Lovely Weekend

We certainly did well with the weather. No rain at all! It looked like there might be some on Saturday but the rain avoided us altogether. We had an absolutely beautiful spot at the campground. It was quite large and because it had no electricity (at least the spots near us) there were only tents close to us. Sometimes the motor homes are so big they clutter the place up.

This was the view I woke up to in the morning. Yes, I made myself get up before dawn just so I could see the sun rise.

The above was the view stepping out of the tent and looking to the right. And below is when I took a few steps onto the beach and looked to the left.

We did get some nice walks in. It was quite wet in places and on one trail we had to turn back because it was impassable but lots of new sights and new walks. I absolutely loved the mini-break. It was great to get away and sitting out looking onto the bridge view was fantastic.

I hope everyone had a great weekend! It's back to normal for a few weeks now.

Off Camping

All packed up and ready to go. I think. I hate trying to work out what to pack. We're only going for the long weekend but it might be cold (especially at night) and there is nothing worse than trying to sleep in the tent when you're cold. I have my camera all packed up and ready to go. I can't wait to take lots of photos. Hopefully I'll be able to get a good sunset in. The scenery in the U.P is absolutely gorgeous. I have packed the new filters I purchased with the GC daughter sent me for Mother's Day. I haven't used them yet so it will be a great time to experiment.

It was a busy day today but I did manage to get out for a walk. It was really peaceful as it was quite early. There was only one other car in the car park at Asylum Lake. It was fairly quiet down there but I did see a turtle out enjoying the morning sun.

I did fairly well with my list this week although I didn't get started on my Spring photo book as I hoped. I did get more books sorted than I had planned and I got more pages in my 100 Days of All About Me book done. Looking forward to getting caught up.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. For those who have to work the long weekend I hope it goes smoothly for you.

Thursday - time flying by

I can't believe the week has almost gone! Seems like it's flown by. This weekend is a holiday weekend here in the US too. I think it's one of the few the US and England share. Over here it is Memorial Day on Monday. We're off camping for the weekend. Our first time out this year with tents and up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for dry weather - they keep changing the forecast.

Mum got good news on Tuesday. She had another scan and appointment. It's always a little worrying when this time comes around. She saw the Oncologist on Tuesday and everything is good!!!!! She doesn't have to go back for a whole year!!! Usually it's six months so we're really pleased. Mum is really relieved. Now we can look forward to our holidays and me visiting! I can't believe I fly in 5 weeks. We have two camping trips (one for a week) between now and then.

I've been trying to get out and walk everyday. It's beginning to look particularly beautiful down by Asylum Lake. All the wildflowers are starting to pop. The woods are beginning to lose their dull brown hue and the woodland floor is covered by growing greenery.

I can't wait to take photos in the U.P. From our campsite you can see the Mackinac Bridge. I'm hoping to at least see some sort of sunset.

I'm doing quite well with my this-week list. I'm sticking to the food list. It's warming up now so time to do less cooking - or prepare things earlier in the day. My 100 Days of All About Me book is coming along quite nicely. I'm thinking I might get caught up next week!

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Weekend

It was my birthday on Saturday so we went away for the weekend. I didn't watch either the wedding or the FA cup Final. We spent the weekend up at a state park - Ludington - in a mini-cabin. We've camped there before but I thought I'd treat myself and book a mini-cabin for the weekend. Good thing as it was quite chilly at night. The place had heat and electricity - even a microwave and a fridge! We found out while we were there that it is available even in the middle of the winter when it's really cold and snowy. We're contemplating renting it overnight in the winter. It was really, really warm. We did sit outside a little while at night with our first fire of the season.

It's really small but does sleep five. There is a bunk bed with a double on the bottom and single on the top and another set of bunk beds. Also some chairs and a small table. It was perfect for us as we were out and about more than in the cabin.

We didn't do the walks we were going to do - there is a ridge walk up some very steep hills and another through sand dunes. I knew I couldn't do them so we did some easier - but no less beautiful - walks.

It was raining when we left on Saturday but by the time we'd arrived the rain had stopped. Fog was rolling in along the lakeshore and into the woods, but later cleared off and we had some sunshine before the clouds rolled in again. It was so nice to get away for the weekend.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Friday - Update on Lists

It's Friday and I'm happy to report that I did very well with my lists that I wrote at the beginning of the week. I was really pleased with the meal plan. Working out what I was going to cook wasn't fun BUT it was easier to do it once rather than every single day! I wasn't running to the shops each day and it was nice knowing exactly what I was going to cook.

To-do lists - I exceeded what I actually wanted to get done. My sister's card is in the post. I listed quite a few items on Ebay and got more ready to list next week. The thing I am most pleased with is that I sorted out two boxes of books I am willing to let go of and I haven't gone through all my books yet! I must admit to being a book addict. I can't resist them. I find it difficult to let go of them - giving them away is like getting rid of a good friend. I decided to tackle the problem of letting go from another angle. If I had read a book I thought about how much I had enjoyed it and whether I wanted to hang onto it. If I hadn't read a book (which there are a lot of) I thought about how far down the reading list it actually was, whether it caught my attention at that moment and whether I could borrow it from the library in the future. Sometimes I feel as though if I don't acquire a book at a certain time or hold onto it I'll never be able to get hold of it again. Crazy, I know.  One of the podcasts I listen to The Crafty Toads (Toad Hollow) have moved and have downsized as sometime soon (after house sitting and a winter rental) they plan on moving into an RV. I tried to think about limited space and what I'd like to take with me. I might use this as I sort through things throughout the house. I doubt it will be an overnight change, but sorting a bit at a time seems the way to go.

