No Walk Sunday

We stayed in today. It was cloudy and rainy when we woke and I'm still battling this cold, so we decided to stay home. Yesterday I went for a walk in the morning. I think I overdid it and ended up spending the afternoon shivering under my blanket and feeling horribly achy. I ended up taking a really hot bath and going to bed quite early. So I thought, with the weather not being the greatest, it was probably better to have a day of rest. I did manage to sort through some photos and get them a little organised. Middle son came up for food and to watch some of the new Iron Fist season (something we watch on Netflix).  I think that, while I'm sitting watching it, I'll pull out my planner and actually use it  plan out things I'd like to get done this week on a daily basis. I find myself not getting anything done unless I write it down.

A photo from yesterday. There is a touch of Autumn in the air. The trees are still mostly green but that green is changing deeper and darker, ready to turn into the bright colours of Autumn. I can't wait!

With the Cooler Weather ....

…. comes the Autumn cold. I've been feeling a little off for days. I should probably have stayed in this morning and not walked, but I went out and then felt awful when I got back. I was achy all over - my gums and mouth were even hurting too - some from the dentist trip but some because everything was just aching. I had to stay in anyway as my old passport was due to be delivered today. They couldn't have both come on the same day - oh no - but this one needed a signature too. I was hoping to take a long bath, but ended up being really quick as I didn't want to get caught short!

It was quite pretty over at the lake this morning. I love it there. It's the perfect way to start a day. Sometimes I just want to take a chair and sit, take a deep breath and watch the day away. It makes me forget everything that's going on especially all the things that make life stressful and make me sad.

The moon was still up after the sun came up. It was a beautiful beginning to the day - that ended with rain.

Just Another Thursday

The week has gone quickly. I think I say that a lot, but this week has flown by. I think it was because I was so afraid of the dentist that the couple of days before Tuesday seemed to go so slow! I did manage a walk this morning, but then had to wait in as my new passport was due to arrive and needed a signature. I really didn't want to miss it, so sat waiting for it! I can't believe how quickly it came. I only applied on Sept 11th - this time also included me sending my old passport to England before they could send the new one. I did it all online. I knew my passport was coming up to its expiry date so ,while I was in England, I got new photos done (just because requirements are different). They gave me an online code to enter for the photo bit so I was able to use that. Wow. Talk about efficiency! They even texted me all along the way with updates as to when they received my old passport and when they sent my new passport and delivery date. It made everything so easy!

The passport came around lunch time so I was able to then get out, take library books back and go to order new glasses. I had my eyes tested a couple weeks back but wanted to order glasses somewhere different as they were so expensive. I managed to get a pair for not a bad price. Could have been worse. I'm glad I only have to get them every couple years though! They seem to add on cost for everything.

It's definitely cooler out today. I actually have long sleeves on! Out on my walk I've seen several deer. They seem to be moving into the woods where there is still a lot of greenery. Some of them spook really easily, the others seem a little cautious but don't run away!

Ug Dentist/Plant Species

I really like the ladies at my dentist office. They are so nice and understanding but I'm still scared stiff when I go!!! I had to go for the first of three appointments. This one was the longest. Three hours. I kept telling myself that three hours wasn't too long but it didn't help a lot. One side of my mouth aches. Sigh. At least it's three weeks before the next one. I'm such a baby when it comes to the dentist.

On another note I was reading Sue's blog The Cottage at the End of Lane the other day and she had another wonderful post about the Elder tree including history and folklore.  I love visiting her blog. It gives me a lovely taste of home and she has such interesting posts. Spurred on by her post I decided to look up something about these luscious looking lovely berries I've seen growing around including in my back garden.


They look so lovely, like a mini bunch of grapes with a deep purple colour. I hadn't eaten any - I would never do that without knowing what they are. I looked them up online - Pokeweed. It's a good thing I didn't eat the berries - because eating them causes sickness. They do, however, make a lovely dye. Perhaps I should try that. They certainly look a wonderful colour. When I was reading up there was some conflict as to whether any part of the plant is edible. Some sources said the young shoots were edible, sort of like asparagus, but if not picked at the right time they are toxic. Mmmm, thinking I'll leave that alone too! Apparently the berries were used to cast out evil spirits - not surprising if they make you sick as you'll be throwing up for a while!

