Lake Michigan Vacation

Earlier this Summer, I spent a week of vacation at a lake home on Lake Michigan.  What a great, relaxing week we had!  We had absolutely perfect weather the entire time that we were there and enjoyed every minute of our vacation.

The house we rented is in Southwest Michigan, about halfway between Grand Haven and Holland.  Both are wonderful Summer Beach towns with great restaurants and cute downtown shopping districts. 



We spent most days relaxing on the beach and enjoying the water - although it was still pretty chilly!  My sister and I enjoyed spending the evenings on the deck, enjoying a glass of wine.

Counting planes in the sky...

{ Baby Sister, Mom, Me }

The house is only 30 minutes or so from where we live.  That made it nice because we were able to have friends and family come out and visit us for the day.

{ Dad & World's Cutest Brother }

We like to think of Lake Michigan as similar to an ocean - only "unsalted" and no sharks!

The evenings were just beautiful.  We West Michiganders like to say that we are on the "right side of the Lake" because the sun sets over Lake Michigan.



Collecting driftwood was a favorite passtime.  I came home with a pretty nice collection.

This kayak provided endless hours of entertainment.  After several failed attempts, my brother and I mastered paddling around in it.

My sister and brother never did quite master it, though  My mom and I watched them from shore and were laughing so hard we were almost crying.  Every time the two of them got in they tipped over!

We went in to Grand Haven several nights for dinner.  We rediscovered an old favorite, Fricano's.  Yum, their pizza is delicious.  I remember going there often with my parents when I was a kid.

We also rode our bikes in to Grand Haven one morning for breakfast - 7 miles!  I know that's not a lot for you bikers out there, but for us, it felt like a lot.  Especially for World's Cutest Brother who's bike only has one gear.  Not so much fun for him.

We also ate lots of meals at home.  When we did, we ate outside on the deck.  I love eating outside in the Summer, don't you?

We also enjoyed fires down by the beach.

What a lovely week on Lake Michigan. 

{ To see my post from last years Lake Michigan vacation click here }

Tasty Tuesdays: Pasta with Tomato, Basil, & Brie

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Welcome to Tasty Tuesdays!

 

I originally posted this recipe back in the summer of 2010.  I am sharing again today becasue I haven't been cooking much.  I've had weddingd to attend the last two weekends and have been busy enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

 

In an attempt to keep up with my ever growing supply of fresh basil, I made this pasta dish for dinner the other night. I thought it was good and it was probably the quickest pasta dish I have ever made! I used whole grain pasta, but if I make this dish again I think I would use regular pasta; I thought the whole grain made the overall dish a little dry.
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*Recipe from the July 2010 issue of Sunset Magazine in their Fast & Fresh section. It was submitted by reader Colleen Clark of Loveland, Co. 

 

Ingredients:
- 12 oz. orecchiette or shell pasta
- 4 oz. brie cheese, sliced
- two large tomatoes chopped (or 1 qt. cherry tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 c. fresh basil leaves, sliced
- salt & pepper to taste
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Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
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Can you believe how easy that was?
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I served this with mixed greens drizzled with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.

 

What did you cook this week?

 

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Tasty Tuesdays: Creamy Fettuccine with Corn & Arugula

Welcome to Tasty Tuesdays!

This might be my new favorite summer pasta dish {and you know I have a lot of summer pastas on the blog!}.  This was really good and I'm definitely going to be making it again.

{ Original recipe from Real Simple Magazine.  I've changed it a little and added the cherry tomatoes.  Find the original recipe right here }

Ingredients:

- 12 ounces fettuccine

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 2 leeks {white & light green parts, sliced thin}

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 cup corn kernels {from 2 ears or frozen}

- 1/2 cup dry white wine

- 3/4 cup heavy cream

- 2 cups arugula

- 1 cup cherry tomatoes; halved or quartered

- salt & pepper

- shaved Parmesan for serving

1.  Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.

2.  Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  3.Add the leeks, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.

3.  Add the corn, tomatoes, and wine. Simmer until the corn is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cream.

5.  Add pasta; season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and toss to combine. Fold in the arugula. Sprinkle with the cheese before serving.

What did you cook this week?

Party Rules:

1.  Add a link to the post you are linking up back to this post

OR

2.  Add the Tasty Tuesday button to the post you are linking up.  You will find the button on my sidebar.  Thanks!