Adrift On The Lake

Check out our Webcam at the lake!

2012-03-23T15:30:00.017-05:00

I have a new link on the upper right hand side of my blog -- it links to our webcam!

My hubby has run a weather station for around 15 years. The first one was at our acreage and it was broadcast through the Weather Underground website for many years. We knew people viewed it, as we could see the hit counter go up. But it wasn't until he took it offline that we realized just how many people were viewing it! Apparently a few of the farmers close to us kept an eye on it; I would also get a comment or two from co-workers, friends and occasionally employees in the stores where we shopped.

A few years ago, hubby put up a new weather station at the lake. Again, it is connected to Weather Underground but he recently added it to EarthCam as well.

Here is the link to EarthCam (you can also click in the upper right corner):
http://www.mycampage.com/lostislandlakecam

And here are the links to the weather station on Weather Underground:

http://classic.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KIARUTHV2
http://classic.wunderground.com/webcams/darkclouds/1/show.html

Check out the calendar at the bottom of that link - iIt's kinda cool to see the weather change day by day!

Thanks for visiting!

Keep Calm and Blog On

2012-03-21T10:30:00.021-05:00

During my unintentional leave of absence from blogging, I have been thinking of what direction I want to take with my blog. Or, if I even wanted to continue blogging. It seems as if most blogs have a purpose – decorating, cooking, needlework, etc. When I started mine, I wanted to take part in everything! For the most part, however, I wanted a place where I could just post ‘things’ of interest to me. Especially tablescapes, easy recipes and small projects.

When we sold our acreage last fall and moved everything to our lakehouse, we did downsize a bit. I quickly discovered that a house half the size of the previous house doesn’t hold as much stuff! Cabinet, closet and storage space is now limited.

One of the downsizing items I am referring to are my dishes. I did not realize how much I had until I tried to ~~hide it all~~ put it all away at the new house. I found out just how large my collection is! And to my chagrin – so did my hubby!

When I ran out of storage room in the kitchen, living room and most of the closets, I found myself putting sets of dishes in the bathroom storage areas. Hubby found me putting dishes in there, too… I finally had to admit that I had too many.

I blame my mother. She passed on the “dish gene” to me. And when my mom passed away three years ago, her dish collection came home with me.

The majority (but not all!) of my dishes and accessories now have new homes. It felt pretty good to lighten the load in my cabinets, too!

Along with the dishes, many other items now have new homes as well. At the old house, I had multiple projects planned – refinishing a few pieces of furniture, painting a few things, updating and refreshing other things… it was a rather long list. And they were fun projects to do – not necessary ones. Projects I wanted to photograph and blog about. But those projects (along with the large basement to do them in) are no longer around to do now. And you know what?? So far I haven’t missed a single thing!

So what have I been doing all these months?? I’ve been reading – a lot. Or rather, a lot more than usual. I bought a Kindle a couple of years ago (and have upgraded twice) and it goes everywhere with me. Over the weekend, I counted how many books I have read since September: 24 fiction books, 8 books on faith and God, and 3 non-fiction books. I also started 13 other books but quit reading them about halfway through from lack of interest. (I even caught up with a year's worth of Wine Enthusiast and other magazine subscriptions that had been ignored!)

Along with books, I've been reading blogs and have kept up with each and every one that I like to follow -- I may not comment very often, but I read them all and look forward to new posts!

I’ve also renewed an interest in an old hobby of mine – cross stitching. Just after I was married 25 years ago, I started cross-stitching and literally spent every spare moment I had working on something. We have many framed pieces I completed over the years… When my daughter was born, her nursery was filled with items I had made. I continued to stitch until she was about five years old – then abruptly quit to learn and take up quilting. I’ve missed it and am enjoying working on new pieces!

Continuing from my first paragraph now, I think rather than defining an actual purpose for my blog, I am going to "blog on" as I have been. I enjoy posting about the lake – and, well, whatever else comes to mind!

Thanks for continuing to hang in there with me and I’m looking forward to blogging again!

Thanks for visiting!

Larry the Cable Guy filmed his show at our lake!

2012-03-13T16:00:00.014-05:00

So... I don't write for three entire months (while taking a completely unintended break from blogging) ... and I have returned with a Larry the Cable Guy post! "Git r done!"

