January 30, 2012 My Day with the Stanley Cup...Kinda

 Back in November, my hockey team won the South Suburban Adult Hockey League championship in the B league. After a celebration on the ice, Walter ran out to his car and returned to the locker room with a replica Stanley Cup that a friend of his made with duct work sheet metal. We passed it around and Walt took pictures of each player holding the Cup. I never got any of the pictures from him. But just like the real Stanley Cup, we each got a day with the trophy. Today was my day.

 Here's my dogs ruining my picture. Like this blog doesn't have enough pictures of my dogs.

 Finally a shot of Chrissy's polar bears with the Stanley Cup.

And a picture of these two numb nuts.

January 29, 2012 Carlson Oxbow Park

The dogs decided to take me on an early morning walk at Carlson Oxbow Park in Hammond, IN today. We had the place to ourselves which made for a peaceful winter walk.

 I was surprised the pond was frozen because it's been very warm this winter...

...but it wasn't solid enough to walk on. This is a nice little park to walk the dogs and relax in nature so close to home. Too bad the sounds of the Borman Expressway can be heard throughout the park.



January 28, 2012 Calumet Park

 Don't let the sunshine and blue skies fool you...this was a blustery day. A strong wind off the lake made it seem much colder than it looks.

 Roxie loves Cal Park because she can always find food.

 We walked out onto the pier so this is a picture of a Pyr on a pier.

A few hours after our hike along Lake Michigan, this is how I found Oslo sleeping on my bed.

January 22, 2012 Winter Along Lake Michigan

This has been the warmest winter I can remember. It's been above freezing most of the days and there hasn't been a bitterly cold (less than 10 degrees) day yet. So I really enjoyed the snow that fell this weekend. Today I took the dogs to Lake Michigan's Lakeview Beach at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

 As you can see, the shelf ice is practically non existent.

 We walked west toward Dunbar Beach...

 ...then east toward Central Beach. Somewhere near Beverly Shores we came across boats in winter storage on the beach.

 I'll admit the pictures didn't capture the isolated winter look I wanted...

...so here's a portrait of the Fanook enjoying a winter day at the beach.



January 21, 2012 Walking The Dogs

 It's been the warmest winter I can remember here in Chicago. We finally got some snow some I took the dogs for a hike at Brownell Woods. We got there early before the lot was plowed. The only tracks in the snow were deer tracks which Oslo followed all through the woods but we never saw any deer.

Here's the fearsome deer tracker, pausing on the trail to remove the snow from his paws.



January 1, 2012 Friends, Family & Food at Cindy Lou's

 It is New Years Day Brunch at Cindy Lou's house. Just look how that floor shines.

 Here is co-host Mark taking a break from cooking the food.

 Here is Chrissy relaxing on the couch...

 ...while Mrs. Drescher teaches everyone a new game...

 ...that involves gambling so listen closely all you underage kids.

 Jimmy enjoying his third waffle of the day.

 Here's Khloe looking for trouble...

...then smiling her way out of it.



December 31, 2011 The End of a Day and a Year

Looking east as the sun sets on another day and another year. I'll continue to update this blog, just not every day in 2012. Hopefully I will have something to say that will be interesting or I will take a picture worth sharing. Either way, thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year.