Friday, October 9, 2015

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan

 

This week I had the privilege of traveling to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with my sister. Our love of nature compels us to take a hiking trip together every now and then.

We stayed in the small town of Paradise, located on the eastern end of the UP, along the shores of Lake Superior.

 

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My sister had been to the UP before so she knew where some of the best hiking trails and scenic spots were.

 

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I can easily understand why Michigan is named Pure Michigan.The skies are bluer, the water is clearer, the colors more vivid, the stars and sunsets are brighter, and the air clearer. Sound like a magical place? It is!

I honestly could not stop taking pictures.I admit my eye is a little sore from my camera view finder! :o

We hiked miles through some of the most beautiful territory. Peat bogs, Hardwood and Coniferous mixed forests, and the beautiful Tahquamenon river.

 

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Peat land bog

 

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Tahquamenon River

 

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Upper Tahquamenon Falls

 

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Lower Tahquamenon Falls

 

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We saw numerous birds, including two Black-backed Woodpeckers, Spruce Grouse, winter wren, and Hermit Thrush. Little red squirrels were everywhere...

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Black-backed Woodpecker male (above), female (below)

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Spruce Grouse

 

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The sunsets & sunrises were amazing!

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View of the sunrise from the motel (you can see the wind turbines in Canada)

 

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One of my favorite spots on the UP is Whitefish Point. The beach is amazing with it’s natural look of tan sand, blue water and gray driftwood. Lake Superior’s waves are musical as they roll to shore.

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We even got to see the Northern lights a few evenings on Whitefish Point!

This is only a fraction of the UP, but hopefully you got the feel of how beautiful the place is!

-Mary

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Autumn Home

 

I promised you the other day that I would be sharing some more thrifty fall décor so here it is… nothing ornate, but it gets the feel of fall flowing through our home!

Our Living Room…

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As you can see, I’m in love with maple leaves and old boxes this season. I have to keep reminding myself to think outside the box (literally) and try other combinations too.

 

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I painted the pumpkins on the end table with a water based paint. (I just now see I missed a spot) :/ 

 

 

The burlap pumpkins are still a favorite of mine from last year. You can read about them here.

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This old box contains a wild assortment of fall.. anything from deer antlers to Indian corn.

 

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You can read about the mantle here.

 

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Anyone for a hayride with some hot apple cider? :)

I made the sign using stencils and craft paint.

 

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For the buffet in the dining area, I painted a pumpkin on a piece of old wood and distressed it, added the irresistible little white & orange pumpkins in the basket, and of course every arrangement needs some freshly fallen leaves. :)

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I hope you are enjoying the lovely colors of fall like I am!

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Thanks for visiting!

-Mary