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...

 

When I Grow Up, I Want To Be...

...A Wedding Food Taster!

 

     You may remember that a few posts back, I mentioned a wedding. Well, while we were in Florida, we made a trip to the venue:

 

 

We sat at a beautiful table in a dining room

with no one in it and the food just kept coming.

 

There were 8 different appetizers...4 were chosen.

Two salad choices...which one
do you think they picked?

 

Three fabulous entrees...two were selected and yes,

that is lobster in those mashed potatoes.

 

     After months of "healthy eating" I nearly jumped up and down when each of us was presented a platter to sample cake and cupcake flavors along with various frostings. White, chocolate, key lime and lemon along with buttercream and cream cheese frosting and a chocolate ganache. You know sometimes as a parent you just have to make sacrifices for your kids...I would have rather been eating carrots and celery, but I forced myself to try those potatoes, crab cakes, and each and every flavor of cupcake and frosting. This was fun, plain and simple. We were treated so well and it was really easy to make the selections. Everything was really good and some things were just perfect! I think I could make a career of this, don't you?

 

 

I am joining Michael @

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday

 

 

Food, Glorious Food

 

     This year, Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival added some food and beverage booths. Unlike the Food and Wine Festival in the fall, the foods were made with "garden" ingredients to go along with the festival theme. There were less booths than in the fall, but a few of the things we tried are worth mentioning.

 

     The picture above of Watermelon Salad was one of my two favorites. I have already made this at home and it will be a staple at our house this summer. It is light, fresh and good for you...plus delicious. The ingredients are watermelon cubes, baby arugula, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar. It is very simple to prepare-cube the watermelon, top with arugula. Reduce the balsamic vinegar (boil it until it thickens, then cool) and drizzle it over the top. Sprinkle with the feta cheese. It was really good.

 

 

      My dad tried the shrimp, grits and sausage and loved it. It looked very good and had a bit of a bite to it.

 

     I love mushrooms, so I opted to try the savory Mushroom and Spring Pea Bread Pudding. My first bite what I noticed was how salty it was. I was hungry and I ate it, but it was one of those foods that I never want to see again. Too much salt, too heavy and just not my thing at all. 

 

     Baked Goat's Brie with Kumquat Chutney-to die for! This was a crispy pastry with a creamy filling that tasted both like goat cheese and brie. This is one of those things that I could have gone back for a second...or third, but I restrained myself.

 

     My daughter and I had to try the "Frushi". It looks like Sushi, but is actually fruit with a coconut rice around it. Tasty but nothing I would crave.

 

 

This little bit was very good. Limoncello Panna Cotta,

wish I had one of these right now!

 

     We also tried the Brisket with Cornbread and the Pulled Pig Sandwich with Coleslaw on the night we went back to Epcot for the concert. Both were excellent. What concert? I guess you will just have to wait for another blog post. It certainly was fun, I must say!

 

 

I am joining Michael @ Rattlebridge Farm

for Foodie Friday

 

 

Food, Glorious Food

     It just wouldn't be my blog if I didn't post a few foodie pictures from our trip. As I go back through some of my pictures, I remember every bite. Like most people, I have been trying to eat a little healthier (and get off the pounds from the trip) so my pictures even make me hungry! Enjoy...without the calories!

     We always celebrate Christmas with my dad before we put him on a plane and send him home to my sister's house for Christmas. This was our second year having our celebration meal at Maggiano's Little Italy. This is a chain restaurant and if there is one near you...go there! They serve a family style meal that is such a great value and the food is excellent. There is so much food that the girls take home enough to have at least two more meals. This year we had everything from Chicken Marsala, Salmon and a Bowtie Pasta to Tomato Caprese, Spinach Salad and Creme Brulee...plus another appetizer, entree and dessert. It isn't a meal...it is an event. You can also order off the menu.

One of our favorite places to eat is Tommy Bahama's. 

The food is always interesting and just pretty! 

     My daughter and I shared a couple of appetizers. 

Coconut Crusted Crab Cakes with a slaw and

 Macadamia Nut Encrusted Goat Cheese with Flatbread. Yum. 

My dad had the Blackberry Brandy BBQ Pork Sandwich

My husband had the Blackened Fish Tacos

We all shared the Cinnamon and Sugar Plantains with Salsa

     This year we were able to head to Siesta Key, FL for a night the weekend before Christmas. We actually put my dad on a plane early Saturday morning and then we went to his home (without him) for the night. It is about 2 hours from Orlando. We had a few things we needed to take care of  and I also just wanted to spend a little time "at home" because I hadn't been there in quite a while. It is hard to explain how it felt to walk into my parent's home after over a year. The only way I can describe it is like a warm hug. I'm lucky to have a place to go that still feels like my mom. I slept in her bed, I knew where everything was located and as I walked around, I remembered so much about where she bought each item or who gave her something as a gift. Dad has made a few changes, but it is still home to my sister and me. The one thing I learned as our family moved around is that home is really where your parents live...it doesn't have to be the house you grew up in. I feel blessed that I had a chance to enjoy such a peaceful 24 hours. 

     One of our favorite places to go on Siesta Key, is the Broken Egg for breakfast. So, after having lunch and dinner at ocean front restaurants on Saturday, we headed out for brunch Sunday morning to the Broken Egg. 

This was my breakfast...perfection!

The basics-boring, but good I guess!

Gingerbread pancakes...have you ever seen anything so huge?

Bacon Benedict Florentine...yummy!

     We also had to make one trip to the little sushi place near my daughter's home. My dad wasn't convinced that he wanted sushi, but after eating here he loved it. I've tried it several places since my first experience here on our last visit and this is the best I've found. It is in a strip mall with no atmosphere...but, the sushi chef certainly knows what he is doing!

     The next few pictures aren't very good. It was too dark to see much and even harder with a camera. I wanted to share a few pictures of the new Fantasyland at The Magic Kingdom. It had just opened when we were there and it was so crowded. The drink below is from Gaston's Tavern and is called LeFou's Brew, named after Gaston's sidekick in "Beauty and the Beast". It is apple juice with toasted marshmallow and passion fruit-mango foam. I didn't think it sounded all that good, but I was pleasantly surprised. 

     Walt Disney World's newest castle is located in The New Fantasyland. It is the Beast's Castle and houses the Be Our Guest restaurant. I understand that the interior is amazing, but because it was new and it was Christmas, they would only let people with reservations for dinner inside. 

     Fantasyland is also home to the new Under The Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction. My dad and my husband did this and said it was very cute. My daughter loves it. We could barely see to walk around the area. It was a dark night and it was very crowded. I can't wait to go back in the daylight during an off season. That ends our culinary tour with a few highlights of some of the foods we enjoyed. I guess you can see why I really need to be on a diet when I'm not in Orlando! 

I am joining Michael @ Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday.

Please visit her for some of the best recipes in the Land of Blog!