Closing Part 2....

Part 2 of the cabin closing involves just Rick and I. 

Once the water is turned off it's all business to get her done. 

This is our 3rd year closing the cabin and we are still learning, but getting better I might add. 

The big deal about closing the cabin is getting the water out of all the lines, lines that include not only the main line but all this smaller lines like the drinking water line in the refrigerator and

 the water line that goes to the washing machine etc etc, 

just think, anything that water goes to. 

If we don't get the water cleared out of the lines it will expand 

during the brutal cold temps and most likely burst a water line.

This year Rick attempted a different way and I think we both liked the process better... 

guess we'll see if it  worked come spring when we turn the water back on 

while crossing our fingers and holding our breaths.

 I'm so glad this guy is my cabin closer! He actually enjoys the process! 

He's got the kind of mind that everything makes sense before he starts the process, 

he doesn't get frazzled, he's self assured and so capable, and he's free !

I have my own part of closing that I do in between helping with the "line blowing"  :)

General cleaning, organizing, unplugging,

gathering all the food from the cupboard and refrigerator.

 Cleaning the kitchen so there are no crumbs that might invite

 unwanted guests searching for food this winter.

I am happy to say there have been no mice in the cabin on my watch  :)

and I want to keep it that way!

The gathering of things starts in the entryway. 

All the things that need to come home for he winter .

 Another tarp full of pine needless to take the dump.  

 The garage is gets full... it houses the dock, dock bench, our lawn mower, the neighbors riding lawnmower, the boat, the deck chairs and table, 2 kayaks, and more. 

We are thankful that our cabin came with a large garage, many do not have garages.

 It was a cloudy, cool day which makes it easier to put this blessing to bed.

Until next spring.......

You might wonder, why the flag banner?

*The little road to the left of our cabin is a public access used in the winter by snowmobilers and folks getting their ice houses out on the lake. The Banner you see is to deter folks from using our parking lot in front of the cabin. We were warned by the previous owner that people take advantage of using the cabins private lot for parking their vehicles. We decided to do as he did and place this gentle reminder that it is a private property.

Closing, Part 1... but so much more!!!

Closing the cabin Part 1, doesn't just involve all work. 

It involves family, little ones, play and valuable time spent together making cabin memories.

The big projects that needed to get done were getting the boat lift and dock out 

which takes some time and strength so we called upon our 2 big strapin' boys men  :)

Lots of photos' in this one.... hope you enjoy 

First we need to talk about it

Brice and Gavin are such a  big help, they are the work horses, 

and they have lots of fun together.

It's fun to listen to them banter and goof off out in the lake 

Notice Gavin balancing a large wood plank on his chin, one of his many talents.

Rick is not going to let them have all the credit, 

I love watching my 3 guys work together.

...and they talk some more   

In between the work, there is much time for other things....

 I went along with youngest son Gavin over to the church-camp grounds to watch 

him throw disc (us old people called it Frisbee).  

Now it's called "Disc Golf" a very competitive game just like regular golf only with discs'

The bag on his back is full of different discs all for specific distances and throws.

This guy is good....it's fun to watch him.

I have to give props to my sweet DIL who willingly hangs with the littles 

while husband Brice helps his dad. 

She's a good mom, so patient and loving.  

I'm so glad she loves being at the cabin with us! 

 more talking going on.... this time 1 year old Lewin joins the chat.

 Scarlett loves being down at the lake whenever she is here.

Rain boots on, and in the lake.

She actually stayed pretty dry. 

We had a chilly weekend, but still enjoyed being outside.

I even had time for Lewin's 1 year photo shoot

 He is the best.... such a sweet little smiler, 

he cooperated well and we got a lot of great photo's

While Lewin and Scarlett's mommy & daddy went out for an anniversary breakfast 

we got to hang with the littles, here was my attempt at a selfie.

Uncle Gavin had to leave a day before everyone else, We missed him when he was gone.

He had some good bonding time with his niece and nephew.  

The morning sun before the dock & boat lift came out... 

It was so pretty seeing the fog coming off the lake 

 Did I mention we had to get the boat out too.... ha

I actually backed the trailer down the boat launch, I felt quite proud of myself.

All Hemmer babies have this photo taken with their dad's

It' goes way back to Rick's dad.

 Four birthday's in October....so we celebrated.

Rick, Jenny, Brice and Lewin.

The final closing is happening tomorrow, always a bitter-sweet day.

SaveSave

Colors from the North....

Rick and I took advantage of the beautiful afternoon we had here at the lake yesterday and 

hopped on the boat to seek out some shoreline color. It' proved to be beautiful.

 Our neighbors have their boat lifts and docks out of the water, 

They will soon be leaving for the season as will we.

From afar.

 Pictures never do it justice

 From the dock

That big blue sky reflecting off the lake 

Love the colors of fall, especially at the lake!

Short but sweet as the season winds down...

