Winter Wonderland

It's been a short while, but I'm back. I've traveled home for the holidays and have been spending time with the family, making trips between Ohio and Michigan. It is so snowy and lovely here right now and boy do I have pictures!

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

This past weekend I traveled up to Leland, Michigan with my dad and brother. We rented a cabin in the woods near downtown Leland, went skiing, and enjoyed the massive amounts of snow. It snowed constantly from the time we arrived to the time we left...in fact I believe it's still snowing. Everyone was talking about how they haven't seen snow like that since 1978. It's going to be a great year for winter sports up there if this keeps up. And it was sooo gorgeous.

Leland

Leland was the home of my grandmother, and it's the one place that has been constant throughout my life. For this reason, it feels more like home to me than any other place. Through my families moves, my going off to college, and my move to Arizona, Leland has remained my place of memories and family friends. Even as we returned this time, 6 years after my last visit, it feels mostly the same. It's a small town, and there are people that live there who have known me since I was a mystery inside my mom's belly

At just about every place, my dad runs into someone he knows. In fact, we went into the Leland bookstore and happened upon a book about Fred Petroskey, a famous Leelanau painter and my grandmother's dear friend. We opened the book, and there upon the page is a painting of my grandmother, as well as the painting of my grandfather and I that sits in my father's living room.

It was wonderful to return to this place that is so entrenched with memories from my childhood, to see familiar faces and places, and to enjoy the winter wonderland with my dad and brother.

Again, I wish I had a better camera, because my pictures don't come close to doing justice for the beauty of the area...but I will share anyway. Happy Holidays!Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Fishtown, Leland

Suttons Bay, Michigan

Indiana Woods, Leland

Lake Michigan Shore, Leland

Barn in the Woods

The Narrows, The Village of Lake Leelanau