Summer is my favorite season, but there are things I appreciate about every season. In the Fall, I love all the pumpkin flavored coffee, food and beer. And the candy! No other time of year can you buy bags of Dots or Nerds in single servings. Those aren’t even for the trick-or-treaters, they’re for ME!

Like many of you this week, I carved a pumpkin for Halloween. The only thing I hate about pumpkin carving is cleaning out the pumpkin. Lucky for me, Kev is the best husband ever and did that part for me. Isn’t that sweet? Here’s my masterpiece carved from a stencil with one star for easy since it’s about all I can handle:

The above picture is pretty dark because I put the pumpkin in the basement, which is the only place we had space for it. I’ll probably move it to the front porch tomorrow night. Here’s a picture of it with the lights on (Zoe couldn’t wait to start sniffing):

Last night Kev and I donated blood for the first time ever. I had wanted to do it for awhile and about a month ago I found out there was going to be a blood drive at the Ferndale Rec Center where I work out. I signed us up and before I knew it, the date was here.

I did fine with the finger prick for pre-screening. I did fine with the IV and blood part. I did fine when I sat up. Things went downhill after I stood. I warned them ahead of time that I tend to get dizzy after a blood draw, so thankfully they were ready for it. As the nurse was helping me across the room, things started to swim and look a little fuzzy. It didn’t register at the time, but I was pretty close to passing out. The nurse picked up on it and dragged me across the room to the semi-private cot. I laid down and she made me breathe into a paper bag. Kev brought me lots of cookies and orange juice and eventually I was able to sit up. After 8 oreos, 2 cans of orange juice and a bottle of water, I was ready to go home.

I figured I’d be fine by today. I was wrong. I got so dizzy in the shower that I had to sit down. I felt so weak, dizzy and light headed that I couldn’t get ready for work. I’ve spent the day guzzling water, eating big meals and making pumpkin cupcakes (once I could stand without dizziness):

If you want the recipe I used, click here. They were super easy to make and are SO GOOD. I’m feeling much better after eating one of them, so I’m pretty sure they are the key to recovering from a blood donation. I’m proud that I was brave enough to donate blood, but I don’t think I’ll be signing up to do it again.

Step 1: Bring a box home for your cat

Step 2: Put the box on the floor

Step 3: Put your cat in that box

Or in this case your cat will cram herself in the box even if a shoe is taking up the other half

Different box, same week

I’ve been suffering from bloggers’ writer’s block lately. I like to write, love it, actually, but don’t get much of a chance to use my writing skills except on this blog. Yet when I think about writing a post, I don’t know what to write about or where to begin. I share so much on Facebook on a regular basis that it seems like old news by the time I get around to writing a blot post. I’ve been blogging since 2004 and I’m not ready to give it up.

I’m not sure what that means except that I need to come up with something to make this different what I post on FB. I’m no Carrie Bradshaw, but I can be creative when I want to be. I enjoy writing reviews on things I’ve read or watched, which is something I started doing last year when I was couch bound with an injured foot.

So, any ideas for me? Are you interested in something different like reviews, or maybe a blog book club? Anyone else feeling the same way about their own blogs?

There were a couple fun events going on in Ferndale this weekend: Funky Ferndale Art Fair and DIY Street Fair. We hit up both of them and made a night of it.

First, we made our way through the Art Fair, which was on 9 Mile. There were a few carnival food vendors and higher end, fine art type vendors. We checked out some things, but the prices were a little high for our tastes (and budget).

We made our way across Woodward to the DIY Fair next. This event is in its second year and was much larger this year. There were close to 100 vendors selling their hand made products, a huge schedule of bands, local restaurant booths and an amazing beer tent with breweries from all over Michigan.

Some of the vendor booths behind WAB

Beer tent to the left and the top of the main stage just next to that at dusk

Local restaurant booths

Giant motorized cupcake - we first saw it at the Art Fair and it later showed up at DIY

We finished out the night with nachos at Rosie O’Grady’s on the way home. One of the best things about where we live is being able to walk to events like this!

