FRIDAY FAVORITES...DON'T GO OCTOBER

Why oh why do you have to go October? Just when you were getting FALL fantastic! And so, it goes. That’s ok because I know right behind it is my beloved Christmas season and I may or may not already have a couple of my 17 trees decorated, LL! Anyway, it’s Halloween weekend which truly this year is no big deal and who am I kidding it’s never a big deal for us anymore now that the boys are grown so let’s just get right to Friday Favorites!

1. More Michigan

Monday, I talked about our annual Trip to Upper Michigan and how beautiful the leaves were. Well, the weekend before we went to lower Michigan for a quality day with one of our sons. This particular son is the one who got a job at Amazon and he will be moving about 2 1/2 hour south of us very soon. We had a fun day going to a couple breweries and ending the evening with pumpkin treats from Culver’s.

Feeding the Ducks, lol

2. Homemade Applesauce

I made my second batch of homemade applesauce this past weekend to freeze and it was even more delicious with all the apples we brought back from Michigan. I altered The Pioneer Woman's recipe just a little bit and it was utter perfection. I’m a stanch believer that certain varieties of apples are the best for certain foods and for applesauce it’s definitely a mix of Macintosh and yellow delicious per my mama!

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

INGREDIENTS

6lbs apples, peeled and cored

2 cups apple cider

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 Tblesp white sugar

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Bring the apples and all the ingredients to a boil and turn down to a low simmer, cover and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes. You can mash them right in the stock pot or pour into a bowl to mask. We save a couple containers in the fridge and freeze the rest; it makes about 12 servings.

3. Week's Attire

Sweater HERE // Leggings HERE // Necklace HERE// Shoes HERE & HERE

Sweater HERE // Joggers HERE// Hat HERE // Shoes HERE // Peplum Tee HERE

Sweater HERE // Leggings HERE // 

Necklace HERE // Henley HERE // 

Sunnies HERE // Boots HERE // Boot Socks HERE

4. Puff Sleeves

Let me tell you, these puff sleeve tops are bringing back some memories! These were huge in the early 80s, along with the ones that had a little ruffle down each side. I fell hard for this puffy plaid one from Target!

BUY TOP HERE // JEANS HERE // BOOTS HERE // HAT HERE

5. Misc. Fun

POSTS OF THE WEEK

Monday ~ The COLORS OF FALL...Our 2020 Trip to Michigan

Wednesday ~ Sweet Sweater Share

 

MEMES

The good ones just keep coming...

Bored Grandma's during COVID

Don't forget to VOTE is you have not already!

And to Fall Back...UGH!!

And just because it's still my fav costume and I share it every year. So.... "OOPS I DID IT AGAIN!"

HAPPY WEEKEND & HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 LINKING-UP with Friday Favorites // 

#DreamTeam Linky // Metamorphosis Monday

xoxo 

THE COLORS OF FALL....Our 2020 Trip to Michigan

Traveling in 2020 is a rarity for many. But when you can take a road trip, be in the fresh air and travel somewhere with way less Covid cases than your area, it’s even sweeter.

We were not going to take our annual Fall trip north this year and in an odd twist of fate, not only did we do it, but we did it during the middle of the week with much-needed time off for Mr. Nine!

The last few years our Fall trip has almost been completely rained out. Remember the gale force winds from Last Year??

 

Well, the forecast did not look good again and while half of the trip was rained out, we got lucky with a glorious drive up and 6 hours on Thursday for hiking and outdoorsy shenanigans! And let me tell you, the INCREDIBLE Fall colors made it all worth it.

We were so enticed by the color of the leaves and a beautiful day on our drive up that I didn’t even get any pictures on the drive. When we got there we were so hungry and many places up there are closed for dinner on Wednesdays but a good ole standby in the adjoining town called the Cabbage Shed was open and I think it’s the best meal we had ever had there! Great view for dinner too! My cocktail was called the Headless Horseman which was a mix of cinnamon bourbon and ginger beer and cinnamon/sugar rim. We shared the white cheddar Wisconsin cheese curds and I had the fish and chips which was voted best in the county!

We looked at the weather forecast and saw that the rain wouldn’t start coming in until about 2 PM the next day so despite loving to sleep in on vacation, we were up at 6:30 AM and ready to roll! After some coffee and a little bit of peanut butter toast for protein for our hikes, we started the drive North to the town of Empire to hike the Empire Bluff Trail.

 On our way we stopped at the Platte River that runs out into Lake Michigan. We have kayaked it but after seeing the beauty of it in the Fall, we’re bringing our kayaks next year for sure.

The Empire Bluff Trail and hike was just perfect. Very few people and incredible views.

