Issuu

N OV E M B E R 2 02 0

FOOD + DRINK

LI F E + C U LTU R E

WELLNESS

K AB O C HA S O U P REC I P E

“ B O RN I N SL AVERY; D I ED F REE I N B I RM I N G HA M”

A F ROZ EN T U RK E Y WO RKO U T

So Thankful!

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER

Tobin Clark | tobin.clark@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Danielle Alexander | danielle.alexander@lifestylepubs.com

Greetings, Birmingham!

AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall L AYO UT DESIGNER

NOVEMBER IS HERE, AND IT IS TIME TO BE THANKFUL. This month is, of

Jayme Emery

course, filled with fall colors of all magnitudes and the smell of cool air that tells us

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

winter is right around the corner. Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's enjoy the

Laura McCaffery

last month of fall and relish in what we can be thankful for. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love walking in the woods and relaxing while watching the leaves comes down. It's easy to get lost in one's own head with the peacefulness of the silence. But, there are still plenty of beautiful things to do and see during the month of November and still plenty of time to enjoy a trip to the cider mill, corn maze or pumpkin patch! I know I, for one, am certainly thankful to live in a state with four seasons, each one with its own unique flair. November is also the month of Thanksgiving, and as we all have thoughts of our favorite dish, let's think of past years and loved ones who always bring back memories to be thankful for. 2020 has been a struggle for many, and I am no different as my father fell ill early on in the year. Only recently has he been able to start on a path to recovery. I am sure thankful for his doctors, surgeons and medical professionals; these folks have been through so much this year. For me, personally, I am especially

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

thankful for the support the community has given me with this publication.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

The Covid Crisis is unfortunately still with us, and many local shops are still in sur-

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

vival mode. Please utilize as many local businesses as you can; we will all benefit

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

from help to the local economy. And hey, a strong local business district means a

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

more vibrant and exciting Birmingham!

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Cheers,

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

Tobin Clark, Publisher

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI ON THE COVER Birmingham, Mich. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA MCCAFFERY 4

Birmingham Life | November 2020

Proverbs 3:5-6 Birmingham Life™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Birmingham area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Birmingham Life™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE NOVEMBER 2020

FEATURES 10 Born in Slavery Community raises funds to properly memorialize George and Eliza Taylor, former slaves and Birmingham residents.

14 Turkey Workout The Dailey Method instructor models workouts for you to try with or without the bird!

18 “Plant Good, Eat Kind” Downtown Birmingham’s Planthropie has made healthy cheese and dessert a thing.

26 It’s Soup Season! Local independent chef Mia Yoshida

26 10

shares one of her favorite fall recipes: Kabocha Soup.

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Around Town

Our Town

Healthy Lifestyle

Food & Wine

23 Inspired By 26 Culinary Creations 28 DIY 32 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Local’s Choice

AROUND TOWN

SPA MARIANA COLLECTS BLANKETS AND CLOTHING FOR THE HOMELESS

FRESH COLLECTIVE KITCHEN AND MARKET OPENS IN BERKLEY

Throughout the month of November, Spa Mariana's

Fresh Collective Kitchen & Market offers

Birmingham (223 N. Eton St.) and Bloomfield Hills

cooking classes for adults and kids ages five

(6447 Inkster Rd.) locations are collecting blankets

and up, a fancy artisan market with local-

and clothing for the homeless. These goods will be

ly-roasted coffee, eats and treats, kitchen space

delivered along with hot chocolate and sandwiches

to rent and much more. Home of the Metro

in December. For more information, call Spa Mariana

Detroit Crunchy Food Co-op, Fresh Collective is

at (248)-792-2050.

open seven days a week. For more information, visit freshcollectivekitchen.com.

