Winter Getaway at Jonesville Michigan B&B

The Munro House Bed and Breakfast in Jonesville Michigan offers getaway packages during all seasons. The winter getaway package in Michigan includes 2 dinners, 2 massages, 2 movie passes, and 2 nights bed and breakfast. A great combination of activities to occupy couples on a relaxing weekend. The restaurants are an easy walk away, the massages are done in-house, and a choice of movies are available on 7 screens just a short drive away in Hillsdale.

Weekend packages are very popular for a Friday-Saturday getaway. Weekday packages are less expensive than weekend packages with savings of up to $100 on a 2 night getaway. The location is central within 2 hours of Detroit, Grand Rapids, South Bend, and Toledo. Any day can be a good day to getaway to Southern Michigan.


Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Michigan B&B Valentine's Day Getaway Package

Michigan B&Bs are a prime choice for Valentine's Day getaways. Many couples will be celebrating Valentine's Day on the weekend before or the weekend after the actual February 14 holiday. The Munro House B&B in Jonesville can make all the arrangements with just one phone call for a getaway package that includes chocolates and roses, plus movie passes, 2 dinners, 2 massages, and 2 nights bed and breakfast. Choose a room with a fireplace or a double Jacuzzi tub for your romantic getaway anytime in February.

Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

Munro House Bed and Breakfast
"Life is good in Jonesville"

1-800-320-3792

Painted Pottery Pig Project Complete

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.


Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Shoveling Snow in Michigan

Winter in Southern Michigan isn't too bad until the wind starts blowing. It really doesn't seem cold until the temperature drop into single digits, or the wind chill factor makes it feel like single digits. We got a few inches of snow this week, but with temperatures in the upper 20's and virtually no wind, there was no reason to get all bundled up to go outside and work, so I didn't. I already had my gym clothes on and felt manly enough to just "man up" and get it done. With my Yooper Scooper in hand, it only took a few minutes to clear the sidewalks of my corner lot in downtown Jonesville. It was exhilarating to push the powder onto the lawn while getting a light workout. I did not get cold, despite my lack of hat, gloves, and pants. The day will come when it will be necessary to get all geared up to shovel and blow the snow. Until then, I will remain comfortable when doing quick work on my property.

Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Southern Michigan Winter Getaway

Folks from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio can enjoy a winter getaway at a bed and breakfast in Michigan without going all the way to the Great Lakes or to the Mackinac Bridge. The Munro House is a full time B&B in Jonesville Michigan that is just 20 miles from the Indiana/Ohio border where out of state folks can go "up north" by just crossing the Michigan border.

The winter getaway package includes 2 dinners at 2 restaurants that are just 2 blocks away, 2 on-site massages by a world class masseuse, and 2 tickets to see a new release movie at the local theater. An easy walk to Saucy Dog's Barbeque and Olivia's Chop House on snowy days makes the location ideal for a winter getaway.

Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

12' Christmas Tree Lights

It is a big job to light the Christmas Tree at the Munro House B&B in Jonesville MI. The tree is 12 feet tall and requires 30 strings of lights to properly illuminate it. With 100 lights on a string, that is 3,000 lights on this 12 foot tree. Another 3,000 ornaments will be hung from the branches. A spectacular indoor Christmas Tree that rivals the kind that are seen on Soap Operas will be gracing the parlor of this great old house.

I enlisted the help of friends and we completed the assembly and lighting task in just a couple of hours. Complete decorating of this Christmas Mansion will be done by the end of the week. Christmas Getaways in Michigan can be enjoyed 7 days a week through early January.

Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Michigan Winter Getaway Package

A winter getaway is available 7 days a week at this Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast. Just 90 minutes from Detroit Metro Airport and Fort Wayne Indiana. The Munro House is also just an hour from Toledo, Lansing, and Battle Creek. When winter travel distances can be an issue, it is nice to know a romantic winter getaway is very nearby.

