Grandma Barb’s This and That

Friday, October 11, 2013

Random 5 Friday

Just a few random facts and photos from the past week.

1.  Tuesday night I heard that there were supposed to be some great Northern Lights.  So I drove out of town to a dark country road.  I waited and watched until almost 1 o'clock and never saw a thing except a couple of airplanes and the revolving light at the airport.  My grandson in Duluth however saw the Northern Lights and sent me a picture with permission to share it with you.  Thanks Nicholas!




2.  I haven't seen any butterflies all summer, but two have been hanging around the humming bird feeder the last few days.  I was going to take down the feeder as it was attracting lots of flies and wasps but when the butterflies started drinking out of it, I left it for them to enjoy.  I'm not familiar with the names of these two.






3.  I finished my last watercolor class.  We worked on 4 paintings but I haven't finished any of them.  This  calla lily is the closest to being finished and is the one I like best.


4.  I have been baking apples in the microwave.  So fast and easy.  Just core the apple, place in a microwave safe dish, add brown sugar and a little butter in the hole,  add a little water to the dish, cover and bake 4 minutes.  I like to eat mine with cream.



5.  One day last week my dishwasher quite right in the middle of the cycle, leaving a couple of inches of water in the bottom. I had to bail it out as it started to smell before the repair man could get here.  He came today and discovered it was a burned wire so no electricity was getting to it.  I was so glad to hear that's all that was wrong so it was easy and inexpensive to fix.

Linking to Random 5 Friday over at Nancy's A Rural Journal

Thanks for stopping and have a great weekend!

See you next time

Barb


46 comments:

Our photos said...

You have make beautiful pictures!
Greetings, RW & SK

Ercotravels said...

Beautiful images!!
Hugs
Erco Travels

Anne Payne said...

WOW on the Northern Lights photo! I haven't seen too many butterflies this year. Pretty shots of yours. And your watercolor is gorgeous!!! I'm going to try that apple in the microwave...love fresh apples this time of year :)

Carole M. said...

how dissapointing to miss out on the light show Barb' -- I've seen it on tv documentary at some time and it would be amazing to capture. Thanks to your nephew for sharing his. Loved the butterfly and your calla lily; I do hope you find time to finish your art. I'm a bit like that too; have a number of quilting or embroidery projects never quite finished - but I did enjoy starting and working with them when I did that...

Karen Lakis said...

I've never seen Northern lights - I hope you have better luck next time, but I do applaud your efforts. You watercolor is so pretty, I'm not sure what isn't finished but hope you show it again when it is. Have a nice weekend!

Hootin Anni said...

Bud and I saw the Northern Lights ONCE...and that believe it or not, was in Northern Colorado!!!! Looking north ... way north to the horizon. It was spectacular there, and I can only imagine what it would be like in Minnesota!! Wow...the star shine is awesome in the photo.

Now, microwaved baked apples?!!! Oh, I'm gonna try that and soon.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

oh pooh, that would be so frustrating to not see any lights. do you think it was because it was too cloudy or i wonder?

no butterflies? i wonder where they have been? i have not see monarchs in years. not sure why? we have other sorts. usually the VA butterfly ... "tiger swallowtail" such a beauty. ( :

Lynn said...

nice photo of the NL's, I've seen them and they are spectacular , I've a friend that paints nothing but them. I'm always sad when there lovely wings get ragged..beautiful photos and lovely watercolour...

Nancy said...

Love your painting Barb! I've always been envious of watercolor painters.

Beautiful butterflies you've attracted -- we're getting honey bees at our feeder right now.

And kudos to your nephew on the photo he took. It's beautiful.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Barb you are lucky to have such a wonderful grandson to send you the Northern Lights beautiful.
Your Calla Lilly is wonderful.
The butterfly shots incredible. Hug B

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Barb,
Wow, I enjoyed all of the gorgeous pictures♡♡♡ How great you could share the picture of Northern Lights. Your watercolor is beautiful. Haha, I've never had baked apple; I will try your recipe.

Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Latane Barton said...

I am glad that burned out wire did not start a fire! That could have been bad.

Vee said...

Beautiful Northern Lights! I can't remember the last time I saw them...perhaps fifty years ago, which is shocking.

That does it, I'm having a baked apple for breakfast. Off to prepare it now.

Snap said...

the northern lights -- what a treat it must be to seeing them "live". sorry you missed out. i love baked apples -- yours made my mouth water. lovely butterflies. i haven't seen many this year. let's see more of your watercolors. i love calla lilies.

Mari said...

We tried to see the Northern lights, but they didn't show up here either. Your grandsons picture is gorgeous!

TexWisGirl said...

the northern light are spectacular! thanks for sharing that.

your butterflies are a red admiral and a mourning cloak. both gorgeous.

glad you could get the dishwasher repaired w/o too much trouble!

Nancy said...

