Sunday, January 5, 2025

Thursday, 20 June 2024: to White Lake



It was a day of planes, trains and automobiles.  Well, maybe not a plane but what about a ferry?

First stop Sheboygan to buy our car then on to Manitowoc to board the ferry to go to the boat.  The last few days we’ve been painting and scrambling… now, the next few days to breathe and relax. 

Tuesday, 18 June 2024: Sheboygan








Found our next new car in Sheboygan.  We have been living in the car world for all too long.  Thankfully, we might have found it.  It’s an ell electric Hyundai Kona.  It is just too cute and super fun to drive.  We are looking at it as rather an experiment.  We will see.  


And while we are looking at an all electric vehicle, a new Buckey's opens in Luling with 120 gas pumps.   120 pumps!!!  Luling?  Goodness!



Abraham sent pics of the puppies.  Laura came to visit since it was time for shots.  I hope they remember us when we return. 

Sunday, 16 June 2024: Green Bay

                                        
                                             


Father’s Day today. Lots going on but we took time to celebrate a bit too.   

Justin is rearranging plants in the backyard near the lot line.  He decided to sell ferns on Marketplace rather than just dumping them off at the plant exchange bin at yard waste.  Several folks were very interested today.  One lady started to comment about a piece of yard sculpture when she noticed that it moved.  It was a turtle coming up from the river to lay eggs.  I totally lost interest in the ferns.  I was absolutely fascinated with the turtle.  We will mark the spot and try to remember to come back in 60 days.  











Ric went home.  He’s confident he can navigate his stairs and I’m sure he’s tired of us.  I guess the convalescent home is closed for now.  


Last week we started painting upstairs. Justin has been so ready to get that done.  Now the entire upstairs suite will be more cheerful.  


Justin and I worked at Nancy’s farm a couple of days within the last couple of weeks.  We got some rows closer to ready.  Soon, they will plant tomatoes, peppers, and goodness knows what else.  Tom just had hip replacement surgery and Nancy’s knees are failing.  They still started hundreds of plants for the spring.  Several other families from nearby are helping too.

An added bonus for me is that I’m learning how to cook with duck eggs.  They are much larger and richer than chicken eggs.  So far, it seems as if they are great for baking but they get rubbery easily for pan preparations.  I’ll keep at it.  






Gloria is set for the coming voting season.  


Jordan hosted a celebration event yesterday. Eric and his kids were there too. It really is the bees knees when Justin gets to be with his sons.  

Tuesday, 28 May 2024: Green Bay


Jordan’s birthday today and the birthday boy chose a Mexican food lunch at Jalisco Mexican Food restaurant near his house.  It was just the three of us and it was a grand celebration.   





Friday, 24 May 2024: Hartung

After our first trip to Montague for the summer we are headed back to Green Bay. While many head to the lakes for the Memorial Day week, we are headed home primarily because it is Jordan’s birthday. Ok, I also have doctor appointments but we aren’t going to make plans around that. 


Kim celebrated her birthday yesterday. She’s in California with her parents after a quick trip to France. It will be fun to catch up with her when we have a moment to chat. 


We spent a few nights on the boat “on the hard” before launching on 17 May. We’ve been on board since then getting things settled and getting ready for the season. Lots of cleaning and sorting and just getting ready. 



We didn’t get to take the boat out; it seems there is something amiss with the hydraulic system. Justin is bummed. 

It was good to catch up with some of our Maple Beach friends: Joel and Annie and their houseboat , Bill Orlowsky who will fabricate a new swim ladder for us, Joe and Deanna who promise to take us out and teach me to sail, Roger and Pat who have Princess who is 19 yrs old and still has all her teeth and several others. We spent a nice evening with Laura as she was finishing up some grand upgrades in the club house (we took mojitos). 


We found a new restaurant in New Era, The Artisan. Suri has a good deal going; her sons David and Angel run the front and she does magic in the kitchen. I told Justin when we were walking in that I wanted something totally new and different than I’d ever had before.  We had asparagus tamales, a chicken and asparagus quesadillas and a ham, cheese and asparagus salad that were all worth going back for again and again. 


We tried to connect with Brian and Christina on the way back but they are traveling. Instead, we took advantage of the opening of Wayfair just outside of Chicago. I think it is there first ever brick and mortar storefront.  It was huge; I think I’ll stick to their online presence.  





























Monday, 13 May 2024: Whitehall

We left Green Bay today to head to the boat.  Ric is in charge at Hartung.

We said goodbye to Gemma in the garden.  This is our first road trip without her.  My heart is broken.  

We had a lovely lunch with Mike and Mandy in Milwaukee at Egg and Flour. Great spot!  The chef went up against Bobby Flay back in the day; today, he was all that with the homemade pasta tuned into carbonara.  Mike says this is the best carbonara he's had outside of Italy.  I want to try it!


 We rolled into Whitehall for our first night at Michillinda Resort. What a find!  They aren’t really open for the season but they hosted an even last weekend and their season officially starts next weekend.  We lucked out to want to stay right in the middle.  It’s beautiful here.  Gemma would have loved running along the dunes.