Korner Kottage Krunch

Welcome Back to Michigan

2011-02-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

Once again, inn keepers Kaptain Krunch (maker of Korner Kottage Krunch, our home made, gourmet granola) and Cinderella (that's my nickname) have returned from a wonderful month spent in warm and sunny Florida. It is our pattern now, to take some much needed time away from our bed and breakfast to restore and nurture ourselves, surrounded by family and friends at the beach.

Having been back to Michigan for only a week now, I'm sorely missing the warm sunshine, the crashing ocean surf outside my window and the sand between my toes. It feels like a distant memory already, but wonderful memories indeed.

Family gathered from Boulder, Breckenridge and Chicago for reminiscing, cooking together, eating out, shopping, going to movies, playing banana grams, (a family favorite) walking on the beach and numerous, numerous laughter to sustain us until our next reunion. Ages range from the youngest at 18 months to the wisest at a young 91......and many ages in between. Regardless of age differences we were all entertained every single day. We are so blessed to have family and friends who live in such awesome places for us to gather. But then they all think Suttons Bay, Michigan where we live at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast is a perfect place to visit as well.

On this snowy, winter day when much of our nation is in the grips of a winter snow storm that the weather channel has nicknamed "The Beast", Suttons Bay is enjoying a rather calm, normal wintry day. We received a couple of inches of new snow overnight and some howling winds, but we have escaped the real brunt of the storm's fury. In fact the skies are blue and the sun is shining brightly......but it is cold. Not the 70+ degrees we enjoyed just a week ago.

Last night in preparation for the storm, I made a new soup recipe that I found in a new vegetarian cookbook I scored, on sale, in Florida. As I do every year about this time, I make an effort to be more conscious and thoughtful of what I put into my body.

This recipe turned out to be an easy and very yummy soup for a winter day. Easy is the operative word, along with healthy. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Vegetable & Corn Chowder (serves 4)

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 red onion

1 red bell pepper, seeded + diced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 3/4 potatoes....I used a few more

2 tbsp all purpose flour

2 1/2 cups milk ...I used 2 %

1 1/4 cups vegetable stock...I added a bit more

1/2 cup broccoli florets

3 cups frozen corn

3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese, plus extra to garnish

salt + pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large pan. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and potato and saute over low heat, stirring frequently, for 5-6 minutes.

Stir in flour and cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Gradually in milk and vegetable stock.

Add broccoli and corn. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender.

Add 1/2 cup of the cheese and stir until it melts.

Season to taste.....(can add some spices if you like a bit of heat) and ladle into warm bowls. Garnish with the remaining cheese. Serve with a small salad and some crusty bread and you have a healthy, complete meal for a cold winter evening. Yum.

Open on Christmas

2010-12-26T16:53:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve~we had guests. On Christmas Day~we had guests. On the day after Christmas~we still have guests and so on and so and so on. Guests in our house until New Year's Day. Such is our life "living behind the pocket door" at our bed and breakfast.

This is our first Christmas with guests in our house. We are open so other people can spend the holidays with their families. It's fine. It really is....that's what we do. It was out of the ordinary for us, but we've filled the holiday time doing fun and unexpected things we normally do not do on Christmas.

We made a date and went to the movies at the Bay Theatre on the night before Christmas Eve. It's just a short brisk walk from the Korner Kottage. Walking through our quaint village all "decked out for Christmas" was indeed special. It was quiet and peaceful and we had it all to ourselves. I believe we were the only ones out walking around. The movie wasn't that great, but it was fun sitting together in the movie, eating popcorn and keeping our minds off of the fact that we were working on Christmas and missing family.

We made plans to fill Christmas Eve day.....I did an hour "hot yoga" class, we went window shopping and met friends in Traverse City for dinner at Red Ginger on Christmas Eve. Traverse City had a much different vibe than quaint Suttons Bay. It was bustling and hustling with all kinds of activity that evening. We had a great meal with good friends and enjoyed the city lights and then headed back to our quiet little village of Suttons Bay and missing family.

Christmas morning we served breakfast to our guests like we do every morning. No family at the breakfast table this Christmas morning.....however we had guests far away from their home in Paraguay, who happened to speak very little English.....but we managed and hopefully helped them enjoy a pleasant experience as they celebrated a "different kind of Christmas".

Now, it is the day after Christmas, and we still have guests in our house. It's quiet and it's all right. We've survived this holiday doing new and unexpected things....but next year..... I've already made plans to "not be open" and spend Christmas doing all the traditional things we normally do at Christmas......spending it with our family.

Yummy Butternut Squash and White Bean Stew

2010-11-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

The changing of the seasons whets my appetite for the quest of new and interesting "comfort foods". My eating persuasion of late has leaned more and more towards vegetarian concoctions although I'm not devout in my following. Normally, I am not even the cook in the house, so basically I'm happy to dine on what ever is prepared for me. But in the late fall and winter, when more time allows, I have recently been inclined to become more involved in the kitchen. (I'm not sure if my husband views this as a good thing yet or not.) Therefore, the reading of recipes is becoming something I'm encouraging myself to do more frequently. Many recipes I discard immediately because they are too lengthy and involved or require unheard of ingredients. I am if anything, simple and efficient in my cooking attempts. But occasionally I come across a recipe that meets all my requirements; simple, savory, fresh, healthy ingredients and is either a soup or a stew that can be simmered on the stove in the Le Creuset or crock pot for several hours. Both warming up the kitchen and filling the house with wonderful aromas is a necessary requirement when it comes to my cooking attempts. This recipe filled all my requirements so I tried it and it did not fail to please. Give it a try and let me know what you think. So far my husband has not turned up his nose at anything I have prepared, so I'll take that as a good sign.

Butternut Squash~White Bean Stew

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup slivered onion

3/4 cup thinly sliced celery

3 cups mushrooms, sliced

4 cups peeled, cubed butternut squash (aprox. a 2 pound squash)

1 (14 oz.) can diced roasted tomatoes

1 garlic clove pressed

2 cups water (or vegetable broth)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary...or fresh if available

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 (15 oz) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish...optional

*1. Heat oil in dutch oven (Le Creuset) over medium high heat. Add onion, celery, and mushrooms. Cook until veggies start to brown, about 8-10 minutes.

*2. Stir in squash, tomatoes, garlic, water, tomato paste, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix well. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender, about 25 minutes. I thought it would take longer, but it didn't. Uncover and stir in beans and simmer until stew consistency about an additional 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve with crusty bread. Also Parmesan flakes is a nice additional flavor when serving.

Enjoy and I welcome your feed back.

"Greening" of the Bare Boxes

2010-11-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

There's nothing quite like fresh beautiful greens and assorted other "finds" from the garden to create wonderful window boxes, flaunting nature's exhibition of splendor through an alternate view on a winter canvas.

Most of the greenery used had to be purchased as I do not have unlimited access to woodland areas for scavenging pine boughs and branches. But everything else was taken right from the offerings of my surrounding gardens. Even now in this transitional season the b&b gardens continue to offer many enjoyable treasures even though their stunning summer radiance has faded.

