Long Family Farm

This time of year everyone is looking for the apple orchard experience. Some folks drive miles and miles to go to a crowded, expensive orchard. Don't get me wrong. I love orchards and I've been to many of them. But, I love that I get to drive a short distance over to Long Family Farm in Commerce Township. I've mentioned Long's before because that's where I got my asparagus this summer. You can do a quick trip into the barn, get some cider, some *warm* doughnuts (watch both being made through the big windows), and pick up some apples. Outside, there is a big pile of pumpkins to choose from (they're only $5) and you can be on your way. OR buy a Fall Fun pass for $8 a person ($10 for a season pass) and head out back. With the fall fun pass you get access to the goat petting/feeding area, the bounce house, the two giant hill slides, the big bouncer pillow (fun for all ages-my legs were sore the next day!), the two sandboxes, the multiple wooden play structures, the pedal-powered go-karts, the hayride out to the pumpkin patch and, of course, the corn maze! Whew, I think I actually missed a couple things there, but you get the idea. There is a ton to do! My son would've stayed much longer than the almost 3 hours we were there.

They also do a moonlight corn maze on weekends. Glow stick included!

I can't recommend Long's stongly enough. Come out to my neck of the woods and check them out. You will not be disappointed. And, since the pumpkins are all $5 (instead of by weight like most places) this is the ideal spot to find your BIG pumpkin!

This is actually a picture from last year...I *ahem* forgot the camera...

Pastry House Hippo: Novi, Michigan

You may have noticed my love of baked goods. If you haven't, you must be new here-welcome! I don't often splurge on bakery baked goods. I make my own or, if I'm in a hurry, I grab something from the grocery store. Last week, though, I was making a trip into Novi to support a fellow 3-Day walker who was having a fundraiser and it gave me a perfect excuse to visit my favorite Asian grocery store (One World Market). While I was in town, I wanted to try an Asian bakery as well. After a quick internet search, I found Pastry House Hippo, which happens to be located across the street from the grocery.

This place was great! As soon as you enter this tiny shop, you grab a tray and a pair of tongs. Then all you have to do is pick out your pastries. I had my sons with me and the four-year old had quite a time making up his mind. You see, one of the highlights of this bakery is their adorable little animal rolls called an pan. They are exquisitely detailed and fun. They are also filled with chocolate cream, strawberry jam or sweet bean paste. You can see the ones we picked out in the pictures. I also had some raisin-filled melon bread. Everything was delicious! The next time I go, I'm going to try some of the savory combinations. I also hope I can get there around lunch time for a steamed pork bun. I read some reviews complaining that the items were pricey, but for the work involved I had no problem paying the $1.50-$2.00 each bun cost. More than a doughnut, sure, but doughnuts don't take this level of artistic endeavour.

If you're going to head over, here's a couple tips. First, they are located off Grand River in the same strip mall as the Library Pub and Anjishin Noodle House. Second, they only take plastic on orders over $10, so make sure you have some cash on you. Lastly, they have a website but it's in Japanese, so unless you're fluent, it's not incredibly helpful. I highly recommend Pastry House Hippo. Grab some sushi across the street at One World Market and some dessert over here and you're set!

Local Product: Creo Chips

I have a confession to make...I am addicted to Karen Attard's Creo Chips. One morning a few years ago, I innocently went over to one of our local farmer's markets. There was a woman with a table and a festive umbrella...she had homemade tortilla chips in an array of flavors. I took home "Secret Recipe" and "Dirty Suzy's" (which are cinnamon and sugar) and the family was hooked immediately! I will venture out in almost any weather to restock. I was pregnant last summer and we were gone on a rather long road trip at one point, so I did not get a sufficient amount of chips. This summer will be different! Anyway, I asked Karen a few questions about her business and her yummy chips, and here's what she said.

What inspired you to make your own chip's?
Initially I just made these for myself. Nachos are one of my favorite meals but I couldn’t find a brand of chips that I liked more than the homemade ones I was experimenting with. After a few years my friends and family began requesting bags for their own dinners and family parties… that’s when I knew there was a need in the marketplace for a product I created! Hoping to make some extra money I began selling my product at farmer’s markets in the Walled Lake area and things have only grown from there.

