Month: August 2021

Hometown Views: Churches

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn hometown views12 Comments

Hi all! Recently,Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I started a new blog feature called Hometown Views, where we share different buildings, traditions, memories all from our hometowns. We started this because during our online friendship we have enjoyed comparing the areas we live – rural to suburban outside Detroit.

Where to start? Well, Wyandotte, my town, has 26 active churches, of all denominations. About ten years ago or so, there were more, but this the number we are at now. There used to be a joke that for every church there was a bar in our town, and honestly, I kind of think that was true! There is church or a bar on every corner it seems!

I am not going to talk about all 26 churches of course. That would be silly and I don’t know anything about most of them anyway. So I will start with the church I grew up going to, and was married at. The First United Presbyterian Church. My aunt and uncle were actually the first couple ever to be married there! My mom and dad were married there, my cousin. My grandparent’s funerals. So so many Christmas Eves, time in Sunday School and in the children’s little chapel and all my time in the children’s choir, which at times was only my cousin and me, with me half hidden behind her when we had to sing in front of the congregation. Unfortunately, this church did not survive. It lost members and never got any new ones to keep it going. However, the building is still there, and is a church according to the website, as it is now called Kinergy and I wasn’t sure what that was. I always thought this church was so pretty, and I loved being in there at night on Christmas Eve, with the candles and stained glass. I loved it so much that when we got married there, I had an evening wedding. There are stained glass windows both sides of sanctuary and I just thought they were beautiful.

There were churches however that almost everybody I knew went to – we had a multitude of Catholic churches at one time, and most of my friends were Catholic. Three or four of these churches had festivals every summer where we could eat pierogis that were handmade all year and frozen for the festival. They were so darn good. Now only one has a festival, Mount Carmel, and it is so packed that it is almost impossible to get a pierogi.

It stands at the end of a long boulevard, sort of majestic and tremendous in size for our city. There is a statue of the Pope, which I have heard was erected after the Pope’s visit to our area. I can’t find anything to substantiate that claim however. I can say that my best friend went to elementary school here, and also was married here. I stood up in her wedding and I remember her asking me to peek out over the balcony where we were waiting to make sure I could see her future husband down there. And of course I did, she was just a bundle of nerves!

The other “popular” Catholic church is St. Patrick, or St. Pats for short. I think this is another gorgeous building, inside and out.

If you stand on the middle of the boulevard where St. Pats is, you can see two other churches. One is the church where my brother and sister-in-law were married, The First Congregational Church of Wyandotte. It feels so old world, even on the inside and has a charming fellowship hall. For some reason it reminds me of a tiny castle. It is no longer open either, sadly.

The last church I am going to post about is also the third church you can see from the boulevard. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. It is my current church, or would be if I were still going. It’s been about two years but as soon as I can go back I plan on it. This is the church that my son and my niece were christened at, on the same day. I hadn’t been to church for many years and was looking for the right fit – I felt comfortable right from the start here. If The First Congregational reminds me of a castle, this one makes me think of a little hobbit house.

Look at those little babies! And my straight hair!

For Lisa’s post on the churches in her area, just click here! I am looking forward to seeing what her churches are like!







10 on the 10th – August Edition!

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized10 Comments

I am so excited to be linking up with Leslie’s 10 on the 10th again! This month our prompt is all about life-long learning, one of my favorite things!

And here are the prompts!

  1. How old were you when you started school? Did you attend pre-kinder and/or kinder or go straight into first grade?

I was four when I started kindergarten. I did not attend preschool, I just went straight into kindergarten. I have a late birthday and turned five a few months later.

2. Were you a good student? What was your favorite subject?

I was a good student! My favorite subjects were English, literature, history, geography, and all foreign languages. (I have taken Latin, French, and Russian)

3. As a child, did you take music lessons? Or play a sport? Do you still play an instrument now?

I played the flute in fifth grade. It was short lived. I didn’t really enjoy it. I wasn’t much for sports but I was on the swim team in middle school and high school.

