Saranac Lake Winter Carnival ~ by Author Jennifer Daniels

The Winter Carnival has been a long running tradition for Saranac Lake, NY.  Many people have come to witness this amazing 10 day spectacle for years.

The opening ceremony begins with the coronation of the King and Queen. This is followed by the lighting of the castle and an amazing firework display that is spectacular. Over the 10-days they have parades, different performances, and all different kinds of outdoor activities. There is something new to do every day. On the last night it ends with another amazing firework display.

All of the hard work that goes into this weekend is done by the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee. The townspeople volunteer their time to build the castle from huge blocks of ice cut from the lake. This event a wonderful way for families to get outside and have some winter fun.

This year the Castle’s theme was “Masquerade” which is very fitting for the time we are currently in. The castle is opened to have your pictures taken in front of and of course you can walk through the different passages. Every year it is constructed differently.

But like all things this year, the carnival was vastly different. You could not approach the castle and you had to watch the fireworks from afar. This year’s event had minimal activities and the closing ceremony was cancelled.

My husband, son, and I donned our masks and went to the opening ceremony, and even though we could not get close to the castle, it was nice to be in the fresh air and watch the fireworks from afar. 

We had the perfect viewing spot. But, for my family, the drive itself was gorgeous. It had snowed all day long so the trees were dusted with the newly fallen flakes, everything sparkled. It was
a fun family outing.

North Country Wild ~by Jennifer Daniels

Now that all the holidays are over and we are in the start of a new year, I hope this finds you all healthy, safe, and well. 

#North Country Wild is a saying my son came up with for his YouTube and TikTok account. As many of you know I live in Upstate, NY and I am proud of where I come from and I’m immensely proud of my son. I’m going to share with you some of the pictures he has taken this January. 

Two days ago, my husband, son and I were enjoying the afternoon when my son looked out our window and there was a fox in the yard. It happily stood at the edge of the property so my son went out onto the porch to take pictures. When he opened the window, the little fellow decided to chirp at him. It was the cutest thing. It is not unusual for us to have animals roaming around the yard or going up and down the road. Just one of the perks of country life.

He also took several pictures out in the woods after the snow had fallen. And down by the beaver damn. I hope you enjoy our North Country Wild.

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Author Jennifer Daniels joins us from New York. She writes fantasy and paranormal romance. To learn more about Jennifer, please check out her member page by clicking HERE

Fall Days ~ by Author Jennifer Daniels

September and October are a couple of my favorite months of the year.  A lot of times in September it is still warm enough to wear shorts and enjoy a light warm breeze during the day. There are so many things you can do this time of year and one of them for me is going for a ride and looking at the trees changing colors. I love the greens turning into yellows and the oranges turning into reds. The peak of the leaves changing happened in Upstate, NY the last week of September. It was simply beautiful.

I love the smell in the air. In the evening when things are cooling down, the air smells so crisp and clean. In the mornings, it smells like dried up leaves and fresh pine needles.

This is the time of year when everyone starts thinking about the

holidays. I love to decorate for Halloween. This year is the exception because we are having a huge house overhaul. We are adding a three-stall garage, new roof, and siding. I cannot wait to see it but that means I cannot decorate outside. But next year will look incredible. (I hope.)

Many of you already know this about me, I hate to cook. I can do it but I loathe it! I do, however, like to bake. During this time of year, I always make homemade pumpkin pie, crust and all. I add a thick layer of cream cheese mixture to the bottom of the crust before I add my fresh pumpkin. Let me tell you, it is to die for! I often make it for my dad to take into hunting camp. Also, when the men are in camp, my mom, sister, and the other ladies in the family usually get together for crafting. My sister and I have an overnight Halloween Hallmark Movie night. We love to watch The Good Witch and perhaps have a glass or two of wine.

What is your favorite thing to do in the fall? Carve pumpkins? Bake? Go to an orchard to pick apples? There are so many fall things to do. I hope you all have a fun and wonderful fall season.

Check out Jennifer's other blog posts by clicking HERE

The Critter Days of Summer ~ by Jennifer Daniels

Well another summer is in the books and it was a beautiful one here
in Upstate, NY. I spent a good chunk of it on the lake at my parents' house. It was an interesting summer here as I am sure it was for many. We had many visitors of the critter kind. My son went crazy this year with feeding the chipmunks, to the point they were eating out of our hands. If we did not get out soon enough for meal times they would squeak until we fed them.

