The Village is back

I spent the better part of the day reconstructing the annual Christmas Brewery Village and the cleaning that has to be done before and after.  Little bits of styrofoam are tidbits that the cats want to eat but soon after this causes an effect I'm not keen on cleaning up.  So, village is up, house is vacuumed and the cats are getting used to their turf being invaded.  "Getting used to" might be taking it a step to far, tolerating might be a better descriptor.

The East side of town is the brewery district.
Maltings, Grist Mill & Brewery on the cobblestone which makes for good travel for horse drawn barrel wagons.
The Brewmaster seems to be checking his clarity, I'm sure it's another good batch!

The Wurst Shop, the Chocolate Shop, and the Clock Maker share space in the town square.
The Christmas tree is a perfect spot for the band to play a favorite carol.

A couple of craftsman share space making Christmas baubbles and glass bottles.
The Apothecary is the backdrop.

The Inns in town are on the West side.
Beirstube, Inns for eating and drinking and an outdoor patio for a cold beverage are near the edge of town.

A nice comfortable Inn is at the edge of town near the forest.
Skiing and snowshoeing and bringing home a Christmas tree are fun activities in the snow.

I'm figuring out the new Christmas tree, need to add lights and ornaments,
Barley is figuring out the new tree skirt (A Florence Skow Table cloth re-purposed.)

It's a bit putsy to put the village together, but I'm always happy to have it to look at once it is up.

Now I start the daily replacing of the figures that get bumped or knocked over by Barley,

who just can't give up her spot to the villagers, 

she has to squeeze her big butt in between the little people.

We all enjoy the holidays in our own way I guess, 

even the 4 legged creatures.

Decorating

This summer I picked up a couple of those plastic candles that were popular back in the later '60s.  I love those.  My friend Ann had them at her sale and I paid full price, $1 for the two!

I'm really pleased with how they look.

I added a string of white LED lights around the garage door too.  That's it for decorating other than the big wreath that will go up on the West side of the garage.

I put new batteries in the lights on Ansgar's little barn too.

Now I should get started on the Christmas village and the tree.

But it's still November, right?

Life in Rice Lake, WI: Gus-isms

http://lifeinricelakewi.blogspot.com/2016/01/gus-isms.html

Remembering Gus, 2 years later.

   

Tradition

The tradition is strong in Northern Wisconsin.

Deer hunting is considered the event of the year for many.

The summertime cabin becomes a Hunting Shack in November and is nearly hallowed ground.

The time spent at The Shack is a cherished memory.

It isn't so much the hunting, but the time in the woods, the fun at the poker table, the roughing it, and the tales.  And, for the lucky hunter, the bagging of a white=tail.

On Sunday afternoon, I took a drive over to The Lucky 7 Lodge, Kyle's hunting shack.

It's okay to visit even if you are not a hunter, the social deal is also part of life at the shack.

No one was there when I first arrived, so I had a chance to look around at the many memories.

Gus took his hunting very serious, whether it be deer, or bear.

Dad was well remembered with the Seabee Flag in full view.

Leaving the lodge, I noticed a nice sign.

I made a little banner for the lodge.

My Mom's Dad was a deer hunter too and Gus made sure to register a particularly large Whitetail,
 long after Palmer was gone.

I'm always a little nervous during hunting season, but this family takes safety seriously.

A memorial jug is on display.

The Lucky 7 Lodge

A mantel of memories.

Another one of Gus's masterpieces to commemorate one of Dad's bucks.

The hunters met me on the road as I was leaving, so I came back for a refreshment and some football and nice visit with Jack and Gage.  It isn't often I get to talk to those boys without adults hovering, it was fun to hear what they are thinking about the upcoming basketball season and football and other stuff.  They are nice boys, I'm proud to be their Great Aunt.

I'm proud of my nephews, they all seem to be carrying on the hunting tradition.

Cabin Life

I mistakenly thought that all the hunters headed to the Sandcastle had to work on Friday and would be arriving Up North in the dark to a cold cabin.  So, I decided to go up to the Sandcastle Friday morning and start the wood stove, fire up the generator and open the cabin.  

It was good to be back up at the cabin, even for a short visit.

But then, I found out that Dana and Andy were off work on Friday, and they soon arrived at the cabin.  There were not sad that things were running, and they unloaded their gear and we settled in for an adult beverage.

Jackson and I sat down for a little cribbage.  We used the board that Dad made for me for Christmas some years ago.  I think he made one for each of his kids, router-ing our names into the wood.  A special keepsake.

Jackson might have inherited Dad's cribbage gene, Dad rarely lost and today Jackson beat me twice, fair and square, I surely didn't let him win, not by a long shot.

The last game was neck in neck, but Jackson prevailed.

The weather was changing so I headed for home and left the hunting shack people to their fun.

Happy hunting to the 'Sconny folks.

Talent

Last Saturday I attended the performance of The Mouse that Roared at Luck High School.

I'm so disappointed I didn't snap a photo of the set as it was impressive and fun.

I was so amazed at the amount of dialogue that most of the performers had to know.

I could see that they had worked hard and they performed well.

It was a funny yet poignant story.

Political satire.

I knew many of the kids in the cast and am proud of all.

Well done students!

Bravo!

Chicken

My piano teacher is out of town and they asked me to take care of their chickens.  

It's not a hard job, every couple of days I have to check on their food and water supply.  

Chickens are interesting, they don't seem to mind being in the coop all day and night.  

And I rather like them.  

So, yesterday, I did my first check in and came home with my wages.

I've thought about having chickens.

But it is much easier to just visit someone else's.

Frost

This time of year, after a snow, the moisture level seems to be perfect

 to form a lovely frost in the morning.  

Each leaf is fringed with a delicate design which only lasts until the first sign of sunshine.

Chickadee

Goldfinch

 The wind spinner sure was pretty for a few minutes.

Mother Nature is good at art.

Breanna is a senior

I took senior photos for great niece Breanna a few weeks ago.

Here are some of my favorites.

We had such a fun afternoon at her Grandparents Loyas' home.

We laughed and goofed around and laughed some more.

I hope she likes the photos.

I think she's a lovely girl.

And a Senior sure came quick, she was just the baby of the family.