Pedro Party Day 2012

 Dave presenting trophy to Cynthia, 2012 Champ.

 Roz had plenty of poor hands and will get the booby trophy from her niece, Kelly, when they can get together.

Trick or treat time as everyone gathered.  I'm greeting truck driver Sean, pirate Mckenna and their Mother Caitlin.  Total count attending was 22.  This included Dave and Amy Lemmer, Barbara's brother and sister-in-law visiting from California.  There were delicious casseroles, a couple of salads and a tempting variety of wonderful desserts made by the best cooks ever!

Dow Gardens, Midland, MI

Yesterday was a day of beauty for Barbara, my guest, and me.  We went to Dow Gardens with Lansing Woman's Club.  Autumn color was beautiful even under cloudy, rain washed skies.  First we toured the home and studio of architect Alden Dow.  A room in the reception area is 18" below the water level of the pond surrounding the home.  Views from every window made you feel city life was miles away, in reality the home and gardens are in the center of  Midland.  Color, art , creativity fill every room.  I think surrounding yourself with beauty is an  inspiration..  After a box lunch in the garden barn, the director of the garden spoke on the history of the garden and led us on a walk through the garden.  Again beauty in every direction.  Some of the views I enjoyed follow.

 This bridge was designed to resemble the sun in its reflection.

 On a sunny day I'm sure this tree would be even more vivid.

 This bridge is made of cinders held together with cement.

This is a garden full of different kinds of kale!  Sculpture is called The Grand Ham!

Mahony Pumpkin carving 2012

First time touching the guts

Before he had touched the guts

Ayla hard at work and Sean saying no way get me away from this thing. Sean's pumpkin became Mom's pumpkin :) 

Still not having it!

Mckenna/Herb's is the bat on the far left, Mine/Sean's is in the middle, and Ayla's is on the right 

Fun at the cabin

 Cynthia helped Mckenna make a pretty, warm scarf with this special yarn.  10 minutes to finish!

 This frog game helps 4 year olds with learning colors, counting and memory retention.

 Gus and Mckenna, Cynthia, Jim, Jerry, Mike, Barbara, Dave, Don, Mary and Stephen.  We missed the rest of you!

 Somemore time!! Mike helping Mckenna toast a marshmallow to perfection.  The coals were just right for turning the marshmallows golden.  When we went inside we left the 1/2 bag of marshmallows, a chocolate bar and an open box of graham crackers on the woodpile.  Gus finished them off and acted rather sick!

 Don, Jim and Dave inspecting the "new" cultivator to work up the deer feed plots.  Don got it for free.  The fields are planted with rye grass now.  This will be used in spring to work up the ground for turnips etc.

 This is the best deer we saw in the woods!  Jerry uses these antlers to rub together and attract deer to his shooting lanes.  Twoanimals have appeared on Don's game camera, a Bob Cat and a Black Bear!!

 Cynthia and Mckenna off on a four wheel spin around the property.

Mary, Cynthia, Mckenna and Barbara keep their brains sharp with a game of Scrabble.

Spectacular autumn color

 Three beautiful red trees in a row where I parked for my class yesterday afternoon.

 Halloween decoration in our neighborhood.  I smile every time I drive by these happy ghosts.

Everyday the color changes.  In real life our yard looks more golden than photo shows.

Canoe renovation

The red, wooden canoe Dad/Grandpa received for his 14th birthday from his parents is getting ready for new adventures.  It has been paddled through many Michigan rivers and lakes and taken on at least two trips into Canadian waters.  There was some discussion about what color to paint it but when Dad got to the paint shop there was a choice of white, navy blue or battleship gray.  He liked gray--makes it look like an aluminum canoe, I think!  He'll check it over tomorrow to see if it needs a second coat.

Weekend at the cabin

 This is where the wood pile used to be. Now there is a pile of rocks and it is being prepared for a food plot.

 These are some of the rocks taken from clearing the road to Stephen's blind. They are on the "elbow" curve of the back road. They will be hauled out as the landscaper needs them.

 This is the view from the far side of the food plot looking at Steve's blind. This has been planted with rye and red clover.

 The new road to Steve's blind is a little low and wet right now but will be built up once the heavy equipment moves out of there. On the upside the road is covered with deer tracks.

I was standing on the ladder up to Steve's blind when taking this picture. Don's blind is behind the plot on the right hand side. LAURA - there is an awesome dead tree to the left of the big rock at the end of the plot. I tried to push it down by myself but need your help.

The sun is out at the moment but it has been raining periodically and is not too warm. I even started a fire in the wood stove. It will be interesting to see what they get done over the next two weeks before recon weekend October 5-7.

Happy Weekend.
Cindy & Jim