Wednesday, March 28, 2012

A Birthday Trip

hello!
I was painting this morning and getting frustrated so I thought I would walk away for a bit and come and tell you about our weekend, or at least our Saturday.
The 18th was my daughters 14th birthday. Where does the time go?!
She wanted to go up to Glen Lake for the day with her BFF and since it doesn't take much for me to say yes to going there, I was happy to grant her birthday wish.
So my daughter, her BFF and her mom, which is also my friend, climbed in the Jeep and off we went!

It was a cloudy day and around 55-60 degrees, not too bad.  It is about a 2 1/2-3 hour trip but beautiful all the way up.
We stopped at a lighthouse in  Benzie County called Point Betsie. It is the oldest standing structure in that county and was built in 1858.  
As of today it is managed by a group of volunteers that make sure that this beautiful historic lighthouse is kept up and cared for.






After our stop there we made it to Glen Lake and had some lunch and then ventured off to a few beaches along Lake Michigan where the girls looked for treasures in the shore.
(my daughter is in the blue sweatshirt)





We then made our way up to Leeland.
It was really cold there so we didn't stay too long.



We even stopped to photograph a local. :)



All in all the trip was fun and the girls and myself and my friend enjoyed getting away for the day.
I can't wait until the summer when I can go park my buns on the dock there and just relax in the sun by the water. :)

Have a wonderful week!!


Photobucket
at

36 comments:

  1. ValMarch 28, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Beautiful in every way....It has a magical feel.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TriciaMarch 28, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    That sounds like a nice, relaxing day...it's the kind of thing I'd want to do for my birthday too. Your pictures look beautiful, Michelle :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim@Snug HarborMarch 28, 2012 at 11:50 AM

    I'd love to walk along the beach there - what kind of treasures did you find?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Simple DaisyMarch 28, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    So very beautiful!!! I just love the Lake Michigan coast line! And your photographs are just lovely:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cassie BustamanteMarch 28, 2012 at 12:01 PM

    oh it looks so beautiful there! sounds like a fabulous day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ~Lavender Dreamer~March 28, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    Happy Birthday to your daughter. This looks like the perfect way to spend a day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed BoysMarch 28, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    the light house shots are just gorgeous!! Looks like good times.

    ReplyDelete
  8. BrandiMarch 28, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    Happy Birthday to your daughter! Looks like you guys had a beautiful time!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Completely CoastalMarch 28, 2012 at 1:09 PM

    Did you move to the North West?? Honestly, that beautiful shoreline could be in OR or WA. Love the lighthouse, quite an impressive structure. I would volunteer for something like that, haha.

    ReplyDelete
  10. PaulaMarch 28, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    That is the most breathtaking lighthouse and coastal walk. It looks like something out of a film set it's so perfect! Looks like you had a spectacular time and Happy Birthday to you daughter! So glad i found your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Low Tide High StyleMarch 28, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    Happy Belated Birthday to your lovely daughter. And I can see she is so much like her beautiful mom when her birthday wish is to be along the shores of Glen Lake! Beautiful images!

    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  12. Robin JohnsonMarch 28, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    Sounds like you all had a great time. Much better than sitting inside getting frustrated.

    Gorgeous photos, I love the native - adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    I grew up in the midwest but never made it up to your area. Gosh, it's gorgeous there! Love this post.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Patti's Artful DesignMarch 28, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    Hi Michelle...so good to hear from you:) Thank you for those kind comments....love my doxies:) Happy B to your daughter too:) I love lighthouses, and Point Betsie is a stunner! Lovely photographs...enjoy the rest of your week and beyond:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. NanaDianaMarch 28, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Happy birthday to your daughter! Another milestone in her life. I love all the pictures of the shore and lighthouse. I see a couple of paintings in those photos! xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  16. Desire EmpireMarch 28, 2012 at 5:09 PM

    A beautiful birthday wish granted. With the music playing and your shots this was a lovely looely post. I love the shot of the little bambi.

    It looks cold.... but cold is good when you are out amongst it.

    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  17. RaeMarch 28, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    The Lighthouse is beautiful! Oh and all your photos are lovely.
    Please tell your daughter happy birthday for me and enjoy her day.
    Blessings friend.

    ReplyDelete
  18. DeborahMarch 28, 2012 at 7:05 PM

    Oh Im so glad you had such a wonderful day!
    The lighthouse is lovely!
    So glad all you girls got to visit Glen Lake together!
    In a few short months, it'll be warm with sunshine all over...just the way you love it so!

