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Altaira
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Jun 30 2023, 4:15pm
Post #1 of 36
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Another Friday, and another Fun Fiesta!
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Well, hello again dear friends, and welcome again to Fiesta!
Did I say it was getting more like proper summer around here? Our high today will only be 68 (20 C) and I can already hear thunder outside. We often have thunder here on any given summer day, but it has the sense to wait until the afternoon/evening showers. Ah well, we've been saving loads of money on water as here it is almost July and we've only used our lawn sprinkler system once!
I hope you've all had wonderful weeks, heading into equally wonderful weekends! Our July 4/Independence Day holiday is this coming Tuesday, so many are making one long weekend out of it. Nice to have all the 4th of July sales too! Do tell us how you're doing, and what plans you have for the weekend!
*kicks juke box* here's an oldie, but goodie - Bob Hope and James Cagney have a dance-off, with Cagney dancing to Yankee Doodle Dandy (a real live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the 4th of July). I'd forgotten what good dancers they both are!
Here's the original song from the movie:: Yankee Doodle Dandy by James Cagney
Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!!   
(This post was edited by Altaira on Jun 30 2023, 4:20pm)
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dernwyn
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Jun 30 2023, 4:44pm
Post #2 of 36
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What classics, those two are - thank you, Altaira!
I heard you had a bit of hail out there - there are pictures of the baseball stadium looking like it's covered in snow! Did you get any of that?
It hasn't yet hit the 80s around here, but humidity's on the rise, so we do have the fans in the windows (but not the AC yet). Do you have some strawberry lemonade in the 'fridge there? This is the weekend for our town's annual huge Craft Fair, so we'll be doing some Christmas gift shopping tomorrow!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
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Jun 30 2023, 4:56pm
Post #3 of 36
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The annual early Christmas shopping!
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How fun that must be. Do you find you go back to favorite stalls, or do you look for new things (or both)?
For the 2nd time this year we missed the hailstorm. The first one was further north and the most recent one was further south. This last one also hit the outdoor amphitheater at Red Rocks. I've seen pictures and heard of people who had huge welts on their body and even broken fingers.  The last bad one to hit us was about seven years ago, after which literally every house in our neighborhood had to have roofs replaced. B.g. and I were home for that one and the hail was so loud inside the house we couldn't hear each other speaking! We have a lot of respect for what hail can do and always try *not* to be out and about if it threatens.
Strawberry lemonade, coming up! Have an amazing weekend and enjoy the fair!
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dernwyn
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Jun 30 2023, 5:09pm
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There are certain vendors we hope return, with woodcrafts and pottery and homemade soaps and herb mixes, and a friend who makes sundry quilted items (like water-bottle carriers and table runners).
Whew, glad to know this latest one missed you, it was really nasty! Take care & enjoy the cooler temps!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Annael
Elvenhome
Jun 30 2023, 5:13pm
Post #5 of 36
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Well, if you like old movie stars dancing
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how about this montage?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1F0lBnsnkE
Not much in the way of plans beyond my daily walk and perhaps going to see "Asteroid City." My cat is not bothered by fireworks fortunately (except last year when our next-door neighbors set them off for 12 hours straight, including M-80s, but we don't live there any more). But I feel for those whose critters are terrified by loud noises, it's so hard on them.
I saw the videos of that hailstorm. Intense! We never get hail larger than a BB here, but it stings plenty if you get caught out in it.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
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NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Annael
Elvenhome
Jun 30 2023, 5:20pm
Post #6 of 36
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I've been craving a tall iced mocha . . .
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Altaira
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Jun 30 2023, 5:27pm
Post #7 of 36
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What a clever montage. Now I'm tired from just watching it!
Sounds like you have a nice weekend planned. Enjoy!
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Altaira
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Jun 30 2023, 5:30pm
Post #8 of 36
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As usual, it sounded so good I made one for me too!
Happy weekend, my friend!
