Tag: Spin Cycle

Posted on

The Great Lakes {Spin Cycle}

I stepped outside early this morning, and felt a cool breeze coming from the East. The cool air was coming off of my favorite lake, Lake Michigan. Even though we only live 10 miles away, we rarely see the lake. But it makes its presence known, whether it’s by refreshing breezes or lake effect snow.

Lake Michigan usually plays a large part in our summer plans. We love to spend a week on the beach, just lounging, sitting in the sun and reading. The sun is hot, the water is cool, and the beach is sandy.

Swimming in Lake Michigan
Beach Time!

But why stop with Lake Michigan? A few summers ago we drove up to Lake Superior. It is so beautiful way up north! Crystal clear water let me see the wave-smoothed rocks lying on the bottom where I gingerly waded. But I couldn’t stay in the water for long…my legs turned numb from the cold!

We made it up north, to Lake Superior!

Growing up, however, Lake Huron was the lake to be. We drove up to the tip of the thumb of Michigan and rented a cabin for the week every summer, except for the year my mom was expecting my baby sister.

Mackinac Bridge, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet

Let’s not forget our HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. What of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie? I haven’t spent much time on either shore, but last summer we did spend time at Niagara Falls, which is between Ontario and Erie.

A view of Niagara Falls from Canada

Oh, the Great Lakes! They are my favorite places to spend summer!

Second Blooming
Click on the button above to read more favorites!

Where is your favorite place to be in the summer?

signature

Posted on

Art Matters {Spin Cycle}

I remember when my mom and dad brought my little sister home from the hospital. I thought she was the most precious baby ever! I was eight years old and couldn’t wait to hold my new baby sister. But I had the sniffles, and I was afraid I would make her sick. If I remember correctly, I washed my hands really well, and my mom placed Heather in my arms anyway.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my sister Meredith and her music compositions for Spin Cycle. When I asked Gretchen, our Spin Cycle hostess, to provide “art” as a prompt so I could tell you about my other little sister, she kindly obliged! (Thanks, Gretchen!)

For almost as long as I can remember, Heather has been creative. Whether it was choosing her own clothes and fixing her hair in wild arrangements, sewing little blankets and clothes for her dolls, or drawing pictures, Heather had creativity in her blood. When mothers came to my classroom door and apologized for their daughters’ strange clothes or hair, I told them that my sister used to do the exact same thing and she turned out alright. Now my own daughters come to school with crazy hair and clothes, and I’m the mother shaking my head. Just like my mom did with Heather, I let my daughters express themselves in fashion, with weird and sometimes wonderful results.

When I was a horse crazy tween (although nobody used the word “tween” back then), Heather drew a picture of a horse just for me. I still treasure it. Not everyone gets a green and pink horse from their little sister!

My pink and green horse

Now a professional artist, Heather’s paintings are a little more abstract.

One of my favorites!

Heather is a professor at Bradley University. She has had several gallery exhibitions, and this August we are going to Peoria, IL for two openings. If you are in the area, stop by! Be sure to say “hi!”

See more of Heather’s artwork on her website: Heather Brammeier

Intuitive Geometry, at Pearce Gallery, Dunlap, IL
Opening Reception August 17, 2012, 6-8 p.m.

Via Alternate Descriptions, at The Peoria Art Guild, IL
Opening Reception August 18, 2012, 6-8 p.m.

Spin Cycle at Second Blooming

Written as part of Gretchen’s Spin Cycle prompt, “Art”.

Thank you for indulging me as I brag about my sisters! 😉

signature