Tuesday

poor ducks ~


We took a little ride up to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage to see if the ice was off.  The only open water we saw was this little bit by the dock ... 


... LOTS of ice out there.  I don't think any boats will be putting in this body of water for the opening of fishing season ... coming up this next weekend.


Then we took a ride over to the cabin to see if everything was ok over there.  The yard has water in it ... along with a pair of mallard ducks.  


If there's too much ice on the big water ... go swim in the puddles!



It was snowing again this morning ... the temps are only in the high 30's.  Oh well... nothing we can do about that.

Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel

Saturday

smoked ~


The ol' smoker may not be the prettiest of contraptions that we've made over the years; but it sure does do a great job.

Dear Hubby is gone for the day making firewood at our daughters place ~ so he left me in charge of the smoker.  

I've been watching the temperature and smoke pan and tending to it like a newborn baby.  Inside are some big farm fresh chickens and cornish hens.  


They were brined in apple cider with rosemary and sweet basil.


They smell divine!  I wish I could rip off a leg or breast, or whatever your preferred piece of chicken may be and give you a taste.  Delish!!

Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel


Wednesday

about time ~

All I can say is IT'S ABOUT TIME spring came to northern Wisconsin!!

It's hard to believe that this was only a week ago - after our last run in with Mother Nature ... look at that scowl on the old truck.  The way the snow was piled up on the hood it looks ornery!


The poor little junco's found their way north again ... only to get snowed on.  When Dear Hubby was shoveling the sidewalk he pushed it back beyond the edges and they were all over scratching and digging in the grass.


A row of Junco's  

Now ... a week later ~ and some warmer weather ... I can FINALLY see my lawn.  Happy dance... happy dance.


I needed a spring time project ... besides house cleaning.  I can't get into the flower beds yet or even rake the lawn; as it's too wet.  So............

I'm making giant pileated woodpeckers out of plywood to hang up high in the trees.  Here's my inspiration:

I told the girls I was making two for myself and they both wanted one.  Then I decided to make one for Mom to hang over at the farm ... and  I figured I better make a couple extras right away while I had the time and paints out.

One side is painted and propped up to dry in front of the fan.  Hopefully, tonight I can flip them over and get the other side painted.  These little buggers are taking some time as I have to double coat them and can only do one color at a time.  They stand about 3 1/2 feet tall.


A row of woodpeckers.

Other than that ... not much going on around here.

Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel

tips ~


I need to go buy this book for Dear Hubby!

I heard it's only volume 1 out of 5 ...

... but it's also a picture book so men can understand it. 


Seriously, I wonder what that book is really about??  I saw the picture on FB and just thought I'd share :)

I really can't complain in this department ... Dear Hubby does like to help out in the kitchen with cooking and the dishes :)

Ha! I might have to try this one.
~~~*~~~*~~~

There isn't much going on around here.  

We did go and buy a new front door for the house; but it's been too cold to install it.  Plus ... we're suppose to get another foot of snow or more !!!  Crazy crazy weather we're having this spring.  

Look at the snow prediction for Park Falls ~ that's me... bring it on Old Man Winter ... bring it on!!  I give in!!!! You win!!!!


So instead of being outside enjoying the beautiful weather ~ I sit and putter around with inside spring cleaning - because as soon as it warms up and the ground thaws ... I'm outta here!!! 


Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel

Tuesday

yes ~

I've been getting a few phone calls from people who have summer cabins up in my neck of the woods.  They all ask the same thing.  "Do you still have snow up there?"  The answer is YES!!! And NO you can not get into your place yet, unless you plan on coming with a four wheel drive truck with a plow attached to it.

Here's how much I still have in my yard.



That snowbank behind the deer is about 10 feet high!  It'll probably still be there in June!!

It is melting by the driveway and the sidewalk is finally cleared off.  Also around the base of some of the trees it has melted off; but the majority of it is still here.

We need a good rain and some more sunny days before this is gone.

Last fall the snow came upon us so quickly I didn't have time to take the pumpkins out of the planters, which I had sitting in there for decoration beside the door.  I did carry a couple of them down to the deer ... but they were so mushy from being frozen and were still covered with a lot of snow that I decided to put that little chore off to another day.

Well...
Chubby couldn't wait any longer for me to take them to him ...


... he came up to the house and helped himself.

While Chubby was up here munching on mushy pumpkins ... this bugger was pruning my arbor vitae tree.  



Slim said it won't be long and I'll be complaining about the critters eating my flowers!  He's right too.  Once I stop feeding them in the yard they'll be off to the woods again for the summer months.  I'll miss the daily visits.  But until the snow is gone ... they still have free roam without me complaining.

Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel

Monday

GrandLoves ~

Our beautiful GrandLoves ~

Amanda ~ Blake ~ Bailey ~ Brooke
April 6, 2014

Yesterday we celebrated!  It was the baptism of our precious 2 week old granddaughter Blake.


What a joy to have these girls in our lives ... We are Blessed!

I love being a Grandma!!! As much as Slim loves being a Grandpa!!!


Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel