Where the Tea Grows

     One of the reasons that I love to travel is that you never know what you might find. Last year while in Traverse City, we read that there was a tea farm nearby, but we didn't find it. In June, we decided we were going to make a point of locating Light of Day Organic Teas. It was really interesting and fun. Light of Day farm is Michigan’s only certified Demeter Biodynamic farm. “Biodynamics is a holistic, sustainable form of agriculture that dates all the way back to the 1920's. It takes into account everything from the cycles of the moon and stars to the soil, plants, animals and people, with the ultimate goal of making each garden or farm a healthy self-sustaining ecosystem.”

     Light of Day products are grown certified 100% organic and certified Demeter Biodynamic under the guidelines of the National Organic Program, and Demeter U.S.  The exceptionally high quality botanicals are hand-harvested, dried in their licensed commercial farm kitchen, and packaged carefully, on site. With each step in the process, positive intention and prayer for well being is offered up. They blend all of their private recipe teas in small batches to promote consistency, to maximize freshness and for optimal nutritive benefit.

     When we walked through the door of the small shop and tea bar, we were warmly greeted and handed a cup of delicious tea, in a real cup! Our "hostess" was very knowledgeable and patient as she explained the many tea varieties available and the benefits of drinking each. The tea is actually grown on site for many of the varieties and so are any fruits, berries or herbs that might be added to a blend. She said they even grow their own oranges. For the teas that they can't grow locally, the buy only from other organic Fair Trade growers.

     I couldn't get as close as I would have liked to show you the actual tea growing process, but you can see the building above and a closer view in the photo below.

     Tea was available to purchase by the cup (which of course we did). You could also do a "tea tasting" for a small fee and try several varieties of tea. We came home with 3 varieties of tea. I bought Namaste from Nepal, an organic Nepalese first flush green tea and Peaceful Peninsulas, also an organic natural wirey-style green tea leaf with cherry, blueberry, grape, apple, rose hips, currant elderberry and hibiscus. The Namaste is my favorite because I don't "do flavors" as well as I like plain teas. The Peaceful Peninsula is a nice change in the afternoon. Because the fruits are all natural, there is no artificial taste that you often get from a tea bag or from tea leaves that have simply been sprayed with a flavoring. My husband selected an Herbal Tea, Hummingbird Nectar, because he loves a strong, fruity flavor. It is an organic, caffeine-free blend of Montmorency cherry, hibiscus, blueberry, grape, currant, elderberry and maple syrup bits.

A special place for classes and other tea related events.

 

     This was one of the things I enjoyed doing most on our trip. I don't know how to explain it, but the place had a "good vibe" and we felt better when we left than when we got there, even after spending way too much money on tea and tea-related items. The tea is expensive compared to tea bags from the grocery store, or at least most people will have a moment of "sticker shock" when they see the prices. However, there is simply no way to compare this tea to anything you buy at your local market or even tea leaves from other places. These leaves aren't flavored with fruits, they have the actual fruits in them, which makes the taste so unique and fresh. You also get more than one cup from a teaspoon of tea leaves. I know that this will now be on our "must do" list when we make our next trip to Traverse City. You can read more about Light of Day Organic Teas by visiting their website here or following them on Facebook. I hope you enjoyed your tour!

Not A Glamour Shot

 

     This isn't the first time that I have written about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It is just one of those places that draws me back time and time again. The beauty of the spot, the vastness of Lake Michigan, the blending of sky and water...it is simply one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

 

 

     This trip, for the 3rd time, we decided to do The Dune Climb. This climb is over 200 feet high, almost straight up in some places and it is in very soft sand which causes you to sink to your ankles with each step. The first trip we took to Sleeping Bear we did the climb and I truly thought I might die. The second time we climbed was just a few days after my mother died, we took my dad to Michigan to pass the days before her services. I took the climb slowly with him, not because he couldn't do it, but because I was afraid I'd lose him too! This time, I was ready. I've been exercising regularly for months. I had the right shoes, sleeves on my top and no purse to carry, a visor to protect my eyes, my water bottle...I was in the best shape I could possibly be in. This was going to be a piece of cake! I didn't count on it being 88 degrees that day. I also didn't count on the fact that my husband had the camera and caught me melting on the way up!

