Four States Fall 2018 - 3 - Mom's 90th Birthday

Most settled into the hotel for a quiet respite. Laur and I went to pick up the cake at the bakery and stopped by a local deli to purchase some French-origin raclette cheese that Mike and I wanted to take home.

About 4pm, we headed to the old Traverse City state asylum complex. Mom had worked as an accountant at the state asylum building in Kalamazoo. She had come to this one for a conference sometime back and wanted to see it again. It is now converted into a condo complex and shopping arcade. There are restaurants and tasting rooms there, too. We didn't go inside, but she enjoyed the outside view. She didn't remember it being so huge.

BD dinner was in Sutton's Bay at North Country Grill, about 15 miles up the Leelanau Peninsula. Prime rib and lobster tails are their specialty. Most of this crew had been here a number of times and really enjoy it. Kevin caught up with us here.

Here we all are:

 

And here's Tom with his usual triple order of tails!! I love lobster as much as Tom, but I limit myself to only two.

After a luscious dinner we went back to the hotel for dessert, gifts, and a "look at the past" Power Point presentation.

The cake was a little purple-ier than we expected, but mom loves iris flowers and we were trying to re-create that look when we ordered over the phone. We also had a choice of three Moomer ice cream flavors (a T.C. based company).

The presentation was about 20 slides. Some were actual photos from throughout mom's life. (A friend of mine made the really cool 90th BD banner, also with purple highlights.)

Here's baby mom. So cute!

Mom (and me) in Thailand riding an elephant and checking out a Men's Club.

Mom (and Lauren) whitewater rafting in Alaska.

And some were imaginary, spoofy things that she "had done." We got a little laugh at the start. We had mom at a young Shirley Temple birthday party and she commented, "I don't remember any of those girls." We explained that some of the photos (like that one) were Photoshopped with her picture added in. That was a good laugh. Anyway, here's mom getting accounting advise from Warren Buffet.

 Mom after a secret moon mission.

 And mom singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

We all had a great time for this very special birthday event. Mom was queen for a day!

Four States Fall 2018 - 2 - Tripping in Downtown T.C.

First, a freebie breakfast in the hotel lobby. Coffee was good and they had crispy bacon...rare to get at these hotel buffets.

We all refreshed and decided to take a walk through downtown Traverse City. A really nice man on a nearby park bench gave us parking advice. He said if there is a silver button on the meter, just push it and you get 30 minutes free parking. And then he proceeded to throw two quarters into our meter!! I think his current hobby is to inform visitors on this generous issue, as a big T.C. ambassador. I agreed to send him this pix but, darn, lost his email. Thank you, kind sir!

It was a casual stroll with the ladies using walkers leading the way. We managed four blocks before heading back to the car. We mostly window shopped with an occasional person darting into an interesting store. The Cherry Republic store was the exception. We all bought something from the cherry influenced and infused products. Among us we bought cherry candies, wine, candles, salsa, and more.

Along our way we found this Little Free Library. It was a miniature of the Traverse City State theatre with the film festival featured on the marquee. So cute!!

After that, we hit the road up the Mission Peninsula (on the east side of Grand Traverse Bay). At that point, it started to rain lightly, but it did not dampen our spirits. Our first stop was Chateau Chantel's tasting room. We all tried our faves and some new options of wine and hard liquors produced by that winery.

As we shared and compared tastes, we enjoyed the views of the vineyard and the bay in the distance.

Next we checked out the Harbor View Nursery and  lavender shop. It was actually just a little shed along the road, but was so glad we stopped. The aroma was fabulous here. We all bought products of various types. Mike and I bought lotion and lavender infused shortbread mix. As an aside, we made this back home and it was scrumptious. A definite must stop in the future.

We couldn't wander the fields because of the rain, but took a quick run out to their drying barn. Heavenly aromas here, too.

Our last stop of the morning was lunch at the Old Mission Tavern. We actually weren't very hungry, so most had a light snack. Mike passed altogether. I had a cuba libre (Myers's rum and coke with lime) and a shrimp cocktail appetizer.

This tavern is also a gallery for local artists. After lunch we wandered that area. Here's my sis acting all sexy-pouty!

Four States Fall 2018 (State 1) - 1 - TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN - Family Trip

On our trip to Iceland in March, my sister and I brainstormed as to what special event to do for our mom's 90th birthday celebration. She hasn't been out much past city limits these days, so we decided on a mini-road trip to Traverse City. Lots of planning and coordinating to get the four siblings and spouses together, but we did it.

