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.