Corn Hole and Quilting

We have been all fired up for the game Corn Hole.  It is big in the south right now, especially colleges.  It is an absolute blast to play.  I bought unfinished corn hole boards, so that we could have the project of painting them.   We  have painted one purple and one turquoise.  Last night I put on a coat of poly-urethane and worried.  The instructions say shellac, the Home Depot guy told me to get poly-urethane.  I don't know the difference and so hope it will turn out to be correct.  They need to have a certain amount of slide.  I put on one primer coat and three coats of paint, I know I will need to add another coat of poly-urethane.  Pictures to follow.  I also painted the cross that the five day threes use for chapel.  Our cross disappeared in May, we were using one made from craft popsickle sticks for the last couple of chapels.  The brother of one of the teachers made new crosses for the preschool. 

Yesterday I went into my sewing room and actually worked on something - whoohoo!  Ian reminded me that I need to do June's quilt, that he is waiting to see what it is.  The kids are off squirrels AGAIN, it is not a squirrel.  A small hint to the theme is how happy I have been in June.  I had a couple rough weeks of being sick, but am so happy it is summer break.  This summer in particular I have really been enjoying myself.  I have been reading some great books by the pool, making nice dinners and just relaxing.   I love summer!

Ahhh

We are in full summer mode!   Nothing but relaxing going on around here.  I am about ready to whip up a batch of simple syrup and then it will officially be summer.  I have the lemons, limes, seltzer and ice lined up for lemonade - can't forget the dash of mint from the backyard. 

Dashes and Dots

A couple of weeks ago I told a friend we never see turtles by my house, so of course yesterday we saw a turtle.  We were driving down Hillside and big turtle was in the middle of the road.  We pulled over to move him to the side.  I wasn't expecting so heavy - guessing 25 lbs - nor the speed of his snapper.  I quickly put him back on the ground so I wouldn't lose a finger.  By now several cars, bikes and motorcycles have stopped to look.  We stayed until he/she had crossed the road.  I had pulled into a long road that winds to the pond you can see from my house, two cars were trying to get by me.  I sped ahead to get out of their way and then rolled down the window to apologize for blocking their driveway.  They were going to the pond to release their pet turtles and asked if we wanted to go along.  Of course!! Turns out the boys had the turtles for 12 years and felt they should be free.  Those two turtles hit the dirt and dove right into the pond.  We could see one of them chasing fish within minutes.  The family was teary-eyed.  Turns out their boys go to McD also and they live down the road from us.  As we were driving out, we passed the big turtle.  He/she was really making good speed.   When we got home we read up on Maryland Snappers.

Ned and I have poison ivy.  Ned is also covered in little red dots, he was eaten alive by some little bug.  He must be tasty.   His PI is on his leg, mine is of course on my face.  I must have gotten a cut or something, because I have an infection around my eye.  My immune system isn't working well.  It looks really gross.  The only good thing is the infection hurts so bad the PI isn't bothering me at all. 

Here is the spring picture of my disintegration art.  I have now had them hanging for a year.

My poor sewing studio is collecting dust and dead stink bugs, maybe after school is out I will have time to quilt.

CARROT LEMON GINGER SOUP

Here is the crack soup recipe.  Anyone who makes it let me know what you think.  I have a batch going right now.  I was short basil, so added a little mint.  I also had some celery so decided to throw it in.

1 large onion chopped
2-3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup butter
8 cups of vegetable broth (approx.)
FRESH ginger to taste ( I add quite a bit, just keep tasting it until it is where you like it)
1-1/2-2lbs of carrots sliced
1-3 tomatoes, chopped
1-3 potatoes, chopped
1/4 cup shredded basil
salt and pepper
1 cup of either creme fraiche/sour cream or plain yogurt.  It works well with any of them.  I use sour cream most often, because I usually have it on hand.
1/4 lemon juice
dash of curry and hot sauce (I use tabasco)

Saute onion and garlic in butter.
Add carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, broth, garlic ginger, basil, lemon, s&p
Bring to a boil and simmer for approx 45 minutes, until vegetables are soft.
Puree in blender in batches and add back into pot.
Add creme fraiche or sour cream or plain yogurt, stir, simmer until hot again. 
Add a dollop of above to soup before serving.

A Typical Weekend

I pulled weeds and now have a, fortunately small, patch of poison ivy. 

I also woke up with a tick on my ear, Ian very nicely removed it for me.  

The cat barfed up a hairband hairball. 

Two kids, two cats and a labrador slept in bed with me last night, because we had a big storm with thunder and lightning.  The kitten was so happy to have so much company all in the same spot that she spent all night marching to a purring beat all over each of us.  It is hard to sleep with a cat percolating on your head. 

Juno left a dead chipmunk on the doormat.

I got five pieces in the jigsaw puzzle that has been on the table since January.  I think gluing and saving puzzles is totally dorky, but I may do it with this one.  Finishing it will be an accomplishment.

Vacuumed up about fifty stink bugs and I am looking at one belly up on the table in front of me.  They are everywhere!

I Made my "May Flowers" squirrel quilt.  I watched two squirrels tease Minnow, they were having the best time tormenting her.  She was in the crook of a tree and they would run around and chatter to her and then run to the other side.  All you could see of her was her tail going back and forth, she finally gave up.

I Finished 750 pages of the most boring book ever!   The last Jean Auel book was excruciating, if she didn't have a cult following this book would never sell a copy.  It was a MAJOR disappointment.  If I didn't have that neurotic habit of having to finish a book if I start it, I would have quit at page 100.