Oahe Days 2012

All is quiet now, with the bands done playing, the rides silent, no traffic, screaming girls hitting unheard of octaves as they screamed while riding the Pharoah's Fury, no drunks wandering past on their trek to transportation (hopefully with a DD or public transportation), and my headache finally almost gone.  It started Friday night with the band's bass vibration and hasn't let up.  And my luau pork is still cooking away slowly.  I can't wait to pull it into chunks for a sandwich for lunch.

I shouldn't complain too much, however.  A year ago I way in a hospital bed, not knowing what day it was, the time, or how to use my cell phone.  It was sent flying across more than one hospital room.  They gave me orange juice for breakfast with a bowl of cereal.  Big mistake!  And it was raining.  And thundering.  And lightning.  We had a little storm pass through Friday night that did quiet the carnival for a few hours, but nothing like last years torrential downpours that flooded the streets and the sandbagged areas meant to protect from the big flood.  In fact, the carnival is sitting where the levee stood last summer.  But remind me to make sure that my medical tests are done next year over the Oahe Days weekend.  I've enjoyed them much more when I'm not in town!

They did have a beautiful day for the festival yesterday.  Not too hot, not too humid, and a nice breeze to help keep it comfortable.  So I did walk through and took a few pictures to share with you! 

 How cute are these spinning dinosaurs?



I hate to say it, but these ponies look bored.  I suppose if I had to walk in a circle all day

hauling crying children around, I'd be a little cranky tool 

I don't care about cotton candy or cold drinks, but let me at that Sno-Cone action! 

Yep, just one block from my house to the stage.  Did I appreciate that convenience? 

Umm, let me think.  No!

Cute little train!  I guess it wasn't exciting enough for the little folks since it was nearly empty.

And last but certainly not least.  Directly in front of my apartment so I can hear every screaming pre-teen girl rival Mariah Carey in octave range, is the Pharoah's Fury.  Basically a big "boat" pendulum that swings ever higher, elicitng their voices to do the same!  I was quite happy when they shut the carnival down Friday night at about 10 PM due to a passing thunderstorm.  Blissful quiet.  I guess they started up a few hours later again, but I was sound asleep by then.  Which is where I need to go back to now.

You're a Weird One, Mr. Shiloh

You've seen pictures of Shiloh here on the blog before, but now you get to see him in all his weird glory--being the dork he is.  He loves to play with his brown squeaky bone, but sometimes he rolls on it and the floor to scratch his back.  Of course, he looks more like he's in the middle of some kind of spastic fit!  Rolling and twisting around, all four legs flailing in the air.  And he will eventually return to the upright position.  But it seems like he's stuck on his back and can't get rolled over--couldn't be further from the truth!  He's just being Shiloh.  I've tried for a couple of days to get him to do it for a video, but couldn't get it.  Finally, here is a short snippet of the little goof . . .

Just click on the arrow to play a game of "scratching my back" Shiloh!

The Great Tomato Project

I love tomatoes in just about anything--chili, soup, baked beans, spaghetti sauce, chopped up and tossed with basil and garlic with olive oil for an easy pasta sauce, sun-dried, in cheese spread, in Swiss steak , . . . you get the idea.  But I HATE raw tomatoes.  I've tried, but I just can't do it.  So why, then, do I have six tomato plants in five varieties?  Well, I can make sauce, chop and freeze for winter use, and give them to some neighbors and friends.

It kind of started as a way to clean up the front of the building after last year's flood.  Sucker trees everywhere, dandelions in a yard unaccustomed to them, branches and other debris (from a smoking neighbor and Mary's psycho cat) from the planters and other areas.  After we got it cleaned up, we put some new potting soil into the planters to bring up the soil level.  Then we planted.  And this is what we currently have:

Green peppers, Bush Big Boy tomato, sweet basil, and rosemary. 

The peppers are at the other end of the tomato cage, so you can't see them here

Dill, Biltmore tomato, chives, and parsley.  Again, the dill is  behind the cage.

