I’ve had plenty to smile about this week: Sunday we were at a retirement party in Illinois, Monday we flew home to our own beds and a lovely night’s sleep. And Tuesday the princess arrived home from camp, fully loaded for fun.

But I think the weekly official smile for the week goes to the University of Michigan who put on a lovely function at the graduate library Thursday night.

I graduated from UM with my library science degree (from the School of Information, I always thought that was an odd name, aren’t all schools full of information?) eleven years ago. Back in the day I spent plenty of hours at the graduate library, so it was fun to visit again.

But first, before we go to the library, let me take you to Matthaei Botanical Gardens, also part of the University, where my aunt and I wandered in the conservatory for a bit before dinner.

It was a rainy, windy day so we enjoyed the warmth of the jungle room…

…and the dry heat of the desert room too.

After our quick walk through the conservatory and a light supper we headed over to Hatcher, the graduate library. The program was a thank you to library donors, where they shared some of their special treasures, things not generally out for display.

There was music from the 16th century…

…and yummy sweet potato pudding interpreted from an 1886 recipe by Malinda Russell. And yes, they gave us both the original recipe and the specifics for the one we enjoyed.

There was lots and lots of old music, even an original page of handwritten music by Hyden! (I was so amazed at that I forgot to get a picture.)

We looked at old maps, and a big book filled with Audubon art.

It was a lovely evening, and it felt so good to be back in the University Library again. I’m pretty sure I could happily be a professional student.

And in the morning the sun came up from beneath rain clouds and touched the top of the walnut trees in my aunt’s backyard.

And every needle of the spruce tree was etched in sun.

And over our shoulders a rainbow hung above Ann Arbor.

All of it combined made me smile even wider.