A Blanket of Snow

What a great winter!
Its been cold enough to
make an ice cone around running water!

Plenty of snow, sunshine, and returning guests.

George & Kay were back for their second visit of 2011.






Debbie, Sue, and Janet were here for their annual x-c ski trip. Robin came with them for her first visit to Borchers.

Mark & I, along with another guest, Betty, crossed trails with the ladies at Hartwick Pines on the Lantern Lit skiing.






Heather & Eric, Borchers regulars, B&B sat.
They had spent a full day at Forbush Corners and didn't mind cocooning for the evening.








Sue shared some of her photographs. Not only do we appreciate her sharing, but her artful eye and willingness to tromp through the snow. Check out the whole album on our facebook page.

BRRRR

Baby, It's been cold outside!
This past Sunday morning the temperature was - 31 degrees, not counting windchill.

Gus & Eileen Carlson & Crew

It did not stop the Carlson family from having a good time. The Carlson's, along with their significant others and their parents, spent the week-end with us at Borchers.




While most of the gang hit the x-c trails,
"the grandmas", Pat & Ann, stayed behind.
Mark & I had a great time visiting with these two! Mark shared some of the local history and the history of Borchers. They conspired while the family was out regarding dinner plans and we throughly enjoyed keeping their secret.







The previous week-end wasn't nearly as cold. We appreciated the warmth of our return guests anyway. The Della Torre's family returned as well as Mike, Mike & Diane, and Matt & Shaun. With the exception of Mike & Diane, this houseful of guests has visited both summer & winter. We start talking and laughing and I forget to get my camera out! (Note to Shaun & Matt: Next time.... photo ops!)







I did get this picture of Alberto & Claudio next to the canoes.

We love having this family visit!

The Joy of January

The snow returned just in time for a three day week-end.

Mark, 'Cede, and I are getting our chores done
and enjoying the most beautiful powder.
She can only haul one log at a time,
but 'Cede fills the wood barrel.

For years I have"borrowed" Mark's outdoor bibs & coat. I don't know why he had a problem with my adjusting the suspenders and rolling up the legs of the bibs for my comfort and leaving them that way for future use. You would think after 36 years of marriage, he would understand what is mine is mine and what is his is mine. He surprised me at Christmas with a whole new outfit in dusty rose. I can get my chores done and make a fashion statement.




Besides many hands making light work, my life has gotten easier as a result of another Christmas gift. For the last few years, Mom & Dad Hunter have given us a tool or device to add to our shop. This year's addition holds eight yards, has two wheels, and will be very useful, but the look on Dad Hunter's face when he told me about his purchase was the best part of all.

He said, "There I was, in line at the check out with a wheelbarrow under my arm when across the store, I SAW IT!" To hear him tell it, a ray of sunshine was gleaming down and angels were singing. PRICELESS!!! I must say though, chore time is a lot more pleasant for me!

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Mark & I had a wonderful holiday, a Merry Christmas downstate with the family,
a bonus day with our son & daughter-in-law here in Grayling
and wonderful guests to end 2010 and start 2011.

It was our pleasure to host locals, Bill & Barbara Greene, and their extended family for a holiday breakfast. Bill & Barb made sure their family from Texas had a warm welcome in AuSable Sweatshirts!

Barbara & Bill

Dave, Kirstin, Kathy, & Bill

We had a quiet day to celebrate
36 years as man and wife!

Nothing says "hot & steamy"
on your anniversary
like a cup of soup for lunch....

followed much later by date night!






Returning to celebrate New Years, Tom & Cheryl, Judy & Mike, took to the ski trails before the snow melted. We joined them for a game of "Apples to Apples" on Thursday night.

Regulars, George & Kay,
and their friends, Patty & Tom,
came back to Borchers
after celebrating with friends
on a foggy New Year's Eve.

Mark & I attended a party along with good friends, Jerry & Ginger. Mark was challenged to a Wii dance game and beat Erich, his challenger!
According to the screen, several of Mark's moves were "perfect".

