Friends...........

I had planned a trip to visit with my friend Nancy. She moved back to her home town just before Christmas. She had sold her house here in Traverse City and moved to her friends home while she looked for a new house. Well we went down while she was staying there but were anxious to get back and see her new home. She is very happy there. She chose a condo that has all the outdoors work done for her. The house is as nice if not nicer than her old one and was the same price. She has enjoyed moving her things in. Nancy is my friend who collects antiques. She likes to refinish old furniture and I have several of her pieces in my own home. Her house is lovely. She is rather minimalist in small ornaments, although not entirely unpacked yet. I like it. I come home to my house and look around and wonder what I can get rid of. I find it impossible.
Edna drove us down as usual. We stopped at Amish stores on the way. We like to get their wonderful cheese for one thing. I took pictures best I could on the way down. We were able to leave by noon. Gerry stayed home with Tristen.

Edna and Nancy know their way around down state. I don't and I don't drive anymore since my vision is not so good. We got to Nancy's in time for lunch. She has all kinds of goodies and we brought fresh bread and cheese and summer sausages and other good things. So we ate and ate and ate. Then we went for a ride around. We stopped at a few fun stores and eventually got back for some more eating. Oh boy. We slept well and were up at the crack of dawn. Really, we were up at 5am. We had breakfast. Are you getting the idea? We did a lot of eating. Off we went for the day. Quilt shops and antique shops, gift shops and all kinds of fun things. It was raining so not a lot of outdoor stops.

The Amish country is fascinating. I got a few pictures. I love the washing on the line.

The homes seem to be modern for the most part but many are made of stone from the fields.

We did a lot of talking. Its great to be with people who enjoy the same things. We like the simple things in life. A nice country drive. Looking at the animals (another blog subject to come) I took a lot of pictures. We love antiques and crafts. We love quilt shops. We worked together for many years and have the same friends, even though we seldom see them now. We do like to catch up when we have seen someone, and share their stories. A mutual friend had died and we reminisced. Talked about our families and kids. It's sad in a way because we also talked about how long we can keep driving or walking or sewing or whatever. We are all in out 60s and 70s now. I once thought that was ancient. Its not, but its getting there. We have many more aches and pains these days. We all like cooking and we all like eating and complain about our weight as we eat Nancy's German chocolate cake and Edna's fruit pie and ice cream.

Buffalo Burgers...........

Its that time of year. Time to get busy. I have been sort of working in the garden and also trying to make garden ornaments. We went to take two of our four Poodles to the groomers on Saturday. I took my camera in the hope of seeing the Buffalo out at the farm. After dropping of the kids at the groomers I went for a quick look around my favourite thrift shop. Yup, I found a few things. Of course I did. More on that on my other blogs.
So on the way home we took a back road to see if we could get some shots.

I actually did not know this farm was back there. Its the hub. There is a huge shed with the trucks for transporting the buffalo.
Let me back up. There is a local family the Olson's. They have some stores here and own a lot of land, or did at one time. There has always been buffalo around here at least as long as we have been here. When we first came to Traverse City there were big old barns where there is now a Mall. Sold by Olesons to the developers. It was just a two lane road then that went through town. Along both sides of the road were fields of buffalo. Later another couple of fields were sold and became shopping centers. One day the buffalo got out and were feeding on the front lawn to McDonalds. Made headlines in the local paper.

We stopped to take pictures, the ones who were eating hay decided to join the herd.

The herd is resting. There is certainly a LOT of fresh hay in the field so they are not at all hungry

Soon be time for little ones, but none to see yet

There are many more fields around the area.


These pictures do not show how very big this herd is. Its not the only one either. So on the way home we past adds for our annual NMC (college) BBQ. I believe its the end of May and the beginning our tourist time. The college benefits from the Olson's generosity. They provide food for the BBQ and the ticket price benefits the college. Unfortunatley the menu includes Buffalo burgers.

Easter...................