I had to pass this one on! Larry the Cable Guy has a show called Only in America and he was at Lost Island lake filming with the Iowa DNR for a carp rodeo which will be a featured segment on his show. Check it out tomorrow night (Wednesday, March 14th) on the History Channel!

This photo was posted on the Iowa DNR's facebook page.

Update: After watching the show, the DNR's description of the photograph was incorrect. It was filmed it at Spirit Lake instead of Lost Island. Spirit Lake is about 30 miles to the north of us. The photo does look like Lost Island though and many people who live in the area thought it was, too!

Judging by the water and the leaves on the trees, I'm guessing this was filmed sometime last spring in April 2011.

Photo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
What brings Larry the Cable Guy to the middle of Lost Island Lake? DNR fisheries biologist Mike Hawkins (second from left) leads Larry through his first carp rodeo. Watch what happens on Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy, Wednesday, March 14 at 8 p.m. central on the History Channel.

Thanks for visiting!

A Christmas Tree Party!

2011-12-22T10:00:00.002-06:00

How COOL is this?? I love all the linky parties each week and lately seem to spend more time looking at all the other blogs in blogland instead of doing anything with my own! haha! There are so many wonderful Christmas decor and handmade crafts and foodies and so much more out there during the Christmas season.

This is a link party for Christmas trees! There's over 500 links so far. Check it out here:

Thrifty Decor Chick: A Christmas Tree Party!

I used to decorate quite a few Christmas trees and each one had a theme of some sort. Now that we are in a smaller home, space is an issue so I only have one tree up. It's a "slim" tree! I have to admit that as much as I enjoyed the years of multi-trees and a house full of decorations -- it's rather nice to have my tree up and decorated in record time!

Birds are my favorite ornament.

Especially clip-on birds, and more especially, glass birds.

Glass birds with feathers!

The Three Wise Men is my other favorite.

More Three Kings.

Clip-on butterflies in the aqua color I like.

Glass Partridge in a Pear Tree.

One of my cherished glass birds. A gift from my mother-in-law.

Mostly copper, aqua and gold on my tree.

Peacock feathers at the top.

This little tree is on my kitchen counter. Clip-on gold butterfly for the top.

Tiny glass Santa with cute ornament hooks.

And of course, more birds!

Thanks for visiting!

World War II mural on US Post Office wall

2011-12-20T16:00:00.001-06:00

The post office in our town has a unique piece of art on the wall!

"Conservation of Wild Life" mural on post office wall.

Painted in 1940 by artist Lee Allen, the mural on the U.S. Post Office in Emmetsburg, Iowa is called "Conservation of Wild Life."

Throughout the United States—on post office walls large and small—are scenes reflecting America's history and way of life. Post offices built in the 1930s during Roosevelt's New Deal were decorated with enduring images of the "American scene." (read more here)

Artist's signature and date

The dark square in upper right corner behind the squirrel's tail shows how dark and damaged the mural was before cleaning/restoring it approximately 15 years ago.

What I initially thought was a WPA (Works Progress Administration) mural, I discovered was actually funded through commissions under the Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture (later known as The Section of Fine Arts or The Section) -- and not the WPA.

The "Section's" primary function was to decorate public buildings with selective high quality art to make the art accessible to everybody.

While in the post office to take my photos, one of the employees gave me a little more information. About 15 years ago, the painting was professionally cleaned and restored. Over the years, contributors to air pollution (cigarette smoke, etc.) had dirtied the painting. She pointed out a dark square in the upper right hand corner. The square was left to show the damage before the mural was cleaned.

There are less than 40 of these murals in the Iowa post offices. It is pretty awesome to have one in our town.

Thanks for visiting!

Do you peek?

2011-12-13T13:08:00.001-06:00

I am not a peeker.

When I was a high school freshman, I wanted a pair of Topaz earrings in the worst way. For whatever reason, I thought those earrings would make my life complete. I begged for those earrings. I recently had my ears pierced (my parents made me wait until I was 15) and the only thing that mattered to me at that time were earrings.

My parents told me that I wasn't getting them. They said the earrings were too expensive and they already had my Christmas presents. I was absolutely positive I was not getting those earrings. Especially because my mother couldn't keep a secret. If I were getting those earrings, her eyes would've given her away even though her lips were denying it. But not only was she denying it, she was getting a little angry that I kept asking.

