We had been warned and yes, it was here when we woke up this morning.
The snow storm predicted for Grand Rapids is here. We have 6- 10 inches
of snow falling last night and today, at about 1-2 inches an hour. All schools
and some public buildings are closed. Roads are snow covered, visibility is OK.
Just thought you might like to see a few pictures of our stormy weather.
Terry is shoveling the driveway, while I stay inside, where it is nice and warm.
This is how far Miss Kitty decided to go this morning to do her ablutions. As you can see
see, she did not venture off the step. Can't say I disagree with her.
Nice big drift on this corner of the roof, and both skylights are covered!!
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
Photos by Bonnie Westbrook
We have a new US citizen in our family. We are so proud of him. Our
daughter is married to a young man originally from Poland. He arrived on our
shores at the age of ten speaking Polish, German, a little Russian, and
not any English. He had to catch up fast. Luckily for him, he was in a class
of all foreign students, so he was in the same predicament as everyone else.
Flash forward to age 15, high school, lots of teen angst and his parents
must return to Poland. They made a huge sacrifice to leave him here in
the US with friends, so he can graduate and stay safely in the United States.
Poland was under Communist rule and his parents felt he was safer here.
To make a long story short, he attends college here, gets a job here, and
eventually meets our daughter. More than two thirds of his life,
he has been living in the United States.
Today is his first day as a US Citizen.
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
photo courtesy of Sebastian Kazmierczak
Michigan autumn is an very colorful time of our year. The lush greens of
summer make way for the crisp, clear firestorm of autumn color here in
Grand Rapids Michigan. The yellows gleam in the sunlight and trees with
their autumn foliage beckon to us.....see me, see how gorgeous I am.
I have to agree, they call out to have their photo taken before they undress
for winter. Here are some trees from our neighborhood in all their fall finery.
A gorgeous sugar maple tree in full flame
I love the movement of these fall grasses
This is a common sight this week, a lawn coated with leaves
This majestic oak tree will be the absolute last tree to lose its leaves
A beautiful crabapple tree with a lot of fall color
A fabulous Japanese Maple Tree with its crimson leaves scattered in a drive
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
photos by Bonnie Westbrook
Autumn is here in Grand Rapids Michigan. The colors are starting to fade,
the greens give way to browns, yellows, and yet, there is still life in my garden.
Many of my plants are dormant but a few refuse to succumb to winter so
easily. They still color my world and let me know that winter isn't here yet......
I save my geraniums every year. I cut them back and put them in my basement.
They don't need light, just a little water every so often to keep the roots from
dying. When spring arrives, out they come for another season of non-stop color.
My gorgeous Annabelle Hydrangea mop heads have all turned brown. But I think
they are still beautiful. Hydrangeas should never be cut back for winter because
the new blossoms come from old growth in the spring. My friend, Karen, who
is the Hydrangea Queen, says Annabelle is different. I think I will wait and see.
If the wood is dead in the spring, I can always cut it back then.
I love these little sedums ( commonly known as hens & chicks). I have several
old boots around the garden with them growing inside.
I saved the best for last. My Tropicana Brugmansia is in full bloom and has
been since the middle of July. It has even been blooming in my garage
when we had a cold weather spell. This had an unexpected outcome, our
garage smelled like a perfume shop. Brugs are night bloomers and very
heavily scented. This is a delicate tropical that is hardy in zone 9-10,
definitely not Michigan weather. But, I just cut back all the green leaves
when the flowers finally stop and put it in my dark basement.
I check it every month for new growth that must be snipped off and water it
sparingly once a month or so. When May is here, I bring it back out into
the light and within a few weeks, it is green and flourishing again.
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
Photos by Bonnie Westbrook
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The Terry Westbrook Real Estate team -assisting clients in real estate in the Greater Grand Rapids MI market. We offer relocation, free home searches for buyers, & extensive internet marketing to sell
Bonnie: Have been a residential Interior Designer for over 25 years. I really enjoy working with clients to enhance their home's beauty and their enjoyment of it. I have joined my husband, Terry Westbrook, and his real estate team to concentrate on marketing and home staging. My many years of experience in the Interior Design field can help clients realize the home of their dreams or assist them stage a home for a quick sale. Blogging is a new role for me and I am looking forward to sharing how wonderful the West Michigan area is to call home.
