Luke Update and Other Things

 

     It has been an interesting time around our house. My daughter was home for 9 days! You have no idea what a gift that was for me. She hadn't been home in 18 months and she only gets here once a year. She hadn't experienced Fall since she moved 5 years ago, so that was her only request...she wanted to experience the season. We picked her up in St. Louis and took her along the Great River Road to Alton, Grafton and Elsa. The pictures above and below were taken at Pere Marquette Lodge.

 

     We also took a day and headed to Arthur, IL to Amish Country, where we went to an Amish auction (the handcrafted furniture is stunning), shopped at an Amish grocery store (noodles, homemade butter, fresh bread) and enjoyed being surrounded by all the horse and buggys. It is such a different world and yet not that far away.

 

 

     Her visit home was at the same time as my girlfriend's annual Witch Party, so of course we put on our witche's hats and had a fun luncheon with a coven of witches. Some of these women really go all out with their costumes. We completely took over the dining room at a local restaurant. It was such fun! Even more so with my girl child with me.

 

     We did arts and crafts! I know that you all are aware that I have no talent in that category, but after reading about making swearter pumpkins on StoneGable's blog, I thought we might be able to handle it. I went to Goodwill for sweaters and had them washed and ready. Believe it or not, ours turned out really well (for us). I'm linking to Yvonne's tutorial here. Believe me, if I can do this, you can.

 

     We spoiled ourselves a little bit at a spa. We actually went to Branches twice. My daughter had a facial and manicure while I had a pumpkin pedicure and then a few days later, she had a massage while I had a facial. Everything was wonderful, relaxing and very comfortable. I think a monster has been created as I can't wait to go back. 

 

     She had planned this trip to be home for my birthday, which was last Monday. I kept saying that between my trip to Michigan and then having my kiddo home for so many days, I simply didn't need a birthday this year. Well, it is a good thing that I felt that way, because Sunday night I had food poisoning from a local restaurant lunch. I have seriously never been that sick in my life. So, my daughter spent her last day home bringing me ice chips, rubbing my neck and making jello. I couldn't stand without getting dizzy until Wednesday and it was Thursday before I got dressed. I lost an entire week...Happy Birthday to me! I will admit, if I had to be that sick, it was certainly nice having her home to take care of me! One thing about it, life is rarely dull around my house!

 

 

     I kept reminding myself as I was sick last week, that it was really nothing compared to what this brave little guy has been going through. As you can see, he has lost most of his hair and is a bit puffy from the steriods. He has been having some wonderful experiences made possible by generous people in town. Our local fire department made him and honorary fireman, even letting him go on a call and hanging his picture on the wall. One of the most moving things I have ever seen is that they put out the word to other fire departments in the state, and over 100 departments each sent him a hat...such kind people in the world.

 

     Today is an important day for our friends and a very difficult one. Luke has his bone marrow test today and this is the day they have to decide to either have the bone marrow transplant or extremely strong chemo. Whichever direction they choose, it makes the other no longer an option. The doctors are split on their advice, so our young friends have to make this decision on their own, with God's help. Either choice will be dangerous for their 5-year-old, but may save his life. I can't imagine being in their shoes. So, please say a prayer for them today...for guidance and peace with their choice.

 

Michigan-The Shopping

     When I think of fun vacations, I think of scenery, food and shopping! If you missed some of my scenic pictures of our trip to Michigan, you can see them here. Today, I thought I would share a few of my favorite shopping spots when we head up north.

     Do you ever walk into a store and think to yourself "this is a blogger's paradise"? That is exactly how I felt when I discovered Sensible Pearl's in Suttons Bay, MI. We love Suttons Bay...it is small, beautiful and has darling little shops.

 

I was so excited to finally find Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

I do have a project in mind, but you all know how

I am with "arts and crafts". It is a large piece of

 furniture, so any advice is welcome.

 

 

I also couldn't leave these precious velvet pumpkins behind.

 

 

     We usually try to plan a visit to Leland, MI for lunch. Leland is home to historic Fishtown, which has small shops and eateries.

 

 

 

This trip, look what I found! Two of them came home

with us...I really wanted them all.

 

 

     Much of what we do in Michigan is outdoors, including the shopping. There are so many orchards, fruit stands and farmer's markets. What I love is that many of them are on the honor system. We bought wonderful Honeycrisp apples and just put our money in the box and took what we wanted. The above pictures are of one of our favorite places...Pond Hill Farm, located just outside of Harbor Springs, MI. When we first started coming here, it was simply a working farm that sold flowers and vegetables with a few animals for kids to play with. Now, it has a winery and restaurant. We still love all the hand-canned items that are just like grandma used to make.

 

 

There are also bakeries on every street corner...

so, we just had to have some cinnamon breads.

 

 

In Holland, MI on the way home...we

stocked up at the farmer's market on

local vegetables including fresh chestnuts.

 

 

     Of course it wouldn't be a trip if I didn't come home with at least one pair of new shoes. I bought these crazy boots and I just love them. They have birdhouses, cats and top hats mixed with florals on them. They are my "girly" work boots!

