we’re outta here. . .

Last Thursday evening we headed north.

We, as in. . . just Mr. E and me!

I was giddy with excitement.

It didn’t even matter that the temperature had plummeted and

the winds began to gust as the rain continued to fall.

Nope. . . didn’t matter a bit.  We were outta here!

The U.P. of Michigan was our destination.

To a little cabin in the woods we found on the internet.

We were very pleased. . .beyond our expectations.

Here are some words which describe our time away. . .

quiet,

relaxing,

hot tub,

fishing,

quiet,

true Finnish sauna (pronounced sow-na),

tranquil scenery,

napping,

did I mention. . .quiet?,

antiques,

togetherness,

Lake Superior waves,

delicious Italian food,

Eddy’s ice cream,

steaks on the BBQ,

walk in the woods,

reading,

coffee on the porch,

antique shops,

history museum,

nostalgic cabin,

and finally yes, I must say it once more. . .

quiet.

The type of get-away we really needed during this busy (and noisy) season of life.

It was wonderful. 

A big thank-you to our praiseworthy parents and amazing Lindsey

who took shifts and cared for our six “chickens”!

Now we’re back to the real world. . .

Happy Monday!

Heather

Lucy Goosey

Yep, Miss Lucy made it here last week.

She even enjoyed a bath last night.

So far I’ve noticed a few things about Lucy:

She can jump. . .far!

She is litter box trained. . .yes!

Her “dad” is absolutely delighting in having her as a pet. . . it’s fun to see.

I’ve had to feed her the last two days. . . .this will change. . . right???

She is anxious to escape her room in the lower level and explore the rest of the house. . .

Then the excitement will really begin around here.

Oh. . and we now have a cattery name. . . Simply Grand Cattery. 

(Thanks Tina. . . .you win the prize. . .1st pick of the next litter? heehee)

Happy Wednesday!

Heather

 

snowshoe what?!

Snowshoe Baseball!

Never heard of it?

It’s a Monday night phenomenon here in small town America.

And yes, the guys really do play baseball with snowshoes on!

And they play very well, too!

popcorn. . . pies. . . pop. . . plenty of people. . .prime-time entertainment (I’m in the mood for alliteration)

Our friend Craig is the pitcher.  He even made a home run!!  Whooo Hoooo!!

That was our Monday night summer entertainment.

The Travel Channel will be filming next week. . . our local claim to fame!

Happy Tuesday,

Heather

 

wedding celebration

It was a fun weekend.

Little Miss A was a flower girl in a wedding.

 

She loved pulling apart playing with her flowers.

Brittany and her sister Lindsey have been our babysitters over the past 12 years.

 

The happy couple were high school sweethearts.

 

It sure was a challenge to get her to look at the camera.

Proud daddy pretty much melts when he sees his little girl.

And the thought of her marrying one day. . . don’t even mention it!

 

Our recycled dress from a friend turned out well.

Thanks for all your seamstress work mom!

As a friend said. . .”She rocked that bow!”

We all had a fun time.

 

And now as the week begins. . . so does our homeschooling.

Gradually. 

Just math today.

Happy Monday!

Heather

Lucy’s comin’ to town

She’ll be here on Thursday.

Who’s that, you ask?

Oh. . . .her name is Lucy. . .our new Bengal cat.

Wait just a minute. . . Back up. . . Hold on. . .

 

A CAT?

Oh. . . You didn’t know we loved cats?

Guess what?

ME NEITHER!!!!!

What is that you’re thinking? 

You thought this was SIMPLY Grand Central?

And adding an animal to the house isn’t SIMPLE????

I know. I KNOW!!

In fact, I could give you a list of 10 reasons why we should not be getting a cat.

BUT. . . . .

After 20 years of marriage I have now learned that The King, Mr. E.,

(or CAT-MAN-DO as I now call him)

looooooves cats. 

And although I am in pursuit of the SIMPLE life. . . .he IS NOT!

A BENGAL cat?

You’ve never heard of the Bengal?

Let me educate you on this breed:

The Bengal cat is a distinct, unique breed of spotted domestic cat derived from the ancestral crossing of a domestic cat such as an Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Burmese or Egyptian Mau with an Asian Leopard Cat. The name "Bengal" is derived from the Latin name of the Asian Leopard Cat, Feline Bengalensis. The domestic Bengal has inherited the exotic, stunningly wild spotted pattern from the Asian Leopard Cat, found in the wild in central Asia. This beautiful breed of cat is very loving, affectionate and friendly whilst retaining the uniqueness of it's wild ancestors.

Loving, affectionate and. . . WILD.

This WILL be interesting!

Would you like to see a picture?

Here she is:

 

Oh. . . .and one more thing.

Mr. Cat-man-do plans on BREEDING Lucy!

So . . .our home is turning into an official “cattery”!

AND. . .we need to come up with a cattery name.

Any suggestions?

That’s my story for today at SIMPLY Grand Central.

Your soon to be cat owner/lover?,

Heather

watching

I took this picture of little Miss A this weekend at the lakeshore while she was waiting and watching for her daddy to return on the fishing boat.  Later it reminded me of the following verse:

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the father.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come.  It’s like a man going away:  He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly do not let me find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone:

‘WATCH!’”

Mark 13:32-37

Heather

Number 10!

The twins celebrated their 10th birthday yesterday!

I remember that day back in 1999 very well.

They both weighed over 8 lbs EACH!

Yes, I was quite large to say the least.

We were very thankful to have two babies who were so healthy.

And I must say. . . I’m glad to be on this side of the ten years.

Living with only a few hours of sleep a day was pretty rough. 

Three kids under two . . . we lived life moment by moment.

God was always faithful.

He took good care of me.

He brought blessings and help along the way just when I needed it.

Back to current day events. . .

They enjoyed opening presents their siblings chose for them.

 

Their present from Dad and Mom when they turn 10?. . . their own BB gun!

 

This was little Miss A’s reaction during the present opening. . . . Where was her present??

Everyone had a candle on their brownie sundae!

  

It was a fun day. 

More fun to come. . . for their 10th birthday they are able to have a “friends” birthday party!

This will take place on Sunday.

I’m tired today.

For Mommy. . . birthday days are exhausting!

Happy Wednesday!

Heather

field trip

We were invited to attend a tour of our county landfill.

Interesting to see where all our “stuff” ends up and how it is recycled.

And we had this awesome tour guide! ;)

 

It was a beautiful summer day, so we had lunch at a nearby park.

And toured through a few historic buildings. . .

Like this one room schoolhouse.

Don’t all homeschool mom’s dress like this each morning?!!

(Yeah, right! I’m lucky to be out of my pajamas!)

Friday summertime fun.  Hope you had some too!

Heather

salad anyone?

The deer have been getting into our garden.

Frustrating.

Apparently lettuce has not been their first choice on the buffet line.

Guess what we’re having for lunch tomorrow?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We read a charming book today.

Owen & Mzee by Isabella & Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu

It’s a true story. . . “of a remarkable friendship” between a turtle and a hippo.

Well, bathtime is done.

  

Don’tcha just love to hug and kiss your clean kids after a bath?!!

I should’ve taken a before picture with blue popsicle stickiness all over her face!

Happy Wednesday!

Heather

I Heart Faces – At the Beach

 

I took this picture on the first day of our recent road trip.

It was a rest stop in the U.P. of Michigan.

Pretty nice rest stop, huh?

The kids loved it.

 

Go HERE to check out I Heart Faces and other fun beach pictures.

Happy Monday!

Heather

 

sunsets

We were able to see  spectacular sunsets on our vacation.

Blessed Sunday,

Heather

a sweet treat

Another of our vacation traditions is stopping by the famous Captain Sundae.

We always order the Tommy Turtle.

If you ever find yourself in Holland,Michigan during the summer months. . . you must stop!

Even President Bush stopped by for a Tommy Turtle.

 

(P.S.  We also order “extra pecans”. . . simply divine.  I’m still “workin’” them off!)

Happy Saturday,

Heather

happy 40th!

Our vacation began with a celebration.

My sister’s 40th birthday.

We were going to surprise her at their family cottage but decided to let her know we were coming.

Good thing. . .

She planned all the meals!

She even made Huckleberry Buckle and a delicious chocolate cake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My sister and I had a total of 9 kids in 10 years!

Only 1 is still in diapers. 

We’re movin’ forward!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their cottage has a bunk house where the older boys slept.

And it has this really cool outdoor shower!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They have a Portuguese Water Dog named “Marco”.

He is the easiest dog I’ve ever been around. . .doesn’t bark, doesn’t shed, doesn’t jump.

But sorry guys, I’m still not ready to add a dog to our family.

I know, I know, I’m just NO FUN AT ALL!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all gave my sister charms for her new Chamilia bracelet. 

Check it out. . .they are so personal.  I love it.

Guess what’s next on my wish list. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My sister is now visiting by me. . . and helping me with a garage sale.

What a great sister, huh?  Wonderful in many ways.

Birthday Blessings . . .  40 looks maaavelous on you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday in July everybody!

Heather