Saturday, February 7, 2009

Escaping from Winter

Enough of being stranded in the log cabin. Today we are going to escape from the winter blues. Hurry up, let's get in the boat! Any boat!



Okay, let's pretend it's 78 degrees with a light breeze. We are sailing across Lake Michigan and the water is fairly calm.




We've been sailing for several hours. Can you see the lighthouse from our boat? It's probably time to head back.


Now let's go have some fish & chips! How does that sound?

P.S. Whose boat was that anyways?!

Friday, February 6, 2009

What he did for love

When I first met my future husband Greg - the only birds he could identify were cardinals and sparrows. But now he shares my passion for bird watching and is excited as I am when we see a Pileated Woodpecker or a Loon at our log cabin. He didn't laugh when one morning I thought I heard a loon's distress call on the lake and wanted help launching my kayak right away. I paddled like a maniac to the other side of the lake (I know I had created a wake behind me) only to discover that my "distressed" loon had found a mate! Greg was as happy as I was when I reported the news to him.

Just recently it was snowing furiously at the log cabin and I was concerned that the suet feeders were empty. Without a word, Greg snapped on his snow shoes and headed to the trees to refill the feeders.

greg refilling suet

He loves the birds as much as I do now! And the birdies love him back!
downy

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Glorious Morning

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson



kayak

I remember the day I took this photo from my kayak. It was a glorious morning. The lake was quiet and calm with a mist rising in the distance. The loons were calling to each other. I could breathe in the fresh crisp air. I was able to slip into nature and be a silent observer. I'm looking forward to having another morning like this soon. Hurry spring!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Log Cabin Critters

One of the best parts of where our log cabin is located is seeing all the "critters" that we share our land with. The woods and lake provide a great habitat for wildlife. I still remember the thrill of seeing an eagle snatch a fish out of our lake this past summer. And seeing a coyote stroll nonchalantly across the frozen lake. Come meet a few of my friends.

This is "Baby" - my tame little baby squirrel. She runs right up to me on the deck and sits on her two legs waiting for me to give her some food. (Greg keeps saying I'm going to be sorry when she bites me and I have to get 200 rabies shots - but I'm willing to take the risk!)


From 2009_01_31


Of course I love these Black-capped Chickadees and love how some of them eat of our hands. They still seem to prefer to eat out of Greg's hands more. I don't know why. Maybe I need to sit down with them and explain who puts out all the bird feeders, refills them and takes photos of them to show everyone what supermodels they are.




This past weekend I got to see my first Common Redpoll. They are sweet and feisty little birds. It was fun to watch them battling the Pine Siskins for the thistle feeder.

From 2009_01_31


The sweet songs of a goldfinch warm my heart. They bring the promise of spring in my eyes.


From 2009_01_17



"I know I just woke up, but aren't I the cutest cabin critter of all?!"

Monday, February 2, 2009

A - Z Monday - D is for "Denise!"

Today's A-Z letter is "D" and my "D" is for Denise!! As Jen at Unglazed correctly guessed, Denise at Vintage Log Cabin came over to visit me at our log cabin! To visit or participate in A-Z Mondays, please visit Jen at Unglazed.


I kept looking out the cabin door awaiting Denise's arrival. I debated whipping out the camera and taking a photo of her as she pulled up - but then I didn't want to scare her!








Denise is as nice as I thought she would be! And she was so sweet to bring me so many gifts! Check out these loon coasters and earrings that she got! She also brought me some jam, salsa and baked a chocolate eclair cake! I think Denise has to be the most generous guest ever!




I made Denise Rigatoni and after lunch I showed her downtown Gaylord and we did a little shopping. I had a great time talking with Denise and now we look forward to meeting her husband Bill!




Denise is like me and doesn't like her picture taken. Thanks Denise for allowing this photo! Isn't she a cutie?