Happy New Year! There are a couple fun things going on around the state this weekend.
The Butterfly Blizzard at Reiman Gardens ends this Sunday, January 3. Hours are 9 am-4:30 pm.
Fairfield's First Friday Art Walk is hosting a New Year's Eve benefit titled "Down the Rabbit Hole". Tickets are $25 at the door.
Have a safe and Happy New Year! See you in 2010!
Sometimes even the best laid plans go awry. We had planned to leave the cold of Iowa for a brief sojourn in Texas- first with stops in Dallas to visit family then down to Houston to relax at The Woodlands Resort.
Unfortunately the weather we wanted so badly to escape will actually be holding us hostage. After a snowstorm a week ago practically shut down our city for 2 days another one- this one with freezing rain and ice- is bringing "travel not advised" warnings, towing bans and dangerous conditions.
I don't care how much I enjoy travel, I'm not one to risk my family's well-being for a little sun. So no Texas for us right now, though we will be enjoying the Kansas City part of our adventure- if the weather doesn't get in the way of it, too!
If you're planning to get away for the holidays I have all my best travel tips in one place for you:
Travel Tips from Have Kid Will Travel.
Be safe, have wonderful adventures and I'll see you in the New Year!
We Just Got Back, a great site for family travel planning, is hosting this great giveaway.
Prize consists solely of 4 consecutive nights accommodations in a 2-bedroom KidSuite. Transportation, meals, gratuities and any other expenses not specified herein are the sole responsibility of the winner. The winner may bring additional children or upgrade to larger accommodations for an additional cost.
You can enter daily- and get extra entries for sharing the info with friends! Click here to enter.
Contest ends January 11, 2010. Rules are here.
A couple of weeks ago I received the HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web Printer. I had played with it a bit at a conference in September so I was excited to actually have it in my home and see what it could do.
Let me tell you... It can do a lot! The touch screen is so easy a 3-year-old can do it! And set up was quick and painless. For a full rundown of this great printer I invite you to read my review at Iowa Geek.
What I want to share here is how this printer helps me travel. I made a quick video to show you how it works:
The most obviously helpful app is, of course, the Google maps. You can either touch the map to pinpoint your destination or you can type in the name or address. Right now the maps feature can only show you the destination, it can't map a route. But that ability is coming- which will make this an even more handy feature. Especially when I forget to map our drive before I put the computer away!
The feature that I think I will get much use out of is the fact that I can scan information to a thumb drive. No more reams of printed paper stuffed in a binder for reference.
Of course the apps for coloring pages, crafts and games will come in handy with the girls. And even for me.... Four levels of sudoku anyone?
Travel Goodies from HP
Even if you don't have an HP printer you can use these great freebies from the HP Creative Studio. Travel themed coloring pages, car scavenger hunt, car bingo, travel games, luggage tags, print at home scrapbook layouts and more.
Disclosure: I received the TouchSmart Web printer from HP to use and review.
“Fly 200 metres across the top of the Grizedale Beck and marvel at the forest canopy 18 metres up a magnificent Douglas Fir”– Go Ape’s words – not mine! However, for the sake of my son, who was delighted to have another opportunity to get the adrenalin pumping, I agreed.
Which is how I found myself clinging to two slim pieces of wire strung above a narrow rope bridge. Now this may not look too high to you, but it is actually a good few metres up – and is one of the lower ones! The scariest bit for me was the death-defying Tarzan swing – not leaping out into space, but the scramble to get up and out of it – I had no strength left after over 3hours of ‘adrenalin surges’. I have a slight fear of heights and a definite dislike of rope bridges, so this was a tough way to overcome those fears!
My son and his friend, both 12 years old, thoroughly enjoyed it all, and they virtually ran across all the obstacles. Safety is paramount here and there was an excellent 30 minute safety briefing and training with lots of checks to ensure we all knew how to use the harnesses, pulleys and karabiners.
