tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83582246234483343522012-05-31T07:46:29.153-05:00Random thoughts on life (past, present, future), my passions for travel, photography, good food, good wine, and my search for a new niche.Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.comBlogger522125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-16292699873291619422012-05-12T11:09:00.000-05:002012-05-12T11:09:20.901-05:002012-05-12T11:09:20.901-05:00

That past few weeks has been a roller coaster ride and it doesn't look like it's going to be stopping any time, soon. We had a wonderful time in Kansas at "Seussical the Musical".  Our own little Thing 1 played her part so well...the entire cast did a wonderful job.  I still haven't sorted out the photos and I attempted to videotape some of her parts with my camera camcorder.  It's a really

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com13http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/05/life-is-fragile.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-72433155221384309032012-04-26T11:45:00.000-05:002012-04-26T11:45:00.380-05:002012-04-26T11:45:00.380-05:00

How time flies!  Back on April 11th I posted about our wood ducks and their house hunting adventure. This morning we watched as the happy couple waddled up the beach and Mrs. Wood Duck flew into the nesting box. Mr. Wood Duck flew with her but as she was entering the nesting box, he banked and circled around (a beautifully executed maneuver) before landing back on Lake Mary. Since we've

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com9http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/04/wood-ducks-on-lake-mary-update.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-67008460303323300892012-04-15T19:10:00.000-05:002012-04-15T19:10:34.629-05:002012-04-15T19:10:34.629-05:00

I'm leaving for Kansas, tomorrow.  The eleven year old actress in our family is in another play..."Seussical the Musical".   She was a hit in "Alice in Wonderland" and is cast as Thing 1 for this production.  She hasn't a lot of lines but said that it's been so much fun and she and Thing 2 have great supporting roles. From Alice in Wonderland So since the week of the play is busy with

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com7http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/04/kansas-city-or-bust.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-39266756246874179362012-04-13T06:00:00.000-05:002012-04-13T06:00:05.123-05:002012-04-13T06:00:05.123-05:00

1920 Minot, North Dakota I'm going through old photographs, as time permits.  I need to put them in photo albums but I'm also scanning them into the computer.  I'd like to store them somewhere in "the cloud", if I can figure out how to do that. In the process, I've come across some very old, very cool family photos.   This one is of my paternal grandmother with her two daughters, Mamie and

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com16http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/04/1920-north-dakota-prairie-photo-finish.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-43165464461873400832012-04-11T12:08:00.000-05:002012-04-18T17:01:44.549-05:002012-04-18T17:01:44.549-05:00

The wood ducks are back! This morning Jack and I had the pleasure of watching them set up housekeeping for the season. It was amazing to see how they decided to choose this particular nest. To give you some perspective, this is a photo of the group of three trees down by the lake on our property. The tree with the wood duck house is the center tree in this photo. For the past several

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com35http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/04/wood-ducks-househunting-on-lake-mary.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-17051626185920047322012-04-10T12:33:00.002-05:002012-04-10T12:33:41.500-05:002012-04-10T12:33:41.500-05:00

Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, Washington I'm in the middle of a million projects and every room in this house is untidy.  Not dirty.  Untidy.  I hate untidy.   I can't concentrate when things are untidy...in my house or in my head. Got me thinking about relaxing...something that we humans often think is a waste of time. But it's not. Relaxing is essential to our well-being. These few

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com0http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2008/06/quotes-i-like-on-relaxation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-56062321688383845122012-04-06T18:44:00.000-05:002012-04-06T18:44:59.116-05:002012-04-06T18:44:59.116-05:00

The dad, the mom and the three little ones I wonder what Mother Goose is telling Father Goose...it looks as though he's straining to hear her.  This family of five was just strolling leisurely along the shore of Lake Mary.   It made me smile. Actually, I learned that a gaggle of geese is seven or more...and there are only five here.   A flock of geese is an even larger number.  So...this

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com16http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/04/gaggle-of-geese-photo-finish-friday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-65007364429700235122012-04-05T11:04:00.000-05:002012-04-05T11:04:03.446-05:002012-04-05T11:04:03.446-05:00

Last year we were bemoaning the fact that our beach was under water.  Like this.... And this:   That was in August 2011.  We'd had the snowiest winter in years and it rained incessantly that summer.  I posted about it HERE.  It wasn't pretty. I don't think we had even one foot of snow this past winter and we've had hardly any rain, this spring.  The

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com16http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/04/beached.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-24612069768755341582012-03-29T22:16:00.000-05:002012-03-29T22:16:12.581-05:002012-03-29T22:16:12.581-05:00

While we were visiting in Washington...after we left Chateau Poulet...my sister asked if I could help her modify a coverlet for the bed in one of her guest rooms.  I said, "Sure!" A friend had given her a sewing machine and it was all set up and ready to go!  As luck would have it there was a part missing.  It was the "throat plate", if you're familiar with sewing machines.  If you're not...

