A Great Resource for Southeast Michigan Parents

Metroparent magazine is one of my parenting essentials. This monthly publication is available for FREE at many locations throughout the metro Detroit area. In addition to helpful and informative articles, each issue contains a calendar of family-friendly local events. Every month I find events that my family and I can enjoy. Some of the events are free, others may have a nominal cost. Their website is also a treasure trove of events and other resources. If you need to find an idea for a birthday party, a summer camp or a preschool, you can find directories on the Metroparent website. They also have directories for bowling alleys, museums and libraries. I can't say enough to promote Metroparent! I look forward to that calendar of events every month!

I don't know if other metro areas have similar resources. Let me know if your community has a publication like this and I'll pass it along!

Baby, it's cold outside!

Well, there is no denying that we are in the middle of a Michigan winter. OK, I know that it's technically not the middle of winter yet, but it sure feels like it! When it's this cold out, alot of are looking from a bit of coziness while we drive to work, school or the store. Next time you're craving a warm drink, try Biggby Coffee. They are based right here in Michigan and have great coffee, hot chocolate and hot cider. If you're in need of something more solid they serve food too!

New Book by Michigan Author

Lake Orion mother of 5, Bridget Llewellyn has written a children's book called One Child, One Planet. The pictures are done by the same photographers that shot the famous Strangers in the Woods series. The book is intended to teach children all over the world how to begin a life of conservation and respect for the earth.

I have not gotten the book yet so if anyone has a copy, please chime in with your reviews!

Buy it at Borders, a Michigan-based company!

Tuesday Tidbit

According to Metroparents Magazine:

$1 spent at a local store= 68 cents for the local economy
$1 spent at a national store= 43 cents for the local economy
$1 spent at an online store = 0 cents for the local economy (the exception is a website for a local business)

Did You Know?

There are lots of nationally known companies that got their start in Michigan. Did You Know? is a semi-regular feature highlighting some of these companies.

The Cheesecake Factory

It's hard to find anyone that has not heard of the Cheesecake Factory. Their cheesecakes are legendary and, from what I hear, the other food is great too! I will admit that I've never had any non-cheesecake selections. What can I say? Most people, though, don't realize that the origins of Cheesecake Factory lie in Detroit.  Evelyn Overton created the original recipe and owned a small cheesecake shop in Detroit in the late 1940's. With two small children, she and her husband, Oscar, gave up the shop and she made cakes for local businesses from her Detroit kitchen. In 1971, the Overton's moved to Los Angeles and opened a 700 square foot shop, The Cheesecake Factory. The rest, as they say, is history. There are now over 150 locations that offer a full menu and, of course, endless varieties of cheesecake.

Sadly, there is no Michigan location of the famous chain, but the next time you enjoy a bit of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, remember that it got it's start in Detroit, Michigan!

Happy New Year!

2010 is here! Did you make any resolutions?

I plan on making sure at least 50% of the money I spend is spent on Michigan based items. My grocery spending is already heavily local, but I need to increase my local spending in other areas. This may be tougher, but I'm convinced it's possible.

I also hope to be alot better about posting to this blog regularly. Is there something you'd like to see written about? A favorite local store or restaurant? A great tourist spot? A beautiful natural area? Let me know!

Really Big Christmas Stores

It's that time of year, folks. Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Yule are all upon us. Michigan is lucky enough to have not one, but two large holiday stores for your shopping pleasure. Now, admittedly, both are heavily Christmas (one very much so) but the patient shopper will be able to find items for the other holidays as well.

The first, and probably the best known is Bronner's in Frankenmuth. This place is immense! They have thousands of ornaments, hundreds of wreaths and trees and who knows how many other decorations, books and toys. They also have a wonderful selection of Hummels and Christmas village houses and accessories. You can easily spend several hours here, so I suggest making Frankenmuth a day trip. Hit up Bronner's and then head over to either Zehnder's or Bavarian Inn for yummy chicken dinners. From either restaurant, you can easily walk the downtown area and check out some of the other local stores. Check the Frankenmuth website for deals and special events, like Oktoberfest and Snowfest.

The other Christmas shop is Always Christmas in Canterbury Village. Located in Lake Orion, Canterbury Village has a restaurant, an ice cream shop and several smaller shops that surround Always Christmas. Always Christmas is smaller than Bronner's, but still large, with two stories of trees, ornaments, and decorations.

If you need a little help getting in the holiday mood, I suggest checking out one of these great places. It's impossible to leave either one without humming a carol!