What a FISH Story!!

My Hubby's Alaska Fishing Trip Story (true story)

Ever try to SAVE a buck, only to COST you MORE? Well, that's what happened to my husband this past week.

Every year my husband takes a fishing trip into Alaska with his buddies. He loves fishing, always has and always will. I do not share his passion for fishing. . . at. . .all! He finds it extremely relaxing and since he has a very, very highly stressful job -- I encourage him to go with his buds annually into Alaska for Salmon and Halibut fishing. They river fish for Salmon and then charter a boat out into the ocean (like 5 hours out into the ocean) and fish, fish and fish for Halibut!! It's exhausting and wonderful he says. . . all. . .at. . . the. . .same. . . time. Apparently, Halibut live 250 feet down in the ocean so you have to fish deep. It's a workout pulling those buggers up.

All those fish you see hanging in the top photo are from their charter trip. If anyone is interested the name of the charter is "Puffin." Each year they have tried a different charter, but from now on will be sticking with "Puffin." My husband raved about the captain and how he went above and beyond what the other boat charters do.

All six guys evenly divide up the "catch" and have it processed, packaged (dry ice) and shipped home. That's what they always have done. BUT, this year, the plans changed a bit. My husband found out how much shipping has increased. . . so it would have been $127 dollars to Fed Ex that fish home (with a two day delivery). So, he devised a plan. He was not coming home, but going right to a customer's location. But his plane was flying into Detroit first, then flying into his destination. He came up with the brilliant idea to check in his package, er fish I mean. I would meet him at the airport baggage pick-up, take delivery of his package, er fish, and I'd be on my merry way and so would he. EXCEPT. . . Northwest Airlines goofed and shipped the package to his final destination city. . . even though he clearly instructed them otherwise.

So, here he is now with his package, er I mean fish. He had to take a cab to the Fed Ex location, Fed Ex the fish home after all (overnight now!!). Total $152.71 and $40 for a taxi to go to and from the FedEx location and then onto the work location. Now, $192.71 in the hole!!

Next year, I hope he just ships it from Alaska to begin with~!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

My Favorite Thing!!

Cindy, from My Romantic Home, is hosting a "favorite thing" in our home. I thought I'd join in on the fun."

My "favorite thing" is in our den. To the left of our love seat is my little "tea table."

I purchased this about 11 years ago at an Amish Auction. I do not believe it is actually an antique, but I was told it's a reproduction mass produced out of the Philippines. I don't care, I still love it! The top lifts off and can be used as a tray. The glass doors open up and I am able to display my vintage tea cups inside. *Sigh*, yes, this is my "favorite thing" in my home. I love sitting in the den in the evening drinking a cup of tea and reading. Really now, it doesn't get any better than that for me!!

Blessings,

Lavender Festival - Aaaahhhh!!

Lavender Festival - Romeo, Michigan - Wonderful!!

(Can't ya just smell the lavender????)

Last week my mom and dad needed to come down from their home up north to drop off some things (their great granddaughters - looonnnggg story!)

Anyways, they always stay with me when they come down and my mom wanted to attend the Lavender Festival. What a wonderful time we had!!

The parking was down and around the corner from the festival so a shuttle bus was provided. What a shuttle bus, huh? It was only a 3-4 minute ride, but what a ride. Here's my mom, isn't she adorable?

Mom selecting lavender plants. I adore the smell of lavender, it is so relaxing to me. I have three different varieties planted in my yard this year. This is my first attempt at planting lavender - so I hope it does OK in my soil.



Mom and I had so much fun shopping and purchasing our lavender products. Vendors were selling many products made with lavender as well as jewelry, food, garden decor, furniture, etc.

This will definitely be an annual outing for me. I'm already looking forward to next year's festival!! Aaaahhhhh!! Lavender. . . doesn't get any better than that!

Blessings . . . until next time,

Rock Pool Installed!!!

. . . and I LOVE THIS MAN!!!!

