Another Frittata

Can we help it? No. They're just too good; just had to share a fritatta again. Shallots, green peppers, chopped spinach inside with slices of locally made (and nationally gold medal awarded) Raclette cheese and red pepper on the top. It was a great dinner.

Next? Hopefully, Michele's Upside Down Apple Gingerbread Cake will taste good. It's the first time she's made it. Fingers crossed it makes the blog!
Andy

"16th Century Flemish Merchant"

That's what I said when asked, after a puzzled look or two, "What are you for Halloween?" It's a (paraphrased) skit line that has stuck with me from childhood . . . from that zaniest of comedy troops still affecting my humor today: Monty Python.


It is accurate though. When picking out the raw material and accouterments for Michele's multi-talented hands we wanted a medieval look. Or, maybe, simply the Dark Ages or, if pushed, it could be described as early Renaissance. Most accurately, however, I think the outfit could walk out of a Breugal painting. 


The shirt is faux leather, the pants faux velvet, and some already made items to help set it off. Michele just did an amazing job putting it all together. And, it was comfy!


Historically, Flanders was a critical part of global trade in the middle ages. After centuries of changes it primarily makes up what is now modern day Belgium. Textiles played a role in its history as well the spice trade including sugar and raw materials for the dye market. (Alum in particular was required to help a dye adhere to a fabric.) 


And, lastly, need I say it? Belgium is more currently known for it's . . . chocolate! Bon appétit!  lol

Andy

Para-sailing

Depending upon your viewpoint, I was lucky enough to go para-sailing last summer. This was for a magazine article that did not get published in the end (long story). Regardless, it was an amazing experience. 

Our Great Lakes are often called, appropriately enough, the Inland Seas. Hopefully these pictures will help you see why. These are taken over (East) Grand Traverse Bay which is just one of many bays off of the big lake, Lake Michigan. It is split by a peninsula called Old Mission so you will see shots of that as well in some of these.

I would not recommend this though for the faint at heart or anyone prone to motion sickness. I wouldn't describe myself as sensitive to the latter, but was thrown a curve ball.

Dangling in the air about 600 feet high while twisting my body to take about 450 pix made me, after 20 minutes, sick! It was all grand until then. I made it to my car, drove to a shady spot and had to sleep it off! Whew . . . I kept my cookies. ;->

Andy

Note my shadow in the lower right!

"Stairway" Assignment

 As part of a photo website I visit, we were given a photo challenge. The theme was "stairways" and Building 50 in the Traverse City Commons seemed like the default spot for some with character. 

Enjoy!

Andy 

Oil Change with a View

I took a walk and snapped a few pictures while my truck was getting an oil change.

I walked a bit by the water.

And strolled through the woods.

Thanks to Van's Garage for all of their hard work!

~Michele

Michigan Desert?

We are always taken with the varied scenes of northern Michigan. All four seasons are wonderful and we really enjoy them, but it's not just the seasons. It's views like these.

In this case, we hiked along the Sleeping Bear Dunes lake shore thinking virtually most of the time that we could be in a desert.

It just has that look to it as it goes on mile after mile, dune after dune.

We find this varied landscape wonderful and hope that this wonderment never ends. And, of course, that you may have wonder in your life too.

Michele and Andy

Building 50 and Fall Shots

Pix from our outing today. 

Hope you're enjoying the season!

Andy & Michele