On Tuesday morning, all but Kevin headed up north to the meeting spot. Mike and I usually stay at the Park Place Hotel, but wanted a more direct view of the Grand Traverse Bay for mom. This time we chose the Cherry Tree Inn, located a bit out of town and on the more eastern side of the bay.

All of our rooms had a lovely view of the hotel beach below, even though it was too chilly for a dip.

Before getting to the hotel, Mike and I stopped in downtown Traverse City at the Park Place Hotel for lunch with Mike's cousin Barbara and her beau. We had a good visit with them. When we arrived at the Cherry Tree, Bob and Lorraine were already there. Mom, Tom, and Laur came along shortly. Brother Kevin had to work and did not arrive til the next day.

Those that were there met in mom's room for a good family chit-chat. Memories and laughter were abundant. Lorraine brought all kinds of fun things to share. Crazy wigs (bro Bob in a wig below, just the orange part!!), jewelry, toys, and a lovely selection of scarves. From those, all the gals got to choose one based on "seniority." As second choice, I got a lovely blue and rust "impressionist" style scarf. It will go with lots of outfits. Thanks, Lo!

Mom, Bob, and Lo went out for dinner and the rest of us hunkered down for the evening. Tomorrow was the big celebration day.

2018 Winter in MICHIGAN - W. K. Kellogg Manor House

For years I have been yearning to see this big ol' Tudor-revival style mansion along Gull Lake in southwest Michigan. It is only 15 miles from our home in Kalamazoo. They often have "formal" tea events here on various holidays, but this time of year there is local artisan holiday craft sale. Here's the lowdown on the mansion's history.

This is the Kellogg family that invented Corn Flakes and other Kellogg brand cereals.

Construction was started in 1925 and the home occupied in 1926. The estate cost was $747,000 at the time (the home $400,000 out of that). The 15,000 square foot house still stands intact with furniture added to reflect the original furnishings. It sits on the highest point (110 feet) above Gull Lake and includes 1,600 feet of shoreline. Mr. Kellogg referred to it as his "cottage."

Here is the front entrance. Looks pretty austere compared with what is behind that door.

The living room (and many other rooms) has a lovely view of the lake and was decorated stunningly.

Wood beams, paneling, and staircase are in oak, cherry, and walnut. Today all the fireplaces were aglow.

The dining room may have been my favorite. There was also an elegant breakfast room with period boxes of Corn Flakes and other Kellogg cereal brands displayed. There tea and macaroons were offered as part of the $5 donation fee.

The kitchen seems quite ordinary, but I'm sure the family rarely visited this room.

Next I took the stunning wooden staircase up to the second floor. Italian woodworkers created the intricate carvings.

Upstairs was the mister and the misses suites. His had private bath, closet, bedroom, and separate office.

Her connecting space has a private bath, closet, bedroom, and two sitting rooms.

There were also four guest bedrooms.

And seven bathrooms, all styled in various colors of Rookwood tile.

Last was the billiard room and nook.
Here the fireplace is surrounded in more colorful Rookwood tile.

All-in-all there are 18 rooms (not all were open)--seven entry doors, a library, seven bedrooms (today filled with artisans' wares), seven bathrooms, a wing for household staff (now offices), two large sun porches, a full basement (including an organ with 1,000+ pipes, laundry, and two redwood Jacuzzis), and an attic (ballroom / storage). There are many leaded-glass window and wood panel decorations.

References to the Kellogg Scottish origins include a Lion Rampant stamped into the plaster of the library, the living room ceiling plastered with a rose and thistle design, and thistle in many light fixtures and sconces.

Outside in back are manicured grounds overlooking Gull Lake.

Pretty spectacular and worth a visit, although I'd do it in summer when the grounds are in all their glory.

http://conference.kbs.msu.edu/manor-house/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellogg_Biological_Station

2018 Winter Holidays in MICHIGAN

This year has gone by so fast and it was a good one for us. We have some trip blogging catch up to do, but decided we needed a little holiday message first.

Just before the holidays, my fellow authors of Library Ladies of Kalamazoo: Home and History had lunch at the Park Club. I always have a fabulous time with these precious friends.

We got together at my sister's for Thanksgiving. A smaller group, but mom was there and we all had a great visit. Dinner was a choice of ham and/or beef, augmented with lots of veggies. We tried cauliflower-three-ways, which was fun. I liked two out of the three! Mike and I brought homemade Banana Split Pie for dessert. It is layers of shortbread crust / chocolate pudding / sliced bananas / vanilla pudding / sliced strawberries / cool whip topping with scattered walnuts and maraschino cherry halves. It was pretty much gone in a flash.

