View Full Version : The Daily Rave
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Teacher Terry
12-13-19, 10:32pm
That’s great Steve!
iris lilies
12-13-19, 10:58pm
Excellent Steve just excellent!
rosarugosa
12-14-19, 8:25am
Congratulations, Steve & DW! And what a nice time of year to leave work!
I hope the final few months fly by. Congratulations!
Congratulations, that is wonderful!
frugal-one
12-14-19, 4:55pm
Congrats Steve and DW!!!
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/create
catherine
12-14-19, 9:43pm
Congrats, Steve! How exciting!
happystuff
12-14-19, 10:02pm
Congrats, Steve and DW. It will be an exciting change for the both of you.
Steve, that's wonderful!
Just a shout out to my DH. We go to the movies every couple of weeks at a theater that serves food and alcohol. This year he got me a resuable Roadhouse wine glass - no more disposable plastic, and half off every glass. :+1:
DW and I visited our financial advisor today and crunched some numbers. DW will be retiring on or around May 29 of next year. Both of us feel like a weight has been lifted.
CONGRATS to you both!!!!
happystuff
12-19-19, 8:42am
Our microwave died a little over a week ago. Have been off-on looking for another. Was talking with a co-worker yesterday - general house/family/holiday conversation and mentioned I needed to go microwave shopping. She said she had one that she was getting ready to put out on the sidewalk just to get it out of her house. Suffice to say, I don't need to go microwave shopping! :)
Congrats to you and yours, Steve!!!!!
My rave is this: last week the owner of the gallery gave me my bonus for the year - a 100 ounce, .999 Fine Silver Ingot that his father bought at the beginning of the silver craze in the early '80's as an investment. His father died about six months ago and he inherited it. He thought I might be able to use it for my jewelry, but I have no way to process it down into a usable form. He also said he understood if I ended up cashing it in instead. Well, I cashed it in at a place in Albuquerque yesterday and got $1650.00 (the exchange took $50 for the fee)! Silver spot price is about $17 per ounce; it was a little higher a few years back, but has also been as low as $14 per ounce recently. It has been stable at around $17 for awhile so I decided the money would do me better at this point instead of holding onto waiting to see if it gains value in the future.
There are a lot of things around the house that need fixing, and also future car down payment money is needed. It is so nice to be able to rebuild my money market emergency savings account after all the spending it has seen since August!
How wonderful, Siouz, what a great Christmas gift! I love it when things move along and create security and happiness in others!
Teacher Terry
12-19-19, 1:36pm
What a great Xmas gift!!
SteveinMN
12-20-19, 10:07pm
Thanks for the kind wishes, all! It'll be the next phase of DW's and my adventure together. We're looking forward to it!
All these great raves being shared are wonderful to read.
All these great raves being shared are wonderful to read.
I agree. I have a huge rave that may seem odd. I was able to take a BATH in the bathtub sitting down! It is the first bath since June 2, the night before I broke my hip. I had taken a bath every night for 45 years in this house...so a huge relief and joy to be able to bathe normally, almost! It takes a lot of effort, so I will be showering most of the time, but oh the joy of being completely wet!
A bath is wonderful, relaxing, warming, an escape from everything so being denied would be frustrating. Good news to read of your recovery progressing.
Teacher Terry
12-23-19, 9:17pm
So happy to hear of your recovery!
happystuff
12-25-19, 8:35am
I agree. I have a huge rave that may seem odd. I was able to take a BATH in the bathtub sitting down! It is the first bath since June 2, the night before I broke my hip. I had taken a bath every night for 45 years in this house...so a huge relief and joy to be able to bathe normally, almost! It takes a lot of effort, so I will be showering most of the time, but oh the joy of being completely wet!
Sometimes it is the littlest things that bring such joy. Congrats and wishes for continued healing!
Nothing like ringing in the New Year by starting a major painting project! We are taking a break for lunch and admiring our new Sunset Glow (Valspar) walls and Ocean Soul (Valspar) wood trim in the kitchen/family room/den area. The room has 12.5 ft. ceilings, tile floor and a loft and is heated by a wood stove. It tends to feel cold even when it is fairly warm. Having such a warm color on the walls is already making it seem warmer. I have always wanted to live in a place that had really strong, rich color!
Nothing like ringing in the New Year by starting a major painting project! We are taking a break for lunch and admiring our new Sunset Glow (Valspar) walls and Ocean Soul (Valspar) wood trim in the kitchen/family room/den area. The room has 12.5 ft. ceilings, tile floor and a loft and is heated by a wood stove. It tends to feel cold even when it is fairly warm. Having such a warm color on the walls is already making it seem warmer. I have always wanted to live in a place that had really strong, rich color!
I'm jealous! You picked a paint and painted!! I've been in such a state of "paralysis by analysis" and I'm awash in paint chips. We also need warm colors in our house, as it's north-facing. I promised DH I'd buy the paint by April so we can get moving!!
I love the two colors you picked, and I'm sure they go really well in your house.
Teacher Terry
1-2-20, 11:43am
Sioux, you are really getting a lot done!
iris lilies
1-2-20, 11:59am
I am circling paint colors right now for our
Hermann house. DH thinks I am jumping the gun, but I know when that contractor starts, the need for decisions will come at me fast and furious.
At the moment I am in favor of having our contractor finish out this house as a white box, and then we take over with paint, floors, cabinetry. Ugh I SWORE I wouldn't do this! But DH is good at finish work. I have a fantasy that someone we know, a native of Hermann and who is a retired professional painter, may want a job and he could live in our Hermann house with his dog while he paints it. He regularly visits his mother in the nursing home there.
Teacher Terry
1-2-20, 12:48pm
The last 5 houses we just picked the colors and hired someone to paint before we moved in. A crew can do it in a day or two. I would resist the urge to do it yourself IL or you will have another house that’s never done.
The last 5 houses we just picked the colors and hired someone to paint before we moved in. A crew can do it in a day or two. I would resist the urge to do it yourself IL or you will have another house that’s never done.
I've done it myself and I've hired people to paint--but only when we were selling houses and I wanted it done right and I considered it an investment towards getting a better price on the house. I hate spending a few thousand dollars to pay someone for something I could do myself. DH and I are decent painters.
iris lilies
1-2-20, 2:53pm
The last 5 houses we just picked the colors and hired someone to paint before we moved in. A crew can do it in a day or two. I would resist the urge to do it yourself IL or you will have another house that’s never done.
I know! Dont let me do this!
actually, painting walls goes fast It is the woodwork that takes time.
i stupidly talked,to DH about building the cabinetry I want in my bedroom because commercial pieces are $3500 and are STILL made of MDF. For that price I am not doing MDF.
But I think there is a compromise here somewhere. DH works with Amish cabinet makers who build nice things out of solid wood, so,here’s hoping we can go that route.
The sunset glow/ocean by valspar are gorgeous, Sioux--very southwestern. Nice!
I looked up the colours just now and it sounds like the sky and desert tones combined and gorgeous, very rich colours. Will you share photos sometime please, SQ?
mschrisgo2
1-2-20, 11:29pm
I also looked up your colors, SiouxQ, LOVE them!
I posted some photos in the Housing thread just now!
Am in the Rio Grande Valley of TX for a few months. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it here. I expected to like the weather but am shocked how much I appreciate the area. First time ever in a mobile home (park model). It is wonderful! Very new and has washer/dryer, cable and wifi. It is 1 bedroom but laid out with pocket doors to minimize noise. DH measured and it is about 400 sf. If we were to live in a mobile home permanently I would add a bedroom and half bath. For short term this is PERFECT! Every day I am thankful to be out of the cold north!
That sounds very nice, Frugal-one! Enjoy your stay!
I am super-excited that there will be another carpentry class beginning on 1/28. The instructor had neck surgery a few months ago, so there was no fall class and I have missed it SO much. Carpentry class has been one of my favorite things about retirement! Cannot wait to be back in the workshop with the sweet smell of sawdust. lol. I really enjoy the other people in the class too. Everyone is very nice and we all help each other out.
That sounds very nice, Frugal-one! Enjoy your stay!
I am super-excited that there will be another carpentry class beginning on 1/28. The instructor had neck surgery a few months ago, so there was no fall class and I have missed it SO much. Carpentry class has been one of my favorite things about retirement! Cannot wait to be back in the workshop with the sweet smell of sawdust. lol. I really enjoy the other people in the class too. Everyone is very nice and we all help each other out.
Can't wait to see what you make next! Sawdust is a sweet smell for sure. My dad owned a lumber yard for a few years, and I was a theatrical apprentice one summer, and both of those experiences gave me a very positive sense-memory of the smell of sawdust.
Catherine: I always associated it with home improvements, "I smell sawdust, my house is getting better!" :)
Mid January temps in the 60's!
rosarugosa
1-11-20, 7:14pm
Mid January temps in the 60's!
