The colors of Fall

 Spent last weekend up north staining the outside cedar boards for the saunahaus.  Also got some great Fall Color pictures. It was the peak of color last weekend (Sep25-26) in the U.P. And one of the brightest most intense colored falls I remember.   Started framing the cedar boards to represent the real post/beams.  Next weekend we can hopefully get the cedar siding completed.   I just love the look of the posts and beams.  So solid and there...

Christmas Pie in July

My friend, Eric and I were talking at work last week about one of our favorite summer treats, Christmas Pie in July.   I was introduced to this little slice of pure heaven a few years ago at Beatons Lake.  Eric’s mom, Bonnie, made it for Eric as it was his favorite as a kid when the rasberries ripened. I told Eric he’d have to make me a pie, but I also know that if I waited for Eric to do that, I’d be waiting along time.  So this past weekend I went on a mission to create it. Now the easy thing would have been to call Bonnie, but I was in a pioneering mood and wanted to figure it out by myself.  The key ingredient is pistachios so I figured something this awesome should be pretty simple to find on Google.  But I...

Teiko enjoyed a beautiful sunset cruise on Beatons Lake. He was very happy in Doggy Paradise as well.

Beatons in Spring

Spent last weekend up at Beatons. The weather was absolutely beautiful.  Sunny, warm and just perfect to do….work…  We installed six sets of windows, started the rock wall, got the boats in the water and had a little fun. The weather was so nice.  The ferns were literally growing in front of my eyes.  That is one of the things I love most about the Upper Penisula (Michigan)  The growing season is quite short, but when things start growing it’s a northern jungle.  Plants can grow a foot in a day.  Amazing to see. Beatons_May2010 Click on the photo above to see more photos of our latest progress at Beatons....

Holiday Decorating UP style

Known locally in the UP as Princess Pine, this ground moss’ official name is Lycopodium Obscurum  or Wolf’s Paw.  It’s a rhizome growing plant so it’s a very good idea to cut off each piece and not pull or tear it out of the ground.    It’s a great ground cover and a good signal of a healthy forest.  Teiko and I spent a nice afternoon in the Ottawa National Forest picking this cute plant for making a couple of Christmas wreathes. I love the feathery texture of the branches and a different look from the regular pine bough wreaths sold everywhere.  This wreath is hanging at the office....

Beatons as Winter approaches

Took a quick weekend up to Beatons and stayed with Bonnie.  Pictured above is the wonderful Beatons Lake viewed from Bonnie’s point looking at our property at the end of the lake.  Snow was coming later that day but at the time just a dusting on the ground and a beautiful sky.  The next morning the snow started and it was so beautiful.  And peaceful.  Oh, the beauty of the northwoods. ...