Black Friday game plan.

I hope everyone has had a nice Thanksgiving!

Are you already tired of the 'arms race' going on between the chain stores for who can open earlier?

Here's a Black Friday plan I can strongly endorse: 

1.  Sleep in. 

2.  Survey the kitchen for any additional clean-up needed from the previous day's dinner, while waiting for the coffee to brew.

3.  Read the paper and check Facebook.

4.  Check www.retiredinannarbor.com for today's suggested shops in Ann Arbor.

5.  Do some mellow shopping and have lunch downtown.

6.  Be home for nap time.

Now doesn't that sound better?

Ann Arbor Farmer's Market

This morning we made our pre-Thanksgiving trip to Farmer's Market.  I go thinking about dinner on Thursday, and check out the vegetables and decorations that I will be back to buy at Wednesday morning's market, because I don't have to work on Wednesday--  (why?  because I'm RETIRED IN ANN ARBOR).  :)

There were many beautiful arrangements-- I really hope the one with feathers is still there when I return.

We got some beautiful broccoli ($3) and a piece of smoked whitefish, and then I got distracted by the selections of items that would make great Christmas gifts!

It got me thinking that it would be cool to feature an original or quirky local product or shop every day from Black Friday (Nov 25) through Christmas Eve.  By my count, that's 30 posts in 30 days.  Do you think I can do it?

For foodies and gardeners with nothing to do!

I think so, but to see if I'm successful, go to the right column of this blog and sign up to follow by e-mail-- and you will get everyday's post-- or follow by Facebook.

For an early peek of what I'm thinking, here are some ideas from today's market:

Cool toy trucks NOT MADE IN CHINA for $19

Different sizes, different prices

Ann Arbor animal t-shirts from toddler to adult sizes: $10

Little kid's long sleeves-- $12

Pillow covers created by a local artist:  $13-$15

My favorite Santas-- hand painted

Thanks for buying local!

Beautiful handmade cutting boards-- the oval one is $28

Geeking out at The Science Cafe'

One of the best parts about living in Ann Arbor is the open invitation to participate in many activities sponsored by the University of Michigan.  Last night at 5:30, we joined the group forming at Conor O'Neill's Traditional Irish Pub, for a Science cafe'-- billed as an opportunity to discuss science topics with experts in an informal setting.

Now I must admit, that I was a little worried that this might have been over my head, but when the waiter brought us our pints of Kilkenny Red, I decided that I would be fine!

After everyone got some nice (and free) hors d'oeurvres, the topic was introduced: new research on water on Mars and on the possibilities of life on other planets.  First came 2 short (and interesting) lectures by the professors who were the guess speakers:  Professor Nilton Renno of the department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, and Professor Ted Bergin of Astronomy.

I was pleasantly surprised at how accessible their talks were, and also how interesting the group discussion was that followed.  (I never even went into my 'happy place' where I spend time when trapped in boring lectures, sermons and meetings).

After the event was over, promptly at 7:30, we adjourned into the bar and a table for 2 for a nightcap-- and to toast another excellent day, being Retired in Ann Arbor!

This will be added to our calendar in the future-- will we see you there?

Live music on a Tuesday night--

So what does someone in Ann Arbor do on a gloomy and rather boring Tuesday night?  If you have to go to work the next day, you eat dinner, do a load of laundry, and watch some TV before going to bed early.  But if you're retired, you jump in the car at 7:15 and get in the queue outside The Ark at 7:30 for a show at 8:00.

A jovial group of about 25 waiting for the door to open.

Last night's set was with a group that did traditional and contemporary close-harmony country music-- for $15 a ticket.  And when I came out at 9:45, I felt 100% better than when I went in at 8:00.  Wow-- lots better than watching TV!

If you are a member of the Ark, (for an annual $20 contribution), you can buy a beer, and for a $50 annual membership, you get free popcorn to enjoy with the show as well.  Read the info on membership here--   The best (and most amazing) part of The Ark is the music!

