trip up north recap

the above mural was outside the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce taken on our last drive through town....but let me back up this train....we pulled into our lack luster short of icky hotel around 9:30pm....apprehensive as we check in but then out of nowhere appears miss shari beaubini to welcome us into this sketchy hotel....i must give it some credit it was clean and no bugs but i just never felt at ease....but as julie put it..."the company was 5 star" .....within 5 minutes we were in our room chatting it up with shari, julie telling stories using her wallet and keycard in lieu of sugar packets and it felt like a reunion of long lost friends....even though it has only been two weeks and further to have known shari for such a small amount of time the connections is one to cherish.........below you see me in class with my wonderful, patient and talent instructor shari...we had a wonderful class and I came home with a cool totally tricked out tissue box..thanks shari for sharing your techniques and laughter throughout the day

Later in the afternoon, julie snuck in to snap a couple shots of me with the teacher
Next up -- Lani's Faerie Book class -- I met Lani at Artfest this year in Port Townsend...she is a real hoot, quiet at first but funny and witty once you get to know her
Below are Lani's two sisters who joined us in the class....one lives in Ann Arbor and the other one drove over from Iowa City to complete the reunion of sisterhood.

Lani had to teach another class after this one was over...julie finally convinced shari to take a trip down memory lane and head to campus for a quick tour. Shari showed us around campus, where she worked, where she danced, where she lived although MoJo was under renovations...and then we jumped out of the car while julie drove around...isn't she so so nice...and bought a few U of M souvenirs to take home. Back at the hotel we had to say our goodbyes to Shari and we had dinner reservations with Lani at 10pm....quite the social animals we were. i am so glad shari threw out the suggestion of julie and i driving up to ann arbor...little did she know we actually would....i hope she doesn't regret that suggestion.....thanks shari it was another memorable adventure...........

Now onto dinner....we ate at Zingerman's..i had the ultra healthy fried chicken...what else could a girl want to top of a saturday night....a great day of art, great company and some good ole comfort food....here we are the three of us...julie, me and lani after dinner and many laughs...although we had to say farewell to lani, it will not be for long....her travels bring her Columbus in September and we will not let her leave town without a visit to Good Manor....to top it all off --Ellen-- will also be joining us.....and Lani already has a art challenge in the works...it is funny how the stars have just fell in line this year....artfest, artiscape, classes at valley ridge..the friendships and bonds i have formed with so many wonderful souls just blows my mind....I cherish each and everyone of you!!!

OK - back to the trip --Sunday we interrupt our regularly schedule starbucks ritual to try out the joe from Zingerman's road show...look how cute it is how could you resist - julie got a cubano - a double shot of espresso poured through a layer of milk and sugar..not my bag but she enjoyed it..i had some concoction which was good but i must admit i was at starbucks within the hour. the donuts were so-so but again this set up is just irresistible........below in the roadshow let me introduce you to Nick and Mike who made us Ohioans feel welcome in Michigan....they were really cool as we were indecisive and obvious roadshow rookies.We are about to leave town but not before driving past Michigan Stadium just long enough to snap this parting shot:

Now safely back at home, for a moment, we regroup, repack and reengergize ourselves for our much anticipated trip to Chicago for Tootfest 2 courtesy of the Embassy Suites....thank you to all the noisy children that annoyed us just enough in Tootfest 1 to receive a comp weekend back in Chicago. ps...we would still go comp or not.....Laura, Jane, Trixie can't wait...julie and i are ready to roll.....beth, are you sure you can't make it??? Our summer travel tales will live on but happy trails for now.........