Yes - I think it actually hit 70 here, and sunny!
Yes - I think it actually hit 70 here, and sunny!
Took my grandkids to the beach yesterday, and one of them waded into the water.
File Under The "It's Always Something" Category: Today our electrician is coming over ( a planned visit) to put the water pump and pressurizer tank (which will be new, and is being shipped from Chicago as of yesterday - this is day five of no running water) on a separate circuit. Having the pump on a different circuit will prevent the breaker from being flipped all the time. He is also going to install three hanging pendant lights I bought from Lowe's last fall from the 14 ft. ceiling in the kitchen/family room. As it stands now, we don't have a tall enough ladder to get up there and change light bulbs and they are starting to burn out, one by one. So today's expenses will be $650 from my account.
Yesterday's expenditure for the new water pump and pressurizer tank was $1165 from K's account. We really did not expect to have to replace so much, so soon after buying the house!
iris lilies
1-26-20, 2:37pm
I haven’t been to our Hermann House in a little over a month due to dog illness, etc. but DH has been going there weekly. anyway yesterday we came to Hermann and I saw that there were no more trees in the tree grove. They were all gone. The lumberjack I live with took them down in the past month without anyone’s help.
I was worrying and stewing about him taking down the last few, some 40’ + and big around with dead parts. I mentioned periodically can’t we hire a tree company to just drop them here? All they have to do is drop the trees onto the ground and leave. You can dispense with the trunks later at your leisure. he would nod and say yeah OK. But I suspected he was taking them down while I was gone but what I don’t know won’t hurt me.
So today I ask him to measure the biggest tree: 75 feet tall. I kid you not. And it was not some tiny skinny thing.
He’s a workin’ fool, he is crazy!
happystuff
1-26-20, 4:11pm
Iris lillies - I may have missed it - why were the trees cut down?
Our local library is so wonderful!
iris lilies
1-26-20, 4:30pm
Iris lillies - I may have missed it - why were the trees cut down?
it was a grove of mostly junk trees, covered with poison ivy and grape vines, that Had been allowed to grow up with no maintenance on our 1 acre. One acre is not a huge place when there’s a bunch of trees on it. Included in the grove was one large white oak. It was 1/4 dead. Once it was a nice tree but no longer.
DH started this project in Spring 2018. There must’ve been 30 -40 trees in that Grove. He took out another 8 to 10 near the house, all things that have been planted by birds not carefully tended, and were messy.
He’s known on our block as “the chainsaw guy” And probably drives the neighbors crazy. I know Jane would be driven mad by the noise. But it is nearly over. There’s another three or four trees to come down By my flower garden but I’m in no hurry for him to take them down because they’re on the northside and don’t block sunlight so they are OK for the time being.
This property was ignored and uncared for for about seven years. The last people who lived here were here only a year and they are nice people, but they liked the wildness of it.
At one point just a few years ago the city of Hermann hired a private company to come in and take care of much of the yard and billed the owner who is absentee
happystuff
1-27-20, 8:41am
it was a grove of mostly junk trees, covered with poison ivy and grape vines, that Had been allowed to grow up with no maintenance on our 1 acre. One acre is not a huge place when there’s a bunch of trees on it. Included in the grove was one large white oak. It was 1/4 dead. Once it was a nice tree but no longer.
DH started this project in Spring 2018. There must’ve been 30 -40 trees in that Grove. He took out another 8 to 10 near the house, all things that have been planted by birds not carefully tended, and were messy.
He’s known on our block as “the chainsaw guy” And probably drives the neighbors crazy. I know Jane would be driven mad by the noise. But it is nearly over. There’s another three or four trees to come down By my flower garden but I’m in no hurry for him to take them down because they’re on the northside and don’t block sunlight so they are OK for the time being.
This property was ignored and uncared for for about seven years. The last people who lived here were here only a year and they are nice people, but they liked the wildness of it.
At one point just a few years ago the city of Hermann hired a private company to come in and take care of much of the yard and billed the owner who is absentee
Thanks for the explanation. Sad about the big white oak.
Home Alone: K. is gone for a week in Florida for a work thing and I have the house to myself for the first time. Yesterday I was in shirtsleeves digging up the kitchen garden and resetting the stone wall and today we are having a blizzard! It's been snowing all day but he left me with a ton of kindling and quarter logs (I can't manage using an axe yet due to my wrists) and I have several loads of wood stacked up right inside the family room. I didn't have to work today (our little mountain village is under snow so no tourists anyway). I have a blazing fire going so I am going to go hang out up in the loft (the warmest place in the house) with a book and a heating pad (I worked really hard yesterday so my back is a little sore. Loving being cozy and watching the snow fly! I also have plans to bake some blueberry muffins later, mmmmmmm!
Teacher Terry
2-4-20, 6:33pm
That sounds perfect!
I’ve been with my husband for 39 years, since age 19. We are quite compatible. But it’s still fun when he’s gone for a few days and I get to be all alone. I never lived alone, having married so young.
It still amazes me how much fun it is to have the house to myself for several days, do whatever I want, follow no schedule, watch the evening hours expand into lots of free time ...
iris lilies
2-5-20, 9:43pm
I’ve been with my husband for 39 years, since age 19. We are quite compatible. But it’s still fun when he’s gone for a few days and I get to be all alone. I never lived alone, having married so young.
It still amazes me how much fun it is to have the house to myself for several days, do whatever I want, follow no schedule, watch the evening hours expand into lots of free time ...
Before I retired, I loved it when DH left, it was like a mini vacation. But after retirement when my life was simpler and
I could do what I wanted to do, him being gone had little impact. But then we bought a second house and he’s gone for a couple days every 10 days or so, so we always have a lot to talk about both what is happening in the city and what has happened in Hermann.
sweetana3
2-17-20, 11:43am
Just realized since we got rid of cable/satellite service for TV and went to streaming, we are much more careful about what we are watching. In fact, we have recently found Korean, Chinese, French, Finnish and other subtitled movies and TV shows and they are so much more interesting. We are watching news from a variety of countries and getting a different perspective. So in addition to saving buckets of money, our universe of shows is dramatically different.
You can see blue sky today, hooray!
iris lilies
2-17-20, 4:38pm
Home grown lima beans.They are wow!
we have had a batch in the freezer. I cooked some of them today, and freezing them didn't dull their taste.
I used to hate lima beans and then I bought some grown locally organic and wow, now I make them a regular meal, with rice and collards. Quel difference.
There was a wonderful 7 yo. German Shepard dog at our shelter and I just kept wanting to bring him home. He was such a sweet and mellow guy, and thin from neglect and malnutrition from his previous life. He'd been there since mid January and my heart hurt when I saw him still there every time I came in. But he got adopted this weekend!!! Yay!!! So happy for him getting a chance at a brand new life.
rosarugosa
2-19-20, 4:39pm
There was a wonderful 7 yo. German Shepard dog at our shelter and I just kept wanting to bring him home. He was such a sweet and mellow guy, and thin from neglect and malnutrition from his previous life. He'd been there since mid January and my heart hurt when I saw him still there every time I came in. But he got adopted this weekend!!! Yay!!! So happy for him getting a chance at a brand new life.
That IS heartwarming!
The weather outside is glorious, and the curmudgeonly yard-work hater in me objects, but it really is nice for a change.
iris lilies
2-19-20, 5:06pm
Good news about the Shepard who got a home.
We finally got some rain! It wasn't much, but it was rain. I think it rained for like 30 minutes. We hadn't had anything since beginning of January I think, and we are at 30% of normal. We barely get like 14" a year as it is, on a normal year. It's nice to have fresh clean air and see the plants get a good shower.
frugal-one
3-17-20, 8:57pm
Made it home safely from the Rio Grande. Was worried about not having any food in the house and the possibility of shelves at the stores being empty. Went grocery shopping and the stores were busy but found everything we needed... thankfully!
Frugal-one, that is such good news!! Very glad to hear when travelers home safe.
KnownRogue
3-29-20, 10:37pm
Glad that I have family and friends, that I can at least reach out to if not visit in the flesh, and everyone healthy so far.
Glad I have a job that I enjoy, that gets me outdoors and keeps me in shape, and grounded, and a boss that I can discuss pilosophy and mindfullness with, or lifes cruelty and problems, both with equal ease.
Love my location in the trailer park, with woods and streams and railroad tracks and the municipal airport nearby, so I can walk the dog in a place he loves, and listen to the trains at night, and the coyotes.
Glad that Im healthy, and after a lifetime of labor still able to exercise, and run, and be physical and able to enjoy it after all the hard miles and abuse.
