Happy Halloween!

Raquel & Marie

black walnuts

A neighbor had a dozen large bags of raw black walnuts free for the taking, so I took one home.  They are a lot of work.  The fruit are like rotting tennis balls, a thick, fabric-like flesh surrounding the walnut.  Step one is peeling off that skin - rubber gloves are a must, as the walnuts contain a dye that will stain your hands for days afterwards

Once the nuts are cleaned (this only represents about 1/3 of them - all I had patience for tonight)

you rinse them and cure them for a few weeks.  I will post a follow-up when I get down to opening them up with a hammer and wire cutters!

thrift haul: bedding

King sized bed sheets are expensive, but not these: perfectly white 100% cotton set for $8

Excellent vintage quilt print twin bed spread with matching pillow shams

cute cotton flannel PA Dutch print nightshirt $2

t-shirt-o-rama

We did a school farmer's market up in Sutton's Bay, MI this morning, and my favorite part was the kids t-shirts

she said she did know the original lyrics

sky study #155

sunset over the West pasture, October 7, 2016

the secret cave

Mom & I were driving south on Bayshore Drive last week and I caught a glimpse of this beautiful hillside stone cave behind a house.  We turned around and pulled into their driveway - it seemed nobody was home so Mom, with her 83 year old moxie, went inside and looked around. Inside was a sizable empty room, with a rotting door and lots of cobwebs.  I imagine someone built it as a wine or root cellar - it would make a great cheese cave!

I can fit that in my mouth sideways

Cozy's toy: a pear

hello kitty

kid at farmers market last Saturday: matching pink sequin hat & mittens, great glasses, chocolate croissant

mud on your face

Mom in a chocolate face mask

Rudy at the window

humptulips

snugglers

Rudy loves Cozy loves Rudy

Detroit, my beloved

Spent a few days in Detroit a few weeks ago - saw the amazing Chris Robinson Brotherhood - look how close we were! 

sugar skulls at La Gloria Bakery in Mexicantown

Megan and I in The Palm House, Belle Isle Conservatory

Indian sweets

clementine love!

shake a tail feather (singular)

My sweet old rooster Roosty is getting older and one by one is losing his beautiful tail feathers.  Since I took this picture last week, that last one has come out, so he looks more like a hen these days.