I
n every season, especially here in Michigan, there’s something to love — and in the winter, it’s when that first dusting of powder sets upon the trees and everything just seems to glisten. For those “Gilmore Girls” fans out there, I believe Lorelai Gilmore said it best: “Everything is magical when it snows.” I couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re enjoying the snow up-close on skis and sleds, or savoring its picturesque sparkle from indoors, there’s an abundance of entertainment when it comes to this frosty season.
A few years back, my husband and I took our children tubing at Mt. Holiday, near Traverse City. It’s an absolutely wonderful, nonprofit ski resort that offers so many great programs, including scholarships, classes, and more for the community (and they’re open year-round for those who enjoy biking and hiking in the warmer months, too!). If you’re in the area, it’s a great place with a great mission, and I highly recommend a visit.
That particular visit was our first time tubing, and we thought it might be an amusing little winter jaunt for the kiddos. What we didn’t expect is how much fun we would have, too. Our kids laughed hysterically for the entire two hours we were there, as did my husband and I. It’s ridiculously simple, too. You hop on a tube, a rope lift gracefully tows you up the hill, the lift staff gives you a little push (or a daring spin!), and off you go, racing down at what feels like lightning speed, smiling ear to ear, laughing every inch forward.
The experience reminded me that winter often brings out a sense of childlike wonder in us all. Snowball fight? Yes! Make a fort? Of course! Hop on a tube going who knows how many miles per hour down a slick hill? Sign me up!
Winter is the perfect time to remind us to find a moment to pause and find one’s fun — just like the homeowners of a luxurious Troy lower-level did when they had designer Amy TerMarsch, of Amy Elizabeth Designs, completely rebuild their standard Michigan basement and fashion it into a grown-up escape complete with a home theater, shuffleboard table, a bourbon room, and more (page 30). TerMarsch even took it a step further for this same client, transforming their M1 Concourse Garage into a car enthusiast’s dream lounge.
In Grosse Pointe Farms, the owners of the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe recently gave the community a new, moody hideaway in which to unwind called the Dog House — it’s a cool cocktail lounge with interiors masterfully curated by designer Alexis Elley of Textures Interior Design. Even a recent transplant to Detroit, artist Ryan Kahen, knows how to find his fun — the Connecticut native loves to dig through NASA’s archives for inspiration for his out-of-this-world furniture creations. Our Accents section of this issue pays tribute to this idea of fun with a look at all the latest goodies for those who want to craft a high-style game room, including an over-the-top Louis Vuitton pinball machine, and all the right accoutrements to host a memorable fête.
As winter’s frigid temps set in and the commotion of the holidays calms, ask yourself: How will I make the most fun out of these next few months?
Until next season!
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