I did buy myself a little Michigan Wildflower book. I have started taking my own photos of plants I see around and I think I'll make my own book. I find the whole subject quite interesting.

Saturday

Whenever I post on Saturdays I always feel like I say how lazy the day has been. Well, it is the weekend afterall. The day has flown by and I don't feel as though I got anything accomplished. I did Skype Mum. We had a lovely chat. It was getting quite dark on her end as we got finished (around 7pm her time). The nights are certainly drawing in now. I could barely see her and I don't think she wanted to move the computer to turn the lights on lol. We chatted about how our week was and she said she got the book I pre-ordered as part of her birthday present - The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton. She really enjoyed the last few of her books and said she wanted this one when it came out. She loves to read as much as I do!

Speaking of reading, I spent most of the afternoon finishing up a book I got from the library. I couldn't put it down! It's called Dreams of Falling by Karen White. It was fantastic. I 'discovered' this author a few months ago and so far have enjoyed every one of her books that I've read. This one made me cry. I would certainly recommend giving it a read. 

Here's the blurb from the back

New York Times bestselling author Karen White crafts evocative relationships in this contemporary women's fiction novel, set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, about lifelong friends who share a devastating secret.
On the banks of the North Santee River stands a moss-draped oak that was once entrusted with the dreams of three young girls. Into the tree's trunk, they placed their greatest hopes, written on ribbons, for safekeeping--including the most important one: Friends forever, come what may.

But life can waylay the best of intentions....

Nine years ago, a humiliated Larkin Lanier fled Georgetown, South Carolina, knowing she could never go back. But when she finds out that her mother has disappeared, she realizes she has no choice but to return to the place she both loves and dreads--and to the family and friends who never stopped wishing for her to come home.

Ivy, Larkin's mother, is discovered badly injured and unconscious in the burned-out wreckage of her ancestral plantation home. No one knows why Ivy was there, but as Larkin digs for answers, she uncovers secrets kept for nearly fifty years--whispers of love, sacrifice, and betrayal--that lead back to three girls on the brink of womanhood who found their friendship tested in the most heartbreaking ways.

I'm actually quite sad to finish the book. It's a little like saying goodbye to a favourite friend. This is one I'm going to put on my to-buy list if I can find it at a good price (right now it's only in hardback).

I did sit a little out in the garden. The day was certainly cooler and there seemed to be a few more birds around. A few hummingbirds have finally been visiting our garden - now that it's almost time for them to move on. They are fun to watch and I like to give it a go to try and photography them. 

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Saturday. We're off for a walk tomorrow - if the weather cooperates. It's my middle son's birthday. He'll be 27 - YIKES! - but he's out of town so we celebrated last weekend. 

End of the Week...

Wow, I meant to be more proactive and write more on my blog, but I certainly haven't managed it this week! It's been very hot and humid here in Michigan (still). We're waiting - a little impatiently I might add - for Autumn to arrive. There are supposed to be cooler temperatures on the way. I certainly hope so! I was hoping there would be a period where I wouldn't have to use either the air conditioner or the heat, but maybe not. There really isn't a lot to write about. I had good intentions at the beginning of the week, but the week is almost over and the intentions are still just that.

I have been out and about walking. I think I've been bitten by mosquitoes this week more than I have the whole summer long. I think they know the end is coming and are out feasting. Despite the heat there is a little feel of Autumn about. The green of the woods is a really deep colour and looks to be on the turn. There are one or two golden yellow and even red leaves around. Leaves are beginning to fall from the trees. I have to say this is one of my favourite times of year. I love the coolness of the days and the bright colours.

I've seen lots of these fellows around too! I think I could do a study in chipmunks. The only ones I'd ever heard of were Alvin and the Chipmunks. I didn't realise the animals were such characters. They really are quite funny to watch.

Hot Monday

Summer has returned. I want Autumn! I want the cooler mornings and days where I can have the windows open. It's too hot for all that. Yuck. I probably shouldn't complain. Soon it will be cold and I'll probably be complaining about that too! I was looking forward to cooking some meals, but I'm back to trying to work out hot-day meals where I only have to use the stove briefly. It's too hot to be in my craft room for long too. Sigh.

