Pine Lake 2014 - Day #3

   Monday morning we were up bright and early to pack for our canoe trip.  Towels, sunblock, water, beer, snacks, dog treats, binoculars, and bug spray - lots of bug spray - we're gathered together and put into my bag.  Alison, Will, Patrick, and I left at 8:40 and arrived at Horina Canoe Rentals a little after 9.  Mr. Horina was extremely nice and personable, even when Ruby jumped up into the front seat to stick her head out the window! (Patrick was supposed to be watching her.)

We dropped off the truck at the unloading sight and then made our way to our drop off point, Coolwater Campground.  The canoes were really nice, fiberglass Old Town canoes. 

The trip was beautiful.  The Pine River is so pristine.  We saw four or five houses and only passed under one bridge during our 3 hour trip. We saw some bank swallows and their nest burrows in one if the rock/sand banks.  It was another bird we can add to the "Big Year" list.  Patrick also ID'd a warbler by the call, but we did not get a visual. It was also really fun to spend some time with Alison & Will.  We all agreed that canoeing is a great marriage/trust building activity.  You have to trust your partner and contribute to the well being (AKA staying upright on the water) of the relationship or you will flip and sink!  Here are some photos from the trip:

 

Patrick had the camera so most of the photos are of the back of me! Glad he got a selfie in though! See how Ruby is dry in the fist couple and then wet all of a sudden in the last one?  Yeah she jumped in.  It was a grand experience for all!

   After the trip we were totally wiped out and took a 3-hour nap. We had a scrumptious dinner of chicken enchilada casserole that Gail made.  Dessert was leftover ice cream and cake! 

Yummm!

   Since the evening was so beautiful we took the boat out of some fishing.  Patrick had a couple of bites in the reeds over by the eagle's nest. No fish made it in the boat though.

This nesting pair of eagles has been present at Pine Lake for years.  It is so majestic to see them fly across the lake.  The loons are still my favorite, but the eagles are a close second favorite. 

Pine Lake 2014 - Day #2

Our first morning bat the lake was perfect.  Patrick went fishing early as Ruby and I slept in.  We had a family Father's Day breakfast in Alison & Will's cabin.  We gave Joe his present, a Captain America t-shirt.

He looks great!  After breakfast we had some friends over -- Joanne Volenec, Jay  Graham, and Scott Graham -- to play Yatzee.  It was a fun game!

   After a leisurely morning in the cabin, we took Ruby with us on a quest to find a canoe rental on the Pine River.  (It was incredibly windy.  Not good weather for fishing.)  We found one that was pet friendly only 15min away.  Horina Canoe Rentals was the cheapest option, $40, and the owner was the most friendly.  One of the businesses that we inquired about told us "9 out of 10 dogs don't come back" and yet another said "dogs don't enjoy" canoeing.  Obviously those folks have never met Ruby!!! We were glad to find one that was both pet friendly and affordable.

   Dinner was a Father's Day feast!!! I got a chance to call my dad and wish him a happy Father's Day while I made the asperagus and corn-on-the-cob.  Alison cooked some awesome steaks (in the pouring rain I should add) and Gail contributed some French fries to the meal.  It was difficult to save room for dessert, Jones' ice cream and chocolate cake!  

   After dinner Ruby and I went back to the cabin to read and relax.  We did go out to check out this large snapping turtle.  We think she was up on the bank laying her eggs.  

 

Mollyann thought she looked like a dinosaur.  I agree with her!

   Patrick and Joe took the boat out for some evening fishing and then jitterbugging.  No fish for Patrick, but he enjoyed the clear calm night.

Pine Lake 2014 - Day #1

   We had an awesome first day of vacation! It started bright and early at 6:20am.  Ruby usually wakes us up around this time. Most weekdays it is a good time to wake up. Most weekends, we would rather sleep in! Today however, it was a perfect time to get moving and we were all so excited to get to Pine Lake ASAP! Our goal was to leave at 8.  We pulled out of our parking lot at 7:59. The morning was super relaxing because we had packed most everything the night before. I used a list and made an effort to be organized! It really does work!

   Our first pit stop was at Bass Pro Shop in Portage, IN to get bait and run Ruby a bit.  Dogs are actually allowed inside the store, which was fun for Ruby.  I am glad we made an effort to socialize her as a puppy, so she wasn't sacred or crazy inside the store.  Patrick saw a dickcissel (a bird) in the prairie grasses on the property. He hasn't seen that bird yet this year and was able to add it to his 'Big. Year' list. 

Are we there yet?  Ruby was a trooper in the car.

   We also made the traditional stop for ice cream at Jones' in Baldwin, MI. Patrick had butter pecan on a cake cone, while I chose a sugar cone with the special of the day - Oreo! Of course the ice cream was incredibly delicious. 