Intermission for some sunbathing!

I have been walking this week. Leisurely walks and trying not to overdo it. My ears were hurting yesterday and I kept coughing but today seems better. I have to listen to my body more, I think. I'm having trouble sleeping a little bit. I keep waking up every night around 3am then just being able to doze. I stay in bed until hubby and son have left for work and get up about 6.30am. I thought it was because I was going to be earlier than I did before I fell ill so I pushed it back closer to my old 'bedtime' around midnight, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. It's not a problem I've had before. Sigh.

I hope everyone had a good, productive week and will have an enjoyable weekend!

Thursday - Crafty Finishes

The sun finally came out! I've been trying to get out and do some short leisurely walks each day. I'm still getting out of breath. The last couple days haven't been so bad, but today my head was all stuffed up again and I felt dizzy. I ended up cutting short errands and going home. Even walking around the house I'm getting dizzy so not getting much done. We're supposed to be going away this weekend and we were hoping to walk a lot. I think we'll just have to take it a bit easier.

I have actually been working on some crafts this week. I had bought some cotton yarn to take with me to daughters. I thought I could work on it at night and knit some dish cloths. That did not happen. I didn't want to stick it back in the stash so I've been knitting those in the evening. Got a couple done (I get easily distracted).

I got my April pages done! I am actually sticking with this project :)

I've also done 11 pages of my The 100 Days of All About Me book. This was one of my 100 Day projects and I'm playing catch-up.

Today I wanted to make the birthday card for my sister as I need to get it in the post. Unfortunately crafty inspiration wasn't happening. It's missing something and I'm not sure what. I probably should have layered the paper better but it's too late now.

I'm doing quite well with the list I made at the beginning of the week. It was short so quite manageable. I think that's the best way to go. I hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Yikes

I almost set the house on fire today. I was making sausage rolls and had turned the trays around so they would cook evenly and accidentally dropped the oven mitt inside the oven and did not realise it. How? I don't know. Obviously I wasn't thinking. I was sitting resting up when I smelled burning. I thought it was the sausage rolls. Nope. I opened the oven to see the mitt on the bottom of the oven. It was sort of melded to the bottom! I did manage to save the sausage rolls (which were thankfully done). When I opened the door smoke billowed out. Thick smoke. I quickly shut the door again, turned off the oven and disabled the smoke detector. I didn't want to 'feed' the fire (it wasn't really a fire, more like a little ember). I had to open all the windows as the smoke was quite thick.

I'm so thankful it wasn't worse. I thought I had killed the stove. I cringed when I told hubby. I'm quite forgetful though how it happened - what twit drops an oven mitt inside the oven - I don't know. Luckily he took it in his stride. When he came home he scraped off the mitt and cleaned it all up. Yeah for hubby.

A photo that made me smile.

He was quite brave and stopped to stare at me. His antlers are starting to grow back. I love it when they are like this. They look so furry. In my mind I think they would be quite soft to touch, but I'm betting I'd be disappointed to actually feel one.

I hope everyone had a good Tuesday and didn't do anything as stupid as I did.

Sunday

It was Mother's Day here in the US on Sunday. Usually I make Mum at least a card, but this year I didn't. I was too sick to make one and get out and post it. Sigh. I did honour her on UK Mother's Day back in March so all was not lost. I told her I owed her a meal out when I come to visit. I can't believe it will just be seven weeks and I'll be there!

We went over to MILs where hubby grilled out. It made quite the nice change as I haven't seen her for a while. My MIL is a lovely lady. I am so lucky to have her in my life. She could have been a bit funny when we met as we didn't meet until hubby and I were already married. She welcomed me with open arms and when we first came to the states and things were tough she helped us out a lot with the kids.

We did go out for a little walk in the morning but the weather wasn't too good. There has been a lot of rain, cooler temps and storms. I'm more than ready for some sunshine again! The beach was pretty quiet but in a few weeks things will be completely different!

I am starting the week as I mean to go on. I've actually made lists! Yes, me. Lists!

Food :- taco, sausage rolls, chicken quesadillas, sausage pasta, homemade chicken tenders.

Petrol prices are still quite high so I want to shop for all the food needed for recipes in one go. I actually cleaned out the cupboards last week (in small bursts lol) but they are now nice and tidy. I want to make sure to buy only what we need with a few staples on hand to make some quick meals if needed.

To do list - things will probably be added to this but these are the extras I want to get done.

* finish up April Pages
* do at least 8 pages in my All About Me book
* make & post card for sister's birthday
* sort at least 10 books to get rid of
* at least 5 Ebay listings

It's a good start. Small steps that I can follow through on.