We only got a short walk in yesterday. It was too hot for a hike so we just went to the lakeshore. As the official summer season is over you don't have to pay for parking at the beach anymore which was nice. I am looking forward to when things are a little quieter with not so many people about. The beach was still quite busy. It looked as though they were still grooming it too. Once they stop doing that the sand will dip and water will fill up spots. I like the wild look a lot better than carefully groomed.

I'm being quite lazy today. I got out for a walk before things got too hot, but even then the humidity caused my shirt to stick to me.

I don't often share photos of myself - although I enjoy taking photos I don't like having them taken lol - but had to share this one daughter took of me with Shasta while I was in Minnesota.

Lazy Saturday (and Unicorn Slippers)

The morning started quite warm and hazy. Hubby and I did go for a walk, but there were a lot of mosquitoes around so it wasn't very pleasant. We went back to a place we hadn't walked at for a while and the last time I was there one of the trails was severely flooded. I was curious to see whether the flooding down in the valley part of the trail had dried up with the warmth of summer. It had dried up - somewhat - but it was still very damp and really smelly! There were lots of small dead fish in the mud. They had obviously ended up there from the lake overflow (quite a way away) and had nowhere to go once things started drying up! While at the top of the hill had seen a heron and I was wondering what it was doing down there in the mud - once I saw the fish I knew why it was there!

Skyped Mum. So nice to chat. Neither one of us has been doing much of anything this week, but it was good to have a natter. I really need to get going on some crafty projects. My list taking needs to start again. The freezer is full and it's time to start cooking what we have and making a meal list helps with that.

On the way home from our walk we stopped in a shop to pick up a few pieces and these fell into my shopping trolley. They made me laugh and I couldn't resist (they were fairly cheap too and I needed new slippers).

Hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend!

Half the Week Gone...

… and not a lot done! I did finally get around to doing my washing, but I think I have a touch of the after-holiday blues again. At least it won't be long until I see daughter again. She's coming to visit in November. I was sort of worried about whether she'd come as she's buying a house and will be moving not long before then, but she says she's coming. I guess that house buying means she'll be staying there for a while. A part of me was hoping she'd be coming back some time, but it seems she's building her life in Minnesota. I'll just have to save money and frequent flyer miles lol.

While I was there we went to a baby shower for a friend of hers. Before I left I made a card for her.

I quite like the way it turned out. I haven't been to a baby shower in years. It was quite fun (despite only slightly knowing the mother-to-be). I won a prize as did daughter.

I also spent my birthday money at Crafts Direct - the local independent craft shop. My birthday was in May but when daughter asked what I wanted I said a GC to the craft shop. I love that place! They have so much stuff. It has to be my favourite craft shop. I did manage to fit it in my suit case lol. Now I have to use those goodies!

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Home Again, Home Again

Back in Michigan again. Time went far too quickly. We had a really good time and no-one got sick this visit lol. We did a lot of things. I think by the end of the week we were both really tired! I hate saying goodbye but this time there isn't long until daughter will come to visit in November. It was lovely seeing both her and Shasta. It's really cool that the dog remembers me each time and is excited to see me.

I'm sorting through photos and will share a few over the coming days. For now I'm trying to get back into the groove again. Summer is just about over and so are the trips - for now! Our next one will be a long weekend in the middle of October to visit the U.P for the Autumn colour changes.

I'm got some catching up on blogs to do (as well as the requisite housework and washing!).

Minnesota

Thanks for all the lovely well wishes for the flight and trip! My flight went okay. It took a little longer than it was supposed to as there were storms that we had to go around. I did make it okay and daughter and her boyfriend were waiting to pick me up. We went straight from the airport to the Minnesota State Fair.

Oh wow. It was fun but so very, very busy. Looking later, it apparently broke the fair record for attendance - 270,426 people passed through the gates! It certainly seemed very busy. All you could see were people. I didn't like that part of it as I'm not a big fan of crowds! It was quite hot too. We had a good look round and our feet were all aching by the time we made it back to the car. It was certainly quite an experience.

We've had quite the three days and I'm ready for a rest! Sunday we took the dogs to a dog beach up in Duluth and on Monday we took them to the Renaissance Faire (very fun!).

Daughter, boyfriend and the husky girls. Shasta was the only one who wouldn't sit nicely lol. The humans are back to work today and the rest of us are recovering! I think we're all pretty tired. Daughter has to work today and tomorrow and then has a couple days off at the end of the week. Hope everyone is having a good week!