Im thrilled and proud of folks reaction to the fear and worry of being caught up in a pandemic, and a situation that is difficult to control at best. Ive had random people wish me well, and Ive been motivated to have (slightly distant lol) conversations with people who normally wouldnt be in my orbit. So far, I have seen no panic or ill will or malicious behavior, not IRL, and thats some small comfort for me after a day reading news headlines, and I'll take it.
This site ain't bad either. Kind of a nice thing to find to close the night out.
This site ain't bad either. Kind of a nice thing to find to close the night out.
I'm glad to have a new friend in our "orbit"! Welcome, KnownRogue!
Our local shelter put out a call on Facebook last week looking for homes to foster the pets during the state's lockdown. They would be taken care of in the shelter, but there wouldn't be any volunteers for extra attention. I put in an application, but they had such a good response, that all the critters who needed foster homes found one. They said to keep the apps coming, though, because of course more animals would be coming in.
So, yesterday afternoon about 4:45, I got a call! Went to the shelter at lunchtime today and met Bailey. She's a seven year-old blonde 42# German Shepherd. Her family had to leave her because they were moving and couldn't take her along. She's at home now and I can't wait to get off of work to get to know her more! I'm hoping this will get DH out of the house to take her for walks.
iris lilies
4-2-20, 4:52pm
Beckyliz! Yay for you!
Teacher Terry
4-2-20, 6:53pm
Becky, that’s awesome! Maybe you will fall in love and adopt him.
So psyched for you, beckyliz!
Becky, that’s awesome! Maybe you will fall in love and adopt him.
I was thinking the same thing; she surely deserves a permanent home.
Yesterday driving to physical therapy I saw a new bird house on a telephone pole..white with a bright red roof and a bluebird sitting on top! It made me smile. In the woods on the way down the mountain there is a large patch of blue flowers. I'm so glad it is spring.
A rant that has turned into a RAVE: last night we drove 25 miles into Santa Fe to pick up a huge grocery order (around $200) we had placed a week ago (they are scheduling a week out now). When we got there the order wasn't ready; they apologized and said that they were just so backed up and could we come at 10am the next day to get it? We weren't really bent out of shape about it because it was nice to get out for a drive on cheap gas. I went back this morning a little after 10am and at first they couldn't find the order, then they said the order got cancelled. I was getting a bit miffed about this by now and asked could they still pull up the old order and fill it while I waited since I just had to drive in yet again? So they scurried away for awhile and I finally got the order put into the trunk of the car. I had to hurry home since we got some ice cream.
So we did the whole rigamarole of disinfecting all the packaging and I started to notice that we were missing A LOT of items in the order, in addition to some weird substitutions which we will make the best of. But I was concerned that they were charging us for a whole bunch of stuff we didn't receive so I call the store and ended up talking to the pick up order guy who basically said that since everything got so screwed up originally and that there was no way to check us out properly since the order got cancelled, that we were getting all the groceries for FREE!!! About $180 worth!
He said the original charge on my credit card (which was way wrong at this point) will be refund within 24-48 hrs. We have decided to then donate $100 of our windfall to our local community COVID-19 HELP fund. Now I need to figure out what to make with all this ground turkey sausage we ended up with (instead of the links I had originally ordered) and I'll have to revisit my bread-making skills from long ago because they neglected to include the two loaves of bread I ordered...
Rave, On Nextdoor someone asked for help with a stray cat. One person offered to take to vet for microchip check, another one offered to pay for vet care, another one offered a home. Turns out the person originally asking fell in love and is going to foster until the family is found or forever if they do not come forward. Nice to see such help offered. Just brightened my day.
iris lilies
4-7-20, 4:21pm
Rave, On Nextdoor someone asked for help with a stray cat. One person offered to take to vet for microchip check, another one offered to pay for vet care, another one offered a home. Turns out the person originally asking fell in love and is going to foster until the family is found or forever if they do not come forward. Nice to see such help offered. Just brightened my day.
Today was lost and found cat day next-door here as well. There must’ve been 10 cats shown as being out of their area or lost from their home.
happystuff
4-15-20, 7:44am
We are supposed to get rain today, and possibly even snow later this week! But right now, dawn has broken and I'm sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, listening to a very busy woodpecker outside. So far the day has started quite well.
Wishing everyone a good day.
We are supposed to get rain today, and possibly even snow later this week! But right now, dawn has broken and I'm sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, listening to a very busy woodpecker outside. So far the day has started quite well.
Wishing everyone a good day.
Same to you, happystuff--enjoy the peaceful moments!
Love these moments of tranquility! Your signature is so appropriate for this experience, Catherine. I wonder if we do realize life while living it?
After a long fight with the sparrows building nests in the bluebird box...the bluebirds are actively nest making this morning at a rapid pace. For several weeks my husband has been out daily-sometimes twice or three times, ripping out sparrow nests to discourage them and keep them clean for the bluebirds. Perhaps success! We had brown thrashers yesterday and a GOLD goldfinch. So, spring is here even though it is 43 degrees.
catherine
4-15-20, 11:22am
Your signature is so appropriate for this experience, Catherine. I wonder if we do realize life while living it?
razz, I know you love theatre, too, so you probably have seen Our Town. It's my favorite play by far. I was in a high school production of it at a seminal time in my life, and I've seen many productions, on-Broadway, off-Broadway, regional theatres--I see it almost every chance I get. Thornton Wilder is an amazing playwright and author.
And this monologue (which my auto-signature is part of) is just so, so moving to me. If I were to be buried, I'd have it engraved as my epitaph. Some people think Our Town is quaint and simplistic, when, in fact, it is so profound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCLHkaHOO80
We had a lovely huge-flake snowfall this morning. I watched it for nearly an hour:D:D
Thanks Catherine for posting that for me to see. I did have to use this link instead >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCLHkaHOO80<maybe due to being Canadian?
I can see how that would be an emotional experience for a teen especially. To act in that play would be amazing. I will have to look for it being produced in one of the numerous theatres around.
When you have a really bad day and the next morning, you open your computer and find this:
3169
iris lilies
4-29-20, 1:35pm
Here is a shout out for one of the best little irises in existence, the IB “Rare Edition” (1980) at 20” tall. It is 40 years old this year but is as fresh and modern as anything hybridized today. It is distinctive in the garden and at the time was a huge breakthrough.
There are many Iris with his color pattern but this one was early for a median Iris.
3181
Beautiful flower, IL. I've always liked two-tone flowers.
And the picture is right-side up! :)
iris lilies
4-29-20, 2:03pm
Beautiful flower, IL. I've always liked two-tone flowers.
And the picture is right-side up! :)
well I am now loading my images to IMGUR and then saving them, then posting here. Pain in my butt but it,works.
Here is a shout out for one of the best little irises in existence, the IB “Rare Edition” (1980) at 20” tall. It is 40 years old this year but is as fresh and modern as anything hybridized today. It is distinctive in the garden and at the time was a huge breakthrough.
There are many Iris with his color pattern but this one was early for a median Iris.
3181
Gorgeous! Would you have any recommendation for US native iris that I could plant in my VT yard?
happystuff
4-30-20, 8:45am
Beautiful!!
iris lilies
4-30-20, 9:18am
Gorgeous! Would you have any recommendation for US native iris that I could plant in my VT yard?
Plant bearded iris. There may be other types that grow in your area but I don’t know them so I won’t recommend them. Many bearded iris do well through our winters and there are some that are hybridized by Minnesota people so they wouldn’t mind super cold. I mean they are a winter hardy plant.
edited to say MANY bearded iris would not mind VT winters. Mini iris would be dead.
sorry!
May I intrude with a virtual link to Trentham Estate gardens closed to visitors but in full bloom now? Flowers don't know about the lockdown, thank goodness.
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-52458738/coronavirus-trentham-estate-puts-its-blooms-online
iris lilies
4-30-20, 11:06am
May I intrude with a virtual link to Trentham Estate gardens closed to visitors but in full bloom now? Flowers don't know about the lockdown, thank goodness.
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-52458738/coronavirus-trentham-estate-puts-its-blooms-online
wow those rulips! Quite a display.
our national iris convention was cancelled this year, planned for Presby Gardens in NJ, a premier public iris garden. It will be held there next year.
our lily society’s North American Conference was planned for the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, ON. Is that near you? It too was cancelled, but Ontario will host it next year, likely in the same place.
wow those rulips! Quite a display.
our national iris convention was cancelled this year, planned for Presby Gardens in NJ, a premier public iris garden. It will be held there next year.
our lily society’s North American Conference was planned for the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, ON. Is that near you? It too was cancelled, but Ontario will host it next year, likely in the same place.
