August 13, 2015

Oh, my, our week is slowly coming to a close. Just one more day of fun and games and then packing up on Saturday morning.  Jeremy never did show up, no surprise there.  

It was overcast most of the day, but just a few sprinkles here and there.  It was kind of a nice break, not to have sun all day, and the temps were just right.  It was leftovers night for supper, which worked out well.  Tomorrow we will have another fish fry, as our fishermen are doing a good job!

Cori and I went into Alex today just for a break.  We parked on main street and walked up and down a few blocks.  Riley and Isaiah were along.  We found a couple antique shops, a quilt shop, a used bookstore and a new bookstore and. . . a candy store!!  So we all had an ice cream cone and sat outside and watched the crowds go by.  Then we stopped at Ace Hardware where I picked up a fuse for the boat (the wrong one of course).  

We had a fire tonight, and made some 'smores and some pudgy pies.  Yum.  We had brought along some sparklers for the kids, and some glow sticks.  When Dick Wagner (the resort owner) saw the sparklers, he brought out a bottle rocket and set it off for the kids!  Fun times and a fun evening.

Here are a few pics -

This morning, Justin, Cori and I helped Isaiah and Micah fish off the dock.  I don't do worms and neither does Cori. Neither of us do unhooking fish either, but Justin said he could. Until he opened his tackle box and discovered Zach had taken his glove out on the boat.  (Gramps, Al, Dan and Zach were out trolling, or as Isaiah says "controlling".) Anyway, what to do?  Well, Justin was resourceful and found a piece of foam, which he put around the fish and held it while one of us used a pliers to get the hook out!   It was just so funny, I finally started laughing!  One of the poor fish ended up with the hook left in.  We put them each on their own stringer. When the men came in they said they were all too small anyway, and just threw them back!  I did manage to cast Micah's line out for him, and Cori and Justin helped with the rest.  Fun times and memories.

And that's it for another day at the lake.  Hugs,

Orrin and Linda, Alan, Lisa, Nate and Donald, Dan, Justin, Zachary and Micah, Cori, Isaiah and Riley.
 

August 12, 2015 Natosha's birthday!

Hi, sorry I missed last night, but all this fresh air is just making me sleepy by the end of the day.  Lots of fishing again and some beach time, of course.

Dan and the boys made it here by 4 o'clock. It was so good to see them!  They unloaded in no time and settled into the empty spaces in cabin 1 & 2.  Micah lost no time making friends with his cousins.  So fun to watch the boys since they are so close in age.  Micah and Isaiah are actually only 3 weeks apart in age!

Today I went out with Dan and the boys.  I never put a line in the water but enjoyed the time with them.  They didn't get any keepers, but we have been catching plenty of fish.  Tonight was our first fish fry night.  So we had fresh fish and sweet corn!  We certainly haven't been going hungry this week!

We played some lawn farkel tonight, but it got called for darkness!

Just going to add some pictures and call it a night.

trying out the new tube.

Isaiah brave enough to try out the slide.

Riley's favorite slide.

a little dock fishing.

And good night to all, Orrin and Linda, Al, Lisa, Nate and Donald, Dan, Justin, Zachary and Micah, Cori, Isaiah and Riley.



 

August 10, 2015

Just another beautiful day at the lake! This morning was my first buttermilk pancake day for this week.  We kind of did that in shifts because that was how everyone woke up!  Orrin and Al were up by 6:30 and had gone out fishing, so they ate last when they came in at 8:30.

Nothing exciting today, just enjoying the lake and scenery.  The boys have a ball in the lake.  Riley just loves it too, and loves to watch.

Alan had some beer that Lisa's sister brought from Egypt, so he tried that out.  Beer's beer as far as I'm concerned.  

Spaghetti supper tonight which Cori made.  Very good, but we decided not to do it on the table this year.  Then Al, Lisa and Orrin took the three boys out again.  They caught quite a few sunnies again.  Grandpa grumbled because he would just put the worm on the hook and he had to take the fish off the hook!  

