Birthday Celebrations

We have several family birthdays in the months of June, July and August.  Yesterday Granddaughter, Brooke, celebrated her 22nd birthday in Nashville, TN visiting her older sister. 

My daughter, Lori, has a birthday a week from today, but because of schedule conflicts we celebrated today by having lunch at The Whitney.   Her youngest daughter, Marissa, joined us and we had a lovely afternoon together.  I brought a cassata cake from the local bakery [it's one of Lori's favorites] and took it to The Whitney.

We were seated in the Drawing Room today and every table was filled.  It was busy in all the other first floor rooms too.   Lori loves yellow roses, so Marissa brought her a bouquet of them.

After lunch we posed on the iconic Whitney staircase.

Then we went outside for a couple of photos on the front porch.

It was another picture perfect day weatherwise, and a good day for going to The Whitney. Marissa works about three traffic lights down from the Whitney on Woodward Avenue, so she returned to work after our lunch.

The next round of family birthdays isn't until the end of September when we celebrate Izzy and Jeremy's birthdays.

A Visit From Our Youngest Granddaughters

A couple of weeks ago our granddaughter, Isabella [Izzy] contacted us about coming for a visit before school starts back and bringing her younger sister, Ellie, with her.  The date was set for Aug. 14th and 15th and we eagerly looked forward to it.  It's such a blessing when older grandchildren want to come for a visit all on their own without being prompted - especially when they have to travel 181 miles to do it.

They arrived yesterday morning.  Izzy went to a U-pick flower farm the day before and brought me a bouquet of flowers.   So thoughtful!

Their Papa took them 'back to school' shopping - a tradition he started back when Izzy was in grade school [and she begins her sophomore year at Michigan State this year], and Ellie is going into the 7th grade.  The family had just moved to Zeeland [on the western side of the state] last summer before school started, so they had to skip their tradition last year. While they were gone I got a headstart on dinner - a yummy chicken casserole that Izzy likes, with corn-on-the-cobb and strawberry shortcake.

After dinner we played several rounds of Uno, and Papa was declared the winner!

When we got up this morning, Izzy received a text from Michigan State athletic department [football] asking her if she was available for a zoom call at 10:15 a.m.  Long story short she got a job with the football department, and was thrilled she won't have to work at Taco Bell this year for spending money.  ;-)

We had 12:00 noon reservations at The Whitney for lunch.  Neither of the girls had seen the interior of the mansion before and were looking forward to going.  We were seated in the library.

  ~ Ellie ~

~ Ellie, Izzy, and Me ~

~ Ellie, Izzy and Papa ~

~ Izzy  ready to enjoy her 'mocktail'.  I think it was Sprite, Lime & Cranberry Juice. ~

So what did we order?  Ellie and I got Prime Rib Slidders and Izzy and Jerry got Vegetarian Flatbread with Roasted Ratatouille.   It was all very good.

After we ate, I took them on a tour of the mansion, then we drove the short six mile distance to Belle Isle - a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River.  We stopped for pictures at the beautiful James Scott Memorial Fountain.

James Scott gave the money to have the fountain built on the southern tip of ths island. Construction began in 1923 and was completed in 1925.  It is said to be the jewel of Belle Isle, and is made of Vermont white marble.  It cost $500,000 to build - about $6.2 million today. It is 510 feet across and its central fountain can spray water 125 feet into the air.  It has 109 water outlets in the shape of dolphins, turtles, lions and human figures.  It underwent a major overrhaul in 2014 and functions during the summer months with a light show at dusk.

After our excursion to Belle Isle we stopped for dessert at a frozen yogurt shop [Izzy's choice], then we made our way back home.  The girls stayed for about an hour [long enough to avoid rush hour traffic on the expressway], then made their way back home where Izzy has to work tomorrow.  She got a summer job as a server at an upscale restaurant in nearby Holland, but will soon be quitting to return to Michigan State next week.  The house seemed empty and quiet without them and we miss them already.

On another subject, our oldest granddaughter, Tiffany, celebrated her 9th Wedding Anniversary yesterday.  It doesn't seem possible!  She and her husband, John, spent the day at Laguna Beach, California.

This and That

I thought I better get a post written before the week ends so you'll know I'm alive and well.

I booked a Fall Tea for the ladies at my church this week.  It will be Saturday, September 21st. I haven't given the theme a specific title yet, but I know the subject and have already bought some of the favors to coordinate.  I'll share more info and pictures as plans progress.

Landscapers came two days this week to grade and seed our backyard after the City dug up a section for a new drain.  

My church had a baptismal service at a private lake on Tuesday.  I couldn't go because I had a late afternoon Dr. appointment and didn't get out in time.  But I watched it online later.  Rain threatened but finally stopped around 3:00 o'clock so plans could proceed. 

It's crunch time for the Grandchildren's Shutterfly album I've been working on.  It has to be finished and submitted by Sunday to get the unlimited pages special.  Wish me luck!  

