Blue Monday!

Saturday was an iffy day. The skies were overcast.

It poured rain in the early morning hours.

The weatherman predicted that it would clear up by One.

We had planned this event for weeks. It was postponed

once already due to rain.

We decided - What the Heck!

Let's go for it!

We planned to cruise on the St. Croix River

for the afternoon.

My friend Mary & her husband Gundy

own a nice little houseboat

in a slip at the Sunnyside Marina.

Located in Stillwater, Minnesota.

This is the historic lift bridge.

It is very controversial right now -

with all of the bridge issues

we've had of late in Minnesota.

There have been plans to replace this bridge

for many years.

However, the Sierra Club has their concerns,

and each state MN & WI have their concerns

over the budget.

I digress. Let's just get on with the cruise!

If you enlarge this pic you will see that a wedding

is taking place on the waterfront.

Stillwater is a cute little town,

with fun little shops and many restaurants.

(It even boasted a few famous residents.

Jessica Lange and Sam Shepherd.)

Our boat didn't have to wait for the lift bridge to rise.

We just squeaked by underneath...

Here is another shot of the lift bridge's pulleys.

Jacob thought you would like to see this.

We didn't stick around long enough for me

to get a pic of it rising. Maybe next time....

However, I thought you might like to see

some of the homes

that dot the river bluffs,

or maybe a speedboat zipping by....

This home belongs to the owner of....

Anderson Windows.

And I was told that this is his daughter's home.

With my gift of gab - I set the camera down

and didn't get all of the shots I should have

for you - Like pix of our gracious hosts,

and their boat, and many of the guests,

and the wonderful buffet that Mary prepared for us.

Please join me in sharing Blue Monday

with another gracious host,

Sally of Smiling Sally.

She's just a click away.

Robyn

Short & Sweet: Foodie & Fertilizer Friday

Today's contribution is going to be

just like me....

Short & Sweet.

I had to work today...

I know what you're thinking,

But it's Friday - and you don't work on Fridays.

Well, we still haven't hired a new Assistant

so it's just me, and patients were scheduled,

so what can I do?

Needless to say, dinner was Culver's.

Jacob found this cute little heart

in his package of cheese curds

and he gave it to me.

I just love him so.

Today is also Fertilizer Friday.

Notice I watered my herbs.....

Look at all the new healthy growth, Tootsie.

And as predicted - the Tiger Lily has bloomed!

And once again, Miles posed for the camera.

He really did. He noticed my camera, then mosied

over to the flowers and waited for me to take his pic.

So I have to show him - because I think he loves

his new found celebrity.

Well, I am off to visit Gollum

for more Foodie Friday goodness.

Robyn

Three or More!!!

Out in the Sunporch

I have a tiny little collection.

A collection I started many years ago.

As you know,

Jacob loves the Antique Stores

& Flea Markets.

It gave me something to look for

while he was looking for

"his junk".

I created rules for this collection.

Only metal - not glass.

They all had to be different -

if at all possible.

& I couldn't spend more than $5.00.

And I could only buy 1 at a time.

Then they became popular.

They were featured in Country Living,

Country Home & BH&G's magazines.

Then the prices shot up...

It's my Flower Frog Collection.

I have 3 or more of the cage-type,

and 3 or more of the pin-type...

and a whole lot more in the jar behind.

Visit Tam

to see more

really neat collections.

Jacob added a little color to the garden

with a few of his blue-green insulators.

And this hydrangea

has a bit of blue poking through, Sally!

See more blue by clicking here.

Robyn

Share a Garden Sunday

I ran out between the raindrops

to capture pictures of the garden.

I want to share them with you,

because today is

Share A Garden Sunday

with Artie.

This is Sven or is it Lena?

I forget.

It is a shrub rose that was developed

by Bailey's Nursery in

collaboration with the

University of Minnesota.

It is supposed to be a heartier variety

to withstand our winter months

without any fuss or muss.

Remember the next few shots

were taken during cloudy, rainy skies.

