Summer brings a host of activities for us to enjoy. The warm and hot days also bring plenty of work, but I digress. One activity my whole family enjoys is going up north to the cabin.
The cabin is tucked in the forestland of northern Wisconsin. Birches, poplars, tamaracks and pine trees help to cover acres of land. Whether privately-owned or publicly-owned land, such as is found in the local National Forest, the woods skirt around small inland lakes, sheltering them from onlookers’ eyes.
Since our cabin is used only in summer, it must be winterized in the fall and summer-ized in the spring. As May and springtime arrive, we open the cabin up, readying it for summer visitors. One might call it spring-cleaning.
My sister and I did the opening up this year. We looked forward to getting things freshened and clean after the hibernation of winter. Upon finishing the work, our intention was to relax for a night or two before returning to life at our homes. With Memorial Day just a few days away, we also planned to adorn the graves of several of our loved ones.
So off we went on our mission. Early in the morning, equipped with rags, cleaning supplies, sleeping bags and an assortment of food, we headed down the highway.
Southern Minnesota had already given us typical summer heat in the middle of May. Yet, being realistic, we brought warm clothes with us, knowing that temperatures up north did not necessarily mimic the southern temperatures we had recently experienced.
We got to our destination by noon. The sun was nicely shining in the clear sky. We left the comfortable warmth of the car and jumped right into the crisp, chilling air. This kept us moving gingerly to get our supplies and ourselves into the warm house.
Upon entering the cabin, we felt a welcome warmth again. After all, the outside thermometer read, “40 degrees.” With the wind outdoors it was a biting cold. So the cabin’s shelter gave a much longed–for relief.
We commenced to get the house ready. Our checklist included 1) turn on the water pump and the water heater, 2) launder linens, 3) dust and wipe down surfaces, 4) vacuum, and 5) turn on the furnace. Items 1-4 got done that afternoon. But number 5, turning on the furnace, was not so easy. And we needed to raise the nippy temperature in the cabin!
The pilot light for the furnace had gone out so we did our best to follow the directions to light it, with no luck. Here we were sheltered from the 40 degree temperature outside by a house that was 51 degrees inside.
My sister called her husband for help to get the furnace started. His counsel was, “It’s so easy. If I couldn’t get it lit, I’d get a motel!” That did not help.
His suggestion did not suit us, so we determined to rough it.
We still had firewood, tinder aplenty and a beautiful stone fireplace my dad had made years ago. We gathered the wood and started a cozy, crackling fire. It warmed us delightfully as long as we stood close to the hearth. The temperature rose and made it to a high of 57 degrees.
As the sun set, we decided to get snuggled into our sleeping bags. Each of us had a space heater to warm our bedrooms. By morning, my room was a balmy 60 degrees. We kept warm enough that night, but we decided to forgo the second night.
We packed up and did our other errands, including visiting some local family. After a welcoming supper in a friend’s home, we drove off into the dark night in a lovely warm car.
The last couple of days were not typical of opening the cabin nor of what I planned, but I am glad this chilly one is over. Here I thought spring-cleaning would be fun. It sure turned out to be a north woods surprise!
Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV) states, “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand.”
Hard-Boiled Eggs
No wonder “hard boiled” has become to mean a tough character—boiling toughens the delicate protein of egg. Gentler cooking pays off in tenderness. The following method of turning the heat off when the water approaches the boiling point has two advantages—it won’t toughen the egg, and it saves energy.
Eggs
Water
Put eggs in single layer in saucepan. Add enough tap water to come at least 1 inch above eggs. Cover and quickly bring just to boiling. Turn off heat. If necessary, remove pan from burner to prevent further boiling. Let eggs stand covered in the hot water 15 to 17 minutes for large eggs. (Adjust time up or down by about 3 minutes for each size larger or smaller.) Immediately, run cold water over eggs or put them in ice water until completely cooled.
To remove shell, crackle it by tapping gently all over. Roll egg between hands to loosen shell, then peel, starting at large end. Hold egg under running cold water or dip in bowl of water to help ease off shell.
Recipe credit: Classic Egg Dishes, American Egg Board
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