Happy Trails

Some of these trails are in Grandma's Cottage neighborhood!

http://www.snowmobilesugarcamp.com/

Disc Golf

Linking  free recreation area  (close enough for a bike ride) check out Sugar Camp's Disc Golf Course!

http://www.sugarcamp.org/disc%20golf.html

For Our Cottage Artist Friends...

...and you know who you are...

Al designed and made a new art table for us this spring!

 

Muffins!

For biker/walker guests sharing the local trails, here's fresh favorite carb-loading!

Rhubarb Muffins

1 and 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 and 1/2 cups diced rhubarb
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 and 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt


Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon Vietnamese cinnamon
2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts, optional
1 tablespoon butter, softened.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottoms-only of 15 muffin cups.

In large bowl, beat together brown sugar, oil, egg, vanilla and buttermilk until well blended.  Stir in rhubarb and nuts.

In small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Add to buttermilk mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

In cup or small bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon and nuts; add butter and blen until fine crumbs are formed.  Sprinkle over tops of muffins.  Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack.

Makes 15 muffins.  

Easter Blessings

Do You See What I See?

The ice on the lake is almost all melted...and the loons are baaaaack!

And Soft Spring Peeper Music...

Concerts!

Throughout summer our Rhinelander Area Community Band  offers concerts in the Northwoods.  Al and I enjoy being part of the Community Band.  Thank you to  Grandma's Cottage guests who have come to listen to our music!

Rhinelander Area Community Band    

Spring Ritual...Time to Get the Old Canoe

So Busted

Sometimes we get interesting characters in the neighborhood!

New Chessboard

Al was busy this winter!  He made several chessboards, one specifically for the cottage.  If you'd like to custom-order a chessboard (or cutting board, or gravity-defying wine bottle holder) he will create one just  for you!

And a Bit of History

Grandma's Cottage was originally built for Al's grandmother Sarah in the 1950s.  She was feisty, liked things small...and really did change the sheets on those top bunks in later years.   Al's dad and sister later cared for the cottage after her death. Pictured above is Al's dad as a little boy with Sarah (the original Grandma of Grandma's Cottage), dad Albert and sister Margaret.  Do you see  a strong resemblance between Al and his Grandfather?  I've included a picture of Al's dad in his prime ... quite dashing!

As years unfolded Aunt Margaret became a nurse in charge of the surgical floor in a Chicago hospital.  Grandpa Goodrich was a Chicago principal and his wife Adrienne was what we would now call a school guidance counselor. We honor these people.  As your host I quietly bring my values / history to Grandma's Cottage. For all you people who visit and like to fish I want you to know I'm cheering you on.  One of my grandfathers was a fishing guide. My maternal great-grandparents (pictured on their wedding day) were a camp cook and stone mason in Three Lakes.  If you notice grottos and stonework near Grandma's Cottage  I'm just honoring a wonderful great grandfather I didn't know except through stories. 

As for my great grandmother: she loved cooking, music, knitting.  She imparted faith.  I try to make her proud.

Modern Influences Who Have Helped Us Manage

There have been wonderful reasons to shape how we go about things at Grandma's Cottage!  Our children have good memories of growing up in the woods.  Today as adults they have opinions.   Daughter Maria and her husband Gregg are stewardship-oriented with science background. They appreciate nature and detail!   Son Hugh and his wife Jennifer view cottage potential balanced with artistry.  Hugh's the one who suggests baking cookies (or tookies as a young friend said) for our guests.   Daughter Erin pays attention to practical investments that make a cottage visit memorable ( Murphy Oil soap).  Erin, Jennifer and Hugh incorporate Benedictine tradition of hospitality from their former campus(es) of CSBSJU.  You would know that influence without anyone telling you.  Bringing above elements together, family friend JP enjoyed Grandma's Cottage, CSBSJU and Al/Maria/Gregg's Notre Dame. From shared paths he offered wisdom we try to maintain:  "Keep it simple."  JP helped shape the "wise old Indian trail" between our home and Grandma's Cottage.

We Like to Share

Here's a typical summer morning at Grandma's Cottage...enjoyed best with a steaming cup of coffee!

Won't Be Long

We still have ice.  But the lake is UP since last year!

Each Season Has It's Own Beauty

Fall seems  a looooong time ago!

Gearing Up for a Brand New Season...

The guest log is looking good at Grandma's Cottage!