Have you heard of the stunning 4-acre poppy field in Fennville? When I heard about it, I headed out the same day and am so glad I made the trip. The poppy field is indescribably heartwarming and I will be back to experience it every year. The field was planted by Joan Donaldson and John Van Voorhees, the owners Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm, to honor their son Mateo. Mateo was in the military and deployed to Afghanistan. After returning, he struggled with PTSD and eventually took his life in 2015.

Mateo had been a beekeeper and his parents began planting the poppy field in 2018 to feed the bees and butterflies that he was so fond of. They also hope the field will bring joy to others facing hardships. It truly does.

The poppies are in peak bloom in June, so be sure to visit them before July. Everyone is welcome, but because of the volume of visitors, please, please, please follow the below requests so this can continue next year. The adjacent cemetery was damaged by visitors to the farm and people have been going in the field and trampling flowers. Remember, this is a private farm and a very generous gift of love from the owners:
• PARKING 1. Please park along M-89 or on the very West side of the cemetery only. No parking for poppy viewing will be allowed anywhere else in the cemetery. 2. Please pull far enough off that west side roadway to allow vehicles to pass through. 3. Please remember to be respectful of the community’s loved ones that have been laid to rest there. 4. With the exception of Sunday during church, parking is available at The Fennville Assembly of God Church, a short, pleasant walk. The church is located at 5897 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408 • REQUESTS FROM THE FARM 1. The field has a path surrounding it for visitors, please stay on the path and do not walk into the field. 2. Please do not pick the flowers.

Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm is also worth a trip for their organic blueberries from July – early August. You can pick your own, or they also will ship frozen organic blueberries to you year-round.

Here’s the address for Pleasant Hill Farm, if you are going to see the flowers, you’ll want to park on the road in front of the cemetery, which is just before you’ll reach the actual farm: 5859 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408

Archive

Regions

Tags

Boyne City Bakery
Boyne City Bakery has the most amazing French crêpes I’ve ever had. That’s saying a lot, my sister-in-law is a French native and often treats me to gourmet meals that include crêpes. This authentic French bakery features croissants, brioches, muffins, cookies, buckwheat crêpes, sweet crêpes, sandwiches, soups and quiches. Of course everything is freshly baked every day. They let me take a video while a crêpes was being made, can you tell that I’m seriously addicted to these?

The chef, Gildas Berrou was born and raised in Quimper, France. He was accepted at the prestigious trade group called the Compagnons at age 20, where he trained under the tutelage of some of France’s best bread chefs. Gildas and his wife Tara, a native northern Michigander, decided to move to the Boyne City area in 2012. Together, they’ve combined their love of making authentic Breton crêpes with their passion for growing organic fruits and vegetables. In addition to Boyne City Bakery, you can find them at Boyne City and Charlevoix farmer’s markets selling crêpes and croissants, as well as other farm products.

If you love great food and are anywhere near Boyne City, you owe it to yourself to visit Boyne City Bakery and try their delicious foods. The only downside is it’s going to be hard for a crepe from anywhere else to ever measure up again.

Hours: Tues.- Fri. 7 am – 2 pm; Sat .& Sun. 8 am – 2 pmClosed Monday

Phone: 231-497-6060

Boyne City Bakery Facebook Page

Boyne City Bakery is located at: 110 S. Lake Street, Boyne City MI 49712

A few of the beautiful dahlias from our flower picking spree!
Making the most of your Michigan summer should include going to places that embrace Michigan’s farmland, and the wonderful growing season we have here. Dahlia Acres farm in Hudsonville, MI is a great place to have that experience. You’ll walk away with more than memories because you can also pick and buy your own flowers, with over 50 varieties of dahlias, there’s a lot to choose from!

These are just a few of the varieties of dahlias on the farm at Dahlia Acres in Hudsonville.
In addition to stopping by to pick flowers, Dahlia Acres also has an event called “Bouquets & Bottles” (which I hear is a HUGE hit), here’s some info that I picked up from their website:

Join us in making a beautiful bouquet!

Bring a friend and a bottle of wine, and try your han,d at making a floral arrangement. We will be demonstrating throughout the event, but it is up to you to get creative. We will provide all you need for your arrangement, a vase, all the cut flowers you will need, and scissors.

We will also have light snacks and bottled water…

The cost is $35 a person. Class sizes are 15-20 people.

Reserve your spot by:
call/text Marcy: 616-834-2672
email: dahliaacres15@gmail.com

Payment requested at RSVP- checks can be mailed to
Marcy Krause
4763 Baldwin Street
Hudsonville  Mi, 49426

Questions welcome here, or through Marcy’s contact information as above.

You may also inquire about a private party.

We filled the back of the truck!
 Free Dahlia Care Tips from Dahlia Acres

Dahlia flowers come in a variety of colors and shapes. They are beautiful blooms but do require more care than other flower types. We want to share our dahlia care and handling tips.

  • Dahlias will hydrate better in warm water. Make sure your vase is clean and filled with at least 3”-4” of warm water.
  • Carefully separate the stems and remove any lower foliage that would fall below the water line.
  • Give each stem a clean diagonal cut. Cut at least 1” off each stem and quickly place in water.
  • Recut the stems and change the water daily. This will prevent bacteria from forming and clogging the stems.
  • Keep dahlias in a cool area, away from direct sunlight.

dahliaacresfarm.com. The address is: 4763 Baldwin Street
Hudsonville  Mi, 49426

I discovered this unique barn driving on the backroads in Arcadia, MI.
It would be easy to pass by the Onekama / Arcadia, MI area – but that would be missing out big time. Online searches reveal very little about the place, perhaps that’s because being there feels like you are going back to a time when electronic devices took a back seat to nature and being a human at peace with the world. I took these photos driving around the back roads near Lake Michigan.

