The GR Guide Summer Issue

SUMMER 2020 | ISSUE NO. 3

SUMMER STATE OF MIND

MAKE THE MOST OF THIS SUMMER WITH A FUN BUCKET LIST, DAYTRIPS TO TRY FROM GR, AND A BACKYARD S'MORES PARTY

PLUS, THE BEST SUMMER RECIPES (INCLUDING MY FAMILY'S FAVORITE BLUEBERRY PIE)

YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO.03

8 The Best Strawberry Freezer Jam My mom has been making this strawberry jam since I was little. It's now become our June tradition to make strawberry jam with fresh Michigan berries.

10 My Favorite Caprese Salad This caprese salad takes me back to our honeymoon in Rome. I recreated this salad at home with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. t's perfect for lunch on a warm summer day.

12 The Best Grilled Caesar Salad You're going to love this grilled caesar salad all summer long! It's so easy to make and perfect for those BBQ dinners this summer.

14 Our Family's Blueberry Pie This blueberry pie is my favorite part about summer.

I love the fresh Michigan blueberries and the sweet/tart crust.

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16 Cory's Famous Margarita Cory is famous for his signature margarita. On a hot summer day or for Taco Tuesday you can't go wrong with this margarita recipe.

18 A Backyard S'mores Party Summer isn't complete without s'mores. Find some tips and ideas for hosting a backyard s'mores party with your family or friends this summer. .

22 My Ultimate Summer Playlist Whether you're taking a drive up north, enjoying a day at the beach or relaxing at home this summer playlist is filled with great tunes.

24 Summer Bucket List + Holidays Make the most of this summer with the summer bucket list! Plus, celebrate some fun national holidays throughout the summer.

30 MI Day Trips to Try This Summer Take a drive this summer for a fun day trip with your family. I'm sharing my favorite spots to enjoy a day trip from Grand Rapids.

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32 Tips for Your Garden This is the perfect summer to plant a garden with your family. Planting veggies or herbs are great to enjoy througout the summer. Get some tips for your garden in this article!

34 Summer Date Ideas Trying to plan a special date night this summer?

Here are some great ideas for a fun date night in West Michigan.

38 The Best Ice Cream Shops in GR Ice cream and summer are the best combination.

Check out this article for some of my favorite ice cream shops here in Grand Rapids.

40 Guide to Wine Tasting Up North Headed up north this summer? Don't miss my guide to wine tasting along Old Mission Peninsula or Leelanau Peninsula. Cheers!

47 Summer Reading List Need a new book to read this summer? I've got you covered with this summer reading list. These books are great to enjoy at the beach or on vacation.

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HI FRIENDS -

Cheers to the start of summer! This season feels like a breath of fresh air after a long "stay at home" spring. In some ways the beginning of a new season also welcomes in a fresh start.

In the spirit of welcoming in summer 2020 I'm focusing on intention. With the pandemic and everything going on in our country I've felt a shift. I'm thankful for this wake up call, and I'm continuing to seek ways I help.

Even though this summer might feel different with Covid-19 restrictions, summer isn't going anywhere. You can still wake up early to see the sunrise, stay up late to catch a sunset over Lake Michigan, enjoy dinner outside with your family, pick fresh blueberries for a blueberry pie, run through the sprinkler and walk barefoot in the grass. Pay attention to the small moments of joy this season holds. You Sara Visser don't want to miss it. o5 | Â www.thegrguide.com EDITOR, SAVORY MAG

“Summer afternoon —summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language," HENRY JAMES o6 | www.thegrguide.com

This strawberry jam is the absolute best. I love this jam on toast for breakfast or even for making strawberry shortcake. Use fresh Michigan strawberries (found in June) to make this delicious strawberry freezer jam.

DIRECTIONS

Clean your mason jars. I like to use half pint jars for this recipe,

Making this strawberry jam with my mom and sister is a

but you can use whatever size you prefer.

summer tradition I truly love. I would highly suggest using

Clean your strawberries and remove the stems. In a large bowl

Michigan strawberries (found in June) to make this freezer

crush the berries with your hands. I like to leave a few larger

strawberry jam. INGREDIENTS

2 cups fresh strawberries (crushed) 4 cups granulated sugar 3/4 cups water

pieces, but make sure most of the berries are crushed.

Pour the crushed berries into a measuring cup to measure exactly 2 cups. Measuring EXACTLY is key to making this jam recipe.

