Saturday, in the park....

Saturday in the park
You'd think it was the fourth of july

People talking, really smiling
A man playing guitar
Singing for us all...
-From the song: Saturday in the Park by Chicago

Do you remember that song? I'm probably dating myself here... Anyways, Greg and I love to visit the parks near our cabin. There's this small one in the city of Grayling, site of one of the largest canoe races in N. America. It's located right on the Ausable River.


Here's what it looks like right now...





And this is what it'll look like this winter! Hard to believe, huh?






Okay, sorry I scared you with that early winter scene! Back to present time. Here is Greg and Scout checking out the river from the bridge.





Look how fast that water is moving! There's over 180 miles of Blue Ribbon Trout Fishing here. Michiganders refer to it as the Holy Waters. Recently Forbes magazine named Grayling to their Top 10 List of Top Trout Fishing Towns.


Greg is a big fisherman and taught me to fly fish during our "courting" years. I think it cemented the deal for him to marry me once I was able to tie my own fly and cast my own rod. (But I'd make him take the fish off for me of course. No way was I touching that slimey fish! Ha!)

Clean Cabin

As many of you know our log cabin is a weekend place for our family. When we get ready to leave, I clean that place inside and out. I mop the floors, wash the rugs, dust every nook and cranny - you name it! I love the feeling of when I come back the following weekend and the place is spic and span. Now for my downstate home...well lets just say it's not given the same treatment. (I was about to say I treat it like a stepchild but then I remembered I have a stepson - ha,ha! Never mind, some of you won't think that is funny. But some of you might...Suz??)


Now the one thing I don't like to pick up (and make Greg and my stepson do cuz I am the evil stepmother) - DOG POOP! Yep, everyone is running from me now...

Birds at the Log Cabin

Some of you already know that I'm a birdwatching enthusiast (okay - I'll say it - I'm a bird nerd!) Winters at the log cabin bring some of the best birding opportunities. Last year I had an abundance of Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls that passed through and ate out of my hands. (Can you imagine what my neighbors think when I'm outside in my sheep pjs, holding out my hand and talking to the little birdies?) Anyways, I've notice the bird activity has increased at my feeders. Come meet some of my friends!

Can you see the Downy Woodpecker storing his food supply?




Here's the Tufted Titmouse. He likes to hang with the Black-capped Chickadees. His bird call sounds like a strangled duck in my opinion - but I still like him!




Here's the Dark-eyed Junco - a sure sign winter is on its way! (I know the only people happy about this is me and Betsy!)




Okay, Scout is not a bird, but I just have to show you how big she is getting. I love this dog so much. She is a big cuddler and still crawls onto my lap whenever she can. Marvin kitty still gets jealous but they are playing well together - i.e. Scout goes to give Marvin a kiss and then Marvin slaps her 10 times in a row.

Leaves at the cabin

Look at all the leaves that have fallen around the cabin! And I have one question...






Who is going to rake all these lovely leaves?






Anyone?







Hey! Greg and Scout - where do you think you two are going???

First Snowfall

I was disappointed to learn that I missed the first snowfall in Northern Michigan this year. This photo was taken last year in the early morning. I remember how the trees looked so beautiful with that light dusting of snow. Oh well - I have to admit I'm not really ready for winter yet!

This weekend we will be getting the cabin prepped for winter - a.k.a. putting away the lawn furniture and getting quotes from snow removal services. (I have to admit, I'm a little embarrassed at my list, especially when I see what my blogger friend Small Pines is doing to get ready for winter!) Maybe I should have Greg chop some firewood for our electric fireplace??

Thinking of fall and dog halloween costumes

“There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!”

- Percy Bysshe Shelley



I hope my husband is not reading this today because I know he'll think I'm ridiculous for wanting to get Scout a halloween costume. (He better watch it or I'll get him a matching one and make him take Scout trick or treating! Ha!) Anyways, here's a few I found on the Internet:


Look at this Taco one! I think Scout is too big, but JEN - how about for Hershey or Betty?











Darla, I can't remember if you have any dogs but I know you like flowers!

Suz, for some reason this made me think of Bartholomew!

Hmmm.....I've always wanted Scout to become a doctor when she grows up....








Decisions, decisions! What is your pooch going to be for Halloween?

The Chocolate Covered Peanuts Story

There's a funny story in my family about chocolate covered peanuts. My husband and stepson love this story and have made me and my mom tell it several times. Greg thought you might like to hear it. WARNING - it's a little gross.

This takes place about 10 years ago when my aunt was living with my Grandma and helping her out. My grandmother had a notorious sweet tooth. One day while my aunt was out, my grandmother found some chocolate covered peanuts. She hated peanuts but liked chocolate. She proceeded to eat the chocolate around them but spit back out the peanuts into a bowl. She then went to bed.

My aunt comes home later that night. The next morning my grandmother gets up and went over to find the bowl of peanuts to throw away and notices they were all gone. My grandma asks my aunt - what happened to those nuts I was going to throw away? I had eaten the chocolate off of them. My aunt about had a heart attack as she said SHE ATE THEM! She had thought they were regular peanuts that tasted stale. Needless to say she was very upset with my grandmother.....especially later when my grandmother called all of us in the family to tell us what happened.... ha,ha! Anyways, whenever our family sees chocolate covered peanuts - it sends us into hysterical fits of laughter. I'm thinking about buying some Goobers for my aunt this Christmas....what do you think?!