4.Did you attend any kind of training or classes beyond high school? If so, what did you study?  Did you wind up working in a profession or job for which those classes or training prepared you?

I have a crazy college background. I have attended three Universities in my state. I do have a degree in History with a minor in literature. I was accepted to the Masters program for Historical Preservation, which I decided I didn’t like a few classes in. Then I was accepted to the Library Science Masters Program, and I ended up leaving that as well, due to some health reasons. A few years later I entered a program to get a second Bachelors in Journalism but ended up leaving that program because I was pregnant with Wyatt and I was a high risk pregnancy. I never worked a job in my degree field but I loved my job as a library paraprofessional in an elementary school. The librarian and I were kindred spirits – then the school district decided they didn’t need a librarian anymore and that they could just have me do all the library things (order books, process them, etc) for much less money. 😦 I was sad to see her leave!

5.Have you taken any personal growth or adult education classes for fun? During the year that was Covid, did you home school, learn a new app to work from home, teach yourself to do something you might have paid someone else to do for you?

After I had Wyatt, I took some classes online through our community college for fun, all anthropology related and I LOVED them so much. During the year that was COVID, I decided to homeschool Wyatt all on my own, without an online program or school. I had some help though, people I met online who were much more knowledgeable than me about the process and I also attended a few online conferences as well. I also learned how to make soap and shampoo bars, and we made butter once too.

6. What would you like to learn how to do that you don’t know how to do already?

Hmm. Lots of things!! Sew mainly. All fiber art is beyond me. My fingers can’t do it. I also wish I could draw.

7.Name something that you learned easily. Then name something that was a struggle for you to learn to do.

I learned to read very easily. I don’t remember a time I couldn’t read! Math was so hard though. I remember being the only student to show up for a tutoring session before the ACT just so I could get some last minute tips. It was very helpful honestly

8. What’s the last thing you remember learning? What kind of learner are you: visual, auditory, hands-on/kinesthetic, verbal, logical/mathematical?

I am a visual learner, no question about it. Wyatt is a kinesthetic learner so that has been a bit of a learning curve for me when teaching. Billy is both kinesthetic and auditory, so that helps. I am the worst at following verbal commands. I must be a terrible listener.

9. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks, school of hard knocks, pass with flying colors, learn by heart, burn the midnight oil, pull an all-nighter, play hooky – which of these expression best fits your life lately? Why?

For this month, play hooky! We are taking a break from homeschooling.

10.What is something you’ve learned from past mistakes?

I have learned… to trust myself and my instincts.

Bonus: Share your favorite learning/education quote.

” We all know that every child is unique and yet, we still assume this doesn’t apply to learning.” Ainsley Arment, The Call of the Wild and Free. I love that book so much!

An art studio, a lighthouse, and a picnic

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Michigan9 Comments

Mornings come early when you have a six year old, even on vacation. At least, with our six year old they do. We woke up in Honor and an hour later we were on the road again. This time, our first stop was minutes away, at a place I have always always wanted to go. And finally, I made it!

Gwen Frostic was so many things in her life – an artist, an inspiration, a Rosie, a poet. I love her art, her vision, and the fact that I graduated from the same high school that she did. So when I learned that her studio was still around, open, and operating as a store and a letter press in the very area we usually vacation in, I wanted to go. But it never happened, for one reason or another. But this time around, I made space for it.

We arrived bright and early, just as the doors were opening. We were the only customers and it was nice to have the place to ourselves. It was so quiet, we could ask questions, and I could just soak it all in. While I wandered about, Billy and Wyatt talked to the employees about the press that operates there. Apparently you can watch it run, but we were there on the wrong day for that. Another time, because I will definitely be going back.

I poked about, bought a few things. Listened to Billy talk with the employees about how not as many people send cards or letters anymore, and I think I want to do that, send letters on beautiful stationery. Anyone want a pen pal?