Pictures below.

The last lake picture shows the mighty fishing crew!  The rest are self explanatory.

And another day under our belts.

Hugs, Orrin and Linda, Al, Lisa, Donald and Nate, Cori, Isaiah and Riley.

August 9, 2015 1st full day at the lake!

It's been beautiful weather so far!!  The guys have done a little fishing and we've had lots of beach time.  I've posted pictures on Facebook, but will post them here too.

Orrin got up early this morning and went out.  He came in and said "well, we almost had a whole meal from one fish!"  He caught a really large northern, and wanted a picture of it (to show Jeremy I think) Al met him at the dock and somehow in the process of handing over the fish, it got dropped! So no fish and no picture!

We got up yesterday and started loading up the pickup with all the boxes.  Of course, it started raining.  We did get it loaded, and started off. We ran out of the rain rather quickly. We were in Alexandria by noon and met Cori and her little people at Fleet Farm. Did a little shopping there and then went for lunch at Culver's. Then Orrin headed over to the resort while Cori and I went to WM for some grocery shopping.

Spent the rest of the day unpacking and enjoying the beach!  Al and Lisa made it there around 2.  We'd picked up pizzas in Alex, so that was our first meal.  It was beautiful out, so the kids did a lot of swimming and enjoying the water.

And pictures below.  There will be more to come.  It was another beautiful day today.  Sweet corn for supper tonight.  Dad and Al took the 3 boys out for some fishing, which went well.  They found a good sunfish spot and they caught quite a few.  Made the boys happy, anyway!  We're all looking forward to some more Cole's that are coming in a few days.  :)

And now I'm tired, so will add some pictures and call it a day.

Hugs, Orrin and Linda, Cori, Isaiah, and Riley, Al, Lisa, Nate and Donald

 

August 6, 2015 Micah George's 5th birthday!

And how exciting is that!  Orrin and I called him this morning, so we would catch them home, and we did!  He really is a little chatterbox, and I'm not sure that we caught everything he said, but close enough.  I told him we would bring his card and present to the lake.  In the meantime he was busy opening the package we had already left there when we were there last!  Duh, old age, you think?  Anyway, when Dan reminded me of this, of course, then I did remember it. So he had the fun of opening his gift already! Looks like they're having a good day in Bay Beach Park.  Stole this from Facebook.

 I let Teddy out after he ate this morning, and he wouldn't come back when we called. I'm not sure where he went, but when it started raining he came back in a hurry. He hates the rain. Little stinker, he will be out on the lead for a while again now. He just looked so happy! I think he was in back in the tall grass because he feet were a mess. It's just that we live next to a busy road, and we do have coyotes out back. Maybe he's getting too chunky for them?  We did go for a short walk then, but I think he was already worn out, and my legs were just tired, maybe it was the weather.  It was very humid.  It's cleared off now and Orrin is mowing lawn.

I finished the boys' cards this morning (I never got Isaiah's done) so will give them to them this next week. We can have cake and party.  Maybe an ice cream cake?

Don't show them, let it be a surprise.  

I did get some bread baked, but we ate one loaf.  LOL  I'll make some caramel rolls today yet.  And I suppose I should start packing pretty soon.  I found a new recipe for bread that I really liked and it was easy peasy.

Honey bread 

2 c. whole milk

1 1/2 tab. dry yeast

1/4 c. warm water

1/4 c. honey (I use local honey)

1 tea. Salt

1 stick butter, unsalted and diced

2 eggs

bread flour around 5 cups depending on the weather ( I used regular flour) 5 1/2- 5 3/4

Scald milk and put in the mixing bowl with the paddle.

Add in salt and the stick of butter, diced and allow to cool ( I mix on slow)

in a separate cup (I use the measuring cup from scalding the milk, it is warm) add in 1/4 c. water and 1 tab. of the honey, the rest you add to the milk mixture

Sprinkle the yeast on the warm water with honey and allow to activate until about 1/2 the measuring cup is full.

