Archive for December, 2008

December 31, 2008 – Eve of Combustion

Here’s what the bonfire pile looks like on the eve of combustion. Weather permitting, we’ll do our best to light up the night sky and welcome the new year with heat, light, and best wishes for the new year. one year ago…”Oak Creek Canyon, Sunset Crater & Wupatki “

December 30, 2008 – Thingamajig Tuesday #148

Well, the holiday last week pushed thingamajig from Thursday to Tuesday, and so it does again this week. Also check out the last thingamajig answer. As always, put your guess in a comment below. Hold mouse over this sentence to pop-up answer. one year ago…”Superstition Mountains”

December 29, 2008 – Turbine + Ice = Stillness

Ice is not a particular friend to Boreas, the wind turbine.  When the blades get covered with ice, Boreas loses his will to spin. There’s really nothing you can do except silently wait until the sun comes out to melt the ice off the blades. one year ago…”Fiesta Bowl Competition/Parade”

December 28, 2008 – Fire and Ice

In the aftermath of the ice storm, beauty abounds. These are some of the high bush cranberries – which have been a great hedge plant at the farm.  I love the flowers, the leaves, growth habit and fruit left behind for wildlife, although now the cranberries are not easy to get! Even encapsulated in ice, ...Read more.

December 27, 2008 – More Ice; Another Day at Home

Here’s the view out the front window when we woke up this morning. It didn’t melt all day long, but the ice stopped after accumulating about 1/3 inch of ice. It’s nearly impossible to walk outside, let alone drive which leads to and another day homebound. The good part of the day is that the ...Read more.

December 26, 2008 – Day after Christmas On the Beach!

Here we are on the beach!  Off the photo to the right is a lifeguard stand that says “No Lifeguard on Duty.”  We went out into the lake nonetheless. After we left Grandpa Dave’s we stopped by a nearby lake to run around before the four hour trip home. It’s always dicey driving across the ...Read more.

December 25, 2008 – Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all. I thought I’d post a copy of this year’s Holiday Letter from our place to yours. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 one year ago…”Animals out on Christmas Day”

December 24, 2008 – Holiday Break?

I’m not sure if the holidays give the snow removal people a break. This sign indicates that there is to be no “snow storage” in this area.  But this begs another question.  What is the snow being stored for?  Why would you want to store snow? one year ago…”Deep Winter Night”

December 23, 2008 – Thingamajig Tuesday #147

Here’s this week’s “Thingamajig” entry. We’ve moved it to Tuesday this week. This thingamajig asks what city is this scene located? Also check out the last thingamajig answer. As always, put your guess in a comment below. Hold mouse over this sentence to pop-up answer. one year ago…”Not Fit for Man Nor Beast”

December 22, 2008 – Stud Goat

We’ve got a new visitor in the barn – the oreo-looking buck in the middle is here to visit the ladies. He’s on loan from Two Friends farm and no doubt looks forward to fulfilling his duties. one year ago…”No Solstice Bonfire this Year “

December 21, 2008 – Awful Wind

There was horizontal snow most of the day, even though there weren’t many clouds. I think the snow that was in South Dakota this morning flew by our front yard this afternoon en route to Illinois by evening. Here’s the view of the sunset across the field towards the west.  The good news is that ...Read more.

December 20, 2008 – Winter Solstice

The wind and snow, mainly the wind forced cancellation of the annual solstice bonfire (that’s two years running).  The forecast whiteout and blizzard warning was enough to dissuade us from hosting the event. Here are some of the now abandoned ice luminaries in a snow drift, as if they’d not get blown away out in ...Read more.

December 19, 2008 – Gift Boxes Sold Out

This year’s gift boxes are sold out. Thanks to all who purchased one as a gift or for themselves. It was a good year, despite the hardships – we sold about 60% more than we did last year. Let’s hope the fruit is as plentiful next summer! one year ago…”Band Day and Drug Sniffing Dogs”

December 18 – Thingamajig Thursday #146

Here’s this week’s “Thingamajig” entry. Also check out the last thingamajig answer. As always, put your guess in a comment below. Hold mouse over this sentence to pop-up answer. one year ago…”Morning Chores”.