Edmund's in Lansing

Word of mouth led us to Edmund's in Lansing. We hesitate to call it a sports bar, because the food is so good.  And we can't call it gourmet dining because of the large TV screens everywhere. But, if you are looking for good food and a place to watch your important sporting event, this is the spot in downtown Lansing. We were able to sit in a large comfy round booth with a wide screen right in front of us to watch one of our favorite teams. Their happy hour prices will also lure you in.....

Fabergé Eggs at the DIA

Until January 21, 2013, find some time in your schedule to view these unique Russian Fabergé art objects on display at Detroit's Institute of Art. There are more than 200 pieces including frames, jewel encrusted animals, boxes, flowers and of course six of the famous eggs.  Only 50 eggs are still in existence.  The one above is called the Imperial Peter the Great Easter Egg from 1903. Images never do justice to seeing the real deal.

Royal Oak's Inn Season

Most people know about Inn Season on Fourth Street in Royal Oak.  This tiny place has been there 30+ years and it still has a strong and steady clientele. This is one of Michigan's best vegetarian restaurants which also specializes in organic vegan foods. Local artists' works decorate their walls. If you enjoyed Detroit 187, you would have recognized Michael Imperioli dining here frequently as it was his favorite Detroit eatery.

Tour Lake St Clair

Have you noticed the blue Circle the Lake Tour signs around Lake St Clair? This organization exists to promote awareness of the great tourism opportunities that abound by the water in Monroe, Wayne, Macomb and St Clair Counties. At this time of year, they talk about musky and pike fishing, the abundance of white tail deer viewing and holiday celebrations at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. See how many of these top 25 destinations you've been to!

Da Nang's in Clawson

We recently enjoyed our culinary experience at Da Nang Restaurant in Clawson and are going back for a Christmas celebration next month. On the corner of 14 mile Road and Main Street, they have been voted in as the best Vietnamese cuisine in metro Detroit. You are in for a treat if you try their spring rolls, crispy garlic tofu or lemongrass chicken wings served with a peanut dipping sauce. The owner will come out and chat with you also.

Marlette's First United Methodist Church

The neo-gothic First United Methodist Church in Marlette has been standing on Main Street since 1902. Joseph Mills was not only the architect of this historic church but also the local high school and the county courthouse. December 16th at 10am, the service includes a solo concert by Jerry Garcia who resides in Adrian.

Piper's Alley in Clinton Township

They are already in the Christmas spirit at Piper's Alley Bar and Grill on Gratiot. Located in Clinton Township south of 15 Mile Road, we stopped in here for conversation and were very pleased with the excellent service, the beverages and especially the calamari.

Pentwater's River House Farm Barn

We celebrate one of Michigan's oldest barns built 150 years ago called the River House in Pentwater. It was built in 1862, in the middle of the Civil War, by lumberman Charles Mears. After the trees were cut down and made into lumber, Charles planted peach, plum, pear and apple trees. The Pentwater Historical Society is overseeing the restoration of this important piece of history located on business route US 31, on part of the Pentwater River State Game Area.

A Gift of Roses from Jethro Tull at Fox Theatre

We've featured Detroit's beautifully restored Fox Theatre before, some two years ago, but Jethro Tull played there earlier this month and today, on Thanksgiving, we give you Jethro's "A Gift of Roses". Enjoy this day with your loved ones.  Thanks, John Stanfield, for the photo.

I count the hours... you count the days.
Together, we count the minutes in this Passion Play.
Walk dusty miles. And I ride that train
on a first class ticket, just to be with you again.

Picking up tired feet. Back from a far horizon.
Cleaned up and brushed down. Dressed to look the part.
Fresh from God's garden, I bring a gift of roses...
To stand in sweet spring water and press them to your heart.

Like the Kipling cat, I walk alone -
Never inviting trouble, never casting the stone.
But this badge of honour is of tarnished tin.
Light your guiding beacon to bring this fisher in.

Performing tomorrow night at the Fox is Chris Isaac, Saturday is the Jingle Bell Ball, Monday is Leonard Cohen and Tuesday is Christmas with the Rat Pack.

Ludington's Waterfront Park

Ludington's beautiful Waterfront Park is home to a group of original bronze sculptures that have been gifted to the city and celebrate its heritage. It's fun and educational to follow the sculpture trail throughout this five acre park. "Follow the Leader" was created by W Stanley Proctor with the five children and dog leaping across the stepping stones. "Put me in Coach" by Mark Lundeen, refers back to the semi-pro team from 1912-1924, the Ludington Mariners who played at Culver Park. Others depict farming, car ferries, fishing, lumbering, a dummy train and more. There are facilities for picnicking and a band shell for summer concerts. It's a great little place just to watch the boat action on the water.

