Wednesday, June 27, 2012

My Garden Grows

We added a small patio area below the deck to finish off the edges and clean up the look a bit.

Before

After - with Sugar approval




I planted an All Summer Beauty Hydrangea in the Right Field garden, well I picked it out and Jack planted it.


Except for the dried up grass, no rain  forever, I think Right Field is looking good.


I'll water the new grass seed around the patio and keep the flowers, veggies, and bushes watered. The grass will just have to be dormant until it rains.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

51st Annual Grand Haven Art Festival

We started out Saturday afternoon heading for the beach on our bikes. However, it was crowded on the boardwalk and we decided to not continue to the beach. There were also lots of boats heading out to the lake.


Instead we parked the bikes and decided to check out the Art Festival. I really enjoyed walking through the fest and seeing all the different types of arts and crafts. There were about 100 booths. The thing I dislike about arts and crafts festivals is when booth after booth has the same or very similar items. This was not the case at this fest. A wide variety of items were on display and not a duplication in the bunch. We also walked through the fest Sunday morning with Sugar when it was less crowded. We came away empty handed but looking is the most fun for me.







I can't resist one more Arf Walk picture - mom and pups.


After the fest we stopped for a bite to eat before heading home. But on the way home after lunch we were sidetracked by $1 beers. Hey it goes to a good cause!


At home the veggies continue to grow. Note the bikes and car have switched places. We won't be needing the car much now.


I finished the skull cap for Jack to wear under the bike helmet. With it he won't get sunburn stripes on his head.


Now I must get back to work indexing a book on comparative law. At least the window is open and I have a nice breeze coming in.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Beautiful Weekend in Grand Haven

Even after a wonderful trip, it is always great to be home. And this weekend was beautiful in Grand Haven. We did have some rain Saturday evening but it is really needed. We spent a good part of the weekend just walking around town.

Started Saturday dropping off a donation for Paws with a Cause.





The Farmers' Market was very busy.


My selection of produce.


While we were away the garden continued to grow. We have lettuce and herbs to eat and the rest of the veggies are coming along nicely.





First tomato.


Went to the Antique Market at the Ottawa Co. Fairgrounds Sunday morning. Walked away empty handed but it was fun looking.





There is a new store downtown on Washington. Can't wait to check  it out. It is closed on Sundays.


Everyday there are more Arf Walk dogs. There are too many to post here. You'll have to walk around town to see them all.




Ragus and Sugar on the front porch.


Now I must get back to work.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Excellent Trip to Boston and Maine

Train to Boston, Bus to Rockland Maine, Sailing on the J. & E. Riggin 


We first took the train from Holland, MI to Chicago and then caught the Lake Shore Limited to Boston. We spent a couple days walking around Boston and then took a bus to Maine. We had 4 lovely days, well one was pretty wet, on the Riggin. It was a knitting cruise so not only sails, good food, but knitting too! We then reversed the procedure and arrived home in Grand Haven Wednesday night.

The views from the train were not as dramatic as the view seen when traveling West. One sad thing is all the abandoned warehouses and factories.



The book I'm indexing makes the point that these jobs aren't coming back. Or if they do it will be be decades from now and at very low wages. So basically, not really coming back as they were.

There was pretty scenery as well.




Train cars and flowers, maybe weeds, but pretty.



And coming into Chicago on the return trip.


It is great to travel across the country instead of over it. There is so much to see and enjoy.

On the way out we had two days in Boston just walking. On day one we just randomly walked about the city. We started from our great hotel in Back Bay in the former YWCA building.


Churches




Public Gardens and Monuments
















I wonder how many cities permanently mark the end of their marathon?

Community and Private Gardens are the Best












Yarn Bomb




On day two, we took a guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail.

Our guide for the tour was the best selling author, Susanna Rowson.








If in Boston, take the tour. It is three hours of history and walking in one of the best cities in the country.

On the return trip we had an evening and morning in Boston. A must stop for breakfast while in Boston is Charlie's.



On to Maine


The J. & E. Riggin is a schooner built in 1927 as an oyster dredger. Her two captains are Jon Finger and Anne Mahle. The last night on board they entertained us with guitar and song. Anne is also the chef on board. She works wonders with produce from her garden and locally sourced foods. Using a wood burning stove in the galley she produces the most amazing of fare. Most meals are served and eaten on deck. Then everyone pitches in and cleans up. Anne's breads have inspired me to step up my baking a notch or two.

The knitting instruction was provided by Bill Huntington of Hope Spinnery. Bill provided a mixture of group and individual lessons. No knitting needed to be done. Or, one could knit continually. I didn't get too much knitting done - too much to see and so nice to just relax with no media, no noise, nowhere to be. I did however pick up some great tips. And of course added to the stash.

Pictures can not do this sail justice, but here goes.




An evening ashore, it rained but it didn't matter. It was wonderful, wet, but wonderful.





Osprey have been nesting at this location for 200 years.


Osprey at the Rockland dock.


Our cabin.


Bill teaches Jack to cast on.


Captain Anne sings as crew and passengers bring up the anchor.


Captain Jon takes a group ashore for sightseeing. It took multiple trips to get all ashore.




This was the best trip ever. A wonderful slow pace. No electronics to distract. Just relaxation.

The Riggins website: http://www.mainewindjammer.com/

Hope Spinnery website: http://www.hopespinnery.com/

And the final afternoon before returning home, a walk about Chicago.