Forever Fall

So many people warned us of the colder weather we would experience here in northern MN before we moved. We know that it can be cold, and are prepared for that with 4 loooong ricks of wood stacked in the yard. However, this fall has been so mild and wonderful. We enjoy having a fire in the stove, everyone basking in the heat in the evening as we cuddle in the living room and laugh at Fiona mostly. Well, some try to do homework but she is rather distracting as well as noisy.

Fiona in a rare quiet moment as she naps near the fire.

Traffic in our little neighborhood has slowed down considerably as the weather gets colder and the leaves fall. We think that there were many people curious to see the building gone and would drive by, just to turn around and drive past again. We do live on a dead end road, so there is always a drive by, then a drive back again. It is fun to hear the stories of any who stop to chat. We hope to create an information kiosk in the future to display some of the historical items including the Border Lakes Outfitter sign as well as photos.

Halloween passed with a mermaid, a zombie, and the little one dressed as either an elephant, pirate, or bat depending on the event. The kids attended two dances, one haunted house, and tricked or treated - Fiona learned how to say trick or treat followed by thank you. She announced the next day, "I love chocolate." We all agree.

 Fiona the bat at the Bat House Building class we took through the Ely Folk School.

 Cora the mermaid and Raif the zombie get ready for a Halloween dance.

The mermaid and elephant are ready for trick or treating with Cora's friend Tesla who was "raining cats and dogs" - her costume included an umbrella with cats and dogs hanging from it.

News update: the scat we found in great quantities had to be bear. There was just too much of it, and it did take on a rather mushy quality that wouldn't be seen in wolf scat. So, yep, a bear is loving hanging around our crabapple tree, although now that the fruit have all fallen off, maybe it will move on to prepare for hibernation.

The studio has progressed with the log portion finished, and the timber frame being installed. Each new piece of the frame includes several cuts, and fits together like a big puzzle. Raif and Cora have been involved in the construction which is so helpful. Mark trenched in the electrical yesterday, which was a big job. He and Toby also formed up the foundation for the sauna!! Hoping to get that poured this week. We are excited to have a sauna to enjoy overlooking the lake, nestled under the pines. Visitors will enjoy this as well!

Mark did take a weekend off working on the many projects to go fishing. He brought home many pounds of whitefish, some of which was smoked and promptly eaten. So delicious! One evening, we had a fire in the gazebo and he cooked whitefish, grouse and venison over the fire. It was so tasty and fulfilling.

Toby holding two of the whitefish that were caught. Such a treat!

Ely's boys and girls varsity cross country teams advanced to state last weekend, and Mark took Raif to watch along with two of his teammates. They also watched our cousin Annalise compete in the AA level! Both Cora and Raif have been fitted for ski equipment, and Nordic ski practice begins next Mon. No snow in sight but the team starts with dry land training using poles for practicing techniques. I will be volunteering Mondays and Wednesdays to help out with the team, so I will be learning along with the kids.

Annalise running at State Cross Country!!

Cora's best friend moved into Ely for the winter from her cabin on a lake, so they have been spending time running around in the woods being children. I love that she still finds joy in that act. Raif and Cora raked a leaf pile for Fiona to show her the fun of jumping in a pile. Well, actually they love to just drop her in the pile.

I have been busy with tutoring, PTO, the Ely Folk School, and being Raif-mom! I am slightly famous in the middle school - well, just with the eighth grade students who frequently call out, "Raif-mom!" whenever they see me. High fives accompany the greeting occasionally. It is the cool thing to do  I guess? I am OK with it as long as Raif never greets me like this. If Cora or Fiona do it, even worse!

I have training sessions in Duluth as part of my Math Corps service. When I leave a less-than-stimulating training to look out on the expanse of water and sky, it takes my breath away. I love looking at that lake! It makes me lonely but in the way of the song "I love Giants" ... we are just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye...