#4thOfJuly Weekend Festivities

After an insane winter, the warmth of summer feels so incredibly nice. I'll even take the humidity! There is nothing like falling asleep to the hum of the air conditioner, having sunnies permanently affixed to my head or long naps in the sun. Better yet, was having all this glorious weather present for the long holiday weekend! 

Friday started with a Starbucks fueled ride up to Door County with my sister and her family, keeping north until we hit the top of the peninsula. The most I've ever seen of  the islands off the tip of Door County was in the distance, but on the fourth a 45-minute ferry ride fixed that. And let me tell ya, it's not easy keeping a gaggle of 5-7 year olds entertained in all that time either... which is why I left that up to the captains. On both trips. Yes, those kids weaseled their way next to the crew twice!

On the island, the first stop was to get some food and join the infamous Bitter Club. After much debate with my sister on what bitters actually is, we took the challenge of taking a shot! The second it went down I wiped my mouth and it looked like I was bleeding from the mouth. It was disgusting. That little business-card sized piece of paper was totally worth it.

After our induction the club of all clubs on the island, we went to the beach of all beaches. Schoolhouse beach is known for it's rounded, white-pebbled beach, which is a dream if you're the type of person who never seems to be able to get rid of sand even weeks after last visiting a beach! 

As I mentioned, the winter was loooong and cold, leaving Lake Michigan in a chilly state, still. That didn't hold me back from at least a few solid minutes of snorkeling around the rocky beach. I can confirm there is not much to see except for large, white rocks of varying size. 

 

The trip wasn't without some thrill, for the kiddos at least! One stop had them strapping up and zipping down a 30ft tower. While I've never been zip lining, I had jumped off cliffs higher than this tower. I figured I'd save my first time for something special and exotic. Recommendations are always welcome!

Of course the 4th isn't complete without ending the night with a series of incredibly bright and loud bangs! Our chauffeur drove us back down to Kewaunee where we hung out in one of the old, industrial buildings near the lakeshore until dusk, mostly to avoid the chill of the lake breeze (anyone who's been around the Great Lakes knows what I'm talking about).

When dusk approached, we headed towards the beach, arguing along the way on where the fireworks were going to be shot off. Turns out, they weren't launched from the usual location and our view was initially obscured by trees. They were not distracting us enough from the bumps arising on our skin from the cool night air and accompanying mosquitoes. We started heading back to the car when we thought they were finished and ended up watching the rest in the comfort of the car. 

Saturday made up for the lackluster display in Kewaunee as my very large, extended family gathered at my aunt's annual 4th of July party. As always, there was plenty of food, fireworks and drunk relatives. I self-proclaimed myself the event photographer for the night and literally took hundreds of photos of fireworks. Without fail, if there are fireworks, I cannot stop taking photos. I have a problem. 

They're just so pretty though! Aren't they!?

Hope you had a great holiday weekend!

 Here's the the 2nd half of summer,

Cheers!

Saying Goodbye to Grandpa

Hey there, I just wanted to pop in for a moment and say 'hey' to everybody, including all the new followers. I assure you, I'm not usually this quiet on here! The past couple weeks I had a steady stream of posts planned, mainly on my Tasmanian and Great Lakes road trips, but then one of those unplanned, unfortunate life events happened; my Grandpa died.

It came as a shock to everybody, as he was doing all his usual bumming around and making jokes the few days before we received the call about him being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. I knew it was serious, but he'd had heart problems before. I assumed he'd come out the hospital as he usually did in the past. But this time he didn't. A group of us gathered around him as he took his last breaths.

While I don't usually get too personal here, on the blog, this seems like one of one the more worthy personal details of my life worth mentioning. When I was twelve, my grandpa had retired and sold everything on his farm after my grandma had died. It was sad seeing that part of his life being sold off at auction, but it gave him a freedom that led him all over the U.S. and abroad.

Being so young at the time, it was hugely influential on me, especially as he started using a digital camera and need my help with processing his photos. I started itching for my own adventures as I went through the memory cards of his first few trips around Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii.

While I've always been determined to get a bachelors degree, mostly out of sheer stubbornness, I took a few years off of studying to fulfill the urges to explore. My Grandpa took advantage of his retirement to adventure, I didn't want to wait until then.

I really think the standard to shoving kids off to college right after high school is a waste of the new found freedom of adulthood. After a year and a half into my studies, I dropped-out and moved to Australia while meeting and badgering foreigners with questions about the world of traveling. I liked school, but I didn't want to get stuck in the same rut as everybody else, fulfilling what we're all 'suppose' to do as we graduate.

Before I go off on too long of a tangent, I'm going to bring it back to my Grandpa, who I was fortunate enough to have with me my first 24 years of life. Half of those, on the farm, doing chores in the barn. The other half, seeing his more adventurous, worry-free side. It's bittersweet not having him around anymore, but at least he was still able-bodied and free to do all his usual mischief til the end. Never once did we have to see him suffer, and while I selfishly believe he should have lived another 25 years, I am happy that he had a good 74, almost 75, years on earth.

I'm going to get back to my flow of posting more regularly, but these last couple weeks away from the blog had been much needed as everything sunk in and the family gathered to prepare all the proper arrangements.

 It's been close to two-weeks since he passed, and it still feels so surreal. 

