The Magic of a Rainbow Promise

It never gets old or less exciting or less beautiful.....

Always pure joy for me!

Zen Eier

Just in case you were wondering where those eggs come from!

BTW:  Here, you get 10 eggs in a carton or 8, but not a dozen

Mosel River Valley

We went for a visit to the Mosel River Valley
and saw these 2 spectacular castles.
It was a beautiful drive and
I now have another favorite part of Germany.  

The patchwork vineyards were growing all along the mountainside,
as the river wound it's way through the valley.
The towns were nestled on the banks of the river throughout.
Gorgeous!

Cochem Castle

The ruins of Niederburg Castle in Manderscheid

Kaput Navi/ New Navi

This is a face of sheer happiness!  I got a new Navigon.

The long story short:  

I bought one the minute I got here
being worried about getting around Europe.

(which is a LEGITIMATE concern)

 It's never worked. 

I've been driving around with a defunct Navi for 3 years,
then sending it back.  

They'd fix it and I'd try it again
 only to be let down again in the middle of driving. 

Today, we start fresh. *sigh of relief*  Navis are necessary!

Almost Paradise

If only I could spend more time here.....

I did get my fix for the summer though!

Deck Tourism

I've had visits from a few friends

Don't you love his velvety antlers?

Come to find out, he's been showing off at my neighbors house too...

 As I was sitting on the deck, I heard a "mewing" sound, looked up and saw the doe and then a few minutes later, this little guy came running across the road his mamma.  

He nursed for a bit and then they both did some grazing.  

Sorry about the picture quality.  It's super hard to get a clear picture when they are constantly in motion and trying to hide from you!

OK, so I'm back!  The year long hiatus is over.

Rejuvenated by being back home in my little slice of northern Michigan paradise.

Here's 1 dose of my daily oasis.

And I've had encouragement by a few close friends

 (namely Stephanie Pawlak) 

to begin again

So, without further adieu, let the posting begin!

A Great City: Life in the D

I got an e-mail from Chrysler the other day with the slogan, 

"Never Giving Up.  Always Giving Back.  Like only Chrysler can."  

It stems from the Superbowl commercial and they are promoting buying the song from iTunes. 

Since Chrysler has been a part of my family's heritage and Detroit has been my home for so many years, I definitely love the video.  It's a fitting tribute to the Motor City.

Here's the full You Tube video link:

Selected of God Choir-Lose Yourself

Rachel's Legacy

I love this story and was pulled into it the moment I heard it on the news.  It's about a selfless little girl who, at age 5, 

donated her hair to locks of love 

and then went on to celebrate her 9th birthday 

by asking others to donate to charity:water in lieu of presents.  

The organization provides clean water 

to those who don't have access to it in Africa.  

A month later, Rachel was killed in a car accident.

  As word spread of her story, 

she ended up raising 1 million dollars for charity:water.

Her heart of compassion lives on.  

Here's a link to her story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/opinion/rachels-last-fund-raiser.html?_r=1 

I hope that you are moved by her too!

Sunset Beach Charlevoix

We made the annual trek
to one of our favorite beaches
on Lake Michigan

on the windiest day of the summer.  

Turned out to be a great evening!

 The Beaver Island Ferry returning

 And the sunset

Mackinac Island

St. Ignace Light, U.P.

If you've never had the pleasure of crossing the
Mackinac Bridge   "Mighty Mac"

and seeing where the Upper and Lower Peninsulas connect, 

as well as the spot where 

Lake Huron & Lake Michigan meet

you are missing out! 

 Round Island Light &
Round Island Passage Light

 The Grand Hotel

 Couldn't resist the grump!

A visit to the Sunshine State

I started off the summer with a bang by visiting
Universal Studios to see Harry Potter's World 

along with Drew & Kathy Hage.  

We stayed with Carole & Nelson Wolbert and Kyle & Bethany Gano.  Clearly, I didn't get enough pictures of my friends.

Slightly unforgivable, but this gives me a reason to go back!!

Hogsmeade Village

 Zonko's Joke Shop

 Honeyduke's

 Pumpkin Juice

 Olivander's Wands

 The Three Broomsticks

Hogwart's Castle

There is an incredible ride inside of it 

that takes you through the grounds of the castle, 

the Quidditch field and to Hagrid's Hut. 

It was really cool.  

You're on a roller coaster and the virtual imagery 

is like nothing I had ever done before.  

A definite "Must Do!"

I'm holding Brooke Gano, 3 months old

I also got to stay with my good friend
Erica.  She recently bought an
awesome condo there and
we had a great time together!