Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
BERRIES, OFF ROADING, AND CUPCAKES
Picking these berries led to a more adventuresome activity...off-roading in our big red truck.
We thought we would just follow the dirt road
to see where it lead, Whoa Nellie!
We wound up on a snowmobile path
and had to travel quite a distance on the road that wasn't a road
to get off. but it was fun, rather bumpy and not nearly as bad as the last time we dummied up and did this in Wyoming.
Back into civilization on another day we found a bakery, that is always a good sign, that was run by an order of monks. This is their church...think you can meditate here?
The monks are known for their cupcakes...about the size of a cereal bowl. When we arrived we were the only ones in the store. By the time we left, there was a line all the way out the door and more people waiting in the parking lot to get in.They have quite a business in this wilderness area.
The last day in this area we traveled a mountain ridge to the top of the world it seemed. We learned why it was called Copper Harbor and just stood in awe of the beautiful scenery....
Have I told you how wonderful the weather was while we were there,cool at night in the high 40s and low 50's and in the 70's during the day. You people in Charleston were sweating it out in the 90's.
More to follow................Whoa!
We thought we would just follow the dirt road
to see where it lead, Whoa Nellie!
We wound up on a snowmobile path
and had to travel quite a distance on the road that wasn't a road
to get off. but it was fun, rather bumpy and not nearly as bad as the last time we dummied up and did this in Wyoming.
Back into civilization on another day we found a bakery, that is always a good sign, that was run by an order of monks. This is their church...think you can meditate here?
The monks are known for their cupcakes...about the size of a cereal bowl. When we arrived we were the only ones in the store. By the time we left, there was a line all the way out the door and more people waiting in the parking lot to get in.They have quite a business in this wilderness area.
The last day in this area we traveled a mountain ridge to the top of the world it seemed. We learned why it was called Copper Harbor and just stood in awe of the beautiful scenery....
Have I told you how wonderful the weather was while we were there,cool at night in the high 40s and low 50's and in the 70's during the day. You people in Charleston were sweating it out in the 90's.
More to follow................Whoa!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Whoa there, Nellie
I have been home almost two weeks from our extended travels.
This is the first chance that I have gotten to look at the pictures we took and try to get my mind wrapped around the fun we had,the sights we took in, and the general happiness we felt from being back on the road again.
Of course, being totally addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook has not slowed me down one bit...Whoa, that's a lie.
We had planned our trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
a couple of years ago. But we didn't make it then due to problems with the camper,leaking water, repairs,etc.This time we were determined.I. didn't want to leave my car in the garage for 2 months so we took the car to the Daughter and left it with her and traveled northward from Oshkosh...
Oh you don't know about Oshkosh? It is the biggest fly-in in the US. For about a week there are all sorts of planes in this small town in Wisconsin.Big planes,
little planes, experimental planes, flying wings, planes that actually look like a beach chair with a motor.
Planes, planes and more planes.
It is crazy. Erwin and his friend go every year for a week of male bonding, airplanes and beer. They have a blast. This year was even better because the weather behaved. It was actually cool the whole week. They work the flight line doing who knows what and enjoy being on the pavement in the sun for days.
In the meantime, I am in Chicago having a wonderful time with a great friend and her family.(..Babies, they have babies and kindergarten fun!)and visiting with Serge and Buddy. Movies, knit shops, make up store, Macy's and chocolate.
We left Oshkosh and all its planes behind and drove to a small town called Lake Linden in Michigan
.
So pretty. The weather has been cool up there all summer so the flowers
and grass and trees are gorgeous.We had a nice site right near the Lake
and spent a few days exploring the area.
We especially liked Lac la Belle and the Bear Belly Bar
Have you ever heard of thimble berries? They are a type of raspberry/blackberry that grows along the side of the road up there. The bear really like them I am told, but this Tiger
had to pick some like the natives Yupers.
This is the first chance that I have gotten to look at the pictures we took and try to get my mind wrapped around the fun we had,the sights we took in, and the general happiness we felt from being back on the road again.
Of course, being totally addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook has not slowed me down one bit...Whoa, that's a lie.