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Kimi
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Jun 30 2023, 9:25pm
Post #9 of 36
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It's a nice time of year to stay indoors with the fire on (how our two cats loved to curl up and stare at the flames, and now we have another reason: the highway south is blocked. There was a rockfall on Monday, which was quickly cleared (I was lucky, as I'd had a checkup at the dentist's that morning but got home before the road was blocked), but the next day another fall came down. Then they got the engineers in for a geotechnical assessment, as it was clearly unsafe, and now it's closed till some time next week while they drive in 30 large piles and build a 40 metre (=yards, near enough) wall to hold back the oncoming collapses. So the main highway is blocked, just in time for school holidays to begin! There's an alternative route, but it's a much narrower and windier road that struggles with so much traffic, especially the heavy trucks - and there are far more of them than usual, as the railway is still under repair from those storms in summer. So definitely worth avoiding going any distance just now, and fingers crossed that the weather doesn't hold up repairs.
I've never seen our ground so wet - and it's elevated and on a gentle slope, so would be even soggier otherwise. Each of the huge hoofprints from the recent beef incursion is a small pond. I'm leaving the vegetable garden undisturbed until things dry out a little. There's some watery sunshine this morning, which is most welcome.
We're having a midwinter feast tonight: slow-roasted spiced lamb, followed by blackberry and apple pie I'm making from our own apples and blackberries. Looking forward to that very much. In the meantime, morning tea with freshly made (by Mr Kimi) scones and crabapple jelly (by me).
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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Altaira
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Jun 30 2023, 9:34pm
Post #10 of 36
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Your posts always make me hungry!
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Now I'm craving lamb. What do you spice it with?
Poor New Zealand. What a mess it must be. As you know, some of B.G.s family lives a little north of you. Luckily, they're also on high ground. Good decision to stay off the highway. Now for some of those puddles to dry out so you can do more outside!
Have a lovely rest of your weekend!
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Ataahua
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Jul 1 2023, 12:33am
Post #11 of 36
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do you blind-bake the pastry bottom or not have a pastry bottom at all? Whenever I've tried making a full-pastry fruit pie the bottom is aways soggy and ick.
I'm currently sitting in sunshine between the rushing clouds, working through my darning pile. It's snowing on the mountain and there's more coming in the next few days so yeah, winter's here.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Jul 1 2023, 4:31am
Post #12 of 36
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The first good, deep drink the crops (and my lawn) have had since April! We had a few hours in early May then early June; but this was 3 days (off and on) of a good measure of rain. Not big dumps that could do damage. It really was great! The heat did come back after the rain stopped... about 92 in the shade today... but that's been the norm lately.
I did have a WONDERFUL mini-party this week when I had a delivery of 6 cans of L&P soda!!! The last time I had it... the only time(s) I had it... was when I was in New Zealand where it hails from. Oh My... it was a stupendous flash-back and gave me a bit of a NZ visit. I'll be nursing the last 5 cans over the next several weeks!
L&P is shorthand for Lemon & Paeroa. It's a smooth, sweet, fizzy lemon soda... like carbonated lemonade. Paeroa is the town in the northern North Island. The mineral water found in that town is carbonated and combined with lemon. SO YUMMY! It's probably been changed a bit from that specific mineral water since Coca-Cola Auckland bought it out in 1980.
Sooooo... it has taken a bit of the edge off my homesickness for NZ. At least while I'm enjoying my drinks :)
I hope everyone has a great holiday (if it applies) weekend! Thanks for taking care of us, Altaira! :)
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Jul 1 2023, 4:35am
Post #13 of 36
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You really do find the neatest things at those. I hope you find some perfect treasures. :) I hope the rest of your trip went greatly!
You're in the 80s temps? Sweeeeeet!!!
I hope you have a great 4th of July weekend!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Jul 1 2023, 4:39am
Post #14 of 36
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I'm going to the movies this weekend/week, too.... but I'm going to see Harrison Ford's last romp as Indiana Jones!
I hope your cat doesn't have any residual PTSD from your other place. Some neighbours are real winners, right?
Have a GREAT weekend :)
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Jul 1 2023, 4:48am
Post #15 of 36
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I'm taking no mention of injuries to mean that no one was in the path of those slides! WOW! Especially YOU!! It sounds like you have challenges with your roads a few times a year.
Well, your garden will have a very interesting watering/irrigation system because of those hoof prints ;) It might start a new addition to your gardening routine!
What a wonderful dinner you two are putting together! I hope it was as yummy as it sounds... and that you have leftovers to enjoy!