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com21http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/03/antique-sewing-machinestill-going.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-80262830464847012822012-03-23T13:01:00.003-05:002012-03-23T13:01:37.973-05:002012-03-23T13:01:37.973-05:00

Spring has been bizarre, this year...we've had warmer weather here than they've had on the West coast or down in Arizona!  But combine warm air and a frozen lake and you'll see fog more often than not. Here are some shots from a few days ago...Notice how the color fades as the fog moves in. A wide band of fog rolling over Lake Mary It's getting a little closer It's here...we can

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com24http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/03/fog-on-lake-mary-photo-finish-friday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-37897416321842040162012-03-19T10:23:00.000-05:002012-03-19T10:23:09.123-05:002012-03-19T10:23:09.123-05:00

This darling little child's kitchen was displayed at the Habitat for Humanity store in Mt. Vernon, Washington.  My sisters and I stopped there one day while Jack and I were visiting. One of the Habitat volunteers created this from an old entertainment center and Habitat was selling tickets for a raffle to be held during Mt. Vernon's upcoming home and garden show!  How cute is this?

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com20http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/03/childs-kitchen-project-for-worthy-cause.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-49481420823287941762012-03-16T10:56:00.000-05:002012-03-16T11:00:39.830-05:002012-03-16T11:00:39.830-05:00

This is a D-17 Allis Chalmers tractor of the 1950's era.  It has a hand shifter from low to high range and a hydraulic lift bucket with a manual drop.  And that is my friend, Diane, behind the wheel! We REALLY needed this tractor one day a few years ago.  There was a strip of lawn on one side of our driveway that had a slope to it.  It was just miserable to mow.  Well, it was miserable for

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com14http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/03/1950s-era-allis-chalmers-tracter-photo.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-64679181897148709892012-03-09T18:06:00.000-06:002012-03-09T18:06:42.597-06:002012-03-09T18:06:42.597-06:00

My blogging friend, Fran, from the UK (her blog is Bonnie Of Clyde), commented "What a beautiful place." on my last post so I thought I'd post two or three pictures that I've shot on my travels that I think really illustrate how beautiful this country really is.  Not that I don't think the plains of Montana are not beautiful in their own way, of course. . Cliffs in Mendocino County,

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com20http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/03/random-photos-photo-finish-friday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-21465641878247470582012-03-07T21:40:00.000-06:002012-03-07T21:42:42.014-06:002012-03-07T21:42:42.014-06:00

Somewhere in Glacier National Park We had an unremarkable but pleasant return trip via Amtrak.  The crew was top-notch...our attendant was attentive and generous...he brought us a split of champagne and some luscious chocolates to welcome us.  That's a first for us!  Just a few photos...all shot as we were flying down the tracks at warp speed.  You'll notice a little glare from the

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com12http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/03/home-again-home-again.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-17115127562293563942012-03-01T14:52:00.000-06:002012-03-01T14:52:30.102-06:002012-03-01T14:52:30.102-06:00

View of Seattle skyline and mountains from the ferry We left Bainbridge Island on Leap Day!  I had planned to post something clever for that day but by the time we gathered our belongings and fed the lamb for the last time, I ran out of time. We took the ferry from Winslow (on the Island) to Seattle.  This is a shot of the ferry arriving at Bainbridge Island.  You can see the cars on the lower

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com26http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/03/bainbridge-island-to-seattle.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-87621854091424224942012-02-24T13:38:00.003-06:002012-03-23T12:13:25.362-05:002012-03-23T12:13:25.362-05:00

It seems as though each time we are here at Chateau Poulet we are faced with a challenge, of sorts.  But we enjoy the occasional challenge...keeps life interesting, right? A few days ago we noticed that the ram was limping and in obvious pain.  We consulted our "housesitters' guide" and called Dr. B....mobile veterinarian.  She came out the next morning. You can see how big this pasture area is

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com14http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/02/dr-bmobile-vet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-56748303017849540602012-02-19T19:38:00.000-06:002012-02-19T19:38:35.024-06:002012-02-19T19:38:35.024-06:00