Add the 4 cups of sugar to the strawberries. Again make sure you measure exactly. Stir occasionally for 10 minutes.

1 box Sure Jell Fruit Pectin (I recommend the original - not sugar free)

In a saucepan add the water and pectin. Bring this to a boil and stir constantly. After it comes to a bowl stir for 1 minute.

Remove from the heat and add to the strawberry/sugar mixture (after the 10 minutes has passed). Stir everything together until the sugar is dissolved for 3 minutes.

Fill the jars and leave 1/2" at the top. Put the lids on and let them sit on the counter for 24 hours before freezing them.

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This caprese salad takes me right back to the streets of Rome on our honeymoon. I love the fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. This salad is perfect for lunch on a hot summer day.

You're going to love this caprese salad for lunch or

DIRECTIONS

dinner this summer. Use fresh tomatoes and basil

Wash your tomatos and cut them 1/4 inch thick. Set aside

from the farmers market with buffalo mozzarella for this yummy salad.

INGREDIENTS

3-4 vine-ripened tomatoes 1 pound of buffalo mozzarella 10-15 basil leaves

Cut the mozzarella 1/4 inch thick. Make sure your mozzarella is cold before cutting it. Sometimes I put it in the freezer for a few minutes. Set aside Begin assmbling the salad on a plater. Alternate the tomato, mozzarella and basil.

Extra virgin olive oil Balsamic vinegar Salt Pepper

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Drizzle the salad with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.

Cory and I love making this grilled caesar salad for lunch or dinner during the summer months. Grilling the romaine really gives the lettuce some great flavor to a classic salad.

DIRECTIONS

You're going to LOVE this grilled caesar salad! If you're not a fan of anchovies you could also add chicken to this caesar salad.

INGREDIENTS

1 Romaine heart Parmesan cheese

Cut the romaine heart in half lengthwise.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

When the grill is ready put the romaine on the grill cutside down. Cook until you have some grill marks 2-3 minutes at the most.

Caesar dressing

Top the grilled romaine with your favorite caesar dressing

Pepper

(we love the one from Newman's Own). Add the freshly

Anchoives - Optional

grated parmesan cheese, pepper (to your liking), and

Croutons - Optional

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anchovies or croutons if you prefer.

This blueberry pie is a little slice of heaven for me. I have memories of my grandma making this pie on warm summer afternoons by the lake. It will forever be my favorite dessert shared with my favorite people.

This pie tastes best with fresh Michigan blueberries.

Picking blueberries with my nephews last year was a highlight, and the berries were so good in this pie.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST:

DIRECTIONS

1/2 cup butter (softened)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Use a 9" pie plate and

1 cup flour

mix the butter, flour, sugar, and salt. Sprinkle with

1 teaspoon sugar

vinegar and form into a ball. Press evenly in pie plate and

1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vinegar FOR THE FILLING:

1 1/2 cups sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 3 cups of fresh blueberries 1 1/2 cups water

bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the crust.

In a saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Add 1 1/2 cups of blueberries and water. Bring the mixture to a boil stirring constantly. Cook until thick and clear. Cool the filling.

Pour remaining 1 1/2 cups of blueberries into cooled crust and pour thickened blueberry mixture overtop. Chill the pie thoroughly in the refrigerator.

Serve with whipped cream.

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Cheers to Cory's famous margaritas. Seriously, he makes the BEST margaritas that are great for Taco Tuesday or a warm summer day. Enjoy!

Make this margarita recipe for Taco Tuesday or for happy hour this summer. Cheers!

INGREDIENTS

Ice 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila 1 ounce Triple Sec

DIRECTIONS

If you love a salt rimmed glass rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Pour coarse salt on a plate and dip the rim of the glass in the salt until it sticks.

3/4 ounce lime juice 1 teaspoon simple syrup Lime wedge Coarse Sea Salt

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In a cocktail shaker add the tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake until combined.

Fill your glass with ice. Pour the margarita over the ice and serve immediately. Add the lime wedge to the rim of the glass.

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You can really think outside the box with so many different toppings, chocolate, and cookies/crackers to make s'mores. For this s'mores party I grabbed our favorite windmill cookies, Oreo cookies, Fudge Stripe cookies, and classic graham crackers. You could also do chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, cinnamon graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers for more options.

