On the ice

On Saturday morning, the snow has finally receded enough to give us access to our back yard and the frozen lake. The every-weekend-all-day ice fisherman had already set up his tent, so we figure it is safe enough to go out there ourselves.

Hearing the ice creak and crack beneath him, Matt decides to turn back.

I keep going on the smooth, slick ice: Step-step-slide—step-step-slide—step-step-slide... In the middle of the lake, I take a series of shots to be combined into panorama images…

I’m fascinated like by the patterns in the ice, like snowed-over tracks from cross-country skis and animals.

And cracks…

And ice-over holes…

And trapped leaves (and a feather)…

Coming off the ice, I start laughing upon seeing that Matt has given up his scarf to make Clyde feel cozy.

Then I notice a sure sign of spring!

“Where’s Matt?” I wonder. Then I find—and join him—in the hot tub.

This morning, the ice fisherman is in place before I’m out of bed, joined by a small partner to enjoy what might be the last solid ice of the season.

Outdoor living

The service put our dock back in place a couple weeks ago. On Thursday night, the always happy Doug from Morris County Marine returned our boat and we got the first just-past-sunrise ride of the 2009 season. When we got the pontoon boat in 2004, it was like getting a floating living room.

After months—perhaps years—of searching, Matt located the objects of our deck desire using the Google images search. The outdoor pieces (a sofa, two chairs and two tables) by Max Furniture arrived on Friday. After putting it all in place, we did what any normal couple in the middle of a home renovation would do: Went downstairs to grout the tile on the shower floor and bench.

We made up for it this morning, starting the day with an after sunrise soak in the cedar hot tub and having breakfast on the deck. (Featuring herring and Gouda cheese.)

Then off to see the Mets win at their new field. (Thanks, Frank and Diana!)

We tried to end the day on the deck, but the mosquitoes chased us back indoors after a full day of fun in the sun. Tomorrow? Back to working on the house.

Friday night

Matt takes a break from spring clean-up in the back yard on April 3 to capture the lake view between rainstorms and before sunset.