Monday. October 29, 2012

In Flight

Monday, October 29, 2012

A rather blustery fall day. The big storm is hitting the Atlantic coast and the front is coming in from the west. A drop in temperatures and increase in wind for tomorrow.

Last week, with it's warmth gave us the false security that perhaps the weather would hold on for a while. Well, Here in Michigan we always know that the weather is fickle and that even the good weather has the ability to bring disaster. Just remember last spring's warm up that killed our fruit crops.

Finding apples was a difficult task this fall. However, the weather after August meant a abundance of growth for our cabbages which now sit in a crop fermenting to Sauerkraut. 25 pounds of shredded cabbage from 5 heads. One alone was 8.3 lbs. Thinking of vegetarian Rueben sandwiches on those  early winter, late fall chilly days. Not to mention that Austrian peasant treat of sauerkraut soup.

Will place the recipe up here as we move into winter so keep posted.

Say a silent prayer today for those unfortunate souls along the main storm path. May they be safe from harm.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Spirits in an old house

October has brought with it the beginning of the season for Halloween and many residents in the Village are displaying their holiday spirit. It's wonderful to walk around and see the decorated homes, pumpkins, mums, and Halloween symbols.

The fall season is a time to enjoy the bounty of our gardens and the fruits of our summer labors. I like to think that Halloween is the last celebration of the summer as we will soon turn our minds to the upcoming winter. It's a time to just be a little frivolous and have a last little bit of fun as we trick or treat through the fallen leaves and around the Village.

An age old tradition of preparing for winter's dark days with the sharing of our bounty with our friends and neighbors. Also, a way to remember all those who we will miss as the winter closes in.

October - colored leaves, pumpkins, mums, children trick or treating, celebration of the harvests - a great time to enjoy the outside before the snow and cold get us holed up inside.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Went to the Community Garden today to show a group from Lexington how it was set up. Explained how we went about the project and explained our plans for next year.

It was bitter cold and we had a bit of hail fall on us for a few seconds. It was definitely nearing time to close the garden for the year.

After they left I gather a small bunch of broccoli rabe, which I ate. Also plucked a few turnips from the ground. As I did this and checked the beets and parsnips I realized that the deer have been feasting.

We didn't seem yo have a problem with them all summer but now the fields are harvested and the garden easy picking. I will keep gathering what I can. They will eat what they can.

Will cut the cabbages this weekend and begin to make sauerkraut. Haven't done this in years and if I remember correctly the fragrant smell should fill the house as it works! What fun but Reuben sandwiches and kraut with caraway seed are two of my favorites.

Fall is here!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Sunday,September 30, 2012

It's been a busy few weeks with the ArtWalk in Grand Haven, soccer games, birthday celebrations, and just plain family conversations and activities.

Here in the Village some interesting things have been happening.

Volunteers have redone the planter garden and with the mums in bloom it looks pretty good. We will have to keep those pests of grasses under control. It seems to be the nemesis of gardening here. Plans for some Halloween decorations are on the table. Hope they get completed in time for this year.

The new playground equipment is all in place and if you check out the Village website - www.villageofcarsonville.org -   There is a slide show and a list of all the voluneers who helped make this dream a reality. More work is planned for the next few years as funds are available. If you have ideas be sure to let the Village Council know via the website comment pages.

Also, our new set of banners for the fall are up and dress up the road way a bit. We hope to get the fall decorations up soon also.

The Community Garden is slowly coming to a close and gardeners are reminded to harvest and close them before the 30th of October. Plots for next year's garden can be signed up for now.

So as fall continues and we get busy with closing gardens, raking leaves , and decorating for Halloween keep checking back to see what we have added to our blog.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday, September 14, 2012

Dark and cloudy morning. The weather report is sun later today. Will pick vegetables from the garden if the sun breaks.

The planter garden looks good just need to finish the mulch around the back and we'll be set until next spring.

Saw progress on the play ground but I'm sure it is over for the wwek. Start again next Monday.

Will work on getting things ready for the fire bay doors. Got to liven the old village up. Color and graphics will help. Got to try to move the village a bit closer to community,

the warrior

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Drove across the state to day . The sky was bright and sunny as I traveled through Sanilac and Lapeer Counties, but as I headed toward Flint the clouds began to gather.

Rather high clouds of gray and cobalt blue seamed to be running into each other until finally a bit of rain came down. Then as I passed through Ingham County the clouds began to disperse until the sun returned.

Will be here for a few days enjoying the family and preparing for the Art Walk project.

