The Big Bash!

If you have been wondering where I've been, we've been here.  Total seclusion.  It is one mile up a hill, chained gate, and no other cabin around.  Just peace and quiet and relaxation.

We held our anniversary party the night before we left and it was fantastic - food, live band, drinks and fun.  We didn't have much food left, but we are proud of ourselves for doing it ourselves (catering was over the roof expensive).  We brought home a lot of booze, so we hope to have a few cookouts and a camp out possible down the road.  All depends on weather.  We had a good turn out at the party and got to see lots of people.

I do need to restock my comfrey poultices now.  Hubby had a "whoop-sie" at the party and hurt his shoulder (he he!).  He had to sleep with one Sunday night, and travel with one there and back.  He's feeling a bit better now.

The best part of the cabin.  Although smaller hot tub than at the last cabin, this one will be on our "visit again" list.  

We had a front and back porch with rockers on both, and the cabin had a loft with two twin beds upstairs.  We had a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, 2 TV's, fireplace, sofa and table for 4.  

Wide open windows and just the sounds of birds for 2 nights.

We even rented a pontoon boat and cruised a large lake.

Although the trip was a "second honeymoon" we were bombarded with phone calls the evening of the second night.  Our 17 year-old was "held captive" by a wasp in the kitchen and her big sister wasn't home from work (and wouldn't have for a few more hours).  We put in calls to just about everyone we knew to go kill it for her (yes she is that deadly afraid, even thought she's never been stung).  Her 19 year-old sister came out and killed it, but now I have to wash a set of kitchen curtain.  Kids!

We had a very nice time, and we are really not ready to swing back in to reality today.  We went from 76°F and sunny to dreary cloudy and 52°F here.  And....and...more rain tomorrow.

I have so much to do, like find homes for all the extra plates, napkins and cups we brought home from our party.  My house is in chaos.  It'll all depend on the weather, and I've already been asked to drive to town to pick up school intern papers (for the one in cosmetology). A run to the "big city" always puts a huge dent in what I have time to get done here.

Oh, Hubby's birthday was the day we left for this trip.  We had the best BBQ dinner on our trip (local) and he was super happy.

We did a lot of celebrating, and are happy but tired folks.  Today may be a day of just tidy up, cook and a possible nap (ha ha!).

Island Time

What do you do when there is a heat index warning out?  Well, you hop on the Harley and ride in it. Oye.  We participated in a bike run, which involved going to the island.  One of them.  Our favorite one.

The picture is us leaving on the ferry.  On the bike.  It was hot.  Very hot.  We survived.  We saw a few ambulances take a few people away, but we survived.  We also tucked in early.  The motel people put our air conditioner on 63°F. Boy it felt awesome.

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's Monday.  Today I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  Although I am looking at "motherhood" in a different way, I'm joining.  If you read through today's post, you'll see what I mean about "motherhood."

Last week was a long parenting week. Bills were paid, but propane has not been ordered.  I called to get quotes and I was horrified at the price.  They lowered the minimum to order from 300 gallons to 200 and the price is $100 more than what we paid for 300.  Hubby wants to call around before we order.  We may be making changes if we find lower prices.

I've whipped up a "balancing" herbal tea mix for myself, and will simply grate fresh ginger into it (I'm out of dried ginger root and rose petals).  

I've been "MIA" from my blog these last few days.  Due to the overload of a heavy parental week, we took a dearly needed mental-parental break (or so we thought).  Hubby and I at the last minute, stole away for the weekend.  We restocked health items we can't get around our area, and we got a weekend away to "fill our tanks" (or so we thought).  

On the breakfast plate. . .

Day Off

I have a no-picture post today.  Oddly.  All the photos are on my phone right now.  

Hubby announced on Thursday, he was taking Friday off work and whisking me off for a night to celebrate our anniversary (which was in December).

