Cheryl asked if I was going to Italy on my trip—Um, no, that is a really great idea, but not this time! lol
I am going back to my childhood roots in Michigan! You see, my Aunt Donnie is celebrating her 81st birthday (she and Sara share the same birthday!), and one of my cousins is organizing a surprise party for her. My sisters Andrea and Mary, and my father are all traveling out to be part of the old gang.
When I was a kid, my Aunt Donnie had a house on Grass Lake in Milford, Michigan, and it was always such a treat when all the families drove out there for a vacation, especially in the summer. There was a floating dock/pavillion sort of thing we could swim out to, where we could dive or bask in the sun. They didn't call it Grass Lake for nothing however, and I disliked the feel of the grass tickling my legs in the water.
My Uncle Tom used to take us kids out in a row boat to fish on the lake, which I thought was fun, as long as he put the worm on the hook for me. I even caught a little fish once–a blue gill I think it was–, but it was teensie, so we put it back. Uncle Tom always made us wear puffy orange life preservers, which I really detested. Here I would be, all dolled up in my cute sun romper and would have to cover up with that ugly and so unstylish jacket. Safety first.
I was never bored at the lake. I had my cousins to hang out with, and if all else failed, there was always a nice spot somewhere to curl up with a book.
It wasn't just summer that we went up to the lake. Winter had its own charms, especially when the lake froze over. We would ice skate, play hockey, and generally fool around on anything that would slide. There was always something to do, and something wonderful to eat afterwards.
My relatives were crazy for playing cards. They would sit around Aunt Donnie's kitchen table and play for hours on end. Once in a while I was allowed to sit in a play a hand, but they were pretty serious and I had to keep my wits about me.
Things change though as time passes, and my aunt no longer has her house on the lake. She now lives near one of her daughters in Marine City. My cousin breeds Great Danes if you can believe it, and the party is at her house, so it should be interesting to see how the dogs factor in to the entertainment.
I hope the whole surprise thing will work out ok. I have my doubts about springing something like this on an 81 year old, but Aunt Donnie has always been a tough cookie, so I bet she rolls with it.
We plan to stay at an historic Victorian era bed and breakfast, so I will promise to take lots of pictures to share when I get back next week.
While I am gone, be sure to check in to see what my Guest Blogger Sara has to say!
36 responses to “My Trip”
Have a great time! Nothing like spending time with family – especially with the elder generations, while we can. And I just LOVE that photo of the kid on the ice – what a bunch of fun he is having!
Have a great time! Nothing like spending time with family – especially with the elder generations, while we can. And I just LOVE that photo of the kid on the ice – what a bunch of fun he is having!
That really sounds like it’s going to be a fun trip down memory lane. Have a great trip.
That really sounds like it’s going to be a fun trip down memory lane. Have a great trip.
How fun…love all the photos, they bring back a lot of memories for me as well…especially the one with the legs hanging out and the kids reading…that was me! LOL. Hope you have the best time, and many Birthday Happiness Wishes to the surprise party gal!
How fun…love all the photos, they bring back a lot of memories for me as well…especially the one with the legs hanging out and the kids reading…that was me! LOL. Hope you have the best time, and many Birthday Happiness Wishes to the surprise party gal!
I was really taken with your description of summers at the lake. We used to vacation every year in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, at a lake that sounds a lot like your Grass lake. The memories of those lake summers are ones I cherish — so much so that when my mind is troubled or I can’t sleep, I “go back to the lake” in my head to meditate and refocus. And the card games! Canasata was our game of choice, with games sometimes going on all day when it rained. Thanks for awakening some of those memories!
I hope your Aunt Donnie has a lovely birthday. She is a lucky woman to be so loved!
I was really taken with your description of summers at the lake. We used to vacation every year in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, at a lake that sounds a lot like your Grass lake. The memories of those lake summers are ones I cherish — so much so that when my mind is troubled or I can’t sleep, I “go back to the lake” in my head to meditate and refocus. And the card games! Canasata was our game of choice, with games sometimes going on all day when it rained. Thanks for awakening some of those memories!
I hope your Aunt Donnie has a lovely birthday. She is a lucky woman to be so loved!
What fun memories! Have a fun trip!
What fun memories! Have a fun trip!
Nicole . . .
I hope you have a wonderful trip . . .
pay close attention to old stories that might get told . . . you might even want to write them down . . . so you won’t forget them when it’s time to share them with grandchildren . . .
have a safe trip!
Nicole . . .
I hope you have a wonderful trip . . .
pay close attention to old stories that might get told . . . you might even want to write them down . . . so you won’t forget them when it’s time to share them with grandchildren . . .
have a safe trip!
ah cottage memories are the best. have a great time with your family!!
ah cottage memories are the best. have a great time with your family!!
How sweet it is!
Enjoy yourself to the max!!
Hugs!
