Snow and the Birth of Spring at Beaver Island State Park

My friend Amy gave me a driving lesson. I drove to Beaver Island State Park, and she had me go into the parking lot to practice driving on snow. Unfortunately, the parking lot had been plowed. But we still found some good snowy patches so that I could practice applying the anti-lock brakes. Then I got to have a little fun. I did donuts in the snow. Oh, a car is a very expensive toy but it sure is a fun one!
We then left the parking lot and I drove to River Lea, where I parked the car. River Lea was a good spot for picture taking as you will see below:

Along the road to River Lea.

Another view of the Niagara River. The water level is low and pieces of snow are floating in the water.

Slightly broken decoration at River Lea.

More garden decorations at River Lea. Notice the plants growing through the snow.

An old fashioned bench at River Lea. Only comfortable to sit on with a cushion.

This was the original gate at River Lea. Years ago, it was sold, but, in 2005, was donated to the Grand Island Historical Society and was returned to River Lea.

Here is the front of River Lea, still decorated for Christmas.

There are many old trees in Beaver Island State Park.

This path used to be a road on which there were the mansions and clubs of the well to do. In the 19th century, Grand Island was a vacation spot for the wealthy of Buffalo.

Determined snowbells don't let a little snow deter them as they start to grow.

Another view of the snowbells, growing around the base of the River Lea gate.

Another tree in Beaver Island State Park.

Three swans in the Niagara River.

Dock at River Lea.

Swans and ducks enjoy a winter day in the river.

Another view of the Niagara River.

The vegetation of winter along the shores of the Niagara River.

Beaver Island State Park in winter.

Walking on water???

 

Winter in black and white

Yesterday, it snowed all day. It was a lovely powdery sn0w, the type that glistens under the full moon, if there had been a full moon. I love to look at that sort of snow. It makes the world look as if it had gone to sleep.
So yesterday, I decided to take a walk to the river, to photograph the snow and the water and the docks. Normally, the walk that I took would be a very easy walk. Yesterday, because of the snow and because of the wind that occasionally kicked up, this walk became much more challenging. Nevertheless, I started walking. It was interesting to watch the snowplows at work, clearing out driveways.

This was one of the vehicles that I saw plowing the snow.

I also saw people shoveling their driveways. Needless to say, the snow continued to fall on top of them as they shoveled. But they were getting aerobic exercise, as I was, just by walking. As I walked, the snow swirled around me as the wind picked up and lessened. Sometimes, there was very little visibility.

Snow swirling around makes headlights almost the only thing you can see.

In the falling snow, the trees look a little mysterious.

 

A truck parked on the side of the road. All is white and peaceful.

As I was walking, a man in a truck offered me a ride. He was driving a snowplow. His name is Sean and snowplow driving is a little part time business that he operates. When he doesn't do that, he works in a factory. He says that he plows driveways for a little bit of extra money and for enjoyment. He drove me to the river and dropped me off. He said that it wasn't really a good day for a walk. That was true, but I pointed out that it was a good day for photography.

I walked along the Niagara River, looking for photo ops, which I found to me great glee. Getting to the spots where I could get the best shots turned out to be challenging so it was good that I wore my rain pants. I had to wade through some very deep snow! It was adventurous. Here are some of the pictures that I took along the river.

Here is one of the docks along the river.

A close up view of a snow covered dock.

Snow filled planters.

Another view along the Niagara River.

It looks like a long line of small Christmas trees.

It's definitely off season in the boating world.

Here is another view of those Christmas trees, looking very much like Christmas has just arrived.

A winter wonderland near the river.

Snow covered decorations and vegetation in front of a house.

Trees in wintertime are very interesting. You can see the shapes of all of the branches when the trees have no leaves. Notice how the branches curl around and the tree seems to tilt just a little bit.

I guess that yesterday wasn't the day for a picnic.

I had fun taking pictures and then decided to head home. I walked back to my street, taking pictures as I went. When I walked by my friend Carmen's house, I noticed a car stuck in the snow and people trying to shovel the car out of its spot. The car soon was freed and I saw Carmen in the car. She said, "Get in the car." So I did and I went for a little ride with Carmen and her two children, Jack (age 14) and Katie (age 4). We dropped Jack off at a church. He was going on an overnight adventure with other young people from the church.
Carmen drove me home, and that was the end of my adventure.
Here are a few more pictures:

I love the appearance of a snow covered wooden fence.

Another view of evergreens.

This is part of a small wetland area.

Here is another view of that same wetland.

Deep, deep snow.