What Easter means to me..........I dislike all the commercialism. It seems unavoidable. We are slogged with the Easter bunny, chicks and eggs. Kids seem to know about all of that before you even begin. I do not like to do any of that stuff myself. Well, not wanting to be a spoil sport I participated. The only thing I absolutely refuse to have anything to do with is Halloween. Choose your battles someone said.
So today.........Tristen gets up and he just happens to look out the window and oh oh "I see Easter eggs out there"........no mention of Easter bunnies. Well Reina said yesterday "Hey mum I know there is no such thing as the Easter bunny"...........thank you Lord. SO Tristen in his 4 year olds wisdom can cross that one off. Now, I have no problem with pretend OK. I can tell fairy tales and talk about Santa and all that stuff as long as its make believe. I want him to know the difference.

It was frustrating for him I am sure. He could see the eggs carefully hidden the night before, well hid at dusk but bright in the morning sun. He had to wait till 10am when Laura and the girls arrived. We had been up since 7am. He waited without a fuss though so that was good. We filled a few plastic eggs with a few jelly beans. One of his broke open and the picture above is Tristen with his cheeks packed. Reina shows off her hoard

Raylene got a good share

The guy next door came out and he was the one who mentioned the Easter Bunny.........."I see the Easter bunny has been playing in your yard" yes they all say and show off the loot

They each found quite a few and had fun looking for them. Then they shared out what they found. Time then for Easter baskets. I wanted to tell them the reason for Easter but they were so excited at this point there was no point. So eyes covered and Granddad brings in the baskets. Excitement.........I filled Tristens with goodies other than candy.

I was happy that they shared the candy. Tristen was given enough for a couple of days and every one sat and examined each others baskets. Just little trinkets so that it was not all candy.
Here they are looking at the treasure trove.

In Tristens was a small book. The story of Easter. SO, after it all settled down I was able to read them the story of why Jesus came and how he gave up his life "Did they shoot him?" says Tristen. I told them the rest of the story and why and they listened. As I finished ..........it was back to the baskets and all was forgotten. Ah well, I tried.
Dinner was a success. The kids actually ate dinner and did well. Miricle of miricles. We say prayer at a family dinner like that and Tristen likes that. He is sweet when he says grace but I hope God has a sense of humour. This time though I did get chance to remind us all that its not about rabbits and eggs and candy and things like that.

There Is A Green Hill Far Away - King's College, Cambridge.

There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where our dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.

---

Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)

Bums and Babies...............

Yea more bum pictures for ya. What is it about babies bums that are just so cute?
Cooper was here for a whole week. His parents were here because Gabrielles car was in the shop. She works at Munson that is only a few blocks from here so her dad was able to take her, and Tony picked her up. They slept in the new blue room and Tony did not bang his head on the shelves above the bed. Woo hoo.
So it was that I got Cooper up one morning. Apparently Gabbies alarm did not go off and he was mad as a wet hen. He had pooped his diaper and he does not like that at all. Trouble was it was his night one and so it was soaked too. I brought him down and would have let Gabby sleep in but............well it was a complete blow out. Needed a bath so I sent for Gabby. We decided on the kitchen sink.

At first he wondered what we were doing with him. He sat and looked at the water. Gabby had filled the sink to the top and it took awhile for him to keep his balance. We asked if he wanted scrubbing

He was soon comfortable enough to stand up and discovered he could look out the window.

Wave to Bud

Here it comes. Did I mention that my floors needed to be washed?

Here he goes, he had such a great time look at that face

He forgot all about his sore bum. It was all better when he got out. My counters were swimming and the floor too but oh what a great time he had.

....and here it is, his bum is all better and forgotten

Cooper.............

Cooper is one now and has been walking long enough to be expert. At least he thinks so. I am going to share a few pictures. Not much news but he and his parents are staying here for a few days awaiting a car repair. Good photo op for me.
I dont usually see Cooper in the tub so had to take a few pictures.
All mums must do this, the soapy curl on top

Cooper loves his bath

The water was not too hot but I loved this pink rosy bum

He enjoyed Tristens toys and our tub is bigger than his so it was like being in a swimming pool I bet

So the other picture is Cooper enjoying a little rocking chair we have. I got it many years ago and when the girls came along (grandkids) they loved it one after the other. I will always remember Danielle sitting ther jabbering like an old lady before she could talk. Also Alex, one of her first words was "wow" and she would sit in this little rocker saying "wow" " wow" "wow". So now its just the right size for Cooper. They can take it home until he is ready for the next size. The next one I am going to paint and put Coopers name on it. Tristen has his own little chair that he uses to eat meals at the coffee table or to sit and draw or whatever. Little kids love little things just their size

Cooper says I am a big kid now

To the Beach.....March.

