Meet me on the Deck in Muskegon!

Posted on by farlane

The Deck in Muskegon by The Deck

NOTE: I thought that Adrian Soto of Social GR had taken these photos, but they were taken by the restaurant. Still very cool!

Adrian Soto of Social GR was at The Deck in Muskegon the other day and shared their photos, writing “🌴 Another great restaurant that makes you forget you’re in Michigan and feel like you’re somewhere in the Caribbean is The Deck in Muskegon! 🌺🍹 With its vibrant atmosphere, dishes, and refreshing drinks, it’s the perfect spot to transport yourself to paradise. 🌞✨“

A big thanks to Felicia Rivera for finding these photos & for sure check out Adrian’s adventures in food & fun on his Facebook or at Social GR.

What’s YOUR favorite waterfront hangout in Michigan?? I’ve always been a huge fan of the view from The Cove & Rick’s Cafe in Leland’s Fishtown, but I’d love to hear about your favorite place!!

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Michigan Strawberry Season is underway!

Posted on by farlane

via Leelanau.com

Strawberry Season at Bardenhagen Berries Farm

Strawberry Season at Bardenhagen Berries Farm

Bardenhagen Berries Farm of Lake Leelanau, Michigan reports:

We checked to see if the berries were ready to pick and it turns out they ARE!! We’ll have strawberries at our farmstand at 7990 E Horn Road, Lake Leelanau today until they sell out. The photos show the first flat of the day picked, as well as the first customers to receive this year’s berries!

If you’re in the area, you can pre-order berries or weekly CSA through their website.

Have you had any fresh Michigan strawberries yet?? Where’s your favorite place to pick them up?? Share in the comments or on the post on the Michpics Facebook!

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Blossom Patrol!

Posted on by farlane

Sweet Cherries in Bloom by Bardenhagen Berries Farm

via Leelanau.com…

The Bardenhagen Berries Farm shares: The sweet cherries 🍒 are in full bloom & it’s a beautiful 🤩 sight all around! What a beautiful day! Strawberries 🍓 usually start blooming around a week or so after cherries. All things considered, this past winter was reported as the warmest on record- and there is a very good chance many fruit crops (assuming they don’t get frosted out) will be a week or more earlier than usual. Follow along right here for updates on the 2024 growing season!

Click to see more photos & visit their website at bardenhagenberries.com!

2024 Michigan Morel Season is here!

Posted on by farlane

First Morel by Rick Antiss

As you can see from the photo above, the 2024 Michigan Morel Season is now underway! Every year I try & kick off Michigan morel season by sharing some tips so here goes:

  • Make your first several mushroom hunts, whether for morels or other edible mushroom species, with someone who knows mushrooms.
  • Buy or download a mushroom guide. A good guidebook is “The Mushroom Hunter’s Field Guide” by Alexander H. Smith, recognized as America’s foremost authority on mushroom identification, and Nancy Smith Weber.
  • Be prepared to cover a lot of ground and to experience disappointments when searching for morels. Some spots yield mushrooms year after year, while others skip several seasons between crops.
  • Don’t expect to find morels easily if you are new to the pastime. Because they blend into their background of last fall’s leaves and dead grass, they are hard to see even if you are looking right at them. Your “eye” for morels will sharpen with practice, and you will need to retrain it every spring.
  • Most important of all – know what you are eating! You will need to know the difference between a “true” morel and the “false morels,” such as beefsteak mushrooms, which are poisonous. (See morel identification information.)
  • For more information on morel mushroom hunting in Michigan, visit Pure Michigan or Midwest American Mycological Information.
  • And finally, the Morel tag on Michigan in Pictures is chock full of great advice. Happy hunting!!

My friend Rick lives in Southwest Michigan and shared this last week. If you’re a fan of cannabis & golf, check out the Cannabis Golfers Association which is getting ready to host the Hazy Holes Classic!

2022 Michigan Morel Season is Here!

Posted on by farlane

Mushrooms on Pine View Golf Course by Corey Seeman

Mushrooms on Pine View Golf Course by Corey Seeman

My Michigan morel mushroom groups are starting to light up with mushroom finds so it’s a good time to remind folks that May is morel month in Michigan!

The actual fruiting period can be anywhere from late April until mid-June depending on where you are in the Mitten & what species you are hunting. Contrary to common belief, morels are not confined to the northern part of the state – some of the best picking (such as the photo today) can be found in southern Michigan.