The landscape is dotted with historic barns, vineyards, and rolling hills. You’ll also discover golf courses and a beautiful. Here places to stay: Here are some place to check out when you visit.

Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course: This course is open to the public and resembles a seaside links course with rolling terrain and a windswept landscape with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Lodging and cottages are also available.

Artesian Wells: Some of the purest water in the country is located at these public wells, where folks have been known to travel for miles to bottle it up and take some home. Here are links Old Facefull (GPS 44.427615, -86.247132) Portage Point Well (GPS: 44.376511, -86.227881).

Portage Point Inn: I’ve never had a chance to stay here but have always wanted to. This historic inn was established in 1903, yet features a boutique gift shop, pub, fitness center, lake access, movie nights on the lawn, kayak and paddle board rentals, boating, fishing and much more.

Inspiration Point Scenic Overlook: This is one of the best overlooks I’ve been to in my entire life. It’s just off the Scenic Highway and you can see for miles and miles. Trust me, and be sure to lug your camera along with you for this one, all 120 steps to the top of the overlook!

Arcadia Marsh: This 273-acre marsh nature preserve has a short trail and is especially popular for birding.

Area Preserves and Trails: While I was researching this project, I found a link to this map with a bunch of preserves and trails that I didn’t even know existed in this region.

This is a great time to start planning your Michigan summer vacation. These are just a few of the great places to discover in the area.

 

Historic Stone Archway
Where this path leads, I know not.

If you drive around the Leelanau Peninsula for any length of time, you’ll happen upon  historic looking little places that make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. I have no idea what is at the end of this trail. I do know that I think this is cool. I want an arch like this over my driveway!

It’s private property and I really wanted to go back there, I’m imagining some big old haunted mansion, what do you think?

The Hub is a place you will want to get familiar with, fast if you're in town for ArtPrize.

ArtPrize, in Grand Rapids, Michigan officially starts on Wednesday so I decided to go downtown today and see the status of things to come. After roaming around Grand Rapids, I wrapped up the day by visiting “The Hub.” This is a place you will want to know about if you are visiting ArtPrize.

The Hub is decked out with lounges for visitors to interact with each other

Rick and Melissa DeVos were at The Hub today checking out last minute details.

and the artists. It also has an artist lounge, which Rick DeVos, the founder of ArtPrize told me is going to be quite nice. In other words, if you’re an artist, you’re missing out if you don’t spend some time there.

If you want to know what everyone’s talking about, go spend some time at The Hub. It’s located at 155 N. Division in the Center of Grand Rapids (it’s also known as the old Federal Building.) Here’s more about The Hub from the official ArtPrize blog.

Check back often to learn more about my ArtPrize discoveries, I plan to do a lot of blogging about it.

Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan

Chihuly's A New Eden Exhibit at the Frederik Meijer Gardens
This is my favorite of the 25 Chihuly exhibits at the Frederik Meijer Gardens

Ever since the Chihuly exhibit came to the Frederik Meijer Gardens, I’ve noticed that it seems to eventually come up in conversation with my friends and business associates. The reason everyone is talking about this exhibit is that it’s unique, stunning and beautiful. The exhibit was to end in September and is now being held over until October 31, 2010.

The Chihuly exhibit, titled A New Eden, features 15 sculpture sites with most of them outside and a continuously playing presentation about Chihuly in the Hoffman Family Theater. Dale Chihuly is said to be the most sought after artist in the world, working primarily in glass. This is his 2nd exhibition at the Gardens.

It was hard to pick my favorite from all the sites, but if I had to pick, it would be of the area shown in this HDR photo that I took during my 3rd visit (and I’ll be back for more!).

Frederik Meijer Garden’s hours are:

Mon and Tues: 9 am–9 pm
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: 9 am–5 pm
Sun: 12 pm–5 pm

You can learn more at their website by clicking here.

If you can make it, I’d highly recommend this exhibit (just in case you can’t already figure that out!)

Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan

Big Wabasis Lake Campground
Big Wabasis Lake Campground in Greenville, MI

Wow! What a summer this has been. Other than a few days that were over the top hot, I can’t remember a more beautiful or fun summer. I took this while visiting my son Paul and his family on a camping outing at Big Wabasis Lake. It’s quite a nice place to visit, especially if you love camping. Here’s some helpful links:

Wabasis Facebook link

Wabasis Lake Details and Campsite Map

Google Map Link to Location

In addition to camping, you’ll find  a boat launch, enclosed shelter, baseball diamonds, fishing, hiking/walking, picnicking, a playground, swimming, a bathhouse, basketball, restrooms and a springhouse (which is VERY cool).

Driving along in the Michigan back country.

I took this photo driving through farmland in the Belmont, Michigan area. For those who think of Michigan as a washed up rust belt state, think again. The majority of the state sports lush farmland, lakes ripe for fishing and trees everywhere.

I just got back from visiting gorgeous Steamboat Springs. While I love the mountains and big, huge sky, I missed the variety of trees and “green” that Michigan offers.

Now for the favor… my son Paul is getting married on August 21. He’s having trouble finding a rustic cabin or cottage in the Upper Peninsula to rent from August 23 – August 30. Any suggestions or places you know of with availabilities? If so, could you please make a comment about it? I would greatly appreciate it!

The sails come down after a day on the water

There’s boat harbors everywhere in Michigan that look just like this as the sun sets. I took this photo in Muskegon after a relaxing day of sailing. Being able to escape like this makes every day feel like a vacation. Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan