Historic Bay View

Won't you join me on a stroll through the neighborhood
of Bay View, Michigan.

Bay View was established in 1875 and has a unique honor.

The entire community has been designated 
as a National Historic Landmark.

The community of Bay View has 440 cottages and two inns.

Although some of the cottages are quite grand,

they are considered cottages because all the residences

in this community are summer retreats.

Bay View was established by the United Methodist Church 

and their mission for the community is to 

enrich the human experience for individuals and families through seasonal programs with a focus on religious, educational, cultural and recreational opportunities.

Bay View's Summer music festival is the oldest 

chamber music festival in North America.

You can hear music as we pass the auditorium.

Most of the cottages feature well appointed porches

perfect for catching breezes off  Little Traverse Bay.

Patriotism is proudly displayed.

Bountiful color welcomes the visitor.

The cottages feature lots of gingerbread trim.

Soft paint colors are accented with white.

Stately trees provide plenty of shade.

Porch rockers provide a comfortable spot to catch up on reading.

Stenciled shutters and lace curtains add another layer of charm.

You'll even find a Christmas tree decorated

with patriotic ornaments.

Stone fences have withstood the passage of time.

Stairs lead to cottages built at a higher elevation.

A tribute to a well-known author who summered in Bay View.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining 
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Antique Festival Treasures

I thought I would show you some of the treasures that I discovered at the Michigan Antiques & Collectible Festival.

During the 1940s through the 1960s, florists used ceramic planters shaped like faces to enhance their bouquets.  These two children are examples of these "head vases".  

The one on the left was produced by Enesco

and is often referenced as a "Delsy Tissue Girl"

because she resembles the child used

in that company's advertising. 

The head vase on the right was produced by Lefton.

Here is an antique Birthday postcard. 

I had not previously seen this postcard image.

The vendor told me there is a whole series

of artist's palette cards so I will need to keep watch

for others in this series.

Antique Postcard from My Personal Collection
Printed in Germany, Marked 211

What could be more charming than this fashionable lady

 driving a new-fangled automobile

to deliver your Birthday greetings.

Antique Postcard from My Personal Collection
Winsch Publishing

This postcard has a sweet image that could be used as a general greeting when keeping in touch with friends or family.  

Antique Postcard from My Personal Collection
Published by Paul Finkenrath, Series 318
Postmarked February 1909

This stenciled char is the perfect size

to display postcards or a place for a doll to rest for a bit.

I couldn't pass this up when I spotted it at the back of a booth.

A bit of Christmas in July

from these postcards with Santa images.

Antique Postcard from My Personal Collection

Antique Postcard from My Personal Collection
Postmarked Detroit, Michigan December 23, 1920
Stecher Lith. Co., Series 230F, Made in U.S.A.

So glad that you joined me in discussing these vintage finds.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining 
The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Cherry Coconut Granola

Did you visit Bunny Jean's Decor and More blog last week?
She challenged everyone to be inspired
by the theme "No Buy July"
and post no cost projects to today's Bunny Hop linky party.


With that in mind, I immediately thought of those items 
in my pantry purchased some time ago and not yet used up. 


The partially used container of pecans ...
The unopened bag of coconut ... 
The dried cherries brought back from Northern Michigan ... 


Time to open those bags and bottles
and marry the flavors with a few pantry staples.

What immediately came to mind was granola.
The recipe I've used in the past calls for wheat germ.  
Don't have that ingredient.


A Google search for coconut granola recipes
led me to a blog by Jamie, who has a baking addiction.
Her granola recipe featured almonds and dried cranberries
in addition to the coconut.  Perfect.
A few substitutions of ingredients and I'm good to go.


But, my container of old-fashioned oats doesn't have four cups!


In the true spirit of "No Buy July"
I decided making a half recipe would be the solution.
I still ended up with two tubs of yummy granola.
More than enough for the two of us to enjoy several breakfasts
with milk or sprinkled over yogurt and fruit!

Although I made half a recipe,
those of you with larger families
may be better served using the full recipe.
Here is Jamie's recipe substituting cherries and pecans.

Cherry Coconut Granola

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine oats, pecans and coconut; set aside.

2. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, oil, honey, maple syrup and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.

3. Pour over oat mixture; stir to coat. Spread in a large shallow baking pan.

4. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool.

5. Add raisins and dried cherries. Store in an airtight container.

Until next time, live and love well.

Sharing with 
Show Off Friday at What-About
The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Lavender Fields

Today I'd like to take you for a visit to Lavender Hill Farms

in Northern Michigan.

Let's walk this way to the lavender fields.

Row upon row of lavender plants in full bloom.

A bit of funky artwork.  What do you see?  

I see a person with spiked hair and a heavy link necklace.

Different varieties of lavender bloom

in shades of purple, pink and white.

The farm currently has over 8,000 plants
 of 30 different varieties.

This rusty rooster stands guard over the fields.

Farm owners originally planted the lavender plants

 as food for their honeybees.

The plants are grown without any

sprays, pesticides or herbicides.

I threw caution to the wind

and entered the bee yard to watch the busy bees.

(But only for a few minutes)

A lovely reminder of the beauty that surrounds us.

A perfect resting place to enjoy the marvelous views.

This charming basket contains one-year old lavender plants.

This display was planted by the grandchildren

of the farm owners as a July 4, 2011 family activity.

Of course, I had to visit the gift shop.

These are the items I selected:

• Lavender soap, to savor the aroma when returning home.
• Lavender oil to dab on pulse points to repel insects.  Did you know that most insects dislike the scent of lavender?
• An eye pillow to bring relaxation to the Shavasana pose during yoga class. 

I enjoyed your company as we toured Lavender Hill Farms.

Until next time, live and love well.

Sharing with 
The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Prayer for Independence Day

Lord God Almighty,

in whose Name the founders of this country

won liberty for themselves and for us,

and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn:

Grant that we and all the people of this land

may have grace to maintain our liberties

in righteousness and peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

U.S. Book of Common Prayer, "Independence Day" (1979), p. 242

Stay safe as we recognize America, the flag

 and all that is represented by this Holiday.

To begin our celebration of the Fourth of July holiday,

I am sharing a few lighthearted vintage images.  

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Publisher:  S. B. 258
Undivided Back
Postmarked 1907 from New Jersey

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Publisher:  S. B. 258
Undivided Back
Postally Unused

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Publisher Unknown, Marked S (in Diamond) 129
Postally Unused

Until next time, live and love well.

Sharing with 
The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More
Vintage Patriotic Party at Common Ground

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!