Could not help it. We went shopping this morning and the sun was out. It was almost 40 degrees. I had taken off my coat in the store (already just a light jacket) and didn't put it back on. It was cold but it felt so good on my skin.......sun, at last. Decided then and there, we are going to the beach. Hooray says Tristen.......called Laura on my way home and got her out of bed. She was reading a book and relaxing.........we went home and put groceries away and got ready to head out.
The sap is running........it be Spring at last. Blow the trumpets and bang the gongs........

Maple syrup time. (Another post maybe?)
To Empire Beach first, to take a look at Lake Michigan. The lake is still frozen over but after we had got away from the screamers (we left them in the playground) we could hear the ice melting. It was really cool, little pops and crackles and bubbles. Lovely lovely day.

We let them go a little way to the top of an ice hill. Its very iffy because some of the hills are hollow and can give way, Laura escorted Mr Tristen back as Reina didn't listen and ran over the ice. He was a little nervous. She was fine but one needs to respect the danger here. They would have been in shallow water if the ice gave out but even with the air temp at 40degrees, getting a dunking would be no laughing matter. Kids really do need to be made to follow instructions. We are not sure how we do that.


The sun on the ice was blinding. The blue of the ice and the sky was beautiful. There was a dead deer on the beach and several ducks. It has been a very hard winter. Michigan has lost a great many water fowl this year. They starved because there has not been any open water and the ones who need to eat the greens at the bottom of the waters, the diving birds, are just not doing well. It was good to see that some of the water was again flowing into the lake.

Empire Bluffs from below

The creek running into the lake lovely clear and pure and lovely. The air so fresh.
The water is still so blue even under all that ice........well maybe not, but its still beautiful and blue, a pastel blue.

We went on from Empire after the kids had let out all their holla's and screams on the playground climbing frames and running up and down the beach. I will do a post tomorrow on the rest of the days adventure. Its time to watch "The Walking Dead".........meanwhile we caught these two snacking along the way

We saw a lot of deer and turkeys along going along through Glen Arbor and beyond..........on to Glen Haven we go.
Sharing with anything Blue Friday

Also with Lavender cottage garden

Living on the Edge............

I was reminded again last night of how much pets influence our lives. Meaning my life. It is fair to say we treat them as we would a child, except maybe with less disapline. Hehe. So last night, as usual, I went to bed later than my husband who takes the poodles to bed when he goes. We have four if you remember. At least at this time we do. I finished up my nightly ritual in the bathroom, it was dark because tv was done. I feel my way to the bed. I dare not sit down, first I must greet those who are on top of the covers and then feel for Brea who is always under the covers. She had left me maybe 2 inches on the edge. Very funny I said. She stretched her paws, she was laying on her back, and touched me. I scooted her over so I could at least sit. I then carefully edged her over. I got in, got attacked by Bijou. Accosted by Bodi who wanted a drink. I gave her a drink from my glass. Settled in to sleep. Brea patted me with a paw on my nose, I could smell earthy odour. I sort of like that. Although I am pretty sure its not earth this time of year but I wont pursue that. She smacked her lips a few times to indicate she would also like a drink. So it goes. My nightly routine.
This is sleepy Bella......she is sitting in the sun keeping warm.

Bella is a sweet lovey dovey girl, she just loves cuddles and kisses. She will sleep on or near either of us as long as she is close. When she wants a drink she will come over to me and tap me on the shoulder and stare in my eyes. If I ignore she will keep licking her lips until I hand her my water. Now.....all of my poodles, every one I ever had prefer fresh water with ice please. From a glass not a dog bowl. They will only drink from that when they have no choice. Bella can also be annoying to Bodi, she tries to get her to play and then Bijou joins in when Bodi growls. So sweet Bella is an instigator.She will sleep on the chest at the end of the bed on top of quilts until I get there and then she comes up to join me and Brea.
This next one is Bijou........