After a few days of being shut in I know I'll want to get out this weekend! Here's a list of things to do around the state:
My pick:
Prairie Christmas at Living History Farms in Des Moines; Saturday
Travel back in time and celebrate Christmas on the prairie! The town of Walnut Hill is bustling with holiday activity. The ladies of the Flynn House and Tangen Home are preparing for their parties and you can get in the holiday spirit by pulling taffy, making crafts, and taking a horse-drawn wagon ride around town. Enjoy an old-fashioned church social with the Walnut Hill Choral Society and visit with the big guy himself - Santa Claus, straight from the North Pole! $5, $4.50 for members.Other events around Iowa:
12 Days of Christmas Detsky Holiday Crafts Workshop for children ages 5-12 in the Bartunek's Building (98 16th Ave SW) 2pm-4pm. Children's 12 Days of Christmas Sing-a-long with hot chocolate and cookies at the Bohemia Cafe (95 16th Ave SW) 4pm-4:30pm Czech Village/New Bohemia Luminaries 5pm-9pm (3rd Street SE to 16th Avenue SW)Ecumenical Concert, Waukon, Sunday
Christmas concert involving volunteers from several organizations and churches. Includes brass choir, bell choir, men, women and children choirs. Concert starts at 7:30 pm.Southeast:
Enjoy free admission to the exhibit halls all day long. And view The Polar Express on the IMAX (admission fees apply for movies)The Old Creamery Theatre presents A Partridge in a Pear Tree, Saturday, Amana
And after the show go into Amana to view the Tannenbaum Forest, eat some great German food and do a little shopping!Southwest:
Free children's Christmas movie, festival of trees in the depot, Christmas tour of homes, Christmas concert by the Ringgold Singers. Mt Ayr also collects toys "ready to be loved again" in their Christmas Toy Drive.Northwest:
Sleigh ride, Santa, festival of trees, refreshments, live Nativity, carolers, chili feed and shopping.10th Annual Loess Hills Christmas Event at Country Homestead B&B, Turin
Hot cider, cocoa and treats. This year, free Christmas trees are available for the cutting. Bring your own saw and appropriate clothing for hiking into the hills to choose your own cedar tree.Central:
Thousands of tropical butterflies will fill the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing like never before for the multicolored Butterfly Blizzard event. Take shelter from the Blizzard in the holiday themed, tropical Conservatory and visit the Gift Shop. Reiman Gardens is a Toys for Tots drop off site. Entertainment this weekend:
Saturday, December 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Ames Children's Choir
Saturday, December 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Johnston Station Jazz Band (Big Band)
Sunday, December 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Junction Jazz Society
Children age 3 and under, Free; Youth age 4-17 $3.00; Senior age 65 and above $6.00; Adults age 18-64 $7.00
On our way home from Houston we'll be making a stop in Kansas City to enjoy Chocolate the Exhibition at Union Station.
Did you know that Americans eat, on average, 12 pounds of chocolate per person per year? Or that each chocolate pod is about the size of a pineapple and holds enough seeds to make seven milk chocolate or two dark chocolate bars?
This Saturday (December 12) you can enjoy a chocolate chip pancake breakfast before exploring the exhibit. YUM! Or head down on Thursday, December 17 for chocolate and vodka tasting (advance registration required). Chocolate samples are also available- while supplies last.
Disclosure: Our tickets to Chocolate the Exhibition were given to us in exchange for this article.
We spent Sunday in one of our favorite Iowa areas: the Amana Colonies. I've written many times about the Amana Colonies but I just wanted to share some photos from our day.
We visited the Tannenbaum Forest in the Festhalle Barn behind the Visitor's Center. The girls were both happy to see Santa- he had candy canes!
In the Tannenbaum Forest were dozens of trees decorated by various Amana entities and a huge 3 story German Christmas Pyramid.
Of course we can't go to the Amana Colonies without eating wonderful German food... Wursts, schnitzel, chicken, kraut... Mmmm...
And we stopped at the woolen mill because I forgot to bring gloves. We saw ladies spinning alpaca wool. Apparently they can also spin dog fur...
We wandered the village, stopping in shops for toys, wine, cheese and other "necessities". I loved the gingerbread house contest displayed in the General Store.
We love the Amana Colonies. It's a great Iowa getaway any time of the year.
Today is my final post at the '30 Days of Cozi'. If you haven't caught the whole series click here. The final post is about the Cozi Collage Screensaver, a great way to view all those travel photos.
Cozi is a free online family calendar- and so much more!
It snowed last night. Not much, just a couple of inches. Tonight and all day tomorrow... Now that's when the snow is really going to fly. The meteorologists are predicting 8 to 12 inches followed by a day of strong winds and white out conditions. Ahhh, winter in the Midwest.
With months of cold ahead you can probably imagine why I am looking forward to this:
The Woodlands Resort in The Woodlands, Texas was kind enough to extend an invitation for my family to escape the winter snow and experience the resort. I'll be sharing all kinds of information with you- rooms, amenities, recreation, food...
My plans are really for us to relax and enjoy the resort without much running around. A few days wandering the nature trails and, if it's warm enough, playing in the pool would be a great break for the entire family. I may even pamper myself with a massage.
Now I just have to get through the next few weeks...
Win a 10-day Holland America Line Mediterranean Cruise for the winner and one guest. The winner may select the cruise, subject to availability. Prize includes stateroom accommodations and most meals. FYI: All expenses and costs associated with the acceptance or use of any prize that are not expressly specified in these Official Rules as being part of the Grand Prize (including without limitation airfare or other transportation to or from port of departure, ground transfers, shore excursions, hotel service charges, personal onboard expenses, or applicable passport, visa and entry/exit fees) are the responsibility of the winner.
One entry per person. Enter here.
Contest ends March 31, 2010. Rules are here.
It's December- and today it feels like it! Rumor is there may be snow this evening. Iowa is filled with fun things to do this weekend- get out and enjoy!
My pick:
We'll be trekking to the Amana Colonies this weekend for Prelude to Christmas. The Tannembaum Forest, the Gingerbread Trail, the Villages of Amana Haus Walk... And then the shops and restaurants... If you haven't been to the Amana Colonies this is the perfect weekend!
Happenings around Iowa:
Central: Albia's Victorian Stroll, Saturday, all dayTake the kids to see Santa in his workshop. Sample a freshly roasted chestnut from a street vendor.
Southwest:
View the spectacularly decorated Christmas trees in the Chamber building at the Festival of Trees. See the Garden Train and Department 56 display at the First Iowa State bank.
Munch on a bag of kettle corn. And definitely take a look and see what Albia Merchants and Restaurateurs’ have to offer.
During the day there are several events to attend such as breakfast with Santa, A Christmas Craft Show and a Kids movie with Santa. See the back of the brochure for more details.
And please take in the joy and warmth of the holiday season and have a prosperous New Year.
Take a horse drawn carriage ride around the square. Take in the beautiful Christmas lighting that adorns the 92 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the lights on the courthouse trees.
No place like Creston for the Holidays Begins December 3.Festival of trees, Santa's arrival at the historic Depot, entertainers, model railroads at the historic Depot, lighted Christmas parade and much more.
Christmas in Atlantic SaturdayTimes: Parade starts at 6. Horse-drawn carriage rides go from 3-5, Santa visits in the log cabin are 3-5. Living windows are from 5 to 6.
Northwest:
Admission charge: Free! Santa, carriage rides, etc. are all free! We give out free hot chocolate from 3-5, too. (And it’s goooood!)
We do a lot of celebrations for Christmas, but this weekend is our biggest! Our lighted parade starts with fireworks, and then kids and adults alike love to see all the lighted entries. Make a day of it by coming in for lunch (Lots of great local places!), doing a little shopping (might I recommend Bonnesen’s 5 & 10? This general store is a favorite of ours and kid-approved!), seeing Santa, taking a Carriage Ride, watching the parade, and then eat a little dinner. Before you head home, be sure to cruise up-and-down Chestnut Street, too. We have 6 blocks of new LED Christmas Lights. We love Christmas in Atlantic and hope you will too!
