Produce in our back yard -----and the eclipse.

Well ----- this update started with our peach tree.  This was the first year it had peaches on it......it had SO many on it that we had to do the much hated thing........picked half of them off when they were just starting out.   OUCH!!!!   All that good fruit gone......but it does make things better in the long run.

This tree ended up with 75 peaches on it (after the plucking).  What fun to have a peach tree in our own back yard --- and look at the yummy peaches we will enjoy this winter.......these jars are AFTER the ones that went in the mouth --- YUM!!!   We have another variety of peach tree......it is just starting to get ripe (have to watch it close - don't want to lose any!!)  That one only has 25 peaches on it ---they are quite a bit bigger -- and we decided they have a sweeter taste.

Our apple tree is FULL --- had to put a brace under one of it's branches.  Gary enjoys them already --- way to sour for my taste ----- and I will wait until they are red to make any applesauce with them.  Yes---- I see the one with the bad spot on it too.........Maybe it will just fall off.....

And then the Wild Plums.....we have never had so many plums in Grandpas tree line!!!  We are watching those also!!   We had feared the frost had finished them off --- but not so.  They make good jam --- and I'm thinking about some syrup!!!

And the Corn ------ these first rows that Gary is standing in should be as tall as those behind him.   The deer have been fattening up on corn --- should be rather tasty venison.......and some big bucks have been spotted.  The deer pull out the middle piece .....  enjoy....    and move on.

And lastly --- the eclipse.    Not much to talk about in the Lakeview Area.  We had pondered on driving about 2 hours south of us and experiencing the total eclipse......but Valentine was a zoo the day before and the thought of  the crowded roads.....we stayed home.  Dan T. gave us some glasses --- so we were all set.   Mostly there were clouds.....but it did open up enough to get a few looks and pictures.     As far as getting dark ?!?!?!    NOPE!   Guess it was pretty neat if you were in the right place at the right time.  Saw a video of my brother Bill in Illinois --- after experiencing the eclipse one of his airplane friends said " now if we can fly 2000 mph -- we can get another look at it."

Hope you are enjoying the fall ----  It has greened up so nicely.  I just mowed the lawn and marvel at how nice it looks!!

Gary and Barb

Boundary Waters and.... Lutsen Resort

Mike and Julie and all the kids invited us along on a Boundary Waters Adventure.   However,   Gary and I knew the rules that the BW has ---- nine to a group!!!  Nine - not ten!!  Mike and Julie have six kids..... that makes 8 total......  dad would be #9 --- I would be #10.   Can't work.   Nope, someone has to miss out.     Maybe it just wouldn't come about --- summer was moving right along and no plans had been laid out.   But then Mike called and said --- "August 2 - 5......wanna go yet?"     Well - yes - of course we wanted to go....but this was supposed to be a "family vacation".......can't be together if 10 of us go,......... we would have to split up - and no one wants that!!!!

So --- I didn't want Gary to drive the 12 hours all by himself.    He did that earlier this summer and I didn't want to make him do that again.   So I would stay in a hotel in Grand Marais for the duration.   Turned out to be the busiest week in town.  Fishermans Picnic!!  Everything was booked solid.   So I found a spot about 20 miles south --- the Lutsen Resort - on Lake Superior.      Should be nice and should be safe.   It was about an hours drive from the Clearwater Lake Outfitters.

We left for Northern Minnesota on Monday afternoon - July 31.  Spent the night at the Historic Calumet Hotel (on the register of Historic Places) -- in Pipestone, MN.

 We met Mike and Julie and family, the next day in Grand Marais at a Subway  - and then headed down the Gunflint Trail to Clearwater Lake Lodge.  Arriving about 6:00 that evening, there was some packing that needed to happen before morning.

Packing happened in the Bunkhouse, where we would all sleep -- all 10 of us.  There were only 9 beds so Trenton offered to sleep on the floor.  With 10 bodies in this little room it got rather warm...hot even.    There was a fan sitting outside --- why not get some cool air blowing in thru the window.........  When packing was finally finished --- we all hit the bunks.  Some had a sleeping bag but most were confident they would be plenty warm -- so just a light blanket --- or some just a "towel".     The fan continued to blow.  About midway thru the night people started getting cold.  Trenton - down there on the floor - was cold too!!  But did anyone get up and shut off the fan --- nope.   I was totally comfy -- had a real good sleeping bag...... so I figured everyone was OK.   You should have heard them the next morning...... COLD COLD COLD!!!  We laughed and laughed about the fact that they were all so cold -- but NO ONE got up and shut off the fan!!!     Oh Well --- Let's go for breakfast!!  

Breakfast was served in the dining room in the lodge --- scrambled eggs, bacon, and a pastry (that I can't pronounce)...Very Good!!   And then they were ready to head out.

They had to watch a  video about the do's and don'ts.........