Our little friends all were named. First came Jimmy, he was always the first one to arrive. He bounced higher than the others. Then there was Pip, that was my son's favorite one. She had a shorter tail than the rest of them. Shortly after she came Tiny showed up. She was the littlest of the bunch, hence the name. You could tell the females from the males because they typically walked more and the males hop. Last but not least is Nux. He was named after a character in Mad Max. He had what we thought was a tumor under the skin, but I think a fly laid an egg in him and he came back one day and it was gone. He also was the darkest of the four.

We all were able to have them eat out of our hands. They would hop right up and sit there while they feasted. My husband got such a kick out of the little guys that he made them their own perch to sit on so they were closer to the porch window. We could reach out and pet them. They are cute little critters to watch.

Then came Bonnie and Clyde, the racoons. They became our nightly pastime, watching them climb up the bird feeder pole then slide down it like they were off to a fire. It was hysterical. They, too, liked the perch that was originally made for the chippies.

They are little bandits! No wonder they wear masks. They stole one of my bird feeders. I have no idea where it is. We have looked everywhere, and to boot, they stole my favorite feeder. They look so funny and cute, but make no mistake about it, they are nasty little buggers.

I hope you all had a wonderful summer, continue to stay safe and protected.

Summer Residents ~ by Jennifer Daniels

Living in the North country brings all kinds of summer visitors. Yes, there are some spring and summer residents you get used to seeing that come back yearly, like Philibert and Phyllis, our groundhogs.

We look forward to their arrival every year, they are so fluffy and cute to watch. They pretty much stick to themselves not bothering anyone. They are quiet and very respectful guests. Every now and again we shoo them out of the road, but for the most part they are a pleasure to have as visitors.

Then you always get those visitors that come that are such a loud nuisance like Bonnie and Clyde, the raccoons. 


They're cute and they know it, but that is no excuse for them to show up at 11 pm or later and start the partying. These two can throw down and party and when they decide to leave, they don't even bother to pick up the mess they have left behind. 

I have no problem with them eating the seeds out of the feeders, but when you are done hang them back up where you found them!

They had the audacity to throw my favorite feeder into the bushes two nights ago. How rude! Philibert and Phyllis never leave messes. But you will see here in exhibit’s A, B, C and so forth they have zero respect.

Tonight, our family will have a serious conversation with Bonnie and Clyde. If they do not straighten up there will be some serious consequences!

Until next month, stay safe and make sure to be practicing social distancing or you too may end up with a Bonnie and Clyde.

**All photos property of Jennifer Daniels and may not be used or replicated without her permission.

The Little Things in Life ~ by Jennifer Daniels

Spring… just the word makes me smile. It has always been my favorite time of year. Everything is starting to sprout and the leaves are popping open with bold colors of green. Then the smell of the fresh air, there is just something about good old country air.

I am fortunate enough to live in the country in a pretty secluded area with no one around. So last night, my son and I went for a walk. I needed some fresh air and he needed to get his exercise in for his homeschooling gym class (he is not happy about that.)

During this time of finding ourselves at home, take the time to enjoy the things you may not usually enjoy. Read a good book, open your windows and let the air in while you're spring cleaning. Listen to music and dance around your house. But most of all spend some quality time with family, even though you may be getting sick of them being under foot all the time,  find something fun to do together, like a puzzle, a game, or taking a walk outside.

While my son and I were walking he decided we should take some pictures to capture the moment. Please continue being safe, and until next month, enjoy the little things in life, the things we may take for granted.

Keeping Busy ~ by Jennifer Daniels

This winter seems to be dragging on and on. Being in self isolation with a compromised immune system stinks. So, what to do for fun now that I’m stuck in the house? 

I started a one thousand-piece Harry Potter puzzle that was gifted to me. I pick away at it here and there, and slowly it’s coming together nicely. I have always been a puzzle person and I find it very enjoyable.

Another thing we have been doing as a family is playing Clue. We all figure out who killed who with the whatever in the room. But my husband always is set up where he can solve it first and wins, its still so much fun.

I’ve also been busy crocheting baby blankets for one of my son’s

teachers. She is expecting twins...so two blankets, two hats, and two sets of booties need to be made. I have one blanket down and a half of a blanket to go.

With the rest of my time, I have been reading and writing. There are so many books out there to read and I have so many on my Kindle I will never read them all, but I will try my best to.

