.....and what happened to summer?

Okay, I have been ignoring this for most of the year!  Ironic after one of our driest summers ever, it is pouring rain, lightening and thundering right now.  Is it my fault we didn't get rain?   Moose is resting his chin on my left hand and wondering why we aren't out walking.

Summer was spent working and trying to capture little weekend trips.  We managed one camping trip to Wissota State Park east of Chippewa Falls - lovely, lovely.   Bought a new tent for the occasion that worked out great, and now it is stored for the season.   Still need to get an air bed before I sleep on the hard ground again (haven't I been saying that for several years now?).

We are a friendship family to a young woman from Myanmar.  The Saint arrived in August and we helped her get moved in to St. Kate's.  She will spend one year through  a State Department program and is experiencing all of American life and finds much of it perplexing.  Her country is tropical, typical temperature range from 75 to 105 degrees F.  Minnesota is quite the contrast.   They have only had a democratic government for a few years so she is not used to personal freedom and the ability to travel.  She has gotten us to St. Catherine University for several O'Shaugnessy events that have been fun and we'll see her Saturday to carve pumpkins.

Steven moved to his own apartment in River Falls and is enjoying his freedom and his job at the River Falls Country Inn.   He started part time and now has five days a week from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift.   Seems to  be working for him.  Brian moved from his River Falls apartment to Eau Claire in August.   He is studying at CVTC and taking seven classes.  We picked him up when we visited Tenba Ridge Winery in Blair WI and enjoyed wine tasting and dinner at Northwoods Brew Pub in Eau Claire.  He doesn't call, hope all is going well with his school.

We have been saving our vacation for a BIG adventure.  We leave for New Zealand in 16 days.  We fly to Los Angeles on November 10 and then a 13 hour flight to Auckland New Zealand.    We will have a rental card and first stop will be in Matamata where we will see The Shire from Lords of the Rings.  We spend a day in Roturua by the lake before traveling to Wellington.  The ferry will cross between the north and south islands.  We will whale watch by Kaikoura, see the western coast by Punakaiki, walk on glaciers on Fox Glacier, see glow worm in caves by Te Anau, take a boat tour on Milford Sound, visit vineyards at Wanaka.  Bill with fish a full day while in Wanaka.  We then will travel to Invercargill, the southern most tip of the country, explore the coast to see penguins, seals, sea birds by the Caitlins and end our trip in Dunedin where we spend three days, take a wildlife tour to see more penguins.   Can you tell - I am really, really, really excited.  This trip has been on our wish list for 31 years, and a year and half in planning.   We'll see how I do being away from home for three weeks.  I will miss my walks with Moose and early morning access to my coffee pot!  

Speaking of coffee, time to refill my mug.......

Rain, rain, lovely rain

There have been very few mornings with rain hitting my head as I walk Moose.  Today is one of the rainy ones!   We have been so very, very dry, it is welcome.   Temps had dipped below freezing the past few nights, however this morning we are in the 50's - hurray for warmth.  

The birds are happily singing,  I can hear a cardinal calling from the birch tree.  I still haven't identified the repetitive 'oo, oo, oo, oo..." sounding bird down by the marsh.   It is there every morning between 5:00 and 6:00 and appears to be flying as I hear the sound from various spots in the western edge of the marsh.   Would love to be able to see it.  

Have to get ready for work - a lovely day ahead.

March 16, 2012

A significant day in Mahowald history - Casey Rainier Milesko will marry Kimberly Alice Yeske at 5:00 p.m. today in Duluth, Minnesota.   Liz and Joe are so proud, and happy for them.   Young love, eternal promises.  I wish the best to them.

I packed for the trip last night.  My first instinct was to grab a back pack - it is only ONE day.   After laying things on the bed (and deciding between three dresses), I grabbed a larger bag.   When I finished, I realized there are FOUR pairs of shoes in my packing plans.   How is that possible??   One pair of brown flats to wear with blue jeans in the car, one pair of black heels to wear to the wedding, one pair of "backup" flat sensible shoes to wear if my feet are hurting at the wedding, and one pair of tennis shoes for working out at the hotel.   Now does that make sense?!!    I have taken the heels out, and will go with the sensible shoes for the wedding.   I am contemplating wearing tennis shoes in the car for today and tomorrow non-wedding events.   Tennis shoes, ugh.    Sensible shoes for a wedding?    I may go back to the idea of four pairs!

Elaine is in town for the wedding!   She had an audit in Kansas that ended yesterday so she diverted her flight to MSP and will stay through Sunday.  It's really unfortunate that her entire family can't attend but not realistic.   Family members are staying at different Duluth/Superior hotels.  Most of us will be at the Sheraton as it is right next to they Greysalon Plaza where the reception will be held.   Ann, Warren, Paul and Shane will stay at the Voyageur Lakewalk Inn right down the street.  Pat, Jean and Laura will be at the Superior Inn, and Daniel and warren will go back to their cabin.   So excited to see everyone.

Moose will spend the night at Hilltop Kennel.  I'll drop him off at 9:00 a.m., and we'll head out after 10:00.   All of my family (less Brian) will be there.   We plan to take our time driving, stop for lunch in Hinkley and see Lake  Superior before checking in to the hotel.  Steven and David will have their own room so they can be independent of my early to bed, early to rise schedule.  I plan to dance at the wedding, so perhaps it won't be quite so early to bed tonight!

My favorite day of the week

The best quote I've heard in the past few weeks was from Liz, "every day is significant".  Based on that it is safe to say, today is my favorite day of the week.   Enjoying coffee, browsing on the computer, watching lovely flakes of snow drifting softly just outside my windows.  A squirrel is eating sunflower seeds from below the feeder.  Need to get that filled so the birds can enjoy their breakfast.

Participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by Audubon and Cornell Labs.  I enjoy our feathered friends, the day I counted saw the normal backyard visitors - chickadees, blue jays, house sparrows, redpoll, cardinals,  Within the next few days after the count also heard a barred owl, saw an eagle, red tailed hawk, juncos, gold finches (or are they pine siskins?!).   Wonder if I could make a living watching birds?

The birding job would need to pay well as this has been an expensive week - water quit working on Thursday morning.  Called Aune Well Company and he came within the hour.  By the time he left we had a new submersible pump, control cable, pressure switch and my bank account was lightened by $1200.   The same day Bill stopped at P.M. Bedroom Gallery and ordered a Cooper Sleigh headboard with a foundation drawer unit, and a new queen sized Sebastian mattress.  It will take five weeks to be made at a spot just south of Eau Claire.  After 31 years of just a mattress and box spring on a metal frame, this will be a delight.   Warranty - 267 years!    Who will get that when I'm ready to downsize?

Megan is home.  David picked her up after work yesterday and I'll take her back tomorrow for her to be at work at 8:00 a.m.   We'll grocery shop this morning, and want to check if Treasures from the Heart has any coats, stop at Karma Gifts.   She wants to bake and take treats back to her roommates.  We have tickets to see the play, Almost Maine at UWRF this evening so called the box office and had them set aside an extra ticket for Megan.  Gene and Susan Frederickson will meet us at Mariachi Loco at 5:30.  It will be good for Megan to meet Susan as she is an occupational therapist.

David should be getting up soon for work, will make an omelet and pack him a lunch.   Moose wants another walk.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lovely, lovely morning with a sky full of starts.  While walking Moose at 5:30 I kept my eyes to the sky enjoying the celestial show.   Saturn and Jupiter both visible in the night sky, big dipper high in the north, the three sisters protecting the south.  

Bill helped make pumpkin and pecan pies last night, they are "hiding" in the downstairs frig.  We went to the Whole Earth wine tasting and Bill selected a rose wine, I also want to serve the Cannon Falls St. Croix to remember Kevin.  Megan made her bread crumbs for the shiitake walnut dressing last night filling the house with aroma of garlic and olive oil toasting.....  The turkey will go in the oven by 7:00 and then will make bread to form in to rolls later this morning.   My most favorite meal of the year!  

Off to Skype with Liz and then to get the turkey in the oven.

Saturday

Day one of Wisconsin's gun deer season.   Bill went in to the woods about 9:15, not certain how much success he will have.  I reminded him to shoot away from the house.  I saw three deer before 7:00 a.m., I invited them to stay in our yard - after cautioning them to stay OUT of the water garden (and to hide when they see Bill).   Sadly, a deer already broke through the ice in our water garden earlier this week.   It has refrozen and I could see upended plant containers.  The hoof must have ripped the lining because the water level is down six or more inches.   Alas, the dilemmas wildlife trying to find water in the cold weather.   A chickadee was sitting in the Tina crab tree, and another in the tree right by the water garden.   Both were singing.  Quite certain they were asking how they are supposed to get a drink.  I may invest in a heated bird bath for my birds.   

Grocery shopping for Thanksgiving is done.   I had talked to Whole Earth Grocery about buying a natural turkey, however their largest bird is less than 16 pounds.  We expect 23 guests, so I purchased a 20 lb. turkey at Dick's Fresh Market.    Bought a spiral cut ham also, and all the other items needed for Thursday's dinner, so there should be plenty of food.   Butterball.com has a hilarious list of things to do in the week preceding Thanksgiving.   The frozen turkey should be thawing in the frig already (oops!), and all the holiday dishes, flatware should be washed and linens ironed.   Tuesday's tasks includes selecting what to wear, and ironing the outfit.   Good grief!   When does a woman have time to work with lists like that!   On the plus side, I have counted chairs, made place cards and decorated the house already.  That is Monday's task.  :-) I do plan to bake bread and pies on Wednesday night so that will be out of the way.   I'm so grateful to have two refrigerators, and two ovens.  

It's so overcast outside, today would be a good baking day!   Temp below freezing, and we are expecting snow a bit later in the day.  We have had a few flakes already.  I'm not ready to have snow on the ground yet.  Hope it holds off until December.

Brisk fall morning

Out early this morning with Moose.  The half light of the hunter's moon lit our walk down Liberty Road.  Spent yesterday morning digging roots of buckthorn from our woods.  Who knew that those roots were so obnoxiously deep and intertwined!   Need to continue the process this morning - after more caffeine!

Sounds of shot guns in the distance, bird hunting has begun.  I'm happy our property is a no hunting zone, yet the sounds are a bit unnerving as I ponder heading in to the woods.

The process of getting ready for cold weather continues.  Outside potted plants will move to the breezeway today.  Dahlia bulbs need to be dug.  Debating about how long to leave carrots underground, may leave them another week - amazingly, the moles haven't found them.

Bill is in process of putting in a larger window in our downstairs bedroom, the transom glass to fill in the window space is ordered.   Need it to arrive before it gets much colder - plastic in our bedroom window does not make me happy.  Although it gives a sense of camping and we never did get out camping this season.   Didn't go canoeing either, what is wrong with us?  Perhaps not too late for a canoe outing?

Dinner at Good Earth Restaurant last night with Bill, Amy and Megan.  A lovely evening.  Didn't bring home any of their bread, so will bake some of my own this morning.