Meanwhile add the eggs to the cooled milk and start adding in flour. when a loose paste add in the yeast and add remaining flour until a soft dough is formed just sticking to the bottom of the bowl. Allow to mix with a dough hook for 5-7 min. (Mom always said the dough shoud be smooth like a baby’s bottom)

I knead by hand a couple of minutes longer to lighten it up and incorporate some air. Place in a bowl sprayed with non-stick and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until doubled (about an hour) then gently deflate and fold over itself 6-8 times. Flip dough ball upside down so the folds are on the bottom and put back in bowl and rise again.

Deflate and gently form into 3 loafs and place in sprayed loaf pans. Cover again loosely with plastic and allow to rise. Preheat oven at 350 F. Brush loaves with eggwash and I like sesame or white poppy seeds (you can find them in the indian markets) I didn't do this.

Bake uncovered for 25 min until golden brown. Cover with foil and bake an additional 10-15 min. until bread reaches 200 F on a thermometer. Remove immediately from bread pans and cool on a rack.

Dark bread pans cook a bit faster and yield a darker crust all the way around. Let me know if you try this and how you like it. It is great fresh, toasted and makes a terriffic french toast bread or grilled cheese sandwich! 

I liked that I could do almost all of it in the mixer.  We had french toast with it last night and it was yummy.  

Well, if I'm going to do all that, I'd better get busy.  I have a little laundry to do too.  Have a great day and see most of you real soon!!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy

August 4, 2015

Time to catch up here.  Sorry, just not too exciting for the last few days.  :(

Let's see, Sunday was church, but no bible study in August.  We went to the Roadhouse for breakfast, and then a quick stop at WalMart before heading home again.  Orrin worked on getting the boat ready for the lake, and I took a nap.  

Monday was a normal day around here.  I got the birdfeeders full and also watered my flower pots, and put water in the birdbath.  I was surprised to see about 4 birds splashing and playing in the water!  It was fun to watch them. I didn't try for a picture, because the minute I open the door they fly off.  I had another appointment with the chiropractor, I almost dread them, but it really is helping. I guess I just had a lot of knots in my neck and shoulder.  Then it was craft club last night at Ingrid's.  We filled back to school bags for needy kids, which was kind of fun.  We all agreed it was a good idea, since we really didn't need any more crafted items!  

This morning I was up early and headed to Montevideo for my mani/pedi.  They're digging up the street in front of the salon, so that was a mess to deal with.  I'm talking sidewalk and all, right up to the windows!  Kind of nerve wracking, wondering if that shovel was going to come through the window.  Shannon had done my mani and was working on the pedi when I asked when Dori was coming in.  She said, "oh, Dori is on vacation this week".  I said, but I'm supposed to have a haircut!  Apparently, somehow, that was overlooked.  Anyway, Shannon said she could skip the foot massage, and give me a trim. I said that would be wonderful! She did a great job, and I really appreciated it.

I had put a pork roast and a beef roast in the pokey pot this morning, so that was our supper.  Then I made pulled pork and pulled beef and put that in the freezer for next week.  I had found a new bread recipe online, so thought I'd try that.  It's a white honey bread.  I just pulled it out of the oven, so we'll see what it's like. I haven't baked bread in a very long time.  And there is nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread!

And that's it for today.  Tomorrow I'll start packing.  Oh, I did chat with Dan and he said that he and the boys would be coming for part of the week.  Yay!!  Hopefully, Wendy and Tim will let Matthew come with Cori so he can play with his cousins.  These years will go by so very fast.  Seems like yesterday when we went to The Village with the Vogts and the cousins could spend time together then.  And now they're all grown and many are married. And Robert, Shirley, and Jane have all passed on.  Things can change so fast.

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking…You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17, 22-4
 

August 1, 2015

Hi, finally I have something a little more interesting to post about!  2 days and 11 hours of driving we are finally home.  It was a very nice 2 days, but we are both stiff from too much sitting.  We really have to learn to stop once in a while and just walk around.

