land of wonders ~ november

November's land of wonders began with our 5th annual grandkid halloween hunt! The theme this year was Clowns. The kiddo's search our woods each year for hidden letters. They figure out the theme and later on get a bag of goodies. Letters are hidden throughout various interactive spooky scenario's. 

11/1/25

A chalkboard sign read "Go up, go down. Teeter totter with the clown. You might find a letter."

I am the primary ghostly mind behind the hunt, but pulling it off is a team effort. Brad made the teeter totter base. He also helps set up, when crunch time makes me go cray-cray. 

Harmony's mom put together a dead finger pull, hidden underneath leaves. Two highlights for the kids this year. Our daughter also saved the hunt. I almost had to cancel. It was held the day after our 94 lb dog Tank insta-sat between my legs. Popping my "good knee out". It sent me back to square one with mobility issues. He did not mean to hurt me, and was seeking comfort.

Each year the hunt is set up differently. I decided this would be the year I made a chicken wire ghost for the cemetery scene. Have you heard of them? They are super cool. I found out the hard way they are hard to make. Silly me. Don't believe You Tube video's that make chicken wire sculptures look simple. Shaping chicken wire is frustrating!

She (who needs a name) is life size, with folded hands for holding things. Currently waiting patiently up by our house, to be turned into an angel.

Our land provided many beautiful colorful November vista's:

11/2/25

Below my butterfly garden lays dormant, awaiting Spring renewal. We decided to go with plan C, the control burning route. It will be interesting to see if/how it flourishes. 

11/4/25

Nemo and Cierra



Tankee 11/5/25 

Click to enlarge one of our most breathtaking Fall evening skies, on a special date!

11/6/25 

Good Morning 11/10/25 

Tank still does puppy dog head tilts

Our neighbors were right, Aurora Borealis can be seen from our land. I didn't bother the first night. The over done hoopla took away the luster for me many years ago. The following night I briefly went outside to look from our driveway, and then promptly went to bed :)

11/12/25 

Possible Steve sighting facing West, above our house

Fall skies are simply the best, and November continued to delight!

11/13/25



close-up

Harmony & Hope 11/14/25

There was a lot of extra focus this month on our families dogs. For reasons I have already shared. Grand dog Jameson has lived with us the lions share of his life. Remi is 9 and has come to Aurora's Doggie Daycare a minimum of two days a week her entire life, with occasional overnights. That girl is completely obsessed with me! The dogs live for walks in the woods. Me too.

Jameson 11/16/25

trio heading out 11/19/25

We change walking routes during opening deer hunting weekend. 

Jameson exploring the new pasture clearing

11/22/25


some dogs are stick obsessed



Jameson & Tank 11/25/25

Tank always checks on me

November 29th Winter arrived. Our weather flipped and it snowed most of the day/night.

11/30/25

By morning, we had around 9" of snow. Deeper in spots. Our land became a Winter Wonderland! The labs and I enjoyed snowshoeing!!

Tank in snow heaven 

our snow dog self entertaining

(Nemo in background)

see chunk of air born snow Tank popped up (look at pines)

yes, Tank does this the entire time
11/30/25