TIPS FOR A FUN BACKYARD S'MORES PARTYÂ Summer and s'mores go together like peanut butter and jelly. Agreed? It's the classic summer dessert that's so fun to make, and tastes amazing. I've always been a fan of the classic s'mores with graham crackers, milk chocolate and a lightly browned marshmallow. But, to take s'mores to the next level I created a s'mores board with delicious options to get creative.

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When it comes to the chocolate you can't go wrong with milk chocolate.

But, my absolute favorite is dark chocolate for a little more depth of flavor.

I think the biggest hit of the night were the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that everyone couldn't get enough of. I also included Kit Kat's, M&M chocolate bars, and some dark chocolate sea salt caramels. Any type of candy bar or fine chocolate bar is perfect to try with s'mores.

For additional toppings I included peanut butter, pretzels, bananas, and strawberries for an extra kick of flavor. You could do any type of fruit, hazelnut spread, cookie butter or caramel sauce for this.

Invite your friends or family over for this s'mores party and trust me you'll have a fabulous summer night. Kids and adults love s'mores and it's a fun way to enjoy a beautiful summer bonfire.

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Crackers & Cookies Graham Crackers Oreo Cookies Windmill Cookies Fudge Stripe Cookies

Chocolate Milk Chocolate Dark Chocolate M&M Chocolate Bar Kit Kat Bar Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Bar Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Add-Ons Strawberries Bananas Peanut Butter Pretzels and don't forget the marshmallows!

EVERYDAY - EDIT IN THE MOMENT HOLD ON SUMMERTIME MAGIC GOODPAIN SUNDAY BEST BEAUTY IN THE LIGHT- ACOUSTIC I'M GOOD ACROSS THE ROOM - TYCHO REMIX FALLINGWATER HONEYBEE GOODMORNING, GOODBYE DOG DAYS ARE OVER THREE LITTLE BIRDS L.E.S. ARTISTES HARMONY HALL WHOLE HEART KINGS OF SUMMER HYMN FOR THE WEEKEND - SEEB REMIX ALOHA FEEL ALIVE (FEAT. ARIZONA)Â

CONNOR YOUNGBLOOD, NYLO OUTERSKIES, GABRIEL JAMES AMES CHILDISH GAMBINO YOKE LORE SURFACES HOLLOW COVES THE MOWGLI'S ODESZA, LEON BRIDGES, TYCHO MAGGIE ROGERS THE HEAD AND THE HEART FRENSHIP FLORENCE + THE MACHINE BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS SANTIGOLD VAMPIRE WEEKEND GRYFFIN, BIPOLAR SUNSHINE AYOKAY, QUINN XC11 COLDPLAY, SEEB MOME, MERRYN JEANN R3HAB, ARIZONA

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MAKE S'MORES

ACT OF KINDNESS

GO TO A DRIVE-IN MOVIE

HAVE A BBQ

HAVE A PICNIC

MAKE A PLAYLIST

MAKE TIE-DYE SHIRTS

READ A NEW BOOK

GO GOLFING

WATCH THE SUNSET

MAKE STRAWBERRY JAM

WINE TASTING NIGHT

GO ON A DAYTRIP

WATCH THE SUNRISE

PLANT A GARDEN

LEARN A NEW SKILL

CAMP IN THE BACKYARD

GET ICE CREAM

HEAD TO THE BEACH

MAKE BLUEBERRY PIE

FARMER'S MARKET

GO STAR GAZING

GO FOR A BIKE RIDE

TAKE A BOAT RIDE

UNPLUG FOR 24 HOURS

GO ON A HIKE

Make the most of this summer season with these fun national holidays! I feel like we could all use any reason to celebrate these days. Am I right?

Pick some of your favorite holidays to celebrate this summer. I'm all about social media day, national avocado day, national book lovers day and national dog day. Enjoy and share your favorites with me on social media @thegrguide!

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Shop local for Father's Day with my gift guide on the blog!

June 20

June 21

June 22

June 23

First Day of Summer

Father's Day

National Onion Rings Day

National Hydration Day

June 25

June 26

June 29

June 30

National Coconut Day

National Camera Day

Social Media Day

National Strawberry Parfait Day

A trip to Hancock is a must

July 1

July 4

July 6

July 7

International Joke Day

Independence Day

National Fried Chicken Day

National Dive Bar Day

July 11

July 12

Recipe on the blog!