WEST BLOOMFIELD'S SPLASH PAD TO TENTATIVELY OPEN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

JOHNNY WAS COMES TO MICHIGAN, SPECIFICALLY BIRMINGHAM

The tentative opening date for West Bloomfield's new

Johnny Was opened its doors in Birmingham

splash pad, Lily Pad Springs, is Memorial Day weekend

in September. Located at 115 S. Old Woodward,

of 2021. Residents will be able to pre-purchase tickets,

Johnny Was sells clothing that "crosses cultures

tickets will be sold in time-slot increments, ticket prices

and defies trends" to the woman "looking to

will be $4 per resident/$6 per non-resident and hours will

showcase her personal style while appreciating

be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. The park will fea-

the thoughtful details of timeless techniques." For

ture fun for children of all ages, including over 50 play fea-

more information, visit johnnywas.com/store-

tures, four water slides and a splash bucket that dumps

locator/birmingham. Photo courtesy of Johnny

55 gallons of water; it is ADA and universally accessible.

Was' Facebook page.

Birmingham Life | November 2020

OUR TOWN

ARTICLE DANIELLE ALEXANDER | PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA MCCAFFERY

GREENWOOD

1855 by running north with the Underground

“They were married sometime before

THE

Railround. After spending some time in

1870,” local historian, Greenwood Cemetery

REMAINS OF SOME OF OAKLAND

Canada, he moved to Southfield in 1858

tour coordinator and board member of

COUNTY’S EARLIEST PIONEERS AND

where he took up farming. When the Civil

the Friends of the Birmingham Museum

MOST PROMINENT CITIZENS. Unlike

War ended, Eliza, who was born near

George Getschman said. “They worked a

the others who buried there though,

Nashville, Tennessee, was finally free and

little farm in Southfield, and they adopted

George and Eliza Taylor were both born

determined to reunite with her mother

a little girl named Clara. In 1881, the fam-

into slavery.

after enduring a harsh separation years

ily moved to Kansas, but 12 years later, in

It is well-documented by the Birmingham

prior. She ended up finding her mother in

1893, they moved back to Michigan, here

Museum that George was born near

Royal Oak, and shortly after their reunion,

in Birmingham. They bought a house on

Louisville, Kentucky and escaped slavery in

she and George met.

Bates Street, just north of Frank, and lived

BIRMINGHAM

CEMETERY CONTAINS

Birmingham Life | November 2020

BORN IN S L AV E R Y COMMUNITY RAISES FUNDS TO PROPERLY MEMORIALIZE GEORGE AND ELIZA TAYLOR, WHO WERE BORN IN SLAVERY AND DIED FREE IN BIRMINGHAM.

TEAMWORK The Birmingham Museum works in partnership with other community organizations, such as the Friends of the Birmingham Museum and the Baldwin Public Library. Together, they provide public tours, entertaining lectures and special events. Its mission is to promote understanding of Birmingham’s historical and cultural legacy through preservation and interpretation of its ongoing story. For more information, visit bhamgov.org/history/museum.

in that house for the rest of their lives.

the village. However, in 1901, after cutting

Although both of the Taylors were buried

George was very proud that he was the first

his hand on a straight-edge razor while

in Section E of the cemetery, Getschman

African American to pay property taxes in

shaving, George developed sepsis and died

said “the casual observer walking through

Birmingham. Given the prevailing attitude

that year on November 3. His funeral took

Greenwood would not be conscious of the

concerning race and segregation in the

place two days later on what Getschman

role that these people played in our nation’s

1890s, it’s remarkable that George and Eliza

described as being “a cold, miserable day,”

history” as neither have monuments to mark

were accepted and highly regarded mem-

and immediately after the funeral, Eliza

their burial places, adding that not having a

bers of Birmingham’s community.”

became sick with a severe respiratory infec-

monument is actually true for a number of

Birmingham’s

tion, never able to fully recover. Six months

people interned at Greenwood.

Presbrysterian Church, and George was

after George’s death in April of 1902, Eliza

“affectionately known” as Uncle George in

died and was buried next to her husband.