   Once we arrived at Pine Lake Villa, we paid for our cabin, and began the process of unpacking. It didn't take too long. I wish I would have packed some febreeze because our cabin is carpeted.  Lake water + sand + years = smelly cabin. There were plenty of spiders and a cobwebs, but they were easily felt with thanks to the paper towels and Clorox wipes I packed.

   After fixing up the cabin we chose a boat and took a spin out on the lake. It is SO BEAUTIFUL.  The motor that Grandpa Ruhl let us borrow works great and the boat does not leak. 

   We still needed groceries before we could settle down for the week. The Dublin General store is right down the road and has a selection of jerky that is famous. I was proud that we stuck to our list for our menu plan. We did splurge and get one package of jerky.

   Later that night Patrick took Ruby and I out fishing.  Ruby had a grand time jumping all around in the boat.  Surprisingly, she didn't scare all the fish away and Patrick caught a keeper bass.  

He then got a cast stuck in a tree and so he pulled us closer to shore (and to the tree to retrieve the brand weed less worm!).

Ruby took this opportunity to launch herself out of the boat!  She splashed around the shore while Patrick freed the from it's leaf entanglement.

After we got the lure back and Ruby back in the boat, Ruby and I went back to the cabin to dry off and get ready for bed.

   I am so glad with our decision to get our own cabin this year!  It is very relaxing  and great to have a quiet space to retreat to.  The price of cabins did go up this year.  We will have to be more conservative for the rest of the trip. No shopping in Manistee for me.  I think it is well worth it though!

Married for 2 years!

     We were married on June 2nd, 2014 - two years ago.  It seems like just last month we were moving in to our townhome.  This year Patrick would be in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on June 2nd, so we decided to celebrate our anniversary a few days early.  It was a low key affair, just some shopping and then dinner at Texas Roadhouse. While we feasted on rolls and prime rib, we were able to talk and reflect on how far we have come as a couple.  God has blessed us immeasurably.  He is so GOOD!

     It was a lovely evening.  There are some photos below, the good ones as well as the outtakes.  Haha!  I should have had someone take our picture together, but for some reason I didn't think about it.  Next time I will!

 

Spring sippin!

Earlier this afternoon I was feeling quite thirsty.  Something fancy and refreshing sounded good.  We don't really drink pop and we didn't have any juice. While I was looking around in the fridge for something to quench my thirst, I noticed that I had lemons and strawberries.  Then I remembered some pink lemonade drink mix in the pantry! Yay!! 

This was the concoction I came up with:

I used 2 quarts water and mixed in enough drink mix for just 1 quart pink lemonade.  I cut up 2 lemons and 2 strawberries to put in the pitcher.  

The drink was fruity and refreshing, but I didn't feel guilty about too much sugar! The drink didn't taste watered down. It was delish! Perfect for a Saturday afternoon.

One Year With Ruby

On April 6, 2013 we welcomed a puppy into our family - Ruby.  One year ago today we drove home from Lewisburg, KY with a 6-week-old baby Brittany pup.  We did NOT know what we were getting ourselves into!! Luckily we all made it through puppyhood (even all the furniture and shoes!) intact. Today Ruby is a great dog that we love oh so very much.  

                   Ruby 4/6/13

                     Ruby 4/6/14

Venison Stuffed Peppers

   

    We enjoyed these stuffed peppers a few weeks ago.  Ingredients include peppers (obviously!), leftover rice, a can of diced tomatoes, cheese, and (of course) Patrick's venison from the freezer.  Peppers were only 99 cents each at Payless so I bought one of every color.  The rest of the meal was fairly cheap.  Maybe a few dollars more for the cheese, rice, and tomatoes.  Patrick cooked the venison with onions and garlic until it was brown, then added the rice, tomatoes, and spices (probably Italian Seasoning, Garlic Salt, Oregano, Pepper, and Greek Seasoning) to the skillet.  I cut the top of the pepper off and removed all the seeds.  The venison mixture was then placed inside the pepper with cheese sprinkled on top.  I placed the top of the pepper back on for cooking.  We baked them on 350 until they were roasted, but not too mushy or brown.  They were AWESOME!  AND it was a great way to use leftover rice!

     To all the venison haters out there - don't knock it till you try it!  Vension can be quite excellent if cooked properly.  The onions, garlic, and spices help to mellow out the gamey taste.  We LOVE cooking with venison.  I admit, your hamburger helper WILL NOT taste the same if you use venison instead of beef, but many other dishes will taste really great with venison.  Tacos, fajitas, chili, spaghetti, and meatballs are just a few meals that we substitute venison for beef.