    Deborah xoxoxoox

    ReplyDelete
  19. Castles Crowns and CottagesMarch 28, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    Good evening my dear one,

    I am still so impressed that this is NOT the ocean!! You are so fortunate to be so close to a large body of water that makes one feel they are on the coast of Maine. LOVELY.

    KEEP PAINTING! Anita

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    Such a pretty lighthouse and you captued it beautifully, Michelle! My son turned 14 in February ~ it is unbelievable how fast it all goes. Good to hear you BIL is doing better, he sounds like a very special person!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Heaven's WalkMarch 28, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    There is something oh so very romantic about lighthouses, sis. Your photos are just beautiful! You should try painting some of them! :) Sending your grown up munchkin a belated birthday hug! ♥

    xoxo laurie

    ReplyDelete
  22. koraleeMarch 28, 2012 at 11:05 PM

    So much fun...I love lighthouses...what a lovely day for your birthday girl. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Darleen HopeMarch 29, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    Thanks :)

    Hey, this sounds like an amazing day! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. rjerdeeMarch 29, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    Lovely lighthouse.

    I loved your expression, "park my buns on the dock"...your wish will soon be granted :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousMarch 29, 2012 at 6:28 AM

    So beautiful. Happy Belated Birthday to your sweet daughter.
    I wish I could do what she was doing! Collect treasures by the beach.

    Im glad you are back and everything's back to normal. If i meet you someday, I will buy one of your photographs. Loved them :)

    Cheerio

    ReplyDelete
  26. LE CHEMIN DES GRANDS JARDINSMarch 29, 2012 at 6:38 AM

    Hello Michelle,
    J'ai été initié au blog par une artiste Américaine se prénommant Michelle. Jamais je n'en avais croisé une autre portant ce prénom et habitant aux States. Ce hasard me fait d'autant plus plaisir que ton travail de photographe me plait beaucoup. J'ai adoré ce reportage sur le phare qui, il est vrai, est une merveille.
    Je continuerai donc à venir ici pour toutes ces raisons.
    Belle journée,

    Roger

    ReplyDelete
  27. micheleMarch 29, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    fabulous! this is the sort of birthday memory that will stick with her for a lifetime. not a small thing!

    best to you, gorgeous.

    michele

    ReplyDelete
  28. Burlap LuxeMarch 29, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    Happy Birthday little one :)
    And Michelle you can throw me a birthday just like this and can I bring a friend tooooooo???
    I name you as my friend :)

    I have had this attachment to lighthouses and would you not love to live in one, I know I sure would!

    Thank you sweet friend for your beautiful visit and your dear words in your comment left is tucked away in my heart.

    Take your time when you paint, don't be affraid to listen to the piece letting it tell you what it wants to be. Paint as if it is painting it self knowing that there are no mistakes in creating euro-beach chic-cottage-and French it all works and sometimes are biggest mistakes are our mater pieces, in my many years of creating I have done just that and end up with my best work. So sit back let the piece tell you what it wants to be painted in and rough it up a bit in the end you will have created beauty.

    xoxo
    Blessings

    Dore

    Have a beautiful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  29. ArabellaMarch 29, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    What beautiful photos, Michelle. I can see why you love the area - it's gorgeous.

    Hope you have a good weekend.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  30. Comeca JonesMarch 29, 2012 at 11:10 PM

    Oh Michelle could that lighthouse be any more beautiful!!! I love the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  31. SylviaMarch 30, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    Happy Birthday to your precious Girl who is not so little anymore and I am sure she will grow up even more to be an wonderful person . It was the perfect way to celebrate her day and the photos have captured the purity of the experience .

    ReplyDelete
  32. Calypso In The CountryMarch 31, 2012 at 8:17 AM

    So pretty - love the lighthouse. I hope you all enjoyed the birthday celebration!
    -Shelley

    ReplyDelete
  33. MartinaMarch 31, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    So pretty these photos - the windy spring atmosphere! Would love a walk there now! Enjoy your weekend Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tammy@Beatrice BanksApril 2, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    Gorgeous photos! Happy Birthday to your princess!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Scandi Coast HomeApril 3, 2012 at 1:52 AM

    How beautiful is this?
    The photos are lovely......
    I can't believe people actually get to live there! What a lovely escape for you......
    Tania xx

    ReplyDelete
  36. DebbieApril 3, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    Wonderful pictures, from a wonderful trip.
    At first, that deer looked like a kangaroo!!!
    Have a great week!
    xxoo

    ReplyDelete

I love, love, love reading your comments! They bring a smile to my face on a daily basis!