There's a Whole Lotta Fun Going on Up Here

Thanksgiving at Mike and Amy's house! Nothing tried, nothing gained.

Cindy, Don, Donald and Scout came up for a visit during our small Thanksgiving break. They arrived Wednesday evening. We enjoyed an accomplished (meaning we completed the dinner, but not chef skilled) turkey dinner of turkey breast, some Real Simple recipe sides, and only managed to break one correlle french white casserole dish in whole process. There could have been much more destruction in the kitchen from me if not for Cindy's help. Our bellies were full and the dishes were all washed and dried.

Friday, we all headed to Presque Isle State Park. We all enjoyed the views, although a bit chilly (only a bit). Bits showed Nana how to throw stones, and use a walking stick. The guys all ventured around, but remained focused on the mission at hand: to catch a fish from the chilly waters where the river meets the Lake. I am happy to report, Mike caught a 21" rainbow. Mike has an assembly line process he thinks would work well: he'll catch the fish, Donald will net it, and Don will clean it (somehow I think Don is getting the short end of the stick).

Later that evening, we reheated the leftovers, and after dinner celebrated Bit's second birthday with a Thomas themed mini party. Bacon loves everything Thomas and was enthralled with his new train toys for the remainder of the night. When he awoke this morning, he ran straight to his train table and said, "Hi Va-va."

It's been alot of fun with family around. We'll try to explore Black River Harbor today and be sad to say goodbye to everyone tomorrow.

Pumpkin Cake Recipe

So in case you don't already know, Thanksgiving is Thursday. Some of us forgot about the whole defrosting a turkey a couple days before thing and had to run out last night and pick up some turkey in order to put it in the fridge last night. Last minute, but done.

I wanted to share a nice pumpkin cake recipe that is scrumptious. I'm not the biggest fan of pumpkin pie so this is so much better. I actually ate it without the glaze addition and its a good bet that it would be awesome with cream cheese frosting or vanilla ice cream. It's a really simple recipe, so if your Thanksgiving menu is not set in stone, you have to try this out.

(recipe credit: Judith Fertig)

*click on the image and it should appear large enough to see/print; click on the image again when it appears in the new window and it'll zoom in.

Do you Think the Lock Ness Monster Winters in Sunday Lake

I woke up yesterday to see thick frost outside. I had to look twice, at first glance it looked like snow. As the sun came up the fog came in. I captured a couple fun images from the front yard. If I had ever been to Ireland before, I'd say it reminds me of the fog there, but having never been there, I can't compare it.

The weather warmed up to 52 degrees, but this normally active weekend family, stayed home and did a whole lot a nothin, kinda nice to do nothing sometimes. Nothing means I don't have many adventure stories to share, although I did go to the post office and to Northwoods Candle and Cafe.

Northwoods is run by a woman who makes her own candles as well as sells other name brand candles and decor. On Thursdays she makes some pretty tasty pasties (I've mentioned this before). I picked up a couple hand made votives called Northwoods Cabin, they have a nice earthy scent, not too flowery or perfumely. She also makes one called White Birch and Daisy that smells nice, and I'll have to pick up on a later date.

Another Rainy Day -Surprise!

I'm just gonna let ya down easy...no pictures today...sorry! But, I'll try my best to give you a verbal description of the views from yesterday, and we'll see if my college education has paid off.

It was rainy yesterday, not the downpour, stay inside and pout type of rain or even the spitting, why can't you make up your mind type of rain; it was a nice trickle. Outside reminded me of a kitchen towel that was used to dry all the dishes and was soaked to the point of needing a new towel in order to dry that last glass; not like the towel that you used to sop up the spilled oj on the coffee table and had to run it, dripping, to the sink.

Bits and I had a couple more errands to run and after driving here and there looking for a shipping box, ending up with one that worked, although not quite right, drove past the lake and this is what I saw:

The sky was that wonderful hazy blue gray,more gray than blue, with the slightest touch of green to it. The magenta red brush weeds that I love so much, looked purple and the left over dry grasses were matted down around them with a nice wet, yellow ochre color. I think what made the hues so memorable yesterday was similar to the effect Lake Superior waters have on the beach stones, when wet, the colors really pop.

After Mike got home for the day, I had to run my crazy big o' box to the post office. Upon arriving and trying to manuver Babes and my silliness, I slammed the edge of the box in the tailgate door, and then paid way too much mullah for shipping (stupid-no UPS store in the U.P.-only USPS-arrgh!). I enjoyed my short drive back home and made one more observance:

On these light rainy days, the rain hits the water surface on Sunday Lake with a pattern very similar to the shapes found along a foot-printed beach, random manipulated ovals with dips and peaks.