That’s all for this month. I hope you are all keeping busy, being safe, and staying healthy. Tell me what do you do to past the time?

The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors ~ by Jennifer Daniels

I didn’t plan on writing about this today, but I feel now that I must. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas that is a killer. CO is a fume that is found in anything that is run by gas, oil, or coal.

As a nurse, only once did I witness first-hand what CO poisoning does to people. Luckily, the family had a second chance at life where many others do not.

Signs and symptoms can mimic the flu: headache, weakness, vomiting, upset stomach, confusion, and chest pain. But the long-term effects are much worse if not caught right away: seizures, organ failure, coma, and death to name a few.

Everyone should have a battery-operated CO detector installed in their homes. An easy way to remember to change the batteries is during daylight savings time. When you adjust your clocks change your detectors’ batteries. Test them every so often to see if they are still working. If you need help remembering, write it on your calendar or set a reminder on your computer or phone.

Have your furnace inspected yearly. If you have a generator, never run them inside of your home or garage, and keep it at a safe distance from your home.

I live in a very small town where everyone is related or knows one another. This past weekend our community lost two of our own from CO poisoning along with their dog and bird. Often we take life for granted but then something like this happens. Not only is it a shock but it’s also unthinkable and preventable.

For more information on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning go to www.cdc.gov

Fun at the Track ~ by Author Jennifer Daniels

 TRX-4 Sport – Green Truck/Vaterra Ascender – Yellow Truck

Picture this… Me, the only woman sitting in the pits with her

husband and son watching them practice and play with their RC-- remote-control race cars. You would think this is a hobby for just the young, but oh no, most of the people that go there are regulars-- grown men hiding from their wives.

It’s a 2 ½ hour drive to get to the track, so we combined the trips.

TRAAXAS Slash - Pink and Black truck 

We all had appointments in Syracuse, NY and decided to stop at Underground RC in Clay, NY at the Great Northern Mall after our appointments.

Some of you would be tickled to be at the mall, but not me. I hate
to shop. It would have been perfect had there been a bookstore, but nope, nothing. And you can only shop at Bath and Body for so long, so back to the track I go.

My son and husband both have several different varieties of RC

cars. Today they brought their TRAXXAS 4-TEC. The guys always make a day of it. So, for one day I suck it up and deal with it. After waiting five hours, watching everyone practice, the race was cancelled. Did we leave? Oh no, we stuck around for two more hours. Now, remember folks, we still have a drive home and need something to eat.

My husband’s car is the white '71 Camaro and my son's is the black

 4-Tec – Black Trans-AM and White Camaro before

'71 Pontiac Trans-AM. This was our son's Christmas present and my husband painted them both. They often buy the car bodies and paint them together.

There are two tracks at this course. One is a road course track and the other is a short course track with tons of jumps laid out throughout the course. But for as much as I complain, I love watching the short course races. They are lot of fun.

I will show the before and after pictures of just the practice on the

4-Tec – Black Trans-AM and White Camaro  After

road course. This wasn’t even the bashing races.

For anyone who has young or "adult" children, this is a fun sport to spend time with your kids. It can be pricey, but for those of us who live in the country, it’s a fun hobby and something that a father and son can work on together.

If you want to watch any of their shenanigans you can look on my son's YouTube Channel @ Maximum RPM.


Happy Racing!





 

A Tribute to Kera Pickle ~ by Jennifer Daniels

As I sit here staring at this screen, I’m desperately trying to figure out what to talk about. I’m not going to lie. The ending of November has been trying for me. 

I had surgery for a Ganglion Cyst on the palm of my hand and if you could see my attempt at typing you would all get quite a kick out of it. I’m attempting this, giggling at my typing “form.” You  certainly don’t realize how much you use your less dominate hand until you have to! Luckily, my sutures will be removed on Tuesday, and I can’t wait!

This week has been a difficult one for my husband, son and me. We lost our beautiful pup, Kera Pickle. Our girl was thirteen and was loved so much. It’s amazing how quiet the house is without her in it, and how much I look for her to be in her spot and she’s not. 

Grieving is such an odd thing even for our fur babies because they become a part of our family unit. It’s seems so selfish that I just wish she was still here, but then I remember she wouldn’t have wanted to be here the way she was on her last day with us.

I’m so thankful that we had our Kera Pickle and what joy she brought to our home: she loved to eat newly fallen snow, she greeted us at the door, she spoke without ever saying a thing, she snuggled up to one of us at night, and how she always laid near my son when he was sick. 

