A Working Weekend in the Duke City

August 22 - 24, 2014
Albuquerque, NM

After a pretty hassle-free 15 months, our tenants at the house on Quail Run decided to move back to LA and it was once again time to do the usual inspections and maintenance on the house in preparation for new tenants.  Even though we weren't feeling quite ready to let it go, we considered putting it up for sale this time and Scott even spoke with a well-known, local Realtor while I was in Michigan last month.  While we were not unhappy with the agent's recommended list price of $265K, he believed that the value is only likely to rise further this year. And so we decided to list it on the rental market again, despite the stress and inconvenience of being absentee landlords.  

Our house on Quail Run

Caroline's 24-Hour Selfie-tastic RomCom Movie Montage Trip to Grand Haven

August 12 - 13, 2014

Grand Haven, MI

During my almost two-week (mostly solo) trip to the Detroit area to visit family this summer, I decided to give my mom and stepdad a break from my frequently larger-than-life presence in their house.  So in the middle of my visit, I embarked upon an overnight adventure to my hometown of Grand Haven, located on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, to enjoy the local state park/beach and various other old haunts from my youth.  

Although the weather was a bit chilly, feeling more like late September than mid-August, I enjoyed my 24 hours in Grand Haven as much as I anticipated and loved being able to confirm that my hometown is just as magical now as it always was!

At my favorite section of the beach at the south end of Harbor Drive just before it ends

Mini Family Reunion in Michigan!

August 8, 2014

Royal Oak, MI

Following a two-year absence from our home state, Scott and I decided we really needed to make a visit back east.  Almost immediately upon our return from Prague and Budapest, where we had spent 8 glorious days in July, we booked a couple of plane tickets to Detroit.  Unfortunately, as it is planning season at Nestle, Scott was able to get away only for a long weekend but I booked my trip for 11 full days (not including travel days).  I timed my arrival so that I was just able to cross paths with my Aunt Nancy as she began her trip back east to Virginia from Grand Haven, where two generations of our family grew up and Nancy visits every August.  

My mom and stepdad graciously hosted a lovely and delicious bbq dinner of beef brisket, scallops and avocado salad, corn on the cob, panzanella salad, fruit salad and donuts for dessert (Christopher's favorite) at their new home in Royal Oak for the occasion.  It was so wonderful to reconnect with everyone, including my aunt, and I look forward to visiting her in her upcoming retirement in Sarasota, FL and Grand Haven in future years!

The family!