Beep, beep, beep, beep

I don't know about you, but my life is surrounded by beeps... lots and lots of beep, beep, beep - all high pitched little beeps that sound so similar... it's sometimes hard to know what is beeping and why... so I thought I'd try to see how many things in my life beep to tell me something.

Let's start with the most important morning beep - "beep, beep, beep" -

the coffee is ready!

There is also the "beep, beep" 4 hours later to tell me the coffee pot is turning off.

Then there is the welcome beep, beep, beep, beep, beep to tell me the bread in the bread machine is done. (of course, it is preceeded by the lovely smell of baking bread..) - not to mention there is also the beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep when I am to add raisins or nuts, if they are to be added to the dough...

The microwave beeps when the stuff I put in it is ready...BEEEP...


The oven beeps when the temperature hits the desired setting ... and then it beep, beep, beeps when the timer is finished....


A NEW beep is the washing machine - it's a great washing machine and it beeps (BEEP - beep, beep, beep) when the items being washed are done - and if I don't go take them out, it will continue to beep at intermittent times until I do (or until I turn off the beep!)
Actually, this is quite handy, because I get the washed clothes into the dryer ASAP.

Yup, you guessed it - the dryer beeps too! Beep. beep, beep, beep when the clothes are dry. And yes, it continues intermittently also until I get them out or turn it off....

And now the car we own beeps if we get too close to the front or rear bumper "beep, beep, beep, beep, becareful!, beep" ......... and if we forget to put on our seat belt (read: Wally) it will BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.... until the forgetful person does it!

And often the television beeps! Why? Well, to tell us there is an important weather alert that is scrolling across the screen "beep, beep, beep" --- bad weather coming!

And this little handy item - well, it doesn't beep, but it plays cute music when someone calls; and it plays other music when someone leaves a message; and it plays something else altogether when a text message arrives.....

And, in case you are wondering, I HAVE taken out the bread before it was finished because the coffee pot beeped.............

AGHHHHHHHHHH!!

p.s. Did I mention that I did NOT buy the dishwasher that beeps when the dishes are clean??

Timberframe

Here are a few more pictures of the timberframe home that Wally and Daniel will be building (once the timberframe company erects the structure.) The first 4 pictures are from Wally's camera and the last picture is from Daniel's cell phone. (I had posted that picture earlier and then added these 4 pictures.)

The timberframe company has unloaded their supplies and had to place them wherever it made sense. All along the road you see their panels.

Wally and Daniel will be working out on a lake building a timberframe home for a customer. The timberframe company has arrived at the building lot and has begun erecting the structure. Wally and Daniel will be finishing the home after the basic structure is put in place.

Daniel just took this picture with his cell phone and emailed it to me.

Isn't technology terrific?

What a game

It sure turned out to be a game that kept our attention to the end!

We got excited when the Cardinals went ahead.

We drew names from a hat at the beginning of each quarter to see who would get to sit in the big leather chair. Marilyn got the final quarter and enjoyed every minute!

Ardy served a scrumptious layered ice cream dessert for our half-time break.

We finished off the 4th quarter with warm, freshly baked and iced sweet rolls.

A very sweet finish, indeed.

Sweet friends.

Party update!

Since the television in the basement playroom was available, we invited Daniel and family to have their own little party... Sean thinks i's a great idea! Notice, the men are all in their football jerseys. Cute.

The shrimp is going fast...

Yup, we're in full swing around here; the people arrived carrying their tasty food! Now that's a good way to through a party!

The soup bar...

Milly's corn chowder ...

the men ready to watch the game...

and the ladies to chat.

Game, what game?

Umpteenth Annual

I wish I had kept a journal of all our company get-togethers. We have enjoyed such good fellowship with people in our home! And today we are hosting our "umpteenth" super bowl party - if I had kept that journal I would know just how many super bowl parties we have had. So, a word to the young... start a journal and you will likely be glad you did, years from now.

Wally always has fun arranging the seating. This year we decided to forego the "tiered" seating and just make rows like this.

And for the food part of the experience, I have gotten the plates and bowls ready for our SOUP and BREAD menu. (Souper bowl?)

I am making my friend Milly's Corn Chowder. Milly, if you are reading this, I miss you! I think of you every time I make this delicious soup.

