My husband and I headed to Michigan. It was a great visit, cool temps (LOVE) and stunning skies. I woke at the crack of dawn and could see the orangey pink reflection in the window – I knew it was going to be stunning. I ran outside and snapped a few photos. Wow…
Continue reading “Wee Morning Hours – St. Clair River in Michigan!”Tag: memories
Happy Anniversary To The Love Of My Life!






Tap/Click Image to see in full…
Time flies. You may have read these words of mine before but the older I get the more I mean it. I am so thankful to have met my husband all those years ago (over 3 decades). We’ve hit milestones together and been there for each other every step of the way. Frederick, here’s to the next 3+++ decades of life with you!!
Continue reading “Happy Anniversary To The Love Of My Life!”Fathers Day… Love you dad!
Years ago, Fred’s parents traveled to Michigan to spend Christmas with my family. It was wonderful. They arrived to a big snow storm. If you’re from SC a snow is as exciting as it gets. I’ll never forget this year. This photo of our dads was taken at my sister’s house. It’s a little blurry (taken with a real camera – no phones at that time). My dad on the left, Fred’s dad pictured on the right.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Happy Memories to those of you who have lost your father, Happy Future to those of you still waiting to become a father, and Happy Person to those of you who have chosen not to, but may help with a family or friend’s children. It takes a village to raise a good kid.
Continue reading “Fathers Day… Love you dad!”People LOVE To Shop- Rediscover the Joy of Shopping at Fresh Market!
Long ago, when I was growing up – shopping was so much fun. Everyone looked forward to it, whether something was purchased or not, the fun was in the looking. In my high school years to my twenties, we would meet at Hudson’s department store. We would have lunch at Lakeshore Grill within the store. Maurice salad was their specialty, but everything was delicious. We treasured those visits for years.
Continue reading “People LOVE To Shop- Rediscover the Joy of Shopping at Fresh Market!”The most delectable Christmas Cookies in all the land!
If you’re looking for a super special Christmas cookie recipe – look no further! This is a recipe the entire family can join in on. Everyone can display their artistic abilities (or not, ha ha) – either way, the cookies will taste the same – Out of this world delicious. As a family, we always doubled the recipe for the cookies, not sure if we did for the frosting, there is plenty!
Continue reading “The most delectable Christmas Cookies in all the land!”Thanksgiving Dinner Simplified

Well, the holidays are almost upon us! The grocery stores are packed with shoppers loading up on ingredients for their Thanksgiving Day feast.
Continue reading “Thanksgiving Dinner Simplified”September in Maine – Photo from the Archives.

I took this photo our first year in Maine. September, 2006. We knew it would be beautiful, but whoa! We had no idea of how drop dead gorgeous it was. We visited Port Clyde, Maine – then took a boat to Monhegan Island for 5 nights – then back to mainland and headed home. There was so much to see it was mind blowing. This was 18 years ago… I’m sure this scene looks just like this today.
Continue reading “September in Maine – Photo from the Archives.”Memories: St John’s Marsh – Broken Leg On A Snowmobile

Stunning, isn’t it? This photo was taken a while ago when we were in Michigan. When I drive this relatively long stretch as a passenger, I’m usually taking photos, a lot of photos. A few will turn out. I love the trees in this shot. There are only a few. This is a lakeplain prairie. If you have never heard of such a thing, take a quick peek and discover what that is. Beautiful yes, but this area holds memories, ha ha – (This is a photo from a year or two ago, we aren’t in MI now)…
Continue reading “Memories: St John’s Marsh – Broken Leg On A Snowmobile”PROOF That I am Special!
In my efforts to organize, declutter, and basically get rid of anything that we haven’t used in a period of time, I came upon some memorabilia… In my opinion, this is PROOF that I am special, haha… Continue reading “PROOF That I am Special!”
Do you remember Orange Julius? Here’s the recipe!
Who remembers the Orange Julius drink? Do you remember that wonderful orange flavored iced drink? I remember certain things about my childhood… like when my dad would go to Sears and look at tools… as a little girl… I can still remember the tiles on the floor at Sears in Macomb Mall (St. Clair Shores, MI). A beigy colored tile… HOW do I remember that?
Continue reading “Do you remember Orange Julius? Here’s the recipe!”And… the dining room is open… as Norah Jones sings “Come Away With Me”…

