Afternoon With Friends

How lucky am I?  I had two buddies to snowshoe with today.

Caryn, on the right, is the landowner (and our friend) that lets me snowshoe on her 80 acres.  Her sister-in-law Judy, on the left, just happened to be visiting this week from Seattle.  Judy told me she is used to snowshoeing only in the mountains in Washington, so this was a treat for her to walk out the door and have access to snowshoeing trails.

So, after two hours of walking through the woods, you have to replenish your body!  Thanks Caryn and Judy for the Merlot, cheese, apples, brie, baguette and olives.  I also brought over a couple savory scones from our local food co-op. Such a nice afternoon to spend with friends and enjoy the warm sunshine.

Warming Temperatures This Week

35 degrees today with sunshine, clouds and a northwest wind.  I still went out snowshoeing by myself this afternoon....loved the quietness and the sound of the wind.  Look at this old tree in the photo.

Wow, I found a puff ball on the trail!  A puff ball is actually a fungi.....did you know that? I also spotted fox and otter tracks while snowshoeing today.  One of the best things about winter is tracking the animals tracks in the snow. 

Enjoying winter and embracing the beauty....only in Wisconsin.

Layered Enchiladas Made Easy

I LOVE, LOVE making enchiladas!  Chicken, beef or vegetarian enchiladas are my specialty.  I always make sure I have corn and flour tortillas in my refrigerator and lots of enchilada sauce in my pantry.  I thought I would highlight my easy layered enchiladas that can be made quickly, when you're are in a rush.  Just make sure you have corn tortillas, hamburger, onions, peppers, cheddar cheese and enchilada sauce on hand.  If you make your own red roasted tomato sauce or enchilada sauce, that is wonderful and I want your recipe!!!!

  

For now, I purchase the Frontera sauce for making enchiladas or tacos.  The roasted tomatoes and red chilies' are amazing.  Would you like my recipe?  Checkout my Turtle Recipes in the top menu.

Lake Menomin Park

It felt cold today, but it was probably due to a steady 15 mph wind blowing from the South and a high of 21 degrees.  The sun was shining one minute and then snow flurries the next minute.  No snow accumulation, just fluffy snow blowing around leaving a very light coating on everything.  

Enjoyed this Valentine's Day snowshoeing with my hubby.  What a better way to spent the day with the one you love, right?  Several hours outdoors taking in the sun, fresh cool air and a little exercise.  That equals a perfect day for me. 

We choose to snowshoe at the Lake Menomin park behind the 3M plant near Menomonie, Wisconsin.  This is a great park that contains 151 acreas of woods, prairie, some low-wet areas and easy hill climbs along Lake Menomin.   

You have your choice of single-track bike trails to hike or double wide trails.  We saw some bicycle tracks out on the trails today, so someone is biking on their Fat bike.  If you've never seen a Fat bicycle, do a Google search.  The tires are enormous and give you a "floaty" ride on snow-covered roads or trails.  Someday I hope Bike man and I can both purchase a Fat bike to cycle in the winter months!  This particular single-track trail in the photo was snaking in and around these really old trees along the lakeshore....so cool.

I think it's really interesting that you can find an open creek with flowing water during the winter months.  There's enough current that keeps this creek open, even in subzero temperatures.  The ducks love this area since the water is open all-year round.  We kicked up several ducks that were hanging around in the water.

I really enjoy this park and it's new to me since this is only the second time I've been here.  I believe this park has slowly been developed over the last ten years, and they are still adding new single-track for bicycling and hiking.  I do have one complaint however.  We watched a woman pull up in the parking lot, and get out of the car with her dog.  Her dog crapped like three times while she was heading down the  trail.  She didn't even stop to pick up the dog poop and bag it.  Ya know, there is nothing more frustrating when you're hiking, snowshoeing or skiing.....and that's avoiding dog poop.  Maybe the County should put a sign up that says, "this is NOT a dog park."!!!  I don't have anything against dogs, but I just don't like stepping in their crap.  I wish people would be more considerate.  Ok, that's my rant for the week.  I hope you had a great day as well.  Thanks for reading.

Thankful

Yes, feeling thankful.  After five days in Southwest Wisconsin, I traveled back home to the north woods today.  My parents are doing good, but just waiting now for my dad's next surgery on March 2.  I'll be back to help the folks in 2 1/2 weeks.  It's tough with cancer....appointments, monitoring, surgery, pain and just trying to live a normal life.  I'm thankful my dad isn't going through chemo or radiation because that would totally rob him of a somewhat normal life.  I told my dad that after this surgery to remove more tumors in his bladder, he can then enjoy a wonderful summer, with NO APPOINTMENTS!  For now, we won't think about the fall months.  Just take one month at a time.

When I arrived home today, Bike man pointed out our amaryllis was blooming.  There are still more unopened blossoms just waiting to open. Don't you just love the color?  

And my sweet little Annabelle!  She was so happy to see me, along with the other three felines.  My BIG cat Aiden hasn't left my side since I got home.  He is my 24 pound lap cat!!!  Zero degrees outside, no problem.  Aiden will keep me warm....better than a blanket ya know!

PS.  28 years ago today, Bike man and I welcomed our son Christopher in our lives.  I thought for sure I was having another baby girl, but was totally surprise to give birth to a baby boy!  Love you Chris....we are so proud of you. 

Cold But Refreshing

I've been trying to get out during the afternoons and take a nice long walk while here in Richland Center taking care of my parents.  I miss my northern woods and snowshoeing, but I'm totally fine with walking around my parents hometown.  As a kid, I always loved this foot bridge.  So, it was a whopping 15 degrees today in Southwest Wisconsin!!!  Only saw two other walkers today.  Where is everyone?  Oh that's right, everyone is working.

Richland Center has a dike going through the west side of town, so it's perfect for walking or running.  I was able to get an hour walk in this afternoon.  The fresh air was good for my body and spirit.  Thanks for checking in......

Life in February

We celebrated my retirement and Dale's as well, by snowshoeing last Sunday.  Since we're all Sierra Club friends, that's how you celebrate....just being outdoors and enjoying the beauty!  We ended our afternoon with a nice little party, enjoying some fried rice, fresh vegetable salad and wine & more wine (of course in moderation)!!!

I also wanted to show you a photo I took of my snowshoe adventure during our last snowstorm during the first week of February.  I was so excited to be snowshoeing through the storm all by myself.  Total peace and quiet.  I found it quite interesting that there were no deer tracks that afternoon in the woods.  All the deer were hunkered down during the storm!

As I was out in the snow storm hiking the trails, we had already received six inches of snow.  Our snow storm total reach a foot of snow....wow!

So now catching up on my whereabouts, I'm currently in Richland Center helping my mom and dad.  My dad is scheduled to have a bladder cancer procedure tomorrow at their local hospital, so I'll be here to help my folks out during the week.

I'm still getting asked how I like retirement.  My answer hasn't changed at all.  Every day I'm thankful I chose to retire and spend time with my Bike man.