Cherry coffee cake

With cherry season in full swing here in northern Michigan, I thought I would share one of our favorite coffee cake recipes. I hope you enjoy it.

Cherry Coffee Cake*

3/4 C sugar

6 T butter

2 farm fresh eggs

1/2 t vanilla or almond extract

1 C flour

1 t baking powder

1 1/2 C Leelanau County pitted sweet cherries

1 T brown sugar

1/4 t cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9 inch pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and butter; beating until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder and gently stir into butter mixture. Spread dough into pan and arrange cherries on top; slightly pushing into dough. Mix brown sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over cake. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Makes 8 servings.

*adapted from Lee Point B & B

~Michele

CherryFest Air Show, Part III—AMAZING STORY!

OK, the following pictures I took are not technically great or fantastic to me. (They are followed by some pictures provided by my coworker.) It is the story BEHIND these photos that make them special. Let me share what I found out today back at work after a 3 day weekend . . .

Recall that I was taking shots of the Air Show on Sunday, 7/4. I got several shots of the Coast Guard LIVE demonstration and thought it was over. Then, something odd happened. The “Swimmer,” the guy who jumps in to save people, finished his real-life demo and then jumped BACK in the water. He swam to a Coast Guard boat which then sped off to the shore. The chopper then ended up flying right over me as it headed back to base.

I had seen this demo before and thought it odd, but forgot about it. Today at work I found out what happened. The “Swimmer” had something planned. When the boat got close to shore he jumped in and swam to and preceded to climb the rocks to the pavilion. Scratched and bloody legs from the rocks didn't stop him—he stood up to where the mic was waiting and called down my coworker, her husband, and their daughter.

Grab a tissue: there, in front of thousands of on-lookers he proposed to my colleague’s daughter! Can you beat that?!?!

Here are some pics from my viewpoint and then some from my coworker. Congratulations to the couple; this is one to remember!

Oh, and, btw . . . she said yes.  ;->

Andy

How do I Follow or Post a Comment?

We’ve gotten several questions over the last several weeks on how to follow our blog and/or post a comment. In general, it’s very easy, but you have to take a couple of steps first. The first and main step is creating an acceptable account. They’re FREE and I’ll explain them at the end. (Also, we're just learning this ourselves, so let us know if any of these suggestions don't pan out.)

How to Follow

You should see a button on the upper right hand side to follow the blog. When you click on it you will be prompted to sign into your account (unless you are already signed in). Once you do, voila, you’re now following. See below on creating an account.

How to Post a Comment

You should see a Comments link at the end of every post we make. Click on this link. You will then be able to read comments made by people and us and then make your own comments---we’d LOVE to hear from you! Please and really!

You will just need an account referenced above and below. Once you get an account, type your comments and select what account you want to comment under. (I know it is confusing, but you can create as many accounts as you’d like!) You’re done; your comments have been posted! THANK YOU!

Get an Account

Click Google Account (my preference) or goto http://www.google.com/accounts

Other Blogging Sites:

Click Live Journal or goto http://www.livejournal.com/

Click WordPress or goto http://wordpress.com/

Click TypePad or goto http://www.typepad.com/

Click AOL Instant Messenger or AIM or goto http://products.aim.com/

Click OpenID (my preference also) or goto http://openid.net/

Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Andy

CherryFest Air Show, Part II

More Air Show shots. If you're interested in more detailed info, please check out:
Cherry Festival
Blue Angels


Enjoy!
Andy

CherryFest Air Show - Part I

Had a chance to see the Air Show on July 4th at the week long National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. We took advantage of a festival event called Cherries D'Vine: a 5 course lunch with wine (and dessert!) in a beautiful building (the Maritime Bldg at NMC) on the bay. The building had AC and we needed it; it was about 95 degrees with high humidity. 


After lunch, Michele "appreciated" the AC while I twisted my body for 2 hours in an attempt to track and photograph metal objects flying up to 700 mph. I got a lot of shots so here is Posting Part I. (Thanks for the previous copy-write warning, Bren!)


Andy


PS Of course, I had to include the "bird" I saw along the pier!

Swans and Markets

Had a chance to check on the swan family. We haven't had a lot of time to see them in several days so we were glad to see them alive and well this very busy holiday weekend in a tourist town. One of the parents was preening with the cygnets on a boat launch in our marina. So glad the marina users and swans have coexisted thus far.


Then, of course, TO MARKET! And, it is thriving. It started around when we moved to the town some 12 years ago or so. Every year it seemed to get better incrementally. The last couple of years have been very nice and then this year - - - it just popped - - - in booths and shoppers! We love it and hope you enjoy the shots.


Andy

Eggs and Muffins

Even though the visit was short, we got to see some of our very dear friends last night. They brought us eggs from their local farm.

I made them muffins for their trip back home today. Andy said the muffins were good ...... if you add plenty of butter and honey! What am I going to do with him?

Healthy Blueberry Muffins*

1 C whole wheat flour

1 C white flour

2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1/2 C "Wholesome" dark brown sugar

2 farm fresh eggs

1 C buttermilk

1/4 vegetable oil

1 t vanilla

1 1/2 C blueberries

Topping

1 T brown sugar

1/4 C oatmeal

Preheat oven to 375 F. Slightly grease (I use Pam spray) 12 muffin cups. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl; set aside. In another bowl, slightly beat eggs; then add buttermilk, oil and vanilla and mix well. Add to dry ingredients, gently stirring just till combined. Fold in blueberries. I like to use a large cookie scoop to fill the muffin cups. Combine brown sugar with the oatmeal and sprinkle on top of muffins, pressing down slightly. Bake for 18 - 21 minutes or till a toothpick comes out clean. Watch them close in the last few minutes, as I found that mine were "suddenly done!" Enjoy warm from the oven and, by all means, take Andy's advice if you wish!

*adapted from "Whole Living" magazine. August 2010