Let's get in the fall mood....

It's no secret that Fall is my favorite season. I look forward to October when Michigan shows her glorious colors. I'm dreaming of eating fresh apple pie, drinking cold cider and decorating the cabin with several pumpkins and mums.

And of course I'm going to have to rake a leaf pile to jump into! The yellow fall leaves are my favorite! What is your favorite fall leaf color?

Let's take a look at the Autumn photos I shot last year in northern Michigan...











This one was actually taken a few years ago from the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City.


*I apologize f0r my lack of blog posts and visits. I've been busy getting ready for school and started classes this week! That will be another post. Hope you have a lovely weekend and I look forward to catching up with you!

The dog (and cat) days of summer

When summer gathers up her robes of glory,
And, like a dream, glides away.
~ Sarah Helen Whitman



Can you believe that autumn is almost upon us? I already have leaves that have turned red on my maple tree. Pretty soon I will be putting pumpkins on my porch. (And I'm sure the squirrels will have a field day eating them!)






We finally had a hummingbird visit our feeder but alas soon they'll be migrating on.







Scout is dreaming about snow....that's what Bernese Mountain dogs live for!





And Marvin, well let's just say he dreams of a new home for Scout constantly...

Making friends on the kayak

It's time for me to take you on another kayak ride. The sun is out, a little warm at 80 degrees but we'll feel cooler once we're out on the lake. Are you ready?


Let's paddle at a leisurely pace and see what we can find.






Here is one of the many water lilies that float on our lake.







Look up ahead! Do you see something in that tall birch tree? Let's get a little closer.








Well it's Harry the Blue Heron! He thinks we can't see him and I'm glad. It allows us enough time to admire his beauty and snap a few shots.





Whoops - looks like he has an itch! We'll just give him some privacy and keep paddling.






Look - there's a family of ducks up ahead. Let's paddle over there.







Well aren't they a fine looking family! They're quacking now, so I'm going to leave them be. Now I hear something else across the lake....






Scout is barking at us from the deck of the log cabin. We better head back and give her a biscuit. Hope you enjoyed today's kayak ride. Scout said next time she would like to ride in the kayak with one of you. Any takers?

This cracks me up!

We're back from a long weekend at the log cabin. The weather was great and it was nice to spend time outdoors. Greg did some fishing with my stepson and I spent time kayaking and taking photos.

But I digress.....I know Greg is going to kill me but I just had to post this photo! Greg was trying to show Scout that it was okay to sleep in the the crate.....




Are you laughing??????? Cuz I still am!!!

Greg's Favorite Quiche

This Swiss Cheese & Onion Quiche is one of Greg's breakfast favorites at the log cabin. Sometimes I will add 1/2 cup of cooked turkey bacon to it (trying to keep it somewhat healthy.) You can also add ham too. I found this recipe at allrecipes.com.

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/4 teaspoon salt


DIRECTIONS
Spread 1 tablespoon butter over bottom of pastry shell; set aside. In a skillet, saute onion in remaining butter until tender. Spread in pastry shell. Toss Swiss cheese with flour; sprinkle over onion. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, cream and salt. Pour evenly over cheese.
Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees F; bake 30-35 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

For the love of flowers...

Greg had a dream this summer. That dream was to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to our log home. He built flower boxes, researched magazines & the internet, and then planted (without my help! Crazy huh?) the flowers himself.

Well the wildflowers popped up only recently. Before then, you should've seen the hubby's face and heard his words as he checked them every week we headed up to the cabin (What is up with those !@#$ wildflowers?!)

I wanted to share his handiwork with you. (Darla, perhaps you can name some of these flowers for us?? We have no clue!!)

Here is one of two flower boxes that Greg built. (I was responsible for the patio plants!)






What are those red flowers Darla? I like em!








Close up of a purple flower.... (all my flowers are known by colors since I don't know what the heck their names are!)






Another mystery....







Doesn't this yellow flower remind you of a ray of sunshine?





I know what these are! Marigolds! Well that's because I planted them in Greg's box (he was a little perturbed - I was suppose to stick to the patio plants) - but I thought they would look nice there.


We've only had a few hummingbirds and butterflies this summer. It hasn't been the best weather wise this year - hopefully next year we get more of our winged visitors!

Miscellaneous Stuff

I swear time just keeps getting away from me! Jane (Jumping in the Jungle) and Tricia (Bluff Area Daily) - please email your address to me at shelleyupnorth at gmail dot com so I can send your pay it forward gifts! Sounds like a lot of people have gotten into the spirit already!

And now how about a gratuitous photo of Scout?