Soffits and Cinnamon Rolls

Oct 242012
 

I know that normally I give my “updates” on the shed on Monday, but since it was my Mama’s birthday, she took priority.

Which goes without saying.

But I had to say it.

Anywho, the “fine tuning“, as I like to call it, is where the crew is at now.  Those little facets of building that have to be tackled before other things, like shingling and siding, can be done.

This weekend was all about soffits.

And believe me when I say it is slow and meticulous work.  Not that I personally have to do the work (duh) but just to get 3 sides of the shed done took 5  hours.  Then they ran out of material.

Ever notice all the “butt shots” there are when you are trying to photograph carpenters?

No?  Maybe it’s just me.

Once again I’m glad that I didn’t have to get up on the ladder to help.  Willard has been a tremendous help the last few weeks.  It probably doesn’t hurt that I feed him too.

And while the guys were doing the “manly stuff“, I was being all domestic-like in the kitchen trying out a new recipe for Cinnamon Rolls.

These are supposed to be “Cinnabon” quality, but frankly I really didn’t care for the recipe.  They were tasty and all, but for me they were too dense.  I like a cinnamon roll that isn’t going to feel like I ate a 3,000 calorie sugar laden pastry.

Rick, on the other hand, loved them.

Which, really, is all that mattered.

 

Bear 2, Sandy 0

Oct 112012
 

I know all of you have been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for updates on “The Great Sunflower Watch”.

Well, I’m here to let you know… it’s over.  Done.  Kaput.  History.

Remember the bear that got to my popcorn?  Yeah, well apparently he likes sunflowers too.  Two days before I got to the farm he struck again.  Do you think he would want the plethora of tomatoes and squash that were just laying around like a giant platter waiting for him to eat his fill?

Noooooooooooooooo, not good enough for his refined palate.  He’d rather smash down innocent sunflower stalks, rip the heads apart (it really wasn’t a pretty site) and snack on all those teeny tiny seeds (and left the evidence behind in big stinky mounds, if you know what I’m talking about… eww).

So out of my 100 plants I was able to salvage about 30 heads, which are now hanging inside the garage (away from the evil squirrels) until they are dry enough to shuck.

Next year I’m gonna glue Habanero peppers to the seed heads.  He’ll have to eat them first if he wants my sunflower seeds.  There will also be a nice surprise waiting for him coming out the other end.

If you know what I’m talking about.

 

Nature’s Carpet

Oct 092012
 

We had a few days of blustery weather here in the Northwoods.  All those beautiful Fall leaves sure had a workout trying to stay on their branches.

In only a few short hours the yard was covered by nature’s carpet.  Unfortunately there are still more to come down so we won’t get these raked up yet.

I’m not the only one around these parts who seems to think that the pine trees are shedding more than usual this year.  Usually this is caused by stress or not enough water, but I thought we had a pretty good amount of rain this year.

Whatever the reason, I’m hoping that when the growing season starts next Spring, there will be bright green needles dotting the branches.

What we don’t need this time of year is that evil white stuff, which made a brief appearance last Friday night.   Thank goodness the ground is still too warm for it to have left a lasting impression.

But if rumors of fat deer and critters are an omen of what the weather has in store for us this Winter, it could be a doozy!

And to my friend Eva:  This is NOT helping!

 

Nature’s Bouquet

Oct 022012
 

It was a beautiful Fall weekend in the Northwoods.  Just a week ago there was only a smattering of color change in the foliage, but cooler temperatures changed that really quick.

Since my assistance was not needed on the building of the shed on Saturday, I took the opportunity to capture the colors that Mother Nature was painting all around me.

And I must say, she is doing a mighty fine job.

Soon the lawn will be carpeted in a blanket of yellow, orange and red leaves that will crinkle under your footsteps (and elicit grumbling from Rick on cleaning it all up).

One thing that I really love about this time of year (besides the beautiful trees) is the sweet scent that surrounds me as I walk amongst the trees.

It’s as if I’m enveloped in one giant bouquet.

Despite the light frosts that cover the ground in the early morning hours, there are still a few wildflowers that refuse to give in to hibernation.

It’s as if they are shaking their proverbial fists at Fall and won’t go down without a fight, using every ounce of energy in these last few days of warmth to produce offspring.

Although I know that it’s only a matter of time before that fluffy white stuff arrives, I’m going to keep my thoughts positive and remember that spring is only 6 short months away.

 

 

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Woodpecker Demolition

Sep 202012
 

You know that Fall is right around the corner in the Northwoods when the Pileated Woodpeckers start tearing apart trees.

They want to grab as many bugs as they can before Winter sets in and all they have to depend on is the suet that I leave out for them.

And it doesn’t take long for them to totally deface a tree.

Luckily, this one came down a few days later so I don’t have to look at it any more.

For such a big bird, they are so skittish (kinda like Thor), always hearing the tiniest sound.

In this case, it was probably me.

As long as they stay across the road with their demolition, I’m perfectly fine with having them around.

With their awkward movements, they bring a little comic relief when the Winter blues set in.

 

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