Recently my family and I visited Mackinac Island, a small island located north of Michigan where no motor vehicles are allowed, restricting transportation to foot, bicycle, and horse & buggy.

It’s a really neat place and a family tradition on my father’s side of the family. In fact, we still have a few members who live on the island year round which is CRAZY — unless you like the snow. They do. :)

This shot was taken looking up West Bluff Road, a street lined with beautiful cottage mansions where people stay and enjoy the northern Michigan summers on the island.

This view is looking down toward the town from The Grand Hotel, the famous location where the movie Somewhere In Time was filmed.

And another view from up top of the “mountain” (taken from Fort Mackinac) showing the beautiful harbor.

Ferry boats take visitors to and from the island and are quite a sight to see with their huge rooster tails besides being a lot of fun to ride!

Lilacs flourish on the island and are the focus of the Lilac Festival every June. Dipping my nose in returned a breath rich in memory as I recall the scents of my grandmother’s drawer liners and perfume.

Arch Rock is probably one of the most photographed spots on the island. On a clear day you can see the Upper Peninsula and even Canada beyond!

And look at that crystal clear water!

We stayed at the Harbor View Inn, a lovely bed and breakfast located on the east end of the island.

Relaxing comes natural at a place where patios are lined with flowers and drenched in garden view. And then of course, there’s the fudge. Mackinac Island is known for its fudge and you can’t walk a single block without passing at least two different fudge shops. Or candy shops, ice cream… I think it’s the only tourist destination where sweet shops are more prevalent than gift shops!

It’s a dream destination for our family and the first time my kids have visited since they were babies. Both loved it and are ready to spend their summers on the island. And why not? It’s a FUN place to have fun.

Even rainy days can’t keep us away!

Welcome to the 4th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop where you’ll discover a host of gardening tips and delicious recipes, plus some terrific giveaways, including the grand prize ereader and gift card!

To start off the hop, I’m going to share a tip on how to improve your rose bed by incorporating companion planting into your garden. Companion planting is basically combining plants that grow together in a harmonious or symbiotic manner.

Roses produce gorgeous blooms, but are often plagued by disease and pests. One trick to improve your rose plant’s growth is to plant it alongside garlic, because garlic will repel the unwanted beasts that might attack your roses. You can spray your plants with a garlic spray, however that might interfere with the glorious fragrance of your roses. Onions will also work well, because bugs (like many humans) are put off by the pungent scent. Birds attacking your berry plants and trees? Try garlic spray!

The stuff works. It also works in and around your vegetable garden. Only make sure to keep onions away from beans, peas and asparagus. Not friends in the garden.

Time for the giveaway goods! You have several ways to enter via the rafflecopter below and remember, to be eligible for the grand prize you must visit each and every blog on the hop over the next ten days. You don’t have to enter every contest but you must at least leave a comment on their Authors in Bloom Blog Hop post so I’ll know you were there.

Now get hopping and have fun! There are tons more tips and giveaways awaiting you…

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Happy hopping!

Luck of the Irish – $250 Cash Giveaway

An Amazing Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you 1 fabulous prize!!

In celebration of the day, I tried to throw on some green today but realized–I don’t have any!! Not my color, I guess, but I do have a TON of green in my garden! Especially this time of year.

So here’s your chance to win some cash. One lucky winner will receive $250 in Paypal Cash!

Sponsor List I Am A Reader Laurie Here – Cont Fiction and MORE Read Now Sleep Later Leisure Reads TMBA Corbett Tries to Write Lori’s Reading Corner Simple Wyrdings J.L. Weil Here We Go Again…Ready? {A Leisure Moment} A Casual Conversation About Our Love For Literature Author Deb Atwood YA Author Fabio Bueno Stacy Claflin, Author Kim’s Cozy Book Nook Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through The Ages Taylor Dean Books MK McClintock Melissa M. Frye Unshelfish Amiabooklover The Discerning Reader My Book Self A Tattered Copy Craves the Angst Book Blog Joyce DiPastena MyLadyWeb: Women Authors, Women’s History Lise McClendon – Author Danielle Thorne Author Ednah Walters Raven Haired Girl Dianne Venetta ~ Romantic Adventure Kary Rader Kimber Leigh Wheaton Helena @ Book Nerd Addict Ann Swann – Suspense Books R Us Bella Street Time Travel Romance More Than A Review Danielle Annett Pauline Creeden, Author Diana’s Book Reviews Krysten Lindsay Hager author InspiredBooksGuide Author Georgina Young-Ellis

Giveaway Details $250 Paypal Cash Ends 3/31/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Visit smartlyheated.com for more information.

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