"Uh, Mike...what is that?!

This weekend was spent doing yard work. It is really the first time since we moved in that we have been able to spend a whole weekend just working on the outside of the house. On Saturday, we took down a big crab apple tree that was blocking the entire front half of the house. There is finally sunlight in my living room and it makes the entire house seem brighter!
We also took down about a dozen smaller trees and trimmed up about a half dozen others. We trimmed all the hedges and bushes, planted some hostas, mowed the lawn, etc. It really is starting to look better and I can't wait til next Spring when we can really concentrate on the landscape.
Anyway, in the course of working in the back yard yesterday, I was standing by the shed and I noticed something in the woods, right at the grass line. As I was staring at it, I realized that it looked like a bobcat. Now, I have never seen a bobcat in real life but what I was looking at was no house kitty but it wasn't a cougar or coyote either. Mike was close by and once I got him to focus on the cat, we both couldn't believe our eyes! A BOBCAT!? In Michigan? In our suburban neighborhood? I tried to run inside to grab the camera but by the time I returned, the animal had walked off deeper into the woods and I was not about to go looking for it...
It was crazy...I know that we have deer, rabbits, squirrels, and other woodland creatures in our yard and neighborhood but a bobcat is just insane. I really hope that I can catch a glimpse of it again...and then again, maybe not!

Falling Leaves

As Mike and I were working hard to finish putting the shingles up on the roof of the shed Sunday, I noticed movement behind me. When I turned around, the biggest smile crept across my face. Here was Lauren, running around the yard with an old laundry basket that they use for their sand toys. I quickly realized what she was up to.... the wind was pretty feisty at that moment and some of the early leaves were falling off the trees in our back yard. She was trying to catch them in her basket.

She was so engrossed in her mission. So joyous each time she caught one. So completely oblivious to anyone watching her. It was perfect and I loved every minute. These are the moments that I cherish being a mother, when the great emotions of pride, devotion and love bubble up and out. Just to be in that moment is enough.

To the wonder and joy of children....

Braces of the World Unite

Brace Family Reunion

On Saturday, we made our way up to Baldwin, MI for a family reunion with the Brace side of the family. Although I can't be positive, I do not believe that there is anyone still living from Mike's Grandparents generation. Most of the family represented are the surviving children, mostly born in the 40's and 50's. Family flew in from Alaska, Washington, Canada and from all over Michigan to be there. It was interesting that Mike & I and Tim & Erin were only ones there to represent our generation and the twins are the only children, period, of the next generation.

Connie and Joe's "cabin" is heavenly. Located on a quiet lake, with their own private beach, wonderful open deck and walkway down to the water, first class accommodations in an all wood-designed house-does it get any better? Plus, they live in FL in the cold months! Sign me up! Anyway, the food was great, the company pleasant and the conversations flowed easily. I look forward to the next time we can all get together and hopefully more family members will be inclined to join us! Wish that we could have stayed longer....

The New Shed

We needed to build a shed on our property to keep all of our lawn and garden equipment stored in. Our garage is for cars, but you wouldn't know it. We haven't had a car in the garage since we moved in and it was starting to get really annoying. But, we couldn't do anything until we had a place to move almost 1/2 the garage into. The solution: a 10 x 10 shed kit.

We built the framing for the floor ourselves using 4x4's on the exterior and treated 2x4's up the middle. Then we used 3/4 in. treated plywood for the floor. The shed kit itself went up pretty easily and with help from Mike's Dad, Shaun, and the girls (*wink*), in no time, we had space again. The only thing left to do is to put up the shingles and build a mini-ramp so it's easier to get the riding lawn mower in and out.

All in all, we are pretty happy with it. I think that if we would have built it by hand, we would have made a few design modifications, but the functionality is there, and that's the important part. So, happy shed and happy garage!