A French Market in Farm Country

I have to admit that I often experience pangs of jealousy when reading my favorite blogs. It seems so many bloggers have wonderful little antique markets right in their backyards. Not literally in their backyards but, you know, really close to where they live. (Which is usually some place sunny and beautiful like California). I mean, is it fair that they get perfect weather, the ocean, and all the great flea markets? I think not.

A few weeks ago I discovered a blog written by a sweet lady named Donna. She posted about an upcoming French flea market, and I was beyond excited to see that it was taking place in a small town not far from me! 

So I don't have the perfect weather (there's currently a heat index of 110 degrees with stifling humidity), and I don't have the ocean but, by george, I've got a French flea market! 

My partner in treasure-hunting, Valerie, joined me for the market. We weren't sure how much shopping we'd accomplish, as we had five children in tow. However, the kids came up with a list of "scavenger hunt" items to look for at the market, and that (and some slushies) kept them quite content.


Here are some photos of what we saw at the market...

All the vendors did such a nice job of turning their booths into mini-store fronts. 

This adorable couple runs Hot House Market. You can check out their blog here. They had some really fun pieces.

This cute basket came home with me. (So did the cute kid!)

The scavenger hunting slushie drinkers.

We had a great time and look forward to next year's market. To learn more about this fun event, stop by Donna's blog.

A Little Slice of Heaven in an Unexpected Place

If you read my Spring Break vacation recap, you may have gotten the impression that we wouldn't be setting foot in another theme park for at least 10 more years. Apparently, we're gluttons for punishment because less than 3 months later we were back at it.


We took the kids on a mini-vacation last weekend. (I'm using the word "vacation" very loosely here). We headed to the popular destination location of Santa Claus, Indiana. C'mon... isn't that already sounding like so much fun?


Santa Claus is home to the family-friendly theme park, Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, so our kids had their fill of rollercoasters and waterslides. But, when we took a break from the chaos, we retreated to this peaceful spot...

We stayed at Santa's Cottages. (Are you getting a feel for the theme here?) Our family of 6 shared a one-bedroom cottage and lived to tell about it. In fact, it was rather refreshing to be in a small, intimate place without video games and computers. Our friends, who also have 4 kids, stayed in the cabin next to us. 


In the morning, the kids would gather on the deck and throw fish food into the lake. They had the best time finding giant catfish, turtles and a snake.

(Do not adjust your computer screen. You are seeing this correctly. There are 7 little boys. The only girl, little one-year-old Molly, missed the photo shoot.) 


Across the lake is a little play area. How adorable is this cottage?

Recycled tire "horse" swings were lots of fun...

My oldest enjoyed some hammock-time...

and the view it provided ...

In those moments, lying in the hammock, surrounded by nature, listening to the sounds of my children's laughter, I felt that all was right in the world. That this is the way life should be. Enjoying simple pleasures. Slowing down. Being still.  


(Of course an hour later we were crammed in the car for 3 hours listening to an unhappy toddler screaming his head off... but let's not go there...)


Let's go back here...

Here are a few interior shots if you're interested...

A little slice of heaven in Santa Claus, Indiana.  Who knew?




(Oh, and a little side note here:  Ladies, if you need a self-esteem boost, go to Holiday World in your bathing suit. Trust me, you will feel like a real beauty queen.) If you've been there, you know I speak the truth.