Delicious Fish

Bri’s lake trout on the menu tonight—prepared and cooked here but taken to Pinebox for the actual serving. Irrigated in a mix of egg, milk, and butter, then dredged in a mix of flour, cornmeal, and saltine crumbs. Fried on the outdoor griddle in just a little oil.

Sensational. Loud acclaim and cries of “more!”

Lots of moisture today. Light rain at 5:30 as the Nies contingent was boarding for departure, followed minutes later by a heavy downpour. Then, just after noon, another round of precip, this time an hour or more of rain coming down heavy as stair rods. Good for the forest and garden, and no threat of a fire ban this summer, thank the lucky stars.

Wrapping It Up

Abby, Katy, and Will on the road back to Wisconsin by 5:30 a.m. Nies family, while still busy, slowly gathering and packing up for a 5:30 start tomorrow. Bri able to spend a few hours fishing the big water with Andrew.

Lake trout

More Pinebox lamps

To The Falls…

…and the rock maze, the tree maze, Chocolate Works, to the marina by Wilker, to the driveway for the dance show, etcetera—in other words three days worth of fun shoehorned into one day.

Pizza Day…

…and market day. A variety of delicious pizzas, all made by cousins (with dough by Mary Ellen).

Time In A Bottle

From a.m lamp making at Pinebox to evening native dance around the fire pit, another full day, including lunch and exploration in Gore Bay.

S’mores, Skinny Dipping, Sun and Moon

From big breakfast from the grill to s’mores, skinny dipping and minute of silence watching the moon rise.

Sun (and water) Day

Overall fun day.

And, They’re Here

Abby, Katy, Will arrived this afternoon and the cousins are hiking, swimming, building Fairy houses, reading, and generally having a great time.

They’re Here…

…and so busy having fun I almost forgot to do a blog.

Great Lakes Islands Alliance…

…Manitoulin Team.

Three years in the making, and at last a team—with bylaws, officers, and an agenda. Delicious lunch provided by Mary Ellen and Sue.

Sun and Wind and Warmth

Perfect summer day, especially on or by the water.

Bunchberries

West wind, so calm on our side of the bay, thus a good day to launch chi-cheemaun (big canoe), a 21 foot handmade cedar strip kayak.

Time To Start Stacking?

Almost certainly.

And a day of awnings, curtains, and gates.

Division of Labor

Unfair, division of labor. While I went to Prov. to prepare with Therese for Thursday’s GLIA meeting, Sue continued preparing for company, including cleaning and organizing the bunker and the workshop. Not to mention windows. A warm day for that kind of work, too.

Cribs Up…

…and other chores in prep for company. Worked in a swim and a kayak, nonetheless. The photos below, however, are of last evening’s after-dinner cruise on board the Wilker.

Civic Holiday Weekend

Marina packed, falls crammed, but quiet on the Lane (so far, though fireworks likely tonight ‘cause you-know-who are here).

With an extension on the farm jack the pier was lifted, and with a clothes pin on the nose a week’s garbage was taken to the dump.

Pickin’ Peas

Early June peas in early August.

Actually Braiding Sweetgrass

Over to Wikwemikong for conversation with First Nation elder, Josh, discussing indigenous wisdom, among other things. And then to wrap things up, I actually got to braid some sweetgrass.

Later, in the evening, it was the Serendipity Lane farewell potluck party for the Lloyds, at the Kagawong shelter. Lots of delicious.

As a fond farewell Sue made the fabric wall art, below, the back of which was signed by all of us. Truly a high speed creative endeavor.

Another Perfect Day

Light blanket needed last night, and today warm in the sun and cool in the shade. Gentle onshore wind.

Photo by Sue

Photo by Sue

Short pier poles replaced with longer ones and the inshore half of the pier elevated. In the photo above, post fenders are being installed.

And, this afternoon, four of the 10 new neighbor kids came over, introduced themselves, and asked if we might have something to inflate a huge inflatable water toy. Very pleasant, super polite young folks. Good neighbors.

A Boat In The Water…

…and even a water skier. Summer at last. And a gloriously perfect day it was.

Dinner and Debate watching at Ellen’s.

Dinner at Pinebox

An experimental dinner at that. A new recipe is being developed for the upcoming Great Lakes Island Alliance (Manitoulin Team) lunch meeting on August 8. Tested: an Asian chicken lettuce wrap with green onions and peanuts. Seven highly critical taste testers concluded unanimously the the recipe is a go. Those attending the Aug. 8 meeting are in for a treat.

Watermelon for dessert.

And all this after a day with a nice, heavy, nap time thunderstorm.