wordswim

Retaining wall finished!

And . . . it's about done. There are six more blocks that Mark has to pick up which will build up the right side & descend down a bit more, but it's essentially finished, and looks very professional! Well done, Jeff & Tony! (and Mark!)

Retaining Wall Update

Before:

After:

Our contractor's rendition of what the deck will look like when it's done.

Gravel awaits. The start of the retaining wall! Tony & Jeff are due over today. Our deck project is beginning . . .

gardens

My cottage garden, a couple of weeks ago. A number of things I planted last year didn't make it through the winter (lavender, some Russian sage), and some things (my shrub roses) haven't done well. But the butterfly bushes & the phlox (which isn't blooming in this picture) did beautifully, and overall I'm fairly happy with how this bed looks. I'll be adding to it this Fall, so next year it will be even prettier!

(We've had a ton of rain since I took this picture; everything is so lush & green now. As soon as I get the bed weeded again I'll post another pix!)

Morning walk: getting ready to bale the hay in the field next door.

Catching up on Summer

EEK! It's already August! I haven't posted since May, which is truly reprehensible. Okay, it's just lame.

I'm going to catch up with some photos from my amazing birthday trip to a resort on Lake Huron at the end of June. My FIFTIETH birthday trip, believe it or not. (My mother-in-law asked me the other day how old I was. "50," I said. "You're just a baby," she replied.)

AND, starting September 4th I'm going to post every Sunday. I'm going to choose one scene and photograph it every week so we can see it change.

For my birthday trip we stayed at Barefoot Beach Resort, a lovely mom-and-pop resort just north of Oscoda. It was awesome. I highly recommend it, especially for those with dogs. It's pet friendly, and you'll get a lot of dogs. If you don't like dogs please stay away from us. We're having fun.

I decided it was MY big day, and I wanted MY handsome boy with us. It was so great having him there. He was very good, (I wasn't worried about THAT) and he had such a great time with mom & dad.

When do Cookie and Boris get here?

Al and our first night fire. This was before the heavens opened up and we scurried in to play cards in Al & Priscilla's cottage.

The first full day we were there, a Friday. It was a bit cloudy. Great day for beach-walking and going to the store. I managed to stay at the resort the entire time. I don't rent a place on the beach to go shopping. Just sayin'. My wonderful Beast is always happy to head out & pick up our essentials.

Jean, Casey, & Erin flew in the Wednesday before my birthday & spent the night with us. Then we all drove up to Oscoda on Thursday. We arrived at the exact same time as Al & Priscilla, without even trying! Having my BFF here in Michigan for my birthday made it extra special.

Eric, Sally, & Bunnie arrived on Friday. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends willing to make the trek! Eric & Sally brought their dogs along as well, Boris & Cookie.

Rochester, the morning of my birthday, keeping watch. Our cottage is the one with the decorations on it (you can see the corner of it). Imagine that. Ms Lulu (aka, Priscilla) decorated our entire cottage with fun, 50-themed, decorations.

The view, morning of my birthday. It was a wonderful day.

There were many things for all of us to do. Such as hang out in the beach cabana.

Or kayak. (We brought our kayaks; that's Mark & Erin in the water).

Or walk the beach, as Casey's doing.

There's sand-castle-building to be done; here is Erin, showing us how.

Floating in the water—demonstrated by Bunnie.

And my last picture I took on my actual birthday was from Al & Priscilla's deck, where we had dinner. (Rib eye steaks, twice-baked potatoes, asparagus, rolls . . . all created by Master Chef Casey and Jean; and an awesome birthday cake created by Sally).

What a wonderful day I had! I also received gorgeous presents. A very lucky girl, I am.

The next morning. Mimosa courtesy of Ms. Jean.

Eric, Sally, Bunnie, Al, & Priscilla all had to leave on Sunday. Sad face. Rochester was disappointed because Boris & Cookie had to leave too. But a great time was had by all. Sunday was a beautiful day though. Jean, Casey, Erin, Mark, & I spent it by the beach, in the sun, instead of doing a paddleboat tour, which had been considered. Mark loves sudoku.

Kayaks in the sunshine.

Keeping an eye on things as we got ready for dinner.

Sunday evening sunset. It was incredibly soft. Mark & Casey are by the fire; can you spot Rochester looking back for mama? (This was my favorite photo of the week).

Looking back up toward the cottages. Ours is in the middle, set back.

Jean & I finished one of my birthday presents that night. Thanks, Al & Priscilla!

The next morning. What a beautiful sunrise. Jean & I cried that day. They had to head back to Detroit by way of Frankenmuth to make a Tuesday morning flight.

Erin, getting ready to leave. Their cottage was the "Uncle Sam" cottage, and was decorated around a patriotic theme.

Uncle Sam.

Mark & I spent the day after Jean, Casey, & Erin left reading on the beach. Rochester spent it resting up from such an exhausting weekend. So many people to herd!

We ended the day with another beach fire.

The last full day at the cottage was cloudy & coolish, so we we spent it drinking & flying kites. We also made an amazing frittata that used up all of our leftovers from the week! (g&t in beauteous new goblets from Jean)

We'll be back next year!