http://www.littlepearlcupcake.com/
Showing posts with label Michigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michigan. Show all posts
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Weekend Treats
Treats from Little Pearl Cupcakes. Four flavors taste tested. All were divine.
http://www.littlepearlcupcake.com/
http://www.littlepearlcupcake.com/
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Results: Photo Assignment Festival Food
On Friday I posted a blog about Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids, Michigan and specifically, about my love of the food booths at Festival. My self-imposed photo assignment for the weekend was to document the food at Festival. Here are the results:
Dinner on Friday:
Who made it?: Booth #10 - The Great Wisdom Meditation Center
What was it?: Vegetarian Stir-Fried Noodles with Vegetables
What did it cost?: $4
How was it?: Delicious! The noodles were a great texture and not too mushy. The veggies were perfectly crisp-tender.
To go with those noodles (from the same booth):
What was it?: Vegetarian Spring Roll with a hoisin & peanut dipping sauce
What did it cost?: $2
How was it?: This was my first-ever non-fried spring roll and it was awesome. Though I'm not a vegetarian, I feared for my veggie friends when I bit in and discovered chicken. Turns out, it was faux veggie "chicken" and my meat-eating tastebuds couldn't tell the difference. And that sauce? Divine. (I poured the extra over my noodles, making them even better.)
Post-Dinner Snack:
Who made it?: Booth #27 - Buddhist Association of Michigan: Tam Quang Temple
What was it?: Cream cheese wonton with plum sauce
What did it cost?: $1 per wonton
How was it?: It was mostly wonton wrapper, with just a touch of cream cheese. Not the way I like my wontons, but I couldn't find my usual wonton booth so this was an acceptable substitute.
Breakfast on Saturday:
Who made it?: Booth #31 - Wyoming South Kent Kiwanis Foundation
What was it?: Homemade grilled cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing
What did it cost?: $3
How was it?: Warm and sweet, the cinnamon roll is split in half and grilled before being slathered in warm cream cheese icing. As someone with a major sweet tooth, I can't think of a tastier way to start my day.
To go with that cinnamon roll (from the same booth)
What was it?: Iced coffee with hazelnut syrup and whipped cream. (The drink comes with your choice of sweeteners - sugar, hazelnut syrup or vanilla syrup - and creamers - regular or whipped cream.)
What did it cost?: $2.50
How was it?: Not too sweet (even with all that sugar in it), this was a great way to get my morning caffeine fix even though it was already 80 degrees outside. The cold coffee was also a great contrast to the warm cinnamon roll.
Lunch on Saturday:
Who made it?: Booth #3 - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
What was it?: Souvlaki (marinated pork sandwich)
What did it cost?: $5
How was it?: A Festival staple. This booth, always in the same location, always with a huge line, is the best way to get your Festival "meat on a stick" fix. The sandwich is juicy, grilled pork, on a stick, in a bun. No extras. No condiments. You don't need them. The sandwich is delicious in its simplicity.
Afternoon Snack:
Who made it?: Booth #33 - Chinese Association of Western Michigan
What was it?: Crab cheese (wontons)
What did it cost?: $2 for 3 wontons
How was it?: My crab cheese booth! I found it! This booth had moved a long way from its previous location and I was thrilled to stumble across it along the back of Calder Plaza. These wontons were fresh, super crunchy, filled with a good amount of crab-infused cream cheese and (if you choose) topped with that familiar bright red sweet and sour sauce.
Afternoon Snack #2:
Who made it?: Booth #2 - Bethesda Baptist Church
What was it?: Hawaiian shaved ice
What did it cost?: $3.50 for the large size
How was it?: (Disclaimer - According to the weather app on my phone, it was 93 degrees with a heat index of 103 when I ordered this.) Thanks to the weather, this was a popular booth and this treat was fantastic. It came in a variety of flavors - I chose orange mango. The ice had a snow cone consistency. That snowy texture of true Hawaiian shaved ice wasn't there. But who cares? It was crazy-hot outside and I had been thinking about ordering this all day.
Festival runs today until 6 p.m., so if you're thinking of going out to eat this afternoon - head downtown. You'll find good food, lots of free entertainment and your money will be going to help support local non-profits. What could be better?
Dinner on Friday:
Who made it?: Booth #10 - The Great Wisdom Meditation Center
What was it?: Vegetarian Stir-Fried Noodles with Vegetables
What did it cost?: $4
How was it?: Delicious! The noodles were a great texture and not too mushy. The veggies were perfectly crisp-tender.
To go with those noodles (from the same booth):
What was it?: Vegetarian Spring Roll with a hoisin & peanut dipping sauce
What did it cost?: $2
How was it?: This was my first-ever non-fried spring roll and it was awesome. Though I'm not a vegetarian, I feared for my veggie friends when I bit in and discovered chicken. Turns out, it was faux veggie "chicken" and my meat-eating tastebuds couldn't tell the difference. And that sauce? Divine. (I poured the extra over my noodles, making them even better.)
Post-Dinner Snack:
Who made it?: Booth #27 - Buddhist Association of Michigan: Tam Quang Temple
What was it?: Cream cheese wonton with plum sauce
What did it cost?: $1 per wonton
How was it?: It was mostly wonton wrapper, with just a touch of cream cheese. Not the way I like my wontons, but I couldn't find my usual wonton booth so this was an acceptable substitute.
Breakfast on Saturday:
Who made it?: Booth #31 - Wyoming South Kent Kiwanis Foundation
What was it?: Homemade grilled cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing
What did it cost?: $3
How was it?: Warm and sweet, the cinnamon roll is split in half and grilled before being slathered in warm cream cheese icing. As someone with a major sweet tooth, I can't think of a tastier way to start my day.
To go with that cinnamon roll (from the same booth)
What was it?: Iced coffee with hazelnut syrup and whipped cream. (The drink comes with your choice of sweeteners - sugar, hazelnut syrup or vanilla syrup - and creamers - regular or whipped cream.)
What did it cost?: $2.50
How was it?: Not too sweet (even with all that sugar in it), this was a great way to get my morning caffeine fix even though it was already 80 degrees outside. The cold coffee was also a great contrast to the warm cinnamon roll.
Lunch on Saturday:
Who made it?: Booth #3 - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
What was it?: Souvlaki (marinated pork sandwich)
What did it cost?: $5
How was it?: A Festival staple. This booth, always in the same location, always with a huge line, is the best way to get your Festival "meat on a stick" fix. The sandwich is juicy, grilled pork, on a stick, in a bun. No extras. No condiments. You don't need them. The sandwich is delicious in its simplicity.
Afternoon Snack:
Who made it?: Booth #33 - Chinese Association of Western Michigan
What was it?: Crab cheese (wontons)
What did it cost?: $2 for 3 wontons
How was it?: My crab cheese booth! I found it! This booth had moved a long way from its previous location and I was thrilled to stumble across it along the back of Calder Plaza. These wontons were fresh, super crunchy, filled with a good amount of crab-infused cream cheese and (if you choose) topped with that familiar bright red sweet and sour sauce.
Afternoon Snack #2:
Who made it?: Booth #2 - Bethesda Baptist Church
What was it?: Hawaiian shaved ice
What did it cost?: $3.50 for the large size
How was it?: (Disclaimer - According to the weather app on my phone, it was 93 degrees with a heat index of 103 when I ordered this.) Thanks to the weather, this was a popular booth and this treat was fantastic. It came in a variety of flavors - I chose orange mango. The ice had a snow cone consistency. That snowy texture of true Hawaiian shaved ice wasn't there. But who cares? It was crazy-hot outside and I had been thinking about ordering this all day.
Festival runs today until 6 p.m., so if you're thinking of going out to eat this afternoon - head downtown. You'll find good food, lots of free entertainment and your money will be going to help support local non-profits. What could be better?
Friday, June 3, 2011
This Weekend's Photo Assignment: Festival Food
The 2011 Festival of the Arts is happening this weekend in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The city streets are closed off and there are six stages full of every kind of dance and music you can imagine. There's a Regional Arts Competition and two large tents full of local artists selling their creations. There are activities that allow kids and adults to create art. It's the largest all-volunteer arts festival in the country. (Did I mention it's free?)
