Monday, July 15, 2019
Happy Monday to you! Today is my 19th wedding anniversary! I may dedicate a post to that later this week but today is the typical weekend wrap up with a little about last week thrown in. It’s great to be back and writing in this space again! Did you realize I was gone last week? I scheduled my posts ahead of time because I was on vacation. I’m still old school about not letting the internet know I’m out of town. Are you like that? I did respond to comments, but other than that, I was truly on a break. I didn’t even read many of my regular blogs while I was away, so I’m anxious to get caught up today!
So, Saturday, July 6th, my family of four plus Ernie headed north to southwest Michigan. My mom, two sisters, their husbands and the 7 kids between them had rented a house and we rented our own little place within walking distance. We have done this several years in July. We get our own place because – teenagers – but also because we like to bring our dog and find a dog friendly place to rent. We do leave him home when we do big trips but we feel like Michigan is a great place for him.
A couple of photos of the lake. It’s really beautiful.
One day we took the Amtrak train from New Buffalo, Michigan into Chicago’s Union Station. The train took just over an hour and was part of the fun in my opinion. You could even buy beer on the train if you wanted! I did not – don’t worry! My sisters and nieces and nephews were happy to dog sit for us while we were gone!
We only had about 5 hours so we walked around, visited the Art Institute, and ate Chicago style pizza. 
We had 6 days of quality time with my side of the family. We cooked and ate good food, spent time at the beach, went shopping and antiquing, made s’mores, had a talent show, and laughed and talked a lot. But, my Dad’s presence was truly missed. He was always in the middle of everything. I think I underestimated how hard this week would be.
We came home Friday afternoon and some friends asked us to try a new to us brewery/beer garden called 3rd Turn/Oldham Gardens. It was amazing. It is a former nursery with the most beautiful tables, benches, and vines hanging above.
They have really good food, too. 
I had a pineapple bourbon slushie that I would definitely order again! 
Hub and I split a Cuban sandwich and brussel sprouts – maybe the best I’ve ever had!
It was a nice night and our boys were happy to be home and we were happy to see our friends!
Saturday was unpacking, laundry, and grocery run and late afternoon, hub and I went to see Stuber. We liked it. It is a bit silly and a lot violent but it was entertaining in our opinion.
While on vacation, I finished this book and I do recommend it. It was the perfect book for me.
I also started this book and I’m really liking it. Summer is for light reading. I overdid the WWII stuff last year and I just need decent writing and a story that will engage me. 
We have hardly been able to boat at all this year due to excessive rain and a high river. Yesterday, we were happy to have our friends join us. We had a perfect day and stopped for brunch before tooling around and then floating in a cove.
Sundays just call for mimosas!
What did you do this weekend? The weeks are really flying by now and I just want them to slow down! Do you feel that way?
I hope you’ll come back this week! I may go into more detail on our trip, what I packed, travel tips (might be too late for you this year, though), my thoughts on 19 years of marriage – lots of options!
Have a great day!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
No, I didn’t realize you were away last week! Good job! I’m the same with info on the net!
I think your vacay seemed very nice! As usual I really appreciate your photos, you are a very good photographer! Traveling together as a family is the best, the four of us have a lot of fun, at home you can never be as closed as when you’re “on the road”.
Don’t tell me about time flying by… It’s crazy! This weekend we did the yearly visit to Sawgrass Mills (a crazily big outlet mall) and I bought some stuff at Gap.
I look forward to your posts this week, it sounds fun!
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And Happy Anniversary! 😀
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Haha! Thank you!
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Thank you – I need to improve my photos and my iPhone is old but thank you! Outlet malls can be fun or overwhelming! I hope to get some good posts in this week!
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Happy Anniversary! I bet your vacation was wonderful but bittersweet, just like all of our events lately. I just miss my dad. Heck even calling my mom’s house is hard. So many times he’d pick up the phone and yell to her, “It’s your middle daughter!” Just so silly and sweet. Ugh.
I love Chicago! Deep dish pizza is my favorite kind.
The place you went to when you returned looks so cool and hooray – you got out on your boat! Have a great week back!
xo,
Kellyann
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Thank you! It was nice to be with the family and we had lots of laughs – but you totally hit the nail on the head. It’s now been 7 months but the pain is still raw. I cried everyday on vacation. I hope you are doing ok. That sounds like my dad on the phone! I miss that voice! Happy Monday!
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Congrats on 19 years!
I also don’t tell the world when we’re going to be away. It seems counterproductive? Also, sometimes I know more about the bloggers I follow than people I actually am supposed to be close to lol.
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Thank you! I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’m kind of a naturally paranoid/cynical person. A blog is even more personal than social media. I’m still surprised that some of my family and friends don’t read it because this is the best way to know what’s going on with me!
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I too schedule posts for when I’m away and don’t really talk about any trips at all on social media until I’m back home.
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You can never be too careful, right? I would rather be cautious because I would feel so bad if something happened.
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Looks like you had a great trip to Michigan! We take an annual trip there every year for our anniversary. Love that area! It’s always fun to take the train into Chicago. So much easier than driving!
Congrats on the anniversary!
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I really love Michigan! Where do you go? Thank you!
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The last few years we’ve stayed at a B&B in Three Oaks. We’ve also stayed at a few places in Union Pier and New Buffalo. We’ve never tried VRBO. I think I would like to try that. It would be nice to have our own space!
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Three Oaks is where we went antiquing! I’ve only done B and Bs a couple of times. You should just look at Vrbos site! You can find villas in Tuscany! It’s so fun to look!
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Looks like a fun vacation! Just catching up on reading, for some reason, our IT department has blocked your site 😦 And I love 3rd Turn Oldham- it’s literally 5 minutes from my house and the best place to hang out! You always see people you know, the food is good (LOVE the brussels sprouts!), and the scenery is gorgeous, especially when the wisteria is blooming.
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How could they? Lol! 3rd Turn was so cool! I need to go back for the Brussels sprouts alone – couldn’t believe the quality of food you can get there. Maybe I will go this weekend? I probably won’t run into that many people but two of our friends that were with us knew everybody because they live in Crestwood. You are lucky to live close! Thanks for reading my blog again and for commenting!
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