Winter Weekend

Looking south down our subdivision street. As evidenced by the flag, the wind was billowing the clouds eastward on this very cold day.

Skywatch Friday - Moonrise over Spruce

Earlier in the month I snapped this photo of the moon rising over the Meadow Creek Market shopping area in the village.

From Trash to Treasure

On the grounds of the Fox River church (see my 2/25/09 entry) there is an old cement/stone silo. It was part of the farmstead that used to be there years ago, but the church has recycled it as a small prayer sanctuary. The sign says: "Silo Prayer Chapel - Welcome."

Soul Food

This enticing sign is in front of the Fox River Congregational Church located on Capitol Drive. Before leaving "the little church in the woods," you'll see the sign below at the end of the driveway.

Stretch....

When the sun finally came out the other day, our cat Phoebe found a warm, sunny place in our front foyer to relax. After a good stretch, she rubbed her face against the corner to claim the spot [photo below.]

Trying to shine

The feel was almost surreal as the sun was enveloped in a haze of swirling snowflakes the other day. Old Sol eventually lost the battle and the snow continued through the afternoon. [This view shows the sky above our front yard lamp-post.]

Snow Day!

We had another 8 inches of snow here yesterday and so Nik and I took a walk in the tree line behind our house. Following the path through these Colorado Spruce trees felt like being in a Christmas card!

The VFW Post 9537

Every town has one - a dedicated building for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The one for Pewaukee appears to be housed in an old church or school on Clark Street in the village.

Winter Ridge-Summer Ridge: Skywatch Friday

Another set of late afternoon shots from the top of the Ryan Road trails. The first one looks over a frozen soybean field covered with snowmobile and 4-wheeler tracks. The hood from my jacket lends an unintentional spooky air to my shadow. The bottom photo was taken during late summer when the mature plants turn the field to gold. It's an almost identical view, looking toward the same grove of trees, except taken from the other side of the forefront oak tree.

Broken Sky

The sun breaking through clouds in the evening sky after a stormy day.

Sweet?

While stopped at a railroad crossing on Duplainville Road in the city of Pewaukee waiting for this freight train to pass, I snapped this picture out the window of my car. A colorful graffiti banner along side this box car declared "Suite" - and the other word appears to be "A-sign," although the "n" is missing from this photo. Review my other train graffiti images by clicking the "graffiti" tag under this entry.

Corn-Rows

This frozen cornfield is out by the Capitol Drive airfield on Gumina Road.

Winter Morning in the Park

Opie Park is a small village park on the edge of a west-side neighborhood. The fields are frozen and the slides and swings are quiet on this cold, sunny February morning. But it won't be long before the first warm spring weekend afternoon calls the kids back to play. This post is dedicated to one who use to play football and basketball here with his friends: Nick T. - No longer a kid, he's now serving in the US Navy. Our thoughts & prayers are with you...stay safe!

The Clark House Museum

The Clark House Museum, located in the Village of Pewaukee, recalls one of Pewaukee's earliest settlers, Asa Clark. It is the original building with some obvious restorations. The local middle school is also named after him. Not sure why the Christmas wreath is still hanging (see entrance close-up below) - but it does add a needed splash of color.

For Someone Special

This vintage Valentine's Day plate is setting out on our china cabinet. It's so cute that I decided to take a photo and craft a greeting card for my husband & share it here.

Hope you all have a wonderful day with your special loved ones!

Waiting for Spring

Nik sits quietly in her favorite spot, watching out our patio door windows. Often just after dark or right before dawn she will give several warning barks and we'll see that deer have wandered right up to the patio crabapple tree. Their tracks indicate the back tree line is a well-trodden path.

After last weekend's February thaw (we made it up into the 50's!) much of the snow has melted. However, reality has set in the past few days and we have gone back down into the 20's. Plus, the weathermen are predicting 2 or 3 more inches of snow tomorrow for Valentine's Day.

Anybody Home?

This branch scar hole would be a perfect home for an owl or a pileated woodpecker... in fact maybe it is. It's just so far up in this old dead tree (as evidenced by its proximity to the power lines) that I can't see in.

End of the Trail... Now and Zen

This is a border fence on top of the ridge at the Ryan Road trail. The first photo shows how it looks now, during the winter - while the one below shows how it was only a few months ago, in late summer. A pleasant spot any time of the year.

Feelin' good in the neighborhood?

It's the PICKLED EGG! -- Everyone who's lived in Pewaukee for any length of time has probably driven by the Pickled Egg ("eat, drink, and be pickled") on their way to or from the lake. I've never stopped at the little tavern on Oakton Street -- who knows what lurks behind that non-descript facade? But I have heard that patrons who dare do have a good time.

Hickory Dickory Dock...

...the mouse ran up the clock! This grandfather clock was hand-crafted by my husband's grandfather - Elmer Fitzl - back in 1979. Made from a kit, it has heavy brass weights, a shiny pendulum, and the phases of the moon on the face of the clock. A very nice heirloom. (The little wooden mouse and the kitty doll were placed there years ago by our daughter & have remained ever since.)

Bell Tower

In keeping with the theme of my previous post, this is an evening view of the Queen of Apostles Catholic church. The updated church was built on Capitol Drive, a major 4-lane highway that runs through the city, but the original school is still located over by the lake.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Pewaukee is home to a diverse population and, as such, has a variety of places to worship. One of the most striking examples is the new Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Wisconsin, which has a beautiful cream colored dome with subtle ornate accents. If you look closely at the larger version of this photo, you can see the moon rising over the right section of the building.

Sunset

While hiking the Ryan Road trail, we came across this sunset view on top of the ridge. Such a peaceful place... almost didn't want to go back down. You can see the western section of Pewaukee Lake and a water tower way in the distance.

Cakes-While-U-Wait

This bakery is one of the gingerbread-style row of buildings across the street from the lake. Looks good enough to eat!

Sunbathing

After our walk the other day, Nik, our 5 yr. old black & tan Shiba Inu, still wanted to stay outside. She promptly plopped herself down on the front yard - right in the snow! - and basked in the "balmy" 30+ degree weather. Even a pup has to take every chance she can to enjoy the sunshine!

Baby, you can drive my car...beep-beep!

A little VW windmill is parked in front of the old "It's a Beautiful Day" cafe (see my 01/27/09 entry.) The wheels spin like mad in the breeze & make a funny whirring noise. A cheerful sight & sound on a chilly, blustery day.

Paths and Passages: February's Theme

The Ryan Road trails provided a nice outing for this horse and rider (see photo below) on Sunday. The trails - used by people, dogs, horses, deer and other wild life - were once part of a large farm, & were recently donated to the city. They also include a large wooded area with paths that wind up to a ridge for a great view of the village, city and lake. We go there quite often, so watch for more postings as the year progresses.

The Dark Side...

The Burlington Northern line has a switching yard in the northeast side of town. Every few days, you can see a line of boxcars side-tracked, waiting to be re-routed. Included are cars and engines from the Illinois Central, Santa Fe, and Canadian Pacific railways. Many of these are riddled with graffiti. Some plain and nondescript, with half finished signs, words or initials. But some are amazing -- like this rendition of Darth Vader -- which I photographed last fall. Watch for more examples in the coming weeks and months.