Nov 23 Visit with Tina

Nov 23, 2013

I paid a long overdue visit to my cousin Tina and her husband Jon in the Chicago area on my way home. It was SO nice catching up, like we never missed a beat. They have a beautiful home in Lakewood, IL. After a tasty mexican lunch with both of them, Tina and I decided to go hiking despite the low 20's temperature today. Hey at least the sun is shining!

Us and our shadows walking through Volo Bog Natural Preserve. 

These red berries behind us were so vibrant with all the other foliage gone. 

The rolling walkway over the swamp. What a great day. Tina made some really yummy lasagna for dinner and we caught up with some girly TV later on. Thanks for all the hospitality and a wonderful visit!

Nov 11-22 The Many Faces of Lake Michigan

Nov 11-22, 2013

Whether is was cloudy, sunny, stormy, sunset, sunrise, night or day Lake Michigan does not disappoint. I think I'm in love...

This day a storm was brewing. 

This evening the waning moon shone through the clouds and reflected on the lake as a ship was passing by. 

The bright blue sky and warm sun sent me on a mini photo journey to the boat launch about 1.5 miles down the road. 

Even though we face east, the sunset still gives a beautiful show this time of year. 

One morning I awoke to a light covering of snow.

Another gorgeous sunset, I stopped painting for a while to witness this one. 

Sunrise on my last day. 

Nov 16-22 Before and After

Nov 16-22, 2013

Here are some before and after pics after laboring for 2 weeks here. All I can say is, I am thankful I am not a painter or housecleaner, it is really hard work and tried to give myself carpal tunnel.

As you are about to see this house has no shortage of pink walls and we've made it our mission to make them all disappear! 

Here is the new and improved family room.

The dining room was coral.

Now its a nice neutral, "white sand" to be exact.  

The guest bedroom green has been muted and ceiling painted white. 

A lovely shade of violet was the master bedroom.

Now its a pale blue like the lake (more like the beautiful waters of Turks and Caicos). 

More pink downstairs.

Now its white sand with 2 sets of bunk beds and a little nightstand. We are expecting 4 nieces and nephews over New Years. 

The living area downstairs…also pink.

Now its warm neutrals with a big couch and a queen sleeper sofa.

Nov 11-15 Glidden Drive Repairs

Nov 11-15, 2013

We are packed up and ready to go to Wisconsin to start the cleaning, painting, furnishing and decorating of our second home.

We know how to fill up a trailer. 

 

 My parents met Ryan, myself and Ryan's mom up in Wisconsin. We are in process of de-pinking this house. My mom is doing her cleaning thing and my dad is on paint duty. Ryan has been busy taping the edges so we can be as sloppy as we want.

 I awoke one morning before 7am to find my mom cleaning her 3rd window.

 One of many sunrises we hope to enjoy over the years.

 Thanks Mom, Dad and Ryan for 3+ full days of intense labor. This place is starting to shape up.

I get to stay one more week to finish up painting and projects.

Oct 31 Halloween on Hayhurst St

Oct 31, 2013

Our favorite holiday is Halloween and yes we are THOSE people on the block. Today is the big day!

We are the Griswold's on Hayhurst.

Eve and Beckett taking a break from candy eating to color.

Our annual jack-o-lanterns.

One of the newest editions to our decor...scary!

Oct 30 Cedar Falls Hike

Oct 30, 2013

Since we haven't been doing a lot of hiking lately, Ryan and drive down to Hocking Hills for the day to enjoy the fall colors on what turned out to be a cool, cloudy, foggy day.

Cedar Falls.

Rose Lake.

I like this reflection on Rose Lake.

We hiked 6 miles round trip from Cedar Falls to Old Mans Cave and back. Here is Lower Falls near Old Man's Cave...half way point.

Ryan and his shadow.

The fog near Old Man's Cave gives it an eerie appeal today.

Ahhhh great hike with my love. Ryan says he'll hike with me anyday :)

Oct 19 Our Lake House

Oct 18-20, 2013

For years, Ryan and I have dreamed about having a place on the lake. Well here it is. It is only 5 houses down from his grandparents in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. It is right on Lake Michigan. It all started out as an offer on an empty lot and somehow it turned into 180 ft of lakefront and this lovely home.

It doesn't have the most curb appeal, but it does have some fun and quirky 70's charm.

Like this old school elevator, and it still works. This home was built by two sisters, one of which had polio. This elevator assisted getting her to each level.

And this is our new backyard. I guess we didn't really leave the beach :)

Here is the beginning of MANY projects. I got several furniture items from Ikea for our new place. My dad, brother, sister-in-law and I worked on applying polyurethane to all the pieces in my dad's warm barn.

Oct 13 Autumn in the Midwest

Oct 13-19, 2013

As much fun as the beach was for 6 weeks, we were ready for autumn in the midwest. OK, well I really was. I could not wait to see my gardens and the annual wonder of fall foliage color change.

Here are a couple of my favorites...dahlias and sinenome.

We made a quick trip to Detroit to retrieve our QX and a trailer from my dad. On the way back we stopped at Yates Cider Mill with Leah, Zac and Ceci. Ceci was very entertained by transferring cider for one cup to another.

Three days after we returned I started a new job, a temporary one. I was covering for another NP's medical leave. I got to work at Denison University Health Center, it was a really pleasant 8:30-5 M-F type job with lots of friendly folks for two weeks. If only it lasted longer...

Most days driving east to Granville, where Denison University is located, I witnessed the sunrise and occasionally the sunset. Here is a particularly pretty sunset.

I got a great deal on a bunch of tomatoes on the last day of the Worthington outdoor farmer's market and decided to can some tomato sauce. I am my mother's daughter.