.... one week of warp speed canning. Labor Day was a day of intensive labor around here as family rallied to learn and help get tomatoes canned and applesauce made. We were anticipating a much needed mini vacation the following week and things needed to be caught up before we left. Daughter in law Kristie, and grand daughters Marlie Jo and Victoria happily pitched in, learned about canning, and helped more than they will ever know, to get the job done. Tomato juice, V-8 juice, applesauce, apple juice and peach jam were all added to the canned goods already on the shelves. Apples that were ready were picked, some giant sized Ginger Golds. They are delicious to eat fresh and most of them will be used up that way. This is the first year for any quantity off that tree and we are delighted with what it produced. Yum. We had things all wrapped up by Wednesday night, late, but all taken care of. All set to leave for our long weekend (the weekend AFTER Labor Day) at the '80 with Jon and Kristie and the 4 grand children...and 3 dogs!
The weather was beautiful after the air was cleansed by a refreshing rain on Thursday evening. Morning brought some clouds that cleared later in the day. Everyone enjoyed every aspect of the 3 days we had together in the wide open spaces of that 80 acres of property. Campfires, lots of laughs and conversation, nature trails, hikes, rides, visits with friends and food. What more could we possibly have asked for?
Sunday found us closing things down at the cabin, and sending our dogs and our son and daughter in law and family on their way home as we made our way North to Mackinaw City for a few days just to relax and rest and recuperate a little. As we traveled we noticed the first hints of fall, tree leaves beginning to turn colors. If the trees we noticed are any indication, this will be a brilliant and colorful autumn. The first trees to color, we noticed, are vivid purple red in color. Making us look forward to the change of the season even more.
Digging out.....The weather was near perfect as we enjoyed Sunday through Wednesday reacquainting ourselves with the sights and sounds of the big lakes. I had some treasure hunting hours...wishing I could report having dug out treasure....it was good fun regardless. I will say, I won't buy my next Metal Detector any time soon with the "treasures" I dug out! While I searched for buried treasure, Tom relaxed with binoculars in hand scouts the high seas, er, Great Lakes, for evidence of oncoming vessels. One was sighted but turned out to be a smaller freighter than expected, and it made a turn toward the island before coming close enough for any good pictures.
Tom toured the Icebreaker Mackinaw, recently decommissioned, and permanently docked in the marina at Mackinaw City, to be used now as a tour museum. He found it very interesting. I managed to get into the ship gift shop without incident. I made an effort to scope out the second deck, maneuvering the rather steep incline of the ladder OK. However as soon as I planted my feet on that second deck and stood straight to take it all in a quick descent was in order. My head became dizzy with the height and the moving water below. I was all done with my mini tour and made a quick retreat. I did not stop to make any further observations, and with haste moved to the other side of the ship where I found my exit and was happily back on shore to wait for Tom's return. Realizing age does not improve some things...my balance, sense of health and well being and ability to appreciate and enjoy heights for example. All still as acutely and
The light house tour was yet another "Too High Up" tale. Suffice it to say, the very tippy top of the light house, up where the business of the lighthouse takes place will have to left to those less altitude challenged. If it were up to me the poor ships captains would be very much without a landmark at my designated post. A lighthouse keeper I would never be. 
We met a nice Mennonite couple at breakfast Wednesday morning. A nice way to draw our visit to a close. They were both born and raised Amish, and just after they married left the Amish community to take their place in the Mennonite congregation. An interesting conversation. Faith in Christ is first and foremost, obedience to the Scriptures and living out their faith is their goal. A common bond in Christ is quick to be appreciated when it's found. Our day began well with that. We packed up, checked out, made a few last minute purchases and then were on our way.Our trip home was not a direct path. We stopped to see friends from church now serving Christ at Camp CoBeAc, at Houghton Lake. We had a wonderful lunch, good fellowship, appreciation of active wildlife around them, entertainment provided by Simba and Booger, a guided tour of the camp and too soon, good byes had to be said. One more quick stop and then the last leg of the journey home.
Upon our arrival home we did a quick inspection of things...all seemed to be in order and we are rested and ready to play catch up starting tomorrow. We both agreed it was a very relaxing, much needed get away. Lots of pictures to remember good times. Ahhh. Time to Get back into the swing of things....
Digging up...tomorrow we have planned to dig up potatoes!!!! After the official crating is completed, the Annual French Fry commences. Potates cut, or otherwise damaged or in danger of not keeping well, will be made into french fries to be consumed immediately following the hard work of digging and putting the potatoes into crates for storage. That is a family affair if we can possibly arrange it. "Many hands makes light work" applies here. We'll let you know later how that works out.
And now back to our regularly scheduled craziness. Rested, relaxed and really ready to get on with what ever is God's next appointment for us.
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