On Vacation no internet

Alas, I will miss getting on the internet at my whim. No Facebook, no mail, no blogging..............sad. But with this as the view taken from the deck of our townhouse at the Homestead, I think I will get over it. And with Dylan to cuddle and hug for sure I will. Looking forward to spending time with my immediate family and Mark's extended (whom I love too) it will be a great week! bon journo!

Ready to roll?

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a worrier. Real and mental lists abound around here. Always sure I'm going to forget something but not sure what it'll be. With
Wild week upon us I am now seeing visions of 2 tightly packed cars carrying Mark and I, Lin, Dave, Dylan, 2 sets of clubs, 2 bikes,3 coolers, pack & play, stroller,portable high chair, bags of groceries, many suitcases etc, etc.
Whew! I'm tired already...............I think I need a vacation!

Whisper KEENS

I'm now a true Wild..........I have my first Keens!

Design aestetic

I'm not a professional or even an expert designer. I do have strong feelings
about design though. I feel a room should evoke a feeling of some sort whether
it be quiet and serene or bright and happy or just a comfy welcoming feeling.
Thought should be given to just what you'd like it to convey to yourselves and
others who might share it in some way. This room (partial) was one I recently saw
and it certainly speaks to me and I think it would to anyone walking into it that
loves everything about the water. It's not complicated or overdone but gets it's
point across. Now I just have to figure out.... is Dave's lens big enough to
capture "this" next week?

Matt's new deck

 

While I was working inside on the cabinets, Mark was working on the outside
on a new deck for Matt's yard. Small yard, small deck but nice nonetheless.
It needs a few finishing touches yet but pat yourselves on the back guys!
NICE!

Dylan in July

One week til we get to love this little guy up! We're excited to introduce him
to the rest of the Wild clan and to his little cousin Brooke. They may even
understand each other! Grampa even has a surprise present for Dylan.........his
own computer keyboard (real one) so he can pound on it all he wants!!!!

Reyers Public Library

 

Fascination with architectural details

Rainy sunset

 

 

Even a rainy evening can be beautiful..........

Before and After

 

 

I've finished with Matt's cupboards! I'd like to think I've made it better.
Here are the before and after shots..........you be the judge.

Alphabet building

 

I am in the process of building myself an alphabet for future projects. Using
pictures that I myself have taken of different things that can be repurposed
as letters. I am striving for 2/3 of each letter in case I need more than one
in a word. I hope to then be able to spell whatever I might choose and print
each and clip frame them and give them as gifts or take orders from people to
do words for them. We sell such "words" in our shop and while I often hear
people say "I could do that myself" I wonder if anyone actually has. Well, I plan to!
Here's a few of my letters. Preorders anyone?

Happy Birthday Richard

 

Today is my brother Rich's birthday! There is no one quite like him in my book.
We share being the middle children in our family and really so much more.
Rich has never met a stranger and is long remembered by most that meet him.
He's fiercely loyal and there isn't much he wouldn't do for you. I often tell
a story that quite explains him from our youth............there was a tornado
warning one day and Rich immediately packed a suitcase with peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches, his navy blue first communion suit, a few books and all of his money.
All while the rest of us were out still playing. No one or not a thing was going
to catch him unawares. That's my Rich and I love him very much!

Picture Shoot

 

 

 

Today I went on a photo shoot with my neighbor Ann who likes to photograph, edit, print her own stuff.
It was great fun and we plan to go again. We went to Heritage Hill and a little bit of the downtown
Grand Rapids area as well. We only covered 4 blocks so still tons more to shoot! We ended the trip
at the Red Ball Jet for lunch which is itself a photo op.

Goodnight

 

"Give me the splendid silent sun"
Walt Whitman

Fishermen

Think this is the first time I've looked out and seen someone
fishing in our pond! The little guys were so cute and so proud
of their little blue gills............kinda gave me hope that
someday Dylan might give it try!

Geese hangin out

 

It's funny watching the geese around here. Of course I don't deal with
stepping in their droppings like the golfers do. But they like to
"hang" with one another and congregate an awful lot. At this moment it's
right in front of our place. Sometimes I wonder if they say to each other
"hey, let's go over and hang by 18's pond........ought to be a nice breeze
over there right now".

Weekend at Matt's

 

As you know we've been working at Matt's place. Here's where we are.
Lower cupboards are done......upper's need framing in....drawers still
in the thought process other than the pulls.
Matt's friend Rian built his "shed" and he and Matt put it up this week.
They also replaced some damaged siding and base kick along the house.
Mark has a start on Matt's deck and is hoping Rian doesn't look at it too
closely. It will angle on the right side and not just be square. The
yard has been "roundedup" in prep for tilling and reseeding. Porches painted by
Matt.

Whew!

All in a day's work

 

Still working on Matt's place. This is the treatment I'm
I'm doing on his cupboards. It's done with aluminum
flashing and nuts/bolts. Not completely done but you
get the idea.

In the meantime Mark is working on a deck in his side
yard and Matt and a friend are doing siding repair work,
a new shed, and painting the porches.

Never a dull moment!

Princess Maddie is 3

 

Happy Birthday to our niece Madison. If ever there was
a "girlie" girl born into this Wild clan it would be
her. We hope to see her crowned Miss Michigan one day!
We all adore you Maddie!

Perennials

 

"...the earth laughs in flowers" e.e. cummings
I'm not much of a gardener I'll admit it. One thing I do like is something
that comes up each year without me having to plant it. So pretty much we've
strived to achieve this other than a few patio pots and a few shots of annuals'
color planted in between. Makes life easier!

Good morning

Mist over 18 and the promise of a beautiful day........have a great week!

Post 4th

Even though our camera battery was REALLY waning, both Mark and I tried capturing the fireworks last nite with interesting results.................

Chapter 3 Matt's place

Matt is officially "in" his new home this week. His list is long of things needed to be done yet,
but progress is being made. Mark and he did some outside work today and Stephanie and I got some
inside work done. Rome wasn't built in a day and the same can be said for Freyling Place (his new
street). But it does feel more like a home and fine tuning will certainly come along with time.

Golf

 

Yes folks, I actually went out golfing on this course I live on tonite. First time in probably 15 years.
I was a bit rusty but it was a scramble so it was OK! My foursome actually used one of my drives (best of
the 4) so I'm thinkin' "not too bad"! Really it was a beautiful nite to be out there. This is Mark and a kite
I found interesting on #3. Heck, I might just go again!

Herbs

 

A few weeks ago,when Mary was visiting, we went to Marie Catrib's for lunch.
We sat outside and right next to me was this wonderful column pot of herbs.
It smelled wonderful and looked great too. What a great idea and I'm sure
they must harvest the herbs and use them in their delicious food.