What does a Carlson vacation look like when jury duty overlaps the two weeks of vacation time? (And, yes, I tried three times to get it switched, and was three times denied.)

Each evening I waited for the call to be summoned, making us unable to plan even overnight trips. Although, we could’ve gone away the first weekend, but the heat index was 105. (Inside at home or inside in a strange room/building?)

I was called in for jury summons twice, and sent home twice. I have three more evenings to wait-and-see as Jeff starts back to work tomorrow.

Because my knee decided to swell up and be all ouchie during this time off, we only went on two nearby “hikes” — to Bridges Park and Fort Custer.

We played games, did hobbies, listened to music, and took two Sunday afternoon drives in the pretty countryside.

We normally eat restaurant food about six times a year. This 2-week vacation, we ate out three times. (Whaaaat?) They included interesting and varied dining adventures.

Since evenings were our own, we planned different “travel” meals to go with DVDs or TV shows. For example, we had Belgium beer, mashed potatoes and carrots, and endives, as we watched a Belgian detective. Another evening we had shrimp on the Barbie, with chips (i.e. french fries), Australian wine, and watched an Australian mystery. Summer cottage pie went with an English show, etc. And, just like on a cruise, we had dessert every night the first week. (Tasty at first. Weight gain and ugh-too-much sugar by week two.)

We also traveled to the Magic Capital of the World, right here in Michigan. Visited a cemetery there and two magic shops; even bying some magic tricks. Abracadabra!

Of course, there was the day trip to the gorgeous West Coast (South Haven) – even with limited walking on my part – where we watched waves, bought blueberries, and ate lunch below a moose.

Again on the home front, besides exceptional company and food, I also made oregano oil, and sat watching butterflies feast on our flowers, and the wind blowing through our trees. Gotta love the moments.

All in all, although it was not the vacation we would have planned for a two-week break, it still was wonderful time spent together, experiencing both new and old things.