Post Labor Day blues

Well, it still feels like summer but many boats are out and docks too.  No traffic around the lake and some leaves are turning color. The berries are gone and apples are ready to pick.  Corn is gone all too soon also.

This weekend is the Stompede on Leelanau peninsula and we will taste foods and wines from 16 wineries.  It is time for the grapes to be harvested and wine to be drunk!

We will stay longer this year but there is still a bit of sadness to fall as winter is not far behind.

Corvette on Parade in Mackinaw City, MI

Big fun in Mackinaw at the annual Corvette rally.  We joined 10 other cars from our area club for a sunny, hot day at the Straits.  There were over 300 cars and they were all over the city, most with tops down or TTops off in my case.  The 81 rode well and made it over the bridge and back with all the others to end a fun day.  I think I need to purchase more Vette wear as everyone was decked out in shirts matching the color of their cars.

Glacier National Park June 2012

We visited the park early this year on our way to the lake.  Dropped off a trailer full of stuff for Matt in Missoula then off to Whitefish Lake and Glacier Park.  It was cold and the Park was mostly closed.  We had to buy jackets to stay warm.

Buckely Old Engine Show

Here is a photo from the show.  Over 2000 old tractors parade around the grounds.  We love it and took Ben and our friends Sally and Ron Carpenter who happen to own tractors.  There is a great flea market where I buy Tupperware, Fiesta Ware and eat fair type food.  Yum.
It is always the 3rd weekend in August.  Old time, rural fun at it's best.

A summer of music

Here is a shot of the final performance of the summer for the Interlochen Center for the Arts.  Wonderful performance of Beethovens 9th and Les Preludes/Liszt. Yes those are ballerinas on the roof of the outdoor bowl.
We have seen Martina McBride, the World Youth Symphony, Garrison Keillor, faculty jazz recitals and are waiting for Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs!  Tailgating has become a regular event and we try to bring homeade goodies each time.  Screw top wine is also a good choice.
Northern MI is surrounded by talented people from singers to artists and we are lucky to be able to attend so many events. 
This weekend the Congregational Summer Assembly (at Crystal since 1901) will perform South Pacific with Ken Cox (a member of CSA) and a world renown basso.  We have also attended concerts by a french harpist and a local 15 yr opera singer at CSA.  Even their Sunday services are amazing with a 40 voice choir lead by Ken Cox.

V 1 has an accident

Not the fault of the driver/owner.  Someone left some old paneling on US31 and it flew up and hit the front of the 1981 Vette.  She had to go to the repair shop on this one and luckily the insurance paid for it.  I am sure I have paid way more in insurance on this car then I will ever get back!

She is finished and thanks to Hastings St Collision, looking better than ever.  Thanks to Walt and the guys at the Northern MI Corvette Club who suggested Walt and the team.

Zucchini Before and After

Giant Zucchini from the Carpenter Farm in Three Rivers.  On our way back from Chicago, we raided the farm for this veg and I decided to make bread.  Yum!  Found a good recipe in the Perrysburg ( Ohio ) cookbook my sister gave me years ago. Easy and fun to make after I  bought a salad spinner/mandoline combo from Costco/Sharper Image.  There was even enough left for sauteed zucchini the other night for dinner.  More thanks to Ron and Sally.