The Winter Getaway Package is a two night stay that includes dinners at 2 great nearby restaurants. Both Saucy Dog's Barbeque and Olivia's Chop House are just 2 blocks away. Saucy Dog features beef brisket smoked overnight to tender deliciousness, while Olivia's offers a prime rib that you might be able to eat with a spoon. The convenience of 2 restaurants being an easy walk makes this a great choice for dinners on consecutive nights. A pair of movie passes are also included in the package. There is a good chance that Oscar nominated movies will be playing at the local Premiere Theater.

An onsite one hour massage for each person is a sure way to relax during the shopping season, the new year, or a cabin fever getaway. A full hour on the table with a world class masseuse is a guilty pleasure anyone is sure to enjoy.

Make the reservation with 30 days notice and mention "ROSES ARE RED, MY LOVE" and a dozen red roses floral arrangement will be your bonus gift at no charge.

Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Hillsdale County Winter Storm of 2011

The snow storm of the century hit Hillsdale County Michigan on Sunday night (02/20/2011). Rain turned to freezing rain, then it all froze very quickly, and then 5 inches of heavy snow was added. The combined weight of ice and snow toppled trees and downed power lines around the county until over 11,000 people were without utilities. The Village of Jonesville was very fortunate and maintained power throughout the ordeal. The City of Hillsdale was not so lucky as numerous residents along with the industrial park and 2 hotels were without power. The Munro House was one of the few lodging facilities in Hillsdale County that could provide shelter. Rural residents, businessmen, and dispatchers checked in on Monday and have been trickling home as the electricity was restored, or their jobs were completed. 

A trip around the county found that the continued cold temperatures did not allow the ice to melt. Trees plus power, phone, and cable lines are still experiencing the added weight of ice. Some of them are bowing and straining while others are falling and breaking.  

The good news is that power is being restored at a rapid pace. One report said that our county was hit hardest by this storm and 42 municipalities were helping to clear out the debris and get us back to normal. The dispatchers who are staying at the Munro House said that this is not a simple task. Everything has to be done with the number one priority being safety. So if you see workers standing around or sitting in their trucks, they are patiently waiting for the situation to be safe before they head out to complete their task. With electricty, there is a specific order that must be followed to maintain efficiency and safety.

The bad news is that up to 7 inches of new snow is expected overnight. Continued cold temperatures and the additional weight of snow could cause even more problems.

It has been business as usual at the Munro House with all displaced guests enjoying a new home for a few days. Special rates are in effect to help folks afford an unexpected expense. This weekend's getaway guests will be accommodated as scheduled.

Thanks to Aimee England who shared most of these photos of the Hillsdale County winter storm.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Presidents Day Weekend Special

Presidents Day is a holiday that is celebrated on Monday February 21 in 2011. Presidents Day is one of those holidays that some organizations give their employees a holiday to create a 3 day weekend to celebrate 2 of our greatest Presidents--George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But to many laborers, it's just another Monday.

The Munro House is a Bed and Breakfast in Southern Michigan that is offering a special deal on Presidents Day weekend for people who have the day off. Guests who are able to make it a long getaway weekend can get a room on Sunday February 20 for as low as $49 when they also stay Saturday night. As an option, any 2 night getaway package is available for $100 off when it includes Sunday night.

With a staff of on-call cosmetologists and masseuses, spa services and massages are available any day of the week, including Sunday. A good selection of restaurants in the area leaves plenty of choices for lunches and dinners. Winter getaway packages have many options for romance or a belated Valentines Day gift.

The Munro House has a connection to the Underground Railroad that can make this an educational opportunity as well as a getaway during Black History Month. The remains of a tunnel and a secret room that was used to hide runaway slaves in the years preceding the Civil War are great subjects of interest to historians and people tracing their roots.

Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Romantic Getaway Package Near Detroit

The best thing about a romantic getaway package is the ability to get away from the traffic and the crowds to spend some quality time in a nice place with your lover. Jonesville, Michigan is that kind of place.  To go to a place where everyone else is going is just trading one rat race for another. To take a long drive when the weather is unpredictable can only add stress. To wait an hour for your table at a restaurant or to get shut out of a new release movie is something that rarely happens around here.

