Almond Bark

This is so easy to make and just a tad in a cup makes a great gift. Melt the white choclate in the microwave by weight. Watch carefully, it burns from the inside. Break the chocolate chunk in two pieces as you melt it, usually about halfway through the process. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, stir in sliced almonds, about one cup,pour on wax paper to cool and break into pieces when cooled. You can sprinkle red or green sugar on the bark while warm for a more festive gift.

Christmas Memories

Unfortunately, we took the camera with us to Doug and Melissa's home but neglected to take pictures. This is a shot from last year but we still look the same and the gingerbread house was a hit again this year. We had a wonderful visit and the dinner was awesome, thanks again for inviting us Doug and Melissa. Our visit with Bob and Diane was memorable and we need to get together more often. Thank goodness we have two weddings this coming year! The kids were unable to make it home but we were excited to Skype the opening of the gifts with CJ, such fun, thanks for including us, he was so excited!!! I have included pictures of the coffee cups, so you can see what they look like. We absolutely love them and get to look at the boys every morning as we sip our favorite brew. The home made carmels, licorice, and divinity were melt in your mouth as usual. Thanks again for the memories.

Twas the Week Before Christmas

Winter has arrived! I could not believe it would be an overnight sensation. One day the yard was brown and ugly and the next day we had 14.6 inches of snow. I guess that old phrase really is true,"What a Difference a Day Makes!"
We had a snow day that I had assured my students would not happen! "The storm is arriving too early, it will be all plowed out prior to the beginning of school." I was delighted to be incorrect! For the first time that I can remember, school was cancelled the night before. The following day after, we had a late start. I could get used to this!

It did take is 2.5 hours to dig out. We helped the neighbors also but it was difficult even with a snowblower. The yard is beautiful, now I just need to get into the spirit of the season.

Autumn

I can't tell you Autumn is my favorite season because I love them all but the beauty of the fall colors is breathtaking.
Our trip to Eagle River was a week too soon. We saw colors but this is in our yard and the park. Eagle River was worth the trip, the Cranberry Festival is a must and the deep greens of the pines blended with trees changing for the winter was awesome.

The gardens are diminishing but there is still a tad of color, perenniels that won't surrender to the frost.

Penninsula State Park-Door County

This is one of our favorite get-aways besides Mackinac Island! We often drive up to Penninsula State Park, Door County. Fish Creek is a quaint little town and a stop at Hideside is always interesting.
We take our bikes, grill, and a picnic lunch. Lighthouse Point is a gem, it has a shelter, facilities, and privacy. We secure a parking place on the cul-d-sac and to the left of us it is totally private. The view is great, the only visitor we had this year was one lonely chipmunk-no seagulls.
The view is panoramic and the bike ride is spectacular. We watched people on the beach and wandered aimlessly through Fish Creek. It was windy but warm, relaxing and stress free! No, we didn't get to Wilsons for ice cream but maybe another time!

Rain

Rain! Yes! It has been almost a month with no rain-good thing we have a sprinkler system. I am so fortunate that Tony simply knows how to do everything. It took two years and sore knees but it has been wonderful not to drag hoses around to water flowers and the lawn. It saves money and water too. I can't believe it has been 9 years since we trenched the lawn -such a relaxing effect too as the sprinklers pop up and sprinkle, soothing water movement.
Tony never forgets to say-"I guess I'll water your flowers now!" Sometimes life is such that one needs all the soothing effects available. Even the hawks like to shower in the water!

Bricks, Bricks,and More Bricks

The project was overdue, the grass never grew and in the spring we had to deal with a flooded area that made access to the shed impossible. The grill buried in the ground looked out of place though necessary for s'mores, conversation, relaxed laughter, and the disposal of spring twigs.The project was much more complicated than we thought, it took many hours of digging, hauling and leveling gravel, and finally laying the bricks. Tony ordered extra bricks so we would not have to deal with a second delivery charge if we ran short. You can purchase several different sizes of circle brick kits to accommodate the fire ring we were constructing for the grill. This will not be finished until next Saturday if the weather holds, no rain for 24 hours. We had enough bricks to do a brick walkway by the pergola which was shaded, devoid of grass, and always a muddy mess when it rained. We filled in with black dirt, planted the grass, transplanted flowers by the walkway; only the application of sand by the grill remains to be done! Labor Day weekend should be free of labor!