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Warmer Weather Brings Change

They are subtle, but they are definitely there. Umbrellas and napkins, as well as tables outside are a sign of warmer weather. It was actually warm enough to eat outside without the heaters that they sometimes use last weekend! Not that it is warm all the time, but it is definitely not winter any more!! This little courtyard is part of Chandler's on Howard Street. I totally love their Goat Cheese salad. If you like goat cheese, you'll love it! Even if you don't, give it a try!

It's a Grand Old Flag

It is a colorful flag and the wind was blowing it just so. It is hanging from the porch of the Perry Hotel downtown, a great place to just sit back and relax. Alas, no view of the bay from this side, but a nice view of the park.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning...

....Oh, what a beautiful day. The ice is gone from the bay and today the weather is supposed to be up to 70 degrees today! That is definitely picnic weather and I think that we are going to take advantage of it. Sunny, blue skies, warm weather, and gorgeous views--what more could one ask for?

A Colorful Spring

This is a window display in a great downtown store, Cutler's. They have a variety of beautiful things in their store, including Vera Bradley purses and bags, interesting wall hangings, and gorgeous crystal and silver pieces. I love their selection of Waterford crystal, since, having been to the factory myself, know what goes in to each piece--lots of hard work! They also have an extensive section of kitchen items that are wonderful. I love shopping here for gadgets and unique things you can't find anywhere else. Their store is on the corner of Lake and Howard streets downtown and well worth a stop!

When Ya Gotta Go..

..I would suggest that it not be here!! (The door is glassed over and you can't get in anymore. Whew!) It is funny to think that outhouses used to be a normal part of any community, or any home for that matter, but this is right in the middle of town on Pennsylvania Park's northern side. I'm just really thankful to be living in a century with indoor plumbing and electricity, let me tell you. Can you imagine how cold that would be in the middle of winter??? Yikes!

Beyond the Garden Gate #2

This is what is beyond that garden gate--the Rose Garden Veranda at the Perry Hotel. It is a gorgeous area to have lunch or dinner in during the summer. I went to a wedding here a few years ago and it was just lovely. The veranda overlooks the bay and the sunsets are spectacular from here. If you want to have a very nice dinner with a great view, come here in the summer just before sunset, the view is well worth it, and the food is good as well. A win-win situation!

Beyond the Garden Gate

Doesn't an open gate make you wonder what is beyond it? I'll show you tomorrow, but for today, just think of the gates in your life...

The Ice is Gone

This year the bay was frozen longer than I ever remember it being frozen. But finally all the ice is gone and the bay is back! Of course, it is still VERY cold and I don't want to go swimming, but at least all the ice is gone.

The FlatIron Building

The Flatiron building downtown houses the Flatiron Deli as well as other stores. It is right next to Pennsylvania Park, and some of the stores open out onto the park as well as Howard Street.
The park is a nice place to take your lunch in the Spring and Summer to enjoy the sunshine. Enjoy the sun today! (Dare I say it -- Spring has come to Petoskey! It might actually snow again, but things are starting to look and feel like Spring! Woohoo!!)

Busking

Not a common sight on the streets of Petoskey, but an interesting one. This saxophonist was busking on the street and was quite good. He played "A Few of My Favorite Things" and "Sunrise, Sunset" as well as some of what my daughter termed "Junk"-- a mixture of jazz and funk. It is fun to see what talented people are in the world.

It's Going, Going, Gone!

This is the last bit of our 6 foot snowbank that finally melted today. Most of the snow is gone, just the bits left in ditches and places the sun doesn't shine too brightly. It was even warm enough the last 2 days to be outside without a coat on! How incredibly lovely!!

Stained Glass -- #7

I love the way that stained artists can make a story in their work. This piece makes me think of a little gardener girl who loves flowers and lives in a renovated old schoolhouse. What does it make you think of?

Two for the Price of One

Here you get a "two-fer", a really cool window offering of bright spring color, and the great facades of buildings across Lake Street. This is a great shopping area with all sorts of little stores that are just brimming with unique things waiting to be discovered. All part of the Gaslight District fun!

Open Water

Finally, at long last, there is open water on the bay! That means the ice is melting and Spring is just around the corner. What a wonderful thought!

There it is!!

The first robin of Spring! Thankfully the snow last night just stayed flakes and it looks like someone took a powdered sugar duster to the ground outside. A few hours south of here they got several inches, so I am very happy with a dusting. Welcome, Robin!

Let's go Downtown

Everything's great when you're....downtown. Old song, but true here in Petoskey. I love the old buildings that make up the downtown and there are so many great places to shop there. This is from the bottom of Lake Street looking east and yes, it is a hill. The bay is to the west and there are great views from all over down here. (Oh, and did you notice? No snow piles!! There are still a few flakes falling right now, but hopefully they won't stay long.)

Stained Glass -- #6

Another window of the church in Petoskey, this scene picturing the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. I love the colors and the background of mountains and trees in this window, especially the amazing details of the expressions and the delicacy of the tree branches and fronds. So delicate, and so beautiful.

Usually one doesn't think of birchbark as the basis for a great pair of earrings, but here you are. These are very unique and interesting to me--especially as I'm a jewelry designer myself. The beadwork and quillwork is intricate and handsewn and they are just so interesting. There is a long history of Native American art and culture in this area. I can't imagine using porpucine quills the way this artist did; they are so small and perfectly patterned.

When Parking Lots Shrink

Yes, they do shrink in the late winter with all the snow piled into the corners. The roads and parking lots seem just huge when the snow melts and we get to use their whole area again.