Really! I would be delighted to drive over and meet with you if you let me know (pm) when you come. I was an RBG member for years visiting every 2-3 weeks for the changes in bloom. Last few years I have purchased a seasonal pass to Whistling Gardens instead. I watched it evolve from a couple's dream into a reality so feel like a proud if distant aunt. I hope access is possible before too many blooming periods are done. Darren has the most amazing peony collection - early, mid and late.
iris lilies
4-30-20, 2:03pm
Really! I would be delighted to drive over and meet with you if you let me know (pm) when you come. I was an RBG member for years visiting every 2-3 weeks for the changes in bloom. Last few years I have purchased a seasonal pass to Whistling Gardens instead. I watched it evolve from a couple's dream into a reality so feel like a proud if distant aunt. I hope access is possible before too many blooming periods are done. Darren has the most amazing peony collection - early, mid and late.
Maybe we shall meet!mI think
whistling
gardens was on one of the NALS tours.
DH is pumped about going to that area of Ontario Because there is a Cockshut tractor museum he wants to see. Cockshut is a Canadian tractor he is enamored of. It’s just a dumb tractor, but he is love in love with it.
Maybe we shall meet!mI think
whistling
gardens was on one of the NALS tours.
DH is pumped about going to that area of Ontario Because there is a Cockshut tractor museum he wants to see. Cockshut is a Canadian tractor he is enamored of. It’s just a dumb tractor, but he is love in love with it.
Is it the Walpole Farm Machinery?
iris lilies
5-1-20, 9:43am
Is it the Walpole Farm Machinery?
DH says that is not it. The place he is going is in Brantford, it may ge the Canadian Industrial Heritage Museum.
Brantford was a major farm machinery production centre for years. The actual machinery is displayed in the Waterford Museum which used to be a pickle factory. Whistling Gardens is just north of it.
Walpole Museum has a large collection of all makes of machinery. I tour it each Victoria holiday in May when it is all out on display. I have a chat with the old timers manning the show. They used to farm with these implements.
That CICH museum sounds like a good place to visit sometime. It’s new to me.
Totally irrelevant but I have two occasional chairs from the the Cockshutt estate that I had reupholstered.
This is brilliantly funny - https://youtu.be/TkU1ob_lHCw
I just paid off two different medical bills today; I am no longer in official debt to anything except my portion of the monthly mortgage payment! It won't last, I'm sure, but it sure does feel good for the moment!
iris lilies
5-1-20, 3:34pm
This iris is in my top 10 (of 300+ cultivars.) It is so striking! It blooms reliably, must years opening on April 24. It is “Internal Fire.”
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It does have the look of flames. Very nice!
I have at least 10 gladiolas coming up! In MD they do not always survive the winter. I planted them last June before I fell and broke my hip. My husband would bring me a bouquet in July while I was still in the rehab center. The glads bloomed until late August and provided many lovely bouquets so I am thrilled to see that they may do the same this year!
iris lilies
5-27-20, 8:11pm
I need new cotton T-shirts for garden work. I always get these at the thrift store but stores are closed. I really need them now because I had to throw away all V-neck ones since I cannot wear V-neck ones in the sun anymore.
Anyway—a couple years ago my friend gave me, for my birthday, a T-shirt with an iris on it. The T-shirt is very soft and it has a lovely fit. It’s not one of those boxy genderless T-shirts, it’s a woman’s T-shirt, it’s smaller and shorter. So it occurred to me to look at the label to see if I Could find the same product out there with no iris logo.
I found the company Port & Co and ordered their “ring spun” t shirt product. Ring spun produces a softer product than regular knit cotton. It’s not Pima or Egyptian cotton, those are different fibers. The ring spun process uses regular cheap cotton fiber but lengthens fibers in them in a spinning process. So anyway the T-shirts are $5.99. Cheap.
I ordered one to test it to see if it still fits the same white as the one I got to years ago. Let’s hope they have not changed their fit model or sizing at all.
IL I am looking for this company and can't get their website to come up, but I do see their T shirts on fullsource.com. Do you get the LPC54 or the LPC61?
iris lilies
5-27-20, 10:28pm
IL I am looking for this company and can't get their website to come up, but I do see their T shirts on fullsource.com. Do you get the LPC54 or the LPC61?
my invoice says”Anvil 880.” I don’t know what any of those numbers mean.
I won’t know until I get it and put it on that it’s the same shirt I am wearing at this moment.I ordered from Fullsource.
I saw Amazon carries a port and Company women’s T-shirt as well.
my invoice says”Anvil 880.” I don’t know what any of those numbers mean.
I won’t know until I get it and put it on that it’s the same shirt I am wearing at this moment.I ordered from Fullsource.
I saw Amazon carries a port and Company women’s T-shirt as well.
TY. Please let me know if you like it when you get it.
This is brilliantly funny - https://youtu.be/TkU1ob_lHCw
Isn't it? Well done. Adversity produces a lot of inspired humor, if nothing else.
iris lilies
5-28-20, 10:53am
Isn't it? Well done. Adversity produces a lot of inspired humor, if nothing else.
I like videos from the Holderness family. This one about the adversity of virus lockdown is funny:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ygdB-ZE0daY
iris lilies
6-3-20, 9:58am
On another thread I am complaining about a feature of my Fiatta Spyder 124 car. But here I want to rave about something – it’s truly remarkable—The mechanical device for moving the cloth top up and down is beautifully smooth. One can work it one-handed!My God, what an improvement on my 1974 triumph TR 6 that required extraordinary thumb strength and a grunt or two to get the thing open and closed.
I have noticed this throughout my life, especially as I am older — if one waits 40 years to buy something, one sees extraordinary improvements from decades older models. My electronic piano is the same thing – before I bought it all I had for reference was the god awful things from the 70s. Much better sound and weighted keys are a huge technological improvement.
otoh the "infotainment" system in your 124 is the subject of a "rant" in the other thread, about how it does not respond smoothly or instantaneously (which I also dislike about new electronics). I prefer my audio equipment from 40 years ago; largely far better built (old CD players are for the birds), far easier to use, and pretty much bulletproof (again, except for the CD players).
iris lilies
6-14-20, 5:55pm
TY. Please let me know if you like it when you get it.
OK these T-shirts came in the mail. I like them quite a lot because they are casual T-shirts, inexpensive, fitted to women, and I like the fabric. But I will say this, it is quite thin material. I think it’s good for hot summer. It is ringspun cotton which makes it soft. There are two seams on either side as normal with a T-shirt.
Usually I buy T-shirts at the thrift store so I take what’s there, and by the time I look for something that’s 100% cotton with no writing on it, I have a limited choice. I don’t really mind writing of any kind but so much of the junk on a T-shirt is done with heavy rubbery plastic that adds a layer of heat to the thing, not good for summer.
https://www.wordans.com/anvil-880-ladies-ringspun-fashion-fit-t-shirt-22523/c47-kelly-green/s108872-2xl?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn9730KGC6gIVBeiGCh2jHgEHEAAY ASAAEgIr_fD_BwE
Thank you. I am a little concerned about the light weight because one of the reviewers reported a hole in his. I do like the color choices. Probably I will try a few more brick and mortars when they open, but I will keep these in mind. Thanks.
iris lilies
6-14-20, 6:57pm
Thank you. I am a little concerned about the light weight because one of the reviewers reported a hole in his. I do like the color choices. Probably I will try a few more brick and mortars when they open, but I will keep these in mind. Thanks.
There’s probably nothing special about these t shirts, and I feel weird promoting them. It’s just that I don’t go shopping for new clothes so I don’t really know what is out there for T-shirts that are not Pima cotton $40 items that I see online in places like lol bean, j Jill, etc.
lol bean
Is that like Whole Paycheck? Or Maison Blanc (White Castle)? :)
iris lilies
6-14-20, 10:29pm
Is that like Whole Paycheck? Or Maison Blanc (White Castle)? :)
well LL Bean can be stuffy and pricey, haha. But mine was a typo.
sweetana3
6-25-20, 10:51am
I adore the "ignore" function on this site. Thank you whoever provided it.
2 male hummingbirds FINALLY! I had put the feeder out in May, got a few early, then nothing. Changed the nectar, no go, but then made a new batch and here they are. That happened last year, too. I don't know why the first batch of nectar isn't to their liking, but I am so glad they are back. I sit on a screened porch and am only about 3 feet away from the feeder, so I get to see them up close. I love how some sit and take long drinks and some flit in and out. One male is long beaked and lean the other has a shorter beak and is a little stockier. One female is long and lean. Such joy to see them!
iris lilies
6-25-20, 12:54pm
I adore the "ignore" function on this site. Thank you whoever provided it.
And thanks to you all who use it! Rather than expecting moderators to step in any time there is strife or even a hint of strife, take charge yourself for of your forum content!
It reminds me of the library materials challenges
I used to get in my job. I had to remind the complainer that not all library materials are appropriate for everyone. Pass by things that are not up your alley. If you’re trying to control the entire content because others might be hurt or offended, just don’t.
