Michigan's Summer

One of the perks about living in Ohio, as opposed to California, or New Zealand, is that we are finally living somewhat closer to family. Still a long drive, but we can leave Columbus at noon, and get to Western Michigan for dinner. That is very close for our record.



Another perk about having family in Michigan is that we now have access to a large body of water, a constant in my life since I was born. Ohio can be beautiful, it's true, but the lack of water in central Ohio is palpable. And during a heatwave like the one we just had, the palpability was not the least appreciated.



Also, Michigan (like Maine - another place we had called home) has the ideal soil for blueberries! We are lucky to know some friends who had revived a blueberry farm, now tending it organically. We went there last year to store up berries for the winter. It was a success: 20 lbs of organic blueberries were enjoyed from summer to summer.



If we lived closer, we would be going up to Michigan more often. Maybe even spending most of our weekends on the shore of the Great Lake. Instead, we have made it up twice, both times blessed with perfect weather while Ohioans tolerated the muggy hot days in the flat plains.



Perhaps we will get another chance to play in those waves again before fall sets in... But already, our memories of this summer by the lake, on the farm, in the fields, and with family, will linger the same way that the 20 lbs of blueberries sustained us for the year.



When winter comes, on the other hand, we enjoy staying put further south of Michigan. They get the more severe winters, more snow, and frigid temperatures. Yup, nothing and nowhere is perfect. But Michigan in the summer sure is a sweet spot to behold.

Black Raspberries

It's become a tradition of sort in our family: black raspberry hunting in Western Michigan. We won't tell you where exactly because, you see, it's our private territory. Once fourth of July comes around, we won't let anyone know where we go to find these black jewels!



I am saving you, in many ways, from an incredible amount of mosquitoes that take up residence in the said territory once the weather is warm and humidity is high. They are big, vicious, and numerous. It's better if you don't venture into their home because you will most likely be eaten alive.



But our kids love this tradition. And so do we. So when we were back up there last weekend, we put on our mosquito-brave faces and out we went.



There was enough for a tub full of black raspberries. This time I think they are going to be turned into scrumptious sorbet, hand cranked the old-fashioned way in an ice cream maker. I know...that is a story in itself.



You will have to come here again (to this blog) to find out what that is all about! I can tell you it will be worth a visit back (but you will have to wait a few days)!

By the Lake

When you live 5 minutes away from the Pacific ocean, you don't think much about when you will see the water next. Vacation plans don't always work around coastlines or lakes, although I think it's human nature to want to be close to some sort of water. It completes the soul somehow (maybe because we are made mostly of water?).



Well that was then. This is now. We were excited to leave the heartland for a few days to be near Lake Michigan. It is one of the Great Lakes that looks like an ocean with beautiful sandy beaches and sand dunes. Swimming in the water here is not only refreshing, but practical. No salty residue to wash off afterwards.



We came over the 4th of July, and didn't see a single parade (but some fireworks over the trees from the grandparents' home). Instead we laid on the sand, played in the water, and celebrated America's birthday by the lake. Blissful.



Grand Rapids also has a farmers market that happens 4 days a week during the growing season. They are a bit behind central Ohio, so I still saw early summer produce beautifully laid out for purchase.



We were happily surprised to find gooseberries and red currants (only one bucket of each) at the market. The farmer was happy that we knew what they were! Well...of course we do.



We say so long to the lake shore for now, while looking forward to our return in a short few weeks.