We had planned our trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
a couple of years ago. But we didn't make it then due to problems with the camper,leaking water, repairs,etc.This time we were determined.I. didn't want to leave my car in the garage for 2 months so we took the car to the Daughter and left it with her and traveled northward from Oshkosh...
Oh you don't know about Oshkosh? It is the biggest fly-in in the US. For about a week there are all sorts of planes in this small town in Wisconsin.Big planes,
little planes, experimental planes, flying wings, planes that actually look like a beach chair with a motor.
Planes, planes and more planes.
It is crazy. Erwin and his friend go every year for a week of male bonding, airplanes and beer. They have a blast. This year was even better because the weather behaved. It was actually cool the whole week. They work the flight line doing who knows what and enjoy being on the pavement in the sun for days.
In the meantime, I am in Chicago having a wonderful time with a great friend and her family.(..Babies, they have babies and kindergarten fun!)and visiting with Serge and Buddy. Movies, knit shops, make up store, Macy's and chocolate.
We left Oshkosh and all its planes behind and drove to a small town called Lake Linden in Michigan
.So pretty. The weather has been cool up there all summer so the flowers
and grass and trees are gorgeous.We had a nice site right near the Lake
and spent a few days exploring the area.
We especially liked Lac la Belle and the Bear Belly Bar
Have you ever heard of thimble berries? They are a type of raspberry/blackberry that grows along the side of the road up there. The bear really like them I am told, but this Tiger
had to pick some like the natives Yupers.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
It's all about the yarn
Geez I am getting old and decrepit. My hip hurts, my back hurts,etc. I cannot bend over...I cannot sleep, Geez!
Going shopping for yarn seemed the only therapy that worked. So off we go.
(Oh I am in Illinois for a few days with a friend I shall refer to as Wise Woman.)
We had done this a year ago almost to the day. It was interesting to see how some shops had improved, Have Ewe Any Wool in Elmhurst, some had declined, Chicks with Sticks in Forest Park, and some that no longer exist, a local yarn shop.
The local shop had been closed for 2 years we found out..Wise Woman you need to get out more!
We each had our own agenda. Wise woman was looking for a yarn to match some that she had bought years ago; I was looking for a bargain, any yarn, any size, just not full price. We had a great time here...Sale and a sidewalk sale at that, too cool.She bought, got a great deal, just not what she went in for. I bought Great sale, met my criteria.
We looked in Wool and Co in Geneva, but we were overwhelmed by the choices.
When does it happen that too large a selection is just totally overwhelming? What is the magic number? I had this feeling that all the yarn was staring at me asking to be released from this prison and set free, weird, I know.
We had been in Have Ewe Any Wool last year. It was upstairs, not a good idea and was larger and messier than I would have liked, but the owner was friendly and helpful. She has since moved her shop downstairs,( acting on my suggestion, totally I am sure) to a smaller area with better lighting and a friendlier atmosphere. This is one of the best shops I have been in so far this trip. My knit groups at home would love this place and the owner.
With me being cranky and old, we left the rest for another day.
Last year, I swear I would have spent my last dime in Chixs with Stix, but this year it just did not do it for me. My mood? Their lack of inventory? I don't know. but I visited it on a different day and left sort of disappointed, did not even by a stitch marker.I think they have re arranged the store maybe, I don't know. I found it very funny that the women were complaining about the cool summer. What is that about? I LOVE IT! Last year when I was here it was 90+++. Not conducive to being around wool,let me tell you.
More yarn shops on the horizon I am sure.
Good therapy. I feel much better already.
Going shopping for yarn seemed the only therapy that worked. So off we go.
(Oh I am in Illinois for a few days with a friend I shall refer to as Wise Woman.)
We had done this a year ago almost to the day. It was interesting to see how some shops had improved, Have Ewe Any Wool in Elmhurst, some had declined, Chicks with Sticks in Forest Park, and some that no longer exist, a local yarn shop.
The local shop had been closed for 2 years we found out..Wise Woman you need to get out more!
We each had our own agenda. Wise woman was looking for a yarn to match some that she had bought years ago; I was looking for a bargain, any yarn, any size, just not full price. We had a great time here...Sale and a sidewalk sale at that, too cool.She bought, got a great deal, just not what she went in for. I bought Great sale, met my criteria.
We looked in Wool and Co in Geneva, but we were overwhelmed by the choices.
