Recent Blog Posts

I've been on a slow cooker, crockpot kick the last few weeks with the start of school. Yes, school finally started here in Petoskey and the kids are off and running so I'm trying to take advantage of the time alone and keep things running as smoothly as I can on the home front. Working from home ...
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Delectable treats make any occasion you are celebrating very special. Putting the time in to ensure the person you are throwing the party for has something sweet they will enjoy lets them know you really care.  Ordering a cake or making it yourself has the same impact - everyone loves to be reme...
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Hello, again! Even though fall will soon be here in Northern Michigan, our garden season is still in full swing and I'm trying to take advantage of it as much as I can before the weather takes a turn. This past weekend I made 10 slowcooker freezer meals to have on hand during this busy fall sea...
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Hi, everyone! Fall is just around the corner here in Northern Michigan. Maybe not this week with the temps predicted to be in the mid-70's but it's coming folks. Soon enough, crisp fall mornings will be here. The leaves have already started to change colors and fall to the ground. It's a subtle chan...
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Labor Day is the unofficial start of winter in Michigan. If you’re not from Michigan, you’re double checking your calendar and thinking that you're pretty sure winter doesn’t start until December 22nd. You wonder what about fall? Fall is glorious here. Our landscape turns shades of red, oran...
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If you want to see amazing fall color, Michigan is the place to be in October. Our thick forests full of hardwoods paint the landscape in brilliant reds, yellows and oranges. Our plentiful orchards and farm markets ensure you’ll be able to take home some of our autumn bounty for yourself. Colors ...
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A little known fact is that when Grandpa Shorter's Gifts opened in 1946 their first account was Minnetonka Moccasins - in turn Grandpa Shorter's was Minnetonka's first account. That is just remarkable. Minnetonka and Grandpa Shorter's have both changed and grown with the times but stayed ...
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Hi everyone! With summer finally winding down here in Northern Michigan I am still in baking mode. The temps have been unseasonably cool and it honestly feels like fall right now. I'm hoping it warms up again and I keep hearing that it will, but for now I'm content using our garden fresh zucchini i...
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School starts in about a week here in Petoskey and I am in FULL back to school mode. New shoes and school outfits have been purchased. Backpacks were dug out this last week and deemed 'good enough' to use again this year and my husband is about to set up our kid command center near our entrance by ...
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Northern Michigan is a popular destination for fall color tours. Blazing reds, oranges and yellows paint the abundant forest and look even more vivid against the blue backdrop of Lake Michigan. If you’re headed up here this autumn, add a few stops at the local wineries to your itinerary. Michigan�...
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