Have a GREAT weekend!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Jul 1 2023, 10:29am
Post #16 of 36
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Greetings, all, and Happy July! I got involved
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in arranging all the pieces for the latest patchwork project last night (a brain-frying business) and forgot Fiesta. Today's weather is being typically English - i.e. you never know what it's going to do next. It's cool (14C when I went out at 9.30,, up to 17C now, 11.30am my time), rather blowy after early rain - and of course, as luck would have it, it's no.2 grandson's Junior School Fair today! I'm not sure if the inflatable assault course will be allowed out in this wind. Another attraction is a local driving school; children are allowed to take the wheel (in dual-controlled cars of course!) and make their way sedately round the sports field. That's always a hit (metaphorically speaking!) Enjoy your weekend, however you spend it - hooray for a long one in some cases - and may some good things happen to you in July! Dance like nobody's watching... cheers!
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Jul 1 2023, 1:17pm
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the weather sounds perfect for staying inside and brain-numbing your brain a bit more on your quilting project... we hear about your g'sons fair and the driving action.
My kids/g'kids would have LOVED that chance to drive! Can you believe that only 1 of my 4 g'kids drives (ages 22-28)!? When the 2 Balti g'kids visited in their youth, I'd take them out to drive on the farm back roads where I live. At the time, it was too costly for them to take driving lessons (between $300-$500) in Maryland. No school programs :(
I hope the weather calms down enough for the kids to enjoy their special events. Take care, m'dear!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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Annael
Elvenhome
Jul 1 2023, 2:36pm
Post #18 of 36
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You've given me an idea - surely there are some fairs going on this weekend around the valley.
I think I'll also look for a student-run car wash - they do such a good job and for a good cause, usually.
Going to bake this am - I've found theloopywhisk, a great site for GF recipes, and her lemon drizzle cake is to die for - have made it several times, and I have all the ingredients to hand, so why not?
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 1 2023, 2:38pm)
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Jul 1 2023, 6:04pm
Post #19 of 36
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It stayed windy, but the sun came out
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which was a bonus! The boys had a great time. From this side of the Pond one gets the impression that everyone in the US drives because of the distances involved and lack of public transport - but that's obviously a huge generalisation! I hate to think what it'd cost these days to go through the lessons and test and then get car insurance and a vehicle so you could actually drive.
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Kimi
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Jul 1 2023, 10:09pm
Post #20 of 36
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Being abstemious during the week does mean we enjoy our weekend treats all the more :)
The lamb gets coated with a mix of root ginger, garlic, cardamon, cumin, turmeric, and enough chili to give just a little bite. Then the remains of the spices are mixed with yogurt and ground almonds and spread over the meat, and it's left to marinate for 48 hours, then cooked for c. 6 hours. Fall-apart tender and so delicious.
It's certainly good to be on high ground just now!
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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Kimi
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Jul 1 2023, 10:17pm
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Well, to be strictly accurate this is the first time I've ever made a blackberry and apple pie (I've never had enough blackberries, apart from last year, but we lost all those when we had to dump our freezer contents after the storms), but I've made other pies, sometimes baked blind and sometimes not. For this I didn't pre-bake, and it turned out well. The reason: pastry rolled out thinly, and baked in a metal dish, which helps crisp up the pastry. When I've done it in ceramic, I think it works better to bake blind first.
Very chilly today! I'm about to light the fire. No snow to gaze at, though.
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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Kimi
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Jul 1 2023, 10:59pm
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I think the rockfalls started fairly slowly, so that there was time to close the road before a lot more material came crashing down. Thank goodness for that!
Dinner was indeed yummy, and yes! Leftovers of lamb and of pie, so lazy meals today, which suits the mood :)
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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Kimi
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Jul 1 2023, 11:01pm
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That rain sounds just perfect.
Gosh, I haven't had world-famous-in-NZ L&P in decades! Enjoy your mini-parties, Gramma :)
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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Kimi
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Jul 1 2023, 11:17pm
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Amazing dancing, and fabulous work by the creator of the video.
Fireworks can be so distressing to animals, including those that are kept outside, like horses. I'm glad your boy is mellow.
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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Ataahua
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Jul 2 2023, 3:05am
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I've just put on the stove a big pot of chicken and vegetable soup - perfect for this weather. I'll have some tonight with garlic bread and freeze meal-size portions for later use.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
(This post was edited by Ataahua on Jul 2 2023, 3:07am)
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