Yankee Candle Co.

The candle scents are delightful, and each one becomes a favorite!  Years ago there was also an antique car museum that the Hubby would enjoy visiting, but sadly, it’s no longer there!

We took the grandkids on a daytrip and enjoyed the Christmas Village, dip-your-own DIY candles, visit with Santa, the food court, Pandora jewelry display, New England furniture decor,  specialty foods and so much more!

 

 

 

 

My favorite scent for Christmas is Home for the Holidays.  What’s your favorite Yankee Candle scent?

© 2011 Moomettes Magnificents

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Frugal Family Fun Activities

The 4th of July long weekend will soon be here and those lazy, crazy hazy days of summer are now upon us.  Every now and then we all need to take a break from our daily routine  For ways to spend quality time and have some family fun while still keeping within the family budget, here’s some tips if you’re planning a family Staycation:

The Hubster’s family introduced us to camping at a family Connecticut campground when the kids were younger.  It wasn’t long after that we ventured to sites on our own, out-of-state.  Rather than taking a week’s vacation, sometimes taking long family weekend trips are more economical, while still enjoying a few laughs and getting out of Dodge.

We don’t take the kind of camping trips that require learning survival skills.  Family members experienced in camping can help to guide you.  Siblings, cousins and family friends can bond by making and roasting s’mores around the campfire, singing songs, and telling ghost stories.

My charming son-in-law is from Vermont, and everyone up there knows how to stoke a campfire, albeit, a necessary survival skill!

Other ways to enjoy frugal family outings are:

State Parks -  These are great for daytripping.  Many have playground equipment, hiking trails and picnic facilities.  Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch!

Miniature Golf – Admissions is normally reasonably priced and provides an opportunity for relaxation and family competition.  Although my husband did end up in the ER with 4 stitches to his eye after my daughter swung the club as if she was using a driver – she was fresh out of sports camp!

Petting Zoos – Smaller zoos may not have exotic animals, like Disney World, the San Diego Zoo, the Bronx Zoo or Roger Williams Park Zoo may have, but the kids will enjoy feeding and petting the animals.  We used to take the kids to the Catskill Game Farm, and they always enjoyed that!

Museums – Many offer cheap or free admission, while other admission prices may cost more.  Check out season passes.  Some  of our favorite places that the grandchildren enjoy is Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium.  If you live close to a museum, you can benefit by visiting all year long for one family admission price.

© C. Matthews 2010

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Over Labor Day Weekend, as part of the CT Chevy Girl on the Go Girlfriend Getaway Program, we drove to Kent, Connecticut in the 2011 Chevy Malibu and toured the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association’s Agricultural and Industrial Museum.

Antique Farm Equipment

Antique John Deere Tractors

Connecticut Quarries

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Agricultural and Industrial Museum

It was such a fascinating place, that my husband and I could have spent the whole day there!  Even as Connecticut natives, we learned things about Connecticut that we never new before.

We never knew Connecticut had quarries for gemstones, copper and made the cannonballs for the American Revolution.

There’s many exciting exhibits and displays of steam trains, small and large gas and diesel engines, early tractors and other equipment  that the whole family can enjoy. When my grandson Slugger gets older, I know we’ll have to take him back to see it. The museum is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers from as far away as Long Island, NY.

There’s a Fall Festival scheduled for the last weekend of September, 2010.

Isn’t this a great idea for a school field trip or a family staycation getaway?

Don’t forget to sign the Linky!

For More Information Visit: Connecticut Antique Machinery Association

© C. Matthews 2010

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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The Tat That Brings Kids Back

Summer might be over and the kids are Back-To-School, but the little ones will be going on school field trip to the zoos or museum outings.  Pretty soon before you know it holidays will be here, and many of you will be traveling to visit family, taking some day trips or other mini vacations.

As a parent, I know all too well how easy it is to turn my head for one moment and have fear strike in my heart when I thought one of my kids slipped out of sight for a moment.  Any time you’re in a crowd, you always have to keep a tight grip on their little hands.

Even a trip to the local shopping mall can turn into an adventure.

I’ve had the opportunity to review an innovative product called Safety Tat, a temporary child ID tattoo.

Safety Tat was developed by a mom out of necessity one day when attending an amusement park:

Throughout the day of fun, Michele had to rewrite the number several times as it smeared or washed off. Several parents in the park, stopped her to ask if that was her number on the kids’ arms. Each time, they loved the idea. The day was a success and the idea for SafetyTat temporary id tattoos was born.

Now mom, dad or grandmom or grandpa can have piece of mind knowing that when applied to the arm of your child or a loved one, you’ve increased any odds of a safe return if you become separated.

Safety Tat is a highly visible form of identification which you can customize and input your mobile cell phone number.

The actual size of each Original SafetyTat is approximately 2.25″ x 0.875″

Styles include Original Safety Tat or Quick-Stick Write-On, as well as tats that can identify an medical and allergy alerts, such as for a  child’s peanut allergy.

Available at select retail locations.

SafetyTat is offering my readers a Promo Discount Code worth 15% off an order of $15 or more.

Use Promotional Discount Code (case sensitive): MoomettesMagnificents

For more information visit: SafetyTat

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be three (3) winners of one (1) sample pack of SafetyTat Quick Stick Writ-On! for boy, Girl, or Multi – winner’s choice.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit SafetyTat and leave a comment about another fact not mentioned in this post and why you’d like to win this product.

This contest will run until September 7, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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There’s nothing more that I enjoy than a “Road Trip.” Each summer when I was younger, my family would always head out in July for one week somewhere. We live in New England, and my fondest memories included visiting the usual tourist sites ~ Washington, D.C.; Atlantic City (before it became a casino haven); Florida; Niagra Falls; Lake George, NY; Cape Cod and many other destinations.

When I had my own family, we piled the kiddos into our brand new Mini Van, and ventured down the DelMarVa peninsula, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel “Take Your Car to Sea” and on to Virginia Beach & Colonial Williamsburg.

But I’ve never been farther ‘west’ than Chicago. My brother-in-law spent time in the Air Force in Texas, and when he got married, took his bride to San Antonio, and all the other sites. I’ve co-workers who have hailed from Texas, as well as those who have visited, and am amazed at how they spoke of its vastness and interesting sites.

So, I will travel vicariously, and suggest if you hit the open road, to visit the Stark Museum. Orange, Texas has so much to offer! The Start Museum explores the art of the American West. It houses one of the finest collections of 19th and 20th century Western American art and artifacts in the country. The Stark Museum of Art is a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation. The Stark Foundation’s mission seeks to improve the quality of life in Southeast Texas by encouraging, promoting and assisting education, the arts, and health and human services.

Although I’m familiar with Native American art as Connecticut has Foxwoods Casino and a renouned Indian Museum, the Stark Museum has different collections, including Western Art, American Indian Art, Decorative Arts, and Rare Books and Manuscripts.

This summer the Stark Museum of Art will feature a rotating exhibition entitled “Thirtieth Anniversary Treasures” running from August 19, 2008 – October 29, 2008.

In 2008 the Stark Museum of Art will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. This special exhibition will highlight treasures from the collections, including works not previously exhibited.

So, I suggest you visit their website, and put The Stark Museum of Art on your itinerary of great places to see and visit!

The mission of the Stark Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Southeast Texas by encouraging, promoting and assisting education, the arts, and health and human services. The Foundation carries out this mandate, in part, through the programs of the Stark Museum of Art.

Home For the Holidays | A Visit to Yankee Candle Co Flagship Store in Deerfield is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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1. Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas
2. Bodum French Press Coffee Maker Review | How to Use a French Press | Brazil French Press
3. Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?