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Lori has completed another project at Toasted Mud pottery studio in Hillsdale. This cup and saucer combo was created using a "Picasso Cats" design. We have taken such a liking to these unusual cats that we are going to create a bunch of Picasso Animals for the next projects. Monkeys, dogs, and more cats are in the plan.
Another masterpiece has come out of the kiln at Toasted Mud in Hillsdale, MI. Lori Venturini has never taken an art class but has proven that 53 years of life has prepared her to become an artist. This local pottery painting studio has a selection of pieces that are ready to be painted. Simple instructions are given by the staff. Then, it's just a matter of time and effort and inspiration to create a keepsake, heirloom, or work of art. This piggy bank project took several hours over a few weeks to complete. With time, I am sure the tasks will be finished in much quicker time with similar or better quality. Each design on this little piggy was hand drawn and painted with a thin line brush.
There are projects that can be completed in an afternoon, or over the course of a month. Either way, it is a relaxing and creative way to spend spare time.
There is a Manufacturers Outlet Mall about 45 minutes from the Munro House B&B in Jonesville, MI. It is located just across the border in Fremont Indiana at I-69 and I-80-90. Levi's, Jockey, Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Coach are a few of the brands that are represented. 
Lori likes the trendy brands and knows her stuff when picking out a quality item at a good price. On this trip, she scored a blue leather Coach Bag.
Six couples joined us for a murder mystery dinner at the Munro House B&B in Jonesville Michigan. November is traditionally murder mystery month at the Munro House where several weekends are reserved for murder mysteries each year. Each person was an active participant in this interactive event. A role was assigned to each guest by our hostess who tried to match characters with personalities. 
These parties are designed to be more of a fun event than a problem solving task. Adults dressing up and acting silly is what these parties are all about. Each guest has a role to play and a script to follow. Each script has 4-8 clues in each of three acts. These clues must be shared during dinner. Additional ad-libbing is encouraged. 
A five course meal was served while the game was played. The mystery was solved over dessert. New friendships were made during the course of the evening and judging from the laughter coming from the dining room, everyone had a good time..
Ozzie, resident Scottish Terrier at the Munro House in Jonesville, loves to go for a walk. Guests often ask permission to walk with him around our small town neighborhood. Thanks Joy. Ozzie loved it!
We spent a day painting kitchenware at Toasted Mud Pottery Studio in Hillsdale, MI. Then we waited for it to be glazed and fired. A week went by and we brought home our very own functional works of art. Lori created a serving plate in the Polish Pottery style and I made a simple maple syrup pitcher. Both projects were completed with 1 minute of instruction and access to all the tools and materials we would need.
I remember it being very relaxing and creative time spent in a calm setting with the best girl ever. We had a very good experience and appreciate the additional instructions and tips that were offered while we worked on our individual creations. Our next pottery painting project will be much better now that we have a whole day of experience.
One of the best things about running a bed and breakfast in Michigan is the free time at mid-day. It isn't every day, but it is most days that we have a 2-4 hour window of opportunity where we can just get out and enjoy the day after the morning work is done and before new guests arrive for check-in. I have had several days like that this week already.
Touring on my Honda GoldWing Motorcycle is my favorite thing to do until the temperatures get into the low 30's. My wife enjoys rides on nice days like today--60+ degrees. We cruise the back roads, the side streets, and the lakes area. We help to support the Hillsdale County economy by having lunch at a different location and visiting out-of-the-way stores and shops. 
The Fall Colors are past peak, but a crisp day with sunshine is a good day to enjoy the great state of Michigan. The myriad of colors from the leaves is gone but the earth tones of the harvest is just beginning. Folks are out raking leaves, farmers are tilling their soil, and families are enjoying outdoor activities before winter arrives.
"Life is good in Jonesville"
98 teams with about 500 participants gathered at Hillsdale County Fairgrounds for the 78th running of the annual Lewis Emery Treasure Hunt. Each team had paid $20 per carload to take part in the event. The temperature was cool, the sky was clear, and it was a great night to be out with friends. 
A lunch bag with the first clue was waiting for each team as the event began. Inside the bag was a Compact Disc--a new way to deliver a clue this year. We were fortunate to have a CD player in the truck. Not everyone was so fortunate.
There were guardians near most of the hidden treasures--some could have passed for treasure seekers while others were hiding and keeping watch over the bag of clues. Our clue finding notification-celebration scream was the catch phrase from the State Farm Insurance Commercial--RODGERS! DISCOUNT DOUBLE CHECK! That signaled our team members that the clue had been found and we could go back to the truck. 
The next four puzzles were a breeze. We blasted through them with ease. Simon Says turned out to be very difficult for us. The "root for the razorback" clue stumped us for way too long for no apparent reason--fatigue had set in and we weren't thinking straight. I had to take my wife home about midnight when she became ill. We retraced our steps and reran the razorback clue successfully after having stumbled for over an hour. 