How do you decide what flavors to make?
I started with Secret Recipe and Dirty Suzy (named after a friend and early supporter of Creo). Now my best inspiration for new flavors comes from my clients; current flavors include: Garlic Breath, Cajun Kick, Kasey’s Crunch, Splendid Suzy, Senor Slim-ez and Slim-e Jim-ez. I also make tostadas and various other flavors by special request.

How often do you make chips? How many do you make at a time?
I’m approaching my 6th year at the Walled Lake Farmer’s Market (every Wednesday May-October) and 5th year of distribution through Great Harvest Bread Company on Maple Road in Commerce. This sales knowledge allows me to estimate the demand at each of my new markets, which currently include: South Lyon (Wednesdays), Pontiac & Milford (Thursdays). Clients are welcome to visit my Facebook page to suggest flavors or find more information on market locations and times.

What chips are my favorite?
This is an easy one for me! My personal favorites are Garlic Breath, Kasey’s Crunch and Senor Slim-ez.

How do you think the "eat local" movements benefits you & your local area?
I really enjoy working the local Farmer’s Markets because it allows me to get to know my customer base – something very important when developing and bringing a new product to the marketplace. As I’ve said before, my clients are my best source of inspiration and I love hearing all the different ways they are incorporating Creo Chips into their meals: baking or frying chicken in an egg and Garlic Breath batter or using this flavor as a chili topping; dusting baked fish with crumbled up Cajun Kick, Dirty Suzie’s on top of ice cream; pulled pork over a bed of Kasey’s Crunch (as sampled at Tanglewood restaurant in South Lyon).

On a larger scale, I saw an article a few years ago in Hour Detroit magazine that if we all spent $10/week on Michigan products we could collectively put $36 million back into the state’s economy. Not only does it benefit us as a community to financially support locally owned businesses, health-wise buying local means you and your family are not ingesting as many preservatives and chemicals that many larger food companies use. Plus, frequenting a local farmer’s market allows residents to connect with their neighbors while purchasing a variety of items; veggies, home baked bread, flowers and of course Creo Chips!


The name Creo means “I believe” in Spanish. I thought of the name while out walking one afternoon with my oldest daughter Lindsay. Creo Chips has been a passion of mine for the last six years and its because of your belief in me and my products that I’m able to continue producing these chips.






Need ideas for dinner?
Let me help!


Hosting or attending a party?
Let me help!


Looking for an extraordinary gift?
Let me help!


Believe in Michigan?
Let me help!

And as always… Thank you, I appreciate your business
~Karen Attard

I urge you to stop by one of the markets and grab some chips. I think you'll be addicted, too!

Featuring Clark Creations- Natural, Vegan Skin Care

I first met Pam, of Clark Creations, at a craft show that we were both vendors. Her commitment to quality products is unparalleled. I've tried the Dream Cream and am currently a tester for her new deodorant.  I asked her a couple questions to find out more about what makes her tick. So without further delay-here she is!

Clark Creations Oatmeal Soap

1) What inspired you to make your own body products?

The inspiration behind making my own bath products began when I had uterine cancer some 18 years ago. After all those chemo and radiation treatments and subsequently the doctors wanted me to go on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), I decided against it - I just never felt right. My skin became my enemy and I was sure it was linked to all the drugs I had taken when going thru cancer treatments for 2 years. I knew there had to be a better way - so I started small, learning all I could about essential oils that I could readily purchase and then more and more research into what I could make myself.

2) How do you decide what to make?

First, I started to make the things I needed for myself and after I began Clark Creations (in March 2008), I started listening to my customers. They have been my best critic and truth be told, I wouldn't keep striving to make new and different products, if my customers never ask, but I've discovered new and exciting bath products just by lots of experimentation and research and I am blessed to have some really great customers who are welcome to be my guinea pigs! LOL

3) How did/do you learn to make your products?

