Mansfield

I was just reading this NPR story and realized i hadn't posted anything about our trip to Mansfield last fall.  

Here is a cave on the property where we stayed in a cabin.We didn't have a marvelous experience, but the cave was cool. We saw a cave salamander too.  

Tromping through the wet woods we stumbled upon a grave?

 It was quite cold, so i was surprised to find all of the reptiles that we did.

Laura Ingalls Wilder settled here and i know why she did.  It is pretty even in the bone-chilling rain.  It really did rain nearly every minute we were down there.  So we didn't do a lot of outdoor exploration. 

For anyone who thinks they don't care for the series, please try the audio books.  Farmer boy is the best! We all love love those books even Justin (especially Justin?) and Cherry Jones is a delight to listen to.  

Here is the house their daughter built for them, which was on the property as well.  They lived there for a little while and then moved back into the farmhouse that Almanzo built.

Almanzo and Laura's grave is in the Mansfield Cemetery

For something to do in the rain, we drove to Ava twice to get ice-cream cones, which are $0.05 each. 

Here is a NY Times article on it. 

On the way, is a park that even in the cold drizzle begged to be explored.  It rained so much that the road was covered in water.  

Baker Creek Seeds

So glad we were able to make a trek to Baker Creek Seeds!  Despite the cold and nearly constant icy cold drizzle, it stopped longed enough for us to have a little adventure.  Of course i ended up spending too much on seeds that i wasn't planning to buy.  This all took place in October, so i didn't exactly have a garden plan yet.  

Jasper drinking a fuchsia drop of water. The droplets were gorgeous.

The mist in the hills is magical.

This ram was so friendly, just like a nice dog.

Michigan 2014

They always have to break the rules, where is Jasper? 

Our early morning fishing trip.  We had to get up in the dark and we weren't late.  I brought along my own vomiting kit just in case.  (a bucket in a bag in a backpack)  I have a terrible history on boats.

 Dad was real worried we would be late, but here he is enjoying his cup of coffee.

I think this is the only picture of Jasper smiling.  We were lucky to go!  Thank you Kloosters!!

And now here is the little girl with her smiles and big biceps.  

We jumped out and swam to shore from here and then climbed to the top and ran down.  Which is much harder than it looks.

We all tried quite a while to get a good jumping picture.  Avery has several that are basically just him stepping gingerly out of the swing.  

Like this...

Mom loves sunsets

Tullaia and grandpa going out on the paddle board

Fishing off the pier

Simple food is an act of defiance...

I received Brooks Headley's book for Christmas from work and was delighted to hear this story on NPR.
Pastry with soul

He did not go to culinary school and was taught and inspired by his Italian grandma. About her he says, "There are no scales, there might not even be a knife. She's just kind of like tearing things up with her hands."

Thanks Gerard!