New Post?!?!

I'm back. I seem to have accidently taken a few weeks off. Where does the time go?

So, my plans for the weekend include organizing my photos and posting some on here. There are more mushroom pictures to post. I never realized there were so many different types of mushrooms in Michigan and at this time of year! Once I started looking they are everywhere. There is a huge clump growing in my neighborhood. I'm hoping to remember my camera the next time I walk and am also hoping they don't decide to mow their lawn soon.

Also on the agenda for the weekend - more art journaling. I saw this lovely post by Suzanne Cabrera on her blog the open [sketch]book and I'm inspired to do some investigating of my own. What haven't I seen in my neck of the woods that I should take the time to see?

And it's time to decorate for the fall. My petunias have had it and they must go. The front of my house has been so neglected this summer. I must do something. It may be time to call a landscaping company.

Looking Down While Walking

Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, cool, breezy day. Perfect for a walk in the woods with my sister. There were lots of logs and tree roots, so we spent most of the time looking down. This is what we saw.

Recently Fascinated by the Story of Huguette Clark

I read the first installment months ago. Apparently I wasn't the only one fascinated by her story because MSNBC followed it up with more investigation and reporting. Now it looks as though there will be legal investigation into whether this elderly person is being cared for and not exploited. Even if everything is ok, good for MSNBC for asking. It seems quite suspicious that her accountant and attorney are controlling access to her, even preventing distant relatives from checking on her.

Mom Just Locked Her Door

ROFL!

This is classic. How many times have I thought about doing this?! Mom needs a timeout kids. I love The Onion.

Will it make you happy?

While I am sitting here making a list for back to school shopping, I am struggling to get into the typical spirit of the event. I am having a harder time accumulating stuff lately. I just read this article and could really relate to it. I know my kids will need some new things, but I'm reluctant to add more stuff to our house until we get rid of some things. I think before school shopping, we will need to do a little more weeding out of things we don't need.

Even my kids seem to have caught this shift a bit, although, not when it comes to Moxie girl dolls or itunes stuff. I think back to school shopping will be a bit more subdued this year. My daughter had her grandmother take her to the Salvation Army Thrift Store for her birthday shopping. I think she realizes that her money will go a lot farther there. She came back with two shirts.

The things that have brought us the most joy this summer that were new purchases included trips up north camping, two new camping cots (it's nice to have a bed that doesn't deflate around midnight), fishing licenses and a hammock. That hammock has had so much use this summer and will hold two which makes it a lovely place for conversations or just hanging out together.