Another Michigan Collection!

This one was curated by a different ArtFire artisan. Use these collections to shoip handmade for the holidays!

Michigan Love

Curated By: SylvieBranch

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

Memorial Day Weekend Giveaway

This weekend is the unofficial start of summer and there are lots of things happening around Michigan to celebrate. What are you planning on doing? Will you be heading to a parade on Monday to honor our veterans? Will you be having a bbq with family and friends? Will you be spending the weekend out on a lake?

Tell me what you're doing in the comments and you'll be entered to win a red, white and blue Michigan Mitten ornament! I'll pick one comment at random on Tuesday, June 1st!

**This is a sample. The color patterns of the actual ornament will vary.**

Fire Alert!

From Pure Michigan's Facebook feed:
Fire conditions in the state are at high danger; according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, all open debris burning is banned until further notice. You can check the burning conditions in your county daily at www.michigan.gov/burnpermit. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Tuesday Tidbit

The Cherry Hut has been serving hunks of homemade cherry pie since 1922, when James and Dorothy Kraker opened a roadside pie stand as an outlet for cherries from their orchard. Today, the hut in Beulah (pop. 363) is a full-blown restaurant famous for its cherry pie.


**I've had the pie, and it is delicious!!"

Wordless Weekend-Courtesy of Buff's Landing.com

Michigan Staycation- Double JJ Resort

For part of our staycation, we headed to the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan. Due to our schedule, we weren't able to use the snow tubing hill, but we took full advantage of the indoor waterpark. The waterpark is not as large as, say, Great Wolf Lodge, but there were four nice slides, a lazy river, an indoor/outdoor hot tub, a small wave pool area, and two areas for smaller children. There was also a family locker room, which is always nice for those of us with smaller kids. We ate three meals there and they were all quite tasty. The breakfast was included with our package and was a pretty typical buffet, but the lunch and dinner at Rustler's Roost were much better. There are other restaurants there, but the hours vary and they weren't convenient for us this particular visit. Since my parents also came with us, we got a one room suite with a full kitchen and jacuzzi tub. The room was beautiful and comfortable. I can't wait to go back and check out some of their other activities. Staying at the "Back 40" and having some dude ranch experience seems like something my son and I would really enjoy, the husband is less excited about trying it out, but I'll convince him!

Total cost: ~$350 which included overnight accomodations in a one room suite with full kitchen and jacuzzi, 5 passes to the waterpark, 5 breakfast buffets, 5 lunches, 5 dinners and a late night snack and coffee run.

Team USA- Team Michigan

Did you know that multiple Olympians are from right here in Michigan?

Check it out!

Tuesday Tidbit

The Saginaw River is only 20 miles long, but with its tributaries is the largest drainage system in the state.

Michigan Stay-Cation: February 13th

As promised, here is my first post about our "staycation". Day one wasn't all that exciting, really. We laid low and watched the Olympics. We did head out to lunch at our favorite local mexican restaurant, El Patio. There are 3 locations: Waterford, Farmington and Milford, but I've only been to the Waterford restaurant. Everything has always been fresh and yummy. Service is lightening fast and the staff is friendly and outgoing. If you prefer carry-out, call as you walk out the door. Your food will be ready and waiting. One time I ordered take-out and then was delayed for a few minutes. When I arrived, they re-made everything (and it was a big order)! It took about 5 minutes and they wanted to make sure my food was as fresh as possible!

Day 1 cost: $30.25 (3 meals, 3 drinks and tip)

Get out there and experience some local restaurants. I promise you will find one (or lots) that will knock all the chains off the map!

Michigan Stay-cation 2010

My husband has a week long vacation from February 13th through February 21st. Normally, we would head off to somewhere a bit warmer. This year, however, we decided to stick closer to home and explore all the good stuff our local area has to offer. So, get ready to experience a southern Michigan stay-cation! Destinations include Frankenmuth, the Double JJ Resort and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. I'll try to keep track of not only what we do, but how much it costs for those of you that are trying to watch your finances.

Watch out Michigan, here we come!

Wordless Weekend-Maple Sugaring 2009

Famous Michiganders

Ok, so he was raised in Indiana and now resides in California, but on September 25, 1956 in Marshall, Michigan a future Mythbuster was born!

Tuesday Tidbit

Sault Ste. Marie was established in 1668 making it the oldest town between the Alleghenies and the Rockies.

Birmingham Restaurant Week

I love food and I love local restaurants. Any time you can get a 3 course meal at a great local restaurant for $15 (lunch) or $25 (dinner) is a good time! From now through February 12th (excluding the weekend) you can get this great deal at a selection of Birmingham restaurants. Be sure to tell your server that you want the deal!

Check here for the list of restaurants that are participating!

Wordless Weekend-Frederik Meijer Gardens

Today in History

This is a big week for Michigan history. On the 26th, in 1837, Michigan was admitted to the union as the 26th state! Happy birthday Michigan!

Today, in 1915, the US Coast Guard was created from Life Saving & Revenue Cutter services. While this is not specifically Michigan history, the importance of the Coast Guard to the Great Lakes system cannot be overstated.

Sadly, today is also the 24th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger disaster. So, in memory of the crew, I leave you with the words of Ronald Reagan from the night of the tragedy:

       

  We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of Earth' to 'touch the face of God'.

Fight the Winter Blahs!

I know that after the holidays, the reality of Michigan winter sets in and it can get to be a bit monotonous-but it doesn't have to! There are still lots of events going on all over the state! Here are a few for the week of January 25th.

Zehnder's Snowfest-Frankenmuth
Tip-Up Town-Houghton Lake (weekends)
Heikenpaiva-Hancock


Head to Michigan.org to find events near you!

Did you know?

When most people think of wine their mind immediately heads to California, France or Italy, but Michigan has a bustling wine industry, too! There are wineries all over the state and many stores stock Michigan wines.

Want to go on a tour of Michigan Wineries? Check out the official website of Michigan's wine industry.

Not a fan of wine? Check out the Michigan Beer Guide, B. Nektar Meadery, or the Michigan Hard Cider Club.

Tuesday Tidbit

The city of Novi was named from its designation as Stagecoach Stop # 6 or No.VI.

(This may be my husband's favorite piece of Michigan trivia!)

Wordless Weekend