LeMars has so much going on this weekend!Storybook Christmas at the Arts Center on Saturday, a Lighted Christmas Parade Friday night and Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland with Live Nativity scene, sleigh rides, lighted trees, animated Christmas scenes, music and more Saturday and Sunday.
Northeast:
Hampton is hosting the Hollydazzle Historic Tour of Homes Saturday and Sunday.We will be touring the Blum/Boehmler House in Hampton, The Harriman Nielsen House on the West edge of Hampton, Country Heritage Bed and Breakfast five miles West of Hampton, The Old Stone House on the way to Geneva and ending at Townsend Winery in Hansell. You will learn the history of each home, be able to ask all the questions you want, enjoy a light repast at several homes and receive a wine tasting at the Winery. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of tour.
Southeast:
Christmas in LeClaire All weekendThe charming downtown of LeClaire is transformed into a scene from a Norman Rockwell holiday painting, with its delightful shopping, carriage rides, crafts fair, silent auction, breakfast with Santa at Happy Joes and living nativity scene.
Get out and explore Iowa! If your community has an upcoming event you would like to see featured here contact me.
I invite you to visit the '30 Days of Cozi' to read my newest article about using the Cozi Family Journal.
Cozi is a free online family planning system... and so much more!
I have to admit, the commercials made me skeptical. I'm a failure when it comes to foreign language. I completely bombed jr. high Spanish; my girls know more espanõl from watching Dora than I do. I tried learning Gaelic from a book and CD but couldn't get beyond what I already knew: craic (pronounced crack; it means fun, entertainment, enjoyable conversation) and slainté (pronounced slanj; it's a toast meaning good health or "cheers").
So when I was asked to try Rosetta Stone I was hesitant. What made their approach so different? Well, they treated me like a 3 year old. That's not a bad thing. Not many of us can remember a time when we didn't speak. But if you have children you know that they learned to speak by listening and observing you. And that's how Rosetta Stone works; you listen and observe. Within minutes I could identify girl (cailín) and boy (buachaill), woman (bean) and man (fear). The software went on adding plurals, eating, drinking, walking, reading, swimming- all quite seamlessly. I was learning new words without even trying!
The software has a voice recognition system that helps you with pronunciation along with a visual system that helps you match the words and phrases to the correct images. It's really quite nice, but difficult to explain. To see it in action click here. To try it yourself click here.
I used the Irish and, after listening to me for a few nights, Doug tried it too. We were both very impressed and are planning to buy the full set soon. I really like that it comes with Audio Companion CDs that I can load into my iPod and listen to anywhere.
Rosetta Stone is kid friendly and easy enough for a 3 year old to use. Both of my girls tried it and asked to "play the Irish game" again. (Just a thought for Rosetta Stone- a Nintendo DS version would be amazing!) Rosetta Stone is available in 31 languages including English (British- which I must say I am intrigued to play with!), French, Spanish (both Spain and Latin America), Italian and Chinese.
If learning a new language is on your New Years resolutions or a foreign vacation is in your plans Rosetta Stone can help achieve your language goals. As for me, I hope to be speaking decent Irish by May.
Disclosure: Rosetta Stone let me demo the software online and sent me a headset to try it.
I've been working on plans for the past few weeks for a winter getaway for us. Because Doug's family is in Texas it made sense to plan something in the south. We haven't been down in almost 3 years and it will, hopefully, be warmer there than our home in Iowa in late December. Here's the plans so far:
A bright and early departure and 12+ hour drive to Dallas. I'm not yet sure where we will be staying. Any recommendations for family friendly lodgings?
We'll spend 2 days in Dallas then head down to Houston to stay 3 nights at The Woodlands Resort. Hopefully it will be nice enough for the girls to play in the pool. We're looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the nature trails. Any Houston experts have a "not to be missed" attraction?
Our drive back will also begin early, but we won't do it in one day. We'll come back through Louisana and Arkansas with a stop in Ozark, Missouri at Lambert's- the home of the Throwed Roll. We've eaten at Lambert's once, years ago and can't wait to take the girls.
