Good Morning in the Midwest April 23

[snow]

[snow]

[carross]

Good Morning,  First morning since Tuesday no snow on the ground.  That front was from Canada and it was cold and windy, guess its gone now.  Its a cloudy start, 35* going to a high of 49* sounds warm seeing we didn't get out of the 30's for 2 days.  A first in a long time also, I slept the night thru, wow, got up to visit the little room got the cat some food and back to bed and back to sleep.  I feel pretty rested.  We had breakfast for supper and wondering if that had something to do with my sleep.  I sure hope I can get outside for a while, but been out already.  I have been going out with the cat, but now, I walked around the house singing, so if the black cat is around it will leave, then I come in, no problems will see how long it lasts.  Yesterday it was 4 times around the house.  

Snow,  Didn't know about dandelions jelly.

Kay,  I bet it was hard finding a circus, one reason why I don't grab the scissors and cut. Guess I will look and see if I can find some pony tail holders for the back of the head, its getting long and bugging me.

Alice,  Good investment when you purchased your bread machine.  Glad Rosie is able to get out and play, and I'm guessing help her sleep.

Mary,  Only 2 cups of coffee good for you.  I drink a lot of coffee in the morning, but only a 1/2cup after supper.   Great memories with digging dandelions, Dear Grandma would dig them early Spring and cook them up, she would always say, need to get to them before the dogs pee on them.  Fun memories.

Carolyn,  Sitting on the porch is good for the spirit, grab a blanket and stay longer.  Sorry about your Dear Friend, had she been sick?

Connie,  Sorry about the inside plant tipping over still a mess.  I have 3 plants that aren't up yet, hope just slow starters.  Makes me sad and all 3 are favorites.

Well time to start thinking about supper, what to have.  Have a great Thursday. 

[thegeema]

Good Morning - it is a wet one: Yesterday GD Devin and G'GS Nolan came and "Mowed" my grass and weed-eated. It looks so nice. Devin will pick up groceries for both of us today. She calls them in and (if I am correct they call her when they are done). Then she goes and picks them up (they bring them out to the car and loads them in the trunk). She has one those phones that does everything. I don't know how she is going to unload mine as she is distancing me (at this time). I will be so glad when I can hug her again. 
    Our predicted temps for today: 52°, 53° & 55° down 10 to 13 degrees from yesterday. AND wet!!
    Hope ALL has a Good Day! CUL

[valerian]

Good Morning,

Looks to be a sunny day.

I put a chicken in the crockpot this morning, but haven't decided what seasoning to put on it yet.

since I still have that gift bag from my grocery trip to Walmart on the kitchen floor, let me tell you what's in it. A bottle of hair conditioner, a Glade plug-In, a packet of wipes for your glasses, a packet of chili seasoning, a sample of Mrs. Meyers dishwashing soap and Some Midol. I seem to be set for anything!

Carolyn, I had a relative come in the front door, lose her balance and knock over a huge fern that I had watered earlier that day. I heard the thud and came in to see the SIL responsible leaning against the front door whispering Oh! Oh! Oh! I think she was trying to escape, LOL.


Guess I will go out and dig some dandlions out of a flower bed as they show no sign of blooming and I was leaving them for the bees, anyway.
I'm having a cup of coffee instead of the usual tea this morning, and am reminded that I really don't care that much for coffee.

Connie, I haven't found a circus-still looking.

[bloominguy]

Good Morning, the sun is trying to shine and it is 45º.  Only going to be 60 today.  Yesterday was not forecast but it got up to 80º and that felt good but too warm so quick.  I got out and up on a ladder and got the shade cover on the GH.  I spent a while on the phone with the sheriffs office.  I got a call from someone claiming to be my grandson.  He was in jail in New Hampshire and needed my credit card number so he could get out. I told him I would make arrangements and for him to call me back.  Meanwhile I called the sheriff and they put a trace on my line. I guess he didn't check and see I didn't have a grandson.  In the afternoon I got all the geraniums out on the deck.  They are close to the house to let them get used to the winds and cool .  The ankle is still sore but seems to be better.  I did keep busy most of the day.  I did call and found out the nurseries around here will be opening this weekend.  I talked to the company that took my plants last fall. She told me that my Jade plant bloomed for Christmas and looked beautiful. Mid January the flowers were fading so the were going to pick off the old blooms.  They found all the branches were all mushy and rotting.  Within a week it was completely dead and non of the starts they did lived.  I am glad I kept a small branch so I still have a blooming Jade.  Well, I told Brody I would go outside and play with him today.  He loves it when I throw a toy and then he watches me go and pick it up. I heard that cats have been tested and have the virus.  Making masks and putting them on a cat should be tall task for an old man.  I am betting I will need a lot of band-aids for my hands after I do that. I have a spray bottle so we will practice distancing first.  Well, you all have a good day, stay safe.  
PS. I love the chicken joke about getting on pants.  Sounds like me.