Some of you might remember an adventure or two we had while housesitting on Bainbridge Island, Washington a couple of years ago.  I locked myself in the chicken house; the kitten played with my diamond ring and knocked it down the tub drain;...little stuff like that. Well, we're back.  The homeowners have gone off to Morocco for their own exotic adventure so we're babysitting their little flock

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com18http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/02/meanwhile-back-at-ranch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-11648258189351745362012-02-10T10:02:00.000-06:002012-02-10T10:02:13.921-06:002012-02-10T10:02:13.921-06:00

A trip to Winnipeg, Manitoba is not complete without a visit to Assiniboine Park.  It's a wonderful attraction and it's open 365 days a year!  There's the zoo, a sculpture garden, an exotic horticultural collection from around the world in the conservatory.  And there's a Nature and Adventure Playground! Pavillion Gallery Museum One of the most interesting attractions is the Pavillion Gallery

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com20http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/02/winnie-pooh-photo-finish-friday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-49748791275319555032012-02-03T17:16:00.000-06:002012-02-03T17:16:51.717-06:002012-02-03T17:16:51.717-06:00

We returned from Kansas on Monday and, with two weeks until we leave for Washington, I was confident that I could accomplish much.  As they say, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray" (Burns).  I've been fighting a head cold since Wednesday which has put a damper on my plans to catch up on everything from sewing projects to trying new recipes, to writing and reading. You might

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com22http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/02/esplanade-riel-pedestrian-bridge-photo.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-48021943154206539182012-01-27T10:44:00.005-06:002012-02-03T12:12:41.045-06:002012-02-03T12:12:41.045-06:00

We're still in Kansas and we are having an excellent visit!  The children are in school during the week so MJ and Jack and I have completed several little projects around the house; we've made cookie dough for the freezer; we've explored a variety of thrift shops and we've taken a field trip or two. This is "Pioneer Mother", a statue in Penn Valley Park.  After spending the better part of two

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com18http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/01/pioneer-mother.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-91594496127506566792012-01-19T15:39:00.002-06:002012-01-21T11:03:48.840-06:002012-01-21T11:03:48.840-06:00

I'm in the middle of a blogging intermission.  Does that even make sense? We've been in Kansas for about a week, now, and I'm thinking that I should post SOMEthing, for goodness sake!  We have plans to do some "touristy" stuff but the weather has been cold and windy. Quite frankly, I'd rather stay indoors!   The forecast looks promising next week so that will be the time to go out and about.

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com18http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/01/intermission.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-56913485594301073232012-01-03T13:32:00.000-06:002012-01-03T13:32:48.537-06:002012-01-03T13:32:48.537-06:00

My brother-in-law buys a puzzle for my sister every Christmas.  I've always enjoyed working on their current puzzle whenever we're visiting the Pacific Northwest. I thought it would be a great little extra gift for Jack so I purchased one, this year, thinking that we could work on it together during the long cold winter.  I could just imagine us, heads together, bent over the table mulling

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com17http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2012/01/puzzled.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-74728814654280520682011-12-28T09:28:00.000-06:002011-12-28T09:28:24.788-06:002011-12-28T09:28:24.788-06:00

This is one of my favorite quotes and I've shared it as a Christmas post in the past. But it will work well as my wishlist for the New Year. If I substitute "my" for "your" it makes an excellent personal pledge for 2012. So...in 2012 I pledge to give... "To your enemy, forgiveness.To an opponent, tolerance.To a friend, your heart.To a customer, service.To all, charity.To every child, a good

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com10http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2011/12/new-year-wishes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-14711236112387342952011-12-19T13:23:00.000-06:002011-12-19T13:23:22.612-06:002011-12-19T13:23:22.612-06:00

This is a Christmas wish.  But it's also a wish to all of my friends and loved ones who celebrate other spiritual holidays this time of year whether it's Hanukkah, Kwanza, Las Posadas, Ishura, or any one of a  number of religious days celebrated in December, each year. This is a joyous and loving season whatever your beliefs.  I think Happy Holidays is a lovely greeting.  If someone wishes me

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com16http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2011/12/merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358224623448334352.post-91723492515250772532011-12-14T21:11:00.004-06:002011-12-15T07:06:53.429-06:002011-12-15T07:06:53.429-06:00

We've had the tree decorated for about a week, now, and as we were hanging the ornaments I remarked to Jack how much fun it is to remember where we got each one. We don't have a fancy tree.  The ornaments have been collected over the years as we've traveled here and there.  The children all had personal ornaments, too, but they have those, now. So I'll share a few that have special meaning to

Cheryl Kohannoreply@blogger.com23http://www.lakemarymusings.com/2011/12/christmas-past-in-present.html