July 8

July 10

National Freezer Pop Day

National Pina Colada Day

National Blueberry Muffin Day

July 13

July 14

July 17

July 18

National French Fry Day

National Mac & Cheese Day

World Emoji Day

National Sour Candy Day

July 19

July 21

July 22

July 24

National Ice Cream Day

National Junk Food Day

National Hot Dog Day

National Tequila Day

July 25

July 28

July 30

July 31

National Wine & Cheese Day

National Waterpark Day

National Cheesecake Day

National Avocado Day

National Simplicity Day

Try the margarita recipe in this issue

Recipe on the blog!

August 1

August 3

National Girlfriends Day

National Watermelon Day

August 4

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

Find my summer reading list in this issue!

August 5 National Oyster Day

August 6

August 7

August 9

August 10

National IPA Day

National Lighthouse Day

National Book Lovers Day

National S'mores Day

August 13

August 15

August 16

August 18

National Prosecco Day

National Relaxation Day

National Tell a Joke Day

National Fajita Day

August 21

August 23

August 24

August 25

National Senior Citizens Day

National Sponge Cake Day

National Waffle Day

National Banana Split Day

August 26

August 27

August 28

August 30

National Dog Day

National Just Because Day

National Red Wine Day

National Beach Day

Get some ideas for a s'mores party in this issue!

This is the perfect summer to take a drive and enjoy a day trip away from Grand Rapids. Here are some of my favorite destinations to explore for a day this summer.

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Ann Arbor

Grand Haven

Traverse City

Take a drive to Ann Arbor for the day to enjoy some great food walking around the University of Michigan. You have to stop at Zingerman's for a sandwich and their famous brownies. Take a walk down Main St. for some shopping and awesome dining options.

Grand Haven is a classic day trip option from Grand Rapids. Take a stroll down the pier with an ice cream cone or a Pronto Pup on a warm summer day. Bring your bathing suit and beach towel to enjoy a day laying out in the sand and swimming in Lake Michigan.

Head out early for a day trip to Traverse City this summer. Stop at a couple of wineries or breweries in the area and take in the sights of the bay. Enjoy lunch downtown at Amical (the best tomato soup) or enjoy the food trucks at Little Fleet.

Saugatuck

South Haven

Silver Lake

Cory and I love spending a summer afternoon in Saugatuck. Take a walk along the water and enjoy brunch at The Southerner with a blood orange mimosa. Stop in Brass Anchor or Sea Bags for some great shopping.

You'll love a day trip to South Haven for a day at the beach, some shopping and a beer at a local brewery. Explore the beautiful beaches and then enjoy a beer from Three Blondes Brewing.

Take a day trip to Silver Lake to see Little Sable Point Lighthouse. Cory and I love packing a picnic to enjoy at the beach and swimming in the lake. It's a perfect beach day getaway from Grand Rapids.

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Use Good Soil

Let There Be Sun

Start Small

We bought organic soil this year, and I can tell it's made a huge difference in our garden. Investing in quality soil that has a lot of nutrients is key for having your veggies or flowers grow. Trust me good soil is the best thing you can do for your garden.

Wherever you decide to plant your garden make sure it gets plenty of sunlight. Our tomatoes do really well in lots of sun so we make sure to plant these in a sunny area.

Whatever you decide to plant in your garden do a little research to see how much sunlight they need.

If you're starting a garden for the first time keep it small. You'll learn what works best and what doesn't for your garden space. When I first started my vegetable garden I did a few tomato plants. Our garden has grown a lot, but that's because we learned what plants thrive and which ones don't do as well.

Pick Your Plants

Water Every Day

Use Plant Food

I love shopping for my veggie plants at Ludema's here in Grand Rapids, MI. Their plants always do really well in our garden. I pick plants based on what Cory and I will eat, and what does well in our garden.

I water my garden every day to ensure the plants are getting enough water. You really have to keep up on watering so the plants don't die. I set a remider in my phone to get out and water my garden.

I started using plant food on my flowers and vegetable garden this year and have seen really great results so far. This is obviously optional, but plant food can really help your plants to thrive in your garden.

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Need some ideas for a fun summer date? Here are some great options for planning a special summer date night in West Michigan.

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Pack a Picnic

Backyard Movie

Drive to the Beach

Head to Martha's Vineyard or your favorite deli to stock up on some picnic snacks. I love a baguette, cheeses, meats, and some cookies for dessert. Drive to your favorite park or a lake to enjoy your picnic together on a warm summer day.

