So, it’s almost 2:00, and the rules of blogging say only post in the morning, but there are no rules in summer; so here I am, sitting at a picnic table with a wifi signal that can’t compete with the strength of nature, and I am posting mid-afternoon because I feel like it. As much as things slow down in the summer, I still love blogging up here. I have some fun summer partnerships that I love working on, and in between, I’ll drop in to stamp my Michigan-loving heart in this place and store memories and feelings that inspire me all year long. I hope you love the Michigan posts, but I’m okay if you’re all, “WE GET IT! You love Michigan.”
A few years ago, in a little Northern Michigan shop coincidentally, I found a photography coffee table book entitled Summertime (it’s less than half of what I paid right now on Amazon) that inspired me so much–gave me the most nostalgic feeling every time I opened it and ignited not only my creativity but my awareness of how many little things I love about summer from the sight of laundry drying on the line to the way it feels to slip in to a body of cold water on a hot day. That feeling is the sole inspiration behind all my photo-taking up here. And when we get home, we’ll bind it in a little book that will stay out all year, reminding us that though we also love the hustle and motivation behind our busy everyday life, the fuel lies in the moments when we drink up the simple pleasures.
We spend most of our days outside this month–on the dock…
…and in Poppa’s gardens.
Summer Bucket List Check: Catch a frog…toad will do.
A butterfly outside the butterfly house:
My dad has two bunnies this year, but a sweet neighbor who knew we are visiting had some baby bunnies she brought by the other day for the kids to hold.
Nella’s wand is having the best summer ever. She lost a tooth last week and was anxious to spend her dollar the tooth fairy left her (outside a fairy door on an outside tree as Nella made it known she was not interested in her coming near her pillow while she was sleeping). There aren’t many choices for shopping up here besides the Ace Hardware and a small town Merchandise Mart that’s kind of a cross between a Big Lots/Value City/Dollar Store/residential garage sale. I took the little ones to the Merchandise Mart, and they thought it was Disney World. We left not only with a new ribbon wand (!!), but a red cowboy hat, 2 light-up mohawk wigs, three bouncy balls, some outdated bath toys and a ballerina necklace.
One of my favorite things in the whole world is to come down to the lake after the sun has set and swim by myself as the moon gets higher and the world gets quiet. Sometimes there are tagalongs.
Another check off our bucket list was strawberry picking. We returned to AJ’s Farm in Lashine, Michigan this year at the tail end of picking season and still found lots of perfect berries to pick.
Nella ate every single one she picked, per usual.
We ended with some raspberries and saskatoons and brought them all home to make a pie that night.
The lake is calling…Happy Summering. xo
Maria says
Will never tire of posts like these. I wait patiently for them in between all of the sponsored ones. I miss the beauty your words & photos evoke & the intimacy of shared everyday moments. These posts are perfection
Laura says
Beautiful! Enjoy those smores!
Rebecca says
Love the Michigan posts! This is my favorite time of the year to read your blog. 🙂 My husband and I did a Northern Michigan road trip for our first wedding anniversary and it ranks as one of my favorite vacations. So gorgeous up there.
Ayala says
Magical! Beautiful post.
Michele at Everyday Snapshot says
I love these MI posts. We are possibly moving to MN, WI or MI. So seeing any glimpse helps me see more of it. And I just love the post and pic’s anyway.
Janice says
I wait all year for your Michigan posts! I enjoy everything you share, but your lake language speaks to my heart! Keep ’em coming!
Linda says
I looove your Michigan posts….it sends me back to the times we took our littles to the lake house each summer. Thank you for posting!
Linda
KG says
One can never tire of your posts written from the heart. Your passion & joy are felt through your words & your pictures only amplify the timeless wonder of the treasures you share.
And only blog in the morning?
What sort of nonsense is that? lol
LOVE your posts & anxiously await a new post every day- no matter what time!!!
Kelle says
Thank you. xo
Emily says
That red polka dot suit! So cute! Can I ask where it’s from? I find “mom” swimsuits so hard to find! My son is one so I’m new at this. 🙂
Just packing up ourselves to head to Northern MN on Friday! Summers at the lake are the best!
Kelle says
It’s from Marshalls.
Angela says
Your Michigan posts remind me of our summers in Canada – keep ’em coming!
Nadia says
When I am looking for photography motivation, parenting butterflies and just happiness all around.. I come to your blog. Thank you Kelle for always making me enjoy the small things.
The butterfly wings are SO cute! Where did you get this from? My daughters would love it!