Friday, August 16, 2013

Friday Smiles: My first stay-cation for 2013

Today I'm joining Annie at A Stitch In Time for her weekly Friday Smiles.  I've joined a bit late, because this is already week 31, but I love smiling on Friday along with Annie, our smiling host, and many of my internet friends.

Some of you may remember I started taking stay-cations last year at which time I made some self-imposed rules:

The self imposed rules:

1. Round trip must be less than or equal to 80 miles (128.75 km).

2. Must be achievable in a single day.

3. No more than $15.00 (USD) can be spent (does
NOT include fuel).  See my right sidebar for monetary conversions in your country.

So where did I go this first 2013 trip out and about?  

This place is listed as a local "must see" attraction. If this mural doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will!

And you can start to see how crazy it is, already.

In case you can't see the sign at the top right,
 
today we are visiting the Nifty Nut House.  It's actually a local

nut and candy establishment, where you can get lost for hours among the goodies they sell.

Or you might want to stop (with your children, I suspect) for a photo op.

Wander past the rows of hard candy, wander past the cases filled with all types of fresh nuts, and you'll end up in chocolate heaven.  You might even be lured into buying a very small bag of chocolate potato chips.  That small bag and big price tag really put a smile on MY face had me giggling.
  
Of course, you might be lured by the home made fudge and brownies, or the truffles and turtles.  Whatever you choose, you'll love it all.  It'll put a smile on your face!

I was lucky.  I live less than five miles from The Nut House, and I kept my hands in my pockets for the most part.  I ended up buying a small amount (1/8 lb) of chocolate for about $3.00 (USD).  Just don't go hungry, and don't expect a museum.  It's all about the nuts, candy, chocolate, and of course, the smiles, my friends.

26 thoughtful remarks:

mamapez5 said...

What an interesting idea. I couldn't go there though. As a diabetic it would be just too tempting! Your days out sound like a great idea. Hope you have plenty more. Kate x

Annie said...

What a fun place to go :-) even this diabetic would be tempted to buy a few nuts :-) Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Annie x

Gill Edwards said...

oh its lucky i dont live there or i would be obese and broke at the same time. Not usre about chocolate covered potato crisps though Hmmmm
Gill x

dawn said...

How fun this was to read and see, such a cute place to visit. Funny, we just visited a candy/fudge shop that is right down our road but I never stop by.

I love the idea of stay-cations and look forward to reading more by you.

Hoping to link up to this SMILE blog hop next week or when I have time, such a nice idea to share smiles.
Happy Friday and see you on Mandala Monday!

Anonymous said...

Well I live in the nut house quite literally (5 guys and lil 'ol me) so. . . LOL
I adore that mural painted on the side of the building! pure genius, thank you for snapping those photos and giving us all a chuckle this morning.
I would have chosen the turtles because next to pralines they are my favorite when made fresh!
Have a great weekend Elizabeth and smile on!!
~Dawn

Nan G said...

Looks like fun!

Dawn said...

YUM chocolate!!!!! Awe Elizabeth, I love your staycations sweetie, sooooooo much fun. That mural is amazing, thank-you for the pics. Lol I would have come out of the 'nutty' place with bags full ha ha ha ha!!!!!
Huge hugs x

Monica said...

Wonderful art piece. And i joined calendar challenge this month so we ate both on our own clock!!

Divers and Sundry said...

you're right, that fun mural did make me smile. :)

Aranthe said...

Oh, my, your very own Honeydukes. {G} And that mural is right on target, definitely smile-inducing.

Elizabeth said...

What a fabulous shop and that mural would cause anyone to smile, as would the contents of the shop. Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth xx

Gill Edwards said...

thanks for your visit earlier. I dont like any herbs that much so use them sparingly but its the fun of growing something edible i like best.

Angie said...

Wow ...not sure there is anything quite like this in the UK....you would have to drag me out ....so maybe a good thing its not over here.Thanks for dropping by my place ...and yes the grss is always greener ...til your there.xx

dawn said...

Thanks for your visit on my blog. You were right about which Disney my photos came from. We just went to Florida in April and I'm missing it already. How awesome that you've been to both!!

Have a wonderful weekend, hope the weather is nice for you.

Dianne said...

what a cute mural! I would love to have some homemade fudge please...but maybe nuts are better for you? a great trip dear, thanks for taking us along!

Caro said...

I love your staycation rules...We have had several staycations over the years with very similar rules. The mural on the side of that store is wonderful. Thanks for the smile! Caro x (#8)

~*~Patty S said...

That is one fun and delicious nut house that's for sure!

I would have had Mr Magpie posing for a pic in that nifty nut house insert face place (that's why they invited knees LOL!!!) he is often a very good sport about those sorts of things too ;)

Thank you very much for your visit to my 'tea and thee' post E

I used Venetian Plaster and spread it on with a credit card so two layers sewed on the machine effortlessly...

I am plastering everything in sight with our perfect low humidity windows open weather ... playing while it lasts

Happy Weekend to you and thanks for sharing this nutty good fun spot with us...
made me smile and want some dark chocolate with hazelnuts ♥

oxo

Patti Edmon Artist said...

I've always believed that the best 'finds' are in our back yard, so your stay-cation makes perfect sense! What fabulous photos (but now I want chocolate:)l

Anonymous said...

Fantastic mural, wonder who the artist is....nut house, oh I love nuts....I would be in so much trouble there. xox

voodoo vixen said...

So glad youa re still doing your staycations, they are the most fun for the least money! The mural is fabulous, it would bring a smile to anyone's face and I bet you find something new each time you look at it.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I would be in serious trouble if I lived 5 miles from a store like that! Chocolate, especially dark, and nuts are favorites of mine!

So first I put too much water in the spray bottle, then got that under control & achieved a beautiful turquoise color...only to find the nozzle was defective. I have not given up!

Unknown said...

Wow! I gained 20 pounds just looking at that place - I absolutely LOVE dark chocolate & almonds - I'd be in huge trouble!! What a fun trip - thanks for taking us along :) PS: Loved your tutorial on the sprays - especially the tip on the distilled water :)

Cindy said...

The mural really is funny and cute too! I bet they have sugar free candies too don't they? We stop at a tourist trap/restaurant/candy shop when we go to the south of Arkansas (which isn't often thank goodness) and they have a great restaurant but an amazing sugar free fudge. It really must be bought in a small quantity and eaten a little at a time. lol Sounds like you're having some fun staycations, keep it up!

Halle said...

Chocolate and nuts...two of my favorite things. Now if there was a wine shop next door I'd be in heaven.

Julia Dunnit said...

The mural alone is worth the trip, it's fab...I really love the inclusion of he door canopy, attention to detail! And then, chocolate covered crisps..ugh. But probably no worse than the turtles!!!! Yep, E, it all makes me smile!

Rita said...

LOL! Off to the nut house! I'm shocked that this was the first of your trips this year. OMG! Time has been flying by much too quickly for me this year.

We have a local shop that hand dips chocolate potato chips and they are very spendy here, too--but they are absolutely scrumptious! Leah let me taste some once!

The photo op--now that made the place! LOL! ;)