The

Taylors

joined

“It was astonishing that these two people, who had been a part of such an CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

OUR TOWN (CONTINUED)

Birmingham Life | November 2020

“IT WAS ASTONISHING THAT THESE TWO PEOPLE, WHO HAD BEEN A PART OF SUCH AN IMPORTANT STORY OF OUR NATION’S HISTORY, TURNED OUT TO BE A PART OF BIRMINGHAM’S STORY, AS WELL.”

important story of our nation’s history, turned out to be a part of Birmingham’s story, as well,” Getschman said. “They joined our small farming community and lived their lives here, but then were totally forgotten for three or four generations. It was immediately apparent that we needed to do something about the missing marker.” Piety Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a non-profit, non-political women’s service organization dedicated to preserving the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence, and the Friends of the Birmingham Museum came together in a joint effort to raise the needed funds to properly memorialize the Taylors. The DAR and Friends committed $2,000 to the project, which left $2,700 to raise from private donations from the community. Additionally, a “Fall 2020 Pioneer Tour of Greenwood Cemetery” took place in September, which was led by both Getschman and another local historian, Linda Buchanan. The tour covered the earliest parts of the cemetery, known as the “pioneer period,” as well as the addition of the recently-acquired information about the Taylors. Proceeds from the cost of the tour also helped fund a marker for the Taylors’ unmarked graves. With the sufficient funds, a large marker, similar in style to the older graves in the cemetery with biographical information about the Taylors, will be installed. The notation “Born in slavery; died free in Birmingham” will be included on the marker, as well. “It’s the hope of many of us who love the history associated with Greenwood Cemetery that George and Eliza Taylor can be properly memorialized, so that anybody walking through our cemetery will know their story,” Getschman said. Contact the Birmingham Museum to learn more about the Taylor monument project at (248)-530-1682.

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

TURKEY WORKOUT THE DAILEY METHOD INSTRUCTOR KRISTI DOLAN MODELS THREE WORKOUTS FOR YOU TO TRY– WITH/WITHOUT THE BIRD– THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

ARTICLE DANIELLE ALEXANDER | PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA MCCAFFERY

TROY RESIDENT KRISTI DOLAN HAS BEEN TEACHING CLASSES AT THE DAILEY METHOD FOR SIX YEARS, FIVE OF WHICH IN BIRMINGHAM. She enjoys partaking in movement every day, traveling, being on any body of water, cooking and having date nights with her husband or girlfriends. A mother of two children and one Frenchie, Dolan said she has a huge sweet tooth, especially when it comes to donuts and cinnamon rolls. With Thanksgiving approaching, Dolan modeled three workouts using a frozen turkey. She said to repeat each exercise 20 times per side for three rounds. Or, using a turkey timer, repeat each side for one minute with a 15-second rest in between for three rounds. “A medicine ball, a single heavy hand weight, a baby or even a trusty magnum of wine can definitely be used in lieu of the turkey,” Dolan said. Follow Dolan on Instagram @tdolan and message her there about private classes, including girls’ wine nights.

Birmingham Life | November 2020

“A MEDICINE BALL, A SINGLE HEAVY HAND WEIGHT, A BABY OR EVEN A TRUSTY MAGNUM OF WINE CAN DEFINITELY BE USED IN LIEU OF THE TURKEY.”

01.

TURNED-OUT SQUAT TURKEY TWIST

02.

TURKEY WEIGHT SEAT WORK

03.

RUSSIAN TURKEY TWIST

Step feet inner-hip distance apart with

Lie down on the floor with feet

Sit down with knees bent and feet

toes turned out. Turkey should be at heart

planted, hip-distance apart. Place

on the ground. Turkey is at heart

center, held in hands. Keep core engaged

turkey at hip area. Lift leg into air and

center. Lean back, keeping shoul-

while you drop your seat down and back,

straighten it out over the hip. Press

ders over hips (about 45 degrees).

keeping knees aligned over the ankles.

through the opposite heel to lift your

Engage your core and lift your legs

Push through heels as you rise and twist

seat off the ground until the last rib stays

off the ground. Rotate to the left,

to the left, then come back through the

connected. Press through the heel to

keeping the turkey center and come

center as you drop back down. Repeat

engage the seat and hold. Continue to

back through center to rotate right.

with twisting to the right.

press and hold 20 times on each side. CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

248.224.9169 | partners@dandavisdesign.com | dandavisdesign.com

Birmingham Life | November 2020

FOOD & WINE

“PLANT GOOD, EAT KIND”

DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM’S PLANTHROPIE HAS MADE HEALTHY CHEESE AND DESSERT A THING.

