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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 18, 4:27pm
Post #1 of 48
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*Keys jingle as doors open* Another fun Fiesta Friday begins!
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Hello, and welcome everyone!
For me, this week was the beginning of the 'big push' to document and test the operation of my one client's financial controls, which means requests, meetings, and flowcharts from now until the end of August. Not working every day, but more days than not each week. It's something I've done many times, and the people are very enjoyable to work with, so I'm looking forward to it.
Other than that, it's been more enjoyment of our seasonably cool-ish summer weather and planning yard improvements. I'm finally to the point where I can start getting bids on tree trimming, tree replacement, new decking, and hopefully xeriscaping our front yard (the back yard may have to wait until next year both for time and money reasons). Whew! Busy times.
Have you been enjoying the summer/winter? Big plans for the weekend? Let us know after you scoop up some goodies from the Fiesta buffet, and slurp up some goodies from the Fiesta bar!
*puts quarters on juke box* a song!
Have a wonderful weekend, friends!   
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Jul 18, 4:57pm
Post #2 of 48
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Happy Friday, Altaira! May I have an iced mocha coffee? Our latest heat wave finally "broke" last night, so it's a very pleasant day here.
That's a TON of yard work you've got in the works - but necessary! Are you considering composite decking? We had our old planks replaced with that a couple of years ago. I'd not realized that "xeriscaping" is the name for irrigation-free yard design. I hope that wouldn't require a huge change to your plantings!
You have the "best of both worlds", being mostly retired, but still having a fun bit of your old job to do!
We had another mini-reunion last week with one of hubby's old high school friends, and have another reunion coming up this week. Most of those friends live outside of New England, so we're making sure to plan meet-ups when they're in the area.
In the meantime, I've been going through old LPs, making CD recordings of old cassette tapes, and doing a bit of cleanout in the cool basement. That included cleaning up three adult-size bikes; now I'm in the process of locating a place that takes old bikes and refurbishes them to give away.
A song for the day: how about this, I was just playing it on my turntable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMJPZ-mu-Ts
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 18, 5:44pm
Post #3 of 48
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Those reunions sound like such a great way to catch up other than following someone on facebook. It's lucky that they visit New England enough to do them.
Yes , in a climate that only sees 15 or so inches of precipitation a year, xeriscaping has become very popular and HOAs are starting to budge from their requirements of having expanses of grass lawns. Although calling what we're planning 'xeriscaping' is a slight exaggeration. Our HOA requires a larger percentage of plants than things like rocks and mulch, but using plants native to the Rockies cuts way back on water needs. The money we save on water, and a local lawn mowing/lawn care service (since we travel a bit), will pay for part of the improvements. Our city also offers rebates for xeriscaping and will help pay for one tree replacement or new planting per year.
And, yes, we're seriously considering composite decking. The upkeep on a wooden deck has to be pretty regular, as you know, and since we have a 2nd-story deck, we have railings to paint, etc.. It's not something either of us enjoy, so saving money on having someone else do it every few years will also help. Ha! As I pay landscapers and arborists I'll have to keep reminding myself of how much money we're saving, lol. 
*Turns up volume on Beethoven* Enjoy the weekend and the music project. What a great way to preserve your collection and revisit it at the same time.
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dernwyn
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Jul 18, 5:51pm
Post #4 of 48
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Especially since tree replacements can be pricey. I wonder if you could transform your lawn into a Rocky Mountain meadow?
*sips* Thank you, Altaira, and you enjoy the weekend, also!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Annael
Elvenhome
Jul 18, 6:27pm
Post #5 of 48
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spending the weekend dogsitting
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two very enthusiastic Samoyeds. When I arrived, Moose (the year-old male) had broken out of his crate, and someone chewed and pulled away part of the dog gate that keeps them in the family room, and they'd managed to break out there as well. The rug was shoved up against the front door (signs that galloping through the front hall and up and down the stairs had happened) and I had a job to get in. Looked like the bottom latch on the crate hadn't been latched so Moose could weasel his way out. The dog gate stands between them and the upstairs territory of the new cat, but there's also another gate that they had not managed to force. New cat is under a bed and has no plans to go anywhere for a while. Obviously Moose is feeling okay despite having recently been diagnosed with kennel cough (no evidence of it now after three days of antibiotics). But at least he's quarantined so I don't have to try to walk him; 7-year-old Eowyn is 20 pounds lighter and not as rambunctious!
