Beading and Meeting

Thursday is beading day and we are going to add a second day to the schedule. So now we will be beading on Mondays and Thursdays. I learned how to make a cluster bracelet yesterday. The rest of the class had already learned it ahead of me but some needed refreshers so Linda made the day a cluster bracelet day. I finished mine last night.

I thought it turned out pretty good. Now I have to do another one right away so I don't lose the knowing how part.
We then had a scheduled meeting with Jack, the owner of Thunder Bay Resort to discuss the rest of the season and the things he would like to see done before we all head out for warmer climes. He treated us to pizza. Yeah, another meal I didn't have to prepare. Butch and I are leaving October 5th or 6th just a bit ahead of the time he would like us to but doctor appts await. Need to get them out of the way so we can enjoy another healthy season in Sunny South Texas. Last year we were both able to get through the season without a doctor visit of any kind. We would like to repeat that this season.
I spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening finishing off the bracelet.
This morning I was able to get my walk taken. It rained yesterday so it was a pass. Rob and Ronni and their guests Jim and Diane wanted me to show them where we found the Petoskey Rocks so I stopped on my route at the quarry and all of us were successful in finding Petoskeys. I guess Jack was right when he said they are very abundant. The place is loaded with them and once your eye is trained to see them they jump out at you.
So now Butch is golfing and I am trying to catch up on posting to the blogs.
We plan to go to Alpena this afternoon for a bit of shopping. Now that we are campground hosting it makes it a bit tougher to get away. If we know one is scheduled to come in  we feel obligated to hang around until they arrive. There has been one a day for most of the week but today is open. Sunday there is a club coming in so there will be no going anywhere that day.
Till next time...

Awwwww!

The latest shots of Elise sent by her loving grandpa Gary:

And we can see her on Youtube!

Elise Tickle Reaction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY8KVEEtxEs

Not quite as good as seeing her in person but definitely good to see her.

Road Trip

Yesterday Ronni and her visiting friend Diane and I went on a road trip. Indian River Mi was our destination but we went with the idea that if we saw something of interest we would stop. The first thing of interest was a large flock of turkeys crossing the road. Only had time for one quick photo through the windsheild of the last turkey of the flock.

We then stopped at Clear Lake so aptly named. When the light is right it has the same turquoise hue as the waters of the Caribbean. 

Crystal Clear

Blue skies

Beautiful Barn

We had lunch at The Inn-Between in Indian River Michigan. It sits on the bank of the Indian River and this was the view from the window And the food was very good too.

The leaf color has started its transformation so the chance to get some knock your socks off colorful leaf pictures should be happening very soon.

We then made our way back to Hillman. In the evening Butch and I walked to the reservoir to go Petoskey Rock hunting and we each found one. I think the secret is to know what you are looking for although both times I felt like I was guided to it.

Garden Art

On our previous trip to the Harrisville Art and Craft Show I spotted these flowers made from dishes and other found objects of various sizes. Click on the photo then click again for a very close look. They are so simple. It consists of a piece of ReBar painted green for the stem. On the back of the plates that have been glued together is a hockey puck that had a hole drilled into the edge to be slipped over the end of the rebar. They are so simple and yet your imagination can go wild. I am sure most people have dishes in their cupboard that would work so well for this idea but if not, cheap, colorful dishes can be found at most thrift shops. I found some plates yesterday at a thrift shop that will be the makings for my Garden Art after I obtain the rest of the things I need. Here is what I have so far.

Busy Days...and nights

On Monday we recieved a message that they needed chairs set up for a bonfire and a performance by Silverfox. 48 people were coming in on a tour bus and this is part of the package. The bus was late so therefore their supper was late and thus the performance. Butch was substituting in a golf league so he set the bonfire up ahead of time so all that was needed was to start it and I must brag on him because it was a ONE MATCH bonfire. I put one match to it and it took off and we soon had a beautiful bonfire. This was a very different event because all of the others had daylight. This one was in the dark and it was special with the fire being the focus and Silverfoxes music as a soothing backdrop. The s'mores were very popular too with nearly everyone having one. It was a great evening.
For a short video go to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udE8Oynz3BQ

Many, many S'mores too

Petoskey Rock!

When Butch and I and Tom and Wanda (fellow workampers) went to Mackinac Island we got into a discussion about Petoskey rocks. They are Michigan's state rock and can be found in abundance on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the Petoskey area. I didn't know what they looked like so I googled them to find out. They have a patchwork pattern on them and it is fossilized coral. They are quite distinctive and eye-catching. I found one today in the reservoir area. I have made a habit of stopping for a few minutes to rock hunt and today was my lucky day. My theory is that if there is one there has to be more!
Click once on the pictures below to enlarge them, then click again for an even larger look.

Petoskey Rock

Google Petoskey Rock Images to see what others look like.

Or click on the link above.

I need to polish mine now.

More of the Hen & Chicks

Just when we think this thing is through doing whatever it is supposed to do it surprises us even further.

Butch and I parked our first RV guests this morning. Labor Day doesn't stop everyone it seems. We got back to our routine of getting our walk in. I haven't felt like doing anything the past couple of days but now I am off the cold meds and feeling more like myself again.

When we went to the Art and Craft fair in Harrisville I picked up an idea that should be a fairly simple thing to put together. So Tuesday a few of us are going on a search for the supplies. Hopefully I can show you a finished project before long. In the meantime I will keep you in the dark. If it works as planned I will be emailing supply lists and directions to the craft people of Magnolia Park so they can head south with all or most of the stuff they will need.