An Illustrated Guide to Making Applesauce

My family loves fresh, homemade applesauce. During the fall, I had the opportunity to use apples from the tree in front of the house. Now that those apples are gone, we have to go to the store to buy apples.

So, for yesterday's applesauce, I used five types of apples: Jonagold, Empire, Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Macoun. When you make your applesauce, I recommend using at least three types of apples for better flavor.

Here are a few of the approximately 14 apples that I chose for my project.

I selected my apples, picking a few from each of the types of apples previously mentioned. I cut and cored the apples and then sliced them. I used a quart-sized measuring cup to keep track of the apples that I had sliced.

The apples should be sliced fairly thin to aid in the speed of cooking.

Notice that I did not peel the apples. That's because the skin of an apple has an enormous amount of nutrients. These include soluble and insoluble fiber, antioxidants, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, as well as other vitamins and minerals. For more information about the nutritional value of apple skins, take a look at: Livestrong (benefits of apple skins).

I normally cut up five quarts worth of apples. I rarely cut up more than that because that is all that my pot will handle! As I'm cutting apples, my mom and I enjoy small taste tests of different types of apples.

Ready to be transformed from apple slices to applesauce!

I then get out my big pot and I pour cold water on the bottom of the pot to boil. For five quarts of apples, I find that two and a half cups of water seems like the right amount. This amount can be adjusted, depending on how dry or moist your apples are. On occasion, I add a few pears in my applesauce. When I use pears, I decrease the amount of water that I use because pears are very moist. I turn the heat to high and wait for the water to boil.

Apples cooking in a big pot!

After the water boils, I add all of the apples, turn the heat down to a little above medium and cover the apples. I set a timer for ten minutes, and I go to read a book! After the timer beeps, I check the apples. I stir them and check to make sure that there is enough water in the pot. If there isn't enough water, I add a little water, approximately half a cup. Then I cover the pot again and let the apples cook for another ten minutes. The apples get stirred again and I also check to make sure that there is enough water in the pot. The apples cook down through a steaming process.

Here are the apples after cooking for twenty minutes.

Once again, I return to my book. The timer, of course, is always close at hand because, when I am reading, I find that I lose track of time. After another ten minutes, it is time to check the apples again. They are cooked down sufficiently at this point. Over the months of regular apple sauce preparation, I have found that the apples cook sufficiently in thirty minutes. I turn the heat to low and leave the lid off.

The apples are now finished with the cooking process.

At this point, it's time to add the seasonings. I add the juice of three fresh lemons, one-third cup of sugar, a heaping half-teaspoon of cinnamon, and a heaping half-teaspoon of prepared lemon peel.

I like these seasonings. Some people may prefer less lemon juice and more sugar. Other options may include a little nutmeg. Season the applesauce to suit your tastes!

I put the seasonings into the pot and let them steep for a few minutes.

The seasonings really add a great aroma to your kitchen!

I then stir the seasonings to the pot. At this point, I turn off the burner and move the pot to a trivet on a counter. I place a second pot next to the pot with the cooked apples. In the second pot, I place a food mill. I put all of the cooked apples through the food mill.

Apples in the food mill

I put the apples through the food mill twice for a smooth applesauce. If you like a more chunky applesauce, you may put your apples through just once. Some people use methods other than a food mill but I don't know what they are.

The applesauce is now ready for a taste test!

The taste test is when you determine if you like your seasonings or if they need to be adjusted.

Five quarts of apples!

After I put the applesauce away, I still have one extra step to accomplish:

I take the apple cores to the back yard, near the brush and trees, and I throw them on the snow so that the deer can have a little snack.

Bon Appetit!

A Warm Winter Day

On Sunday, I went straight to the bike path after church. It was a warm, delightful day, with a high temperature at nearly 60 degrees. The snow had melted days ago, and it was time for a delightful January thaw. Earlier in the morning, the day didn't look quite as promising, with rain and even a little wind. But, by the time I left church, the rain had stopped.
So I walked down the bike path and met people and dogs. I met energetic dogs and tired dogs and dogs looking for a treat in the ground. I met friendly dogs and reserved dogs. It was a fun walk. It was all about the trees of winter and the dogs.
Here are some pictures:

No more drought conditions! Water doesn't absorb well in the clay soil.  This is a common sight in Grand Island.

People enjoying a warm winter day on the linear bike path.

Lots of water. After last summer, with the terrible drought, this is a lovely sight!

Close up view of a tree trunk. The texture is fascinating.

Buckhorn Island State Park