I learned to make my own bath products out of necessity and partially because I wanted to give my skin the chance to heal after what the doctors had done over my lifetime with topical prescriptions and oral medications. I got tired of the expense and the never-ending trips to the doctor just to "cure" one more irritation to my skin.

I have had no formal training. I've learned everything from books, the internet and talking to naturopath and/or homeopathic doctors (who are friends). I wish many of the forms of learning I experience now would have been more attainable when I was diagnosed with cancer 18 years ago, but you can't go back, can you? Anyway...I have enjoyed learning all I can and enjoy teaching others too, which is why I offer workshops in my home on essential oils, fragrance oils, soap, lotions, creams, lip balms...

4) Which products are your favorites? Why?

Clark Creations Dream Cream

 Hmmm....that's a hard one. If you would have asked me 18 years ago, I would have said my bath salt recipe (because I use cornstarch to soften the water and it leaves my skin silky), but now...well its hard to choose just one. The Dream Cream was my invention about 10 years ago, I guess (wow!) and its non-greasy and does an excellent job to soften and heal my rough, cracked hands and feet. And, there is the Oatmeal Fizzies that contain no fragrance, just natural goodness - great for kids, teens and adults who suffer from eczema or dry skin. I suppose my next favorite is the Massage Stick (made with Shea, Cocoa and Mango Butters) that some people would describe as a lotion bar without the mess! LOL. All of my bar soaps I just LOVE, love, love the scents/essential oil combinations and they are glycerin so they won't dry skin. And...currently, by suggestion from a repeating customer, I am testing out a new natural deodorant which I am LOVING the scent and the way it doesn't cause my skin to itch.

5) Which of your products do you recommend for people who are new to natural skin care?
Well, anytime a person is going to try a new product, I always tell them to use it sparingly at first and build up to using it daily, if they wish. Pregnant women should be careful about large amounts of peppermint or ginger (which can cause contractions to start early) and should talk to their doctor about starting any new regimen when essential oils are in the product. I list the ingredients in my products starting with what is the most to the least, so if there are any allergies to the natural ingredients, they are aware of how much is in it.

Example: Blemish Buster bar soap contains peppermint and orange essential oils and the crushed peppermint herb as well as crushed organic orange peel. The bar is made for those who have acne or skin irritations (mild rosaecea, blemishes). I use daily, but for those who have very sensitive skin, I ask them to start using the bar one time a week and slowly work up to every day, if that is the wish of the customer. After several weeks (6) the body or face will become accustomed to the new regimen and breakouts will be few and far between.

6) How do you think the handmade movement benefits you and your local area?
When I began making skin care as a business, I was not sure where I wanted to take it. After being in business almost 3 years (yeah!), I am sure that the niche of using no animal by-products sets me apart from most of the skin care providers in my area (Michigan). There are not too many vegan skin care companies and I also try to stay on the cutting edge of the fragrance/essential oil trends as well. Being a small Michigan based business, I listen to what the customers are asking for; see what my competition has to offer and try hard to keep costs down for new customers and those who are just getting into the natural way of life.

I try to be as open and honest about myself and the products as well as what I can give the customer. I work hard to provide every opportunity for the customer to contact me with any questions - and making (or manufacturing) my own products gives me an "edge" on what other "natural" companies are out there. I've spoken to several "natural" skin care representative from the larger guys and many of the representatives don't have any idea what is in the products. They don't have to list their ingredients - and I WANT to list every ingredient - I WANT my customers to know exactly what they are getting.

I want to thank Pam for answering my questions and for being such a great example to small business owners everywhere. Please visit Clark Creations website or Facebook page for more information and to try her great products!

A Clark Creations Gift Set

Welcome!

When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality.
~Henry David Thoreau

Hello and welcome! Some of you have probably found your way here from Yes Michigan! or The World We Wish For and are wondering why in the world I would start another blog. Well, this is my new blogging home. I love the other two and those causes are incredibly important to me, but others are too, so here I am. I'm still going to talk about local businesses and building community, but I'm also going to talk about all the other adventures my family and I have while I try to learn to live more deliberately, more intentionally and with true passion and understanding for those things to which I choose to dedicate myself.