Happy Halloween

James, Cindy and yours truly

1968

Ann Arbor Adventure

Yesterday we were treated by our friends Johnna and Phil to the University of Michigan football game.

We arrived early enough to get a prime tailgating spot on the golf course.  

Halloween brought out some interesting characters.

It was cold so I was happy the seats were close together.  There were 112,150 in attendance.

True U of M fans!

Loudonville

          I was caught without my good camera last weekend, so will have to make do with this phone photo of the fog lingering in the valley where Loudonville, OH lies.  

Wild West

On a recent trip to visit friends in Santa Fe, we took a drive to Taos.  We decided to take the bridge over the Rio Grande on the way back.  There was construction, and while we were waiting before crossing I took this shot.  You'll have to click on the photo to read the sign.

Celebracion de Chile

     Last weekend Dan and I had the best meal I've ever had at a fundraiser.  This one was for hospice and Alzheimer's care services at Promedica Health Systems and was catered by Evan's Street Station, in Tecumseh, Michigan.  The wines were from Santa Rita Vineyard in Chile. As if good wine and good food weren't enough, Jose Villa Lobos, flew all the way from Chile to describe the wine for each course - delightful!

Passed Hors d'Oeuvres

Shrimp and Sweet Corn Salad on Crispy Tortilla with Spiced Creme Fraiche

Roulade of Quinoa & Harvest Vegetables

Beef Crudos with Lemon Juice, Diced Onion & Traditional Yogurt Sauce

Scallop Ceviche with Lime & Local Chiles in Belgium Endive

120 Sauvignon Blanc, Reserved Chardonnay, Reserva Malbec, Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon

1st

Poached Maine Lobster with Heirloom Tomato, Caramelized Fennel, Lambs Lettuce & Ginger Beurre Blanc

Medalla Chardonnay

2nd

Goetz Farms Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup with Spiced Green Pumpkin Seeds, Back Forty Acres Duck Confit, Midwest Maple Bacon, and Farm Stand Sweet Corn

Medalla Real Carmenere

3rd

Braised Short Ribs with Sweet Potato-White Cheddar Gratin, Local Broccoli, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Fried Celery Root, & Cabernet Natural Reduction

Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon

4th

Dark Chocolate Flourless Torte with Chambord, Pecan Crisp, Creme Anglaise, & Ganache

Cinzano Brachetto d'Acqi

Indian Summer

     Grasses are some of my favorite plants.  I love the way they sway in the breeze and catch the light.  When ripe and warmed by the sun they smell like autumn.  This is Big Bluestem.  It is also known as Turkey Foot Grass because the ripe seed heads look like upside-down turkey feet.  This photo was taken at Campbell Prairie, which is in the Oak Openings Metro park.

     Hidden in the same prairie is this Praying Mantis egg case.  It is very hard, but light - like Styrofoam.  The case provides insulation and allows the eggs (and the species) to survive the winter.  

Beautiful Gentians

Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis crinita) - Potentially Threatened in the state of Ohio

Soapwort Gentian (Gentiana saponaria) - Endangered in the state of Ohio

Prairie Gentian (Gentiana puberulenta) - Endangered in the state of Ohio

Great News

     You'd be hard pressed to find a happier person than Gordy Rogers when this photo was taken last week.  He had just found out that his metastatic cancer continues to be in remission.  He is an amazing architect who also, apparently, has excellent balancing skills.  I would have been more impressed if the glass was full of scotch.

Hurry Hummingbird!

     Fall is here.  I finally had to give in and turn on the heat this morning.  Although this rather inadequate photo was taken earlier this year, I have continued to see hummingbirds at the feeders, as late as this morning.  I am guessing they have spent the summer in Canada and have only just now made it this far south.  It's hard not to worry about them.