Yup, my wonderful husband installed our Rock Pool for me this weekend. I adore it!! It's just perfect for the little spot I wanted to add a water feature - near our patio. I went out today to purchase some pond clarifier. . . so with just a few drops, supposedly, it should no longer be cloudy. I also purchased some low growing perennial ground covers - to plant around our little Rock Pool so it will fill in the surrounding area for a more natural look. I'll post pictures after I have the plants in the ground. . . but first, I'll need to wait until it stops pouring rain here :)

Yes, in my prior post I mentioned adoring the sound of trickling water - well, now I get to hear the pounding rain (yeah, I'm kind of strange. . . I like that sound too!).

Blessings. . . until next time,

Wishing and Hoping and Praying . . . .

That this is THE weekend.

I hope this is the weekend that hubby and I can get this Rock Pool installed. It's very, very small. Just perfect for my back patio area. I purchased this at the end of the season last year at Lowes and have yet to install it.

I just adore the sound of trickling water, don't you? That is, of course, if a bathroom is near :)

Blessings, until next time!

Sher

Look At My FIND!!!

Look at what I found!!!!!!!!

What are the chances that I would find. . . .THIS bench at a garage sale Saturday morning that is the. . .

EXACT SAME Thomasville furniture style and fabric pattern as these. . .

TWO wing back Thomasville chairs that I found at a garage sale FIVE years ago!?!?

And look how perfectly they all fit together in MY HOUSE!!!

I love when that happens!!

Blessings. . . until next time!

Visitors at the Cottage VIA the Water

Cottage Visitors. . . VIA the water!!

Last week while at the cottage we looked out our doorwalls and saw we had visitors. Kayakers down our canal. We are about two lots over from the main lake on the canal. Someday we'll be on the main Lake!!!

Have you ever gone kayaking? It's great fun. We normally like to go on the Rifle River in the fall. The color changes in Michigan are just absolutely breathtaking in the fall and this makes for a wonderful family adventure.

We never thought about kayaking in our own lake though. . . hhmmmm. . . something to think about maybe. And then again, with the boat and jet ski wake. . . maybe kayaking on the lake wouldn't be sure a great idea. . . we'll just stick to river kayaking.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Jonas Brothers - WooHoo!!!!

Ok, I hope to have my hearing return anytime now!!

The Jonas Brothers were here in concert on Saturday night. We were planning on being at our cottage and not home so we originally told our daughter that she couldn't attend the concert. . . but plans changed. We had an opportunity to purchase some. . . really. . . really. . . good. . . seats!! We cut our 4th of July holiday at the cottage short to be able to accommodate "the desires of our youngest daughter's heart!!" My daughter and her friend took the best seats and I sat with the other mom two aisles over. With my new nifty, super, duper zoom camera . . . I was able to keep an eye on the girls (without them knowing it, of course!)

This picture was taken just before the remainder of the crowd rushed in. Apparently, there was a little bit of set-up left to do to the stage area.

I admit, I didn't know squat about the Jonas Brothers before this night. But what a surprise!! They are wonderful! They are also Christians and all three wear a purity ring on their left hand as a promise between themselves and God to remain pure until marriage. What mother wouldn't love these boys now?????

The stage show was very elaborate. But, the frosting on the cake for our girls? They were interviewed by the Jonas staff to be placed on their web-site with a YouTube video. We moms had to sign photo releases before they would talk with our girls. We were told to wait three days and check the Jonas Brothers web site.

Cool, huh???

Yeah, with screaming 9 through 17 year olds screaming in my ears for two hours my hearing is not what it was before the concert. I sure hope it returns soon.

Note to self: Next time I attend a concert of this type stop by the sporting goods store and pick-up a pair of super-duper ear plugs. Yeah, that should do it!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Happy 4th of July!!

C E L E B R A T E!!!!!!!

Just a quick post to wish everyone a wonderful 4th of July!! Hopefully, you'll be spending the day with family and friends (we are) . . . and don't forget to give honor to those who have fought and to those who are still fighting for our freedom and to keep America safe!!

Blessings. . . until next time,