New Year's Day started with breakfast with our guests, one of our favorite things to do.
We scanned some of the bowl games in the afternoon but it was a sad day for the Big Ten.
I have been rooting for TCU a little bit this past season, how often can you support a team that imploded their stadium and has a "Horned Frog" for a mascot?

We wish all of you great things for 2011! Happy New Year!

Christmas 2010

Mark & 'Cede & I decided that Christmas Eve morning would be a perfect time to open our gifts.

It gave us plenty of time to linger over coffee and clean up our mess before heading down state to be with the family.

"Santa" uses duct tape when
scotch tape isn't enough

Mark & 'Cede "high five" over their good fortune

Christmas Eve with Mark's side of the family is a very casual affair; food, family, fa-la-la and this year, "far away".


Mark's brother, Matt, is stationed in Kuwait. Through Skype, we were able to wish Matt a Merry Christmas and have him with us for a little while.




Matt's Christmas Tree

Matt's wife, Jennifer
and sister-in-law, Loralie

Emily & James,
Matt's son

Collyn and Jennifer

Along with Matt's family,
our son, Mark E., daughter-in-law, Kristin,
Jennifer's mom, Judy, neighbor, Jeanne, Mom & Dad Hunter,
and brother, Ross, and his wife, Loralie filled the house.


Mom Hunter relaxes amid company.

Christmas Day found us with my side of the family.

Brother-in-law, Perry, kicks back with Mark.

Emily & Jerry,
Mark E. & Kristin,
Levi & Stephanie,
Carrie & Perry,
Mark & I,
and of course, Mom,
had a great day of
games, food, and laughter.

It looks like Mark E.'s Christmas was
going to the dogs!

Our son, Michael, and daughter-in-law Teresa,
Teresa's Dad. Tom, and of course Kleo,
phoned in their greetings from California.

From near and far, our family had a good Christmas with no rabbit ears or T.V. trays (family joke to complicated to explain). We wish the same for you and yours!

Gifts & Preparations

We have ample snow as we get ready for Christmas.



In a gift to themselves, Jill & son, Ian, took an extra day in the North woods to try dog sledding. Our friend, Tim, the owner of Snow Bound Adventures, and a past staffer of Borchers has partnered with us to provide an off the beaten trail adventure.





Jill and Ian reported a wonderful time mushing and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a "new" winter activity.

Tim has promised Mark and I a trip and after hearing what a great experience our guests had, we can't wait to get out and try it.














While our guests were on the trail, I was pursuing
Christmas preparations. With a son and daughter-in-law on each coast, gifts have to be bought, wrapped, and shipped early to make it by Christmas. Will they get there in the "Saint Nick" of time?

Okay, the gifts are wrapped, the tree is up, Bing Crosby is crooning out the Christmas spirit, and the only things left to do are desserts to share with the family. Luckily, I am married to "The Mousse Maker".

Mark has a way with chocolate chips and a microwave!

Tonight, we will enjoy our tree and "Mixed Nuts" before we head downstate for a functional family Christmas with a little "festivus" thrown in.

Christmas Is Coming

I am looking out my window at more snow flurries freshening our snow base. The shopping has to be done by Friday night so that mail to the kids will reach them by Christmas. All the grand dogs including our new addition, Kleo, are getting bandanas to match Aunt 'Cede's.





















We kicked off our Christmas season
hosting a local ladies brunch.
These sweethearts really got me in the
true Christmas spirit with their stories of Christmas past and their plans for this year.









Last week-end we tromped through the snow to the river down at the Rayburn's property. This is one of our favorite places to walk! It is by far 'Cede's favorite. If we don't see anybody else there, we carry the leash and let her run.

We decided to take some photos, maybe get a good one for our Christmas card. While Mark was adjusting the tripod and I was messing with the timer, 'Cede went exploring. All of a sudden, we heard sp-p-lushhh! She immediately jumped out of the river and started tearing around.




It didn't put a "damper" on our plans.
We continued taking pictures.



















We are going to enjoy every minute of the next 10 days; baking, parties, wrapping, mailing, shoveling snow, hosting guests.... and we wish the same for you and yours!