Over six million tulips will be blooming in Holland city parks, public attractions and along city streets. People come from around the country to visit this event which has been awarded as a “Top 20″ event in the world by the International Festival and Events Organization; the “Award of Excellence” by Premier Tourism Magazine and a “Top 100 Event” in North America by the American Bus Association.

You can find out more about the Tulip Time Festival at their website.

Here’s a google map that will get you to the heart of Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan.

These little chickens wouldn't let me get very close.

You know, I do have a disproportionate number of posts about chickens.  I get such a kick out of the way they strut around like they are the boss of the world and then run away… like chickens when you get too close. These little stinkers were doing just that with me when I took this picture in the farmlands of Ada. Just after I took this, they skittled off through that doorway.

My mother’s parents were farmers. I have  fond memories of being around their animals, walking through fields (and watching for snakes, it was Missouri after all), picking tomatoes and catching grasshoppers with my three brothers and cousins. In the evening my grandfather would load us all into his pickup and we’d tour the fields, check on the cows and then come home and listen to him play the fiddle. I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating, he only had one arm, if you look him up on YouTube, he’s Leonard Smith, the one armed fiddler. My grandmother was his rock and she was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met in my life. I’m lucky they were around until well into my adulthood.

Having a grandfather with one arm who could do anything on his own, except tie his shoe, taught me to be independent and to try a little harder. One time, I was at a national fiddling contest with him where he was a competitor. He hadn’t been up to play yet and a dude came up to him on the side with an arm and said “could you help out a man with a disability?” as he held out a cup begging. I don’t remember what this guy’s disability was, but I do remember thinking that I was so very proud of my grandpa for making the most of his life and getting past this huge challenge he had to cope with. It also made me incredibly grateful for the simple things in my life.

Dr. Noordhoff Receiving Sir Harold Gilles Lecture Award in London

Dr. Noordhoff first came to my attention from his son in law, Dr. Robert Lamberts. He wanted me to know about the amazing award Dr. Noordhoff had recently achieved, and more than that, about the good works he has accomplished over his lifetime.

Every two years the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) honors physicians who have made the most significant contribution to plastic surgery over their career, with the Prestigious Sir Harold Gilles Lecture Award delivered at the annual meeting. Grand Rapids’ plastic surgeon Dr. M. Samuel Noordhoff was selected for this year’s award. The foundation for this success in plastic surgery was laid here in West Michigan. Dr. Noordhoff had all of his training in general surgery and plastic surgery in Grand Rapids at Butterworth Hospital.

Dr. Noordhoff is recognized worldwide for helping children and adults in underserved areas receive holistic care for cleft palate and craniofacial deformity. Much of this assistance has been with his own time and money. In 1989, he formed the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation to transform lives where there was a lack of medical resources. Since then he has established the Chang Gung Craniofacial Center in Taiwan, recognized as one of the leading centers for cleft lip and palate care in the world. His “Love Makes Whole” team has traveled to 11 countries, and completed 56 cleft missions serving Vietnam, Kenya, Nigeria, Cambodia, the Philippines, China, Myanmar, the Dominican Republic, Laos, Indonesia and Mongolia. The Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation team has also trained 115 seed craniofacial medical practitioners from 14 countries.

Unless helped, children born with cleft palate and craniofacial deformity face a lifetime of discrimination, shame, problems with speech and inadequate nutrition. Repair of defects can take several surgeries, with multiple medical specialties involved.

When I talked to Dr. Noordhoff about his accomplishments it was important to him that I give credit to the team of plastic surgeons, business manager, Kim Ma, and Mr. Yung-Ching Wang who was instrumental in the funding which launched the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

The woman behind Marie Catrib's

This post has been a long time coming. Let me tell you how much I love Marie Catrib’s. When I meet someone new in town, I tell them about Marie Catrib’s…when I’m super duper hungry and want something healthy and delicious, I go to Marie Catrib’s… when I meet someone special for a delicious home cooked meal with tons of flavor, Marie Catrib’s… when I don’t feel like cooking and want great carry out… you get the picture. In fact, I’m eating Marie Catrib’s right now!

Fouad, Marie and Egan

Tasty tarts before they go in the oven. I would have taken a picture of the chocolate crumble I brought home, but I ate it already, yum!

Marie Catrib's store. That's Marie in the back with a customer.

