Annual ginko tree leaf drop - sort of

Annual ginko leaf drop after this  morning's cold temps. But for the first time only one of the three trees dropped its leaves.

The trees have gotten so large that the amount of leaves even with one tree drop is crazy!

Small kitchen update

The update is more of a throwback. Swapped out the upper cabinet knobs from brass to green glass. Wanted some sparkle in my small kitchen.

The new knobs are from  India. You can get anything on Amazon. It was, of course, more of an effort than just swapping knobs. There was one trio to the hardware store, drilling and metal cutting involved!

It doesn't seem possible but the kitchen remodel when the brass knobs were purchased was 2001! I still love my kitchen.

Glass knobs on pantry doors

Brass knobs on the pantry doors

Brass knobs cabinet over sink

Glass knobs cabinet over sink with back splash

First Snow

Well, it was bound to happen. We got our first snow of the season today. I don't recall the forecast saying it was going to stick or even last this long.

It has been snowing all morning. Really only sticking to the grass, bushes and trees. We haven't had a freeze in the city yet so the white is coating the Fall colors. It is actually quite pretty.

I was planning a walk and wasn't going to let the first snow stop me.

Lake of the Isles

the backyard

Not bridal veil spirea

Just a caretaker

I rescued this geranium and it's matching pair from my neighbor Irma's front steps.

She was well into her 90's when she passed away several years ago. These and other plants of hers were left out while no one took care of her house. She lived across the street from me. It has been several years since she passed away and the dead marigolds are still in the house's planter box!

Irma showed me you could keep geraniums over the winter. Something I never had considered was possible. I've had some of my own for many years and I don't know how long she had these.

I think of her and hear her Latvian accent when these are blooming. I'm just the caretaker. They will always be Irma's geraniums.

Wisconsin weekend

Another Spring Green, Wisconsin weekend. Photos in reverse order.
Happenings in reverse order.
9' tall corn.
Somehow avoided a speeding ticket.
Avoided washouts from Wisconsin's torrential  rain storms.

Fantastic production of 'Born Yesterday' at American Players Theater.
A delicious tart cherry beer.
Land's End photo shoot.
Bargains at the Bargain Nook
Mineral Point
Pendarvis

Bob's Bitchin' Barbecue

Dodgeville

Don Q Inn

BWCA - just photos

At Kiwishiwi ready to go

Clearest sky that we had

An old dragon fly still making its way

Portaging. A view from under the canoe.

Smoke on the water...

There was a lot of this going on

Beaver action. Very impressive dam.

BWCA Annual Trip

Starting with this photo because I think it is very nice but also it is quintessential BWCA. We did a lot of river paddling and portaging this year.

This happens to be the Phoebe River which we did on a day trip. The haze is smoke down from the Canadian fires.

Here we are all set to leave Jenny and Andrew' cabin. This is Thursday morning. We drove to Kiwishiwi Lake to put it...about an hour's drive.

Our map. We would be so screwed without the maps. The lakes with islands are the most confusing. The campsite markings make all the difference.

Here we are at our campsite on Lake Polly. This is a very staged photo. We had a very nice campsite thanks to Jenny's chiropractor's recommendation.

We had a nice rock front that jutted out into the lake. The tent pad was fantastic. We all agreed that we had our best sleeps on this trip ever.

This is portaging for those not familiar. We rent Kevlar canoes which are pretty light. This is Julie on canoe duty. We usually take turns on who takes the canoes. You cannot see much other than what is directly in front of you when you are carrying a canoe.

Jenny and Brian paddling. Since we did a lot of lake navigating, there were lots of lily pads. The blossoms were so beautiful.

There were also numerous beaver dams and lodges. What we refer to as "beaver action." The last photo is one of the dams. Beautifully arced and with fresh branches with leaves making the dam particularly lovely.