I was totally shocked, happy, and surprised.  The kids are taking a day off too.  As soon as we arrived home yesterday, the girls all took off to spend the night up with their Army sister (Girls Night Out).

We had Date Night Out.

He did it again . . .

I'll be honest.  Losing an hour of time is no fun.  I'm downing coffee like it's water this morning.  Maybe I should just go to bed for an hour and start over?  

Oh wait.  I can't. I have another kid sick this morning.  She was fine last night, and them boom, she's sick today.  She can't even swallow.

Back to who "did it again."

Date "Night" Jar Visited

High stress levels called for relaxing tea, and for Hubby to reach inside his date "night" jar and pull out a stick.

A well deserved weekend was called for - just Hubby and me (and solitude).  We both voted for "spontaneous."

The jar holds day trips, one night trips and two night trips in it.  Our marriage revival getaway was a two night trip.  Yay for us!

The drive was very peaceful.  Beautiful scenery, good driving weather, and positive thoughts along the way.

Spring Break

Hubby and I typically take the kids to a hotel for a good night of swimming during winter.  We however, we had other things happen to delay that.  

Island Time ~ Another Marriage Getaway ~ Balance

Last Friday, I did not don my grubby garden jeans, nor pull my hair up into a bun and don my garden hat.  No siree.

I donned a nice top, let my hair down, wore make up, put on some jewelry, and even painted my fingernails.  Yep.  I even changed purses, taking my hot pink and black "out on the town, date-night" purse. 

Teabag Tidbits

I had an upset stomach, and was searching for a peppermint teabag, and got this one.  My youngest daughter said I should share this.  It's pretty funny.  It's comical.  It's entertaining.  At least to me it was.  

Reflections of 2013

 

I enjoy reflecting on the previous year, as we bring in a new year.  So grab of cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite beverage, and join me.
 

Made my first hay net. 

Click on "read more" for more reflections in no particular order, and definitely not all of them. . .

Dream It ~ Embrace It ~ Do It

While sipping hot coffee, in my island coffee mug, I sat and looked through the photos we took from our weekend getaway.  Oh, I miss the gorgeous sunrises, the relaxing sounds of the waves, and the unique place(s) we sat and enjoying time with each other (and nature).  

I'm wondering if I can squeeze another camping trip in this fall.  Hubby is back to working every day with major over time, so we hardly see each other already.  We are having what I call a "voice mail" week.  I leave him a voice mail, he leaves me one.  Sometimes we actually get to talk to each other.  On the phone that is.  Okay, I'm getting a bit off track with this post, but let me get to the point.

Island Yurt Getaway

Guess where I've been? He he!  This was where we had lunch one day.  By late afternoon, the marina was packed with boats.  Just a warning, this post may be long, as you know I like to talk.

Hubby and I have been working on spending more nights together, we call "date nights."  They vary from a dinner out, to a candlelight dinner at home, to an outing of some sort.  Sometimes, it's a long bike ride, a trip to the orchard, or even renting a DVD to watch at home (with some yummy "snackages").  With 5 kiddos still living at home, we both feel it's so important to not let our time together wash by in our lives.  The younger girls moan and groan, but they'll get over it.  Besides, they get their "trips" and special times too.

The "Highlight" of the Weekend

Hubby, in much need of a "night away" decided to take a drive to Marshall, Michigan - Home of the famous Schuler's Restaurant & Pub.  He decided to take two of the kids with us.  This fountain is in the center of the town's round- about.  At night this fountain has colored lights and the water looks absolutely beautiful.  Marshall lodging was sold out, so we had to stay about 25 miles from there, and did not want to drive back just for photos.  Otherwise you'd be viewing them.  

Years ago, Hubby and I ate at Schuler's for his birthday.  I remember it costing us about $80.00 for dinner for two, and one bottle of wine.  It is fine dining at it's best.