Where else can you hear live folk, roots or ethnic music-- just about every day of the year-- in such an intimate venue?  You can just close your eyes and pretend you are in Memphis-- or Nashville-- or Chicago-- or..... like me last night, Austin, Texas.

Get along little doggie---

Best breakfast in Ann Arbor-- Cafe' Zola

I recently have had the opportunity to breakfast with my friends at my favorite Ann Arbor restaurant:  Cafe Zola.

 Ann Arbor has such a wonderful selection of places to eat, that choosing one as my favorite was difficult-- but Zola's is the place where I return again and again.

My favorite is Hediye's breakfast-- a fantastic combination of eggs scrambled with asparagus, mushrooms, scallions, carmelized onions, herbs and havarti cheese, on a Zingerman's bagel. ( If that doesn't sound like a heavenly breakfast to you, check out the menu--  there is something there for everyone.)  Served with a slice of tomato and some olives, it makes the perfect meal.
And keep an eye out for a small feisty woman, smiling and greeting her customers-- and you might just meet Hediye.

I have also enjoyed the time I have spent by myself, at one of the bar seats, with a latte and the New York Times.  It's a great place to watch the movers and shakers of Ann Arbor meet each other, and even occasionally make a deal.

I love the European feel of Zola's, and it's not uncommon to watch friends meet and celebrate events known only to each other, with a nice glass of champagne (sold by the glass) at breakfast.

Zola's is also one of the most romantic dinner destinations, but more about that in a later post!

Once I overheard a customer ask one of the barristas how she was doing with her French instruction, before her term in France.  She commented that Zola's was a perfect place to work, as the language spoken in the kitchen, was French.

What more is there to say?

Bon appetit--   see you there?

Treasure hunting in Ann Arbor

One of the coolest parts of living in Ann Arbor is how easy it is to "shop local".  There are certainly chain stores in the mall, (where I also shop-- I believe in equal opportunity shopping!), but there are also many one of a kind shops, where you can find unique items.

The best place to go treasure hunting is Treasure Mart.  This store has been an Ann Arbor destination since 1960-- and has 8500 SQ FT of quirky and unique consignment gems.

What kind of items can you find?

• Things you may have inherited from your grandma-- (or things you wish you had inherited)
• Mid-century design furniture and design items
• Antique cameras, jewelry, china, crystal and Christmas decorations
• Old coats, furs and hats
• Mirrors, rugs, frames and art
• Couches, chairs, china cabinets, diningroom sets, bedroom sets, coffee tables, dressing tables

It all depends on what is there on the day you visit, as every day, the selection changes.

New Year's Eve buffet?

In the front window-- I love the coat and the lamp!

Pair of beautiful leather wing chairs

Holiday dinner

Caution!  If you see something, be prepared to buy it right then!  I had a bad experience this summer, where I found the *perfect* cabinet for a space in my kitchen, and didn't buy it!  I returned a couple of hours later with the other half of the purchase committee, and it was sold.

:(  

On the other hand, I got these fabulous mirrors last winter for a grand total of $210!

Happy shopping!

Walking and beer

One of the best parts of being retired, is that you can go for a walk when the weather cooperates.  This afternoon was one of those days-- the temperature was in the mid 60's and the sun was trying to break through.  We sent on the walk with one of our favorite views:  the Huron River.  We started in the Bandemere Park parking lot off of Barton, and walked toward the dam, and downtown.

The Michigan crew teams were out rowing

and some fall colors are still out

All in all, a great walk!  The only way to improve on it, was to reward ourselves at the halfway mark--

With a great brew from Blue Tractor-- it added some steps, but was well work it.  

We hoofed it back to the car-- (while I was thinking, well....what was I thinking!!!  This is a LONG walk!) to beat the impending rain-- with one eye on the Weather Bug app.

Made it!

More tomorrow about our stop at Treasure Mart!

Soup and milkweed (?)