Not a peek of sunshine.

Look at this weeks "Grow" sign.

It's almost buried in foliage.

The Sage is blooming perfectly,

the Spiderwort is hiding....

The Tiger Lilies look like

they will be blooming soon.

Maybe even by next Sunday!!!

Notice the raindrops beading up on the leaves

of this Lady's Mantle -

just like quicksilver.

Looky here - I'm going to have me some tomatoes!!!!

The Scarlet Runner Beans

actually survived the Bunnies...

(Keep your fingers crossed.)

I'm going to have lots & lots of Stella D'Oro's!!!

The Little Bit Shady Garden....

To round up this "rainy day" tour

You can see that this Annabelle Hydrangea

is going gangbusters this year.

I see a wreath in my future!

Let's check out more Gardens...

Robyn

Pink Saturday!

Beverly's hosting another

Pink Saturday!

Look at these cute file folders.

My desktop is stylin'!

Thanks to Jacob for creating these for me!

If you love them as much as I do,

I am willing to share.

Go ahead and help yourself.

If you have a Mac

All you need to do

is click & drag it to your desktop!

There are just a few steps

you need to follow

to change out the icons -

Just click here for

the Mac instructions,

&

click here for

the PC instructions.

This afternoon I'll be spending my day

@ the

Back to The Fifties car show.

It's held @ our

Minnesota State Fair Grounds.

I understand

it's one of the most popular car shows

in the US of A!

Sometimes we even

attract Jay Leno!

Maybe we'll see him there.

I'll let you know.

Robyn

FOOD, FLOWERS & FUN

Enjoy some delicious cool cherries.

I planned on baking a pie or tart

but they were gone before I knew it.

Meanwhile, we placed some ribs on the grill.

I used a dry rub this time.

Just a little smoked paprika, onion & garlic powder,

sugar, S&P, and Oregano...No real recipe -

just what tasted good as I added it.

I wish you could smell these - Mmmmm!

I supposed the sugar caramelized just a bit...

(But that is my favorite part.)

I couldn't pass up a good party!

Marty is hosting the

First Ever Cloche Party!!!

Here is the cloche

Out in the Sunporch....

This one was from PB.

This one is in the livingroom...

and it was from (guess where...)

Homegoods.

This one holds my precious little wren nest & eggs.

Remember these from Gerten's Greenhouse?

We tried to make our own.....

With tomato cages and chicken wire.

What do you think?

Did they turn out okay?

The lamium are in full bloom!

It was even hard to get a

good pic of them -

they're just glowing!

Even clovers look cute in this insulator vase.

Visit Gollum for Foodie Friday

&

Tootsie for Fertilizer Friday

&

Marty for The Cloche Party

That's where I'm headed!!!!

Robyn

Outdoor Wednesday! IT"S POPPY TIME!

It's Poppy Time!

We have to enjoy them while they last...

A few opened the other day,

the rest of them this morning.

(It rained all afternoon.)

Not that I complaining, I'm just saying,

it would be nice if the Poppies would

stick around for a few more days...

I'm off to visit

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer

for

Outdoor Wednesday!

Robyn

A Triple Header!!!

My weekend was busy.

It was all bunnies,

BBQing and Blue.

This sweet little bunny

wasn't always this way.

I had her for several years

and she was starting to show some wear.

I knew that she needed to be re-stuffed.

I was just reluctant to do it.

I've never re-stuffed a topiary before.

After removing all of the old moss.

I discovered it was a bigger project than I expected.

(Notice the package is blue.)

The moss was not only stuffed in the frame,

but formed around the frame.

Yikes! This meant that I had to be creative!

But so far-so good, I think her head turned out okay.

I'll spare you the details of the rest of her body -

and

Ta Da

Here She Is!

Inbetween the Bunny Project,

I BBq'd some chicken

and veggies.

Miles on Bunny Patrol.

Jacob's Daisies are B*L*O*O*M*I*N*G!

The Herbs are lOOkin' gOOd!

