Birthday

The kids jumped on Jim this morning, after we were ready to show him what awaited him downstairs: handmade cards, a birthday banner and a couple of gifts.

There was also a beautiful summer day waiting for us outside, and so we took the opportunity to take him to Slate Run Farm (he didn't come with us last time). He loved it, and we decided that we would all be pretty happy if the 1880s life still existed.

A wonderful day was had by all...hopefully the birthday boy enjoyed it most of all!

North Market

This same post can be seen at my new blog: Cool Columbus. Check it out if you can!

I have been meaning to visit the North Market since we first got here in July. I was determined that today was the day, and am I glad that I went! The market sits north of downtown Columbus, with its own parking lot charging a minimal fee if you get a stamp validation inside the market. Once you are inside, all your senses will be woken up with scents, sounds, and colors.

There were plenty of ethnic foods (Thai, Polish, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese, to name a few), locally grown meats and poultry and produce from local farms. Chocolate shops, locally made ice cream, artisan bread, and beautiful cookware also made up this very well run market that opens year-round!

San Franciscans would be reminded of the Ferry Building. But I am going to risk it and say that I preferred this one to the San Francisco food icon. It's a bit more real somehow... even without the San Francisco bay at its door-step.

Each Saturday in the summer, the North Market also hosts a farmer's market. I may have to check that out this weekend, and report back on it!

Slate Run Historical Farm

I was elated to be introduced to Slate Run Historical Farm today by our neighbors. Getting out of the city, being on a country road with farmland and corn fields was enough, but to be at a well-run, historical farm like this one was even better!

If you have been following this blog for a few years, you will have seen that our family is a big fan of farms. We spent a year visiting (and basically living) on Blue Heron Farm and Codman Farm outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

Thanks to the Columbus Metro Parks System, we can now have a farm to enjoy (for free!) not too far from home.

Mushroom Invasion

Too much watering (just a bit too excited about having a garden?!), plus mushroom spores in the wood chips, created this sudden explosion of mushrooms in our garden!!

Wish we could eat them...but we are not going to try to see if they are palatable.

Franklin Park

The plus about living in a big city is having a place like a Botanical Garden. We came here a few weeks ago, and wandered inside the conservatory and the Glass 'Hot Shop'. I will have to bring the camera next time and show you the cool things about this place.

Today, we returned for a picnic in the park. The day ended with beautiful summery weather, and so we had to go outdoors to eat! What did we bring? Chinese take out! The best part? They forgot to give us silverware...so, on with our hands (the best utensils ever made)!

Next to us, a big family from Somalia was having their picnic, too. A reminder that we are not in Santa Cruz anymore: another plus to living in a big and rather diverse city like Columbus.

Full on summer!

We are back in Ohio now, setting up our new home, and enjoying what summer really means: heat!

Lucky for the kids, they don't have to unpack the countless boxes, or think of the right places to put all of our things... That's why they get to play outdoors, with mud, and water, and good friends.

One more

We are back to civilization now, missing the peace and quiet of Lake Louise. Thanks to Jeff and family for the hospitality and friendship. We will remember the week we spent with you on this beautiful lake for a long time!

Loon on Lake

One of the many beauties of being on this lake: loons cruising by, singing to each other across the lake. Sadly, we have to say goodbye to this peace and serenity today. But the memories will last for years to come.

Au Sable River

We canoed down this pretty river the other day, downstream, for about 8 miles. It was very peaceful, but relaxing? No! We got competitive with each other and made it into a race which kept the young kids entertained for 2 1/2 hours! How nice, though, that the kayak rental place picked us up at the destination.

Country road

This barn is not far from where we are staying in Northern Michigan. There are also fields of wild flowers, wild raspberries (which we have picked and made pies with!) everywhere. If you know me, you know that I consider these things as part of heaven on earth.

Fishing

My favorite thing about our time on the lake so far is the lake itself. Or more precisely, the water of the lake: clean, clear, smooth like butter.

It reminds me of Walden Pond, where we spent a lot of time in 2007-2008. The pond holds many memories for our family, including the place where our children learned how to swim. The difference here is that we don't have to share the lake with hundreds of other people.

Serenity at its best.

Lake Louise

I don't think I need to say too much about this post. We are very lucky to be spending a week up here, in this peaceful lakeshore with good friends.

Blueberry Picking

We can't be in Michigan in July and not go blueberry-picking, right? And lucky us, we were able to go to Irvine Blueberry Farm, an old orchard of organic blueberry bushes. Today was their first day of picking for the season, and a beautiful summery day was ordered for us.

I could not help but think about the story Blueberries for Sal as I picked the higher berries on the bushes and my children picked the lower ones. Ka-plink, ka-plunk, I would hear the sounds of the blueberries dropping into the buckets.

I also thought about all the things we will make with the berries: muffins, crisps, pancakes. We will freeze some to bring back to Columbus with us, and take some up to the lake tomorrow where we will spend a few days with friends by the water.

To the Lake

We were back at Lake Michigan on a gorgeous summer day. We went to a different park this time, Kirk Park, which I think we all enjoyed as much, if not more than PF Hoffmaster State Park. At any rate, the water was the perfect temperature to cool us off from the summer heat. We caught a photo session of the newly wed couple on the beach, too. You think I should offer this photo to them? Hmm...

On the way, several farm stands and berry farms offered the season's produce. This corn stand pictured here had a self-serve/ honor system box. $3 for 12 ears of corn. I have never heard of such a thing!

We are visiting with the grandparents for a few days before heading up to a northern Michigan lake for a week. We are enjoying all the things that a midwestern summer has to offer!

Porch

At our new house, we have a front porch, and a backyard: novel ideas for a family from coastal California.

What's more, sitting on the swing in the front porch means that we can observe a family of rabbits going about their forage in the mornings and afternoons. Who said we can't find wildlife is central Ohio?