Winter Arrived

After two days of windchills and subzero temperatures, I finally ventured out today in 6 degree weather to get a much needed run in to feel normal and re-energized.  I really can't complain because November and December were very mild months for us here in the Midwest and we all got a little spoiled.  So, when the subzero temperatures finally struck us this past weekend, it was a reality check......what???  Winter is finally here?

So, here I am all bundled up this afternoon coming back from my little 3-mile run.  Dang it, I forgot that I wore mascara today, so my frozen eyelashes were dripping black droplets when everything began to thaw.  Note to myself:  don't wear mascara on a run with single digit temperatures......you will look like a zombie and every passing car will slow down and look at you with disgust, or maybe laughter!

Even with a zombie face, it sure felt good running today.  Don't worry, I wasn't cold.  With my multiple layers, wool socks, Gortex jacket, chopper gloves, neck turtle, knit penguin hat and silk face mask, I was plenty warm.  It took me 15 minutes to get my layers assembled before I headed out the door, but hey, I was warm!
  

Miniature Garden Fun

It seems like every five years or so, I dabble in a new hobby.  That's just how I'm wired....always trying something new to keep life interesting.  This particular hobby kind of fell into my lap if you know what I mean. So,back in June 2015, I couldn't find anyone to do a miniature or fairy garden program at the library.  I called a few local people, but nothing worked out.  Then I said to myself, hey Lis, you can do this!  So, I planned out my own one- hour informational program at the library.

Luckily, my co-worker, her name is also Lisa, agreed to help me with the program and all we had to do was order resource books about creating your own miniature garden and come up with a shopping list of supplies.  About that same time in late spring, Bike man surprised me and ordered a nice terrarium bowl that I could practice with at home.  My first attempt was the picture you see above.  Since last June however, I've had to make a few changes because several plants didn't survived, but I recently stopped at the local greenhouse and purchased several new miniature plants.  One of the new plants is that very small succulent in the center of the bowl.  The other thing that didn't really hold up in the terrarium since last June was the green moss I used from my own yard, but that's ok.

I then went out and search yard sales for some ordinary containers to use for various miniature plants.  Basically, you can use anything.  The espresso cup, votive candle cup and little glass dessert cup you see in this photo, were all items from my house!  It's always great to upcycle if possible.

Isn't this the sweetest little dessert cup? 

This glass bowl cost me 50 cents from a yard sale.  The rocks you see inside were picked from my yard and the plants inside the bowl were purchased at a local greenhouse.  I divided most of the greenhouse mini plants that I purchased, so I could use them in multiple containers.  This was actually a door prize we gave away at the library program.  The gal who won this bowl was so thrilled that her name was picked.

This glass container was a little more challenging since it was deeper.  I believe I used a tweezers to arrange the plants in this terrarium.  I ended up putting a stick inside to hold up the little plant.  This terrarium sat on my desk at work for 7 months.....I really miss this one.  I think I got a little too attached to my miniature garden containers at work and found myself fussing over them all the time.  I was always worried they would dry up or wilt!  Now that I'm gone from the library, I miss my little miniature gardens.....there are two more large garden projects we made during our library program that sit on a desk in the library.  Sorry, I don't seem to have a photo to show you.....Lisa BH and I outfitted the gardens with miniature furniture.

This container was just an additional one I made from the Sedum in my yard.  You see, once you start, you can't STOP.  I'm already planning and plotting my new miniature gardens for the summer, or create some new ones for gifts.   

And lastly, I made this terrarium for my daughter-in-law for her bridal shower back in mid-June.  The last time we traveled to Roseville, Minnesota to visit Chris and Trisha, I peeked inside to see how the plants were doing.  The plants looked pretty good and as long as the glass lid is on tight, the moisture level stays constant.  Isn't Trisha pretty in this photo???  It was such a fun bridal shower.  The kids were married on August 1, 2015.....that will be another blog post!!!

I highly recommend this miniature gardening book and can be checked out at most public libraries:  Gardening in Miniature; Create Your Own Tiny World by Janit Calvo 

Winter Brings Comfort Food

Steel-Cut Oatmeal

There's something about winter that makes us think about comfort foods.  Comfort foods that make you feel toasty warm and satisfied.  I do have to admit to you however, that some comfort foods are not totally healthy and are loaded with fat and sugar.  But don't feel sad, because I'm telling you that I have a comfort food recipe that will make you smile and feel happy.....it will actually make you excited about waking up in the morning!

So what is my comfort food?  Steel-cut oatmeal cooked with love and happiness.....plus my little secret ingredient too.  Well, actually there's several secret ingredients thanks to Bike man's wisdom and ability to change a simple recipe!

Are you just a little curious?  Want my recipe?  Checkout the Turtle Recipes in my top menu.

