The First Sail of the Summer

Today I went sailing on Green Lake with my friend Laura Dickinson.

Green Lake is the name for a city, a county and the lake we sailed on today.

Below are some quick facts about Green lake.

• 237 ft. deep (Deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin)
• 100 ft. average depth
• 27.3 miles of shoreline
• 2 miles wide
• 11.5 sq. miles
• 7,325 acres surface area
• 95% spring fed
• Empties into Fox River through Puckyan River
• Principle inlet is Silver Creek

My sail boat is a Barnett Butterfly

My Butterfly was made in Green Lake, Wisconsin. So, it's kind of sentimental to take her back to her home town every chance I get.

Ok, enough boring facts! Let's get down to the specifics of today's sail.
I was so excited that I couldn't sleep past 6:30. So, I got up, went outside and cleaned the boat up a bit. She has been in storage all winter up in Eagle River, WI. Laura & I headed out of around 9:00am. The trip takes about one hour. Good times.

We got to the boat ramp and saw no trucks with empty trailers. I thought . . . hmmm . . this is very strange. Beautiful day. Great wind for sailing. Not one boat on the lake. Interesting. As I drove closer to shore I realized the dock was not in the water and there was a large yellow sign -

All lakes in Green Lake County are closed due to flooding.
No motorized craft allowed.

Hmm . . no MOTORIZED craft. Hmmm . . . my boat doesn't have a motor. So we stepped the mast, hoisted the main and off we went!! We had this entire lake all to ourselves!

Average wind speed was 15-20 mph with gust up to 30. Once we got past a a small notch of land and further toward the center of the lake the wind picked up considerably.
There were several occasions where the immense strength of the wind made it difficult to come about.

Laura had never been sailing. So, to ensure she would not develop a fear of sailing, I did not sail supper aggressive. No doubt about it this was boat flippin' weather. I really was not in the mood to have to right my boat in strong wind conditions. I wanted Laura to have fond memories of the day - not "I almost lost my life" memories.

Laura proved to be a great fist mate and I think we have many more sailing days ahead.

So, if you have a Saturday free and you want to go sailing on Green Lake . . . let me know!

shellihawkins@gmail.com

Fun With Friends In Iowa

John and Terri Janke

Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Tama, IA

Rick & Mindy
(I think Mindy is getting tired of me taking her picture!)

David & Ashley's cake for their surprise
wedding shower at Rick & Mindy's house.

Collin Olander

Christian

The Crawford Women
Momma Crawford, Mindy, Angie

Momma & Daddy Crawford

The Smiths

Lori & Becca

The Bartas

MMM . . that's a yummy hamburger!

Mindy & Rick goofing around in front of Hyvee

Ashley & David opening presents

This is my favorite picture of Ashley

David Childers - He's thinking . . .
"Hmmm . . . how many days are left until the wedding?"

Mindy's & Rick's cat Star resting in her favorite spot-
MY PILLOW!

Have a great week everyone.

Stop back in a couple of days.
I will be posting all my pictures from my recent California vacation!

~Shelli

Mindy Lahay - The BEST Pampered Chef Rep in the Midwest

Over the extended Memorial Day weekend I visited my friends in Cedar Rapids. Saturday morning I attended a Papered Chef Party with my friend Mindy Lahay. Selling Pampered Chef is a new endeavor for Mindy - but let me tell ya she got in front of the group to make her dessert and spoke as if she had been doing this for years! Great job Mindy!!!

In August she will be coming to my home in Appleton, WI to have a show. So, If you would like to attend and partake in all the festivities let me know! shellihawkins@gmail.com

Mindy & her Director Michelle

Deb was the hostess of the party and I saw this and had to take a picture.
I never knew what do do with my old nylons. Great idea Deb!!

After the Pampered Chef party we ran home to throw a surprise wedding shower for David Childers & Ashley Lover. Mindy is smiling in this picture because she finally found her recipe for caramel Chex mix.


And of course I have to introduce you to the smiling little boy pictured below. Nathan is Mindy's nephew and he is very photogenic . . . . as you can see.

What a cutie!

My Beautiful Nieces

Riley Jean

Sydney Lauren

Pictured above are Mark & Kelly's girls. There's not enough room on this blog to tell how much I love and enjoy them. They always make me smile and I hope these pictures make you smile.