Allegan Antique Market-treasure hunting

Many times we get asked where do we find all of our antiques, and the Allegan Antiques Market is one of them.  We have spent years hunting for that perfect treasure for the inn, and for our quarters, we have purchased such things as a coffee table, pedestal cake stands, silverware, china, yard art, tables, and a whole lot more.  So if you are looking for that special antique something for your home we suggest that you visit the antique Allegan Antique Market.  The show is the last Sunday of the month from April to September, and is just a short drive, or walk from our Michigan Bed and Breakfast.

Famous allegan "big chicken"

Once you arrive at the front gate, you cannot help but notice our famous "big chicken" at the front gate, you know you've arrived when you see the chicken, it has been standing guard at the front gate of the county fairgrounds for a very long time, and is home to the antique market.

One of the 450 booths at the market.

Whether you are looking for antique tools, furniture, knickknacks, collectibles, or even a boat or old car, I have seen it all at the market.  One of the nice things is that you can do some old fashioned haggling with the dealers directly, which I find to be a little fun, you can also find some real treasures that are cheap compared to regular antique stores, and the like.  We purchased a very large punch bowl, and cups which sit in our built in china cabinet in our side foyer for $125, a huge steal, and one of the things that I prize most..be sure to check it out when visiting the Mansion. 

Good example of the diversity of items for sale.

Nice old English desk.  Circa 1880 

The Allegan Antiques Market has over 450 dealers inside and outside, that sell just about anything that you can imagine.  There also is food available, as long as fair food is your cup of tea, for those who do not care for fair food, Gretchens Kitchen offers some good eats and amazingly a very large selection for such a small trailer. 

One must note:  DOGS are no longer allowed at the Antiques Market.

The particulars:

Allegan Antiques Market

150 Allegan County Fair Drive

Allegan, Mi. 49010

Hours Last Sunday of the month 8 AM till 4 PM


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Holland Michigan, Cranes Pie Pantry

One of our must stop recommendations for the city of Holland, Michigan, is Cranes in the City.  An offshoot of the original Cranes Orchards, located in Fennville, the city Cranes offers everything that the original offers, and then some.  Opened In July of 2010, the "new" Cranes is a huge hit, and a favorite stop of ours, for just about anything, but is a favorite of mine for the desserts.  I personally love their apple pie, and the neighbors treat me to a pie for leaf blowing their yards, and they wonder why I do not mind blowing their yards, and why I do such a good job of it ;)


Street View of Cranes in the City

Cranes in the City serves a varied menu of light faire, anything from salads such as their Crispy Chicken salad with mandarin oranges, dried cherries, cordon bleu cheese, and breads/muffin, they also serve paninis, cristos, and for some of the finishing desserts, or light sweets, root beer floats,  caramel sundaes, and the ever intrigueing, hot fudge donut sundae, which I have yet to try...

Menu Board at Cranes, lots of food and tasty treats.

 

Pies...YUMMMM!

 Just 28 minutes from the DeLano Mansion, our fantastic Michigan Bed and Breakast, Cranes is one of our favorites stops when we are visiting Holland Michigan, look also at our blog for other stops that we suggest for Holland while you are visiting there.

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Cranes in the City

11 East 8th St.

Holland, Michigan 49423

Winter Hours (through April 30) Mon-Sat 10 AM-7 PM closed Sundays

Summer Hours (starting May 1st) Mon-Sat 10 AM-8PM Sunday 11 Am till 4 PM



Michigan Inn pictures, Hamilton Wooden Trestle Bridge.

One of the most photographed spots in Allegan County has to be the wooden trestle bridge in Hamilton, Michigan.  I took a few pictures during the spring flooding, but it is much more picturesque in the summer, fall and winter months.  This bridge is old, I am not sure how old, but it has been around for some time now, and is still used to this day to deliver railroad cars to the Hamilton Farm Bureau yards.

Stop by to take some great pictures, spring flooding during this picture.

If you love, old bridges, and love photography, the old trestle is a must stop while you are out and about.  The bridge is easy to find, it is located right in downtown Hamilton, Michigan, on the right hand side of the road as you are driving from our Allegan Michigan Bed and Breakfast, on the way to Holland, Michigan on M40.  There is a little park at the foot of the bridge that has picnic tables, and it is a great place to stop to a picnic, or just to relax for a moment and take in the sound of falling water over the dam.  This location is also a popular place for locals to fish, or just to take a break from running around.   

The bridge is about 300' long, and about 20' above the water.

The dam at the foot of the bridge is a replacement of the original that dated to 1852, that dam gave way, and the current dam was built in 1855.   A saw mill used the hydro power to mill lumber till the mid 1800's, some time after 1855 a flour mill was erected on the other side that operated until at least 1913 according to records.  The mill structures are now gone, but most of the 2nd dam built there remains...for now, there has been talk about removing the dam to restore the river back to natural flows.

