Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Swayzee Town Rummage Sale - June 1 - 2

Swayzee Town Rummage

Annual town-wide rummage.  Rain or shine all day event.  For additional information contact Gloria Reed at 765-922-7505.

Event Date(s)

June 1, 2012 - June 2, 2012

Location

Town of Swayzee
N. Washington Street
Swayzee, IN 46922

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Awesome Super-Hero Birthday Cakes

My boys both have birthdays in April, just 11 days apart, so we have always had a "joint" brothers birthday party for them.  This year they wanted to do a "Super-Hero Birthday Party", since they're into all things super-hero.  Even though they are having a joint bday party, I feel like they should each have their own cake to blow their candles out, so I checked out the price at Meijer (I think their cakes are yummy and my boys like to stare at them when we are shopping there), and discovered for a half sheet cake for each, I was looking at about $21 x 2 = $42.  Yikes!  A wee too rich for my blood for something that will be devoured by little people, so I decided I needed to figure out something else that would make my kiddos feel special & loved, but wouldn't break the bank. 

I looked online for super-hero cake toppers, thinking I could save a bundle by just making them each a box cake from home, and found that even the edible ones (and cheapo plastic ones) were still going to cost me a good chunk of change.  As I was looking at these silly plastic cake-toppers that weren't even that cool, I had an idea.... what about just getting super-hero toys, using them as cake-toppers, and having that also be their bday gift?  After a little online investigation and some Kohl's coupon usage, I found some really cool batman cars for only $13.99 (Kohls originally priced them at $36.99 each, but then they were on sale, plus I had a coupon for an additional 30% off = $13.99 each total).  Did you know that if you find something online at kohls.com you can go into a Kohls store and order it from their kiosks and have things shipping to your home for FREE?  Sounds too good to be true... but it is!

The week of their birthday I made up the frosting from scratch (I could have just used a tub of frosting, but they're loaded with trans-fat, and I'm terrified of trans-fat... plus this was much better!) and froze it (one less thing to worry about the day of the party!).  Then, my mother-in-law, who was visiting, suggested something brilliant - make the cake ahead of time, lining the pan with parchment paper (we just used a $.99 box cake from Aldi's), and as soon as it comes out of the oven wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze immediately.  That way it keeps in all the moisture AND when you take it out the day of the event the frosting easily spreads on b/c the cake is frozen - it defrosts within a few hours and is perfectly ready to eat - moist and wonderful...  we did it, and it worked out GREAT!  My mother-in-law then decorated the cakes the day of the party, using sprinkles & a fork to make a super-hero fight scene (candles are from Dollar Store)... they looked awesome!  And, they tasted awesome!  And, best yet, my boys LOVED them and two months later, they have played with the toys on the top every single day since the party!  Yeah!!!


Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

(From Foodnetwork.com)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  • Optional: Add food coloring to desired color

Directions

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.
Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.





Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday night activity (May 25) - CSA Go Arts Go Karts

CSA Go Arts Go Karts

This annual fundraiser for CSA (Community School of the Arts) pits driver against driver, local business against local business.  Food, CSA student performances, children’s games and activities – bring your family and join in the fun. Festivities begin at 5pm, the race starts at 6pm.


Event Date(s)

May 25, 2012 5:00 pm - May 25, 2012 10:00 pm

Location

CSA Go Kart Track
E SR 18 Marion
Marion, 46952

Thursday, May 24, 2012

K Bistro - New Restaurant in Marion Worth Trying!


Yeah for new restaurants... independently owned (even better!)... in Marion!

K bistro just opened up a couple of weeks ago and people are loving it!  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get there myself, but my better-half was able to go with a work group and said it is GREAT!  Just what Marion needs!  I'm always looking for another date place. :)

K bistro serves American food with flare!  The owner/chef is originally from Marion, and is bringing some style and great cuisine to town.  Entrees range from $6 for lunches, on up to upper $20s for dinner specialties.  They're open 7 days a week, and take reservations or walk-ins.  Try it out, and let me know what you think - I can't wait!

This place is on the Bypass, and if you aren't looking for it, you may miss it (it is between the Aldi's and Culvers on the Bypass).  It is in a renovated drive-in, and they've done a great job with the renovations! 
2201 S Western Avenue, Marion, IN 46953


 
Phone1 (765) 603-3336
Emaildavidkay@k-bistro.com
Websitehttp://www.k-bistro.com   

Main Street Marion - First Friday (June 1, 2012)

Main Street Marion’s First Friday

Hosted by Main Street Marion, featuring live entertainment, food, children’s activities.  Join Main Street Marion at the Dowtown Riverfront for a fun filled evening. Contact Main Street Marion at 765-662-1192 or http://www.mainstreetmarion.com for additional information.