After filling our bellies we'll drive a few more hours to Kansas City for a good night's rest. Then another filling meal: Irish Breakfast at Raglan Road before we visit Chocolate: the Exhibition at Union Station.
We'll need the chocolate buzz for the drive home.
Look for individual posts about our destinations and activities coming soon! And be sure to give me some Houston tips!
CheapOair is having a 12 Days of Travel contest beginning Monday November 30. Prizes include gift certificates for travel and gift cards for American Express and Macy's.
It's a Twitter contest so you need to follow CheapOair and re-tweet the phrase of the day. There is no limit to the amount of prizes you can win but you can only tweet once per 24 hours.
Check out the info, rules and prizes here.
I am the featured travel blogger during the "30 Days of Cozi". Cozi is a free online calendar- and so much more!
Today's topic- how color-coding my calendar helps travel planning. Click here to read the article.
Forget your troubles and enjoy relaxing in the luxury at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, co-sponsored by SpaWeek.com.
The Sweepstakes winner will receive the following: accommodations for the winner and one (1) guest for two (2) nights at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa; one (1) Pas de Deux ninety minute couple's spa treatment; anda one hundred dollar ($100.00) credit at REDS Restaurant at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa - a prize worth approximately $1200.
One entry per person. Enter here.
Contest ends 11:59pm EST, November 30, 2009. Rules are here.
Don't overlook all the great activities Iowa offers. Here are my picks for this weekend:
Top Pick: 18th Annual Holiday Stroll & Bazaar in Marshalltown.
See reindeer and Santa at the parade down Main Street for the annual lighting of the holiday lights on the courthouse square. Businesses open late with treats and free entertainment.More events around Iowa
Music, song, dance and comedy headlined by vocalist Tony Kenny, Ireland's Entertainer of the Year. At the Grand Opera House.Southeast Iowa: 16th Annual Arts & Crafts Show at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City
Over 150 talented exhibitors will be presenting and selling the Midwest's finest handcrafts with thousands of unique creations. This is one of the area's largest shows. Among the various items presented at the show are oak furniture, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, metal art sculptures, pet products, yard art, pottery, candles, clothing, floral wreaths, stained glass, and many more original products.Central Iowa: Pella Historical Christmas Walk
Exhibitors will also be selling food items such as salsa, barbeque sauce, dips, jams, dried food and soup mixes, fudge, and gormet bread, All items offered for sale to the public are handmade by the exhibitor present at the show. Most exhibitors will also accept special order requests.
Admission to the show is only $3, with anyone 10 and under free. Show hours are 9 AM to 4 PM.
Enjoy complimentary cookies and coffee as you stroll through 20 buildings lavishly decorated for the holiday season.Southwest Iowa: A Bite of Bedford
Holiday shopping, food samples, festive atmosphere in small-town Iowa.Northwest Iowa: Holiday Collections Craft Fair at the Sioux City Convention Center
23rd Annual Holiday Collections Arts & Craft Fair Saturday, November 21 from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday, November 22 from 10am-4pm! A $5.00 paid admission is good for BOTH days, and kids 12 and under are FREE! Over 150 exhibitors showcase handmade items to get your home ready for the holidays. As always, the Sioux City Convention Center offers free parking, and enter to win door prizes throughout the event.Get out and explore Iowa! If you would like your community event listed here please contact me. For more events around Iowa visit Travel Iowa.
This past weekend I hosted the I_Blog Conference at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa. I have to say that beyond the beauty of the hotel the staff worked very hard to make sure a good time was had by all. They worked with me every step of the way to make sure my event would go off without a hitch. Everything was perfect from the food, to the social hour, to the conference room we used. I highly recommend the Hotel Pattee if you are looking for a hotel for any event.
Now, on to the hotel... I stayed in the Irish room.
The room was tastefully decorated with Irish woolens, Aran knits and rough hewn furniture. Irish knick-knacks were around the room and Irish sayings rimmed the ceiling. When lit from just below with a dimmer it was almost ethereal. My favorite part of the room were the built in cabinets. Mine had a small nook with a pull out writing table. This room was so comfortable... I could have easily curled up in here and let the weekend pass by.
