Even thought I HATE crawling out of bed early in the morning, once I’m up, I’m always glad I made the effort. The morning I took this photo is a perfect example of why. The only thing that would have made the picture better is if I had been the person running down the road and getting some exercise.
This is a typical Michigan fall morning, but I just happened to take it on the backroads in Ada, Michigan.
I’ve always had this thing for hardware stores. My dad used to take me shopping with him when I was a little girl and hardware stores were a favorite stop. But, Northwoods Hardware in Glen Arbor is not one of your typical hardware stores. Sure, they have all of that manly stuff that guys expect, but you’ll also find a place with natural, environmentally friendly cleaning products, great gifts, wonderful gardening products, art supplies, office supplies, fax and copy service and even FedEx shipping and packaging. There’s also camping and recreational gear. I just love great locally owned places like this that make you feel welcome and appreciated the minute you walk in the door.
Here’s a link to the Northwoods Hardware website. And, a link to a google map of their location at 6053 S Glen Lake Rd, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 .
I love lavender. I love the way it looks, smells and makes me feel. So of course when I heard about the largest lavender farm in the state of Michigan I HAD to go there. The place is called Lavender Hill Farms.
Complicating matters was the fact that it was rainy, 4 hours away and at the end of the season for pictures. But, I went anyway. I loaded up my lab and toy fox terrier and called it a road trip.
It was a Sunday afternoon and totally deserted, all the better for me and my camera.
After hearing about the virtues of the Newaygo County area for some time now from my family up north, I decided to have my Noah give me a little tour. This is an HDR photo of the first stop on his list, Marshall Memorial Park. The park was established in 2004 to remember trooper Kevin M. Marshall of the Michigan State Police, who was killed in the line of duty.
The park extends back into the woods with wild snake grass growing along the banks of Brooks Creek. There is a pavilion with picnic tables, look off deck and scenic trails through the woods. It’s beautiful and worth visiting.
So, can you guess where I took this photo? I gave you a huge hint when I said it was a favorite place… I took this on a walking trail at the Frederik Meijer Gardens with my friend Patti. The Frederik Meijer Gardens is a great place for walks, it’s scenic, smells nice and just plain makes you feel good.
One thing though, you might forget the time so make sure you leave before they close. We totally blew the closing time and would have been locked in if it hadn’t been for a wedding there.
Today was the first day this year that really, really felt like we are going to have a summer, yes! I had to dig up a shot that I took last year in Muskegon while on a sailboat with good friends Jon and Peggy.
Don’t you love how all the red football jerseys match the lighthouse? I’m sure that’s exactly what the football players were thinking when they were hanging out there. They probably had a convo to the effect of, “hey man, did you notice how pretty our jersey’s look with this lighthouse?” “yeah dude, I was thinking the same thing, what a perfect shade of red.” Okay, I know, it’s only in my head that these things happen.
I took this photo at Big Sids Sanctuary, which is a sister to Crash’s Landing. The two are cat rescue and sanctuaries for stray cats over 6 months old that need a home. I’ve heard glowing reviews about Crash’s Landing for years now from many who are personally familiar with the organization and I finally had to check the place out for myself last week.
Crash’s Landing was founded in 2002 by veterinarian Jen Petrovich who saw the need for these forgotten cats. Since then, over 2,610 cats have been rescued and 1,945 cats have been adopted out. There are currently 135 residents at Big Sids Sanctuary and 115 residents at Crash’s Landing.
During my visit, I was surprised at how peaceful and harmoniously the cats got along. There are built in cubbies, catwalks and soft cushy beds throughout the sanctuary. The custom cubbies and catwalks were generously built and donated by builder Rob Brink.
The cats at Big Sids Sanctuary have tested positive for feline leukemia and/or FIV. Something important to note is that although they have a disease, these animals are not necessarily sick. The cats pictured here are all from Big Sids Sanctuary and harder to place due to their condition however, many, if not most have a lot of playtime, love and life left in them.
If you would like to adopt a cat and/or donate to Crash’s Landing or Big Sids Sanctuary, please visit their website to learn more. Adoption is $85 and the cats are up to date with shots and have been spayed or neutered.
I LOVE wild birds, and baby bluebirds are my favorite. Every spring they flock to an ornamental fruit tree in my back yard and pick away at the remaining berries on it that the squirrels couldn’t get at.
Don’t even ask me how I got this picture, but I promise you nobody got hurt and all the baby birds were fine.
On another note, I think spring is finally here. Flowers are popping up everywhere and the snow is melted. I can’t wait to take pictures of something other than winter scenes.
Early this morning I was greeted by two messages, one by Inge, and one by my mom. Both of whom wanted to make sure that I knew I would be missing a great chance to take a picture for this blog. As my mom put it, “there’s ice diamonds on the trees.” Amazingly, it’s been that way all day, which is somewhat of a consolation for me because I am sick and tired of winter. Actually, literally sick. I have a cold. I’m thinking of venturing out to take more pictures because it’s just so pretty out right now.
So… when my friend Peggy and I were getting lost in Amish land looking for the “perfect Amish photo” I saw this very striking farm and had to take a picture. Let me tell you though, it was so incredibly cold, I could feel my fingers and toes freezing even though I was bundled up to the hilt.
I think it was worth it though!
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