Today is crazy on the lake, 

I've never seen it quiet this active with swells and decent size waves 

(for a lake that is)

 The weather was not desirable...at all.... cold, very windy, wet!

The lake was "Mad as a Hatter" it would have been perfect for body surfing.

This kind of weather creates time for other things, it quiets the mind.

gives good reason to sit a spell and play games!

There were a few moments yesterday that were productive, in-between rain showers

Rick proudly sits on our dock-bench which he recently refinished and stained 

to match the restrained deck. 

That Rick of mine, he is "Mr. do anything" Nice job honey!

 We met the new (old) neighbors across the road... 

Our Friends from Church in Rochester moved into the house across the street this weekend. 

We chipped-in a bit to help them unload the Uhaul, along with friends Dick and Melinda who also have a cabin on the lake (but live in Rochester). 

 Ric and Melissa have been part of our worship team in Rochester for many many years, 

Ric was our Worship leader at Hope Summit, now we get to be neighbors AND worship with them at Eastside  Christian church in Park Rapids....who knew???

Rain/wet just seems to animate the colors

Our sweet little cabin on the lake

We never tire of it!

A virtual acquaintance, transposed into a real-life friendship...

Audrey and I have been "Friends" for about 3 years or so. 

I met her by way of her on-line blog.

 I stumbled upon a post she had written on West Concord, 

which is a town near the farm where my mom grew up. 

A place I had spent a lot of time, playing at Grandma's farm" 

Her post on West Concord sparked an interest in me and I began to "follow" her blog.

It didnt take long to realize we had a lot in common.

*We both love the country (she grew up on a farm in prairie of SW Minnesota)

I grew up in the country in SE Minnesota

*We both love old, barns, school houses, churches, cemeteries etc!

*We both walk up to old churches in hopes that the doors will be open so we can explore.

* We Both love gravel roads and country drives... 

to explore new surroundings and learn about the places we go.

*We both love photography, noticing more than meets the eye.

*We both have 3 children around the same age, and we both are grandma's!

*We both have a strong faith, we pray for each other's family's and encourage each other with 

kind words and reminders of God's promises.

*We were married a month apart in 1982

* We both have amazing husbands, who are willing to follow us around 

as we explore the world around us. 

They are good men, patient, kind, and selfless! 

This weekend We were lucky to have Audrey and Randy as guests at our cabin.

Audrey was invited to read one of her five published pieces at a program featuring the book

The Talking Stick Vol. 26

This book is a Minnesota literary journal 

Produced entirely by Minnesota writers for Minnesota writers 

The program was held a Blueberry Pines country club, not far from our cabin.

You can read more about Audrey, and check out her blog by clicking the link below.

Minnesota Prairie Roots

Audrey and I have meet in person 3 other times, those times were short but sweet, so it was nice having them here for a few days to really get to know each other.

We talked, ate together, enjoyed each other's company, played games, and talked some more.

Audrey told me in a recent email that she did not want to go on the boat. 

I will admit I was a little disappointed because I knew she would love having the opportunity of photographing lake life, but I respected her wishes and didn't even bring it up......

Guess who asked to go on a boat ride  :)

The life jacket was helpful, and as requested we stayed close(er) to shore and didn't go too fast. 

Rick and I were glad that we got to talk Audrey and Randy for a boat ride.

Unfortunately the weather was a bit drab, but we made it work.

I love that our friendship has grown from and on-line virtual acquaintance to a more authentic personal friendship. Our friendship will last, I'm quite sure of that. 

We are kindred spirits and I am thankful for this friend of mine.

Labor Day weekend

We enjoyed Labor Day weekend with my oldest son Brice, 

his wife Jenny and our sweet grandbabes at the cabin.

This was actually taken on our last boat ride just before Rick and I left to come home on Tuesday.

Can you figure it out....

A selfie in the boat mirror :)

 We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful weekend with high temperatures in the 80's

Perfect for a little one who was wanting to swim a lot

She was in the water before they could even get her swimsuit on.

We had a couple of boat rides, this was a windy one, 

Scarlett was "eating the wind" 

I LOVE this sweet picture of Little Lewin and his mamma!

 While I drove the boat, Scarlett almost fell asleep on Grandpa, 

the rocking motion and constant sound the motor is sleep conducive.

A frequent request when at the cabin

"Mickey Mouse" pancakes  :)

 Lewin all ready for a boat ride

 She loves driving the boat.

 Morning games with grandma

 Daddy made her into a mermaid! 

This girl loves anything Disney and princess.

She stayed like this for quite awhile, such a sweet mermaid!

Such a happy boy, never heard him fuss, not even once.

It's always so quiet after family leaves. We miss the conversations with our kids, 

and the little ones running (and crawling) around the cabin.... the commotion!

But our hearts are always full and we are glad to be able to share our little place "Up North" with our sweet family and friends.