The bathroom was large with an oversized sink/ vanity and a bathtub/ shower combo.
The Hotel Pattee is a boutique hotel and has only 40 rooms, each with it's own theme. All have the wonderful built in cabinets, some have whirlpool tubs and some are handicapped accessible. Two rooms, the Kids' Suite and the Travel Suite, are family friendly and overlook the whimsical sculpture garden.
The wonder of the Pattee isn't only in its' rooms. It begins as you walk through the heavy wooden doors into the lobby. I think breathtaking is the only way to describe it. The tiled floors, the mahogany desk and the stone fireplace, modeled after the one at the Biltmore in North Carolina. It's beautiful and inviting and unexpected.
Just to the side of the fireplace is the library. Shelves of books, floor to ceiling, invite you to peruse, choose and relax. Even the bathrooms are fabulous!
In the basement of the hotel is a rare treat: a two lane bowling alley. Leave the husband and kids there and go relax in the spa. There is also a fitness center, steam room, sauna and hot tub.
If you're hungry you don't have to leave the hotel as the best food in Perry is found on property at David's Milwaukee Diner. I recommend the quiche. If you are there on a Sunday morning don't miss the brunch, served from 10 am - 2 pm.
The Hotel Pattee sits on the edge of Perry's quaint downtown area. Wander around, take in the small town atmosphere,relax and just enjoy your stay.
Room rates vary depending on type of room and day of the week. Be sure to check for special package deals.
My friends Tamara & Ryan are having a fundraiser to raise money for a sibling adoption. Please take my word as gold when I tell you that they are a great family and are not going to abscond with your money: there will be a winner for this raffle.
The prize is: 2 airline tickets + a 5 night stay at a Marriott anywhere in North America, Central America or the Caribbean.
A minimum of 350 tickets must be sold, a maximum of 600 tickets will be sold. Pretty good odds for your $5.
Rules and contact info can be found here.
Iowa is filled with so many festivals, celebrations and activities. These are my picks for this weekend:
I will be hosting the first annual I_Blog Conference at the incredible Hotel Pattee in Perry this weekend. There are still a few tickets left for this great line up of speakers, fun and I_Bloginis! click here if you are interested in attending.
Central : Iowa's Premier Food & Wine Expo, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, November 13 & 14
Iowa's largest culinary celebration! Iowa's Premier Wine and Food Expo will be a destination to collect recipes, sample wine, spirits and speciality beers, including those from local brew pubs and wineries. See live demonstrations and more!West: Victory Fighting Championship, Mid-American Center, Council Bluffs, November 13
Celebrity Chef appearances by Duff Goldman of Food Network's Ace of Cakes and Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channels Bizarre Foods.
Tickets $20 per day or $35 for both days. Friday noon-10pm, Saturday 10am-9pm
VFC 29:THE RISING fight card will have ten plus fights on schedule, full of great regional and national MMA talent.Northeast: VMH Foundation Christmas Fantasy, Allamakee County Fairgrounds, Waukon
Tickets:
General Admission: $23 ($28 day of show), plus applicable fees
Reserved Ringside: $103, $93 and $83, plus applicable fees
Reserved Tables of Ten (must purchase entire table): $730, plus applicable fees
Time 7:30pm
Uniquely decorated Christmas trees, food, music and other events and attractions to get everyone in the Holiday spirit. Many items for sale as well.
Free event. Open Friday 13 thru Monday 16.
Exhibition of decorated trees, wreaths and lights. Visit with Santa on November 15 and reserve your spot at the gala fundraiser November 21. At the Muscatine Art Center. Free event, 1-5 pm.
After spending three months in Scituate and seeing all the sights in and around Boston it was time to begin our long drive back to Iowa.
We passed the Skylon Tower. We didn't ride to the observation deck, though I hear it is an amazing view. I also understand that the food in the revolving restaurant is absolutely fabulous.
