Beer Tasting Brunch for the Holidays

What do Breakfast Stout and Wild Blue have in common with Dogfish Brewery?

Breakfast Beer Brunch

They are all micro brews that are unique and great to serve with a breakfast

brunch.    This is the second time we have hosted a “BEER TASTING

BRUNCH”.  What a lot of fun. Now, I must say I am not a beer aficionado.

The cinnamon rolls would have more appeal for me but some of these

specialty brews are really unusual. One of my favs was the Wild Blue,

made with Michigan blueberries. I know it sounds strange but

it was really good! The Oatmeal Stout was hefty…..guaranteed to have you

napping on the couch by 2pm.

The original brunch was gobbled up fast, so I only have a still life photo to

represent our feast.

This is a great idea for a Holiday Brunch…the beer lovers will appreciate it.

And the non-beer lovers will get a chance to taste beers they

never would order at a pub.

Happy Solstice, Everyone!!

Bottoms UP!!

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Five Star Realty

Copyright 2008 Allrights reserved

Photo by Bonnie Westbrook

A New US Citizen ~ Welcome to our World

We have a new US citizen in our family. We are so proud of him.  Our

daughter is married to a young man originally from Poland. He arrived on our

shores at the age of ten speaking Polish, German, a little Russian, and

not any English.  He had to catch up fast.  Luckily for him, he was in a class

of all foreign students, so he was in the same predicament as everyone else. 

Flash forward to age 15, high school, lots of teen angst and his parents

must return to Poland. They made a huge sacrifice to leave him here in

the US with friends, so he can graduate and stay safely in the United States. 

To make a long story short, he attends college here, gets a job here, and

eventually meets our daughter here in the US.  More than two thirds of his life,

he has been living in the United States.

Today is his first day as a US Citizen.

  Congratulations Sebastian!

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate  ~ Five Star Real Estate

Copyright 2008 All rights reserved

photos by Bonnie Westbrook

Merle’s Door – A Wonderful Read about a Great Dog

Merle’s Door by by Ted Kerasote is one of the best dog memoir books I have ever read.  If you have a dog, are thinking about getting a dog, or just like reading about dogs, don’t miss this great book!  It is truly a loving tribute to a big-hearted canine from his beloved best friend.

                                  

Ted Kerasote, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award, writes for many periodicals including Outdoor Magazine & Audubon, among others. He is an outdoor enthusiast and lives in the state of  Wyoming. 

He has written this warm, character driven memoir of his dog, Merle. By reading this book, you will get to know and love Merle, too.  

 (Warning: You will need tissue at the end of the book)  He is allowed to become himself, thoroughly, which is the basis of this novel.  Ted interprets what Merle is thinking and feeling, and this book is a true testament to the age old friendship between man and dog.

Almost any pet owner will credit their pet with many traits that in the past were only thought to be possessed by humans.  I’ve always believed animals are sentient beings and capable of most, if not all the feelings and emotions we have. I believe they think, not just react through genetic code.  If you are a doubter, then take the challenge and read Merle’s Door.  You will not look at animals quite the same way as before.

If you and your dog are looking for a home in the Grand Rapids Michigan area, we are a team of dog lovers that make our living selling homes. Especially in Ada, Cascade, Caledonia, East Grand Rapids, Forest HIlls, Kentwood and Rockford.

 Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

 Bonnie Westbrook Copyright 2008 All rights reserved                                          

photo of Merle’s Door courtesy of Harcourt Publishing Co.