Hump Day

Yes, it's the middle of the week already, and the first week in August at that.  How time flies, especially when you are having fun!  That's what we did yesterday, had a fun day in Crosby.  We went down to get those great Elberta peaches that are a tradition in the Johnson household.  Jodi, Abbey and I came back with eleven cases, not all for us though!  I'll meet Shauna in Estevan today and deliver her and Louise's three cases, Jodi took three cases back to distribute, one went to a neighbour and the rest are mine.  Peach pies are a favorite to have in the freezer.  I freeze them before baking and they turn out great.  We love to eat fresh peaches (with or without cream!) and I'll can the rest.  I use mom's Wearever canner/roaster.  The jars aren't immersed in water but sit on a rack above the boiling water and are steamed.  I rarely have a jar that doesn't seal.  I'll take some pictures of the process when the peaches are ready as they are quite green yet.

The blade on the ride-on lawn mower needed sharpening so we dropped that off at New Century Ag.  Attempts to find a new drive belt were unsuccessful but the clerks were very helpful and we did get a proper number for the belt, which should be available in Williston.  Clare has another part to pick up there  so that will work out okay.

Then we spent time browsing through the stores.  J Co Drugs is our favourite as they have so many lovely things there, including collections of Willow Tree, Precious Moments, Norsk items and many others.  Garbel Furniture can't be beat either.  We saw a neat green fabric chair that swivelled and rocked.  That might require another trip down, no room for a chair with all those peaches!  But first I'll have to get rid of something else to make room for it.

We enjoyed our lunch at Hot Stuff Pizza, or "the Coke Cafe" as we call it as the decor is mostly Coke with old fashioned booths, chrome tables and chairs.  It's a busy place with all the oil drilling and construction going on in that part of North Dakota.  We also stopped at Hardware Hanks and found some new Watkins products to try.  I bought laundry detergent and Jodi got Aloe Vera dish soap that is very concentrated.  She also found bags for her Eureka vacuum cleaner.  Abbey bought grab bags at the craft store.  We also checked out the fabric and used book store.  Jodi spotted some Wizard of Oz fabric that would make a neat quilt for a girl who loves that movie!

Today I'm off to Estevan to visit Howard.  I try to go in twice a week.  It's getting harder for him to get around so I'm hesitant to take him home in case he falls.  I'm not sure if a walker would help him or not.  I'll talk to the nurses about that today.  I'll also fill out a form for a handicap parking permit for him.

We had some lightning and thunder last night but just a shower of rain.  So I better see about watering my tomato plants as they didn't get much from the skies.  Have a great rest of the week!

I'll add Howard's address and phone number as he will be 76 years old on August 11.  Send mail to him at St. Joseph's Special Care Home, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK  S4A 2V6  His phone number is 306 637 2507.