oops, missed a huge boat.

Cool racing boat in Chicago.  I think Mike would buy it if I said ok.  Of course, I will not!

We were in Chicago last week for the Midwest Acquirers conference.  Three years ago they awarded me a lifetime achievement award.  This year they asked me back to be on a panel with the other awardees: Bob Carr, Kim Fitzsimmons, Donna Embry, Dan Neistedt.  Good conference.

Mike and I had a chance to visit the Chicago Yacht Club and have lunch and see some of the yachts getting ready for the 104th running of the Chicago to Mackinac Race.  One stop was Garretts for Chicago mix popcorn, carmel and cheese together.  Yum.

My first harvest

Here is a photo of my first 2 tomatoes of the 2012 season.  Other photo is of the fruit of our buddies farm (Carpenter Farm in Three Rivers MI).  They were nice enough to share some of their harvest with me.  We also got cukes, zucchini, okra from them.

This is a busy summer!

Here are some photos of my yard and tomato plants.  I took these last week and when I got back from Chicago yesterday I had red, almost ready fruit.  I picked a couple and they are here too.

The yard is doing well despite the hot and dry weather.  I guess the natives are drought tolerant which is what I wanted.  Lots of lavendar (not native), St. John's wart, black eye susan's, bee balm etc.

A couple of new things to do at the lake

Last night we went to dinner at THe Cove in Leland, great location, ok food.  I did have my Fishtown White however with the almond butter whitefish and it was a good pairing.
Then we went to hear Ross Richardson discuss his find of the shipwreck Westmoreland.  Check it out at michiganmysteries.com
We have discovered estate sales and are having some fun shopping them.  What I notice is that a lot of people buy stuff they never use or even open the box.  Today we got a nice salad bowl set for the beach, an acrylic wine cooler, and a sailboat and shelf which looks nice by the back door. Oh and a bocci ball set which Mike is trying to use for his monkey fist artwork.  The heavy balls should make perfect doorstops.Note to me, only buy what you need or someone else will buy it at 60% off at your yard sale someday.
I did get the "perfect donut" today at the Shop and Save. See previous posts for photos. I just love this turtle donut.
I continue to get a few consulting gigs. Just when it seems to calm down, someone calls with a project.

Early summer fun

The early spring hot weather caused the strawberry crop to be early quickly followed by raspberries. Today I went to Eden Hill Farm to pick both and can't wait to make shortcake tonight!
I did taste a few in the field although I think this is a bit like cheating.  I used to pick with my Dad years ago up here and he always "tested" the berries.

Those of you in CA will notice our berries are quite a bit smaller,  but no GMO, no pesticides.  The flavor is excellent and since I picked them myself they taste even better. You gotta love taking an iPhone into the field!

Winter fun. Feast at Lele, Maui

Only growing some basil on my lanai.
Wondering what the warm winter in Beulah means for my garden this year.