Some of my Babies are starting to Bloom!

Here's this week's Grow sign.

We have blooms this week!

Notice my pretty Blue Flowers!

The Lanium is Blooming, too!

Miles wants you visit

Artie @ Color Outside the Lines

for Share a Garden Sunday,

Susan @ Between Naps On the Porch

for Met Monday Projects,

&

Sally @ Smiling Sally

for other creative Blue ideas!

Robyn

Pink Saturday! This & That

It's a beautiful day

so 

Jacob 

will be driving me around.

Our first stop

will be 

The St. Paul Farmer's Market.

But before I do that,

I will do 

my usual

Saturday Morning routine...

Yep, I always have a little 

Chips & Salsa,

an Icy Cold Diet Coke,

and a lot of 

Pink Saturday

with 

Beverly

@

How Sweet the Sound.

Miles just eats a  few snacks.

Hope you have a great day, too.

Robyn

Foodie & Fertilizer Friday!

I'm joining 

Tootsie

for

Fertilizer Friday

& 

Gollum

for

Foodie Friday

today.

I thought that you would like to see

my version of the

Succulent Wreath.

Carefree

and

works in the shade! 

Since today is Fertilizer Friday

and we're all going 

to be busy in our gardens today,

and Rhubarb is in season and all,

I thought this 

5 ingredient dessert

would be perfect for today. 

Dice 2 cups of Rhubarb.

(I thought that this picture was kinda pretty.)

Place in a traditional 9x13 pan.

Add one 15 oz. can 

of

Crushed Pineapple

 in its own syrup.

Melt one stick of Butter.

Spread dry yellow cake mix - 

straight from the box -

evenly over fruit.

Pour melted butter over all.

Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

I used Walnuts.

You could also use Pecans.

Bake in a 350 degree oven

for 1 Hour.

Someone couldn't wait...

(and burned his tongue)

Serve with Whipped Topping.

Actually, Cool Whip (gasp) 

tastes best with this.

Well, our rained stopped 

and it warmed up a bit,

so I went out to plant 

the Lamb's Ears.

Look what I uncovered....

At first I noticed the 

white round ball.

I almost picked it up.

Ewwwww!

It's a Wolf Spider

with an egg sac

stuck to it's spineret.

&

It moves fast - 

egg sac and all.

Creepy!!!

It scurried quickly into the Coneflower.

We decided to leave it alone...

Somebody had to have this gadget,

let's just say it wasn't me.

I guess my herbs needed watering.

The lawn was okay.

Here's one last look 

at the 

Pansies.

Their job is done.

Spring has sprung.

They are retiring 

to the backyard.

Hopefully, the new plants 

will be planted in time

for Met Monday!

Sorry this was long winded today,

now I'm off to check out

the other great recipes

and gardens featured today!

Robyn

Outdoor Wednesday! Lamb's Ears So Soft & Fuzzy Just for Ewe!

Soft & Fuzzy

As sweet as can be ~

Lamb's Ears

Grown mostly for it's foilage,

it does however grow a spike of a lavandar flower.

Don't you wish you could just feel this soft

fuzzy wuzzy leaf?

They grow just about anywhere...

From zones 4 -10

& then some.

I guess the sweet litte things

can get quite invasive.  

So if you plant them ~

Keep that in mind.

Also, they like it a little bit dry.

If you overwater them ~

they can get mushy 

and not so cute.

You need to trim them up a bit

to keep them looking pretty.

Also, I read that if you 

don't allow them to flower,

they retain a neater mounding shape.

Otherwise, they like to 

split and separate and die out 

in the middle.

I thought that you would also like 

to take a peek at my

Geraniums.

And these sweet little beauties.

To see other neat outdoor ideas,

please visit Susan

@ A Southern Daydreamer.

Robyn

BLUE MONDAY! ALMOST A DAY LATE & A DOLLAR SHORT

Here we are another 

Blue Monday...

Hosted by non-other than 

our own 

Smiling Sally

Have you ever shopped at Aldi's?

