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A Cozy Michigan Day with Friends!!!! Thanks AR!

By Mary McGraw

Education & Training with GLREA

January 25, 2009 09:15 AM

The Michigan Beauty

A beautiful white blanket covers the scenery in Micihgan this time of year. I don't recall a winter in the last 20 years that has provided white cover as often or as much as we have seen this year. If you are one to venture in the woods this is the type of view you will find. It's breathtaking...it's beautiful....

it's cold!!!!

Michigan Temps

Ah...a cozy 76 degrees F inside staving off a 7.6 degree F temp outside!!!

You may ask....what is making it so warm inside? I must confess, I have a fire going in the old wood stove!That keeps the heat in...so does soup on the stove...mmmm...potato soup and vegetable soup! There is nothing like a steaming hot bowl of fresh soup to warm the soul! and then there are the ECO~All~Stars on Active Rain!

They are a little like Chicken Soup for the Soul!

Today I have talked with:

Dave Roberts and his great ideas for sustainable building desings!

Amy Le and I had a conversation about retrofitting homes and making them more energy efficient!

I learned today from Mike Kelly that Catawaba County is refunding permit money for homes that are being built with third party certification.

Greg Gardner shared his information on land trusts and gave me a starting point for learning about them!

Gary White in Grand Rapids who offers great tips for greening and energizing an existing home!

These friends and others kept me warm today with their articles! So many interesting things to read!

Who says I don't have friends! I have so many when I play in the Rain!!!

Northern Michigan Bridge

Active Rain and the Eco~All~Stars....

what a great Bridge to the Future of the Industry!!!

Are you crossing the bridge????

Thanks to AR and all my friends from around the country who kept me warm today!

If you had conversations in the rain today please feel free to leave a synopsis and link in your comment! Let's spread the warmth!!!

Yes! I do have a life!!!

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Roseann Annis

Prudential Homesale Services Group - Camp Hill, PA

Mary, you have your priorities in order. Learning can be as much fun as it is rewarding. Although I don't envy the near-zero temperature where you live, I do appreciate the warmth that the ActiveRainers provide you, me and the other members. Have a cozy evening at home!

Jan 25, 2009 09:54 AM

Mary McGraw

GLREA - Rockford, MI

2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

Ah Roseann Thank you!

There really is a lot to do in Michigan this time of year if you LEARN how to layer clothing! My Dad taught me so much, of all places, from the little blips in the Eddie Bauer and Land's End catalog!!! In Michigan those catalogs are learning tools!

Roseann you are so "Johnny on the spot!" when you say, "Learning can be as much fun as it is rewarding." For your warm input you get rewarded with another beautiful site of Michigan and her winter blanket of glory!

Each comment on this blog receives a new picture and tidbit!

How about that for some interactive fun and learning!!!

(but you have to wait until tomorrow for the photo because I am fighting a slow dial up connection at the cabin!)

Jan 25, 2009 10:48 AM

Dave Roberts

Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty - Healdsburg, CA

vineyard hillside outside Healdsburg Here's my cozy Northern California area. This hillside vineyard is just outside Healdsburg in the Dry Creek Valley. We are starting to get our first mustard cover crops in between the vineyard rows. The brilliant yellows we will have by mid-February and the blossoming of our fruit trees make this one of my favorite times of the year.

We just listed the 7 acre property I shot this picture from. I grew up in Minnesota and Iowa and love the fact that I can garden here all year. I love to look at snow, just like you. I just like to look at it in other states...

Jan 25, 2009 11:17 AM

Ah Dave ~ cozy indeed! I think it is absolutely amazing the differences in climate and beauty in North America that can be witnesses from state to state during the same month of the year.

You have done a tremendous contrast ~ and added warmth~ to my blog! Thank you for your contribution!!! More "cold" but beautiful pix from me tomorrow!!!

I wonder if any one else in North America can contribute the way you have????

Anyone?

Jan 25, 2009 12:30 PM

Jeff R. Geoghan

Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA

REALTOR, Marketing Manager

You've got to love that one decimal point difference in the temperatures. What, you didn't get your bike out this weekend? I did...

Jan 25, 2009 01:19 PM

Isn't it interesting the difference one decimal point can make! No bike riding this weekend, we have far too much snow here still ~ although I did get on one at the gym Thursday! Good for you! Get that conditioning going!

Jan 26, 2009 12:41 AM

Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375

Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Mary, a soup is great on these cold days....a little "Chicken Soup for the Soul" is another good choice. Nice post Mary...great photo of the woods.

Jan 27, 2009 09:31 AM

Hi Gary~ We certainly have had our share of cold weather this month! I certainly feel for the folks who were hit by the ice storm. Nice to stay in find ways stay warm! Photos compliments of Mother Nature. We sure have some beautiful scenery in Michigan.

Jan 28, 2009 01:01 AM

Dena Stevens

Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO

Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

You do have something to do! I love calling people on A.R. Better than that I like leaving messages. I've talked to so great people here!

Feb 02, 2009 06:50 AM

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Keller Williams Realty - Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate

Hey Mary, I spoke with you in '08 and we should chat again sometime. One great thing about all the snow is the Great Lakes should be restocked with proper water levels. That is very very good for our state.

It is beautiful too!! I agree.

Feb 03, 2009 03:41 AM

Hi Dena! You are right! I love my AR friends -- I have learned much and shared tears as well as joys!!! What a great group we have!!! I will be in CO in Sept. We'll have to try and get together!

Feb 03, 2009 11:34 AM

Hi Karen - Yes! Let's! I am helping to plan a green tent for a festival over in your area during August. I'd love to talk to you! Let's make that happen soon!

Feb 03, 2009 11:35 AM

Sylvia Barry

Coldwell Banker Previews International (#1 Marin_Sonoma_San Francisco_North_Bay) - San Rafael, CA

Marin and Sonoma Real Estate Leading Expert

Hi Mary: I have to say that I lived in New York (Manhasset - Long Island), Chicage, Indiana (even Kansas) before, and I do miss that white blanket of snow, makes it so soft, pure looking.... We have unseasonly warm weather here in Marin County (Northern California), flowers are coming out now.... kind of fool the nature...

Feb 03, 2009 02:08 PM

A Cozy Michigan Day with Friends!!!! Thanks AR!

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