DeLano Mansion Bed and Breakfast

302 Cutler St.

Allegan, Michigan 49010

(269) 686-0240

Holland Specialty Shops, Fustini's Oils and Vinegars

One of my favorite places to stop, and shop, is Fustini's in downtown Holland.  Located on historic 8th street, it is centrally located right in the middle of all the unique, and fun shops that I highly suggest that you visit while staying at our Michigan bed and breakfast.

Fustini's Olive Oils and Vinegars, Holland Michigan

Fustini's balsamics tend to be a bit smoother, and less acidic than those of The Olive Mill (in Saugatuck), and I tend to prefer Fustini's for that reason, for most applications, but the Olive Mills balsamics are very good as well, a matter of preference.   Fustini's bottles their own olive oils, and balsamics onsite.  The balsamic vinegars come aged 12 years, and come in white and dark, they also have 18 year old dark.  Some of the 12 year old vinegar flavors include: Asian Blackberry, Oregano, Peach, Blueberry, and Blackcurrent for some examples.  The 18yr aged balsamics include:  Pomegranate , Raspberry, Cinnamon Pear, Chocolate, and Ginger-Honey, just to name a few, there are many I did not list.  The staff is more than happy to help you select, and teach you how to use each of the balsamic vinegars in real life, as well as how to pair the vinegars, with the olive oils for unique blends that surprised even me how well they tasted togather.

Just some of the Vinagers that are available for tasting.

The olive oils they sell have a wonderful aroma, that just makes you wish to get out a slice of bread, and start dipping. (hint: just ask the staff for directions, as there is a deli and bakery just up the street within walking distance) Some of the infused/fused flavors include: Blood Orange, great for a fruity salad viniagrette, Basil, Cilantro Onion, Persian Lime, Tarragon, and the most popular, Tuscan Herb.  The Variatal Olive Oils include: Barnea, Frantoio, Manzanillo, and Picholine, just to name a few.

They do carry a few specialty oils and vinegars, Pino Noir, Sesame Oil, Walnut Oil, White Truffle Oil(YUM!), Champagne Vinegar, and Sherry Vinegar.  Be sure to try these, the white truffle oil is my favorite, but you may find yourself falling in love with another.

Recipes, and suggestions for how to use the Balsamics, and Vinegars can be found on their website.  I chatted with the manager there, and suggested that they produce recipe cards to have out for the use of their oils and such, so let's see if it happens...I imagine that it will happen soon.

Fustini's Oils and Vinegars

24 East 8th St.

Holland Michigan

Hours: Mon-Sat 10a-5p

Phone: 616-392-1111

Holland Specialty Foodie Shops, Michigan Bed and Breakfast

A trip this week took me up to Holland Michigan, and to the charming downtown shopping district along 8th St. One of my stops was The Seasoned Home. I was not really prepared the first time I walked in the store for what I was about to see, and there is allot to see. They carry a wide variety things for the kitchen that are sure to make your mouth water as your are reading this.

The Seasoned Home, Holland, Mi

Located at 43 E. 8th St, The Seasoned Home is a must stop for those who enjoy the finer foods in life. The co-owner, Christina Bensinger, took some time to talk to me about their shop, and all the fantastic things that they offer.

Some of the great food things they have to offer include: from "Dr. Peters" such items as Praline Mustard Glaze, and Herb Bacon dressing. From the "Stonewall Kitchen" out of York Maine, comes assorted jams and jellies, and some things such as Roasted Apple Grill Sauce, Wasabi Ginger Sauce, and Apple Jalapeno jam. From "Brownwood Farms" out of Traverse City Mi, jarred fruits, chutneys and and specialty salsas. In talking to Christina, she mentioned their specialty teas, with the Rooibos teas from South Africa being among her favorites, they carry a VERY large selection of teas, so be sure to check them out.



Selections of jams, salsas, jellies, and dressings.

Just so that you can get an idea of how much, and what variety they carry, they have 8 different varieties of Sea Salts, 6 varieties of Peppercorns, as well as such hard to find things as Chervil, Cinnamon from Viet Nam, and Fennugreek, Mahlab, Mace, Cloves and Savory, just to name but a few of their spices.


My dream spice rack....

 Some of the other items they sell are a large variety of cookbooks, specialty glassware, and tea presses. So be sure to stop in on your visit to Holland while staying here at our Michigan Bed and Breakfast.

The Seasoned Home

43 East 8th St.

Holland, Michigan 49423
Hours: Mon/Thurs/Friday 10a-8p.
Tues/Wed  10a-5:30p.
Sat 10a-5p.