Made braided bread late last night.  The big loaf is for Thanksgiving day!  Tomorrow I'll do the pies!!

The last colors of the season.  And this was only 2 weeks ago!  Now things are looking more like this:

Yesterday while walking Mattie a group of 4 fighter jets flew in formation overhead!!!  It was the coolest thing.  They just came from nowhere (actually, they were doing a fly-by for the Iowa Hawks game) out there in the woods! What a treat...

Friday!

Yay!  The weekend is here.  The above picture was taken a couple of weeks ago in the town where the John Deere house is.  I think there is a museum there too...just can't think of the town's name...Grand something....oh well.  It was a beautiful sunny day with nice shadows.

The church was built in 1849. 

There were lots of old homes there.

It's the weekend!!

Only a half day of work today!

Last week I picked all the green tomatoes and layed them in boxes with newspaper to cover.  They are in the basement to (hopefully) ripen.  I have never done this before and am not sure it will work.  After picking them I then read that the "best" way for them to ripen naturally is to leave them on the vine and dig up the vine.  Hang the plant upside down and let vine-ripen that way.  So next year I may try that method.  But for now this is the experiment.

 Finished one sock this week.  It only took one month to make!!  geez!!!  haha...so will start the matching (hopefully it will match) one this weekend.

Started stitching on the fabric.  Still not sure what it will end up turning into.  That is the fun part...not knowing and just letting it go...

OMMM  Namah Shivaya...

new week...

This was the view from northern Iowa.  We went camping for 3 days up here.  The trip was cut short due to chilling temperatures at night.  The first night at Backbone state park was a cold one at 29 degrees!!  We went further north to Decorah and a heavy frost in the morning. 

Seed Saver's is in Decorah and so that was the destination.  What an inspiring garden to be able to tour...and of course we had to get some of those seeds.  Also a few garlics to plant.  Of which I planted half of yesterday.  Today I have a huge Hibiscus root from a friend to plant.  yay! 

There was some poke plants growing along the fence in the yard that has been tempting me with their bright purple berries.  So, I picked a bunch and pressed them into this fabric.  I think I may embroider around each dot...and see where that leads.  haha

Here's a little painting I have going on...it is slowly progressing...
And also the socks I'm working on for a Christmas gift for Mom...

I heard that my little guy's soccer team won their game on Saturday.  He sounded excited about it! 
Peace out...

 
I've been advised that some people do read this!  So Maybe I will start posting...the long absence is mostly due to just plain o'l being "run-down".  Nothing major just annoying and boring.

Picked a big bowl of green beans tonight.  They are almost spent...but we got at least 15 - 20 quarts worth this year.  (our first year!).  Lots of them were given away and some froze or just eaten fresh.  Looks like we will be having a late dinner tonight of potatoes and green beans! 

The grape vine was not as generous this year.  Mostly due to the birds who feasted all summer long on them.  Next year we will have a net!

So getting some of my energy back...thanks to big pharma...(sometimes it is needed). 

My talented step-son got hurt playing football last weekend.  And Today is his birthday.  Sports are his life so he is pretty bummed.  But should be ok to do track in the spring.

off to work I go...long week ahead.  Been kind of exhausted lately...

 A half day of work today Yay!!!  So I'm taking my time this morning...having some herb tea.

We brought down a desk from upstairs so I need to clean it out and organize it.  That means filing all paperwork from 2009!  May be able to get to that this weekend...but this weekend I am traveling to see my grandson. 

Not much new on the homefront.  Lots of tomatoes need picking.  And the grapes are ripening!  Sunflowers towering over the rooftop.  Finally it's cooling a little...seems like right after the fair it usually does.  The kids are back in school around here.

The weekend of the 22 (is that this weekend?) there will be a sand sculpting contest in town.  Sounds fun!

Well I need to get some yoga in and knitting before work. 

Photos from the State Fair

We had the best time together!!!

experimenting with old photos

The jeep is in the shop.  It stalled on us Monday night.  Hopefully we will get it back today.  So I'm home from work...which is kind of good but kind of not.  As I hate to disappoint anyone.  But some things just happen.

Started a new shawl.  It should go fast.  I'll try and get some photos of it so far.  I have 4 sisters and hope to finish something for each of them for Christmas.  Plus make some socks for Mom and Mom-in-law.  It's a tall order but possible. 

Organizing my sewing supplies today...

Rainy, hot and humid today. 

The tomatoes are starting to rippen...yay.

Well, tea water is whistling...better go!