tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203412372024-03-12T15:25:53.767-07:00The Big Boatkris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-16796504856082409382012-10-03T08:15:00.004-07:002012-10-03T08:18:26.989-07:00Something to Crow about<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VnP2oJYiiNs/UGxQ3M7Ei7I/AAAAAAAABAw/lXz180WMshQ/s1600/both+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VnP2oJYiiNs/UGxQ3M7Ei7I/AAAAAAAABAw/lXz180WMshQ/s400/both+closeup.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>
After getting the kids fed, clothed, and out to the bus stop, I get a few minutes to check email and drink my coffee in peace. Well, relative peace. We have two chickens in the backyard, and mid morning they both begin to crow! These are hens, mind you, not roosters. Apparently laying eggs is something worth crowing about.<br />
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Sunshine (White) and Midnight (Black/brown) came from the feed store in Kansas, and started laying eggs in August. At birth they were yellow and black, thus the names, pulled from the "rainbow layer" bin by eager little hands. That meant that we didn't exactly know what we were getting, except that they would be female. That's all we need, since hens don't need a rooster to lay eggs.<br />
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I think Midnight is a Black Star or Sex-link, and Sunshine must be a White Rock. They lay identical brown eggs, still small pullet eggs, but very tasty.</div>
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Their "Coop" is a modified dog crate. They have a light and a roost, but I think I need to add some height before they will use the roost. They lay in the back, right under the egg door. </div>
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This photo is looking in the egg door towards the chicken door.</div>
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Outside the coop is the chicken run. the backyard is fenced and urban enough that predators are not a problem, so the PVC and plastic fencing is plenty to keep them in. There is a roof over half of the 16'x3' run, and the feeder is hung under the roof to keep it dry. </div>
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They really only get put in the run at night so they don't roost over the porch swing. (makes for a messy swing) I generally let them roam during the day so I don't have to buy as much food. They like hunting for bugs and greens.</div>
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If I let them out before they lay, they will go back in and lay in the coop. Good Girls!</div>
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I suppose if I were to lay an egg as big as my head every day, I'd think it was something to crow about as well! </div>
kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-89388548983650424042012-09-30T17:38:00.000-07:002012-09-30T17:38:14.632-07:00FallMust be something about the 30th! I just noticed it's been a whole month since my last post. I must do better!<br />
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Fall is in full glorious color here in Minnesota. Just looking out the back door brings a glorious palette of autumn color. The trees are turning color, the pumpkin and squash are ripe and the apples are ready to be picked.<br />
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I made a bit of a Spring/Fall combination concoction for desert last night, a Apple Rhubarb crisp. I had a pint of rhubarb sauce leftover from spring, and some stewed apples from a breakfast a few days past. Those went into the sauce pot to warm with a bit of corn starch for thickener. A basic crumble of flour, oats, butter and sugar went in the bottom of a 9x13 pan, hot sauce on top, and all into the oven to heat through.<br />
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Yum!<br /><br />
I put some sage, hops, and lavender in oil to steep for a week or two, in hopes of a "Dream Catcher" themed lotion bar in the future.<br />
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May all your dreams be sweet, and your apples free from worms!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-68365130676187202592012-08-30T10:58:00.000-07:002012-08-30T10:58:00.818-07:00Trash Cans and Cardboard BoxesEarly this Monday we got new trash cans, the big ones with two wheels that the trucks pick up with mechanical arms. My kids thought it was the most exciting thing since the invention of the cardboard box!<br />
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The bins are bigger than most boxes, and don't fall apart when you climb into them! The first thing they became was "transporters"! Climb inside and you can go to Grandma's house in Kansas, then down to Cousins in Texas and back home, no long boring car rides to endure!<br />
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The transporters work on stuffed animals too! The bins are so big that the kids can hide in them, hide stuff in them and just have a grand ol' time playing! Too bad we'll have to use them for trash and recycling some day soon!<br />
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At least we don't seem to run out of cardboard boxes and empty peanut butter jars around here, since those are the containers of last resort for animal transport/housing/whatever.<br />
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Give a kid a cardboard box or two, and a roll of masking tape, and see what appears!<br />
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<br />kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-33744043510810911482012-08-20T07:14:00.003-07:002012-08-20T07:14:49.510-07:00The Big Boat Natural Home, Open for Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The shop is up! I started with a little show down in Hastings, and followed up with the Annual Blue Heron days in my hometown of Lino Lakes, MN.<br />
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Blue Heron Days include a parade, a business expo, bounce-houses, and other fun things. I set up for the Business Expo. I had fun getting all the stock ready, labelled and set up.<br />