Event Date(s)

June 1, 2012 6:00 pm - June 1, 2012 9:00 pm

Location

Downtown Riverfront - Marion
1st Street & Adams Street
Marion, IN 46952

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Free $2 Amazon MP3 credit

Want $2 free credit for some new songs?  Click HERE to go to Amazon.com and enter your favorite song, "share" it on Facebook, and the free $2 credit is yours!

Now if I can only decide what my favorite song is....

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Victory Acres Farm - Shares still available for the summer!

Grant County Area Families - Victory Acres, a CSA in Upland, still has shares available (or 1/2 shares available) for the summer.  A CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture - you can purchase a share, or 1/2 share, and receive a distribution of FRESH, organic produce all summer long.  Distribution starts next weekend, and goes through September.  The farm is in Upland, and you pick your share up there ever Fri or Sat, or they also have drop-off sites in Muncie and this summer (for the first time!) in Marion at Indiana Wesleyan University.

My family and I have participated in Victory Acres the past two summers and it has been a GREAT experience.  My kids get to see and learn where their food comes from, we get more veggies in our diet and are exposed to more kinds of veggies than I would traditionally buy, and we're supporting a local farm - meaning that we cut out pesticides used to preserve food for grocery stores, cut out emissions from food traveling great distances, and invest in our local community.  It has also been a great Saturday morning routine for us in the summer to go out to the farm, pick up our produce, play at the farm, see the animals, and just get-away in nature! 

In addition to veggies, herbs, berries, and fresh flowers for cutting (I always have a fresh bouquet on my table throughout the summer!), they also have pigs, beef, and hens available for purchase.  We've purchased a share of a pig and grass fed beef each year, and our health is better for it! (plus it is yummy!)

Interested in joining?  Just want to know more?
Check out: http://www.victoryacres.org/

Not in the Grant County Area?  I highly recommend this endeavor, so check out a CSA in your area and find out how you can be involved.


Why should I join Victory Acres CSA?
045_45A CSA is a relationship of mutual support and commitment between local farmers and community members who pay an annual membership fee to cover the production costs of the farm. In turn, members receive a weekly share of the harvest during the local growing season. This arrangement gives the farmer a direct connection to and relationship with the consumer. In this literal “community-supported agriculture”, members receive a wide variety of local in-season foods harvested at their peak of ripeness, flavor and vitamin and mineral content.

In a recent survey of 250 CSA members, the most important reasons for membership in a CSA were support for local farming, quality of produce, environmental and food resource concerns, and knowing the farmer. Victory Acres provides all of these values. Our customers know us by name, visit the farm where their food is produced, and approve of our farming practices.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Redbox - 10 days of deals

Now through May 22, Redbox is running a promo for daily discounts on their movie rentals.  Text FUN to 727272 each day through May 22 for anywhere from $.25 - $1 off a rental. 

Friday, May 11, 2012

Free 8x10 from Walgreens thru 5/12/12

Get a TOTALLY free 8x10 from Walgreens through Saturday, May 12.  You must enter promo code: FREE4ME.  Order online, pick up in store (or you can pay $.99 to ship to your home). 

This is only good on glossy finish.  If you want Matte, you have to ship to your home, which is $.99 for shipping (still a deal!). 

Lowes FREE Build & Grow Kid's Clinic - Sat, May 12 at 10am

Lowes next FREE kid's Build & Grow Clinic is Saturday, May 12 at 10am.  They're making a window planter.  Click HERE to register and for more info. 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Bank on Marion - Financial Fair - May 10, 2012

The YMCA in Marion is hosting a financial fair on Thursday, May 10th from 3-7pm at the YMCA. 

"Food, fun & great prizes - Meet local experts on account management, small business loans, mortgages, retirement planning, etc."  The event is FREE and is being held in the Community Rooms at the YMCA. 
Saturday, May 12th is the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, hosted by the Nat'l Association of Letter Carriers.  All you have to do is to place non-perishable goods in a paper bag by your mail box and your letter carrier will pick it up when s/he delivers your mail on Saturday. 

In Marion, the food collected will go to support the Rescue Mission - both the men's and the women's shelters. 

