Cherry Picking

The bounty of summer keeps giving. Several years ago my mom planted Nanking Bush Cherries. Unfortunately the birds ate all of the cherries last year. This year she had an overabundance of fruit.

Nanking cherries are smaller and tarter than the sweet varieties sold at the grocery store.

My mom and I agreed to a barter: I helped her pick the fruit and she would give me cherry jam!

You cannot get any more local than your own (or your family's) backyard.

A Sofa and a Fireplace

Matt and I have been house hunting over the past couple of weeks. So far we have seen several houses that left much to desire, but we hope to have our own home soon

Although it was premature, we browsed Vermeulen's Home Furnishings in Jackson for furniture last week. I would like to spend our first Christmas sitting in front of the fire on this sofa (in another color):

La-Z-Boy Sofa

We need of a lot of furniture. I want to visit Old Mill Furniture in Eaton Rapids as well. Do you know of any locally-owned, Mid-Michigan furniture stores?

Michigan History Resource

I know I just bragged (I mean, blogged) about the new additions to my library on Tuesday, but I am excited about this gem I found in the used section of the Okemos Schuler's Books.

via Amazon

As a Michigan advocate and blogger, The Field Guide to Michigan State History by Jan Leibovitz Alloy will be an excellant encyclopedia-style reference. Each entry is a short, informative article regarding Michigan culture and history.

And even better, my purchase supported a Michigan bookstore.

Bellisima Bridal Boutique

My wedding day is quickly approaching. Last Saturday my mom, Matt's mom and I went to Bellisima Bridal Boutique in Albion, MI to find a wedding gown.

via Bellisima Bridal

I originally intended to get my dress at David's Bridal or Fantastic Finds because the shops are located near my job. Anyone who knows me knows this was a compromise; I prefer to be different. But with my September 24th wedding date looming, I needed a dress soon.

A couple of weeks ago I found a dress at David's Bridal, but it was twice as much I had vowed to spend. In order to cut costs I browsed dresses on secondhand bridal sites Recycled Brides and Once Wed. I did not like the idea of buying a dress without trying it on first, but I did not want to go over my budget. So when a search for bridal gowns brought up husband and wife-owned Bellisima, I decided to check it out before I made a decision.

Bellisima Bridal has been in business since 2005. The boutique is located in Albion's old Masonic Temple; the building's original woodwork is breathtaking. The shop is centrally located for the Mid-Michigan bride; it is only 35 miles from Jackson, 20 miles from Marshall, and 50 miles from Lansing. They even offer a $20 gas credit for brides who travel over 40 miles.

Bellisima boasts of over 1200 gowns, including a private couture line, priced from $69-$1900. Besides bridal gowns, they also carries dresses for mother-of-the-bride; bridesmaid; flower girl as well as prom dresses; tuxedos; shoes; accessories; and reception essentials.

We first explored the upstairs; the entire floor is devoted to one-of-a-kind clearance dresses priced $69-$500. The staff took my picks to the dressing rooms, but they did not hover or pressure.

After we perused the clearance dresses I tried on between 10 and 15 dresses. The owner of the shop took her time to help me in and out of dresses; she made suggestions based on my personality and body type. She also recommended local seamstresses and tailors for the possible alterations.

My appointment lasted longer than I expected, but I did not hear any complaints. In fact, the owner left the dressing room twice to look for dresses she thought I would look good in. I had a hard time deciding between two dresses (mostly because one of the dresses was a bargain at $99), but in the end I choose a bridesmaid dress (in ivory) that I am going to have altered to fit my vision of an elegant gown.

I highly recommend Bellisima; I am happy I supported a local shop. Not only is my wedding gown under $300 (my original goal), it is going to be unique and elegant.

Now I need to choose dresses for my bridesmaids.

Breakfast: 12 Grain Toast and Wild Raspberries

I am obsessed with Aunt Millie's 12 grain bread. It makes the best toast, crisp and flavorful, especially with a hint of real butter.

I always eat my toast with cheese and a fruit such as an apple or tomato or a veggie like red or yellow bell pepper. Yesterday I had a chance to eat a local (from the yard) alternative.

You may remember my early spring post about the d.i.y. Fiber Nest Filler. I hung the nesting material under a bird house. Several years ago I found strange thorns which I assumed to be wild roses growing under the bird house whilst weeding. After several attempts of removing the flowering briar, my mother and I made a discovery: the "weed" was raspberry!

The raspberries are definitely wild, probably carried by a wayward bird from the woods behind our house. I've been eagerly watching and waiting for the raspberries to ripen.

My "bountiful" harvest was only about a half cup of fruit, but I should have more to pick in the next few days.

Being wild raspberries, the fruit was a bit seedy; however; the fruit is low in calories and high in fiber and vitamin C. And it was sweet and delicious with my toast. 

Thrifty Finds: Let's Picnic

This thrifty find is a two-parter. A couple of months ago I found a flawless, brand new picnic blanket at World Thrift Mission in Lansing, MI. Even without the accompanying picnic basket and accessories, the blanket was a steal at $3.99.

With the blanket in mind, I have been watching for the perfect picnic basket. I almost stooped to buying one at Target, but I am trying to live thriftily and frugally. I decided to forgo until they went on clearance.

My "new" secondhand picnic basket came from Goodwill in Charlotte, MI. At $9, I felt the basket was a bit overpriced for a thrift store (I've noticed Goodwill and other thrift shops are raising their prices as they realize people are shopping secondhand with the bad economy). But after a few minutes of inspection and debate, I decided to purchase the perfect summer accessory.

The next time I thrift I am going to watch for picnic essentials such as plates, silverware, sealable containers and wine glasses. Maybe I'll make some d.i.y. napkins. And after that, I'll plan a picnic (with pictures to follow, of course)!

Summer is Here

As a summer baby born in the hottest, most humid part of the Michigan summer, this summer has not disappointed. Warm, sunny weather mixed with just the right amount of storms, I have not felt this alive in years.


I have already made two treks across Michigan, one up to visit family in Ludington and the other to Rochester to watch the USA play England in the World Cup and roam the old haunting grounds. I tend to believe the trip as as much about confronting the past as enjoying the match with old friends.


With the solstice and longest day of the year behind us, my hope is to make more trips around Michigan, enjoying local, of course, renewing my efforts to find a new, better-suited job and participating in the joy summer brings to me.

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