Here in Jonesville, a traffic jam is when the light turns red and you're next in line. A crowd of over 100 people may gather in church, or at the fairgrounds, or a midnight sale, but not at a restaurant, club, or theater. Our favorite eateries have unique variety, generous portions, friendly wait staff, and fair prices.  Our movie theater shows new releases on 7 screens. Our flowers are fresh, our rooms are comfortable, and our masseuses are world class--according to our guests.

Jonesville is the kind of place I grew up in back the 1960's.  Our little joke is that the 70's, 80's, and 90's haven't happened here yet. The only chain stores are fast food joints and gas stations--except for Wal-mart.  The locals are nice and we find strangers to be interesting. We are connected to the world by the internet, but are separated by geography. We are proud of our local history. We enjoy traditional activities.

The homes are warm, the food is delicious, the flowers are fresh, the masseuses are wonderful, and the prices are reasonable. Coming to Jonesville is like enjoying a little piece of heaven. This could be the break you've been looking for and it's less than 2 hours from Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Fort Wayne, and Toledo.


Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

New Years Eve/New Years Day

There's always something to do in Jonesville.  Any bed and breakfast can give you a nice place to stay, but the Munro House in Jonesville takes it a step further and gets people to interact. Breakfast is always a fun time with people sharing stories and making new acquaintances.  New Years Eve went a step further by getting a dozen strangers to interact while participating in a Murder Mystery Dinner.

Hosts, Mike and Lori Venturini, are a two man crew who plan, host, and serve the murder mystery dinner. A five course meal was prepared and consumed while the guests tried to figure out who-done-it. The game at the Munro House is played without actors. Everyone involved in the dinner is a suspect and potential killer. The way their game is played, even the killer doesn't know they did it until the end of the game when all of the clues are enumerated for suspects to be found innocent and one found guilty. The sleuths celebrated with a champagne toast at midnight while watching Dick Clark on the big screen.

Then came New Years Day where college football isn't the only thing to do. 12 people entered the kitchen and 12 chefs walked out using their new found skills to prepare their share of a portion of an 8 course meal including 4 appetizers, plus soup, salad, entree, and dessert.  A 6 hour cooking and consuming event known as Chef Night, was littered with conversation and camaraderie between friends who were strangers just hours before.

No cooking event is complete at the Munro House until the writing is on the wall--literally!  Cooks are encouraged to put some words of wisdom on the walls of our kitchen.  Thanks Kurt & Christie +1 for joining us on your 1st anniversary and the celebration of your 1st pregnancy! They wrote "May you know great love & share it with others. Love is life's most precious gift. Thank you for a wonderful time!"

Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Martin Luther King Day Special Deal

Martin Luther King (MLK) day is a holiday that is celebrated on Monday January 17 in 2011. MLK day is one of those holidays that banks, the post office, and the government give their employees a day off of work to create a 3 day weekend. But to many laborers, it's just another Monday.

The Munro House is a Southern Michigan Bed and Breakfast that offers special pricing on MLK weekend to allow time for a winter getaway. Folks who are able to make it a long weekend can get a room on Sunday January 16 for as low as $49 when they stay Saturday night. Optionally, any 2 night getaway package is available for $100 off when it includes Sunday night.

With a staff of on-call masseusses and cosmetologists, masssage and spa services are available 7 days a week. With a nice selection of restaurants in the area, there are plenty of choices for lunches and dinners. Winter getaway packages have many options for spa and romance.

The Munro House connection to the Undergound Railroad makes this an educational opportunity as well as a getaway. The remains of the tunnel and the secret room that was used to shelter hundreds of runaway slaves are great subjects of interest to historians and folks tracing their roots.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Great Weather on New Years Day in Michigan

At 8:08 a.m. on New Years Day 2011, it was 52 degrees in Jonesville, Michigan.  A week earlier, on Christmas day, it was a typical winter day--cold, windy, and snowing.  The weather is often unpredictable in Southern Michigan, and on New Years Day, it was quite satisfying.  It was so nice, that a motorcycle ride on my Honda Gold Wing was the only thing on my mind--after the chores were done, of course.  To start the year with a nice long bike ride was an omen for many more good riding days throughout the new year.


Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Southern Michigan Snow Storm

The worst weather in recent memory in Southern Michigan occurred this past weekend. It snowed from December 10-12.  There were only several inches of accumulation, but the wind and the cold forced residents of Hillsdale County to stay indoors and wait it out.  The winter storm warning started on Sunday afternoon and remained in effect until Monday at 1:00 p.m.  I had high hopes of going to Detroit to see the Packers vs. Lions NFL football game on Sunday or the transplanted Giants vs. Vikings game on Monday.  The weather made it an easy decision to stay home.

The snow fell, the wind blew, the temperature dropped, and I shoveled.  Under these circumstances, shoveling a path to the vehicles in my parking lot was as much snow that would be moved on this day.  The plan became: wait it out, let Mother Nature get over her tantrum, and clean it up later.  Schools were already announcing their Monday morning closures a day in advance, so there was no hurry to clear the sidewalk.  The storm passed, the walks got shoveled, but the temperature remained the same, c-c-c-cold.  Single digit temperatures are tolerable, until the wind blows. That's when it really feels frigid, and it's been cold and windy for the past 4 days.

I turned up the gas fireplaces, kept the dogs inside, and spent most of the day watching TV.  I went to Wal-Mart in the early evening on Sunday and found that there were more stranded shopping carts in the lot than parked cars. My unofficial count concluded that there were more employees in the store than shoppers on this Sunday night during the Christmas shopping season. When there's nobody at Wal-Mart, you know there's something wrong.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Something to Do on New Years Day in Michigan

New Years Day 2010 will be a better getaway holiday this year because it falls on a weekend.  Most everyone does something special for New Years Eve, but they just stay home on New Years Day to watch college football bowl games.  With New Years Day occurring on a Saturday, for a change, it is an ideal day for a winter getaway and do something different, interesting, and fun with your friend or lover.

Chef Night is an interactive cooking party being held on New Years Day at the Munro House in Jonesville, Michigan.  The kitchen will be open at 3:30, so all guests must arrive by 3:00.  Reservations are required. The event lasts about 6 hours and nobody has to drive home because everyone is spending the night.

In our busy lives, there is seldom time to prepare a 3 course meal for our own families. On Chef Night, regular people help to prepare a 7 course feast for themselves and other guests (up to 14!) with helpful instructions available from the hostess.  This year's theme is "international". Food from across the country and around the world will be prepared by 2 person teams of amateur chefs. Favorite and familiar dishes will be served along with tempting and exotic selections that are just not available on many menus in any restaurant. Past favorites and new selections from several continents will be produced on the first day of the year.

Many guests have chose to dress-up in a theme from the country of their choice. We've seen togas, lederhosen, leis, and more.  With Austin Powers being the International Man of Mystery, and this being an international food menu, 60's fashion is the suggested dress-up theme.  Some guests find it more festive to create a "look" for the day, and some people create a new look just by putting on an apron.

The 6 hour interactive cooking and eating food party costs $299 per couple and includes bed and breakfast.  It's a one night package with limited availability. Mention this blog post and give us the secret word "YEAH BABY, YEAH" to get a voucher for 10% off of this one night package only. 7 days notice required.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

First Snow of the Season 2010

The first snow of Winter 2010 in Jonesville, Michigan, fell on Thursday, December 3.  The weather man reported one inch of snow with 4 more expected.  The additional snow didn't come.

The house remains warm through the baseboard hot water heat system. With most of the 10 heating zones set to 72 degrees, the oldest house in Hillsdale County stays comfortable all Winter.  With 7 of 12 fireplaces converted to gas, most rooms can get toasty warm in very short order.  The big double Jacuzzi tubs with individual hot water heaters provide a soaking experience to warm up anyone who has been "chilled to the bone".

Extreme Christmas decorating has begun in the parlor.  The Nativity set and the Christmas scenes flank the 12 foot Christmas tree adorned with about 3,000 lights and 3,000 gold ornaments.

The parlor is the gathering place for all sizes of groups that choose to have their Winter Getaway or Christmas Party in Jonesville. Whether it's a reception for 60 people or just a couple's getaway, the Munro House feels like home and people feel comfortable here, regardless of the weather.



Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast