Monday, January 25, 2010

Yard work......with multiple chainsaws, a nine inch chipper and the dump trailer

None of our house projects have been on what I would consider a "small" scale. We're kind of in this all or nothing phase. This weekends project was no exception.
Two huge spruce trees were commanding all of the sun on the south side of the house and had to go. So, we invited our good friend Carson Sprenger, owner of Rainshadow Consulting, over to cut them down! While he was at it we also asked him to cut down an ivy covered pine in the backyard (where the dog pen will go someday), a small snag and another small spruce near the fire pit. Perhaps the most exciting event of the weekend was learning how to use a chainsaw. I was kind of hesitant at first, but after some practice I've decided chainsaws are fabulous and I should have learned how to use them earlier in life.
The yard is still in recovery mode, most of the limbs have been cleared and the wood chips piled, but there are still piles of firewood rounds waiting to be split....and a dog pen to be built!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Squirrel Gumbo

I bookmarked a recipe for Squirrel Gumbo today. Is this a new beginning or the beginning of the end?

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

In search of "good" snow


Ian and I got in some skiing the other day. The snow was great in places and terrible in others. South facing slopes were icy but north facing slopes were great. I got to try out my new ski crampons and did a fair bit of side sloping on the way home. All in all it was pretty exciting to find nice snow weeks (?) after measurable amounts of new snow has fallen.
And, perhaps the most exciting find of the day, tracks leading to a kill. Not sure who left the tracks, we're thinking bobcat, and perhaps the prey was a squirrel or other small rodent. The was scat, fur and tracks! It was fun to look around for more sign and try to piece together the scene, it's been awhile since I've gotten to do that.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas 2009


We celebrated Christmas this year with Ken, Mona, Maria, Dennis and Mom at Ken and Mona's house. We started off the day right with venison steaks, eggs and cinnamon rolls for breakfast followed a busy day of wrapping presents, looking at old family photos, playing games, cooking, playing with Frankie, opening gifts, drinking eggnog and a stroll along the Nooksack.
The highlight of the day was a game organized by Ian and I. We wrapped a box in craft paper, duct tape and plastic wrap and everyone had to try to open it with mittens on! It was hilarious and Ken won the grand prize. A chocolate bar.
It was a beautiful Christmas full of laughter, family and delicious food!