Michigan Mixology - My Picks for Father's Day Gifts

My dad always appreciated a good spirit.

A bottle of a smooth whiskey makes a perfect gift 

for the dad who may like a drink synonymous with enjoying life. 

 

I'm a wine drinker but I salute the history filled tradition of making spirits.

With hubby's help, these are my picks for this year's Father's Day gifts.

Absolut Michigan

Yea, I know... Absolut is a New York product 

but the collectible bottle is sooo cool!

Absolut distributed vodka in collector bottles in 2019.

Some of the empty bottles are selling online for $30!

Foggy Mountain Bonfire

This cinnamon flavored whiskey is produced in Boyne Falls, MI. 

The cinnamon reminds me of fall, fun and bonfires.

When hubby kissed me, it was a cinnamon kiss! Give me more!

Visit Foggy Mountain Spirit Company for more info.

Traverse City Whiskey Co. American Cherry Edition

This is a smooth whiskey combined with fermented Montmorency Cherries grown locally.

Hubby likes the flavor, I admire the lovely red color. 

(Hubby is rolling his eyes at my comment.)

This is a good whiskey for those love cherries. 

Squeee! I love cherry!

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Michigan Apple

A special limited edition flavored whiskey may be hard to find but certainly worth it.

Straight bourbon is used as the base. After aging in barrels, it is then steeped with 10 lbs of local fruit for 10 days. The flavor makes you feel like your are drinking a well aged whiskey. 

Grab a cigar, sit back and relax on the deck.

Visit Traverse City Whiskey Co. for more info

All bottles featured in photo belong to hubby and he WILL share or I'm keeping them for myself.

Finally Open #ShopLocal

Yeah..Covid restrictions have been lifted (somewhat) so let's go shopping!

The region I live in is in Phase 4 of opening after being shut down for months due do the pandemic.

With Father's Day around the corner, I went to one of my favorite small towns to spend my $$$$ locally.

A visit to Cary Ann's Halmark Shop. 

The owner, Kyle, was practicing safety with his dandy mask and hand sanitizers available.  Kyle keeps a well organized shop full of awesome gifts, many are local & Michigan made. I always find goodies!

Today's mission - gifts for sons to give Dad.

Mission accomplished!

Tea Time - Love & Happiness

Today's YOGI Tea Tag:

"People who love are happy."

Step away from any psycho-analytical mumbo jumbo for a minute.

This is just a moment to take a breath.

Have a seat & enjoy your tea.

Love.

What a wonderful word. Don't you think? 

Think of all the different ways you can love, be loved, share love, spread love, etc.

You love your pet. How do you feel when you pet her?

You love to garden. How do you feel when your hands are dirty? When you're munching on a cucumber you grew yourself? When you share peppers with a neighbor?

You love to bake. How do you feel when you take cupcakes to your child's class? When you take cookies to a senior who lives alone? When you deliver soup to a sick friend?

Do you see where I'm going with this?

I bet you do.

Happiness.

#SensualSaturday - Shower Scene from Eagle Dance

In today’s hectic life with busy schedules, it’s hard to find time for each other. Grab the moments when you can. Add a little romance to your life by taking a sensual shower with your honey. (I suggest finding a shower gel or soap you both enjoy and saving it for such an occasion.) 

Please enjoy this shower scene from Eagle Dance.

“Damn!” His jaw dropped. She stood gloriously naked, water dripping from her hair into her face. Blonde strands plastered the skin of her shoulders above high breasts. The areolas were like large cherries begging to be plucked, and he had every intention of exploring each inch of her toned belly to the neatly trimmed fair hair at the junction of her thighs. He wanted her long, lean legs wrapped around his waist while she rode him into tomorrow. Blood drained from his brain and rushed to his cock again, and the need to taste and touch her everywhere forced his feet to move.

“Holy shit.” Her eyes grew wide as she gawked at his naked body. Stepping back, she let him slide under the water. 

“Is something wrong?” Pleased with his effect on her, he smirked and placed his hands on his hips. 

“I wondered what you looked like under all those clothes, but didn’t expect perfection. Wowza.”

He kept his body in peak physical form and secretly coveted her admiration. Moving her soapy hands over his body, she used the slipperiness to her advantage, setting him on fire. He reached out to pull her close for a kiss, but she moved back to skim over his shoulders, massage his neck then up and down his arms. She splayed her long fingers on his chest and across his abs and ribcage.

Even in the military, he’d never been so thoroughly inspected. His beauty knelt and massaged his thighs and calves. She soaped along his hips then cupped his balls and palmed his hard cock. Intense bliss suffused all parts of his body, especially the one in her grasp. Glancing down, he admired the scattering of freckles over her creamy skin. He almost fell out of the tub at the sight of the smooth curve of her backside. Amanda must have noticed her effect on him because she giggled softly. Continuing to stroke and pet him while she rose, she licked water off his belly and chest. 

