Need Spices?

I've either been having the UP girls pick me up spices from their local co-ops or stocking up myself when I'm up there. When you buy them in bulk, they cost pennies compared to the store. I decided to check out a local spot that had "Bulk Spices" on their sign. (Thanks to Laura K. for her heads-up on this place.) You can't pick your amount of spices like the co-op but they have different size bags for very low prices! For example you can buy a bag of basil that is equivalent to about 2-3 bottles from the grocery store for less than $3.00. They have ground cardamon and cardamon in the pod. I told him that I like to buy just the seeds and grind them myself. He said they could order them but I'm set on cardamon right now. I also bought some homemade Bratwurst from there. Now, I'm not a Brat's fan but those were excellent! They make all their own sausages and have a lot of interesting seasoning mixes, sauces, etc. So check them out! It's called Great Lakes, Butcher Supply. It's on M-59 right next to where the Country Store use to be. (I noticed on their website, greatlakesbutchersupply.com that they even make Potato Sausage! I will have to try it.)

The Goof Loves to Swim at Night

The house mouse sits in the nice cool house all day long. Listens to his music and books at top volume, driving everyone nuts! Then when it's time to go to bed, he wants to go swimming. He tries to get Jeanie to go with him but she said she gets "creeped out" swimming in the dark.

Okay, I'm going to try to update this blog more. Gretchy has moved to the north country. I know as time goes, she will be getting lonesome for home. Brett left today. So we will try to let them see what's going on here. (okay, for the rest of you kids, too.) Crazy......we only have four kids at home. As soon as Kaitlin gets a new car or her current one running, she'll be gone also.

Grape Salad

I received this recipe from my friend Colleen. Unfortunately, I can't stop eating it.

GRAPE SALAD

2 lbs grapes (I used half red and half green)
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 16 oz. sour cream
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar

Combine softened cream cheese with sour cream and sugars.
Fold in grapes and nuts, save a few tablespoons nuts for garnishing.

Serve well chilled.

Danny's Trivia

Danny was watching Gretchen, Paul and Molly play Phase 10. Then out of the blue he says:

"Gretchen.....What kind of bear builds a nest?"

Gretchen: Is this a joke?

Danny: No

Gretchen: Ummmmm, a Koala Bear?

Danny: No

Paul: A polar bear?

Danny: No

Molly: A grizzly bear?

Danny: No

Gretchen: What kind?

Danny: a sun bear. Google it.

So we did. It is quite an interesting bear. I asked him how he knows it builds nests and he said to google "sun bear nests" and when we did we saw a rare video of a sun bear building a nest up in a tree.

I asked him where he learned this and he said, "from my book." Matt and Emily gave him an Animal Encyclopedia a few years ago and he must have been reading it the other day. Sometimes he really surprises me.

Tahquamenon Falls

Danny's buddy Brian. This guy was at a booth sharing information on different things. As I walked up, Dan was in the middle of a conversation with Brian. He was asking Danny about school and visiting like crazy. When I told him how Danny was into "facts" he gave him several interesting brochures on Lake Superior and other nature things. Brian than shared that he teaches special needs kids. Danny is still talking about "my buddy Brian".

Camping

We enjoyed 11 days at this State Park. All but four of the kids and their families joined us for the first weekend. Mom and Dad came for a few days after the kids left. This is a really nice park. It's right on Muskallonge Lake but Lake Superior is right across the road. It would be a great meeting place for any family. There are cabins only a mile down the road for any non-campers.
Family camping.
The girls brought up some local sweet corn.
Enjoying Lake Superior.
Kendall enjoying her bath.
Mom and Dad camped with us for a few days.


Molly and Gretch starting a fire.
Danny listening to his music.
Swimming in the waves at Grand Marais. (A father and son drowned here that same day....)
(Out of order....Me and Danny "fishing" at Driggs River.
Stopped at Pretty Lake.
Pretty Lake.
Fishing at Driggs River off Seney stretch.
Molly at Driggs River.
Jeanie and Gretchen at Driggs.
Taking a supper break at Perch Lake.
Jeanie and Dad fishing at Perch Lake.
Packing up to go home.