 This is all the gear that has to go in the 4 canoes.

 And this is Mike, Julie, Trenton, Austin, Sidney, Colton, Brennan, Halle and Grandpa....ready for an adventure.

I watched them leave with a lump in my throat --- this was Wednesday -- they would be back Saturday morning sometime.   I sure wished I was going along -- I really enjoy canoeing and camping!!! (except for the sleeping on the hard ground --- and the mosquitos)

I would be heading to the Lutsen Resort...

This was my first stop on the way ------ The harbor in Grand Marais..... I walked out to the Lighthouse.......  it was a beautiful day......

 Yes ---- It was very nice.   But solitude is nice, really,  only for a short time.    I did go kayaking -- not in Lake Superior though because of the weather---- but in a lovely little lake not far from the resort.  A mother with her 2 teenagers were the only ones also going --- so I kayaked with Jodi and had a very nice time......even in the rain.    I also went in to Grand Marais and walked around the shops and vendors that were there for the Fishermans' Picnic.  Rain drove me back to the resort.    Finally Saturday morning came...........

What a beautiful day.......

 They were all smiles......

And the returning group ---- after a good (and much needed) shower.....  And cool shirts for them all....... which said:   "Snaccident": when you ate all the bacon by mistake.   Nice looking family- - - don't you think?!

They really had a great time.  The bugs were almost non- existent and there wasn't much for rain.   According to Gary --- No hardships....which is always nice!!!   They had plenty of food.....but also a couple of eye openers.  The ground IS hard....... and  Mike must have watched Gary take off with the 60 lb. canoe and thought -- hhhmmm   I can do this.......      A few portages later -- he said his thought was    "good grief !!!!  He's 70 years old --- what's the matter with me?!?!   The whole group made a decision --- if and when we go again......  no aluminum canoes --- only the lighter weight kevalar canoes..... which weigh 40 lbs.....it will be worth the extra $$.

It was a lot of fun just listening to them talk about their adventure........next time --- we gotta find a way to get this Grandma along!!!

Barb and Gary  ---- glad we all made it back home safe and sound!!

New Swing Set at Lakeview CRC

It's been a busy day at church.  Lots of dads and grandpas working on some fun stuff for the kids.  I think the men  have had a good share of fun just putting this thing together.  But, as far as I understand --- there have been some frustrations --- oh! those blueprints / instructions / directions.    Gotta have 'em......but good grief!!    It sure looks good and I think the kids will have a blast!!!   Matthew said "if we aren't home in the next 4 hours --- we're probably playing on it".

So -- who was there???  Let's see....... Gary, Dean, Dakota, Shane, Gregory, Jimmy, Matthew, Jay, Pastor Mark.....(hope I didn't miss anybody) .    Dawn said Marlys came with pizzas for lunch that Vern had made.  What a crew!!!!
There were a couple of pickups that had mulching in the back....so whether or not they get to that yet today ---- it's ready to be put on.

And what a beautiful day to do this --- working under the shade of the trees --- it's around 88 degrees with a nice breeze.  Perfect!!!!

God Bless!
Gary and Barb

Something new ---- Sand Cherries

Dan Tinant asked us if we wanted to pick some Sand Cherries.......actually he and Gary were out roaming in Dan's "side by side" and saw that these berries were ripe.     So we could come in an hour and he would be available to help us.   Thank goodness this was before noon and the breezes were blowing.  By 2:00 it had turned into an oven outside......we saw 118 on our thermometer about 3:00--- we do know that's a little high --- but close.

Anyway.... We had never picked Sand Cherries before --  I thought they were on a real low to the ground bush.   These were just a nice height --- no bending over and no reaching.  They are dark purple and taste a lot like a choke cherry ---- makes your mouth pucker!!!

We (together) got an ice cream bucket almost full.   There would really be a nice crop this year but it's just so terribly dry that the berries are drying up.  Plus either the grasshoppers or birds are getting a lot of them.   There are still some that need to ripen -- so perhaps another picking.........

I made one batch of jelly ---- oh is it pretty ...... and oh so tasty.     And I canned about 3 1/2 cups for another batch.  

As I said we REALLY need rain badly.  Ranchers are starting to sell their cattle due to lack of good grazing.  We see storm clouds go by but the moisture misses us.  Fire danger is also a worry.   But God is good and today we reaped some wonderful harvest.  Will have to remember that as we enjoy some toast and jelly this winter......or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich......hhhmmmmm   sounds kind of good........

Stay cool -----
Gary and Barb

WOW Europe ------ Wedding------Netherlands-------Germany-------Italy

We went traveling to say the least.   Rick and Claudia picked June 30 for their Wedding Day.  Yes!! We would be going!!