The short time span between dumping out of the summer/fall flowers and the addition of the winter greenery, leaves them looking empty and forlorn. The stark contrast of the devoid, barren boxes hastens my motivation to get them refilled for the winter season. When filled once again, they look so welcoming and inviting. Now that the window boxes at the Korner Kottage B&B in Suttons Bay are filled with their wintery mix, I truly feel like the holiday season can begin in earnest.

Behind the Pocket Door

2010-11-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

Love, love, love being an inn keeper. Our guests are so appreciative of all the little things we do to make their stay special. Beds are made with the warmest and coziest of comforters. Our bed linens are always freshly ironed and pressed with our iron rite which makes for the softest, most decadent sheets you can ever image slipping into. Chocolates are left on the pillows for a sweet taste before retiring. Bathrooms are supplied with the thickest and fluffiest of towels and robes and fuzzy warm slipper socks can be found in every room to ward off any evening chills. Bottled water is tucked into each small room refrigerator. With our concerted efforts of being greener, we use glass bottles for refilling rather than adding more plastic to the landfill.

L.E.D. twinkle lights offer up a cheerful welcome on the screened in front porch as well as illuminating the fences bordering the garden, giving off a soft glow to the night. Candles in all of the windows show guests their way when walking back from a local restaurant or an after dark stroll.

Breakfast is always served with detailed attention, not to mention with brightly, burning candles and flowers on each plate. This is not just your everyday breakfast menu either. We serve breakfast in slow deliberate courses to be savored and enjoyed leisurely. Our Italian coffee maker is always a big hit. Once given the lesson, guests can have hot coffee or tea on demand any time of day or night.

It's fun to close the pocket door separating dining room and kitchen and listen to the chatter as newly acquainted strangers, gradually over breakfast conversation, become new friends. The laughs and giggles shared between them, make us smile to ourselves as well.

We always strive to create surroundings at the Korner Kottage B&B that are conducive to relaxation and restorative for your soul, as well as encouraging to your romantic senses.

Romance is about the "little things"~the smallest of gestures~the little ways of making daily life with your friend and lover a little bit more special. We can help with all of that.

A Soup Kind of Day

2010-11-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

After being blessed with many wonderful warm and sunny fall days in a row, we finally got a taste of a grayish, chilly one today. One of our daily rituals consists of walking with Nestle Quik to the local post office, which is approximately 5 blocks from the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast. I returned chilled from our leisurely stroll, which is always extended because we stop and visit with shop keepers and locals along the route. I concluded a bowl of soup would be in order. Now, the cooking is normally left up to my husband, but every once in a while I get inspired to take my turn at it, especially when it comes to making soup. Soup is something I usually can't mess up.

I got out the trusty Le Creuset and set about scrounging around in the the cupboards and pantry to see what we might have in stock. Being that I don't do much of the cooking, that also implies I don't know what we have on hand. I was happy to find that we had all of the "stuff" to make an easy as well as favorite concoction of ours "Mexican Chicken Soup". Just the perfect thing to warm up this chilly afternoon. Not to mention it adds a nice aroma from the kitchen while our weekend guests arrive for check in time.

Here is all you need to make this savory, simple and healthy soup.

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and cut up into bite size pieces

1 - 15 oz can refried beans

1 - 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 - 15 oz can low sodium chicken broth

1 large jar of salsa (your choice...I like Paul Newman's Black Bean & corn medium spicy)

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat through. When serving sprinkle with some grated cheese and serve with tortilla chips if desired. Yum- o

What could be easier than opening a bunch of cans right? But you'll be amazed at the flavor.

No Bad Weather Just Wrong Clothes

2010-11-04T12:22:00.001-07:00

This is the time of the year when it's really not fall and it's not quite winter yet. It's the "in between" season or transition time. For us inn keepers at the Korner Kottage B&B in Suttons Bay, it's the season where we can take a deep breath and transition into a much, much slower and much needed relaxed pace. Our busiest seasons of the year are behind us now.....for awhile any way. We can linger in bed a little later in the mornings. I can don my robe and slippers, lingering over coffee and the morning crossword, which is my simplest pleasure. I cherish this quiet time now that the guests are fewer in numbers, especially during the mid week.

Don't get me wrong though, there are still many seasonal "to dos" on our job list for sure. We wash all the windows, put on the storm windows and put up the plexiglass on the screened in front porch. These are one of our most dreaded of jobs. The windows in this b&b must be the originals, circa 1921 and they are NOT easily washed and maneuvered. Lots of up and down on different tracks and old pegs that barely hold. Once done though, they look so bright and shiny and in my opinion, there's nothing better that clean windows.

Next we tackle the garden and get it ready for winter. Slashing flowers and plants that once were spectacular in their blooming glory, now are out of control and in need of cutting down. All our glorious window boxes must be dumped into the street. This is done with much sorrow on my part. So many people stop and gaze at the window boxes all summer long, many taking pictures and asking about the flowers. It's so rewarding to be able to share this bit of nature to all the passersby. I miss the enjoyment of the flowers at my kitchen sink, now bare as I stand doing the dishes. The garden looks so sparse after this stage.

And then begins the raking and raking and raking of leaves that seems to go on and on. Thanks to our village workers who keep these piles of leaves and garden debris cleaned up on a regular basis until all the piles have vanished.

Next the garage must be cleaned and reorganized for all of the outside furniture, metal sculptures and various other garden ornaments needing a place to be stored for the winter. Again the garden and patio area continue to look barer still. We continue these jobs, mind you during all kinds of "in between" weather. High winds, sunny days, cloudy days, rainy days in the cold, continuing the work as the weekend forecast is calling for "rain mixed with snow". We don't relish the thought of carrying out these outdoor tasks in the snow. However, as one of our German guests told us while visiting during a cold and wet spring weekend a few years back, "there's no bad weather, just wrong clothing choices". I've kept that saying posted on a sign on the front porch of the b&b.....I always feel responsible for offering our guests good weather when they visit.

With these end of season jobs list completed, this transition time offers us the new possibilities to take to the woods and to the trails. This is time of season offers some of the best hiking opportunities in the area. There are so many interesting and beautiful places to hike in Leelanau. We are truly blessed to live in such an awesome spot in the world. So even though the weather is colder and the skis are grayer and filled with intermittent showers, we put on the "right clothes" and head out to do some exploring. There's no bad weather in Leelanau and Nestle Quik our fur kid and hiking expert agrees. There are still plenty of trails to be walked and enjoyed.......and now we have the time to do it.

Sharing a post from Cathy "Fried Green Tomatoes"

2010-11-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Grilled “Fried” Green Tomatoes
Written by Cathy on 26 October 2010
I spent the day ripping out the tomato plants and have some good size green tomatoes. I love fried green tomatoes but I feel guilty eating them fried and I am not fond of standing there and frying tomato after tomato. I thought there has to be a better way. I tried grilling them, as you may have noticed by now; I’m always throwing stuff on the grill. Well, I can do them all at once and it only takes a few minutes. The tomatoes come off the grill soft and then I created the “crunch” of a fried green tomato crust by making herbs crumbs and sprinkling them over the grilled tomatoes. It tastes like a fried green tomato and much easier to do.

