My Mom and Me

As I mentioned last week, my mom and I spent a couple of days on Mackinac Island attending the Winsome Women's Convention...

...at the Grand Hotel!

It was a beautiful Fall morning as we made our way from Mackinaw City to the island and then to the Hotel.

On our way we passed by the school where all the bikes were parked.

(No motorized vehicles allowed on the island.)

Fall and Halloween decor lined the streets, shops, and restaurants.

Our room at the Grand!

View from our window.

Not real clear as the screens were still up.

Enjoying the view and our morning coffee.

The following pics are views of the porch and from the porch.

Round Island Lighthouse

We ate like queens...

...and were spoiled like queens! So fun and inspiring!

We had such a nice time - Thanks Mom!

The Five Senses of Fall

The first sense would obviously be sight. It never ceases to amaze me how creative our God is. He could have just let all the leaves turn brown and drop to the ground instantly. But no, they linger and float, depending on the force of the wind. The world around us is a palette of yellows, golds, reds, burgundys, evergreens, various shades of beautiful browns...

...but the colors are not limited to leaves only - a Fall sky of blues and pinks.

A splash of golden yellow lingers...

...and soon the tamarack's needles will turn yellow and gold before they fall to the ground making room for new needles next Spring.

It's that time of the year when we get our deer blinds ready in anticipation of getting that tirdy-pointer. Fingers crossed...Ha.

Steve pours a concoction of maple syrup over this stump and the critters have licked it into a sculpture.

And smell. You could close your eyes up here and know it is Fall by the woodsy scent of wilting ferns, wet grass and leaves, the smell of sassafras after our tires run over a batch.

The sound of ducks quacking as they flee from this pond when we arrive.

And the sandhill cranes must know something is up. They have been leaving the area in groves, or flocks, or is it gackles - anyone know? They are on the move 24/7 and honk as they leave. It can be early morning, midday, or in the evening as we sit around the bonfire.

Well, I don't want to touch this fire but it sure feels toasty on a crisp Autumn night.

And then you enter the house and smell...

...the venison shoulder roast with all the fixin's that has been slow roasting in the oven all afternoon.

Yum! Falls right off the bone.

(no pun intended)

We took a color-tour drive to the north Sunday afternoon.

Below are some pics.

Lake Superior

Tahquamenon River

The town of Paradise, Michigan

Stopping for the train not far from home.

I sure do LOVE Fall.

Today is cold and cloudy. The rain is suppose to start this evening and go all night long. Sounds like a good day to make pulled venison for supper. I'm also going to cut down my herbs and make herbed pizza crust to freeze for winter movie & pizza nights.

I'm looking forward to Thursday - I get to go back to Mackinac Island, 

but this time with my mom.

I'm packing warm!

From Weddings to Weather and In-Between

We had some beautiful Autumn weather here -- for awhile. 

I took this picture of the Pine River and the two below this past Tuesday.

But now it has been raining pretty much on and off - mostly on - since Thursday. At times it pours and there has been enough wind to force the leaves off the trees a little before their time. Last night it even thundered.

Last weekend we had two outdoor weddings to attend. This one was on Friday (about 9 days ago). It was held on the lake shore in Traverse City. What a beautiful night it was. Look way down the channel to the big brown building.

That was where the wedding was held. The white chairs were set up for us. The reception was on the fourth floor of the big brown building.

Our son, Riley, was in the wedding as one of his best friends, Brett, was marrying Erika.

Congratulations Brett and Erika!

The next day we had an afternoon wedding for our nephew, Kyle, but unfortunately I forgot my camera. It was also a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding. 

Congratulations Kyle and Sarah!

This past week Steve and I had plans for a three-day, two-night stay on Mackinac Island.

The day we left on the ferry was fabulous!

We had lunch outside on the deck at the Pink Pony...

...and watched a freighter glide by.

After lunch we took a long walk in the Autumn sunshine.

Round Island Lighthouse

Thursday we woke up to intermittent rain showers. It didn't ruin the day, as we were still able to take short walks and enjoy this 1000 foot freighter...

...pass by the lighthouse.

As I write this, another downpour beats on the roof of our little house in the woods. The dogs are rolled up in their holes in the straw in the kennel, wishing I'm sure...

...for the dog days of Summer.

Have a great week everyone!