/s320/.facebook_1517250570939.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #45818e; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18.2px;">JANUARY:</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18.2px;">We went to West Yellowstone, Montana, snowmobiling. We went with a group of 8. It was the first time I'd ever been on a snowmobile. Mr. H is an avid snowmobiler so this is something I really wanted to enjoy to do with him. Thankfully I do enjoy it. I don't recommend waiting until you're 52 years old to try it but it's a lot of fun and I enjoyed myself. There were rough areas on the trail where I kept repeating the mantra "I can do this, I can do this." The guys bought a school bus and modified it to fit 4 sleds in so we traveled very comfortably. They also pulled a trailer with 2 more sleds on it. We got a lot of comments from people.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINXVcB9zvlWuADAl95FPAWzwExPlryMahDsk_3dZpRaOE2miH5S7oWqck4D5Jj2JYDiSlcxEZpFAZh7eRiIZ9recGvYymRusSrlL6-v0hHBTCMiWo8RsrnJwPitFfJj_K1HZVa5OuOe-4/s1600/0120181337b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINXVcB9zvlWuADAl95FPAWzwExPlryMahDsk_3dZpRaOE2miH5S7oWqck4D5Jj2JYDiSlcxEZpFAZh7eRiIZ9recGvYymRusSrlL6-v0hHBTCMiWo8RsrnJwPitFfJj_K1HZVa5OuOe-4/s320/0120181337b.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">FEBRUARY:</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18.2px;">Things have gone really well with Mr. H and he asked me to move in with him so I moved to his farm in the north of North Dakota in February. It's been a lifetime dream to live on a farm. I'm still working on getting settled in. Trying to combine two households together is never easy. I started a new job a week after moving up here so I haven't had a lot of time to unpack. I also got a nasty bug the first week I started work and have been sick since then. Jasper loves to spend time with us and we're fortunate that we have so many people living on the farm willing to babysit so he can stay for a week at a time. Desiree has been great about helping with babysitting so he can spend time with us.</span></span><br />
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ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-14433343162116588712017-11-25T10:59:00.000-08:002017-11-25T10:59:27.042-08:00OCTOBER & NOVEMBER RAMBLINGSWow, October is gone and November is almost over so I'm way behind on blogging. I started and completed a CNA course. I quit working at Walmart right before I started taking the CNA class. I'm glad I did because the 5 week course was intense. I took my state test a week ago so I'm hoping to know soon if I passed. I'm hoping to be working at a nursing home within the next two weeks, I can't start officially until my passing score posts.<br />
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Recently I started dating a farmer who lives 2.5 hours north of Jamestown so I have been playing the gypsy and driving a lot of miles. My first weekend visiting him at his farm I was blessed to be able to help harvest soybeans. It was very educational and a lot of fun for me. The hours that farmers spend in their tractors is unbelievable to say the least. We did 13 hours on Saturday alone. I'll be honest my butt hurt afterwards from all that sitting.<br />
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Lacey enjoys herself very much on the visits. When she's at the farm she does do a slow run from the house to the shed which still amazes me with how arthritic she is. She LOVES kittens and tried to play with a couple but got her nose scratched for her efforts. She was in dog heaven nonetheless. Since then she's been leery of the smaller barn kittens. As soon as she sees me start packing she starts getting excited and worries I'll leave her behind when I go up for weekends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmF_7dy8Et9AzOifqnRB9z2Sr7nAY-ZfTETq-7NCutekLcMUqk2LYAf4L_qjYpMSabwSPpO-dbdYuK5swfaYsaeFjC8KUjBlcWfpD43Dff8XsUUATEvvSEdBN3URf6MQf8Vaxs6ilF9Z2/s1600/1001171124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmF_7dy8Et9AzOifqnRB9z2Sr7nAY-ZfTETq-7NCutekLcMUqk2LYAf4L_qjYpMSabwSPpO-dbdYuK5swfaYsaeFjC8KUjBlcWfpD43Dff8XsUUATEvvSEdBN3URf6MQf8Vaxs6ilF9Z2/s640/1001171124.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacey exploring the farm</td></tr>
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My arrival the first weekend was an adventure as he wasn't able to meet me as planned due to a combine breaking down before I arrived. His son met me at his farm and transported me to where his boss was unloading beans, who kindly let me ride with him and his 4-year-old some out to the field. I've never driven in a semi before and was surprised at how comfortable they are. His boss's sons spend a lot of time in the tractors and combines between riding with him and their grandparents who drive the combines. I'd forgotten how child friendly farmers are - it was so nice and refreshing. Field repairs on the combine were routine unfortunately so harvesting went slower then normal. There was even a fire in one of the combines!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to drive the blue service truck when we moved equipment from field to field</td></tr>
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The views from the tractor were beautiful. Fall colors everywhere. He refers to his tractor as his office. I keep telling him he has the best office view ever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the tractor</td></tr>
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Jasper joined us a couple weekends ago and had a blast. One weekend up there and you'd think he was raised on a farm the way he walks around like he knows what he's doing. He's all boy too and has to check out all the boy toys in the shed. His favorite is the Harley although all the snowmobile sleds attracted him too. Since then when Jasper's at the farm he follows him around a tries to copy everything he sees him do. It can be pretty funny.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does't he look like he knows what he's doing? lol</td></tr>
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Jordon, Jasper and I spent Thanksgiving up at the farm. It's been quite a while since I've done a large holiday meal and enjoyed cooking all day. Ham, cheesy scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, and pumpkin and apple pies.</div>
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<br />ND Prairie Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482119518098737940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313555987428269390.post-47147003794598555732017-10-05T08:44:00.002-07:002017-10-05T08:44:59.014-07:00More September RamblingsWhile up at Lake Metigoshe Park we went to a cute little park that has a stone clock. I wish it hadn't been raining so much and we'd been able to explore more while there. The landscape was beautiful though! We also visited Strawberry Lake which was equally amazing. I want to go camping there next year. I absolutely fell in love with the area around Lake Metigoshe. The area reminds me a lot of northern Michigan in the upper penisula - breathtakingly beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polaris Sighting Tube</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solstice viewing</td></tr>
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On Sunday we went to the International Peace Garden, which is situated between the US and Canadian checkpoints. Next year I would like to visit while it's in full bloom. If you visit definitely wear your walking shoes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US on left side and Canada on right side<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promise of Peace exhibit that was added this year</td></tr>
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There's also a cute little cafe in the building where the bookstore and the entrance to the Cacti Exhibit is. They had a delicious buffet while we were there and it was very reasonably priced.</div>
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