I bought a few cards, a new journal, and Wyatt picked out a few stickers. I have my eye on a print though for our bedroom redo, and those wine glasses.. I need one.

We got back in the car, and headed to our cabin! I was excited to get there after all the chaos. We checked in, looked around, flopped a bit, then..set out again. This time to Mission Point.

First stop was the lighthouse. We walked around a bit, then I asked Wyatt what he wanted to do next. He requested a picnic, since this kid loves them. For real. We got back in the car and found a place that sold deli sandwiches to go, the Bad Dog Deli. I had also spotted a sign for a place called Old Mission Flowers, and when I looked it up, found that it was a U-Pick Flower stand. Right up my alley, and just about the perfect setting for a picnic! We ate our lunch swinging our feet from the back of the Subaru, looking out at the wonderful color of the flowers, the hummingbirds playing, butterflies floating from flower to flower. I thanked Wyatt for suggesting this idea, we would have probably missed all of this beauty without his picnic request.

It was pretty ingenious really. There was a clean, bright shed filled with clippers and vases of different sizes and sorts. The prices were based on which vase you chose, you pick the flowers, and then either deposit money into a tube, or PayPal Old Mission Flowers. A complete honor system. I loved this part of our day. So did Wyatt. I think this was our favorite stop. Although, we only had one more left, the Secret Garden at Brys Winery. I actually didn’t go to any wineries this time around, due to Covid, but I wanted to see the lavender at the Secret Garden. This was a fast stop, I took a few photos, and we left. We were ready to chill out at the cabin for the rest of the day by this point. So that is what we did!

Which brings us to the end of day two. Another perfect day.

My Sunday-Monday Post!

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized22 Comments

My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

We are back from vacation and we had the greatest time in northern Michigan! But, all vacations come to an end and we are back to business – almost at least.

I did manage to read some where we were there. Not as much as I had though but that is ok. I am almost done with Prodigal Summer, and wow is it a powerful book. I think I am taking in so much more of it on this reread that I missed in my previous reading – perhaps because I am now older? Whatever it is, this book is amazing. My sister-in-law is listening to it and she is having a little bit of a time with it; she has a huge heart and the most empathetic spirit, I once saw her move a slug off the edge of a step because she was worried about it. So when she texted me about the goats in this book, and how she was not sure she could go on not knowing how graphic the book was going to get, I understood. Unfortunately, I hadn’t made it that far either and I can’t remember! If someone who has read it and remembers wants to leave a trigger warning for sensitive souls in the comments that would be great!

I will finish this up this week as Wyatt and I are taking the rest of the month off of homeschooling, yay! When I finish, the next book I plan on starting is by my friend Lisa over at Boondock Ramblings. You may have visited her blog already or read about our Hometown Views post project on my blog. Anyway, she has a book coming out on the 12th! The second in the Spencer Valley Chronicles, and I am looking forward to it after reading the first one, The Farmer’s Daughter. And, Harvesting Hope is available for pre-order on Amazon for only 99 cents right now!

Speaking of Hometown Views, our next post goes up on Wednesday of this week, the 11th. We are sharing about churches in our town. Feel free to join in if you feel like it! I hope to have a linky on my post, if I can figure it out! (fingers crossed)

I only posted once last week, on Saturday when I shared about our first day of vacation. If you are interested you can read about it here. This week I hope to share more about our trip, homeschooling, maybe even a book review! I am so behind on them, it is is pitiful. And I need to update on our butterflies too!

The evenings were pretty quiet up north, and we would settle down in the evening after long days outside, Wyatt with his tablet until bedtime, then Billy and I would watch the newest season of Virgin River. We finished the whole thing and wow, what a roller coaster this time! I am anxiously awaiting the next season already!

And that is about it from our little corner of Michigan! I hope you are all doing well!

