White Lake Trip

 A few weeks ago, our daughter and SIL and GS came here from NC. 

 We rented a place on White Lake from a friend of our family for the week.  

It was only about a mile from Lake Michigan too.  

We had so much fun!

Hanging out with Gigi on White lake

The view out the back door of the house.

First boat ride, in papa's boat.

With Gigi and Papa on Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan

We drove to pick up my sister and her friend so that she could meet her nephew for the first time.

She was pretty excited to meet him!

Me with my sister and daughter.

Hanging with Gigi at Lake Michigan

Look mom, no hands!

Last day as the kids were heading back home.

Sure will miss that little guy!

Next up our Rejects Retreat!

~XOP~

The End Of the Weekend

Sunday was our last day at the lake.  

Oh but don't you worry, we packed some fun into this day too!

First up was a trip to a wonderful breakfast place called Toast and Jams.  

YUM!  

They even had homemade strawberry jam for your toast!    

Aren't these lights fun?  

I had the seafood scrambler and it was awesome!

Then we drove back to the cottage. 

 Every time we were there we saw deer at some point too.  

On Friday morning this was in the front yard.  

There was a mom and dad and 2 babies.

After we got home I started stitching.  

I really wanted to finish this part so I could begin the actual making of the mini quilt.  

Pardon the wrinkles. 

 It is now pressed and I will show you that tomorrow.

I had to cover up the names to protect the innocent 

(or at least to keep my secret partner a secret!)

My friend, Anne Neville challenged me to do the Ice Bucket Challenge. 

 So I put on my swim suit and Ann and I headed to the beach.  

She gleefully (maybe a little too gleefully) filled the bucket up with ALL THE ICE in her freezer and then volunteered to go into the lake and fill it up with water for me too!!  

Gee thanks.  

As you can see the ice all over the sand I did indeed take the challenge. 

 I challenged three other people too.  

My Friends, Cori Jones, Jacquie Gering and Windy Sibberson.  

If you want to see the actual pouring of cold water all over myself you can view it on my FB page.

I then took the opportunity to go swimming in Lake Michigan.  

After all this excitement, we packed up and headed out.  

The drive should have taken us just under 3 hours and it took over 6!!!  

Thank you bridge construction at Lowell. 

 It took us over an hour to drive less than 6 miles. 

 I can honestly say I was happy to be home after that long, long car ride!

Thanks to Ann for a GREAT weekend!!!  I hope we get to do it again sometime.

~XOP~

A Wonderful Weekend Starting With Friday

I don't know about you but my weekend was fantastic!  (except for the drive home anyway)  

I got to spend the weekend with a friend at her cottage in Muskegon.  

She is right on lake Michigan!  

No kidding, you can see the lake from her house!!  

The house sits on a bluff and you have to take some pretty steep steps down to the lake 

but it is well worth it!

We went to the AQS show in Grand Rapids on Friday.  

I think we spent more time shopping at the show then looking at the quilts. 

 Quite honestly I found the show a little disappointing.  

There didn't seem to be as many quilts that stood out to me as at other shows.  

My favorites were not the judges favorites either (big surprise).  

I did enjoy the challenge section, especially the birds from a group of quilters in Ann Arbor.  

I especially loved this duck quilt.

My very favorite quilt from the show was one of fancy birds.  

It was called Fantasy Fowl by Jerre Reese of SC.

Here are some close ups too.

I think this purple one was my favorite!

I did take photos of lots of other quilts and will have them up on my Flickr account 

if you want to see them.

While at the vendors I found a few things.  A new iron.  Freestyle by Panasonic.  

The AQS booth had them for around half price!  

Too good a deal to pass up especially with the glowing recommendation of my good friend Debbie!  

I bought a new ironing board cover too but no pictures to share of that!

I got to demo the new Bernina long arm! 

 I really, really want this!!! 

 There are only 2 right now, one at Bernina USA and one at the show.  

It came with the table you see it sitting on.  

You can also get it with handles and the frame, but I don't have room for that right now.  

There was a show special and I was sorely tempted.  

All they were asking was for a deposit and the machines are not even out until April of next year.  

I told hubby that I bought it and it did not even faze him!!  

I think I need to keep him!!

In the end, with all the house expenses, I left it at the show. 

 I do see this in my future though.

DD2 and I were talking about rings recently and she informed me that she would like an emerald with diamonds surrounding it rather than a plain diamond someday, when she gets engaged. 

 I found this beauty while at the show too, it was an estate ring. 

 GORGEOUS! 

 It also stayed at the show.

This was the only fabric I purchased while at the show.  

I needed some more royals for my Kitty mini quilt swap quilt.  

These were just what I had in mind!

After all the walking around we were starving so went to the Blue Water Grill. 

 I had this lobster sandwich and some root chips with their dipping sauces.  

I would highly recommend this place for a great meal!

And because my friend Rebekah said so, we checked out Stitched-Studio  

A new quilt shop in Grand Rapids.

Cute shop and friendly people inside!

Lots of great modern fabrics too.

I was able to complete my Fox Field collection from this shop!

We then headed home and walked down to the beach. 

 It was kind of a gray day but lake Michigan is always beautiful!

I just had to dip my toes in the water!!

 We watched the sun set and it was a good reminder that life is good!

More about the weekend later!

~XOP~