Fam Love

These pics are a little old- my fault.  But, I couldn't help posting them cause them make me smile.  We had a little family b-day celebration for myself and my Uncle Howard back in March.

Birthday buddies

Uncle Howard receives a classic Dad gift.

Molly definitely enjoyed the party.

So did Henry.

And, of course, my Mom had to cause trouble by introducing this bizarre game into the mix.

Purchased at the dollar store, naturally.

You push the guys down and when they pop back up, you try to catch them in the air with the handled baskets.  

So basically, these pointy, plastic projectiles exploding in your face as you try frantically to catch them.

My mom was never one to worry too much about things like "putting your eye out."  Usually, she is encouraging someone to do something wildly inappropriate- like "hey, if you put Grandma's wig on and let me take a picture of it, I'll pay you a dollar" type things.  OR, she is trying to light something on fire- seriously!  The lady is a pyro.

Needless to say, I love her.

Henry and I didn't do to bad, but Hen was definitely better at it than I.

XOXO

BBQ & Beer, Babes & Boys, BOWLING!

CJ and I went to Ann Arbor on Saturday to have a fun send off for my dear friend Jess before she moves to Texas.  To study birds.  On an animal sanctuary.  In the middle of nowhere.  For six months.  In Texas!  That girl really loves her some nature, I'll tell you what.

Me, CJ, Jess & Jess' b.f. Joe went to the Blue Tractor.

From upper left: coasters (duh), beer sampler, fried pickles, angus sliders

It was pretty good, and I liked that it had kind of a Texas-y vibe, since that's where Jess is headed.  You know, cause there was beer and BBQ and it was called the Blue Tractor.  Sounds Texas-y to me, anyway!  Plus, there were fried pickles, so that was all I really needed to be sold on the place.

Jess: lover of nature and wildlife.  Also, owner of a super cool octopus bracelet that I want to steal!

THEN, we did this!

And lemme tell you, that sign speaks the truth.  It really is always a party at Colonial Lanes...especially on a Saturday night!  Even if you're not bowling, the people watching is worth checking out.

Neon, neon!

Action shot!  CJ goes for it.  Um, also in this shot you can see the TV above the lane, which I thought was totally weird and distracting.  I blame my super, SUPER low score on TV related distraction.

For those of you who did not go to middle school with Jess, one of her many nicknames is Sloth.  Draw your own conclusions...

Insert your favorite Big Lebowski quote here.  My favorite is "Dude, you're being very un-dude like."  Also, I love "Donnie, you're out of your element!"  So, basically any John Goodman line.

Action shot!  Joe throws one with intensity.  Apparently he wasn't distracted by the huge TV.

We didn't win any Angry Birds, BUT we still had fun!  We'll miss you Jess! xoxo

Happy 175th Anniversary to Michigan!

I make no secret of the fact that I am kind of obsessed with Michigan (hence the subject matter of this blog)!  There is no where else my husband CJ and I would rather live- unless, of course, we won the lottery, in which case we would immediately move to Oahu, build a giant beachy mansion, forget what snow is, get breakfast at Ted's everyday and drink mai tais all day long until the end of time...

ANYWAY, I digress.

Back to the Mitten.  Where the fun never stops.  Seriously.  Where else can you...

SEE THINGS LIKE THIS!

Ambassador Bridge, Summer 2011

Hockey Night at the Joe- go Wings!

CJ: Corktown.  Detroit, MI

Lake Charlevoix- Sunset.

The beautiful Depot- Detroit.

Me with a vintage beauty- Boyne Falls, MI.

CJ captures a scavenger's work- Southfield, MI.

Self explanatory- Up North!

GO AND EAT *THINGS/AT PLACES* LIKE THIS!

Lafayette Coney Island

Lake Street Market- Boyne City, Up North

Hard Luck Candy Vodka- made in the Mitten.

Astro Coffee, Corktown, Detroit

Polish Village Cafe, Hamtramck 

Super patriotic cakes (made by me) with Michigan berries

Dutch Girl Donuts- 7 Mile & Woodward

HAVE FRIENDS & FAMILY LIKE THIS!

Me & Mom- Up North!

The Fam- X-Mas 2011

NYE 2011

Me & Sis (full disclosure- not in Michigan, but NYC)

CJ & I in an X-Mas eve pile up w/ Jaclyn (best sister in law ever!!) and our crazy cousins!

Jess & me- Pine Knob, where it all began...

Future Homemakers of America Club- me & Erica

CJ with Pruitt.  One of his best friends...

...and one of mine!

Me & CJ on our first date- Michigan State Fair.  xo

Michigan: America's high five...

The great state of Michigan is an amazing place.  It's got lakes, and cars, and beaches, and snow, and Woodward Avenue, and cherry trees, and Up North.  

It's got the seasons- all four of them: white out winter, green gray spring, yellow summer and golden fall.

It's got heart.  It's got soul.  It's got Motown, and rock and roll.  

It's got Detroit- that's right Detroit: the new frontier, the Paris of the Midwest, that gorgeous old city on the river with its brick streets, ancient statues, endless history.  The city that people are trying to revive, renew.  The place that people are rebuilding brick by brick, house by house, garden by garden, street by street.  

And most importantly, Michigan's got the the people we love (not all of them- definitely not all, but a pretty good amount of them)!

This blog is an account of our life and the things that we love in this great state.*

*and sometimes other places too!

Spring- time to come out of hibernation!

Summer- great lakes, great times.

Fall- time to eat: candy, "turkey", donuts/cider & Polish popsicle (pickle on a stick)!

Winter- a complete wonderland.