ARTICLE DANIELLE ALEXANDER | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PLANTHROPIE’S RUA AND KIM HOOVER OF APPLE OF OUR EYE

WITH MY DAUGHTER LACTOSE INTOLERANT AND

that’s rich in vitamins, minerals and probiotics, the cheese is

HUSBAND ON A GLUTEN-FREE DIET, FINDING

handcrafted in small batches right in Birmingham.

PLACES TO DINE WITH MENU ITEMS WE CAN ALL

+ Desserts: The desserts are made with the finest organic

ENJOY IS NOT AN EASY FEAT– ESPECIALLY ONES

raw ingredients from fruits to cashews (among other tree

THAT TASTE GOOD. So, when Planthropie founder Rua

nuts) and balanced with the natural sweetness of the finest

Oshana handed me her Signature Cheesecake to try, I was

specialty dates in combination with a touch of pure maple.

in awe of the concept and could not believe it was something my whole family could indulge in.

Prior to opening Planthropie, Rua studied medicine, fled war in Iraq, worked in preventative healthcare and nutritional

Located at 135 Pierce Street in Birmingham, Planthropie

counseling in Canada and then transitioned into business

is a plant-based, refined sugar free, organic, fair trade, gluten

and marketing in the US. After giving birth to her son, she

free and soy free dessert and cheese bar, making it an ideal

quickly discovered he had a dairy allergy.

regular stop for those with allergies and intolerances, those

“At the time, I was vegetarian but still loved my cheese

following a specific diet or honestly those who just love

and eggs,” Rua explained. “My son got to the point where

cheese and desserts!

he was choking on my breast milk, so our pediatrician rec-

According to planthropie.com, the Downtown Birmingham

ommended the process of elimination in my diet to figure

shop ethically sources the finest raw organic ingredients for

out the cause. By the fifth day of me having no dairy, he

synergy and optimal absorption. The food served is whole-

was sleeping like an angel and had no signs of discomfort

some, rich in natural vitamins and packed with minerals and

or redness in his cheeks.”

fuel, such as single origin cashews and cacao beans. Planthropie’s menu is divided into the two categories of cheese and dessert:

As a result of this, she decided to bridge her background experiences together to not only focus her work on conscious living and nutrition but also her passion

+ Cheeses: Using techniques to honor traditional chee-

for artistry. And in December 2017, Planthropie was born.

semaking to create a sustainable and nourishing cheese

Starting out with local popups and Farmers Markets, CONTINUED >

Birmingham Life | November 2020

Garden Wedding Cake

Aged Dill Cashew Cheese

LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM, PLANTHROPIE IS A PLANT-BASED, REFINED SUGAR FREE, ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE, GLUTEN FREE AND SOY FREE DESSERT AND CHEESE BAR. Chocolate Cake

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

FOOD & WINE (CONTINUED) Garlic Nour Cashew Cheese

word-of-mouth spread, and less than two years later, it was time for a brick and mortar. “I had a booth at Art Birmingham, and the moment I looked into the window, I could imagine what you see now,” Rua explained. “A couple months later it was still available, so I knew it was meant to be. I signed in April of 2019.” Planthropie’s mission extends beyond the beauty and goodness of plant-based food: the team also works to inspire kindness, compassion and well-being through education and intentional partnerships, as well. Learn more about the seasonal flavors and this year’s holiday menu at planthropie.com or follow Planthropie on Instagram @planthropie. Rua said the most updated hours can be found on Google.

