2 day pass

this weekend the weather felt like almost spring, not soon to be winter.
windows were wide open, legs left bare and as much time as possible was spent outside.
the kids wiled away the weekend in the yard with friends, and t. bone golfed what could be his last round of 2012.
coach did a makeover on our yard, and i tell you it's a real looker now.
he even strung lights on the bushes so they will twinkle and shine next month.
that makes me very happy.
so did having wine and cheese with my friend friday.
and a family night saturday was also much enjoyed.
we grilled bbq chicken that miss bit said was the best ever, lit candles in the dining room and then gathered in the family room to play games.
t. bone and i were right that it was miss peacock in the kitchen with the rope.
after church and during sunday school, coach and i managed a fast paced four miler all along the lakefront and winding through the city.
we noticed that the clouds looked like they were painted masterfully in the sky.
i baked brownies ala julia childs and cookie bars ala tollhouse for coach to take to work tomorrow.
it's his birthday, and he asked me nicely and then paid my baking compliments.
we celebrated his 45th an eve early at our favorite hibachi grill.
t. bone tried wasabi and pot stickers, miss bit tried (and very much liked) shrimp and ate quite successfully with chop sticks.
i ate some crab and tuna sushi and coach stuck with the filet mignon and saki.
we came home to open presents.
coach liked them all.
before bed, i'm going to have to turn the heat back on.
it's supposed to be in the 30s tomorrow.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

The wonderful northwood's retreat we enjoyed last weekend.  It is a blessing and a gift to get out of dodge once in awhile.  This photo makes me happy.  It reminds me that spending time in nature is grounding, spending time with family is restorative...family will always have your back, and that we never know what lies ahead, yet forward on the road we travel.  Forward we travel together.

The election is over.  I am worried about the future with a country so divided and citizens so cantankerous.  This week I've steered clear of all airwaves and print media, and I feel saner for it.  Whoever said ignorance is bliss was onto something.

Giving myself a much needed day of lounging Wednesday.  I stayed in my pjs all day long and I didn't feel guilty for it.  I only changed out of them to put on a clean pair before bed.  I watched 2 movies, read 2 books, played a game and made a pot of chicken noodle soup.

I finally finished The Happiness Project.  Actually, I read it twice almost cover to cover back to back.  The first time I read it focusing on Rubin's experience.  The second time I changed the lens to better define what my own project might look like.  I think it's something I am going to do...probably starting in January.  I believe that happiness takes effort and discipline, and I know I could work harder to act the way I want to feel.  This seems like a good way to ensure that I'm maximizing my happiness.

Reading about Old Dan and Little Ann with Miss Bit.  I love that she is quite capable of reading this classic all by herself, but that she still enjoys when I read to her.

The Other Boleyn Girl.  Since I finished this book earlier this fall, I've been anxious to see the movie. I enjoyed both immensely...surprisingly.  Surprising since historical fiction isn't usually my go to genre.  But those royals...those royals are so scandalous and shameless.  In comparing the two, I have to say that the book seemed too long and the movie a bit short.  I was annoyed by how much of the story was left out of the movie.  I loved the casting though.

Stock is not stock.  I followed the recipe from this cookbook to a tee (well, almost) the first time I made chicken stock this fall.  It was good enough to serve alone...rich, dark, layered, deep.  Then I improvised this week, and while it was still good, it was not as good.

This astute comment made by my girl this week: You know what I don't like about library books?  You don't know where they've been.

Lots of projects this weekend...in the yard, in the kitchen, at the kitchen craft table and a little party planning.  I am in a serious nesting at home mode and it's a good thing.

Last minute plans this evening to catch up with a girlfriend, and Coach for embracing my sudden sisterly spontaneity.

