My hometown

This video melds just about everything I love about Grand Rapids into a humorous little music video.  I love the community of people, the art and music, all the things to do downtown, etc.  Two minutes into the video they show a group of people having a pillow fight in the area I shot photos of people ice skating in January.  At the end of the video, there is a large grassy hill -- that is where my friends had their "Plan B" Artprize installation.

Next weekend is Festival -- a yearly arts festival with numerous stages and exhibits.  Admission is free.  The food booths will blow you away (my favorite is the buddhist booth with veggie fried rice)!  It has been going on for years -- I've even been on one of those stages with my church choir, and I've had one of my pieces of photography in the juried exhibit in the art museum.  If you have never been to festival, you should check it out.  I'm going to try to go this year... hopefully.

Weekend snapshots (from my cell phone)

I took a vacation day on Friday and headed to Grand Rapids.  Grand Rapids holds a special place in my heart.  Yes, my family and closest friends are there, and visiting them is very important to me.  But there is something else.  Grand Rapids has a particular "vibe" to it.  It is creative and diverse.  It has the feeling of a big city but the people are friendlier.  

I took a few snapshots with my new cell phone while my mother and I were out and about. We went to Global Infusion to get tea for kombucha making (I brought my mother some mother to make kombucha herself).  The store carries fair trade treasures from around the world and also a huge selection of tea, coffee and chocolate. 

My favorite purse came from this store.  After my first one wore out from use, I got another one.  I saw the same purse in espresso brown and almost bought it for when my current purse wears out.  I was strong though and resisted the temptation.

Mom and I also went to the Grand Rapids Art Museum to see the "Diana - A Celebration" exhibit.  I wish I could have taken photos inside, because the exhibit was very interesting.  I was, however, able to take a photo of the entry way.  Because we were there in the evening, there was a pianist and wine available as well.

This is the view directly outside of the GRAM.  On the right there is an ice skating area with free skate rentals.  The downtown area of Grand Rapids is lively and beautiful.  

My family said some magazine had listed Grand Rapids as one of the top ten cities in the U.S. that are dying out.  I was shocked!  I have to disagree with their conclusion.  Grand Rapids is alive and well -- and getting better day by day.  New businesses are popping up, and old buildings are being renovated and revived.  That is impressive considering the horrible economy in Michigan right now.  

Anyway, I sound like an advertisement -- I know.  It is probably odd, considering how much I enjoy living out in the country.
I am back home now and spent a relaxing morning cleaning and sorting through last years seeds to see what I need to buy.  The sun is streaming in to the south side of our house -- keeping the house warm and saving on fuel oil.  Charlie and I are going to get motivated and get out of the house.  I think we are going to use a gift card from Christmas and eat out.

Uncle Cheetah's

Over the weekend, I spent some time in Grand Rapids with my friends and family.  My friends and I went out to a pizza joint that had karaoke going on.  It was really good to get the old crew together.  My mother took me to a place that she knew I would love.  She was right!  

It is called Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop -- and they have some amazing food!  You can sample any of their soups before ordering at their soup bar.  They offer about a dozen soups and they let you know which ones are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.  They give you a homemade roll to go with the soup as well.  Mom and I actually ordered a half a grilled cheese (on dill/onion bread with white cheddar, goat cheese and sea salt -- amazing!) to go with our soup.  The shop has a great atmosphere and they were playing music from the 20's while we were there.  I will definitely be going back.  Check it out if you live in Grand Rapids or if you are visiting.  It is across the street from the Wealthy St. theatre.

Plan B

This past weekend I made it to Grand Rapids to check out Art Prize.  Art Prize made it's debut last year and was a hugh hit.  What a genius idea!  Gather artists and their work from around the world and set up different venues around the city to draw in masses of people.  Businesses benefit, the artists show their work, and thousands upon thousands of people experience a free art exhibit as big as a city.  The people vote on their favorites and the winning artist gets a fat check.

I've placed my vote for "Plan B"-- a collaborative project that several of my best friends have been involved with.  It is in Ah-Nab-Awen park near the Gerald R. Ford museum (seen on the left side of the photo below).

So what is it?  We are currently living in Plan A -- a world driven by oil and coal -- non-renewable resources.  Plan B explores the "post peak oil world where electricity is only intermittent and almost everything used to keep daily life humming along has been made out of preexisting products and materials. A combination of very old technologies with what can be patched together out of the rubble of what has been made before, fallen apart and left behind".

They have a functional kitchen, tents made of recycled billboards, a stage that runs by bicycle power, water filtration (also pumped by a bike), chickens, rabbits, a garden, and the Wonder Wagon.

People are living in Plan B Town for the entirety of the Art Prize exhibit.  My good friends have been spending most of their free time down there.

Here is a photo of my best guy friend (besides my husband of course) starting a fire to make tea.  

I wanted to stay longer, but had to make it home the same day.  Anyway, if you are anywhere near Grand Rapids right now -- you gotta check it out! 

Fulton St. Farmers Market -- Grand Rapids, Michigan

Last weekend I went to Grand Rapids to visit my family.  My mother and I went to the Fulton street farmer's market.  This is the market that sparked my love for farmer's markets and produce stands.  We've gone to this market since I was a kid (which also brings up fond memories of making strawberry freezer jam with Mom and Grandma).  My best friends Jen and Rich and I even set up a stall once to sell our tie-dyed/hemp goods.  Now with the economy the way it has been lately, combined with the locavore movement and a yearning for a sense of community -- the market is packed!  It has artists and crafters, plants, meats/eggs/cheeses, and all of the fresh fruits and vegetables you can imagine.  I love playing with the repetition and color the displays create in my photos. 

PEMF and pizza

I went to Grand Rapids today to drop off our tax papers and to visit with my family.  It was a very quick visit.  We had just enough time to check out the treatment that has been helping my Dad recover from his stroke and then go to one of my favorite restaurants in Grand Rapids.  

PEMF -- or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy -- has been helping Dad a lot.  Dad didn't have any loss of strength or any paralysis from the stroke, but he does have problems seeing some things.  He has been getting PEMF treatments once a week and he notices the effects immediately.  He is able to see better right away.  After about 4 days things start to get worse again for him.  My Mom has a friend that just bought one of these machines (they are NOT cheap) and offered to let Dad get a midweek treatment as well.  It looks weird, and I haven't done enough research on how it works, but it has worked for Dad.  

I also got to try it out.  It felt like a muscle twitch in my tight shoulders while I was laying down on a mat with the tube running through it.  I tried the thing on my head too and it felt like a tapping or pulsing on my sinuses and my teeth.  It didn't seem to do much right away for me, but I did have a headache earlier today and now it is gone.  They say it really helps with arthritis as well.  Very interesting!

After that, we went to Marinade's.  It is a small bistro near my parent's house that I adore.  I got a calzone  with feta, kalamata olives, and crimini mushrooms.  Yum!  My Brother and Dad got meaty calzones, and Mom was more adventurous with a little pizza with lemon zest, walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, etc (but no tomato sauce).  She loves that combination.  

As you can tell by the coats we were wearing, it is cold outside.  I'm sure most of the people reading this are experiencing the same thing right now -- but you never know.  Anyway, I thought I would throw in a cute picture of Angel -- another of my folks' cats.  She is a sweet heart.  She loves the window ledge above the radiators in their front room.  If I were a cat, I think I would pick that spot as well.   

Weekend update

I had a very nice time this past weekend -- but the whole thing flew by so quickly!  I had to work on Saturday, but after work I drove to Grand Rapids to visit my family and friends.  After visiting with my parents and brother a bit in the evening,  I went to see my good friends Rich, Jen, and Amy.  It was so refreshing to be able to just sit around and talk with some like-minded individuals.  We must do it more often.

Sunday morning we (Mom, Dad, and my brother - Rob) went to a Bagel shop and had a bagel and coffee together.  Then we hung out back at their house a while until Grandma came over.  We had lunch together and sat around the table a long time talking.  Charlie was sad he missed it.  He was stuck working all weekend.

In the afternoon I hung out with my friend Dawn (and her pal Steven).  We had a good time and laughed a lot.  She made a housewarming gift for Charlie and me -- some hand towels and dish cloths.  I love homemade stuff!

I know it has taken me a while to post this - seeing it is Wednesday already.  Work has been taking a lot of my time and energy lately.  Today and tomorrow I only have to work 8 hours.  We were given the option to take a couple hours off, so I took it.  I've just been feeling run down lately and right now I'm fighting a sore throat and the starts of a cold.  Hopefully it doesn't progress into anything bad.

P.S. Dad was the one who said I should take the photo of the orchid shown above with the blue glass as a background.  I think it turned out pretty cool.

Snowy trip

Wednesday night Mom called me to let me know that my Dad was in the hospital again -- he was having a stroke. I am finally well enough to see him without worrying about getting him sick so I took off and went to visit. The ride over wasn't too bad, although we were getting that large winter storm that just swept the country.

Anyway, I got there around 3 am and got to see him. He was doing well considering what he had just been through. I spent some time there then went to my parents house for a quick nap and to grab some clothes for Mom. I only had my cell phone, but took a couple quick photos before leaving. This is a photo of Peggy Sue (who refused to let me sleep while I was there) and some flowers that were sent by the Gaither's (Dad does some work for the Gaither Vocal Band). I thought they were a lovely arrangement.

I also wanted to show a photo of their large pines in the back yard with all the snow on them. These trees are huge!

Anyway, I went back to the hospital with coffee and bagels for Mom and I. I was able to spend the day with her while they put Dad through a variety of tests. At this point, he is doing well for someone who had a stroke of that magnitude. The stroke hit his left side, but he didn't lose his strength on that side. He is fine mentally and can speak clearly. He is only having a little loss of feeling and perception on his left side, which should be helped with therapy.

Please keep him in your prayers so things can return to normal for him as soon as possible.

The last photo is from my trip home yesterday. I didn't want to leave, but I have to work today. They were having blizzard conditions all day yesterday so I just white-knuckled it all the way to Grand Rapids and back. I'd like to go back this weekend, perhaps tonight after work...

Birthday Weekend

Charlie and I had a 4 day weekend to celebrate our anniversary and my birthday.  It went by way too quickly, but we had a good time.  We headed "Up North" (a term Michiganders use to describe anywhere in the northern lower peninsula or anywhere in the upper peninsula - usually it involves a large body of water or campfires - or sometimes watching the black bears at a garbage dump).

We spent a little time in Traverse City.....

We went to Manistee.  Then we hit a beach in Ludington.  The Ludington beach is my favorite in Michigan.  It has clean white sand, shallow water to wade in, has free access along the road to the state park, and if you go on a weekday, it isn't very busy.

We also went to Grand Rapids to visit my family for a Birthday dinner.  Mom and I assembled the veggie skewers and Dad was the grill master.  He asked how I always manage to get photos of him cooking -- to which I don't have a good answer.  I suppose because we both have a fondness of cooking and coming up with new recipes.  The chicken he made had been marinated in lemon-lime soda pop!  Charlie says it was quite good.

Anyway, it was a nice visit - albeit a bit rushed.  We also swung out to the Quiggle Farm for a quick visit.  Jen hooked me up with some new plants (to replace the dead ones in my garden).  They got planted on Tuesday and fill up the holes in my garden perfectly.  I didn't get to see another good friend of mine like I had hoped.  We just ran out of time.  Luckily I have a week off in July so I can spend more time with my peeps.

Some images from the weekend

I had wanted to post this a few days ago, but life is so busy sometimes.  I went to Grand Rapids last Friday and Saturday to visit my friends and family (particularly Mom -- it was her birthday along with being Mother's day).  I thought I'd post a few snapshots.  On Friday, Mom and I and Grandma took off in the convertible and went to Everlasting Blooms.  Here is a photo of a cute planter made from a vegetable drawer from an antique fridge.  I love it!

On Saturday Mom and I went to the Farm at Quiggle Lake.  A group of my friends are farming the land and creating their own community (they sound like a bunch of hippies if you ask me -- lol -- I love you guys).  Here is the gorgeous Lily and one of their chicks.

And the sheep...
And my good friend Rich -- about to build an outhouse.
And this is just a photo of some tulips by my parent's home.

I had a great weekend, and I don't really have the time to go into details.  Basically, I got to see a lot of the people I love.  I also bought a new camera which will be the subject of my next blog.  I'm very excited but don't have time to write about it tonight.  I must get to bed.

Garden list

So, to finish what I was saying yesterday... I've ordered my seeds/plants for my garden this year.  Jen and I decided to get 2 Paw Paw trees.  We are just too curious to not give it a try.  Paw Paw is native to Michigan and some surrounding states.  The fruit is supposed to taste like banana and mango -- like a tropical plant.  I hope they grow well.  Also, between my garden and Mom's garden we have plans for heirloom tomatoes, summer squash, peas, beans, salad, pepper, chives, carrot, broccoli, asparagus, onions blueberries, and midget cantaloupe.  One of the companies we ordered from are also sending ground cherry tomatoes and garden huckleberry for free.  Oh, and we are going to try growing some luffa (or loofah) sponge too.  Of course I will document the progress as the year goes on.  