“PLANTHROPIE’S MISSION EXTENDS BEYOND THE BEAUTY AND GOODNESS OF PLANT-BASED FOOD: THE TEAM ALSO WORKS TO INSPIRE KINDNESS, COMPASSION AND WELL-BEING THROUGH

Planthropie Cake

EDUCATION AND INTENTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, AS WELL.”

PLANTHROPIE 135 Pierce St. in Birmingham hello@planthropie.com (248)-839-5640

Birmingham Life | November 2020

Signature Cheesecake

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

Photo Michel Gibert, photograph used for reference only. Special thanks: Pierre Stéphane Dumas – www.bubbletree.fr; www.gerflor.com.

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Manufactured in Europe.

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INVEST IN YOU – SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY (248) 798-1050 | 261 East Maple Rd Birmingham , Michigan 48009 22

Birmingham Life | November 2020

INSPIRED BY

WALKING THE WALK

A JOURNEY DOWN THE WINDING LIFE PATH OF UNASSUMING SPIRITUAL LEADER FRANCIS CHAN

IMAGINE YOURSELF AS THE LEADER OF A THRIVING MEGACHURCH IN VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, WITH MORE THAN 5,000 MEMBERS AND GROWING. You’re a New York Times bestseller making a million dollars in royalties from your first book and people love you—you’re on top of the world. Would you leave that all behind? Better yet, would you trade all of that, giving away 90% of your income to end up living in the poorest region of Hong Kong surrounded by people struggling to make it by on just 50 cents a day? For most, it probably sounds like a tale of riches to rags; an unfortunate and unwanted result of someone falling upon hard times. But for Francis Chan, a church planter and best-selling author who speaks to thousands of people around the world each year, it’s exactly what he did. And exactly what he needed—an opportunity to walk down a winding path that led him toward fulfilling his purpose; toward becoming a

ARTICLE NICOLETTE MARTIN

man who can truly say he lives the life he’s been called to and encouraging others to do the same.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)

Watch the full interview @ CityLifestyle.com! Francis, born in San Francisco, was raised in a very traditional Chinese home and navigated a challenging upbringing. His mother died while giving birth to him. His father remarried, then his stepmother died in a car accident when he was 8. His father remarried again, then, when Francis was 12, died of cancer. Twenty-six and newly married, Francis and his wife Lisa founded Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California in the early 90s, beginning with a membership of 30 people. Within the first two months, the church grew to 100. By 2000, membership grew even more to 1,600. And by 2008, Cornerstone Community Church was one of the largest in Ventura County and Francis’ then-new book “Crazy Love” was a New York Times bestseller. Then, in 2010, Francis decided to leave it behind in pursuit of a more humble and impactful way of life. The $1 million his bestselling book made in the first year, plus the money it continues to make? Francis signed it all over to a charitable gift fund helping the poor and victims of human trafficking. After making the decision to leave Cornerstone and wrestling with what the next step would be, Francis and Lisa ended up selling their Simi Valley house and moving their family of six at the time overseas to India, Thailand and China, where he was able to embrace new interests and activities by doing what the locals do, and where he also saw an inspiring shift in culture and spiritual values. “I wish we could learn and see the sacrifice of others,” he says. “Their mentality really isn’t a consumer mindset of ‘Here’s my needs, here’s what I feel, no one cares about me— me, me, me, me. Overseas they’re just obsessed with each other and thinking about how to get to the poor—the truly poor—like ‘We’re going to starve today,’ or ‘We’re selling off kids today.’ That type of poor. There’s just a lot more urgency.” In the throes of a pandemic, quarrels over U.S. politics, a growing divide among people and beliefs, and the unsurety of life, Francis’ message of focus and fulfillment can be summed up simply: take your eyes off yourself.

