Close Encounters of the Four Legged Kind

 We were eating dinner, when Michael noticed movement by the deck.

There was one of two fawns enjoying dinner, just three feet below the deck.

The other fawn was wandering in the creek.

Mommy was close by, keeping watch.

 Baby dined for a long while and we stayed in the house so we would not disturb him.

They finally wandered away, so we could leave the house and get back to work.

What an interesting array of critters that we get to watch.

Well Stocked Cupboard

I tried showing this image last week and it disappeared.

Here is a well stocked cupboard from a Creekside Grains fan in Wisconsin.

You never know when you need to bake and Tim is ready for that moment!

Thanks, Tim!

Too Much

Our friendly squirrel is at it again.

While I was in the house preparing my lunch,

I looked out the window to see Mr. Squirrel preparing for his lunch.

We had two leftover beer breads that I put on the deck

for the birds to enjoy.

Mr. Squirrel decided that he wanted a loaf of bread.

He grabbed it, put it in his mouth, 

then made me laugh out loud,

hysterically!

The bread weighs at least two pounds.

Mr. Squirrel weighs the same.

He was trying to lift a loaf of bread that was way too heavy for him.

The bread stayed in his mouth for about five seconds

before it fell out of his mouth, off the deck and onto the ground.

A muffin like the one below is one thing, 

but an entire loaf of bread was too much for him.

Our critters are so entertaining!

Snow and More Snow

This is my annual snow photograph.

This year, we have lots and lots of snow.

Yes, it really is that deep behind me.

This covered in snow look is from the snow blower,

that I had to use yesterday to clear out the four foot snow drifts in the driveway.

Usually, I just use the shovel.

Every day, it is getting harder to shovel by hand,

since I have to toss the snow so high over the snow banks.

I love winter!

Yummyness!

This came from Tim,

a Creekside Grains fan from Wisconsin.

I had to share! 

"Just sent you a Creekside order, was lacking yummyness here!!! 

You just can't beat the aroma & taste,

minutes out of the oven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I agree!

Turkey Trees

 Two days ago, I heard a really funny sound outside. 

It sounded like a turkey.

Michael looked out the window and saw two turkeys staring back at him.

He was able to walk out and take a picture of them.

Here's Tom.

Jerry was hiding behind a post.

This morning while I was shoveling snow, 

I saw two massive birds flying at me.

They landed in our maple tree.

It was Tom and Jerry!

I never knew that birds as big as turkeys hung out in tall maple trees!

I learned something new today.

That's one big bird on one little branch!

Zero and Falling

Not sure where global warming is, but it is certainly not here this week. 

Right now, it is zero degrees and falling. 

We have lots of snow and more coming this week, along with single digit temperatures.

Good thing I LOVE winter! 

I spent over an hour getting my morning exercise by shoveling snow. 

It sure beats being inside at a gym!

I look forward to more snow, so I can shovel more and get more exercise!

We Were Gone, but Now We Are Back

We just returned from spending seven days in Minneapolis for a Gift Show. 

We had a great time at the show.

We took orders for 28 new stores and are starting to pack over 1000 mixes

that will ship next week.

When we left last week, the roads were icy and driving was slow. 

While we were there, the temperatures were below zero, with wind chill factors of -25 degrees. 

It was so cold that we did not even visit the Mall of America, which was only ten minutes away.

We just went back to our hotel and stayed warm.

On our way home, the roads were icy and snow covered and driving was slow, 

but...we had so much fun looking at all of the ice shanties on the frozen lakes.

One lake had hundreds of shanties on it.

That's either a lot of fun to be out with friends in the great outdoors,
or there are a lot of fish to catch!

January Thaw Brings Carrots

Fresh from the January thaw...carrots!

It was warm enough yesterday to dig out the rest of the carrots that Michael planted last summer.

A little dirt scrubbed off, and we will have carrots for a few more months!

The photo does not show it, but some of these carrots are the size of my hand. 
Some of them are odd shaped and have funny things growing on the side
(one looks like an angry bird),
but they still taste great.

Home grown carrots are soooo good!

Go Angela - Miss Michigan

 

In 2008, we first met Angela Venditti when she competed for Miss Heart of Michigan.

In 2011, Angela was Top Five in Miss Heart of Michigan.

In 2012, Angela was crowned Miss Michigan.

She is currently in Las Vegas, competing for Miss America.

We are so proud of Angela!

We are looking forward to watching Miss America tomorrow evening.

Go Angela!