Detroit Bold Coffee Beans

Start the new year off right by switching to a Michigan made product called Detroit Bold. AJ O'Neill is roasting coffee beans in Highland Park on E Evelyn, a plant where the beans have been roasted since 1914. This factory provided the coffee beans that served our US troops during World War II! A portion of their proceeds go to help local charities. We found this product at Mootown Ice Cream on Russell in Eastern Market.

Winter on Lake St Clair

The beauty of our great lakes surround us in every season.

Petoskey Brewery is a sparkling new addition

This Petoskey building was born as a brewery in the 1800's and had seen many different uses through years. Under owners Patrick Dowd and Lou Gostinger complete renovations, the Petoskey Brewing Company came back to life in September of 2012. We tried a flight of beers and loved them. Their pretzels with various sauces are outstanding. Sean and Adam are providing live entertainment tonight.

Marshall's Town and Country antiques

The antique shopping in Marshall will pique your interest. We found lots of treasures at Town and Country. Can you read the name of this inimitable Tiger star who still lives in our state? If I told you where it would give it away.

Bill Conklin Michigan Photographer

Saint Joseph is the place photographer Bill Conklin calls home.  He loves the winter scenes out in the wilderness though, like Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula.

Honolulu House in Marshall

Loved the tour of the 19th century Honolulu House during Marshall's beautiful Christmas Walk. The tour guides love what they do and they make history come alive. It is worth it to see the unique Hawaiian victorian architecture, the hand-painted walls and ornate fireplaces.

Guernsey Dairy Farm in Northville

Since 1954 the McGuire family has been running the Guernsey Dairy Farm on Novi Road in Northville.  They sell hormone-free milk from Michigan raised cows and make delicious ice cream from it also. People's Magazine voted their butter pecan the best in the nation. It's a quaint place. If you are an ice cream lover, you love it year round, not just in the summer time!! They serve it all with old-fashioned hospitality.

Detroit's Ye Olde Tap Room

Circa 1912 is a bronze plaque posted at the front door of Ye Olde Tap Room.  There was an animated crowd there tonight and it was fun. They have a myriad amount of beers organized in two ways---on a sheet of paper by country, or up on the chalkboard by style. Their prices are decent and the peanuts are free. Located on Charlevoix at Outer Dr (a.k.a. Alter) on the cusp of Grosse Pte Park, this centennial hangout has a lot of history on all three floors. Bravo to the Beer Snobs of Michigan and their ugly sweater meet-up here this evening. Thanks for introducing us to a real Detroit gem.

Marie Catrib's in Gand Rapids

What a pleasure it was to dine at Marie Catrib's in Grand Rapids last Saturday. Everything we had was outstanding....the grilled tuna sandwich with pasta, the handyman's sandwich and the fish tacos were to die for. We also thoroughly enjoyed the split pea soup. They have many items labeled gluten free and/or vegan. Their mantra is "to create, produce and serve super-great full-flavored food that has a beginning, middle and finish to every bite". And they strive for exceptional service. They get it right. Did we say everything was homemade and fresh?  Wow. We loved every morsel. Bravo and well done.

Props for the Home in South Haven

Everyone we bring to South Haven falls in love with this store called Props. They just have so many unique items you're bound to find something you can use. This is where you find a great gift or stocking stuffer for your hard-to-buy-for friend or family member....like Paddywax candles where each scent is named after a different author or wobble bottle openers, bungee wallets, personalized drink bands, cherry choppers, salt and pants, jewelry organizers, conceal book shelves and so much more! Their merchandise is displayed on Pinterest, also.

Bucharest Grill in Detroit

The Bucharest Grill on Park Avenue downtown is always packed especially on game days. The delicious, fresh homemade food commands repeat business. Open seven days a week until midnight, the prices are very reasonable for these Romanian and middle eastern dishes. They have perhaps the best chicken shawarma in the state. Their sandwich called the Detroiter consists of knockwurst with coney sauce, grilled onions and cheddar cheese on a bun. You wait in line, order your food, grab it and go find an empty table either upstairs or down. The Park Bar upstairs offers beverages to go with your meal.

Romeo Public Library

The Romeo Library was organized in 1900 and housed in the Kezar home on Church Street.  After the Kezars moved to California, they donated a some of money to have a library built within Romeo which still exists today on Church Street and appropriately named Kezar Library. When it was bursting at the seams, the Graubner family donated land for a new library which was opened in 2001 in the Frank Lloyd Wright prairie style. It is a very warm inviting place on Van Dyke just north of 30 Mile Road with beautiful artwork and appropriately named the Graubner Library.

Phone Booth in Royal Oak

An old fashioned phone booth is catching the eye of younger people who are not familiar with this antiquated way of communicating. It's now become a hot photo spot in Royal Oak by the Second Street Sub Shop. The murals were done by Martin Laprise out of Shelby Township. The sub shop is also a favorite for sandwich lovers made fresh on whole grain bread with lots of vegetarian options.