Just got back from teaching the class on soup at one of my favorite stores in Ann Arbor:  Hollander's kitchen store. We tasted 2 kinds of chili, chicken noodle and split pea with bacon all in an hour-- wow.  Speed tasting!

The store is a fantastic environment, with the best owners and staff-- and everything you could ever want to create your ideal kitchen.  I particularly love their current supply of Ekelund table linens.  The table runners and place mats are "wash and wear"-- no ironing required!

Thanks to the great people who attended, I have several new ideas to try-- and a new website to follow:  soup chick.  (7 soup recipes every Saturday).  Thanks everyone!

Yesterday afternoon I went to the grocery store, and on the way back, I saw the most beautiful sight. Last summer I heard that Monarch butterflies were having a hard time laying eggs, because the only plant they like is milkweed. There are fewer and fewer of these plants, due to mowing ditches, etc.  So I have started looking for them in the ditches around our house, and am happy when I see clusters of them.

Yesterday they were releasing their seeds to the wind, and they looked like spun silver.  So, of course, I pulled my car as far off the road as I could, climbed into the ditch, and started taking pictures of them with my phone--  I'm sure everyone driving by was wondering, what is she doing?

One thing I really love about Ann Arbor is how small an area it covers-- you can start in downtown, and be in a field within 3 miles in just about any direction.

What a great place to live.
Enjoy your Sunday--
 

Knights

So as my brother says, when you're retired, "everyday is Saturday, and then the big paper comes".
So why are we still very happy on Friday night?  I think it may be conditioning from 25+ years of making it through another work week, and the pure joy in knowing that you don't have to go back to work for 2 whole days.


So how do we celebrate our Friday nights?  By going to Knights-- the best kept non-secret with the retired set in the Ann Arbor area.  (Just look for the large chess piece on Dexter just east of Maple).  It's part Cheers, where everyone knows your name and what you drink at the bar, to the best steaks and prime rib in the city.  Be prepared for standing room only at the bar, and a decent wait to get a booth, but it's all worth it.

So back to the M GO BLUE Gills-- that was my dinner tonight, along with an excellent glass of cab, and a bite of great prime rib--

If you've never tried it, join the rest of us who are having a great time, being RETIRED IN ANN ARBOR.   :)
See you there next Friday night?

Another beautiful day in Ann Arbor....

And we need to value each and every one, since we know what is coming!!  
I had a nice talk with the kitchen manager of Hollander's kitchen shop this afternoon, in preparation for my cooking class on Sunday at 1PM.  The space is very nice, and they often offer 2 classes a week-- from around $10-$16 a session.  They last about an hour, and you get to eat what the cook is preparing.  It's especially fun to attend with a friend--

Hollander's beautiful kitchen shop

The topic this time is family-style soup, so it won't take much prep or stress on my part.  My goal is to have everyone leave there with the idea that they could make a big batch of soup once a week, and feed themselves and their family with delicious, healthy, homemade, and appealing cold weather food, for pennies a day!!

OK, maybe I got a little carried away there-- depending on what you make, but I'm betting that a bowl of homemade soup could cost the same or less than that carryout pizza, and think about how much better it is for you--   I'll figure out what a bowl of each of these soups cost to make by Sunday, because now I'm curious.

Are you?  Join us-- there is still room.

Homecoming weekend

The home team won, and I ended up staying out of gridlocked traffic and away from the stadium:  perfect!  For those who wonder, I'm not negative about football Saturdays, I just decided long ago to let the people who like football have those 109,901 seats, and not disappoint anyone by taking theirs.  (I'm already thinking about spring training, if you're interested in my sports preference.)

So-- we started the day at one of our favorite breakfast/lunch places, the Northside grill.  I had my usual BLT and added a cup of hot apple cider.  Perfect!  I got one section of the paper read while waiting for a table, but we had waited long enough that most of the people were in the stadium by then.  The staff was its usual cheerful self, and the restaurant was decked out for Halloween!  Nice job, Dave--

New mill race with 'white water' feature

We made a little stop at Argo Park to look at the river and check out the progress of the new mill race.  It looks great-- we may have to try it out in a canoe next spring.

