http://www.mollysleland.com/blog Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:58:22 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/06/09/amost-time-leland-wine-and-food-festival/ 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 ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/05/23/severe-clear/ 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 ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/05/21/spring-is-really-here/ We couldn't have had a better time than the four days we spent at the Merlefest.  We had been told to bring clothing for four seasons and that we would use it all.  We did!  Some really hot, sunny days - we had to be satisfied with our 55 sunblock ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/05/02/merlefest-2008-more/ After driving the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway out of Asheville, we finally arrived in Wilkesboro, NC on Thursday afternoon.   The concerts were beginning, so we were off!  Merlefest is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College.  It began with a two day event featuring concerts on flatbed trucks and ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/05/01/merlefest-2008-the-concerts/ Another stop on the way to the Merlefest was the Biltmore Castle in Asheville.  It was fabulous.  Built by the Vanderbilt family on about 8000 acres, the estate is very reminiscent of castles I had visited in the Loire Valley in France.  We toured the castle and gardens during their ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/04/30/merlefest-2008-biltmore-castle/ Just returned from a great trip to Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC.  It's a 4-day music festival in honor and memory of Merle Watson, son of the legendary Doc Watson.  We saw so much great music that I am in overload mode.  I have lots of photos to post, so I guess ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/04/29/merlefest-2008/ 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 ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/04/09/ranger-at-good-harbor-beach/ Today was such a beautiful day.  I could barely stay focused on my tasks in the store, so I finally decided to take a quick walk around the corner to Fishtown.  It's amazing how walking just a block away from Main Street can seem like you have walked into a ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/03/28/spring-coming-to-fishtown/ Just got back from an Early Show at Union Street Station in Traverse City.  Today's concert was an Irish group named Beoga.  They were really fun.  A funky, jazzy mix of Irish music.  We have heard lots of Celtic music and love it.  Tonight was a bit different with the ... http://www.mollysleland.com/blog/2008/03/16/st-paddys-day-with-beoga/