Silversides Submarine in Muskegon

Treat your kids to an adventure of a lifetime with a sleep over on the USS Silversides Submarine in Muskegon! First launched in 1941, it is now part of the Great Lakes Memorial and Museum. Daily tours are offered on this WWII gato-class submarine where you can explore both the top deck and the levels below. You learn that she sank 23 ships. Silversides was used in the making of the movie Below in 2002 when they towed her out to Lake Michigan

Hiking Grand Haven's Rosy Mound

There is a beautiful hiking trail through the dunes in Grand Haven called Rosy Mound. The 3/4 mile (one way) trail leading to Lake Michigan includes lots of stairs but the woodsy, sandy scenery is gorgeous no matter what time of year. We like reading the educational signs and learning about our environment. There is no charge between Labor Day and Memorial Weekend and even in the summertime, this secret beach is not too crowded.

Montague's World Largest Weathervane

Montague, just north of Muskegon, displays the world's largest weathervane, standing 48 feet tall with a 26 foot arrow. A 19th century schooner named Ella Ellenwood graces the top. Her home port used to be in Montague. The whole sculpture weighs two tons with a weather station in its base. It was built in Montague by the employees of the Whitehall factory.

Ludington Gallery and Gifts

Once upon a time, the owner of Ludington Gallery and Gifts moved to Alaska. Nancy came to her senses and moved back home and opened a lovely shop featuring local artists and Michigan made products. Here you will find many possible Christmas gifts that include photography, woodworking, glassware and many attractive artifacts. They are open every day except Monday.

Alliance Française of Grosse Pointe

The Alliance Française of Grosse Pointe had their annual Beaujolais Nouveau fling last night at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. President David Thoms, sporting a Georges DuBoeuf tie, warmly greeted the crowd amidst roaring fires, live entertainment, baskets of bread and trays of cheese, fruit and pâté. You could not help but have a good time. Created in 1883, the international organization of Alliance Française exists to promote the French language and culture. Chapters exist in 135 countries and the US has over 100. The Grosse Pointe chapter is very active with a literary circle, French movies each month, excursions and, of course, they teach French classes in the evening for aspiring students.

Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer

A craft beer taproom that uses mirepoix in their pub grub?  You will say it is a match made in heaven when you try the Greenbush Brews with their food. We gobbled down their homemade hummus and warm pita with a super beer sampler tray consisting of Memento Mori, Anger, Dune Gräs, Penitence, Red Bud and 1825.  They held a Brew & View two days ago, showing Spaceballs. What a classic. The Brewer's Table Dinner tonight is SOLD OUT! Get your reservations in for the Bistro on the Boulevard Beer Dinner for Thursday, Nov 29th.

Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor

In Glen Arbor, part of Michigan's pinkie, you'll find the Cherry Republic "Stomp House" Winery which makes a lovely cherry hard cider and cherry pop and cherry wines and tons of other cherry products. You haven't lived until you've eaten a cherry boomchunka cookie! If you are looking for Christmas gifts, they offer free shipping on orders of $100 or more. They also make a unique blend of popcorn that they call Snow Orchard Crunch with cherries, pecans, caramel and white chocolate. Their slogan is Life, Liberty, Beaches and Pie. For Black Friday, Nov 23, they are having a pajama party from 5-8am!

Sawyer Garden Center

We had to rub our eyes when we entered the Sawyer Garden Center down in Michigan's southwest corner.  Is this place for real? They offer gourmet foods, gorgeous Christmas decorations, live greens, unique gifts and there was even a wine tasting going on.  It was like an oasis in the middle of a desert! Pure fun.

Great Lakes National Cemetery

Today we officially observe Veterans' Day. In Holly, the Great Lakes National Cemetery opened just seven years ago and already has more than 15,000 interments. Consisting of over 500 acres, the setting is solemn, peaceful and beautiful overlooking a lake with an entryway lined with US flags. At the 11th hour on the 11th day yesterday, the New Century Chorale sang the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs here. Great Lakes is the second national cemetery in Michigan. The first one is Fort Custer, established in 1981 near Battle Creek.

St Matthew's in Benton Harbor

St Matt's in Benton Harbor has been around since 1898.  Founded by German immigrants, Pastor Laitinen regularly offers English worship services at 9am and on the third Sunday of each month at 10:30am he leads it in German. This singular gothic looking church was built in 1920. This Wisconsin Synod Lutheran church is active in the community and offers daycare, preschool, kindergarten, a thrift store and pregnancy center.

