Tales of the Traveling Tote: Ann Arbor and Frankenmuth

It's December, My Lovelies!

Welcome to another edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote!

I am hosting the giveaway, and you can read more about it at the bottom of this post.

We spent Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor with our daughter and son-in-law.  We had a great time because it was a HUGE college football weekend, and we took a little side trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan on Black Friday.  If I had to describe Frankenmuth, I'd say it's like Gatlinburg and a Hallmark town had a love child.  My Southern friends will understand this comparison, haha.  I'd also compare it to Helen, Georgia.  It's a Bavarian-themed town that pays homage to the Germans who settled the area, and there is a calendar full of events and festivals year round.  We saw the Christmas tree lighting, we had a lovely dinner at Prost, and we did a little shopping.  We found a couple of darling boutiques, and everyone enjoyed cider and hot chocolate.  

One thing that was very funny about Frankenmuth is that they have an obsession with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and The Grinch: if you wanted to do so, you could purchase very creative merch based on these movies.  Everyone was nice and excited about the weekend's activities.  The outdoor ice skating rink looked lovely, but I was too cold to skate.  We did a whole lot of walking, though.

We had a family member warn us not to go to the world's largest Christmas store because everything they sell is way overpriced, so we're probably the only people to visit Frankenmuth who didn't go.  

I suppose I can purchase a few new ornaments locally.

Let's look at a few photos from Frankenmuth:

Mr. Bookish, Santa, and a giant mouse took photos with La Countess de Monet.

The town is very quaint with a German theme.

We enjoyed watching artisans make fudge at Zak and Mac's.  We purchased a few treats and enjoyed the sipping chocolate.

The Christmas decorations and lights were very pretty.

This is the covered bridge leading into town.

The weather was beautiful during our trip, but it was very cold.

We always enjoy Ann Arbor, but you have to plan ahead on game day because Shanley Belle and Christopher live close to the Big House (University of Michigan's stadium), and the police shut down their street at times during the day.  This was perhaps the biggest grudge match during the weekend with the Michigan Wolverines ranked number two and the Ohio State Buckeyes ranked number three.

Prepping for Game Day at Pioneer High School, just a short walk from the stadium

A beautiful day for football

Trip and Christopher walked down there, but I was too cold and walked back and watched the game from the comfort of Christopher and Shanley's house.  It was a fantastic game!  We could hear the Michigan fans as they cheered their team to a 24-30 victory.

Next, we watched an incredible come from behind win for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide v. the Auburn Tigers.  Roll Tide Roll!

I guess you've noticed that all of my photos are taken away from Shanley's house.  That's because I just got a brand new phone days before the trip, and Shanley and Christopher's Golden likes phones.  I kept mine locked in our room when we were home. 

Of course La Countess has been my helper while running all over Birmingham prepping for everything Christmas.

Stop by next week for a look at our Christmas decorations!

Please link over and visit the other Traveling Totes.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader (You're here!)

Below is the prize for this quarter.  For a chance to win, please leave a comment below, and if you are an anonymous blogger, leave your email in your comment so I can contact you.

Join us for our next adventures March 1, 2024.

Until next time...

Blessings!

Ricki Jill