Travel Archives - Page 16 of 17 - A Home for Elegance

Critsers Mums ~ In Brown County

October 6, 2014/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

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

October 1, 2014/2 Comments/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

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.

Touring in New York

August 27, 2014/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

There is so much to see and do in New York! We were there for about 5 days and there were still things on the list that I wanted to do but maybe next time. Below are some photos we took walking around and driving around New York City. If you ever get a chance to visit I guarantee you will enjoy it!

We drove by the Waldorf Astoria.

This hotel always reminds me of Coming to America!

Times Square

The Plaza Hotel. This hotel reminds me of Home Alone 2 Lost in New York.

The world famous Cotton Club.

The Charging Bull in Wall Street.

My view from Rockefeller Center. You can see Central Park in the middle.

Just gorgeous…

Giants Stadium

My view from the ferry of the Statute of Liberty.

My view of the Freedom Tower.

The Brooklyn Bridge.

A view of Harlem

This was the entryway to a party that was going on in Bryant Park.

I just loved the lit trees.

The Floral District in New York

August 20, 2014/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

The floral district is of course an area in New York where you can buy beautiful blooms for any event in your life. It is located mostly on West 28th Street. There is a variety of stores and booths were owners sell their gorgeous blooms.

My friend Marc took me to visit one of these stores. I was so thrilled! The only thing I dislike is the time-frame. The district only displays their blooms (well I heard the best ones) during the hours of 5 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. So it’s a very short window. But I was fortunate enough that since Marc knows the city so well he was able to get me to a great florist.

I don’t remember the name of this particular shop but the owner was very nice and she had some of the best blooms that I had seen. I have some photos below of my visit. I have also attached a video from Design Sponge (see here). A New York florist by the name of Amy Merrick shows you how to shop at the Floral District. Lastly, read my blog entry from March about decorating your home with flowers (see here). Enjoy!

Me in the Floral District

The lilies I purchased. I paid only $13! You could smell them all over the home.

(all photos by me)

The Visit to Columbia University

August 18, 2014/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Now I have to admit I didn’t know much about Columbia University but one thing I can say, it is beautiful! We took a quick tour while vacationing in New York. My friend Marc is an architect and he did some restoration work at the university in the last few years.

We grabbed some lunch in Harlem and headed to the university. Marc took us around the school and showed us some of the work he did. We ended up in the center of the university in front of the library. We sat down like the other students and ate our lunch while Marc talked about the history of the school and the courses. Marc attended Columbia during his college days also.

I was really impressed and at awe at how beautiful the school was. Then I realized that one of the Assistant United States Attorney’s I work with attended college there! I loved sitting there and looking at all the buildings. There was something majestic about those buildings nevertheless we enjoyed it! So, of course are my photos below. Thanks for reading!

Outside on the step looking around and eating lunch

Sitting out front of the Library of Columbia University

Inside the library. Can you see yourself giving a speech that will change lives?

Looking up in the library. Very majestic right?

Okay, this has nothing to do with Columbia but I had to add it.

It’s my photo of the Met Museum in New York.

Our Visit to Rockefeller Center

August 11, 2014/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Visiting the Rockefeller Center was a challenge for me because I knew that my husband wanted to go to the top; I just didn’t want to join him! I am very afraid of heights but I knew that I needed to take advantage of this opportunity because who knows when it would come again.

So I knuckled up and said okay! I also wanted to be brave because my 9 year old daughter is frightened of heights too! So we went in and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised! Oh, it was high, terribly high but I am glad that I faced my fear and went to the top.

I did enjoy looking at all of New York! The views up there are one of a kind. If you are thinking of visiting New York definitely add the Rockefeller Center to your list! Here are some photos below of our visit. Also check out the Rockefeller Center tour and explore website. It could help you with making plans for your visit. Enjoy!

The outside of Rockefeller Center

The garden outside the building

As soon as you walk in you will see this painting. It is very interesting…

This giant chandelier is inside the center. It is gorgeous!

This is the view from the upper deck at the top floor.

Now this is from outside the building. This was scary but beautiful.

You can see Central Park from here!

Another view from outside on the upper deck. The Empire State Building. Wow….

Goodwill Shopping in New York

August 6, 2014/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I had to visit a Goodwill store while vacationing in New York. So while my husband was at the Yankee’s game I went Goodwill shopping!

Let me start by saying I have never been in a Goodwill store that had security. This Goodwill store had a security guard at the front door! I was blown away! But once I started to look around I then realized why they did.

There were some nice things in this goodwill. It sure wasn’t like the goodwill stores we have back home! There were lots of designer clothes and shoes. There were rows of china and dishes. I was in heaven! Some of you know how I LOVE to shop at the Goodwill store, consignment stores and flea markets (see my blog entry here about that). I also love finding antiques and learning about them (see my blog entry here about vintage pieces).

So take at look below of all the goodwill shopping I did while on vacation and photos from a few other stores I visited. Thanks for reading!