Fairview Cemetery Civil War marker

Huron River

The river was beautiful, as usual, so we drove along Longshore drive to keep it within our view.  Then we stopped at Fairview cemetery to see how much history we could discover.  We looked at a large monument commemorating soldiers, and I guessed that it was from WWI, because it only referred to 'The War', but then we read the other side of the marker and it was commemorating the solders who fought for the Union!  We had found a Civil War monument.  I have relatives that were in the Ann Arbor area in the 1800's-- maybe I'll start looking for them.

Sunday--

Another beautiful day!  We had a real treat in meeting family at the Common Grill in Chelsea, and celebrating a birthday!  Follow the link for pictures, if you want to get very hungry.  The birthday girl wants to thank everyone for a lovely time--  :)

Friday night auction

We had a couple of hours of great (free) entertainment last night, at Schmidt's Auction and Antiques.  This is the best auction house in the area-- and if you have never been to an auction, Schmidt's is a great introduction to the spectacle.

Are you afraid that you will end up owning something by accident because you raise an eyebrow or scratch your nose?  Check out this link on tips for beginners .
We have spent many companionable hours together at auctions, while waiting for our item to come up.  Why?  It is part drama, part party, and if you're not riveted by the action, it's fine to talk, laugh, read, needlepoint, and people watch.  (Unlike a movie).

Just try not to wave to anyone during bidding, or raise you hands in the air (like I did, apparently, getting this picture)-- and no, he didn't make me buy the earthenware pitcher that was being sold that moment.... Whew.
Another nice auction house is DuMouchelles in downtown Detroit.  Once you get the bug, you might want to check them out too.  The monthly Saturday and Sunday auctions at DuMouchelles are in the afternoon, and they have valet parking.

Retired in Ann Arbor: Penny Stamps lecture

I finally made it to one of the Penny Stamps lectures, provided by U of M's School of Art and Design, and it was a perfect way to spend an hour on a chilly Thursday afternoon.  First, the setting:  It is in the beautiful Michigan Theater, and starts at 5:10, most Thursday afternoons.  I was there a few minutes early, and enjoyed the theater organ before the lecture started-- especially his version of "Puttin' on the Ritz"--  You could bring in a coffee from the Bigby's next door, or  have some popcorn and liquid refreshment from the concession (even beer!).  I looked around to see how many people of my demographic (Retired in Ann Arbor!!) were present,  and there was a decent showing of grey hair.
Then about 2 minutes before the lecture started, a flood of college kids came in-- fresh off the bus from their previous class on north campus.  The speaker was Emily Pilloton-- an interesting speaker on several levels, who has also presented at TED.  The description and her lecture is posted here if you want to hear it.  Having taught for awhile early in my career, I had particular interest in her observations of how the school where she is working, doesn't work.
In summary, here are 4 reasons I'm happy to be one of the retirees in the audience rather than a college student:

1. I'm better rested
2. I'm not going to be tested on what I just heard
3. I can legally drink beer if I want to
4. There is very little drama in my daily life.

How about you?  Do you agree?

Day 2 at Hollander's School of Book and Paper Arts

I had a very happy day in class today-- made a new friend and one collage that I'm happy with (and another that needs to be cut up again-- and reassembled).  I'm not sure where these disturbing images come from, but it's all there somewhere in my psyche, I'm sure!  Don't ask my kids about it.... I'd be afraid to hear what they had to say...

It's also so neat to spend the day in Kerrytown.  Sweetwaters coffee bar is in the same building, so I started the day with a double latte, extra shot-- to get going.  Then I had an excellent cup of chowder from Monahan's for lunch, and took a break in Found gallery where I bought a few cool antique pictures that I will turn into something completely scary in my next collage--

Sparrow market in Kerrytown

Found Gallery

Then while visiting my car to feed the meter, I had to walk through Wednesday's Farmer's Market, and ended up with 2 homemade pasties ($5 each) and a large bunch of broccoli ($3)-- so dinner is taken care of!  (And it looks like the diet is postponed for another day too.)