“You are too good to be real. You can’t be human.” With tiny kisses, she sucked droplets off his chin. 

“I am.” Tempted to say more, he only chuckled. “Mostly.” 

“I could have wild monkey sex with you all night.” she whispered against his lips and continued to stroke his cock. 

“Ikwe, that can be arranged, but I’d like to slow things down.” Closing his eyes, he focused on her touch.

#FlirtyFriday – 2 Scenes from Eagle Dance

It's Friday & time to put your flirt on!

No matter your age, flash your pearly whites and let your eyes do the talking. Flirt with your honey while making dinner or doing the dishes. Listen to some music and let the tunes inspire a quick dance in the kitchen. At night time, feel free to get a little creative.

Enjoy these two flirty scenes from my book Eagle Dance.

Scene 1

Definitely one delicious piece of man candy she couldn’t wait to unwrap. Amanda imagined what had to be well-defined pectorals and bulging biceps hiding under the heavy coat. If he had washboard abs, she’d jump at the chance to lick thick, warm chocolate-fudge topping off them. Hopefully one night with him would end her craving.

“Let’s get the pizza then head to the cabin.” He dropped the phone in a cup holder.

She spoke matter-of-factly. “We should pick up some chocolate or caramel syrup, too.”

He blinked sinfully long eyelashes and as the suggestive words sank in, he smirked. Leaning over the center console, he framed her cheek with one large hand. His eyes bore into hers as he took her mouth in a searing kiss that ended much too soon. “You got something planned for dessert?”

“Maybe.”

Scene 2

She wiggled her bottom then hopped off. “I like the way you rumba. Would you care to join me in a nice hot shower?”

“I most certainly would.” He stood and tugged on his jeans. “I’ll add some wood to the fire first.”

“Oh, honey, you already did that.” Purposely swaying her bare hips, she sashayed away.

“I don’t want the fire to go out.”

“Don’t worry about that.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “It won’t.”

“But it needs more stoking.”

“Oh, I love it when you talk dirty.”

The sound of his hearty burst of laughter followed her into the bathroom.

Available now on Amazon

Dyami Schafer, a Native American from the Chippewa tribe, leads a lonely life due to his large size and unusual appearance. When his nesting instinct sets in, he turns to Madame Eve and 1Night Stand to help him find his spirit mate. Or at least a woman who accepts him as an eagle shifter. 

Amanda Collins never stopped loving the Chippewa boy she knew from her childhood. Maybe a night with a Native American man will help her forget the past and let her move on with her life. 

Sometimes, it’s necessary to take a step into the past before dancing into the future. With the help of Madame Eve, will the Spirit of the Eagle carry Dyami and Amanda?

Morning Yoga Doggie Style

Yoga is good for me but what's with the wet nose in my face?

I love doing my morning yoga. 

When you do yoga as the first thing you do in the day,  and it becomes habit,  your body will automatically adjust the time to wake up as well as the time  to fall asleep.  I find I wake with more energy and I'm inspired to tackle the day.

Even though dogs stretch and do normal yoga poses, they simply enjoy stretching.  However, your dog is in tune with your stress and anxiety. When you are calm, they're feeding off it and are essentially calm as well. A calm dog is happy and of course wants to share the joy, thus the wet nose and kisses while you are in a yoga pose. 

Today's  YOGI tea tag- "When you become a part of the universe,  the universe becomes a part  of you."

Happy Birthday to my Baby

15 years ago today, my youngest was born. Shortly after birth he was whisked away into NICU. Nathan was born with a hole in his heart, one kidney and a bowel obstruction. Hours later I was allowed to see him for a few moments. 

The next day I held him and we began our bonding. Surrounded by other babies born with problems and worried parents, we spent the next week. The nursing staff, volunteers and doctors at Saginaw Covenant were amazing! 

Within the first year, Nathan suffered seizures and couldn't speak for years.

Despite not being able to talk, teachers believed he was intelligent and proved they were right.

While keeping up with his older brothers, he thrived on baseball and football. The physical activity proved to be good for him.

Coaches worked with his strengths, building his confidence. Soon the insecure little boy was replaced.

With a special pad, Nate easily plays football. At a young age, he noticed other players with the same pad. A brotherhood of players with single kidneys formed.

I've watched my Little Tiger overcome any challenge he faced to become the athlete and top student he is. After years of speech therapy, he speaks fluently (almost too much) without any distortion. His grades have him rated as #1 in his class. He hopes to attend the Naval Academy with the goal of becoming a pilot. His ultimate dream is to be Top Gun.

Nate loves to travel, hang out with friends, play with his cat and drive his brothers crazy.