I am watching a Reddit forum disintegrate due to over moderation which is breeding high expectations for “my feelings can’t be hurt so now we need trigger warnings.” Aye, Carumba! What is hilarious is that this Reddit place is a Snark forum, where people gather to talk about bloggers and usually not in a complementary way. It’s not a happy -flowers -rainbows -fairies -puppies place. There was a legitimate concern on this Reddit forum about racism and that has been addressed and is a continuing area of concern, but the rest of it is silly.
I have a little green tomato in my planter!
Nice!! My plants are still tiny, but that's typical here if you grow from seed.
Just found $4500 from my MIL's estate on our state's unclaimed property. Will fill out the paperwork to share it with my brother-in-law. Who can't use an extra $2250? go check for any unclaimed property you may have in any state you've lived in!
Teacher Terry
6-30-20, 5:46pm
Becky, that’s great. I have checked many times in all the states I have lived in.
rosarugosa
6-30-20, 6:22pm
That is so cool Becky!
iris lilies
6-30-20, 6:37pm
Just found $4500 from my MIL's estate on our state's unclaimed property. Will fill out the paperwork to share it with my brother-in-law. Who can't use an extra $2250? go check for any unclaimed property you may have in any state you've lived in!
Whoah, serious money find!
Costco is offering grocery delivery--artichoke hearts and macadamia nuts, come to mama!
My library has re-opened for front door pickup! I was very excited to get an e-mail from them that one of the books I requested online in April was ready for pickup!
My library is also doing curbside pickup now, and I am getting more used to ebooks as well.
The Linden trees are in bloom! I look forward all year to their intoxicating fragrance!
The Linden trees are in bloom! I look forward all year to their intoxicating fragrance!
Makes a wonderful tea.
iris lilies
7-12-20, 11:15pm
Today the weather God smiled on us and it was low to mid 80s with a gentle breeze. Really a beautiful day. I’m spreading $300 worth of Turface and I enjoyed that work today.
We also have been two nights that were lovely last night and tonight.
I see later in the week it’s going to get back in the high 90s UGG
Elevated to correct name TURFACE
Today the weather God smiled on us and it was low to mid 80s with a gentle breeze. Really a beautiful day. I’m spreading $300 worth of Turfus And I respect and I enjoyed that work today.
We also have been two nights that were lovely last night and tonight.
When I see you later in the week it’s going to get back in the high 90s UGG
It was a beautiful day up here as well! I'm so glad you had some a lovely day. There's certainly something about outside in the garden on a nice day...
If Turfus turf, IL, or some wonderful exotic lily?
iris lilies
7-13-20, 9:05am
3330 Turface is a soil amendment to absorb water and keep soil stable. It is a commercial product. I probably have $200 more in Turfus to buy.
I havent used it before, but this Hermann soil has a lot of clay. I have already added gallons of compost to it as well, compost I had to buy! Here in Hermann we buy the compost and wood chip mulch, but in the city it was free. I’m used to getting it free for 30 years. Oh it is hard to spend money on it!
The Turface is going in the iris beds exclusively, the rest of the beds will have regular soil and compost and wood chip mulch. Iris need well drained soil. DH uses his small tller to till it in.
Turface operation here, upside down photo.
3329 3331
edited to correct b
name Turface.
Thank you so much, IL, this is fascinating, and I love learning new things about soil amendment and improvement!
iris lilies
7-13-20, 1:19pm
The Linden trees are in bloom! I look forward all year to their intoxicating fragrance!
We have a row of lindens Across the street from us and their spring blossoms are nice although they are almost sickly sweet smelling.
iris lilies
7-13-20, 1:21pm
Please note, the correct name of this soil amendment I’m using Is Turface.
It’s what a serious Iris growers use around here. Honestly my thought I would probably be fine without it but since I am digging brand new beds I thought I and throw some in, Money is no object because there’s nothing too good for the iris!
They deserve it because they are growing so well and the deer do not touch them.
I love my iRobot Roomba especially for cleaning under beds. When the battery died, I was horrified to find that the replacement was well over $100 each. After manually vacuuming the bedrooms a few times, it got old really fast so I bought a new Roomba.
I kept checking for a good replacement battery for my old unit and finally found one on Amazon.ca for $39.99 with free shipping and very good reviews. It is easy to install and now I have two Roombas in operation. I am keeping the new one for twice-weekly cleaning of the LR, kitchen and dining area and the old for weekly cleaning of the hallway and bedrooms. I never thought that I would be so keen on robot technology but the dog hair that is easily so cleaned up is worth every penny.
Maybe I should have bought a robot electric lawn mower instead of the electric push mower,
Teacher Terry
8-10-20, 6:02pm
We have a place called Batteries Plus that will build a battery for a roomba at a reasonable price.
happystuff
8-15-20, 7:12pm
Raves to my bil! He is very handy and does construction, etc. and came to work on a short to-do list I sent him. I now have a beautiful new pantry! He built deeper shelves and I painted everything once he left. He also repaired the front porch light and a ceiling fan pull. Little things, but they make such a difference! I'm so thrilled! I figure... if I'm going to pay someone to do these things, it's nice to keep it in the family. Sigh... the little things. :cool:
Sorry - it's sideways.
Teacher Terry
8-15-20, 8:19pm
That’s a nice pantry!
rosarugosa
8-16-20, 7:15am
That is great, Happystuff!
happystuff
8-16-20, 9:42am
Thanks! I've started putting stuff back and re-organizing, etc. It will take a bit, but I'm lovin' it!!
iris lilies
8-16-20, 11:45am
Hapoystuff, glad you got what you wanted.
The pantry looks really handy.
D-Son-iL just fixed my garden gate that needed adjusting to lock properly, tightened the screw to make the shower doors close properly, and DD2 and he fised the magnet that keeps the doors of the BBQ properly closed when not in use. You are right, the little things make life so much easier. Some of these jobs took two people, others I had no idea what the actual problem was. And I got a big hug in the process as well. I love hugs from my special people.
Razz, I was finally able to figure out how to adjust our shower door - it's been so particular since we had it installed a couple of years ago. Turned out to be very easy. I hadn't seen the screws before because I don't wear my glasses inside the shower! Once I figured it out, it was easy-peasy and now brings me much satisfaction to have the door snugly shut. Now I noticed the rod to the shower head is leaking, so that's my next bathroom project.
I've been painting kitchen cabinets. I started with the bathroom cabinets and they turned out well, so am not working in the kitchen. I got the bottom ones finished this past weekend (took me 2 weekends, because I'm old and get stiff). I'm taking Friday off for a long Labor Day weekend, so hope to get most, if not all, the uppers done. We'll see. They look so much nicer! It's not that difficult with the paint I'm using.
Beckyliz: What kind of paint are you using? Will there be pictures?
Bravo! Becky liz, Isn't it great to make progress? I just paid the AC guy to check and clean the AC! Called yesterday and he came this morning at 8:30. A task off my list!
Beckyliz: What kind of paint are you using? Will there be pictures? It's called Heirloom Traditions Paint. It's a 3 in 1 chalk paint- binder, paint and sealer. You have to degrease and degloss first. Lots of youtube tutorials and their FB page has lots of good information and tips. If I can figure out how to upload pics, I will!
It's called Heirloom Traditions Paint. It's a 3 in 1 chalk paint- binder, paint and sealer. You have to degrease and degloss first. Lots of youtube tutorials and their FB page has lots of good information and tips. If I can figure out how to upload pics, I will!
Thanks for the info!
I looked up their website. I really like the London grey green for cabinets. Will file away for future reference, thanks.
iris lilies
9-2-20, 1:52pm
I looked up their website. I really like the London grey green for cabinets. Will file away for future reference, thanks.
I looked it up to. I don’t know, this reminds me of the sage rage, the color that was so popular circa 1990. I had a bedroom in sage and peach and I was tired of it before it was finished. I prefer yellow greens. My living room is a lettuce/yellow green Sometimes looks chartreuse and I do like it.
I have decorated my home and house in my head kind of sorta. But I’m having trouble with kitchen cabinets in my head.
Meanwhile, I’m decorating my city condo in my head. That’s the condo I don’t own! But that doesn’t stop me from decorating it. That city condo is done in a dark color with a lot of black furniture and black accents. The walls would be I don’t know something dark. Dark gray blue. Dark gray green.
I looked it up to. I don’t know, this reminds me of the sage rage, the color that was so popular circa 1990. I had a bedroom in sage and peach and I was tired of it before it was finished. I prefer yellow greens. My living room is a lettuce/yellow green Sometimes looks chartreuse and I do like it.
I have decorated my home and house in my head kind of sorta. But I’m having trouble with kitchen cabinets in my head.