One of my friends came over a couple of weeks before Christmas. We were just hanging together. She asked if I had peeked at my gifts yet and I replied that I had never done that. My friend couldn't imagine not peeking! She convinced me (rather easily I might add) to peek at a few of my gifts.

She was definitely an Expert Peeker. She knew how to unwrap and re-wrap the gifts without any indication they had been touched. I was impressed! (Today, I know know how to wrap gifts so that this cannot be done as easily as we did it that day.)

I had several gifts under the tree and picked out a smaller one that felt heavy. I undid the tape, opened up the paper and slid the box out of it. Even before I opened the lid to the box, my inner voice was telling me "This is so wrong! Put it back now!" Being a high school freshman and 15 years old, I tended to ignore that smart little inner voice many times -- and this time was no different.

When I opened the lid to the box, there was a black velvet pouch inside. I opened the pouch and found .......... a rock!?

It was a rock the size of my hand and on the top of the rock were tiny little figurines playing instruments. The side of the rock was painted with the words "ROCK BAND" and it was absolutely adorable! I already knew where I wanted to put it in my bedroom. I couldn't wait to show it to my friends! The ROCK BAND rock was one of the coolest things I had ever seen!

Then this horrible feeling started to come over me. I felt soooooo bad. Sick to my stomach bad. I think it was guilt. Oh, the guilt! I secretly opened a gift that was supposed to be a surprise. I had been badgering my parents for such a silly gift like earrings when I had plenty of earrings already and here was something they knew I would love. What a rotten daughter I was.

I carefully began to wrap up the rock to be re-wrapped. As I held it from the top to move over to the tissue paper, the bottom of the rock fell off. Not only was it a cool rock -- but it was also cut to make a box.

Inside the rock box was a tiny black velvet jewelry box. The kind that holds earrings. My stomach fell. I still picked up the velvet box to open it. As you have probably guessed by now, inside were the Topaz earrings I wanted so desperately.

Now I really felt bad.

For the next two weeks right up until Christmas I felt bad. Sooooo bad. During that time, I turned into the Perfect Daughter because I felt like such a horrible person. I cleaned my room, did my homework, emptied the dishwasher, folded laundry and put it away... all without anybody asking me to.

That was the first and the only time I have ever peeked at a Christmas present! I have never been tempted to do so ever again. Well, almost ever again... there have been a few times...

I still have the earrings and each time I see them in my jewelry box, they remind me of my parents. Yes, I peeked. And although I won't do it again, I love the image of my parents it brings me when I see the earrings.

Thanks for visiting!

Pretzel Rolo Turtles (easy candy recipe!)

2011-12-09T07:30:00.011-06:00

These little candies have to be the easiest things to make - the hardest part is unwrapping the Rolos!

Only three ingredients are needed: Pretzels, Rolo candies and pecan halves.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pretzels on foil-lined baking sheet. Put a Rolo candy on top of each pretzel.

Bake for 4-5 minutes until Rolos are soft but not melting. Place pecan half on top of the Rolo candy and press down slightly.

Place in refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes until cool.

See how easy?? This is a great recipe to make with children or for a quick snack or just to have on hand. You could drizzle a little white melted chocolate over them to make them fancier. Color the white chocolate with red and green for the holidays. If you don't care for pecans you can use any kind of nut -- or substitute something else. I've seen them made with crushed peppermints, M&Ms and dried fruit.

Here is the recipe again:

Ingredients:

Pretzels (I like to use the square ones but any will work)

Rolos Candies (unwrapped)

Pecan Halves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line cookie sheet with foil. Place pretzels on foil-lined baking sheet. (You can put them together fairly close.) Put a Rolo candy on top of each pretzel. Bake for 4-5 minutes until Rolos are soft but not melting. Remove from oven and immediately place a pecan half on top of the softened Rolo and press down slightly. Place in refrigerator until cool.

These can be stored in an airtight container. I usually keep them in the fridge in a container and remove as needed.

Thanks for visiting!

I am linking to the following parties:

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop at Homemaker on a Dime
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

A Christmas Cactus story

2011-12-06T16:45:00.002-06:00

Christmas cactus plants are so beautiful. I have admired them for as long as I can remember. I have tried to keep one alive for as long as I can remember as well. I usually fail... my plant dies... but I do get an "A" for effort.

