Napping Frog in My Backyard
Napping Frog in My Backyard

My son spotted this cute little frog snuggled in the crook of a branch in our back yard. It was nearly perfectly disguised there.

The end of the pier in Grand Haven, MI.
The end of the pier in Grand Haven, MI.

Grand Haven’s shoreline features a long, long pier that ends at Lake Michigan. This shot was taken at that spot. There’s usually a bunch of people hanging out there, especially at sunset.

The channel leading from Lake Michigan into Charlevoix
The channel leading from Lake Michigan into Charlevoix

It’s now official, Charlevoix is one of my favorite Michigan Sweet Spots. I was up north for a long weekend this summer and kept returning to Charlevoix. The best way I can describe the city is magical, happy, relaxed and fun. I took this photo at the channel leading into the Charlevoix from Lake Michigan, to my right there’s a drawbridge that goes up for the sailboats. I’ll show you that photo soon. Here’s a google map link to the location where I took this photo.

Also, if you’re looking for a color tour, this is a great time to head north, I hear in a lot of areas the color is peaking.

The Night Was Perfect
The Night Was Perfect

It was one of those nights when everything seemed perfect. I took a photo of this couple from a rooftop in Grand Rapids after the Celebration on The Grand fireworks display. One of the great things about Grand Rapids is that you get a big city feeling, yet without most of the hassle.

The Lotus in My Bog
The Lotus in My Bog

Amidst all the doom and gloom on the news, it’s easy to forget about the simple things in life that give us joy and happen even when the stock markets tank and politicians argue. I took this picture of a beautiful lotus in my little bog. It makes me smile and I hope it does the same for you.

Murdick's Fudge
Murdick's Fudge

It’s almost impossible to go to northern Michigan without picking up some fudge. And, Murdick’s Fudge is the place to go according to Michigan fudge insiders. The location in Mackinaw City is the original Murdick’s Fudge and well worth visiting if you’re in the area. Even better, you can order online, here’s a link to the website, where you can order. But don’t blame me if you gain a few pounds after ordering, this stuff is gooood and it’s hard to stop yourself from gorging! This photo is of the three generations of Murdick’s  running the Mackinac store Fran Murdick, his son John and grandson Aaron.

Celebration on the Grand Fireworks
Celebration on the Grand Fireworks

Grand Rapids really did up the Celebration on the Grand fireworks right this year and lucky me, I caught it from the rooftop.

The Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge

Aside from being the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere, the Mackinac bridge is just plain cool! It measures 26,444 feet and is another example of the innovative thinking that goes on here in Michigan. I was there the day before the Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. It happens every Labor Day and has been around since the bridge opened in 1957, these days the walk averages 50,000 – 65,000 people.

Monotropa uniflora, also known as the Ghost Plant, Indian Pipe is a rare find, but grows in Michigan woods.
Monotropa Uniflora, also known as Ghost Plant or Indian Pipe is a rare find, but grows in Michigan woods.

Indian pipes are rare plants that grow in the woods of Michigan. Although they look like a fungus, they are actually flowers that lack chlorophyll. My friend Ruth, an avid gardener, called me today and said that in her 53 years she had never seen one of these plants and that one was growing in her garden. Of course I had to go there tonight and take this for ya’ll!

Wildflowers in Glen Arbor is a must if you love gardening and are in the area.
Wildflowers in Glen Arbor is a must if you love gardening and are in the area.

Up until this summer, I had never checked out Wildflowers, but had driven by the shop on my way to Syncronicity in Glen Arbor. My friend Lisa had told me this was one of her favorite places to go when she was up north with her mother-in-law.

Now I can see why. Inside, the shop is filled to the brim with unique specialty items, from home accessories to personal gifts. Outside, the garden area showcases lush shade gardening with plants, statuaries, fountains, birdbaths, furniture and more for sale. It’s located on M-22, here’s a google map link.

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