Enjoying Winter

Galloway Creek, Menomonie Wisconsin

For about 5 or 6 years now, my hubby has been monitoring the salt levels in the creeks around the city of Menomonie Wisconsin.  With winter upon us once more in the Midwest, our city and county crews either brine the roads/streets or use salt to help melt the snow and ice.  Unfortunately, the high levels of salt run-off can be very devastating to the little creatures that live in those waters.  The health of a stream, creek or river is so important.  So, that's why Bike man volunteers his time to monitor the creeks for the DNR.  He's a true environmentalist.  

And guess who accompanies Bike man on these salt monitoring trips?  Yup, ME!!!

It usually takes about 2 1/2 hours to complete all the creeks and involves lots of walking since you have to hike down to the creeks. For me, it's just about the exercise, fresh air, peace and quiet and moving my body!

Oh, and I'm the official photographer too......

A Little Snowshoeing

I've been talking and planning about this for months, but the lack of snow goofed up my plans.  I told a couple friends that I wanted to go snowshoeing after I retired from my job, but since we've had a lack of precipitation, my snowshoeing excursions had to wait until today.  With several new inches of snow last night, plus the snow we received a couple days ago, we could finally strap on the snowshoes and go for a walk. 

We went for a wonderful walk on Caryn's wooded land just northwest of where Bike man and I live.  With several trails to choose from, we chose the trail that led to the mouth of the Hay River.  

Our tour guide, Caryn, is very knowledgeable about her land.  She knows every ravine, hill, trail, trees and best mushroom spots! 

Reaching the water via hiking/snowshoeing is my favorite thing to do.  As soon as we arrived near the Hay River, we spotted open water and lots of geese.  We looked for the Tundra Swans, but they have finally left the area.

Today was perfect for snowshoeing with temperatures around 35 degrees, light snow and no wind.  Someone asked me last night, "so are you traveling south for the winter now that you are retired"?  I said, NO!  I love winter and look forward to snowshoeing, cross country skiing and ice fishing.  What a silly question......

Exercise Comes in All Forms

It was a whopping 24 degrees this morning, which was absolutely perfect for running!  I can't even tell you how excited I am to be back to running mornings in full sunshine.  I've waited 15 years to return back to daytime running.  No more 6 pm dark winter runs on icy roads.

So, I couldn't just stop moving after I completed my run....felt energized ya know?  When the temperatures are mild in January, I need, to take advantage of being outdoors, so I decided to clean off the stairs going down to the lake.  I'm talking 50 wooden steps!

  

And yes, I cleaned off ALL the steps in no time flat.  It's amazing what you can do on two cups of french press coffee.  My little shoveling tip; start at the bottom and shovel up the steps.  Well, my clean steps won't last long.  Snow is in the forecast for tomorrow.  Loving my new exercise routine.

I Really Did It

Red Cedar Trail - along the Red Cedar River, Dunnsville Bottoms

I had been planning and plotting it for many years, but something always got in my way and I would changed my mind.  Well, as of January 1, 2016, I am starting a new phase in my life.  It's called "retirement" and yes, it can be scary, especially if you had a career that you loved and you could never imagine resigning your position at age 55.  So, as I write this post I actually took the plunge and now I sit here a free woman, who's enjoying her second cup of coffee.

As you can imagine, I continually had people asking me questions.  "So what are you going to do now?"  "Are you moving on to another job"?  "Are you going to be off traveling the world"?  "Why are you leaving us"???????

I think the hardest thing about leaving my Library Director position after 15+ years, was saying good-bye to the many library patrons that had come to know me over the years.  My colleagues even seemed shocked or sad when I made my resignation announcement.  I just told everyone that it was my time to go....period.  I believe I was actually the 12th Director in our library system in 2015 that was leaving her position due to retirement or just moving on to a different career.  So many of us are at the tail end of the baby boomer era.

Yes, it's bittersweet, but I know in my heart that I made the right decision.  I can't explain my feelings right now, but maybe someday I can explain the knocking at my door kind of feelings I felt many, many times.  Or, the little "God winks" I kept receiving from time to time.  It's true what I read, you will know in your heart when it's time to retire and say good bye to that 40+ hour work week.

So, I do want to tell you that being a librarian taught me to do some research.  Yes, I actually read some books about retirement before I made my decision!!!  They weren't the books regarding the financial side of retirement, but more the psychological side......like how to set yourself free and make a positive change in your life.  My favorite book I really enjoyed was, How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free; Retirement Wisdom That You Won't Get From Your Financial Advisory by Ernie Zelinski.  Such a great book and I highly recommend reading it, even if you are years from retirement, it's worth reading.  Everyone can still dream about retiring right?

As I move into the next phase of my life, I will be blogging about my experiences and writing about my ordinary life with my hubby, Bike man.  Bike man's been retired for eleven years now, so I have a good teacher to show me the ropes!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Come and join me on the ups and downs of retirement....the good and the bad, hee, hee!