Wednesday, March 5, 2014

The Henry Ford Greenfield Village 30 minutes from Parish House Inn

THE HENRY FORD
Greenfield Village 

The Tin Shop at greenfield Village
 The HENRY FORD is located in Dearborn, Michigan, just thirty minutes from Ypsilanti, and the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast. Under this name are it's attractions; Greenfield Village, Imax Theater, River Rouge Tour and the Museum. I am going to focus on each of these attractions separately in the next blogs.  This blog will just focus  on Greenfield Village.


The Pottery Shop at Greenfield Village
It all  began in 1929 when Henry Ford began collecting more than 100 historic buildings and thousands of artifacts.  He wanted to preserve America's agricultural and industrial roots for future generations, and so he placed them on land he owned in Dearborn in various urban and village settings.  Some of the structures that were moved and restored are Thomas  Edison's Menlo Park research laboratory, the Wright  Brothers' Bicycle Shop and Harvey Firestone's family farm.   This complex has also known as the first Theme Park and many years later,  Walt Disney used Greenfield Village as a model for Disneyland.

Today Greenfield Village  offers a wide range of attractions and activities.  It is open April 15 to November 2 from 9:30 AM to 5 PM seven days a week.  November and December hours are limited, but there are always special weekend events there.  Make your plans now for a  visit during the Spring, Summer or Fall.  To see it all usually will take more than one day, so be sure to check out our website for room  availability.



 For more information:
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Boulevard
Dearborn, MI 48124-5029
 1-800-835-5237

Monday, February 24, 2014

Hot Chocolate Mix recipe at the Parish House Inn

 Yes...it still looks like winter here.  Unfortunately the back parking area has become a sheet of ice, so getting a car out is a challenge.  But...the good news is that February is almost over.  I am looking forward to March and hopefully warmer temperatures.
In the meantime, there is always something to do inside.  This recipe for a hot chocolate mix will warm you up and even help you sleep.  I hope you enjoy it. This makes a huge amount, so it is great for gift-giving as well.  Be sure to add the recipe!

               HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

1 8 quart box powdered milk
1 6 ounce jar non dairy coffee creamer
1 2 pound box Quik (chocolate drink mix)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Store in a tightly covered container.  To serve, add boiling water to 2 - 4 teaspoons of the mix.  Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Valentine's Day Ideas from the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast

Valentines Day celebration

Valentine's Day 


..it brings out the romance in all of us, doesn't it?  The grocery stores, candy shops, florists, jewelry stores and others are all out there with suggestions for you.  
Over the years we have had many couples spend their Valentine's Day in one of our guestrooms.  We always supply the chocolate dipped strawberries and sparking non-alcoholic beverages.  Of course we can always add additional items like roses and chocolates if desired.   We can make dinner reservations and always reccomend near-by Haab's for a quiet, romantic location.
Or maybe you just want to order a pizza and stay in your room to watch a movie from our DVD collection. We can arrange that as well. 
After a restful night's sleep, our special breakfast of heart shaped pancakes and bacon, coffee and fruit will be waiting for you. 
Can't get away right now? A gift certificate from the Parish House Inn will work.  You and your sweetheart can book your stay for a more convenient time.
Just call 734-480-4800 or book your room from our website  www.parishhouseinn.com



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Roadshow Visits Ypsilanti Automotive heritage Collection Museum

Motor Cities logo
Automotive heritage Collection Building
Front Doors


 YPSILANTI 
 AUTOMOTIVE
HERITAGE
 COLLECTION 
MUSEUM



 100 East cross Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

(734) 482-5200 
www.ypsiautoheritage.org
Hours: Tues-Sun 1 - 4PM
Admission; $5 adults

                                                                               Antiques Roadshow, from Detroit

 When: February 3
Where: PBS
Time: 8 PM

The Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection is a popular place for automobile enthusiasts of all ages. So when the  PBS series Antiques Roadshow visited Detroit last summer, they wondered what might be interesting to their viewers in the larger Southeast Michigan area. The Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection received a call from a representative of the show last April and requested information about the museum, which was sent to them.  The Roadshow then made arrangements to visit the museum and requested an old Hudson for their use.  Jack Miller arranged for  Doug Edds allow the use of  his 1953 Hudson for the visit.  When the crew from the Roadshow arrived, they set up cameras inside and outside of the car where Mark L. Walberg, the star, was recorded driving through Depot Town, down East cross Street and through Riverside Park.  On another day, Mark L. Walberg arrived with Noel Barrett, the Roadshow toy expert and the focused on all the models on display.  This visit from the Roadshow will add yet  another feather in the cap of the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection Museum, and the city of Ypsilanti.


