Woo hoo. First look at camp since open water in early November.
Got a fire going inside right away so will have good heat in a couple hours.
If anybody is out and around I would welcome a hand extricating my snow machine from deep snow on my trail about 300 yards from camp.

Yesterday afternoon a small group of friends came to sit around the fire pit on my deck and enjoy each other's companionship, as well as cigars and "hot chocolate".
 
Among the finest moments was when I brought out a small plate of my home smoked, maple syrup glazed whitefish to pass around. It was a real hit! Matter of fact, when the afternoon was over one of the guys took home a few left-over pieces, still raving about the wonder of smoked whitefish.
 
This morning I post the following message:
 
Good morning, guys.
Nice afternoon by the fire yesterday. Glad everybody was here.
This morning I'm feeling a bit sheepish. As I reached into the refrigerator for some bacon, I noticed my little baggie of smoked whitefish (here's what it looks like) snuggled right up against the slab of pig in the meat drawer.
Curiously, my little baggie of smoked chicken breast jerky is missing.

We are sure enjoying our new fire pit/grill. It'll go to camp (when ice conditions allow us to get there in two or three weeks) and be a cherished addition to the Palace. For now, we're testing it out on the deck at home.
Today I ground equal amounts of blade steaks and chicken thighs (including skin) for barbequed burgers. They grilled up beautifully, and the texture was exquisite, but taste was pretty bland. Next time I think I'll try sirloin and add the old standbys parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (and a bit of finely chopped onion).
Any suggestions for spices in this concoction? It's a new experience for me. Lots of promise, but needs a boost.

We got back from our travels just in time to see this inspirational sunset from the deck in town.
There's no place like home, and no home finer than Sioux Lookout.

Taking my last boat, the Pelican Belle, out of the lake for the winter. November 6, 2017.

"You can read me a story?"

Mary's 60th birthday is TODAY. As you can see, she is delighted to be stuck inside on a blustery afternoon at camp.
I think she'd be thrilled to hear from friends wishing her a happy day.
She doesn't read my stuff, so if you don't tell her you saw it here she'll be none the wiser, and I'll be safe.

Looking out my front door!
Here we are, cozy at camp for this first weekend of November.
The wall clock says 1:30 because I like to get a headstart on the fall switch back to standard time.
Not much change in the forecast for continuing clouds, but we're enjoying the occasional break and sunny hints this afternoon. Dare I imagine a slim sunset this evening before 5 o'clock on the new time?
I checked my trail cams when we got here a couple hours ago and saw a nice short video of a wolf visit since we left last Sunday. Judging by the huge, magnificent, bushy tail as he passed by my sweet smelling smoker in the Palace, I have to predict a harsh winter ahead.
The birds are feeding enthusiastically at the feeder. Chickadees have been joined already this afternoon by Nuthatches, Redpolls, and Whiskeyjacks, all shucking their nuts and sunflower seeds.
A shortage of sun for the past week and the accumulation of snow on the solar panels have combined to leave our batteries a bit on the low side, so in conservation mode we have dispensed with our usual music. As much as I love the background ambience of that music I'm really enjoying the silence without the songs.
Somehow, the afternoon seems to invite a warm Spanish coffee and a pleasurable cigar.

Sunrise this morning from my dock in town. The hill on the far side of the bay, just right of center, is where I have taken sunset pictures recently.

Tonight's sunset from Rotary Park. Sioux Mountain is silhouetted across the lake.