Day 1 of 2 at Hollander's school of book and paper arts

I'm back to my favorite class on collage at Hollander's in Kerrytown.  It is rather exhausting for me due to my innate left-brainness, but it is also exhilarating to get out of my comfort zone in such a comfortable and supportive environment.   Hopefully I'll end up with at least one piece of art that I can share without too much embarrassment!
Which side of the brain dominates your life?  If you are curious, take this free quiz offered by the Art Institute of Vancouver.

Work tables at lunch time

One of the fun (and important) parts of retirement is to get out of your routine and try something new-- so a couple of years ago I thought I would try a class that was the furthest away from anything I had taken in my life:  art.  I was truly an art virgin the first day I walked down the stairs from Hollander's store into the studio.  What was going through my head?  Oh, I am so excited to be trying this?
More like:  "WHAT AM I DOING HERE??  AM I CRAZY???"  (yes, I was screaming in my own head.)  But my previous try at something new was taking Learn to Row--  (more about that next spring), which was also very fun and exciting, but I reassured myself that at least in an art class, one can't drown.
So anyway, now I sign up every time this class is taught, so it was a success.
Also, Hollander's is one of my favorite stores in Ann Arbor-- they also offer cooking classes, of which 'moi' is one of the guest cooks in November.  Stay tuned for more about that!  

Beautiful day to look at houses--

 As far as I'm concerned, this is the best time of year!  It's sunny and mid-60s again, so I continue to cruise around Ann Arbor and environs in the convertible.  Which brings up a question that begs to be asked:  why retire somewhere with winter weather?

Here's my answer:  It is very beautiful in the winter, and if you learn to embrace the cold (and layer up), it is a perfect time for walks.  Two of my favorite places are the parks along the river, and Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor.  And call me crazy, but I much prefer to wear boots and a down jacket than sweat through a walk in the heat and humidity.

On the other hand, if you can't embrace cold weather, my advice is to plan your retirement finances so you can head to warmer turf for the amount of time that makes you happy, and love Ann Arbor 3 seasons of the year.

While we're discussing the great outdoors, however, it is also interesting to note that our risk of earthquake, tsumani, hurricane, flood, tornado, volcano or wildfire rates from low to none.  I'll be sharing some "Best Places to Retire" resources with you in the future, and it's always interesting to see how Ann Arbor stacks up.

Today I met a friend for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants:  Cafe Zola.  A couple of weeks ago, the New York Times had the good taste to mention them in the 36 hours travel column-- but I hate it when my favorite places get stellar reviews, don't you?  It should just be our secret--  But it was very well deserved....

Retired in Ann Arbor: Pumpkin farm

The weather is still so beautiful, that I decided that I had waited long enough to get some pumpkins for the front porch.  I enjoy seeing the pumpkins in the field every year at Wing Farm as I drive back and forth on Zeeb and Dexter Roads, so this year, I decided to check it out.  It would have been more fun with the little guys (I passed on the free hay ride), but the selection was fantastic, and it was very convenient to choose, buy, and transport the pumpkins to the car.  Parking was also well organized.

Check out their website for hours and location.  (I got 2 large Cinderella pumpkins for $10).

Retired in Ann Arbor: Farmer's Market!!

We always seek out Farmer's markets when we travel, and aside from one in Paris, this is one of the best in the world-- (my opinion, of course).  I was there early this morning, to beat the crowds.  This is the most beautiful time to go!   I got inspired by all the fresh local produce, and bought some Northern Spy apples for apple crisp ($3), broccoli and brussels sprouts for roasted vegetables, and 2 colors of cauliflower for an au gratin casserole ($5 for all).  Go!  You won't regret it.  Ann Arbor Farmer's Market