Tomorrow and Saturday are work days for me.  I'm anxious to see [in person] the new sign The Whitney had installed above the driveway entrance.  

I'll close with a cute cartoon that came through my Facebook feed this week.  I can relate to two friends enjoying a cup of tea together, as well as memory lapses!  ;-) 

Have a nice weekend!

A Fun August 1st

Yesterday afternoon an estate sale email was in my inbox.  As I checked the listings I noticed Allison's Magnificient Obcession was having a sale in Warren only a couple of miles from my house.  I scrolled through the photos of items for sale and saw some that interested me.  So this morning I put my cereal in a rubbermaid container and headed off to the sale at 8:30 a.m.  It didn't start until 10:00 a.m. but I wanted to get a low number for entrance into the house.

To my amazement I was the first person/car there.  I got #1.  It's the first time that's ever happened because usually many people are there ahead of me.

The main item that piqued my interest was Minton china's Hadden Hall pattern.  The Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara on the Lake used this china for their Afternoon Tea service when we visited in 2006.  I saw a teacup and saucer in the sale photos and thought it would be a nice keepsake from our trip.  11-pieces were available [teacup not visible in Internet photo].

The price was $89 for the set [which was reasonably priced], but I didn't need or want the six pieces shown in the front two rows of the above photo.  I asked the lady at the cash register [Allison] if I could just purchase the teapot, cream & sugar and teacup/saucer and leave the other pieces.  She said I could for $69. Needless to say I took them and immediately went on eBay when I got home to check pricing [not that I plan to sell them].  The teapot ranged from $70 up to $161 plus shipping, the cream & sugar was $58 plus shipping, and the teacup/saucer varied from $12 to the high $20's plus shipping.  I got a bargain!

Here's a photo of the set after I got home and washed it.  

It's safely displayed in my china cabinet and I ordered a luncheon plate from eBay [for $10 plus shipping] so I'd have a trio.

The sale was mostly dishes and glassware, and since I'm a sucker for themed holiday dishes I also bought 10 fun Halloween plates, and left plenty of other cute ones behind for someone else.  I always dress for the various holidays at work, so I couldn't resist the black-beaded candy corn necklace.

Everything was so reasonably priced and I was sorely tempted by the Royal Albert black floral series teacups at $15 each but I restrained myself.  I'll probably hate myself later!

There were also quite a few Shelley teacups in various patterns for $15 and demitasse size for $12.  I had to exercise willpower to leave those behind too.

I left feeling August was off to a very good start.  I hope it's been good for you too!

 

High Tea and Teacup Tattoo

This morning an ad came through my Facebook feed for a Bridgerton High Tea [it should really be called Afternoon Tea since high tea is supper in England and isn't fancy finger foods].  The ad piqued my interest so I went to the tearoom's Facebook page.  The name of the tearoom is High Tea GR and the GR stands for Grand Rapids, MI.  My girlfriend and I have made the two and a half hour drive to Grand Rapids for tea before, but not at this new tearoom. I was interested until I saw the dates - two weekends, Aug. 9-11 and Aug. 16-18, but I work on Fridays and Saturdays and go to church on Sundays so I can't attend.  But I'm posting their information in case some readers might have an interest.  If you go, please tell me all about it. The tearoom/restaurant is located 1522 Wealthy St., SE. 

When I went to work two weeks ago I noticed one of our managers had a teacup tattoo on her neck.  She said it was sort of a scary tattoo because instead of steam rising up out of the teacup it's a snake.  Yikes!  Not surprising since the shop where she had it done is called Friday the 13th.  ;-)

I'm for all things tea - clothing, jewelry, china, etc. but I'll pass on getting a teacup tattoo.  I read that 32% of Americans have at least one tattoo and the majority are on people under age 50.  I was surprised that the percentage was that low because it seems like almost all young people have tattoos these days.  Surprisingly, none of my adult grandchildren have one, or at least not yet.  

Kaylee let me take her picture last Saturday at work and said I could post it.  She's a very kind person, an efficient manager, and well liked at The Whitney.

I received the Shutterfly album, Myrtle Beach Family Vacations, that I was working on and now I'm working on a new album about my grandchildren's high school years [proms/homecomings, plays & graduation] college graduations, engagements and weddings - a screen shot of the cover from my workpage is below.  It's been such a fun walk down memory lane and a stark reminder of how quickly time passes.  When this is completed it will be my 25th Shutterfly album.  I should have stock in the company!  ;-)

July is almost over and we'll soon be entering August. Lots of fun activities will be forthcoming.  Our granddaughters, Izzy and Ellie, will be coming for a visit Aug. 14-15 before school starts back.  I've made reservations to take them to lunch at The Whitney.

I also made lunch reservations at The Whitney to take my daughter and granddaughter, Marissa, on August 21st.  It'll be an early birthday celebration for my daughter.  So glad I could get these lunches scheduled before The Whitney discontinues them at the end of August.

