Up North

We made it up north on Wednesday with a feverish Owen, but he has recovered nicely. It was worth the drive to be up here in Northern Michigan paradise. The sunlight streams through the woods, there are miles and miles of empty beach with nothing but sand and grass and water and rocks, and mostly there is just the sound of the wind and chirping of birds (and maybe two or three dogs barking at the noise of the woods). The gardens at The Queen and Pop Pop's house are absolutely remarkable. Imagine a zen garden with flowers and rocks and winding paths. The peonies are practically bursting off the bushes, and there are benches outside in about a dozen peaceful places if you can find the time to sneak away and read. 

The new staircase down to the beach is a wonderful addition, not to mention the perfect way to wear out Quincy. Speaking of Quincy, he is in his own heaven to chase (yucky) tennis balls through the woods and swim to fetch sticks and rocks in the lake. He comes back to the house wet, sandy, exhausted and happy. 

Yesterday was Abby's birthday, and we spent the day visiting Pond Hill Farm to feed the animals, at the local art studio dying bags and sarongs with Indigo, and having a lovely dinner on the patio overlooking Douglas Lake at a local restaurant. 

We are enjoying this 4th of July holiday by slowing down and enjoying the day. Jed is making a cherry pie at the moment (Katie, in response to your comment, these are sour cherries. They are also called tart cherries. They are just coming in season here in Northern Michigan.) Owen is napping away upstairs, and I'm busy getting to know the Frank Baum Wizard of Oz books. I am starting to read them from the beginning of the series, since I haven't read them and Jed recommends them highly from his childhood days. In short, everyone is doing something they love to do...

I have been enjoying reading The Wizard of Oz aloud to Owen the last couple of days, and he has been delighted to listen! I'll read a couple of chapters while he's getting sleepy, and just when I think it's safe to sneak away, he'll ask sweetly, "Book?"

We have some beautiful pictures of the last couple of days, but they'll have to wait until we're back in Grosse Pointe to download on our computer. I hope that everyone out there is having a wonderful holiday weekend! 

One more note about canning (this is for you Katie and Tom)...Jed is submitting his cherry jam to the Michigan State Fair since it turned out so well. We ended up with 12 pints (16 jars) this year, and I'm sure there will be more canning to come this summer!