Saturday Morning Chill

6:46

7:01

7:23

I just returned from a chilly paddle and it's now just before 9:00.  Evie's up as well, enjoying her first cup of coffee. It's overcast slightly although the sun is bright enough to be reflected on the lake. a gleaning streak of light.  It was 48º when I started kayaking, windy on the way out, nice and easy on the way back with the wind at my back. 

Kayak Morning

We had an interesting Friday, ending with a fun dinner and a night with friends.  After the usual, kayaking, the blog, the breakfast, and the uncertainty as to what to do with our day, I suggested we drive to Gerry to the lumber yard and look at various woods for our kitchen floor. This was Evie's idea originally so she agreed and we were off by 10:30, a half-hour drive despite the holdup because RT 60 was being resurfaced.

We had some difficulty finding the lumber yard because it's not advertised and there's no sign.  Basically, it's a 200-acre farm with a number of buildings that house the lumber and machinery. We could not have asked for a better time. The owner, Denny Barmore, spent a good hour with us, taking us into his shop, pulling out various kinds of wood, explaining their plusses and minuses, even taking us into his house to show us his kitchen floor of ash.  His son also was able to show us what various floors would look like on his phone.  It was a fun and informational hour and we also got to meet his great dog, a Blue Heeler, who seemed to love Evie. We left still unsure as to what type of wood we wanted but will make that decision this morning so the wood can be ordered and we get it on time.

On the way home, we stopped at Wegman's and did some big shopping, getting us ready for the week ahead and a Sunday dinner with Linda and Ron.  We didn't get home until 1:00 which was fine because we had no other plans for the afternoon.  I heated up the chicken enchiladas for lunch, watched my show, and then returned to my serial killer novel.  We relaxed until 4:00 then showered and got ready to go out to dinner at a friend's house in Celeron.  

Enjoying The Setting Sun

We have gotten to know Jackie and Rick recently and this was the first time to visit their home. Like our house, it's on the lake with an expansive view of the lake.  They had mentioned that they bought the house for the porch and we can see why. It's all windows and huge, as big as our living room and dining room combined,  We sat outside and enjoyed a glass of wine as the sun began to set, then came in when it started to get cool, for appetizers and then dinner, Rick's families special beef stroganoff recipe with rice and a salad.  Both Evie and I had seconds of the stroganoff and once we were finished, we sat outside around a bonfire, enjoyed a Moscow mule, and watched the sunset. 

7:41 PM

Northwestern Sky

Unlike our house, which faces due east, their house looks towards the northwest and gets amazing sunsets. The evening ended inside with chocolate mousse topped with raspberries. Last night was the second time we have had dinner with them and it was fun to get to know both of them better.  They grew up in the area, moved around some before settling in Corning, NY, before moving to Chautauqua Lake a couple of years ago.  After dessert, we said our goodbyes and drove home in the dark, arriving around 9:45, and to bed shortly after bed.  It was another good day.