Janeen's On Lake Time Adventures - From the Mitten State

As Janeen and I were first getting to know each other, emailing back and forth she would often sign her emails, with something like, Smiles & Splashes from The Mitten or Thanks and Love from The Mitten.  

I thought this was so cute and after a few emails I wrote back that I'd love to know how she got her nickname.

(duh) When you look at the map it's pretty hard to miss!  

I'm sure she laughed all day over this reply, yet she was kind in her response and educating me that she was referring to her home state Michigan the mitten state.  Oh dear, I have so much to learn and couldn't be happier with my Mitten Mentor, Janeen.

This summer, Janeen was definitely On Lake Time enjoying lake life and taking advantage of the beautiful Lake Country surrounding her home.  She and her hubs spent a few weekends visiting some of their favorite Michigan destinations and we're so lucky she's willing to share her adventure with us.

One such weekend they visited Glen Arbor.  Janeen says this is one of their favorite small towns within a couple hours drive from home.

 They enjoyed lunch at Art's Tavern. Art's Tavern has been serving Glen Arbor Michigan visitors for over 80 years!  (If you visit, Janeen suggests the yummy whitefish dip made with fresh whitefish from Lake Michigan)

Also included in their day was a stop to 
Cherry Republic one of Janeen's favorite stores to shop as they just happen to make her favorite Michigan wine. Cherry Balaton.  As I was looking at their website I couldn't help noticing the dark chocolate covered cherry's.  Oh my. 

Here are a few pictures from Janeen's On Lake Time Adventures from The Mitten.

Glen Arbor Outing

Janeen modeling LakeHouse Outfitters lake life apparel on the deck overlooking Historic Fishtown in Leland

We hope you love Janeen's photos as much as we do, including the one of Janeen pointing to the spot on the map of Michigan (on the giant hanging cherry) where she lives.  I spy the red mitten.

Janeen points out that Michigan is the only state that you can hold up your hand and point to where you live! 


We all love our lakes, that's the common thread that weaves us together.  If you haven't yet shopped our website and specifically the Shop By Lake category where we offer a dozen products printed with YOUR LAKE map you really should check it out.  

Here's an example of a lake art coaster set for the Great Lakes region, and a very visible mitten.  

Go to Shop By Lake - CLICK HERE

A Lake House Decor Coupon You'll Want to Clip

A Short Story:

Yesterday we received an offer from our vendor to buy this popular lake decor sign at a discounted wholesale price.  It's a long story that we don't have all the details on except for the fact that they (the vendor) has been caught by the Go Jump In The Lake police and are discontinuing all of their items that have this saying.

They are no longer allowed to sell items that read:  Go Jump In the Lake

Go Figure.

We took them up on their offer and are passing the discount along to our customers.
Here's The Deal:

Lake Decor Item:  Go Jump In The Lake Box Sign
Retails for $28.00
This Month You Can Buy For Only $14.00 when you use our coupon code.
This item is being discontinued.  When they're gone, they're gone.

Guest Article - How To Create A Lake House That Works For Everyone

As a small business owner, it's such a compliment to have someone write about us and quote our Crew Boss, Cindy. Thanks to Jessica Johnson for including Lakehouse Outfitters in her recent article about lake life.

August 26, 2014

Decorating the lake house is a hassle... said no one ever. In fact, if you’re anything like Cindy at Lakehouse Outfitters, you think of it as a joy and are excited because you have more "creative freedom" than you do with a traditional house in the city/suburbs. Creating a lake house that works for everyone is all about a relaxed, fun, family friendly environment where the "rules of decor" are often thrown out the window. Here's a few tips on how to:

Create a Lake House That Works for Everyone

So, what's the first thing that you do after you buy a lake house?

Buy a personalized sign! Nothing says welcome home like a sign made just for you. According to Cindy, “we hear this time and time and time again... I'm closing on a lake house and the first thing I'm going to do once the papers are signed is buy a sign”. Their best selling Lake House Sign, says Cindy is RED STRIPE #570. It has three lines to

personalize, is available in wood or metal and comes in three sizes. The colors are rich and the subject matter is great, too. Starting at $81.00, there’s no wonder why this particular sign is so popular.

The next thing you do is buy a boat or PWC. Anyone can learn how to operate personal watercraft vehicles, or PWCs safely. Older adults and individuals as young as 13 can take the $20 state boater education course online. After passing the test, you can lawfully operate powerboats, PWCs, and windblown vessels anywhere on state waters forever since the card never expires.

This is when you realize that you need a boat lift. It is essential that you have a reliable way to secure your new PWCs for both long term storage and during storms. According to Shane, an executive at Legacy Lifts a Texas-based custom cargo lifts company, an example of reliable components are those "built from T6 Aluminum and welded seams, custom-sized to your boat ". Very James Bond-like.

The next thing is to have a party. Inviting all your friends over at once makes the most since for a lake house warming; but definitely try to keep your clean up to a minimum. Shatterproof wine glasses and multiple towel racks are some essentials to get you started. Broken glass and water is not something you want your guests tracking all through your house. Trust me.

Finally, you realize it's true: 

Let’s discuss what first things you did after buying a lake house in the comments below...

About the author: Jessica Johnson is a freelance writer and fellow lake house lover. Follow her on Twitter.

Lakehouse Outfitters