Festival is a celebration of everything I love about Grand Rapids and West Michigan - the art, the music, the people and the warm summer days. But here's my big confession: the entire reason I go to Festival is the food. Local non-profit organizations set up booths (33 this year!) throughout the city and sell the largest variety of fair food you've ever seen. On the 2011 menu: elephant ears, foot-long hotdogs, halava, ribs, grilled shrimp, falafel, kafta, fried catfish, souvlaki, Hawaiian shaved ice, ice cream, cheeseburgers - the list goes on. (See Festival's website for the full list of food offerings.)
As you can guess from my blog, I take pictures. And clearly, I love Festival. I also love food. So this weekend, I'm giving myself a photo assignment. In celebration of all of the food I love so much at Festival, I'm going to document it. Photos of Festival Food is my assignment. The results will be posted here. Stay tuned...
Festival is a celebration of everything I love about Grand Rapids and West Michigan - the art, the music, the people and the warm summer days. But here's my big confession: the entire reason I go to Festival is the food. Local non-profit organizations set up booths (33 this year!) throughout the city and sell the largest variety of fair food you've ever seen. On the 2011 menu: elephant ears, foot-long hotdogs, halava, ribs, grilled shrimp, falafel, kafta, fried catfish, souvlaki, Hawaiian shaved ice, ice cream, cheeseburgers - the list goes on. (See Festival's website for the full list of food offerings.)
As you can guess from my blog, I take pictures. And clearly, I love Festival. I also love food. So this weekend, I'm giving myself a photo assignment. In celebration of all of the food I love so much at Festival, I'm going to document it. Photos of Festival Food is my assignment. The results will be posted here. Stay tuned...
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Pileated Visitor
Pileated woodpeckers are one of my favorite birds - love their huge size and that red crest! This gorgeous bird surprised me this weekend with a visit to the yard.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Marshmallow inspiration?
This little yellow warbler reminds me of a marshmallow peep:
Especially this view:
Especially this view:
What do you think? :)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Lake Huron Ice
Winter has the amazing power to transform ordinary objects into something extraordinary. Case in point: the pier at the mouth of the AuSable River.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Cross one off the Life List
The Kirkland's Warbler is a rare little bird. It's endangered and breeds one bird per every six acres (at best) only in the woods of northern Michigan. I was fortunate enough to join the U.S. Forest Service on a field trip during the Michigan Audubon's Birding Festival in East Tawas, Michigan.
It was an hour drive into the painstakingly managed jackpine forest, but the minute we stepped off the bus you could hear the happy call of the Kirkland's Warbler. There are specific rules for entering Kirkland's Warbler territory, chief among them: don't go off the road - not even one step.
My goals on this trip were (1) to see a Kirkland's Warbler and cross it off my birding life-list and (2) to get a photo of the bird. I'm happy to say both goals were met, though the quality of the photos I got is pretty low due to the little warbler's desire to stay well away from us.
The rules of entering the Kirkland's Warbler's forest:
A Kirkland's Warbler singing:
The best shot I could get:
It was an hour drive into the painstakingly managed jackpine forest, but the minute we stepped off the bus you could hear the happy call of the Kirkland's Warbler. There are specific rules for entering Kirkland's Warbler territory, chief among them: don't go off the road - not even one step.
My goals on this trip were (1) to see a Kirkland's Warbler and cross it off my birding life-list and (2) to get a photo of the bird. I'm happy to say both goals were met, though the quality of the photos I got is pretty low due to the little warbler's desire to stay well away from us.
The rules of entering the Kirkland's Warbler's forest:
A Kirkland's Warbler singing:
The best shot I could get:
Monday, May 3, 2010
Welcome Back!
It's always so good to see the birds come back into the area. In the last 24 hours, I've seen three of my favorites. Welcome back friends and welcome spring!
In order of appearance:
In order of appearance:
Sunday, April 18, 2010
What's Old is New Again
What happens when a museum is moved? Does every artifact go with it? And if not, what happens to those items left behind?
Until last Friday night I had never given a thought to what might be in the old Grand Rapids Public Museum. In 1995, the Museum moved into its current location on the banks of the Grand River. And it turns out that in the 15 years since the move, not a lot has changed with the old space.
