Halloween 2017

Anyone who knows us, knows we love Halloween. So I shouldn't have been surprised when the kids saw these giant heads at Wal-Mart (back at the beginning of September) they begged to get them. At $19.99 each, I couldn't resist. All I had to do was make a couple of fleece suits (which was easy after I managed to find the directions that went with the pattern I had.) 

It's a good thing it's chilly this time of year in Northern Michigan, because both kids were overheating in those heads when we went trick-or-treating through town on Saturday.  Luckily, a little sweat didn't stop the fun...

Of course, I had to get in on the action, too. This year all the teachers at the school decided to go as trolls. I kind of like the giant pink wig I made; it's rather slimming, don't you think? I followed the basic tutorial I found here, although I did the hairline differently - and I added the ears.

Just wait until I get a picture of Allen in his Troll outfit. His hair and beard match!

Not-So-Glamorous

Life on Mackinac Island isn't always lilacs, rainbows and beautiful pictures.  Some days, like today, it's riding your bike to and from work in the pouring rain.

Despite having yet to find a pair of rain-proof fall gloves, I wouldn't trade living on Mackinac for the world. Even if it means getting soaked occasionally...

Hitchhiker

As I pushed my bike into the school bike racks this morning I noticed a stowaway. This little snail managed to hold on to my bike's chain guard for the one mile trip down the hill.

I wonder how long the trip would have taken him without the lift...

Youch

This weekend, during a very windy night, this boat broke off its mooring and washed up on the beach. All day Sunday and all day today she was stuck on the shore. I believe the waves let up enough tonight so they were able to pull her off the beach.

Hopefully, there's not too much damage. 

Field Trip!

If you look closely you'll see two very happy kiddos in the back window of that bus. They were happy because on Friday the Island's elementary kids went on a field trip. Our first stop was the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. 

It's a wonderful museum way up on Whitefish Point,

 

 Right on the shores of Lake Superior.

After we explored the museum and the looked for rocks, we headed south to Tahquamenon Falls.

It was a beautiful spot for a picnic lunch, and, of course, we had to explore the falls. The kids wanted to stay longer, but we had a long trip home.

 

Sunrise Kayaking

A week or so ago we were lucky to get to participate in a sunrise kayaking trip.  And while hauling our half asleep selves down the hill at 6:00 am on a Sunday was a bit of a challenge, the sunrise did not disappoint.

After a quick tutorial  on maneuvering and paddling we were off. S and I in one kayak, with my mom and K in another.

It was such a wonderful morning to be out on the water; it was calm as could be. We even got to watch the beavers swimming in the cove. There wasn't enough light to get a decent picture, but it was pretty amazing to silently float along as they swam around us.

Did I mention the sunset? It was beautiful...

 

I may not have gotten good photos of the beavers, but my friend, Mary, managed to catch them...

Sorely Neglected

My poor little blog; so ignored; so neglected.

So many things have happened in the last few months,

yet somehow they never quite made it here. 

Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll have some

time to catch up...