Celtic Tree Calendar

Momday, September 3, 2012

Monday, September 3, 2012

EILEAN DONAN

Had a wonderful weekend . Basking in the sun, swimming in the pool, enjoying the grand children! 

A surprise late night arrival brought three lovely girls and their parents to our door on Friday night. In anticipation of the beginning school year all the family believe they needed somemore pool time. 

Breakfast and by 9:30-10:00 am into the pool for the remainder of the day. Splashing, snorkeling, swimming, and above all floating on the rafts soaking up the sun. Of course there are a continuous flow of popsicles.

Finally somewhere around 6:00 pm we are forced to eat supper, our stomachs let us know.  The leftovers are few and make a nice small lunch for the next day.

Summer ends and fall begins.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

Rhiannon

Been busy working on the Village Planter Garden. A wonderful angel helped by removing all the weeds, another angel donated the mulch, and I just am slowly working my way mulching and preparing to plant some hardy mums for the fall.

The surprising thing about all of this that the volunteer help from the community and the lady who yelled it's looking good as she passed have just reaffirmed my idea that people are willing to do things. All you need to do is ask for help, say yes when it's offered, and a lot of small acts make a big change.

As I walk around the Village I see so many persons making small differences daily and the result is - the Village is better for all those small changes.

So, if you are out there and you have an idea of something you can do to make the place you live a better place - Just do it, ask for help, take it, and make the change!

A big thank you to the people who believe in a better tomorrow, one small step at a time!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tir Na Nog

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Strange day, strange time of year, just always seems this way at the end of August. You still feel summer, the heat and humidity when old Sol popped out, from behind those dark foreboding clouds that made you think fall. The grays were intense with darkness and brought a feeling of fall coolness.

The flowers are those of late summer and early fall - Cannas, fading Phlox, bright colored Zinnias, Bright blue of Cupid's Darts and the glowing yellow and oranges of the Marigolds. Still some hangers on of summer Daisy, Lupine, Canterbury Bells, Pulmonaria and the last of the Roses trying to convince us that perhaps there is still another few months of summer out there.

However, when we check the Mums and Asters we see their beginning to peep there way to buds.

The pumpkins in the garden are starting to swell and slowly turning from green to orange.

Late summer, I am not going to give in to fall until sometime in mid September and then I'll only say that it is slowly coming on.

Well, weather in the 90's later this weekend? That's what they are saying.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

Pwyll

Well, it was another normal Monday. A little rain fell and then I thought I would check the garden plot between rains. Beans, peppers and lots of tomatoes. It seems they are deciding that it is getting time to be ripe.

The fall crops I planted two weeks or so ago are coming along fine. If the weather holds like it has been through September into mid October we should be gathering the benefit of this midsummer planting of root crops.

I'm going to have to do some reading on storing root crops if they suceed. Parsnips, turnips, beets, and carrots. The eight cabbage plants I purchased for 80 cents seem to be developing fine. Will keep and eye out for cabbage moth eggs.

Gather some tomatoes to share with others. It seems that sharing the bounty is the way to go. We can't eat them fast enough and still not to the point to start canning.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012 - Thank you to the Angels in my community!

Well another week is quickly drawing to a close. I have been thinking about the need for persons to take responsibility for change. So many people complain about how we should do this, or how this could be better, or why we can't do this.

However, I find that when you ask these persons to help institute that change they are "to busy, don't have the skills,  I just can't do it".

I am a believer in change. That it is a slow process, that it is not easy, that it takes a lot of energy. One may not have all the skills needed to bring it to fruition, but, if you plod along little by little you can get things done.

Change is not easy nor does it happen without a bit of sacrifice. In our little Village, the center of the universe to only those live here, some changes have been happening. We have started a community garden to help people to feed themselves healthily. It involves work and time. We are making improvements to our Village Park adding play equipment and hopefully repairing existing structures. Giving people a place to go and play. Again it takes work and time, and of course a monetary commitment. A small group of dedicated citizens are working to develop a plan to improve and beautify our town center. Hoping to build a civic pride that makes people notice we are the center of the universe. Again time, energy and money are needed to accomplish this.

The thing that I find remarkable is that a small dedicated group of citizens - with no real training in instituting change, with limited funds available, and with a lot of sweat equity are bringing about a slow deliberate change in the quality of life for all those naysayers who want change but don't want to contribute to it.

And, to all those young families with children and commitments that are improving their homes and yards - Thank you for doing so!

Thanks to all those who see the future as a positive possibility.         You are Angels.

