Mayberry in the Midwest Returns to Danville, Indiana May 20-22, 2016

Barney Fife at Mayberry in the Midwest 2014

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

This year marks the third year of Mayberry in the Midwest in Danville, Indiana. We had the pleasure of visiting Danville during Mayberry in the Midwest's inaugural year and had a fabulous time. Who doesn't wish for a little visit to Mayberry from time to time? We enjoyed character visits, watching The Andy Griffith Show on the big screen in the historic Royal Theater, checking out the tractor show and squad cars, throwing our daughter into the "paddy wagon" by the Hendricks County Historical Museum, eating bison burgers from a local vendor and sitting down to a full meal at the delectable Mayberry Cafe. Really one of those warm and fuzzy family days that we won't forget!

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Art Walk Throughout Naperville

Naperville Riverwalk

On its own, the Naperville Riverwalk provides for a charming meander along the DuPage River. While walking along the Riverwalk, you will quickly discover more of Naperville's charm. Threaded throughout the village are works of art including mosaics, statues, reliefs, murals and more. These pieces comprise Naperville's Century Walk, a public art initiative which began in 1996.

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Family Dining or Date Night: Fox and Turtle Serves It Up!

**Disclosure: Thank you to the Fox and Turtle for inviting us to visit. We received complimentary meals in order to bring you this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

On a beautiful Friday evening, we headed over to the Itasca Country Club for a dining adventure at Fox and Turtle. After perusing the menu before our visit, I was pretty amazed by this hidden treasure found not far from the green fairways of a country club golf course. Immediately, the menu revealed our kind of place. With pub comfort foods, new twists on old favorites and carefully crafted entrees, menu selections easily intrigued us. I am happy to tell you that after our visit, Fox and Turtle is definitely our type of place!

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Bike Bald 24-Hour Spinathon May 20-21, 2016 in Naperville

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. I love bringing attention to local charities!

So many great charity events this spring! In May, Bike Bald will be holding its 24-hour Spinathon May 20-21 on the Naperville Riverwalk. All proceeds go to Bike Bald to support their programs helping and uplifting children facing cancer and other devastating illnesses. There are various ways to participate including signing up for a time as an individual or creating a team. Riders ride for 1 hour at a time on a stationary bike at their own paces. The event features instructor-led, dance spin hours. Bike Bald helps children fighting life threatening illnesses and their families through various programs including the Pedal Express which sends the children handmade cards, new toys, arts & crafts supplies and gift cards. For more on Bike Bald, head over to my interview with Nicole Cavanaugh.

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Making Our Dinner Time Easy While Still Healthy with Meez Meals

**Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary experience with Meez Meals to bring you this review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% my own.

We love preparing fresh, healthy meals each evening. But, some days our schedule can be a bit challenging. We have tried those "30 minute meal" recipes that are only 30 minutes if EVERYTHING is prepped for you. We have had quite a few frustrated evenings when recipes took much longer than planned thus giving us little time to enjoy the meal before heading to an activity. I am sure quite a few of you can relate! Meals should be a time to relax and share the day, not a source of aggravation.

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {Earth Day Fun}

Earth Day is Friday---which means there are plenty of fun activities this weekend! Here are my picks:

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Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park

Isolation #5 by Sharon Loper

Sunny weather and delightful temperatures last weekend provided us with an ideal afternoon to visit the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park. The park began in the 1980's as a mechanism to mitigate a neglected stretch of land along the north channel of the Chicago River. Together, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Village of Skokie and concerned citizens worked together to rehabilitate the area creating not only a recreational space with jogging and biking paths and benches but also a space to display large scale sculptures. Today, the cultural treasure is home to over 60 sculptures.

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Cake Auction to Benefit Relay for Life in Barrington {May 7}

One of last year's delicious cakes!

Norton's U.S.A.'s 5th Annual Live Auction Cake Sale to benefit Barrington Relay for Life is on May 7, 2016--the day before Mother's Day! The lively event lifts the spirit while supporting a great cause. Bakers are invited to donate cakes to be auctioned off. Cakes are auctioned off in a live auction. All proceeds are donated to Barrington Relay for Life. Join Norton's U.S.A. for this heartwarming event--and bring home a cake for Mom! Cakes are to be dropped off by noon on May 7. Previewing starts at 2:45 PM and the auction starts at 3:00 PM! More details below:

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Family Tradition Thrives at Max and Benny's Restaurant

We visited Max and Benny's in Northbrook a couple of Fridays ago for dinner. We expected a crowd on a Friday evening, so we arrived early. We soon learned that the restaurant not only attracted a crowd but tables of jovial diners eager to not only enjoy a meal but to sit with friends and family sharing the news of the week.

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Beautiful Views of Pittsburgh

As I end my series on Pittsburgh, I am reflecting on the beauty of the city. Pittsburgh has long been one of my favorite cities aesthetically. The city thrives at the confluence of the Mongongahela and Allegheny Rivers---forming the Ohio River. Water views and glorious bridges throughout create spectacular scenes!

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Wednesday Weekend Windup: {Earth Day Fun & More}

With Earth Day and Arbor Day around the corner as well as what seems to be shaping up into a lovely weekend, it is really time to get outside! Here are my picks for family fun this weekend:

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Exploring Western Pennsylvania History and the Special Toys Exhibit at Heinz History Center {Pittsburgh}

During our first visit to the Heinz History Center a few years ago, we were immediately amazed by the wealth of engaging exhibits. We spent close to three hours going through each gallery gathering a store of knowledge about the history of Western Pennsylvania. We were just as captivated on our recent visit, soaking in familiar exhibits as well as appreciating the special Toys exhibit and exploring the Heinz exhibit that was being remodeled during our earlier excursion.

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An Afternoon With the Animals of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

One of our afternoons in Pittsburgh was glorious, sunny and 70! A picture perfect day! We headed for the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium to take a peek and visit with our furry friends who we were sure were also enjoying the lovely spring weather!

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Nature and Conservation Exploration at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

With the renewal of spring unfolding right before our eyes and Earth Day later this month, now is the perfect time to think about conservation. We recently explored the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago and uncovered the perfect place for children to examine the natural world and learn the importance of conservation while taking home ways that they themselves can make a difference.

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Essential Oils Cleaning Tips and Events at JAI Yoga Studio April 9!

Spring is here---sort of! Regardless of what the weather is like outside, many of us are still busy spring cleaning! This weekend JAI Yoga Studio has a couple of fun events to help you engage in spring's renewal. Plus, my friend Sarah Antrim gave me some great healthy spring cleaning recipes that you can use as you embark on spring cleaning!

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A Family Visit to The Andy Warhol Museum {Pittsburgh}

Last year, I visited the Art Institute of Chicago with my daughter and she was determined to see at least one Andy Warhol. She had been introduced to his art and particularly enjoyed his famous pop art. While planning our trip to Pittsburgh, I learned that the city is actually Warhol's hometown. Today, the city is home to an impressive museum presenting his legacy and art. Since my daughter is such a fan, I added a visit the Andy Warhol Museum to our itinerary.

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Walking with the Dinosaurs at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History {Pittsburgh}

Here come the dinosaurs!

There is just something so captivating and enchanting about the world of the dinosaurs. Upon learning about the collection housed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, I knew that we would have to make a visit. The collection is the world's largest of Jurassic dinosaurs and the display dinosaurs represent the third largest in the entire U.S.A. So, amazing!

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