And yesterday I made reservations at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island to meet up with three of my cousins who will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries there.   They're paternal cousins who are sisters and they all got married the same year.  They're coming from Tennessee, Colorado and Florida.  I haven't seen them since 2012 so I'm really looking forward to our meet-up.  August promises to be a great month.

Do you have any special plans?

Happy Belated Birthday Detroit!

I knew long in advance that yesterday was Detroit's 323rd Birthday, but I got caught up in another project and let a birthday post fall through the cracks.  So I'm writing a belated post today instead. 

Detroit was founded in 1701 by French Explorer, Antoine de la mothe, Cadillac.  The City has had it's ups and downs in history, but it's presently experiencing a comeback and amazing renewal.

It was once known as the Automobile Capital of the World with Ford, General Motors and Chrysler headquartered in the City.

Detroit loves its sports teams... Detroit Tigers [baseball], Detroit Pistons [basketball], Detroit Lions [football], and Detroit Red Wings [hockey].

Authentic snack foods made in Detroit are Better Made Chips, Faygo Soft Drinks and Vernor's Ginger Ale [great for ice cream floats], and Popcorn from Detroit Popcorn Company. Detroiter's also love Sander's Bumpy Cake and Hot Fudge Ice Cream Puffs, and if you want more substantial food, an iconic Detroit Coney Island Dog, or a slice of Buddy's Pizza is a must.

The Whitney Restaurant [where I work as Tea Director] held a Birthday Party Celebration yesterday in the garden, with a menu of Detroit's classic foods, complimentary gift bags of "Detroit Snacks", free Birthday Cake, a live DJ with Detroit-curated music, and a meet-and-greet with Daniel Crawford, author of "Detroiter at Heart".

The birthday party celebration is over, but the 3-course Detroit Classic menu is still available through July 28th.

Starter Course:  Chef Milos' famed Golden Mushroom Soup or the classic Hudson's Maurice Salad.

Entree:  Better Made Chip Chicken; Carl's Chophouse chargrilled Delmonico; Vernors glazed Salmon; or a twist on Mousska celebrating Detroit's Greek heritage.

Dessert:  Bumpy Cake or Coconut Cream Pie reminiscent of Darby's, a long-gone Detroit Restaurant.

I took a quick photo of The Whitney's advertising for the event from my car window on the way to work while stopped at a red light.  They went all out for 'The D".  Mr. David Whitney was one of the City's most notable and wealthiest residents before his death in 1900.

I'm ending this post with the reminder that Christmas is exactly five months from today!  How can that be???

Checking In

There haven't been any blog posts in 12 days primarily because nothing much has been happening to write about.  But I wanted you to know I'm alive and well.  Life continues with my job two days a week that is going well.  I watched the Republican Convention on TV all three nights last week, followed by J.D. Vance's Netflix movie, "Hillbilly Elegy." Unbelievable, yet true!  I don't know how someone who endured so much dysfunction and abuse as a child was able to rise above it and make something out of himself in adulthood.  And yet I do - God, grit, determination, a good wife and probably some therapy.  Amazingly, through it all he was able to forgive his mother for the huge role she played in the dysfunction and abuse and love her in spite of it.  

Hubby and I went out to dinner on Sunday with some good friends after church.  The food and fellowship was great, and the Chinese restaurant helped me stay on my plant based fiber food menu [Chicken Subgum].

You may remember I purposefully began plant based fiber food menus on May 28th [for optimal gut microbiome] and I'm still staying with it.  Some days contain more fiber foods [fruits and vegetables] than others, but at least I'm conscious of its importance and am sticking with it.

As you know, I enjoy cooking and find it hard to resist cookbooks.  I ordered a new cookbook that arrived last Friday.

I'm a fan of Natasha's, who is a self-taught cook.   I've received her cooking e-mails in my inbox for a long time.  Her family fled Ukraine in 1988 to avoid religious persecution, and Natasha proudly professes her faith in Jesus Christ.  I'm anxious to sit down with the cookbook and a cup of tea to go through it.

Since yesterday was a low-key day, I spent a good part of the afternoon preparing dinner.  I got a recipe for Pasta with Spinach, Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions on the Internet and decided to give it a try.  The recipe began with making the caramelized onions - about a 30 minute process. The Internet is full of articles about the health benefits of onions.  The unsung hero is high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, while low in calories.

The recipe called for farfalle pasta, but I had whole wheat orzo in the pantry, so I used that instead.  We liked the recipe a lot and it made enough to enjoy for two nights.  I paired it with another recipe I found on the Internet - Crispy Parmesan Baked Cod.  The 'crispy' is obtained by mixing whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs with a little Parmesan cheese, butter and lemon juice, and sprinkling it over the cod before baking.  It's delicious.  I've found that Costco's wild caught cod is better than what I was buying at the fish market.

I also roasted a sheet pan of cauliflower and chick peas.  Really got my plant based fiber in last night's dinner!  ;-)

And as always, tea is a part of my day.