Thursday, June 10, 2010

A Relaxing Business....

Welcome the newest addition to the Calumet Block...it's Energy Massage!

With the understanding that we're all busy people with personal schedules, work schedules, kids schedules and the surprises no one has scheduled, Energy Massage invites you to give yourself a time-out.

A simple one-hour massage designed to reduce stress and pain issues is a great beginning. Some might find they need less or more attention according to the time they have available.

A variety of techiques are used during each session...Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial, pressure and trigger point therapy, even reflexology and hot stone treatments.

Excellent for migraines and sinus problems...ideal for those who hold tension in the upper back and neck...a real treat for those with lower back discomfort and even foot pain.

Massage is the way to give yourself time to unwind, relax and repair... renew your ENERGY.

Located above the Conglomerate Cafe, call 906-369-0094.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Beer and.....


Well, it was a Saturday afternoon and rather than wash dishes at the Cafe and I decided it was time to taste-test a few of the beers I hadn't sampled before.

Saugatuck Brewing company provided the beer at the front. Don't let the lack of foam at the top fool ya...I sipped most of it off. Good taste...crisp.

Beer in the middle is definitely better than middle-of-the-road. Breakfast Stout...a double chocolate coffee oatmeal stout from Founders Brewing out of Grand Rapids, MI. My pouring was perfect for me...since it's the foam I'm looking for. This beer goes perfect with another little treat at the Cafe...brownie bites. While I avoided the double dipping during the tasting, I highly recommend you try it...

Last but not least...the Golden Cap saison ale from New Holland Brewing...farmhouse ale brewed with spelt, an ancestor to wheat. Interesting taste...spicey. What catches the eye with this beer is the label. Fans of the Wizard of Oz will recognize the flying monkey...no yellow brick road here, just a field of spelt and a winged monkey apparently looking for a cold brew.

So that's beer at the Cafe...at least three of them. On the First Friday of every month we're open late with music, beer and wine. About a dozen bottle beers to choose from .... and we'll uncork any bottle of wine as long as you're willing to take the bottle to the bottom.

Looking to add some tap beer to the line-up sometime in June and a little bit more...you'll have to stop in and check it out.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

It Must Be Jam 'Cause Jelly Don't Jiggle Like That

It's berry season! Well, we're just a little bit away but once you see the flowers the berries aren't too far behind.





At the left...blackberries! Blossoms just starting to burst...this berry patch has traditionally provided a bumper crop of fat, juicy,deep-purple fruit.

Excellent for single berry jam and jelly, the blackberry also makes a great go-together with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries for a multi-berry spread.



And...speaking of strawberries...there are some wild ones just waiting in the wings. Flowers are gone now...mini-berries quietly growing. Still, Mother Nature is taking her time with these local morsels.

Tiny...packed with flavor...these are the pick of many locals for a morning treat. It takes a ton of 'em to make a batch but it's worth every bug bite you get while picking 'em.


Let's not forget the famous berry that makes the Keweenaw famous...the thimbleberry!

Impossible to describe, the flavor of the thimbleberry is one that draws people to the roadside and deep into the woods for picking.




Just like the other berries it's...two for me...one for the bucket...two for me...one for the bucket.

My favorite way to have this in jam or jelly is to combine it with apple.

So you like it all by itself? Welcome to the majority...I'm definitely out of the ordinary on this one.

All in all...it's berry time. So start looking for your pickin' patch....AND STAY OUT OF MINE!