Since I'm back in my home town, I've lined up get-togethers each day. Off to lunch soon at the Roanoke, an old tavern that got grandfathered in when everything around it was zoned residential because all the locals insisted that we couldn't do without our neighborhood hangout.
https://theroanokeinn.com/
Tea tomorrow with a lady of my parents' generation who was a good friend to me growing up and is going strong well into her 90s. Brunch the next day with a high school friend. Otherwise, working on my book!
I'll take a hard lemonade. It's nice here, 70F (22C), but it was hot the last three days so I'm in summer mood all right.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
(This post was edited by Annael on Jul 18, 6:29pm)
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dernwyn
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Jul 18, 7:04pm
Post #6 of 48
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What a lovely place that Inn is!
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So what did you have, for lunch?
They named the new pup Moose? Very appropriate for that size dog, but with the other named Eowyn, keeping with the Middle-earth theme, I'd have thought they'd call him Beorn! And he's obviously very intelligent.
I know you'll have wonderful times with your visits, may the weather stay nice for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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cats16
Gondolin
Jul 18, 7:24pm
Post #7 of 48
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Whenever homeowners talk about their outdoor projects, it makes me feel more comfortable being a renter (certainly from a financial perspective, lol). I have my succulents and other plants to tend to, which is probably enough given I struggle to take care of them well enough. 
We're back into more reasonable temperatures, so I've been out walking a lot at the end of the work day to take advantage. I've found a few new neighborhood loops I can do, to mix things up now and then.
I'm going home home for a cousin's wedding in a few days, so we'll likely be going shopping this weekend so I can figure out what to wear. It may or may not be partially outside, which makes the decision even harder since I'd rather not buy something just to sit there sweating my butt off in it.
In the meantime, ice cream has a nice ring to it, so tonight might be a pizza and ice cream night to welcome the weekend.
Wishing everyone else a happy weekend too!
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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dernwyn
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Jul 18, 11:27pm
Post #8 of 48
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some kind of outfit that is "layered", maybe a short-sleeve shirt with a very light jacket? Have fun, whatever, and safe travels to the wedding!
I have several succulents inside the house too, and I have to keep reminding myself: Do Not Over-water, they LIKE to be dry. I've got two Christmas cactus that are chronologically-challenged.
Walking after work is a good de-stresser!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 19, 4:03am
Post #11 of 48
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Sam would dispute that premise. He did just fine as a gardener in a war.
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 19, 4:05am
Post #12 of 48
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Don't know where you find these, but don't stop!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 19, 4:13am
Post #13 of 48
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I know how smart Samoyeds are. My bestest doggy 'love of my life' was part Samoyed and part Shepherd: water-proof white fur, and mind as sharp as a tack. Best of luck for the rest of the weekend. You and 'new cat' will need it.
How fun to be back in your old stomping grounds. What a great opportunity to reconnect, and what a beautiful place to do it. Perfect!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jul 19, 4:25am
Post #14 of 48
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Do you find, though, that even though they have a rep for low maintenance, they're almost more sensitive than other plants?
I'm pretty good with house plants. However, I don't know if it's the amount of light (succulents have a rep for doing better with full, as in outdoor, sun), too much or too little water, or what, but over the years many of my succulents have died. I do know it's not from a lack of love, and some more hardy ones are still thriving.
I agree that outdoor weddings are the worst to dress for. B.G. recommends smart slacks with a nice, collared, short-sleeved shirt (more office-ish than polo). Do have fun, no matter the dress-code.
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jul 19, 11:10am
Post #15 of 48
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Why is Safari warning me not to come to this page?
