Pack your bags....

The hubs said

as I opened my eyes a few Saturdays ago

just before my Birthday!

What??....what do you mean, pack my bags?

He told me he was taking me away for the day

and it involved an overnight stay....

But, he wouldn't say where or what we were doing!

It was a surprise....

IF you know me at all, you know....

I don't like surprises!

~He enjoys this~

So I did as I was told, not knowing what to expect

or what to pack.  He had the car loaded up with 

everything we might need, including little beverages and

H'orderves for later!

We drove to the lakeshore something we haven't done in years.  

We enjoy antiquing together and so our first stops

were at some of the local antique stores.  Most proved to be a bit pricey!

Good thing we don't mind just looking!

Then we headed into the little tourist town of

~South Haven~

I was amazed at the amount of people in this little town.

The shoppes were fun to look at, but again, a bit pricey

so we headed to lunch at a place he had heard about called

~Phils Bar & Grill~

The tables were covered in brown paper

and crayons were available on the tables

....fun for doodeling on!

The food was

~Excellent~

Hubs had a black and blue burger

and I had

a wrap with The Best red potato, potato salad....

It was Awesome!

Then we walked thru town to work off our lunch

and this little garden right in town drew us in....

This fudge shop called our name...

but we were good and resisted the urge.

~Picture only!~

Then we headed back out of town and stopped at a few

more antique shoppes.  This one made us turn around after passing 

by it briefly.  It was loaded with architectural stuff....

~which we Love~

Lots of people pulled in after us.

See the Ice Cream bike?

$2800.00

We joked about buying it and fixing it up

for our youngest to ride around town and

sell ice cream.  She hasn't found a summer job yet,

and summer's winding down!

It would be cute though, don't you think?

As we headed down the road we came upon a sign

that drew us to the shore line again.

Felt Mansion Renovation....

~WOW~

This place is Gorgeous and Huge!

Parties can be booked here....

It was once a residence!

Stately entrance don't you think?

Lovely fountain area....

We had to check it out!

The water was the deepest blue I've ever seen!

Down the hill a bit was the 

~Carriage House~

I wouldn't mind living in there!

Then we were off to our destination....

I still didn't know where we were going!

He had set up a surprise stay at the 

~JW Marriott~

OMG....it is Gorgeous!

We were up on the 16th floor!

We had a corner room....

with a gorgeous view!

~The children's museum~

~President Ford's museum~

~Gorgeous Bathroom~

Someday we'd like to remodel our bathroom to be like this!

~We can dream can't we?~

And while your waiting for the elevator

look down, this is what you see!

Hope your not afraid of heights

~like me!~

Very nice!

Music playing and people enjoying drinks and appetizers!

Beautiful night to take in the town!

Gorgeous view from our room at night!

(except for the flash)

I have to say....

This was THE BEST birthday EVER!

By Far the most

~Romantic~

Mostly because my hubby planned it all 

just for me!  I Love You Honey!

I guess Surprises aren't so bad afterall!

Thanks for stopping by!

See Ya Next Year....

 Those are the words you want to hear after you

go for your mammogram!

I was scheduled for an ultrasound first,

but when I was taken back to "the room"

the technician said she had a few questions first.

 It was kind of odd....

I thought anyway, first she asked me my last name,

it took me back to the days when my mom was ill

and they were checking to see how "sane" she was,

then she asked me my birth date....

again odd I thought,

then she asked me Why I was there for an ultrasound?

I explained my history of fibrocystic disease since the age of

15 and how the last 3-4 yrs after having a mammogram 

being called back for an ultrasound and going thru all that worry

yada, yada, yada....

Well, she informed me...

IF they do an ultrasound ~without~ a "need" for one....

my insurance won't pay for it!!

You see they scheduled me for the ultrasound before the

mammogram....Not MY Fault!

So, she had to go back and speak to "the powers that be"

about 5 mins. later in she comes and said

they must first do the mammogram and then if there

was a need they would do the ultrasound.

Which meant.....

the radiologist would have to read my results

~right away~

(when it typically takes 2 wks)

to see if there was concern enough to do the ultrasound!

My mammogram was given a 10 min. time slot.

I was in there for 1/2 hour....

the most thorough, gentle, mammogram

I've ever had!

End result....

No ultrasound needed!

Now had I just gone for a mammogram with no

ultrasound scheduled as well....

I would have been called back in

~2 weeks~

and gone thru all that worry!

Funny how things happen sometimes!

Then hubby and I were going to meet up for dinner

but decided to just come Home and he would

pick up some steaks and grill out....

perfect night for a dinner for 

2 on the porch!

 ~and a bottle of Wine~

Thank you honey!

At this time of year this is the coziest place

in our Home!

Hope your evening was as lovely as mine!

Thanks for all of your well wishes yesterday

and for stopping by for another visit!

Semi~Homemade can be good....

and makes the Home smell good too!

~Pecan Swirl~

Yum!

 this is the semi part....

 yummy pecans & crumble topping....

 this is the home~made part....

somebody has to add the 

eggs, oil, & water!

 and stir it all up....

 Mmmm....

look at that pecan~y crumble goodness....

 Oh So Good!

Now the hard part....

Waiting 45 minutes....


*******************

Perfect!
Even if it is Semi~Homemade!

Do you Peep?....

 Peeps seem to be big around here

 Sadly these Peeps

have sunken heads

 Everybody got one....

along with fruit flavored jelly beans

 candy coated M&M's 

and 

Caramel Cadbury Eggs

 Brad made our fabulous dinner....

Ham

asparagus and grilled zucchini & yellow squash

cheesy potatoes

salad

deviled eggs

and of course

rolls....
and that doesn't even include all of the
appetizers I forgot to get pictures of!

 Not sure what Amanda's doing!
Sadly our Hillary had to work today....
we miss you Hill!

 Red and White Wine

Happy Easter Everyone!

Just the 2 of Us....

Saturday Night....

we had enough for everybody,

but it ended up being 

Just the 2 of us!

Which was even better!

Brad was in the mood to "create"....

Love those dinners!

We had a fabulous salad....

Romaine & baby Spinach,

and home~made Green Goddess dressing!

Have you had that lately?

We also had a Great bottle of wine....

with warm bread & herbed butter!

Maybe it wasn't just the 2 of us....

they like to join us,

just in case something drops to the floor!

It was a perfect night....

for candle~light

~and soft music~

A nice little steak hot off the grill,

some "smashed" red potato,

and some oh~so~good buttery asparagus

Yep, we're married....

but we're Good Friends too!

I think that's important!

Hope your weekend was spent with

 Good Food,

Good Friends

& 

Good Wine!

Have a Great Monday!