Ice and Cooking

 The lakes still have ice.  It will be a late Ice Out this year unless we get really warm.

This is the West side of Shell Lake.  We went to Detroit Lakes on Friday because the Highway will be under construction all summer. Yes All Summer....I feel sorry for anyone living along the road.

Saturday Far Guy and I made Jambalya...it took us half the day...the other half we went to play cards with Steve and Jo and afterwards we came home for our naps. 

Jambalya and flat bread was supper.  Want the recipe for Jambalya?  He follows the Jambalya video for The Cajun Ninja.  I am just the Sous Chef and part time stirring assistant.  It freezes well and will be enjoyed on nights no one wants to cook.

Got your May Baskets ready?  

Far Side

Lakes, Deer and Bear

 When the power went out the other night we both needed to charge up our phones just in case it was an extended power outage. So we went for a ride. It ended up being about two hours.  

Shell Lake

 Bass Lake

There is a bean field catty corner from us.  Makes for fine gazing for deer.  Our deer that usually comes for a drink out of the bird bath is missing...we noticed a dead deer on the corner one day last week....most likely her.  We are not giving up on her yet...we are keeping her bird bath full.

 

Now for the bear report;  My other baby brother and she who sees Robins first saw a bear run out of our driveway about 11 PM on July 4.   The next morning a piece of decorative driftwood had been carried out into the old parking lot...there was an ant hill under it that was pawed around.  Apparently ants are tasty snacks for bear.

We did not get the bear on our trail camera....so he must have been traveling in the woods.  We bring the bird feeders in every night so there is nothing to eat.  I asked a few "Lake people" if they have seen him or if they had damage to bird feeders and no they have no problems. 

Yesterday I mowed the lawn and we are supposed to get rain! 

Far Side

Shell Lake and River

When we went for a drive on Monday we found ourselves over on Shell Lake always a favorite spot of mine.   Luckily there are no huge changes happening to the lake or the river.

Shell Lake where the melt has started. This is looking west..  The Shell River leaves Shell Lake at this point and travels under the road...and heads for the Smoky Hills.

Shell River looking East.

You can see the Smoky Hills in the distance. And yes they were truly smoky that day.

We haven't been out since Monday.  We should be crossing off "stuff" on our lists left and right...but I crochet and watch TV and Far Guy woodcarves and plays computer games.  I knit on my socks for a short time yesterday just to change things up then I had a nap.

Anyone else out there feel like they are stuck in limbo...waiting for the axe to fall?
We are supposed to get warmer weather soon....perhaps that will help

Far Side

Spring Sky

There are many Trumpeter Swans gathering for a rest after their long flight North.

We were visiting at Shell Lake one night.

 

This is a hill from my childhood, possibly before I was afraid of heights or maybe the reason why I am afraid of heights.   The road used to be narrow and gravel.   The sand on the hill soft and slidey… you could slide down on your butt and then run along the road and duck back in at the edge of the woods and go back up to the house again and slide back down until you were tired or an adult hollered that you better stay away from the road.  Your socks and shoes would be all full of sand, if the sand was damp, your butt would be all wet and dirty.

No more sliding down hills for me.

It was a great spot to watch the Trumpeter Swans fly over the lake. 

The sunset was calm and soothing after a fairly busy day.

I recall seeing many sunsets from this place on the lake.  It brought back many memories.

Fresh baked flat bread with butter and jelly, card games played at the kitchen table, knitting projects to oh and aww over as my Aunt was a marvelous knitter.  The marble topped coffee and end tables that were in the living room, the old tire swing that hung from a large limb in the yard.  Walking the ridges with my Uncle, hunting and learning how to mark your trail in the woods so you would never get lost.

 

Cabin Fever

We have  not been out of the yard for many days.  Cabin Fever will get you.   We decided to go for a drive.  Far Guy was antsy…as was Chance and we all enjoyed a drive over to Shell Lake.

There are a few fish houses out there…way out there.