[carross]

Lair,  That scam call has been around for a while, and the sad part is some people fall for it.  My sister got that call and it really scared her, but didn't respond.  Glad you called the sheriff, how can people do this.  


No way 80* we didn't hit 40*  wow what a difference.

[keysc]

I think we got some rain overnight. It looks a little bright out though. It is okay, I am 
going to hunker down here. :) 
Thought about the trip to Costco, but ruled against it. With my ankle hurting, and 
all the aches and pains, I couldn't enjoy the trip right now. 
Yes, Carol my friend was having lots and lots of problems. She had heart surgery about 8 years ago, and did pretty good. But, she lost her DH around 2 years ago, and she was lost without him. And, lately she was very anemic, and other stuff. 
I guess I kind of expected it but not ready for her to leave. 
Today my son in law is having his hand surgery. Hope all goes well with that. He was in a head on collision last July and it decimated his thumb, and really took a lot of the use of his hand. 
The pictures are great as usual, Snow. The blue birds are pretty. Yesterday there was bird at the bird house and you see his back. It was black and looked velvet. He was there for a bit with his head stuck in the hole, and two beautiful blue birds came and ran him off. We have a bird house high up off the ground, so that way I can watch their activity from the porch. 
I really enjoy my little screened porch, can see the bird house and have a big chime hanging out there. I love the chimes, their sounds are so peaceful.
I think I hear it raining and the wind is picking up. 
My DGD got her car yesterday. My son said they did a good job on repairing it from the deer hitting her. It was over 2000.00. Thankful for insurance. :)
Valerian, that would sure be a mess to have to clean up. It is probably good as new, hope the plant didn't break. 
Lair, that is so crazy about the phone call. I guess there will always be lazy, evil people trying to get something for nothing. 
Geema, your yard sounds nice. I will maybe get a couple things from the store when the kids go again. 
I still have lots of food. Well, getting low on lettuce, I eat salads almost every day. And, I did have some onions that I had to throw away. Broke my heart, because I love onions. In fact, just had breakfast with scrambled eggs, and sauteed onions and celery. 
I hope everyone is staying safe. Will be back later. :) 

[bwatcher]

Good Morning All! I've been out to feed the birds and pulled a few weeds and grass as I walked around the house. I had to push all the staples back down in the ground on the north side that are holding down the black plastic. I'm sure the frost heaved them up again. Now I'm sitting here with my cup of coffee but will need to find some breakfast. Paused to make oatmeal. I'm back, I'll eat as I type.

My sick squirrel hasn't been around for two days so I'm sorta hoping it went somewhere off the property and died. I just hope it didn't die under my shed as I would have a tough time getting it out. The last time I saw it, it was having a hard time climbing up to the feeder (no grip strength) and then when it went to come back down it fell probably 4 feet. I was wondering if it had mange; everything from the front legs, feet, shoulders, and head/ears was involved. It had a huge abscess on its left cheek but I think it must have scratched that and it broke as it was way down but not gone. The one day it kinda staggered so I thought maybe it also had a brain issue. I still have at least 2-3 our there so not a huge loss. I'm sure one is probably off taking care of babies somewhere. 

We did a zoom call with Valerie and it was nice to see her face. Not much new on her end of the world.
 
I was gonna try to crochet last night but decided it was just too late to tackle that. 

It's cloudy out and we had about a half inch of rain in 2 showers that went through yesterday afternoon so now I can watch the flowers grow. I should have thrown the grass seed out and put dirt on it but it didn't get done. It's only April so I have plenty of time to get that done. 

Oh, I forgot to say they did a drive-by 40th birthday for the neighbor on the corner up the street. Yeah, people drove by in their vehicles to hand cards off to her 10 yr. old DD who was maybe 3 feet from the car. Now how's that for social distancing. Not smart but what do you do? We're up to 45 cases of Covid-19 in the county with 3 deaths.   

Daddy just sent me a picture of his two 'goof balls'; those two 'goof balls' sure made me smile.

Snow, That chicken hit it right on the head.

Carol, I hope the cat stays away but maybe it's looking for food.

Kay, The Midol made me laugh. What, do they think every woman needs that at any age? :D  Put some salad dressing on those dandelion greens. 