There isn't enough room on this blog to write all the happenings nor to put all the pictures-----so this will be a small writing of some of the  happenings.  We have so many stories to tell and about 600 pictures to look at.   Some of the pictures, of course, are ....."what did I take that for...where is that?!?!....oh - bad!......" and so on.  But I will try to pick out some nice ones.    In time I will be putting together a (probably very large) photo album with the help of Shutterfly.    But for now.....enjoy.

We arrived in beautiful Nijmegen, Netherlands after being picked up at the airport by Rick and Claudia.

 The streets of Nijmegen are all brick.....with a bicycle path along every street.   Bicycles are EVERYWHERE!!!!

The "rail" on the right is for bicycles to get up and down the steps......

A bicycle parking garage!!!!!!  and this picture is only a small part of it!!!

We went immediately to a Flower Supermarket......every plant you can imagine is available and every container you might want.  And compared to the United States prices----Roses are almost a dime a dozen -- and OH! so beautiful.   Rick and Claudia were picking out flowers for their wedding.

The 1st ceremony took place outside at Fort Lent in Nijmegen......with a vegan meal and dancing and celebrating following.

Parents of the couple.

The 2nd ceremony took place at the Government office and is required by law. 

To be honest, I enjoyed the 2nd ceremony the most.   It was so much fun walking through the open market watching the people smiling at the good looking couple just married.  And then it happened......     I had my singing debut in a pub in Nijmegen.    I expect to be famous any day now.....HAHA.     Actually, Gary said to me "I think you should sing that song "A little less of Me" (by Glen Campbell).   So I had Rick find it on the internet and Claudia's Uncle had his guitar along and let me use it......and I had people crying.     :)  :)     Yes! it was fun!!!

The Pub where I sang....and toasts were made.

Saturday - the day after the 1st ceremony -  was not a good one for me.  My Meneres (ear problem) which makes me very dizzy at times --- hit me full force.   I laid in bed for the entire day --- except for the trip they made me take to the clinic....   I used the bucket way too many times.   We had hoped to go to the Cologne Cathedral the following day but put it off until I was more steady on my feet.  So we went on Monday late in the afternoon.

We arrived to late to make the climb up the tower -- but the Cathedral is just an amazing site!!!  It took 600 years to build and was almost destroyed in WWII.

Then it was on to Rome!!!

 My first night in Rome and this young man found a "sucker".  Well - it was a nice wooden bowl and he was such a good salesman and we had a lot of fun with him.   Shucks !! it was only 20 Euro ($).

First stop - Vatican Museum......this is the wall that surrounds it.   (Claudia forgive me for probably getting lots of things wrong --- no one knows but you !!!    :)   :)

 This hall was full of "busts" of anyone and everyone in Roman History.......

 This was a hall with statues of the "gods"....

Painting on the walls and ceilings were unbelievable....

Many many huge tapestries (perhaps 12' x 12') depicting Bible stories.....

And it all ended in the Sistine Chapel --- where no photos were allowed and the guards tried to demand silence.

Well -- I can see that this is getting way too much.........    So - - - - - the following will not be what we saw but some fun shots.......

 Espresso is THE drink..........Rick doing it right....

 Our bathroom in our hotel was compact to say the least -- but it served the purpose it was made for.

We had a meal in Koln (Cologne) Germany.......   Claudia knew what she was ordering --- we were the ones who were totally wowed!!!!   Check out that ham....bone and all!!

Jan (Claudia's nephew) and Janeka came with us to Rome -- what a fun couple!!!

 Our next stop was Pompei.....

I don't dare to start putting in pictures....... there are so many good ones.    This city was built in (according to our booklet) in the 6th century B.C.  A violent earthquake struck in 62 A.D. and damaged many parts of the city and then on August 24, 79 A.D. the volcano - Vesuvius - erupted and buried the city under ash and rock fragments.

 People were buried alive----dying due to asphyxiation and high temperatures.... and casts were made of the "air pockets" that were found - revealing the position of the bodies.

Notice the huge rocks that make up the streets.

 A panoramic view.....

The Grand Theatre......    so much more to show you.......  but that will have to be in the Photo Album to come later.   

 Our last stop in Rome was the Colosseum - where Gladiators fought and Christians were killed.....

These square pieces were at the very top of the structure ---- How in the world did they get them up so high?!?!

 It was a VERY hot day when we were at the Colosseum ---- so a trip to the Mediterranean Sea was a MUST!!!    What a great way to end our time in Italy and our trip to Rick and Claudia!!!!

Our last meal at a very fine Ristorante.......

Yup!   Gary got to liking the Espresso!! - Get that pinky up!

We had such a fun time !!   Claudia is the best tour guide we could have asked for.....  We kept an eye on her hat and followed like sheep.  It was great getting to meet Claudia's family and also to get to know her better.   She is a keeper  :)

We thank God for safety throughout the whole adventure and now are just hoping our bodies will get back to Central Time!!!!

Gary and Barb