<br />Now I'm getting things into the Etsy shop, and setting up shop at Poppy Swap.<br />
Here are a few pics I'm getting up:<br />
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Big Gingerbread boys, ready for little hands and legs, and grown-ups too! This big tin is a good 4 inches across, and has room for all my fun shaped lotion bars.<br />
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Elle's favorite Rosemary scented bar, I like this size tin the best, it's just about 3 inches across.<br />
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Sweet little hearts in geranium. These tins are the smallest, only an inch and a half or so, but they hold plenty, and fit in a pocket.<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebigboat">Check out the shop: Etsy</a>, and see what more is in store!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-26597155123611619472012-05-13T12:05:00.001-07:002012-05-13T12:05:57.413-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<br />
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I got flowers and breakfast in bed for mother's day! I have been blessed with three fabulous kids, and I love all of my gifts! There are even two more planters of flowers outside! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ63V7z9mYo/T7AEIeDjKMI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/guDftr_Kfpo/s1600/mothers+day+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ63V7z9mYo/T7AEIeDjKMI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/guDftr_Kfpo/s320/mothers+day+2012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It has been a beautiful weekend for gardening, so I got to spend a bit of time outside. I planted beets, carrots, coriander and calendula, put Jonah's sunflower and other sprouts in the garden, and took a stab at the dandelions in the front yard! </div>
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Yes, as much as we love dandelions around here for jelly, I thought I'd try to remove some of the plants in the front yard, so as to mollify the mono-culture-loving neighbors! I borrowed a digger from the neighbor and over a few days dug hundreds of the little plants, and really probably left the same amount in the yard!<br />
On the plus side, I aerated the yard pretty well!<br />
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I havn't touched the ones in the back yard, we need something for jelly!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-4323372121806495492012-05-09T07:34:00.002-07:002012-05-09T07:34:51.132-07:00Sunny Morning!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's such a beautiful morning after a rainy day, I had to take my breakfast outside. I discovered what might be a new favorite: peaches and cream.<br />
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All the bananas were gone, so I grabbed a jar of my mother's canned peaches and a dollop of my favorite greek yogurt. a dash of almond milk and perfection in a jar! Did you know that Oster blender bases fit small-mouth canning jars! I didn't have to dirty the whole blender jar for a couple cups of breakfast.<br />
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I love my Mom's canning! Dad buys a case or two of peaches that are just on the edge of "turning", he gets them for a song, I think. ('cept my Dad can't sing??) Mom sits in the kitchen to blanch, peel, and cut the big orange globes of God's goodness, and fills all these quart jars. YUMMO!<br />
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Thing 3's lunch of choice is a thermos of peaches and a serving of applesauce. It's time to make a Kansas run soon!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-41835444369431204562012-05-08T07:51:00.000-07:002012-05-08T07:51:19.354-07:00Back in the Saddle<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I could blog straight from my thoughts and eyes, and bypass the typing and futzing with photos part altogether, you'd have seen many more posts in the last 2 years! But all good things take time and energy, so here goes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spring is back in Minnesota with the impatience of a Kindergartner. We didn't get much snow at all this winter, and I could have dug up the garden and planted potatoes in March, when I usually escape the 20 inches of snow in my yard and go to Kansas for Spring! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Peas are about 3 inches tall, as are the Nasturtiums, and I just saw the beginnings of my Morning Glories! I've planted Chard, and a few purple beans, but I really need to get the garden going. I want Beets this year, and I'm still looking for purple Potatoes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New this year is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebigboat">The Big Boat Natural Bath and Body</a>! I started making bath bombes for Christmas and really enjoy it! I found a great little store in Hastings to consign with. The owner is a massage therapist and my new essential oil consultant. I REALLY can't stand artificial scents, so I won't use them. Instead I find the good essential oils smell better and may have a positive effect on the skin and soul. Now I'm experimenting with solid lotion bars, and I love them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ciao! and may your May be beautiful!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kris</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-22325100728718647262010-07-22T15:42:00.000-07:002010-07-22T15:42:49.078-07:00Fresh Raspberries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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One of the cabins we've been lucky to visit this summer has a great raspberry patch. Every morning, the kids' first chore was to help Grandpa pick berries. A wet summer and recent sunny days made for a seriously over-productive berry patch.<br />
