Holidays

Break out the streamers, crack open the champagne, gather your friends and welcome 2016 with dancing and music at New Year’s Eve celebrations up and down Lake Michigan’s coast. New Year’s Eve Pasty Drop in Escanaba - The family friendly celebration begins with fireworks at the dock at 9pm. Th...
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Hello, friends! Christmas break is looming on the horizon and I've already started thinking of craft ideas for the kiddos even before Christmas actually gets here. My husband works nights and it's hard to keep the kids quiet sometimes. My oldest boy prefers to play legos or go outside but the youn...
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Looking for something new to try this holiday season with the kids? Try hosting a cookie decorating party! It's fun and a great way to have a playdate and mingle with other parents who need as much socialization as you do. It's simple, really and once you decide on how many children to...
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Most fans of Ernest Hemingway know he had a strong connection with Northern Michigan where he spent every summer until he was in his early 20s. He wrote about those places from his childhood in his semi-autobiographical Nick Adams stories, and the Michigan Hemingway Society holds its annual con...
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It's already the first week of December here in Northern Michigan and Petoskey residents are gearing up for one of our fabulous annual traditions that officially rings in the holidays here in Petoskey: the Downtown Petoskey Holiday Open House. This Friday, December 4th, 6-9pm Petoskey downtown ...
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I always thought I knew how to wrap a present - I discovered I was terribly wrong - after watching the queen of gifts show me how. Watch this short video tutorial and let Jennifer Shorter, Owner of Grandpa Shorter's Gifts, teach or refresh you on wrapping a present properly.  This is a skill tha...
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Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away, can you believe it? I swear I just blink and summer is over and I blinked again and missed Halloween and now it's Thanksgiving in a week and a half. With Thanksgiving also comes Black Friday, one of, biggest shopping days of the year. So, between planning...
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Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for friends and family who love Michigan? Whether they call the Mitten State home or have fond memories of summer vacations swimming in the lake and playing in the sand, Grandpa Shorter's has something for them. Petoskey Stones - Michigan's state s...
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Hello, friends! Thanksgiving is on the horizon and today I'm bringing you some fun kids craft activities! I'm not sure about your kids, but my girls are obsessed with crafts. I've tried my best to contain the mess as much as I can, but it doesn't help that my work often involves working on fun kid...
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Hello, friends and welcome back! With fall in full swing, now is the time of year that I love making warm and delicious comfort dishes! Easy recipes are always a plus with me, but I also like recipes that are tasty! This past weekend I worked a few Thanksgiving-esque side dishes. One of my absolut...
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