First Ride of the Season

Today was the day!  Our first ride of the season.  

We rode about 40 miles thru the Keeler/Sister Lakes area.

For being the first snow it wasn't as rough as we thought it was going to be.. but that's not saying we couldn't use a lot more snow.  

Now I've really been bitten by the snow bug... I'm ready to head to the U.P. for some real snowmobiling!

And thanks to Margaret my feet stayed nice and warm.  The wool socks she knitted me are wonderful!  

Good Sunday Morning

Good morning.  I'm sitting at the kitchen table watching the birds eat breakfast.  Right now about 4 blue jays are gorging themselves and a little titmouse is trying to dive in a steal a peanut as fast as she/he can.  I ventured out in 15 degree temps this morning to fill the feeders.  My birds are so spoiled.

We are having major computer problems; not with my Mac book, but with the desktop PC.  We are assuming it's a virus.  It won't let you use any search engine such as Google or run or download any antivirus/antispyware programs.  It just keeps jamming up and doing weird things.  Craig has spend countless hours on it the last few weeks and we are getting nowhere!  Luckily I have my Mac book so I'm not screaming very loudly but it is still very frustrating.  Do people really create these viruses to infect someones computer?  What is the sense in that?  Why would someone want to deliberately cause these problems to someone they don't even know and have never met?  I don't get it.  

So now I am in a panic to get all my photos off the desk top and transfer them to my Mac.  It's a slow and tedious process.  I bought an external hard drive thinking that would be the easiest way but either I don't know how to do it or the virus is not allowing me to.  Consequently I am burning them onto CD's and transferring them that way.  I have Monday off this week... I know how I will spend that day.  

Enough of my whining.  It's a beautiful Sunday... We will be digging out of a winter storm from yesterday.  We didn't get excessive amounts of snow but we got a decent amount and it was windy making the roads all drift.  And if I'm lucky I might even get to go for my first snowmobile ride of the season today.  Have a good Sunday.....    

Off to a good start

A group from the snowmobile club met up at our house this morning to head out and finish putting in the snowmobile trail.  For the last month they have been out every weekend preparing for the snowmobile season.  

Our club is responsible for putting in, maintaining, and grooming about 60 miles of trail in our area.  It is all funded through state grants.  

So far it looks like our snow season is off to a good start.  We are under a winter snow warning today.... hopefully we can start riding this weekend.  Up state and in the U.P. they already have 3 feet in certain areas.  

Have fun and stay warm!!  

Puppy Love

They may not be puppies but we love em!  

Sweet sensitive neurotic Seadra.

Huggable Happy Zoe.

"Uh... Jordan, you are choking me!"

Brian's Birds

I'm calling these Brian's Birds because I took these photos on Thanksgiving Day when we were at my in-laws for dinner.  My brother-in-law Brian enjoys feeding the birds like I do.  

He happened to have a bunch of white breasted nuthatches fluttering around that day.

They are one of my favorite birds... OK, so like I have 20 favorite birds!

But I do love the way they can hop around trees upside down.  

Surprise!!

Thank you to Rebecca for designing my winter theme.  I love it.  I asked Rebecca to design me a winter theme that wasn't Christmas looking and I think she did a wonderful job.  The only problem is that I like it so much I won't want to change it after winter is over.  

The Christmas Cardinal

I picked up this adorable cardinal ornament (made from a light bulb) this weekend at a local craft show.  It had this amazing saying about the cardinal attached to it.....

Christened the Christmas bird for its spectacular red color, the cardinal has become a symbol of the beauty and warmth of the holiday season.  A glimpse of this brilliant bird brings cheer, hope and inspiration on a gray, wintry day.  As natures reminder for us to focus on our faith, the cardinals scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ for the redemption of mankind.  

Christmas Card Exchange

Just a reminder... If you would like to join the Christmas Card Exchange you still have time.  I will keep it open through the weekend and I will email the list to all the participants on Monday.  If you need more info you can click on the link for the post in the sidebar.  Come on and join us... it will be fun!   Happy Holidays!!  

A Mullauer Tradition

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family! I hope you have a wonderful day.

In honor of Thanksgiving I've decided to share with you a Mullauer Family Tradition. Dutch (Holland) Rusk Custard Pie! I had never heard of Dutch Rusk (sometimes called Holland Rusk) until I married into the Mullauer Family. Dutch Rusk is a dry toast that is found in the grocery stores in the cracker isle. Not a lot of stores carry it but most of the larger stores do.

Crumble up one whole package of dusk rusk. Mix with one stick of butter and 1/2 cup of sugar. Reserve 1/2 cup of mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into bottom of a pie pan including the sides to create a crust.

In a sauce pan mix 3 egg yokes, 2 cups of milk, 1 TBS of butter. 1/2 cup sugar, 2 TBS corn starch, and 1 tsp of vanilla. Stirring constantly bring to a boil until it starts to thicken then pour into the crust.

Beat 3 eggs whites with 2 TBS sugar until firm and spread over the top of the custard.

Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Dutch Rusk mixture over top. Bake at 300 to 325 degrees for 1 hour. Let cool for 1 hour. Best when served warm!

Thank You Shelley!!