Set up a backyard movie night with your significant other! This is a great way to enjoy a nice summer night together. Pop some popcorn, get some movie snacks and watch a classic movie with some pillows and blankets in your backyard.

You can't get enough of these summer days at the beach. Drive to your favorite spot and enjoy a day together walking along the beach and swimming. Stop for some ice cream on your way home!

Grab a Drink at Haute

DIY Ice Cream Sundae

Happy Hour at Home

Take in the views of Grand Rapids at Haute! This is a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and a small plate together. I love going at dusk to see the sun go down over the city skyline.

Buy some of your favorite ice cream and do an ice cream sundae night.

Get all the toppings and have a fun date night trying different ice cream combinations.

Enjoy a happy hour together at home. Make a new cocktail together and enjoy a cheese board from Say Cheese GR.

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"Summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. For those few months, you're not required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep end of a pool give you a courage you don't have the rest of the year.

You can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on you, and no past.

Summer just opens the door and lets you out."

DEB CALETTI

Taco Tuesday

Make a New Recipe

Go for a Walk

Make your way to Donkey for some tacos and a margarita together. Cory and I love going here in the summer to enjoy the patio and the amazing food. I love their chips and guacamole!

Cory and I love looking for new recipes to try. Search for a recipe that you haven't made before and enjoy making dinner together. Play some Frank Sinatra while you're cooking an open a bottle of wine.

There are so many great trails or spots to take a walk in Grand Rapids. If you love hiking find a trail you could do together. Or just drive downtown and take a walk around the city.

Watch a Sunset

Farmers Market Date

Try a Bike Ride

Cory loves taking me to the beach so we can watch the sunset. Plan ahead to see what time the sun sets and drive to your favorite beach or park to see the sunset.

On Saturday mornings Cory and I love going to the Fulton Street Farmers Market. We love getting fresh veggies for dinner and delicious fruit. Make it a fun morning by stopping at Madcap for coffee and Van's Pastry for a donut.

If you both own bikes try a bike ride this summer. I would suggest biking around Reed's Lake and then stopping for ice cream at Jersey Junction.

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Jersey Junction

Frosty Boy

Love's Ice Cream

You can’t miss Jersey Junction with its iconic red building in East Grand Rapids. This old fashioned ice cream parlor is a step back in time with so many flavors to choose from (the toughest part). I'm a huge fan of the Coffee Lovers Dream ice cream.

I love visiting Frosty Boy with my nephews for some ice cream in the summer. They have flurries (my favorite) and speciality sundaes that are always delicious. You can visit their location in Cascade or Rockford. PS Wrigley also loves their doggy sundae.

Located in The Downtown Market you can find Love’s Ice Cream featuring vegan options and some amazing flavors. Trust me when I say their ice cream is absolutely incredible. This is a great spot to enjoy some ice cream after dinner at the market.

Kilwin's

Pinkie's Ice Cream

I'm a huge fan of the waffle cones from Kilwin's. With some chocolate chip ice cream in a homemade waffle cone I'm in heaven. You can visit Kilwin's in East Grand Rapids or downtown Grand Rapids.

Pinkie’s features ice cream from Sherman’s of South Haven including flavors like Birthday Cake, Java Chip, Grasshopper, Almond Joy and more! Keep your eyes open for their food truck around Grand Rapids this summer to enjoy these treats on the go!

Furniture City Creamery Where can you find ice cream made from scratch with local innovative flavors? Furniture City Creamery is located in East Hills and features homemade ice cream made with local ingredients which is amazing.

They also offer vegan ice cream options!

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Headed to Traverse City this summer? If you love wine you’re probably planning a visit to some of the popular wineries in the area. Whether you’re just getting into wine or you’re a wine expert I’m sharing some helpful tips and my favorite wineries on Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula

If you're planning a trip up north to wine taste here are some helpful tips:

Do Some Research With Covid-19 restrictions I would highly recommend doing some research before you do any wine tasting. Many wineries are requiring reservations so it's best to plan ahead. Please be patient, be kind and stay safe when you're visiting.

Make a Plan If you're planning to visit multiple wineries make sure you have a designated driver. This is a given, but worth mentioning before planning your trip.

Don't Be Afraid to Try Something New The best part about wine tasting is the opportunity to try a different variety or type of wine you might not be familiar with. Ask your wine server questions to learn more about how the wine is produced and what makes it unique.