Grilled “Fried” Green Tomatoes

Green tomatoes

Olive oil

½ cup fresh bread crumbs

1 garlic clove

2 Tablespoon minced fresh herbs, such as; sage, thyme, oregano, dill and parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat grill to medium hot heat. Cut green tomatoes into wedges, so they don’t fall through the grates of the grill. Drizzle the wedges with olive oil and rub to make sure all is coated. Place tomatoes on grill. After a couple minutes turn tomatoes, continue turning until all sides have grill marks and are soft when squeezed with the tongs. Remove to a platter, season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

In a small skillet heat 2 teaspoons olive oil, add bread crumbs; stir until all is coated with oil. Add a garlic clove that has been pressed through a garlic press. Continue stirring so they brown evenly, add herbs and stir until the crumbs are nicely browned, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Immediately spoon over grilled green tomatoes and serve.

I shared this post from my friend Cathy because just yesterday, I pulled out all my old tomato plants from the Korner Kottage B&B alley garden. Sadly, the plants were still loaded with "green" tomatoes that were just NOT going to get any riper due to the cold November temperatures. I was sad to think there was nothing I could do with all of these little green tomatoes. Now I'm wondering if I can go out to the compost pile and try to salvage them by putting them on the grill.

Fall in Suttons Bay at the Korner Kottage

2010-10-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Love, love this time of year. We've had a glorious week of beautiful weather. Our house continues to be full of guests...probably because we are b&b after all. We are blessed to be so busy but I am anxiously awaiting some free time to enjoy this lovely fall weather. There are so many things I need to be doing in the garden to get it ready for the winter.....but the flowers are still so beautiful. I just can't bear to begin cutting and slashing them just yet. On the other hand I don't want to be doing it when the weather is cold and gray either. For today, I'm just going to enjoy the garden a bit longer, just the way it is.

Making new friends = best part of inn keepers' world

2010-07-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

As you can imagine (or maybe you've never thought of it) the life we live as busy inn keepers is ever changing, challenging, interesting, exhausting but most of all rewarding. The constant revolving door of guests from places all over the map, creates extremely interesting morning breakfast table conversation.

Most of our guests check in, make themselves at home, enjoy the area, our hospitality and comfy beds, and Jim's excellent breakfasts and then check out with fond memories of time spent "up north". A brief, small connection having been made with us, the inn keepers, that is most likely soon forgotten as they return back home to their normal reality and daily routines.

However, every so often, we meet guests where there is an instant, spontaneous connection. Where it feels like we have known each other forever or in another time and place and it feels like the perfect "matching glass slipper" that was lost at the ball.

Recently we experienced such a connection with our new "very best friends" who traveled from California to attend a wedding. We started this connection through email way back in December. Through many exchanges back and forth I just knew this was going to be an interesting pair of guests. I was not disappointed.

I wanted to "sell" these world travelers and Californians on Michigan. It was after all their virgin visit to Michigan. I was a bit tentative as to whether they would "buy" into our small town "Mayberryish" area where it literally is like stepping back in a different time and place. I am the supreme marketer of our area as I weave the spell of our "little bit of paradise" to all new comers to the area. I don't want to promise too much, but then what's not to like about Leelanau...still there is always a bit of apprehension on my part.

July came closer and closer, and I waited in anticipation to finally put names and faces together. As we texted back and forth through landing at Traverse City airport and driving down M~22 and entering the little village of Suttons Bay, my excitement was palpable. I met them at the back door....instantly feeling like we had known each other for ever.

The few days that they were our guests made a stronger than normal connection. We spent time together chatting, enjoying cocktails in the afternoon and making plans to visit them soon in California. Sometimes it just feels like fate, karma , a bonding of kindred spirits where all the planets and stars are in alignment or something magical like that~~~~~

Apparently the connection was not one sided as I later received this email after they returned home~

"It’s always good to get home and a little interesting transitioning back to our own life. California has a lot of beautiful places to see and things to do but Suttons Bay and Traverse City area are magical. The whole area is really charming. I kind of understand why we were so taken by the area … we flew into that little airport drove 10 minutes and were on the Lake … we entered a stunning little world and never left for 6 days!

We had fun on Sunday … we got up and rented a jet ski. We took it out the point on Mission Peninsula, cut across and came down the other side. It was fun to see everything from the water. Then we went to the car show. Kathy’s dad hooked up with Ray so I checked out and sat at the Shed on top of the Blue Tractor and sipping a cocktail and watched the Blue Angels. We went to PoppyCock’s for dinner and watched the firework show. A wonderful ending to a great holiday!

Getting up this morning at 4am was not fun. We walked outside and noticed the ground was wet. Ray and I looked at each other and said … maybe it rained every day and we just didn’t know it. I asked an airport security guy and he laughed at me. We knew you were going to have a hot humid couple of days. The trip home was long but easy – we slept!

We had a wonderful trip with much thanks to you and Jim. Korner Kottage is a jewel of Michigan and your hospitality and friendship made the trip all that much better!
Life is good … we came for a wedding, found a vacation spot we love and new friends. Lucky us – all of us – to spend time together and get to know each other. We are very excited that you are planning to visit us in California. I am looking forward to being your host and showing you are our home."

This is the best of the best of being inn keepers.....we value these moments when real friendship just happens in a few short days. The conversations were real, the memories will be cherished and the bond will endure.

We are planning our trip to Sonoma, San Franciso and Tahoe as we speak. We can't wait for them to show off their charming area and "sell" us on California.

Cinderella's Garden Slippers

2010-06-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

Since the garden gremlins never seem to find us here at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay...."cinderella" must also take on the chores of the garden. Actually, the garden is Cindy's favorite chore...but sadly it seems to be last on her list. Even gardening is fun in a pair of sequined garden slippers.

Lupines at the Kottage

2010-06-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

The flowers have been spectacular this spring at our Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay. This gorgeous lupine was mistakenly moved to our alley garden last fall. Apparently it likes this garden spot better, as it has never looked more beautiful..Normally it had only one blossom and this year it sported "7". I wish it was still in the pation garden where are guests could view it during breakfast.

Local Michigan Strawberries

2010-06-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Nothing beats the flavor of a freshly picked Michigan strawberry. We were fortunate enough to get our first batch Saturday morning from our local, Suttons Bay Farmer's Market. Such a delight for the taste buds. Our guests enjoyed them in their bowls of fruit topped with our home made Korner Kottage Krunch granola and tomorrow will enjoy them atop their croissant french toast. Yum

Early Morning Paddle

2010-05-28T04:15:00.000-07:00

This has been such a spectacular week. The weather has been summer time perfect. One of our rare pleasures is to rise with the sun while all of Suttons Bay is still quiet and serene....drag our kayaks across an M~22 that lacks any traffic to the bay. To view the early morning sun as the fog is lifting on a crystal clear bay is just breath taking. One of life's truly simple but majestic pleasures. That's why we live in this beautiful village we call home.

Sweet little polka dots.........

2010-04-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

I love these sweet little polka dot dishes by Emma Bridgewater. They are hand decorated and made in England. The bonus is they are available at our own sweet little "Anchor Cottage" in Suttons Bay.