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Of course, being children, the berries didn't always make the trip from the garden to the house. They still reaped at least two gallons of berries a morning. I made two pies at the cabin, and one more after we came home. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/TEjHFb2exmI/AAAAAAAAAVA/TOa3MYGW7Xc/s1600/T+picking+rberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/TEjHFb2exmI/AAAAAAAAAVA/TOa3MYGW7Xc/s640/T+picking+rberries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span id="goog_376352824">It's a great way to start your day! </span>kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-11818272329312236412010-07-16T12:34:00.000-07:002010-07-16T12:34:08.374-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Have a wonderful weekend!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/TECzq5Bum8I/AAAAAAAAAU4/MlickbKAW10/s1600/rainbow+ecinacia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/TECzq5Bum8I/AAAAAAAAAU4/MlickbKAW10/s640/rainbow+ecinacia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> May the sun shine through your windows, and warm your heart with joy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/TECzsZwN0gI/AAAAAAAAAU8/93OLvg7tF64/s1600/Yellow+Lady+Slipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/TECzsZwN0gI/AAAAAAAAAU8/93OLvg7tF64/s640/Yellow+Lady+Slipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>May your soul be filled by good memories and strong thoughts!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-29069898366654741632010-07-09T19:04:00.000-07:002010-07-09T19:04:47.998-07:00At the cabinI wish I had more photos, or I wish I could get them off my camera... so more pics to come.<br />
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We're at the Cabin, on Serpent Lake in Minnesota. Like 10,000 other lakes, there is water, and fish, and sun. There are 5 cousins, ages 4-10 who are having a blast swimming all day! Two grandparents, now four parents, and two dogs. It's a beautiful time.<br />
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The raspberries are coming in, and while the kids are a GREAT help, they don't have the staying power that knowing the price of 1/2 pint of the dry red berries in a store. We picked two gallons today, and made two pies. Jam tomorrow!<br />
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The lake water is just the right temperature, and the days have been warm and sunny.<br />
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How is your summer?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-15511149193320329742010-07-07T12:56:00.000-07:002010-07-07T12:56:20.152-07:00Summer Fun!One gift of Summer Vacation in the land of 10,000 lakes is the ritual summer cabin weekend. We are blessed to have lovely family who share their forest-backed, lake-front homes with us. It is so easy to relax and unwind when one steps out of the van to the green-ness of the Wisconsin woods. But, relax does not last long with kids and a lake around.<br />
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On your mark<br />
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GO!<br />
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Splashdown!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-6316795665991049192010-07-06T06:15:00.000-07:002010-07-07T12:24:31.223-07:00Yes, he's a labThe Admiral's mobility assist dog, Guido, is a great Yellow Lab, who is a little cautious about going outside in the rain. The silly dog does not like wet grass. And Labs are supposed to like to swim! We took him on a trip to Big Elbow Lake, and discovered that he can swim!<br />
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He'd chase that silly dummy in the water for hours if someone would throw it for him.<br />
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He did have one little Quirk, if the dummy got dirty, he wanted some human to pick it up for him!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-4098974595982588732010-06-24T15:43:00.000-07:002010-06-27T13:49:21.667-07:00Searching for the Baby RiverWe went north last weekend, searching for the headwaters of the Mississippi. Lake Itasca is the Official Beginning of Old Man River. There is a fabulous state park there, and one short afternoon picnic and walk was just enough to convince us we'll be back.<br />
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The kids were enthralled by the little waterfall at the beginning of the stream that becomes the Big River. I think they walked and waded and stumbled across the river 15 times! J. was the best and the fastest.<br />
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The Admiral and I watched, I got my feet wet, but couldn't balance on the rocks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/4731006951_709d640f7a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/4731006951_709d640f7a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Where are you going to explore this summer?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-85547107945451749892010-06-17T06:59:00.000-07:002010-06-17T06:59:25.034-07:00The Best Birthday GIft!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4670874296_1ce3b1be94_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4670874296_1ce3b1be94_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My father came to visit from his home in central Kansas, two or three gardening zones ahead of Minnesota. He's also got 3.5 acres and a lifetime of farming and gardening to draw upon. His contribution to my birthday dinner was 7 quarts of strawberries.<br />
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Fresh from his garden. Judging from this picture he took the morning he drove up, I don't think he'll miss those 7 quarts. There are more to come. My family thought that the fresh berries were almost as good as the fresh rhubarb crisp we made from our local spring fruit. J liked a bowl of berries with a little cream on top.<br />
