Happy New Decade!

I am headed to Gus's cabin in the Barrens for New Year's. 

I hope you have a Happy New Year (and Decade)!

Caught this dove sitting on the bird feeder, looking in the window, wonder what he was thinking....

It's a full 'blue' moon, so be safe out there.

A blue moon on the last day of the week, 

the last day of the month, 

the last day of the year, 

the last day of the decade.

Happy New Year!

Resting Up, but for what?

The cats just love it when the sun shines in the living room.

I am ever amazed at the solar heat that comes in, allowing for the interior door to be open, even with single digit temperatures out of doors.

Hops prefers more padding, so she often chooses the couch.

Barley can get some rays while resting on the top layer of the cat condo. She watches the neighborhood closely.

Monitoring the birds, squirrels and humans in the neighborhood wears Barley out.

~

I'm sure they will feel perkier at about 4am.

What a difference some 20,000+ days make

Well, here it is, the end of my 57th year and the start of my 58th.

Year 1

Year 2, with my Dad

Year 3 or so...

Year 57 - Cake & Present from Glenn, Kathy & Alyxis

You get the idea, I'm not going to post 57 photos here!

~

Life continues to be good!

Chilly & Chili

The temperature is in the 20's today, so all that rain & slushy stuff from yesterday is crunchy and icy today. It feels like a good day for a bowl of chili!

Christmas Day

It has been a soggy day. Raining off and on, breezy, lots of slush under the new snow.

Sherri said it was like walking in mashed potatoes, you get the idea.

First this morning, I watched this dove balance for quite some time on a maple branch, fighting the wind. I think she could see me in the window but was pretty focused on her trapeze act.

I spent some time pushing the new snow and old slush off the driveway today. There is still a solid layer of slushy ice on the pavement but it was the best I could do. Maybe a little sunshine will come our way soon and help out.

Where's that Santa Man in the red plowing truck today?

Merry Christmas

We Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♥ ♥ ♥

We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...And A Happy New Year!♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...

Merry Christmas & The Santa Man

Merry Christmas Eve!

The weather folks were right, we are having a white Christmas and it is getting whiter and whiter as the day goes on.

A little while ago I was putting on boots and snow pants to head out to run the snow blower to clear the driveway, and when I stepped outside I was so surprised to see the driveway was already completely plowed!

The Santa Man in the red truck, who plows the neighbor's drive, had plowed mine much to my delight and surprise! I'll get to run the snow blower later if it keeps snowing like it is now, but it was sure a nice gift to have that first 8 inches gone!

Merry Christmas to me!

I called the Luck-ites and let them know that I would not be making the trip over and now I am snuggled in here in Rice Lake with plenty of goodies, refreshments and a beautiful view of the Christmas snow.

Life is Good!

Lille Jule Aften

‘Twas the night before Christmas Eve, Lille Jule Aften to the Danes,

A big winter storm is predicted, the weather to change as the day wanes.

Sandcastle 12.23.2009

Joy is found in many places, I visited my favorite ‘Joy’ today,

A drive North to the Sandcastle, it makes me smile I say.

Sand Road

A prettier spot would be hard to find,

Getting snowed in there, I would not mind.

Connor's Meadow Road

But tonight I am back in Rice Lake, waiting for big snow, enjoying the fireplace,

A few phone calls to friends later will round out the day and keep a smile on my face.

Eau Claire River, Gordon, WI

Happy Lille Jule Aften to you, this is the last night of peace and quiet for many I know,

Enjoy your evening, and what the heck….Let It Snow!

Christmas Past

A few photos of Christmas long ago. It's nice to remember.

Wanda and almost Laila ~1960

Laila, Glenn, Wanda, Ralph ~ 1961

Pauline and Laila ~1959

Laila and Wanda ~ 1959

Ansgar & Frederikke Johansen, Wanda, Ralph

Ansgar & Frederikke

A Day With Anders

We ate lunch at Champs and there was a Santa & Elf there, but Anders was not interested in sitting on Santa's lap, in fact, he really wasn't to interested in sitting on my lap next to Santa.

Anders is really fun to be around and he talks alot in his own language. It sure sounds like he has learned to say his Great Aunt Laila's name.

You'll have to pause the music to hear the video.

Just scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the pause on the music.

Shopping with Anders

Lora and Anders & I went shopping to Woodbury, Minn today. Anders is a better shopper than I am! I think he'll be napping as soon as we start the drive home though.

Moments later....

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Photography is not for sissies

Well, I am trying to learn how to take good pictures of sports with my new camera, so took it along to Turtle Lake last night when the Luck Cardinals played the Lakers. Not good results but learned how not to do it I guess. Most importantly the Cardinals won the game.

Alec & Cole Mortel - Great Nephews by In Law

Carson Giller

Where's the ball? Yep, the photographer missed the set up

Jack

Gage

Luck Cardinals - Cole has the ball

Solar Powered Cat

Yesterday it was very cold outside, single digits, with a wind chill below zero. This downy woodpecker was working on a maple tree branch.

Even with the low temperatures, the sun shining into the living room was warm enough that I could have the interior door open and Barley could soak up some rays. She is solar powered for sure.

Today is about 15 degrees warmer, but no bright sunshine so Barley will have to lay by the fireplace to recharge instead.

Time for Christmas dishes

I love using the Christmas dishes. I think I should use them more than just December.
~
When I moved from Arvada, Colorado to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, out of all the 'stuff' that was packed in the semi-trailer and my car, the only thing that broke was the handle off a mug like this. Amazing!
Even more amazing, a year ago when my Auntie Jeanne & Uncle Nel came to visit, they game me this mug as a house warming gift. So, cheers Auntie! I am enjoying my coffee today in that beautiful mug that you gave me.
I love the holidays!
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More than just a dust

Snow blowing complete.

I had to shovel a path to the newspaper and clear about 4 inches of snow off the bird feeders before I got my first cup of coffee. This retirement deal is not for sissies! Looks like fun with the snow blower later today.

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Sunday Night Bath

More than a few times since I moved here, I've been the personal shopper for those who don't live in Rice Lake. So, with Christmas coming, I had a couple of items to drop off at Gus & Lois's. I decided to make a run to the cheese store and then stop in Luck and do my delivery. I picked up some cheese for Kyle's family and caught Ruby at bath time when I delivered.

Gotta love a Sunday night bath.

Anders is making his list for Santa!

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Frosty

This was the first morning with single digit temperature, but the sun is out and with the new snow, everything is sparkly.

A big squirrel has been snacking at the bird feeder. They have to eat too.

More Birds

Yes, I do have more bird photos to post. It's big fun to try to catch a photo that is remarkable.

I am constantly on the watch for the male cardinal to give me a photo opportunity, but he is spooky and seems to hear the camera when I turn it on. I caught him peeking around the tree stump and then tried to catch him as he flew off. Well, I'll keep trying.

He perched on this branch, just out of the range of my zoom lens...he's wise to me.

Mrs. Cardinal was hanging around with some of the other birds. Maybe it was Ladie's Aid.

The Juncos are so pretty this time of year.

I am always fascinated by the shadows that the trees throw on the snow.

I think I took this same picture last winter!

Here's an update on 'the forest'.

My little pines are soon to be out of sight for the winter.