Grand Rapids area college students and faculty decided to take on the old Museum and what they've turned it into is nothing short of amazing. Michigan - Land of Riches seeks to re-examine the old Grand Rapids Public Museum and in doing so has turned it into an art museum. Working along side the materials that were left in old Museum for over a past decade, what was unveiled on April 16 is a display of history, creativity and imagination that will only be on display for one month. "Michigan - Land of Riches" runs until May 15 and is not to be missed.
Photos from the opening reception:
Until last Friday night I had never given a thought to what might be in the old Grand Rapids Public Museum. In 1995, the Museum moved into its current location on the banks of the Grand River. And it turns out that in the 15 years since the move, not a lot has changed with the old space.
Grand Rapids area college students and faculty decided to take on the old Museum and what they've turned it into is nothing short of amazing. Michigan - Land of Riches seeks to re-examine the old Grand Rapids Public Museum and in doing so has turned it into an art museum. Working along side the materials that were left in old Museum for over a past decade, what was unveiled on April 16 is a display of history, creativity and imagination that will only be on display for one month. "Michigan - Land of Riches" runs until May 15 and is not to be missed.
Photos from the opening reception:
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Celebration
Fireworks from Celebration on the Grand...
I love the reflection in Bridgwater Place.
More firework pictures are on the Pine Photography Facebook page.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
17 Days and Counting...
I entered ArtPrize with one goal in mind - to connect with other artists and meet some fantastic people - which I assumed would happened during ArtPrize competition dates and related events.
This weekend, I'm in Iosco county for a combination of family time and photo time. Mom and I made our annual trip to the Harrisville Arts & Crafts fair yesterday where, while wandering the booths, I came upon an ArtPrize badge. Not one to pass up a chance to talk about ArtPrize, I asked the couple running the booth what their venue was. What followed was a fascinating and fun conversation with Colleen and Michael Glenn Monroe. Nice people and wonderful artists, they produce beautiful children's books. Their ArtPrize entry is a fantastic concept I can't wait to see in a few short weeks.
There are so many inventive, inspired and creative ArtPrize entries. It's exciting to be in the same event with 1,261 other artists. I'm mostly looking forward to photographing in GR during ArtPrize. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time downtown.
Voting News from the ArtPrize people:
This information arrived in my inbox this week. If you want to vote in ArtPrize, you must register in person. Then you can vote via the Internet or text message.
"During ArtPrize, there will be two ways attendees can vote for you: Online or by text message.To vote online, an attendee can search your name or the name of your work and vote right on your profile. To vote by text message (sent to 878787), each artist will have a 5 digit code that attendees can type into the body of a text message to either vote up or vote down your work (Voting up and down explained). "
My five digit text voting code is: vote32081. (The word "vote" must be in front of the numbers.)
This weekend, I'm in Iosco county for a combination of family time and photo time. Mom and I made our annual trip to the Harrisville Arts & Crafts fair yesterday where, while wandering the booths, I came upon an ArtPrize badge. Not one to pass up a chance to talk about ArtPrize, I asked the couple running the booth what their venue was. What followed was a fascinating and fun conversation with Colleen and Michael Glenn Monroe. Nice people and wonderful artists, they produce beautiful children's books. Their ArtPrize entry is a fantastic concept I can't wait to see in a few short weeks.
There are so many inventive, inspired and creative ArtPrize entries. It's exciting to be in the same event with 1,261 other artists. I'm mostly looking forward to photographing in GR during ArtPrize. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time downtown.
Voting News from the ArtPrize people:
This information arrived in my inbox this week. If you want to vote in ArtPrize, you must register in person. Then you can vote via the Internet or text message.
"During ArtPrize, there will be two ways attendees can vote for you: Online or by text message.To vote online, an attendee can search your name or the name of your work and vote right on your profile. To vote by text message (sent to 878787), each artist will have a 5 digit code that attendees can type into the body of a text message to either vote up or vote down your work (Voting up and down explained). "
My five digit text voting code is: vote32081. (The word "vote" must be in front of the numbers.)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Q&A
Last week ArtPrize sent an email to all artists asking the following questions:
- Did your parents encourage you to become an artist?
- When did you start working in the way/medium/series you're working in now?
- How did you decide to select the specific work you did for ArtPrize?
- What is the greatest pleasure of being an artist? (What is your personal driving force?)
I have no idea the intent behind these questions (looking for good marketing matierals perhaps?), but find it interesting that of all the questions they could have sent, these were the four they chose.