“People that I’ve found that have spent their lives truly loving others are the j o y f u l p e o p l e .” 24

Birmingham Life | November 2020

“A l l w e r e a l l y n e e d t o d o is hit that little button that s w i t c h e s i t o f f s e l f i e m o d e .” “It’s so counterintuitive because, physically, if I break my arm, I’m not going to be thinking about anyone else. The only thing that’s going to bring me pleasure is getting this thing fixed. ‘Everyone look at me—my arm is broken; someone fix

he says. “I go, ‘You have no clue. This is like the happiest place on Earth. You’re gonna go nuts!’” Francis says Rachel began to get very sad, asking if they could just go to Paint Pals.

it for me,’” he says. “But...the answer is actually to take your

“She’s working herself into tears,” he laughs. “Like,

eyes off of yourself. People that I’ve found that have spent

you’re crying because I’m about to take you to Disneyland.”

their lives truly loving others are the joyful people. You’ll find very few generous people who are miserable.” Francis, pretending to hold up a phone facing him-

“I feel like we’re just like Rachel when she was 5,” he says, fondly recalling the Paint Pals days. “We’re accustomed to certain things and God has something so much better for us.”

self, goes on to describe how he sees this generation

Nearly six months ago, Francis’ path led him to the

as a generation all about taking selfies; noting that

Sham Shui Po area on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong

you could be in the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls

with most of his family, including his wife, all but one of

and you’re always in the picture—always the center

his daughters, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren.

of everything.

It’s a place he later found is where his mother also did

“All we really need to do is hit that little button that

ministries in the 1950s, and allows him the continued

switches it off selfie mode,” he says. “And now I can’t

humbling opportunity to live out his journey working with

even see myself.”

the ultra poor to bring relief and sharing his spiritual ful-

Looking toward the future, Francis (non-prophetically, he clarifies, laughing) goes on to recall the story of his oldest daughter, Rachel—one of seven children and two grandchildren, when she was 5 years old.

fillment with others, even while enjoying a pickup game with locals on the neighborhood basketball court. “It’s a pretty bizarre journey to think that, first of all, my wife has stood by my side for 27 years, and it’s just been

“We regularly visited this rundown place in our city

an amazing marriage. Two years ago at our 25-year anni-

called Paint Pals,” he laughs, reminiscently. “There was

versary, she asked me ‘Do you know of anyone on the

this old maze you walked through with only a few walls,

planet that is more blessed than we are? Because I feel

some little ceramic things you could paint and this big

like we’re the happiest people on earth. It’s almost like

bubble machine that was just a hula hoop dipped in

that can’t be true, but I haven’t found anyone happier,’”

bubble solution. There really wasn’t much more to it,

he says. “It’s one thing for me to say because that’s the

but she loved it.”

way I feel, but to hear that from my wife as well and those

“One day I was just like, ‘Honey, this week I’m going to take you to Disneyland!’ And she was like, ‘What’s that?’”

truly to be her sentiments. It just feels like an impossible life all the way around.”

CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

CULINARY CREATIONS

itâ€™s soup season! LOCAL INDEPENDENT CHEF MIA YOSHIDA SHARES ONE OF HER FAVORITE FALL RECIPES: KABOCHA SOUP. ARTICLE MIA YOSHIDA

Birmingham Life | November 2020

k a bocha soup LOCAL INDEPENDENT CHEF MIA YOSHIDA STRONGLY BELIEVES IN ORGANIC PRODUCTS AND MAKING MEALS FRESH FROM SCRATCH. She said to give this hearty soup a unique touch by topping it with black pumpkin seed oil. Not only is it immensely delicious, but she said it also has countless health benefits! For more recipes, follow @mia_yoshida on Instagram.

