Tree Fungus And Wild Turkeys -- Flora and Fauna

The local flock of 20 turkeys were back on Sunday. Eating acorns. They snuck down the road in front of our garage and ate acorns on Bill's drive way and then in the lawn. Fun to watch them.

We have an oak tree near the road that is partially hollow, a lovely spot to raise baby coons. Perhaps because of this it gets a fungus occasionally. This time I got some pics before Paul knocked them off. They are very pretty. Last time they were glow in the dark yellow.

Pioneer Park in Muskegon

After we left Manistee we drove down to Pioneer Muskegon County Park on
Lake Michigan. We camped there last year too. It is beautiful and quiet in the fall. I had great wireless service too. Always a bonus.

Camping at the Little River Casino

We got to Manistee about 3 on Tuesday. The drive up was pretty, trees are changing already. This is a nice campground, $18 a night with great wifi, cable TV and free shuttles to the Casino. We ate at one of the restaurants last night, very good chicken parm. Had the leftovers for lunch today. I am most unlucky, didn't win one thing on the slots.

It rained very hard from about 7 until 11 pm. It rained so hard that we couldn't even hear the TV. Lucky we have the DVR on at home. So we decided to stay another night to give it another chance. On Thursday we will head down to Muskegon for a night or two.

The pics are of huge dahlias from Ken Plagens's garden. The blooms are huge and they lasted a week.

Paul's 43rd Class Reunion Photo

thanks to Kitty for sending this very excellent photo.

Labor Day Pics from Katie

GTO - Engine is in

Misty Sunrise

Sunrise this morning was misty. We have the best skys in the fall. Last evening twenty turkeys came down into Pete's yard eating seeds and bugs and then came down to our lake front for a drink. It hasn't rained here in probably four weeks, pretty dry. We have never seen them drinking here before.

GTO Frame Off Restoration -- Pictures of Parts

French Toast

We spent the weekend in Richmond with Ed Grewe and Sheryl, and attended Paul and Ed's class reunion at St. Augustine. We made this wonderful French Toast on Sunday morning. It is baked in the oven. Looks easy and was delicious. Very, very.

French Toast Casserole

1 loaf French bread
6 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 Cups whole or 2 percent milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
Pinch Salt
1/4 Teaspoon cinnamon
Brown sugar (on top?) couldn't have been much
1/2 stick butter
Maple syrup (no amount given except Jar)
Add peaches, apples, blue berries, whatever you like

Spray 9 x 13 pam, cube French bread. Combine eggs, milk,sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon
Pour evenly over bread. Sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar over bread. Prepare the night before and keep covered in Fridge. Cover and Bake for 20 min at 350. Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Charlie Rides the Goat And Other Things

Katie, Mark and Paul took Charlie and Julia down to Bob and Priscilla's to feed the chickens. Julia ran all over chasing chickens and Charlie had a ride on the goat. Bob got Pearl all calmed down and she was great. Charlie said the best part of the weekend was the goat ride. I am sure that is a punchline to a dirty joke somewhere. Katie might have a pic, or better yet a video. Let me know, Katie and Mark. I will have you download it to this blog. I would love to see it.

Also, last Thursday, we went up to Houghton Lake to visit with Sandy and Rick. It was another beautiful, sunny, dry day in the high 70s. Paradise weather. After Sandy and I got back from the quilt shop, (I found a lovely backing for the baby quilt in the perfect shade of blue/green.) we went for a long pontoon ride on Houghton Lake. They are such fun to talk with and so interesting. We had a wonderful time. As Paul says, "new stories to hear." Then we went up to Higgins Lake and ate at the old place on the corner, about a half mile from the cottage, where they used to sell ice cream cones. Had great fish and macaroni and cheese. Yum.

On Labor day we invited Mike and Jen up for dinner. Well, brats and mac and cheese. Nice restful day. Jen and I keep finding we have more things in common. She is so easy to talk to.

Sunday of Labor Day Weekend

Another beautiful day and we had a so much fun swimming, eating, talking and sitting around the camp fire. We grilled a ham and Andrea made home made mac and cheese. Delicious.

Labor Day Weekend - Saturday

Saturday was arrival day here at Stevenson Lake for Labor Day. Well, Andrea and Ryan and kids got here Thursday night, the holiday weekend started on Saturday. Pictures are backwards:

Campfire pic 1, left to right, my sister Mary, oldest daughter Katie, Mary's son Michael, son in law Ryan holding Charlie the swimmer.

Pic two is Steff's boyfriend Tyson, then Mary's son and girlfriend, Angie and Adam, Tara and Eric, our guests from NYC. Adam and Angie tubing.

Great Aunt Mary and grand niece Julia the beautiful.

Katie's husband Mark and glam girl Julia.

Here we have Charlie pulling Grandpa Paul around in the tube, Andrea and Julia, and Tara and Celeste in the back ground.

Tara is a childhood friend of Steff''s, and was a big part of our household. We always had a house full of girls. Lots of fun. She lives in NYC with her husband, Eric, and 12 year old Celeste. We first met Tara when she was around 12, and Celeste looks just like she did. That was an instant shot to the heart! And like Tara, Celeste is open and friendly and funny. She sparkles. She loves the water and is part fish. She is more a kid than Tara was at that age. All for the good. It was a delight to have her here. Also Tara, of course. And Eric is funny and interesting too. He is a husband worthy of Tara. Ha! He's a good sport too.

It was a great day. We had brats and burgers on the grill. Angie made M & M brownies, I made turtle brownies and Roma's Carrot Cake. Mary made cole slaw. Mark and Katie brought brats from Fate's Store in Remus. All was wonderful.

Glorious Weather and Baby Chicks

This week is almost nice enough to forgive all the cold rainy days we have had this summer. It is sunny and the sky is impossibly blue, due to the very low humidity. Our days are in the 70s and nights in the 40s. Perfect for sleeping and accomplishing a lot.

Ken was here on Tuesday night, we cooked steaks, and Bob, Priscilla and son were here for dinner Wednesday night. We beer can grilled one of their home grown chickens. It got a smokey flavor from grilling.

Priscilla raises chickens on their farm down the road. One of the banty hens, a type of half sized chicken, hatched out 12 tiny chicks early this week. She did not lay all the eggs, lately all the hens are laying in one spot. She is an excellent little mother, and has managed to keep nine of them alive. They follow here like a little cloud of fluff. I didn't manage to get a pic of all the chicks.