Mish Mash

I've been an unhappy camper the past few days.    I had a filling replaced last week and the next day I awoke with a swollen and sore face.   It was a simple procedure, one we've all had many times (well, at least those of us of a certain age - before floride that is).   Ancient fillings need to be replaced, a no brainer.     Seems I must have developed a novocain allergy (the best guess at this point).  My lips are swollen (think Homer Simpson), my tongue is swollen, lisp lisp, most every surface of the inside of my mouth is covered in canker sores.   Each day I discover another sore and its very painful to swallow or eat.    Bright side....maybe I'll lose a few pounds!

Boo hoo.....poor me.   Ok, I'm done with that.  



Here's a mish mash of pictures from the better part of the week.

I opened the shades one morning to see the sun peeking over the east hills, shining on the fast disappearing ice.    And, something else.....At first it looked like a dog out there, looking in at us.

But when I zoomed in a bit, we realized it was a coyote!   I wonder what he was doing out there all by himself?     We watched for a few minutes, then he turned and trotted off to the south.

he's a big boy!

anything is a pillow for Sasha, especially in the sunshine

Friday morning Robin and Tom picked us up before breakfast, we were heading for a traditional spring outing, fresh maple syrup over all you can eat buckwheat pancakes at Cartwright's Maple Tree Inn.   This is a small, family owned and run business that is only open a few weeks in the spring.   Most often a long line forms outside the rambling bldg., but Tom timed it just right.   We walked in and were seated right away!   Lucky us.     Its a long drive from the lake and the weather decided to give us a little bit more snow.   Did I say Lucky us?

snowy road to Short Tract and fab pancakes

pancakes pancakes pancakes

subtly, Dave warms the butter packets for better
spreadability

Our third (4th?) plate of flapjacks
don't ask how many we ate.....

my view

This cottage was designed with nice views from most all the windows.   I have beautiful views of the lake out all the east facing windows.   But today my favorite view is from the "dining room" windows......Beluga is back!

Monday

My little calendar is my lifeline right now.   Everyday has something written on it.....in pencil.   We're scheduled to leave here in about a week and a half and there are lots of things to do and people to see before then.   The calendar is all that keeps me on track.   I'm loving visiting with everyone, catching up with everyone.    Tick Tock.

Friday night we finally lit the "moving in bonfire".    It burned fast, much faster than we expected it to, and it burned really hot,    Fun!   Cindy P and Walter brought munchies and we enjoyed our happy hour al fresco, fireside, before moving inside for dinner.

I haven't taken many pictures lately, I've just been enjoying the visits.     We're hoping to bring Beluga  home Tuesday and then the packing will begin in earnest.    The forecaster's are predicting a bit more snow and cold for this week.   We're trying to ignore them.

Transitions

I think we've turned the corner on winter, at least the really nasty below zero snow like crazy winter.

The lake has gone from a solid, dazzling white to mottled snow and ice mixed with large patches of open, blue water.   No more snowshoeing or snowmobiling on it this year - YES!   It seems to have happened in the blink of an eye.    A neighbor told Dave that it will be ice free in a few weeks.



 Monday, in preparation for Tuesday morning's predicted fog/snow/snizzle, Dave covered the huge pile of wood we've earmarked for a celebratory bonfire.   We had planned to enjoy it on our moving in day, but who wanted to stand around outside in below zero temps with snow up to our waist?    Not us.    Now that the weather seems to be moderating just a bit we'll light and share it with Cindy P and Walter Friday night (the warmest of the next week).

 The dogs loved to go over the breakwall and down onto the broad expanse of snow that was our beautiful lake.    Now that the ice is getting ready to leave us we'll have to keep a close eye on them so they don't break through and get a nasty surprise.

The rain/snow/snizzle never materialized so Dave took the opportunity to wash all our windows.   No grass grows under his feet, no siree!

whistle while you work.....

Today was even warmer than yesterday, at least 42 degrees - absolute heaven for us.   Despite the very sloppy driveway Dave decided to install mud flaps on the new jeep.   He's a happy man when he has jobs to do.