Special thanks to the medical staff, teachers and coaches who guided us on this journey.

Happy Birthday!

#TuesdayTeaser Crow Magic

Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men. Hoping to overcome her fears and feel like a real woman, she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who will fulfill that goal. Eve arranges a one-night stand with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach Lucy to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.

Shape shifter Seth Crowe is a Keeper of the Spiritual Law who carries souls from darkness to light, and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic.

Tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort, Seth helps Lucy find spiritual and sexual freedom, never dreaming he might find his own mate in the bargain.

Legend of the Spirit, Book 1

EXCERPT

“I am a man who is yours tonight, Lucy.” He walked toward her with arms out from his sides, exposing his nudity. “Draw on the power within you. Look at me. Overcome your apprehension of men. Have I not shown you gentleness?”

She nodded and approached him while tugging the strap of her sundress.

“Keep your dress on. Take it off when you are ready. This night is about you. Explore my body, learn from it, and take whatever you want. You are in control.”

He led her to the center of the blanket and faced her. She stood still with her fingertips resting on his waist. Cupping her face, he lost himself in her eyes.

“I am your instrument to use tonight. Open yourself up and delve into this opportunity I offer. I am yours to command. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I think so.” She considered his offer. “What do I do?”

“Follow your feminine intuition.” He couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Touch me, tickle me, beat me, kiss me, bite me, lick me, suck me…whatever you want. Take whatever you need from me to strengthen you.”

In the moonlight, an endearing, innocent blush spread across her face. Amazing how a woman who lived her life in fear caused by abuse could be so naïve of her own sensual power. If she knew her potential, she could bring him to his knees.

Please, bring me to my knees


                  BUY ON AMAZON

A Meditation Moment

Living in the woods can be a form of meditation and I find it very comforting. 

Every morning I do 15 minutes of yoga on the back deck (front porch if it's raining,).

When I gaze into the woods, peace and calm wash over me.

Sometimes, hubby and I will sit on the deck to enjoy our morning coffee. We both feel that wonderful calm but it also lightens our hearts. Being together and sharing such a moment refreshes our love as well.

You don't have to live in the woods for this experience. 

Simply, look up. 

Do you see trees or buildings? Admire what they are and the majesty of it. Take a few deep breaths and slowly exhale. Feel the moment. If you are with your honey, embrace each other in a cozy hug and look up together. Feel your heartbeats.

A Romantic Desk - Old to New

Logs homes are basically very masculine. It can be rather difficult to add "a woman's touch" to wood walls decorated with wildlife and old tin signs advertising guns or fishing equipment. I decided to take over the bedroom to add a feminine touch.

Our bedroom has a bit of a bohemian flare. The dark gem colors compliment the light pine walls and dark hickory floor. I love beads and baubles, crystals and other shiny things. 

I chose the wall separating my walk-in closet and bathroom door to turn into "my space". I wanted a spot to write out cards to friends and family (yes, I still use the U.S. postal service). 

While scrolling on Facebook one day, I came across a post from one of my favorite shops, 

The Rusty Blue Shelf.

Well, first of all, I have to tell you about this place! The Rusty Blue Shelf is an antique and vintage market that is only open at certain times of each month. Visiting this quaint store is truly an experience. Grab a cup of iced coffee when you walk in and wander. The owner is an incredible sweet gal and the individual booths are set up with an artistic flow to inspire. The staff is super friendly and its so fun to discuss projects with them.  Be sure to take photos of where you need an item and they will help you find the perfect one. They love to see photos of where their items go. You will not only leave with a purchase you love but also new friends who will remember you each time you visit. They plan to have an Open Market June 11-14. If you happen to be in Mid-Michigan or close to Flushing... be sure to check it out!

Okay... back to my story.

I saw a photo a refurbished desk featured in a post. The desk was similar to one my grandmother had in her bedroom from the 1920's. I fell in love! 20 minutes later, I was in Flushing and looking at the desk.  Not only did I purchase the desk, but also the matching chair and the mirror. Luckily, I had my youngest son with me to load.

Using antique decor I already had created a nice little space.

The hooks under the mirror hold my long necklaces; easy to grab when going from the closet to the bathroom when matching outfits. The picture is from my grandmother's house. I placed books and a miniature tea cup/saucer set on the shelves. A decorated box holds my greeting cards. Everything you see in the photo above is recycled, reused or vintage.

By creating little displays or vignettes, romance can be brought into any space.

I spent $6 on the antique velvet purse and $1 on the broach.
Attaching the pin to a beaded candle holder created a unique display.

Items found at yard sales. I added the beads to the lamp shade.

Visit The Rusty Blue Shelf

Do you have a favorite resale, antique or vintage shop you visit?