Sunday, December 29, 2013

Peace Alongside the Snowmobile Trail


I am ready to slow down, breathe in winter, and enjoy the coziness it brings. 

Some find comfort in peculiar places.
Whatcha dreaming about, Bear Bear?

There's a lot to be said about lounging around on a Sunday afternoon, 
wrapped in a quilt, a toasty fire in the wood burner crackling, 
while enjoying a good 'ole marathon of The Waltons' episodes back to back.

Out the window the snow is also lazy, falling like tiny white feathers.
The chickadees, nut hatches, blue jays, red polls, and wood peckers fly from station to station, feasting on a mixture of seed, black sunflower seeds, and suet.


A leftover sunflower head from my summer garden.


I put leftover bread in the tray at the top of this station 
and as I sip my morning coffee I enjoy watching 
the blue jays fly off with a hunk in their beaks. 
When the dogs get let out of their kennel in the morning, 
they race to this station hoping the blue jays were sloppy 
and in their haste dumped some of the bread overboard.

Ike and Bear usually find a morsel!


These bird ornaments were given to me last year by my mother-in-law. 
I wasn't sure how they would hold up to the outdoors,
but they are quite festive and brave the elements well! Bird Decoys?


A downy woodpecker and a chickadee share suet.


Nice neighborhood for a bird's house


Knock. Knock.
Anybody home?
We'll see you in the spring!



Another Bird Station

When Ike and Bear are locked in the kennel, they get taunted by the red squirrels
who know its safe when the dogs are behind bars. They are quite convinced that they will not get chased up a tree under these conditions. The squirrels scoot in and nibble the seeds that have fallen to the ground by picky birds looking for their favorite seed (kind of like picking through the fruit salad bowl to get those blueberries I want so bad. At least I try to watch my manners and wait until no one is looking and for the most part keep the rest of the fruit in the bowl...not on the floor. Ahem. 
Did I mention when no one is looking?)

You can find more pictures of birds I have around here at this post:


In the midst of all this peace, 
I am constantly reminded that we live on a busy snowmobile trail.
Zoom. Zoom.

Have a peaceful holiday week everyone!
And have a VERY Happy and Blessed 2014!
~Debi

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Twas the Night Before Christmas...


The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...


Happy Birthday Jesus!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
God Bless!


Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Road Trips


This past week we took a few road trips. 
The snow is beautiful but the temps are so cold - too cold for this girl to go snowmobiling.. 
Brrr!
This morning we awoke to -14 degrees. 
But there isn't a cloud in the sky today,
 just the sunshine illuminating all the trees sporting their white overcoats. 
More snow coming tonight according to the weatherman! 

Yay!

The above picture was taken at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery.
For a previous post on the magnificent Upper Tahquamenon Falls, click here.




The brewery is a beautiful cozy restaurant with a crackling fire, 
candles flickering on the tables, and great beer! 
Oh, and did I mention how good the food is?
This visit was quite unusual for us as it is usually a long wait to get a seat.




On our way to and from the Falls, we passed through the town of Paradise.


Last week we left early for appointments in the Soo. 
The sun was shining brightly, but the closer we got to the Soo...
(A fly-by shot)



The sun disappeared and so did our visibility.


We could hardly make out the International Bridge that connects Michigan to Canada.


Love that lake effect snow!


On another day we ventured south across the Mackinac Bridge into the lower peninsula.
Destination - Petoskey!


More lake effect snow in the distance.





Downtown was festively decorated.
We enjoyed wandering in and out of the shops.


Mr. Chris Moose watched us eat our chicken wings.


Crossing the Mackinac Bridge on our way back home. 
See the cutter?And that's Bois Blanc Island in the background.

Love my UP!