Easter Sunday: Ham vs. Ham!

Holidays are the best!  I can't help myself- I love them.  I know they can be stressful and intense (though, truth be told, sometimes I kind of like things that are super intense and borderline stressful), but they can be lovely, too.  There is something about food & seasonal decor that really makes me happy...!

I guess it helps that I have such an awesome family.  On holidays we pretty much follow the same plan: we get together, eat a bunch of carbs, tell stories and usually do something ridiculous- like this, for example...but more on that later.

CJ and I were in charge of getting some of the carbs together for brunch, so we got bagels in Ferndale at New York bagel.  While we were there, we checked out our friend Dennis' new bug- it's super cute (Dennis lives right next to the bagel place).

After getting the bagels, we headed to the Donut Cutter, cause it ain't the holidays without donuts.

Then we headed over to my Mom's house to see everybody...like the adorable Molly, all turned out for Easter.

 I can't believe Bert's scary face didn't make her cry.

Our neighbor's Greg & Teresa brought over these tiny things- the first Michigan strawberries of the season.

We put them to good use in some sparkling wine.

Cheers!

Left to right: 

Fabulous Aunt Debbie, mountain man Uncle Tom, crazy neighbor Prior and wonderful Uncle Howard.

Molly with her daddy Jeremy.  She loved her Easter basket.

So did Henry.

Cousin Bert and me.  Ham verses Ham: real life ham and tattoo ham!

Bert and I used to be real partners in crime.  When we were little, we caused a lot of trouble- real life trouble.  Like the time we went sledding at our grandparent's house on the glass table top from a patio set.  And then encouraged my sister and his brother- 5 and 6 years old respectively- to sled down on the table top into a ravine.  With a river.  And broken beer bottles.  We still can't believe no one died.

After reminiscing, it was trampoline time!

It was Molly's first time and she loved it- check out the air she's getting!

Even Prior got on, which was a first.

CJ gets in on the action and Henry get some serious air while Molly and Jeremy watch.

 Nothing like the first jump of the season- can you tell we both were figure skaters??

Trampoline insanity ensues!  Kara, Stephen, Me and CJ.

 

 

XOXO

Birthday Party World Part 3: Motown Museum

The day after my birthday we went here!

I don't have a ton of photos because photography was prohibited, but I managed to sneak in a few shots.

CJ and Chuck check out some photos.

Barry Gordie's record player.

Now, I know this photo is pretty blurry, but it's my favorite.  This pic was taken inside the Motown records studio at the museum- the studio where every single Motown song was recorded until 1972!  So many famous people have recorded in this room (which is actually the converted garage of the house).  Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokie Robinson- just to name a few.  Dr. King even recorded the album version of "I Have A Dream" just weeks before he delivered the speech in Washington.

At this particular moment, everyone on our tour is singing happy birthday to me, which was really cool!  Being in that studio was definitely the highlight of the tour.

After not being able to take pictures inside, we made up for it with lots of photos outside.

After that, we had to eat, of course.

CJ and Jaclyn were brave and ate oysters.  Gross!

My wonderful father in law Chuck bought me homemade donuts from One Eyed Betty's.  With raspberry and chocolate dipping sauces.  They were so good...!

Pruitt wanted some but he wasn't allowed.

He was probably sad about that.

And then I got this!  A dessert pizza!

I was pretty excited about it (and so was Pruitt, from the looks of this photo).

Jaclyn made it for me.  It was amazing!

Thanks to Jaclyn, my lovely in laws Babs & Chuck, Carl & CJ for helping me celebrate! xoxo

Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?

Truer words were never spoken, and by Homer Simpson no less!

I make no secret of the fact that I am totally, completely obsessed with donuts (or "cop vitamins", as a special Detective friend of mine calls them).

I'll take them however I can get them- I don't discriminate.  Plain, chocolate, cider mill style, paczki, glazed, peanut covered- whatever!

One of my fondest memories of my wedding is eating day old donuts leftover from our "donut cake" out of a garbage bag* the morning after our reception with my husband.  Ah, happiness.  May you all know such true bliss in your own marriages!

*For the record, it was a CLEAN garbage bag.  It was just the only receptacle available to store them in!

ANYWAY, given my obsession, this post is very serious, because it involves what I believe are the best donut holes in the Detroit metro area.  And notice I said donut HOLES people- we're not talking regular donuts.  If we were, we would be discussing Dutch Girl Donuts, but that is a subject for another post...

How much do you really love donuts holes?  Enough to go here?!

That's right people.  Detroit Donut.  Warren, Michigan.  Right off I-696, at the Hoover/Schoenherr exit.  You can get some donut holes AND gas up your car.  Yes, its also a gas station.

You have to order the cinnamon sugar!

Eating them on the back of a Chevy is optional, but strongly encouraged.


PS- Shout out to my Mom, who first introduced me to these awesome treats!