Pet Expo

On Sunday we decided to go to the Pet Expo in Grand Rapids.

As you can see, it was a grey day. There was even snow at this late date! Grand Rapids has not yet hit 60 degrees this year. The city normally does this by March 17.

Corgi!

Not really pets.

Oddly, I didn't take a picture of any of the real cool dogs. I guess I was just enjoying them.

We then headed over to check out the Whitecaps park. Adam (AJ) will love what is just outside the gate.

The park.

Our plan was to have a late lunch in Coopersville on the way home, but the restaurant was not open on Sunday. So we headed home.

Since it has been warm, Jack has taken Sugar out on the deck to enjoy a bone the last two days.

Our painter came over today to find out what we have in mind. I await the quote before making a decision on interior painting. However, the deck will be sealed the second week of May so we'll be able to get the furniture out from under cover and begin enjoying the outdoors.

I've started researching the history of our house. I'm just at the beginning stages but I had forgot how much I enjoyed historical research. I love the local history room at the library. In addition, I've located lots of great on-line resources. One person lived in our house from her birth on to about age 70.I feel it is her house as much as ours. We went to the local cemetery to find the graves of the homes first inhabitants. It is an amazing place that speaks to the town's history. The tombstones are a who's who of the town's families through history. Many still own businesses here and/or are commemorated with street names. I'll have more on this in future blogs.

This and That

My mother almost all the time used the subject line "This and that" for her emails. And as a subject line, it was spot on. She would talk about this, that, this, that, like a pinball bouncing from one to the other.

We here in Grand Haven have been doing this and that.

The dead tree we were worried was going to fall and take out the war memorial, or worse kill someone, is now down.

The bike rack didn't survive. Oops.

Signs of spring.

On Saturday we went to New Era, MI. I wanted to check out the fabric store and it was a good day for Silver to have his first road trip.

Very nice selection of fabric.

Jack picked up a couple items at the hardware store.

Silver's first road trip.

Jack asleep after the big trip. Sugar awake. I'm sure she slept the whole time we were gone.

Nice.

Jack has figured out his knitting loom.

Home opener!

Wayne

Oh well.

But I did finish all the stems for my latest project.

 Spike Jr. in his new pot.

For Adam...

Opening Day

We opened Opening Day by picking up our new car from the dealer in Holland. The whole purchase experience was great. Lee has been selling cars for 60 years and loves it. It shows. And what is not to like about hamsters?

By time we got home it was almost game time.

Our oatmeal bar and glass of juice had worn off and we were hungry! We started with veggie dogs made like park dogs.

The beer was cold and a lot less expensive than at the park. We were going to then move to the media room but decided to stay down in the cheap seats. Off course there were peanuts.

I told Jack that no, he couldn't put the peanut shells under his seat. But I gave him a bag on the floor to toss them in - the best I could do.

And later in the game, of course, ball park nachos.

And best of all - Cubs Win!

In addition, the Red Sox beat the Yankees, the Tigers won, and the White Sox won, all good but that last one. All in all, a great opening day.

Ice Age Comes to Grand Haven

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum has a new exhibit. "Ice Age Imperials" It is very interesting and there are hands-on activities for the children.

Chicago under ice...

Timeline

Animals

There is also tie-in material at the library.

And at home, this couple has been visiting us in the morning.

For St. Patrick's Day, I made boiled potatoes and veggie Reuben sandwiches. Tempeh in the place of corned beef - very tasty. But then anything with sauerkraut is tasty.

 It looks like we're on the right side of winter now. Temperatures going up and snow all melting away.

Rockford Michigan

On Saturday we took a drive to Rockford. It was chilly out but dry and sunny. We had never gone in that direction before so we enjoyed new scenery. We of course avoided the expressway and took the back roads. There are lots of farms and orchards, mostly apple, along the way.

The standard post office style built at some point all over.

One reason I wanted to go to Rockford was that it has a yarn store. I actually made it out without buying anything but I enjoyed looking around the store and touching. It is a very nice shop.

We did some window shopping and then stopped for lunch at the "The Official Hot Dog Capitol of Michigan." They have a full menu in addition to hot dogs. I had a veggie dog and Jack satisfied the craving he's been having for fish and chips. We also shared what are the best fried mushrooms I've ever had. They hand batter them and use big, firm, fresh mushrooms.

Topiary!

The waterfront is very pretty.

Jack of course had to check out the train.

Book store!

A fun relaxing day.