10 Ideas for a Summer Day Trip

Well we are into July and the weather is starting to get warmer and it’s beginning to feel more like summer. Do you have plans to go away on a trip or perhaps you’re going to do some day trips near your home. I thought I’d share a list of 10 fun day trip ideas that may get you inspired or thinking about your summer plans.

1) A day at the beach… might include swimming, barbeque or picnic

2) A day hike… check out adventure trails and walks in your area

3) A day at the zoo… find the nearest zoo or animal petting farm

4) A visit to local museums… most cities especially the big ones have them, spend a day visiting different ones

5) A day at the games… take the family to a baseball or soccer game

6) A day at the waterpark and picnic grounds ..kids and adults love it

7) A day exploring and taking pictures of nature… may be at a National Park

8) A day touring little shops, cafe’s and eateries… fun for everyone

9) An adventure day of mini-golf or nine hole golf

10) A day of water adventures, try canoeing, kayaking or paddle boating… bring along a picnic lunch

There are some great ideas I hope they get you thinking of things that might work for yourself or for your family. Enjoy…

Here are some summer inspired designs from my store Designs by Shell

Fencing in the Rain

Today was the day for a new backyard fence. My husband, sons and a friend have been working since about 10 this morning replacing the fence in our backyard. It was time… I felt bad for them in that it was pouring rain for a couple of hours. They were all soaking wet but at least the temperature was decent. They ran into a couple of snags but I think they are making progress now. The sun is trying to poke its head out and the rain has now ceased so hopefully they can continue in dry weather. Yes, I made coffee and goodies for them… so by end of tomorrow we should have a nice new fence up! Yeah!  Anyhow I’ve been designing some fun cupcake items for my store as well as some wedding designs. I’ll show you a few here and you can pop by my store see more! Enjoy!

Warrick County CASA Girlfriend Gala!

These pictures are from the Girlfriend Gala a fundraiser sponsored by Friends of Warrick County CASA.   Here is a little information about Warrick County CASA (taken from a handout given at the party):  "The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program is an unfunded, state mandated volunteer program that empowers everyday citizens as officers of the court to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children. 

The CASA volunteer investigates the circumstances of an active abuse or neglect case in the court system, provides fact based information and makes recommendations to the court while becoming a source of support for the child.

The volunteer's goal is to move the child out of the temporary placement, usually in the foster care system, into a safe permanent home.

What does FWCC (Friends of Warrick County Casa) do?  FWCC creates awareness of the Warrick county CASA program through community education and recruiting community partners.  FWCC raises funds for training and retention of CASA volunteers.  FWCC raises funds for the Kid's Fund which can help offset expenses for children in Warrick County above and beyond what the State can provide.  Finally, FWCC shows appreciation to volunteers by offering specialized ongoing training and simple acts of kindness."

For more information about Friends of Warrick County CASA or the Warrick County CASA program, contact Monica Freimiller at 812-305-5878 or e-mail Monica, Freimiller@gmail.com.



It was great meeting new people and seeing everyone in their fun outfits and pretty hats.  There was a crazy style show.  The man below is modeling a 14 carrot necklace.  : )



             

Inspirational Summer Themes

Are you getting excited for some hot days of summer. It seems spring has been cooler than usual and I am certainly ready for some warmer days. I want to sit on my deck with a hot cup of coffee and a good book and relax in the warmth of the sunshine. Summer is the perfect time to read those novels or inspirational books that you haven’t had time to get into. A great time to head to the beach and go for some adventure walks or hikes in the great outdoors and of course what would summer be without grilling on the barbeque, fresh fruit and delicious salads. So much fun!

Here are some of my summer inspired designs. To see more come by my store Designs by Shell

Building Your Business

As many of you have on-line business’ that you are trying to grow, promote and make some income with I thought I’d talk a little about ways that have worked for me. There are millions of people around the globe logging onto the internet daily. These people are looking for work from home ideas or business’, services or products to purchase. If you have a company where you are selling products like myself the first thing to do is to set up an attractive website, maintain it regularly and add new products daily if this is something you can do. Then join social/business networks and market, market, market. Of course  go about this in a professional manner, you don’t want to annoy people and turn them away. The idea is to capture their attention with your designs, products or services so they will remember you and return to your site.  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,IBO Toolbox are some suggestions for you to get started. Connect with others, this can really help you to stay motivated too! Hope this inspires you and helps you take the next step on your journey. 

Here are some designs and products from my store Designs by Shell Come by for a visit… always keeping it fresh with lots of new designs.

My three kids went camping with friends in the BWCA

 http://www.megavideo.com/?v=5BBBEDLA   (A link to their Boundary Water Trip video put together by Kyle Kimberlin.)

It was a little cold and wet the first couple of days.  This is a picture of my daughter Suzanne
 and her friend Keith.  They met and became friends at Indiana University.



A beautiful bald eagle!



Matthew (my son), Janine (my dtr) and friend Adam went fishing and are returning to camp. 





The guy in blue is Kyle.  He was my son's roommate at the Academy.



My daughter, Suzanne, is wearing mosquito netting over her head.  The mosquitoes can be fierce out in the BWCA, however, the kids were more irritated with tiny black flies when they were there.  I guess there were a lot of them and the evil critters knew how to bite hard.  Luckily, all the kids brought and used the netting Suzanne is wearing in this picture. 



Adam --my son became friends with him when he went to the Academy in Muncie, IN for high school.



Fun pictures!

This is a photo of a picture my brother took. This picture is hanging in his photography studio (in Hawley, Minnesota) and is, of course, not in any way blurred.  The boy with the horse is my nephew, Michael. 

 My brother told a funny joke just before he snapped the picture.  It must have been a horse joke since there seems to have been lots of horsey laughter.  ha, ha, ha! 

I don't think I've ever seen such straight, large teeth -- I'm not referring to Michael's.  Actually this particular horse does his smile on command.  I want to meet him.  Next time I'm in Minnesota for a visit, I'm going to see those pearly whites for myself.

 Horses always seem on the verge of laughing, don't they?  A whinny is almost a laugh. 

Here's another one of my brother's pictures.  He does a lot of weddings.
I love this picture of a bride and groom.  It looks like a photograph taken in 1955, doesn't it?  My brother wasn't even born then.  I assure you the people in this picture haven't been married very long.

 There's something about a black and white photo that speaks to me.  Photos without color make me think there must have been a happier simpler time.  I guess when I look at this particular picture, I think of the hope of a happy new beginning.  The couple seems friendly and down to earth because of the clean cut  look they have.  The "Leave it to Beaver" family could have attended this wedding.