Leavin' on a Jet

The weather this weekend was gorgeous and I took full advantage of it!

I spent some time Friday afternoon at a cabin on the Mississippi River, watching the geese go by...

and choosing plants for my garden.

Tomatoes, for sure.

The next morning I was on a Jet.

Jet

I love this horse!  He's very well behaved but can get a little feisty sometimes.  He (unfortunately) does not belong to me, but hopefully this is the first of many rides this summer.

We took a tour of Codfish Hollow, a local (really cool!) concert venue.

Gorgeous.

The art gallery.  (Really!)

On Sunday morning, I started the day by replacing 2 light switches and 3 outlets.  Not just the plates - I replaced the whole thing!  I watched a video on YouTube and it seemed really easy and it was!

After

Later that day, a friend stopped by (a friend with a motorcycle).  

I asked for "a ride around the block" and we ended up riding along the river to Sabula (Iowa's only island city, which should make it really cool, but doesn't).

For dinner, I had a Corn Chowder in the crock pot, which was really good and even better today!

Ingredients
6 - 8 potatoes (peeled & diced)
1 can cream corn
1 can whole kernel corn
2 cups chicken broth
8 ounces diced ham
1 cup diced onion
1/4 cup butter
2 cups half & half


Directions
Place potatoes, corn, chicken broth, ham and onions in crock pot
Cook on low 7-8 hours
Mash the mixture to your desired consistency
Add butter and half & half
Cook an additional 30 minutes on high

April Showers

It's been really rainy this year.

Like, every day.

And, there's more rain predicted.

(Like, every day.)

Almost makes me wish I was in Philadelphia (where it's always sunny).

I've never seen this show, but it's gotten great reviews on imdb.

And Season 1 and 2 were only $2 at the Goodwill in Dubuque (still in the original package!).  That's the same price as one episode on Amazon (see The Gang Gets Racist).

And it stars Charlie Day (who is adorable!).

Adorable.

What better way to spend a rainy day?

I can't wait to see what Winavie found over on Lemons & Chambray.

Next month's Goodwill Hunting challenge:  May Flowers!

The Fixx was Right

One thing really does lead to another.

I painted "The Blue Room" (also known as "The Guest Room", or "Callie's Room") last weekend.

before - blue

after - Lime Foam by Valspar

I really like it, but now I need to paint the doors, and trim, and replace the carpet, and install new outlets, and...

I never really liked this song.

It's the Little Things

Last weekend I finally started doing some projects around the house...

dining room light - before

dining room light - after

laundry doors - before

laundry doors - after

Mailbox & doorbell - before

Mailbox & doorbell - after

It wasn't all work and no fun, though...

On Saturday we went for a hike in Bellevue State Park,

and watched the Ski Bellevue team practice.

(This summer they'll do this on water skis on the Mississippi River!)

On Sunday we went to the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa,

My dad's old race car!

drove by the Anamosa State Penitentiary (with the doors locked and windows rolled up),

The most beautiful prison ever

and had lunch at The General Store Pub in Stone City.

The General Store Pub

This weekend?  

Painting!