We've had a few! It was a perfect day when Rick and I headed to Detroit to do a "tour" of some of his ancestors' haunts with Kevin.
It was great fun to see the neighborhood of Indian Village where Rick's second great-grandfather had built his home. Next door to it, he built an exact replica for one of his daughters.
If one was to flip the house above on its side, so the doors were facing to the left, it would be a mirror image of Rick's great grandfather's house next door. You can get a bit of an idea here but the foliage is too thick to totally see it. We were fortunate enough to go inside the green home and it has much of the original woodwork and is quite lovely.
Any visit to Detroit also involves a little time with the grandlittles and in this case, it was very little as they were traveling and didn't arrive home till late. Rick and Kevin were off on a visit to Rick's mom in Dallas before they were up, but this smiling face was a delight to encounter first thing in the morning!
This one was all about Mickey Mouse. You don't interrupt Mickey Mouse!
Even the required teeth brushing was done under Mickey's gaze!
On the way home (after a terrific but expensive trip to IKEA) I stopped in Ann Arbor and had a delightful lunch with Mae of MaeFood at a restaurant called the Slurping Turtle. Her pix of the restaurant, which she enjoyed earlier in the week with her family are here.https://maefood.blogspot.com/2019/10/lunch-at-slurping-turtle.html
There have been visits to the Ditch, too. Ellie is still here -- and hungry. If you want to develop patience in stressful times, just settle in to watch an egret (or heron) fish. It's better than meditation.
And she's so darned beautiful!
The Ditch is beginning to get pretty too. Not full-fall yet, but it's on its way. There is some weird auto focusing going on here but I love the mysterious, almost impressionist, quality it gives this photo.
If you follow Vivian Swift's blog, you may know about the Stromness Rock, a rock Vivian brought back from Orkney and is sending around the country for photo shoots by her various blog followers. The Stromness Rock came to Michigan so I took it around to a few places including the cider mill...
...the Michigan State Children's Garden...
...and to the state capitol where I met these lovely people who get out with their signs every Friday and have for several years now. Good for them!
I also took it to a restaurant that was having a wine tasting. The rock photo didn't come out so well. I think I took it after too much tasting!
While I was at the gardens, I took a peek into the MSU Horticultural Gardens.
I wasn't disappointed. There are still blooms in Michigan!
I've baked a little bit -- these Happy Cakes lasted rather awhile. This is what happens when you shop for a present for someone else and end up buying yourself a cupcake pan.
And a bit of decorating was done, too -- I'm still not full-fall either but hope to share a bit more soon.
I had my last lake visit a couple of weeks ago. The weather was awful so Rick and I started practicing for our next trip to England by doing a puzzle of the tube map!
It does feel good to settle at home, though, after several months of going back and forth or staying at the cottage. Home means reliable internet and cable (though I'm beyond mad at Comcast, which took TCM off the expanded basic tier and put it on the SPORTS tier. Really? Sports? That makes NO sense at all.) Home means I can focus on getting ready for the November art sale, connect with local friends, see some good theatre, bake with a full kitchen (versus up north where I don't bother with a mixer, microwave or all the pantry of home.) It's getting into a bit of a routine, one that can be easily changed if one likes.
As for Lizzie, it means no rides in "The Box." And she likes that! So all is well.
Sharing with: Let's Keep in Touch / Best of the Weekend
46 comments:
Looks like you had a great trip to Michigan and saw and enjoyed lots of delights. I'm sure you will miss being at the ditch, it's so beautiful there. Enjoy your weekend, hugs, Valerie
Always a delight to follow you and your talented camera around. That auto-focus of the tree limb over all that color is absolutely a prize winner. I could look at that all day.
You’ve been busy but with fun thongs. Those grand babies are growing so fast! If like seeing all the photos of life in Michigan. Can’t wait to see the leaves changed fully. Ours are kaput since the snow this week.
LOVE the pic of Elegant Ellie (with the reflection)
Lizzie is looking appropriately formidable.
And I always thought Rick was the very model of sanity. A jigsaw puzzle of the Tube sounds like masochism! Looks like you had a great visit to Detroit, a city that never seems to have much good written or said about it recently. I know what you mean about being back from the cottage and having all your appliance and more space. Suddenly seems like luxury doesn't it?
From your wonderful photos, I'd say life is good for you!
Enjoyed reading about your Detroit trip, seeing the grandlittles, however briefly, and the travels of the Stromm stone, which does get around. As fun as traveling is, so much nicer to be home at least for a little while.
Oh I love this picture of Lizzie, looks like she is saying "howdy y'all!!" lOL Loved the post and seeing what all you've been up to!!Loved the pretty pictures of the ditch and the happy feeding birds there. Looks like a fun trip to Detroit and those two houses are so neat!! And that puzzle looks HARD!!---I am not good at those!
Two pieces of a pumpkin are sitting in the kitchen, waiting for Ingo :-)
A beautiful house(s)!
