Festival Dates

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery Pic is an oldie from a zoo trip awhile back. I'm in the mood to visit a zoo... very soon. Like maybe this weekend. Even if I have to go alone. Either way, there should be some new zoo pics in the Gallery next week.

RANDOMNESS #1 - May's Special Guest has been selected AND has agreed to appear on A Simple Life. I think this one will be a BIG surprise!

RANDOMNESS #2 - On the way back from Amelia Island this summer (where I am planning on swimming with manatees), the Faulkner Five will be stopping AND eating at Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah. (It's surprisingly close to Amelia Island.) While we're there, I'm planning on having my picture made with Ms. Deen. Talk about a good trip! I'm going to have pictures of feral horses (I've got to find out what that means), sea turtle nests, manatees AND Paula Deen! (Or at least the front of Paula Deen's restaurant. At this point in my life, I'll take what I can get!)

Blog Linkage - I only have one link for you today. It's a long post, but well worth the time it takes to read every single word. Go to Sherri's Blog under My Blog List and read her last post entitled "Mom, a dragonfly." Since I've read it, I've seen several dragonflies here and there, but none the color of the ones she describes. But I'm looking... and remembering her loss and the way she is sharing her story and helping so many others who have lost loved ones. She is an amazing woman.

Festival Dates

We've talked about local Festivals many times over the last few months, but this is THE weekend if you want to take one of your kiddos on a fun, old-fashioned date.

1. Gardendale's Magnolia Festival features three days of activities with something for everyone. From antique cars, flower shows, carnival rides and food to FREE children's crafts every hour, pet area, music and more... you're sure to find something you and your date will enjoy.

Here is a schedule for some of Saturday's activities:

10:00-10:30 - Storytelling by Gardendale Librarians
10:30-11:30 - Build a Birdhouse, Car, etc. sponsored by Lowe's Home Improvement
11:45-12:45 - Paint A Canvas sponsored by Sips N' Strokes
1:00-2:00 - Paint Mini Bowls sponsored by Painted By U
2:15-3:15 - Create A Mother's Day Card sponsored by Stamp-It-Up Demonstrators
3:30-4:30 - Line Drawings/Sketching sponsored by Young Rembrandts
4:30-5:00 - Storytelling by Gardendale Librarians

For more information regarding all the activities beginning Friday and ending Saturday evening, go to www.magnoliafestival.org.

2. Mt. Laurel will have it's annual Spring Festival this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join them for the Mt. Laurel Spring Festival, April 17, rain or shine. Admission is FREE! You can check out the crafts, farmers' market, the new library, games, music and food. There will also be special appearances by Snow White, the Ghostbusters, Harry Potter and more.

3. St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman wants you to come to their annual Bloomin' Festival Arts & Crafts Show this Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 (children 5 and under are FREE). You can also check out the Ave Maria Grotto for $3.

Bloomin' Festival is a two day arts festival attracting thousands of visitors to the beautiful campus of St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School. Located adjacent to the school is the world famous Ave Maria Grotto. The picturesque landscape of stone cut buildings on the grounds of Alabama's only Abbey provides a backdrop for the out-of-doors show. More than 140 booths are filled with artists demonstrating and exhibiting their work.

For more information, you can call (256) 739-6682 Ext. 7133.

Out of the three Festivals listed, I have attended two of them (The Magnolia Festival and The Bloomin' Festival). Although you may want to make the Festivals a "Family Date," the one-one-one time with your child would be excellent, too. Basically, you can't go wrong!

Have a very nice Thursday. Keep an eye out for people who may be struggling today. A smile, a kind word, a telephone call, a card, an e-mail... all of these things take just a few seconds to actually do, but can make so much difference to someone who is hurting. I'll finish off this week Friday with Weekend Happenings and some randomness. Take a minute and visit if you get the chance.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda