Recent Blog Posts

Camping is a popular pastime here in Michigan. Probably because it’s one of the best ways to enjoy the beaches, waterways and forests that cover the state. When you think of camping, you probably picture people loading up the family car, taking a road trip and pitching a tent in the woods. But the...
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Do you ever have those days (or weeks) when you feel overwhelmed by being a mom and having to juggle it all? Sometimes I feel that way.  Right now for me the big stress is toilet training.  My son, Carl, is 3 years and 9 months.  We have been hitting toilet training hard since he turned 3 years ...
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It's summer and today on the blog we are talking S'mores. You know what I'm talking about, the warm ooey, gooey, delicious graham cracker sandwich with melted chocolate and marshmallow combo. Oh, yeah. I could eat them everyday if I tried. They are about as American as apple pie and easy to make! Ne...
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School is officially out for us and Father's Day is less than a week away. Have you started thinking about gift ideas or bought Dad a card yet? Me either. If you're anything like me, you know the routine. The last minute rushing around from store to store trying to pick up a card and small gift. I...
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"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman." - Coco Chanel Having basic items that pair well with your outfits make it a lot easier and stress free to get ready in the morning.  It is important to have items that coordinate - that way you can use pi...
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It’s almost strawberry season here in Michigan. They are usually ready by the second week of June in Southern Michigan, and the season finishes off in mid-July in the Upper Peninsula. The best way to enjoy the freshest strawberries is to head to a farm where you can pick your own. Michigan’s ri...
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Spring is here and summer is on the horizon. Many people start taking trips and visiting family during these months. There are baby showers, weddings and everyone is making the most of the beautiful weekends. I think it is really important to make guests feel welcome and comfortable in your ...
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Hi friends! Welcome back to another recipe here on the blog. If you've been following the Grandpa Shorter's blog for some time you know that I am all about food. Easy and delicious food. I absolutely love to be in the kitchen cooking and trying out new recipes, and sampling them of course, but so...
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(Photo Credit: Petoskey Downtown) Hello friends! It is finally June, school is almost out for most of us and the summer season here in Northern Michigan is about to kick off. The Petoskey Downtown Summer Open House is this Friday June 5th, 5-8pm and I'm really looking for to it! The kids only hav...
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For me spring is all about regrouping, reorganizing, purging and bringing in new fresh ideas.  It makes me happy and sane to have my spaces usable again. As my mother-in-law, Mari, always says spring cleaning is taking inventory of what you have and what you need.  For me it always seems that...
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