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

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 their gluten free bread is the awesome. Marie Catrib’s 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. The locally owned and operated restaurant is run by Marie’s son Fouad and manager Egan. Sadly, in 2013 Marie passed away. They believe in using locally grown and raised food whenever possible, and it shows in the fresh flavors.

Here’s some helpful links: Marie Catrib’s website and menu.  I just had to add this below movie, the day after Valentine’s Day, I stopped by Marie Catrib’s and the soldier in the below movie was pacing around and said to me “You might want to stick around, something cool is going to happen.” Then he told me he had been at Fort Bragg and for a long time and was going to surprise his girlfriend… they gave me permission to post this.

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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.

My favorite place to walk!

So, can you guess where I took this photo? I gave you a huge hint when I said it was a favorite place… I took this on a walking trail at the Frederik Meijer Gardens with my friend Patti. The Frederik Meijer Gardens is a great place for walks, it’s scenic, smells nice and just plain makes you feel good.

One thing though, you might forget the time so make sure you leave before they close. We totally blew the closing time and would have been locked in if it hadn’t been for a wedding there.

Red Lighthouse
Can’t wait to get out on a boat this summer.

Today was the first day this year that really, really felt like we are going to have a summer, yes! I had to dig up a shot that I took last year in Muskegon while on a sailboat with good friends Jon and Peggy.

Don’t you love how all the red football jerseys match the lighthouse? I’m sure that’s exactly what the football players were thinking when they were hanging out there. They probably had a convo to the effect of, “hey man, did you notice how pretty our jersey’s look with this lighthouse?” “yeah dude, I was thinking the same thing, what a perfect shade of red.” Okay, I know, it’s only in my head that these things happen.

Crash's Landing
These cats are all adoptable from Big Sid’s Sanctuary, which is affiliated with Crash’s Landing.

I took this photo at Big Sids Sanctuary, which is a sister to Crash’s Landing. The two are cat rescue and sanctuaries for stray cats over 6 months old that need a home. I’ve heard glowing reviews about Crash’s Landing for years now from many who are personally familiar with the organization and I finally had to check the place out for myself last week.

Crash’s Landing was founded in 2002 by veterinarian Jen Petrovich who saw the need for these forgotten cats. Since then, over 2,610 cats have been rescued and 1,945 cats have been adopted out. There are currently 135 residents at Big Sids Sanctuary and 115 residents at Crash’s Landing.

During my visit, I was surprised at how peaceful and harmoniously the cats got along. There are built in cubbies, catwalks and soft cushy beds throughout the sanctuary. The custom cubbies and catwalks were generously built and donated by builder Rob Brink.

The cats at Big Sids Sanctuary have tested positive for feline leukemia and/or FIV. Something important to note is that although they have a disease, these animals are not necessarily sick. The cats pictured here are all from Big Sids Sanctuary and harder to place due to their condition however, many, if not most have a lot of playtime, love and life left in them.

If you would like to adopt a cat and/or donate to Crash’s Landing or Big Sids Sanctuary, please visit their website to learn more. Adoption is $85 and the cats are up to date with shots and have been spayed or neutered.

Home page for Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary

How Crash’s Landing got Started

Bluebirds in a nest
These sweet little bluebirds don’t even have their eyes open yet.

I LOVE wild birds, and baby bluebirds are my favorite. Every spring they flock to an ornamental fruit tree in my back yard and pick away at the remaining berries on it that the squirrels couldn’t get at.

Don’t even ask me how I got this picture, but I promise you nobody got hurt and all the baby birds were fine.

On another note, I think spring is finally here. Flowers are popping up everywhere and the snow is melted. I can’t wait to take pictures of something other than winter scenes.

Michigan Ice storm with icy trees
Ice storm diamonds are a trees best friend.

Early this morning I was greeted by two messages, one by Inge, and one by my mom. Both of whom wanted to make sure that I knew I would be missing a great chance to take a picture for this blog. As my mom put it, “there’s ice diamonds on the trees.” Amazingly, it’s been that way all day, which is somewhat of a consolation for me because I am sick and tired of winter. Actually, literally sick. I have a cold. I’m thinking of venturing out to take more pictures because it’s just so pretty out right now.

Does it look cold to you? It was!

So… when my friend Peggy and I were getting lost in Amish land looking for the “perfect Amish photo” I saw this very striking farm and had to take a picture. Let me tell you though, it was so incredibly cold, I could feel my fingers and toes freezing even though I was bundled up to the hilt.

I think it was worth it though!

Red Barn on the horizon
I captured this shot of a peaceful red barn, just as the sun was going down.

I was looking for something to do with my friend Sandy and she was game to scope out potential places for photos. She mentioned her grandparents used to live near 10oth Street in the Byron Center area and thought that since it was on high ground, we might find something nice. She was right.

Old barns and farmhouses fascinate me and this one caught my eye. The farmhouse on the site was abandoned with a big “No Trespassing. Trespassers will be prosecuted” sign posted. Luckily, I got my shot anyway!

 

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