Michigan Part Two

Our recent trip to Michigan began at about 2:00 AM Thursday morning.  It was easier traveling through the night so this little one and her big sister could just sleep.  Plus it meant a stop at Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast!  She was more excited than she looks!!

We munched on snacks from home during our travel time, so we didn't have to stop for any other meals...we just headed for my Mom's house.  We all knew what we'd be doing for dinner.  Buddy's Pizza was definitely on the menu.  I grew up in Detroit, and going to Buddy's was kind of a regular thing...at least I remember it that way.  Square pizza...the best ever! Bocci ball. Chubby Checker's "The Twist" on the jukebox.  A Boomba Glass full of beer for my Dad.  That's what I remember...plus, my sister (about Lulu's age at the time) dancing to "The Twist" on top of the table.  Wonderful memories!

Anyway...that's where we had dinner. Not the one in Detroit.  We ate at the new one about a mile from my Mom's home. How convenient!  It was so good! 

Pizza Pie (as Lulu called it) and Antipasto Salad. The only bad thing...my belly got full before my mouth wanted it too!  Charlotte enjoyed her meal too...Buddy's got a "thumbs up" from her!

Later that evening we stopped for frozen custard at The Custard Spot. 

It's definitely a popular place!

 

It's important to make sure your hotel provides an adequate breakfast for you...thank you Hyatt Place for doing just that!  Here's a look at what Mark brought back for his family's breakfast Friday morning.  Katie, Charlotte, Lulu, and Mark were adequately fueled for the day!  

I also had one of the egg muffins...it was pretty tasty!

Next stop! Lunch!  National Coney Island...this is a must when we visit Michigan.  

We love these so much!!  

In fact my Mom has given Coney Island Hot Dogs to us for 

Christmas....you can read about it HERE.

Apple juice for Lulu and Vernors Ginger Ale for the rest of us. 

Coney Dogs, Hani's, Coney Tacos, Fries, Cheese Fries....yes to all!

Happy, Happy, Happy...that's what we were! 

Charlotte and Lulu each got ice cream, and the five grown-ups shared 

one Hot Fudge Cream Puff...oh my!

We did some shopping after this stop...including a trip to Meijer's to pick up some munchies for later in the evening...we definitely weren't going to need a full meal after all this.  What we did need though, was to stop at Sonic for some Limeades on the way back to my Mom's.  We have a Sonic relatively nearby here at home.  But this Sonic was in the same parking lot as Meijer's.

So really, we had to stop! 

On Saturday we headed to my brother's and sister-in-law's home for lunch/dinner...linner if you will!  (Breakfast at the hotel first of course!)  We had some great food...many hands prepared it.  

We were grateful for that (thanks for grilling Jason!), and we were especially grateful 

for all the fun fellowship with our family!

Ribs and Chicken and Stuffed Cabbage and Potato Salad and Noodles and Fruit and so on and so on.  Plus desserts...I didn't get photos of those!  It was a fun filled, food filled, awesome time! 

Sunday morning we took advantage of our complimentary breakfast one more time, and then we began the trip home.  We munched on snacks while we traveled, but only stopped for a meal once...at a Rest Stop in Pennsylvania.  We had Popeye's and Burger King.  (and played some Rock, Paper, Scissors too!)

And that was the end of the Food trip.

Well...except for the quick stop...about 40 minutes from home...for ice cream!  

That Charlotte sure likes her ice cream!

Stay tuned for Part Three....there was a 
Treasure Hunt!!

A Gardening we will Go...

I spent yesterday in Pennsylvania with friends. We celebrated one friend's birthday by making glass sun-catchers (photos to follow soon), and going out to lunch. We did a little "junking" (photos coming for this too), and went out to dinner...lots of eating happens on these trips!!  Before dinner we stopped at a favorite garden center...Ken's Gardens  in Smoketown, PA.

I just loved the directional yard art!!

The entryway to the store was filled with Memorial Day flowers.  There's just something about red, white and blue that makes my heart happy!!

I didn't take many photos here....I was too busy choosing plants. Here's a peek at the nice assortment that went home with me.  Hope Bill has his shovel ready!  Actually, I'm looking forward to doing a little digging myself this (3 day) weekend.

I'm really looking forward to getting the lettuce in the ground. 
There are yummy, fresh salads in our future.

Are you planting any veggies this year?

"Hanging Around" at Tisha's House

This week I'll be heading to my friend Tisha's house for another visit....along with Patricia.  We're both looking forward to a day of fun, food, and fellowship with our good friend!  I can't wait to find out what Tisha has planned for us.

 

One of my favorite parts of visiting her is seeing what changes she's made to the home she recently moved into.  On my last visit I was very intrigued by the things she had "hanging around"!  Tisha always has some fun ideas!!

 

My favorite...a basket of potatoes hanging from the wall.

A lacy valance....and a pretty bowl.

Lights and oversized ornaments hanging in her studio.

A crystal hanging from a pretty valance.

An old glass light globe....perfect for a tealight!
Love that birdhouse too!

Another favorite...a lacy window treatment, held in place by stones!  So clever!

A branch over the window in her studio holds
many ornaments & trinkets from friends...including me!

A pretty wreath that Tisha found at one of the numerous wonderful shops in her area.

Teacups hanging from a beam...I love the contrast of the rugged wood and the fragile china.



It'll be fun to see what's new at Tisha's...it'll be more fun just to spend time with my friends!

 

 





Mid Week Break with Friends

I had a sleepover at Tisha's house two weeks ago.  Patricia and I went to visit her and to see her new home. We had a wonderful time visiting with one another. 

Tisha made us a scrumptious dinner....including this lovely chicken recipe that she found on Pinterest.  

I didn't take a lot of photos, but as I went through them I realized there was a bit of a theme going on.

 

 

Here we have some twinkle lights.

 

Some pretty candlelight.

 

A crackling fire. 

 

 

A really beautiful sunrise greeted us Wednesday morning.

 

 

Photos taken from Tisha's front porch!

 

 

Bacon & eggs for breakfast.....yum....cookin' on an open flame.

 

 

Sunlight shining on Chico.

 

 

A little bit of antique browsing in this well lit space.

 

Sparkly crystal...love how it's displayed.  A bit of fire and light all over the place!

 

That's about it for the 'fire & light' theme....and almost the end of my photos. I did get this shot of the restaurant we ate at.  We each had burgers and fries...so good!

 

It's located in a restored warehouse along the Susquehanna River.

 

We sat near a window and this was our view....the Susquehanna River, the stone pylons of the covered bridge that was torched during the Civil War to keep the Confederate Army from advancing, and the beautiful arches of the Veterans Memorial Bridge that was built in 1930.

 

 

 Friends, fun, food...and a bit of history.

It was a wonderful way to spend an evening and a day off.