Michigan, My Michigan!

Last Wednesday when I was at the shop, The Rendezvous With Tea, the owner said the flavored Motown black tea that she's having blended for her shop will contain apple blossoms. I had forgotten that apple blossoms are Michigan's State Flower. I think that might justify purchasing a Royal Albert "Blossom Time" teacup, don't you?

Since last week was Michigan Week [May 17-24], I decided to write a post about my state [even though slightly past due] and share a few interesting tidbits, while refreshing my memory on a few of them at the same time.

Michigan consists of two major peninsulas of land [upper and lower], separated by the Straits of Mackinac.  Those who live in the U.P. proudly refer to themselves as "UPers," and gave to us who live below the Mackinac Bridge the name, "Trolls." 

The state's name is taken from the Indian word Michigama, meaning great lake. Four of the five Great Lakes border our state:  Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie.  So it's no surprise our official nick-name is the Great Lakes State.  We're also dubbed the Mitten State due to our shape, and the Water-Winter Wonderland. 

We "Michiganders" use our hand to show someone where the city we live is located.  Who needs a map?

We were the 26th state to enter the Union, and our statehood was granted on January 26, 1837.   Detroit was initially the State Capital, but was moved to Lansing in 1847.

I sorted through my childhood pictures to find a photo taken with my classmates inside the capitol building in 1957.   Lansing is only 92 miles from my home, but I've only been inside the capitol building that one time.  I think I need to make it a priority to return!

[I'm standing in the second row, right side]

Our state bird is the Robin.  The state tree is White Pine.  The state stone is the Petoskey Stone, and despite the fact that the animal isn't native to Michigan, the state animal is the Wolverine. There are a couple of legends as to how that came to be.   Our state motto is:  "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you!"

Michigan leads the nation in the production of several crops including cherries [this year's famed cherry festival is July 5-12 in Traverse City], and blueberries [1/3 of all blueberries eaten in the U.S. are grown in Michigan].  Apples are also one of our largest and most valuable crops, and we rank 3rd in the nation for Christmas trees harvested.

I recently met Miss Michigan 2013, Haley Williams, at the Miss America Roses and Royalty Tea.  The 2014 Miss Michigan pageant will be June 10-14.

And last, but certainly not least, I'm happy to say there are about 40 tea establishments spread across Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas.  I have blogged about several of them. It would be fun to have tea at every single one.  Hummm... should I make that a goal?