Angel

Wednesday,August 15, 2012

Wednesday, August 14, 2012

Engaged in a long overdue family tradition. A that is rising before the sun so we can see Sol rise and spread its glorious warmth and light upon us. We became this tradition back in the 80's when we sat on the lawn at the Lila Arboretum in BC.

Today we repeated this activity as we watched the sun rise over the bay here in Northport. It. Was a perfect sunrise that played hide and seek with us a total of three times before we actually felt the warmth of the sun.

We added a new twist to the day thanks to Barb's Bakery - not only a twist but a cinnamon twist, a Bismarck, custar filled donuts, cherry turnover, strawberry tarts and Pat's freshly brewed coffee. Needless to say weallenjoyed the sweetness of the sunrise.

The rest of the day was spent in a sugar fog of relaxing at the beach, slow drives through the orchard lined roads, and lazy afternoon naps.

Looking forward to the supper of spaghetti squash, pasta and fresh chopped salad.

Vacation days are slowly winding down. What s tomorrow's dream!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Traveled yesterday to our favorite vacation spot here in Pure Michigan. 

Started the day with dark gloomy skies foreboding at best. Then came the down pouring rain. As we traveled on the sky turned to partly cloudy and the rain became mist. When we neared are destination the sky was clear, the sun was beneficial with its warmth.

We met the whole Fam Damily for a wonderful dinner. The night grew darker.

The darkness beckoned us to Petersen Park overlooking the big lake. We laid on the ground, or on top of the picnic tables and preceded to view one of the wonders of the universe.

The Persieds  star showers. The oo's and ah's of all the grand kids as they watched nature's fireworks was as exciting to me as the showers themselves.

Watching the star showers has been a family event as long as we have had kids around!

Stay tuned for more of the continuing saga of family vacation 2012 -Summer Edition

I will be working on some sketches today to try to capture the high points.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Very relaxing  day. Started off with checking the garden and setting the hoses. Things are growing fine, now if the tomatoes would just start to ripen. Did have an earlier fight with tomato horn worms but it seems that I have found and stepped on them all!

Someone has Broccoli that needs to picked. Every time check the gardens out it tempts me.

After some photos of the new play structure site and updating the Village website. I took off for the pool.

Perfect pool day, swam laps for about an hour and them just drifted on the raft, soaking up the sun and enjoying the water. 88 degrees air 84 Degrees -perfect light airy cloud wisps.

Summer Morning Sunrise

Had John Denver on the IPod and just thought about what a wonderful life I really have.  Life's been good to me so far, but I fine it hard to drive 55.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Monday, August6, 2012

House, Trees and Shadows

A beautiful day here in the Village. Spent the better part of the day caring for the community garden.

We started this year for the first time. Eight gardeners signed up and we have some really good progress in the development of the garden.

There was an attack last week of  tomato horn worms but with the help of  a gardening grand daughter we seem to have stomped them down to nothing. I will still keep a diligent eye on everyone's tomato plants when I go down to check and water.

Some of the gardeners need to get down there to do two things. Weed and harvest. I've begun to pick tomatoes and the beans seem to keep coming. The pole beans are covered with blossoms and tiny fruit so we will be starting those soon.

Planted late fall crops of beets, turnips, and parsnips add a few potatoes and if all goes well I can taste those fall roasted goodies coming from the oven, to the table, and into my tummy. Yummy!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Ostara

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Well spent the day doing those things I enjoy. Wash and polished the car, picked vegetables from the garden, prepared for tomorrow's yard work, and just laid on a raft in the pool and did a few laps.

Now I'm working on my drawing number 3 in the Bedtime series . Hope to finish it before fall hits! 

Have the idea formulated for the next Berlin drawing. So I will work on that soon to get it started.

Did mat and mount work for the ART WALK in Grand Haven. Will begin to post those drawings on my blog here soon.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Imbolc

Ein ganz normaler Samstag! What a beautiful Saturday. Some sadness this morning as the grandchildren and their parents pulled out of the drive on their way home. We headed to the Amish workshop and enjoyed the search for seeds to plant second crops in the garden. Found a few but will still keep looking for 1 more week.

We will see the grand kids again at the cottage. Gosh summer seems to be flying by!

Beat the heat today by drifting around the pool on our floating rafts. Enjoyed the crystaline clear water with its dancing sun rays as we felt the breezes blow over us and the cool water beneath us. Reminds you of why we have summer in the first place.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Yule

Just another day of warm temperatures and high humidity. The tomato plants seem to be loving the weather.They are growing like crazy. Plenty of fruit now just to see them ripen. My mouth is watering for a nice tomato sandwich. That is a sign to me of real summer food.

