Molly's Blog

Only a few more days till the annual Leland Wine and Food Festival.  It is held in the Leland Harbor, with great views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.  The music this year will be performed by the Fabulous Horndogs so be ready for a really great time as they always put on a "fabulous" show.  Would you expect anything less?  You can sample wines from Leelanau Peninsula vintners and purchase many of your favorites at the Leland Mercantile  on Main Street, or the Village Cheese Shanty  down in Fishtown.  A really nice sampling of foods are available from several local restaurants and specialty booths. 

Well, as that beautiful sunset moved through, humidity dropped and the views over Lake Michigan are crystal clear.  From my favorite viewing point, my upstairs deck, you can see the beauty of the Sleeping Dunes National Lakeshore - Pyramid Point, South Manitou Island and the deep blue water of Good Harbor bay.   

Now that we are home from Merlefest it is truly spring.  The snow is all gone (which in itself seems like a miracle after this long, long winter we have had) and flowers have started to pop up.  The cherry trees are all in bloom.  It is a truly fabulous time to be in northern Michigan - particularly on the Leelanau Peninsula.  Shops are getting prepared for that first rush of visitors Memorial Day weekend.  Leland will be the starting point for the men's Tour de Leelanau bike race which has been moved to a much earlier date this year.  The rain is moving out and the sky cleared tonight in time for a beautiful sunset.  The forecast for the holiday weekend looks great!

CHERRY TREES IN BLOOM

SPRING SUNSET

Well, spring must be here!  Ranger has been for his first swim of the season.  This is definately a water dog.  I don't imagine the water is much above 40 degrees…but he loves it.  His ears haven't perked up as much all winter till he heard the word "Beach" and he was ready to go!  He is crazy for snow, but that seems like a very tame crazy when it is compared to his love of the beach.

My son hiked up Sugarloaf Mountain the other day and took this photo at the top.  I guess, of all winters since it has closed , it is sad that Sugarloaf Resort isn't open for skiing this year.  The snow has been incredible and it has been a long winter season. 

After more than three months of cold and snow, the folks in northern Michigan are getting a bit tired of winter.  I do have to say, though, that it has been beautiful.  The view of Pyramid Point and Good Harbor Bay changes daily and is always breathtaking.  We are so lucky to have the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in our backyard!

Winter is such a great time for knitting.  I wish I had more time for more projects…there are so many beautiful things to make.  The Thistledown Shoppe in Suttons Bay recently had a Mission Falls yarns trunk show.  They have some beautiful things.  Most too complicated for this novice knitter but I can always admire and aspire!

I had to post these photos, even though they aren't really recent.  Sometimes strange things can happen in Leland.  One day last spring I had a visitor in the store that I would have never expected.  I opened my office door and was surprised (maybe as much as he) by a screech owl.  I just received these photos via email from Rebecca Lessard at Wings of Wonder which is a raptor education, rehabilitation and research center in Leelanau County.  Rebecca was kind enough to come and rescue this little guy from my store.  She thought he was a little on the skinny side, so she kept him for a while, then released him near Empire, MI.  The best we could figure, he must have gotten in these old buildings somewhere and ended up entering my store through my basement door…who knows?

The colors this year really have been the best I have ever seen.  The sun was shining this morning on Pyramid Point and South Manitou Island over this stand of hardwoods…

As we get immersed in our daily routines, it can be easy to forget how beautiful our corner of northern Michigan is.  Visitors are always amazed at beauty of the Lake Michigan sunsets while I have to admit, I don't always get off the couch to look.  Tonight I did and it was worth the effort!