"Signs" of Spring in Suttons Bay Michigan

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.

First Outdoor 5K of Season

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

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.

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

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 Krunch - The Granola Created for Bed and Breakfast Guests

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