Shell River winding its way out of Shell Lake headed for the Smoky Hills.

The roads over there are very icy.  I didn’t venture too far away from the car.

The moon was out as we headed for home.

I have been working on many projects.  My desk is still full.  The advice I got from Jen was “ When sorting if you hold something in your hand and it gives you pleasure then keep it…if not THROW IT OUT!”  Good advice and I have been trying it…sometimes I am just a miserable failure at tossing “stuff” out.

Shell Lake

One day we took off to see what was happening over at Shell Lake.  Shell Lake is one of my favorite places.

Looking north, you can see the sled dog trails along the edge of the lake.  See the hill on the far right, that is where the sled dogs live…my Uncle Hugo and Aunt Mia used to live there.

Shell River winding its way toward the hills.  You can see the bald part on that big hill…years ago that was called Pine Point.  If you walk to the top you can see for miles.

The CCC built this structure…years ago when I was little there was a concrete walkway that went across those posts.  It is good to see the water is flowing.

From what we could see there were only two fish houses on this part of the lake. 

We were way north of that big winter storm “Kayla” but we did get about a hundred flakes.

Busy Days and Appointments

Projects galore the past few days.  We got six dozen ears of corn to chop off the cob, cook and freeze. (Note to self: Self you are getting older do three dozen ears at once…not six) I have been working in my garage when the heat allows and there are many in the house projects when the heat becomes too much.

Great Blue Heron

We took a drive over to Shell Lake one evening…this guy was hanging around fishing.  I have the wood blocks all ready to carve one of these guys.  One of those UP’s…unfinished projects.

The sunset was beautiful and it was even better sharing it with my two best guys!

Besides projects we have had appointments.  I hate appointments.  Chance was to the Vet on Tuesday…nothing serious he just needed a vaccine updated.  Far Guy went to the Doctor on Wednesday…Medicare was not happy with the way the Nurse did his oxygen evaluations…go figure.  Far Guy’s vehicle goes in for back brakes…the fronts were barely done when the back ones began to squeal.  I have a Doctors appointment on Friday because I need a refill on my blood pressure medication and my Doctor wouldn’t refill it until she sees me…picky picky…I saw her 16 months ago….this time she wants blood.  I guess that is what happens when you get old…you have appointments.

Spring at Shell Lake

We finally went for our after supper drive.  Chance was thrilled.  Daylight Saving time is good for something.  We had 51 F or 10 C eh! yesterday. 

Yesterday we drove over to Shell Lake, all the back woods dirt roads we usually travel are a muddy mess.

There are patches of water on the ice.  All the fish-houses had to be off of the lake on March 10.

There is water going over the dam.  That weedy brown patch in the distance is a wild rice bed.

Shell River coming out of the lake.  Winter took its toll.

It isn’t often that you see a deer carcass in the river.

Here at home we have an inch of water at the Snow stick.

We did odd jobs outside.  Picking up some doggy dew and sticks and raking up excess birdseed off the lawn.  Spring stuff! 

FFFreezing Temperatures

It is really cold, it was –38 F yesterday morning or –38C.  The indoor temperature sensor quit working but a couple of new batteries and it was good to go.  I wonder what will break next…Far Guys TV doesn’t get a satellite signal from Direct TV..searching…searching and a hour later on the phone with them they decide we need a repair call…duh.  It is most likely the LNB…since switching out the receiver with mine didn’t make a difference.  So Far Guy is stuck watching his Red Green DVD’s.

The weather will get worse and a bit of a storm is forecast for today and Saturday when we will be plunged into the deep deep freeze for a few days.

Yesterday we went for a ride, Chance I needed to get out of the house.  I mentioned a ride..and Chance started talking to us…he wanted to go right then.  In his old age he talks more and more to us.  He has a series of low whines he uses to communicate.  He has never been a real vocal dog, except when he is left at home alone or someone plays a harmonica.

Shell Lake

On the way back home we noticed that the sun was just right to pick up some ice in the trees.  I am not sure when that happened, probably last Friday when it was warmer and the moisture when it fell freeze dried.

This is the ice on one of the tall grass prairie sections.  It shimmered in the late afternoon light.

I am trying to find something of value to share about the frozen tundra of Minnesnowda

Pain in the neck

My sleep is all messed up.  My dreams are strange: In one I bought a new house on the lake and the neighbors wouldn’t get off MY dock… I had to kick them off the dock and sit there so they wouldn’t come back and I was getting hungry and tired and I didn’t have my camera.  In another I wandered around picking up dog poop.  In another I had so many ottomans/footstools in the house that I had them in every room..oh maybe I already do…but I had more and some were really ugly. 

We washed some windows yesterday.  Someone wanted to just wash the paw prints off the outsides.  Someone else wanted them squeaky clean for winter…like clean the tracks out with Q Tips and everything. 

I had an encounter where someone was not very nice to me…in fact they were downright mean.   I was still polite.  Just because someone else is mean, I don’t have to be mean in return.  However it was a struggle for me.  I wanted to be like my Aunt Marie and just verbally castrate them.

The Post Office in Ponsford was closed yesterday.  Not sure why..perhaps it was closed permanently.  I hope not as it is my favorite Post Office.  There were no signs on the door, the doors were just locked.  Strange.

We drove out to Shell Lake.

Parts of the lake had ice.  There were a bunch of ducks swimming and flying around.  Do you see that dark area off to the right?  That would be a Wild Rice bed.

  I am not positive what kind of duck…possibly a Bufflehead.

The daylight ends before I am ready.  The dog is still confused.  It gets dark at 5 PM.

Yup that is ice alright.   It was wonderful to see the sun.  These dreary November days are mainly cloudy and grey…so a day of sunshine should be celebrated.  One day of sunshine for every five days of dreary.

Tension…stress…who knows but I have a pain in my neck that settles down under my left shoulder blade. By evening I am shot. Maybe it was the raking, or maybe I slept wrong. The cold weather seems to agitate it further. Maybe it is still the Lymes settling into a different area of my body. Maybe it is the freaking flu shot. Maybe I am just O.L.D. Whatever it is I wish it would go away.

Far Guy is still recovering from his oral surgery.  He lost all the sutures. He wanted me to look at the big gaping hole in his mouth, I said “No Thanks.”  He swishes with salt water many times a day.  He still has pain but little by little he is recovering:) 

Out and About Before The Storm

We are in a winter storm watch.  Rain and then snow and blowing snow are forecast.  This storm has a name Gandolf.

I am writing this at midnight..and it is raining out now.  The windows are wet.  It is 30 degrees F or –1C.  Yesterday was sunny and warm 41F or 5C. I finally got all the ice off of the walk and the patio!  There are certain things I like to do before a storm.  Make sure our supplies are adequate and that the bird feeders are full.  Check on the elderly..I called my parents to make sure they were doing okay..my Mom has a terrible cold…but is feeling better and they went to the store to get what they needed to survive for a few days.

Chance and I knew that if we didn’t go for a ride.. we would be SOL for a few days.

This is Shell Lake.  Those little buildings are Ice Fishing Houses.  And yes, there are vehicles out on the lake.

This was a scene on one of the back roads that we haven’t been on in a while.

When we got home we could see the storm system moving in from the south.

Ready or not..here it comes.

We are ready and we will stay hunkered down here at home for the duration.   The worst thing that will happen here is that our Satellite Dish will ice up and I will have to resort to watching DVDs or old VCR Tapes.  If we lose electricity we have a generator and we have a gas fireplace so we will not freeze to death..I will put an extra pitcher of water in the fridge so Chance has water.  Of course if we lose electricity most communications will come to a halt.  If you are close to the storm area..stay safe and stay home:)

First Day of Spring

One more day..one more day…I am wishing my life away.  The last winter program for the Historical Museum happens Tuesday (today yea!!!!)  I will be glad to get it over with.  This program has involved lots of work.  I made a slide show presentation. (Then and Now) I have a passel of things to drag out of the museum and get organized as a display. 

