Cam's big Smallmouth Bass

Cam and I took the boat out for one last trip before winter hits later this week. While the fishing was slow, we did hook into this nearly 4 pound Smallmouth Bass. This earned Cam a South Dakota "Trophy Angler" award from the Game and Fish. We had the fish officially weighed at Mobridge. The Crappie we caught was also huge, 1.75 pounds, not quite big enough for an award. Oh yeah, we also landed a nice 3 pound walleye and clipped a rooster pheasant with the truck. It was a true "Surf and Turf" day for me and Cam! MMmmm, Roadkill!

Birthday Bonfire & other snaps from my 40th

Jim & Brian

Mariah, Jessica (our sitter) and mom Crystal

Darika & Mom, 'relaxing'

Renee with Addison, who's taking a taste test

Birthday goodies in the back

My birthday

My birthday ... withe a gorgeous cake made by friend Lori! That's a hydrangea blossom on top, with limes. Jim and Lori threw a great party for my 40th - BBQ, all our friends & neighbors and some family. Maybe I couldn't have asked for more, but I did - I'm supposed to get window treatments for the dining room bay. Note the date of this post: I got right on that. THANK YOU TO JIM AND ALL OUR FABULOUS FAMILY and FRIENDS. YOU ARE IRREPLACEABLE!

The Funny Onion

The little black things are onion seeds & the big pouf is what they came from. An onion we overlooked last year went to seed between the rows of corn, and the kids and I had so much fun watching it put up a big fat 3-foot stalk. We called it "The Funny Onion." As in "Hey Mom, look how big The Funny Onion is now!" "Is The Funny Onion still there?" The pouf was covered with tiny brilliant white flowers all summer. This fall, they changed to these little pods, the stalk fell over and guess what, the seeds fell out onto the ground! Nature at work!! I harvested the pod & will save the seeds to plant next year, if I can figure out how to get them started. Maybe you just throw them in the ground -- I hope so. That would be really easy, and I'm all about easy in the garden.

I can't believe you did that.

Buddy is really tolerant. Punkin's manic phases last about an hour each, and Bud's her main focus. It's been like bringing a hyperactive, destructive but really cute 3-year-old to live with a middle-aged guy who was really OK with living "alone." I've been giving him lots of extra attention.