Sailing Lesson in Harbor Springs Michigan. Not for us but the cute little sailboats were all lined up and awaiting an eager group of youngsters. An even better picture was all the colorful backpacks slung over the picket fence----one after another---but I felt a little awkward interupting the ground school that was sitting in front of the fence taking a lesson from the teen-aged sailors before they hit the waves.

I don't think I am exagerating when I say that Ohio tomatoes are the best by far! The juiciest, best tasting out of any I have tasted! I just wish we had them 12 months out of the year because those grocery store tomatoes don't come close. These are heirloom tomatoes and although they are not as "pretty" as some, they are delicious. They almost have a blackish tinge to them but the taste is out of this world!!!! To be fair, we bought the seedlings in Indiana----but they grew in Ohio soil and I think that is what counts!

"Well", said Pooh---"what I like best"------and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.-Winnie the Pooh

We have Honey. Not in this picture, which is a new box that has honeycombs under construction but in the lower boxes--Honey! We opened the hive today and it was a very pleasant, peaceful experience. It was a sunny, calm day---around noon. A lot of the bees were out foraging and those in the hive were very calm. We used the smoker but I really don't think we needed it. We wore our bee suits---and I really-------don't think I would go without it. And you thought I was going to say I didn't need it. I probably didn't but I feel a lot more confident wearing it and don't trust what I would do if the bees start flying in my face without my netting. I feel very maternal watching the bees drink the sugar water as I pour it into the feeder. They gather and drink as if at a fountain and I am sure if I could see their faces, they would look grateful. Well, maybe not.

Farmer's Market's everywhere are in full splendor. We found a new favorite in Michigan--Bill's Farm Market.It is worth it to go just for the photo opportunities. But look at that glorious purple cauliflower. And those Transparent Apples. That is a blast from the past--I remember my Mom and her sister ALWAYS using those in pies. The view is from the back of the market---so peaceful.

Another lesson from the sidewalks of Charlevoix! I took a picture of each one! "You are Never too Old to set another goal or to dream a New Dream" Love it!!

Part of the fun of being in Upper Michigan is sunset. No matter where you are--if you are in vicinity of the water----you amble on over to Land's End, drop what you are doing and watch as the sun drops into the Lake. More and more people gather as the sun is dropping and then wait until all that is left is a golden glow---and applaud God for his beautiful creation. Then we all turn and resume our activities and become strangers again. Life is Always GREAT at that moment!!

Everything you need to know about life can be found on the sidewalks of Charlevoix. One nite we were strolling at sunset and came across an entire block full of life's lessons. Like this one----Each day comes with 86,000 seconds. Tick-Tock!

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We are back home after seven wonderful days in Upper Michigan with our bicycles and lots of gorgeous weather. But let's make this perfectly clear---it wasn't all excercise and fitness. Oh no. There is a store called American Spoon Foods that sells homemade Gelato. It is indescribably good----rich and creamy and bursting with flavor. Unfortunately I am always drawn to the same flavor and miss an entire freezer case of other tastes. I did cut back a little---usually I have the medium cup with Chocolate--Ginger--Coconut. This year I had the small cup with Chocolate and Ginger. The Ginger is excellent. Dan had Wildflower Honey and Hazelnut and the second time it was Wildflower Honey and Mint Chocolate Chip. But we left behind and never tried so many other flavors. Next time!

Soooooo----life is reduced to this. Signage to remind me to obey. It all started several Friday's ago as I was hurrying home from work---hurrying as in 52 in a 35 zone. Or so the policeman told me. I saw him going the other way and he threw his hands up in exasperation as if to say "What the----". At that point I knew I was a marked woman. When I saw him turning around in a driveway I knew there was no way out. But being so close to home I stayed on course---with reduced speed. He followed me home with lights a flashin'---right into my driveway. I remember thinking this probably wasn't such a great idea in full view of the neighbors. So I did the only thing I could think of---I acted really sick and told him that was the reason for my speed. That resulted in a lecture and a "WELL THAT IS THE WORST TIME TO SPEED---WHEN YOU ARE SICK" So he took my license to the squad car and I texted my husband "In driveway getting ticket". I KNEW he would come to my rescue and say "it's OK officer, I will take it from here". NOT. I saw the garage door open a peep and knew he was watching from safety. The officer then proceeded to say to me very loudly "DO YOU KNOW YOU DON"T HAVE A TICKET ON THIS LICENSE". Of course I knew that------the license was only a year old, if you recall. But he gave me a rather stern warning and left. I was rather proud of the "not having a ticket" part of the ordeal but the next day I caught myself speeding again and so----a little note to remind me

Still in Food Preservation Mode! Green Beans-----lots and lots of green beans. So much so that a certain member of our household asked if there was something else we could fill the freezer with besides green beans! But I happen to love green beans----so if that certain member of the household prefers another vegetable to preserve----well, the kitchen is available-------

Salsa---HOT--is canned and labeled and put away. I think I take as much pleasure in picking out the labels online as I do in canning itself!!! But the next batch will be a little milder!

It's time to make the Salsa! Unfortunately I ended up buying tomatoes because I was impatient to start canning. I have been a little spoiled in years past by just picking what I needed that I got a little sticker shock at the Farmer's Market. Is is just me or are local tomatoes a little pricey? I saw a vendor selling homegrown tomatoes for $1.50 each. One tomato at $1.50? That seems outrageous. A customer questioned if it was a mis-label and walked away and the vendor yelled "just because you can find one cheaper doesn't mean it will be better". I didn't pay that much but I will wait till ours are ready before I can some more. I think I got a little carried away with the Jalapeno peppers though--it is a little HOT!

It is wonderful to have a retired neighbor with a beautiful garden who leaves produce on our deck. It is icing on the cake to have this same neighbor leave appropriate recipes accompanying the produce. Tomato Bread! French bread topped with tomatoes, black olives and cheese and then broiled. I will be trying this on the weekend!!!!

Blueberry time at the Farmer's Market! And they look so pretty with the glowing blue against the green container in the morning sun. I didn't do anything special with them except eat them out of hand. Ok, I shared them with Dan, but I ate most of them. A blueberry pie sure sounds good though!

Welcome to Pearson Park! Apparently the park service has a new greeter--and better than the Walmart Greeter! A speckled little beauty wandered out of the woods as we drove by on our bicycles and paused long enough for me to take a picture!