The puzzle pieces had a red herring. We searched for the Lamb "X" for at least an hour. We ran the entire length of Lamb Road and back. Gave it up around 1:30 a.m., found the last 2 clues, and arrived at the finish just in time to watch the hosts cleaning up at 2:15 a.m. after traveling 225 miles. They told us that the Lamb "X" referred to "you are here", so we wasted a lot of time searching for the clue that wasn't there. 
We were told that about 30 teams had arrived for food, but I didn't ask how many of them had finished the hunt successfully. We were still happy to finish in not-record time with a good team I hope to play with again. 
I received a groupon from a company called Mixbook. They are an online publishing company that will help anyone create and print a picture book for a reasonable price. The groupon deal made it even more affordable. I have taken many photographs during our Chef Night Cooking Parties, so I compiled my favorites and created a coffee table book that is viewable online. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it inspires you to catalogue your own memories in a wonderful do-it-yourself hard-cover book.
I'm excited! The 78th annual Lewis Emery Treasure Hunt takes place Saturday, October 22. Sign up at Celebrations Unlimited - 40 E. Bacon - Hillsdale, MI. Late sign up 5:00
p.m. at Hillsdale County Fairgrounds the day of the hunt. Cost is $20 per carload. We expect to drive around 200 miles and not leave the county! we expect to experience dirt roads that we didn't know existed, we expect to have a lot of fun.
My team of 5 is set with experience totalling 6 treasure hunts--we have 2 virgins this year. We will drive one vehicle across the county with hopes of breaking into the top 10 of around 100 teams. Tools are being organized to help us solve the puzzles. We will have flashlights, GPS, smart phones, scissors, pencils, markers, a can opener, tape, the Bible, maps, string, phone book, magnifying glass, today's newspaper, extra batteries, a full tank of gas, clipboards, and the desire to complete the tour before midnight.
Wishing everyone good weather, good luck, and good fun!
Toasted Mud is a pottery painting studio in downtown Hillsdale, Michigan. Patrons pick a project, then design it and paint it. It gets fired and you get to take home a personalized keepsake, functional tableware, or work of art.
I chose to create a syrup pitcher while Lori decided on a serving platter. I finished my project in a couple of hours, while Lori went on consecutive days to complete an intricate design over the course of 5-6 hours. 
It was a great way to spend time together working on individual projects. It was fun to be creative in a comfortable setting with helpful people around to offer assistance, and tips.
Toasted Mud is open 7 days a week. Singles, couples, small and large groups are all welcome. Masterpieces are being created daily. We are recommending Toasted Mud as one of many fun things to do when visiting the Munro House B&B in Jonesville.
Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" opens tonight for a 2 week run at the Sauk Theater in Jonesville. Friday and Saturday night shows at 8:00 p.m. plus a Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m. through October 22, 2011.
It's become an exciting time of year, the annual Lewis treasure hunt is here!
Sign up at Celebrations - 40 E. Bacon - Hillsdale, MI
78th Annual Louis Emery Treasure Hunt begins at 6 p.m. Saturday night
at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds and takes teams around Hillsdale
County on a scavenger hunt throughout the night. 10 clues have teams by
the carload traversing Hillsdale County's public places for an evening
of puzzle solving, clue hunting, and old fashioned fun. Sign up early
because the treasure hunt starts promptly at 6:00 and generally has
around 400 participants.
Despite numerous cash prizes, not all the teams are in it for glory.
Many come for the opportunity to spend a fun evening with family and
friends. Some are just in it for the challenge. Winning teams usually
finish the hunt before midnight. Some die-hards have staggered in after
2:00 a.m. Everybody wins with hot food, beverages, and snacks at the final destination.
If you want to win, you might want to bring a few items that have
been helpful in the past: the latest Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce phone
book, Old Farmer's Almanac, Hillsdale County map, The Bible--must be
King James version, a full tank of gas, a flashlight, scissors, scotch tape, can opener,
magnifying glass, today's Hillsdale Daily News, a good navigator and a
smart phone with good reception in rural areas.
Munro House Bed & Breakfast is located just 10 minutes from
Hillsdale County Fairgrounds and is "the most comfortable lodging in
Hillsdale County." All of our guests will have checked in for the long Parents Weekend at Hillsdale College, so weather permitting, we will participate and finish outside of the top 10, again--just 3 hours behind the winners! In our vehicle, it's all about having a good time and making it to the final destination.
Mike Venturini
The Hillsdale College Chargers played their Homecoming football game today at Muddy Waters Stadium in Hillsdale, MI. Thousands of fans were on hand on a most beautiful Fall day to watch the favored Chargers battle Ohio Dominican in a Division 2 matchup.
Hillsdale College Alumni gathered to watch the Hillsdale Chargers score 42 points and lose by 1. A late score with less than 2 minutes to play put the Chargers behind for the first time in the game. Several costly errors led to the Chargers demise despite a very explosive offense and a stingy defense.
Muddy Waters Stadium at Hillsdale College is a wonderful place to play and watch football. The ProGrass artificial turf looks real and is always in great shape. The backdrop of Fall colors added to the beauty of viewing a football game on a most wonderful day.
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