Far Guy got a new lumberjack shirt.  His volunteer uniform consists of jeans, a red and black checked flannel shirt, a hat to match, suspenders and red socks peeking above his boots.   Others participating in the program will be dressed in costumes.  They asked me who I was coming as..I replied..plain old me.  I wanted to sew a Prairie Dress over the winter..but it was just one of those things that never got done.  Me and sewing with a machine is a real stretch of my imagination.

I tried to sew some quilt squares yesterday..after six hours I have nothing to show for my efforts..I do not have the tools to keep the squares square.  The stupid sewing machine sits on my desk, for now it has won the battle..but I plan to win the war and will begin all over again one day soon. I might have to go buy some more material if I keep messing up. But it ain’t over til it’s over.

I have stacks of old photos all over..I am in the midst of scanning the last couple of batches for Forgotten Old Photos.  I will not have time to scan and research them over the summer, so all of that ground work is being laid now.

I have not worked on the Cousins Recipe Book at all lately..it is on my radar.  I had been working on it late at night.  I just want to get it over with!

After the dreaded program I will re evaluate everything…. I have bathroom tile to strip and reseal..and bathroom drawers to clean out…and a garage to straighten up.  If it ain’t one thing it is forty million others.

Chance had his first deer tick today, it was not stuck, it was just crawling in his fur.  We saw Robins in town but none out here yet.  Although “she who sees robins first” probably saw them last week.

Happy First Day of Spring! :)

Shell River at Shell Lake

Calm Waters

I went kayaking the other night. The water was really warm..like pee..that doesn’t happen very often in Minnesota.  Usually our lakes are cool and refreshing.  I stayed near shore.  I am not an idiot. One of the major rules about kayaking is don’t get too far from shore because you may have to swim back!  I found the kayak to be more tippy than a canoe. The double paddle felt strange so I will probably buy myself a canoe paddle.

I stayed dry..it was peaceful and calm out on the lake..quiet too.. only the squawking of a Great Blue Heron and the sound of Chance splashing in the water interrupted the silence:)

Warm Weather

The other night we headed over to Shell Lake to play in the water.  The lake temperature is way up..the water was really warm..not cool and refreshing..but warm..just like a bodily fluid.

We have been having very warm and especially humid weather.  The weather will break soon..possibly this weekend.  It has been so warm that I have been dreaming of swimming every night.

Chance loves the water.

He jumps after water that Far Guy lobs into the air with the flinger..it is Chances favorite water game:)

 

Spring at Shell Lake

Shell Lake is one of my favorite places to go.  I have photographed this lake in all it's seasons. 

Of course I missed the best photo opp..I was talking instead of getting ready.  As we rounded the corner, a fisherman was pulling a ten pound Northern PIke out of the lake...he threw it back in and smiled and waved.  I wonder if it would have found it's way to his table if we hadn't come along just then?  Fishing season for Northern Pike doesn't open until May 15.

My Uncle and Aunt's house overlooked this lake.  My paternal grandfather lived in a tiny two room house across from this lake when his second wife died and he was told he had two weeks to move from her home.  A suitable little house was built quickly for him on my Uncles property, the little house is long gone..what remains in this..

An Inukshuk.   A pile of rocks..a stone landmark..that marks a hunting spot or a food cache, or a place of friendship and shelter.  It probably means that Amy and Eddie have the coffee and homemade cookies ready for you if you stop by. One of these days I will have to stop to visit with them.  When they purchased the place high atop the hill..I congratulated them on their beautiful sunset views and the tire swing in the tree.

There were some ducks crossing the road, I missed those too..but I did finally get some Canadian Geese in the sunset.  It was a lovely evening in Minnesota.  Going for a drive with my best friend and his dog..life is good:)