Church Sign Sunday
Hello Friends, I hope you all have a blessed week!
Archive for the ‘Middletown DE’ Category
Church Sign
Happy Sunday!
Saturday with the Seniors
Hello Friends and Welcome to the Weekend!
I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and regardless of where you went, what you ate or what gift you received, you were able to spend quality time with people you love because that’s all that truly matters.
Last Saturday hubby and I spent most of the day with our son at Appoquinimink High School’s Wrestling Team’s Senior Day – now that’s a mouthful! Some of you may know that my son started wrestling after the Thanksgiving break and he finished the season with a 5-5 record due to a knee injury. Saturday was his last match, which he lost but all in all he enjoyed the experience and bonding with his teammates and the coaches.
Prior to the match, each soon-to-graduate Senior escorted their parents/guardians onto the gym floor and presented their mother with a rose.
Malik enjoyed wrestling this season and regretted that he didn’t join the team during his earlier years of High School.
Wrestling at 170 lbs, this was his last match and you can see the disappointment on his face after the disappointing loss.
But like the good athlete he is, it only lasted a few minutes and after talking to his dad, he was back enjoying the rest of the matches with his teammates.
It was a great day and watching the team knowing that it’s the end of the season was more bittersweet for me than for him.
Mom being silly unbeknownst to hubby or son!
I ended the afternoon getting a new camera bag from Cameras Etc. in Newark.
Did you share love and laughter last weekend?
Don’t forget to share a post at this weekend’s #WWDParty
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
Silent Sunday
Stay Blessed – No Stress in the New Year!
Small Business Saturday
Hello Friends and Happy Shop Small Saturday
Black Friday has come and gone so today we celebrate and support small businesses and all that they do for their communities. Please join the SBA and organizations across the country in supporting them by shopping at a small business in your city or town.
On Main and Broad Streets in Middletown there are some great small businesses that feature unique and affordable gifts for everyone on your holiday list.
Decor by Moore’s located on 500 North Broad Street recently celebrated their First Year Anniversary, and if you mention DeDivahDeals you’ll receive an additional 10% off your entire purchase until December 31st. “Stop in and Be Amazed” at their wonderful and unique gift items including “Diva” ornaments, personalized wine glasses, animal print boxes, lighted pictures and handcrafted cabinetry.
Decor by Moore’s is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9-6, Wednesday and Friday, 9-8, Saturday 9-7 and Sunday 11-3.
Purple Sage Herbs & Gifts located on 41 West Main Street has more than 100 apothecary style teas and you’re sure to find something to soothe your soul or remedy anything that ails you. Now and until the end of the year they are featuring new holiday teas as well as the new Holiday Troll Beads.
If during this busy holiday season you are seeking stress relief or a little relaxation, make sure to stop in for personalized service and a cup of hot tea.
Purple Sage Herbs & Teas is open Monday through Friday, 11-7, Saturday 10-4 or Sunday 11-4.
A high end fashion boutique with warm friendly customer service can be found at Femme Fatale Boutique on 25 West Main Street.
Femme Fatale Boutique is currently featuring the “Black Friday Limited Edition Pandora Bead”, Alex & Ani and the Brighton collection.
Free gift wrapping and personal shopping assistance is available for the men who love the women in their lives but don’t know what to buy them!
New in stock are the Brazilian Butt Lifting Jeans, guaranteed to fit sizes 2-20. These jeans stretch but don’t sag and are available in assorted colors.
Holiday hours are Monday through Friday, 10-7, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-3.
The Gibby or Gilbert W. Perry, Jr., Center for the Arts is a cultural staple in downtown Middletown featuring works by local artists.
Their Small Works Perfect Gift Shoppe is currently showcasing unique handmade jewelry, clothing, photography, ornaments and home decor.
Free parking across the street at the Municipal lot makes it convenient to shop Thursday and Friday 12-7 and Saturday 10-5.
A unique gift boutique specializing in jewelry and craft design can be found at Jewelapalooza. A recent transplant from Galena, Maryland, Jewelapalooza is located on 104 West Main Street and is featuring a Santa’s Workshop where kids can create homemade gifts that will be cherished for years to come.
