A Fun Summer Weekend

This past weekend was pretty relaxing and fun. The weather was nice – some storms passed through a couple evenings but no damage for us – and I got quite a bit done. Here's a random account of how it all went down:

Among other things, together we watched our dog-in-law for a day; ate grilled steaks, tilapia and catfish and watched a couple movies.

I finally got around to planting my (3) hanging baskets (with wave petunias and verbena) along with transferring my 2 little basil plants to their respective brightly-colored pots (from Michaels, $2.50 each!). Although they're probably sad they no longer get to sit out on the deck with all the other plants, they now grace the window sill in the living room and look very cheery. I'm going to have to come up with some more good recipes that use basil!

Also I had to cut back one of my already-potted plants...it was getting out of hand so I had fresh-cut flowers. Turns out I'm going to have to overhaul it, it's way too "leggy" so I'll have many more vases to fill after chopping it back.



Zada got to hang out at the dog park for a total of about 2.5 hours this weekend, which I'm sure she thought was fun. Judging by all the running, chasing and tongue-lolling I'm only guessing she had a good time. By the amount of time she CRASHED after her 2 sessions I'm thinking she got enough exercise, too :)

Speaking of the dog, I finally got around to hanging all the pictures in the living room/dining room. FINALLY. It was somewhat of a daunting task to start for the mere fact I'm a tad OCD so if I were to hang pictures and they weren't perfect it'd bug me to no end. Turns out I hung all 16 images in hardly no time. And they're straight. And perfectly spaced. AND level!

Started working out again – even though it was "just" with the Best of Gilad – and it's kicked my a$$. Didn't realize how out-of-shape I am!

 I got to see my nieces, too. Headed over there one afternoon for lunch, chats, nail-painting and bubble-blowing. Good times. Niece #1 asked me to paint all her nails - each hand and foot a different color, of course. Thought I did pretty well.

Did quite a bit of reading. I'm almost done with The Girl Who Played With Fire, Stieg Larsson's 2nd book. It's a good 'un. I only bought the first 2; wanted to wait 'til the 3rd came out in paperback, but I'm thinking I might not be able to wait that long.

All in all, a pleasant weekend!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Early in May my aunt contacted me and asked if I'd like to go to a Saints game. More specifically, the "bring your dog to the ballpark" game, otherwise known as a 'Saint Paul Saints Dog Day.' I figured it'd be fun and a good socializing opportunity for Zada. Plus there'd be beer. Oh, and baseball.

Since the Saints play near where we live, it wasn't a long trip. Which is good, because I'd had 'one of those days' and was running behind, and stressed out for whatever reason. Upon calling my aunt to tell her I'd be late, she informed me she'd signed me up for some sort of contest. Great.

Upon arriving, I found my aunt and we proceeded to the tail-waggin' tailgating party in the parking lot. She has some friends who'd organized a little get-together complete with chips, hot dogs, dogs on leashes and – of course – beer.

While the majority of the dogs at this particular party were bite-sized, there were a few big dogs for Zada to meet and play with, including a wilder-than-wild husky mix and a Bernese mountain dog. Of course, my aunt had also brought along one of her dogs (BB) so we had a full line-up.

After heading over for a free hot dog (included with our ticket!) and our complimentary photo (stolen from Facebook, hopefully the photog doesn't mind) it was time to head into the game. We got a little distracted waiting in line for our free soda (I chose beer) because these weird characters kept marching by. My aunt decided she wanted a portrait of the two dogs with an Elvis-type character; Zada looked skeptical of the whole thing.

I was wondering where we'd be sitting at this ballpark, since bleachers aren't very dog-friendly. Evidently we ended up in the wrong section, but no one seemed to care and after settling the dogs we sat down to watch some baseball. Zada – in true cowardly shepherd fashion – hid underneath me and didn't emerge the entire time.

Of course, to go along with my beer I had to buy mini-donuts. The dog in front of us in the stands got a donut treat from the vendor and for each time I reached into my own bag for a donut that dog bored holes through me. Cute lab named 'Fin.' (I think) There was surprisingly less barking than I'd thought with a bunch of dogs in attendance. Maybe like mine they were mostly just overwhelmed with the experience. (That and the fact I spilled a bunch of beer on her.)

Wouldn't you know I hadn't bothered to check the weather and it started to rain. Both my aunt and I put on our free ball caps but after a while the rain just wouldn't let up – thank goodness she'd brought ponchos! Only my beer got to share mine; my aunt tucked BB into hers so he stayed warm and dry the entire game.

After the 6th inning we had to head down to the gate for our "contest" which ended up being "Best of Breed" or something. It was fun, but I really didn't take it too seriously since a gal in a huge pig costume was the judge. Either way, BB won and my uncle won't ever let me live THAT one down :)

All in all, it was a fun time and I think I'd go back again on Saints Dog Day – hopefully it won't rain the next time, though. There's nothing QUITE like riding home in a car reeking of wet, beer-stained dog. Try to explain THAT one to the cops.

