Grandma Barb’s This and That

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Abby and Brittany

I first saw Abby and Brittany in the grocery store in Waconia when I lived there.  I couldn't believe my eyes as they walked down the isle toward me.  They are conjoined twins. They smiled and said hi as I stared at them wide eyed.
Several years later they babysat my grandkids for 2 summers. I got to meet them and am amazed at what these girls can do.  It was fun to watch them work together and use the computer.  Many times they would give the same answer at the same time to a question.

They are staring in a reality show starting tonight on TLC at either 8 or 9 pm.  If you want to be amazed at what these conjoined twins can do, watch the show.  Let me know what you think.  You can read a little about them and see a video  here.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/11/conjoined-twins-abby-and-brittany-hensel_n_1760552.html

Barb

Barn Charm 100

On the way to the winery, when I was at my daughter's, I spied this old barn through the trees.  I turned around to get a few pics.






Linking to Barn Charm 100

I'll be taking another little break.  I've been having some health issues and am going to Sioux Falls for tests and perhaps a procedure.  I will let you know the results when I get them.  I'll visit and comment when I have time.  Have a great week.

Until next time
Barb

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Surprise at the Winery

My daughter had told me about a new winery on the north shore of Lake Waconia.  I decided to check it out.  This is the first thing I saw as I drove in.  A big black barn, horses and fence.  I've never seen a black barn in Minnesota.










I went back to the winery with my daughter and her boyfriend and I'll show those pictures later.

I'm sharing these at

Thanks for stopping by.
Until next time...have a great weekend
Barb

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Back to the 50's

One of the fun things I did with my grandson, Kiefer, and my daughter's boyfriend, Randy, was to go to an old car show.  It was held at a drive-in restaurant that has been in existence since the 1950's.  They still serve food and were playing 50's music. It was fun to see all the old cars, since I grew up in the 50's.  I'm not sure what the oldest car there was.





Here is Kiefer with Randy's 1952 Chevy.







Here are a few of the other cars that were there.



There were many more cars.  I just couldn't photograph them all.   I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I did.

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time.

Barb

Monday, August 20, 2012

Yellow Barn

I'm back after having a great time with my daughter and grandchildren.  I'll show pictures later.  I also spent time with my cousin.  We were out looking for garage sales when we spotted this yellow barn.  We drove in and asked the lady if we could photograph her barn.  She was happy to let us.  She said the barn was her pride and joy. She and her husband had restored it and added a new roof twice.  I'm sure glad they did because it is a beauty.









Linking to Barn Charm

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Until next time.


Barb




Monday, August 13, 2012

More weeds, wild flowers, and a barn

This barn is not pretty and it sits right in town.  Farmers bring their pigs here to be shipped to market.




But I thought this side of it made a pretty picture taken in the evening light,






Linking to Barn Charm 

We had more rain yesterday which we are so thankful for, and it has cooled down into the 70's.  My kind of weather!  

Several of you asked what kind of camera or lens I bought.  It is a point and shoot, Canon Power Shot SX260HS with 20x zoom. I can't afford a big camera and lens, and my arthritic wrists wouldn't be able     to hold it..

I will be taking a break for the rest of the week to be with my grandkids before school starts.  I will miss joining my favorite linky parties, but I will visit when I can.

Until next time, have a great week!

Barb

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Playing with my camera

While I was out playing with my new camera the other day I took this picture.  Can you see the barn?   It's just a spect in the center of the horizon.


I zoomed in a ways and this is what I got.



I zoomed in all the way and this is what I got.  I have no idea how far away that barn was.  It's not the best photo, but it is a lot closer than I could get with my old camera.  With the old camera I probably wouldn't have seen much difference from the first shot.



I'm lovin' it!

Have a great week.

See you tomorrow with another barn for Barn Charm.

Barb

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Fences, Wildflowers and Weeds

  I stopped along the road to take these pictures of fences, wildflowers, and a few weeds in the ditch.  We've had a couple of nice rains and things have really greened up.










There were even some rose hips

.
Linking to:
 Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer
Green Day at Raindrops and Daisies

Thanks for stopping by
Until next time...

Barb

Tractors

I have been seeing lots of tractors lately.





I stopped to take a picture of a barn and across the road was this place, full of old tractors.











Linking to Rural Thursday #29

Thanks for stopping and have a great day.

Until next time. . .

Barb

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Hardy Hibiscus and Window Boxes

My Hardy Hibiscus bloomed for the first time.









The window boxes are finally filling in.  The ivy is really growing.
I also planted some Autumn Joy Sedum under the window boxes.
A friend was digging hers up and gave them to me.






Linking to
Share Your Cup Thursday #20
Cottage Garden Party #15
Potpourri Friday #36


Thanks for stopping and have a great day.
Until next time
Barb

Monday, August 6, 2012

Barn Charm 97

I found this barn on another of my evening drives.






Linking to Barn Charm

Thanks for stopping.  Have a great week!

See you next time

Barb

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Drying Hydrangeas

When the rain clouds started rolling in yesterday, I thought I better pick some of my hydrangeas before the rain ruined them.


Several of you have asked if I dry them.  Here is what I did.  I picked the biggest, best ones and put them in a bucket in the garage over night.


This morning I tied them in bunches of 3 and hung them on the old bird feeder stand I found on the curb last summer.  They are now drying in the garage.


I also have some drying in vases in the house.  I put them in a little water and let the water dry up.




I even have some in the bathroom that I dried last year.  After a year they are starting to turn a little brown.



Linking to
Share Your Cup Thursday #19

Hope you are having a wonderful day.
I'm always happy to see you drop by.
Until next time

Barb




Rural Scene

As I was driving past this pasture the other day I just had to stop and take a picture of the cattle standing in the shade out of the hot afternoon sun.




I am happy to say we had over an inch of rain last night!!

and
Friday Fences

Thanks for stopping!  Have a great day.

Until next time.

Barb