Category: Michigan

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment

Having been a lifelong resident of Michigan, I’ve traveled all over the state but had never visited this amazing park until recently. With 158 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens featuring over 200 sculptures, we walked for hours enjoying the fall colors, capturing photos of the beauty along the way.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park opened in April 1995 after 13 years of planning and fundraising by the West Michigan Horticultural Society. In 1990, Fred & Lena Meijer were asked by Betsy Borre for their support, and they embraced the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture & sculpture. The original vision has turned into a top cultural destination in the Midwest, known internationally for the quality of the art and gardens. Excerpt from Meijer gardens.org

Autumn Wine Tasting

~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment

Autumn in Michigan is my favorite season with cooler nights, leaves changing color and this year unseasonably mild day time temps.  My BFF invited me to visit her in Traverse City for a couple of days and wine tasting at several vineyards – including a 3 course wine pairing -were on the agenda. Northern Michigan’s west coast has a robust wine region. With elevations overlooking the bay and endless rows of vines heavy with clusters of grapes, natural beauty surrounds you.  The wine tasting rooms are elegant, inviting and always a fun way to enjoy the day.  It was sunny so we opted to sit outside while they brought us wine flights to sample overlooking views like this. Perfection.

 

Nose-prints on my window

~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment

A feral colony of three sibling kittens born in my garden this summer, have decided to stay on for the winter.

The black kitty I named Coal. From a very young age he’s been the most gregarious. The kitchen window looks out on my garden (not pretty in winter). When I walk in the kitchen, Coal jumps from his napping spot on my jacuzzi onto the window ledge. He is captivated by me, regardless of what I’m doing. Anytime I’m cooking is his favorite time to visit.

Recently he’s taken to high-fiving me through the glass then walking back and forth rubbing against the window. He’s now “trained me” to pet him through the glass. This goes on until I’m tired. Not once a day but rather each time he sees me – including after dark when he’s visible only by his topaz eyes.

As a result, my kitchen window is dotted with nose-prints from Coal and fingerprints from me. It’s messy but I love the connection we have and look forward to seeing him each day.

Messy window vs visits from Coal. Coal wins. Windows can be easily cleaned.
On my deck when he was very tiny
Coal and his siblings, Toffefay and Stormy