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What's you favorite spring garden treat?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-48852623961990172512010-06-15T08:50:00.000-07:002010-06-15T08:50:28.143-07:0015 Days of RainWill do wonders for your garden, and your grass, and the weeds! The snow peas are about 4 feet tall, and blooming like crazy. I planted a yellow-podded variety. Pretty, I think.<br />
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In between the pea trellises are new cucumber plants, they are starting to bloom, even though they haven't gotten their vines yet.<br />
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Other things are doing great, mint, chives and cilantro. The basil is being slow. One potato plant is huge, the others are pretty small. and then there are the mystery plants. Did I plant them, did the kids plant them, what are they exactly?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-10892030254990452342010-06-11T07:35:00.000-07:002010-06-11T07:35:23.012-07:00Summer Vacation!Summer Vacation started yesterday. I think we started off right, a trip to the Library and the Park! <br />
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The Library was packed with families, mostly younger kids, but lots more than normal. M and J used their own library cards and we came home with a very heavy bag of books. I need to dig out the wheeled backpack for my library bag. We even got started on the summer reading program. I love starting the summer with a pile of books!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4690936664_e14afda77d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4690936664_e14afda77d_b.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>There is a nice park just behind the library, and it was filled with kids as well. We went around the corner to another park, and had fun playing until it started raining<br />
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How is your summer starting?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-83195021084466884632010-06-07T12:52:00.000-07:002010-06-07T12:52:43.546-07:00I'm a Guest Greenie!Come on over to<a href="http://www.mysweetgreens.com/2010/06/5-simple-steps-to-organic-lasagna.html"> Sweet Greens</a>! I'm the first Guest Greenie to post with Jeannie for a whole week! Today's post is all about Lasagna Gardening! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/4555845917_912c8ed046_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/4555845917_912c8ed046_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-9965342938664600452010-06-03T09:57:00.000-07:002010-06-03T09:57:15.685-07:00The Admiral<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4666191121_52bb8f655c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4666191121_52bb8f655c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I may be piloting this big boat around, but I have a great Admiral! We visited his cousin's house on the lake for Memorial day. As the sun went down over the water a few of us got in the boat and did a few rounds on the tube. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4666814456_6e972c6354_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4666814456_6e972c6354_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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It was a great evening, rounded out with S'Mores! What's your favorite campfire treat?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-57570593040730194092010-06-01T14:26:00.000-07:002010-06-01T14:26:04.427-07:00VIctoria Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4646680946_08b5c34ec9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4646680946_08b5c34ec9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I got to visit my N for his Victoria Day holiday! What a joy to be escorted around Vancouver by such a fabulous host. Even if he did tend to ride off ahead once in a while! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4660542881_7653850401_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4660542881_7653850401_b.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />
This shot of the constantly moving tour guide is in Stanley Park, and on Victoria Day there were loads of people. People sitting, picnicking, walking, riding, skating, just enjoying the day outdoors.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4661168142_d1400dc1a2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4661168142_d1400dc1a2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our favorite site was <a href="http://www.capbridge.com/index.html">Capilano Suspension Bridge</a> A really wonderous park just outside North Vancouver..<br />
The trees were HUGE! Of course, this is coming from a girl living on the edge of the prairie, where trees are generally stunted. This coastal rain forest was a really vivid green that can't be captured on film, or in pixels.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4646010451_b4a2c4e139_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4646010451_b4a2c4e139_b.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>This place rivals one of my all-time favorite destinations; <a href="http://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm">Muir Woods</a>. The trees in California are a little bigger, and the undergrowth a little thicker, but I loved the feeling of height here in Capilano. What is your favorite outdoor destination?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-83374016740640788412010-05-29T19:49:00.000-07:002010-05-29T19:49:30.604-07:00All that and a cup of teaChai, sweet, spicy, and way too often found in a hermetically sealed box.<br />
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This weekend my mother and I found a lovely <a href="http://www.teasource.com/">tea shop</a> near my favorite thrift store, <a href="http://www.hiddentreasuresonline.org/">Hidden Treasures</a>. <br />
Tea Source has two locations in the Saint Paul area. One on Cleavland near Ford Parkway, and one in Saint Anthony Village. Lovely shops, with more types of tea than you can imagine. I thought it smelled great, and enjoyed a cup of Pink Iced Tea with real hibiscus leaves. Karkaday for you who have been in the mid-east.<br />