Take it Slow If it’s a beautiful day in the area soak up the views and don’t feel rushed. Many wineries offer activities (ex: playing cornhole) and the opportunity to purchase food. Again, do some research with Covid-19 restrictions to see what the wineries are offering right now.

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Mari Vineyards Brys Estate Bonobo 2 Lads

Mawby Blustone Vineyards Black Star Farms Verterra Shady Lane Cellars Aurora Cellars

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Wineries I Love on Old Mission Peninsula:

Wineries I Love on Leelanau Peninsula:

Mari Vineyards:

Mawby:

Shady Lane Cellars:

You can’t miss Mari Vineyards as you drive up Old Mission Peninsula. You might think you ended up traveling to Italy when you see this stunning winery and walk inside. If you’re a fan of red wine this is the place for you as they specialize in grapes that typically aren’t produced on the peninsula. This is also a great winery to sit outside and enjoy the spectacular views!

If you love sparkling wine (cheers!) you have to try Mawby. Their Sandpiper wine was the featured drink at our wedding. They have a variety of amazing sparkling wine, and I would suggest trying their tasting flights that feature 2 sparkling wines paired with small bites of food.

Shady Lane Cellars has been a favorite of my family for many years. We could easily spend a couple of hours here enjoying a glass of wine while playing a competitive round of cornhole outside.

They have a beautiful outdoor patio to enjoy wine and a some snacks.

Brys Estate: Brys Estate is a must visit when you’re on Old Mission Peninsula and one spot that I would plan to spend some extra time. I love the view from the deck overlooking the vineyards. This is a great spot to also enjoy a cheese and charcuterie board. I would also recommend stopping by their Secret Garden to see the lavender fields and try their lavender hand lotion. It's my favorite!

Bonobo: Bonobo is a great spot to spend some time outdoors with a glass of wine. The view from the deck is amazing so be sure to enjoy your time at this winery.

You can also enjoy small plates here that are amazing with their wine!

2 Lads: You’ll love the view and wine from the tasting room at 2 Lads. The view really is so amazing and we have always had a great experience tasting the wines.

Seriously the views here are spectacular!

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Blustone Vineyards: I love Blustone Vineyards so much I’m actually a wine club member here. The modern building and spectacular wine just can’t be missed if you’re in the area. If you love red wine this is another winery that does red really well. But, they also have amazing white wine like the Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

Black Star Farms: We love visiting Black Star Farms on the Leelanau Peninsula during the summer months. They also have a location on Old Mission Peninsula which is great, but if you have the chance I love visiting them in Leelanau.

They have an amazing farm, outdoor patio and a wonderful cafe. Stop by to see the horses and other farm animals on the property.

Verterra: I always have to stop at Verterra while we’re in Leland. They have some of my favorite white wines in the area that we love pairing with fresh fish from Carlson’s. The Unoaked Chardonnay might be my all time favorite Michigan wine.

Aurora Cellars:

We love visiting Aurora Cellars to taste some wine and enjoy their outdoor area. The wines here are really good (I love the Pinot Gris and the Blanc de Blanc). Cory and I have done a tour here and loved learning more about their wine process.

Have fun and stay safe friends!

"Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August."

JENNY HAN 40 | Â www.thegrguide.com

1.I'm almost finished reading Summer of '69Â from Elin Hilderbrand. This book had me hooked from the beginning following a family living in 1969 in Nantucket. If you're headed on vacation soon or need a quick capitvating book I would highly recommend this one.

2. Sometimes I just crave a classic book during the summer months. It's refreshing to pick up a book you know and love to read on a warm summer day. One of my favorite classic books is The Great Gatsby. If you haven't read this classic book it's a must this summer.

3. I've made a goal to read an anti-racism book this summer. White Fragility has come highly recommended by so many people so I'm adding this to my reading this.

4. Every so often I love picking up a thriller book that keeps me on my toes. I've heard amazing things about The Silent Patient if you enjoy a good suspense book.

5. Flipping through a cookbook can be one of my favorite ways to relax. I absolutely love Half Baked Harvest, and this new cookbook Super Simple looks perfect for summer. I'm all about finding simple recipes to make especially during the summer months.

6. I love following Glennon Doyle and her new book Untamed has been on my list for awhile now. I love her writing and I know this book would be a great source of inspiration.

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“One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by."

JEANNETTE WALLS