The Nativity

One of my favorite gifts this year was the Willow Tree Nativity (I actually received it twice!). I don’t have the whole collection yet, but I’m well on my way. Here is a picture of my cat reflecting on the Christmas story behind my Mother-in-law’s nativity (really, he just likes the view out the window, but it’s a nice thought, right?). As we move on from our Christmas celebrations and into the new year, may we remember Christ and His sacrifice the whole year through. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Kitty Cat's Buffet

A couple of Saturdays ago, we took our cat, Bert, to the vet for his yearly check-up. When we left, the clinic gave us several samples of cat food to try. The next day we set out a ‘kitty cat buffet’ to see which food Bert prefers. Apparently, he prefers his regular food. By Tuesday afternoon, he had eaten up every last bit of his ‘regular’ food from his buffet and wanted more. He would repeatedly walk in to the kitchen and meow as if to say ‘please feed me!’

I pointed out to him several times that he had a buffet of food and plenty of water. Eventually he did start to eat the other foods. Here are his preferences based on which food he cleaned up first:
1. Regular Purina
2. Complete Health - Chicken
3. Healthy Weight - Chicken
4. Complete Health - Salmon
5. Dental Health
6. High Protein - Fish & Fowl
7. Indoor Health 
He is visiting relatives this Thanksgiving and is happy that his parents brought only his regular food for him to eat. He’s excited about the possibility of some turkey too!

Happy Autumn

To celebrate the changing seasons and hang on to autumn as long as I can I'm posting a pic of my fall decor. The large ‘jack-o-lantern’ (can you really call it that, since it’s not a face and there’s no actual holes?) was contributed by our neighbor. I think he did a great job with his design. His pumpkin is no longer displayed though. His door is the one on the left and ours is on the right. My parents gave me the small pumpkins and the Indian corn from their garden. How fun to have decorations grown by your own family!

Forbidden Apple

For our fifth Anniversary, my husband and I enjoyed dinner at the 1913 Room in Grand Rapids, MI. It is the only restaurant in Michigan to have received the AAA five diamond rating. We had a wonderful time. Pictured here is our dessert, the “Forbidden Apple”. It is chocolate ice cream with a red candy coating and chocolate liquor inside, served with a small candied apple. This dessert is a special of the restaurant and quite tasty! As a special treat, the restaurant included an edible anniversary plaque (and complimentary champagne!).

West Shore Symphony Orchestra

This summer I was able to attend a performance of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra (for free)!! I arrived early and got front row seats. I enjoyed the performance quite a bit. At one point the conductor taught us a little bit about conducting and then let some volunteers try it out. This short video is just one of the 'contestants'. Enjoy!!

Labor Day Bridge Walk

One of my pics from my Labor Day activity: the 51st Annual Mackinaw Bridge Walk! It was my first time. My husband and I did it in under two hours (even though I stopped to take a bunch of pictures)!

Can't they read?

It is almost the last day of August and if I want to keep up my pattern of posting, I need to post! Since I’m short on time; I’m leaving for the weekend soon, here’s an interesting picture I took this summer (interesting to me anyway). Enjoy!