local

Downtown Milford’s Holiday Window Reveal

Milford is the cutest little town. It’s like straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Last week, members of the community (and maybe others who weren’t) gathered on the sidewalks of Main Street to watch the local businesses reveal their holiday displays. It really was ideal. There was a chill in the air, enhancing the excitement, and a light snowfall set the perfect scene. Everyone was bundled up, huddled in small groups, making chitchat while waiting in anticipation.

It’s the kind of thing that small towns thrive on, a real sense of community. It’s the charm of not being lost in the crowds of a big city. It’s the invitation to make small talk with an unknown friendly neighbor about how the local weather, which the two of you share, has caught you off guard and left you both with snow covered deck furniture in need of putting away (or maybe that was just my occurrence). It’s experiencing the pride and joy of local business owners who care to enhance their community and make it special for every season.

Okay, maybe (in small part) the perfect snowfall was due to a machine projected from a hometown restaurant. (My kids loved filling me in on that.) But if that isn’t a testament of how far the local businesses were willing to go to make the evening magical, then I don’t know what is! It only added to the ambiance of an already idyllic scene. (And aren’t all Hallmark movies made on a set?) I mean, I couldn’t have been more charmed- even if you would have told me that all of the townspeople were paid actors.

We started by meeting up with some friends and their kids at the local coffee roaster’s shop, The Proving Grounds (a play on the GM’s Proving Grounds, the largest business in town.) While we were there, warming up and ordering something to keep us warm outdoors, we caught a glimpse of their display… Santa himself! He was checking his list (twice). Can you believe it? Right here in Milford.

Of course the kids were excited, but we left Santa to do his work and joined back in the hubbub of anticipation on Main Street. When the clock struck 6:30 pm, the wrapping papers were ripped off like it was Christmas morning, to expose the extraordinary secrets that awaited…

And SO many of the displays were special and thought out! Many were obviously themed for their specific shop, such as, the Milford Baking Co.:

and Music & Arts:

Restaurants, like the Blue Grill, had festively painted their windows to last for the whole season:

The live displays were captivating. Clothing stores displayed their merchandise and gift shops showed their wares… Like Nana’s Niche & Corner:

The kids in this display were emulating a snowball fight. Ah-dorable.

Shop owners could tell a whole story by sharing a glimpse of heartwarming relatable scenes. For example this present wrapping scene from The Clothing Cove:

I can’t really pick a favorite, but another window display from the same store was at the top of my list. The whole scene, full of penguins and ice fishing at what I imagine to be the North Pole, was transcendental story book. I couldn’t even snap a clear picture because of all of the kids faces pressed to the glass, and then I thought, “what better way to capture its essence and magnativity?”

Some stores shared playful displays:

Some went vintage (and enticed the kids with sugar cookies, literally just inside their doors):

One, Acorn Farms, had the most beautiful gingerbread house I’ve even seen! It was rotating in a fairy tale scene of marshmallow trees and life-sized gingerbread men and women:

The night was instantly one of my favorite holiday paving events. I’m thankful for such community members and businesses for making things special and memorable for kids (and us grown-ups). And I’m appreciative for this important guy taking time out of his busy schedule to pose for Santa selfies.

Happy holiday season everyone!

Loving Lately ?

Loving Lately: Honey

My husband has a great boss name Jason; who happens to be friends with a guy named Terry; who happens to be the president of the Michigan Beekeeper’s Association. Recently Jason gifted us a beautiful large jar of Terry’s Lazy T’s honey. How fortunate are we?

Honey, also referred to as liquid gold, has been used in the kitchen as a natural sweetener for ages. But did you know that it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that have made it extremely useful for medicinal purposes as well? Many people believe it is a viable solution in dealing with allergies. Bees collect pollen which is then used to make the honey. The small traces of pollen that remain in the honey are comparable to vaccinations in that once consumed your immune system builds antibodies to the pollens. This is just one of the reasons why buying local honey is so important. It can help you build up tolerances to common allergens in your own area!

The sweet nectar in honey is loaded with antioxidants that have been linked in studies with promoting healthy brain function and boosting memory. In addition, honey has been successfully used as a cough suppressant and topically useful for treating minor burns and wounds. No wonder it’s considered so valuable!

For more information about the Michigan Beekeeper’s Association and keeping bees click on www.michiganbees.org

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately #1: My Local Farmer’s Market

I think it is vital to support your local farmer’s market. Buying organic produce is ideal, but don’t count it out if they don’t proclaim to sell organic goods. Talk to them, ask questions. Many vendors aren’t “organic” but still have much healthier practices than produce you can buy at your local grocers and their goods are likely much higher in nutritional value! Here is a list from the Michigan State University Extension of the top seven reasons to buy from your nearest farmer:
• Locally grown food is full of flavor. When grown locally, the crops are picked at their peak of ripeness versus being harvested early in order to be shipped and distributed to your local retail store. Many times produce at local markets has been picked within 24 hours of your purchase.
• Eating local food is eating seasonally. Even though we wish strawberries were grown year round in Michigan, the best time to eat them is when they can be purchased directly from a local grower. They are full of flavor and taste better than the ones available in the winter that have traveled thousands of miles and picked before they were ripe.
• Local food has more nutrients. Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table, and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased. Food imported from far-away states and countries is often older, has traveled and sits in distribution centers before it gets to your store.
• Local food supports the local economy. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in your community.
• Local food benefits the environment. By purchasing locally grown foods you help maintain farmland and green and/or open space in your community.
• Local foods promote a safer food supply. The more steps there are between you and your food’s source the more chances there are for contamination. Food grown in distant locations has the potential for food safety issues at harvesting, washing, shipping and distribution.
• Local growers can tell you how the food was grown. You can ask what practices they use to raise and harvest the crops. When you know where your food comes from and who grew it, you know a lot more about that food.

Loving Lately #2: Cute Drinking Glasses

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I have a problem not buying kitchen gadgets and ware. I realize that it’s more Martha Stewart than “chef” in general, but I can’t help it, I love the stuff. I like juice in juice glasses and milk in milk glasses… And I already admitted it was a problem. How adorable are these? (I wish the cow would have shown up better so you could see it more clearly.) The best part was I got them at Homegoods for $1 each, which is practically like buying them at garage sale prices! Right? At least that’s how I justify it to myself. (My husband is awesome in that department by the way, he never needs justification.)

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And just look at these! The bee glasses are perfect for honey colored drinks like iced tea. I prefer mine unsweetened, but how much more adorable would it be if I actually sweetened the drink with honey? The whole thing is practically enough for me to want to have a bee themed party! Seriously, I need to think about that…