Family Christmas on the Manistee River 2011

Timothy, Casey and her mom Kym McKenzie, from Paw Paw, who we were delighted to have with us for Christmas weekend.
Patrick and Heather looking Fantastic!!

Lots of cooks helped make dinner a huge success...every one made something and we all left the table feeling very satisfied and thankful for our blessings. Timothy and Casey were filling their plates with Michael wondering if there will be food left!!!

The hostess, Kathy, with her dresssy"serve the food" apron from Aunt Kay Tupper. Not too practical but very frilly and with lots of Christmas memories! Love those deviled eggs!!!

The Christmas table at the cabin with a view of the river. We had 11 for dinner, including Deb and Duane Walter, Andy Zemke, Kym McKenzie and our prime rib chef Rudi Stimac. The best toast was from our friend Andy "May you always have friends that are family and family that are friends". We feel that blessing this year and are thankful that we were all together and that we had wonderful friends to join us.

Patrick and Timothy with their Stormy Kromer hats...aren't they handsome!

TC Decorations and Memories

Mike and I have our decorations up in Traverse City and are pleased with how they look. We got a fake tree a few years ago and it goes up in 10 minetes which is fantastic. I end up decorating the whole thing since there are not any kids at home to help. The Santa on the front porch is from my brother David several years ago and I love its old fashioned look. The deer was made by my father and is a regular on our front porch...I added the lights this year and think he looks very festive. We finally have a little snow so it looks more like Christmas. We look forward to Timothy and Casey arriving next weekend and will be joined by Casey's mother Kym from Kalamazoo. Patrick and Heather will be out on Christmas eve and Heather's parents Deb and Duane will join us for dinner on Christmas Day. Our guest of honor will be our friend Rudi who is cooking the prime rib. We should have a great meal and I am so happy that we can share the beauty of the cabin with friends and family.
Kathy and Mike

The Christmas Season starts

Well we are starting the Christmas Season as it is now December! Mike and I are once again at the cabin for this weekend. We got out the decorations and put up the trees. We put mom and dads tree inside and another lit tree on the deck. The tree decorations are a combo of mom and dads as well as fishing themed ornaments. The old ones bring back lots of memories for me. Mike made chili with some venison we were given and it was fantastic. Laid back weekend with bird watching, saunaing, dinner with friends, sewing, football watching and watching it rain. Not a nice weather weekend as we have no snow but lots of rain. Our first Christmas party is the Hibernian party tomorrow night. Hope this start to the holiday season finds you all well and healthy. Kathy and Michael

Much to be Thankful for

I feel so thankful this year for our family and friends. We have spent a marvelous year traveling, seeing friends and family and having new experiences. However like Dorothy says there is no place like home.

We went to Patrick and Heather's for Thanksgiving Day and were joined by Heather's parents Deb and Duane. It was a relaxing and fun day and a treat to spend it with such great people. Mike deep fried a turkey and everything was delicious. We missed Timothy and Casey but look fore ward to seeing them at Christmas.

It is almost December and no snow for us yet but rain rain rain today and the snow will come.

Birthday Thanks and new quilt

I just celebrated my 61st Birthday and want to thank all the well wishers that sent card and called to say Happy Birthday! It is great to hear from friends and family that care. I got an IPad from my wonderful husband Mike...complete with green cover. I have been having fun getting it up and running. The quilt picture is of my summer red white and black quilt that I pieced together as we traveled this summer. Just got it back from my long arm quilter Lynne Macgee who does a fantastic job. The picture does not do her quilting justice as she quilted in each and every square in red thread. I love it and am keeping it to use in our extra bedroom. So if anyone comes to visit you will have the privilege of sleeping with my "Travel 2011 Quilt".

Cold Cold weather here today but with sun. Mike went steelhead fishing today with a customer and a guide...great day to catch fish and be outside.

Kathy and Mike

Chicago and Marilyn

I had to add this to the blog about Chicago.

We came around the corner onto Michigan Ave and there she was...Marilyn Monroe!

What a sensation and the crowds were going crazy!

The boys had to have some fun and look up her skirt with lace panties...what boy wouldn't!

I don't know what artist did this but they did a wonderful job!

Bustin a move to Chicago

We busted a move to Chicago with Traverse City friends for shopping fun and food.

Here is the gang in Chicago. Dennis, Pam, Sue, Paul, Kathy and Mike. We arrived on Friday and shopped in Old Town arriving at the Treemont and taking off for the Irish Pubs for happy hour and dinner. Saturday was beautiful in the high 50's to 60 and we walked to Navy Pier, Millennium Park and around the streets and shops of Chicago. We had dinner a a great Italian Restaurant Club Lego and walked the streets enjoying all the people watching.
Pam and Dennis took us to a surprise location for lunch on Saturday. the Billy Goat Tavern which was under Michigan Ave and was right out of Saturday Night Live....the guys behind the counter argued with you about what cheezborger you were ordering and they had coke...if you wanted water you got a "look" and an argument. What a great place, great food...and it was very busy. Been there since the 30's and had a complete bar...also Bill Goat Beer!

The Bean in Millennium Park...crazy fun to see all the angles.
Breakfast/Lunch at Nuevo Leon in Mexico town was fantastic! Authentic and delicious...we had to wait awhile for a table but it was well worth it. Then the drive home with Dennis doing a wonderful job driving....rain and wind as we got to TC so it was great to have such a competent driver butin us back to TC. A wonderful time with great people.