Downtown Marshall has a variety of stores, and many that are in old, historic buildings.  Unfortunately, many of the stores have closed and reopened by other businesses, or remained empty.  It's constantly changing.  However, I did see that my favorite antique store, Amazing Grace, is still in business.  It holds several floors of fun shopping.  However, it is not air conditioned.  Kate's Diner is also still open for business and still serving customers (50's style diner).  Almost all of the downtown businesses are closed on Sunday's during the summer (we found the art gallery, a few smaller antique stores, the coffee shop, and a restaurant open).

My only purchase in Marshall, was an antique motel key chain and key.  They had a basket of these, and it was fun to pick one out.

If you ever get the chance to visit Marshall, MI in the summer, be sure to pull into the Hi-Lite.  

As of this year it was still open.  

Their specialty is homemade root beer, served in frosted glass mugs.  

And of course, a large menu of other drive-in foods, including hand dipped onion rings.

The waitresses are not wearing roller skates, but you might just see one wearing a poodle skirt.

 Guess who wants to go on the next trip?  Ha ha! Tiger!

Marriage, Mind, Farmer's Market update, and Just Life

Do you remember the weekend "restoration trips" Hubby and I took last year?

No Worries

Ever since Hubby and I  took our short trips to regain our sanity last year, we've been saying "no worries" a lot.

There is one thing my Hubby got right.  He bought me this t-shirt, and a matching one for himself.  That particular saying has been our marriage slogan.  It brings us good memories of our "sanity saver" getaways.  

Guess what we're wearing today?

Weekend Road Trip ~ More Snow?!

Now this is how you get your laundry dried!  Wowzers!  Check out that clothesline!  Hubby and I laughed!  I need one that big! 

Hubby and I took another road trip, but this one was for heirloom seeds, seed potatoes, and onion sets.   

We decided to do some relaxing, scenic driving before we returned home.

Speaking of home.  This is what we woke to this Monday morning.  

There is about a three foot drift in the center of our horseshoe drive.  I am so glad we got the goats moved out of the big barn.  I never expected more snow.  Snow is expected all day today, and school is closed. 
 

Running Away Got Me the Flu

I literally took only a few photos this past weekend.  This one was taken when we stopped to stock up on artificial growth hormone free cheese.  

Once we got our cheese, we browsed the countryside, but with only a few things on our minds - inexpensive fencing supplies, hay, and some R&R.

Hubby planned the entire trip, and we very much enjoyed the jacuzzi Friday night.  Saturday night, however, was a different story.

All of our regular lodging locations were booked already.  I'm guessing many folks got their tax returns and were taking much needed winter getaways.  

Saturday, I felt off.  I told hubby we should just pack up and head home Sunday, and not do our usual Sunday trip taking (like we normally do).  He agreed with it.  Even Saturday night I felt off, and didn't feel like eating anything. 

Sure enough Sunday, I woke up sick, and by 5pm, had a fever of 102°F and almost all the flu symptoms you could expect.

The kids enjoyed their Amish baked donuts and bottled Sarsaparilla.  They also, devoured the cinnamon/raisin bread.  All of which, I did not partake in.  I guess we'll have to make another trip to stock up on cheese and foods from the Nature store (where we located more organic meats), and found the best natural cough syrup that works great (but tastes horrible). 

Conversations heard while heading to my bed to sleep:

"I gotta Instagram this!" squealed my 13 year-old taking a photo of her bottle of Sarsaprilla.

"This is on my bucket list!" added my 19 year-old, also holding her bottle of Sarsaprilla. 

My son got sick over the weekend too, so the cough syrup, and natural loose leaf tea were all needed anyway.  My son took out a sharpie, marked his initial on the top of his Sarsaparilla, and put it in the fridge.

I need to wash my bedding, but I am still running a fever.  And yes, they are getting washed in hot water and dried in the dryer (yep! This pioneer is wanting all those bugs killed off today).

Lola, our tetra tint hen is sick.  I hope my daughter can look at her today.