i n g re d ient s + Approximately 2 pounds Kabocha pumpkin + 1 large yellow onion, peeled and roughly diced + 4 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly diced + 3 tbsp olive oil + ¼ cup Noilly Prat or dry white wine + 3-4 cups unsalted vegetable stock (homemade is preferred) + Bay leaves + 1.5 tbsp honey + 1 tbsp kosher salt + ½ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper + ½ cup crème fraiche or coconut cream + Freshly toasted raw green pumpkin seeds + Chives, finely sliced + 2 slices of your favorite sourdough bread (or any other bread), diced into ½-inch cubes + 2 tbsp of butter (or olive oil) + Maldon salt (or any other flaky sea salt)

i n st r uc t ion s 1. Cut the Kabocha in half and remove all its seeds with a spoon. Use a peeler to remove the outer skin and roughly dice into 1-inch cubes. Set aside. 2. Prepare your toppings by toasting the pumpkin seeds in a nonstick frying pan for a couple minutes until they are very lightly browned and set aside. In the same pan, melt the butter and fry the bread cubes until browned and crunchy, seasoning with a pinch of Maldon salt. Finely chop the chives and let your pumpkin oil come to room temperature if stored in the refrigerator. 3. Heat the olive oil in a stainless pot on medium heat. Add the onion and garlic cloves and gently fry for a few minutes until it barely catches color. Deglaze with the Noilly Prat, and add the pumpkin followed by the stock (start with 3 cups). Add salt, pepper, bay leaves and the honey. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Remove the bay leaves and add the crème fraiche before you puree the soup with a hand blender. Add some more stock if the consistency is too thick. Adjust your spices to taste. 4. Garnish with toppings and serve hot immediately. Pause, and enjoy. Also, find someone else to do the dishes! CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

DIY

BRINGING B AC K F R O N T PORCH G AT H E R I N G S

THIS TIME OF YEAR, I FIND MYSELF EXCITED FOR PREPARING OUR HOME FOR THE CHILLY MONTHS AHEAD. Even before the air gets crisp I get busy washing throw blankets, replacing worn out couch pillows and digging out those yummy smelling candles. It makes me want to stock up on coffee and hot cocoa to share with friends when they gather in our home. Although I am still inclined to do those things, this year is a bit different as the world of social distancing has changed our abilities to gather with friends and family like we used to. Whatever may come with the chilly air I do know one thing…we still need people, and it can still be just as wonderful to gather together! The question that I’ve been asking myself is “how can our family pivot with the times and continue to gather, visit with friends, meet for coffee,

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY LEANN PARKER

share dinners and celebrate in life milestones?” This fall, instead of turning my attention into our living room, I am looking to my front porch (and backyard) in preparation for gathering with people there. Here are a few of my ideas for creating an outdoor space to be used well into the cold winter months. You can also continue to join me in the journey by following me at @silvertoothfarmhome.

P U T T I N G T O G E T H E R YO U R G AT H E R I N G S PAC E … 1

Somewhere to sit… Even if you don’t have a front porch, you might have a garage, a yard, a little corner under a tree. Pick a spot and plant some chairs there (6 feet apart these days). Our Adirondack Chairs are an old version from World Market, but any outdoor chair will do. If you have a covered space then don’t be afraid to pull out those indoor chairs too. It’s charming to see repurposed wooden dining room chairs sitting on a covered porch. Be creative!

Something to feel… Instantly give your outdoor space the feeling of indoors with an outdoor rug. It seriously changes everything by making the space like a living room! I get my budget friendly outdoor rugs from Boutique Rugs, but you can find them at any price point. Include a pillow or blanket for warmth, and when the days get really cold a patio heater is a major bonus.

Something to see… Bring on the layering of flowers, pumpkins or candles to bring the space to life! I like to work with different heights and textures (here I placed my chrysanthemums in bushel baskets from Hobby Lobby and placed them on stools to elevate them to eye level). The possibilities are endless so be creative and have fun!

Something to eat… Fill a basket with caramel apples on sticks, kettle corn in brown paper bags, coffee or tea in paper travel cups. I love using baskets and trays to easily transport items from my kitchen to the outdoor space.

Birmingham Life | November 2020

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NOVEMBER

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

approach the date. Please check

GLENLORE TRAILS: THE HAUNTED FOREST

AMERICA'S THANKSGIVING PARADE

in Commerce Charter Township

America’s Thanksgiving Parade® pre-

The forest is stirring again. Reports

sented by Gardner-White is set to go

BIRMINGHAM SANTA WALK

of eerie happenings started filtering

as a live, televised-only, production

(320 Martin Street in Birmingham)

back to basecamp until the reports

in the heart of downtown Detroit at

Kicking off the Small Business

stopped. Can you help uncover what

10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning!

