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I recently went to an open house at the Trotter Multicultural Center on the University of Michigan’s central campus in Ann Arbor. I worked at the previous Trotter House, located on Washtenaw Avenue, over 40 years ago, so I was curious to see how the newly constructed facility on State Street compared to the old. […]

Some may think of fall as the sandwich season when the bloom of summer has faded with the expectancy of the first winter snowfall. But fall stirs in me a vibrancy of spirit with the stunning color transformation of foliage and the crisp air often coupled with blustery breezes. The season awakens my zeal for

Mass-produced merchandise for home décor may not strike your fancy or lacks the pizzazz you want in a home accent. When you shop from an Etsy business, you know you’re buying a one-of-a-kind design that can be funky, classy, edgy, or practical. That’s why I like being part of the Etsy family of designers. Not

Gold. It was the dominant color I planned to build my cozy corner around. Scouring local shops for the right chair, lamp, side table, ottoman (a vibrant aqua to add a splash of color), and a throw blanket, I steadily put together the perfect spot to read, pray, and relax. The crowning touch to my

Fireworks and the 4th of July go hand-in-hand, but did you know the use of fireworks for the first Independence Day was the new nation thumbing their nose at the British? Fireworks were used by the British to celebrate the birthdays of kings and queens and in an act of defiance, America set off fireworks celebrating

Since the years following the Civil War, the United States has celebrated Memorial Day, once known as Decoration Day. Observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans mark the day by placing flowers, flags, and other mementos on the graves of veterans. Parades and family

Emerald Isle (Ireland) and Emerald City (from The Wizard of Oz) conjure up images of lush, rich locations, an apt description for a gem that is one of only four precious stones (diamonds, rubies, and sapphires are the other three). Emerald is considered “The Jewel of Kings,” is a symbol of hope, renewal, and growth, and

1.     Baskets are tailored to a theme 2.     Every item is carefully selected to tie-in to the theme 3.     A gift basket shows your thoughtfulness 4.     A gift card may be perceived as impersonal, but never a personalized gift basket 5.     A basket is an overflow of generosity, with many gifts to use over time 6.     Each gift basket has to

I frequently walk in my neighborhood, giving my muscles a good workout on the hilly terrain. My senses also are awakened with the delights of tulips, forsythia, crabapple, pear, and redbud trees in peak bloom. Springtime in Michigan is bursting with hope and expectation.  The season changes have a way of wiggling into my soul