After watching the first season of HBO’s True Blood, I found out the show is based on a book series by Charlaine Harris. A few friends have read the books and recommended them, so I decided to check them out. I found a box set of the first seven books (there are nine  with a tenth due out next year) on Amazon for about $30.

I dove into the series and read the first three books in less than a week while on vacation. The first book more or less covers the first season of True Blood, but it’s an entirely different experience than watching the story unfold. Unlike the TV series, the books are told entirely from the perspective of the main character, Sookie Stackhouse, a telepath who works as a barmaid in small town Louisiana. HBO took creative liberties to expand the depth of the characters to show first-hand what is happening from their perspective, which I think sets it apart enough from the book to keep me intrigued.

There are some differences in the characters themselves as well, but those don’t become obvious until further into the book series. There are moments in the books that are a bit romance novel-y, but it’s to be expected when the main character is involved in dating vampires and shape shifters later on.

I’m just now finishing book seven in the series and ordered books eight and nine to complete my collection. I’m anxious to watch the second season of True Blood to see how well it follows the future books. I’ve heard about some current plot points that don’t happen until later in the book series, and I am excited to see how everything plays out.

Have you watched the series and/or read the books? If so, what do you think? My final thought after reading most of the book series: Team Eric!

We headed across the state last weekend to camp at Warren Dunes State Park. While reserving our site, several notices popped up to tell me alcohol is not allowed. This is common in the beach and picnic areas of state parks, but you can usually have alcohol at your camp site. My family used to go to Warren Dunes when I was little and I remember climbing the towering dunes and playing on the beautiful beach, so this did not deter us. Instead, I concealed our alcohol in the form of sangria in a big blue beverage cooler with a spout. What?  We were drinking GRAPE JUICE.

This bee died wasted on grape juice

After we set up camp, we went to a liquor store in Michigan City, IN to stock up on Fat Tire and 1554. Those two New Belgium beers, along with Mothership Wit, are now being sold in northern Indiana in 22 oz. bottles. Some of it was for us, some was for friends, and we hid it in the car under a blanket.

When we got back to the campground, the DNR was patrolling like crazy. We had some grape juice in plastic cups while the guys across from us were drinking beer out of the cans and bottles they came in. We figured maybe the campground wasn’t so strict about alcohol. We were wrong. A little while later the DNR stopped in front of their camp site. They had to pour their beer out, were ticketed and had to pay a $160 fine!

After waiting for the weather to warm up (it didn’t) on Saturday, we layered our clothes for some hiking in the dunes. We climbed the steepest dune I have ever seen. It was windy and chilly at the top, which felt wonderful after a sweaty climb.

Getting ready to climb the steepest dune we've ever seen

Trails through the dunes with Lake Michigan in the background

The view from the top of the steep dune

Later that evening, we were cooking hot dogs over the fire when we heard lots of sirens. The campground isn’t too far from 94 and is right off another smaller highway, so we assumed something happened out there. Our site had woods separating us from the next row of sites and we couldn’t see anything. When we decided to walk to the camp store for more fire wood, we saw that the action was almost directly behind us. There was an ambulance, a fire truck, cop cars and the DNR. Apparently a group of guys had been drinking when one of them decided to drive his truck. A few got in the back bed of the truck and when the driver took off, one fell out. The driver backed up and BACKED OVER HIM. Everyone in that area heard the crack of what they assumed were his legs breaking. So glad I didn’t hear or witness that!

Despite the crazy happenings at this campground last weekend, I would still highly recommend staying there. Many of the sites, like ours, had trees behind them and on the sides separating it from the sites directly next to it. We were within walking distance of the dunes, other nature trails and a beautiful Lake Michigan beach.

Our next camping trip is scheduled for the first weekend in October. Since last weekend was quite fall-like, I’m hoping for Indian summer camping!

My parents came to visit last weekend for the Dream Cruise. Living so close to Woodward it’s no secret that we dislike the cruise with a passion. It wouldn’t be so bad if cruising was only on the designated days, but people start cruising a couple weeks early. It gets amped up every day until it’s impossible to travel Woodward to get anywhere (except to and from work) for the few days before.

