"Becky and Rosa's Visit......"

Friends from Madison, Becky and her daughter, Rosa, came for a short visit last week. We had one full day to "show them around" and chose to take them over to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.

Here is Rosa trying on one of the several "bear" hats at the Visitors Center.

After leaving the Visitors Center, we drove over to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, stopping at the first of several "scenic views". This one overlooks Glen Lake.

Our second "scenic overlook" is of the backside of the Dunes Climb, and gives a beautiful view of North and South Manitou Islands. Unfortunately, it was quite hazy on Friday while we were there, but still beautiful nonetheless.

"Ms. Photogenic"......

Our last "scenic overlook" was right above the Lake Michigan's shoreline.........and we were waaaaaaaay above it!

Don, Becky and Rosa went a short way down the dune while I continued on and stood on the deck overlooking the shoreline.

Between where I was, and where they were, is a small stand of windswept trees. This couple attached their hammocks to a couple of them, making many people envious, I'm sure. ;)

Don, Becky, and Rosa then joined me on the deck overlooking the shoreline.

Beautiful views despite the hazy conditions......

After leaving Sleeping Bear Dunes, we drove down to The Cabbage Shed in Elberta (across Betsie Lake from Frankfort).

We had a wonderful visit, although too short, with Becky and Rosa, and look forward to their next one.

"Citrus Blossom and Buds......."

When checking my 4 citrus trees this morning, I noticed several flower buds on my variegated lemon tree. I knew I had a blossom on my orange tree, but to see buds on the variegated lemon was truly surprising! The tree has not been doing well as of late, although it started regrowing leaves a few weeks ago after I sprayed it with a homemade "shower spray"......having used that last winter when I "think" it had spider mites. A few of the old leaves still have black spots, like mildew, but the rest of the plant is looking, and doing, very well.

"Time for Kale Chips"

I decided it was time to make some kale chips today. We have several plants and I have been keeping an eye on them to make a decision as to when I had enough decent sized leaves to make the dehydrating effort worthwhile. Today was that day.

After cutting the leaves, the stems needed to be removed, leaves washed, spun dry (using our salad spinner), and they were ready to be bagged for their drizzling of olive oil.

I then laid them out in a single layer on the trays of the dehydrator and sprinkled them with popcorn salt.......this time using "Ranch" flavor.

After loading several trays, the top was put on, time set for 1 hour at 130 degrees, after which I will set the drying temperature down to 120 degrees for the rest of the drying process. I will set the timer for a good number of hours, due to not remembering how long it took from them to dry in the past. :)