Little Known Gem

If you're looking for the Cold Nose Gallery, you have to know where to look! It is in an alley behind JCPenney's and has some of the most unique and interesting painted furniture and art in town. Kathy Mack is a talented artist and is there by appointment during the winter and has a varied schedule in the summer. She loves color and whimsy as you can see from the front of her studio. When you're in town, be sure to take a walk down this particular alley!

Julienne Tomatoes

They're right! They do make great food. One of my favorites is their Grilled Honey Ham and Brie sandwich. So yummy. The inventive name is a combination of its owners: Julie Adams and Tom Sheffler. Located right downtown on Howard Street, they use as many local ingredients as they can, buying locally grown food and working with Northern Michigan food suppliers. My husband's only complaint is that they only have his favorite soup once a week! He would like to start a "Make Tomato Gorgonzola More than Once a Week" Club. Check out more about them at: http://www.juliennetomatoes.com/

Sculpture Art

This amazingly intricate sculpture is one of my favorites at the Ward & Eis gallery. The most incredible fact is that it is made from paper. I can't imagine how much time it would take to make something like this. The details of the face and the costume, not to mention the grass, are incredible. The Ward & Eis gallery specializes in Native American art and leather goods that are beautiful, so if you can, check them out on Lake Street!

You....Light Up My Life

This is one of the most creative chandeliers that I have ever seen. This one is at Bondurant downtown on Howard Street, and there are more colors. There was also a lilac purple and a lime green chandelier as well. They are soft and funky, with lots of color and fun. Sure to be something unique!

Lace

It snowed again this weekend, but only about 4 more inches thankfully. 90 minutes south of Petoskey, they received about a foot! Instead of blankets of snow, we just got lace.

When it Snows...III

Last one in the series (I think). This one is in front of the Bearcub Outfitters, an outdoor gear and kids' clothing store. They have really cute things for kids, and practical things for people who enjoy being outdoors. I just love that they made a little bearcub snowman! So cute!

Check out their website at: http://www.bearcuboutfitters.com/

When it Snows...II

Another snowman for our enjoyment--this one at Whitecaps, a local eatery that has an amazing view of the bay along with a really good menu. I love the fact that our downtown has a sense of pride as well as a great sense of humor!
Check out Whitecaps by clicking here:
http://www.whitecapsrestaurant.com/

Dressed for the Occasion

Even trees can get in on the dressing up this season! When it snows, I like to see the trees with puffs of snow decorating them.

How does your Garden Grow?

If you're in Monarch Garden and Floral Design, it grows wonderfully. This is one of the most beautiful places to shop in Petoskey. Just walking in the door can lower your blood pressure. There are fountains burbling, the slight hint of flowers in the air, and lovely gifts in every direction. The arrangements they make are absolutely beautiful, as evidenced by the one in the picture on the left. It is gorgeous! This shop on Mitchell Street is a must-see for anyone who loves gardening or flowers or just needs to have a moment to relax and breathe.
Check out their website at: http://www.monarchgfd.com/

When it Snows....

you just have to have some fun! So, today, in honor of our recent snowfall, some of the business owners downtown made snowmen out in front of their stores!! This one in front of Bondurant was my favorite. She was so stylish! Bondurant is on Howard Street downtown and has so many beautiful and fun things--you have to check them out when you're in town or at their website: http://shopbondurant.com/

Shadows

Today I forgot my camera so I wanted to share this picture from last week. I love the long shadows on the ground. In the winter, these shadows come as early as 4:30 pm and in the summer as late as 9:30 or 10:00 pm. In the summer, we get 5 more hours in our "day". Winter days are short; some days it is dark when you leave for work and dark when you get home from work. I much prefer the longer days and am anticipating them even now.

Look Quick, Before it is Gone!

This is what the ground in Petoskey looks like today, but in the next 72 hours, it is supposed to change dramatically and we are forecasted to get 8 - 10 inches in that time period. I have loved seeing the ground, even if it's frozen, for just a little while. But our blanket of white is to return. (mean old Phil, couldn't he have not seen his shadow, just this once???!!)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you have a wonderful day with someone you love. We had a lovely time with heart-shaped cookies, heart-shaped pizza, and chocolate and strawberries!

Ebb and Flow

The ice on the bay is thinner than it was a few weeks ago, but it hasn't thawed yet. It looks like the top layer had thawed just a bit, then was water was pushed by the wind to make those interesting patterns. Happy Friday!

Over Yonder

The quaint town of Harbor Springs is over the bay from Petoskey. It doesn't seem too far, but it is actually 7 miles across the bay. In the 1900's, there were ferry lines that shuttled passengers across the bay from Petoskey to Harbor Springs. Now ferries only operate once in a while during the summer for special events, but it is still nice to be out on the water and see the two cities from the water view.

It's Melting, Melting....

It has been unseasonably warm the last few days and because of this, the snow has melted considerably. Instead of over a foot covering the ground, that is mostly all gone and all that is left is the piles of snow. And it is warm! (Well, warm for us in February. It got up to 40 today!) But it will not stay. It is supposed to snow again in a few days, so I'm enjoying the balmy weather!

Blue, Blue Sky

Today the sky was so blue. Someday Spring will come again and the trees will be green. But for now, I'm enjoying the blue sky.

Moonrise, Part 2

Another view of the moonrise, this time with the local Catholic church, St. Francis Xavier, in the picture. It is the largest church in Petoskey and the tallest building in town.

Moonrise

Tonight, there was a beautiful moonrise..

Carnegie lives on...

Thanks to Andrew Carnegie, Petoskey had a beautiful library for many years. His method was to build and equip, but only on condition that the local authority matched that by providing a site and operating maintenance. For many years, this was Petoskey's Public Library, but a new one was build in 2004, right across the street. This building is still used by the library for meetings, lessons, and programs. A great place to visit.

Oh, the Sunset

I wish the picture could do it justice but it just can't. It was amazing. You'll just have to imagine it more spectacular and bright than this.

Lots of Snow!

Some of the houses in Bay Harbor are really fun. They are brightly colored and in the summer, there is a beautiful bay to look at out the windows. I especially love how all the colors are the same hue, so nothing is jarring to look at. The houses are expensive, and most of them are only summer or vacation homes. When the lots between the bay and their lake/marina were being sold, they were priced at $1 million each. That was just for the lot. Yep, a little out of my price range. But a very nice place to go and visit.

Yum-O Continued!

The desserts here at Galley Gourmet are beautiful as well as delicious. I have only indulged once, but it was absolutely yummy. They have won awards for their Retro Brownies (if you love brownies with nuts, they are definitely for you!) Personally, the cheesecakes and the espresso cakes pique my interest. In the summer, they have fresh fruit tarts that make one's mouth water. Enjoy!

Yum-O!

Sorry I've missed a few days! I don't get into town every day since I live a few miles from Petoskey, but I did get the opportunity to go out to lunch the other day at one of my favorite places, Galley Gourmet. Not exactly in Petoskey, but in the neighboring community of Bay Harbor. If you want a real stone-fired pizza, Galley Gourmet is the place to come! (My crust is in the oven there.) My favorite pizza has pesto, chicken, proscuitto, kalamata olives, and goat cheese. They also have many unique condiments and specialty items, and some beautiful cheeses. Tomorrow, I'll show you a peek of the dessert case. (Trust me, worth a look!)