Anyway, my parents bought a 1987 Mustang convertible last fall. They have been looking forward to coming here to drive it in the cruise pretty much ever since. They arrived on Friday afternoon and were able to cruise a bit that afternoon/evening.

Saturday is the main cruise day and it was insane around here! 9 Mile was closed and we walked around the festivities Saturday afternoon:

Mustang Alley on 9 Mile east of Woodward

Cops on Horseback (not something usually seen in the city!)

On the walk back to the house, my dad mentioned they were going to take the car for one last cruise. He asked if we wanted to go. At first I wanted to say no, but I knew the weekend wasn’t about me and it would make him happy. I have to confess that for the first time ever, Kev and I participated in the cruise. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em (as long as it’s not in a regular car!).

Proof that we cruised

The traffic jam, I mean cruise

It wasn’t so bad being a part of the cruise in a more classic car. It took 45 minutes to go about 4 miles roundtrip, though!

After that we headed downtown for the Tigers game. We had awesome seats 31 rows directly behind home plate. It was my parents’ first visit to Comerica Park and they wanted to be as close to the action as possible. Can’t say I blame them. The seats were awesome and it was an exciting game!

Our view without zooming in at all

I think the Dream Cruise may become an annual thing with my parents. They had so much fun and are already looking forward to doing it again next year! I guess that means I have another 51 weeks to prepare for another short ride in the cruise.

I took last week off of work and headed out of town for some time with my family. Kev and I hit the road last Saturday and went to Alma for Stacey’s baby shower. We got to spend some time with Kev’s parents and also got to catch up with some friends we don’t see very often.

Holly, me, Stacey, Heather and Kathy

On Sunday, Kev headed back home and I went to my parents’ house. Here’s what I saw in the back yard upon waking up Monday morning:

Turkeys! Definitely not something I ever see in the city!

My cousin Kelsey and I were supposed to go to the beach on Monday, but the weather was pretty overcast. We went to see The Proposal instead. It was hilarious! I met up with some high school friends for dinner that night.

Carolyn, me, Molly, Chrissy, Janet and Jessica

Tuesday I went to the beach in South Haven. That night I had my first ever meal at Sonic in Portage. It was so good! I had a healthy meal of a corn dog, tater tots and a strawberry limeade. I can’t wait for Kev to experience Sonic sometime!

On Wednesday, my grandma and I went to Shipshewana in Indiana. I can’t remember the last time I got to spend one on one time with my grandma. It was a really wonderful day! The weather was beautiful and we walked every last aisle of the flea market.

On Thursday, I took my brother to South Haven for his birthday. We went out to lunch and spent a few hours on the beach before heading back for Jason’s birthday dinner.

My mom took Friday off of work to spend the day with me and my grandma. We went to South Haven (I can’t get enough of that place! for the day. We had lunch at Clementine’s, one of my fave restaurants, went to the beach and walked around the Blueberry Festival. Even though SH is like home to me, I bought a SH sweatshirt just like a tourist! On the way home, we stopped at St. Julian’s in Paw Paw for wine tasting.

me, mom and grandma

After spending a couple hours at my family reunion on Saturday, I headed back home. I usually only get to spend a weekend here and there with my family. I can’t remember a time since college that I was able to enjoy a whole week with them. It was a very relaxing and fun vacation, one that I’m considering doing again next year if they’ll let me stay with them again. Although, I may need to negotiate room service into the deal next time. Just kidding, Mom and Dad!

The siding job is finished! Now we’re working on painting the foundation and trim of the house. We finished two sides of the foundation today and primed and got one coat of paint on the trim around the windows.

Left side of the house before:

And here’s how it looks now with the new siding, new foundation color and the trim almost done (ignore the blue painter’s tape around the windows):

We’ve done a lot of work on the inside of our house the last six years and I finally feel like the outside matches the inside! It’s like having a new house! I hope to be able to share complete before, during and after photos soon.

A week ago the back of our house looked like this:

Right now it looks like this:

But, there’s good news. Last week our garage looked like this:

And now it looks like this:

Tomorrow the insulation is going on the house and the siding will be finished sometime next week. Stay tuned for more before and after pictures to come soon!