2 day pass

we spent this weekend in one of my favorite places with some of my favorite people.
late fall is also my favorite time of the year to retreat to the peninsula because most people see no reason to flock there once the water is too cold to swim and then the trees have shed their splendor.
i happen to believe that bare trees are beautiful too and even before they are dusted in snow.
i've been visiting door county for as long as i can remember, and i've experienced it winter, spring, summer and fall.
this weekend i decided i want my kids to have those very same fish creek memories from their childhoods.
we kinda made a pact that this will become a forever annual and festive family tradition.
when polled on the best part of the weekend, miss bit was quick to chime in, "spending time with family."
t. bone thereafter lamented that his little sister stole his answer.
of course, the award winning breakfast we enjoyed on sunday was a close second.
i debate the white gull inn's definition of short stack.
next time miss bit may simply order a plate of hash browns she has decided.
i'm pretty sure i'd opt for the corned beef hash again so long as someone orders the cherry stuffed french toast and is willing to share.
her close second was securing a spiffy pair of moccasins, which she calls moccansins and refuses to take off.
i was tempted to buy myself a pair for the nostalgia value, but instead i splurged on the perfect new clock for my collection, sassy rabbit fur trimmed gloves, and a warm alpaca hat.
the rest of the crew tried on hats, but i couldn't convince them to buy any.
many venues close for the winter, but i have found that most of my favorite shops and restaurants stay open year round.
his close second was teeing off at the alpine course followed by shooting hoops with grandpa and playing hide and seek with his sister and his cousin, bodi.
she also gave grandma and grandpa's shower and swimming with daddy high marks.
we ventured out for pizza friday night just before they rolled the streets up for the night, and decided to stay in saturday to chill in the comfort of the cozy condo.
we grilled steaks and burgers and played charades, mancala and shut box.
we all enjoyed the 2 hour, 2.7 mile trek along the eagle nest trail earlier in the day.
parts of the trail were difficult as stated, and all of it was beautiful.
we were sandwiched between towering cliffs and caves on one side and the beautiful bay on the other.
it started to snow while we were hiking, but the flakes were so fine we could hardly see them.
a pit stop on the way home yielded a huge jug of cider and 5 gallons of baking cherries.
we all brought a collection of happy memories home with us too.

 a farm with a view...silos on the shore of lake michigan

 a view from algoma

 100 mile stretch sprint

 at dairy deans....perch sandwiches and fried cheese curds for lunch

 when life is an impressionist painting

 it's the perfect day for a road trip

 pizza coma

 ready to hike

 eagle's nest: simple

 she watched titanic on the drive up

 grandpa and his girl

 a family shot along the way...everyone is still smiling

cool rock cairn

 brave dog

 as close as we came to woody woodpecker

 the last of the fall colors...a few lone leaves

 and a green as can be fern

 trail games...blind man walking

 he can split rocks

grandma and her girl

 rocky cliffs

green bay shores

 exploring a cave

 too tired to walk after all the climbing

 where's bodi?  after the hike

 goodbye peninsula state park

 so many choices

 magnificient mums galore

quaint church

 soaking in the hot tub

 award winning cherry stuffed french toast

 hash and limpa bread...oh the limpa bread

 grandma and grandpa...guess which one is ready to shop?

 t. bone was wishing he could partake in a pancake challenge on our visit

 the fam minus half my face.

we are full, but there's always a little room leftover for door county candy

  kid in a candy shop

 decisions, decisions

funny what a hat says about a person...my fierce warrior

 yes, i married this maniac

 rasta bob who actually listens to james taylor

 hands down the best jack o' lantern i've seen all season

goodbye door county...the next time we meet again may you be covered in snow!

Day is Done

 We drove home today at the same time we drove up the peninsula a couple days ago.  This photo's not much, but it does show that the sun was on the decline....on the rapid decline.  Day is done, gone the sun takes on a poignant meaning at this time of year.  There were hints of barns, suggestions of silos and silhouettes of trees and animals.  When we traveled north days earlier, the landscape was illuminated brilliant in a fiery late afternoon light.  A quick break in the many patches of tall pines and firs that lined the roadway like soldiers revealed one of the bays in all its late day glory.  The hills surrounding the water were so beautifully glowing they looked like they could spontaneously combust.  I tried to take a picture, but by the time I was ready, we had moved on.  I wanted to capture the image because what I saw gave me such a sensation of hope and happiness.  I wanted to share it here and bring you the same warm, cozy feelings.  Sorry, but you'll just have to take my word for it. 

We passed that bay several times over the course of the weekend and every time I would say or think and muse, This is where it looked like Heaven on earth the other day.  This is where I glimpsed and then grasped the absolute joy and privilege of living this life.  It was one of those rare, electric, unforgettable moments when all feels right with the universe and I find myself so filled to the brim with gratitude for everything and everyone.

Sadly our vacation has come to an end, but I'm living in the afterglow of a wonderful weekend shared with family.  After some rest and processing, I'll be back to share my time there here.  It's what I do.