How sweet it is!
Enjoy yourself to the max!!
Hugs!
Sounds like great memories of summers and winters past. It will be great to visit with relatives living so far away and to see your aunt Donnie again.
We are slated to have some heavy rains the next few days so your card playing may come in real handy. Hope you get to stay a while and enjoy Michigan…Happy Birthday aunt Donnie!
Sounds like great memories of summers and winters past. It will be great to visit with relatives living so far away and to see your aunt Donnie again.
We are slated to have some heavy rains the next few days so your card playing may come in real handy. Hope you get to stay a while and enjoy Michigan…Happy Birthday aunt Donnie!
I LOVE MICHIGAN!! My best friend lives in Caro. I wish I was going there too! Have fun!
I LOVE MICHIGAN!! My best friend lives in Caro. I wish I was going there too! Have fun!
I live in Michigan, grew up in Port Huron – not far from Marine City … and I’d be curious to find out which B&B you’ll be staying at as my Aunt & Uncle’s old house was restored and turned into a B&B a few years ago – it’s right on the water in Marine City 🙂
Small world – have a lovely trip!
-Abby
I live in Michigan, grew up in Port Huron – not far from Marine City … and I’d be curious to find out which B&B you’ll be staying at as my Aunt & Uncle’s old house was restored and turned into a B&B a few years ago – it’s right on the water in Marine City 🙂
Small world – have a lovely trip!
-Abby
I knew we were kindred spirits! I was raised in Battle Creek! My folks moved out here just before my 13th birthday. I remember that if you threw a stone you would hit lake – they are everywhere!
I can’t wait to see the pictures!!
I knew we were kindred spirits! I was raised in Battle Creek! My folks moved out here just before my 13th birthday. I remember that if you threw a stone you would hit lake – they are everywhere!
I can’t wait to see the pictures!!
Nicole – I find it interesting that we live on opposite coasts but our roots are in the midwest. I was raised outside of Chicago and we summered on the lakes in Wisconsin. Our vacations sound much like yours – memories that are surely cherished. My brother & I have joined our families for years “up north” and my New England kids love the lakes as much as we did. Enjoy your trip – and family celebration!
Nicole – I find it interesting that we live on opposite coasts but our roots are in the midwest. I was raised outside of Chicago and we summered on the lakes in Wisconsin. Our vacations sound much like yours – memories that are surely cherished. My brother & I have joined our families for years “up north” and my New England kids love the lakes as much as we did. Enjoy your trip – and family celebration!
What a wonderful set of childhood memories you have. You are truly blessed. Sometimes I feel that my quilting is an attemp to recapture the simplicity of the wonderful vacations you describe. Can’t you just picture yourself curling up under a quilt after a day on the lake. The beauty of quilts is that they are never too warm nor too cold. They are simply like being hugged by “love”. Enjoy your visit with your family.
What a wonderful set of childhood memories you have. You are truly blessed. Sometimes I feel that my quilting is an attemp to recapture the simplicity of the wonderful vacations you describe. Can’t you just picture yourself curling up under a quilt after a day on the lake. The beauty of quilts is that they are never too warm nor too cold. They are simply like being hugged by “love”. Enjoy your visit with your family.
I grew up not all that far from Grass Lake – in Battle Creek. You captured the essence of growing up in Michigan really well in this post!!
I grew up not all that far from Grass Lake – in Battle Creek. You captured the essence of growing up in Michigan really well in this post!!
Wonderful memories and pictures!
Have a sweet time. And Happy Birthday to Aunt Donnie and Sara 🙂
Wonderful memories and pictures!
Have a sweet time. And Happy Birthday to Aunt Donnie and Sara 🙂
welcome back to Michigan! I work in Wixom (by Milford) and live just up 96 a bit…I love Madeline – she’s absolutely beautiful. What fabric line did you use on her? I am a relatively new follower on this blog and am so liking your house – beautiful! Hope you enjoy your stay, even though we’ve had much rain. Save travel back!
welcome back to Michigan! I work in Wixom (by Milford) and live just up 96 a bit…I love Madeline – she’s absolutely beautiful. What fabric line did you use on her? I am a relatively new follower on this blog and am so liking your house – beautiful! Hope you enjoy your stay, even though we’ve had much rain. Save travel back!
Wow, there’s a bunch of us from Michigan that follow you. I live in the middle of that state, between Jackson and Battle Creek. I live on a farm so my childhood memories are filled with animals and getting them ready for our county fair. My favorite memories are of taking my horse for a ride at dusk, there’s nothing like a Michigan summer night.
Wow, there’s a bunch of us from Michigan that follow you. I live in the middle of that state, between Jackson and Battle Creek. I live on a farm so my childhood memories are filled with animals and getting them ready for our county fair. My favorite memories are of taking my horse for a ride at dusk, there’s nothing like a Michigan summer night.