 

 

     Okay, so it isn't pretty. A golf visor, socks, shoes and capris...not my best look...but I did it! I am so hot at this point that I just wanted to pour the water on my head. I did have to stop a couple of times, but at least it never felt like my heart was going to explode like my first climb. Was it a piece of cake? No! It is really hard! The sand is so loose and for every 3 steps forward, you slide a step back. As much as I hate having my picture taken, I am showing this one because it truly shows what the climb is like. See how far away that parking lot is? This still doesn't show the incline. Now, some pictures as to what makes it worth the effort.

 

 

 

   
     If you ever get a chance to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes (you don't have to climb like this to still enjoy the beauty of the spot) please, do so. You won't regret it!

Lilacs, Lavender and Lunch

 

     What keeps us returning year after year to Michigan, is nature. We always seem to find interesting things to do that most often have a connection to local crops, farms or beautiful views. This year, much like the rest of us in the Midwest, things were a little behind schedule. We were lucky enough to see the lilacs in bloom. The variety of colors and sizes was stunning. Everywhere we went the smell of lilac was in the air.

 

 

     On my list of "things to see sometime" has been Lavender Hill Farms, in Boyne City, MI. Pictures I had seen had the fields full of dark purple, but with the crops a little late, we saw just the beginning of the blooms.

 

 

     The fields are evidently very fragrant when in full bloom, but I had to use my imagination a little bit as we really couldn't smell the lavender outside yet.

 

     The very large basket is full of different types of lavender.  I had no idea there were so many varieties. There are also lots of bees. I actually had one leave the hive and get in my hair. My husband was trying to brush it away and it simply wouldn't leave. What started as me brushing a hand near my hair ended up with me doing quite a dance, screaming a bit and yelling at my husband to get rid of it! I kept waiting for the sting, but I survived. Thankfully, no camera for that episode!

 

     The gift shop DID smell like lavender. Oh my, a bloggers dream shop. Everything was so pretty and soft colors were everywhere. I tasted lavender shortbread (it was good, but I prefer mine without lavender), tried creams and lotions and bought a few Christmas gifts.

 

Everywhere we looked there was lavender growing.

Can you imagine what it looks like in full bloom?

 

     Usually my travel posts include tons of food pictures. We did actually eat on this trip, but after months of healthy eating (see posts here and here) we didn't eat as often or as much. One of the places we really enjoyed was Martha's Leelanau Table in Sutton's Bay, MI. Suttons Bay is a beautiful lake town full of shops and restaurants. Martha's is in an old house and we enjoyed our lunch on the patio.

 

     I ordered the Leelanau Raclette. Leelanau Raclette cheese is made locally and we have purchased the cheese before. I have never had it served the traditional way and it was everything I had imagined. The cheese is melted and served with crusty bread, boiled potatoes and cornichon pickles. It was excellent.

 

     My husband had the Turkey, Bacon, Pesto and Swiss Sandwich on 7-grain bread. We would certainly go back again. The desserts looked amazing, but we were too full after lunch to try them.

 

 

To be continued...

 

A Blog Post That Your Husbands Will Like!

   

     We usually go to Michigan in the fall, in fact we have only been there one other time in the summer. The room rates are double, the crowds are in town and unlike in fall, there are young children on the beaches. Why would we even want to go under those circumstances? My husband really wanted to go to the Bay Harbor Vintage Car and Wooden Boat Festival. I am not all that into cars actually, but Bay Harbor (located right on the edge of Petoskey, MI, is a beautiful area, right on the water. There are shops, restaurants and I knew that I would enjoy the scenery, even if the cars were boring. My husband insisted that these were not your "normal" car show cars and he was right. These were the most gorgeous, expensive cars I have ever seen and the wooden boats were beautiful and so interesting. It was a cool, misty morning and it really was fun. This post is heavy with photos, but they were all so unique I couldn't stop taking pictures.

I love how she posed for me in her period clothing.

This was my husband's favorite car.

It was interesting to see that Emmy nominated

actor Edward Herrmann (Eleanor and Franklin,

 Here Come the Munsters, Gilmore Girls) was

one of the judges for the car show.

The boats were beautiful and almost eerie on

a slightly foggy, misty day.

That is my idea of a tablescape!

     I actually ended up loving the show and we really enjoyed chatting at our hotel with some of the owners and getting up close to their cars the night before. This event we would both recommend.