Beauty in Winter - Sunday Walk

Instead of sitting on our bums again - and with the weather a little better - we decided to go take a walk somewhere. We're still intent on visiting several state parks this year so we thought we'd take a trip to one not too far away - Warren Dunes State Park. There are several hiking trails so we thought we might check them out.

However when we got there we parked near to Lake Michigan and decided to check out the beach. We were wrapped up nice and warm complete with long undies and hats.

There wasn't any more snow on the ground but there was lots of ice especially where the lake meets the shore.

We could see the ice breaking and hear it creaking even when it looked completely solid.

There were only one or two big chunks of ice out further.

We managed to get close enough to take a peek in a couple of the holes. We made sure the ice was really, really solid before stepping on it!

It was a lovely walk and such unexpected beauty to be seen.

Pictured Rocks - Five on Friday

It's Friday and time to join with Amy over at Love Made My Home. Amy's been having really tough times lately and I want to thank her so much for continuing on with Five on Friday.

Winter is starting to get me down a little. I want some sunshine! I'm tired of things being dull and cold and grey. Thinking of sunshine has me thinking of Summer adventures and things to come. I'm missing my daughter a bit and already planning on when to go visit her - an adventure in itself as I haven't ever been on an American train.

Anyway, this Five on Friday I thought I'd share some photos from one of my favourite places in Michigan (so far lol). Pictured Rocks and five facts.

It's a National Lakeshore up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is 42 miles long.

It gets its name from the 15 miles of sandstone rocks northeast of Munising.

The cliffs are up to 200 feet above sea level.

They have been naturally sculptured into shallow caves

and arches

This one is called Indian Head

and this one is Chapel Rock. It is my favourite. The tree on the rock is only alive as its roots stretch over to the mainland and are supported there. Last time we were up there we hiked up to the rock to see it from the mainland instead of by lake - that's an adventure to share another Friday!

The US congress made Pictured Rocks the first National Lakeshore in the states in 1966.

It's a really beautiful place to visit. The first time we were up there was one year when my Mum came to visit. As well as the beautiful lakeshore the area around boasts sixteen different waterfalls to explore! Some are accessible on the roadside others require a hike. We've seen most of them now - another story for another day!

Just looking at the sunshine and the blue lake waters make me feel a little brighter! Hope you do too!

Decluttering?

Sigh. How do you declutter? Is it easy for you to decide what to keep or get rid of? I'm terrible at it. Clothes and household stuff, not so bad, but books and crafts I find it difficult to get rid of. I can't decide which books to keep or donate. It feels like giving away friends. I read some of my books several times. What happens if I donate it and want to read it again? Regarding crafty stuff - what happens if I give x away and then need one? Grrrr....

Maybe I should just start on the easy stuff :(

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

This is my first one of the new year. Happy New Year to the deskers! I'm joining up with WOYWW over at Stamping Ground. I wasn't around last week as we were moving daughter from Michigan to Minnesota - over 9 hours drive away. She's all settled now - started her new job Monday - and I'm missing her already! It was REALLY cold in Minnesota (air temp -13F, -25C). Who knew it could get that cold?

Anyway on to my desk. Honestly I haven't been doing too much. I've got a case of the blahs. I think it's a let down of Christmas, spending almost every day for the last month with daughter and suddenly...poof, nothing. I did go up to craft room today and get started pottering around.

I started on a new mini album - made one for Mum and one for daughter at Christmas and they both loved them so I'm determined to put some of my photos in more of them. Also some Unity images stamped out ready to colour.

At Christmas I treated myself to this wonderful 132 lot of coloured pencils. Got a really good deal on a Lightening Deal on Amazon. I only had a small pack before so looking forward to colouring.

While in Minnesota we got to visit a great independent craft store - I was drooling. The shop is wonderful. Crafts Direct. If you ever get near St. Cloud, Minnesota I would recommend a visit. You can see some pics HERE if interested.

I have my monthly lunch get-together today so will be around before and after to visit. Thanks for all who leave comments. I read them all and really appreciate them!

Photography

I'm doing this Facebook/online photography group this year trying to improve my skills. I want to learn more about my camera. Hubby got me a Nikon D5300 for Anniversary/Christmas a couple of years ago. I haven't learned to use it properly. I had a Nikon D3000 before. Each month we have to do a collage. This is my first one. I've never done an online collage before. I'll have to find different software for next month as I didn't really like how this one worked.

We had to take 12 photos in one day, about one an hour. No great excitement in my life - first day of being rather boring in about a month! - so they are just bits of my day. Hopefully next month will bring more exciting photos! I guess I am trying to find beauty everyday so maybe this worked.

Minnesota pt 2

Well, it seems daughter is settling in and starting to unpack. I think she wants to get at least some things done before she starts work tomorrow morning. She is worried about the dog as she will have to be in the new place all by herself. She is going to put her in doggy daycare for a little while but apparently she cannot start until Tuesday. Hoping that works out too. I had thought about staying a little while longer, but I have a dentist appointment this week to put on my permanent crown and I can't postpone it any longer.

From what I saw of the city she will be living in I really liked it. There seems to be a lot going on and lots of interesting walks and great views of the Mississippi River. While there we also 'discovered' a great craft shop.

Crafts Direct. This place is massive! My jaw just dropped to the floor. I told daughter I will have to visit often just to go to her craft store. It is only about five minutes away from where she lives. This photo is of the main building. To the left is an outlet store of the same place. I was in crafty delight looking around this place.

This is basically just part of the store. They had so much paper and so many rubber stamps. All kinds of goodies I hadn't seen in person before. I am going to have to try to save money so I'll have some to spend. I did indulge and buy some goodies that were on sale/clearance. It is a family owned craft store, so definitely a rarity especially as large as this one is.

We did go look at some gardens though of course they were all covered in snow. I bet in the Spring they will look really beautiful.

I look forward to visiting these when the weather is warmer. I think they will make a wonderful walk.

Talked to daughter this morning. She is trying leaving Shasta alone and seeing how she acts. Sometimes she barks a bit when daughter leaves. Daughter is taping the whole thing so will see how bad it will be. Fingers crossed it will work out.

From Cold to Snow...

I'm not sure which one is worst! It's still snowy this morning and quite cold but not the horribly cold temps we had in Minnesota. The drive down was good. Daughter and I left at 3am in the morning and it seems that was the perfect time as we missed all of the traffic around Chicago. I think even the lorry drivers were snug in their beds still!

We managed to get everything unloaded. Took a little while, but we got it done! Lots for her to sort out but she'll have to take her time - she starts her new job on Monday.

Despite the cold (-13F -25C without the wind chill) we decided to explore a little bit. It was so cold my hair ended up freezing and it wasn't even wet! We wrapped up really well but still couldn't spend too long outside without starting to feel a little numb but we managed a walk.

On one side of the bridge the Mississippi was frozen solid.

On the other side it was partially frozen and mist/steam was coming off the water. Quite beautiful. Unfortunately I forgot my camera - managed to pack lense just not camera - so only had my phone camera.

Shasta absolutely loved the cold! She wanted to go racing around in the snow

She looks so funny in this photo mid-leap. The rest of us weren't so enamoured of the cold.

At the end of the day we were all as tired out as she was! I'll share more of our adventure tomorrow!

Back Again

Pulled in not too long ago - photos to follow! We had a really good drive until about 60 miles from home. Close to Lake Michigan it was snowing quite heavily and very difficult to see. Horrible drive. It cleared up probably 20 miles from home. I guess overall it was a really good drive considering it is January!

All Packed Up and Ready to go

It's time. We have daughter all packed up and ready to go. She and I will be leaving about 3am Wednesday morning with the others a few hours behind. We've all been getting a little nervy. I think daughter is very nervous and worried about the dog. The dog, Shasta, knows something is going on as she doesn't want daughter to leave her at all. I think she can sense the tension and worry.

Hopefully things will all work out. At this point I just want to get on the road! We should be back late, late Friday or Saturday. I am taking my camera along so hopefully will have photos to share of our adventure.

Talking of adventures, I wonder where this truck has been. It has Oklahoma licence plates. We picked it up in Michigan and will be dropping off in Minnesota.

...and in with the new

Happy New Year!

I like the idea of a new year. It feels like a good time to wipe the slate clean and start again. It isn't loud and boisterous around here New Year's Eve. As many of you know I'm in the states but originally from England so every New Year's Eve for many years Mum and I spend it together. Back before we Skyped we would talk to one another on the phone and listen to Big Ben chiming in the new year. Now that we Skype we see it in together and watch it on her telly. It's always good to go from saying 'see you next year' to 'see you later this year'.

The new year dawned bright and with the sun shining. A lot like the day before when this photo was taken.

There are changes afoot in our lives. Daughter is moving to Minnesota from Michigan where she will start a job next Monday. Early Wednesday morning we'll be heading off. Fingers crossed, the weather doesn't look like it will be too bad. It will be strange seeing her go. I admit to being a little sad. We're quite close and see one another often but because of the distance it won't be possible. It's good for her though.

I'm not sure what the new year will bring for me. I have plans - knitting, cross stitching, crafting and photography plans. Hubby and I have camping plans - even going the 'long' way to visit daughter  up through the upper peninsula of Michigan and down Wisconsin. Definitely an adventure to look forward to. I have walking plans, de-cluttering plans and plans to spend less and save more. Nothing out of the ordinary but I'm feeling a sense of optimism and looking forward to new beginnings.