Why Should You Buy a Hot Tea Maker?

I was browsing the Meijer flyer this morning and found something that made me chuckle. Sunbeam is selling a Hot Tea Maker (looks like a smallish coffee maker) for only $29. Um, yeah, I have a hot tea maker already. It's called a teakettle. Are we so lazy (or ignorant) these days that we need a machine to boil the water and pass it through the tea for us? If you can boil water, you can make tea.

The big plus I guess is that you can make up to 28 ounces of tea at a time (about four cups of tea figuring six ounces per cup). I can make four cups of tea all at once, too. I boil water in a teakettle and put a teabag in each of four cups. Done.

Whew! Maybe Martha Stewart will have me on her show so I can teach America the intricacies of making tea using a teakettle.

P.S. Someone on Amazon.com commented that they have been doing the same thing using a coffee maker for years now. I guess that makes it even more foolish to run out and buy this Hot Tea Maker. :)

Smoke or Clouds? Nope, Just Swarms of Bugs

Recently, residents of Delta County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula have been spotting what appears to be black smoke or dark rain clouds. These "clouds" are made up of billions of Midges, a flying insect that hatches from water. Clouds of Midges will be seen throughout the summer, but the spring seems to be when the largest and most noticeable swarms occur. Thankfully, Midges do not have the ability to bite and draw blood like mosquitoes. The biggest problem with them is that when they die, their carcasses tend to pile up and smell like dead fish.

Check out the full article in today's Mining Journal.

Gas Prices to Peak This Month?

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that a report by the Michigan Public Service Commissions states that gas prices will hit their peak at the end of this month. I guess I will just believe it when I see it. Predictions = Guesses.

Twenty Essential Camping Tips

I feel the need to impart a quick list of camping tips to help make your next camping endeavor a pleasant one. Every camper always picks up a new trick or technique on any given outing. Whether you copy something you saw from another camper or "invented" a new way of starting a fire out of necessity (i.e. forgot the matches). Have no fear. We have compiled a top twenty list to get you started and you can add things as you see fit.

1. Canning rings can be use to cook your eggs in for egg sandwiches.
2. Plastic butter tubs make good storage containers for your camp kitchen
3. Waterproof matches by dipping in melted paraffin
4. Make fire starters by filling paper condiment cups with saw dust and pouring paraffin into the cup
5. Put matches in corrugated cardboard strips (about every other hole) and dip into paraffin for fire starters
6. Prescription bottles make good match safes
7. Laundry lint makes good tinder
8. Cover the ice in a picnic cooler with foil to help it last longer
9. Run candle stubs along the edge of a saw to help it glide better
10. To help shed burrs easily, rub the laces of your hiking boots with paraffin before hitting the trail
11. Keep a dry bar of soap in your sleeping bag to combat musty odors which develop during damp-season camping
12. When handling evergreens or pine cones, they can remove the sticky sap from their hands easily if they use baking soda instead of soap to wash
13. To keep mosquitoes away rub the inside of an orange peel on face, arms and legs
14. Don't forget the heavy-duty aluminum foil. There are many uses for it at camp
15. Prepare soups, stews or chili etc ahead of time. Freeze and keep in cooler. Reheat for a quick meal
16. To avoid unwanted visits from animals, keep food stored away or hang above ground level
17. Put a pan of hot water on the fire while you eat so that it'll be ready for cleanup when you are done
18. To remove odors from your cooler, wipe with a water and baking soda solution
19. Check with the campground about security and quiet hours. Be respectful of others
20. NEVER forget your tent!

Michigan's Upper Peninsula Video of Bond Falls

Bond Falls is one of the lesser known gems of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Earlier in the week I helped to spread the word that the Upper Peninsula is ranked as a Top 10 summer vacation destination. I am sure that the numerous waterfalls up there didn't hurt in the decision making process. Here is a short clip (under 30 seconds) of Bond Falls.

If the video player does not display, please go to youtube.com to view the clip.

Note: not all content on youtube.com is of the decent nature that you find at All Things Michigan. I am only directing you to view this particular video clip.

Detroit Zoo Funding Approved

The Detroit News is reporting that the Michigan House approved the $4 million in funding to help run the Detroit Zoo. Since the House made some changes to the bill (it was previously approved by the Senate) it will have to go back to the Senate.