Smashing Pumpkins and Long Underwear

My Grandma G. called me out on not keeping up with my (almost) daily posts. I'm not sick or anything excuse worthy; I'm just really boring. I've been working on a super secret mission that I can't wait to share with y'all, but you'll have to remain in suspense on the edge of your computer chairs until after I share the surprise with the intended recipient.

The weather forecast gave us "abundant sun" the last few days. Bits and I took a walk into town on Monday and hit up our normal trendy spots; town hall to pay the utility bill, the post office for Mary and Child stamps, and his favorite locale, the library. The days have been bright and beautiful, but as soon as the sun starts to set, the temp. drops quickly and reminds me that I better go shopping for some long underwear soon (oh, didn't I tell you? -long underwear is sooo in this season).

Beautiful Sunday Lake has started forming a thin sheet of ice on-top. There are areas of open water and the overflow is still moving, but is noticeably slowing down.

Bacon and I took our pirate pumpkin friend and after removing his features, smashed him in the brush patch out back. If you're like me and still have a pumpkin on the porch and have an area where woodland creatures like to visit, smash your pumpkin and the little nibblers will make the most of this surprise treat.

Sneak Peek: DIY Centerpiece

So what will be adorning my thanksgiving table this year (besides the food of course)? I've come up with these do-it-yourselfer, inexpensive, right on trend centerpieces. The big style ideas for the season are everything that's earthy, natural, and especially "environmentally conscientious".

Here's what all of you recycling, thrift store shopping, young and old hipsters will need:

glass bottles (recycle bin)

burlap or some other fibrous fabric (thrift store)

ribbon

shallow glass dish

pine cones

acorns

branches

driftwood

pebbles

screw eyes

dowel rods (pre-cut, prepackaged @Walmart)

paint

old paper

sewing machine

drill

hot glue gun

Burlap was pinned to size around glass bottles from the recycling bin. The burlap was sewn to fit, and any raw edges were tucked in or under the bottles and glued in place.

Pine cones and driftwood were drilled in the bottom and then dowel rods were twisted into the holes. Some pine cones and acorns were painted green, not at all necessary, but adds a pop of color. Acorns and mini pine cones were drilled using a small bit and screw eyes were added. These were then dropped onto the branches.The branches were from a scraggly tree that I trimmed in the backyard.

Pebbles were added to a shallow round dish and then you can add a small tea light later.

Add personal touches with special paper, fitting your colors and style. Be careful not to overdo the ribbon.

Now not everyone will have to get as involved with the entire method. The main point here is that there is no need to spend oodles of money on professionally arranged centerpieces when you may already have beauty to gather from your own backyard or home.

*If any of you are inspired to make a DIY centerpiece, don't hesitate to share in the comment section below and if you can post a pic. (not sure if you can) please do!

South Boundary Road=Car Sickness

We took a drive to Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains State Park. South Boundary Road is like no other road I've been on.

Half way there, Mike and I switched, so that I could drive since I was beginning to get seriously car sick. I have never gotten car sick as a driver before, until yesterday that is. Every time you drove along a curve in the road to the left, you would then subsequently have to curve to the right. Then go up and then go down. Then hit random areas of poor-man speed bumps, rectangle areas in the road half heartedly filled with asphalt. The worst of it was when there were hilly, curving, bumpy areas of roadway all at once.

I was green by the time we stopped.

The Lake in the Clouds is absolutely breathtaking and can no way be captured properly on film. The park services have built a great boardwalk to allow safe viewing of this 1 mile long lake cradled between mountains. We had a fun lunch overlooking the lake.

We won't discuss the incident of the stolen gloves, which caused some disruption to this day.

We traveled to Ontonogan where Bits and Daddy played at a playground on the shores of Lake Superior. After may trips up steps and down slides, it was off to dinner at a little place called Syl's Cafe. Warm coffee and slightly unhealthy food ended the day nicely and with that food in our bellies we opted for a less stomach rolling road and took 64 to Bergland and then 28 home.

A Pocketful of Lake Glass

We left for an adventure to BRH at about 2:00 and after a few stops, made it to the Big Lake by about 3:00.

More driftwood, more bunches of roots, and a handful of lake glass. Lake glass appears to be pieces of broken Heineken bottles and the like that have been rounded off and roughed up by the waves and sand, making them slightly opaque. It's difficult to find pieces of lake glass, they're usually pretty small and are found quickly by other beach combers. We walked such a distance, that I doubt too many people venture that far down the beach, allowing me to find multiple pieces of this "precious" stone.

As I was slowing scanning the beach for art materials, Bits pointed out a "heart". Can you guess which pic. it is?

Mike grabbed a large walking stick from among the driftwood to carry along in case we should happen upon any big, furry, black friends. Mike calls this a wild beach. The National Forest comes right up to the sandy beach edge. There are no million dollar homes, condos, or gift shops on those hills. Bacon Bits, taking a cue from Daddy, grabbed his own walking stick and stuck it into the ground with every step.