When I was a little girl, my grandmother told me a story about a Christmas cactus. Well, it may have been about a rose. I can no longer recall much of what she said and nobody else in the family remembers the story either...

I do remember this part: "Whenever you see a rose blossoming, it is honoring Christ our Lord." And then she said "Don't ever forget Jesus -- because He loves you and He will never forget about you."

I've always associated the flower blossoming with a Christmas cactus. Since I was a teenager, I have had one of the plants in my home. They never stay around for more than a few years because unfortunately, every single one I have had has met its demise under my care.

About 7 years ago, I picked up yet another Christmas cactus. It was the largest one that I had ever dared to bring home. Its blooming time had ended for the season and it was on clearance for a great price and I couldn't pass it up. I brought it home, re-read all the info I could find on caring for one, and put it in our living room with prayers that this one would do well. It was in a room that we didn't use very much, but according to the care instructions, this is the place where the plant should flourish.

And flourish it did! This cactus grew larger each year and was absolutely beautiful! However, it never - not once - bloomed with flowers. Not even a hint of a bud appeared on this plant. I finally came to the conclusion that I bought a flawed or disabled Christmas cactus. I continued to take care of it and loved it just the same. I was so happy I hadn't killed it.

Starting in 2008, we lost a lot of people in our lives. Hubby's best friend died that year from cancer. A few weeks later, his dear sister passed away. A month later, his uncle passed away. A few weeks later, my grandmother died. Six weeks later, hubby's aunt died. (He considered her like his mother as she raised him for most of his life.) And six weeks after that, my mother passed away.

It was 7 straight months of losing many people we loved so much.

My grandmother was 96 years old and the first person I had lost in my immediate family since my father died 21 years earlier. That day, my mother and I talked on the phone for over an hour, talking and reminiscing about my grandmother... it was November.

Still thinking of my grandmother a couple hours later, I went into the living room to look at the Christmas cactus. After all, my grandma's story is the reason why I always have one...

When I stepped into the room and saw the plant I was stunned! The plant that did not have a single flower in almost 5 years was in a complete and glorious full bloom! The color was stunning -- it was a peach color instead of the usual red or pink. I didn't even know they came in that color! Surprised and shocked doesn't begin to cover how I felt seeing this familiar yet strange plant in my home! I just stood there staring at that gorgeous plant in all its glory!

I watered the plant maybe a week earlier and I did not see any indication that it was on the verge of blossoming. Looking back, perhaps the buds were not noticeable since they were a peach color. I don't know.

Of course I immediately thought of my grandmother. How wonderful and eerie and amazing that the very plant I have -- because of the story she told me 35 years earlier -- bloomed in full glory on the day she died.

I wish I could say the plant continued to grow and became larger and more beautiful -- but alas, this Christmas cactus died just three months later. It seemed to have given everything it had with all those beautiful blossoms and wore itself out. I actually bid it farewell the day after my mother died in March 2009.

After that, I didn't buy another Christmas cactus for over a year.

Last December, in 2010, I saw some pretty little ones in a store and they had many blossoms. I couldn't help myself and picked up one with pretty red blossoms. Within 7-10 days, all the blossoms fell off. And the little buds that tried to grow fell off. I was destined for another dead plant. Yet... the plant continued to stay alive... for an entire year... but it never bloomed again.

Until last week. My little Christmas cactus has a flower! One little flower! I try to contain my excitement since 35+ years of history with these things has not worked out well.

But check it out! Isn't this the prettiest little bloom?

If I look very closely, I can see 5 more teeny tiny little blooms beginning.

This could be my year.

Thanks for visiting!

First snowfall!

2011-12-05T16:21:00.000-06:00

The first snowfall of the season arrived on Saturday, Dec. 3!

The lake has begun to freeze... as the temperatures remain low, it will continue to freeze heavily.
Soon there will be ice fishing huts on the ice!

Snow: another love/hate relationship I have... for the most part, I do adore the snow in the winter. It is incredibly bright and pretty and 'cleans' things up when it blankets the ground. Especially when it comes down without the wind to blow it and cause drifting.

On the other hand, I dislike driving in winter when the roads are coated with snow and/or ice. Often times, the snow remains on the road, melts during the day, but freezes again when the sun goes down making for slick roads. The main highways are kept dry with salt (requiring twice as many car washes to keep the salt off the car) but the roads around the lake can stay rather slick.

