How you like them apples?

Today was my first trip for apples in the fall 2013 season. My sister and I stopped at Philips Orchard and Cider Mill north of Lansing, MI. We both share a passion for supporting small independent businesses. Instead of stopping at the orchard giant Uncle John's Cider Mill with a corn maze, children's play area, large gift shop, and hourly activities, we stopped at the barn across the street. And I have to say that I am very happy with our decision. We split a bag of Honeycrisp apples of course and I also purchased a bag of Jonagolds. We also purchased a pumpkin, cider, and apple donuts. I have to say that their cinnamon sugar apple donuts are probably the best that I have ever had. I hate to compare them to my once favorite orchard in Indiana but they were firmer and crisper, and more delicious!

I continued to celebrate apple season by making a batch of applesauce tonight. I have been helping my mother to make applesauce ever since I can remember so I made sure to get my very own apple-pealer-corer-slicer in college. I love my applesauce chunky with brown sugar and cinnamon!

Look out for my next post of fall and Halloween baked goods and treats.

This past weekend, I visited my sister at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. The small city with a population of 26,000 is home to the CMU chippewas, a school with 28,000 students. Mt. Pleasant is in the middle of nowhere, but is nonetheless filled with local gems. My new favorite of which is Dharma Mojo Tea Bar and Grill, a vegetarian and vegan restaurant. I personally am not a big tea drinker so I have not tried their tea but I have heard great things. The restaurant is in the same building as a yoga studio on the North end of town. They have a great menu that changes pretty frequently, with very affordable prices, and fun healthy food. I recommend the flatbreads and tofu stirfry!

On another note, I am really happy living in Northville. The city does a lot of fun activities year round. I would actually be very interested in getting on their event planning committee. Last week, Downtown Northville introduced the skeletons. There are tons of skeletons in various poses around the city. I have pictures of a few of my favorites. It is great to see such fun displays for the public, and even better to see them appreciated and undamaged.

Hard Cider Review
Another reason I love Northville is because we live within walking distance of the Northville Winery. To be honest, their wine is not that amazing. I found it to be thin and mild, but their hard cider is very good. Their Rockin' Cock Hard Cider is a wonderful crisp, clean, hard cider with a full bodied apple flavor. Very much so deserving of the awards that it has won. Their berry ciders are decent but my favorite was definitely the original. The Northville Winery also experiments with their cider making a cider with hops and a bourbon barrel aged cider. I appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to try new fun things.

So I have worked at my current job for 60 days and at day 46 I was tasked with planning the company's End of Fiscal Year Celebration in less than two weeks. I put together an event last Friday night that included dinner in the Amnesia Room of the Motor City Casino Hotel with entertainment provided by The Murder Mystery Company. The Amnesia Room is an old lounge/club on the 16th floor of the hotel with windows from floor to ceiling that look out towards the city. From one end of the room to the other you have a perfect view of the skyscrapers downtown, the river, the bridges and the old train station. For me, the view has a profound impact on my impression of Detroit.

Overall the evening was a success! There was plenty of laughter and conversation as the company celebrated a great year with excitement to meet new goals.

Clearly we have been so busy the past few weekends that I have not been on my bike for nearly a month. I miss riding and hope that the winter cold can hold off for a few weeks so I can get back on the road. Although I do not like brisk cold rides nearly as much, I am not ready for my riding season to be over yet.

Happy Fall!