While the Rest of Us Have Fun...

Dan usually has a project to complete while at the cottage. This year it entailed steps down to the dock. Not only was the truck filled with lumber but so was my car!




First Step - get truck and car as close to hill, those beam(steps) were heavy! And yes, I helped to unload them. Dan, who reminds me often that he gets paid to think, devised a way to carry the beams down the hill. Sleds! We were able to load 2 kids sleds with 5 to 6 beams and send them on their way. Dan got so good at aiming most ended up where he needed them.



Second Step - he then placed them approximately where they would end up. I did not want a straight line, I wanted to follow the path that had been worn in the hill.



Third Step - the digging and placing begins.


Fourth Step-Lets walk them 100 times to make sure the rise is correct.



Fifth Step - after securing with rebar and back filling the steps are complete and perfect enough for a "big Brother" piggyback ride!

We are all very thankful for the new steps, but it would have been nice to spend "family" time with Dan.

While he was busy working on this project for 3 days we were all doing this....

Oh well, the choices we all make!

Cottage Holiday

Cam's first dock start of the year.

There is a place I love more than any other. A place where I feel most at peace.
It is know by many names, but the one used most often is "the cottage".

My parents purchased this property when I was a teenager, and I purchased it from them 14 or so years ago.

It is far enough away from our busy lives, that we can not make quick return.
Our cell phones don't have service (pure heaven), the air is cleaner, bird calls not as familiar, the light is brighter, and the nights are truly dark.
If you are really lucky you awaken to loons calling.

I don't spend as much time as I would like there, but over the last 14 years traditions have been established.
Several weekends ago I spent time there with my sister and her daughter.
Next year we have to make it a week, Em!

Em on the dock, undercover from the bees.

This last week with Dan's Family.

Photo Shoot on our last day.

As the kids get older I hope that they will continue to want to spend part of their summer vacation at "the cottage".

I have funny stories and too many photos to share. So prepare for a play by play of the Cottage Holiday.

No knitting was completed on this holiday, but not from lack of trying!

Annie Modesitt

Earlier this year I found out that Annie Modesitt would be teaching this last weekend in Ludington. I desperately wanted to attend, but with the upheaval of employees leaving me short handed this summer didn't think I could commit.
Then at the last minute we made a quick trip to the cottage.(just a few miles from Ludington)
As we were approaching the exit I mentioned to Dan about the classes at Nautical Yarn and how I wished I could go.
As we pulled off the exit, instead of turning to the cottage, Dan headed to Ludington.
To make a long story, short...I popped into Nautical Yarn, they had 1 spot available for that evenings class and I took it!

It was wonderful!
Annie is witty, saucy and a great inspiration. I love a class that gets me excited about knitting. If you are unaware of Annie's techniques, she knits in combination style, which is a blending of western and eastern style. It makes for a very uniform knit.

The class was great, over too quick, tho I don't imagine she could keep up the banter more than 3 hours.

That evening, I casted on Wendy Bernards Yogini Bolero and am knitting in combination style.

All and all a wonderful weekend, knitting class with one of my favorite designers, a new pattern from another, and knitting on the dock at my favorite place.


where did that double chin come from?
oh well, the knitting buzz continues!