FIVE SWANS A SWIMMING ON THE MILL POND

 With Beau back we took a family hike over the ridge to meet our new Mennonite neighbors1. The Mennonites trace their origin to a radical offshoot of the Protestant Reformation that occurred in the 1500s.
One of the trademark characteristics of Mennonites is their commitment to pacifism. They believe war is never the answer to solving the world's problems.  I'm OK with that.
Mennonite Christians can be confused with the Amish because the two groups hold many of the same beliefs and practices, according to Religion Facts. Both groups are known for religious reform and pacifism, and each believes in individual Bible study and a commitment to a sin-free life after conversion and adult baptism.
What primarily distinguishes the Amish from the Mennonites is the Amish create their own communities separate from the rest of society and avoid technology, Mennonite Christians believe in living in the world but not being of the world in terms of embracing worldly spiritual and moral values. The Mennonites embrace technology.  They have been busy with concrete and road work for their chicken and cattle operations.

It's great to have Beau back for the Holidays before he starts up his new career as a police officer down in Colorado Springs after the first of the year.

This time of year with deer hunting season in full swing a guy doesn't venture out into the timber with his blaze orange.

This the season to wear orange.

Beau always has his eyes pealed for a shed or a skull.  A little late for this buck but we'll find room for it on the shed of sheds.

Other projects in the mix...  We're bottling up our second batch of hard cider.  The first was dry and the plan is to sweeten this batch up.

For some reason it turned out much better when Susie is in-charge of the recipe.

Prost!

Lock 12 Music Store along with Trent Seiverding lined up a great night of local talent for their second night of Toys for Tots.

Silver Threads started the night off.  It was great seeing Greg and Deb back up on the stage.

Bryce took a break from the Reeg family party to play a 15 min. set.   And Abby joined him on the tambourine.

The crew from GI came out of the bottoms to listen to Jammer.





Guess who?

Best outfit of the night!

Tanner, Jesse, Nic and the Medinger brothers.
Whiskey Revival.






I checked my settings Bo, try to

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that goes for the rest of you that follow this blog too.
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And Santa is keeping busy.
Thanks for the card Pete!

A ROOM FULL OF FRIENDS.

The wall  of the dam was decorated for the holiday season.  Potter extended the dam in order to install six turbines that in turn operated six milling stones. The mill was damaged by a flash flood on May 24, 1896. In the aftermath the spillway was replaced by a 35 horsepower Atlas steam engine.

The bar was full of energy and friends as we entered the Mill.  We couldn't have hand picked a better crowed or musicians.  

 Joe and Vicky were back in town playing their blues roots music. With plenty of slide guitar in the mix, and both their instruments take turns thumping and plucking while Joe laid down a rhythmic beat with his feet.



 Joe and Vicky really rack up the miles, as the play over 300 gigs a year all over the country.

Vicky, Susie and I talked quite a bit about life on the road and traveling in their 2003  Dodge/Mercedes Benz Sprinter.  I'll stick with the V dub for now.

 Vicky is also a multi talented artist in her own right, doing all the art work for their cd covers and guitar cases among other things.

TIS THE SEASON TO WINTERIZE THE BUS.

 Where to start?  Wow about a final cruse for 2015?  So, a good start is to top off the tank.  Even though the Tsunami is only going to be parked for  4-5 months, there's no need to add a fuel stabilizer. Fuel doesn't tend to destabilize until it sits for a year or so. Still, I'm convinced that adding fuel stabilizer is important for wintertime storage.

The next big thing is to rodent proof it.   There's nothing worse than opening up your camper for the spring... and finding that you've had some unwelcome tenants living there all winter long. The kind of tenants that leave, um, surprises for you to clean up. Yuck. So, before you tuck your vehicle away for the winter, make sure it is clean and tidy. Don't leave food stored in there. That's just asking for trouble. Some folks use mothballs, as most rodents won't get near those nasty things. Also, if you've got a full camper Riviera , you can shove some coarse steel wool in the breather-to-battery compartment(s). That's a common entry point for those buggers. Bounce dryer sheets also work to repel mice.

 My ride was toasty with the unseasonably warm December weather with temps hanging right around 50`.   My buddy heater seems to do the trick taking the moisture out of the air too.

I did add a clear shower curtain to keep all the heat up in the cab.
















So, with Tsunami all winterized bring on the snow!

Madison Comes to Us.

 We did a day trip to Madison yesterday for a little shopping run at  Trader Joe's, The University Book Store and University Pharmacy.  That was all just an excuse to go back to Graze's for lunch.  It was good as always.  But, really it was just a burger... While, Susie had the noodle bowl.  Now, that was something special.
We checked out the L'Etoile menu which was quite interesting, with a price to match.

All and all it was good trip.  But it also helped us to realize another thing that we are truly thankful for and that's Potters Mill.

We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful part of the Mississippi River Valley where we are able to grow and prepare our own food.  That is every bit as good as Chef Tory's nationally recognized restaurant, where a meal of two pork chops will run you a C note and then some. 


So, last night Madison's very own award winning band The Jimmy's came back to Bellevue and tore things up with their mix of blues, soul, funk and R&B.  Banging out their own originals and  classics like Will It Go Round In Circles and The Bands, Ophelia.

So among the many things that we are thankful for The Flatted Fifth Blues and BBQ at Potters Mill is near the top of our list.

It made for a great night, close to home, surrounded by good friends and great music.

THANKFUL!

(you'll need ear buds to hear the Pileated Woodpecker)

Today I am thankful for my Family!  My Friends and my Health.

Life is good!

And So It Starts... Welcome to Winter.

 With our first winter storm in the forecast, it was time for those last minute projects.  So, when I got home from school Friday evening I fired up the pole barn and got busy wrapping up Susie's sculptures for the winter.

 This wrap job looks more like a high ankle sprain.

 This morning I got the snow cleared and took care of the feeders and the chickens.

 Then it was back into the barn to clean up the carrots and beets that Susie dug up before the snow started flying...  The cats don't seem to mind the weather at all.

RETURN TO TANGLEWOOD

 Friday night we returned to Tanglewood hunting lodge in Belmont WI.

Stories were told, plans were made for the Kansas hunting trip that the fellas are taking next month and
euchre was played.






 Nephew Marc and I were the big winners for the night

 Scott demonstrated some origami paper skills.   Wow.

 Ryan stretching  before Saturday mornings hunt.

 It was a beautiful morning and the birds flew well.

 We had three dogs.  Ryan's Brittney, Steve's Short hair and Marc's Lab.





The dogs worked great and we dropped a few birds.

 Retrieve of the day.

 Steep northern slope with yew growing above the stream.

 Great job Ryan!

 It was great spending time with the family in such a beautiful place.

 The Crew!

~BROTHERS STEVE AND GREG~