Up North-Just A Dusting

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.”~ Andrew Wyeth 

 I swear, I always head up north *just* before the peak season(s)! I was hoping for snow and all that fun stuff, but instead, it was balmy but chilly, and there was a dusting of snow- that's it. 

Anyway, here they are. I took 250 pictures and these are my favorites...

Teeny snow on leave

Cold enough to freeze water, but you could get away with a thick hoodie

Tyson

Nighttime snowing

Blake having way too much fun with my wireless trigger..."Picture! Picture"

Just the beginning...

I really wanted to get this shot at night, but I heard coyotes howling and got scared, had to turn back

Buck. Fresh out of the orange vest

Find the snow!

Running with no fences! Makes me so happy to see them go!

Sleeper

Daddy and Blake

My first shot of the stars!!! Can't take all the credit for this one- Dan helped me angle my camera just right because i was getting VERY frustrated!

just....creepy

 

 

 

 

Blake and "Grah-pa"

Holly

Glove refusal = red hands

Hi! I'm TWO and I happen to love cookies...

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How to Build a Tunnel

I was going to "back blog" since I am so far behind, but I decided to just start with this, since life doesn't stop just to post pictures.

The Lionel Train under the tree has a bit of history (ie- there's a reason I'm so into it right now :). It was brand new in the box, taken from my very much missed mother in laws house- she worked for Lionel for years and had a few trains. We knew she would want them for the grand kids, and finally acquired it last May.

What a fiasco. For those of you who know nothing about trains like myself, it is a PROJECT! After a bit of bickering (to say the least) on our part, Dan and I got it all set up a few hours later. Whistling, smoking, and everything, it was such a victory to get it going!

We (well, I) decided to make it a new Christmas tradition for Blake to collect one new piece for the train every year. This year, we decided on a tunnel. Every train needs a TUNNEL, right?? Well, they don't *sell* tunnels. Only the entrance and exit. Apparently, you have to MAKE them- because I have time for that, right?. Hmmm, that is one project I gave right to my dad.

We took off for up north Saturday morning, and my dad was almost done with the real, authentic tunnel.

THE Train

First you find a log and cut it to size....

Then you spend hours removing the inside....

Let it dry a little over night

Add some sprays....

Make sure it's authentic looking

Bring it home, and test it out

Yep, it works. Took me 10 tries to get this shot. Lots of shutter speed playing around and what not. Blake loves it!

6 Dogs, 1 Cat (who thinks he's a dog)

I also discovered this weekend that I love, LOVE taking pictures of animals. They are so fun to photograph, especially when they are in their element just, well, being animals. They don't have the stress of daily life as we do..they just run, play, and are eager to please. Sometimes I wish humans had this kind of drive. 

My Uncle Larry, who is not really my uncle but my dad's best friend of some 40ish years, has a brood of animals I had the opportunity of seeing this weekend. I asked him, "So, what's the story behind all these critters?". Uncle Larry had an accident about 10 years ago when a pipe fell (he was a plumber and pipe-fitter) and crushed his foot....after a few years of a lot of pain and suffering, he asked his doctors to remove it.

So, we sat in his living room sipping coffee, his stump resting on the armchair...and while he told me the story of the animals, he was getting his prosthesis ready for the day. The day of, oh, who knows, feeding the deer, taking care of his grandchild Taylor, and just appreciating life. 

6 dogs? 1 cat? Whattt? That's a lot of food, love, and vet bills. They said they wouldn't have it any other way.

These animals get the pleasure of running on 40 (yes, FORTY) acres of woods and trails daily. How nice! (1 dog is not pictured- he lives part-time there and was away!)

This is Bear....raised here as a puppy, he was meant to be raised and trained here then fostered out. He never made it out- the pack of dogs immediately took to him, and when he was done with his "training" he already had a permanent spot on the couch. The happiest dog I've seen in a long time!

Loves running...chases everything and anything.

Oh, Lacey! Elusive, Lacey. Took me around 50 pictures to finally get her in a couple good shots. Her hip problems don't stop her from chasing and running. She was my Uncle's girlfriend's dog...so when Sue moved in with Larry, Lacey came too. I get the feeling she's the pack leader, although she's very docile

Uncle Larry and Blake, after a ride back in the 40 acres to feed the deer

She became very photogenic after awhile!

This is Baby Girl....before you get sad about the chain, realize that I for one hate dogs on chains! But, Baby Girl is not always on the chain, trust me. She showed up on the doorstep several months ago, and after many unsuccessful attempts from my Uncle trying to find her a home, she adopted herself into this family. She is a hunting dog, and does just that- hunts. She also runs off occasionally, so during deer feeding or other activities where no one can keep an eye on her she has to be chained (for her safety).  She gets loads of free time!

Willy, the barn cat. Also wandering into this brood one sunny afternoon, apparently skinny and very small. Maybe he got lost from his mom? Anyway, he truly thinks he is a dog- running the 40 acres with the best of them. He's an outside cat, and spends his days licking his paws (above) and catching mice. And beating up dogs. Ah, the life.

Laying in the cabbage patch, literally. I said, "Willy! Look at me! I'm trying to get a picture of you!" and I got this look. This cat defines what a Sunday afternoon should be

Baby Girl, Molly, and Lacey....running and playing without a care in the world

Caught these 2 doing what Beagles do best....catch on to scents

Meet Buck. Raised as a puppy here, he was bought solely for rabbit hunting purposes. He too has to be chained occasionally, but apparently he's an excellent hunter. This is what happens when you say, "Buck! Rabbit?" You get the shot (hopefully) and get out of the way. He means business!

Very serious, very nice, and very cuddly. We shared the recliner while I drank my coffee. He looks up at you with those eyes- you know, those eyes that every animal lover hates. The eyes that plead, "Scratch my head, please?" The eyes you can't say no to....

Ah, Miss Molly. I couldn't get any other pictures of her, because she has what I call (and I'm biased) small-dog-syndrome. Too busy chasing the other big dogs, trying to earn her place in the pack. She was a gift to someone that lives in the house, and the last dog to join the pack. Needless to say, Uncle Larry says, "No more dogs!" after her. I must say, I give her credit- she kept up chasing the 4 wheeler and can run just as fast, if not faster, than the other big dogs. And the cat. :)