We left around 8 yesterday morning, heading east and north to Duluth.  Emily's wedding was at 4 in Hermantown.  Neither of us were familiar with that area, and I'm, at best, an inept user of my phone map thingy.  But we muddled through and made it by 2! What to do for 2 hours??  Well, we drove around a bit and saw a Sam's Club.  Well, who can resist?  Plus we needed to walk around a bit.  We made it back to the church by 3:15 and then there were more people there.  We had a chance to say hellos to family and friends.  Of course, there were many Moellers there, and we never see them, so that was nice.  And saw Beth and Tom and their family.  I wish I had taken more pictures, but my mind wasn't there, I guess.  We did get a few before the ceremony when they were taking the formal pictures.  I don't think I got one of the whole bridal party, though, which was huge!  She had 8 attendants plus Stephanie as maid of honor.  She was a lovely bride, and I really liked the bridesmaid dresses, too.  They had chosen yellow as their color, and it was so fresh and pretty!  Peter Moeller (son of David) sang and played "The Lord's Prayer". It was his own arrangement, just lovely.  Chris was going to see if she could get a copy of it, but don't know if she did or not.  Chris and Eugene were at our table, too.  So glad that Eugene was able to come. 

 The lovely Moeller sisters and their beautiful Mom, Barb.

 And the bride and her groom.

Duane gave a very entertaining speech at the reception.  I tried to get a decent snapshot, but he kept moving around!  This table includes the Kock family, and if you look to the left you'll see Duane.

And a few pictures from the reception area, of the Duluth Harbor.

It was really a picture perfect day.
There were several toasts made, and a yummy supper served.

Becca stopped at the table to visit, that's the Buszman's seated with us. 

I stole this picture from Barb's FB post, but this is all of the cousins, can you pick them all out?  From left, Carisa, Kayla, Nathan, Josh, Jonathan (who chauffered us to the reception), Daniel, Adam, Emely, Rebecca and Stephanie.  And if I got the twins mixed up, please excuse.  Great picture.

I think we were the first to leave the reception.  That must be old age creeping up.  Plus we had decided to just head home that night.  Chris had kindly offered to share their room, but we had plans to stop in Mankato, and thought we would try to get part of the way yet that night.  Well, we made our way out of town, an accomplishment in itself, and stopped in Moose Lake, but they were kind of expensive yet, so we kept going.  Got to Hinckley and found a very nice motel there.  They just had standard smoking rooms, but she gave us a jacuzzi room for the same price, non smoking.  It was late, so I'm sure that helped.  We did not make use of the jacuzzi, though.  We just kind of fell into bed and slept soundly until around 7.  They had a complimentary breakfast, which was okay, and we were back on the road by 8.

We made it to Mankato by lunch.  We took the kind of roads Darwin would have liked, the scenic route!  Not by choice, we just kept running into detours on 15.  We texted Jeremy and he said, oh yeah, he just takes back roads.  Which we did. The best thing to do in situations like that is just follow the traffic, the locals usually know the best way around it.  

We met Jeremy, Laura and Maria in town for lunch.  Bad news there, Laura isn't able to take time off for the lake (which I had expected, she just started a new job) and Jeremy and Maria are only able to make it for a few days.  The crowd is just getting smaller and smaller.  After lunch we went to Sibley Park and walked around for a while.  We needed that after the hours we've spent sitting so far.  

This is the cow statue that Laura was sure the head had moved.  I gave her the benefit of the doubt, but the guys did not!!
Then we said our goodbyes and got our hugs and off we went!  Poor Orrin, he did all the driving.  We stopped in Marshall for our Culver's, but then decided to go to Cold Stone Creamery instead and that was just yummy!  

And then we just came home.  I got in the Buick and went to pick up Teddy.  He's always so happy to go to Vicki's, but is always excited when I come to pick him up again. 

I think I've covered the high spots, if I think of anything else, I'll put it in the next blog. You know, it's just good to be home again!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda, and Teddy is back  :)

 You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22