Dad's Birthday Picnic and Adventures.

August first marked the 62 anniversary of Dad's birth.  So, to celebrate we decided to pack a picnic and set off to a nature center that we had heard about multiple times, but had never been able to visit.

The fare was anything but scanty, we had Scotch eggs, raw green bean Salad, cheese and crackers, fresh carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes from our garden, veggie straws, organic peaches, and watermelon and cherries compliments of Mr. Reiche.

The peaches were mouth watering, delicious, juice dripping, and just down right tasty.

Instead of cake, Dad requested pie, so a frozen peanut butter pie with chocolate on the bottom was forth coming.

Delicious!

Josh entertained us with juggling peaches (he is rather good thankfully :) while we finished dessert.

Then we handed out cards and presents.  Laughter abounded, memories overflowed, stories grew, bellies were filled and a wonderful time was had by all.

When we all had finally licked the last bit of goodness from our taste buds, we entered the visitor center to take a look around before beginning on our hike.  Well, we found out once you enter you never want to exit, at least not to soon.

There were animal skins that transformed you into an Indian chieftain, 

Ducks flying along the wall,

Conversing Ospreys, and so much more.  Mounted animals lined the walls, as well as a few lives ones in tanks, and aquariums, and there was educational information everywhere.

After exhausting our interests in the "animal room" we walked towards the exit and were distracted by this measure your wingspan board.  Of course everyone had to try it out :)

Smaller wildlife was abundant; we saw a swallowtail butterfly, a flock of wood ducks, catfish etc. and lots of painted turtles.

We went up their observation tower, and "observed" the landscape, then climbed down and continued our walk.

Our next stop was a small dock, where we observed all the fish, and one absolutely huge, enormously gargantuon, Snapping Turtle!  He looked liked a dinosaur (not that I have ever seen a dinosaur)!! 

The painted turtles were more of a tame size, and much more to our liking, cute little fellows.

One of the highlights of the hike was a swinging bridge. Not as long as the one in Croswell, but fun none the less.

It was such a lovely day, and an enjoyable time.  We are planning on returning some day, as we really only covered maybe a 10th (or less) of the trails systems.

Happy Birthday Daddy Dear!!  

~Chs

Makers Faire

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning and I found myself down by Henry Ford Mueseum where Theresa and her family were participating in the Makers Faire as vendors, and had asked Mr. Reiche and I to tag along!  I was super excited to be down by the Henry Ford again as I hadn't been there for a couple years, and aboslutely love all the history and displays.  Almost all the workers were riding bikes of some sort, most old fashion in one way or another, and I had a hard time not being jealous, especially of this darling yellow bike with both front and back baskets!

They actually used these Antique trucks to drive around and help set stuff up.  Theresa and I were very tempted to go for a spin when we saw that one of the workers had left the keys in the ignition :)

When we walked back to the table where Mr. and Mrs. Eddy were setting up, we saw this fine gentleman with his stupendous bike.

  He stayed for quite some time chatting, and telling us about his collection of bikes, and all his adventures with them.

Soon we had all the spices set up, and we hurried to finish the last minute details so we could look around before the faire officially opened.

Mr. Reiche was a big help, moving the laundry soap tubs here and there and in general helping with any heavy lifting.

Theresa was very creative in her setup, and when we had adjusted the last soap bar, tipped up that troublesome sign, and given a parting tweak to the quilt/table cloth we were off.

There was everything from antique machines from the musesum brought out for demonstration,

to odd scientific constructions, and bikes of every sort, size, shape and color.

Then we discovered that we could get inside the museum!!  Well the rest was history!  We had a lovely conversation with a lady and her son who were watching stunt flyers.

Then we hopped on the front of a train for a little ride (not the best place to ride a train I guess :).

We watched some interesting invention that played basketball.

And finally dropped by McDonald's for a 15 cent hamburger on our horse and buggy, before heading back outside to man the tent.

The rest of the day was filled with soap and spice sales, sitting under the tent (grateful for the shade), standing out in the burning sun in line for Ice cream, wearing geeky glasses (that one was done only by Theresa :) getting stung by a wasp (again, just a Theresa event) selling more soap, looking at all the crazy inventions, and hopping into the Museum a couple more times to look around.

One of the last activities of the day, before packing up and heading home, was Theresa getting a ride in a Quadricycle (or something like that, I cannot quite remember the name).  All in all it was a wonderfully exhausting, overwhelmingly exciting day.

~Chs

Blueberries by the Bucketfull

 So, the Apple crop is non existent, the Peaches are not much better, the Sweet Cherries are few and far between, and the Tart Cherries are none whatsoever.  A person could just about sit down and cry.  Almost.  But...... 

