Prayer of the Woods (and doggy name winners!)

I've posted the "Prayer of the Woods" before but wanted to share it again. This sign is at Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a little bit of a tree hugger! Quick - everybody run before I start lecturing how we have to protect our our natural habitats!

Okay - you still here? Here are the winners of my doggy name contest! They will receive a little token from my nature store! Thank you everyone for entering! Please email your address to shelleyupnorth at gmail dot com.

1. Copenhagen by Loagan Ranch
2. Sniffles by Goat Creek Grandma
3. Annie Bo Bear by Dixie's Doodles

By the way - I had some bookmarks made the other day with one of my photos - so the first five people (U.S. or Canadian only) that make a comment on this post and write specifically that they would like a bookmark - I will send you one!

Chipmunk Love

Escuse me Chip, that orange feeder is for the Orioles!



We have a chipmunk that has claimed our log cabin as his territory. Whenever I put out a new bird feeder, he has to go investigate it and then take a taste test. He's gotten pretty friendly and will come up to me on the deck to beg for food. (I have to remember to get Greg to snap a photo of me with my buddy.)

This guy has a series of tunnels / holes on our property. Did you know that a Chipmunk has different uses for each tunnel? One is used for his toilet, one is used for storing food, one for sleeping, etc. Here's one of his holes - this is the one he likes to pop out of when I walk by to chirp at me.


P.S. I'm getting ready for my craft show in Gaylord this Saturday. So if you're in the area, please stop by! The show runs from 8 - 4 in the downtown area. I will be selling items from my Nature Store.

Have a nice Memorial Weekend!

I feel like I'm always repeating myself, but we're at the log cabin for a long weekend! You're probably asking - doesn't that Shelley do any work? Ha,ha! We have kayaking, hikes, fishing and some landscaping planned. What are your plans for the weekend?

Everyone have a safe Memorial weekend and please remember those that have sacrificed for us and continue to do so! I look forward to catching up with you on Tuesday - my Internet is sporadic.

P.S. On June 6th, I will be exhibiting at the Gaylord, Michigan Arts & Crafts Show, so please stop by my booth (Shelley's Nature Store) if you get the chance! :-)

Loon Ranger Rides Again!

I believe it was Carolyn at Mountain Musings who joked to me that the "Loon Ranger rides again" in reference to my loons returning to the lake at our log cabin. That made me laugh! But it is true - I am a Michigan Loon Ranger. I will be monitoring the Loons on our lake and recording data as well as making sure they stay safe.

I found a wonderful poem that I recently posted on one of my 20 million blogs (Ha! Poor Leedra & Betsy who are so kind to read all my blogs!) that I would like to share with you.

Lakehood - a poem by Loons Forever

a lake
needs a loon
to laugh with the moon
to be a lake



By the way, I'm getting tired of shooting these far away shots of my Loons so I am headed out on my kayak this week to get some better photographs. I don't care how cold it is. Hopefully I don't tip. Because then I would wreck my camera before succumbing to hypothermia.....



Also, if you've thought about getting a kayak - now is the time to do it! There are great sales at Dick's Sporting Goods and REI.










And now a GRATUITOUS plug of Shelley's Nature Store.
A sale for Mother's Day!
When you check out, put in the code 10MOMDAYSALE for 10% off!
It's only good through April 30th.
I have many matching gift items, things for a godmother, new mother and more!

Colorful pairs at the log cabin

I am heading downstate from the log cabin shortly and looking forward to checking up on all of your blogs! I've missed you my friends! It was great weather up until yesterday afternoon and then it started raining. Here's a couple photos I'd like you to take a look at. Which pair do you think is more colorful........

A pair of Wood Ducks.....



Or my mom and her sister? (Notice their matching red hair and pink outfits! HA! HA!)

*My mom is wearing the baseball cap.

P.S. I need to draw my log cabin follower winner tonight since I was out of town this past Thursday! Be sure to check back on Monday! Thank you!!

P.P.S. I've been making mother's day gifts from my nature photographs! Be sure to check them out at my online store. When you click on the link, on the right side bar there is another link that says "Mother's Day". I'll be adding more in the next couple days! :-)

Glorious morning at the cabin.... (and log cabin follower winner!)

Yes, I've snuck away to the log cabin mid-week. It was a glorious morning today, wish I could've shared it with you! The lake ice has melted, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping....




And my beloved loons have returned. I honestly had tears in my eyes as I watched the pair swim across the lake (very far away from me so escuse the bad photo!)


And least I forget, another winner from my log cabin followers. Congratulations to JyLnc at A cup of joe with a view! I will be sending you a surprise gift from my nature store! Jylnc - please email me your address at shelleyupnorth at gmail dot com!

FYI - I am able to make personalized Mother's Day Gifts from my nature store. If you see a photo you like at my nature store, I can place that on any gift item such as a coffee mug, print, T shirt, keychain, greeting card, box of note cards, etc. Please contact me at the email address above with any questions or requests.

Log Cabin Follower Winner

Greg drew the first winner of my Log Cabin Follower Giveaway and the winner is Sarah at Ten Years! Sarah has 2 blogs, a knack for decorating, a beautiful family and is a wonderful photographer. Be sure to check out her blog! Congratulations Sarah! Please email me your address at shelleyupnorth at gmail dot com. I will be sending you a surprise little gift from my nature store!

My next winner will be drawn next Thursday!

Off the subject...

Can you believe I have a little crocus?! Spring IS really coming! This flower is dedicated to Darla at Family & Flowers. She always shares her beautiful flowers and now I finally have one to share with her! (P.S. By the way, if you like this image, I have put it in my nature store on several gifts items. How's that for a plug?! Also, if you want to be on my list for special offers & savings, please email me at shelleyupnorth at gmail dot com. )

Second thing - have any of you ever participated in a craft show? I have signed up for a few this summer and have no idea what I'm doing! I would appreciate your tips and advice. My booth has to be 10x10 - I've been trying to find those white craft tents that have the roll down sides - they seem very expensive. So any places you can suggest would be great. Thank you for your help!

Third Thing - Time for a GIVEAWAY! I just noticed I have 137 followers and am so appreciative! I'm going to have the hubby draw a name or two out of my followers and send them a little prize. Stay tuned! (And yes - it will be from my nature store!) P.S. thanks to April at Straight From the Heart for this fabulous idea!

Have a great morning everyone!

Giveaway from the Log Cabin!

Time for a GIVEAWAY from the log cabin!

Recently, I opened an on-line store featuring my photography on gift items. You may have seen my store on the sidebar of this blog. A portion of the sales are being donated to my favorite nature and wildlife organizations (my number one charity being the Michigan Loon Preservation Association.) In celebration of my opening, I would like to give away a few gifts from my site. The winner will receive 2 gifts. Here's the rules:

1. U.S. Resident only
2. Haven't won one of my previous giveaways
3. Must have a blog
3. Visit my site: www.zazzle.com/shellmart and select one favorite item you would like to have from one of the following categories only: Greeting Cards, Magnets, Keychain or Buttons. No other categories are part of this giveaway. Thank you! Once you've decided, post your choice back here on my blog. Example: Shelley would like the redpoll keychain.
4. If you win, you will be given that item. If you are the first winner drawn, you will get a bonus gift.
5. There will be 3 lucky winners.
6. If you post my giveaway on your blog - I will give you three extra entries. Just let me know you did so.
7. Deadline for entering is midnight on Saturday, February 28th. Winner will be drawn on March 1.

Good luck and thank you for visiting me! I hope you enjoy Shelley's Nature Store!