Who couldn’t be organized w/ this!

I want to be a Longaberger Basket consultant just for a day so I can have this in my front yard. {well if I didn’t live in a subdivision}

Isn’t it adorable!

Balloon Artists

I have been around my fair share of balloon artists in my life. As you already know, I am kinda overzealous about fairs and festivals. With them come balloon artists, right? Well, I thought I saw it all… I mean ducks, swords, hearts on a swirly staph, even full on princesses! How in the world the imagination works is beyond me, but then to make it into something that makes MY daughters imagination soar, now that I love! <3

As you can see, she was elated to have these amazing fairy wings. Now if only I could have a balloon artist around on Halloween.. she could be Tinkerbell ;)

Thanks again Twister Mike!

Staycation - Michiana

 

As you can all see from my recent posts, I have just been in California recently. This being said, I will have to plan some things closer to home now that I have limited funds for a bit.

I have been noticing around the Blogosphere that lots of people have been posting about staycations just in the nick of time. This got me to thinking, I need to start thinking about what things I want to do this summer. Here are a few of my favorites around the area, but I am sure we will be doing new things as well. We’ll blog about them later!

 

     

Potato Creek

My family and friends like to go to Potato Creek and have day picnic/grilling out sessions. We also have been known to take a hike on the trails after, to burn some of those calories

 

 

Saint Joe, MI

We absolutely love Silver Beach, it might be a little chilly in the water, but it feels wonderful on those hot August days!  Once we brush the sand off our feet, we take a little walk uptown to the Main street, so that we can have ourselves some Kilwin’s. This ice cream place is like an old-fashion soda shoppe, they have fudge and chocolates too! YUM

 

                

Shipshewana

There are so many things about this town that I love, I really don’t know where to start. The amish all around make you feel like you are taking a step back in time.. I love the slow pace, it makes you appreciate the little things. The crafts everywhere make you appreciate the handmade. There are bakeries around every corner making it time for a cookie, all the time.

 

 

The South Bend Chocolate Company

Whether you visit the factory or just the café downtown, you are in for a treat (pun intended). I visited the factory for the first time last year, and believe me it is worth the small upcharge to get to make your own chocolate spoon! They give you a tour of the factory, give you free samples, and finish up with a movie. If you decide to go to the café, there is much to see there as well. They have an indoor jungle gym for the kids, a café with cheesecakes and mochas for the parents, and a old timey candy shop on one side for both. I don’t need a reason to go to this café, seriously.