TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN

I took a break from everything: singing/performing, appraising, blogging, cleaning, landlording and all the other things I normally do in a week and went on vacation. Europe in April for 3 weeks was a vacation BUT I did some work via the internet. For 5 days last week I did none, so I'm calling it a real vacation (but La shouldn't a "real vacation" be no work or nothing for, like, 2 weeks? Well, yes it should, but in my world that ain't gonna happen soon!!).So in that spirit here's a break from my current blog theme of Europe and a post on our week in MI. We are fortunate to have dear friends (like family) who live on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. It's a bit like Diana Vreeland's famous quote "first you must arrange to be born in Paris" (paraphrased)- first you must arrange to know great people who live in this gorgeous setting, with the East and West Bays of Lake Michigan on either side, and have them invite you every summer to come and stay with them. It's even nicer if they love your children and have plenty of room for everyone; a bonus if they own 2 adorable dogs and a boat. And so we do and so we go.... It's an easy 6 hour drive thru a rather long state and the further north you get the more it looks like summer camp: blue skies, green pines and lots of shimmering lakes. Old Mission Peninsula juts into the lake and is simply super picturesque: vineyards and wineries, small old churches, a general store dating from the 1800's and lots of flowers in riotous color growing wild and in gardens. We saw a sweet set of scarecrows: a couple dressed in old fashioned dress clothes, each with a hat, he sporting a suit and she a lilac swing coat. We ate at Fleet Street which is a small bar that, in the front graveled ex-parking lot, has about 7 food trucks: sushi, pulled pork, salads and wraps etc. One sells margaritas - grapefruit, strawberry, lime - all made with freshly squeezed juice. Everyone chooses their current favorite and settles at the picnic tables to share and enjoy. We ate at J&S Hamburg - an old fashioned diner with excellent food. The owners are a couple, she runs the front of the house and he's the chef. Best: BLT; any breakfast - the pancakes are divine, the fruit stuffed french toast delectable; and don't miss the chili. We ate there 3 times in 5 days. We ate (see a pattern here?) at Patisserie Amie and it's also highly recommended. As the name implies it's a French bakery - didn't sample, but the display case looked as good as those we just saw in Paris! We did have an assortment of crepes: crab for my son, asparagus/ham/bechamel for me, foie gras for my husband,eggs benedict for one daughter and baguette with confiture for the other. Cafe au lait and fresh peach juice too. You will eat well in TC. The Cherry Festival was the week before we came, which is fine as the crowds are not to my liking AND the cherries were actually at their peak the week we were there. Stores such as Cherry Republic and American Spoon sell (and sample!) salsas, jellies, candies - and much more - that feature the wonderful produce that grows in this fertile area. We returned home with honey and assorted salsas and jams that will remind us of our trip for months to come. Another stop was Northern Latitudes Distillery a hand crafted small batch distillery with spirits created from Michigan's bounty! We sampled limoncello, horseradish vodka (Bloody Mary anyone?), Ginger liqueur and Jack Pine gin. Had a salad/sandwich lunch in the adjacent restaurant and then choose several bottles to bring home. Of course we spent time on the beach - Lake Michigan is crystal clear, a gorgeous blue of varying shades that is reminiscent of the Caribbean. We made s'mores over a fire. We simply talked and laughed and enjoyed one another's company. The only problem with a full on vacation is returning to the inevitable build up of work upon returning home - but I love my home and my life so all's well here in Paris on the Cuyahoga.