Holiday pounds affect more than people

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I don't know about you, but I've definitely increased in poundage over the past month or two, thanks to the tasty treats and temptations of the season.

People aren't the only ones putting on pounds this time of year, though. Proof of such an assertion: the squirrel of mixed-race — apparently the result of hanky panky between a regular tan squirrel and an Abert's squirrel — I spotted outside my window the other day.

chubby mixed-race squirrel

Chubby little fella...

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Desert bloom, plus GRAND Social No. 185 link party for grandparents

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Desert bloom

It's been quite cold in Colorado since I returned from my visit to the desert last week. Perhaps it's the fact I came home from the desert that makes Colorado seem a wee bit chillier than usual. It's been icy and snowy and cold the past few days, which makes it even more incredible to think that just one week ago, I was shooting photos of the sun-loving flowers blooming on the bushes in my grandsons' back yard.

Flowers such as this... of which I have no idea the name (does anyone?):

 

Just looking at that magnificent desert...

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Grand desert hike

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I'm not typically up for going on hikes with my grandsons when I visit their place, though hiking is one of the family's favorite activities. It's usually so stinkin' hot in the desert that heading out for supposed fun in the sun among cactuses is far from my idea of a grand time.

The other day, though, the desert weather was uncharacteristically mild and suited to Gramma's liking, thus perfect for hitting the trails with Mac, Jak, and their mommy.

hiking with grandsons

The hike was rather short due to...

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Angles and angels and what grandmas won't do for their grandkids

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We got our first big snow of the season last month. When Megan heard about the snowstorm, she asked that I make a snow angel to show the boys how it's done. See, my disadvantaged desert-dwelling grandsons have never, ever made a snow angel.

So, being the accommodating grandma that I am, I made a snow angel for my grandsons. As it was too cold and the snow too deep for me to venture out into the yard, I decided to lie down on the snow-covered deck, just outside my kitchen door.

I flapped my arms and legs (the best I could with the rocking chair obstructing my flapping right arm) as Jim made a brief video on my phone of me flapping and flailing for my grandsons then carefully rising from the snow, hoping...

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Wanted: Outdoor and history enthusiasts to experience Alpena

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History buffs seeking outdoor adventure will believe they've struck gold when visiting the city of Alpena on Michigan's east coast. Alpena is rich with both—many times in the same activity or attraction.

alpena michigan

The perfect description for this quaint community on the edge of Lake Huron comes by way of Mary Beth Stutzman, longtime resident and CVB president. "Alpena is that place where history and heritage collide with relaxed outdoor adventure," Mary Beth says. 

Such glowing words are to be expected from the gal charged with promoting...

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16 spots I want to take my grandkids on Michigan's sunrise coast

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16 spots I want to take my grandkids on Michigan's sunrise coast

michigan attractions for kids 

I live in the mountains and my grandsons live in the desert. Which means neither they nor I have much opportunity to enjoy natural water features—lakes, rivers, and so forth—and the outdoor adventures related to them. It's so very dry here, so very dry there.

Because of our similarly parched home states, when I recently toured gems of communities on the "sunrise coast" of Michigan—primarily the Tawases and Alpena (thanks, Pure Michigan!)—I couldn't help but consider how much my landlocked grandsons would be thrilled by ocean-like Lake Huron as well as...

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Lake Huron waves, plus GRAND Social No. 177 link party for grandparents

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Lake Huron waves

I'd like to kick off the new week with a wee bit of peace and tranquility.

Middle Island Lighthouse Michigan
View of Middle Island Lighthouse from the keeper's house

While I was in Michigan, I couldn't get enough of the peaceful sound of waves hitting the various shorelines I had the opportunity to explore. My dusk visit to Middle Island Lighthouse...

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Colorful Colorado, plus GRAND Social No. 168 link party for grandparents

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Colorful Colorado

Over the weekend, Jim and I visited a local park (actually called an "open space") that we've heard much about and passed the entrance into literally hundreds of times. To further test drive a Subaru Legacy I had for the week for review, we decided it was high time to head deep into Red Rock Canyon.

This is a sampling of what we found:

Red Rock Canyon Open Space 

So peaceful and pretty!

I have nearly 300 more photos from the nearly three hours we spent...

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Team with grandkids and National Wildlife Federation to create a wildlife habitat

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Team with grandkids and National Wildlife Federation to create a wildlife habitat

certified wildlife habitat

Grandma and Grandpa's house is a magical place for a grandchild. Having your yard certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation can increase the magical factor tenfold and more.

Certifying your yard, no matter how big or how small, is much easier than...

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Operation Wasp Annihilation

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My husband and I ate dinner outside on our deck on Saturday evening. As we noshed on our nummy gyros from our favorite Greek restaurant, I had to keep swatting away what I thought were bees.

"What the heck's up with all the freakin' bees?" I asked Jim.

One quick look around—and up—told us exactly what was up... and that it wasn't bees. It was wasps! A huge melon-sized hive of them just above the door to our garage.

The size of the hive floored me! I immediately...

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