I too love baked apples and I have to admit sometimes I put ice cream on top.....Your Northern Lights is just amazing. I am sorry you didn't get to see it yourself but at least your have this beautiful photograph to enjoy.....and congratulations on completion of your art class...I love watercolors and I think you did a great job....

poppilinnstudios said...

Great Northern Lights photo-something I've always wanted to see. Barb, you are one talented lady-your watercolor is beautiful!
Have a great weekend.
-Lynn

diane said...

Great post!
I would so love to see the Northern Lights up close before I die!
And dang! thanks for the microwave apple tip!!!!
I'm putting that on the menu!

Karen said...

Wow, that Northern Lights capture is awesome! We still have a few butterflies flitting around. I never thought of "baking" an apple in the microwave, I'm going to try it!

SImple and Serene Living said...

What a beautiful northern lights photo and your pinting is so pretty. Love the apple idea. Will definitely try. xo Laura

Michelle said...

That apple does look good!

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Your calla lily is very pretty! You did a great job. And I love the idea of baking an apple in the microwave. I will have to give that a try.

renae said...

Amazing photos Barb. Some of my other photographer buds are taking awesome pics of butterflies now, too. Is it the season? I guess they are more full grown and gorgeous in Autumn? doh.

Oh THANKS for the encouragement on finding white jeans! Yay!

My name is Riet said...

Wow, great Northern light photo. I love your painting and that apple looks so good.

barbara l. hale said...

Here's to inexpensive appliance repairs! Those apples sound delicious. Terrific post.

Debbie said...

the northern lights are so beautiful, i have only seen pictures!!

your water color is very pretty barb.....and i am thinkin' i may bake some apples ;)

have a great weekend!!

eileeninmd said...

I love the Northern lights, it is beautiful. Great shot from your son! The butterfly is a lovely capture. And your baked apples sound yummy. Have a happy weekend!

Deanna said...

Lucky guy to capture those northern lights...beautiful!! Glad to hear only a minor repair, when something like that happens I always expect the worse. And I forget about baking apples in the microwave...so simple and so delicious (especially with cream...yum!)

Kerin said...

Beautiful pictures!
A baked apple sounds perfect this time of year....and so easy too!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Kerin

Carletta said...

Your son did a wonderful capturing that sky. I've always wished I could see the Northern Lights. I'm sorry you didn't.
Beautiful butterflies. I think the first is an admiral.
Love your watercolor! You have talent my friend.
Happy weekend!

chica said...

Lindas fotos e as borboletas maravilhosas! beijos,tudo de bom,chica

Vee said...

Barb, I didn't follow directions! (Forgot to add the water.) But the recipe turned out great all the same...guess that there was enough juice in the apple. My apple slumped down more than yours making yours a whole lot prettier, but it was a two-thumbs up recipe here and we'll be making it again.

Amy Burzese said...

Great shot by your grandson! Your watercolor is beautiful. Keep at it!

Judy said...

I love seeing the Northern lights and have only experienced seeing them a couple of times. Great photo by your grandson.

Tanya Breese said...

wow, your grandson's photo is beautiful and i love your painting, you've got talent! happy that your dishwasher is back in service!

Brian King said...

He took a beautiful photo! Love your butterfly! Your painting is wonderful!

Louisette said...

Beautifull!


☸ڿڰۣڿڰۣ

Have a nice day Greeting from Belgium
Blog seniorennet.Be Louisette Blog

Nancy said...

I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights. Your grandson was so fortunate to see them, and be able to capture them so beautifully. Your watercolor is lovely, Barb. Nicely done. Butterflies bring so much pleasure, don't they? Have a great weekend. Nancy

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Lovely northern lights - and the butterflies are fabulous. Loved this post. And I'm happy that your dishwasher repair was simple.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Fun this and that post, Barb...think your butterfly is a swallowtail. OH I would like to see northern lights like that...really pretty!

Ida said...

What a cool photo of the Northern Lights. - I saw them once years ago in Canada out on the Prairie, stunning show.
Beautiful butterflies. I just saw the red one yesterday here and will feature a photo of it tomorrow on my blog. I've never seen the yellow one you have there.

Stewart M said...

We had a very old apple tree in our garden in the UK - big apples, but very sharp taste - cored, packed with dried fruit and then baked - autumn heaven!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Pamela Gordon said...

The northern lights picture is gorgeous. They were visible here last week too and a fellow in Fredericton got a beautiful photo and a lady in PEI also got one. I watched but wasn't about to stay out late for it. You are persistent. I'm glad your dish washer was an easy fix. Your painting is beautiful. I think you did a lovely job on it. Keep up the good work. Have a beautiful week Barb!

hula-la said...

Northern lights are on my bucket list! Great post! Aloha

EG CameraGirl said...

The baked apple looks delicious and the recipe is soooo easy. Thanks. I'm so glad your dishwasher was inexpensive to fix.