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<div style="color: #a64d79;">Note; These are not Hibiscus flowers, they are Azaleas, but they are pretty and they are pink, and I have no hibiscus blooming in my yard.</div><br />
Mother had a nice cup of Chai, with a real cardamom and a much fuller spice flavor than one can get from a box. We found the secret: A separate spice mix, steeped in sweetened condensed milk, to be added to the fine Assam black tea. We bought it, and what a great way to make tea! You won't burn the milk, and all the flavors are real!<br />
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Next challenge is my own spice mix. (Especially since I'm sending the Tea Source tins home with mom)<br />
I know there will be cardamom in it, and probably ginger and cloves. What are your favorite tastes in tea?kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-13206700816354185152010-05-21T16:33:00.000-07:002010-05-21T16:33:39.658-07:00And the winner is....My random number Generator spit out the winning number: 444<br />
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<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">M Hoch Drei! </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Apples for my baby.. she loves to put them in and out and in and out of a basket...</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My humble bag will soon be flying across the big pond to Germany! </span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone who visited! I've had a lot of fun this week!</span></div>kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-47772762028251308482010-05-20T20:29:00.000-07:002010-05-20T20:29:42.318-07:00OK, why didn't anyone else notice that the 20th is Thursday??The Big Giveaway is nearly over!<br />
My original post said it would end on Friday, May 20th. well, the 20th is Today, Thursday!<br />
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So I'm closing comments tonight at midnight, right between May 20th and Friday.<br />
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Since I happen to be in vancouver for the weekend, I'll be really nice and close it Pacific time.<br />
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This has been the most fun on a blog I've had yet! Winner will be posted on Friday, May 21.kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-23491432018267245232010-05-17T06:21:00.000-07:002010-05-17T06:21:46.476-07:00The Big Giveaway!I've been meaning to do this forever! The people over at <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/">SewMamaSew</a> finally got my intentions in gear.<br />
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Here's what's up for grabs...<br />
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Burlap basket: size large. This one's a big 9inx9inx9in! You could put a pile of books in here to keep you company. Several skeins of yarn and a large work-in-progress would fit nicely, and look better than stuffed into a plastic bag! If you live in a warmer climate than Minnesota, take it to the Farmer's Market for a large meal's worth of veggies! <br />
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The upcycled burlap from my favorite coffee shop is lined with a blue and white ticking that I inherited from my Great-Grandmother-In Law. I've only made one this size.<br />
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To enter the drawing, leave a comment about what you would put in this basket, along with your name and your e-mail address. Entries will close on Friday, May 20th. One lucky winner will be chosen at random.<br />
I will ship internationally. <br />
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Head on over to <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/">SewMamaSew</a> for more great giveaway links! <br />
.kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-1903890346630750042010-05-05T13:56:00.000-07:002010-05-05T13:56:12.094-07:00Is it Green, or just lean?Little J turns 7 years old today! He's been pedaling around on a little 16in bike that was handed down from big brother, and probably picked up at a garage sale before that. Not that it didn't work, it was a fabulous bike, but he really was getting a little long-legged on it. OK, he looked like the big kids who ride 20in trick bikes.<br />
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So we found him a new 20 inch bike that should last him well into middle school, if not high school. (depending on his growth rate and current fashion) Doesn't he look happy! This pic was taken a full hour before school and it's only about 50 outside!<br />
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Here's my rhetorical question: Is it any greener for him to ride the bike, as the bus goes past with his classmates riding? He takes the bus in the snow, but is switching to riding his bike.<br />
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Now, it's never a bad thing for him to ride, obviously it's good exercise. There is a great path from the end of our street all the way to school, and crossing guards. He gets home faster than the bus when he rides, and has made a new friend in the bargain. Yeah for warmer weather!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341237.post-22256800993655998142010-05-02T15:55:00.000-07:002010-05-02T15:55:00.185-07:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Today I have no voice, zip, zilch, nada.<br />
Church was a challenge, because people talk to you there and expect you to respond. I couldn't teach or participate in a class. No singing either.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/S94CJ1OcApI/AAAAAAAAAT0/2QJmD9g_5sw/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ol_d29PRfSs/S94CJ1OcApI/AAAAAAAAAT0/2QJmD9g_5sw/s400/IMG_1629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The rest of the day was a lot like this. I like Silent Sunday!kris@thebigboathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04451482176366204051noreply@blogger.com0