Lumberjack/Slumbajack Days

Last weekend, Stillwater celebrated Lumberjack Days, an annual festival commemorating the great history of our fair city (Coffee-Shop-Antique-Stop Days being already taken). By 8:00 a.m., the boaters were already zoning in on the best spots. We decided to walk the stairs to downtown.

Adam ("Cupcake-o-saurus"), Jake, Jeremy, and Molly rose early to compete in the 5K. Molly, in fact, bested all the guys by a good 3 minutes.

As for myself, I couldn't even get up early enough to grab a cup of coffee, and instead settled for a Dixie cup of hose-water and a bag of Old Dutch potato chips reserved for race participants. Next time I'll think twice before hitting the snooze.

Rob finished last of all, probably because he couldn't move his arms.

Actually, Rob took the 10-mile scenic route and was very sorry to miss out on the pancake breakfast assembly line show.

Later, we caught some Dock Dogs long-jumping into a pool to reach a duck decoy they can never really have. Look for it on your Outdoor Channel soon - if your husband has not recently cancelled cable. Go dogs!

We took TJ to the parade on Sunday, where he was mesmerized by the giant shopping cart of potential dog treats.

When that excitement passed, we sprayed down local floats with the garden hose. To be fair, they did ask for it. You can't get this kind of fun in the big city, kids.

I wish I had photos of the 1860 Vintage Base Ball games, the excellent fireworks (best I've seen in a very long while), and Emily's superb raspberry cheesecake, but it was difficult to balance the camera with my sweet tea/lemonade/extra vodka cocktail. Instead, I'll leave you with a picture of a goat. Good times.

Daylily Season

It's daylily season at our house. The flowers don't seem to hang around too long, but we have enough bunches that it doesn't really matter. There is always another flower to open up once the first flowers have died back.

Every one of the daylily clumps - with the exception of this orange deal, below - came from a friend and/or family division. I think it really says something about relationships. First, thanks for the beautiful flowers; I appreciate their beauty and your generosity. Second, my friends and/or family have decent enough taste not to pass off the orange one. It's really kind of ugly, both in color and form. I can't tell if it's growing or dying.

On another note, I just picked the first ripe tomato of the season - an heirloom variety called Brandywine. I hope it tastes as sweet as the name!

Willow River Camping Trip

We thought it would be a good idea to take an overnight camping trip with TJ into Wisconsin Territory. Not knowing what obstacles would befall us, we decided to bring everything we owned, and then a little bit extra - just in case.

Willow River is a short 10.6-mile trip from our front door to campsite, but it actually did feel like a vacation. (Probably because the non-resident fees can make you feel like a real tourist.)

Contrary to several posted signs, pets were welcome and abundant. And by "pets", I mean dogs. I did not see any cats hiking the White Tail Trail, although in all fairness, why hike when you can nap?

TJ quickly learned that looking pretty works well while camping. Since we couldn't bring it with us, TJ made good use of our extra turkey sausages.

Then he moved on to the real treat-feeder. I can't resist a smiling face!

Willow Falls and native plants (Note to self: plant native garden next spring; very drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and apparently quite prolific)

Adam and TJ enjoyed a quick trip into, onto, and all around the falls. I stayed within the marked boundaries and prayed that no one sprained an ankle.

Most of the trip was spent reading juvenile fiction and hanging out by the campfire. TJ eventually learned to relax after he had remarked the boundaries of our campsite. For a 20-hour, 20-mile, $40 trip (thanks Wisconsin), we had ourselves a pretty good time.

We Love...wait for it...USA!

In honor of our nation's independence, Adam procured an $8 lighted frisbee, two glow-in-the-dark wrist guards, a cell phone, and a few friends. After much (some would say too much) practice, here is our tribute to this great country.

I will translate:

WE

(being all of us gathered here together to celebrate with pineapple vodka and other assorted beverage concoctions)

LOVE

(very good, that was an easy one)

(No, Adam...the S! the S! C'mon!)

(That's OK, Rob...A's are hard, keep trying...)

(No! Where's the A! Not I! There is no I in USA!)

(So close, Rob! You can do it! Jeremy, great job on the U. Keep it up!)

USA!

(Yes!)

Maarit Meets TJ

Baby Maarit popped in for a visit over the Fourth. Like all of our guests, she was treated to our finest accommodations.

Unfortunately, we had to upgrade her lodging from kennel to back bedroom after we saw the sad, puppy-dog eyes. Someone has been learning tricks from a certain TJ.

Maybe next time, we won't eat the car keys. That's just asking for trouble at the inn.

After her supervised release, Maarit told TJ about her adventures. TJ has been looking for an inside source on kennel escape.

Here, she shows TJ how to pick a lock.

Then, look away when someone is watching. They won't expect a thing.

Finally, you're free! Jump up and down for joy! Good luck, TJ!

See How My Garden Grows

Theodore and Pickles are always in the mood for some action around the house. What better way to entertain them than to open up a box of vegetables? Not quite as thrilling as a tuna can opening, but it will suffice.

Nicole's vision of gardening is not something to which I subscribe. I have chosen to let professionals handle the work and I will pay them handsomely for it. Here I am with my third box of veggies from Eener's Farm CSA. They are a family who lives in Boyceville, WI who have turned a hobby into a small business. Every Monday until October I can go to the local Co-Op and pick up a box with my name on it. They also include a little newsletter in every box with ideas on what to do with the contents and a sneak peak on coming weeks.

Note the box, me, my name, my location, and 1/2 written on the box. This is gardening my friends.
Mock surprise at its finest.
A small haul for now (It is early in the season), but the bonus eggs are a nice treat.
Based on the recently newsletter I can expect the following soon: more beets, baby kohlrabi, bigger turnips, and swiss chard (whatever that is).