Regardless of the driving conditions, I love living in an area that receives snow!

Thanks for visiting!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T07:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanks for visiting!

Thanksgiving Tablescape

2011-11-20T20:07:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving is this week! What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. With Him, I have everything to be thankful for!

I am thankful for my my wonderful hubby and my beautiful daughter! I am thankful she is coming home for a few days this week! College keeps her so busy...

I am thankful for my family! Between my family and my hubby's family, we are very blessed!

This is the first table I have done since we sold our acreage and permanently moved to the lake. I am still in the process of sorting through things -- all the 'things' are here and there and although I know I have everything, I can't quite find everything! haha

Fall is my favorite time of year and using fall colors makes me happy!

There is definitely something about turkeys that attract me... turkey is actually one of my least favorite foods -- but I love decorations in the shape of turkeys! Dishes are no exception.

The center of the table is lined with a runner and just a few decorations this year.

Along with the turkey dishes I recently found, they had matching salt and pepper shakers!

This Holy Bible is very old... and very used. How wonderful is that?

The cute turkey dishes are colorful! I found them at Walmart and they were exactly what I was looking for!

Loved using these napkins with the gold and bronze colors in them.

I mixed orange and yellow dinner plates.

Chargers are for fall! The acorns and leaves that adorn the sides peek out from under the dinner plate.

Here is a place setting using the yellow dinner plate.

This flatware is one of my favorite sets! It seems to go with every occasion.

The candlestick holders are another of my favorites. They were the first turkey item I bought many years ago!

I've been waiting to use the table runner! I bought it earlier this year. The embroidery and applique on it is incredible! And the colors are fabulous!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

What's on the table:
Dinner and salad plates: Purchased at Walmart
Turkey and Pumpkin salt and pepper shakers: Walmart
Chargers: Walmart
(I shopped at Walmart a lot this year!)
Table runner: Crate & Barrel
Napkins: Crate & Barrel
Flatware: Purchased at World Market
Yellow/gold goblets: JC Penney

Thanks for visiting!

I will be linking to the following fantastic parties this week:

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Show off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses
Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Whassup Wednesday at Elements Interiors
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Feather Your Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Flaunt it It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Thank you Veterans!

2011-11-12T09:29:00.002-06:00

I want to thank all those who have served for our country. Including my father, my husband, my brother, my father-in-law, many of my friends, my family, and now the children of my friends and family.

God bless all of you! My prayers are with you and your families every single day.

God bless America!

Clay County, Iowa courthouse on Veteran's Day. Surrounded by dozens of flags.

Thanks for visiting!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T10:30:00.000-06:00

A small reflection of summer 2011...

Little chapel on Lost Island Lake

Holly on a boat ride

Busy beaches along the shores of the lake

Hot summer days!

Lots of fun!

Lots of friends!

Lots of entertainment!

The gathering at the shoreline...

The removing of the docks... signaling the end of summer.

Thanks for visiting!

Think I can hit the side of a barn?

2011-11-08T16:30:00.048-06:00

Why yes! I can! I can definitely hit the side of a barn.

Hubby took me out yesterday to practice shooting. I've never used a firearm before, so this was my first time!

The barn is in front of a hill and will eventually be taken down, saving the old wood of course.
Our target sheet is to the right of the door.

For awhile now, I've considered getting my concealed carry weapon permit -- aka CCW. I want to have this for a few reasons, but the two main ones are:

1. It is my constitutional right.
2. I occasionally drive hubby's truck. Just in case his firearm is still in the vehicle, I will be legally covered.

To receive my CCW permit in the state of Iowa, I decided to take an online course. Once I receive the certificate of completion via the mail in a few days, I can take that to my county sheriff's office. (Before taking the course, we did check with our county sheriff to make sure that this course was acceptable. Many are not. There are other options as well -- please research the requirements for Iowa or your state if you are thinking of obtaining a CCW permit.)

If you are an Iowa resident and interested in taking the same online course I took, here is the link: http://www.cedarvalleyfirearmstraining.com/courses. He has a money back guarantee that this course will be accepted by your sheriff. (I still checked with our sheriff before taking it.)

I learned SO much from this! I needed to pass all six sections with a 90% or better. There were a couple sections that I flunked the first time (and even the second time) but failing and re-taking them made me learn the material well.