 

     We  stocked up on all our favorite jams, sauces and salsas...some wine and beer from local wineries and breweries and even did a little Christmas shopping. As you can see, you never get bored along Lake Michigan! Next up...the food!

What's So Great About Michigan?

     We just got back from spending a week at our "peaceful place" in Michigan. Nothing surprises me (or my husband) more than how much I love it there. I was always a person who needed to see palm trees to feel as if I was on vacation. My husband said last week that he never dreamed we would be taking trips that included cold temperatures, hiking and a wardrobe of only jeans and boots or tennis shoes. Don't get me wrong...I'm still blissfully happy on a sunny beach in Florida with my feet in the sand, but I'm equally as happy wandering the shores of Lake Michigan (as long as it isn't winter). I thought I'd share some of my favorite spots with you in the next few blog posts. We have learned over the years to pack for all sorts of weather conditions when we make the 8 hour drive north to Traverse City. This time was no different. We saw sleet, rain, wind and sunshine...and it was snowing all around us. I think I'll just stop writing and let the pictures speak for themselves. You will be traveling on the Leelanau Peninsula, where the leaves have turned lovely shades of gold and red. The day was sunny and windy, the beach isolated and for the first time we visited Sleeping Bear Dunes in the midst of a sand storm. It was beautiful, but the sand was very painful on our faces and got into our eyes, teeth, shoes and even our pockets. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Seeking Fall

                                     

In the other gardens And all up the vale, From the autumn bonfires See the smoke trail! Pleasant summer over And all the summer flowers, The red fire blazes, The grey smoke towers. Sing a song of seasons! Something bright in all! Flowers in the summer, Fires in the fall!   Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson     I'll be looking for fall this weekend...what will you be doing?



Prayers for Luke

 

 

     This will be a different blog post than usual. You see, there is something more important going on than anything I could write about food, flowers or decor. That sweet little boy in the picture above, he is very sick and because I believe in the power of prayer...I want to share a little of his story with you.

 

     Luke is the son of close friends of ours. His dad works with my husband. He started kindergarten this year and he loves baseball, Hot Wheel cars and his brother and sister. Around two years ago, his parents were blindsided when what they thought was a playground injury turned out to be leukemia. I can't begin to tell you what they went through for those first months. Weeks in the hospital in St. Louis (about 100 miles from us) followed by daily trips back and forth after he was released. Many trips to the ER, horrible sickness from the chemo and the tests all while his mom was nursing their youngest child and his older brother was in the first grade. It was worth it all, the leukemia went into remission and for the last year he has taken maintenance chemo by mouth and had monthly trips to St. Louis. While there were still a few bumps along the way from reactions to testing or his weakened immune system, he has been a healthy, happy little boy for a year.

 

     Last week, this young family was stunned once again. Luke's routine monthly checkup showed the leukemia was back. His spinal fluid is 95 percent leukemia cells and it is also in his bone marrow. The picture above was taken this past Sunday...you would never guess he is a sick child by looking at him. His older brother's coach arranged for him to get to play on the team for a game, which was a dream come true for him. His two-year-old sister and his brother (a third grader) have both been tested for a bone marrow transplant. The results will take two weeks to get back. Yesterday, he started agressive chemo and his family is facing driving to St. Louis every other day until December, with a few days spent in the hospital there. If all goes as planned and one of the children is a match, the transplant process will begin in December with Luke and his mom staying in the hospital for 100 days and then in St. Louis for another 100 days. Christmas will be spent in the hospital, mom will be away from her other children for 7 months, dad will be working full time and taking care of two small children and the things that Luke will have to endure are just too painful to write about.

 

     They are an amazing family. They have a strong faith and support from family and friends. They have used the past "healthy" year to raise awareness and funds for research for childhood cancers. They give of themselves to others and they have been through more than any family that I have ever known. As I discovered "the plan" for their next year...I was simply overwhelmed by what they have to face and yet when we visited with Luke's dad on Sunday, he was ready to do whatever he had to do to save his child and he was already talking about how they planned to give back once Luke is well. I am old enough to be their parent, but they seem so much wiser and stronger than I will ever be.

 

     There is so little that we can do as their friends. A plan for taking meals is in place. (Have you seen Mealtrain.com-fabulous for things like this). They have volunteers for babysitting and Luke's dad has been told he can work some days from home. Mostly, what they ask for is prayer. Right now, the prayer is that one of the siblings is a match. This is the best possible thing that could happen for Luke.

 

     Because blogging is my way of reaching many people, I ask for your help. I ask that you pray for our friends and for Luke if that is what you believe in. If not, I ask that you just send good thoughts and positive energy their way. I ask that you consider signing up to be on the bone marrow donor list, because I know this would be something our friends would want others to consider. If this touches you in a way that you would like to do more for this family, send me a message and I will tell you how you can do that.

 

     Last week was one of those that was extremely painful for all of us who love this family. It was so unexpected and it made us all feel so helpless. It also made me very aware that anything in my life that I've been complaining about...is nothing. So, if you are so inclined...please take just a moment to add this sweet child and his family to your prayers today. Thank you.