For more info, click HERE

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Great American Shoe Drive (May 1-31, 2012)

May 1 - 31, 2012 is the GREAT AMERICAN SHOE DRIVE.  The Grant County Rescue Mission is sponsoring the drive here in town.  What is the Great American Shoe Drive about? 


Helping to supply shoes to the needy across Grant County and various Third World Countries.



Three Easy Steps:
1. Gather all your old shoes - any type will do, clean or dirty, we will take them all.
2. Rubber band or tie them together by pairs
3. Drop off at the Mission thrift stores, YMCA, or Rescue Mission office. 


For more information call Debbie Ballard at (765) 662-0988


WE NEED ALL YOUR OLD SHOES! - Men's, Women's and Children's. For more information contact Debbie Ballard at 765-662-0988 or by email at dbrballard@yahoo.com.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7 - 11)

Did you know that this is National Teacher Appreciation Week?  I REALLY appreicate my kids' teachers - one week a year is NOT enough to show them our appreciation, but I'm sure that they would still appreciate a thank-you this week! 

Want some creative ideas for teacher gifts?  Check out the craftingchicks.com - these gals are very creative and have some really cute ideas!  But, when all else fails if you don't have time to make something (or if you're like me and just not that crafty), I'm sure they'd appreciate any token of thanks - card, gift certificate, candy, etc. 

Show a teacher you know how much you value them and the time/energy/blood/sweat/tears they spend with our kids! 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Kids Bowl Free All Summer in 2012

This program is new to me, so I checked it out, and it looks like a really neat gig!  Unfortunately, our bowling alley in Marion does NOT participate, but for those of you who live in other places or who vacation for extended periods of time in another spot during the summer ... it is worth checking out!  And, if you do live in Marion, I suggest you still check it out, b/c there is a spot under "find a bowling center" that you can request they contact our local bowling alley to participate... so if enough of us do this, maybe Crest Lanes in Marion will participate! 

This summer, kids bowl FREE at participating bowling centers (up to 2 games per kid per day!). 
Note: you may have to pay for shoe rental - each bowling alley varies. 

All you do is:
  1. Pick a bowling center near you.
  2. Register on the bowling center page (The registration is valid only at the bowling center where you register so make sure you pick the right one,)
  3. Once you register, you will have a chance to purchase the family pass. The Family Pass is for adult family members to enjoy bowling throughout the summer as well. The Family Pass starts from $24.99 and includes 2 GAMES PER PERSON PER DAY (up to 4 people). How cool is that!!
IMPORTANT: After your registration they will send you two (2) emails. The first is a welcome email with account info and the second email that comes, you will need to click the link confirming your subscription to the service. If you do not click the link, they will not send your weekly coupons to you.

Thanks to CouponDivas.com for the info on this!  

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Main Street Marion First Fridays - Starts this week! (May 4)

 A fun, community event that happens the first Friday night of every month from May - June in Marion - First Fridays.  Take your family, some cash, and walk around and see everyone in town!  There are community booths, food vendors, carnival rides, etc.  Each month is a different theme/main sponsor with different events on stage throughout the evening.  Have fun & hope to see you there!

 Main Street Marion’s First Friday

Hosted by Main Street Marion, featuring live entertainment, food, children’s activities, clowns, crafts.  Join the fun at the Riverfront District.  Contact Main Street Marion for additional information at 765-662-1192 or visit http://www.mainstreetmarion.com


Event Date(s)

May 4, 2012 6:00 pm - May 4, 2012 9:00 pm

Location

Downtown Riverfront - Marion
1st Street & Adams Street
Marion, IN 46952
Get Directions

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Things to do in Grant County this summer...

I'm always looking for things to do in Grant County with my kids, a close drive from home.  In Sunday's newspaper there was an article in the paper - "Summer fun awaits", referencing a website:

familyguide.gcvisitor.com

It is worth taking a few minutes to check out and get some ideas for things to do in the area over the summer while your kiddos are out of school.  I've been here almost 3 years, and while I'm sometimes frustrated for what seems like very few things to do, I'm often reminded of how many things I DON'T know about and haven't taken advantage of.  So, my goal for the summer... find new, fun things to do! 

At a quick glance at this website, I see several things we've never taken advantage of that I know my kids would love:
  • Mar-Brook Campground in Gas City
  • Swayzee Antique Mall (okay, this one is really for me!)
  • Hidden Lake Resort (Fairmount)
  • Jonesboro Park & Shelter House
I'm determined to... "Show me Grant County" this summer!