Or if sticking around in town.....

...go see Little Miss Sunshine.

With the 2006 summer film schedule clogged with so much vein blocking, steroid juiced celluloid junk, this film is just what is needed to restore one's faith in the power of American cinema.

This small film is big on laughs. So much so that even after the film, I found myself just busting out in laughter as images from the film popped into my head.

While this may not be a sweeping visual film on the level of Lawrence of Arabia, it is a film that spans the landscape of the human heart.

And like my friend Melissa said in an email, "At one point I (and everyone else in the theater) was laughing so hard – stomach pain hard. I guess anything that makes that happen is worth spending $8 on."

SEE THIS FILM!

Trailer: Little Miss Sunshine

Weekend Getaway Destination: La Becasse

As we head into the last weekend of summer, please consider a trip to La Becasse in Glen Arbor, Michigan.

This French restaurant located on a charming winding road on the south-east portion of Big Glen Lake is owned by my friends Chef Guillaume Hazael-Massieux and wife Brooke. Chef Guillaume of Paris was raised in the French West Indies and spent a few years in Western Michigan before purchasing this 18 year old gem of the north.

The food is wonderful and the French countryside atmosphere is very charming. I had the Duck Breast with a vanilla reduction and Michael had the Pork Chop grilled to perfection and served with a genrous portion of whipped potatoes.



After dinner, Guillaume and Brooke invited us to sit in their garden space right outside the restaurant kitchen's window. It was a great space to watch the staff prepare the food. It was also a great place to enjoy a bottle of jim Clendenon's Au Bon Climat's Pinot Noir. It was a perfect ending to a beautiful night of food, friends and clear night filled with endless stars overhead.













Chef Guillaume is a big fan of farmers markets and visits many of the local farms to secure the freshest ingredients to stock in his kitchen.

If you cannot make it this weekend, be sure to make a trip North in the fall. Yes, there will be Leaf Peepers by the busload in this part of Michigan, but getting a table in the midst of such autumn beauty should not be a problem and well worth the effort.



La Becasse, intersection of M-616 and 675, at the south-east end of Glen Lake, actually in Burdickville; (231) 334-3944.

Click here for a Google Map of La Becasse





Hunk Chef Guillaume - LOL

Big Harvest

Today was the day I decided to wander into the garden and make a big harvest of the ripe tomatoes. I had no idea how many I would have until I found myself nearly 30 minutes later with every possible container filled with the wonder of summer.

Over the past few weeks I have been harvesting a handful here and there but tonight it was the mother of all harvests.

I must say, this has been the biggest year I have had with my tomatoes.

Enjoy the photo, I am heading to bed...after I make a big bowl of red sauce.

A side note: It feels good to be back on line after a break.

Thanks to all who sent notes, flowers and emails.

It has been a rough few weeks but the thoughtfulness of so many has made these past few weeks a bit sweeter.

Warm thanks,

-Tommy