They make me smile when serving breakfast to our many guests at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast. The guests love them too.

We always love to see you in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:15:00.001-07:00

Make your northern Michigan vacation plans to stay in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

Shop, stop, eat and enjoy the sights in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:13:00.001-07:00

Great restaurants in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:12:00.001-07:00

Great places to eat and drink in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Great lodging and places to stay in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:10:00.002-07:00

It's always fun to be in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:10:00.001-07:00

Places to shop and stay in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

Look for all the OPEN signs

2010-04-21T15:07:00.001-07:00

Suttons Bay is beginning to open

2010-04-21T15:06:00.001-07:00

Pretty perennial flowers in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:05:00.001-07:00

Spring perennial flowers are beginning to appear all over the village of Suttons Bay

Great places to find spring... in Suttons Bay

2010-04-21T15:01:00.001-07:00

Great places to find spring .....

"Signs" of Spring in Suttons Bay Michigan

2010-04-21T10:36:00.001-07:00

A brisk morning stroll to our local post office, inspired us to look for signs of spring along the way, in our quaint little village by the bay. A drastic overnight change in the weather, from hig 60s and sunny yesterday, to a chilly, windy low 40s today, required us to grab gloves and fleeces before leaving the "kottage". None the less we were able to capture some "signs" along our block by the bay.

Spring time "up north" in Suttons Bay~Leelanua County

2010-03-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

Spring time is definitely showing her colors in northern Michigan. The only evidence of a by gone winter, are several dirty, grungy hills of snow scattered here and there around the village that were piled sky high during the winter snowfall. These piles have shrunk to just smallish heaps....a distant memory of the powdery white stuff falling from the sky in December and January.

The tri~colored waters of the bay are sparkling in their glory as the warming sun hits just right. It is a sight I never grow tired of viewing. I'm just waiting in anticipation to see the marina slips beginning to fill up with every size sailing boat ~ a sure sign that others are also thinking of warmer days ahead.

The quietness of the village during the winter is always a welcome respite from the busyness of the summer and fall. But now it's time for the tourists to return and the bustling village to re~awaken as well, to welcome all who journey to our "up north paradise" that we have the luxury of calling home.

Spring is a time of renewal and hope for the gardener's heart. As I peer out my windows I see evidence that there will soon be rebirth in my own quiet, sleeping garden. The tulips and lilies are already beginning to poke up through the ground. Once the leaves are cleared away on all the beds, it's like uncovering a hidden treasure to see what and where the flowers will appear. It's such an awesome thing to behold as the garden wakes up and becomes alive again. I can't wait.

We've been blessed here at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast to have had a busy winter with guest rooms filled beyond expectations for every month of our so called "off season". People definitely have found our special little place in the world....and have kept us busy all winter long. We are so thankful that we can share our home with others who want to explore and experience the Leelanau area and all it has to offer.

Come and see us. We think you will love it here as we do.... www.kornerkottage.com

March=Spring Cleaning the Inn and Eating Clean

2010-03-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of March I get the itch to commence my annual, old fashioned style of "spring cleaning". Especially since we've become the owners/inn keepers of the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, I adhere to this old custom of mine even more. It just feels good to move out all the furniture, wash the walls, repaint if necessary, wash and open up windows to let out the old stale air, and let in the fresh spring breezes...even if it is still less than "warm" outside. It is such a satisfying feeling to put everything back together and have it look and smell~fresh, shiny and sparkling clean.

It has also become a custom of mine, in March, to do some spring cleaning of my body as well. Last year I embarked on the "Master Cleanse" which was an interesting form of fasting, drinking only lemonade/cayenne pepper drink, lots of water and a sea salt water drink before bed to "cleanse" from the inside. I lasted on that cleanse for 6 days, which was a huge feat in itself....but then immediately went back to my normal eating habits. I just wanted to try it.

This March I started another cleanse which is much easier to follow. It is called the Quantim Wellness Cleanse by Kathy Freston. It is all about eliminating foods from your diet for 21 days that have negative effects on our healthy systems.

Therefore I have eliminated to the best of my ability all sugars, caffeine, diary, cheese, eggs, meat, or any other animal products, all gluten and alcohol as per her suggestions. This was very intimidating at the onset. I suffered some deprivation the first few days, especially a withdrawal from my morning 2 cups of coffee with creamer. The caffeine headache only lasted 2 days at the most.

Soon I began to feel the up side of this detoxing process. I immediately began to lose unwanted belly fat and a few extra pounds. After the first week I was feeling more energetic than I had anticipated. During this process I am continuing to do my normal daily workouts of running 3 miles every other day and free weights on the off running days. This cleanse has not inhibited my ability to do these workouts at all.

I am now starting the last week of the 21 days. I am already determined that I will continue eating this way even longer. I will probably bring back eating fruit as I do miss that from my diet....but pretty much that is the only thing I miss at this point. I have been finding many interesting ways to prepare vegetables that are very creative and tasty.

I shop at the store in a much more conscious and enlightened way. I mostly end up eating "natural" food which just has to be better for me. I'm even beginning to see my husband adopt some of these food choices as well without any coaxing from me at all.

Normally, my husband does the majority of the cooking at our "inn". He does "all" the breakfast cooking for our guests. But now I am choosing to do the cooking so I am becoming more responsible for the shopping part as well. I must say I am enjoying the whole experience much more than I thought I would.

Today I food a recipe for vegan split pea soup and that's what we're having for dinner tonight. The aroma as it has been simmering this afternoon is filling the house with such good smells. Here is the recipe in case any one would like to try it. Of course the only reason it's vegan is because it is meatless.

Vegan Split Pea Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion chopped, 1-2 bay leaves, 3 garlic cloves, 2 cup dried peas,
1 1/2 teaspoon salt, 7-8 cups water(can use part vegetable broth as well), 3 carrots shredded, 3 celery stalks chopped, 1-3 potatoes (optional), 1/2 cup chopped parsley,
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Saute onion, garlic, bay leaves and celery in olive oil. Add peas and remaining spices with water and vegetable broth. simmer 2 hours and then add carrot shreds and continue simmering until carrots are tender. Can puree part of soup if you like it thicker and less chunky. Enjoy...this is the basic recipe but it can be altered with different spices and addition of mushrooms or spinach, barley.

Here's to more "clean" eating in the future.

First Outdoor 5K of Season

2010-03-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

The last week has been just glorious in Suttons Bay. We have had a full week of sunshine and blue skies with temperatures hovering in the 40's. Absolutely spring fever is in the air for me and everyone else up north who has had enough of winter.

I've been literally chomping to take my running outside. Six weeks of training inside on the treadmill were testing my patience for an "on the road" run.

With our guests checked out, and my "cinderella" chores at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast done for the day.....my wait was over.

I grabbed my outdoor running gear and my dog, Nestle Quik, my constant running companion and we were off.

The sky was the clearest blue without a cloud in sight and the sun was blindingly bright. The tri colored blues of the water were mesmerizing and sparkling against the ever so quickly melting snow that rimmed the shoreline.

