I sleep better at the log cabin!

You know how everything tastes better on a barbecue after you've been outside all day? Well I also think I sleep better at the log cabin after a day of trekking in the great outdoors. Something so exhilarating about breathing in that fresh air, seeing all of nature's beauty and then coming back to my cabin retreat. When I get into bed I think I have the best mattress in the world (I really don't know if I do - but it certainly feels like it) and then as I hear the night time music of the woods - the peeper frogs and crickets (this would be summer time) - I drift off into the best sleep of my life. And hopefully Greg doesn't start to snore because then I contemplate picking up my pillow and...well never mind! But if the cops come to your house, you don't know nothin!!

This is what northern Michigan is like.



I think I need more pillows....



P.S. A couple neat things going on in Bloggy Land!

1. Hot Belly Mama is celebrating her 30th birthday by giving away a Bumgenius diaper along with Charli's soap. Please click here to enter.
2. Darla at Family & Flowers is having a soy candle giveaway. Please click here!
3. Charli & Me has info on "Poem in your Pocket Day" if you would like participate!
4. American Way Farm has posted one of the funniest stories I have ever read about a rooster! (Warning - it's a little on the dark side!)

Time for Easter Decorating?

I've had a few people tell me it's too early to decorate for Easter yet. (I won't mention names but he's the one who's responsible for the deer head hanging in our log cabin that watches my every move!) In the guest room I added this sweet little bunny and an easter egg candle on the table. I have more things to add but I'm restraining myself for another week. Then I am putting out my Easter Egg Tree, my little bunnies on top of the fireplace...oh the Easter decorating possibilites are endless! Now this person is saying the guest room is starting to look too chicky. Hmm.....I don't think I'll tell him what I have planned for the rest of the cabin yet. It might include some bunny ears for his deer head.

P.S. The Michigan Audubon Conference went well - thought I would be nervous speaking but it turns out I like to talk alot! Go figure!! One funny story - I was in a presentation on the Loons (which you know is my favorite bird) and a guy behind me kept falling asleep and snoring and belching throughout it! I mean c'mon! They're talking about Loons buddy! This is fascinating stuff!!

My Diabolical Plan

I got a new bird feeder for the log cabin! (I know, like my 10 other feeders weren't enough!) But I have a plan you see. If I provide enough food and good company (I'm the good company) then they will STAY HERE and NEST IN MY BIRDHOUSES and have lots of BIRD BABIES for me to see and adore! Good plan - huh?!




As soon as Greg hung the feeder, the Chickadee was investigating it right away!



Guess who else discovered my new bird feeder?


I'm heading to the Michigan Aububon Society's Conference this weekend where I'll be speaking about Birding and Blogging. (Do you think they want to hear about log cabins too? Probably not....) I will catch up with all of you later this weekend!

Take a country drive with us...

When we are up at our log cabin, we sometimes like to go exploring and take country drives. I'm always looking for beautiful scenes and wildlife to photograph. If you go a little further outside our town of lakes and trees, you can find some nice surprises.

Let's head down Wilkinson Road. We'll pass a ski resort along the way.



Here's a nice little creek (or river?) that we stopped to admire along the way. You can hear the stream running over the rocks and the water is very clear.



If we head over to the other side of the road, the creek continues. Still plenty of snow here in Gaylord!



As we go further down the road, we are starting to see farm pastures.


Well looky here! Here are some moo moos!



This guy actually looks pretty mellow. If you want to see a more intimidating cow I photographed at this farm, click here.



Well it looks like it's time for lunch! Let's head back to the log cabin and I'll make you some Macaroni & Cheese. Sound good?

Decorating the log cabin

I am slowly getting our loft space decorated at the log cabin. Right now it has a queen bed and a twin bed - perfect for guests. I've been on the hunt for a love seat and chair to create a small sitting area for reading and listening to music. I also added a few other touches around the cabin. Here's my progress so far....


We put up some blinds and hung up 2 decorative bronze metal stars on the walls.












See my $10 lamp from Garden Ridge? It has a bronze star base - I just love it!











At the stair landing, I hung up a Black-capped chickadee print my mother passed along to me.


















I picked up these 2 painted ducks at a flea market and put them on top of our fireplace. Got the pair for only $5! What bargain places do you like to shop at to decorate your home?

Down at the Sunset Grille

**Please Note: Giveaway Winners are listed in the post below! Thank you!

It was a little cold at the log cabin this weekend - just under 20 degrees but the sun certainly brightened the days. Saturday night we were witnessing this beautiful sunset from the deck of our log cabin. It meant only one thing.....





Time to open up the Sunset Grille! What's better on a crisp cold night than a winter barbecue and eating some juicy steaks! We invited my in-laws over to enjoy them with us. (Besides - wouldn't you think Greg & I are little piggies for eating all these below? Ha,ha!)



After the barbecue, we enjoyed the moon light. As it got darker, we were surprised to see so many stars. Life is good.

Winners of Giveaway!

Well we're back from a restful weekend at the log cabin. A big thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaway from my nature store! So many of you left sweet comments - thank you again!












I put all the names in a bowl for my hubby to draw three names!










Please escuse my writing - I had alot of names to write down!
Greg drew the following winners: 1. Charli & Me, 2: Hi! I'm Cindy! and 3. Tammy - Country Girl.

Congratulations Ladies!! Please email your address to shelleyupnorth at gmail dot com. Charli - since you were the 1st winner drawn - you get an extra gift. Please choose any greeting card to go along with your bird button.



I will have another giveaway this spring! Please be sure to visit!