Saturday

has happened in the woods? Glenlore

As producers, The Parade Company

this event will welcome Santa to

Trails: The Haunted Forest is a 1/2

developed a creative and thoughtful

town during a celebration complete

mile outdoor walking path that has

approach to continue the 94-year

with ringing sleigh bells, stops at

been overhauled with lighting, pro-

tradition

unprece-

various stores with giveaways and

jection and other sensory elements

dented times. For more information,

concluding at Santa's House in Shain

for all to enjoy! Learn more at glen-

visit theparade.org.

Park. Children who participate in the

Multi Lakes Conservation Association

back regularly for more information.

Televised Event

during

these

loretrails.com/the-haunted-forest.

MOTHER/DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB

shopping

extravaganza,

Santa Walk will be among the first to

Parking Lot behind The Surnow Company

visit Santa at the Santa House!

38TH ANNUAL TURKEY TROT Virtual Event

Virtual Event

The 38th Annual Strategic Staffing

Is your daughter in grades 4-6? Do

Solutions Turkey Trot will take place

the two of you have an interest in

as a virtual race this year and will not

being a part of a virtual book club?

take place downtown. Registration

Email Ms. Susan at susan.dion@

is now open at theparade.org/

baldwinlib.org. This month, the

turkeytrot. The Parade Company’s

group is reading “Listen, Slowly” by

goal is to make this the largest

Thanhha Lai. The book club discus-

virtual race in the state. The event

sion will take place at 7 p.m.

benefits the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation.

21 OPENING NIGHT OF WILD LIGHTS Detroit Zoo

(8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak)

Known

"holiday

tradition

28 BIRMINGHAM'S SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Downtown Birmingham

with glowing reviews," the Detroit

Small Business Saturday is a day

Zoo is once again ready to amaze

dedicated

guests with its highly-anticipated

businesses

event, "Wild Lights." For tickets,

Shoppers are encouraged to enjoy

visit detroitzoo.org.

extra perks and tackle their holi-

Would you like to get in touch with

day shopping in Birmingham. The

us? We would love to hear from you!

Covid-19 situation is being closely

monitored,

informa-

BirminghamMI using the Get In

tion will continuously be updated

Touch link and let us know what

on allinbirmingham.com as we

you think.

Birmingham Life | November 2020

supporting

across

and

the

event

small

country.

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LOCAL’S CHOICE ARTICLE DANIELLE ALEXANDER

OWNER AND ESTATE CONSULTANT AT KW DOMAIN LUXURY HOMES INTERNATIONAL SHARES FIVE THINGS SHE’S GRATEFUL FOR THIS YEAR.

RENEE LOSSIA ACHO HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A TOP PRODUCING AGENT

RENEE LO S S I A AC H O 01

EVERY YEAR SINCE 2011. The expertise, market knowledge and commitment Lossia Acho provides each client results in an unsurpassed experience and is the number one reason why referrals continue to be her primary source of her business.

I’M THANKFUL FOR... “My three amazing children. Not only are they incredible children but wonderful people. No other accomplishment in my life could ever make me as proud as I am to be their mother.

My family, friends and colleagues who continue to be my strength/support and continue to make me laugh. They’re a constant reminder of what makes a great life: being surrounded by great people.

To live in a country where we can voice our opinions to promote a better tomorrow. To me it’s not about what opinion someone might have but being blessed to live in a country that allows us to have one.

As absolutely horrible as this pandemic has been, it’s reminded me to be grateful for so many things that are easily overlooked or forgotten in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Health! This year has certainly been a strong reminder that our health and wellness is often beyond our control, reminding me to be aware of how delicate/vulnerable we really are.”

Birmingham Life | November 2020

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