Quick Shrub Removal

Yesterday's project for Bill and Uncle Tim was removing a row of big, round shrubs from the cemetery.  Last year Bill took out a row to the right of this one above.  They were hanging over the headstones and the hearse couldn't get through.  As you can see, the guy that takes care of the mowing already has grass growing where they were and it looks great.

On the other side of the cemetery was another row of them that needed to come out.  They already had most of them out and hauled away by the time I got there to take pictures.  Bill said they actually came out of the ground pretty easy.  

The driveways have been needing some gravel for a while so Bill is getting that done now too.  This one you can see is done.  Another project checked off the list.

Yesterday I went to Ft. Dodge to get the oil changed/tires rotated on the car, to Walmart, etc.  Today I'm going to be freezing sweet corn. 
 

Little Free Libraries

When I was back in Carmel, IN visiting in June I learned about the Little Free Libraries.  They are popping up everywhere!  Carmel has at least four of them so far.  They can be in parks, neighborhoods, your front yard - anywhere!  This one was at a park.  I also saw a really cute one in Zionsville.  People are being really creative.  You can see pictures of lots of them on the web site below - link provided.

Inside you'll find an assortment of books.  Feel free to take one with you and then you can return it or replace it with another.  There are no due dates or late fees!  The goal is to inspire a love of reading, kindness, and community sharing.  

In this picture you can see our nephew Rob is excited to see what the selection is in this one.  He loves books!

Mom is organizing them so you can see all of them better!


This idea was started by a guy in Wisconsin.  As of Feb. 2013, all 50 states and 40 countries have been involved in the program.  As of Jan. this year, there were more than 15,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide and an estimated 1,650,000 books were donated and borrowed from 2010-2013.

Keep your eye out for them, and stop and check them out!  For more information too, go to littlefreelibrary.org.

There was a nice selection in this one - this was just one shelf.

Hoping to Have Enough Corn to Fill It

This past week the new grain bin was built.  It replaces two old ones that held a total of 8,000 bushels.  The new one will hold 21,000 bushels.   It has the safer type stairs.

Underneath the bin is an expensive chunk of concrete.  It's about 6" thick.  It is now covered up by a steel drying floor.
  

The next thing is getting the electrician here to get it wired up.

It's about time for the guys to start getting the combine, quadtrac tractor & grain cart, 4 wheel drive tractor, ripper and semis ready to go.  If the beans are ready, we could be combining the middle of September.

Iowa is looking pretty this time of year with everything green and the corn tasseled.  We've been having great weather too.   Our sweet corn is ready now.  I plan to freeze some this week.  We had some today for lunch that tasted good along with grilled barbecue chicken, salad and deviled eggs.    

What We're Up To

This is just an update without pictures - boring I know.

The new grain bin I blogged about a couple of months ago will be put up tomorrow.  I had mentioned the guys tearing down two very old, small ones and tearing out the old concrete.  Then the concrete was poured.  Today they are supposed to be bringing equipment and then the bin tomorrow.  Bill was mowing there this afternoon.

Bill has gotten his air lines (for airing up tires, etc.) put in the shed with the help of Bryan.

Last Fri. we went to Okoboji to have lunch with a lady we farm for.  She recently celebrated her 90th birthday.  

Today was the first day of VBS (Vacation Bible School) at our church.  I picked up Diane's girls from daycare in Pocahontas this morning, and took them to VBS, had a picnic lunch in the car since it was over at 12:15 and then took them back to daycare.  I was a craft helper.  The girls had fun. We have over 200 kids attending!

We're having beautiful weather in the 70's here this week!!!  I LOVE having windows open and spending time on the screen porch.   Sweet corn is just getting ready. 

   

NW Iowa P.E.O. Luncheon

Our Rolfe P.E.O. chapter has been working on this luncheon for a year.  The various groups have to take a turn organizing it every eight years and 2014 was it for us.

We had committee meetings with other area chapters starting last summer to decide on date, theme, location, meal, program, etc.  Our local group chose to find a speaker for the program and to do the favors since I had the Stampin' Up! purse die which would go along great with our theme "Pursonality"!  We got together once in Feb. to put 220 of the purses together and decorate them and again this month to fill them with the lipstick and perfume samples and gold foil chocolate coins.                                                                                                                                                               

220 little purses made in about 3 hours

purses with the lipstick, perfume & choc. coins

Jill Bush, owner of Xessorize in Ft. Dodge, was our speaker.  She and her daughter did a great job and showed us how to tie large square scarves to wear as coverups, regular scarves, demonstrated her invisi-belt and lots of other fun accessories to go along with our theme, "Pursonality".   She set up a table so the ladies could shop before and after lunch.  She sells lots of purses, jewelry and more at her shop.


The fun P.E.O. member below behind the table with the lips purse provided all the purses for the centerpieces from her collection - and it was announced that they were NOT for sale!



 

Mary Lou shopping

owner of all of the purse centerpieces!

The tables, all set and ready with the program in pastel colors and Jill's advertising on a separate white piece and the purse favors sitting on a white doily.








The Estherville P.E.O. chapter was in charge of registration and brought these great decorations for their table!

Lunch was a salad with bread followed by vegetable lasagna with some roasted peppers and onions on the side and then carrot cake for dessert.

This room is used for wedding receptions a lot so there were little white lights going up with the white fabric to the center of the room which made the room look special.

It was a nice day and all turned out well.  But we are glad we have 8 more years until we have to plan another one!

** if you LOVE the little purses, contact me about getting the purse die which is used with the Big Shot that I sell through Stampin' Up!  www.cindykemna.stampinup.net
    

Card Making

It seems like this is a busy time of year for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. so I've been making cards and thought I'd share a few I've sent out recently.  The first one was for Diane's husband who is a fisherman.

Bill's Uncle Tim & Aunt Bette Jo celebrated their 50th anniversary last week so this is the card I made for them.

And a thank you for Northwest Communications in Havelock for letting the fire dept. use their 8 omelet cookers for the fundraiser breakfast during Greater Rolfe Days last weekend.

If you'd like to learn how to make cards or buy Stampin' Up! product, please go to my web site at cindykemna.stampinup.net to see our catalogs and/or order any time - or e mail me at cindykemna@gmail.com.  You can also see any special promotions and check out the Clearance Rack at my web site.