Our friend Loren gave Dave and me a set of salt and pepper grinders a few years ago. These are a neat design, easy to use, small and see through plastic to easily note when refills are necessary. The handle goes back and forth, easy enough to use one-handed. Our pepper mill broke. A piece … [Read more...]
All For A New Disposal – New Kitchen Floor and Lights
It all started because we wanted a disposal. When we moved here 5 years ago we decided to add a disposal in the kitchen. Problem was, the counter tops were already cracked and we knew a disposal would make the cracks wider. So no disposal. Instead we wrap food waste in newspaper or use a bowl … [Read more...]
Enjoying the Path – Kleinstuck Preserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan
My dentist's office sits on a ridge above a deep wooded ravine. There is a trail at road end just before we park that I've wanted to walk but somehow something always got in the way - work, snow, rain, obligations - until today. The path leads to the Kleinstuck Preserve, a 50 acre woods with … [Read more...]
Canadian Geese Say Hello – Camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
In the spring and fall big flocks of geese fly overhead in long V formations, going north, or south, or over to the next puddle of water to take a break or stay for the summer. We didn't see geese or ducks much when I was a kid; in fact we didn't have nearly the variety of birds at all that we get … [Read more...]
Beach Transformations – Lake Superior Waves, Sand and Rocks
Last month Dave and I camped at Lake Muskallonge state park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula right on the shore of Lake Superior. Our Great Lakes are nothing like small natural lakes or dammed reservoirs; they are huge, too big to see across, with wild storms, deep and cold. Lake Superior is enormous … [Read more...]
Watch Out! Little Green Frog in My Pool
A little green frog likes to sit on the top of our pool liner, right below the overhang. He's hard to see unless you are swimming. I notice him even without my glasses on because he is vivid green against the dark blue liner. He's tiny, about 2 inches long. The swimming pool is not a good … [Read more...]
Critter Wars 2016! Here We Go Again
It's been a while since I posted about our ongoing battles with rabbits, moles, deer, chipmunks and squirrels. We maintained a truce the last few years: We won't trap or poison and they can do what they want. Some truce! Now the stakes are higher with this big hole right in the middle of my … [Read more...]
Marked for Death: Pokeweed! Kill This Invasive Weed
Last summer I noticed a new, big weedy plant in sunny spots alongside the road we live on, pokeweed. When pokeweed has only a few leaves it looks like a 4 o'clock plant but it's obviously different once it grows a bit. Later flowers develop. They are white in pointed clusters, rather … [Read more...]
Grazing My Way Through Kalamazoo: Visiting Family Guest Post by Deidra
My daughter Deidra surprised me with this blog post. It's all about family. ************************************************************************************************** Summer is an interesting time. We seem to have more time for some things while others fall by the wayside. Visiting my … [Read more...]
How We Saved $2000 and Kept a Grill – Refurbishing Our Gas Cooktop
We had a pleasant surprise when we moved here. Our gas cook top is a Jenn-Air with modular burners that switch out to a grill, wonderful for grilling hamburgers or steak during our cold Michigan winters. We loved the grill! We weren't too thrilled with the cooktop's regular burners. We have … [Read more...]