PS: There was actually baseball at the park, too :)

Look Who's Keeping Plants Alive

Even though I grew up in the country, I've never gardened. You might think growing up country doesn't necessarily equal gardening skills, but MOST people have some sort of garden – whether it's for flowers or vegetables – but my mother hated it so I never learned it. Wait, I take that back – one year in high school I DID attempt a veggie garden of squash and green beans. It wasn't pretty.

Throughout my years living alone in apartments, I'd try every once in a while to purchase a potted plant for some living thing to share my space...alas, I was never able to keep any of them alive. I even killed cacti. Yes, that's right. More than once.

When I moved into my very own house, I got somewhat excited to try to plant around the house...I didn't get to it until the year before I moved out (Clint was nice enough to put in bricks to make little gardens for me!), and still it was only transplanted hostas. Thing is, the majority of them that I planted (~30 or so) lived! That was a boost.

Now we live in a town home, and the point is moot. I mean, it's already landscaped. BUT, you can buy pots. Then, you can buy flowers. Then you mix them together, and you can put them on your deck. It's crazy.

Last summer, I decided to purchase one of those ready-made pots from the Cub "nursery" (geraniums = hardy) and figured I could start there. Thing is, my problem is watering. I was never really sure how much to water a plant. Evidently I did "okay" last summer, because the hardy geranium lasted almost 'til the end of the season. 

This year is different. I got talked into buying some plants from my cousin-in-law's kids for Boy Scouts. Figured I could buy a pot and plant them. Not really sure what I bought, and of course they're nothing like I thought. Still haven't potted them, but they ARE still alive...

Clint even bought me two already-potted plants (he thought I could uproot them and re-plant in a different pot, but I like them as is). My friend then gave me 3 hanging baskets which I plan on planting this week. Thing is, all these plants are STILL alive. It's quite amazing. No, for real. They're ALIVE.

And there's more. For the hanging baskets we made a trip to Linder's for flowers which are hanging-basket friendly, and while there I got an idea to buy some basil (which I use in a chicken dish Clint likes). Evidently that's a pretty popular herb, since the store only had 2 little plants left. Of course one of them was extremely wilted and looked like it was on its last roots. Wouldn't you know, not only did it perk up, it's GROWN! AND...I used the leaves from those little plants in making dinner last night. What a feeling.



While I wouldn't call myself a green thumb (Clint's had to remind me to water the flowers and has also pitched in from time to time...plus all the rain we've had has helped :), I think I'm well on my way to being able to keep plants alive and healthy. So what if I don't even have a watering can (I use a beer pitcher that says "Clint's Tavern" on it), I think I'm well on my way to being let off my plant probation.

Who knows? Next year I might even up the ante.

Random Boring Facts

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

Nope. My mom scoured the birth announcements in the paper in the 6-month prelude before my birth, watching for which names were most popular (then she wouldn't choose them). She picked what ended up being THE single most popular girl's name for approximately 2 decades.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

I might've cried a bit last night while watching a chick flick. Hence, I watch them rarely.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

My lovely handwriting went quickly downhill when I entered college and was forced to write notes in double-time during lectures. However, I think it's recovering enough to say "yes."

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

I'd have to say pastrami.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

It's a good question. I'm not sure. It would depend on the "another person" personality. There are definitely some that do NOT click with me.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Psh, hell no.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Unless I was abducted by aliens, yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

NO. However, evidently I would go zip-lining, which I thought I'd never do, either...

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

If I'm interested in eating cereal, I like Reese's Peanut Butter Crunch or Fruit Loops.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Depends on the 'shoe.' My riding boots – definitely untie. My walking shoes – nope. Too many ons/offs in a week for that.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Physically? Not really. Emotionally? Sometimes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Vanilla. Yup. I'm that girl.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Upon first SEEING them: how they carry themselves. Upon first HEARING them: if they have a sense of humor.

15. RED OR PINK?

Red. Hence the mongo red walls in our home.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Fear of failure.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My girlfriends who moved away. All of the good ones seem to leave my life...wonder what that says about me?

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Brown.

20.WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

(2) mini 100 Grand bars (for dessert).

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The Twilight soundtrack. You heard me.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Burnt Sienna

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Sweaty horse; leather (preferably combined on those); cool, crisp fall days; freshly-mown grass; the smell my skin gives off right when I start to sweat in the sun; the ocean

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Clint

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Horse racing, football

27. HAIR COLOR?

Dirty-dishwater blonde

28. EYE COLOR?

Green

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Nope. Haven't gone there. I DO wear glasses which started out in college as just-for-reading, then progressed to need-to-see-the-lecture-board, then oops-I-need-to-wear-these-while-night-driving and now it's pretty much all the time.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Other than steak? PASTA!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Dramas. Or epics.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

It's Complicated. Actually really cute. And made me cry (see #2)

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Marooney-red, orange, gold, tan & cream

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Fall

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

Yes please.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?

Mom's Bonnie Butter Cake!

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

"All Things Wise and Wonderful," by James Herriot.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

Mouse pad? Who has those anymore?

42. FAVORITE SOUNDS?

Horses eating hay; loons (any call); wind through white pine boughs; waves (whether lake or ocean)

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Corfu Island, Greece

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I don't consider any of them 'special.' Just thankful for what I can do.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Brainerd, MN