We decided to run along South Shore Drive so we could keep the water in our sight. We had a destination in mind to make our 5K challenge. We set off on a leisurely pace, testing out the legs. Speed was not an issue for this first run of the season. All that treadmill running seemed to have paid off.....it was an easy, easy run. The biggest obstacles were avoiding the mud and trying to keep Nestle Quik from dive bombing the last of the melting snowpiles along the side of the road and pulling me into the snow with her.

Since this is a relatively busy and scenic drive around the bay on the way to Stony Point, it is imperative that Nestle run with me on leash. Not her favorite kind of running but after several adjustments....she and I were in sync and in runners' heaven. We've been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. Our pace seemed to increase, and before long we were both breathing fairly hard as the scenery was flying by us.

It was so worth it....mud and all. My running shoes were wet and muddy and Nestle had to be bathed off in an outside bucket as she was covered with mud...feet, tail and belly. But she didn't seem to even mind the clean up. She just plain loves to run any where, any time...just let her outside. We both love to run.

Winter Time = Perfect Time for Hearty Soups

2010-02-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like cold, snowy and blustery winter weather outside, that inspires me to make hearty, healthy, hot soups to enjoy inside. Good old comfort food is just that...oh so comforting when it's cold outside. Unfortunately some of my favorite "comfort foods" can pack on some "un" comfortable added pounds this time of year. So I have found some great soup recipes that are quick and easy and satisfy as well without all the extra calories. Since our winters seem to last forever up here in Suttons Bay, Michigan, it affords me many opportunities to try out new and healthy soup recipes. Here are a couple I will be making this week. See what you think and let me know. I would enjoy your feed back.

HEARTY KALE SOUP

2 T. olive oil
2 med. onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 med. potaotes, cubed (I leave the skins on and use little red poatoes)
8 c. chicken broth (I use low sodium)
1 bay leaf
1 lb kale leaves, washed and torn into smallish pieces

*Saute garlic and onions in olive oil until onions are tender

*In large pot combine potatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf and the sauteed onion and garlic. Cook until potatoes are tender.

*Add kale leaves and cook about 10 more minutes. Remove bay leaf, taste and add salt(I add Mrs Dash's extra spicy instead). Makes abour 12 cups.

I told you it was SIMPLE and healthy.

CURRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

1 T. canola oil
1 large onion, chopped ( about 2 cups)
2 cloves of garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
One ~ 2 1/2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes
6 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 T. plus 2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (I omit and use Mrs. Dash)
2 T honey
4 teaspoons plain non fat yogurt for garnish

*Heat oil over med. heat in large pot. Add onion and garlic and sautee until tender, about 5-6 min. Add squash, broth, curry powder and Mrs. Dash and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to med-low and simmer until squash is tender....about 15 min. Remove soup from heat, stir, add honey and then puree until smooth in pot with an immersion blender....or divide into 2 batches if using a regular blender.

Ladle soup into serving bowls and drizzle with yogurt.

Your sense of sight, smell, and taste will be delighted by this soup. The squash gives it a rich orange color and a natural sweetness that goes perfectly with the fragrant curry spices.

CHICKEN TACO SOUP

1 can chicken breasts 13 oz
1 can diced tomatoes & chilies 11 oz
1 can diced tomatoes 28 oz
1 can green chilies 4 oz
1 can kidney beans 15 oz
1 can black beans 15 o z
1 can whole kernal corn 11 0z
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg.ranch dressing mix

*Shred the canned chicken. Do not drain the remaining cans. Combine all the ingredients into a crock pot or soup pot. Crock pot...cook on high 2 hours or on low 4 hours. If using a soup pan just simmer on low for an hour or more to mix the flavors.

Garnish with Sour cream (low fat or reduced) shredded cheese, crumbled tortilla chips.

If you can open cans...that's the hardest part about making this soup. The flavors blend and make a tummy warming meal.

Enjoy the soups and let me know if you try them and what you think. We enjoy making them and eating them here at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

XC Skiing the TART TRAIL in Suttons Bay, MI

2010-02-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

When I was awakened by the snowplows this morning.....I just knew it was going to be the perfect morning to hit the trail for some xc skiing. As much as I enjoy winter in northern Michigan, for some reason, this winter has not been my most active out doors. We spent all of January in Florida and then promptly hit the Body Balance Fitness Center in Suttons Bay to get back into our fitness routine. So, in between taking care of our winter time visitors at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, working out and many other various excuses..... I just haven't enjoyed the winter weather as much as normal. This morning I made up for that.The sun was shining, the air was chilly, fresh snow had fallen, the trail was recently groomed, my husband was an equally avid adventurer, and of course Nestle Quik, our Portuguese water dog......well, she was ecstatic. There is nothing that she enjoys more than a romp in freshly fallen snow. She doesn't care when or where...just let her out of the house to play in the snow and she is a happy, happy dog.We gathered our gear. We went and we conquered. We returned with happy hearts, plenty of laughs and good memories of another fun time spent playing in the snow. Those who do not have the luxury of winter time in northern Michigan.....well you just can not appreciate what you are missing.

Winter Time Fun in Northern Michigan

2010-02-18T11:31:00.000-08:00

We woke up early and got our morning chores completed so we were actually on route by 9:00.
We did our usual Traverse City stops; Sam's club, Meijers and Wal Mart~gathering supplies, food and sundries for a weekend houseful of guests at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast.

At last we were free to spend some time doing the fun things we enjoy most about winter in Michigan. With our fur friend~Nestle Quik leading the way~ we romped and stomped, running and puffing our way around the fabulous hiking trails on the Grand Traverse Commoms grounds. We figured we were out there a good hour and a half. We did not even begin to cover all of the trails. We didn't have our snow shoes or our xc skis or even our sleds...but we certainly could have. We just had on boots with our yak tracks and we had a blast.

We tackled the biggest hills we could find...Nestle of course beating us to the top as usual. She loves to play monkey in the middle and she is always the monkey, running back and forth between us, up and down the trails. She loves to be called and egged on from one of us to the other. Her end prize is a treat doled out from each of us at either end of her romp. She never seems to get enough. She will do this as long as we can stay out there. She tires, but she never quits. We always quit first.

It was a perfect morning, sunny and not too cold. There were others out taking advantage of the day and the trails, but the property is so large, you can have as much solitude as you like. We saw some kids with their parents using sleds on some of the really steep , slick packed hills. So fast and so fun on the trip down, but always a challenge to get back up to the top. We saw solitary snow shoe rs, some who were accompanied by their fur friends and some just enjoying the alone time.

Our plan had been to get back to Suttons Bay and then go to Body Balance to finish working out.....we didn't even need to. We had the best work out available...fresh air, running up and down snow covered trails trying to keep up with a frisky, fun loving 4 footed friend who just can't get enough of winter time fun. She gets us out in the winter and we are so glad she does.

Those who don't take advantage of the beauty of winter do not know what they are missing.

How I Ended Up in Suttons Bay?

2010-02-15T07:48:00.001-08:00

Was it always a life long dream of mine to become an inn keeper? Not on your life!!! In fact, it was a very random and impulsive decision made primarily by my husband, who just happened to love to cook. That hobby is what landed us at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in the quaint, little village of Suttons Bay, Michigan.