See my groupings on the target? I think I did pretty well for a newbie!

Thanks for visiting!

Busy as a Beaver = Timber!

2011-11-07T15:26:00.002-06:00

Our friends (who also live at the lake) awoke the other morning to discover the landscape next to their house had been altered. A fairly large tree had come down and was partially lying in the water.

Upon closer inspection of the tree trunk, the tell-tale signs of a beaver appeared. During the night, a beaver chewed away at the tree and brought it down!

Look underneath and you can see all the wood chips from the beaver gnawing at the tree.

We see all sorts of critters around the lake and there are plenty of beaver dams and lodges. However, for the most part, I've rarely seen them at work -- usually I see them in the mornings and evenings swimming along the shoreline, probably on their way to an important beaver meeting. They always seem to be in a hurry to get somewhere!

Not only do beavers use trees for building their dams and lodges, but they also eat the bark and the soft wood just beneath the bark.

The beaver removed all the branches from the tree trunk closest to the water and hauled them off to his building site.

Beavers cannot control which way the tree will fall and occasionally they will be trapped or killed by the tree they take down. Luckily for our friends, this tree happened to fall in the water. If it had fallen towards their house, it would've fallen on their deck and possibly their kitchen! See how close this tree was to their boat lift:

I returned the next morning to take another photo -- and saw that Mr. Beaver had returned during the night to start gnawing the fallen tree again. He's making firewood!

Thanks for visiting!

My Favorite Candy Recipe!

2011-10-31T15:30:00.001-05:00

Happy "Pumpkin Day!"

I wanted to share my favorite candy recipe with you -- and it is sooooo easy!

1 pkg of Candy Corn (any size)
1 jar of salted cashews (any size)

Mix 1 cup of each together and stir.

This recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc. and can also be modified to taste by adding more candy corn or more cashews. The mixture is like eating a salted nut roll!

My favorite candy!

This is my only Halloween decoration -- I use it to put my candy in.

Thanks for visiting!!

Sunrise at the lake

2011-10-30T19:15:00.000-05:00

Fall has definitely taken over! It's already making way for winter to arrive. This morning, the lake was so calm, I could hear the leaves falling from the trees and landing on the water.

The sunrise is one of the most spectacular sights to see on the lake! I went out with my camera and took a few shots:

Sun is just rising over the horizon.

A few minutes later it is much brighter!

The boats and docks are now back on the shore - with the exception of a few that are still waiting to come out.

Along with the sunrise is the sound of guns. Hunting season is in full swing right now and the moment the sky begins to lighten, the sounds of the guns begin.

Hard to believe it is the end of October already!

Thanks for visiting!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

Don't ask......

Thanks for visiting!

The collapse of the cottonwood tree

2011-10-10T18:29:00.001-05:00

Awhile back, I posted about the cottonwood trees around our lake.

In that post I mentioned this: Cottonwoods can become rotten and it is unnoticeable -- until the tree falls.

Well... guess what?

A few weeks ago during some rather high winds, our neighbors who are just two doors down us experienced it first-hand. The tree came crashing down and destroyed their boat, the boat lift, their jet ski, the jet ski lift -- and the entire dock. Luckily, nobody was hurt!

The tree came down quickly, smashing through the dock and everything around it.

It also crushed a boat, a jet ski and both lifts!

This was the jet ski lift. You can see the crushed wheel which is used to raise and lower the jet ski.

What is left of the boat lift -- the cover stayed on. The home owners definitely kept their sense of humor -- do you see the chainsaw sitting on top of the tree trunk??

Base of the tree where it was rotten. This was a HUGE tree!

Better view of the ruins.

And another. The tiny chainsaw probably wouldn't cut a small branch on this tree!

The disaster from the other side.

This man, who insisted on climbing over everything to stand out there, is over 6' tall -- gives you a good idea how large this tree was! (There's one of these guys in every crowd, isn't there? LOL!)

Thanks for visiting!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-31T10:20:00.003-05:00

Time to start a new chapter in our life!

While growing up, our family moved often because my father was in the Air Force. I have not considered houses as emotional objects. They come and they go. However, I had a tiny bit of sadness when I finished cleaning the acreage house for the new owners. Thinking about the years we spent living in it and remembering so many happy occasions there. 19 years of my life was spent in this house. Before that, the longest I had lived in one house was 3.5 years.

