I'm back! Sort of.

Every summer my dad and stepmom, our family, my sisters' family, my brothers' family, an aunt and uncle and their granddaughter, all converge on my dads cabin in the woods. Its located in northern Michigan, with pit stops it's about a 4 hour drive.

The kids rode up with grandma and grandpa on Wednesday to get an early start. I spent Wednesday getting my mini farm set for the long weekend. I fill huge water buckets, put out tons of grain and feed, then mow the yard and cram the grass into the outdoor runs. The runs are old swing set frames covered with chain link fencing, ugly but secure.

Thursday morning, we loaded the car. I picked everything in the garden, peas mostly, gathered every last egg and off we went.

Hubbie, the pup and I set off to the great north.

Passing lake Cadillac.

And a ski resort.

Somebody napped on the way up.

We finally made it.

Being up north is fun, we cook out on the campfire.

Go on nature walks.

There is a neat old tree with names carved in it.

Deer tracks every where.

Wildflowers galore. I have no idea what this is.

My siblings bring their campers but we usually bunk in the cabin with the Grandparents.

Luckily in the summer we don't need heat.

My brother builds a tepee and the kids take turns sleeping there.

Did the Indians use blue tarps?

On Friday we rafted the Pine river. Saturday we played at the lake.

Sorry no pics, I didn't want to risk the camera.

The morning view, one morning was deer and another a wild turkey.

Frog catching, horseshoes and laughter are the main activities.

Saturday the kids put on skits up on the porch and my brother makes a crawdad boil. Spicy hot onions, sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob and crayfish caught from the pond.

My dad who eats pickled pigs feet wont eat a crayfish. Go figure.

Sunday means time to go.

It was a tighter squeeze on the way home but the pup loved being squished between his kids.

I always get nervous on the way home, wondering if my chickens are well.

Everyone was fine.

I had tons of peas to pick and 19 eggs! Those girls were busy.

Bandit and her two week old brood were happy to be let out.

"Any news Bratty?"

Yep, she is a mom of three!

I love vacations but i also love coming home.

Today I have to pack for the show and get everything ready for my family to survive without me. Tomorrow I set up and the show starts Wednesday.

10 am to 9 pm Wednesday through Friday, 10 to 6 on Saturday. They get 500,000 people through in four days, that's half a million! Help!!

If you happen to be in Ann Arbor for the art fair, stop by and say hi. I'll be at the Kings Courtyard off of Liberty street. I'll be the crazy woman selling bags with my best friend selling watercolor paintings, having a blast! Positive thinking.

Do me a favor and don't blog about anything interesting while I'm away.

I'll let you know all about it when I get back. Squeezes!