Picked an abundance of green yellow and purple beams today. More to come by the looks of it in the next few days.

Looked up the planting chart and it's still not to late to plant beets, parsnips, turnips, second crop beans, and of course radishes. So maybe I'll get the grand girls to help with some fall and winter planting. If I can find some broccoli and Brussels sprouts to transplant I'll give them a go.

Thinking about root crops brings winter to my mind and fresh roasted roots with caramelized onions.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Saturday, July 28 , 2912

Lughnasadh

Great day to do a bit of vegetable shopping for tomorrow. Let's see what we can find now that the rain has passed through. Yesterday was another wonderful downpour of rain followed by a magnificent full arched rainbow. Sorry no photos but we did see the pot of gold. Oh, wait it was the Firekeepers Casino!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Tremendous set of thunderstorms passed through last night. Everythin looks refreshed and green for a change. It's remarkable how fresh rain brings the brown grass back to green. Thought it would be cooler today. No such luck. Continues to be hot but now we have the addition of humidity. Well it is summer. I remember these as the days when you waited for the evening baseball games to come on the radio so you could just sit and sweat with your eyes close as you imagined the field.

Samhain

The dark stormy sky remains today and with the winds of last night still in my memory I think of the fall days surrounding Halloween. My posting today is of the calendar drawing for Samhain. A bit spooky but so is today's sky.

Today is also St. Anne's day here is some country lore in regard's to St Anne's day.

• St. Anne's clear and pure, the grain will soon be recovered.
• St. Anne is not over until the morning comes and brings cooling.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Jakobustag - St James the elder brother of John.  Weather is cloudy but pleasant good day for mowing lawns and watering gardens. That should make tomorrow's weeding and garden cleaning easier. Weather man predicting rain. Well bring it on. Pool water still 92 degrees and almost too warm.

Work progressing on the drawing number three in the bedtime series, Now time to select the next German drawing for the Berlin series.

Mabon

 Here is abit of country wisdom about Jakobustag -

• "Jacob's hot - it is worth toil and hard work."
• "Jacob's clear and pure, Christ's festival will be chilly."

Well, back to work on the drawing.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Monday, July 23, 2012

Extremely warm today! Had a small downpour early this morning to refresh things. However, the heat has now brought back a few steps. Will try to work on my final drawing in the Bedtime Series getting it inked as far as line. All of the pencil work went really well and fairly fast. It was one of those drawings that just seemed to fall in place.

Got the inking completed to the line stage. Will begin to add depth and values next. Below you will see the firs completed drawing in the Bedtime Series called "the Sandman" - he sprinkles the stardust in your eyes so you can have a pleasant sleep and dream. The second in the series is "the Guardian Angels" - they watch over you as you sleep. And the third is " the Dreamers Dream" - apleasant night it is as we sail away to the stars with all friends around.

The Sandman

The Guardian Angels

line drawing -The Dreamers Dream

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Thursday, July 19. 2012

Finally a little relief from the summer heat and little rain. We could still use more the Village looks a bit greener from the rains in the last two days. Not enough to relieve the drought conditions but enough to bring a well sought drink.

Ritterstrasse 11, Berlin, Germany

photo of brick color

                Finished the Ritterstrasse 11 drawing, the first in series based on my trip to Germany, Berlin and Koserow in particular. This one has some creative adaption on my part to make it a possible candidate for print material. A long tall format something I don't usually do. Completed in ink and colored pencil. The remarkable thing about this specific building is the color of the bricks and stone used in it's construction. Some of the coloring is the aging of the building but do note the brick colors. I will include a photo of the building along with my drawing so you can see the detailed coloring.

Fell in love with it at first sight. Ritterstrasse translated is knight street, another reason I loved this building.

Wednsday, July 18, 2012

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Midsummer

Accomplished a bit today on the new Bedtime drawing and finished up the Ritterstrasse drawing.

Waiting for rain that still didn't materialize. Will water tomorrow just to keep basic plane investments alive and well. Not necessarily happy, but surviving.

Will post more tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Monday, July 17, 2012

Beltaine

Another scorching hot day, on my way to the pool for some cooling and than back to work on my drawings.

