Spring update - it’s not all about baking!

Now that I’ve finally published the bagel post that I started working on some weeks ago, I’m going to offer you a brief diversion. While I have several more baking project drafts in the hopper, I’m focusing my energies not only on the joys of baking but also some favorite activities like exercise (yes!!), spending social time with friends, enjoying nature and doing my best to cruise along life’s pathways. It’s not always easy, is it.

Most recently it was wonderful to gather with four high school (and beyond) classmates for a mini reunion. Angie and I began our friendship in grade school then on into junior high and high school. We met Jane, Luanne and Mary Beth in 10th grade and some of us also continued on through college and med school together. We’ve all traveled different paths and experienced life in various ways over the years. Now, particularly in the wake of the death of Angie’s husband (also a high school classmate) a few months ago, we were all eager to reconnect.

The five of us spent a couple of nights in northern Michigan near Crystal and Glen Lakes at Jane’s lovely lakeside home. Beautiful skies, dunes, many lakes, loons, country roads, wildflowers, beach rocks, cool shops - a popular traveler/tourist destination here in Michigan.

The lead photo above is a view from the dunes in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore down onto the gorgeous deep blue/aqua/turquoise waters of Lake Michigan (known to us as “the big lake”). The water seems to go on forever.

Two favorite lakes in the area are Big Glen and Little Glen (in the foreground in the photo below), adjacent to Sleeping Bear and just inland from the shores of the “big lake”.

Look out over big and little Glen Lakes

As we drove here and there we saw tons of trillium blooming on the woods’ floors.

We stopped for a lovely woodland hike and, in addition to lots of trillium, found many other wildflowers like jack-in-the-pulpit and Dutchman’s breeches. The path took us out of the woods, through a meadow and finally out to a dune overlook on Lake Michigan where we experienced a chilly wind.

Trust me - it goes down a ways!

All bundled up!

We took a lunch break back at Jane’s then ventured forth to Point Betsie Lighthouse, a favorite spot to search for beach rocks, particularly Petoskey stones. We couldn’t wander into the lighthouse grounds since the park wasn’t even officially open for the season yet, but we could go down to the beach.

There were a few diehard rock searchers out on the fairly long stretch of beach. Angie did find one Petoskey as well as a number of other rocks that she’ll place in some of the garden areas around her home.

It was a relaxing and meaningful time for all of us. After a safe arrival back home I look forward to more adventures, baking or otherwise.

Of course I simply cannot leave you without at least one baked good - a mascarpone custard torta with cherry topping and oat crumble. I made it to honor a request from cousin Mary S. for something delicious to share with her book group. I do hope to write more about it.

And finally (I promise) here are some stunning blooms from Meijer Gardens tropical conservatory . . . . .

There’s so much beauty to experience. Until next time!