Aaahhh Winter

Since the snowmobile trail runs right past our house we get to see the trail groomer frequently.

Quite a contraption. The guys had to stop and wave as I took their picture.

Snow sculptures in a local town celebrating some cold day or another

We had no idea what this one was
A coffee cup in front of a local restaurant
A snowmobile in front of another
And our favorite...a VW bug in the grocery store parking lot. The theme seemed to be peace and love...and flowers in the daisy holder of the bug.

In fact when we first drove through town I thought it was an actual car that had been left in the snow.

We have a family of four deer living in our woods. They stay right on the edge of the tree line but I was able to get this shot.

Yes We Did

And a very proud time it was. I really had not given a whole lot of thought to the historical event that yesterday's inauguration was until I witnessed it on TV. President (oh how good that sounds!) Obama in my opinion was the person that gave us hope, the person for the job. Of course I know that he is black but I just didn't really think in those terms until I watched what it meant to other black folks and it hit me like a ton of bricks! Absolutely incredible all the way around! My friend Mary and I watched the inauguration together and both of us shed a tear here and there.

Watching history unfoldThey are a great pair. She will certainly be a strong and level headed first lady.These were the best words ever....President Barack Obama
Our new leaders
And the old boarding their helicopterBoth Mary and I did a heartfelt goodbye wave as they flew away...the sighs of relief were certainly audible!
I am not sure how I caught this but it is pretty cool don't ya think Mary?I think I snapped the two pictures one right after the other and one transposed itself on the other making a nice snapshot of the new watching the old fly away!!!!

While in the StP area I had my quarterly oncology appointment. All of my blood work was good, had a nice chat with the doc and on my way I went...see you again in four months!

And there was time spent with Julia and her dad. Kel was in Orlando for work so it was the three of us. Julia has changed a ton in just a few weeks. She is babbling and laughing almost constantly. She makes the strangest noise deep in her throat...I swear she will be talking in no time flat!


She now enjoys being on her feet although she needs help and this is one of her favorite places to be
Julia and Daddy having fun

Even I Am Bored With This Weather

And I am the one that loves snow and winter! When it doesn't get above zero for days and one can't go out to even take a short walk...the days get long. It is interesting though that the dogs don't want to go out to pee BUT they beg to go for a walk.

In an attempt to make them happy David and I take them for rides around the cold tundra (I know, pretty pathetic huh?). I actually got a few pictures today of something other than cold snow.

The dam at Federal Dam. Hard to see but there is water running from Leech Lake through the dam.
I spotted this deer on the roadside. We spooked him so couldn't get a good shot but it does show how deep the snow is. I do worry about the wildlife in this weather as it is not easy to find food under all of the snow.And a grouse in the ditch. We have tons of these up here. This guy is lucky that he is light enough to sit on top of the snow.So I have been wanting to buy an overnight hobo type bag and have been looking forever. After searching in stores and on the net and finding nothing that suited me unless I was willing to pay way too much money I decided to attempt to make my own. David designed the pattern and I put it together. What a team huh? Here it is and I love it if I do say so myself!

The empty bag
And jam packed stuffed full!It is made out of a heavy broadcloth type of material and is fully lined with the same type of cloth. It is large enough to fit everything one would need for a weekend tripI stepped out of the box in making this weekender and rather than buying handles to put on the bag I used a canvas type belt that I found at our local thrift store, cut it in two and sewed it together to make two handles.

To 'close' the bag I used a stretchy necklace that I found at Walmart for less than a dollar and a button found at Walmart (however I could have found one at the thrift store that I liked just as well). The 'necklace' loops over the top of the bag and wraps around the button, closing the top of the bag. To define and 'sturdy up' the bottom of the bag David found a thin piece of clear plastic in the garage. I put this between the outside fabric and the lining. did I mention that I found the fabric on sale at Walmart for under $5 a yard and I used about three yards. a pretty inexpensive weekender and fun to make! I do surprise myself sometimes!

A walk in the Northwoods

David the dogs and I

Sharing the trail

With a gal skiing by
We stumbled upon

An impression in the snow

What could have made it

Does anyone know?

Back home that same night

We looked out the window

To capture this sight

I know I know...I will never make a poet.

It is really quite beautiful up here this year with more snow than they have had in a few years I am sure. The snow is soft and fluffy and makes for great snowshoeing. It is a lot of work trudging through the woods in them but it's peaceful and fun to get off of the beaten path. David and I take a walk everyday that the weather permits. Nope he doesn't have snowshoes. I am just lucky to get him out walking this time of year much less with showshoes!