We actually first arrived in Suttons Bay by accident. Traveling to Traverse City was a popular destination for us. On a whim we just happened to go to Northport searching for a cottage that had been owned by relatives many years ago. I'm embarrassed to say, as life long Michigan residents, neither of us had ever heard of the Leelanau Peninusla. We were pleasantly surprised!!! M~22 is the most scenic route any where, ever.

As we set off for Northport, we happened through Suttons Bay. We immediately had to stop to wander the village streets and the marina/park area. At the end of the village on our way towards Northport, we noticed this cute bed and breakfast. Jim made a mental note of it and consequently began the quest to get a reservation in the summer. Much to our chagrin it was almost impossible to book a one night stay in the summer. Not to be defeated, several summers later he wore down the previous inn keeper and secured our reservation. (Only now to do we understand why it was difficult to get a last minute reservation here in the summer.)

Upon arrival I was dropped off at Hats and Haberdashery,(now Haystacks) my new "favorite" shop in the village, while Jim went on to check in. In a short time of introductions and chit chat, he had established that the inn keeper was possibly looking to continue for 5-6 six more years before looking to do something else. Jim~impulsively said, "Here is my card, when you are ready to sell, call me as I want to buy your business". When this conversation was repeated to me I was shocked. We had never talked of this, and besides I was still teaching and well...not to worry.....she will never call us . But trick on us, she called us that winter stating she might like to sell sooner than she thought.

WE held off making final arrangements for another 2 summers, but eventually ended up selling our home down state as we acquired the Korner Kottage to become it's new innkeepers in April 2006.

We have learned "enormously" about inn keeping since our first, naive summer season as inn keepers. We have the inn keeping "thing" down to a well oiled machine by now. We have been pleasantly surprised by how well we seem to fit into this world of nurturing and care giving.

It has enriched our lives in a way that is frankly, indescribable. Yes, it was weird the first few times we had complete strangers staying in our home. But now, it is an opportunity to meet new faces, and just another set of guests, who arrive as strangers but depart as friends.

We live like company is always coming and are better off for it. To share our home with strangers walking through our door is a gift we just can not explain. It is a wonderful experience that has expanded and enriched our life experiences. We get to witness the best of mankind here. We honestly have not had a difficult guest....ever. Besides, it's a wonderful excuse to have a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table year round.

We're Back At It at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast

2010-02-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

It's a beautiful sunny day in the village of Suttons Bay, Michigan. Our month in Florida seems like a distant memory already sad to say. But we've been very productive since we've returned to winter in Michigan.

I've made good on my New Year's goals of incorporating healthy oatmeal into my breakfast routine. I'm pleasantly surprised to admit publicly that after all the years I've given it such a bad rap.....the taste and texture is actually growing on me. Of course the taste is so greatly enhanced by adding just a few sprinkles of our Korner Kottage Krunch granola . All in all I am honestly accomplishing this goal. Not that I eat it every day, but at least a couple mornings a week.

Another goal I've made and keeping is working out regularly at our local Body Balance gym. I've been going almost daily~well 5~6 times per week. I've have back at it only 2 weeks and seeing and feeling noticeable results. Oh it feels so good to get back in shape. I was pleasantly surprised to discover our gym offering Zumba, a dance style exercise one evening a week. It's such high energy, fun and a real work out.....total booty kicking fun.

Our weekends have found us busy at the bed and breakfast with a full house which is always nice having some company (guests) around in the off season. People still want to come "up north" for the snow, the wineries, the shopping and of course the foodies always find us here. This weekend (Feb. 12/15) is Traverse City's Cherry Capital Winter Wonderland Festival with all sorts of outside and inside winter activities being planned. It's good to know that no matter what season you come for a visit, there is always plenty to do.

We (Jim and I) are still into the reading mode ~ a by product of vacation. We've decided to tackle some of the old classics that we read YEARS ago but that are worthy of rereading. I'm in the process of Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, and Atlas Shrugged. I've already finished Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, The Pearl, Cannery Row and Of Mice and Men. Boy if you ever start feeling sorry for yourself these days...just reread some of his works and you will reevaluate your circumstances. Next, I'll be digging into some of Charles Dickens ,if I don't run out of time before we really get busy again.

Another of our winter evening past times is playing games...board games, cribbage, cross word puzzles and our new favorite~Banana Grams. We took it to Florida and got everyone hooked. We took it home for the holidays and got more family hooked and now we're getting our friends here addicted. If you've not tried it you should it a whirl. It's easy, fun and makes your brain actually get a little work out. Your kids can play it as well.

Here's hoping every one else is having some success accomplishing their goals for 2010, whatever they may be. Here's another Oatmeal recipe we've been enjoying while on this journey of eating healthy.

Sweet English Breakfast Porridge~shared from Inn Cuisine

Yield: 4~6 cups

*4 cups water
*2 teaspoon salt (I omit)
*2 1/2 cups uncooked oats
*3 tablespoons butter (I use about 1/2 of this amount)
*1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (more or less if desired)
*1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (more or less if desired)
*1 cup packed brown sugar
*1/4 cup maple sugar (we use locally made)
*1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

In a medium, heavy~bottomed saucepan, bring water and salt to a rolling boil. Stir in the oats; stirring constantly, cook over medium heat for one minute. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well until thoroughly incorporated. spoon into individual bowls and top with additional cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and/or maple syrup if desired.

****This is NOT the way I eat my normal morning oatmeal. But this is a real sweet treat.....

Korner Kottage Missing in Action

2010-01-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

Where has Korner Kottage Krunch been for the month of January? Not to rub it in or anything, but we've been basking in the glow of family and sunshine in balmy Florida for the whole month. We've been recharging our batteries and storing up energy for the busy months ahead so we can truly be the nuturing inn keepers our guests expect when they stay with us at the bed and breakfast in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

Every January we seem to extend our stay in Florida to additional weeks. This year's trip was extended to a full fledged month. I hope the relatives don't think we have over stayed our visit. The ideal situation for us is we have two places to stay so it helps spread out the duration. We also spend a couple days with friends in Naples to give the family a mid~week break.

The weather has been cooler than normal but who can complain of sun and 60's in January. Honestly, when we first arrived we thought we were still in Michigan with freezing temperatures. We had to wear our fleece for a few days. I hope our disappointment was not too obvious. Afterall we had just spent 2 long 10-12 hour days traveling by car to achieve.... not much change in the temperature. Much to our joy the cold snap didn't last long though and soon the fleece were replaced by sandals. Such is the coyness of January weather in Florida.

Now as our departure date looms closer, our remaining days left in the warm weather become more precious. We try to take advantage of every opportunity to play outside, soaking up the Vitamin D and walking the beaches in summer wear...casting aside all the heavy winter gear that greets us as we make our way back to Suttons Bay. Today's weather in Venice is 70's sunny. If the weatherman's predictions are correct, we will return to 20 degrees by the end of this week in Northern Michigan.

