Memorial Day Weekend - What are your plans?

Memorial Day weekend is a busy weekend for most.  Some of us will grill for the family, some will travel to be with families and some will spend the weekend relaxing...at a campground!

I fall in the latter part...I love to camp, especially when it's a holiday weekend. Camping for me and my family is a way to get away, a way to just relax, even if it's only for a short amount of time.  

Now, I'm not the type who will drive half a day just to camp.  I want to spend most of my Memorial Day relaxing my a nice cool stream, lake or river and enjoying the sunsets at the end of the day.  Some of the things we will do (on our short mini vacation) is grill, have some ice cold beverages and maybe take up a hike or a walk to enjoy the scenery.  

After many many year of camping at the same campgrounds, it's time for a change.  I'm yearning for something new, something more adventurous and something that will promise a fun time.  I'm constantly searching for new places, places I've never been.  Some of the places my family and I have camped are Wappapello Lake, Missouri, Van Buren, Missouri and West Memphis, Arkansas, which is right on the border of Memphis, Tennessee.  

Van Buren (Current River) campgrounds has several campgrounds to choose from...Current River Campground, Van Buren Campground, Big Spring RV Camp, Big Spring Campground and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Floating down Current River is one of the main attractions, while in Van Buren, and although you don't have to camp to float, it's always nice to have a camp site to relax afterwards...although floating can be totally relaxing. I love to float.  You spend hours floating down the river on a tube or in a canoe. It's a time to lay back, relax and enjoy the warm sun beaming down on you. During your journey, you will see many houses that sit on top of high cliffs and hills, inviting you to enjoy the marvelous view of each house.

Van Buren is one of my favorite spots to camp.  There are people of all ages, young and old, that you will find camping.  You make new friends and everyone is so friendly!  I love the whole camping by the river, dipping your feet into the cool water and enjoying background music from all the campers.

As a matter of fact...I've just reserved my spot at Current River Campground on Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait!  Some of my favorite places to stop and enjoy a bite at Van Buren are Float Stream Restaurant and Jolly Cone Drive In.  

JOLLY CONE DRIVE IN

Jolly Cone Drive In is the perfect place to grab an ice cream cone after a hot day on the river.  You have tons of options when it comes to flavors and toppings. Float Stream Restaurant is a great place to dine for some down home country cookin'!  You can expect to find fried chicken, meatloaf and many side items that will have you leaving full.  I've dined here on my last visit to Van Buren and the food was awesome!  Food arrived fast, hot and I devoured every morsel of food on my plate!

So, if you're ever in Van Buren, Missouri, check out the campgrounds, be adventurous and try your hand at floating.  It'll be an experience you won't want to miss out on.

*What are your favorite things to do on Memorial Day weekend?  
*Do you love to camp? 
*What are your favorite camping places to visit? 

I would love to hear what your plans are for this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend!


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#TravelWise 3 piece Weekender Cube Set

Whether I'm going camping or just spending a weekend out of town, I don't really need or want MY clothes, make-up or hair products in the same luggage as my husbands.  Not that their's not enough space in our luggage, but I just hate taking a bulky bag on just a weekend trip.

I was excited to get the opportunity to try the Travel Wise 3 piece Weekender Cub Set.  The set comes with 3 different size bags, a large (17.5" x 12.75" x 4") that is perfect for enough clothes for a weekend, a medium size (13.75" x 9.75" x 3.75") for maybe accessories, scarves or what have ya and a small (11.5" x 6.75" x 3.75") that is perfect for my makeup.

I ended up with the red and it's very vibrant!  

The bags zip all the way around and has a black mesh front, so you can see your belongings.  The TravelWise 3 piece Weekender packing cube set is a travel essential that allows clothes to stay folded and neat when packed in their own "small drawers". The cubes are fantastic for staying organized on short and long travels alike and help you avoid over packing. 

Constructed of lightweight, durable nylon, these multi-sized cubes allow you to compartmentalize similar items such as shirts, pants, undies and electronic accessories and streamline packing.

The open mesh panel affords breath-ability and visibility--no more digging through luggage to find that elusive sock. Suitcase security checks are less daunting since screeners can easily view contents through the mesh insert without causing suitcase havoc.

If you are interested in purchasing your own TravelWise 3 piece Weekender Cube Set, head on over to Amazon and get yours today.  They have a variety of colors to choose from.

***I received the above product, free, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Busy Weekend

As Christmas is nearing, now is the time when all the Christmas parties, decorating and shopping pop up.  This weekend, I have a work Christmas party that I will attend, 45 minutes away.  These parties are always so fun and fun packed to attend.  Dinner and Social hour, awards and then dancing afterwards always makes for a fun Saturday.

BUT....before I go on this Christmas party adventure, I must get another one of my DIY Christmas swags done.  I just went to my Dollar Tree yesterday and purchased one roll of green garland, several sprays in red and gold and some red ribbon.  My plan is to make a decorative garland swag above one of my doorways.  Of course, I will rely on Pinterest to help me!

All in all, I spent around $8.00 for a bag full of items to do my swag.  Not too bad.  I hope to post a picture when it's all done.  Just last week, I went to the same Dollar Tree and purchase the same amount, but an additional green garland, to make a long fireplace garland.  I had a bag of pine cones, different sizes, that I brought back with me from Florida this year.  I weaved in some white lights, added the pine cones, here and there and added some red holly berries.  PRETTIFUL! I was so pleased by the outcome!

I will admit, it takes me awhile to get into the Christmas spirit, but as the holiday nears, I am getting more excited.  I love to decorate, mostly DIY projects, and add more each year.  Christmas dinner is also a big thing.  This year, instead of going to my family's home, I will be doing Christmas dinner at my house, welcoming any family member who usually stops by for a plate.

Christmas dinner will consist of: Ham with Pineapple, garlic mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, chocolate pie, pecan pie (maybe) and several fixins I may come up with.

What are your plans for the holidays?




WISHING EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!