What a Fruitful Day!

It's that time of year again! The sun is very hot, and raspberries are in bloom! Or fruiting? Or bearing fruit? I'm not quite sure the proper term for it. I love biking home from town and finding raspberry patches all over the island. It's always a good break when going up a tough hill. ;) I can't wait to make popsicles! Or pie, jam or anything tasty! Or I might just eat all of them before they can be made into anything else. That option may actually win out.

Also, sorry it's been so long since my last post. Summer on Mackinac has been crazy busy! I'll share all my adventures soon. :)

Walls That Aren't Boring

One thing (of many) that I love about being back in Las Vegas is that I'm surrounded by some of my favorite walls! This was one of the first murals I ever painted. It's huge! I love when I'm in bed and I can just look up and see this awesome wall. I didn't really plan this mural out; I just started taping random shapes and painting, and then finally this came out! Well, over a few days, about eight rolls of tape, and a bunch of different paints, it finally came out.

MHMM. This wall. I absolutely love it. It's gooorgeous. And most of it was free! (Hooray for pallet companies) I built it last year and I fall more in love every time I come back here or look at a picture of it. It really wasn't even that bad to build, if you like wooden puzzles. (;

If time lapses are your thing (they're definitely mine!), then check out this video of me painting the mural!

California Dreaming

Or rather, dreaming in California. (; I feel like I just love every state I'm in currently. One thing I love about being back in Las Vegas is that I'm only 4/5 hours from the beach! I love coming over here on a whim! Or with a little planning and fitting in a few craft shows. (: 

Drawing in sand is the best! So easy to have a blank canvas! (; 

I love doing shows! Interacting with so many people and showing all my creations is the best. 

Oh, an ode to goodwill outlet. I could write sonnets and essays about how much I love thee. I love digging through these bins and finding that elusive diamond in the rough. I feel like a treasure hunter. And it's only a dollar and a half a pound!! So crazy! So awesome! I somehow found a whole cart of amazing things, and it was only 40 dollars. Be jeaous (; 

The beach is probably my favorite place. I love digging my toes in the sand, collecting sea shells aka more treasure hunting (maybe I just want to be a pirate when I grow up) and just listening to the waves. It just provides such a relaxing and perfect atmosphere. 

A Love Letter to Utah (Sorry, Colorado)

I'm sorry Colorado. I know I loved you yesterday, but I have a found a new love in Utah. It's so gorgeous and full of mountains. Okay, okay, I know, so is Colorado. I guess my love is shared between these two states. As I said before, I love this route. Its definitely one of the prettier drives I've been on, except for maybe the coast of California, but I'm a sucker for any kind of beach scene.

Yummy clouds. 

Being outside is another favorite

Just chilling at a scenic view in Utah 

The clouds in Utah. Great! 

I loooove being able to see mountains in the distance. 

Is this even real? 

Even the ground is awesome! And yay love my Crayola x Vans shoes. 

Tree love. 

Seriously?! Amazing. Also, I love trees. 

Good job Utah. I will find a frame for you extremely soon. 

These kind of clouds are the greatest. Perfect day. Too bad I was in the car for most of it. 

A Love Letter to Colorado

Wow, you're so beautiful. Driving from Michigan to Las Vegas is one of my favorite drives, or Las Vegas to the east coast, etc. So many mountains, and cute little towns, and enough ski resorts to make me sad my snowboard was left in Michigan. I loved stopping in Denver and catching up with an old friend. He lives right downtown, somewhere I hadn't been able to visit when I had come here before.

Is it still a pet carrier if the pet sleeps on it? 

Mountains are my favorite. 

I think the kitten likes Colorado too. This was right before our yummy pizza picnic.

Even the skies seem prettier! 

I thought this seemed cool (: 

I love painting with light. I've never seen a bad one. 

They never come out bad! 

Leaving Mackinac (For a Little Bit) AKA a Rad Plane Ride

Sorry it's been a while, I've been crazy busy packing and moving! At least I moved a few blocks down, and not two miles away. And this time, I got to move via snowmobile, and not by bicycle, which was so much better, saving so much energy and effort. Then, it was time to head west! So we took a taxi (a horse drawn one, of course) up to the airport and waited for the teeny tiny plane to show up! Finally it had arrived and we all packed into the plane. Only five seats! I had to sit in the back so the kitten could be right next to me and not be so scared. :) The views were awesome. Enjoy the pictures. I'm a bit sad about leaving the island, but I'm glad to be warm and doing a few craft and art shows while I'm gone!

So tiny! 

Just after taking off, I could see my old place from here! 

Love this shot of the bridge! 

Just before landing, with a great view of St. Ignace and Mighty Mac

Mid Flight (: 

Winter on Mackinac Island

This winter has been absolutely gorgeous. There's been so much to do! Anytime I talk to someone on the mainland about living up here, all I hear is that I must be so bored. Even I thought that there wouldn't be that much to do during the winter; I would just be busy making things all winter and not have anything else to do. That couldn't be further than the truth! There's painting classes, cooking classes, trivia, volleyball, snowmobiling, bonfires, skiing, and so much more. And, my favorite thing of all, just adventuring around the island. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I'll share those instead, mainly because I don't want to write a few thousand words. 

This was one of my favorite days this winter-I bundled up and brought a blanket and it was so amazing. 

This was shot from the East Bluff; I love how the two lighthouses are lined up. :)

Ice is crazy cool! 

This was in front of Windermere Point; I love the sky and Mighty Mac in the background. 

It was such a foggy, creepy day!

One of my favorite things is when snow piles up on the trees.

Caught the snow falling at the exact right time!

Hiking up to Anne's Tablet!

The view from Anne's Tablet-the fort is on the right.  

The sky was so great. 

Love being able to see Round Island Lighthouse through the trees. 

This is why it's one of my favorite things.. So beautiful. 

Sunset from the boardwalk, right past the library.

British Landing sunset

Absolutely love this one. I shot it at the end of the Arnold Dock. 

How cool was this ice? It looks like some sort of crystal. 

Ice is the greatest filter!