In all the years I’ve been going there, with all the meals I’ve had, I’ve never been disappointed. Not even once. Marie Catrib’s has a great selection of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian meals that will make you wonder why anyone needs gluten or meat in their diet when they can eat like that. In fact her gluten free bread is the awesome. She also offers up a delicious roast beef sandwich and the salmon surprise is something everyone should try at least once. Then there’s the desserts, my favorite is the chocolate crumble, it tastes like a brownie made like fudge and rolled in toasted oatmeal crumblies. Every time I go to Marie Catrib’s I tell myself, “not the chocolate crumble this time” and darn it, I buy one any way, I just can’t help myself.

Besides the delicious food, the atmosphere keeps me coming back. The staff is just so kind and genuine it’s obvious they consider everyone who walks through the door as friends and family. Marie Catrib runs the locally owned and operated restaurant with her son Fouad and manager Egan. They believe in using locally grown and raised food whenever possible, and it shows in the fresh flavors.

I recently learned that Marie Catrib’s is a finalist at the Celebrated Service Awards, if you’d like to cast your vote click here to see the finalists. Voting concludes January 31, 2012.

Here’s some helpful links: Marie Catrib’s website and menu.

Backroads in Ada, By Ann Teliczan

Even thought I HATE crawling out of bed early in the morning, once I’m up, I’m always glad I made the effort. The morning I took this photo is a perfect example of why. The only thing that would have made the picture better is if I had been the person running down the road and getting some exercise.

This is a typical Michigan fall morning, but I just happened to take it on the backroads in Ada, Michigan.

That's Georgia Gietzen and Dee Shuker from Northwoods Hardware.

I’ve always had this thing for hardware stores. My dad used to take me shopping with him when I was a little girl and hardware stores were a favorite stop. But, Northwoods Hardware in Glen Arbor is not one of your typical hardware stores. Sure, they have all of that manly stuff that guys expect, but you’ll also find a place with natural, environmentally friendly cleaning products, great gifts, wonderful gardening products, art supplies, office supplies, fax and copy service and even FedEx shipping and packaging. There’s also camping and recreational gear. I just love great locally owned places like this that make you feel welcome and appreciated the minute you walk in the door.

Here’s a link to the Northwoods Hardware website. And, a link to a google map of their location at 6053 S Glen Lake Rd, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 .

New York Mike is on the right. He makes the best sandwiches... ever! Seriously.

My friend Amy told me about New York Mike’s Italian Deli. She’s from Philly and knows what an awesome sandwich is all about. Amy told me that this new place in Grand Rapids (New York Mike’s) had the best sandwiches she’d ever had, that she literally craves them. She had me at the best sandwich she ever had. So, I go to New York Mike’s and try the Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and darn it, it is the best sandwich I ever had. It’s so good that every time I go there (which is a lot), I order it instead of trying the other sandwiches.

Every time I’ve gone there, literally all of the customers are raving about how good the food is, and about 3/4 of them seem to be repeat customers. It shows that they are local too, Mike has been behind the grill every time, slaving away, and whenever things slow down, talking to his customers. If you decide to stop by, here’s some tips:
- Mike’s Sicilian mom makes the meatballs for the meatball sandwich, I heard them referred to by one of the customers as “addictive” and “better than mom’s” when I was in there last.

- Favorite’s include: the meatball sandwich, Philly cheese steak, and hot steamed pastrami.

- Mike specially selects all the ingredients and roasts his own beef, no “cookie cutter” mass produced stuff allowed

- Hours are: Mon – Sat 7:00am – 7:00pm; Sun 10am – 5pm

Here’s a google map link to his store location at 1971 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids (in the same shopping plaza as the Knapp Corner Meijer)

For take out and catering, his phone is (616) 447-2505.

Through the month of October mention MichiganSweetSpot and get $1 off New York Mike’s Popular Hot Steamed Pastrami sandwich.

One more reason why I love the Leelanau peninsula

I love lavender. I love the way it looks, smells and makes me feel. So of course when I heard about the largest lavender farm in the state of Michigan I HAD to go there. The place is called Lavender Hill Farms.

Complicating matters was the fact that it was rainy, 4 hours away and at the end of the season for pictures. But, I went anyway. I loaded up my lab and toy fox terrier and called it a road trip.

It was a Sunday afternoon and totally deserted, all the better for me and my camera.

Logging ruins at Marshall Memorial Park in Newaygo

After hearing about the virtues of the Newaygo County area for some time now from my family up north, I decided to have my Noah give me a little tour. This is an HDR photo of the first stop on his list, Marshall Memorial Park. The park was established in 2004 to remember trooper Kevin M. Marshall of the Michigan State Police, who was killed in the line of duty.

The park extends back into the woods with wild snake grass growing along the banks of Brooks Creek. There is a pavilion with picnic tables, look off deck and scenic trails through the woods. It’s beautiful and worth visiting.