Sometimes late in the evening

Traveling down County Trunk J

From a ball game returning home,

One evening I said to my son

This is really good material for a poem.

Their silhouettes in the moonlight

Dogs on leases with their master in charge.

A nice end of day story to tell

There was a real bond here

Heading home and all is well.

Man’s best friend oh yes,

Indeed they say is your dog.

But in this case, dogs there are two

Yes, two beautiful Siberian huskies

Let me introduce them to you.

 Heidi and George most beautiful canines

Very well mannered and trained

With their fur as white as snow

Who live in a happy environment

With their masters who love them so.

I had a chance on Saturday

To see them up close and personal

As I had never seen this type of dog before

So exciting and fun for me,

As they came bouncing through the door.

I really lvoe dogs, have one of my own,

But I realized then and there

I knew nothing about this breed

I asked Donna a few questions

It was very interesting indeed.

Her guests all asked questions

Such as could these dogs,

Really pull a sled.

A small sled she replied

I was sure interested in all she said.

I guess it kinda took me back,

To my love of books and pictures

When I was a very young child

Remembering the phrase “On You Huskies”

from Jack London and “Call of the Wild”.

One thing I observed as I sat there,

Then I heard a bark from one.

Donna siad this is my cue, it’s time to eat

She put out their dishes, they had table manners,

I thought this was real neat.

From the dogs I first saw along the road,

I know now a little better,

So interesting in every way

Nice to meet you Heidi and George

Hope I can visit you agina some day.

Heidi and George can pull up to about 75 pounds, so they are perfect for children to have a safe. quick dogsledding experience.

The Scenic Roads offer quiet off the beaten path blacktop roads that are great for a cycle ride.   The Great River Road, Highway 35, is nearby.  All of our town roads are paved for wonderful wanderings on a sunny day.  We have an extra garage for indoor parking.

More information on the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail can be found at www.elroy-sparta-trail.com/sparta.htm  The trail with three tunnels

Pet and human powered sports are great outdoor winter fun. 

1 48 oz. box old fashioned oatmeal

16  oz. sunflower seeds

2 cups coconut

2 cups slivered or chopped almonds

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup honey

1 cup sorghum syrup

1 cup peanut butter

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon ground mace

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup craisins (dried cranberries)

1 cup mixed tropical fruit

heat oil, honey, sorghum syrup, peanut butter, ginger, mace and nutmeg until peanut butter is liquified

in a large bowl mix oats, sunflower seeds, coconut and nuts

add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients.  blend

bake in a 10 x 14 inch pan for 20 minutes at 300 degrees F.  stir after ten minutes.

cool and stir occassionally.  add dried fruit.  store in air tight containter in refrigerator or freezer. 

serve with vanilla or your favorite flavor of yogurt and fresh fruit

Ingredients                          

 Ingredients:

2 cups brown sugar                              3 ½ cups flour

1 cup canola oil                                    2 teaspoons soda         

4 eggs                                                   1Tablespoon baking powder

1 cup pumpkin                                      1 teaspoon salt

2 cups chocolate chips                          1 teaspoon nutmeg                               

1 ½ cup plain yogurt                             1 Tablespoon cinnamon

½ cup crystallized ginger                       1 Tablespoon ginger, ground

2 teaspoons orange peel                       ¼ teaspoon cloves

 Directions:

Cream brown sugar and oil.  Add eggs.  Beat.  Stir in: pumpkin, chocolate chips, yogurt and crystallized ginger.

Measure dry ingredients together and mix.  Add 1/3 to liquids, gently stir.  Add 1/3 more dry ingredients.  Gently stir until blended.  Add remaining dry ingredients and stir just until moist.

Ice cream scoop batter into paper lined medium size muffin tins.  Bake at 340 degree convection oven for 15 minutes or 375 degree standard oven for 17 minutes.

Yield: 2 ½ dozen muffins

Most pumpkin muffins call for a 16 oz can of pumpkin, which makes them too heavy.  The secret is using half of the can of pumpkin.  Recipe by Donna Justin

  Ingedients:  2 cups gluten free flour        

1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda 

½ teaspoon sea salt

1 cup orange juice 

½ cup honey                       

1/3 cup vegetable oil    

2 eggs                               

½ cup craisins      

2 drops orange baking emulsion

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients together 

Mix liquid ingredients together

Add liquid mixture to dry mixture and mix just until combined

Ice cream scoop batter into muffin pan

Top with granulated organic sugar

Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes

Makes 18 muffins.

Recipe developed by Donna Justin co-owner of Justin Trails Resort, Sparta, WI

  800-488-4521

Amanda and Jason had a great time skijoring with Diego.   Diego is a very food driven dog who will work hard for treats.  One trip around the 1/3 mile Dog Loop and 60pound Diego, Amanda and Jason were very successful.  

Chris and Amanda brought Scout, a 55 pound female lab to learn to skijor.  Teaching the dog and skiers works best with three people.  A skier in front that the dog wants to follow or ski near, the dog followed by the skier the dog is pulling and another skier to coordinate the dog and skiers.  We are happy to report that one trip around the Dog Loop and Amanda had a great return ride.  The out ski is slightly uphill causing Scout to work harder than she was willing to work causing some barking. 

 Heidi and George remembered “Haw” and “Gee” and stayed in front of me today in our first skijor run this season.  It was great fun on the  1/4 mile Dog Loop we have set up for skijoring or walking with your dog.  It is separate from the groomed trails for skate skiing and striding.