Alice, Just hug a pillow when you can't hug Devin.

Carolyn, It sounds like your friend might have been ready to go. Still hard to lose a friend. 

Lair, Did the guy call back? You should have chatted it up with him. 

Well I need another cup of coffee.

[Angela]

Hi all! Wish I had something to share with you! However, it’s the same old, same old here! Honestly I’m apt to loose my marbles if things don’t change here! 😊 

Snow, your chicken gave me a chuckle!😊 I shared with Ray & he said it was right on with him! LOL 

Mary, your little grands are so cute. Thank Heaven for the sweeties who give us something to smile about. As always I have my daily pictures. Here is one of several from yesterday.

[snow]

Mary here is the Dandelion Jelly recipe

up to 200 dandelion yellow flowers
1 orange
4 cups water 
3 cups sugar
juice of one lemon

pick your flowers fresh and rinse them to get rid of any insects if you add a cap of vinegar helps get rid of the insects
Dry the dandelion flowers for 2-3 days in the sun then pick the yellow from the greens cause those make the jelly bitter. Discard the greens
peel the orange and cut into small pieces add the the fruit flesh to the flowers with the water bring to a boil over low heat and then simmer for about an hour after cooking strain the juice from the flowers put the liquid back to low heat with the sugar and lemon juice

Bring the juice to 220 which is jelly setting temps sterilize 2-3 jars and seal fill to the rim and turn them upside down and leave overnight then next day store in a cool dry place or refrigerator 
we alway put in the pantry and grandmother alway added some whiskey or Volka or rum to the lid top to give it a better storage Time don’t know why for sure. 

Read through Ugh I hope you understand this if not ask
 

[damselflypearce]

Afternoon slept late again getting to be a habit staying up late sleeping late . Got my delivery of wood today and ordered pizza from our local restaurant (doing my part for the locals ) stopped picked up some pop for my ex mother in law (as a surprise ) and chocolate milk for me . Delivered her pop and gave her a quarter of my pizza . She is in her 70's and has not been out at all . Made my day to see the smile on her face .

Going to have a pig out -veg out not doing nothing kinda day .

Snow I have to agree with everyone the chicken sure hits home lol.
have a good day everyone .

[bwatcher]

Snow, I copied your recipe but I might be hard pressed to get 200 dandelion flowers from my lawn since I've been digging all plants out for the last 3 years. I guess I could go to the country and find some. I've made violet jelly before. I used to have a lot of purple violets but the dirt pile is now where they used to be. You poured boiling water over the violets and let them sit for 24 hours. Then you strained off the flowers and kept the liquid. It was like looking at dark blue/black ink. When you heated up the liquid and added the lemon juice all the liquid turned from blue/black ink to a beautiful lavender color. I had made a bunch to take to a Backyard Chat Picnic but the picnic got cancelled so there I sat with 12 jars of jelly. The jelly stayed a pretty lavender color for about 6 months and then eventually went to an amber color but it didn't change the taste. It was just sweet jelly with very little flavor. 

Angela, That baby is so sweet! I love the little tongue sticking out. 

I made a small sample of the pattern I found but I'm not impressed with it. I did use a smaller hook and didn't change colors every couple rows. I just don't like the pattern itself especially all the bigger holes along the edges. It would most definitely have to have a boarder with those big holes. It's a really simple pattern but just not what I was looking for. I think I'm gonna look for something tighter. Here's what it looks like.  

[Auntcon]

Good evening. Beautiful day here today. My body was sore so I was just not up to digging out grass today. Tidied up the kitchen, curled my hair and set out for the Lawn & Garden -place for plants....theirs are more expensive but were fresh off the truck today. I wanted 4 Torenias plants but they did not get them in yet. Their supplier is a green house out of Kansas. I spent $97 then went to Menard's for some paint and candy (Carol it is for DH)plus a few more plants...another $28. Got all the plants in and watered well, then sat themout on the deck and started my painting to freshen up some garden decor. In between the painting chores I got out the hose and watered along the east side and the flower beds on the north side. The blue balloon flowers are really shooting up now...they were barely visible when I was weeding that bed but now 3-4 inches tall. They really needed a drink. The rain is to be coming in about 7, and we could sure use it as it is pretty dry. DH ran the sprinkler system yesterday but only 10 minutes per field and that is not enough to do any good. I did get one pot done...put two Gerbera Daisies in it and some fertilizer...that reminds me, I did not water it after!

Nothing else happening here. Love the pics of the little ones and also the pics you share Snow. Wishing all a good evening and hope the spring comes to the northland...the south is sure getting his by tornadoes....those are scary.