"Mighty Good" coffee

If the robust, lingering coffee fumes in my car are any indication, this week's coffee should be a good one. Locally-roasted coffee from Mighty Good Coffee of Ann Arbor will be served hot this Thursday. A refreshing twist to coffee will be crisp apple cider by Lesser Farms. Good news - we've "reserved" two more gallons from the next pressing, so we'll have fresh apple cider for a few more weeks.

Deb is brewing up buckwheat crepes with winter vegetable filling and poached pears. And heavenly hash gets a spooky makeover with purple potatoes from Tantre Farms. Creepy decor will be dangling overhead, so tread lightly. (Even Yellow Door gets in the Halloween spirit!)

Once Laureen or Angie greet you on Thursday, wander over to the new "message board" at the coffee table, so you can see where your Yellow Door breakfast was grown. It's a great tool for getting the scoop on where to get fresh, local foods.

9/12: Homegrown Festival + Cider and Perry Festival

Saturday, September 12, features two, fun-filled festivals promoting Michigan agriculture.

In Ann Arbor, from 5 to 10 p.m.: Homegrown Festival celebrates local food and community. Chef demos, kids' events (learn about bees!) and a Michigan wine and beer garden tent are a few of the exciting activities scheduled.

At Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. Johns, on Saturday & Sunday: Sample cider and perry from across the Great Lakes at the Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival. Ticket price is $10 and includes souvenir glass and ten pours. Lorri Hathaway and I will be signing our book, From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries. Ben Watson, author of Cider, Hard and Sweet: History, Traditions and Making Your Own will also be signing his book.

Hanging at Selma's

This morning, a few Yellow Door planning team members (Jane, Janice, Deb, Mully, Makayla - soon to be Kindergarten student - and I) jaunted off to Ann Arbor for breakfast at Friday mornings @ SELMA's. SELMA's is in the home of Jeff McCabe and Lisa Gottlieb. Local food initiative advocates, Jeff and Lisa open their home every Friday and invite you to eat fresh, artisan cuisine prepared by chefs of the region. A donation of $10-15 per plate gave us a bellyfull of (1) waffles, melon and bacon, (2) bread pudding and (3) scrambled eggs and beans. What stood out for me was the most incredible feeling of being in the right place. Lisa, who greeted us, made us feel part of the family, as if we've been coming for years. This is our goal at Yellow Door. The door is open every week on Thursday, starting October 15. Everyone is welcome.