.... The Blueberries!!!  Oh those wonderful blue spheres of antioxidental goodness.  Those lovely luscious berries have come on in force.  As if to make up for the misfortunes of the fruit bearing trees, the Blueberries came on early, heavy, and long.

 And we are very blessed to have some wonderful friends who just happen to own a Blueberry farm, which makes picking berries twice as fun!!

 I never realized that Blueberries are just about as photogenic as they are delicious, but let me tell you that they sure are!

 Mr. Reiche (who about lives down at the Blueberry patch during this season) loves to find the biggest bunches he can.  Blueberry bouquets.  :)

 Anyone know of the book "Blueberries for Sal"?  Yes, well, I think we found a modern Michigan dwelling version of the famous Blueberry eating Sal.  If anyone ever wants to re-illustrate the book I have a perfect candidate for the pictures.

So like Sal's mother we are now diligently canning, freezing and like the bears, digesting the berries to last through winter.

~Chs

From Berries to Jam...

 ...In the space of an hour.

Our cultivated gone wild Blackberry patch has outdone itself this year.

We pick what we can without full armor (those thorns are downright wicked!) and cart them inside leaving the rest for the birds.

Within an hour Faith has performed her magic, and voila, in the place of the basket of berries stand shining jars of Blackberry/Strawberry Jam, ready to be spread on toast in the morning (or in this case carried down to the cellar for days to come).  This is done almost every other day, as the Blackberries continue to ripen and amaze and charm us!  :)

~Chs

The Creatures Declare the Glory of their Creator

A couple of weeks ago Josiah noticed that the little female hummingbird that has been hanging around, had a reason for her loitering.

 A perfectly formed, magnificently tiny nest, perched on a small branch in our maple tree.

 "Hello?"

A few days later, when momma hummer was off her nest, Josiah and I were able to spot two adorable baby beaks sticking out of the nest.  

To me Hummingbirds scream their Makers creative power.  They are so tiny, yet so complex.  So vulnerable, yet so fast.  God has created them with so many mechanisms, I am constantly amazed at their ability to maneuver.  Seriously it's not every bird that can fly backwards with out wind blowing them.  And the way they zip in and out back and forth, side ways, up, down, hold still, hover.  Mind blowing.

Manifesting the glory of God.

~Chs

The Twins Celebrate

July has been flying by at an alarming rate, and I now find myself in the embarrassing position of still filling you in on events from the middle of the month, now that it is about to close.

Two weeks ago we celebrated Mother and her twin Carmen's Birthday.  I am afraid I would not be exactly popular if I gave their age :)

We held the celebration at Pine Grove park as we have done so many times in the past years.

It was very relaxing and beautiful as we watched the river continually run by, bright blue, reflecting the sky above.

On very auspicious occasions we drag one of our frozen Apple Ciders out of it's hidden location (no more Cider this year! :(    The only problem is when you forget to get the Cider out in time to thaw.  Oh, well, just set it out in the middle of the park in the sunshine!!

We saw some fairly unusual sights that day, but one of our favorites was the tractor crossing the Blue Water  Bridge... backwards :)

The beautiful, and brilliant birthday girls.  

We had some difficulty getting the candles lit all the way around due to the wind.  But with some fast finger work, and the help of the cake topper, we managed to not only light them all, but also keep them going long enough for the "girls" to blow them out.

Presents were mutually exchanged,

and smiles freely bestowed.

We enjoyed the cake and ice cream (quickly of course as this sweet but sticky item doesn't stay in it's solid form long in the July heat) and then sat back for a time of relaxation and fellowship.

One of the other sights at the park was this gentleman who was making a granite drawing on black canvas.  It was really intriguing and fascinating as we saw when we went to check it out before we left.

By far our favorite part was the marble checkerboards set in and around the picnic tables.  Josiah played a game with Theresa (who we were happy to have join us even though Josh was unable), one with Dad, one with himself, and finally one with Sadie Rose.  Sadie Rose was too good at the game for Josiah's level, and he was forced to give up after she had disposed of all his pieces in one way or another.  :)

We were about to head homeward, but decided to make a stop at the light house park to "dip our feet in the cool water".  By the time we reached the lake we were in definite need of something cool, the sand was BURNING hot!!

Sadie was more than happy to join us.  Such a water dog :P

We had the Port Huron party on Friday but Mothers real birthday was Sunday, so of course we had some more cake and ice cream then!  We are all so thankful for our Mumsie, and all the hard work she puts in here around the farm.   Love you Mumsie dear, and may God bless you with peace, rest, wisdom, love, and much, much, much more.

~Chs