I just love this new cast iron dutch oven. I will be making the soup in it.

I think I'll also whip up some sweet rolls for half-time as they will smell SO good baking!
There is room for a few more, if you don't have any big plans...

It's what?

Here is a picture of just what Wally and Daniel have been working on when it's too cold to do construction - restoring an old 1952 International truck that Wally purchased a number of years ago. Following his purchase, he dis-assembled it to restore it.... and it's been in pieces for a long time! I didn't think they could really get it back together but they just may surprise me!

Maybe we'll be able to enter it into a town parade someday?

Anyone want a ride?

More visitors

We had a nice easy supper of soup and homemade bread along with some nice play time in the playroom! Brooklyn is old enough to be allowed to use the markers on the white board.

One little boy at play.

Another little boy at play.

Some big people at play.... Go Mariokart!

Late night visitor

The deer population in our neighbor is being well-fed, as we, along with a few neighbors, have taken it upon ourselves to put out feed for them. Last night one lone deer triggered our motion lights as he was looking for some tasty branches to nibble.

I thought you might find it interesting to see how deep the snow is for Mr. Deer. A few more inches and his tummy would be brushing the snow! Brr.

Fellowship and food...

We had a lovely Sunday evening Bible study and it sure was enhanced by these wonderful pies!

Thank you, J.

Other then JoAnn serving the ice cream, it seems the men were happy to get to the serving table!

The warm fire adds to the warmth of our friendships.

Sunday night preparations..

Most every Sunday evening from September to May, we welcome into our home some dear friends for a Bible study.

I'm glad that it is dark outside so that I can light candles. Lots and lots of candles.

Did you know the dust doesn't show as much in candlelight?

I set up the table; provide the beverages and some member of our groups is always willing to bring some treats. I can't wait to see what JoAnn is bringing tonight!

We need to add chairs and little tables to accommodate our growing group.
Wish you could stop by too!

The mystery continues

Have you seen me?

I have been looking HIGH and low for this wonderful rich hand creme. It was last used over the Christmas holidays and since then it has totally disappeared! I am constantly looking under couches, inside couches, up high on shelves.... inside cabinets.... this is a big house, so I could be looking for a long time!

Years ago I had enterprising young friends of John's hide cute little notes in unusal places in my home - notes that I found here and there for.... let's just say a LONG time. (They were well-hidden, I really am a good housekeeper....) So... I am always slightly suspicious when something like this disappears... on purpose? by mistake? just in front of my eyes and I can't see it?

AHH! All that shea butter!

I'll keep you posted....

Basketball buddies

Little SP is no longer a baby - all of a sudden he is in the action too.

Once they get walking, the fun really begins!

Here they come, basketball buddies.

He's such a big boy now!

A great day for a parade

Here is the band in Washington, D.C. waiting for their opportunity to march.

Today the Fergus Falls Marching Band will march down Pennsylvania Avenue and play and sing "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" for our newly installed President!

What an honor. Hopefully we'll catch a glimpse of them on television. It is anticipated that they will be marching past the President (and on tv, we hope) about 4 p.m. central time.

(I just heard the parade is 1 1/2 hours behind, so perhaps the FF band won't be on until after 5 p.m.....)

I'll be watching.

Check out the boat

Notice the top picture of this post. It is a view of one of the magnificent glaciers we were fortunate to view from our cruise ship this past summer. But you really don't get the sense of the size of the glacier unless you notice the small dark spot in the water ... it is a boat. I blew up the part of the picture that has the boat - now you can, possibly, make sense out of how huge the glacier was! We thought, from our cruise ship, that we were right up close to the glacier - but we were NOT. It was just so big, it appeared like we were close. When some of the glacier would break off and fall into the water, the sound and the falling ice were not simultaneous due to the distance of the sound to reach us. It was amazing and I don't think I can convey the awesomeness of it even in these pictures.

I guess you'll just have to go to Alaska to see it yourself!

Home town band!

Our local high school marching band, the Fergus Falls Marching Band, has been invited to march in the Inaugural parade on Tuesday, January 20. They are one of only 100 bands to be thus invited; having applied along with 1300 other bands. This is a very nice honor and we are so proud of them here in our little community!

Tomorrow morning they will be interviewed on the CBS morning show. Tune in!