Last Day of January

January seems to have passed quite quickly and quite slowly. Winter is dragging on. February is usually a bit better. Our temperatures don't look to increase too much, and Monday is forecast to be a snowy day. Speaking of snow, it snowed overnight. Only a couple of inches, but enough that cars had to be brushed off and the roads were a little slick. We did go out. The closer we got to the lakeshore, the worse the roads were. Husband is a good and confident driver though, so we were okay. It wasn't snowing and there was no blowing so that was good!

The driveway to the carpark hadn't been plowed but a couple of cars had driven up it, so husband decided to chance it. It was pretty cold, but it was sunny. We weren't there for too long, but by the time we left it was quite busy. There were lots of people walking out on the icy lighthouse bit. I didn't. I took my photos from a safe distance. There isn't a big path around the lighthouse, and it looked as though people were walking on the ice overhang. The water to the side wasn't frozen! There are things I won't do for a photo lol. 

We made our way up a very snowy road to the next lighthouse. We couldn't get really close as the roads were blocked for the Ice Breaker Festival. We went on the other side, and I managed to get some photos. Once again people were up on the ice. I couldn't believe how close to the water people were going. I don't think they realise that sometimes the edges of the ice overhangs and one crash and yikes!

A couple of phone photos as I haven't sorted through the camera ones yet. Usually this is water. 

When I got home, I had a nice bath to warm up and a lovely hot drink. The rest of the afternoon I caught up on a few bits and watched some television. 

This month I have struggled a bit with ups and downs. I think it's mainly due to the weather, though I am missing MIL terribly. I still can't believe she's gone.  I keep thinking of things I should call to tell her and then realise I can't and the ache starts all over again. I suppose it will just take time. It just seems I have lost all the elder women in my life, though that's part of growing older, I think. 

Sunday Adventure

It was better this morning. Bright and sunny if a little chilly when we went out. We had a couple of nice little walks along a couple of beaches. We were pretty lucky seeing birds today. We saw a Loon along the pier on our first stop just as we were getting ready to leave. We ended up staying a little longer so I could get some photos. 

It actually came quite close which was really nice!

The second nice viewing of the day were some Horned Grebes. We saw these at both places we went, so I suppose they are probably moving through the area

There were a few fishermen out along the pier. They were all bundled up as it was quite chilly. We saw a couple of them catch some fish though I'm not sure what kind

Even though it was a little chilly we had a lovely time. It was really quite beautiful out and not too windy, so it wasn't bitterly cold. It really does look like it should have felt really quite warm but it wasn't!

I sorted a couple of bits when I got home, but not a lot. I tackled some of the post that's been hanging around, sorted through it and have a stack of shredding that needs to be done this week. I asked son to sort through his so I can add that to the shredding. Not sure I'll do that tomorrow, but it will be done this week!  I've got most of the meal planning done and a list done for tomorrow. I'll probably try to tackle a bit more of the porch too. I'm really pleased with how it is coming along. I am quite confident it will be mostly sorted by the end of the month. We don't go to daughter's house until next month though so I might plan on using a small corner of it to store the things we are taking to her house. 

Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend!

Sunday outing

No walk as such today. It was raining all of yesterday and still raining when we got up this morning. Rather than sit in the house hubby and I decided we'd take a drive. We bought a Sat Nav/GPS yesterday for the car so hubby wanted to try it out. We've been using our phones for navigation but they don't always work when we're close to the lake shore.

Not too many photos to share today. We visited a couple of lighthouses, but with the weather as bad as it was we only popped out of the car for a few minutes - as long as we could stand without getting drenched - before hopping back inside again.

We couldn't get very close at all today. The pier (walkway) was closed and blocked off. They are trying to save it so doing renovations. I can't say I'm surprised. Last year when we went there were holes right through the concrete into the lake below!

This is a photo from last year. As you can see they have pulled down all of the metal work. It is supposed to be closed for the rest of the year.

The beaches still have their winter protection up. Lots and lots of fences to help stop drifting sand. They have to take these out and clear up the drifted sand a little before the summer season starts.

By the lake it seemed kind of desolate, but in a few months the beach will be packed with people playing in the lake and soaking up the sun.

We also stopped at another park, but by this time the rain was steady and definitely set in for the day. We hadn't been there before so thought that, as it was nearby, we'd see if it was worth planning a day trip to do some trails. A definite yes!

Looks beautiful but we didn't even make it down to the beach! Just popping out of the car was getting us drenched. Hopefully we'll revisit next week if it is dry.

Even though it was raining I'm glad we got out. It's great to be able to do these mini-trips together after so many years of me working on Sundays. It saved me sitting home moping because I'm missing Mum on Mother's Day.

And on that note I'd like to wish a lovely mother's day to all Mums and to all those important women in our lives.

Ugh. Got a case of the blues today. Sad for some reason. Don't have a lot of energy. Might have something to do with the fact that it's dreary and rainy. I did get up in my craft room and do a little crafting. Cheered me up a bit.

Today I'm sharing some photos from Sunday. These are from the lighthouse at St. Joseph in Michigan. It's a little lake town about 45minutes away from us. My son moved there about a year and a half ago when he got a job at the newspaper. Not a lot to do in the town. It's definitely an area that's a little more lively in the summer. We decided to stop there to see the lighthouse.

There was still some ice around.

Walked beneath the supports you see as the water on one side was quite choppy and was coming up over the path.

Quite a view from beneath the icicles.

This post looks like it's wrapped in plastic but it's actually covered in ice.

This one draped in ice mixed with sand.

 The top photo is of the light behind the lighthouse. The water was quite choppy. I couldn't look at it for long. It made my stomach churn and I felt quite sea sick! There are no barriers between the walkway and the water, just a drop. I clung onto hubby's hand and didn't let go! I felt quite brave walking along there. I made sure I kept closer to the other side where the water was a lot calmer!