New Years Day 2020.................

What a beautiful day, first day of the New Year and first of decade. We were going tomorrow but just had to get out in that sun today and now it calls for overcast and sleet tomorrow. Good call.
So off we go out towards Suttons Bay. Its usually all about trying to see wildlife but today the sky was the star, that and the snow still on the trees. It just can't be captured in a picture but I tried. The Bay in Traverse as we took off for Suttons Bay.

Boats wrapped till Spring

Suttons Bay was quiet.


From Suttons Bay we headed to Northport, I was hoping to go to Peterson Park, and we did but the road down to the park didn't look safe to get back up so didn't take the chance.




Omena.


Northport.



So seeing the road down to the park was indeed downhill we took pictures of barns instead. Still mainly cherry country there amidst the Vineyards.





We stopped for lunch at Fischers Happy Hour for a Ruben the best around. While we don't eat meat normally we sometimes make an exception for our favourite restaurants. I always feel bad but well, what can I say.






We couldn't stop at the boardwalk either, nowhere to pull off so we just wandered on to Glen Haven, Glen Arbor very quiet. Its funny when the tourists leave. I love it.



Look at the sky......


Our back roads out till Spring at Port Oneida

Glen Haven beach. Then on past the dunes where people were sledding.



On to Empire. Had to get our Bambi fix.

See her running well we will get your picture.

There you are......


Then to check out the beach......it was beautiful






Then we headed home. Another beautiful day. I love Northern Michigan.

basement Bedrooms update 2019.............

When Gabby moved out it gave me back the two downstairs rooms. Prior to her moving in one room was "the Indian room" and that was moved to Tristens room upstairs as Cooper was to occupy that room. He was a toddler at the time and some things were quite unique. The "Blue room" became Gabby's room. So when they left it was time for a makeover.
Lets start with the Blue room. We have not repainted that but I moved the room around.

I bought new bedding to start with. I loved the shade of blue so felt no need for change. I had fun with some new pillows.


The dressing table went back where Gabby had put the bed. I could have used new carpet but a clean was sufficient.

I had some things put away from the last time I decorated the room. I am pretty sure I still have stuff packed away but for now thats good enough.


I still need to get some pictures done and framed but other than that I am pretty much done for now.
The other room I bought new bedding also. Moved a chair down from the entrance and went with more earthy tones.
I didn't want to buy any new furniture so moved some stuff around. The wicker chair my mum bought me and it was getting too much wear upstairs.
The dresser Cooper had broken drawers so Gerry fixed those and it wont get much use so will suffice.


The bedding seemed bright and neutral enough. The blanket on the end of the bed was one that my Mum knitted a very long time ago. It never had a place and it goes well with the colours so finally it has a place.


I had a couple of pieces of amber glass and I will be looking for more. I haven't filled the shelves and bookshelves yet so, well I can look for more. I can collect glass balls and cut glass in amber. I will also buy some nice things too. I am framing pictures and will put some of those around as well.

I have put a picture my Dad did up in this room. An owl. It's never had a place but it does now. Most of the pictures are either embroidered or drawn and the subject is wildlife. I will stick with that theme in there.

Well he too needed a home and for now he has one. I still have several pieces my Dad did. Some I have given away to Carrie and Justin and hope they will find a place for them. Once I am gone I have no control so I am trying to find homes for things made by my parents. Anyway, next job is the basement stairs and then I intend to put up family pictures on those walls. Or maybe I will do that in the hallway upstairs seeing as that has more traffic. Anyway thats done for now.

Boxing Day at the Beach.........................

It still seems strange to me that we don't get Boxing Day in the U.S. It's hardly right to have to go back to work the day after Christmas. In England it was the day to visit the "other side" of the family. The ones we didn't get to on Christmas Day. Here its just work as usual. Thank goodness for retirement.
It was a sunny day and beautiful sky. I had wanted to stop by Cedar Creek for some time to get pictures and actually remembered this time.


It was so pretty, a lady was walking her dog and we had a nice chat about the place.
next we went the back way towards Suttons Bay and got some pictures of old barns. I love old barns. I suppose I have said that a million times before. Here are a few from this day.




We found the one with the Donkeys and I just loved them sunning themselves.





I loved how the little chickens ran over to them when they saw me. Their protectors? The little black pony hid behind some rocks so I couldn't get him and the goats were inside I would guess.
After that we cut across to avoid Suttons Bay and went over to Lake Leelanau. We stopped at the Peddlers Corner to check them out and I found a few things I could not resist. I got two cups and saucers for the blue bedroom and a red and white mug for my collection of red and white stuff.
Here are my finds.






Seven dollars for the lot, I gave them 10. I love that place and they will soon be moving, thats sort of a shame as this place is so convenient. Next we got coffee and a goodie at Peddling Beans before going into Leland where we hit Van's Beach. It was easy getting down on that side. No snow. As we left a bunch of people arrived. I didn't find much. The sun shining and wind blowing. My eyes didn't work too well, but I got a few Petoskey's and some tiny blues.







Instead of our usual trips out there we headed home through Maple City, I had mentioned Burrito's so we were both ready to eat by then and headed for the Hayloft. Always good there and we have enough leftover for tonight. Woo hoo.......No cooking for me.