It's Christmas in Rice Lake

Since my step Mom was here visiting, I decided to go ahead and get the Christmas decorations up. My little tree and german village is nice next to the fireplace. The village is anchored by a brewery and grist mill. I don't have the malthouse yet, but I found it on eBay and it should be arriving soon. I have that brewing stuff in my blood I guess.

I put some lights around the deck door too and am planning some lit garland & red bows for the deck. The weather is pretty nice and it won't stay that way forever, so I want to get the outside decorating done on Friday.

Ruby Anna

On Thursday I had a visit with my Great Niece Ruby Anna. She's growing up so fast. She was born the day after I moved to Rice Lake.

Houseguest

Ev (my step mom for those of you who don't know) came back to Rice Lake with me on Saturday. Dad is hunting at the cabin with the boys and we are over here enjoying a visit. We have had lots of nice mornings over coffee to visit. The kitties are curious about her and keep checking her out when she's in the bedroom. Today Gus & Dad came over and we all had lunch together and then Ev and I did shopping for Thanksgiving treats that we will make.
Thanksgiving is to be at the cabin. About 22 or more will be there, all J's. That will be something!

I couldn't resist

I thought this was the cutest picture...my niece Kaija's daughters and husband. You can tell that Mike loves these little piggies alot, look at that smile!

I'm Baaack

Well, a week flew away from me. I caught some bug that had me down for the count for a whole week. The kitties were in charge and as you can see, they took it quite seriously!

Now that I am back on the grid, I'm trying to catch up on emails and life. This weekend is a big deal in Wisconsin, the opening weekend of Deer Hunting. It is the annual sacred event. Dad and Ev are coming back up from Iowa so Dad can be at 'the hunting shack' with all the boys. We girls will find some shopping to do. So for the next 2 weeks, it'll be busy around here. Ev will be coming here to Rice Lake to spend 3-4 nights with me and we are looking forward to scouting out the town. I don't think we'll be going to the 'hunter's widows' happy hours or male stripper nights, but who knows!

Our temperature this a.m. was 12 degrees, I heard Denver was in the mid 70's. Wow, what a country.

Roller Coaster

Well, this past week has been quite the roller coaster. I adopted the kitties on Saturday, 1st. On Thursday, the 6th, they both were spayed. I brought them home again on Friday the 7th. On the evening of the 8th I noticed that Barley's incision looked funky so off to the Vet we went. After an antibiotic shot we were back home again. On Sunday, I notied that Hops' incision was looking like it was now getting infected. So, off the Vet on Sunday morning. Today, both incisions look better, the Vet suspects the girls might have been allergic or at least reacted to, the suture material that was used. At any rate, they are both doing much better now.
In the mix of all this great fun, I came down with a wicked cold so spent Sunday evening and most of Monday on the couch / sickbed.
Hopefully more interesting postings will follow.

Drew Carey & Bob Barker Would Be Proud

The kitties are home from the Vet, they had their "major" surgeries, so now they won't be contributing to the over population of cats on the planet. They seem like they did really well and their scars are minimal due to the new laser surgery equipment used by the Barron Vet.
I'm getting into this bird watching deal, I had a downy woodpecker at the feeder this morning and lots of chickadees on and off all day. Barley is kind of into it too!

It's a good day for birds, cats and America

I had a return visit from the female cardinal this morning, she sat at the feeder quite awhile. If she would just come around to the front of the house she would find a platform feeder much more to her liking.

Just a little later, I looked out the kitchen window and saw both male and female cardinals checking out my yard. I hope they will move in for the winter so I can get some better photos.

Barley has settled into this house nicely and she loves to lounge in front of the door to the deck. I'm not sure what she is watching but I'm sure it is important work she is doing.

Here's the game....one hides inside the blind and the other pounds on all the slats. Makes a ton of noise and evidently is great fun.

Sunday Morning

We had quiet night, the cats have already settled in. I'll try not to bore you with too many cat updates, but here is a short video and a nice pic of the two of them enjoying Sunday morning on the couch.

Later that same evening

I finally opened the door to my bedroom after the cats had time to get used to the rest of the house. What do you think? Doesn't it look like they own the joint? Figures!

Barley on the left & Hops on the right.

Room Mates!!

Today I adopted two 4 month old female kittens. They are sisters and real nice cats. One is named Barley and the other Hops. Seriously, what else could I do.

Barley

Hops

So far, they have been quite mellow. Not sure if that is because they had shots right before we left the shelter, or if they are just as happy to snuggle in the cat carrier which is in the laundry room. Tonight they are starting to explore the house a little more.

Hops on the left and Barley on the right in both of these photos.