Are we ready to leave family and warmth behind for another year? Not really, but it's time to get back to reality. We have a month's worth of mail waiting to be opened, bills to be paid, shopping to be done all in perparation for the weekend guests that will be arriving when we get back. Not to mention....do I still have some Christmas decorations that need to be taken down? Oh my...we've been gone a very long time. But we are returning refreshed, relaxed, restored and energized with memories to last us until next January.

Award winning Michigan Baked Oatmeal

2010-01-25T06:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you Jodi for bringing this oatmeal recipe to my attention. I can't help but think that our awesome KORNER KOTTAGE KRUNCH HOME MADE GOURMET GRANOLA would be an awesome addition as a topping to this recipe. Trying to get myself to like to eat OATMEAL...

Michigan Baked Oatmeal
Diane Nemitz of Ludington won first place in the breakfast category with this company-ready dessert with a delicious bread-pudding consistency at Friske Orchards' 6th annual cherry recipe contest.
Associated Recipes: Brunch at the Cottage, Comfort Food, Fresh Fruit Desserts, Ski Weekend Breakfasts
Category: Breakfast and Brunch, Sauces
By: Diane Nemitz of Ludington, Mich.

Diane Nemitz of Ludington won first place in the breakfast category with this company-ready breakfast with a delicious bread-pudding consistency at Friske Orchards' 6th annual cherry recipe contest.

Ingredients
For baked oatmeal:

•1 cup old fashioned oats
•1/4 teaspoon almond extract
•2 cups milk
•1/4 cup sliced almonds
•1/4 cup dried cherries
•1/4 cup chunky applesauce
•1 tablespoon brown sugar
For cherry sauce:

•1 quart frozen tart red cherries
•1/2 cup sugar
•1 teaspoon grated orange rind
•1/8 teaspoon almond extract
•1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water

Preparation
For oatmeal:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Mix all ingredients together into a greased oven proof 1 1/2 quart dish. Sprinkle additional almonds on top. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve with cherry sauce and additional milk or cream if desired.

For cherry sauce:

Place cherries in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat until juices are released. Add remaining ingredients and cook, stirring frequently, over low heat until sauce had thickened. Serve warm.

Serves 2 generously, 4 as part of a bigger breakfast. May be easily doubled. Increase baking time to 45 minutes and keep an eye on it.

New Year Traditions

2010-01-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

As 2010 is upon us at our Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, it is a time of reflection of our many guests who have passed through our doors. It certainly is a magical experience having those chance encounters of "arriving as strangers but leaviing as friends" even after the briefest of stays. It takes a certain amount of trust on both parts , guest and inn keeper to make this a successful experience . But when you are lucky....it just all seems to work beautifully. It is an honor to touch the lives of some many people in one year's time. Thank you to all who have passed through our doors. You have enriched our lives in countless ways. We hope you will return and we welcome the new guests who walk through in 2010.

Looking for good luck in 2010? We started this New Year off with a southern tradition of eating Black~eyed Peas Hoppin' John. Our neighbors introduced us to this tradition by inviting us to enjoy this wonderful home cooked, traditional meal on New Year's Day this year. This tradition claims it will bring you good luck in the year ahead if actually eaten on New Year's Day. Some purist even go a step further I'm told, by actually eating it right at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. With many focused on the negative things to come...I think anything to ensure a little additional good luck in the year ahead is definitely worth trying. And this is such a deliciously spicy bean dish with black~eyed peas, andouille sausage, onions, spices and rice.....why not. It certainly can't hurt to give it a try.

Here's Emeril Lagasse"s Hoppin' John recipe for you to try. I do believe it is very close to the recipe we were served.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large ham hock or andouille sausage
1 onion, chopped
1/2 c. celery, chopped
1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 pound black~eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed
1 quart chicken stock
Bay leaf
1 teaspoon dry thyme leaves
salt, black pepper, cayenne to taste
3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
3 cups steamed white rive

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil in pot, add the ham hock or sausage and sear on all four sides for 4 minutes. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic and cook another 4 minutes. Add the black~eyed peas, chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the peas are creamy and tender, stir occasionally. If the liquid evaporates, add more water or stock. Adjust seasonings, and garnish with green onions. Serve over rice (we just mixed it altogether. Corn bread goes wonderfully with this dish as well.

Give it a try and let me know if it brings you good luck....or if this is already a tradition in your household, I would welcome your comments regarding eating and luck for the new year.

Another new tradition that I am hoping will bring me good health as well as luck in the new year, is making myself eat a bowl of oatmeal every morning for breakfast. My all time dislike of any cooked cereal goes way back to my youth and being persuaded to at least try some. It is all about the texture of the oatmeal I believe that bothers me. However, I bit the bullet and have started eating the oatmeal and actually am finding it not as unappetizing as my memory registers. Of course, this time around I am adding a few other goodies to top the oatmeal like some local pure maple syrup sugar (just a few sprinkles) and some of our wonderful home made Korner Kottage Krunch granola. Absolutely anything takes better when our Krunch granola is added as a topping.

So here's hoping for a healthy, lucky and prosperous New Year to all.

Snow Movers in Suttons Bay

2009-12-22T05:10:00.000-08:00

One thing you do not have to worry about if you are thinking of coming "up north" is what to do about all the snow. We have the best snow removers I've ever witmessed. Thanks to Wally and Bob at the Village~snow is plowed and moved away and sidewalks cleared at the earliest wee hours of the morning. They take such good care of us here at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast. We are thankful for all their good work. We know their day starts "very early" when the snow flies. Thanks you guys for all you do to keep us and our guests snow free on our corner of the block.

Peanut Butter Banana Parfait with Korner Kottage Krunch Granola

2009-12-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

As the last days of 2009 come to an end I thought it would be fun to share some thoughts reflecting on the last couple of seasons here at the B&B. One thing we love about being innkeepers at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, Michigan is the constant feed back, recipes and suggestions we receive from our guests. Not to mention the many memories they give to us to recall.

One day a guest sent us a thank you note for the wonderful visit they had recently had with us. The nicest part of the note was how they had taken home a box of our Krunch home made granola to enjoy at home. They had done some experimenting and came up with an easy recipe that we have shared with many of our breakfast guests since then. I would love to share this simple, healthy treat with you.

It is called Peanut Butter Banana Krunch Parfaits.....for lack of a fancier name. You simply layer sliced bananas, vanilla yogurt that has been mixed with your favorite peanut butter and sprinklings of Korner Kottage Krunch granola in between each layer. If you serve this in a pretty stemmed parfait goblet it is truly quite elegant. And the best part is it tastes "divine". It has become a favorite among our guests.

I also reminisce about the many couples who've been our guests who pop the question while visiting. I know much thought, anticipation and planning must go into the planning of these special visits at the B&B. It always warms our hearts to know that we have become part of "their story" now. In many cases we end up helping to plan the wedding at a nearby winery or attend the wedding and in some instances even host the bride and groom and attendants or family members here at the B&B. Nothing is more exciting to us than to have the happily married couples show up here at the end of their special day in their wedding attire for the first night of their honeymoon...or "mini~moon" as they sometimes call it. One memory stands out as the happy couple came to breakfast still in their wedding clothes as they had misplaced the key to the car holding all their suitcases and clothes. Just another day to wear that pretty wedding dress and tux one more time.

