My trips or places I would love to visit

Our Stay in South Carolina

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Well, we are back home and back into the swing of things! Our vacation in South Carolina was wonderful! The weather was nice and warm and the flowers were already starting to bloom. We always stay at the Inn at USC when we visit Columbia. It is a wonderful hotel! It is so clean and I love the breakfast offered every morning!

Our room is always clean and I love using the gym facility. My daughter loves the hotel and that to me speaks volumes. I didn’t take any photos of our room because they came out too dark but here is a glimpse inside the hotel.

The lobby inside the hotel

I love the vase.

My husband and I outside the hotel. We were sitting in the rocking chairs.






We ate dinner at the Blue Marlin. This was the teriyaki salmon with yukon potatoes
and collard greens. 

Outdoor dining at the Blue Marlin

This was my dinner at Hoskins Restaurant. 
I had fried chicken, a baked potato and cabbage. 





My dessert… this was a caramel, pecan brownie cake.






This was the second hotel we stayed at. It was called Ocean Dive Beach and Golf Resort.
It was a great stay!

This was our view from the hotel we stayed in at North Myrtle Beach.




(all photos by Mrs. Shockley)

On Vacation ~ South Carolina 2015

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Well, today is Friday and in 2 days my family and I will be heading to South Carolina! I am excited! Since I was promoted I have to attend a paralegal course for the United States Government. Once my class is over we will be heading to Myrtle Beach for a few days. I will not be blogging this upcoming week but will share my adventures once I return! Thanks for reading! See ya soon!

Photo by Mitchell Hartley on Unsplash














My Store Tours

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I love shopping but then again what woman doesn’t! It’s that time of year where everyone is going to be out and about getting those Christmas lists complete. I have written about a few of my favorite stores on my blog. Below are some of my stores visits. Take a peek at what some of the stores have to offer.

My Store Tours:

(photo via Inslee by Design)

Vintage Rose ~ A Teacup Boutique

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Now this is my kinda of store. For those of you who read my blog you can see that I am a big fan of china! I especially love teacups! I don’t know why but I do and Vintage Rose has a lot of them!

This little store is also located in Brown County, Indiana. It’s a sweet little boutique that sells hand-painted vintage pieces, vintage jewelry, hats and furniture. I saw about 20 teacups that I wanted! This year I noticed something new. They now sell bottles of room sprays. They smell so good! I purchased 2 of them and a pair of vintage earrings.

The prices are really reasonable. I only paid $10 for my vintage earrings and about $9 for the room sprays. The lady who runs it was so pleasant. Oh my gosh, she was a sweetheart! If you visit Brown County please make sure you stop by and see Vintage Rose. See my photos below. Enjoy!!!

The outside of the shop

Some of the china

Vintage dollies 

They sell artwork

Some of the vintage jewelry
Here are the room sprays. This is the scent called Roses.
It smells just like fresh cut roses. 

This is called Magnolia. It was lovely. 

Blushing Tulips, oh this was one of my favorites. 
But my husband didn’t care for it too much. 
This is what I purchased from the store. 
A bottle of pomegranate and roses room spray & a pair of green vintage earrings.
Once we left Vintage Rose we went to my favorite sweet’s store.
I believe it is called “Caramel Corn”. 

They sell the best flavored popcorn and caramel covered anything here!
Here they have caramel covered marshmallows and caramel coated bacon!

Here is my favorite treat to get here every year! The granny smith caramel apple!
Oh so good!
Thanks for reading!
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Madeline’s ~ A Boutique in Brown County

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Madeline’s is one of the beautiful vintage shops in Brown County. I always make sure I take a visit there. It feels so comfortable and inviting when you walk in. I love all the decor and all the quilts, napkins and home accessories they have.

It is such a cute shop that you must also add this to your list when visiting Brown County. This place is an excellent store to find great hostesses gifts! You can also buy great Christmas gifts too! There are so many ideas that you could come up with to spend money here! It’s just perfect! Enjoy!
The front of Madeline’s 




The entryway; this is as soon as you walk in. 
Sorry it’s so blurry.




Napkins and place-mats 




I love these blue and white napkins. 

More great home accessories

Some of their homemade products

Some of the gorgeous vintage quilts

all photos via Mrs. Shockley




If you wish to contact Madeline’s their number is (812) 988-6301. Their email address is madelinesfrenchcountry@gmail.com. 

Critsers Mums ~ In Brown County

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Having mums around my house is just a decor requirement when it comes autumn decorating. Critsers Greenhouses is where my husband and I stop every year before leaving Brown County. I just think they have the best hardy mums around! Sure it’s about a 30 minute drive but to me they are so worth it!

The mums are $8 each and they are huge! This year he had kale trees! These are so colorful and different and at $6 each I could not pass it up. My husband and I got to speak with the owner last year. He is such a nice man and they way you pay will really test your character.

There is no one out there to help you. He has an “honor system” set up. Where you put your money in a box and take your mums. We asked him last year if he ever has any stolen and of course he says yes. I think that’s a shame but he keeps doing it year after year.

So if you wish to get some hardy mums in Indiana stop by Critsers. I promise you won’t be disappointed. And please if you do don’t steal. Be gracious just as he is.

So pretty and so many colors!

The kale trees!

The “honor system”. This is how you pay.

My husband loading up the car.

My porch at home

I love my mums!
Thanks for reading!!!
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

The Nashville House ~ A Restaurant in Brown County

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If you ever visit Indiana, Brown County should be added to your list! It is especially beautiful to visit around late September and all of October.  All of the trees start to change to the beautiful oranges, reds, and browns. We went the weekend for my birthday. I am a September baby and I am glad to say so! September is a wonderful time of year! It is still warm enough to wear open toe shoes but still cold enough to wear a sweater.

One of the first places to visit was the Nashville House. My husband and I have been coming for the last 2 years for my birthday to this restaurant. It is well known for it’s fried biscuits and apple butter. We love eating here! It has a rustic historical feel to it and the staff is so pleasant. You must visit this place if you are ever here in Indiana!

Outside the restaurant

Some of the other inns in Brown County
So when you walk in this is the Old Country Store. 
They sell all their homemade items here.

I love the Sassafras tea! It smells like root beer! 
But it doesn’t taste like it. 



It has the feel of a small town store. I love it!

Here are the kitchen utensils

They sell old and vintage cookbooks

More cooking utensils

An up close look at the Sassafras tea.
They actually sell this in the restaurant to drink with your meal!

Homemade jams and preserves! 
I purchased some of the blackberry spread & local Indiana honey. 
I can’t wait to try it on my french bread. 





Walking into the dining room.
We are ready for some fried chicken and biscuits!

Sorry it’s blurring but this is inside the dinning room

So delicious! This is the fried biscuits and homemade apple butter.
You can actually buy a jar of this in the store.

Our meal! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes (I don’t like gravy on my potatoes),
green beans and cole slaw (on the side). 




Mr. Shockley and I enjoying a wonderful lunch together!

Thanks for reading


(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

If you are interested in buying some of the jams, perseveres or anything else in the Old Country Store you can give them a call at (812) 988-4554. They do over the phone orders (ONLY) and they ship UPS.