The sadness came and went quickly however. I am very excited for the new family moving in and wish them many years of happiness in this home!

Our new permanent residence is at the lake! And you will find me drifting around on it often...

Thanks for visiting!

My life is in the trash

2011-08-29T10:17:00.000-05:00

Wow, it feels like forever since I've been able to post something on my blog! Life has just been crazy these past few weeks and I wanted to check in and just say "howdy!" and let you know that I am still here!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I am a web designer at my regular job. (A job I love!) After working for many, many, many months on a new website -- it was launched on Wednesday, August 3.

Not 10 minutes after I 'hit the switch' to launch the new site, I had to run home and sign papers -- because our acreage sold!

Yay!!!

Since that day, it has been non-stop work. Moving out of a huge house we have lived in for 19 years is one thing -- but add to it a barn, an extremely large metal building, and a 19-year-old daughter heading back to college -- it became very time-consuming. Especially trying to move out in less than 30 days. Then add the new website and all the changes/additions/corrections that go along with it...

I was literally working from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for nearly a month with almost no breaks. Running back and forth between the acreage house, the lake house (our new permanent home), my office -- and the Goodwill donation store which is 25 miles away.

The only day I did not spend working was last week when I helped our daughter move back into her dorm at college to begin her sophomore year. The 6 hour round-trip was a welcome break from everything. I spent about 4 hours at the college. Helping her move things into her dorm room, a quick trip to Walmart for some necessary items and we had lunch together. As sad as I am to see her leave again, I know she is excited to get back into the swing of things at college. That makes me happy.

And now... we are done... all we need to do is wait for the closing day.

Here is a photo of the giant dumpster we had to rent to clean out the barn and metal building:

This thing was huge! It held a LOT of stuff.

By the time it was picked up, it was completely filled to the top.

Yep -- our lives were in the trash. Literally! LOL!

Thanks for visiting!

Are you ready for some ... football? Already?

2011-07-23T08:09:00.000-05:00

I guess that time of year is approaching! This morning at the lake, I see the flags are a-flying...

The house to the right of us:

University of Iowa Hawkeyes

And the house to the left of us:

Iowa State University Cyclones

After moving to Iowa many years ago, I quickly discovered that the Iowa / Iowa State competition is a fierce one!

I remain mostly neutral. I am a college football fan and enjoy watching both teams. However, when they play each other, I usually choose one over the other. The Hawkeyes.

Thanks for visiting!

My Garden Center Purchases!

2011-07-22T10:33:00.000-05:00

In my last post, I blogged about visiting a garden center and mentioned I had bought two items. So I thought I'd share a photo of them!

I actually started this post two days after the last one and just now found the time to finish it! If you've read my "about me" page, you might have noticed my regular job is a web designer. Well, that's what I've been doing for the past few ~~weeks~~ months -- working on a new website that will launch on August 1. So far, I've built over 5,000 pages on the new site. Page. by. page. by. page.

After sitting at the computer from 7 am - 5 pm each day, the last thing I want to do is get back online when I am home... I have so many posts I've not had the time to do yet -- and so many blogs I need to catch up with. I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now!

So back to the garden center stuff! Remember the black and white pottery? I loved the mushrooms! They had large, medium and small and I bought a medium sized one. Hubby put it by this tree, but I'm still trying to decide if I like it there -- I picture it nesting amongst a bunch of hostas in my shade garden. The other day I moved it to try it with the hostas, but ended up putting it back under the tree because I missed it there.

My neighbor, Julie, said it looked like a Gnome Home. I'm going with that.

The other purchase was the heart-shaped turtle! Love at first sight. <3

(That's a heart. The "<" and the "3" together make a heart and I know how to do those because I'm cool... ok, actually it's because I have a 19-year-old daughter who told me how to make them.)

Mr. Turtle resides on my side table outside. Right next to the pepper plant I planted -- that actually has peppers on it!

This is the east side of the house with my shade garden... I took the photo two weeks ago and will have to take another updated one. The flowers along the edge are a type of "balloon flower" and have exploded in purple!

