April 15-17, 2016: Women Wine Weekend

I was finally able to go on the annual wine woman's weekend.  Usually,  the girls went in February but this time it was later.  I brought my friend, Olivia Buxton,  which I was looking forward to bringing.    We had great conversation on our way up to Traverse City.   Olivia and I had a nice dinner at the Mackinaw Brewery in downtown Traverse City.   

We all stayed at the Comfort Inn.   Went in the hot tub which felt good.  It gave everyone a chance to meet each other.  My cousin Wendy brought her friend,  Heather.

Wendy said Olivia looked like the character, Denise, on the popular show,  "Walking Dead", so that was her new nickname.

On Saturday,  we left the hotel around 10:30 for our first winery which was Chateau Chantel which is my favorite.    Olivia and I rode with Wendy and Heather.   Heather likes the sweet wines like I do.   Kim, Marianne, Jo, and Joy rode together.  The view from Chateau Chantel is always gorgeous no matter what time of the year you go.

We went to the Grand Traverse and Black Star Winery.   In total, we went to 7 wineries.     Had a nice lunch at an Italian restaurant inside the old asylum, Traverse City State Hospital.    

Secrets I thought were secrets came out during our drive which had us roaring with laughter.

On Sunday, Olivia drove my car to the local bakery to get donuts as Wendy mentioned how we love baked goods.   

Olivia and I went to the Chocolate Festival at the Opera House which was fun.  We each got several delicious chocolates.  

We had a delicious lunch at the restaurant "Poppycocks".     

Hoping Olivia and I can do more traveling together in the future.   She's a good traveler.

April 3, 2016: Carmen's and Barnes and Noble

Josh and I went for breakfast at Carmen's in downtown Muskegon.   It is sure the place to go any day of the week.  We each got an omelette and split ours with each other.  One was a greek omelette and one was a mexican fajita.    Both were very good.   Then, we went and hung out at Barnes & Noble for the afternoon.    Overall, it was a very enjoyable weekend.   

April 2, 2016: Ludington with Josh

I have been enjoying hanging out with Josh Buxton these last 4 months.      I am really crazy about him.     I will always remember him for many reasons of which I won't discuss on this blog.  He called me to see if I wanted to take a drive up to Ludington to this music store, as he wanted to get a mount for his I-pad on a microphone and get a cord for his keyboard he found at Goodwill.   They sold quite a few beautiful guitars at the store.     I expected them to cost $1000 but you could get a nice one for $300.     
Then, Josh took me to this cute coffee shop in downtown Ludington and got my a drink and we split a treat.      
Then, we drove to the Ludington State Park as I had never been there before.  We talked about walking from Whitehall to Ludington this summer which I hope we do. He showed me his favorite pizza place there.
Josh was quite impressed that I got us back to Whitehall to pick up his sister, Olivia, with only 4 minutes to spare.   
I wanted to see this concert at Fetch Brewing which is near Olivia's apartment.   Josh didn't really want to go, but we went for maybe 15 minutes. I didn't realize how packed that place got on a Saturday night.      I stayed at their apartment that night.