Baby Cakes cherry tomatoes and a few marigolds.

Roma tomatoes.

Cherokee Purple tomatoes.

Beyond my patio on the other side, I've planted two Regal cucumber vines.  I guess I'll be making another trip to the hardware store for something called a cucumber fence to support the vines and fruit.  I did get a larger cage for the Roma's in the barrel planter, but didn't get it put on yesterday.  I'll do that when I water tonight.  Hopefully this weeks warm weather will really get things popping.  If you look very closely, you can see a couple of little yellow blossoms on the Romas.  Or not--I guess the picture chopped off the tops.  Dang!

Ok, so time to go check the ribs in the crock pot.  The smell is making me wild!  But they won't be done for another 3 hours.  I didn't have any apple juice to put in, so I cut up an apple very thinly to get the flavor.  I really don't plan to eat barbecued apples!  And hopefully we will get a couple of applications in at work so we can get them trained and calling.  Out of the office Thursday and Friday to go do testing to stay on the transplant waiting list  Yay.  Sounds fun, right?  Not.

Coolest Marriage Proposal Ever!

The lengths this guy went to for his proposal are amazing!  It's hilarious, cool, and makes you cry at the end.  Wow!  (You get 25 cents back for that one, M2)!. 

Coolest proposal ever!

Now much more for today--braved the cold, wind, and Niagara-like mist to go to the Farmers' Market this morning to get a cherry tomato plant.  Then had to go get another cage and more potting soil.  These stinking tomatoes has better produce!  That's a funny--produce produce.  Also planted some marigolds Kenny had left over, and some lavender and poppies in the little planters on the sign so we don't have to mess with planting it every year.  Now for some sunshine and warmth so those little things can grow!

Oh--also very happy that DakotaMart has US grown grapes in again, so now I can pig out on those.  Hopefully the price will drop soon.  Ok, off to eat leftover sandwich from lunch and a popsicle.  Perkin's new Sweet Potato Fries are AMAZING!

Happy Birthday Dr. E! and A New Liver for my Birthday?

Today was my birthday, and my hepatolagist's birthday.  So I made him a card.  Weird, I know, but what the heck!  I do a lot of coloring with my Copic markers, and took a class recently where we learned a technique to color on glitter in outline stickers.  So I did that for the front of the card, and used some papers from BoBunny's Sweet Tooth collection that I'd been saving for the right use, and a little American Crafts glitter tape.  Unfortunately the picture doesn't show the sparkle of the glitter, but you get the idea.  Here it is:

And I got a new liver for my birthday!  Well, kind of.  My co-workers decided to bring a ton of treats for my birthday, and the cake was made to resemble a liver.  Too funny!

Look--it even has a biliary artery and portal vein!  Gotta love Google images I guess .  . .

And I finally got to do a liver support group meeting on Tuesday.  Nice to "meet" you ladies, even if it was just over the phone.  I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.  I took the day off to play at the scrapbook store, so I'll had a four-day work week this week, now four days off, then four days working, two off, then three on, and four off.  It's nice when the timing works out that way!  But, now it's time to go to bed.  Figure out a strategy to keep the city from putting the entertainment state and carnival on the street in front of my apartment since part of the park is closed for repairs to the causeway.  Who says you can't fight city hall?

Green Thumb, Please!

I need a green thumb.  I don't usually have the best luck growing things, so I'm hoping for better this summer.  I planted my "garden" yesterday, which consists of two raised brick planters on either side of the building's front door, and a barrel planter on my patio.  I have three tomato plants about 12" high (Roma, Biltmore, and Bush's Big Boy--all good for container gardens), and a whole lot of herbs.  Basil, cilantro, chives, dill, rosemary, tarragon, and some deep green leaf lettuce.  In the areas with no grass or rock at the sides of the planters and beside my deck, I've planted three different cucumbers (organic, Marketmore, and Picklebush) and some green onions.  I just came in from watering them.  It was clear that I obviously need to get a spray nozzle.  The plantings on the ground will be taken care of at 5 AM when the sprinklers kick in, but the planters need to be watered.  If all those tomatoes come in at once, we will be eating some interesting concoctions, or my staff will be getting lots of 'maters.  I will have to remember to ask Kenny to water them for me when I go to Sioux Falls for my annual testing in two weeks.

