Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Apparently I'm still pretty busy

It's been over a year since I last blogged.  Do people even blog anymore?  Should I?  I don't know.  I never really did it for others anyway, I do it for myself.  So I just need to decide if I want to continue and today I do, so here we go.

Another year in review, still sticking with the short phrases method...

~ Fall 2022~

Still thinking about baby boy's wedding <3

Rennaissance with Jaden

growing up too fast!

Apple orchard with kids & grands

So stinking cute!

Met the Howard family at the Pinicon

~ Winter ~

Family Christmas at Hope & Connor's in PJ's!

Rotary lights on a horse-drawn carriage with my love

Vegas!

Sister, nieces, nephews, and grandnieces...love!

no more flight anxiety...PTL!

"Elton John Show" at TI with Hope & Connor!  

~ Spring 2023 ~

Nick & Katrina bought their first house

Watching our kids adulting = amazing!

Speaking of amazing...

HAWAII!!!!!

 He took me to Maui :) 

Love.

Brooks & Dunn!

~ Summer ~

Dad & Kathy's 40th party!

Family time :)

Photoshoot

Hysterectomy, long recovery, back to work

Bye-bye hellacious periods = worth celebrating \o/

Over halfway through to my MSW...WHAAAH???  

A lifelong dream coming true.

It's happening.

This is also happening...

~ Fall ~

Baby girl got engaged!!!!!

Wedding coming in 2025!

Also WHAAAAH?!

I love my family.

I love love <3 


Sunday, July 01, 2018

North Shore ~ day 5

The last day of our vacation has arrived.  It was cold and rainy again this morning, so we weren't able to make one last walk down to the cove as I had planned, but that's ok.  We were down there several times and have lots of pics and memories to treasure.  

After packing up we sat by our window enjoying the view and sound of the waves together one last time...




Time to say goodbye...we'll be back!




We had some super fun weather to drive home in.  Hmmph.  Kinda put a cramp in our plans for today, which included driving along the North Shore Scenic Drive and seeing a lighthouse and another waterfall.  


But just as we thought we wouldn't seen anything but rain all day, we happened upon this beautiful surprise along the highway...!  Vince saw it just as we were crossing the bridge (I was paying attention to the road).  We back tracked and he got some pics in the rain.  





We had been hearing about Betty's Pies all weekend!  So, of course we had to stop there for some pies to bring home...strawberry rhubarb and caramel apple.  




We made it to Duluth and decided, after researching our options online, to stop at OMC Smokehouse for lunch...for two reasons.  One ~ we haven't been to a smokehouse for a long time and two ~ the name is OMC...Oink, Moo, Cluck!  Isn't that the cutest!  
How could we NOT eat there?  




We got the best seat in the place, and it was packed so apparently we aren't the only ones who think a restaurant named "oink, moo, cluck" is irresistible.









They brought homemade pork rinds to every table...cool idea, but we didn't care for them.


Wherever we went there were local beers for Vince to try and this place was no exception.




And the food was very good as well.  We anticipated that it would be because it was so busy and smelled amazing the minute we walked in the door...they did not disappoint.


Vince got the OMC plate, which had pork ribs (my favorite of the three), beef brisket, and chicken.  

Oink!  Moo!  Cluck!  :)


The drive from Duluth home seemed to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r.  Ugh.  It continued to rain until about Rochester, but with lots of coffee, 80's tunes, and some trivia we made the best of it.

And now we are finally home.  I'm so glad we took lots of pics and it's been fun blogging our trip.   Now we can relive it whenever we want and share it with our friends and family.
I never want to forget what a wonderful time we had.

And how good it feels to be home again.





Saturday, June 30, 2018

North Shore ~ day 4

This morning was another chilly and rainy one.  

We walked up to the Coho Cafe for breakfast again. I brought my umbrella, but we didn't need it.  Next to the cafe is this gift shop.  It was closed this morning, but this is where Vince bought my sweatshirt the other day.


We really love the cute little path between here and there...





On our way back we decided to go down to the cove again.  The cove and the waterfall hike have been our favorite experiences of our trip. 














We found several more rocks and pieces of driftwood to add to our collection.  I love discovering natural souvenirs from the places we go.  It's so much more special than buying things. 








By late morning it had cleared up nicely and turned out to be another beautiful day.  After a short nap and some quiet time, I was ready for another adventure.




For lunch today, Vince went up to the general store and picked up some hotdogs to grill and Mrs. Gerry's potato salad...just like home :)  Isn't that funny?  We are on vacation, and got something to make us think of home.


He also found this piece of driftwood that he plans to widdle something on to commemorate our trip.


We love it here...it's so cozy and even though all the units are connected it feels like our own private cabin.



Today was our day to do some wine tasting!











I would have bought this amazing piece of art if it had been for sale, unfortunately it wasn't 
(I asked)....



Then is was back up to Grand Marais.  This time we saw more of the downtown area and some of the local shops.  We love small town downtowns and even though this was very touristy, it definitely had a small town feel. 



They were good, but Bloedow's is better.  Truth.





It was a cute little place!  Their customers send in pics of themselves with their "World's Best Donuts" mugs, and the pictures decorate the tables and walls...cute idea.




This was an adorable little book store, right next to the beach.  We got a book about Lake Superior rocks so we can identify the ones we have collected.  





This is where Vince got our fudge yesterday...



...did I mention that they mail their fudge?  They mail their fudge.  In case I forgot to mention that.


And this is where Vince got his Grand Marais sweatshirt yesterday.  


There were so many cute and interesting shops.  I loved the decor and the architecture...








We stood here for quite a while.  More wave therapy.  The fog was beautiful, kids were playing in the sand, geese were swimming, seagulls were flying and squawking loudly!  It kind of reminded me of California.





Then just as we were going to leave, we saw this emerge through the fog...






Then it was back to the resort.  After a short rest in our room, we decided to return to Bluefin Grille for our last dinner out.  It's one of the best restaurants I've been to.  Shockingly, we forgot to take pics of our food!  Vince got filet mignon and I got a dinner salad with grilled chicken.
All the food here was superb.



Now here we are, our last evening at Bluefin Bay.  We decided at supper tonight that we are ready to be home.  We are still having a lovely time, but we miss our kids.  We also decided that this has been just the right amount of time to be gone.





Things I have learned on this trip...

Peace is a wonderful feeling, and one that I need to experience and pursue everyday.  

Things that bring me peace...the sound, sight and feeling of water, reading my bible, an environment without clutter, being in nature, good smells and good music. 

Getaways with my husband must (whenever possible) include a fireplace and a jacuzzi.

God continues to teach me how to live in the moment and experience life abundantly.  Moments may pass quickly, but the more deeply we experience them the greater the memories and the more we carry them with us.  

Praise God for His beautiful creation.  From the trees and waterfalls to the fog hovering over the water and even the rocks, there is beauty in everything and I plan to experience as much of it in this life as I can.