Life Lately // Keeping up with the Pilgrim

I noticed I have a tendency to post things on this blog about a decade after they've happened. While that's not going to stop considering I have a whooooole lot more to share, I've decided to post more regularly about what is actually, currently going on in my life. Like most people right now, most of what is happening is preparing for Christmas while shouting profanity at the dropping temperatures. 

Those dropping temps didn't stop me from taking some impromptu photos outside and in the barn today, which are now being flashed all around the blog, several social media accounts and even inspired me to do a little revamp on this 'ole blog! There's still a couple things that need tweaking, but so far I'm happy with it!

On a less positive note, when the cold comes in, the wood stove that heats our house gets called into action. A couple days ago we had a pretty bad scare as our chimney caught on fire from the build-up of soot. While there was, fortunately, very little damage, the two-hours it took the firefighters who overtook our house to fully extinguish it were nerve wracking. There were literally flames shooting up and out over the roof and onto all the dry brush in the yard!

Other than that, not too much else is currently going on. Still at home looking for a job to bide the time with while Torsten and I plan for more adventures that will have us packing our bags in 2014! While nothing is official yet, I'm already getting a little stir-crazy after spending the past few months back at home.

Cheers! 

One Weekend, Seven Kids

Well, it happened. Snow fell and reminded me Christmas is only a month away. This year I have some bigger, more creative plans for my gift-giving. That plan involves several projects revolving around photographs of my nieces and nephews, aaalllllll seven of them.


But instead of taking the easy way out by using photos already taken throughout the year, I decided to do the impossible and have one big photo shoot. I scavenged Goodwill, Salvation Army and Target for props and the best baggy cloths that would blend in with our dried-up farm backyard. Can we make shabby-farmer-chic a thing? Or is that just Seattle?

I must admit, one of the best parts of being back home is having seven of the cutest photo subjects at my disposal. Though there was constant yelling, whining and running away, they toughed out the near freezing temps in minimal layers. All you have to do is shove a croquet club in their hand or let them "drive" the tractor and they suddenly forget their entire body is numb. Magic. 

While I never would recommend someone ever  taking on a project like this, it is worth it to freeze (pun not intended) how close these bunch of cousins are before they get too big. After all, one of the best parts about kids is seeing how cute they are without having to hear them. Which is why I love photographing them and then running away across the world. I jest...kind of.

Photographing kids, even just a few, can be a daunting task. The prep for this shoot was insane! While I have no idea where to begin on guiding you to take your own photo shoot, National Geographic has a great article, that you can click on here, chuck-full of really amazing advice! Happy holiday shooting!

#WhoWoreItBetter

So guys,

I know I don't talk fashion much on here which I am sure is like some kind of blogger sin, but that really shouldn't come as much as a surprise to you. I'm from Wisconsin remember. 

But that is going to change today.

I have a debate going with someone about a certain article of trendy Wisconsin wear, the always trusty cameo Columbia fleece. My five-year-old nephew seems to think, just because it's his, that it looks better on him. personally I think it just makes him look like a bus driver. 

buuuhhhh, I dunno. 

What'do'ya guys think? 

Who wore it better?

#SaturdayInstagramRecap

I took some longer bike rides this week, and with it being spring I often had to outride an incoming storm. 

I've been selling my body in pursuits of saving up for a new laptop... 

more commonly known as "donating" plasma.

A case of the sniffles and leftover fruits and vegs from mother's day = super smoothie making. I can't really vouch much for the taste since I really couldn't, but it made me feel heaps better! 

Cheers! 

#TBTdelay

I know, I know, it's friday. 

However, I think I have a fairly legitimate excuse as to why my TBT post will be coming later than scheduled... 

It's called the hop-on-pop repair shop where his employees are paid with beer and the flat tire they "fixed" is guaranteed to fall off the next day. 

Then of course the whole town has to gather around your car, take a smoke before they determine that calling someone to tow it would be the best (or really only) option. 

That was my wild thursday night!

So hang tight while I prepare the TBT post intended for yesterday. 

I'm pretty excited about this one considering it involves the first trip Torsten and I took together!

Cheers! 

#winningwedneday

My my, it's been a busy week, just as I got back from Brisbane I had to head back to class and took a swing at a couple new jobs! Which is why this WW is being published on a Friday. Whoops.

Lush trial

Yesterday I had a trial run at lush where I'll hear back in a week if they want me for a Christmas casual. Afterwards the lovely manager gave me my own goodie bag. I may actually be writing this while wearing a chocolate cupcake mask right now... and I kind of have the urge to lick my face. 

Package

My long awaited package from home finally landed itself on my doorstep. Aside from Jo's new suits,  it was filled with mac'n'cheese, American Candy, Forever 21 order, camera lens, and a photo album of all the nieces and nephews. Although, if my mother really knew me she'd know I like my organic crazy bugs mac'n'cheese over kraft any day. But I won't hold it against her.

First day of MX

I had my first day on the job as an MX girl. Yup, as any Australian living in a major city knows I am the sucker that stands in the middle of the rush hour crowd at train stations and slaps a paper in your face, even if you are an old German tourist couple who can't speak english. That's right, no one get away from me.  

Art supplies

On my way to the Wynynard train station I passed a decent art store that I won't have to go out of my way for! It's a small victory, yet one I've longing for since moving to Syd. And on that note, you can expect some new goods in my abandoned Etsy store this weekend ;)

Happy...err, Friday!