Monhegan, ME
Every time we hear Nora Jones sing, we think of the Island Inn on Monhegan Island, Maine. Every. Single. Time. One of us will say “the dining room is open”. One year, they played the same Nora Roberts CD, over and over. Not complaining. We rather enjoyed it. Matter-of-fact we looked forward to it the following year, and I’m guessing someone who worked each night couldn’t take it anymore! This dining room holds lots of special memories for us. We’ve met some wonderful people over the years. We’ve had wonderful breakfasts with some and long dinner’s with others. You know that comfortable interesting conversation that lasts long into the night? It’s rare to run into cool people like that. Monhegan, ME allows you to spend time with others because there isn’t a lot to distract you… no TV, radio, spotty cell coverage. All are blessings.
Special memories indeed! This photo was taken in 2008. The paintings in the dining room that year were by Alison Hill…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Charleston Photo: Bocci’s Restaurant… special memories!
This is a neat old restaurant located on Church Street in downtown Charleston, SC. It’s where we ate dinner on our wedding night almost twenty years ago! I love this neat brick and the cool awning, it’s a very authentic feeling space. We haven’t been in years, have you? Let me know if you’ve been recently, what did you get? Here’s their MENU. I don’t recognize any of our old favorites from long, long ago… Strolling around downtown makes for some fabulous photo taking! I’ve seen artists paint Bocci’s and it’s always such a cool painting! Hmmm, Italian food is sounding mighty tasty right about now!
Charleston restaurants have such character…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Hard to believe she would have been 12… a painting and a memory…
Streamers After by Tollef Runquist / Image: Dowling Walsh
This painting is special to us. It isn’t ours, it’s for sale at the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine. Today is a special day… Isabelle would have been 12… hard to imagine. This painting is what Fred and I both imagine Isabelle would have been like if everything went OK. Unfortunately, things with the pregnancy didn’t go well… You have to figure that things work out for a reason, although it’s hard to understand “why” at that moment… We’re so fortunate to have each other and for that we are extremely thankful!
This painting is so happy and bright. Just like a little girl after her birthday party. See how paintings can evoke memories? Every painting that we have has a great memory attached to it. Hope yours do too!
Happy 12 years Isabelle… We love you…
Going to see Santa… 1966 (YES, I was alive then…!)

Wow, I didn’t think I remembered back when I was four, but hey, I totally remember this! I remember going to see Santa (such excitement), and I remember my sister Bridget wouldn’t have her picture taken with Santa. Afraid of Santa? Geez… that’s gutsy, not me, I hopped up on his lap, and recited my list that I had most likely practiced for quite some time. (Don’t remember what was on the list, ha ha…).
Part of the happiness of Christmas, or the holidays in general are the memories that come with making the meals, decorating the tree (or setting out the Menorah, etc.). It doesn’t matter what nationality you are, each of us, if we’re fortunate, has good memories that we want to replicate year after year. I was so fortunate to have such a great childhood. No worries, just had a great time, all the time (or at least that’s what I remember). Great parents, a sister who was a best friend, even though she did follow me around and repeat everything I said. It was cool to be the “old one” as my dad refers to me now… I always got to be the teacher (sorry Bridget), I got to be the cashier, while Bridget had to push a chair around with canned goods… Christmas was magical. It still is. Pass the magic on. If you know of anyone who is missing the magic, spread the cheer. No one should be lonely any time of year, but especially this time of year… Be an angel, remember… LIFE IS GOOD!
Catch you back here tomorrow!