We did, however, take a spin on the Sky Wheel. (C$10 adults, C$6 for kids; we had coupons and saved a bit.) The wheel turns quite slowly and we were able to get great photos. We fit 4 adults and 4 kids into one "pod".
After our chocolate stop we actually made our way to the falls. I love this photo over the spring daffodils looking across the falls into the US.
Something else I love are the signs warning you not to climb over the fence. What I truly adore about this one is that the decorative fence on the sign looks just the the fence it is on! (See top photo.)
As we left the next day we made a quick stop at Souvenir City. This place is huge. Inside is a glass blowing factory where you can watch the blowers create amazing figures with melted glass and their breath. It is one of a handful of places in the world that make cranberry colored glass. Yes, I bought a little something.
Win a getaway for two to Kansas City, Kansas! This package includes:
~ Two-night stay at Candlewood Suites
~ $50 gift card to The Legends at Village West
~ $50 gift card to Cabela’s
Enter here. One entry per person. Contest ends January 3, 2010. Rules are here.
Win a 6 day trip for two to India! Sponsored by Conde Nast and the Food Network.
Prize includes: three (3) nights’ accommodations in a Luxury Grande Sea facing room in the Palace wing of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, India; two (2) nights’ accommodations in a Palace room at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India; breakfast for winner and guest each morning; airport transfers between the Mumbai airport and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, and between the Jodhpur airport and Umaid Bhawan Palacer; Connoisseur Membership to Indagare (terms and conditions apply); and $1,000 spending money that can be used to cover travel expenses.
You can enter daily. Rules are here. Contest ends November 23, 2009.
About half an hour west of Des Moines lies the tiny town of Dexter. Dexter may be most well known as the location where Marvin and Blanche Barrow, of Bonnie & Clyde notoriety, were captured. (For more information on Dexter please view my article at UpTake Attractions.)
Lesser known, but nearly as famous, are Drew's Chocolates. Drew's Chocolates began in 1927 when Helen Drew began making candy in her Dexter home. Today Drew's is in the same location, on the west edge of Dexter.
The house is unassuming though the small sitting area just outside the door invites you to relax for a bit and enjoy the treats you've purchased.
After entering you carefully walk down the steps into the basement shop. Suddenly you have left the tiny house and have entered a chocolate haven.
Win a Colorado ski vacation in Telluride! Winner receives 3 nights lodging, 2 two-day adult ski lift passes and complimentary ski or snowboard rentals.
One entry per person. Contest ends March 16, 2010.
Win a Northern Fox River Valley Getaway! Just 45 minutes northwest of Chicago you'll find wonderful dining, amazing entertainment and many leisure activities. Winner receives:
~ 2 night weekend stay with breakfast for 2
~ $25 gift certificate to the Barley House
~ 10% discount at Elgin Public Museum
~ 2 tickets for the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
~ $15 gift certificate at Cocoa Cabana
~ 4 $10 gift certificates to the Martini Room
One entry per person. Contest ends February 13, 2010.
I've found one! When I bought my Canon Powershot SX10IS Digital Camera
I created a video tour of my camera bag; I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch it.
I love the bag; the fact that I could pick the fabric and "make it my own" was a big plus! Also the versatility of the strap: it can be worn over the shoulder, cross body or as a backpack. Customer service was top notch. My questions were answered quickly and the bag was to me in just a couple weeks!
The Lanzarote Aquarium is based in the resort of Costa Teguise – and is the largest in the Canary Islands. Containing over a million litres of water and hundreds of different marine species. Including native species such as
Ideal for the little budding Lewis Hamilton in your family this professionally designed Karting facility offers all the thrills - without the spills - for children of all ages.If you're near central Iowa in the fall you'll want to make sure to get off the Interstate (I-35, exit 102; north of Ankeny, south of Ames) and enjoy a day of family fun at Center Grove Orchard. This is one of those "a picture is worth a thousand words" posts. Enjoy!
Center Grove Orchard is more than an orchard...
They also have a pumpkin patch (pick your own or choose one that has been picked)...
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