Our Favorite Tree

This amazing white pine has been a beauty in our lives since purchasing the property twenty years ago.  From the lake we could always find our way home because it was one of the tallest trees on the north shore.  Unfortunately the March storm took its toll.  Huge limbs came down onto our roof, deck, yard and the tree was leaning dangerously over the house.

A kayak ride out on the water afforded this shot just before the tree was topped.  We have left the stump and plan to make a bench from it.  Sad day for our favorite tree!

Today I am Three!

My granddaughter, Emily, had her third birthday yesterday.   She loved having us sing Happy Birthday to her.  She enjoyed blowing out the candles on her pink bunny cake [chocolate on the inside].

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Emily this afternoon.  It was brisk, breezy and pretty.  We had a snack in her back yard with Ernie and Duck.  Emily told me "Today I am three!"
 

April Showers..... Finally

The alarm rang at 5:30 a.m. today.  I leaped out of bed, got ready quickly and ran to the car during a total downpour.   A super estate sale about an hour drive away was calling me.  I like to be first in line for the handing out of numbers for admittance.  It poured all the way there and just let up slightly around 8 a.m. when I received my number ~ # 3.  Not bad!!

On the drive there as it was just becoming light, I noticed this charming working farm complete with young cattle.  These ducks were in the puddles along the road edge and gave me quite a start.  They were loving the weather!  I especially like the lead duck with his feathers streaking out on the back of his neck.

The rain let up on the return trip home and I stopped to photograph these beautiful scenes.  White trillium, a protected wildflower, is blooming now on the hillsides.

More Spring Bluster

The weather is always a topic in Michigan.  Last Saturday my daughter and I attended an all-day, out-door orientation for new volunteers at the horse ranch.  The morning was spent bundled with mittens and warm coffee under cover listening to lectures.  During a delicious lunch hot off the grill the sky cleared, temps soared to 70* and we were in short sleeves for hands on horse-handling for the rest of the afternoon. 

Easter Sunday was mild and sunny for an egg hunt in the studio garden, while today temps went from a balmy 60* this morning to a frigid 30* this evening with snow in the air!   Ah, Michigan Springtime!

Spring Energy

There's nothing like scheduling a visit from the carpet shampooing company to make one dig in and toss out.  I've spent the past three days emptying closets and nooks and crannies.  What a wonderful feeling to pare down to the essentials.  I am such a hoarder!  The curtains came down to be washed.  The dogs' beds were torn apart and washed.  I even thought I'd like to give the dogs baths, but think I'll save that for a warmer day. 

At long last I finished a liner for my smallest vintage French laundry basket.  I enjoy making these so much.  Love the ruffle around the edge.  It's reversible, too, and for sale in my Etsy shop.

Snow on the Easter Eggs

     Another Michigan winter surprise!  Just when we thought it was spring, it snowed again.  Don't put away the boots, mittens and snow shovel quite yet! 

Old & New

Here is my old much loved iMac that became slower and slower to the point of unresponsiveness.  It's screen is 17" wide and it has always amazed me.   But what could I do when it couldn't do the job anymore?  Off we went to the Apple store.

The young people who work there are younger than my old iMac!!!   For crying out loud!  But couldn't spell my password.  It wasn't difficult.  No need to learn to spell anymore when the computer does the spelling, huh?  However, they are absolutely brilliant with computers.  My spelling skills are obsolete.

Anyway, here is my new similarly equipped computer.... oh, how I love it, love it, love it.   I had no idea how slow the other one had become.  This new one is soooo fast.  Screen is 21" wide.  

For a change, I read the entire instruction booklet through cover to cover before I took the computer out of the box.  Set up was easy as pie!  And I was inspired to do some straightening beforehand.  Always nice to begin anew.