August backyard (sort of) happy hour

It started with a torrential downpour then just steady rain then sprinkles and finally just clouds and a breeze. This month's happy hour was moved indoors. So folks got to see and sit on the new sofa.

Once it stopped raining, we did move outside for a while.

Diane and Nancy. Nancy came all the way from Virginia.

Amy and Dave.

New Living Room Furniture

Tired of slouching in my one arm chair and a loveseat that was too short to lay out in, I got a new sofa... an actual sofa in my little living room.

It might look like it is taking over the room but it is actually on a few inches longer into the room where the chaise is. It also provides more sitting for game nights.

I am planning on replacing the secretary desk, also. I am thinking of something more like a table that would also serve as a side table for that end of the sofa.  The wingback chair isn't going to stay there either but as you can see I decided to move the Stickley mission-style loveseat into the sun room.

And as a reminder, this is what it looked like before.

Jenny - triathlete

Jenny B. did it again this year. She completed the YWCA mini-triathlon. It consists of 500 meter lake swim, 15 miles bike course and 5k run course. Fantastic accomplishment,

Apple load

The apple tree is fully loaded again this year.

Apples and vegtables

The apple tree is showing hundreds of apples. The branches continue to droop under the weight and I am trying to support as many as possible.

Also found a squash in the garden. The plant came up on its own so I didn't really know what it would be. The little yellow pear tomatoes are from the front yard experiment. The cucumber is from Amy's garden.

Photo prop fun at Jennifer's birthday

Click here to see some fun photographs from Kathy Just's creative mind.

Here is a taste

BWCAW Annual Trip - or Half-Assed Knot (Day 4 - Sunday August 2)

Sunday was our last day and paddle back to civilization. The weather did not look so great but it turned out to be nearly perfect. The clouds meant it was not hot. I was hoping for a tail wind but that did not happen. There was a little bit of head wind occasionally but nothing like when we paddled in.

Dramatic sky

When we got back to MacFarland Lake, we saw fish swimming/jumping through the fast moving water between the Pine and MacFarland. Brian got out his fishing rod to do some easy catch and release.

What was a 4 hour paddle in was just a 3 hour paddle out. That is partially due to having gotten accustomed to how to paddle the kayaks.

We drove back to Grand Marais for a bite to eat and to check out the Grand Marais Art Fair. I was hoping to see an old boss of mine who has moved to Grand Marais. I did not see her.

We then went back to Jenny and Andrew's cabin to unload and store gear at the cabin before heading back to Minneapolis. It did finally rain on the way home but we were driving in my truck so did not care.

It was another great trip. Many thanks to Brian and Jenny for making the whole experience so much fun and full of memories.