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

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.

Murdick's Fudge
Murdick's Fudge

It’s almost impossible to go to northern Michigan without picking up some fudge. And, Murdick’s Fudge is the place to go according to Michigan fudge insiders. The location in Mackinaw City is the original Murdick’s Fudge and well worth visiting if you’re in the area. Even better, you can order online, here’s a link to the website, where you can order. But don’t blame me if you gain a few pounds after ordering, this stuff is gooood and it’s hard to stop yourself from gorging! This photo is of the three generations of Murdick’s  running the Mackinac store Fran Murdick, his son John and grandson Aaron.

Wildflowers in Glen Arbor is a must if you love gardening and are in the area.
Wildflowers in Glen Arbor is a must if you love gardening and are in the area.

Up until this summer, I had never checked out Wildflowers, but had driven by the shop on my way to Syncronicity in Glen Arbor. My friend Lisa had told me this was one of her favorite places to go when she was up north with her mother-in-law.

Now I can see why. Inside, the shop is filled to the brim with unique specialty items, from home accessories to personal gifts. Outside, the garden area showcases lush shade gardening with plants, statuaries, fountains, birdbaths, furniture and more for sale. It’s located on M-22, here’s a google map link.

Leland, MI HDR Photo
Leland, MI HDR Photo

For those of you who have never been to Leland, maybe you should plan it in your agenda. It’s very unique, and I mean that in a nice way. There’s a bunch of interesting shops along this waterway, which leads to Lake Michigan.  I took this HDR photo while I was standing on the dock. If you look close, you can see a dam that bridges the local hotel and The Cove, a fabulous seafood restaurant.

Franklin Spa
Earlier this week I had a business trip to the Detroit area and wound up in historic Franklin, MI, which is nestled in Bloomfield Hills. When I was there, I discovered a couple of places that I just love! They are in a white house and from the exterior you would never guess the treasures hiding inside.

The first place I want to show you about is the Franklin Spa. The spa regularly has customized pampering and spa parties. As you can see, it’s a very unique, relaxing place to be.