Yesterday before I left Grand Rapids, Mom felted some slippers that she made for me.  Felted wool is pretty neat if you ask me.  Here are the before and after photos of the slippers.  They start out very large, go in hot water in the washing machine, then come out soft and shrunken.  Thanks Mom!  I love how orange they are : )

Another weekend in Grand Rapids

I made a trip to Grand Rapids this weekend to spend some much needed relaxation time.  I've had some stressful things going on for the last couple weeks -- but nothing that I really wanted to blog about.  I'd rather mention the good stuff in my life.  First of all, yesterday I went with my Mom to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.  Mom is a member and we get in for free.  This place has been a favorite of ours since they built it right down the street (literally) from the house we were living in.  I've included a few snapshots...

We also did a little shopping and had vegetarian burritos for a late lunch.  At night I spent some much needed quality time with my friends.  It is good to catch up with each other and sit around remembering the old days.

Things are still very wintery and cold out, but there is hope in the air.  I see little green shoots coming up in Mom's garden.  The forecast is promising 40 degrees for most of next week.

Mom and I finally sat down to order our seeds for the veggie garden.  We are a bit late I suppose, but now that I have it done I am getting excited.  We are splitting up the seed packets so we get more variety for less money.  I will write later with a list of what we got.  Right now it is lunch time, then I have to drive home.

GIzzard Stew

Yup, that's what I said... Gizzard Stew.  I promised my Dad that I would post a photo of his meaty creation on my blog.  So here you go Dad.  Your very own blog post...

Around this time he was drooling and saying "yeah baby" like Emeril would.  I can't say that I was as excited (except for the fact that Mom had quiche in the oven for us non-gizzard eatin' folk).  

"So, how did he work his magic?" you ask... well, he was kind enough to tell me what he did.  He took a pound and a half of gizzards (only $2) and pan fried them with butter and some water.  Then he added some onion and green pepper -- and I'm guessing garlic if I know my Dad.  Then cream of mushroom soup.  I'm not sure if he added any milk to the soup.  He ate it over a baked potato.  He said it was amazing -- I took his word for it.  :  )

So, there you have it.  I would have never thought I would blog about chicken gizzards.  Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot to blog about right now.  I could complain about the continued forced-overtime at work but no one likes to hear me whine.  I could talk about the weather but that is too depressing.  I haven't been creating much lately.  Oh, but I am dreaming about my garden.  I have an amazing catalogue that I must tell you about.  Actually, you should request one yourself.  Go to www.rareseeds.com.  Their catalogue has me convinced to buy from them this year.  It is gorgeous!  Oh, and the seeds are heirlooms which I feel strongly about.  I will try to get a good blog in this weekend on the subject.  For now, I must call my husband who has been gone all week working and then try to get some sleep.  I have another 11 hour day tomorrow -- sorry, I couldn't help but whine a little.

Last Weekend

I've been pretty busy lately trying to get ready to go on vacation this next weekend.  I'm so excited to get a little relaxation time.  I just wanted to do a quick blog about last weekend.  

I took my cat Sassy to Grand Rapids so that she can be taken care of while we go on vacation.  She hates riding in cars!  I guess most cats do though. 

 

I got to spend some time with Dawn and Corryn on Friday night.  We had a good time just talking and drinking coffee (insanely strong coffee) and eating pie.  

The next morning I went with Mom and Dad to a beautiful garden and we walked around a while.  Then Mom and I went to some of our favorite spots and shopped a while.  Everlasting Blooms was having a clearance sale on some of their stuff -- we just love that store!   

  

After that I went to the Avenue for the Arts Market that Jen had a booth at.  I tried to help out but I had to leave shortly after I got there.  She sold some tie-dye for me (what an awesome friend -- love ya Jen!) and she had some really cool hand made goods too.

 

So, then I had to zip back home and meet up with a few girls from work.  Then after that I met up with Charlie at some of our other friends' house.  We got home fairly late and I was exhausted.

Sunday we went to a graduation open house and then over to Charlie's parents for Father's Day.  It was all pretty hectic last weekend.

Now I'm midway through the week and trying to figure out when I'm going to get everything done before vacation.  I have to get groceries and pack up everything and...  Phew!  I didn't know relaxation took so much preparation!