Ah Peaceful!

Had a lovely weekend. The nights were quite chilly and I have amended my list of things to bring with us when we go for a week. My poor legs and feet were cold. I had trouble one night with the tendons in my bad foot and I don't think the cold helped with that. When we arrived on Saturday the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

This is the beach adjacent to our camp site. Absolutely gorgeous. We got in a 5.2 mile walk on Saturday. The forecast for Sunday called for rain but we woke up and it was still dry so we headed off on the hike we wanted to do that day. We just managed to get in the 7.2 miles and get back to camp when the rain started. So glad we did the walk in the morning! When it rained we headed into town and looked around some of the touristy shops and got something to eat (a treat!). By the time we got back to camp the rain was clearing and it turned out to be a glorious evening.

I'll post some more photos as I get them sorted. I loved spending time by the fire and walking along the beach at sunset. Nothing better and more peaceful. Hope everyone had a lovely holiday weekend!

Off Camping

It's a holiday weekend here in the US this weekend too so an extra day off work for hubby and son. It is also the 'start' of the summer season. We're off camping for the weekend. We'll be leaving early morning. It's about a four and a half hour drive to camp site. We have looked around here before but not camped.

Wish us luck as the weather is supposed to be changeable and somewhat rainy. Still we'll make the most of it. Hopefully I'll get to practise taking lots of pics! Hope everyone has a lovely long weekend.

Dreary Thursday

It's a dull and dreary day here today. I hope it brightens up before the weekend as we are taking our first camping trip of the season. The weather forecasters are predicting rain but only showers so hopefully we can dodge them.

I've been trying to work out what we're going to take with us. I was trying to think of different camping food to take but most recipes assume you're going to have something to keep things cool. We are trying to only take things that don't need any ice - sort of in preparation for the week long trip we're taking in June.

I didn't walk today, but had a nice one yesterday. They said rain then too, and while there was rain when I was on my way to the shops, it brightened up considerably so off I went.

Look how wonderfully green everything is! Just a few weeks ago it was all bare trees and grey.

There was lots of splashing around in the other direction that I took this photo. I got some pics but couldn't see what it was. I don't know a lot about fish. Hubby thinks it was a bass, maybe more than one fish perhaps mating?

The photos aren't the greatest but any ideas?

Workdesk Wednesday - 8 years!

It's Wednesday again and time to join with Julia and the gang over at Stamping Ground for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. It's the 8 year anniversary! Can you  believe it? I haven't been joining in that long. It's a really fun place to share - lots of encouragement and creative sharing. I've really enjoyed participating.

Well, here's my desk this week

It's never clean - just can't seem to keep it that way. I've been working on my ATCs but no peeking! I have a couple of extras so if anyone wants to share drop me an email Ipswich2 at aol dot com.

I've actually mounted some of the backgrounds I've been making onto card bases. I love the colours. Happy Anniversary everyone!

Tuesday and a walk

Sad today to hear of the bombing in Manchester. Makes my heart ache.

It was a fairly quiet weekend at our house. We went over to MIL on Sunday to have cake and ice cream for my birthday. In the morning hubby and I went out for a walk. It wasn't very nice out, quite dreary but we did manage 4.25miles. We go camping this next weekend - first of the season - so hopefully the weather will not be so rainy.

It was a really pretty walk. Because of all the rain we've had lately the water was pretty high but we did get to walk along a boardwalk. It was quite slippery though!

Hubby spotted a snake in the water on the way back. We seem to be seeing this darn things everywhere lately!

On the way home we stopped by the lighthouse. The sun was actually coming out though it was quite chilly and windy!

It's been painted! The first time I've seen it up close since then. Sadly there used to be quite a bit of graffiti on it. Now it is all shiny and red.

I worked on some crafts today. It's cooler out this week so nicer to work upstairs in my craft room. I'll share some photos soon. 

Saturday

Just a quick post today. Had a nice time out with a couple of friends yesterday afternoon. As it was my birthday the restaurant gave me a free dessert - Fudge Brownie Sundae. Yum! It was delicious - a great indulgence, but hey, you only turn forty-seven once right? I'm sliding into fifty pretty quickly.