YAY!  I just found a recipe for salt-free dill pickes. Will definitely have to try these if the plants produce.

SALT FREE DILL PICKLES Printed from COOKS.COM 3 (3 1/2 lbs.) small, unwaxed cucumbers 1/2 lb. white onions, 1 inch or less in diameter (optional) 6 to 9 stalks fresh dill, preferably with seed heads 9 garlic cloves, peeled 1 qt. cider vinegar 3 c. water 1 tbsp. sugar 3 tsp. mixed pickling spice   Scrub cucumbers with vegetable brush. Remove blossoms, if any, and trim stems even with ends of cucumbers. Rinse dill under running water and shake off excess water. Place vinegar, water and sugar in a saucepan of at least 2 1/2 quarts capacity, and bring to boil. While brine is heating, pack jars with layers of dill, garlic, onions and cucumbers. Rinse dill under running water and shake excess water. Place vinegar, water and sugar in a saucepan of at least 2 1/2 quart capacity, and bring to boil.   While brine is heating, pack jars with layers of dill, garlic, onions and cucumbers, beginning and ending with dill and garlic, onions and cucumbers, beginning and ending with dill and garlic. If pearl onions are not available, use the smallest white onions you can find. Just peel away the outer layers and refrigerate, tightly covered for other uses. Add one teaspoon of mixed pickling spice to each jar. Pour boiling hot brine into jars, filling within 1/2 inch of top, and seal. Makes about three quarts. When jars are completely cool, wash and dry. Refrigerate at least a week before serving. They keep for a month or more.

I heard it through the Grapevines!

Anyone that knows me knows I have an obsession with all red licorice.  Ok, it isn't really licorice since it has a strawberry or cherry flavor.  In fact, I'm not a big fan of black licorice and it's taste at all.  And the Hershey's Chocolate Twizzlers my mother likes?  Bleck!  Twuey!  They shouldn't exist.  That being said, I did buy her some for mother's day.  I can overlook my personal tastes for others.

I ran to Walgreen's to get a cold Cool Blue Gatorade, since it was something I craved, and I can have it.  On the way to the coolers, I was led astray.  One of my favorite red licorice brands is American Licorice Company's Red Vines.  Sitting on top of the red vines were--Purple Grape Twists!  I hadn't been impressed by the grape Twizzlers, so I thought for a minute.  Then I squeezed the bag.  Soft.  Chewy.  The potential to return the grape licorice gloriana of my childhood was too strong.  I had to buy them.  But not for $2.49 when the shelf tag said $2.19.  The checker checked--and I was right.  Oh, grape glory, you are mine!  So, here is what they look like:

Notice that they are free of preservatives and ALWAYS fat free.  Not so bad as treats go.

How do they taste?  Well, I haven't opened the bag yet--choosing to share the moment live with you. Ready?  Opening bag.  Somewhat grapey smell.  It is an artificial flavor after all, and the base product has a wonderful chewy plastic quality.  Pulling out a vine.  Great grape, this is fabulous!  If only I could somehow let you taste this for yourself!  I would--I would share the vast bounty of grapaciousness with you.  According to the website, they have a cherry flavor, too.  Strawberry, cherry, and grape!  Plus the boring black.   

 Ok, it is now time to go.  I must go eat another purple grape twist!