As the Christmas lights twinkle and shine we feel truly blessed to have touched the lives and made memories with some many guests who've visited us here. This is just the beginning as we look towards a new year in which to make many more memories for all those who pass through the Korner Kottage in 2010.

Have You Had Your Granola Today?

2009-12-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

As the owners/inn keepers of Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Northern Michigan, we have more free time this time of year than in any other season. We sigh with relief for some much needed rest and relaxation for ourselves. But that being said, on the other hand we also anxiously await guest interactions in our house. Even our resident "welcome to the B&B greeter" Nestle Quik (our portuguese water dog) feels and senses the quietness inside. So our challenge becomes~how to purposely fill this space of extra time.

Not to worry , this additional gift of time affords us to focus on our other passion, which is making the best krunchy, filled with heart healthy protein and fiber, whole wheat and multi grains, flax and hemp seed, dried fruits and healthy nuts~Korner Kottage Krunch~homemade gourmet granola. It is our passion to offer our guests the freshest, healthiest and locally Michigan made granola product around.

We've researched and taste tested many granola mixes out on the market. We feel we have developed the best of the best. In doing research we discovered the nutritional value and perfect protein booster of the hemp seed. No other single source has its proteins that are so easily digested. Hemp is a source of omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids as well as amino acids that our own bodies do not make or store naturally. It's important to consume small amounts of these on a daily basis. So we grind the hemp seeds and loving add them to our granola recipe. Along with hemp seeds we also grind and add flax seeds for the same nutritional benefits.

Now our guests are not at first necessarily interested in the health benefits of Korner Kottage Krunch. All they rave about is the unique taste and krunchiness. When we tell of all the additional health benefits it's just an added bonus. We serve our heart healthy, good for you granola as a topping to our morning offering of fresh local fruits with yogurt. But we also slip it into our home made cookie dough or our home made muffins. Korner Kottage Krunch can easily be added to many common foods and recipes to offer that extra nutritional bonus.

So as we settle into this quieter time at the Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay~you may just find us testing and sampling new and creative ways to make our guests healthier. We are creating menus to our morning breakfasts in which to serve heart healthy, daily dose of Korner Kottage Krunch~home made gourmet granola.

Suttons Bay~12 Days of Christmas & More

2009-12-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me......

1~ bottle of wine from the Silvertree Deli
2~ tickets from The Bay Theatre
3 ~meals from Martha's Leelanau Table
4~tables and chairs from Edwards furniture

5~M a t a d o r p e s t o v e g g i e p i z z a

6~homemade fudges from Candy World
7~Happy Woman party napkins
8~ Painted Bird gems of jewelry
9~ cards, ribbons and wrappings from The Business Helper
10~ kitchen gadgets from the Front Porch
11~flowers and greens from Forget~Me~Not Florist
12~Bahles' Barbour jackets.......and SO MUCH MORE!!!!

The Chamber and all the businesses of Suttons Bay wishes you a Merry Christmas. We are open and here to serve you in any last minute shopping and/or dining.

Bag Some More Granola Please

2009-12-17T05:56:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning, turned on the computer to find more requests/orders for granola! So we do what we always do when that happens~we filled more orders for our "home made" Korner Kottage Krunch~gourmet granola.

We lovingly chop, cut, mix & stir so you don't have to. We bake and stir and bake and stir some more. Our KRUNCH makes a healthy, tasty snack for breakfast or any time of the day. You can eat it alone or add it to a million different things like oatmeal, pancakes, cookie mixes whatever your imagination conjurs up. It adds an extra "krunch".

We use ingredients you won't find in most granola. Ours is "tasty" as well as "good" for you. We add flax & hemp seeds that we grind ourselves with an added touch of local maple syrup from our local maple syrup grower. We also include some of our locally dried cherries. We feel it is important to use as much from our local community as possible to bring this product to you. This is a locally MICHIGAN MADE product ~ just for you.

Hmmmm.... good and so good for you. It does not resemble in any way that bland tasting, blah granola you find in most packages of store purchased granola. It is even better than the bulk granola available from "health food" stores. At least that is what "our guests" tell us. You'll need to try some and see for yourself if you can taste the difference.

So how did we come to get into the granola business when we already were running a bed and breakfast business? Well it's our guests fault. Due to all their prodding and begging and encouragement , we finally decided to give it a try. Our gourmet granola Korner Kottage Krunch business was officially born. We served it every morning at our Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, MI in addition to fresh fruit and yogurt. The guests loved the locally grown fresh fruit but they just couldn't stop raving about our granola that they added to the fruit. They wanted the recipe, they wanted to take some back home with them. They wanted it, requested it, wrote back to tell us after they got home how much they liked it...and so we started selling it to them.

After jumping through all the hoops and meeting regulations, requirements and inspections required to go into a small food business~we did it. It's been and continues to be a labor of love on our part~but our guests (and now regular customers) still LOVE and still ORDER our Korner Kottage Krunch. Thank you every one for pushing us into this. Now I'm off to the Post Office to mail off these orders.

Groomed Trail

2009-12-16T16:10:00.001-08:00

Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast Hoping to xc ski the trail from Suttons Bay to Traverse City~18 miles one way so will only do a portion....but it's groomed with freshly fallen snow :) must take advantage of that.

Noticed How Different The Garden Looks Covered in Snow

2009-12-16T15:28:00.001-08:00

Couldn't help but notice today when taking Nestle Quik out for her mid-day walk that the lake effect snow we received in Leelanau County overnight has settled in a very gentle way on hydrangeas.

I wonder how other gardener's see their gardens in the winter.

A Granola Packed Full of Wholesome and Healthy Ingredients

2009-12-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

Korner Kottage Krunch is packed full of wholesome and healthy ingredients that you should insist that your granola has when you're enjoying your bowlful every morning for breakfast or a healthy snack throughout the day.

Ingredients include Rolled Oats, Almonds, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds, Hemp Seeds, Raisins, Dried Cherries(sugar & sunflower oil), Canola Oil, Pure Maple Syrup. (Dried Mango and Dried Apricot are preserved with Sulfur Dioxide.)

Korner Kottage Krunch - The Granola Created for Bed and Breakfast Guests

2009-12-16T14:39:00.001-08:00

Guests of the Korner Kottage Bed & Breakfast began adding our "still warm from the oven" Korner Kottage Krunch Gourmet Granola as a topping on orchard fresh fruits, berries and yogurt in 2006. Little did we know at the time we had created a beyond the necessities taste sensation for our guests. Once safely back home guests began inquiring about ordering more Korner KottageKrunch Gourmet Granola. In 2008 we began offering it for sale and have been filling orders ever since!

A great addition to oatmeal, excellent in a bowl with milk, and perfect as a healthy snack throughout the day.

At the Korner Kottage Bed & Breakfast living the sweet life is not only possible, it is the rule. Feed your soul and inspire your heart.

Jim and Linda Munro
Korner Kottage Bed & Breakfast
Suttons Bay, Michigan
231.271.2711