I'm still working on the shade garden landscaping. I started three years ago. Since I have no idea what I'm doing most of the time, my game plan has been to buy something that grows in shade, plant it, and hope it comes back the next year. If it doesn't, I get something new in the spring and try that. It works for me. I <3 planting things and get so excited when they actually grow!

Thanks for visiting!

Garden center shopping and cool things from a speeding car

2011-07-12T19:43:00.001-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, hubby had to pick up some bags of grass seed for the new lawn and announced he needed to make a quick trip to the garden center near Lake Okoboji.

I was in the passenger seat of the car before my sweetie could finish his sentence. I love going to garden centers!

This is one of my favorite places to go -- Ferguson's Garden Center. You can see their website here.

("Quick trip." Yeah -- right. He shouldn't have mentioned it to me if he wanted to make a quick trip. heh.)

They are loaded with everything imaginable pertaining to the outdoors and garden decor! I had to take a few photos to share. I also bought two things -- can you guess what I got?

Entrance to the garden center

Outdoors in the front area -- see the tall giraffes?

A closer shot of the giraffes -- how cool are these?

Loved this fish planter! If it had come in green, it would've been mine.

Some cool things by the entrance including bottle trees and word rocks

Loved this owl rock!!

Unusual painted metal cow...

Cutesy Dalmatian planters

Loaded with lawn doo-dads!

And planters of every size, shape, texture and color...

Fountains, benches, statuaries in every corner.

I love turtles and frogs and thought this turtle fountain was so unique!

These planters and mushrooms had me at "hello!"

Wall full of quirky signs inside the building

Mermaids are cool! So was the fish planter they were displayed in.

This mermaid was awesome! I didn't notice until I was looking at my photos later but I'm crazy for the table they are sitting on. Didn't even notice that! I may have to return to the store...

So much garden decor everywhere -- from giant giraffes to a tiny little plant stake.

Wide open store with wall-to-wall fun things

Giant sign in front of the business

Closer shot of a bottle tree. I see these on so many blogs! Love the ones decorated with the colored bottles.

See the mama duck with her three babies behind her? Very unique!

Every size, shape and color...

Beautiful green color on these!

Whimsical bug garden stakes

Cool turtle and sundial. So much -- it's easy to miss things if you're on a quick trip!

I personally find ants (of any kind) creepy, but these were cute.

Another turtle! His body is in the shape of a heart.

Glass fountain -- very cool!

A mermaid vase... years ago, I was trying to find a mermaid and nobody had them anywhere. I found a bunch on this day!

Colorful display at the checkout

Isn't this the ugliest pink flamingo?? Looks like he was in a war zone... even the flamingo on his left was shot down.

Another shot of the front outdoor area

These ferns were HUGE!!

The annual area -- or what's left of it in July.

Flea market that hubby wouldn't stop at. LOL! Photo taken from window of car. I think hubby sped up as we went by...

Quick shot of Lake Okoboji taken from the car as we sped over the bridge.

Historic Arnold's Park amusement park. Taken from the car. This Coney Island style attraction is located right on the lake, and is home to the 13th oldest wooden roller coaster in the U.S.! It's so much fun to ride the Ferris wheel right over the water! You can see their website here.

Thanks for visiting!!

Municipal Band in a Small Town

2011-07-09T10:22:00.003-05:00

Each year in the early summer, my daughter participates in our town's Municipal Band. Musicians of all ages can participate and they practice once a week and then perform on Thursday nights. The performance is held outside by the county courthouse.

She really enjoys being a part of the band -- and it enables her to continue playing/practicing her trumpet especially now that high school is over. Next summer, after her sophomore year in college, she will most likely be living in her college town and has already looked into participating in that town's municipal band.

I enjoy hearing the band and visiting with friends who attend the performances. They begin by playing our National Anthem and everybody stands and faces the American flag in the courthouse square. People who are walking by in the nearby streets will also stop during the rendition. And the majority of people salute the flag with their right hand over their heart. This always has a huge emotional effect on me. I think more so because I grew up as a dependent in the US Air Force and learned from a very early age what our American flag represents.

Set up around the band is a tiny version of a farmer's market. There are tables set up with jams and jewelry and even Tupperware for sale. (I was excited to get a Tupperware catalog!)

It's one of my favorite events each summer!

Local musicians perform for about an hour each Thursday night.

My daughter is the back row on the trumpet.

The streets are blocked off for the performance.

Thanks for visiting!