I won the Zingerman's cranberry pecan bread give away from Shelley a few days ago and it was delivered today!  All I can say is "Yummy!!".  You were right Shelley... this bread is the greatest.  

I only heated up half of it so we could savor some tomorrow.  This would be a great Christmas gift idea, you just couldn't go wrong with it.  Thanks again Shelly!! 

Baja 1000

Craig made it home yesterday and hasn't stopped talking about the great time he had.  Here's a few photos to show you some of the Baja 1000 race.  This first photo shows the team's "Finisher" pin.  I've never heard of the Baja 1000 race before (I know, I'm married to someone in the racing industry!) but from what Craig has told me there are approximately some 400 vehicles that are in the race.  Only about 125 even finish the race so just finishing is a major goal and accomplishment.  Their team finished about 57th.    

These are the drivers at the finish line.

Celebrating at the finish line. 

This is the main driver "Kevin Walsh".

Here's is the buggy before the race.

This is only one of 2 photos Craig came home with of himself.  

And here's a scenery shot of the beach/ocean from the house that they stayed in.  Welcome home Honey... now you get to stay home a whole 2 weeks before you are off again.  Once we get through December Craig's busy travel season slows way down.   

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet

I'm a little early this year.  Usually I wait until Thanksgiving weekend to put out the Christmas decorations but I decided today was the day.  I put out everything except the tree.  I'm waiting for Craig to get home to do the tree because we always go and get a live tree together.  That will be next weekend.  These photos show my newest decorations this year.  My sister-in-law Amy gave this canoeing snowman family to me for my birthday this year.  It's us! The Mullauer snowman family! Isn't it the cutest.  I love it.    

And Jordan and I picked up these yesterday at T.J. Maxx.  T.J.'s is one of our favorite stores.

Happy decorating!!!   

Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow

Zoe accompanied me outside early this morning to help me feed the birds.  Unlike Seadra who cries at the back door wanting back in within a few minutes, Zoe loves the snow.  She wants to run and play and bury her face in it.  She usually lasts about 10 or 15 minutes before she gets really cold and wants to join Seadra in the house.  

We got a ton of snow Thursday night and Friday.  It won't last long as temps are suppose to be in the 40's at the beginning of the week.  But it has gotten us all excited about winter approaching.  As most of you know we do not complain about the snow at our house (although, I do really dislike driving to work in it).  Caleb already took one of the snowmobiles out in the back yard for a spin.  The trails do not open until Dec. 1st.  I can hardly wait for those late night and early morning rides out on the trails in the groomer.  

I got another phone call from Craig this morning.  The race has been going on for about 24 hours (I guess it lasts about 36 hours).  He was tired but still very excited about it all.  He was going to get a few hours of sleep and then get back out there for the end of the race.  I told him to take a lot of photos so I could see what Mexico looks like since I've never been there.  

Hope you all are enjoying the weekend!   

Be sure to visit Shelley

My friend Shelley from "Building a Log Cabin" is having a give away on her blog.  Head on over if you haven't already.  She's having a drawing for some yummy cranberry pecan bread...... 

Royal Copley

I thought that I would show you how my Royal Copley collection has grown (click photo to enlarge for better detail), and my new shelf to display them.  I had to buy a bigger shelf unit... imagine that.  I've managed to get some really neat pieces.  All but one I've gotten off of ebay.  I see them in the antique stores but they are much more expensive there than I can get them off of ebay for.  It's been a lot of fun!  

On another note... I heard from Craig today.  He's having a great time and was really excited about the race starting tomorrow.  He's safe and secure and he told me I have no reason to worry about him being there.  I'm glad he having a good time. 

Missing my hubby

Craig is in Mexico all this week on the far west coast.  He's there on a pit crew team for the Baja 1000.  I am used to Craig traveling with his job but I am not used to him being out of the country.  I know it's only Mexico but I'm still having thoughts of him getting robbed or being thrown into some Mexican jail somewhere.... I know, my mind gets carried away!  And it doesn't help that the cell phone service is so limited that contact is minimal all week.  He'll be home Monday... come home safe Honey!  

First Snow

God painted a beautiful picture last night. We woke up to the first snow of the season. Craig had this job to do before he left for work.But it doesn't bother him in the least bit... see the smile!And this was the sight outside the kitchen window.
I think winter is my favorite time to photograph the birds. I love the snow in the photos and no leaves on the trees to hide the birds.
I opened the kitchen window and screen, then sat on the floor for a photo shoot with the birds.
It worked perfect. I got some great shots.
The birds are out in flocks today. It must be the snow.
I already filled the hopper feeder once this morning and now I need to fill it again already.
They know who offers the best seed in town!
My elegant Blue Jay.

Jordan is home from school today with a nasty cold. Zoe is making her feel better by snuggling with her all day...

Isn't it beautiful?

I took this photo at church this morning.  This is what our altar looks like every year for the 2 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  A gentleman in our church puts together this real live cornucopia.  To me it is a piece of art and I think it is so beautiful. 

For fun here is what dictionary.com says a cornucopia is:

1. Classical Mythology. a horn containing food, drink, etc., in endless supply, and said to have been the horn of the goat Amalthaea.

2. a representation of this horn, used as a symbol of abundance.

3. an abundant, overflowing supply

4. a horn-shaped or conical receptacle or ornament.