A Trip to Deep-Fried Heaven

For deep-fried food fans, sinking their teeth into a Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger is about as close to Heaven, as one can get. Scratch that. Add a couple pieces of chocolate-covered bacon to the Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger… now that’s Heaven on Earth… or a heart attack waiting to happen. If you missed out on trying the one-of-a-kind hamburger, topped with melted cheese and squished in between an extra-large Krispy Kreme glazed donut, at the Wisconsin State Fair earlier this month, then hold onto your arteries because the State Fair of Texas is just around the corner. The annual fried food festival … Continue reading

August is State Fair Month

The month of August is primetime for state fairs. Fun! Yesterday the Wisconsin State Fair kicked off with a new addition to its food line-up: a Krispy Kreme cheeseburger. For five bucks you can consume 1,000 calories in a single sitting by chowing down on a hamburger patty topped with melted cheese sandwiched in between a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Basically, the culinary masters, who designed the foil-wrapped heart attack, swapped the bun for a glazed doughnut and called it a day. Of course, part of the fun of attending a state fair is seeing how far you can push the … Continue reading

State Fairs Make Learning Fun

Believe it or not, fairs are not all about deep-fried Coca-Cola, cream puffs and thrill rides. Many state fairs around the country offer a slew of educational exhibits that make learning fun for the entire family, including: Michigan State Fair The Michigan State Fair is held each August at the Michigan State Fairgrounds and Exposition Center in Detroit. The fair is one of the largest in the country and one of the most historic. The first Michigan State Fair was held back in 1849 and holds the honor of being the first State Fair in America. In addition to having … Continue reading

Family Fun at the Fair

You know it’s summer in Wisconsin when the pigs are racing and chocolate-covered bacon is being served on a stick. Attending the Wisconsin State Fair is a family tradition for us. The annual event is kid-friendly, and believe it or not, educational. Along with inhaling endless food creations-on-a-stick, my young daughter delights in visiting the live animal exhibits, chemistry shows, and hands-on demos that make learning fun. If you are looking for a family-friendly place to bond with your kids, then check out the following popular state fairs Minnesota State Fair: Known as one of the largest and best-attended agricultural … Continue reading

Texas-Sized Travel Deals for $2

Two bucks? Now you’re talking. Great minds at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau have come to the rescue of cash-strapped families visiting town on a budget. The group recently compiled a list of 33 attractions for $2 or less. Some of the freebies include the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, open daily, and the Sam Houston Boat Tour, which provides free 90-minute roundtrip cruises along the Houston Ship Channel. Another attraction that won’t cost you a single cent to visit is the Miller Outdoor Theatre, which hosts free productions from March through October. During the month of August … Continue reading

Signs Spring has Sprung in Texas

You can tell when Old Man Winter has released his grip on the Lone Star State when area highways become black… and blue. Bright blue bluebonnets are blossoming all over the great state of Texas right now signaling the arrival of spring and the thousands of visitors that make their way down south to soak up the spectacular sights the famous wildflowers create. For those of you unfamiliar with this annual rite of passage the bluebonnet is the state’s official flower and can be found throughout Texas. The native plant is often accompanied along Texas roads by an equally bright … Continue reading

Another Reason To Visit Waco, Texas

Waco, Texas is already home to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum and other noteworthy attractions such as a world-class zoo, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame & Museum and the Dr Pepper Museum, but city leaders are hoping the area’s newest addition will draw in even bigger crowds. Waco tourism officials want massive crowds to experience a new park that features mammoth artifacts—literally. The Waco Mammoth Site is home to the skeletal remains of the gigantic creatures that walked the region 70,000 years ago. The attraction is currently on track to become part of the National Park … Continue reading

Visiting Bay Landing – Texas

When planning your next family vacation, you might consider a summer trip to Bay Landing in Texas. While there, you will discover many wonderful things to experience such as “Thousand Trails”. This area was founded in 1969 and today, is considered one of the most successful and largest private camping clubs in the United States. The people who run Thousand Trails are dedicated to making every person’s time safe, clean, affordable, and filled with fun. While many people love camping, some prefer less rustic settings. At this particular location, the parks have campsites with running water and electrical hookups. In … Continue reading

My Favorite Fair Food – Candied Apples and Funnel Cakes

We just went to the county fair and there are two things (other than the rides and games) that make a fair – the candied apples and funnel cakes. The fair is just not the fair unless you have these two! Candied Apples For this recipe, you will need 8 to 10 medium apples, 2 cups of granulated sugar, light corn syrup, red food coloring, cinnamon oil, and wooden skewers. Wash and dry the apples. Insert the wooden skewer into the stem end of each apple. Grease a baking sheet then set it aside for later. In a 2-quart saucepan, … Continue reading

What To Do This Weekend

What are your plans for the weekend? Many movie fans are counting down the hours until Oscar Sunday. Will Oscar virgin Sandra Bullock win gold? Will Oscar history be made with a win by Kathryn Bigelow? If you can’t get enough of the Academy Awards, but can’t afford a trip to Los Angeles to sit on the sidelines across from the real red carpet, then consider a trip to New York. The Big Apple is hosting a marathon screening of New York-centric Oscar winners from “Annie Hall” to “The Godfather” through Sunday at the Walter Reade Theater. In addition, in … Continue reading