Icicles

It's still cold, but quite beautiful outside.

Chevron Package

Amway 22

Downtown Grand Rapids

Hangin' With My Cousin

The B.O.B.

They're taking over!!....

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Or, at least HE is...

Snow drift

We might board up this window next year...

One option on a cold, winter night...

Baking chocolate-chocolate chip cookies

Small, Snowy Cove

Good Harbor Beach, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Lake Leelanau--The Straits

A pleasant stop on my way home from church...

Winter in Fishtown

What a great day spent with visiting family.

Holding On Tight...

Haven't gotten around to taking down the Christmas decorations yet...suppose I'll do it soon. In the meantime, I'm enjoying having them up a little longer. The Christmas season is a happy one!

Cat Chornicles

Accordi-cat

Another Over

I can't seem to take down our tree yet. Because we're in a new house and don't have all of our belongings here yet, our tree is a little bare. But it's OURS.

Polar Vortex Warrior

Despite the negative temperatures and then the added windchill, the sun and some blue sky managed to peak through the clouds.

Polar Vortex

I think I took this around 2 or 3 p.m. today. As of right now, there are 190 school closings either because of the heavy snowfall or because of the temperatures--this includes Mackinac Island (with no cars and their mode of transportation in the winter being snowmobiles, they never have any snow days.)

Looks like a great day to hunker down with a good book or movie and drink some tea.

Staying Warm

Some layer their clothing.

Some grab a blanket.

Others may drink some tea or hot cocoa.

Then there are those....

...who plaster themselves to a wood stove.




**Disclaimer: No animals were harmed in the taking of this photo. We've tried prying him away, but to no avail.

Trying Something New

I'm a runner and have heard that yoga can be very beneficial. Runner's World posted a link on Facebook to their Yoga Center webpage, and I took the bait.

As you can see, I've finished "Class 1" and will probably do it a few more times before moving onto "Class 2". I can see this becoming a part of my route. My body does feel stretched and a little more relaxed.

Ultimate Sledding

It. was. epic.

So epic, that I even tried uploading a video, but something went wrong, so no video. You still have the pre-sledding photo, though!

I've been going to the Dune Climb in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore since I was a kid...but always in the summer. In the winter part of the parking lot is plowed out for parking and you can go sledding. I've dreamed of doing this since I was a kid, and today was the day that I fulfilled my dream. I must admit that I was not the one to take this photo (obviously, since I'm the one in the tan colored coat in this photo.) Bryan took it from the warmth of the car.

It's a Piratey Kind of Day...

Why? Well, just because! Bryan decided to tie the red sash around his head. Then when he did, he decided that he looked like a pirate. He did this about an hour or so ago, and he's still wearing it. He's always doing crazy random things like this. It's one of the many reasons that I love him!

Michigan State University: ROSE BOWL CHAMPS!

It's a proud day in Spartan Nation...one that's 26 years in the making: Michigan State University has won the Rose Bowl! I've been a Spartan Fan ever since I've known what college is, and have many family members, along with myself, that are proud alumni. OF COURSE I was looking to support my team today!

With that being said, what does one do when one goes to the store and can't find an MSU flag to hang out doors in support of one's team? Why, create your own item to hang up! A little coardboard plus leftover Christmas lights (along with some drafting experience--thanks Bryan!--and a little bit of time) and voila! A homemade "S" to hang in the window!

GO GREEN!!!