Why the name?  We really wanted UpTheCreek but it was taken.  We live up the creek from large lake so it sounded good (you try to think of a web site name).  This picture was captured looking from the lake up the creek.

Here we had planned to post pictures of events at the lake and of our trips to Jamaica and snow skiing in Winter Park, our favorite vacation spots.  There are plenty of those still available but now the website has become a place to capture memories.  Jamaica won out over Winter Park as our favorite vacation spot.  After spending a Winter in Jamaica we found that we flourished with the warmth and salt air health wise.  The asthma was better in the warm ocean air and the joints ached so much in the cold. 

So move we did!  I decided it was time to update the website to keep some of the memories and images alive for us.  Really haven't done anything to it for years so it was about time.

Will we miss the Winter?  Yes.  We have this picture hanging on the wall that reminds us of the beauty of Winter.  This picture was taken in front of our "creek home" and reminds us of both the beauty and the harshness of Winter. 

Spring

 Spring is always a wonderful time at the lake.  Seeing everything clearly through the woods as nature refreshes itself.  This from Spring of 2011.  We have already moved to a warmer climate but came back to Missouri to clean up the last of Winter's leaves and otherwise spruce up our creek home for the market.  Since it is the last Spring we will see at the lake we may as well start there. 

Spring is blooms and we have those UpOurCreek.  First is the daffodils!  We planted these originally in a naturescape type setting.  Threw out hundreds of bulbs and planted them where they landed.  Only problem was that we needed to cut the grass before the plant totally withered and we didn't get blooms.  Dug them up and put them where we wouldn't cut them.  We missed quite a few though.

We also planted two plum trees.  In the morning they were just beginnining to bloom...

But it was one of those freak days in the mid 80s and by the end of the day they were in full bloom...

Of course the woods are dotted with wild plums also.  This one, along the creek in front of the house, we call the magic plum tree.  After being here for years we noticed one year that it was loaded with plums.  Never noticed it blooming or that it was a wild plum.  It and the plums seemed to appear by magic.  Managed to get enough for a batch of jelly one year.

And of course the wildflowers!  Luckily, we have never put our efforts into that perfect lawn complete with all that it entails like weedkiller.  So the wildflowers appear all over the yard, through the  woods, allong the lane, wildflowers everywhere!

To us, the picture below really shows Spring.  The hostas in the gravel are greening up and quickly showing their color.  The dogwood has come into full bloom with its bright white display.  Along the edging, the sweet williams are blooming.  The "missed" dafodils along the rock ledge are nearly faded.

The dogwoods, redbuds, and rest of spring are seen all around the house.  From the screened in porch...

...from the kitchen window...

...from the front door...

...and even in front of the garage.  The blackberries along the fence haven't started blooming quite yet.  We will miss these!  These are hybrids that come out huge and more importantly have no thorns.  Throw them in the freezer after a quick wash and we have blackberry cobbler all year.

The gooseberries and blueberries in front are greening up and blooming though.

Spring is not only the blooms.  There is also the wildlife.  As we glance out the kitchen window there are three deer grazing up the hill.

During that one week we not only saw these three deer but we also saw eight meandering across the hill on the other side of the creek on a couple of evenings and two standing on the road at the creek one morning.  UpOurCreek has always been a favorite spot for deer.

Spring is also a time to get our water fountain and gold fish pond going.  We dedicate a day every spring to getting these ready for the summer.  We siphon down the fountain pool, scoop out all the leaves and other winter detritus, fill it back up and plug it in.  In no time the sound of water dripping from the levels turns to music to our ears.

The gold fish pond takes a little more work.  Still drain it a little, scoop out the leaves and such, but also have to clean out the pump and pump box along with connect in the UV light.  The UV light kills the algae that turns the pond pea green but can freeze over the winter.  Once full the artificial stream keeps the concept of tumbling water even when the creek quits running in the heat of the summer.

And of course what surer sign of Spring then watching the grandkids play UpOurCreek.  Amazing how kids feel that rocks along water must get thrown into the water.  Also amazing that in early April with the cool water flowing they can not only get wet but get totally wet multiple times without getting cold!

Spring is a good start.  The kids asked me to put something together as memories for them and our grandchildren.  This is a start.  I'll add the rest of the seasons as time and motivation allows me to go through hundreds of pictures looking  for those perfect memories.