Hello February ~ It is the Hodgepodge

Valentine Paper Craft

 

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Can you believe it's the end of January? What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

No, I can not believe we have a month already in the books for 2017!

My best day of January 2017 was the 1st, we celebrated Christmas with our family.

 2. What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

Teenage boy sounds.

 3. I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are-

anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead)

Which thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?

I will be honest, I struggle with the notion I need to be perfect. I have been doing better about not beating myself up when I make a mistake. I continue to work on it.

 4. What is sacred to you?

My family.

 5. January is National Oatmeal month. Are you a fan, and if so how do you like it?

With worms of course! 

I did this to the boys for April Fools. 

Yes, our family of four enjoys oatmeal. I like to add maple syrup, raisins and walnuts.

 

 

6. What feelings does twilight stir up in you?
 

  Go chase and catch lighting bugs. 

7. Something you're looking forward to next month?

GET READY for another frozen trek across Lake Superior from Ashland to Washburn at the 21st annual Book Across the Bay, to be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017!

We will ski across Lake Superior at night, by the light of candles leading the way. We start in Ashland and ski to Washburn. It is beautiful. 

One year someone made a huge snow sculpture of a dragon. They released Chinese lanterns from the dragons mouth. It is always an adventure and we are excited to see what 2017 brings.

 8. Insert your own random thought here. 

A few more fun paper Valentine crafts to make with your sweet Valentine.

 

On the Road Friday ~ Apostle Islands ~ Sea Caves

Welcome to On the Road Friday.

Today we will be taking a trip of a life time. We have tried to visit the Sea Caves during the winter for four years! Each year the ice had either blown out from a Nor'easter or it simply was to warm.

We all know...we are having a COLD winter.

With that cold winter comes a true blessing, exploring the sea caves.

 The sea caves are honeycomb cliffs on Devils Island, Sand Island and near Mawikwe Bay on the mainland. Visitors are drawn to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in summer and winter to visit the sea caves and witness Lake Superior's ever - changing handiwork.

 Winter visitors need to be especially careful. Warm clothing is a must. Sub-zero temperatures and bitter wind - chills are common. Walking on ice can be extremely dangerous and demands caution. The ice can be very rough or slippery. 

If you go, watch for new cracks or soft spots in the ice, wear sturdy boots, carry a ski pole or walking stick.

Watch for falling ice near the caves.

Okay, you are all ready. 

Ready.

Set.

Go.

Ice Caves here we come.

 We called this formation "Frozen Fireworks".

 A close up of the Frozen Fireworks.

 The full view of the Frozen Fireworks.

 Heading into a cave.

Jeremy is still out on the ice. So I am taking a photo of him and he is taking a photo of me.

The boys are starting to head into the cave.

 Looking up!

Looking way up!

 

 Looking out at Jeremy from inside the cave.

 Exploring the cave.

 I love the ice. Each piece is different. It truly is amazing.

 

 It was always nice to be inside a cave and out of the wind. 

If you do plan to visit the Sea Caves check out the following for sea cave watch 

To learn more about the ice conditions at the mainland sea caves, call 715-779-3397

This photo is from the sea cave watch web cam. The cam is way up on a cliff. Jeremy has been busy looking at the photos from the cam for the past few weeks. On the evening we came home, he checked the web cam. Guess What? We are captured walking back to the parking lot. The four explorers you see walking in a line is the brave TePaske family.

We thought it was cool that we were captured on the web cam.

We enjoyed our day. 

I plan to post some more photo's next Friday too. We have so many, I did not want to overwhelm  you with one big post.

 

Join us again next week as we once again head out to the Sea Caves of the Apostle Islands.

 

Have a great weekend.

Stay Warm!

 

Book Across the Bay 2013

We did it! Atticus is in the orange hat, moving quickly across the finish line.

It was cold! By the 8K marker we were getting very cold. Atticus actually cried at the finish line, his hands hurt so much.

Today, we are home and warm. Everyone is proud we made it again, across the bay.