I will miss her staring patiently at me while I got her a treat. This year she is our family's Thanksgiving, because she gave us so much to be thankful for. We love and miss you so much our beautiful Kera Pickle.

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to December’s post because Christmas is my favorite Holiday of the year!

Autumn in New York ~ by Jennifer Daniels

Today is a beautiful Fall day, a time of the year here in the

Adirondack Mountains where things change. I love the changing colors of the leaves. This year it started off looking like we had a lot of reds but now most of the foliage is orange. I love the cooler nights and the warmer days, but as October is passing us by, we are needing a sweatshirt most days. I also love the smell of the air, it's so crisp and fresh, odd considering the leaves are now falling to the ground. Fall makes me so excited because I know my favorite holiday is just around the corner. (Sorry, but I love Christmas!)

The other day my son had a doctor’s appointment and on the way

home we decided to stop and take some pictures. This road we

travel often so we knew it was the perfect place. There is even a cute little babbling brook. It was so pretty to see the colorful leaves slowly falling around and floating downstream. The water sounded so peaceful as it lazily took the leaves on the water current, depositing them elsewhere.

When you take the time to stop and enjoy the moment, you really find so much in what you see. My son found a little rock wall right next to the brook up on the bank. Of course, his mind went straight to how cool that would have been to have had a fort there when he was younger. And as he's talking, I was thinking you would never  have played near this water… Nevertheless, we had a nice car ride home enjoying nature.

Today, I was outside with my pup, Kera, and it’s another gorgeous

day out there... Sunny and warmish--around sixty degrees, perfect for a long sleeve shirt. Peaceful. I live on a dirt road so I have very little traffic. As we walked around the yard, I couldn’t believe how many trees were leaf-bare in just one week. Yet everything is so colorful with all the leaves laying peacefully on the ground.

Many people go for drives up to Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, NY. It’s one of the highest peaks of the Adirondack Mountains and the summit has a 360-degree view of the Adirondacks. It’s a gorgeous site to behold. In the winter months that is where most people go to ski, but the drive alone is amazing.

So, with that, I leave you with the peace of Fall and wish you all a very beautiful and very spooky Halloween.

Summertime Fun ~ by Jennifer Daniels

When you live in Upstate NY you don’t have to go far to see some awesome sights and have some fun. I went on an overnight visit to Albany, NY this month for my great nephew's First Birthday party. On my way, I took a few pictures. I would have taken more, but I got caught up in my crocheting.

These pictures were taken between High Falls Gorge in Wilmington, NY and Albany. If you're into Hiking, whitewater rafting, or sightseeing, this is one of the extraordinary places you can come and visit to take in the sites. The mountain views are incredible to see, everything looks so green and fresh. But, if you want to see an even better sight, come during the fall when the leaves are changing into incredible reds, oranges, and yellows. The smell of the air is so crisp during the fall season.

My next day trip was an Uncle Sam’s Boat Dinner Cruise in Alexandria Bay, NY. It was such a nice day to go, the weather was beautiful for an evening ride. My husband and I wanted a date night so we chose this to do. And we made the perfect choice. There are a variety of choices you can make when you go on these cruises. They even have a cruise that will bring you to see Singer Castle or Bolt Castle. The photos are of Bolt Castle during the daylight and one at dark. It’s an amazing site to see and the castle is fun to tour. On the Fourth of July they always have fireworks. Everyone goes and parks their individual boats out in the shallows to watch the show. We once stayed the night on our boat to watch the display and the next morning we enjoyed our coffee with the incredible sight of the castle and the clock tower.

But we also got to see a ship and enjoy the gorgeous views of the St. Lawrence River.

Now I bring you back to Star Lake, NY... where I spent most of my summer days as a kid growing up. This was an evening raft ride my family went on and we saw some of our local wildlife. The Crane, or Mud Hen as many others call it, was sunning itself and enjoying the peace and quiet until I had to go snapping pictures of it. I tried to get a good picture of it in flight. Then we came upon a Loon. I love to listen to them. Their calls always sound so calming in the early mornings, and in the evening after the lake has quieted down after a busy day.

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer. It always seems to fly by so fast, one minute you're swimming, and overnight the weather changes and now it’s time for my son to go back to school. I’m not ready and neither is he… Until next time. I hope you all enjoy and have a safe Labor Day!