We walked and walked and walked , the sun casting long, low shadows in front of us. We drove out of the park just as the remaining sunlight was fading into the horizon.

*Check out the first pic. These are trees reflecting on the Black River. It looked so much like a skilled watercolor painting, I had to capture an image.

Native American Indian Summer

The weather this weekend was amazing. Saturday I felt icky (thought I was getting the piggy flu for sure), so we stayed in on what was a gorgeous day.

Sunday was a lot more fun. Church in the a.m., then our neighbor invited us over for a grill out-eat in lunch. It was really nice to get to conversate with such friendly people. We took an actual afternoon walk with sunshine and went all the way around the lake. We only go all the way around when there's still light in the sky, because the second half of the lake is wooded and not lit by streetlights. We ran into a couple people on the walk and chatted briefly, and made it home before the sun officially set. Great timing, considering the sun sets at 4:30ish.

Today is supposed to be in the low 50s and Mike mentioned we should rake when he gets home. Sounds good to me!

*Update!: WMS are closing at 10:00 today and will repopen for classes next week Monday due to H1N1 absences. Say a prayer none of us get sick, and we can go to Presque Isle, Black River Harbor, or Little Girls Point every day this week. What a perfect weather week for classes to be canceled!

The Sun Goes Down at 5:00

We are in a different time zone from the majority of Michigan. Since we are on the east end of this new time zone, the sun sets at about 5:00. It is a race for Mike to get home quickly after school, all of us to bundle up, and get out the door for a walk around the lake while we still have some sunlight.

We made it in time yesterday evening and experienced a wonderful sunset for our efforts.

The lake was calm with hardly a breeze in the air, although it was noticeably chilly. Coats, hats and gloves are staples for any outdoor ventures.

I captured a beautiful reflective shot of the trees on the water's edge with the sunset behind and duplicated on the water's surface.

Temps in the 50s today and tomorrow. Hooray for us!

Pumpkin Scene of the Crime Photos

Bacon Bits peeked out the big window and also noticed the pumpkin on its side. We went out to examine the situation further and right the jack o' lantern.

Upon further inspection, it was obvious deer had been there nibbling our Halloween friend.

Mr. Lantern is maimed; now missing a tooth and part of the area below his left eye.

Why deer?! Why, attack a sweet, innocent, happy pumpkin?!

Some of you may say: "Hey, deer gotta eat too," but last time I checked there are acres and acres of land for their dining pleasure.

My porch must be a five star restaurant that they dine at on special evenings.

Deer Attack in the Cover of Darkness- like Ninjas

The deer have struck again! The jack o' lantern on the front porch ledge is laying precariously on its side. Its stem handle has fallen to the ground. It has been victimized by the ruthless deer.

I know it wasn't some kid. #1 The pumpkins are located right up next to the house, and #2 a kid would have smashed it to the ground (kids like to make a mess of the pumpkins-not taunt them).

One day deer, we will meet in a dark alley, and I'll have brought my friends.

Sunny Days and 40s

This week is supposed to be mostly sunny and 40s. Let's hope the weather keeps its word. I was going to go to Walmart and do our weekly grocery shopping yesterday, but decided that the sun was too sunny to waste the day in a big cement building. Bits and I bundled up and went for a walk to the library and then to the grocery store (Mike's birthday-and we needed the staple chocolate cake mix with white canned frosting) and then to back home. I always overestimate my energy for the day, so by 8:00 I was exhausted.

The lake was true midnight blue and big blackened areas from the clouds in the sky fell onto the bare trees on the hills behind. It's such a beautiful place.

Mike's b-day was fun. His birthday dinner was an impressive feast of chili and biscuits, his choice. He ate two pieces of his cake while I ran out to pick up a few groceries, so after dinner we put the candles into the already sliced into cake. He had been waiting all day for cake, so when he got home he was too hungry and excited to wait any longer. Bits helped Daddy blow out the candles. A little later the two of them took a chilly walk to see the Indian.

Introducing My Newest Endeavor

Here's my newest use of driftwood.

I have used frames and burlap material found at thrift stores and re-purposed them into canvases. I used driftwood pieces and painted them in blues inspired by different day trips to Lake Superior. I'm opening my eyes to all the different hues of color that can be found naturally and re-explaining them using paint. The pieces of wood are attached to the burlap with roots from weeds growing into the sand. In order to find a substantial amount of roots you have to pull on a grouping and follow it as it grows under the sand then snap it at some point when you can't pull out any new length from below the sand.

These pieces use my basic color palette of blues that I frequently use in my photo-representational paintings. There is nothing brighter and more calming than a range of blues.