Kids, Lakes, Loons and Pines

Lake Ski

I love twenty degrees in January.

The past couple of days, I have put on a lot of miles with skis on my feet, traversing groomed trails, and today on a lake ski.

These blue-bird sky days are such a delight.

I have been relishing a long stretch of days where temperatures cold enough for a crust on the snow yet warm enough to enjoy a couple of hours outdoors without getting too cold. 

*******

This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice of gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

Playing outside

We enjoyed another beautiful weekend with lots of time outdoors. The full moon, clear nights, frost-laden trees, and mild winter temperatures made our experiences outdoors a treat! Between the six of us, our outdoor experiences combined hiking, fat-tire biking, nordic skiing (skate and classic) (recreational and racing), snowshoeing, alpine skiing, and snowboarding.

This is how we do winter in the north woods!

Our life is busy, rich, and full!

*******

This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice of gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?

Into the New Year

Happy New Year from the Northwoods!

We are now almost a week into 2023. Today, one of my students asked me what my New Year's resolution was. I realized I had not yet reflected upon this, so I responded quickly but honestly with my first thoughts.  

This year, I am not making a resolution for change, but hoping to continue to work with the intention of living an active and healthy lifestyle with a daily dose of outdoor time.

I am continually grateful for the flexibility of my work schedule, which allows me to get outside for an exercise break in the light of day, which is a gift during our long, dark winters in the north.  

Every day so far in 2023, I have spent at least an hour outdoors. This has come in the form of a walk, skiing, and even snowboarding.

This morning I had a pocket of time before my first meeting early in my day, so I was out on the trail at sunrise, bundled up for a 10 K classic ski at a temperature just above 0ºF.

My efforts to get outside every day have proven to nurture my mind, body, and spirit.

I am motivated and inspired to continue the practice.

 

Read more about my ramblings on this topic in various published articles, including:

"One Foot In Front of the Other"  Taproot Magazine::Issue 52::SAVOR

Family Adventures in Winter Weather in Taproot Magazine - Issue 37::SPARK

 "Healthy Mama Habits" in Minnesota Parent

Winter Fun

It has been a while since I have posted in this space. We have been busy, enjoying our winter. 

Recently, we have found ourselves returning to some traditions and experiences that had been on hold with the pandemic.

This past weekend the boys participated in ice cutting at our friends' resort. 

It is a fun, work-party environment that, as I wrote in my first article published in Taproot Magazine years ago, keeps alive traditions of the past. 

This past weekend I enjoyed a reinstated annual gathering with some of my friends on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

It was a fun weekend that included nordic and alpine skiing, hiking, and lots of laughs.

It feels so great to be enjoying these experiences again!

Spring Break - Northwoods Style

A long weekend included our days on the slopes and races and also time on the lakes ice fishing, hiking, and enjoying the crusted snow fat tire biking. We enjoy the place we call home.

--------------------

This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?

It's Never Too Cold...

We are navigating a deep freeze cold front here in my neck of the woods, but we are not taking it as an excuse to refrain from going outdoors.

We're all getting out. This past weekend James took the two younger boys on an adventure on the North Shore of Lake Superior, with the need to "get out of town." The older two stayed back with me and we kept the fire going. The picture shows the two of them after a wood-hauling session, when we were bringing several loads of wood from our woodpile and stacked it closer to our doorway for easy access.

I have been getting out every day at least for a walk or a hike, bundled up and with Warm Skin applied to my face, which I feel really helps.

There is certainly beauty to be found in every season of the year, whatever the temperature!

Stay warm friends!

Around Here...

Around here...

We are enjoying a mild winter. We have enough ice and snow for our winter pastimes, and temperatures have been very comfortable (ranging from the teens to 30+ degrees Fahrenheit). So we've been spending a lot of time outdoors with activities, such as ice fishing, fat tire biking, skiing and snowshoeing.

The nordic ski season has also started back up and our bigger kids had their first race today. We're hopeful that they'll have a full season of the sport and that everyone will stay healthy and have a lot of fun along the way too!

--------------------

This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?

Wild Ice

❄️❄️❄️❄️

This afternoon I loaded up 4 kids, a German Shepherd, helmets, life jackets, rescue ice picks, and my fat tire bike with studded tires and we went out on a nearby lake to bike and ski on the beautiful clear ice. 

The conditions we are experiencing on the lake are called WILD ICE and it is nothing short of extraordinarily beautiful and FUN! We are taking our safety precautions, staying close to the shoreline and making the most of this amazing experience.

Here is a link to a short videos:

Wild Ice 1

 

 

 

An Autumn Walk in the Woods...

The colors of fall are exceptional this year.   Yesterday, I made a point to venture out on a familiar hike and made a point to enjoy the beauty and also to capture some images to share with you here.

-------

This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?

Snapshots from our weekend on the big lake

Here are a few snapshots from our trip to Grand Marais, MN on the North Shore of Lake Superior last weekend.   

-------

This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?