Up North Michigan

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Michigan, mom life8 Comments

We are home! We had so much fun all. So relaxing and full of new outdoor adventures, but with just enough down time to fully chill out and just be.

At the last minute though, it looked like this trip may not happen. At 10 pm Saturday night, I got a text from the rental property manager saying that the cabin may not be ready to be checked in to on Sunday, the day we were supposed to arrive. We were only going for three nights, and it is a four hour drive so we of course did not want to miss any time! I went to bed anxious and when I woke up the news wasn’t any better. There was a plumbing issue, and the plumber said it might take some time. After some texting back and forth, and some quick googling on my end, I was able to secure a night at a motel nearby (at a motel our family has stayed at before and I know and like even!), had that night at the cabin refunded, plus extra for the inconvenience. I didn’t ask for that part, but they offered which I thought was really nice. However, all this kerfuffle put us way behind schedule. And on top of all that, another disappointment! We we planning on meeting up with Jeanie from Marmalade Gypsy at her summer house on our way up, for lunch and a chat. With all of the confusion and uncertainty we agreed to meet this fall instead, since Jeanie doesn’t live too far away from us during the year. So that was a bummer but another meeting is in the works! I am looking forward to it!

Once everything was settled, we finally hit the road, Billy declaring “Let’s go to Traverse City” as we pulled out of the driveway, just like my dad used to when I was a kid. (Except he said, “Let’s go to Florida!”, his favorite vacation spot)

The drive wasn’t too bad. We stopped about halfway there to stretch our legs and get some snacks, and I couldn’t resist a photo with this big guy!

I actually have my Smokey the Bear t-shirt on, although you can’t see it here. He was telling us that the potential for fire was low that day. Good news!

We got back in and Wyatt and I began to get restless. He fell asleep and I checked the miles left to go about every five minutes until we got there. Finally we pulled into the familiar little town of Honor, Michigan. My stepmom’s family rents a cabin in this area every year for the last thirty years, and our family was introduced into this tradition about fifteen years ago, staying a night or two with them occasionally. The town feels like home after so many visits there, and while this was an unexpected detour, it wasn’t a bad one. We checked in to the Honor Motel, which is bright and cheery and airy and clean, dumped our stuff, flopped on the beds for half an hour, and when Wyatt told us he was hungry, decided we had probably better think about dinner.

We ordered take out from The Cherry Hut, ate it in our room, then ventured out, again, but this time to see the beach. We had considered going to the Cherry Bowl Drive-In theater, a family favorite, but want to wait until we can come up here with my brother and his family for Wyatt’s first visit. The kids will have a blast there. So, we opted for the beach. Every other year Wyatt has hated sand and the lake with a virulent passion. That was actually the impetus for my even booking this trip! I found a cabin that had a shallow lake and a small beach so Wyatt could give it a whirl. So when we took him to Beulah Beach we thought we would just sit up on the sand and look at the water as the sun set. However, as soon as Wyatt spotted the lake he had different plans.

He scoots when not using his walker, and he does this thing Billy and I call his superscoot when he is excited and going fast, his version of a run. He superscooted as fast as he possibly could to the water, and got right in! He was having a blast, and we had to stop him a few times from scooting in over his head! Mr. Fearless all of a sudden I guess. (which on some level makes me both excited and nervous!) After a bit of playing, in his clothes I might add, the sun was fading fast, and the water feeling colder. Good parents that we are, we hadn’t anticipated this and while we had a towel, we didn’t have a change of clothes. So we dried him off, and buckled him into his seat in just his skivvies. It’s just a five minute drive thank goodness, but he thought it was hilarious to not have on shorts or a shirt.

And by this point, we were all ready to just veg out for the rest of the night. We got Wyatt showered and in his jams, let him play with his tablet before he zonked out half an hour later, and we binged a few episodes of Virgin River on Netflix.

And, day one was done. A mixed up and muddled beginning, but it turned out just fine.