Checked out the veggie garden today and gathered another zuchini. It's one of those vegetables that one or two plants are all you need to realize the miracle of gardening. Radishes and peppers are also being harvested and the tomatoes seem to be very happy with the hot weather and the humidity. Anxiously waiting for the first harvest and those fresh ice cold tomato slices on home baked bread. Always a delicious summer sandwich.

Remember my grandmother slicing them sprinkling lightly with sugar and serving them to us for lunch on those hot days when you didn't want to cook. She would also splash on a little vinegar to add tang.

The pool beckons and i must answer if I'm going to start that final drawing of the Bedtime series.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

Well just another Manic Monday - really it's pretty calm not much going on . It's to darn hot and the day just seems to be lingering. Extremely quiet for a summer day. No one really out and about.

Got some rough sketches down for drawing 3 and will now begin to work on the details. Next drawing in the Berlin series needs to be formalized. Will begin to work on adding color to Ritterstrasse.

Pagan Calendar - center

Did some gardening before the heat started and it looks like tomorrow will the day to clean up the lawn.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Earth - Element

Sunday, July 15, 2012 - One my two favorite Son-in-Laws celebrates hie fortieth today!

Got up late and took a leisurely morning wake up with coffee and fruit laden Muesli. Got in the pool and did a few laps until the Thunder scared us out.

Love that thunder as it brought some nice rain- well needed here. Things should experience a growth spurt now. Will be checking the CG to see how those Zuchini are doing!

Large Pasta salad with a myriad of great ad exotic vegetables for supper. Can't wait to chow down.

Finished the inking on Ritterstrasse and now will begin to work out details for the final Bedtime series.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Air - Element

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Saturday is the day we usually head to PH for our weekly or in the summer biweekly shopping. Check out sales, pick up the items we can't get in Bean County, and head to our favorite grocery source Meijer.

Today we hit Kohl's, B&N, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Lowes, Meijer, and GFS. All in a matter of four hours.

Ate at the Coney Island for a vegetarian NewYork Rueben sandwich, that's coleslaw and Swiss grilled. Decided to get a Slim Jim next time hold the Ham. Had an order of onion rings on the side.

The sky was overcast but no rain materialized. Perhaps tomorrow.

Returned home played 7 Little Words with my honey and worked on my Ritterstrasse drawing. Hope to have the inking completed tomorrow and then begin sketching ideas for the last of the Bedtime drawings

Friday , July13, 2012

Friday, July 13, 2012

Fire -Element

"Ein ganz normaler Freitag", just another normal Friday, accomplished a few things today while waiting for the 20% chance of rain thunderstorm. Hasn't arrived yet!

Got some ideas flowing for the third Bedtime series drawing. Will begin to work on the sketches for it soon. Made some progress on the Ritterstrasse 11 drawing, hope to make some more before the night is complete.

Took a leisurely ride through the countryside today. Amish road and stopping at two Amish farms on the route. Saw kids playing and thoughts of Pennsylvania came to mind. The simplicity of the farm buildings and homes bring out the abstract views you find in a painting by Andrew Wyeth. Simple basic shapes for the buildings, blocks of color with slight variations and the lack of complexity brings out a realism so true to the simple joy of living. And a sky so lit up with high clouds in a sea of blue.

Sitting back now and listening to an ITunes Genius mix of folk and alternative. Iron and Wine, Patty Griffin, Josh Ritter, and Neko Case are just a few of the selections.

Thursday Night - July 12, 2012

Astrological Element - Water

 Thursday Evening - July 12. 2012


Just "ein ganzer normaler Donnerstag" here in Cville. Was a warm day, 88 degrees, and did the mowing of the lawn early in the day and then took a swim of 140 laps in the pool. Worked on my Ritterstrasse 11 drawing until the pointalism hurt my eyes. This will be the first of a series of drawings from my trip to Berlin, Germany.

Watered the Community Garden and am impressed with the growth there, in spite of the lack of rain. This is our first year and I think it is turning out better than expected. Hopefully, we get the word out and have some expansion next year.

Found myself in deep thought about ideas for a new series of drawing to compete with my Astrological Elements series and my Pagan Calender series, and tried to come with the third drawing for my Children's Bedtime series. So far I have the Sandman and the Guardian Angels. Thinking there has got to be something other than the Bogeyman for the third.

They are paving the Main street, a state trunk line and the driving within the 1 mile of or Village has slowed to even slower snails pace. You know the locals because they take the back route to avoid the traffic delay. This has caused a need to brine the back route. Got to keep the dust down in this old dusty town.

Sitting here now watching my virus checker going through my files, playing 7 words with my lady, and listening to Capercaille.

Life is good!