The Rookery - Chicago

The Rookery Building, Chicago.

Photos from The Rookery Building in Chicago.

"As one of the most historically significant buildings in Chicago, The Rookery is a unique enclave for businesses that value a prestigious presence. An icon in the center of Chicago's downtown Financial District, The Rookery seamlessly combines the flair of an era gone by with state-of-the-art building systems and technology. Designated a Chicago Landmark in 1972 after being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, The Rookery is universally considered an architectural masterpiece."

"Designed by famous architectural partners Burnham and Root, the picturesque Rookery was originally completed in 1888. Adding to its impressive stature, Frank Lloyd Wright redesigned the stunning two-story, skylit lobby in 1905." 
Information & text provided by http://www.therookerybuilding.com.

Tammy Sue Allen Photography is a wedding and freelance event photographer based in Lansing, Michigan. Available for travel to areas such as Chicago and destination weddings as well as all of Mid-Michigan including East Lansing, Okemos, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. Other services include engagement sessions, family sessions, themed and styled photo sessions, trash the dress, event photography, and corporate event photography. Event photography starts at $250 for 2 hours of event coverage and includes an online photo gallery.

Lansing Treats

Whoopie Pies from Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe.

Today's blog post features some of my favorite Lansing treats. I stopped by Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe in Dewitt, Michigan. My mission was to drop off a vintage toy refrigerator for the owner Linda, but of course I got distracted by the delicious treats. I ended up with these lovely whoopie pies!

German Chocolate Whoopie Pie.

Pina Colada Whoopie Pie.

Fresh Michigan peaches.

I also stopped by the Lansing City Market. I picked up these lovely fresh Michigan peaches.

Garlic & herb cheese spread and fresh peaches on crackers.

A visit to the Market  is not complete until you make a stop at Hills Cheese. I found a garlic & herb cheese spread made especially for Hills Cheese. I also picked up some of my favorite dill flavored cheese curds.

The fresh sliced peaches were delicious on top of the garlic & herb cheese spread!

Tammy Sue Allen Photography is a wedding and freelance event photographer based in Lansing, Michigan. Available for travel to areas such as Chicago and destination weddings as well as all of Mid-Michigan including East Lansing, Okemos, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. Other services include engagement sessions, family sessions, themed and styled photo sessions, trash the dress, event photography, and corporate event photography. Event photography starts at $250 for 2 hours of event coverage and includes an online photo gallery.

Capital Area Restaurant Week - Dusty's Cellar

Capital Area Restaurant Week is here! My husband and I visited Dusty's Cellar in Okemos.

You can find Dusty's restaurant week menu here.

Pecan crusted Goat Cheese with Caramelized Onion and Lavender Honey

Coconut battered Shrimp with Thai Spiced Citrus Marmalade & Sweet Potato Mash

I have to apologize for the half eaten shrimp appetizer photo. I was so excited when it arrived at our table that I quickly cut into it before I could take a photo! It was delicious!

Romaine Wedge Salad with Sunflower Seeds, Tomato, Onion & Blue Cheese Walnut Dressing

Garlic Herb Cheese, Dried Tomato, Spinach Stuffed Chicken over Sweet Potato Mash

Mediterranean Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib over Creamy Truffled Grits

Chocolate Mousse with Chantilly Cream

Dusty’s Napoleon with Raspberry Sauce

"Experience the best in local cuisine with three course prix fixe dinner menus from some of the Capital Area’s finest restaurants. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover new restaurants and enjoy favorites at a fantastic price."

10% of proceeds will benefit the Greater Lansing Food Bank.

Tammy Sue Allen Photography is a wedding and freelance event photographer based in Lansing, Michigan. Available for travel to areas such as Chicago and destination weddings as well as all of Mid-Michigan including East Lansing, Okemos, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. Other services include engagement sessions, family sessions, themed and styled photo sessions, trash the dress, event photography, and corporate event photography. Event photography starts at $250 for 2 hours of event coverage and includes an online photo gallery.

Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago

Here are some photos from my recent visit to Lincoln Park Zoo.

"Free and open every day of the year, Lincoln Park Zoo has something for everyone. Meet animals from around the world, relax among Chicago’s most-visited gardens and join us for exciting daily programs and events."

Meerkat

Meerkat habitat.

Grant's gazelle and a Baringo giraffe.

A Grant's gazelle and a Baringo giraffe share a habitat at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

One of the many birds at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Grumpy monkey in the primate house.

