Hanging Around

Even the telephoto lens couldn't quite catch  a close-up of the beautiful snow geese swimming at the mouth of the Hay river.  Our lake has frozen over, however, warmer temperatures than normal have kept the mouth of the Hay river still open.  While out on my run today, I could see these white things floating in the open water.  Bike man discovered the honking sounds later today, so he determined it was snow geese verses swans.  After living on the lake for 29 years, we have never seen snow geese at this time of the year.  Very strange since past years Bike man was already ice fishing!

Winter will finally arrive tomorrow with a blanket of new snow....so the weather man says!

Protecting the Land

Winona LaDuke

Bike man and I attended a speaking event last night at UW-Stout in Menomonie.  Winona LaDuke, from the Anishinaabe Native tribe, gave a one-hour talk about environmental issues concerning our planet.  I have to admit I really didn't know anything about her, but many of my co-op friends have followed her environmental activism for years.

LaDuke is the founder and Co-Director of Honor the Earth  and works nationally and internationally on climate change, renewable energy, sustainable development, food systems, and environmental justice.  She is also a Harvard graduate!  I was so inspired by this woman.....really, I mean totally inspired.

In a nutshell, I just want to say I was so interested in hearing about her background as a Anishinaabe native and how she stressed the environmental ways of her people....don't abuse the land....only take what you need.....and give back to the land.

Besides her environmental advocacy, she also works to protect Indigenous plants and heritage foods (seeds) from patenting and genetic engineering (GMO's).  I was also taken back by her basic question.  Do we, as people, want to be around 1,000 years from now?

If you answer yes, then consider taking an interest in our natural resources and protecting the land and water around you.  I think the Native people understood our environment better than the white people!

Note:  Anishinaabe Tribe of Northern Minnesota

Potato Heaven

Potato Latkes

It's been years since Bike man made potato latkes, but last night he got the itch.....an itch that tasted pretty darn good!  There was a little twist to these particular latkes.  Bike man added finely chopped shaved ham to the potato pancakes.  All I can say is yum!  The combination of shredded potatoes, chopped onions, ham, an egg white and a little flour.....that's it.  Fry potato patties in olive oil and then serve with cranberry sauce and a dollop of sour cream. True potato heaven, and it's homemade!!! 

Evening Pink

After four days of cloudy, foggy weather, the skies finally opened up revealing a beautiful pink sign tonight.  As I headed out for my late run, I ran back into the house and grabbed my camera.  Pink skies just happen to be on my "must photo" list!!!  Since most of the day was wet and foggy, Bike man opted to ride his indoors.....bummer.  Unusual to have a high of 55 degrees here in Wisconsin on December 3rd!

Eco-Friendly

It's been a long time....a long time since tackling a sewing project.  In my younger years I sewed quite often and enjoyed making skirts, pillows and quilts.  That all came to a screeching holt when I began working full-time and also raising a family .  So what got me going again?  Christmas gift bags.

I bought some homemade Christmas gift bags last year at our local co-op and shared those fabric bags with my family.  Well, my son's girl friend, Trisha, decided she wanted to make some fabric bags too, so she sewed a bunch of gift bags and then shared her Christmas fabric with me....she's so sweet!  Thank you Trisha.  I finally got around to making some bags tonight, but now I'm exhausted!  Sewed for 2 1/2 hours tonight.

I'm not sure how many more Christmas bags I'll make......should have started this project back in the summer!  I still have fabric left, so I might try to make a few smaller bags.  So why am I sewing Christmas bags you ask?  Eco friendly!!!  It's such a waste to buy paper and then just throw it away in the garbage.  This concept has always bothered me.  Reusable fabric gift bags just seem to make sense to me.

Can You Help Me!

Excuse me.  Can you help me find some books on infant nutrition or holistic nutrition for babies?  I smiled.  Why yes, I can help you.  I love my job!!!  I was really excited to help this new mother find books about feeding her baby natural/homemade foods.  I certainly remember those days of feeding my babies "real" food verses jar baby foods.  I'm sure there's a blog out there about feeding your baby naturals foods....something I never had access to years ago!  So anyway, I found three books for this new mom on making your own natural baby food without preservatives.  There's nothing more gratifying than helping people find the resources their searching for, especially when it's free.....

Rest In Peace

It's hard not to feel a little sadness today, as we learned our former Tainter Lake resident and former School Superintendent suddenly passed away yesterday.....only 58 yrs. old.  As I ran my route tonight, I couldn't help but think about the younger years when I'd meet Dennis out running the country roads near our house.  We always shared a wave or hello to each other.  Even though he was a busy guy with his job and after-school activities, he still found time to run.  I thought about him tonight as I slowly ran up the hills.   I dedicated the beautiful sunset I saw tonight to Dennis.  May he rest in peace.