MOREL HUNTING TIPS

  • Make your first several mushroom hunts, whether for morels or other edible mushroom species, with someone who knows mushrooms.
  • Buy or download a mushroom guide. A good guidebook is “The Mushroom Hunter’s Field Guide” by Alexander H. Smith, recognized as America’s foremost authority on mushroom identification, and Nancy Smith Weber. There also is a very good mushroom identification booklet available on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.
  • Be prepared to cover a lot of ground and to experience disappointments when searching for morels. Some spots yield mushrooms year after year, while others skip several seasons between crops.
  • Don’t expect to find morels easily if you are new to the pastime. Because they blend into their background of last fall’s leaves and dead grass, they are hard to see even if you are looking right at them. Your “eye” for morels will sharpen with practice, and you will need to retrain it every spring.
  • Most important of all – know what you are eating! You will need to know the difference between a “true” morel and the “false morels,” such as beefsteak mushrooms, which are poisonous. (See morel identification information.)
  • For more information on morel mushroom hunting in Michigan, visit Pure Michigan or Midwest American Mycological Information.
  • And finally, the Morel tag on Michigan in Pictures is chock full of great advice. Happy hunting!!

Corey took this on May 4th in Ypsilanti last year. Head over to his Flickr for his latest!

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Fat Tuesday is Paczki Day in Michigan!

Posted on by farlane

Kresge Library Services Paczki Day Extravaganza by Corey Seeman

Kresge Library Services Paczki Day Extravaganza by Corey Seeman

A Healthier Michigan has a nice look at the history of Paczki Day in Michigan:

The making and indulging in paczki (pronounced “poonch-key”) dates back to the Middle Ages. During that time, people in Poland would make pastries to use up all of their lard, sugar, eggs and other decadent ingredients before beginning Lent (a period of 40 days where Christians cut out certain foods like sweets or dairy and avoid eating meat on Fridays). Back then, the rich pastries were filled with pork fat. The more modern versions are a lot sweeter, often filled with fruit jelly (commonly raspberry, apple or lemon) or custard and dusted in powdered sugar.

When Polish immigrants came to the United States—especially Midwestern cities like Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay and Cleveland—at the beginning of the 20th century, Paczki Day came with them. And it’s been celebrated here on Fat Tuesday ever since.

FYI, paczkis often clock in at over 1000 calories & 30 grams of fat so no, they are definitely not the best of health foods but a perfect Fat Tuesday treat!!

Corey took a picture of this nice assortment of Paczkis from Benny’s Bakery in Saline back in 2020 at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business library. Head over to Flickr for his latest which includes pics of Runyon, an adorable pup.

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Dig in for Thanksgiving

Posted on by farlane

Pumpkin Pie by PepOmint

Pumpkin Pie by PepOmint

“I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday that is centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.”
—Marcus Samuelsson

Can’t agree more with Chef Samuelsson!

I’ve featured this photo from PepOMint before on Michigan in Pictures. Sadly, she has passed on but you can view more of her photos in her Bits & Pieces gallery on Flickr.

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Foraging Friday: Black Raspberries growing wild

Posted on by farlane

Black Raspberries Growing Wild in Michigan by Lee Rentz

Black Raspberries Growing Wild in Michigan by Lee Rentz

One of the things I love about summertime in Michigan is stumbling upon a snack when I’m out for a walk! Lee found these beauties near Battle Creek.

Head over to Lee’s Flickr for the latest & also check out his Facebook & leerentz.com to view & purchase prints.

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Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Michigan!

Posted on by farlane

130 Years at Eastern Market by Eastern Market Partnership

130 Years at Eastern Market by Eastern Market Partnership

August is when the harvest of Michigan’s diverse bounty of farm products really gets going. The Michigan Farmers Market Association invites you to join them in celebration of National Farmers Market Week from August 1-7:

Many of Michigan’s nearly 250 farmers markets will be hosting special events, activities and more to celebrate farmers and vendors, and express appreciation for volunteers and shoppers.

In the midst of a global pandemic, farmers markets — like all other small businesses — have innovated to continue operations for the farmers and communities that depend on them. Market managers have been at the forefront of adapting rapid solutions and innovating to protect staff, customers and the community. When conventional food supply chains faltered at the start of the pandemic, farmers markets and local food systems clearly displayed the resiliency of short supply chains and interest in local foods spiked nationwide.

“2020 was not an easy year, but we know farmers, market managers, and MIFMA staff and board members are no strangers to hard work and overcoming challenges,” said Amanda Shreve, executive director of MIFMA. “As we celebrate 2021’s National Farmers Market Week, we’ve already seen the strength, resiliency and hope we share as a farmers market community, and know our markets will continue to positively impact their communities long beyond this week.”

Head over to the Michigan Farmers Market Association for a list of all the markets in the state!

One of my favorite Michigan farmers markets is the one at Eastern Market in Detroit. You can click the pic to check out their Facebook page & learn more about the work they do at easternmarket.org.

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Corn Days

Posted on by farlane

http://www.leerentz.com/

Corn Days by Mark Smith

Mark got this gorgeous shot on the Leelanau Peninsula. Here’s hoping you get a chance to bite into some delicious Michigan sweet corn! Head over to Downstreamer on Flickr for his latest!

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