Cute Diaper Cards

We recently had a baby shower for Stephanie at work.  I'm not impressed by most cards sold at retail, so I tend to make my own.  So I looked for ideas to make a cute shower card, and came across this template for a "diaper" card that could be made with only a little paper and whatever verse or invitation (or even for baby "thank you" cards).  Everyone loved it, so I showed it to Lynne at the scrapbook store.  I made a couple for her from the new FabScraps "Vintage Baby" line of paper she had just gotten in.  The turned out so cute!  I've listed the paper and supplies for each card below the picture.  Obviously unmentioned are a scissors and the tape runner (ThermoWeb XL permanent) used for the project.  You could add whatever embellishments you want to make them fancy.  These just give an idea of the base project.  I had to figure out the construction myself since the template really didn't have any instructions.  Everything I used is available at my local scrapbook store, Scrappin' Ladies.

Inside of the card for a little boy.

Inside of the boy card with a white "placeholder" there you could put a verse,

invitation information, or write your thank you.

Outside of the boys' card, with a bow made of 2" ivory silk ribbon.

The girls' diaper, with the same ribbon bow.  The inside is a little

baby asleep in an upside-down umbrella.  By cutting carefully on

both papers, I was able to preserve the large images of the teddy

bear and diaper pin on the reverse sides, so they could be used

for other cards, or as decoration in a scrapbook.

The original card, made from the cotton candy-type pink"Dotted Swiss" paper

from Bazzill.  The bow on this is the 2" pink silk, with a narrow band of

"It's a Girl" printed pink ribbon in the back to hide where the scalloped edge

is taped to the diaper base.

Here you can see the card with the side flaps open.  They insert into

side slits cut in the front of the diaper, through which the ribbon is

inserted to make the bow.  The bow is decorative only--not functional.

Great gift card holder!

The verse I put in baby Milena's card:

Ten little fingers, ten perfect toes.

Daddy's eyes and mommy's nose.

I'm the cutest baby you ever did see.

Can't you wait until you can meet me?

Just remember Steph--having Milena on the 24th would be a great birthday present for me!

Forgive me, Doctor

Forgive me, doctor, for I have sinned.  I had culinary thoughts.  And deeds.  And for that, I now pay.  My MELD score has been running a pretty stable 15 since the end of September.  I thought I had it licked, and I could cheat now and then with no consequences.  Wrong!  Today they told me my score had gone up to 17.  I thought my BUN and creatinine levels were about where they had been, so it must be the INR.  Apparently my recent bad behavior has caught up with me.

Burger King's new chicken strips are good.  And only a block away.  It's so easy to zip through there for a quick grab lunch or dinner.  I've started baking lots of treats for work again.  Not such a problem, but I've been eating them.  I had Pringles.  I ate the little rye crisps like you get in a bag of Ghardetto's.  I drank strawberry and grape Fanta like I'd been on a dessert island and dying of thirst.  I ate popsicles.  A lot of them.  I guess it's time to go back to nothing but water and Gatorade, my chicken salad sandwiches, plain boneless and skinless chicken breasts rather then the yummy bake and serve chicken Cordon bleu.  A few boneless turkey breast sandwiches and some pasta or cucumber salad.  And natural applesauce, pineapple, and apples to eat.  Hurry up and ripen cantaloupe and watermelon.  Grapes go down in price to less than the cost of a gallon of gas.

Basically, it's time for me to shape up since I don't want to ship out (although I did get a cool new Jeep swivel suitcase).  I don't like being stuck being so good, but I have to do it.  So Doctors E, A, C, K, M, and P, you will see my score lower next month.  I guarantee it.  Think I have enough docs?  I'm sure at least one of them will take me to task for the soda weight and the increased MELD score.  Dang it! 

Bummed at Wal-Mart -- Again!

Here in Pierre, we don't have a lot of options for shopping.  I generally buy most of my groceries at Lyn's DakotaMart, since they have much better produce and meat.  But sometimes, you gotta do the Waldo's superstore.  One of them is for my favorite snack, Black Cherry gelatin cubes.  They are sugar-free, ready-made so I don't have to futz with making gelatin, cubing, and storing it.  But since their remodel, Waldo's has not had them in stock.  Just a big empty hole where they go, and the product/price tag.  I want my Winky's and I want them now!  Guess I'll have to call and complain yet again.