Do you ever forget about special places that are located near you? I know I do. I decided to rectify this by visiting nearby places that I’ve neglected over the years. Even a day trip can feel like a mini summer vacation. So last weekend we went to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois…
A few weeks ago we made a quick trip to South Haven, Michigan from our Airbnb near Saugatuck. It has the beautiful Black River running through it from Lake Michigan. There’s a mix of new and older homes and buildings. We spent out last evening during our vacation in this charming lakefront town and…
Have you ever visited Saugatuck, Michigan? Our recent family summer vacation there revealed loads of charm in a hip and historic lakeside artist community. This charming blue home with white trim is a private residence that’s tucked in between shops and restaurants. It seems like an odd location for a home, but it sure is…
Last weekend officially launched the holiday season for me when I took my granddaughter Zoe for a Christmas weekend in Chicago. We stayed in a one-bedroom apartment I found on Airbnb and spent most of our time shopping while taking in a few sights. Our girls weekend was something I’d been promising her for…
Hello November! Although the calendar still says it’s fall, Mother Nature decided to dump a few inches of snow on us in time for Halloween. Not fun! But on a positive note, I had the pleasure of visiting my sister and enjoying fall on her farm in southwest Michigan with both my daughters and their…
When I started blogging, my desire was to share home projects and local points of interest that are unique and charming. While you won’t find mountains or oceans where I live, you will find natural beauty, interesting architecture, and rich history. This week I’m joining a few friends to share why we love where we…
Am I becoming one of those annoying people who keep showing pictures of their vacation? I did take a lot of pictures when vacationing in Door County and think you’ll enjoy seeing this place called Bearded Heart Coffee in Baileys Harbor that we patronized almost every morning. Bearded Heart Coffee isn’t very big but…
Last week the whole family headed up to Door County, Wisconsin for a five-day vacation in a beautiful modern farmhouse. We stayed in Baileys Harbor but the first place we visited was scenic Fish Creek. I snapped some photos while walking around because this bayside town is so quaint and charming. A charming white church…
A lot of people make fun of the fact that the Midwest is so flat, but its big blue sky and expanse of prairie grass is quite endearing. Dotted with rustic red barns, bucolic farm fields stretch as far as the eye can see. The clean scent of fresh mown hay drift along the gentle…
Leroy Oakes is a beautiful forest preserve in Kane County with big red barns and historical buildings. In the early morning it’s peaceful and serene. A bike and running trail winds its way through the idyllic property and this is the location where we start our long marathon training run every Saturday. As you drive…
