Friday, July 14, 2017

Souvenirs from our visit to the Grand Hotel

Souvenir shopping is always fun, and I thought I'd share the goodies I came home with as mementos from my recent visit to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island! I always like to pick up those inexpensive guidebooks, and in the one above, I learned that Somewhere in Time wasn't the only film featuring the Grand Hotel. Esther Williams (for whom the Grand Hotel's swimming pool is named today) starred in 1947's This Time for Keeps, which was also partly filmed there.

My most intriguing souvenir purchase was this Dessert Notebook, which is fastened together sort of like a book of index cards. Frankly, I wish they'd just made it a spiral-bound book, because this is not going to be very convenient to use without bending the stiff cardboard pages, but ... recipes. So I had to have it, right?

You won't be surprised to hear that my favorite souvenir from this trip is the one I'll bet every tea lover gets, the teacup and saucer ornament in the signature Camellia Rose pattern.

And as a writer, I am absolutely nuts about pens, so this one was a must for recording thoughts and ideas from my trip. What's your favorite souvenir to look for? Books, teawares, and pens are mine ... not necessarily in that order. I'd love to know what you look for!



9 comments:

  1. The teacup ornament would be my first choice, too - small but a reminder of the trip. The others are perfect for you. I do tend to look for small-ish souvenirs these days.

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  2. Anything tea related would be my first pick. Christmas ornaments are always on my souvenir list. A tea inspired ornament is a bonus!

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  3. Love your souvenirs. I haven't seen the dessert recipe book before. I usually try to bring back a teacup and saucer from my excursions.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your souvenirs with us! I, too, love pens as souvenirs---they're easy to carry, usually inexpensive, and useful. Another favorite of mine is bookmarks--they're VERY easy to take back home and I do always use them and think of the place where I bought them.
    from Vernona in DC

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  5. I would certainly have purchased that ornament. I bring home pens and bookmarks if they are free. Kind of silly, but the idea of free hand outs is fun and part of the challenge.

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  6. Love that teacup ornament -- so pretty! I often will pick up something I admire - and write on the back the date/occasion/place.

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  7. I grew up watching my mom pour over teacups for every place we visited. As a kid it was pens all the way. Now it's little brochures, books, and all things writing. I do love teacups, but in a house full of boys and so many broken, those will wait a few more years. :)

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  8. Love your souvenirs. Recipes are always good. 😀

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