Meanwhile, I’m decorating my city condo in my head. That’s the condo I don’t own! But that doesn’t stop me from decorating it. That city condo is done in a dark color with a lot of black furniture and black accents. The walls would be I don’t know something dark. Dark gray blue. Dark gray green.
That sounds stunning! I definitely prefer blue greens over yellow greens.
Here is my dream exterior color scheme:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/IwbXfgr4TyXBfUH8GmqEZ3S9RKDijkDYta9kuobRZNxJrymHYs Dc5QeDLMQliXCnphuoEWzXSSk6OdOa-xaGCmw_tSN3l40s07Oqkw9xBu-bgafAoNm6m_LciNE4rJv0pIIVRcVE-yX6QcNf8I8
Here's my house.... I tried that cream/yellow off-white, but it didn't work because the vinyl windows are white.. so I just went with white but I LOVE the sage color, too, Tybee!
3417
I love your house, Catherine!
iris lilies
9-2-20, 2:49pm
Here's my house.... I tried that cream/yellow off-white, but it didn't work because the vinyl windows are white.. so I just went with white but I LOVE the sage color, too, Tybee!
3417
I had that exact thought for my Hermann house. Last week I was looking at the light sage green wall color with cream trim, but then I remembered our windows are white and that’s not going to change. So, I’m not sure that’s a good color walls for bright white vinyl windows.
I don’t like our windows but they are all brand new and they’re not gonna be replaced anytime soon.
Catherine Your house looks very spiffy! You have really dolled it up
Here's my house.... I tried that cream/yellow off-white, but it didn't work because the vinyl windows are white.. so I just went with white but I LOVE the sage color, too, Tybee!
3417
Super cute house! Love it. Looks just like a vacation rental. You're on permanent holiday there. :)
Nice when it comes together so well.
Here's my house.... I tried that cream/yellow off-white, but it didn't work because the vinyl windows are white.. so I just went with white but I LOVE the sage color, too, Tybee!
3417
Love your house! Looks to be the exact size I want to get down to. Love all the windows!
Teacher Terry
9-3-20, 10:46am
Very cute!
rosarugosa
9-3-20, 12:46pm
Here's my house.... I tried that cream/yellow off-white, but it didn't work because the vinyl windows are white.. so I just went with white but I LOVE the sage color, too, Tybee!
3417
I love it, Catherine! So much cozy charm. I especially love the window boxes and the garden beds edged in wood.
Thanks, everyone! "Be it ever so humble..."
I FINALLY decided on COLOR this year, but it was such a painful process that for Mother's Day, my daughter gave me this "Mom's Paint Wheel of Fortune"! It comes in very handy! :)
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early morning
9-3-20, 1:03pm
How funny!! I need one of those! Making decisions on color is something I am not often comfortable with, so I generally leave it my artist daughter. But I do keep veto power. I really like your house. I've used branches for flowerbed borders also - and flat planks (a waterbed frame someone gave us), and parts of telephone poles, and whatever else strikes me at the time.
It seems that I have been putting everyone first on planning my days this year. Most of my regular activities were curtailed due to Covid and that is OK because others needed attention.
Today was my holiday. I took the dog to the kennel and left for Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake and it was an absolute delight; gorgeous weather, the gardens were lush and elaborate, the Falls were so lovely and I could actually get as close as I wished due to the low numbers of tourists. I used a map app that used different routes than I have used before and much quieter. As I walked through one garden, an older man was looking at a statue of King George. When I smiled at him and remarked that it was a lovely setting for the statue, he told me the story of how it came to be. The sculptor was a renowned Italian and he worked in granite. The sculptor loved the setting overlooking the Niagara River towards the US falls. This gentleman and the sculptor's son repaired the base and so he got the whole story. Once his report on King George was complete, I was escorted to see the bronze of Nicola Tesla as a handsome young man and heard his story as well. I think that dear tour guide enjoyed having an audience.
I was eating lunch in Niagara on the Lake outside a photography gallery and realized that I loved the work of this artist so went inside. https://allinthewild.com/
I had thought that if I ever saw an opportunity to buy his prints, I would. I bought a small photo with the morning sun -A beautiful beginning- and a medium print of polar bears that I had fallen in love with some time ago- King of the castle. That is my holiday budget spent and I loved the whole day.
Wow, I loved going on your day off vicariously with you, razz! Sounds like a wonderful day! It makes me annoyed with myself that I didn't take advantage of the chance to go to the Falls on the US side when I had a patient interview in Buffalo last year. And I love the King George story!
Thanks for sharing.
frugal-one
9-24-20, 7:15pm
Wow, I loved going on your day off vicariously with you, razz! Sounds like a wonderful day! It makes me annoyed with myself that I didn't take advantage of the chance to go to the Falls on the US side when I had a patient interview in Buffalo last year. And I love the King George story!
Thanks for sharing.
We were there in September and DH hated it. Said it was a tourist trap and too crowded. He was so disgusted that we did not even go to the Canadian side. I had been there before so it was up to him.
We were there in September and DH hated it. Said it was a tourist trap and too crowded. He was so disgusted that we did not even go to the Canadian side. I had been there before so it was up to him.
I've heard the Canadian side is much nicer. Unfortunately we can't get there these days.
IMO the Canadian side IS much nicer. Loved my trip a few years ago to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Just gorgeous!
rosarugosa
9-25-20, 6:23am
What a great day trip, Razz! Sounds like you had a perfect tiny vacation.
iris lilies
9-25-20, 8:48am
Razz, what a perfect day! That’s like a week’s vacation in experiences!
happystuff
9-25-20, 9:30am
What a wonderful trip - I'm so glad you had a good time! I've been to the Canadian side and, in my opinion, it is much nicer. Thanks so much for sharing!
Teacher Terry
9-25-20, 12:31pm
It’s so beautiful! Yes the Canadian side is prettier.
iris lilies
9-25-20, 12:56pm
I will step outside of my current bubble of unhappiness with technology to rave about software on the web. Pinterest has amazing image identification ability.
I want to know more about a sideboard I own. I wanted to narrow down a decade when it was created. I took a photograph of it. I uploaded that photograph to Pinterest. Pinterest pulled from its vast array of images in its database an exact match. Exact!
Now unfortunately this was held at the website 1st Dibs and the piece was already sold, so there was no narrative left on that site about it. But I remain hopeful that there will be another find that is an exact match. Clearly this piece was machine made if there are ones exactly like it. And I figured it was machine made. I’m just trying to figure out is it 1910, 1920, or 1930 furniture.
Iris, that is so cool! I’ve never used Pinterest before.
iris lilies
9-25-20, 1:20pm
Iris, that is so cool! I’ve never used Pinterest before.
Pinterest holds all of my inspiration photos. Also, I upload a few of my own Images for storage in tidy folders.
one downside of greedy Pinterest is that you now have to have a commercial account to see how many people, and who, “pinned” your photos. It was once fun to see that my bulldog had 23 “pins.”
While I can appreciate the benefit that you enjoyed, I find Pinterest very aggravating. I like some cooking sites but a screen comes up that I have to sign up with Pinterest to access and then get blitzed with every conceivable garbage that I might be interested in. If I see Pinterest is involved, I avoid the site as a result.
FB at least lets you restrict further access in the privacy area but unless things have been changed, with Pinterest you are stuck.
rosarugosa
9-25-20, 3:44pm
Just to offer another viewpoint, DH and I prefer the US side of the Falls in the immediate falls area. The naturalistic, Olmsted-designed gardens, with the wooded state park area with trails through Goat Island and Luna Island made for wonderful and uncrowded morning walks the week we were out there. You can also get very up close and personal with the Falls on the US side. Once you move away from the immediate falls area though, NY is rather a blighted area and Canada is more picturesque with the Botanical Gardens and Niagara on the Lake.
frugal-one
9-27-20, 12:42pm
Went for a walk on the bike trail today and saw a happy, young man with no legs below the knees, no arms above the elbow RUNNING with his black lab!! He sure did not feel sorry for himself and did what he needed to do. It was very inspirational!!!!
Wow. Puts things in perspective, doesn't it? Good for him. Strong character, there.
catherine
10-18-20, 10:09am
Today's DH's birthday and the fam is coming up to GI: two couples, two young kids and DS. I just learned that I can actually seat 10 for dinner in my tiny space!! (the picture has only one side of the IKEA gateleg table extended: the gateleg is added on to our 6-seater farmhouse table. It's the same width, so the tablecloth makes it look pretty seamless.) I'm psyched! Maybe I'll offer to do Thanksgiving this year!!
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Teacher Terry
10-18-20, 11:04am
That’s great Catherine.
happystuff
10-18-20, 11:15am
Happy Birthday to your dh!!! Looks like it will be quite the celebration - have fun!
Lovely that it comes together so well. Have fun!
frugal-one
10-18-20, 2:35pm
The recommendations here are that everyone should stay home with immediate family only for Thanksgiving. The numbers are skyrocketing thanks to trump and his many rallies.