TERRY knows what it takes to attain success. As a leading real estate professional in Grand Rapids for over 35 years, he has forged a solid reputation based on integrity and quality service. He takes time to get to know his clients and has formed lifelong relationships. In short, he gives his personal best to anything he does. His approach to real estate is actually quite simple, but his years of local knowledge, experience and straightforward advice are what truly distinguish him from the competition. He understands the ins and outs of the building process and knows how to improve the marketability of your home when it comes time to showcase it. We use a team approach to give you the best advantage when buying or selling a home in the Grand Rapids area. Terry's Bio
Home Staging: Many homeowners need help converting their home from the place they live to a marketable commodity. If they can make this leap in their minds, I can help them in accomplishing their goal. I can also assist home buyers with furniture placement, color selection, and I have many excellent contractors, sources and workmen to get that new home looking just like you hoped it would.
On a personal note: Our family of two children, are grown and have their own children, which means we have 2 delightful grandsons to spoil and enjoy, Evan & Jeffy. We take off to see them every chance we get.
Ada, Michigan is a delightful picturesque community adjacent to Grand Rapids. It has a small town atmosphere with big city amenities minutes away. Prestigious Forest Hills Schools, safe neighborhoods, and quality built homes are some of the reasons people choose to live here.
The historic covered bridge which is located in the downtown area on the beautiful Thornapple River just before it enters the majestic Grand River. Great restaurants and shopping are moments away from this park. The rolling hills, heavily wooded areas, and award winning school system in Ada make it an ideal place to live and work.
Cascade, Michigan is a suburb on the southeastern side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. An area of quality, upscale homes, a wandering river, rolling hills, and the Forest Hills school system make this a very desirable place to live in the greater Grand Rapids area.
Caledonia, Michigan was listed as Money magazines' 100 best places to live in 2006. It is a small community with a newer, large school system southeast of greater Grand Rapids. It has many newer suburban homes and developments which continue to draw new citizens to the area and has seen tremendous population growth in the past few years.
East Grand Rapids, Michigan is an established city with predominantly older homes, a downtown area adjacent to Reeds Lake, and an award winning school system centrally located.
A very cohesive city with friendly neighborhoods, quality housing, and many big city amenities with a small town feel. Children can walk to the neighborhood schools, or just bike over and get an ice cream cone at the local shop. Safety and quality of life are high on the list of why people choose East Grand Rapids as the place to live.
Forest Hills, Michigan is not a city but a community school system which encompasses Ada, Cascade, Grand Rapids Township, and parts of Kentwood. It is a prestigious, award winning, well funded school system with great community involvement.
Kentwood, Michigan is a suburban community southeast of Grand Rapids., It is well established and has seen record growth inthe last 30 years. It has a large and well regarded school system, lots of local neighborhoods, and suburban shops and restaurants.
Lowell, Michigan is a charming historic city built on the Flat River. It is a bustling community with businesses, an active arts community, a thriving public school system, and many community features.
Rockford, Michigan is a quaint small town with a larger rural suburban area around it that has seen record growth and has built a world class school system with lots of technical emphasis.
Terry is a very dedicated realtor! Our family can not say enough good about him. He was patient, persistent, creative and very knowledgeable in the selling of our home.
Our home was on the market during the time when homes in Michigan were not selling. We had an old farm house with acreage on a very busy road__ not an easy home to sell even in good economic times. With Terry's persistence and dedication we fortunately were able to sell our house. Terry even persisted on working coming right out of surgery. He completed the buy/sell agreement for our home a day after he was discharged out of the hospital. What dedication!!!
Our family would highly recommend Terry for selling or buying a home. He developed a personal relationship not only with my husband and I but also with our two teenage sons. What a wonderful realtor to have during a "stressfull" time for our family. Thank you so much Terry for all you did for us!!
Mary Beth, Mike, Kenzie & Dalton
I have to thank you for the super job you did getting me so well settled. It could have been a very traumatic time but everything moved as " smooth as glass. " Your preparation was awesome, too. I sold real estate for only 2 years and I wasn't near you in the work you did for me. You sold my house and have me so well tucked in the new one in about one month! Has to be a record. Thank you and Bonnie, too for everythng. I can recommend you very happily -
Loretta M.
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