The Lake

Going to The Lake is a big thing around here.  Oftentimes church is near empty in the summer because everyone is at The Lake.

This past weekend, we got a chance to go with Eric's co-worker to their family cabin on Emma Lake, which is a little over 2 hours north of Saskatoon.

The main beach was packed on such a beautiful day.

Eric and Bill went to watch the Rider game.  Annabel took a nap and I got to sit on this porch and read a magazine!!  I didn't have to think about dishes, laundry, or supper.

Mystery Trip!: Pizza Farm

We've just returned from a month long excursion, including a stop in Wisconsin.  I can't believe our trip is over, but we had a great time. 

Megan, Meredith, and Josh, friends from Illinois, drove up and stayed at my parent's house for a few nights.  We drove up to Eric's childhood farm, ate excellent burgers and cheese curds in Ridgeland, went to Lienie Lodge for some tastings, and took Annabel to Irvine Park to see the animals.  We later grilled out brats and had a campfire in my parent's back yard.  It was so fun to get together and hang out.  I guess we never did take a group photo.

I think the highlight of the their visit was Eric's Mystery Trip. They knew there was a trip planned, but Eric didn't give away any details.  It was fun as everyone asked if they were dressed appropriately.  My dad asked if he should wear his new shoes. He was wondering if they would get wet.  My parents had been guessing a few things that they knew about like Crystal Cave or historical buildings around the area.  My mom guessed a new local winery. But no one guessed a Pizza Farm.

 

We took off Tues at 3:30 in two vehicles.  Eric tried to fake everyone out on the drive by stopping over at points of interest and saying "this is it."   He pulled into a historical building in Menomonie, then Caddie Woodlawn's house, then Laura Ingalls Wilder's house before making his way down a windy road, a dead end road, past a church, and then parked at a farm.

A replica of the Little House in the Big Woods

A to Z Pizza Farm near Pepin, WI. Beautiful setting, great pizza, and fun company!!  We arrived right before the after-work crowd, so we didn't wait more than a half an hour for our pizza.  We ate pizza, drank beer, watched cows, and took a walk to the gardens where the pizza toppings are grown.  It was Josh's birthday and he is a pizza lover, so I think he had a good night.  He had a good line after we pulled in with "I've never seen a pizza tree before."

Any time Annabel gets to sit in the middle of a group is a fun day for her.

I wish we could go back in the fall or check out another one in Wisconsin.  I heard the crowds are less after Labor Day, although the crowds were not overwhelming and made it fun, and they offer some cool fall pizzas with veggies and potatoes.  

I even ran into two friends out there on the farm; Jenny from camp and Chloe from college.  I hadn't seen either for at least eight years; it was fun to catch up, even just a little.  I never "run into" anyone in Canada, obviously, so it was fun.  

Overall, this was a fun, fun night.  Thank you friends and family and thank you Eric for your creative idea.