And awww, such sweet cutie-pies!
What is it with IKEA these days? Everybody goes (us included).
BIL talked me into buying a certain book on meditation - I do not have the patience sitting inside like that - your way is much better!
I love the statue!!!! Oh, so beauty- and meaningful!!!
Yes. With that "president" you (or we, for that matter) sadly have...
Hehe, we do the same tasting... with beer :-)
"be happy" - I sure do love this!
Oh! We have a puzzle to do here, too (but reckon the pumpkin is first).
Cute last pic!
Everything looks beautiful: a twin house, little boys, birds, decorations, yummy cakes, and flowers.
Hmm Rick looks so busy!
Happy Sunday :)
I apologize for being so far behind in my visit. I'm in catch-up mode, although I may never catch up. Especially long and enjoyable posts like this one. I love the rock that you took around to photograph.
I think I need to stand with those people, too. Yesterday I was so disappointed because of the state of the world. But today I've changed my mind. I was at the store yesterday and left my camera (my irreplaceable Nikon) in my shopping cart. I didn't even realize it till I got home and by that time I had been to two more places. I was in a panic. I returned to the store where I thought I left it and asked if anyone had turned in a Nikon. Can you believe it? There ARE good people in the world and now I have a much happier outlook than I had yesterday. So at least some people are still kind in America.
You have a full post and I am not sure I can even comment on it all. I hate to tell you, but those "cupcakes" look like donuts to me. And I'm so thrilled to see your autumn inspired decorations, too. Mine have been out for several days, but only because I was expecting company.
The house that Rick's great-grandfather build is beautiful.
Great photos of your visit to your grandkids, the statue of the girl reading a book is great and the peace signs so appropriate to what is going on in our world. We certainly need more kindness everywhere!
Have a lovely Sunday Jeanie.
Absolutely love the photos of the ditch and the egret. Truly magical!
It shows that you love fall.
I love your posts . . .
and all of your travels/happenings/stories!
Tell me please about the Halloween collection pieces.
I like . . .
Wizard of Oz peeps and baby boys:)
I have to address the Oz decor!! LOVE, big Oz fan here. Even to the ripe old age of 59, its my fave all time movie! Great pics and as always, looks like you have been staying busy. have fun.
Jeanie, your blog is always so full of "HAPPY." It always makes me happy. I would so enjoy one of those little cakes right now with my coffee. The little ones are precious and I know you enjoy them. Also, love to see Ellie - she is so beautiful.
Have a lovely day, you are in such a pretty part of our world.
You have certainly been on the go Jeanie. Your grands are certainly growing so fast, always enjoy seeing pics of them. I know you both enjoyed seeing the amazing house. I'm sure it was sad saying goodby to the lake for the season but like you say, nice to settle in to what I call the "comfort" season. Your cupcakes look yummy and it's terrible Comcast removed TCM. What were they thinking!!!!! My sister is furious about that. Can you believe the excuse they have "low ratings" which is ridiculous. No-one believes that!
Have a wonderful week.....
Hello, sounds like you had a wonderful trip. The house is beautiful.
I agree just watching the egret can be relaxing. Pretty capture of the colors at the Ditch! I would honk for peace and I wish America to be kind again. The rock traveled to some nice places. The grandkids are cuties! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!
Yes you are having a nice fall. I would (and did reading this post) enjoy the little road trips, the little bit of Rick's ancestering, going out and around and doing fall fun things. And I had to laugh about buying yourself the cupcake pan rather than the gift. I just did that myself a few weeks ago, and I think it is the same pan. But good for you to actually bake something in it already. Happy rest of your weekend Jeanie. Hugs-Erika
Your fall is so full of goodness! I love settling in at home this time of year too, and taking in more of the local scene. I need to carry my camera more. Thanks for the inspiration. Carry on!
When our children were small, my sister and I took them every summer to the Children’s Garden and then to feed the ducks by the administration building. They had all been to many football games, but it was a different side of campus.
Loved this post. I really like the traveling rock. You took some great pictures-love the one with the tree and nothing like a grand or two to warm the heart!
I hope you have a wonderful week. xo Diana
oh--where did you find the little Halloween 'people'? LOVE them!
I have been catching up with all your posts. I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures of Paris, colored and black and white. You are also very talented in watercolor; your Paris art is lovely. I envied your visit to Mackinac Island – looks so beautiful. Always a pleasure also to look at you vivid flower pictures, and bird pictures as well. And you went to a restaurant with Mae? Such fun it must have been. All in all your summer posts were enchanting, and it’s fall already …
More great photos. And what a variety. Looks like you had all kinds of fun.
Jeanie, you keep an active schedule and a very happy one. The grandlittles are adorable and I know you enjoy them so much. I always enjoy ditch photos, love seeing Ellie and Harry! Happy fall to you!
It always good to be home..
