I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Safari in the Sand

What: Safari in the Sand

Where Peddler's Village
            Route 202 & 262
            Lahaska, PA

Who: All ages

When: Through August 31, 2025



For several years, Peddler's Village has been featuring sand sculptures during the summer. This year's theme is Safari in the Sand, and there are several giant animal sand sculptures. Some include several different animals and are based around a particular theme. The big five focuses on Africa's most famous animals. Others feature wetland and rainforest animals,  river and waterway animals, and more. There are also sculptures featuring only one animal or type of animal. 



Viewing the sculptures is a nice way to provide a fun summer learning experience for kids. They can not only view them but also learn about the animals. Each sculpture includes information regarding the animals included in it. 



If you want to turn it into a scavenger hunt or make sure you don't miss anything, you can pick up a map at the information building. Keep in mind, however, seeing all of them will require a lot of walking as Peddler's Village covers a large area and the sculptures are quite spread out. Also, be aware that the Peddler's Village property does include some hills.



And that's our view. For more about Safari in the Sand, go to peddlersvillage.com/safari-in-sand. For more about Peddler's Village, go to peddlersvillage.com.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own. Address any and all concerns regarding the use of any image here.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Tips for Tuesday - Dead of Summer & Aslyum Hotel; Movie: The Sound of Surf

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Dead of Summer & Asylum Hotel 


Today, we are talking about Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell. Orla returns to her hometown years after her childhood best friend, Alice, disappeared. Meanwhile, her childhood crush, the son of one of the richest families in town, David, has also returned with his new girlfriend, and alleged soon-to-be fiancée, Faith. Although much of this description makes the book sound like more of a love story than a thriller, it definitely is not.

While the story remains intriguing enough to hold interest throughout, the book is mostly disappointing. Regular readers of thrillers or viewers of theatrical thrillers can likely spot several of the big twists before they are revealed. Plus, there are too many unlikable characters. This includes Orla, Alice, and David, none of whom has an inkling of what it is like to be a good friend. The ending is also less than satisfying. It doesn't make complete sense and needs further explanation. To say more would be spoilery. 


Today, we are recommending Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell. Aubrey likes taking pictures of old abandoned buildings. When she takes pictures of the Asylum Hotel, she meets YouTube celebrity, Dimitri, who ends up dead at the bottom of a cliff the next day. The locals think he is just another victim of the hotel's alleged curse because he is not the first person associated with the hotel who has died.

If you enjoy reading about alleged haunted buildings, you may enjoy this exciting thriller. Aubry is a courageous and determined heroine. She and her friend, Nikki, make a good team, and their friendship is quite enjoyable. However, the story is a bit overwhelming at times. There is not one but several stories about what happened in the hotel's past. At times, it's hard to keep it all straight. 

The solution to what happened to Dimitri is a surprise that you are unlikely to figure out. However, that is because you were not given enough information to do so. Also, it doesn't relate enough to the main part of the story. Still, there are parts of the story's resolution that are more interesting and satisfying.

Movie: Sound of the Surf


Today, we are recommending Sound of the Surf. This is a fascinating film about the development and history of surf music. Most people are probably only aware of The Beach Boys when thinking about this genre, but it neither started nor ended with them. While they are mentioned in the film, they are only a small part of it. None of them appear in it. However, it does include interviews with numerous other surf music pioneers, including one woman, as well as numerous samples of surf music songs. 

And that's our view. Dead of Summer was published today. Asylum Hotel will publish next Tuesday, June 29.  Sound of the Surf is now available for purchase on DVD and digitally for purchase or rental.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

All images except film images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us hereand we will look into the matter.

Monday, July 21, 2025

More Theater Monday - Shake It Away: The Ann Miller

We received complimentary tickets to Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.


What: Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story

Where: 59E59 Theaters
             59 E. 59 St.
             New York, NY 

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

When: This event took place on July 15, 16, & 19, 2025


Another biographical musical, soon to be heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, is Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story. The show was written by and stars Kayla Boye. She does an excellent job of channeling Miller's upbeat, perky personality a well as capturing the timbre of her voice. The show covers both Miller's movie career and personal life, although it does not go as far as covering her return to Broadway in 1979's Sugar Babies. It does hint at the show, however. 


The show is not a musical, but does include several musical highlights from Ann's illustrious career, including "Shaking the Blues Away", "On the Town", and "Too Darn Hot." Some of the musical numbers are performed in their entirety. In other cases, only a portion of the song is performed. All include full dance breaks, however, as Miller was especially known for her dancing. Boye is a talented dancer herself, and the dancing is definitely a highlight of the show. 


Whether you are interested in Ann Miller, the Hollywood Studio System, or you just want to learn fascinating tidbits about Hollywood, Ann Miller and/or other specific performers that you may not have known before, you may find Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story quite engaging.


And that's our view. For more about Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story or to purchase tickets to see it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, go to https://www.shakeitawayplay.com.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday. 

Photo credits: 
All Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story production photos by Heather Stumpf

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission.  Address any issues regarding the rights to any image here