It is the most unique little 

grocery store with absolutely no frills.

To use a shopping cart,

you need to deposit a quarter

- which you get back when you return 

the cart back to it's rack.

 

It's a great little store 

when you are in a hurry for 

a quick supper.

They really don't carry name brands.

But they have products made especially for them

by companies that we are familiar with.

Here's what we wound up eating - 

Not very healthy,

but satisfying.

Plus I was craving a Sloppy Joe, 

and I needed buns.

I understand that they are affiliated with Trader Joe's.

You can recognize some of the same products

throughout the store.

Just be sure to bring your own bags,

or you'll have to pay a dime for

one of theirs.

Robyn

Fertilizer Friday! & Share a Garden Sunday!

Welcome to my Garden!

For Fertilizer Friday.

Tootsie wants us to flaunt our Flora & Fauna

and  Artie is  hosting

Share  A Garden Sunday!

So I am combining 

both with this post today.

(I know that's cheating,

but it's pouring rain today....yeah!)

Of course, here is this year's version

of the 

Thyme Bunny.

My Clematis really took off this year, yeah!

A few pots along the pathway to the patio....

My herbs.

Patio pots. Finally planted.

Jacob's Oxeye Daisy seeds.

My baby has a green thumb!

We're just waiting for the buds to bloom....

I'm giving Lupines a try this year.  

Poor babies are probably doomed.

Nothing wants to grow here.

Cross your fingers that maybe this will be the trick.

Funny story....

See this cute little Peony.   

How do you say it - Pee-O-Nees or Pee-Ann-Ees?

 I say Pee-O-Nees.

I planted the bulb for it a few years back.

Nothing came of it.  I thought maybe the mole disturbed it.

I placed a bunny statue in the garden -  right on top of it.

This spring, I moved the statue and viola!

Here's the peony - bud & all!

Call me Octomom!  I'm going to have 8 poppies!

More daisies! - Way to go, Jacob!

Here's the Grow sign -

See the progress this week!

This view shows you where the bunnies have

had their breakfast, lunch & dinner!

This fern came from 

The Home Depot.

I hope it likes it there,

because I do!

So Tootsie, what's up with this leaf?

What's going on here?  Anybody know?

A Member of the Squirrel Relocation Program.

Going  Ape-Sh*t in his cage.*

(Pardon the french.)

I wish it were the Bunnies, instead.

Visit Tootsie 

& Artie

 to see all of the pretty gardens.

Robyn

PINK SATURDAY Garden Store Style

Happy Pink Saturday!

Jacob drove me 

to the 

Garden Store!

It's a good thing, 

that my trusty assistant

had his cell phone handy.

He snapped these pix for me.

He even reminded me to take

a picture of these chairs!

(For Pink Saturday and all...)

Boy, I was pretty tempted...

Today was meant to be spent on 

my friend Mary's boat....

But we are finally, finally

getting some rain.

So, we postponed it for another day.

Maybe, I'll do some laundry...

or Maybe not.

But I'm sure going to visit

Beverly

@

How Sweet the Sound

for 

Pink Saturday!

Robyn

Mosaic of Miles! & Blue Monday & Etc.

Today is

 Mosaic Monday 

and 

Blue Monday!

As you know, Jacob is a collector

and this is a 

blue porcelain insulator

from his collection.

It is from the Locke company

and it was most likely

used in the 1930's

for low voltage lines.

This particular one is probably 

worth anywhere from $6.00 to  $15.00.

Here is my first Mosaic.

Miles

Visit Sally & Mary 

for more cool posts today!  

Jacob took me for a drive this weekend,  and we went to our usual  

White Bear Lake Antique store,

and our favorite Garden Store.

I'll show  you more photos from that excursion

later this week.  

Jacob took the photos on his G1 phone, 

(and I need to get them from him).

We popped into Culver's 

for a quick bite, and lo and behold

who should we bump into - 

Grampa!  

Grampa was all smiles

to see his Grandson driving!

Robyn