After taking care of some domestic duties inside I took the dogs out to sit and enjoy the warm sun.
Lewis managed to get a tennis ball out of the house without me noticing and proceeded to lose it in a snowbank, then find it, then lose it,  then find it, then lose it then find it for at least an hour.    He is easily amused and plays well by himself - a very good trait in a dog.

Sasha thinks he's a proper ninny.    He wastes so much energy when he could be enjoying a nice nap.

Tomorrow begins a four day run of visiting with friends/family and  Monday we take the new jeep to be outfitted with its towing  and auxiliary braking systems.     Checking things off the list, counting down the days.

BCA

the sun does its best to peek
through the squalls

When I pulled up my shades this morning I was so disappointed to see that winter is still here...sigh.

But, hope springs eternal......As I sit here typing this blog the sun has broken through and has begun to moderate the temperature.  Can Spring be trying to arrive?  Be still my beating heart!

 The eves are dripping and a few minutes ago Lewis FLEW off the couch at the sound of a huge mass of snow sliding off the metal roof.   Poor Lewis.    A few brave souls are out trying to snowshoe on the lake.

We're not doing much that is exciting or even interesting these last few weeks.   We're continuing to settle the cottage, take care of yearly Dr./dentist/Veterinarian appointments, taxes.

In our hurry to "get in" on moving day, Dave accidentally put our bed together backward and its been bothering us ever since.     Today we hauled the heavy Tempurpedic mattress off the antique frame,  dismantled the entire thing and put it back together the right way (and by "we" I mean Dave of course).  

Most importantly, I'm filling March's calendar pages with promises of dinners and visits with our dear friends and family.    Time is moving a bit quicker now, thank goodness.

Sasha takes turns snoozing on the couch, in her open crate and on the floor.    Lewis is so bored he's offered us a choice of balls to play with this afternoon.  

While he was gone......

While Dave was gone, Lewis was glued to the door.   His attention was laser focused.    I thought he was waiting for Dave's return, and perhaps that's how it started,  "errrrrrrrr" he was saying very very softly, under his breath.

I walked over to give him a scratch and I saw when he was really watching....

skunk tracks?

He's back with our new ride!

Saturday

Today we're taking a day off......mostly  a day off.   A little laundry, getting tax stuff together in one place, cleaning up a few bills, etc. but no running around.

Saturday we went over to the farm and fired up big Beluga.    I put some things away, readied the inside for departure and then waited a nervous few minutes while the air system (think brakes and suspension) SLOWLY came alive.    Whew!

Dave and Beluga leave the Morton bldg. one last time

Its a beautiful sight

We've decided to take her to our local RV shop for the annual inspection and a few other small upgrade,s including one that that will be a big help in the windy west.   Nina had a small awning over the beast's passenger side window (under the "big" awning) installed and I thought it was a stellar idea.   We are rarely able to extend the patio awning in the windy west and that leaves the window on that side vulnerable to rain and sun most all the time.   Putting a small window awning on it solves that problem nicely - thanks Nina and Paul!    

The sun was out and the roads were dry, so.....off we went.   It felt good to be on the road again if only to drive 20 miles!     Dave, the weatherman, says he's expecting the temperatures to moderate in mid-March so we're hoping to be able to bring Beluga back to the lake for its final loading by then.   Finger's crossed!   No matter, we're out of here by the last weekend in March - YES!

In the spirit of a fresh new adventure, we dropped into our local Jeep dealer to check out the new models.     Yep, we're picking up our brand new Jeep on Monday!    I hope the house sale money isn't starting to burn a hole in our pockets....

On the way home we passed a restaurant (Caledonia Village Inn) with two men outside carving ice sculptures!   Don't ask why, I don't know, but they were beautiful, glittering in the bright sun.  There were two more in the making!

ride em cowboy!

Back home we hung a few more pictures, adjusted a few doors (with help)  and gave the dogs a little fun in the snow.

Oh, they do love the snow....especially you-know-who!