Outdoor Wednesday-Dow Gardens

Outdoor Wednesday
These are photos that we took while on a walk in Dow Gardens in June.

What's My Question Wednesday

Today's question on "What's My Question Wednesday" is about superstition - Are you superstitious? You can see more answers over at How Sweet the Sound.

I am not really superstitious, although I do have my "moments" - like step on a crack and break your mother's back which goes back to my childhood and I do have a "thought" if I see a black cat cross in front of me. Ha! But mostly I just trust in the Lord and know that He is in control even when things seem out of control, which, in my life, can be pretty often. I guess as Halloween is approaching, many of us think about our superstitions. The funniest thing to me is how superstitious lots of hockey players are - like when they won't touch the conference trophy because it may jinx them out of winning the big trophy - the Stanley cup.

Up the Mast

This summer both Ron and I got to go up the mast. Ron went up to the very top to put up the wind instrument that had to be repaired. Ryan cranked him up with the mainsail wench and I tailed the sheet. Then when we got ready to take off the Genoa, I had to go up and tap in a pin that can tear the sail as we take it off. We've gotta get that fixed before next year's sailing. But we got both trips up documented with the camera this year.

Friday Fill-In #143

1. One week ago I was paddling around Long Lake on our new canoe.

2. I loved visiting Mamaw's and running all through the woods when I was young.

3. Mama told me to learn to say NO.

4. Building a dream cottage and a future for you and me.

5. Take your time and create something.

6. This season of your life will pass! So enjoy it!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the co-op picnic and Redwings on tv, tomorrow my plans include going to the Antique Festival, having coffee at Barnes and Noble with Kate and thrift shop shopping and Sunday, I want to take my m.i.l. to Traverse Bay Pie Company for her birthday!

Canoeing on Long Lake

This past week, Ron finally got his 25th anniversary present - a Wenona Canoe. We paddled around Long Lake. The lake was beautiful and the canoe allowed us to get near shore and catch sight of some of the animals. We saw a mink who was trying desperately to escape us, but Ron was paddling furiously while I tried to photograph him. We also got pictures of some of the ducks and geese. It was such a beautiful evening - perfect temperature, perfect water, perfect company! We are going to love having a canoe.

Theme Thursday - Script Writing

http://themethursday.wordpress.com/
We are in Detroit and heading to the Detroit Institute of Art tomorrow. But I will tackle this theme when I get home.

The Tea Party

I promised to blog about our summer rose garden tea party. It was something Kate and I had wanted to do for a while and it finally came together this summer. We took a picture from my rose garden and made our invitations.

We used different tea cups for each guest. Some were mine and some were loaned to me by a good friend. We wanted to have the party outside, but unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, as it rained all day. But we had a grand time inside anyway.

We had quite a selection of tea and also had lemonade. Katy made mini cheesecakes and cucumber sandwiches. I made apricot tarts from my friends recipe that she had figured out from her English grandmother's recipe. We also had chocolates, lemon scones, lemon curd and fresh strawberries.

Each guest got to take home a special teacup that was filled with goodies such as specialty teas and chocolate truffles and wrapped in tulle and a long stemmed tea rose. We also had a drawing for door prizes.

I used my fine china - Moonspun by Lenox and my silver tea service that I inherited from my parents.

All in all, we had a really good time, except that it was all too short. The party came to an end much too soon. So we will definitely have to have another one.

Friday Fill In #141 & Bean Soup Recipe

And...here we go!

1. That's a great place to be - up North.

2. Hey, Sunrise; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: felted purses, fabric purses, altered books.

4. Bean Soup is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know when you become yourself?

6. Lots of wind and a stormy sky - make for exciting sailing.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to fajitas and Jess finishing driver's training, tomorrow my plans include going for a long bike ride and visiting the farmers market and Sunday, I want to enjoy the worship service!

Tricia's Bean Soup Recipe

1 chopped onion
several minced garlic cloves - 3 or 4
1 T olive oil
1 32 oz jar of Bush's mixed beans
1 can of Swanson's chicken broth
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of northern beans
1 can of diced tomatoes
Oregano - to taste - I use about 2 tsp
Basil - same as oregano
1 or 2 Bay leaves

1 lb. of smoked sausage - added last

Directions:

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil in a Dutch Oven.
Add next 8 ingredients.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour.
Slice sausage into one inch pieces and add to simmering soup.
Simmer 10 minutes.

Serve with grated cheddar cheese and crackers.

Note: can also add ingredients to a crock pot and simmer all day. Yum.

Gotta Love Those Mistakes

I'm gonna keep a running list of some of my favorite type-o's or grammar mistakes:

".....so I bought a cartoon of medium eggs."

" Please lunch the pop-up-flash player...."

And in my daughter's driver's training book by our lovely government:
" Most states, have also enacted legislation..." Yes - a comma between the subject and the predicate!

I'm sure there will be more to come!