In between holidays Aunt Terry and Uncle Bob from France and cousin Matt from Pennsylvania came for a visit. Our first meal was at Steak'n'Shake. When Bob & Terry met in their college days, S&S was the chain restaurant where they courted. So eating at this sister location is always a sentimental choice whenever they visit.

The next day we attended the live-in-cinema version of the opera LaTraviata performed by the NY Met. I watch these events at home on the small screen when public TV produces them, but it was truly spectacular on the big screen. Later that evening, the family took our visitors out to dinner at the Park Club in downtown Kalamazoo. It was fun being round a big "family" table.

The next day we gathered at Laur's for a day for football and snacking. It was the Pittsburg Steelers (their team) over the Patriots. Lots of encouragement and merriment over that. Food included quiches-two-ways. How French of us! We ate breakfast together the next morning and sent them on their way.

A couple of days before Christmas I went to the W. K. Kellogg Manor House. See next blog page for the lowdown.

Christmas was at our lil brother's. They always decorate so nicely at their classic old farm house. There we had prime rib and/or ham and veggies. I brought a mac'n'cheese with bacon bits mixed in. Lots of presents to open all around. Fleece blankets, airplane socks, toe rings, car vac, and much more for us. We give little ditties and some "everything" seasoning mix that I concocted. All the kids got wood models of dinosaurs to build.

Here's Kev in the kitchen and a few of the crew.

 

Everything about the holidays was wonderful. We didn't stress, got great gifts, fabulous food, but best was seeing all the family. The only issue was I gained 5 pounds between October and the first of the year. Back on the old weight watchers band wagon.

11/13/2018 - History of a Rock

In early October this year, we took a driving trip around several Midwest states. One of our stops was Marquette, Michigan. At the Landmark Hotel, we found this green painted rock (maybe 4" x 2") leaning on the wall outside the lobby door.

So a few days later we went to https://www.facebook.com/groups/PHMRocks/ and reported where we found "our" rock and mentioned that we re-hid it in Wisconsin. It was in full view, but amongst a huge pile of other rocks. We were hoping the bright green color would catch someone's attention.

So today I was checking back and, low and behold, someone found our rock in Eagle River, Wisconsin and reported the find.

We wondered who found our rock. An employee of the Wild Eagle Lodge? A guest? So we sent this message. No answer yet.

What fun. Hope we can follow our rock further.

As of December 30, no more action on the rock.

11/6/2018 - We Love our Stylist

...our hair stylist, that is. She is Amanda of Captain Amanda's Radiance Salon in Otsego, Michigan. The Captain part might sound a bit odd, but I'll tell you about that later.

We started with Amanda because of a GroupOn coupon. That was about five years ago and she was so fantastic that we became loyal clients. Her salon used to be in Richland, Michigan, about 15 miles from our home. Recently she moved to Otsego, a tad bit further for us to drive, but easier because it is mostly freeway.

She owns the building now (actually a converted "antique" home) in this quaint little town. Decor is fabulous with crystal chandeliers and colors done in silver and shades of purple. Lots of good light and plenty of room to spread out.


Amanda cuts both Mike and my hair and does a fabulous job on both. Here is a photo of her at work on Mike's head. She also trims his ears and brows. Yah!!

She has worked with me through ½-inch pixie short to almost collar length. She's always flexible with good ideas because I like to mix it up. She does a great cut, but color is her favorite, although I'm not ready to delve back into that yet.

We've recommended several friends, but one of her biggest fans is 92-year old Inda (mother of our neighbor). She has very fine hair, but with a wave (not shown well in the photo). She swears no one could cut it right to get the nice wave how she likes it until she found Amanda. 

OK, so now about the "Captain" part. Amanda is an avid fisher woman. She has been a lot of places including Alaska to enjoy that fun hobby. So she got inspired to earn a merchant marine license which allows her to captain a ship up to 50,000 tons.

At this time she mostly assists other captains because she doesn't own her own boat yet. She is also a rep for a line of fishing tackle. This poster hangs on one wall in her hallway and she can tell you a lot about fishing...smiling all the while.

She also does driftwood art and rock painting. She surprises me on just about every visit with some new story about her adventures.

So an all around great hair stylist in a wonderful location and fabulous atmosphere. We always share inspiring and educational conversations, chatting about everything under the sun. And did I mention the price is right.