Phil Plastered

In addition to Pioneer Days Celebration on weekend, Phil also came and stayed with us to do some plaster work.

 After the base layer was put on and dried, he layered the top coat nice and smooth... and now we wait for it to dry, and wait....

Sunday was my day off, too. After Phil's morning work we went out to Lake Superior. A perfect destination on such a warm day. 

At the sandy beach I waded in the water, which was refreshing rather than frigid, though I only let my bottom wet. Joe was happy skipping rocks all along. 

It was a fun and short weekend with Phil. To show our thanks to him for the work Joe made sure he had enough to drink. Just not as much to get Phil plastered!

Second 4th of July!?

Over this past weekend our little town celebrated its mining history. As always at the end of "Pioneer Days" on Saturday they had fireworks nearby our house. Since we were both too busy to plan a meal for our big extended family, we took out family size pizzas to bake at home. Quick and easy, though it was one of the hottest days this year!! 

Then Joe and his brothers put out their private firework displays, mostly to keep our little house guests entertained while we waited for the big fireworks. Up this north it doesn't get dark till 10:30 or even later.

So we celebrated our second 4th of July... Joe's sister Anne joined us this time.

Great Fajita Phil Missed Out

Since my mom and brother are coming to visit in a month, Phil had offered us help to make a part of our plastered wall presentable. And he was supposed to come up today until he realized he had a lot more down trees to take care of from last week's bad storm.
I had already marinated Fajita beef for tonight's dinner, so I might as well enjoy blogging about it, too, with the above title. Joe as always grilled it to perfection. 

If Phil had been here, Joe would have made a batch of margarita!



One Stone, Three Birds!?

The day after the 4th of July was my day off and also another 5th to celebrate our anniversary. Joe was able to take the afternoon off from work, so we decided to take a 2 hour drive up north.
Reason One: Our car needed a long drive after its AC was recharged.
Reason Two: I was almost running out of soy sauce... and all other things for Asian cooking that it was time to go to the World Foods store. 

Reason Three: Why not having a nice dinner at our favorite restaurant/ brew house?

So it made our July 5th that much more special, and we now have a working AC in the car AND plenty of soy sauce!!

Happy July 4th!

This year's 4th of July is sure HOT enough, but doesn't FEEL like a holiday, more like a Sunday smacked in the middle of a work week. In fact, I'm working today, the 4th, and off yesterday and tomorrow.
So, last night we had our own little celebration at home. Joe grilled up some fresh corn, veggies, and marinated steak. 

Not all American is our style! Rice balls and soy marinated beef with chopsticks. At least it was only the 3rd. Later in the evening Joe had some fun (practice) lighting fireworks, and we both enjoyed the summer night outside.

Hopefully tonight is as perfect as last night for fireworks, BIG fireworks over the big lake.

Happy 4th to everyone!