Jewelapolooza specializes in Jewelry Making Parties as well as after school camps and workshops for the little ones in town.
Melissa & Doug Toys and Chamilia & Kameleon jewelry is prominently displayed throughout the boutique. Other unique boutique items include women’s shoes, dresses, sweaters, purses and totes.
I don’t know about you, but shopping makes me hungry so take a break and stop in at the mother and daughter owned bakery, Half Baked Patisserie located at 13 W. Main Street.
Make sure you get their signature Half Baked Cupcake which is made with chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookie dough center, topped with brown sugar frosting and sprinkled with chocolate chips….yes, it is AWESOME!!!
Vegan cakes, muffins, custom cakes and catering is also available during their daily Holidays hours of 10-4.
As you head out of town after a long day of shopping make sure to drive down to 725 North Broad to the Middletown Square Shopping Center and check out the newly opened Middletown African Market.
This Market features authentic African and Caribbean food items, Kente Cloth, clothing, videos, health and beauty products as well as kitchen items.
This long-needed ethnic market sells wholesale and retail fresh, canned, packaged and frozen foods. African spices, sauces and seasonings that is guaranteed to jazz up your holiday meals. The Middletown African Market is open Monday through Saturday 9-7.
Swinging after shopping was the best part of their day!
Why not catch a show at The Everett Theatre?
Where ever you decide to shop today, I hope it will be an enjoyable Shop Small Saturday.
Rest up tomorrow because next is Cyber Monday!
Middletown African Market
Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
In today’s Friday Foodie I am featuring the Grand Opening of the Middletown African Market located on 725 North Broad Street. Owners Abena Mansah and Kwaku Duah are recent transplants from the Bronx, by way of Ghana. In partnership with other family members they also owned an African Market in Yonkers, NY.
During their many visits to family and friends in Delaware they were often asked to load up the car with food items to bring with them. These visits also highlighted the need for a place to purchase authentic African and Caribbean foodstuff. However, in not finding anyone who was interested in doing so they decided to take a leap of faith and left New York to open the Middletown African Market in the Middletown Square Shopping Center.
Abena and Kwaku along with their son came to visit Delaware, fell in love with Middletown and never left, “we love it here”, says Abena, “the people are friendly and the school district is wonderful”.
The Middletown African Market hopes to meet the needs of the large African population in Delaware so they no longer need to travel to Philadelphia or as far north as New York. The Market’s shelves are fully stocked with African and Caribbean food items, clothing, music, movies, jewelry, beauty and novelty items.
Freezers are stocked with smoked fish, turkey, chicken, beef, cassava and other root vegetables. Long shelves contain canned meats, fruits, vegetables, bags of rice, wheat, potatoes, dry beans and snack foods. Authentic oils, spices, canned goods as well as fresh Sweet Yams and Plantains are available.
Kente Cloth, Waist Beads, Kufis, and beauty products including lotions with Shea Butter and Coconut Oil, Black Soap, shampoos and conditioners are neatly displayed across the back shelves.
Saturday’s Grand Opening was both exciting and lively with many customers, both African and non-African shopping, sharing and filling their baskets with food items to be used for Sunday’s dinner.
Middletown African Market accepts all major credit cards, EBT and is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 8:00 p.m., closed on Sunday.
Abena offered to teach me to cook a few authentic African meals, so expect to see them showcased in a future Friday Foodie Features.
Have a wonderful day – Smooches!
Middletown Ranked #2 in Delaware for Young Families
Hello Friends and Happy Monday
You may or may not have heard that Middletown was recently ranked #2 behind Millsboro as the best town for young families in Delaware. The ranking came from a study conducted by NerdWallet.com, and as a resident of Middletown for the past 21 years, I was curious as to how the determination was made.
The criteria used for this ranking were: home values, medium household incomes and growth as well as the quality of the public schools. The quality of life was also taken into consideration with Middletown being named the healthiest community by Governor Markell’s Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
The medium household income in Middletown is $70,942, with an average home value of $264,000, and with the current economic development completed or underway: Amazon’s Fulfillment Center, Johnson Controls‘ expansion, Christiana Care’s Emergency Center and Westown Movies it has provided many new jobs in the state of Delaware.