When does it happen that too large a selection is just totally overwhelming? What is the magic number? I had this feeling that all the yarn was staring at me asking to be released from this prison and set free, weird, I know.
We had been in Have Ewe Any Wool last year. It was upstairs, not a good idea and was larger and messier than I would have liked, but the owner was friendly and helpful. She has since moved her shop downstairs,( acting on my suggestion, totally I am sure) to a smaller area with better lighting and a friendlier atmosphere. This is one of the best shops I have been in so far this trip. My knit groups at home would love this place and the owner.
With me being cranky and old, we left the rest for another day.
Last year, I swear I would have spent my last dime in Chixs with Stix, but this year it just did not do it for me. My mood? Their lack of inventory? I don't know. but I visited it on a different day and left sort of disappointed, did not even by a stitch marker.I think they have re arranged the store maybe, I don't know. I found it very funny that the women were complaining about the cool summer. What is that about? I LOVE IT! Last year when I was here it was 90+++. Not conducive to being around wool,let me tell you.
More yarn shops on the horizon I am sure.
Good therapy. I feel much better already.
Knitting Info
According to a knitting guru, these are the essential tools needed in a knitting bag:
measuring tape
notebook and pencil
copy of pattern
crochet hook
needles- a set in the size currently in use, one set larger and one set smaller
needle gauge
post it notes
darning needle
stitch holder
stitch marker
row counter
What? No Altoid tin? No crossword puzzle book? No photo of what you are not really sure? Receipts for groceries (like you are ever going to return them). Dog biscuit..dog ball dropped in all slimey and gross...three pennies and most important of all, YARN, hello!Several balls of yarn, several kinds of yarn, unidentified yarn ( Where did that come?? from type yarn)
All the above starting with the Altoid tin have been in my knitting bag at one time or another.
What's in your yarn bag, America?
measuring tape
notebook and pencil
copy of pattern
crochet hook
needles- a set in the size currently in use, one set larger and one set smaller
needle gauge
post it notes
darning needle
stitch holder
stitch marker
row counter
What? No Altoid tin? No crossword puzzle book? No photo of what you are not really sure? Receipts for groceries (like you are ever going to return them). Dog biscuit..dog ball dropped in all slimey and gross...three pennies and most important of all, YARN, hello!Several balls of yarn, several kinds of yarn, unidentified yarn ( Where did that come?? from type yarn)
All the above starting with the Altoid tin have been in my knitting bag at one time or another.
What's in your yarn bag, America?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Howe Indiana
We had a wonderful time in Kentucky visiting with relatives then on to Indianapolis to visit with more relatives. Now we are in Howe Indiana at a campground we have stayed in numerous times. At $14.00 a night, it cannot be beat.
The weather has been absolutely perfect, even on the cool side. Last night it got down to 51 degrees!
Yesterday was too pretty to stay inside, so we went on a geocacheing expedition around here. I love this geocaching thing;we go places that we would never think of visiting and find pretty picture taking sites.
Example:
We would have never visited this place. It is an archery target range provided by the county, but inside it reminds us of home...
The trip was success
There are targets set in the woods and archers use $1000 bows and arrows to shoot them...sort of shocked me when I turned around and saw this
We walked across miles of boardwalk spanning the marsh and heard all kinds of creepy crawlies in the bushes. Actually saw the tail end of a snake as it slithered along, saw cute chipmunks scampering in the brush and beautiful flowers in the pond....
all in all a good day to be outside.
Later, we went to the little commercial town of Shipshewana for another cache and found a small festival going on. If you are interested in Bluegrass, watch for this young group of boys calling themselves The Rocky Roads. They are brothers aged 11, 13,and 15. They are really something. During their appearance at the Beanblossom Bluegrass Festival the 15 yr old banjo player was given a banjo worth over $3000 by one of the best pickers in the nation....and we saw them when.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Some cuties
We are now in Kentucky visiting my family. I am doing a lot of genealogy research here, since the majority of my family settled here in the early 1800's.
Unadorned sad foot....pre birthday..............
HAPPY FEET !!!!!!! OLDER, BUT HAPPIER! (No those are not MY hairy legs, get over it.)
Not one yarn shop in this town,can you believe it?
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