It is also my sister's birthday next week. I made her a card for her birthday and managed to get it in the post in time (I hope).

I've really enjoyed making the card backgrounds. I've been doing more of them. I'll probably show on Monday. It's cooler today so I'm doing some knitting while watching some mysteries on telly. We did manage a 3.25 mile walk this morning before the rain set in. Hope everyone has a good Saturday! I really appreciate all your comments.

Lazy Day and Five on Friday

Lazy day today. Ssshhh...it's my birthday so I thought I'd go for an extra long walk, take a trip to the library (including the bookshop in the library) and have a nice bath while everyone is out of the house. Later I'm going out to eat with a couple of friends. I got my present last week as it was a mother's day/birthday gift - a new lense for my camera! I LOVE it!

It's Friday so I thought I'd join up with Tricky and Carly over at F.A.S.T - Family Attempting to Survive the Times for Five on Friday. It's not an exciting one, but I thoughts I'd share Five of my favourite photos I've taken from the last week. If you're a regular visitor you've probably seen some of these already.

Nice to see one of the babies today - haven't seen them all week, but I spotted two of them along with parents down at a quiet spot on the lake. Growing but those wings are still so tiny.

Spotted the muskrat again! Not such a clear photo as last time but glad I could see it again.

Had to include this one. Daughter's husky, Shasta, catching bubbles last Saturday at the husky walk.

So many huskies at the husky walk! Different shapes and sizes. They were all so well behaved! This one had two different colour eyes - really striking!

My favourite of the week - all the turtles in a row enjoying the warm sunshine. I thought about including the photo of the snakes, but decided not too - they still give me the creeps lol.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Sunbathing turtles

Had to share the photo I took yesterday while out for a walk. Lots of turtles sitting in a row. Usually they are quite skittish and flop into the water as soon as they hear a sound. Yesterday a warm wind was blowing through the trees so I don't think they heard me.

It's amazing that when you stop and look carefully you can see lots of different things. I saw a muskrat yesterday as well as another turtle on the other side of the lake and more snakes! Hope everyone has a great day!

WOYWW - Wednesday again?

It's the middle of the week again so it's time for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. It's been a couple of weeks since I've joined in so thought I'd show my face and join with Julia and the gang over at Stamping Ground. My desk probably looks like it did the other week. We were away last week and I haven't been up there this week yet. So instead of a desk shot I thought I'd share some of the goodies I bought while on my trip to visit daughter in Minnesota.

This lot is from a couple of the charity shops in town. I was really happy with the bottom two - they are kits. Like I need any more cross stitch kits lol. They called my name and I had to 'rescue' them.

From Michaels/Joanns. They were all on clearance/sale. I was quite pleased! The stamp set I've wanted to a while and since it was on clearance I couldn't resist.

The last lots are from a great craft shop in her town. Crafts Direct. If you get to St. Cloud Minnesota please visit the shop. It is FANTASTIC. It is independently owned. I love it! There is the main shop which is huge and then an additional outlet shop where they sell discontinued and damaged/open craft items. They have a discount coupon each week but this one you pay $1 to charity of the week to save 40% on one item. Such a great idea! Daughter bought me a GC as part of my Mother's Day/Birthday gift so I had fun picking out things.

Now to find the time to play with them all...

Summer Weather and a walk

Wow it's really warmed up! It's 27C (81F) and is going to get up to 31C tomorrow. Not sure I'm quite ready for it. While we were away last week apparently there was frost here in Michigan. Quite a change. We haven't got the window air conditioners in yet so hopefully it won't be too stifling in house.

I went for a walk before it heated up too much. Earlier it was beautiful, the sun was shining and there was a lovely breeze that made it a delight to walk along Asylum Lake edge. I walked here yesterday and got to see (yikes!) snakes!

Never seen them in the water before but now I can't stop seeing them swimming about. Shudder!

Today I got to see the turtles again. This log must be there go-to spot. They are quite skittish so usually as soon as they hear something they flop back into the water. I was surprised when I looked at my photo later that there are some little turtles! Spring is certainly springing!

