Oval Beach, Saugatuck MI
Oval Beach, Saugatuck MI

If you try real hard, I’ll bet you can feel the sand between your toes, smell the fresh air blowing off the water and hear the surf pounding the shore. It’s no wonder Oval Beach was voted as one of the best beaches in the world.

Supposedly, we’re going to get blasted with arctic air and a snowstorm tomorrow… I hope not, but just in case, I’ll be thinking of summer, sun and sugar sand Michigan beaches.

By the way, I saw Clint Eastwood’s new movie, Gran Torino this weekend. It was shot in a decaying urban Detroit area. I loved the movie, in fact it’s one of my all time favorites. But after seeing it, I wished that there were more positive images of the Detroit area represented in the media. Yes there are parts of Detroit that are like this, but the majority of Detroit is an interesting, unique city with tremendous talent and people with a survivor spirit. I go there a lot on business and love the diversity and openness of the businesses and people there. Nothing ever stays the same and that goes for a depressed economy, I truly believe that our state is on its way back.

Winding Paths of Michigan
Winding Paths of Michigan

For those of you who live in Michigan… I thought you might need a reminder right about now of why we live here. And for those who don’t live in Michigan, here’s just one of the reasons why you might want to take a vacation here. I took this in the Leelanau Peninsula last summer just before it rained. There are beautiful winding dirt roads and paths everywhere up there that make it possible to get lost in the beauty of the land. If you’ve never been to Northern Michigan, I hope you’ll do yourself a favor and make 2009 the year you check it out.

Feliz Navidad From Michigan
Feliz Navidad From Michigan

This is what can happen in Michigan, when you get snowed in. Okay, so this isn’t exactly a Michigan Sweet Spot, but we do have chihuahua’s here and I couldn’t resist putting this photo up. I hope you and yours are having a wonderful holiday season. Thank you all for making this blog  successful.

The Van Andel Arena

I think it’s great that we have the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The arena draws huge acts and it’s really easy to go see them, with cheap, easy parking nearby. In the last few years, I’ve seen bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phil Collins, Prince, Sarah McLaughlin and Nine Inch Nails at the arena. Last time I was downtown, I was thinking about how unique this city is. It has some incredible resources for a city of this size, yet is easy to navigate, safe and fun. Just another reason why I love it here.

One of the Many Sculptures in the Park
One of the Many Sculptures in the Park

I can’t decide if I like the Frederik Meijer Gardens more at Christmas or in the summer. What I can say is that it’s a beautiful place to visit any time of day, and any time of year. If you’re still looking for that perfect Christmas present, they have a gift shop with reasonably priced gifts that are unique and special.

Spring in the Leelanau Penninsula
Spring in the Leelanau Penninsula

For a short time I lived in Washington State when I was a little girl. Other than the rain every day, I remember seeing beautiful rows of trees like this. I was traveling up north on a windy, windy spring day and saw these trees with rows of fruit trees beyond them, just starting to blossom. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is there, it’s always beautiful.

The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, Next to the YMCA in Ada
The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, Next to the YMCA in Ada

If you live in West Michigan and like art, you’ll want to hurry over to the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center before November 19. A Retrospective exhibit featuring all 29 artists that have participated in the Fine Art Center’s Artist-in-Residence program is on display. Paintings, drawings, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, photography and more are on display. Exhibit hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the exhibit is free to the public. Participating artists include: T’Alyne | Brian Ballard | Rick Beerhorst | Mary Brodbeck | John AC Despres | Mary & Don Doezema | Stephen Duren | Jeff Dykehouse | Carl Forslund | Dennis Grantz | Thimgan Hayden | Lori Hough | Brian Kelly | James Kusmierski | David Lubbers | Jim Markle | John Neering | E. Lynn O’Rourke | Chris Stoffel Overvoorde | Michael Pfleghaar | Sue Pufpaff | Reb Roberts | Dawn Soltysiak | Ann Teliczan | Roger Timermanis | Cameron VanDyke | Margaret Vega | Tom Woodruff.