Weeding the Garden

I decided I couldn't put off weeding the flower garden any longer! It's difficult for me to distinguish between the flowers and the weeds early in the season, but I decided that most of what was growing in there was weeds, and so out they went. There is some buckthorn, nasty stuff, growing along the back side of the garden, and it's crowding out the light of the sun. Buckthorn is tricky to get rid of. Today Debbie told me about the "Boy Scout Way", something about cutting the plant down as close to the root as possible and then letting what's left soak up some kind of pesticide. She said I would need to google it for more specifics and maybe I will, but I do try to avoid chemicals, so I'll have to give that more thought.I think it looks a little better after weeding. I've been trying to grow a perennial flower garden for years, and I'm never quite satisfied with the way it looks. Maybe it's not neat enough, I don't know. More wood chips might help, too.

While I was out there, I picked some more rhubarb and I'll try to make another rhubarb dessert tonight.

Wordless Wednesday

Memorial Day

We had a barbecue with the family yesterday and grilled some steaks. The weather was perfect for eating out on the porch! We were also able to spend some time cleaning up the yard after all the rain we've been having. There is a locus tree in the back yard that drops little seed things all over the patio and makes quite a mess.

Back to work today, though. Holiday weekends seem to go by so fast.

Gone Fishing

We went up north for the day to do some fishing. It was in the 90's and steamy in the cities and only in the 70's up north, so it was a good decision. Katie wanted to catch some fish she could bring home with her to cook and she was on a mission. We had been fishing off the dock for maybe an hour and had caught a few bass, when she looked down and saw a huge Northern swimming around the basket of fish by the dock. We tried to tempt it with our rubber bait, but it disappeared for awhile. After about fifteen minutes, Katie realized that the Northern was on her line! We were able to net it and string it along side the dock. I was getting a little discouraged, though, as no fish seemed to be interested in nibbling on my line. Finally one did, and it actually turned out to be a pretty decent sized bass. It just looked small next to Katie's huge Northern ... We decided to check on the Northern (Katie named him Bruce) and saw that it had gotten wrapped around the chain under the dock. Wily fish. The real Bruce had to lift off a couple portions of the dock to untangle him. All in all, we caught five bass and the Northern. Not bad. And I swear that this is a true story. :)

Rainy Day

It's been raining again. It's been a good thing, though, as things were starting to dry out. We've all had a lazy day, not moving too fast and just doing whatever. I did make an Aldis run to stock up on groceries and as always, I felt good about how much I was able to get for my money. I picked up one of their take and bake pizzas for supper tonight and I'm thinking that it might be a perfect night for just staying in to watch a movie or SNL. A quiet evening at home is kind of nice sometimes.

Wordless Wednesday

Rhubarb Dessert

Oh, my. This is a yummy one. After a very productive weekend, I made my first Rhubarb Dessert of the season. Tart and sweet, it is amazing. I will even share the recipe. Rhubarb Cake 4-5 cups rhubarb, chopped. 3/4 cups white sugar. (3-ounce) box raspberry jello mix. 1 box yellow cake mix. 1/2 cup butter, melted. 1 cup water. How to Make It Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In an ungreased 9 x 13 pan, lay the chopper rhubarb. Sprinkle the white sugar over. Sprinkle the dry jello mix over that. Then sprinkle the dry cake mix over evenly. Pour the melted butter over. Finally, pour the water over it all. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until lightly brown and rhubarb is bubbling around the edges. You'll have to let me know if this is absolutely the best Rhubarb Dessert recipe you've ever had.

Prom

They look so nice! Prom was last night, and it was fun to have Kate's parents over for pictures and appetizers before the kids left for dinner and the dance. They went to eat at the Olive Garden and then had the dance at the Arboretum, so it must have been gorgeous. I believe it was a masquerade theme, and Kate made their masks. I wonder how long people actually wore them?

Kate has VERY long hair. Her mom told me she is going to donate most of it to Locks For Love. Good girl. :)

Wordless Wednesday

More On Mother's Day

It's been a great Mother's Day. It started with coffee and the Sunday paper delivered to me in bed, followed by Bruce making me a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and hash browns. Roses and a gift card for the A.G.Thompson House, our favorite Bed and Breakfast, was next. In the afternoon, we took a walk around Lake Harriet, and had a root beer float while we sat on the edge of the lake and watched the boats and ducks and people go by. And, I'm thinking that Lake Harriet is one of my favorite places to go. Dinner was grilled salmon, baked potatoes, spinach salad, and cake. We had gorgeous sun and a bright, blue sky.

And you know what felt really good? To hear my three kids tell me they loved me. :) I think I am One Lucky Mama.

Mother's Day Lunch

Some years ago, I can't remember when, Mom and I started the tradition of going to lunch at Red Lobster as a celebration of Mother's Day. Katie joined us last year, and now we are three generations of women. Happy Mother's Day to my sweet Mom, and thanks to God for giving me my three babies.

Wordless Wednesday

Up North

Bruce and I were able to go up north last weekend for a night, and even though the weather was kind of cold and rainy, it was fun. The black squirrel made an appearance, and there were quite a few loons out on the lake. Bruce caught a 31 inch Northern! Too bad we couldn't keep it, though, as the season hadn't officially opened yet ... We picked up a pizza and some salad at the grocery store, and drank some liebfraumilch wine. Then had Sunday morning breakfast at Player's Bar. There was time to read our books, too. I'm hoping that life slows down some and we can start getting away for more weekends. Time will tell, I guess.

Beautiful

The lilacs are so beautiful this week. Too bad they don't last any longer than they do.

First Barbecue of the Season

We had a lovely day outside today and the temps were in the upper 80's. Bright sun, birds singing, it was wonderful. I decided it was time to pull out the gas grill and make some chicken! I had to clean off the spider webs left over from last season first and then it was good to go. For some reason, I have become the grill master of the house, but that's fine with me and, honestly, I think I do a pretty good job. I've learned that things turn out better when you're not in a hurry and you cook things nice and slow over a not so hot grill. Anyway. The food turned out yummy and we ate out on the screened porch. As we were eating, I looked out over the yard and saw that the rhubarb was huge! Time to make some rhubarb dessert, but not tonight.

Wordless Wednesday