The most Southern Michigander you've ever seen...

Just some random thoughts while my camera battery is recharging. I often joked before we moved up here that there should be a Living in the North 101 class. The class could answer many useful questions. For example...

What's a sump pump?

How do you prevent your basement from flooding?

How do you drive in the snow?

Why do all the cars rust out from winter exposure and how do you prevent it?

What's a Michigan left?

Why do so few people know how to drive in a round-about and how do you keep from dying while driving in Motor City?

How do you work a furnace?

How do you leave the house with your funace on, knowing that there's an open lit gas flame ready to make your house explode?

What is this season you call autumn?

What is this season you call winter?

How on earth do you stay warm?

Why am I wearing my warmest winter clothes in OCTOBER??

Why were there snow flurries this week in Ann Arbor in OCTOBER??

Why don't the schools close when it snows in OCTOBER??

etc.

etc.

I have learned the answers to some of these questions, and am still pondering others. In case you were wondering, I'm the most southern person I know right now. This is very ironic to me because when I lived in Texas I always prided myself on not being "Southern."

I am from Dallas/Fort Worth, and other than my four year stay in Waco when I developed a bit of a twang, I have never had a Texas accent. I typically prefer urban areas (except the mountains or beaches!). I prefer NorthPark mall over the smell of cow poop. I don't own cowboy boots (sadly), and I haven't riden a horse in a really, really long time. And I don't drive a truck (even though I really miss the one Adam used to drive).

But in Michigan, I am Southern. I don't know what it is, but I suddenly identify with my Texas roots. Everyone who has met me knows I am from Texas, and I compare everything to Texas.

So, you might ask... What does it mean to be a Southern Michigander?

Well, I am still figuring that out. I like being a little different, even if I don't really know why. But I do know that it means I am always cold despite my warmest gear. Apparently it takes a full year to acclimate.

VIVA LA TEJAS!! :)

A Day of Fun

We spent Saturday hiking at a state park. We saw the leaves at the perfect time and it was a beautiful day.

I am not sure if Jake was trying to get a closer look at the lake, or keep from falling in...maybe a little of both. Silly puppy! He LOVED hiking and was such a good boy. He stayed on the trails and led the way very well for our little group.
We ate lunch and ran around off-leash at a picnic area near the lake.

After hiking we went to Frankenmuth, a little Bavarian town near the state park (no pics).

All in all, a perfect day!

I am so glad we were able to spend this time together outside. It is getting really cold, so we got some wonderful outside time in before it was too late.

It's almost here...

The autumn colors are almost in their peak, and it is absolutely incredible to behold. This is the view from our house.

Jake and I were out photographing the trees today. He wasn't being the most cooperative because he wanted to roll in the leaves, but I finally got him still enough for a picture. You can tell he isn't happy by his ears. :) Then we heard the honk of a car horn and Jake was so excited because he saw...

DADDY!

Jake and I hang out when I get home from school, but our favorite time of day is when Adam gets home. This is one of the few times he has been able to make it home before dark lately, and Jake was so excited to get some love from his daddy. In between pets he zoomed and zoomed around our yard. I think the cooler weather has given him a wild hair!

How 'bout them apples?

Autumn is my favorite season of the year. I love the weather and the corresponding clothing, the colors of nature, the candle scents, and the produce, just to name a few. I am convinced that I now live in one of the most beautiful states in the country. The weather has really cooled (which could explain why I am currently sick!) and the leaves are just hinting at a coming color change. Down the street from our house, there are several apple trees. Jake and I walked down one day to pick some apples and see if they were edible- which he confirmed that they are!

Last weekend Adam and I went to an apple orchard, which is apparently a very "Michigan" thing to do in the fall. It was so much fun! We picked 1/2 a bushel of apples- all different varities, got fresh apple cider and apple cinnamon cake donuts, and then got a pumpkin. I baked a pie with some of the apples...I know it's one of the ugliest apple pies you have ever seen, but it tasted pretty good (despite the fact that I don't like cooked fruit) for my first try from scratch. :)

And by the way...I am apparently not technologically adept enough to put the pictures in order- no surprise there! :) Enjoy!

So it's been a year and a half since I posted....and I think I am going to try it again. I have since received a digital camera for a b-day gift (thanks, Adam!) so maybe it will be easier to post things now.