"Lincoln Park Zoo is a world of wildlife in the shadow of skyscrapers. Located within a verdant park just minutes north of Chicago, the zoo has been a natural, free oasis for generations of animal lovers, who visit the zoo to hear a lion’s roar echo off nearby apartment buildings, see gorillas climb trees as the Willis Tower looms in the distance, or forget where they are as they immerse themselves in tropical rainforests, dry-thorn forests or spacious savannas."

Regenstein Center for African Apes.

The zoo is located within Lincoln Park. 

Education pavilion.

 Nice web site about the redesign of the Nature boardwalk & landscape at Lincoln Park.

Nature boardwalk area at Lincoln Park.

Monkey meme.

Tammy Sue Allen Photography is a wedding and freelance photographer based in Lansing, Michigan. Available for travel to areas such as Chicago and destination weddings as well as all of Mid-Michigan including East Lansing, Okemos, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. Other services include engagement sessions, family sessions, themed and styled photo sessions, trash the dress, event photography, and corporate event photography.

2013 Michigan Farmers Market at the Capitol

"Michigan Farmers Market Association works with and for farmers market organizers, managers, farmers, vendors and friends to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products."
Here are a few photos I shot while wandering around the farmers market.

Kettle Korn and free samples!

Stone Circle Bakehouse's fresh bread.

Fresh baked pies.

"The Farmers Markets at the Capitol will be held on Thursday, July 18 and Thursday, September 12. The two special markets are planned this summer to promote locally grown and processed food and agricultural products and Michigan’s farmers markets operating throughout the season."

Trailer Park'd food truck.

The Purple Carrot food truck.

Andy T's Farm

Homemade jelly & jam.

Fresh flower arrangements.

Fresh vegetables.

The Capitol Building.

Tammy Sue Allen Photography is a wedding and freelance photographer based in Lansing, Michigan. Available for travel to areas such as Chicago and destination weddings as well as all of Mid-Michigan including East Lansing, Okemos, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. Other services include engagement sessions, family sessions, themed and styled photo sessions, trash the dress, event photography, and corporate event photography. 

Taste of Downtown - Lansing, Michigan

Wine tasting table.

Taste of Downtown is this Saturday, July 20th, 2013 from 3-8pm in downtown Lansing, Michigan. Here are a few f the photos from last year's event. See more photos here.

Live music, food & fun!

Wine tasting table.

Volunteers pour wine samples for guests.

"The 4th annual Taste of Downtown is a fun, summer festival in the heart of Michigan's Capital City! Taste of Downtown includes an afternoon of food sampling, wine tasting of over 100 different wines from around the world and live entertainment on an outdoor stage."

Volunteers serve wine samples.

Learn how you can volunteer at Taste of Downtown here.

"Over 100 different wines from around the world will be available for tasting! For those that don't care for wine, a wonderful selection of beer will be available for purchase, from classic American beers to handcrafted micro-brews. A selection of Coca-Cola products will also be available."

Tavern on the Square serves food samples at Taste of Downtown.

"With over 40 restaurants, cafes and pubs located in downtown Lansing, Taste of Downtown is the perfect showcase of a variety of diverse, and may we add delicious, local food."  

Live Music Performance Schedule:

3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.        Southpaw Isle Steelband
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.        Avon Bomb
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.        Root Doctor
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.        The Squids

AnQui Sushi serves food samples at Taste of Downtown.

Advance Tickets: Adult Tickets are $15 each and Children's Tickets are $5 each for children 12 and under. Children under 2 years of age are free. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) office, located at 401 S. Washington Sq. Ste. 101 Lansing, MI. The DLI office is open M-F from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Online ticket sales end Friday, July 19, 2013 at noon. 

Tickets at the Event:
Tickets are available at the event for $20 per adult. All adults 21+ are required to bring a valid I.D. to the event, which will be checked upon entry. Children's tickets are available at the event for $5 for children 12 and under. Children under 2 years of age are free.

Each adult ticket includes a keepsake Taste of Downtown wine tasting glass (while supplies last) 4 food tickets, and 6 wine sampling tickets. (You must be 21+ years old to participate in the wine sampling. A valid I.D. is required at entry to the event.) Each Children's ticket includes two food tickets and free activities in the Kids' Corner.

Additional Food and Wine sampling tickets will be available for purchase at the event for $1 each. 

Tammy Sue Allen Photography is a wedding and freelance photographer based in Lansing, Michigan. Available for travel to areas such as Chicago and destination weddings as well as all of Mid-Michigan including East Lansing, Okemos, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon. Other services include engagement sessions, family sessions, themed and styled photo sessions, trash the dress, event photography, and corporate event photography.