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Ann Arbor Folk Festival At Hill Auditorium


Find Your Folk





 ANN ARBOR FOLK FESTIVAL

When; Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1
 6:30 p.m. each night
Where; Hill Auditorium, 825 North University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
latitude;  42.2783576
longitude; -83.7380966
Call 734-763-TKTS
http://www.findyourfolk.org

The Folk Festival will celebrate its 37th year with a selection of the world’s finest traditional and contemporary performers.  Each night includes a blend of well-known and up-and-coming artists, providing you with an opportunity to hear artists you know and love while discovering great new talent. Some performers who were onstage in years past include John Prine, Leon Redbone, Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett to name a few, so you never know who may be the new rising star at this years festival.

Make it a weekend getaway with a stay at the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast, located  in Historic Ypsilanti...less than 20 minutes away.  You can book your room online.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2014
IRON AND WINE
NEKO CASE
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
WILLIE NILE
PEARL AND THE BEARD
THAO FROM THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN
THE APPLESEED COLLECTIVE 
SETH WALKER, MC
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2014
PATTY GRIFFIN
INGRID MICHAELSON
JEFF DANIELS
BIG SANDY AND HIS FLY-RITE BOYS
JOHNNYSWIM
PIGPEN THEATRE CO.
THE CRANE WIVES
SETH WALKER, MC 
**program subject to change**

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Restaurant Week in Ann Arbor


It's that time of year once again...January 12 -17, the much anticipated Ann Arbor Restaurant Week event.  Here is what you can expect;

Lunch is a $15 menu of special restaurant week items. It is an open format offering restaurants the opportunity to create one, two or three courses designed to please your palate and your pocketbook. Many offering two for one pricing.
 
Dinner is a $28 fixed price three course menu, most restaurants offering a choice of menu items for each course. A limited number of restaurants will be offering two for one pricing.

For a list pf participating restaurants go to www.restaurantweek.com

You can make a nice getaway with a stay at the Parish House Inn  bed and breakfast. Check it out online.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Tomato Soup Recipe from the Parish House Inn

A view of the snow covered tree from room3.
Happy New Year...well at least it is getting off to an historic start weather wise on our area.  Record low temperatures and lots of snow have added up to a beautiful but difficult beginning to 2014.  I stocked up on supplies and so have not had to be out in this weather at all.  I have had few guests, so it has allowed me time to put away all the Christmas decorations, do some housecleaning and get to the end of the year financial records.   This is also a good time of year to have some healthy food on hand, especially soups, so I will share my  tomato soup recipe.
It is just delicious when paired with  a grilled cheese sandwich.



PARISH HOUSE INN TOMATO SOUP


3 ( 14.5 OUNCE) CANS DICED TOMATOES
3 CUPS CHICKEN BROTH
2 BAY LEAVES
2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER
1 ONION MINCED
1 TABLESPOON BROWN SUGAR
1 TABLESPOON TOMATO PASTE
SALT AND PEPPER


2 TABLESPOONS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
½ CUP HEAVY CREAM
PINCH CAYENNE
2 TEASPOONS SHERRY OR OTHER HERBS
PESTO AS A GARNISH

1. HEAT BROTH MIXTURE; DRAIN TOMATOES, RESERVING JUICE. ADD BROTH TO RESERVED TOMATO JUICE TO MEASURE 5 SUPS(IF NECESSARY ADD WATER). ADD BAY LEAVES AND BRING BROTH TO BOIL, COVERED IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN AND SET ASIDE

2. SAUTE TOMATO MIXTURE; MEANWHILE, MELT BUTTER IN A LARGE DUTCH OVEN OVER HIGH HEAT. ADD DRAINED TOMATOES, ONIONS, BROWN SUGAR, TOMATO PASTE AND ½ TEASPOON SALT, AND COOK UNTIL TOMATOES ARE DRY AND BEGINNING TO BROWN, 11-13 MINUTES. STIR IN FLOUR AND COOK 1 MINUTE.

3.ADD BROTH MIXTURE. SLOWLY ADD BROTH MIXTURE TO TOMATOES. BRING TO A SIMMER AND COOK FOR 5 MINUTES. REMOVE BAY LEAVES


4. PUREE, FINISH AND SEASON; PUREE SOUP IN BATCHES IN BLENDER OR SUBMERSIBLE BLENDER, UNTIL SMOOTH. RETURN TO POT AND STIR IN CREAM, SHERRY.  STIR IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF  PESTO INTO THE EACH BOWL OF SOUP AS A GARNISH . SEASON TO TASTE AND SERVE.

THIS FREEZES WELL...ENJOY.