Daylight saving time, giving me an extra hour of sleep, and allowing me to drive to work in the light. This is also the time of year I wean myself off caffeine. (Last year I did good until I got the flu. Something usually leads me to relapse.)
frugal-one
11-2-20, 9:08am
Daylight saving time, giving me an extra hour of sleep, and allowing me to drive to work in the light. This is also the time of year I wean myself off caffeine. (Last year I did good until I got the flu. Something usually leads me to relapse.)
Dark when you get up...dark early at night. I HATE IT! I find myself sleeping more. Depressing.
iris lilies
11-2-20, 9:10am
Yppej, today I am raving for caffeine. Love my coffee!
iris lilies
11-2-20, 12:51pm
Today is a clear cool fall day. Crisp. This fall season makes me so happy to be retired and have the stretch of day ahead mostly with little obligation.
The weeds are no longer nagging me because they have pretty much stopped growing. Garden tasks are minimal. Oh sure I have a box full of bulbs that need to go into the ground, and I havel iris charts that could be completed now. Or later. But not a whole lot has to be done outdoors, and garden cleanup can be completed over the next few months.
Our hOuse will now remain clean since dog shedding Season is over, and dirt tracking is minimal. I don’t mind the spider webs of fall, I like spiders. I don’t even mind servicing the armfuls of late season garden produce that come into this house.
This time of year always lets me feel free! Free free free!
catherine
11-2-20, 12:57pm
Today is a clear cool fall day. Crisp. This fall season makes me so happy to be retired and have the stretch of day ahead mostly with little obligation.
The weeds are no longer nagging me because they have pretty much stopped growing. Garden tasks are minimal. Oh sure I have a box full of bulbs that need to go into the ground, and I have optional iris charts that could be completed now. Or later. But not a whole lot has to be done outdoors, and garden cleanup can be completed over the next few months.
Our hOuse will now remain fairly clean since dog shedding Season is over, and dirt tracking is minimal. I don’t mind the spider webs of fall, I like spiders. I don’t even mind servicing the armfuls of late season garden produce that comes into this house.
This time of year always lets me feel free! Free free free!
Yes, this is the great thing about 4 seasons... if you're a farmer or a gardener, you catch a break to do something different for a while.
And if you're not a gardener, you can breathe a sigh of relief that you don't have to put up with mowers, blowers, and desultory attempts at yard maintenance for a few months, at least.
frugal-one
11-2-20, 5:00pm
And if you're not a gardener, you can breathe a sigh of relief that you don't have to put up with mowers, blowers, and desultory attempts at yard maintenance for a few months, at least.
Not the case here. Leaf blowers going nonstop ... the leave are falling in droves. Many are using their mowers to mulch the leaves. YLMV
Not the case here. Leaf blowers going nonstop ... the leave are falling in droves. Many are using their mowers to mulch the leaves. YLMV
That's what I do, blow the leaves away from the house and out of the flower beds, then mulch them with the mower. I think one more time later this week and I'll be done.
iris lilies
11-3-20, 7:05pm
I guess the gods are just against me in spending money. You will recall that, horrified at the high-end estimate for a new kitchen in our tiny condo, I drafted DH to do the work.
But furniture, I can afford that, right? So, I spent weeks shopping around for a French day bed. I found new ones that ranged from serviceable to very cute, from $800 to $2300. They were new but had some old styling of .frenchie influence. Ok, fine, money no object!
Then I took a look at .craigslist. Found a Directoire style bed, used, for $125. Looked nice in the photo, looked nice in real life, bought it. The owner told how she ID’d it’s lineage—likely it is pre-1900 (has horsehair stuffing) and the antique dealer she spoke with thinks it was made in France. Score!!!
If I wasn’t so picky I would even keep the upholstery because it’s a nice neutral cream color, but I’m going to upholster it with blue velvet which should cost around $100-$200.
3486
Very cool, IL!! Nothing better than deals like that!!! Haha, you can't spend money even when you want to!
44 years ago today my wife said 'I Do', and by any quality of life scale, it appears she still does. How lucky can one man be?
catherine
11-12-20, 3:33pm
44 years ago today my wife said 'I Do', and by any quality of life scale, it appears she still does. How lucky can one man be?
Congratulations! Happy Anniversary, Alan!
frugal-one
11-12-20, 3:44pm
44 years ago today my wife said 'I Do', and by any quality of life scale, it appears she still does. How lucky can one man be?
Congrats!! In a few days is our anniversary too... 47 years and we still like each other! Life is good.
iris lilies
11-12-20, 4:13pm
44 years ago today my wife said 'I Do', and by any quality of life scale, it appears she still does. How lucky can one man be?
Oh that is so nice! Congrats to you and the mrs.
44 years ago today my wife said 'I Do', and by any quality of life scale, it appears she still does. How lucky can one man be?
Congratulations to both with many more years together to come.
rosarugosa
11-12-20, 6:00pm
Happy Anniversary, Alan!
Wishing the two of you many more anniversaries.
Teacher Terry
11-12-20, 8:28pm
Congrats to both of you with anniversaries!!
SteveinMN
11-13-20, 4:51pm
Happy anniversaries, Alan and frugal-one! DW and I will never get to 44 or 47 (well, it's quite unlikely given how old we'll be then) but it's a relationship goal, as they say.
Happy, long-lived relationships are one of life's sweetest rewards. Congratulations, all!
happystuff
12-5-20, 2:28pm
Raving about my salad spinner - LOL! I needed to clean my reusable masks today, but I don't like throwing them in with regular laundry as the elastic ear pieces stretch or actually break getting twisted up with other items. So, I used my salad spinner to wash, rinse and spin "dry" enough to hang up. Worked like a charm and took about 10-15 minutes with minimal water use. :)
I put my reusable masks in a mesh lingerie bag. All my clothes are washed on cold, gentle. Air dry for the masks. Works very well.
Teacher Terry
12-5-20, 4:06pm
I wash mine in hot water and put in the dryer on high. I want the germs gone.
happystuff
12-5-20, 4:09pm
Tradd - Yes, a mesh bag would work, but since I don't have one, I went off the "use what I have". Maybe a dollar store purchase down the road.
TT - yes, definitely hot water! As well as a pre-soak in alcohol and using anti-bacterial soap. Plus, I won't wear these for at least a week from now anyway. I have plenty to rotate between.
rosarugosa
12-6-20, 8:43am
Raving about my salad spinner - LOL! I needed to clean my reusable masks today, but I don't like throwing them in with regular laundry as the elastic ear pieces stretch or actually break getting twisted up with other items. So, I used my salad spinner to wash, rinse and spin "dry" enough to hang up. Worked like a charm and took about 10-15 minutes with minimal water use. :)
And to think some people try to live without a salad spinner!
happystuff
12-6-20, 10:12am
And to think some people try to live without a salad spinner!
LOL.
And to think some people try to live without a salad spinner!
My salad spinner also doubles up as an additional vegetable crisper when I'm done spinning. ;)
iris lilies
12-6-20, 5:05pm
The mask tip is very good!
My salad spinner also doubles up as an additional vegetable crisper when I'm done spinning. ;)
I spin enough salad for two days and store in the spinner in the fridge.
rosarugosa
12-6-20, 7:06pm
I got the idea from Tiam on this forum to store the washed lettuce in the salad spinner. Life changing advice!
Naps, so good when it is cold and snowy out.
I got the idea from Tiam on this forum to store the washed lettuce in the salad spinner. Life changing advice!
OMG, I've heard to much about these salad spinners on this forum! I've never had one, and I don't like bringing more gadgets into my tiny kitchen. If you had a kitchen that measures 8 x 8, would you still have a salad spinner? I really am developing a clutter aversion in my old age.
OMG, I've heard to much about these salad spinners on this forum! I've never had one, and I don't like bringing more gadgets into my tiny kitchen. If you had a kitchen that measures 8 x 8, would you still have a salad spinner? I really am developing a clutter aversion in my old age.
I store my spinner in a drawer. My spinner has is about a 8 cup measure with a handle on top. Some are bigger but this one is collapsible.
https://www.amazon.com/Prepworks-Progressive-Collapsible-Salad-Spinner/dp/B0050EF6RS/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=salad+spinner&qid=1607306053&sr=8-12
iris lilies
12-6-20, 10:49pm
OMG, I've heard to much about these salad spinners on this forum! I've never had one, and I don't like bringing more gadgets into my tiny kitchen. If you had a kitchen that measures 8 x 8, would you still have a salad spinner? I really am developing a clutter aversion in my old age.
yes, get it. Because it doubles as a strainer.
