So here's what I've been up to!
Last Saturday, my sisters, our friend (adopted sister) Nancy, and I went to Hamtramck, a polish town about an hour from home. We make the yearly trip to get the supplies to make psanky eggs, a tradition for the past 17 years. These are pictures of the display windows at this fantastic little store, loaded with polish pottery, linens, candies, jewelry, all from Poland.
Then Sunday, my sister Kathy and I went to Mikado, the little town in the northern lower penninsula, to visit my brother Jay and my sister-in-law Cheryl. If you're a regular reader, you know my brother makes his living teaching primitive skill/native americans workshops. He also built a log cabin on their property nestled in the national forest. The cabin was built the old fashioned way, he harvested the trees, stripped the bark, and used no modern electric tools to do it. The results are amazing! I'm so proud of him!
On Monday night, we all gathered in the dining room with our craft projects and had the nicest time sharing our talents, and creating .
Cheryl, Kathy and I did quilting, and Jay worked on a 4 ft. replica of a canoe, built just as theIndians did. You can go to his website to also see the full canoe he builds, and his other skills.
These are 2 of the ash baskets he made, he pounds the wood himself into the strips to weave, and twine is actually made from deer tendon. If you haven't yet, be sure to click on the above to visit his website. Details on building the cabin, the canoes, and other skills are all there!We had such a nice time, I can't wait for the next trip north!
7 comments:
what a wonderful time you have had of it!! I am green...LOL
We drive up north a handful of times a year to a real polish market ( as they have the BEST homemade Keilbasa--fresh or smoked...we like the smoked) and many other pork products, and a real polish bakery etc...at Easter time they sell the little wooden eggs (I have the word for them written down some where) and I bought one for each of the kids last year and myself. (Husband is Polish, Ukranian, and Austrian)
I am part Native American(and German, French and pinch of a few others) and very proud of that part of my heritage, (I actually wish I was living back in those times as an NA) Your Brother's work does them justice and it is wonderful...I have bookmarked his page.
Thanks for sharing the lovely photos. It was a lovely few minutes to spend, and it made me smile.
Be well,
Susan
I always like your trips to your brothers log home, what a gifted man! Seeing you together always makes me happy for you Laurie. Glad you had a good time, tell Wendy hi!
Wow! What a wonderfully talented family you have! Love the cabin!
So glad you went, Laurie. I know that just gives you a lift like no other. And then I'm sure you got a lift finally figuring the pictures out. That always makes you feel like your brain has popped out and made more room, doesn't it. Beautiful windows, too. Diane
What a magical day Laurie! All those beautiful things in the window of the store pale in comparison to what you and your family created!
Hi Laurie.
I really enjoyed this post, You and your brother are both talented people. Myself, I wouldn't have the patience or the eyesight and steadiness of hand to paint the eggs. I am glad you all had a prodcutive and happy time.
Have a good weekend.
Lois
what a great night...I love all the pictures and I especially love the cabin.......
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