When we are in the town of Empire, we always drive to the park on Lake Michigan that we have frequented before. On our way there is a little tavern we’d have lunch at once called Joe’s Friendly Tavern. During these times of Covid, hours of operation have changed, and some restaurants are not open every day. When we walked up to the restaurant, we saw that the Fall special was Honeycrisp apples and Havarti cheese on grilled oat bread with a cup of soup. We were so IN, plus I knew I could get my beloved Bailey’s and coffee there. So here we were at 10:45 AM splitting a lunch and having adult beverages! It’s a pretty big place and there was only one other couple in there. We actually felt kind of special, LOL!

Then, when your man stops in the middle of a seasonal road so you can get out the trip pod instead of doing a selfie= Happy wife!!

MY HIKING OUTFIT WAS PERFECT 

(pants and shoes gift from Mr. Nine)

Outfit Deets:

HIKING PANTS HERE // SWEATSHIRT HERE // VEST HERE // HIKING SNEAKERS HERE // EARRINGS HERE

We were determined to find another hike and found ourselves at Otter Creek. Then onto Bass Lake for the best serenity.

 

Pouring down rain meant Cozy time.

Then dinner in town at the Stormcloud Brewery where of course I had to pose with the annual giant pumpkin. (see 2016 trip here). Since the Fall Festival was canceled, someone chiseled a face right in it.

Friday was sleeping in and listening to the rain. A late morning breakfast At Birch and Maple splitting a yummy omelet and indulging in a Mimosa of course. 

Then it was one last drive through town.

And back south on M22 highway where we found beloved old trunk and pumpkin displays, LOL! Quick trip but much needed to re-energize and refresh and relish in my beloved FALL!

LOVE THIS JACKET

Outfit Deets:

JACKET HERE // SHIRT HERE // BOOTS HERE // SOCKS HERE // TANK HERE

And Check out the 2018 Trip HERE

Hope you've been getting your Fall on. Now, excuse me while I go dust off my Christmas Trees, lol!

 LINKING-UP with Metamorphosis Monday// // Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Home Stories A-Z // Dream Team Linky

xoxo 

 

MACKINAC ISLAND MUST SEES

The sweet Month of May always conjures up memories of weekends away with Mr. Nine as it is our anniversary month and we always go away for Memorial Day weekend. When May arrives, thoughts of Summer, flowers, being by the water and spending as much time outside as possible is in full swing. I've mentioned before our love of Northern Michigan and located about 6 hours north of us is the famous and beautiful Mackinac Island. 

What makes this particular trip extra interesting as you wouldn't know it, but Mr. Nine is running a fever in these pictures. On our way up the night before he started feeling ill, but in no way was returning home. This man is such a trooper. He would plug away all day but then we'd head back to the hotel in the afternoons so he could rest. I read the entire Twillight series while he rested. I'll never forget his sacrifice and lack of illness complaints, in fact, down playing how sick he really was because he wanted to give me a great weekend. 

Upon returning home, Tuesday, he went to the doctor and had a horrible infection but thankfully string antibiotics took care of it and he was back to his strong self in no time. 

Our day on the island was picture perfect. The ferry ride over is about 15 minutes and we were blessed with a day full of sunshine and temps in the 60's! If you ever get the opportunity to go to Mackinac Island, here are some of the things we suggest you do while there. 

The neat thing about this Island is that cars were banned from it in the late 1800's so the modes of transportation are horses or bikes. 

We made the most of our day over on the island. The island us less than 4 square miles but it is packed with so many fun things to do and see.

One of the first things we went to was the Butterfly Conservatory...so cool!!

The scenery on the island is breathtaking!! The lilacs were in fill bloom and fragrant as can be!

Pansies in the Restaurant Window boxes...just Precious!!

The Magnificent GRAND Hotel!!

Built in 1887, there are 300 hundred rooms and no 2 are alike. Several Hollywood Films were filmed here as well.

One of my favorite things to do was rocking on the massive porch at The Grand Hotel. 
It is the largest front porch in the world with 660 ft.

I bet there were literally 100 Wicker rockers and just look at that view!!

Sea Biscuit Cafe

Our lunch on the island was at the recommended Sea Biscuit Cafe and it did not disappoint.

Known for their chicken salad, it was spectacular.

Arch Rock

Arch Rock is a geologic formation on Mackinac Island. It is a natural limestone arch that stands on the Lake Huron shoreline 146 feet (45 m) above the water. It is a focus of Mackinac Island tourism, and is seen by many visitors to the Island. Several trails and paved roads, including the aptly named Arch Rock Road & Arch Rock Bicycle Trail, lead to the formation. The pictures do not do it justice...so cool.

Outfit details: Boyfriend sweater from target, Jeans and ruffle tank from The Loft. Target Flop flips and Volcom Backpack

Let's go make the Monday Grand!

Linking up with Wanderlust Wednesday //Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Show and Tell Tuesdays // Wordless Wednesday // Inspire Me Monday // Share The joy// Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Wordless Wednesday // Creative Monday's Blog Hop // Thoughts on Thursday // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop //  The Alder Collection // Feathered Nest Friday // Waiting On Wednesday // Dishing It & Digging It

xoxo