My condo kitchen is 8 x 8.5 and it will have a salad spinner.
rosarugosa
12-7-20, 8:15am
OMG, I've heard to much about these salad spinners on this forum! I've never had one, and I don't like bringing more gadgets into my tiny kitchen. If you had a kitchen that measures 8 x 8, would you still have a salad spinner? I really am developing a clutter aversion in my old age.
My kitchen might be a tiny bit bigger, but with 5 entryways, no counter and a totally inefficient layout, it "lives" a lot smaller. Our house is about 900 SF, although we do also have an unfinished basement for storage. Nevertheless, the salad spinner is indispensable. :)
SteveinMN
12-7-20, 11:10am
yes, get it. Because it doubles as a strainer.
Agreed. I never use mine to strain, say, browned hamburger, but to wash vegetables it beats the tar out of rinsing by hand and drying in or on a towel, particularly leafy greens, which I eat often. I do, however, have a 10x10 kitchen and -- not counting the salad spinner -- four strainers (plastic, steel, smaller mesh, and DW's "berry bowl" colander [which gets very little use]).
And I will add that my salad spinner was a Target reject sold through Goodwill -- whoever bought it first managed to break the ring you need to pull on the string (or maybe it was broken from the get-go). One spare plastic ring I had in my parts bin and a good knot later and it's worked for me for years.
OMG, I've heard to much about these salad spinners on this forum! I've never had one, and I don't like bringing more gadgets into my tiny kitchen. If you had a kitchen that measures 8 x 8, would you still have a salad spinner? I really am developing a clutter aversion in my old age.
They are super bulky, but you can put other stuff inside it for storing and it doubles as a colander if you don't have one already. I stupidly have both of these which is a little overkill.
happystuff
12-8-20, 11:43am
Mine is not bulky or too big at all, and has a handle and pour spout like a pitcher. It slides nicely right up in that often-unused cabinet above the stove.
3516
I would not give mine up. We have salad every night thanks to being able to get loose leaf lettuce and more
Importantly the little tomatoes that taste like summer! Mine is orange...plastic so at least 20 years old. I wash the whole batch of lettuce at one time then put it in a dish towel with a damp napkin, wrap it like a baby, put it in the humidor. Lettuce stays good to several days!
rosarugosa
12-9-20, 8:02am
NSWEF: Like this? Mine used to belong to my mother, so I guess you could call it a family heirloom!
3522
NSWEF: Like this? Mine used to belong to my mother, so I guess you could call it a family heirloom!
3522
That is exactly like mine! I can't remember where I got it but I use as a strainer, rinse salad fixings and store them as has been mentioned and also for rinsing and draining uncooked and cooked legumes and cooked pasta, fresh berries, etc. Personally, I didn't like the plunger or the cord designs or size.
That is exactly like mine. Mine sat in our attic for years until grocery store tomatoes became so edible! Then the patting dry of lettuce was a huge nuisance, so I brought it down and revived it! I too like the knob rather than the pull cord. I'm amazed it has lasted!
ApatheticNoMore
12-9-20, 3:23pm
Yes I'd get a salad spinner. I eat salad for lunch every work day. I need to spin lettuce dry. Tell me what else would one use for that? Dressing does not stick well on wet lettuce. Of course if one doesn't eat salad often then never mind.
I can't imagine my kitchen is huge (I mean it's not NYC tiny, but it's an apartment kitchen). It doubles as a strainer, but I do have two strainers, a standard pasta strainer and a small strainer I use to rinse rice, quinoa, lentils.
this is the one I have (classy): https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/oxo-steel-reg-salad-spinner/111408
I've melted parts a few times and got free replacements. Oxo customer service rocks.
catherine
12-14-20, 5:18pm
Daily Rave: I have a muscle! In fact I have more than one muscle!
When I was in high school gym class, I always did well with flexibility, but very poorly with strength. I couldn't even do ONE push up. I was the weakest person I knew.
Well, anyway, I've mentioned the year-long self-mastery class I've taken. It has really helped me instill several positive habits. One of those habits is exercise. I always have been a workout drop-out. And I still am.
Tiny Habits is one of the books that's used as inspiration in this program, and so I started "stacking habits"--I got my meditation down every morning, and right after meditation one day I decided to just start a plank. One plank. Just a few seconds. I built up time, and so then I looked up plank workouts online and found a 5 minute plank workout: shifting between full arm plank to elbow plank, to one-leg plank, to side leg plank back to elbow and then back to full-arm. Simultaneously I tried to do push-ups. At first I could only do the modified kind, but I finally did one regular push up, not well, but eventually built up to seven. I know seven push-ups doesn't seem great, but really--when I was 14 I couldn't even do ONE!!! I'm 68 and I can do SEVEN push-ups and a 5-minute plank!
Today I was putting on my leggings, and the outside of my upper thigh actually felt hard. NO flab!!!! I also noticed that my upper arms also have the genesis of a muscle.
I am so psyched!! (I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging, but I am surprised more than anything). The other positive thing about "tiny habits" is they are so self-motivating. Once you feel a tiny success you're motivated for another one.
Teacher Terry
12-14-20, 5:57pm
That’s great Catherine!!
iris lilies
12-14-20, 6:25pm
Catherine, this is worth a brag what a great accomplishment and at our age discernible improvement of muscle is so great!
Brag away about those things that help motivate us as well. I bought Atomic Habits with the same motivation in mind. I like tiny improvements that make a difference long-term.
Funnily enough, one tiny habit is to reduce checking SLF to once a day and all news as well. I have improved a lot on the news but still have a way to go on SLF.
Another is to try different recipes for soup which many of you helped a lot. I have made a variety and tried new dishes like a curry and coconut milk. It has become fun to prepare food again.
I've never been able to do a pushup so you are inspiring Catherine!
I am so excited for you!!!! Seeing muscles is a great feeling! Carry on!!!!
happystuff
12-15-20, 11:54am
That's fabulous, catherine! Congrats!!!
Catherine, that’s fab! Woo hoo!
early morning
12-15-20, 2:58pm
Hey, I'm impressed - so maybe it's not too late for me to improve in strength. too. I've never been able to do a push-up or pull up and really really dislike "exercise". I read Atomic Habits from the library, and will check out Tiny Habits also. I have more time now to learn new tricks, even if I'm old, lol.
frugal-one
12-15-20, 3:54pm
Inspirational Catherine. You should be proud.
rosarugosa
12-15-20, 7:01pm
Good for you, Catherine! You inspired me to do 3 modified push-ups after my morning meditation! (I remember when they were called "girls' push-ups"!)
Helpful staff are wonderful.
After discussing with some of you how to still support the solos in my life at Christmas, I needed to find some take-out servings plates. While manning the Salvation Army kettle for a two-hour shift at my favourite grocery store on Monday, a long-term staff stopped to chat. I asked her if she had seen any take-out trays as I had searched locally without success. She went to the back of the store, spoke to a manager who came out and gave me the source info.
Tuesday, I went shopping at a larger town and now have 50 plates, etc. So far I have two ladies who would love to share my preparing a Christmas dinner for a take-out. They will come for a light brunch of Christmas greetings, muffins and coffee and take home their dinner to eat later. All that I need to do is find the turkey. There may be more taking part as I let people know.
happystuff
12-17-20, 11:14am
Very nice, razz!!
iris lilies
12-17-20, 12:10pm
Razz That sounds lovely. And it will be a lot of fun! I will bet this will be a Christmas that many of you will remember because it’s unique.
Yesterday was momentous: not only was it the Winter Solstice and the Great Conjunction, it was the day K. and I officially said our vows on our front porch and did a live-streamed Facebook wedding so our friends and family could participate! We got our marriage license at the Santa Fe County Clerk's Office (by appointment only) last Friday, and just decided to do a very simple, impromptu ceremony. Originally we were going to do it under the Chili Pepper Arch outside at the tavern, but too many townspeople wanted to come and we decided to cancel it because even being outside with masks on and trying to social distance; we sure as hell didn't want to potentially create a super-spreader event. So yesterday at 3pm a friend from down the road officiated it, I had my friend as Maid of Honor (and witness) and K had his friend as best man (and witness) and another tech-saavy friend set up her camera and computer and live-streamed it for us! It was truly wonderful, a small, quick, quirky intimate affair with costumes, masks, some seriousness and some humor. It was perfect in every way for my second marriage (been divorced for 27 years).
We will have a big party and show off our house someday after the pandemic is over, when it is safe to do so!
frugal-one
12-22-20, 5:01pm
What a wonderful experience and memory! Best wishes SiouzQ!
iris lilies
12-22-20, 5:07pm
Wonder news!
Well done SQ arranging a wedding despite the challenges of Covid. Congratulations to both of you!
I love that you chose a wedding day of great celestial events.
Congrats SQ! It sounds like a magical day!!
SteveinMN
12-22-20, 5:26pm
Congratulations! What a memorable day, on several levels!
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