Friday, August 14, 2009
It's Official
I'm thrilled to announce that my work will be shown at Schuler Books & Music downtown for ArtPrize. (If you want to follow me on the ArtPrize journey, become a fan of Pine Photography on Facebook.)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
ArtPrize
It's the final week for artists to secure venues for ArtPrize. I'm so excited to have three hosting offers and am hoping to have an agreement signed by the end of the day Monday. Honestly, a couple of weeks ago I was getting worried that I wouldn't find a venue, so three offers is amazing!
It's fantastic that the management companies of several large developments are offering up tons of space so that as many registered artists as possible will be able to participate. After all, isn't that what ArtPrize is supposed to be all about?
I'll announce my venue as soon as it's official. If you want to follow me on the ArtPrize journey, become a fan of Pine Photography on Facebook.
Here's a sneak peak at the pair of photos I'll be exhibiting:
It's fantastic that the management companies of several large developments are offering up tons of space so that as many registered artists as possible will be able to participate. After all, isn't that what ArtPrize is supposed to be all about?
I'll announce my venue as soon as it's official. If you want to follow me on the ArtPrize journey, become a fan of Pine Photography on Facebook.
Here's a sneak peak at the pair of photos I'll be exhibiting:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Butterflies in Northern Michigan
When photographing in Iosco County, there is usually an abundance of mink, deer and other great animals. This time, however, the critters seemed to be in hiding. But in their place were these gorgeous butterflies!
Black Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly
Black Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly
Monday, June 15, 2009
Yummy Coffee
The folks at Madcap Coffee create things of beauty (not to mention tasty coffee). Visit them soon and often!
P.S. - I so want to learn how to do this! :)
P.S. - I so want to learn how to do this! :)
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I Love Festival
Festival weekend in GR is a can't miss for me. Festival of the Arts is one of the largest, all volunteer festivals in the country and all of the events at Festival are completely free. Delicious food booths (26 of them this year), two museums full of art (with free admission), tons of music (five outdoor stages plus two inside ones), and multiple (free) DIY craft stations for the kids - it can't be beat!
Festival in downtown Grand Rapids.
Bands at Rosa Parks Circle
This was the 40th year of Festival of the Arts.
McKay Tower - reflected in the National City Building in downtown GR.
Festival in downtown Grand Rapids.
Bands at Rosa Parks Circle
This was the 40th year of Festival of the Arts.
McKay Tower - reflected in the National City Building in downtown GR.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Little Bandits
As a student at Aquinas College, I had many run-ins with friendly raccoons taking advantage of the trash cans and dumpsters on campus. It's been years since those encounters, but over this past month I've once again had multiple run-ins with these cute little guys, including the opportunity to photograph an adorable baby raccoon.
Check out some of my favorites of these shy subjects:
This guy was visiting my porch and took a nap under the grill!
Spotted this guy watching me as a photographed lilacs
A baby raccoon in our woods. Wow - do they make a lot of noise!
Check out some of my favorites of these shy subjects:
This guy was visiting my porch and took a nap under the grill!
Spotted this guy watching me as a photographed lilacs
A baby raccoon in our woods. Wow - do they make a lot of noise!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Great Grand Rapids Sidewalk Chalk Flood
This was one of the most brilliant ideas ever! Local college student Rob Bliss conceived and organized a massive community sidewalk chalk event. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the mood downtown was overwhelmingly positive and happy.
>>See Videos and Read More About the Sidewalk Chalk Flood
>>See Videos and Read More About the Sidewalk Chalk Flood
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Weekend in Numbers
Over Easter Weekend, I spent four days photographing in Iosco County, Michigan. A wrap-up of the trip can probably best be summed up in numbers:
- 13 - different species of birds photographed at Tuttle Marsh (not counting songbirds)
- 4 - species of birds I'd never seen before
- 3 - early mornings getting up to photograph at Tuttle Marsh
- 2 - garter snakes that were very willing subjects
- 1 - patient husband along for the ride
A few of the Tuttle Marsh highlights: 
Bald Eagle
Ringneck duck pair (front), Hooded Merganser (back left), Bufflehead (far right)
Two pairs of Ringneck Ducks
Great Blue Heron
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