I caught one all by itself! Maybe it was the lookout.

Yesterday when I walked there was no sign of the flowers on the lilies. Today was a different story entirely! We had storms and rain last night.

And some beautiful flowers in sight.

It was so beautiful walking along, really peaceful too. On the side of the lake where the turtles are there seem to be few people. I stood and watched them for a little while. It was wonderful to hear all the birds singing in the trees and the chipmunks running over the fallen branches. Things are certainly looking brighter in the woods. There is so much more green now covering up the remaining signs of winter. Great way to start the day!

Getting back in the swing of things

It's always strange coming back from holiday. I think it takes a couple of days to get back in the swing of things. I did make a to-do list but, honestly, not as much of it got done as I hoped! I sometimes feel like a hamster on a wheel running around and around. I never seem to know where to start! I did get some things done and the rest will still be there tomorrow.

I really enjoyed my time at daughter's. I miss her being here but she needs to fly out on her own and go where the jobs are. I am envious of her apartment. She has a balcony and looks out on a fantastic sunset every evening. Where we live I can't see it too well. Hers is just beautiful. We sat out there a few evenings enjoying the colours.

There are some great parks in the town where she lives with wonderful views of the Mississippi River. It was wonderful to be able to see it without all the ice on it. The last time I was there in February the river was frozen.

Hubby went back to work today. He's already late home so I think work piled up while he was gone. It's nice not to have that worry any more. More photos to come. I still have to sort through my crafty goodies. I found some great deals at a few charity shops and, of course, I had to stop in Crafts Direct!

Back in Michigan

We are back home from our trip to visit daughter. We had a wonderful time. The weather was just gorgeous. It was a really long drive back but we made it! Phew. Now to sort through all the photos, the goodies I bought and do the washing (but that will be tomorrow). Daughter lives in a beautiful state - Minnesota - and we got to see some of the lovely sights. The only downside was all the ticks! Shudder. There were a lot of them. Nevermind.

I'll be sharing some of my pics over the next few days, but yesterday, before we left, we went for an Adopt-a-husky hike to help raise money for a rescue place. We discovered Shasta likes chasing bubbles!

It's Mother's Day in the US so I hope all those women who are mothers and all those women who help make other lives a little brighter enjoy a relaxing day.

Enjoying Minnesota but...

We've had a lovely couple of days in Minnesota so far. The weather has been beautiful and we've taken a couple of lovely walks. Only one problem...the ticks here are horrible. Yuck. Shudder. I'm not sure the point of them. I've had a few on me, the worst being the one attached to my neck. I was so surprised to feel it there that I tugged on it and a part of it still ended up in skin. Hubby had to get it out. Another shudder. I feel all itchy just thinking about it.

Here are a few photos. These are from my phone so not the best. I didn't bring my laptop with me so I can't transfer the other photos.

The above were taken at parks. The one below was taken at a terrific place called Munsinger Gardens. Things were just beginning to bloom but I can imagine it will be stunning in summer.

Husky Huddle

We made it to Minnesota. Today we went with daughter to a nearby dog park for a husky huddle. The weather was beautiful. It was a lot of fun watching the dogs together. They were a great bunch, so lovable and fun. They all watched their manners.

Just a few of my pics. It was so funny as there was a small bridge in the park with muddy pond. Shasta was the only dog not going in the mud. She avoided it entirely!

Five Cards, Five Backgrounds - Five on Friday

I'm joining in with Tricky and Carly over at F.A.S.T - Family Attempting to Survive the Times for a quick Five on Friday. I really need to get moving doing washing, clearing up and packing for our vacation starting tomorrow.

As I was feeling blah yesterday I decided to put on some music in my craft room and play around for a bit. It did make me feel a little better. I finished off two cards seen on my desk on Wednesday, used some of the backgrounds I'd already made to create three more and made some more backgrounds. Getting a little inky and messy made things seem a little brighter! Kind of like finger painting when you're young.

Here are the cards

And five of the new backgrounds I made a mess with

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I won't be participating next week as I'll be away!