The Turner Family

Stacy, a Grand Ledge graduate, explaining the labeling machine that was acquired from Budweiser. Cruising through the  Twitter  this winter , I note that  Aradia  -- a semi-local brewpub, and of which mom and dad are founding members -- is having what they term a 'beer dinner' on April 28, which also happens to be dad's 70th birthday. Thinking that it's a natural occasion and destination to celebrate dad, the Turner boys scheme to get him there. When we arrived (albeit, a little late, due to unforeseen Michigan Avenue construction in Battle Creek), we were provided with a brief tour of Arcadia's production facility, and given a menu agenda for the evening. Chef Sean described the evening's meal as turning food inside out, changing our perception of what we typically perceive, encounter, and eat. Tables were set up separate from the restaurant, again on the production side, where they were white-linen clad, and supplied with plates of Swiss...

Last Fall, the Grandson was at our house for an afternoon, and he had on the worst shoes ever created by Man - at least in the opinion of the Grandfather. When dry, they were virtually impossible to get on and off of his feet. When damp, the shoes laughed in the face of any attempt to put them on. And, they smelled BAD. Mercifully, he outgrew them and they never reappeared in Eagle. Until Christmas - when they did reappear in the form of a malevolent gift to his Grandfather. Oh horrors ! - the shoes still lived ! Over the winter the Grandfather wondered what would be a suitable fate for these terrible, these evil, these shoes most foul. At last it was decided that the shoes would be put to the torch - they would be burned alive -as it were. So, on a suitable day, all who had suffered at the hands of these wretched shoes assembled in Eagle and they were BURNED until nothing remained of them !! One could almost hear the shoes scream. Gone, gone, gone at last. Taken a few days later at ...

The Accra Turner's had big plans for the Spring Break. Dad and Mom had taken the week off while Garrett and I were looking forward to enjoying some relaxation. We had parties, a 3-day beach trip to Ada, and even a house guest planned. But... this is Africa, so not everything worked out as planned but better then planned. After hosting yet another Hale and Farewell on Friday, this one turned out to only be a Farewell. With a running Indian theme including traditional Indian music and food, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Afterwards Mom, Dad, and Garrett rushed off to their weekly Salsa class. We spent the rest of the weekend lounging and taking naps. Monday, instead of going to Ada as planned we continued to rest in the sanctuary of our own home. We did leave Tuesday though, arriving after a 2 hour car ride just in time for lunch with a side of bad-news. The hotel had no more rooms. We dined, afterwards looking at the other hotels close by but none seemed to suit us so we turne...

These are just photos I love from the birthday gathering at my house last weekend. No particular order (and I wish I wasn't missing a few people - maybe others have some to post?). This one of Lucy and Sophia cracks me up 'cause this is the expression Lucy made when Chris asked her to 'smile' - so hilarious! Thanks for coming to help me celebrate! I loved the day and wish it didn't go so fast!

At least 14 inches in 18 hours and still coming down! Spring can't come soon enough in Traverse City and there's nothing in the forecast that says it's going to warm up and all melt away. Glen has already cleaned out the driveway twice. (He says if he's not driving a truck, he'd just as soon be driving the snowblower) Our bird feeder looks like a wedding cake. Heavy, wet snow on trees. Neighbor across the street struggles with his driveway. The pink flamingos in the yard behind us wish they were back in Florida!

This past weekend, I had the good fortune (and good sense) to go to Traverse City for the ceremony to induct Cynthia into the Traverse City Bowling Hall of Fame... Of course, before you can be awarded...you have to bowl. I got to see Cyn and Glen in action with one of their regular (and favorite) groups on Friday night. Glen, his cousins Frank (Sonny) and Al with Connie and of course, Cynthia. The inductee! Everyone wanted their picture with the hall of famer! Two very handsome photos of Cyn and Glen... Cyn and fellow 2011 inductee More family photos.... Devyn, Jamie, Dennis and Cyn me and cyn (family resemblance?) the evening had a fantastic Elvis tribute singer during dinner (and a ventriloquist !! after dinner) wow. Yooperman joined us for breakfast the next day.. Thanks, Cyn for a great reason to come up to your city! It was wonderful to see how loved and respected you are by the whole bowling community...I am not at all surprised!

We took our mid-afternoon meal today at Johnson's Boucaniere in Lafayette. (We have a tendancy to eat two meals a day when we are on the road, one early, and one mid-afternoon or later.) Johnson's is a small walk-in place in an older home, situated in a nice old neighborhood. There are no tables inside, but the porch on the north side of the house has tables that could seat at least 30. That's where we feasted. They offer mostly cajun and smoked foods. They had several specials  today, including a pulled pork sandwich (Kay) and smoked pork ribs with corn bread (Bil). Everyday they prepare boudin, a cajun sausage (Bil). Boudin is a sausage made from pork, rice, onions and spices. I have had it twice before, and it's growing on me. The skin has always seemed to be like very thin leather, but steaming hot - it is inedible. The filling is ground very fine, and after cooking is like a very thick paste - actually as I write this, I ...