August Fields

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summer vacation – michigan style – part 2

June 29, 2011 August Fields

click here to see part one of the vacation.
someone asked me why we chose northern michigan for a vacation.  well it was close enough to drive to in one day, the lakes are clear and beautiful, its not the “city”…it’s more relaxed and calm, the scenery is beautiful, its affordable, and there are so many quaint little towns to meander to.
we took two days of our vacation to drive around northern michigan.  
our first stop was at black star farms.  we drove through a gorgeous driveway surrounded by vineyards to end up at this beautiful inn and winery.  
we were there on a thursday morning, so it was not very busy at all.  

we stopped in to the retail shop/wine tasting room/cheese making viewing area.

dancy found the sparkling grape juice to be delicious.

dubs liked watching the cheese makers.

oh so many wines.  now, i am not really a wine drinker myself.  if given a glass, i will tend to sip on that one glass all evening.  i do find the process fascinating though.

we came across one white wine that even i found to be delicious!  it is the late harvest riesling.  again, not a big drinker, but we did purchase a couple of bottles for gifts and a couple for ourselves.

there was an extensive farm area for us to walk around.  we visited the goats, pigs, horses, ducks, and roaming chickens.

then is was back in the car and down the road a bit to sutton’s bay.

isn’t this phone booth too cute?  there was a working pay phone in it.

there were several art galleries and quaint little shops.

i really enjoyed the unique book stores in each town…..this one did not disappoint.

for lunch we ate at martha’s cafe.  a MUST stop for a fresh, delicious lunch.

this is martha!  she was so sweet to all of our kids 🙂  we visited with her a little while and she shared the story and her love for martha’s cafe.

this was my chicken salad with asparagus and ham sandwich.

of course i peeked my head into all the little home decor stores.  this one was my favorite!  at home.
those blue candlesticks are now in my front foyer 🙂

here they are in clear.  the ladies will gladly ship them to you! 🙂 🙂  give them a call. 231-271-4664.  i wish i got their names, they were so helpful and kind.

what a cute storefront!

of course a stop at the candy store is a must.  we keep it simple.  one item, nothing that spins or takes batteries.  the suckers and rock candy held us over until we reached our next destination.

leland, michigan.  otherwise known as “fishtown”.

i really liked leland.  several of the stores are built up on the wharf with gravel walkways.

there are also several stores up on the streets.  another cute bookstore!

we found a pottery store in leland that i really liked!  the artist, ben maier, was not there but much of his work was just my style.

several light colored pieces with simple lines.

this technique really caught my eye.  we came home with some soup size bowls that looked like this vase.  white with grey edged sections.  i would love to add more ben maier pieces to my collection!

we took the kids out to the marina and looked at all the ships.  there are fishermen everywhere!  
we loved spending time together, exploring michigan.  this vacation spot will definitely be repeated!

family, Uncategorized, vacation

summer vacation – michigan style – part 1

June 24, 2011 August Fields

we just returned home from a northern michigan vacation.  if you have never traveled these parts, please put it on your list of places to vacation!
full of fresh water lakes, adorable towns full of boutiques and local eateries, wineries, and gorgeous gorgeous scenery.  gorgeous.  
we rented a house for the week on one of the several beautiful inland lakes.  take your pick from glen lake, silver lake, torch lake and on and on……
oh, and if you’re into fishing….well kevin vandam IS from michigan 🙂  boone caught this fish.

seriously, moments like this melt my heart.

there was lots of kayaking,  paddle boating, tubing, boat rides and turtle catching.  the water is so clear and i love not worrying about the salt getting in eyes and mouths…..

we painted the back of one turtle with nail polish 🙂  maybe someone else will find him one day….

on to the eateries!  in traverse city we ate at poppycocks.  it was fabulous!  fresh, eclectic and right up my alley!  the grilled eggplant bisque was de.lic.ous.

another great stop is the blue tractor.  yummy grille type food in a cool atmosphere.

downtown traverse city is full of wonderful boutiques, bookstores, restaurants, art studios and home stores.

as you drive along you’ll notice several barns!  this was taken while we were driving out my car window.  someone could definitely make a picture book photographing all the cool barns in northern michigan.

oh! and the antique shops!  there are so many, and they are great!  this one, lilacs antiques, is in elk rapids.  i am collecting plates for a plate wall so plates were what i was on the hunt for this trip.

while in elk rapids we ate at pearl’s for dinner.  spicy, new orleans menu that was wonderful!  they have a very friendly kid’s menu as well.

this is the crawfish & corn chowder.  delish!

to be continued…………..

family, Uncategorized, vacation

how to build a 4 x 12 raised garden bed. plus garden pictures.

June 11, 2011 August Fields

here is a tutorial for the 4’x12′ raised garden beds that are in our garden.  we used pressure treated pine.
for each raised bed we used:
2ea.  12in. x 12ft. boards
2ea.  12in. x 4ft. boards
4ea.  4in. x 4in. x12in. posts
screws
drill
muscles 🙂
these were super easy.  basically, line your 4×4 posts up with one board and drill.
enlist some helpers to speed things along…..
line up another side and drill into your 4×4 post.  i told you it was simple!
this is one finished raised bed.  we lined each one with landscape grade bed liner from lowes.

then brought in the dirt.  we used a mix of soil and mixed soil.  i threw some fertilizer in there too and raked it in.  it started pouring rain while my husband and i were filling/raking the last 4 beds.  i was a wet and muddy mess!

here is a close up of the gates before we added the mesh fencing and trim pieces.  
here you can see the mesh fencing that we (my dad and husband) stapled up.  my dad added trim pieces as an added layer on top of the mesh for a more finished look.
this picture gives a good overall view of the garden and the layout of the raised beds.  i’ve already started adding pots of flowers and the “crops” are growing!  i’m usually out there with the kiddos in the late afternoon….watering, weeding, and just adding little touches.  
little dubs found the water again 🙂  isn’t he a love?

flowers and garden, Uncategorized

window box update

June 7, 2011 August Fields

i snapped this picture on june 3, 2011.
this was may 13, 2011.  only three weeks earlier!  

i knew the flowers had filled in but when i see the pictures side by side….wow!  i can’t wait for july and august 🙂

flowers and garden, Uncategorized

vintage texas bridal shower

June 5, 2011 August Fields

a very warm and balmy saturday afternoon made a perfect backdrop for a vintage texan bridal shower.   this couple is bound for san antonio, texas in a few short weeks.  luke is one of my husband’s brothers.  he is an amazing musician, so watch out texas!
my morning started off with a starbucks mocha and mango salsa preparation. 

i was in charge of the cake.  i went chocolate…full force.  four layers with dark hershey chocolate frosting between each (i used the recipe from the cocoa container for frosting).

i was not messing around.  serious chocolate cake business going down this morning.

um.  yum.  i was inspired by a cake that i pinned on pinterest.  do you pin?  you should! and find delicious cakes like this…..

 salsas, fruit salad, guacamole, deviled eggs, tortilla wheels, chips, bean salad……….

me and my future sister in law…….
 
we wish you both all the best in texas!

just a bunch of cowgirls and their boots……….

me and my cowgirls 🙂

bridal shower, Uncategorized, wedding

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BUNKBED INFO

Our boy’s bunkbeds were custom made from a picture I tore out of a magazine. Unfortunately, there are no drawn up plans I can share.

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