We got Bijou when our other white poodle Bambi died. Bijou is the clown, the talker, the pest. She tends to get sent away because she is annoying haha. She loves attention and will get it any way she can. She lays on the bottom of the bed to actually sleep but only after she has pestered everyone else by either walking over them or trying to get petted when we want to sleep. SHe has a pillow on the end of the bed, sometimes she gets inside the pillow case. As I said she is a clown.
This is Bodicea.........

Bodi is our plus size model. She is sweet, no bad bone in her body. She is sweet and cuddly and is mum to the rest. Sort of. However, when it comes to bedtime she takes up space. She has no problem laying on her back, legs in the air right in the middle of the bed. My husband takes one side of the bed. He is after all 6 foot one. So then Bodi lays in the middle and takes up a good part of what is left with Bijou below her. I hate it when they are on my feet or legs so I often have Bijou at my feet. Everyone seems to want to be touching me. So often Bodi wants scratches and is rather insistant until she is ready to sleep then she will growl to tell me to quit.
This is Brea........

Brea, what can I say about Brea. She is the little devil. She is the naughty poodle. She is very sweet but loves mischief and you can see it in her eyes. At least you can after she has her hair cut. She lays with me at the top of the bed all night. Under the covers mainly until she gets hot. It is disconcerting when you are face to face and she gives me a kiss when I am asleep. What do they think sometimes? She will lay on her back with front paws out. Head on pillow next to me with Bella curled up next to her..........that means that as they lay side by side I have less and less room and so.......I lay on the edge of the bed. I only usually need a sheet on me but with poodles getting in and out of the covers all night, I end up with nothing but a corner of the sheet. Bijou is a creature of habit. She likes the idea of being in bed with us but you can count on her getting back out within 10 minutes. Disturbing everyone. I think thats her point.
Bodi and Bella playing

So there you have it. I have poodles because I love their personality. I love how smart they are and I do not train them. They are who they want to be. That means they can manipulate us and get what they want. They know how to fake going out to go potty so they can get a treat. They have a cooked meal every evening, regular vet checks and grooming. They get better care than I do. Thats how we want it. We love them. In this house its a case of this house is their home and if you don't like dogs please dont visit. Although we do make some allowances. A friend who is deathly afraid of dogs in general means they go lay upstairs on the bed with my husband while she is here. That is seldom though. They are who they are and I live on the edge.
PS: Did I mention that Bodi snores?

He's a toddler now....................

My Gr Grandson Cooper just had his first birthday. I had a party for him on Saturday. Unfortunatley I got a cold just in time for the busy day. I made some of the food the day before and I was so glad that I did. We did pretty good and I am glad to say we had quite a few people come. We had never met Tony's family and so I am happy to say they came.
If I had felt better I would have taken more pictures, but here is the birthday boy.

I gave him his personal cake while he was sitting in his chair.

Everyone said "Dont you want to put a cloth on the floor"........Nah let him have fun, I can shampoo the carpet. He actually didnt make a mess, except on his face and hands.
So today, I was babysitting and still not feeling the best. We had Hamburgers and fries. A quick meal. Tristen had eaten half of his and gone off somewhere leaving the other half on his plate. Cooper was not hungry when I tried to feed him earlier but then he saw my plate.

He came over and I gave him a fry. He went off to eat it and the next thing we see is his mouth wide open about to chomp down on Tristens burger. He has not had anything like that before so I told Tony to just watch and see what he does.

He did great, he picked bits off rather than chomp down on it

He ate quite a bit of it before he found the ketchup on the plate.

As you see Cooper is now walking. He has perfected that and there will be no stopping him now.

Cooper had the ketchup all over his hands by the time he was done and his dad had to run off for a towel and wash cloth. C ooper is now a toddler.