from shirley's cottage

Watch out for thin ice
Last winter some of the local folks got a big laugh out of two Illinois guys that went through the ice on the lake. It was funny because they were from Illinois. If they had been from Wisconsin, they would have known better.
I beg to differ. Stupid is as stupid does, and it "don’t make no difference" where you are from. If I remember right, I told of the doctor from Madison who went through the ice on Lake Monona walking to work.
The kind of weather we have had this winter has tempted many to hurry the ice.
The other day I was waiting for an appointment. A woman sitting next to me started talking about the crazy winter we were having.
She said her husband had "itchy pants" waiting to get some ice on the lake. His couldn’t wait to get his shack out there, and his tip-ups going. I said I hope he makes sure the ice is thick enough. She said she doubted it. Every year she thinks he may take a winter swim.
I don’t know her name, but as far as I know, no one has gone through on Lake Ripley-yet.
But there are a lot of lakes in southern Wisconsin that can’t claim that.
Just this week the news told of a snowmobiler. It was on Lake Waubesa. It seems the guy went through thin ice, but his machine didn’t. He got out before help came. So what did he do? Well, heck, he got on again and gave it another try. This time he and his machine went in. This time help was there and got him out.
There was one of a fishing shack and some ice-skaters on various lakes with thin ice.
Dumb moves, but in the end, no harm done. There are several others I heard about I don’t want to repeat. They didn’t end happily.
I understand the itchy pants-can’t wait to do something you love to do. But if that something involves ice on a lake, I have a piece of unsolicited advice.
If one day the geese are swimming in open water, and there is just a little frost around the edges, and the next day it snows and freezes–don’t go snowmobiling, ice fishing, or skating!
That’s what happened last week. One day I was watching the waves and the geese, and the next day I saw tracks and foot prints on the lake’s snow.
Maybe I’m just a little envious because I am in a different place. Nowadays, my enjoyment of the snow and ice, is looking out my window at the beauty.
Well, like my mom always said: "each to their own." Just make sure "your own" keeps you safe.
Inside or outside, the snowy days call for soups, stews, and yummy deserts.
My forte is not baking. I do have a few stand-by’s though, that are pretty safe. As long as I can rely somewhat on Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or Pillsbury, I do pretty well.
This one my niece Barbara called Monkey Bread. The recipe os the same except she baked hers in a bundt pan. I haven’t thought of it for years.
This recipe is in my favorite cook book and it is called Pecan Bubble Bread. Whatever you call it, it is never fail, and is just as good for breakfast as it is a treat at night.
Pecan Bubble Bread
you will need;
a very well-greased 9x13 pan
2 cans biscuits, cut into quarters (cheap ones work just as well)
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup light brown sugar
2 T water
1 t cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
Melt the rest of the ingredients in a skillet (except for the nuts)
Put biscuits in a greased bowl
pour melted mixture over biscuits and mix well
Sprinkle nuts in bottom of pan and pour batter on top
Bake 375 degrees for 20 minutes
Invert on platter and break apart to eat.
Sticky, but good. Enjoy!