That puzzle looks like a doozy with all that white!
You have been busy.. lovely pictures..
The travelling rocks is funny.. and fun.
That photo of Lizzie just cracks me up. I've seen similar expressions in the past, and I remember what they meant!
Like you, I always enjoy going, but coming home to the familiar spaces and routines is good, too. Tonight, I'm thrilled to have open windows, and cooler air. It was easy being outdoors today: not much wind, not too hot, not too cold. It was cloudy, but a little sunny sometimes, and the first hints of goldenrod are appearing. You're right -- autumn's on the way!
Jeannie,
Great photos again!! Those houses are amazing that they are identical! Love seeing the kids and your cute decorations!! Again, it looks like you had a great time this weekend!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
What a lovely day! I love the house that looks just like Rick's GG's. Those grandlittles are precious!! It is always fun to visit your blog, Jeanne. Have a great week!
I am glad you enjoyed your visit to Detroit! Indian Village is lovely, and Rick's family homes are beautiful!! We were so close to you, we were only minutes away on Belle Isle. Lol. I am glad you got to spend some time with the grandkids even though brief. :) And yeah, my son is a huge Mickey fan too. Lol.
My dad and stepmom used to go to those protests in Lansing over the summer. :)
Looks like you have been having fun!
That auto-focus fall pic is beautiful!! Wow! I'm glad the weather has been nice enough for you to enjoy some of the fall colors. I hope you aren't getting what we had this weekend, but I'm guessing it's on its way if it hasn't hit yet. It was so cold this weekend - I had to put Paul in a fleece snowsuit for the 2-block walk to the library. The feels like temp was in the 20s and we had some snow flurries - not any snow accumulation thank God, but flurries in October are depressing. I haven't been able to take in the fall colors yet since it's been so cold and windy! Hopefully we get some warmer temps soon as it's too soon for these temps!!
The treats you made look delicious!!!
Sounds like you and Lizzie are very content, and I can see why.
Also, I love the traveling rock thing...
The flip houses are fascinating aren't they?
I apologize for not answering your question about alcohol inks (AI) before. I certainly DID NOT make it clear that AIs are used on NON-POROUS surfaces, so fabric and silk are not something they would benefit from. That's why I used the freezer paper. It is slick and definitely non-porous. You can use AIs on glass, metal, and plastic, which is what the freezer paper is in paper backed form. I used some AIs to decorate a metal box recently. They also work well on altered altoid-type tins. Thanks for the question, though.
Hi Jeanie!
Those grandlittles are the cutest! I'm glad you both have a chance to see them often!
You're having such a lovely autumn with many happy trips and occasions. I like your Halloween figurines and that Nordic Ware fall cakelet pan is on my envy list...lol..they look charming!
The photo of the tree limb reaching into the fall foliage is stunning Jeanie!
Jenna
Jeanie, I love that picture of the tree limb at The Ditch with the orange and golden Autumn leaves in the distance. And your grandson in his yellow shirt watching Mickey is cute as ever. The Happy Cakes you baked look Yummy. They kind of look like doughnuts. Your shelf filled with Fall items is cute. I smiled at the lady bug, as I love lady bugs. Lizzie always looks so content in her home.
And now, I'll leave you with a big HONK FOR PEACE!
~Sheri
Great homes in Indian Village. Great tour of our state. YFS Janice
What a great trip and some wonderful photographs to remember it by too.
So nice to see the grandlittles … and when I saw the jigsaw puzzle of the Tube it didn't look an easy one to do!
All the best Jan
Love a good trip, but home sweet home is wonderful! Thanks for sharing all the photos. I love traveling in my armchair. Wishing I had one of your little cakes with my cup of tea tonight.
Jeanie, I love the egret with the black background, so beautiful! I haven't been to our cottage since Labor Day weekend, but Mr. Cottage has been doing up quite a bit to cover the pontoon, bring things home, and today had the well place blow out our water lines. You'll have to share what you bought at IKEA. I love the store, but unfortunately it's a bit of a drive for us. Have a great rest of the week!
Hi Jeanie. Thanks for all your visits and I am so sorry to take so long to get back to you. Looks like you have been having fun as usual. Rick's old homes are just beautiful as are those special little grands and your fall figurines. Ellie is such a beautiful bird and a great model and I love that pic of the tree branch. Almost looks like a paint by number painting..Thanks again and I'm back (for now)..xxoJudy
Pumpkins! Oh I love pumpkins! Is it a pumpkin farm in the first picture?
Your cakes look delicious! And these shapes!! I love them!
I'm going to bake some cookies tomorrow, I'm not a "Halloween fan" but I want to bake some spooky cookies. Just for fun :)
I really like your decorations! They're tiny and cute. And I think they fit to your style (I don't know you in person, but I conclude on the basis of knowledge your blog, haha!)
Puzzles! Oh I miss it so much! I think you motivated me to buy puzzles, haha!
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