Visit to the Mitten (take 2)

Thanksgiving table at Dad and Mom's

Figured you might like an update of that crazy list I posted a few weeks ago of things I was anticipating during my brief Michigan visit. The check marks represent accomplishments. The italicized words are a few details. I abbreviated this list, but I did get to enjoy almost everything from the original list. Plus, I got to do all sorts of other amazing things, like play a duet with Libby one Sunday morning for offertory. 

ü  Sunday dinner—salmon, baked beans, special salads and breads, good company… need I say more??

ü  Christmas caroling—at Dow Gardens AND for church friends and neighbors’

ü  Thanksgiving together—at home. bliss.

• Lake Michigan

ü  Big Apple Bagels (or any bagels!)—score. Amy had blueberry bagels ready for my first breakfast home, and we ate Big Apple Bagels for lunch on my birthday :)

• My bicycle (riding it, of course—as long as the snow isn’t too deep! Haha.)—well, so… that didn’t really work out with all the snow we’ve had…

ü  A date with Brian in his new car (munching Wheat Thins on the way)—oh yeah!

ü  The Cookie House—my garage, our heat stove, the wood floors, lovely decorations, and the shower box!, waking up and knowing Amy’s right there—in the same room—not a crackling skype call away. i.can’t.wait.—I forgot just how LOVELY it really is.

ü  Foody stuff… like dill pickles, a Subway sub, pretzels, fig bars, sliced meat and tuna sandwiches, graham crackers, and American ice cream—check.check.check.

ü  My sewing machine and washing machine and waffle maker :)

ü  Applesauce… jars and jars and jars of unsweetened and wonderfully delicious Michigan mom-made APPLESAUCE. -how I miss thee- and I wish I could pack thee and take thee back with me…

ü  American shampoo and conditioner. Luxury.sheer luxury.

ü  My sweatshirt (why did I think I should leave it behind just because it’s bulky when I packed for Zambia?!?)

ü  Shopping at Salvation Army, Beyond Measure (bulk food), and our favorite shops in Clare with my mom and sisters—we even went on a girl date in downtown Bay City and visited the Sweet Boutique… a dream of mine for years!

ü  Hosting guests at the Cookie House—I’d say this was a success: 17 the day after Thanksgiving, 25 after Christmas caroling, 6 for a girls’ night…

ü  Snow. Though I didn’t miss it at all last winter, I do enjoy snowy days—Lots of beautiful, bright snow!

ü  Drinking tea with Amy—every.single.evening. It was so grand.

ü  Michigan fruit—cherries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, and blackberries.

ü  Meeting Charlie, Amy’s dog—we’re friends :)

ü  Muffins just the way I want to make them—raspberry white chocolate chip the day after I arrived… followed by bran, pumpkin chocolate, berry, and ginger...

• The Nature Center Trail/s—Dow Gardens instead.

ü  Calling Mom or Betsy or Dad or Amy or anybody in the US whenever I want and talking for as long as I want… because all those minutes are included in the monthly cell plan

ü  Rediscovering my closet, especially all the sweaters—oh it’s been fun!