Ambling Ramblings #5- Michigan Meanderings

After a week in Ohio, I ended up back in Michigan for a week with my 'second family' for more adventures. We went ice skating on the pond in the backyard, traipsing and frolicking with the dog in the snow, walking in the 'woodland' in the backyard, bowling (where I learned how to do it properly!) and did all kinds of other things. I came away with a nice big blue souvenir in the form of a bruise on my elbow-the result of a tickling war with my 'siblings'! I didn't want to leave when the time came, and will most certainly be back-hopefully in the fall/autumn as I imagine it would be beautiful at that time of year. Not that winter isn't beautiful-6 inches of snow covering everything is certainly picturesque and quite lovely, it's just cold, really, really cold and you can't do much outside or go many places as everything is shut and you have very limited daylight hours to do things in. I do like the cold and enjoy the snow, but I've seen it twice now on this side of the world, I just think next time i should definitely see a different season!

Ambling Ramblings #4: Patches of Sunshine

I have discovered the great pleasure that comes from curling up in a patch of sunshine on a comfortable bed, surrounded by a pile of blankets and pillows with a good book and a journal full of empty pages simply waiting to be written on. After Church yesterday it was time for a nap for everyone and my bed just so happens to fall in a patch of sunshine in the early afternoon so I curled up in it and read most of a historical fiction novel entitled 'To Have and To Hold' (which I would highly recommend as a novel well worth reading). 2 hours passed most pleasurably although my back had a few kinks in it from being curled up for so long!
There are many little footprints and other strange markings in the snow this morning from the squirrels who have been scampering about looking for food and chasing each other up and down the tree outside the kitchen window. It will definitely be a shock to the system to return to summertime weather on the other side of the world after becoming quite acclimatised to the snow and freezing weather. It can sometimes be deceiving to look out the window at the sun shining brightly but then realize that it is below freezing outside!

Ambling Ramblings #3-A Winter Wonderland

A breezy, snowy morning makes me very grateful for central heating, warm socks and the jumper (sweater) that Mum knitted for me!
The last 2 weeks have whizzed by, but have been full of fun and excitement. Being a part of a dear friend's wedding was a delightful experience and I loved every crazy minute of the preparation! The wedding was beautiful and it was 'warm' enough for us to get some photos outside.
My 'little brothers' in Michigan (I love having 'family' on all sides of the globe) have taken me out shooting in an effort to 'toughen' me up in preparation for a teaching career! I discovered that whilst I cannot shut one eye in order to aim, I can turn my left eye 'off' so that I can just focus through my right eye and hit 10/10 targets first try! Each day has been very busy (thus I haven't posted in a while) although I'm not sure what I've been busy doing!! I'm now a little bit further south than I was with more 'family' and having a marvelous time with old friends and meeting some new ones-I love being 'Auntie Naomi'!
I love how snow sits in the leaves of the bushes outside the window and fills the clefts in the tree branches. I saw 2 squirrels out the window yesterday as I was washing dishes :) They were scampering up and down a tree and chasing each other around in circles with their big busy tails swishing from side to side. I've also seen 2 deer, but not much other wildlife-I think it's all hibernating,which seems like an advisable thing to do-I may go and curl up with a book for a while and defrost my toes!