I do hope it stops raining so I can go for a little walk. I need to get my stamina back and small walks seem the way to go. I hope everyone has a lovely Monday. I'm leaving with this photo I took in my garden. I love this bird.  I need a caption.

Saturday

Hubby and I were going to try to go for a little walk this morning, but I've woken up (at a fairly decent time) and it is raining! Yesterday was the same and quite chilly. I ended up feeling not too good last night - hot and cold again. I'm not sure if it was just the weather or something else. I don't feel too bad this morning so maybe it was just the sudden change in temp (that certainly doesn't help). Instead of a walk I suppose we'll do Plan B and go look for some flowers. I want something cheery in the garden to maybe attract more butterflies and birds.

I was also sad to read this morning that Sue's husband Col (from The Cottage at the End of a Lane) had passed away. I remember he got cancer around the same time as Mum. I think reading other blogs we sometimes feel as though they are friends we're reading about. I think I connected with Sue's blog as she's from Suffolk and when she and Col lived in Ipswich in their bungalow they were just round the corner from Mum. My thoughts are certainly with her and her family today.

I'll be Skyping Mum later. It's Mother's Day here in the US tomorrow. I usually send Mum a card for both but have to admit I haven't got around to it (haven't been feeling up to it - the making or getting to post office). I did send her a card and presents for Mother's Day in March so I shall just wish her a Happy Mother's Day and let her know I'll be thinking about her. It is only seven weeks until I visit!

I'll leave today with some photos of Spring I took earlier in the week when the sun was shining!

Hope everyone has an enjoyable Saturday.

Food/Recipes - What do you Cook?

Being laid up the last few weeks I have to admit that I've watched more than my fair share of cooking programmes over that time (there seems little else on). It's got me thinking about food and recipes. The weather is certainly warming up and soups and heavy meals don't seem the thing to be eating. It seems as though I've got in a little bit of a habit cooking the same meals. I need some new recipes but nothing really appeals. Once it starts really heating up I don't like to turn the oven on too much but eating salads all the time seems to get...well, boring.

So, what do you cook? Are there certain go-to recipes? Is your family meat-and-potatoes? If you experiment do you just make up recipes or is there a place where you like to find them? I do tend to go on All Recipes and look around and I have made some of them. Do you cook a lot of meat? I finally learned to cook pork properly but I'm not that good with beef. I don't eat meat (occasionally white fish) so I don't exactly know how to cook it. If it was me it would be really well done but I don't think that's the correct way to cook it.

Sigh. This post ended up as a bunch of random thoughts, but that's the way my mind's been working lately! Thanks for the input! If you have any recipes you really love (and aren't that complicated) I'd love to give them a go.

Sunny and Bright

I feel like I'm missing Spring. Everything is getting so bright and green and I don't have the energy to get out there much and enjoy it! I did manage to go for a little walk but I was so out of breath and quite dizzy. Feeling really old. This illness has really taken its toll. It's a little better today - my ears keep popping and my head feels a little clearer so hopefully the dizziness will ease up.

Perhaps while sitting here I should make a list of things I'd like to get done. The 100 Day Projects I was working on are an epic failure. I shall try to catch up on the 100 Days of All About Me but the photography one is done. No point picking up as the point was taking a colourful photo a day. I shan't be too hard on myself. It couldn't be helped. As soon as I'm able I'll be out there taking lots of photos anyway.

It always amazes me that this is in the middle of town. When I was here back before visiting daughter/falling ill everything was still so brown and dead. It's amazing how much difference a couple, three weeks can make.

Feeling Bit Better

I feel like I've been away forever. I'm finally feeling a bit better but still really stuffed in the head and shaky on my feet. Today was the first time I tried to go out. Only lasted a little while before I got really winded and dizzy. Everything from my head is still draining. It is good to feel a bit clearer though. I actually ate food yesterday!!! All the tasty stuff I was planning to eat in Minnesota and couldn't eat a darn thing. Oh well.

I started to look through some photos. I can do it for a while before feeling really dizzy. Needless to say I haven't done much reading or any crafting at all. I suppose it will come slowly back. This illness really knocked me out. Phew.

I'm hoping at least some of the photos I took turned out nice. I wasn't feeling well when I took them and don't really remember a lot only how stunningly beautiful some of the places were.

This is the lighthouse I really wanted to see. It is Split Rock Lighthouse up near Duluth in Minnesota. Gorgeous from this far away. There was still some snow around and it looked so beautiful. Really well worth a visit.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend - especially those in England where it's a Bank Holiday Weekend. I skyped with Mum yesterday and she said the weather has been gorgeous - tomorrow she's hoping to go to the seaside with my sister.

Flu

Unfortunately our trip didn't turn out like planned. I ended up coming down with flu. Got back home and ended up with a secondary infection - serious sinus infection - that I'm still fighting. Finally went to dr on Wednesday and got some antibiotics, steroid burst and some cough stuff. Today is the first day I'm felt somewhat human.

Hopefully normal service will presume soon :)