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Is anybody else getting this message?
Permanent address: Into the West
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Jul 19, 11:57am
Post #17 of 48
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I wasn't familiar with the term xeriscaping
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but having read other posts I understand what it's about. Good idea! On this side of the Pond we are starting to realise that, in the face of climate change and more extreme weather, we have to adapt our ideas of what constitutes the perfect garden, and wean ourselves off working towards the perfect lawn - which is an awful lot of hard work, besides not being that hospitable to wildlife! Things are changing and show gardens at the big public events are demonstrating how you can have a rich and interesting garden that's better for wildlife, and will cope with what the weather throws at it, without sacrificing colour and interest. Gardens are certainly evolving.
I've just spent a few days at my favourite campsite - not in a tent, those days are gone, but in their one static caravan, with beautiful views down the green rolling valley of woods and fields. It was very restful; I wish I could wake every day to the rural view I had while staying there! If you search 'rynys farm camping site' and click on 'view panorama' on their website, you'll see what I saw. The panorama's quite old, as campers will tell from the tent styles and colours, but the scenery hasn't changed. Cheers, folks!
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Annael
Elvenhome
Jul 19, 2:22pm
Post #18 of 48
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Nice to see you! How's the fam?
I don't use Safari so no. Weirdness.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Jul 19, 3:09pm
Post #19 of 48
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What a pleasant peaceful area! Is the caravan they show on the website, the one you were in? I can easily imagine enjoying a morning cuppa and pastry while looking out across those mountains.
I've been outside this morning, weeding, cutting back the peppermint which was trying to escape its barrel, pulling rhubarb, and hacking away at some of my pokeweed plants. I know that pokeweed is a native plant which provides berries for birds in autumn, but I'm not fond of it, it grows too fast and tall here, and some of them were starting to cut off sunlight from my blueberries and crowding my beebalm. Native plants are great, but some must be tended rigorously!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Jul 19, 3:11pm
Post #20 of 48
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Hey, Patty! How have things been, out in your area? Staying cool?
It's because TORn is "http" and not "https". Can you use a different browser?
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Jul 19, 3:12pm
Post #21 of 48
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Well, that's a dangerous thing for Sam to say...
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Because there might not be any beer left to return to him!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Jul 19, 7:26pm
Post #22 of 48
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It faces across the site with views of treeclad hills and, in the distance, the 872m Moel Siabod - Shapely Hill in English - which may or may not be visible, depending on the weather. Haha, watch out for that mint! It wants to take over the world. I Googled pokeweed; it looks attractive, but you can have too much of a good thing! At least it's native; the acquisitive Victorians introduced some absolute thugs because they looked pretty, himalayan balsam being one of them. It's a fine-looking pink-flowered waterside bee plant, but grows and spreads along riverbanks very enthusiastically, strangling the native vegetation as it goes.
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Kimi
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Jul 19, 9:37pm
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After more stormy days this week, the weekend has delivered two sunny days in a row. Chilly, though, with temperatures in single figures (Celsius) - which is good for the orchard, so I'm not complaining.
A good weekend for cooking! So far I've made:
- cottage cheese
- lentil soup using homemade stock
- crackers from sourdough "discards"
- twice-cooked lamb with roasted aubergines and capsicums from last summer's garden.
and am about to make cereal.
Mr Kimi's made bread (not sourdough, but still very nice) and a date steamed pudding, and has just put a batch of scones in the oven, to be served with homemade jam.
It's still a bit chilly outdoors, but when it thaws a little we plan to finish pruning the pipfruit (apples, pears, quinces and persimmons).
There are some sunny days forecast for the week ahead, so we're hoping to manage a few decent walks.
Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Jul 19, 10:33pm
Post #25 of 48
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You need to bottle and sell your kitchen aromas.
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How do you make the crackers - do you crush up the sourdough bits and use them as the "flour"?
Twice-cooked lamb, that's got aromas coming from the oven for a full day!
What do you do, with the whey from the cottage cheese-making?
I'll be by later, for some of that date pudding...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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