Bastone Brewery in Royal Oak

Royal Oak's Main Street is very cooly lit up already for the holidays. Bastone's tables right by their large windows help you to enjoy this romantic effect. This Belgian-style restaurant serves up the best food for a brewery that we have ever encountered, like the mussels and pommes frites or their thin crust pizzas. Their beer is made on premises in their basement and has been winning awards, like their Main Street Pilsner. The Huffington Post says they're the best craft beer of Metro Detroit. We heard Bastone's might be expanding and adding a second floor?!#?!@!

Ferndale's Treat Dreams

Fabulous Ferndale's newest ice cream shop--Treat Dreams-- sports some pretty wild flavors like Pumpkin Bourbon Ginger Snap which we tried this week. They make their products right here on site and offer tastings of flavors you would like to try. They are so not afraid of staying open all winter. Bravo! They have a sorbet flavor and vegan choices as well. What we have to come back for: salted caramel with nutella, coffee oreo, honey lavendar, pistachio wasabi, swedish fish, jack and apple, butterbeer, spicy key lime, the sailor man (spinach ice cream with a hint of nutmeg), chocolate sauerkraut and sweet and sour pork! Lastly, their kooky monster is a gigantic two chocolate chip cookies sandwiching a thick slab of blue vanilla ice cream. It's a heavenly meal in itself!

Nickels Arcade in Ann Arbor

We were very surprised to see the Parisian-looking Nickels Arcade in Ann Arbor. Built in 1918 and over 250 feet long, it has been very well maintained ad is filled with specialty shops like a florist, a tobacco shop, a barber, food stores, clothing boutiques and gift shops. Naturally, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. See if you can find the fairy door within!

Kowalski Deli Products made in Hamtramck

How many times have you been by this giant sausage sign in Hamtramck? Kowalski has been serving up quality deli products in the Detroit area since 1920. Agnes and Zygmund Kowalski settled in Detroit from Poland and opened up a store with their homemade Polish kielbasa using an old world recipe and hardwood chips to smoke it. Today, the Kowalski grandchildren still run it and more than 50 products are made and sold in metro Detroit, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

Just Baked Cupcakes in Warren

The Just Baked franchise specializes in cupcakes of the divine kind like caramel macchiato, upside down pineapple and black forest topped with cherries. Today they make them to remind you to vote!  The first store began in Livonia and now there are 12 boutiques in the Metro area with another opening soon in Waterford. These photos were taken at the Warren bakery on Mound Road, where three eager faces are waiting to serve you!

J.W. Westcott II--Detroit's Boat Post Office

The only floating post office in the world is located in Detroit--the J.W. Westcott II with its own zip code of 48222. It anchors on 24th Street in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge. The delivery is called "mail in the pail" as the little diesel motor boat snugs up to a big freighter which then lowers a bucket with mail and messages to be sent/exchanged with the Westcott. Captain J.W. Westcott began this service back in the 1800's. Today, Captain Sam says he'll take visitors on his boat to show you just how it is done.

Lake Huron Retreat Center

We've used this retreat center a few times over the years and highly recommend it.  Located right on Lake Huron north of Port Huron in Burtchville Township, it's a peaceful place with excellent facilities including wifi and overnight accommodations.  Although used mostly by churches and non-profits during fall, winter and spring, they offer personal retreats as well, including a 3 day New Year's Eve celebration. They even pamper you with three hot meals per day. July and August, they are loaded with summer camps provided by the United Methodist Church.

Youmacon Convention in Detroit

November's first weekend means Youmacon, the Anime Convention in Detroit with 20,000 wildly dressed participants using the GM Renaissance Center and Cobo Hall.  The weather today was beautiful for going back and forth between the two and these guys--lovers of anime, manga and gaming-- adore being photographed.

Marlette Library

There were 53 Carnegie Libraries built in Michigan and the Marlette Library, dating back to 1921, was the last one built in the Midwest. Marlette belongs to MelCat, the Michigan Electronic Library Catalog.  This entity contains the combined holdings of all participating Michigan libraries which will eventually include 48 million items.  That means that Michigan residents whose library belongs to MelCat get to take advantage of this entire collection. This also includes interlibrary loans. It's a beautiful thing. So many books--so little time! The playful dragon in the children's section is called Pageburner.

Day-of-the-Dead in Northville

We were amazed with enormous amount of skeleton displays in Northville. Our favorite was the bank robber in front of Comerica! Apparently the whole town gets in on this and on the first weekend in October they performed Michael Jackson's Thriller for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Good job! This is their second year of skeleton displays and we're sure this tradition will continue. And it's a perfect setting for Day-of-the-Dead photos!