Royal Viewing

I didn't pay much attention to the all of the hype leading up to the royal wedding that took place today.  But this morning as I had my coffee, I have to admit I enjoyed watching the ceremonies surrounding this fairybook couple.  They have carried themselves throughout with grace and
dignity.  For the cynics out there I say "baa humbug".

2nd Silver Lake

Yeah, OK.........enough rain already!

Juror 0476

Ordinarily I'd be thrilled to be selected for jury duty.  However, the date I saw as the report to duty date was
the only week of the summer I happen to already have committed to.  It is the one time in the whole year where my husband's siblings and their families come together to reconnect with each other.  We all look forward to the respite from our regular lives to once again catch up with each other.
I couldn't just not show up under penalty of fine, imprisonment or both for comtempt of court.  So I managed to receive a postponement and now will look forward to serving in the fall.  Yippee!

Winter Project "Done"!

Last September while visiting our good friends at Lake Huron we found a large piece of aged walnut.  We had it cut down and then my work began.  Sanding with 3 different levels of sandpaper, top and bottom.  Staining top and bottom.  Many, many coats of protective urethane and all with the exception of the face or front of this piece which I wanted natural to better go with the fireplace.  Thankfully I did not mount it myself.
Watching it done was quite fascinating though.  Now my winter  project is done and I'm going to leave what goes on it to Mark since it is his "room".

Happy Birthday dear Lindsay, Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter.
You are beautiful inside and out and deserve
every happiness this world has to give.

Paella #1

After my recent trip to Florida, I am determined to add paella to my receipes.  This was the first attempt done with my friend Chris Kramer.  The one thing different from most receipes, I'd guess, was we used
red rice which we thought was heartier than white or brown.  We also did just seafood to start and hence seafood stock to cook it in.  We were pretty happy with how it turned out!  It was also fun to experiment with a friend.  Next time meat as well for a more complex flavor.

It must be time....

For the last probably 30 hours straight, this goose has been sitting on the other side of our pond on this pile of leaves next to a stump.  Through terrible winds and rain and not getting up except to reposition herself.
I am thinking we're going to see some little ones soon.  What I want to know is where is her mate?

The Sunporch

It's taken almost a year but we can finally say that the sunporch is complete.  The structure was there to start with thanks to Shirley Gruhn.  But we took it a step further by making the screened in porch a enclosed, windowed space that we can use as soon as the sun shines in and until the snow falls.  With windows that slide open and are screened on three sides, it lengthens our living area quite a bit.  We just love it!

Happy B-day to me!

Last week was my 61st! And I got to celebrate with my husband Mark, my son Matt and his girlfriend Sara as well as my nephew Justin Anzalone. My choice, Thai! Loved it and lunch the next day were just as good!

Busy morning

The geese, the ducks, and the heron all hanging around this morning. 

Happy "birthday" Dad!

He would be 91 today. 

Blue Heron

 Our blue heron is back for the season and hunting for dinner tonite. Getting dusky and dark but his reflection shows up pretty well. Wonder what he's going to think when I put out my own heron soon. Made by my friend Jane, it is a good looker. We'll see if there is any interest! Will post a picture of it when it goes out.