NerdWallet.com only used data from GreatSchools.org which uses standardized test scores in ranking schools, Appoquinimink School District ranked 8th out of 10 with Millsboro at 9th. Other areas such as a town’s accessible walkways, parks and recreation and youth sports leagues were not taken into consideration.
As a parent that raised two sons in Middletown, I would also like to add that Middletown is a safe and racially diverse town, one that it home to very friendly people.
Funny Flea Market Finds
Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday
I trust you all had an enjoyable weekend with an opportunity to be outdoors as it was simply gorgeous in our neck of the woods. On Saturday, it was a bright, sunny 85 degrees, a perfectly glorious Indian Summer day.
I spent the day at Dutch Country Farmers Market trying to make a little extra cash, de-cluttering my nest trying to get rid of items that we no longer need, want or use anymore. On the first Saturday of every month beginning in April and ending in November, you can rent 3 parking spaces for $15.00, to turn your trash into someone else’s treasure!
Yes…I sold a Mink Coat! I wish PETA would!
A perfect fit, now she waits for the cold weather!
I didn’t get much of a chance to walk around which is a good thing, because I didn’t want to spend my profits nor did I need to buy more stuff only to get rid of it later.
Trying to turn my trash into someone else’s treasure!
You can find almost anything at a Flea Market, some things are usable others are just unusual, check out what had me scratching my head. I tried to figure out the thought process going into making these purchases – what do you think?
I hope this didn’t come from a major intersection!
Okay…so where do you use these?
Happy Halloween My Pretties!
Perfect for the front porch to scare away the kiddies or put in the window to repel a thief!
Family Fun for a Buck!
For Family Fun Game night, I can understand that, but Rummikub is an old game and there were missing pieces…even at a buck I didn’t understand this purchase.
Speaking of unusual, check out these cool modes of transportation.
Jazzier than a Hover Round
Love a BMore Raven’s Fan!
No need for speed here!
It was a long day but I made enough money to pay for groceries and was still able to donate 7 boxes of clothing and miscellaneous household items to Goodwill.
Flea Market Finds Are Fun!
What is the funniest Flea Market find you’ve ever seen or purchased?
Middletown Made For Manhattan
Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!
Last weekend I had an opportunity to attend the Ray of Sunshine Dance Recital presented and performed by dancers from the Encore Dance Academy. To say that this was no ordinary recital would be an understatement. First of all, the recital was the Senior Class Project of Kayla Green, a dancer and student at Middletown High School. Secondly it was held to benefit and bring awareness to Autism Delaware and lastly because it was an absolutely flawless Broadway-like performance by some very talented young dancers!
For two hours the audience was treated to over thirty wonderfully choreographed dances with music from every genre and decade from the 50’s to the present. The Grand Finale performance of Grease included all of the dancers and was a colorful and exciting rendition. Costume changes accompanied each of the performances and it was obvious that they had trained long and hard and had given it their best.
Three young children affected by Autism, one of which was Kayla’s young cousin and the inspiration for the project was given an opportunity to perform on stage. It was truly heart warming to watch them, so confident in themselves and enjoying the audience’s applause. Another student who is also affected by Autism gave the Closing Remarks which was also well received by an enthusiastic crowd. To watch these kids participate in the recital who after birth wasn’t supposed to be able to walk, further emphasized the need to support Autism Awareness in the state of Delaware.
During a brief intermission packaged snacks, soda and water was available for purchase in the lobby. A Silent Auction was also held with bidding on items such as a Wine Basket, Door Wreath, Cleaning Service, and Dance Lessons, all donated by parents of Encore Dance Academy students. All proceeds raised from this as well as from ticket sales were donated to Autism Delaware, totaling over $2000.00.
Kudos to all the dancers from the Encore Dance Academy, I fully expect one day to see your names in lights on Broadway because you definitely were Middletown Made For Manhattan last Saturday night!
eShakti Dress Review
Hello Friends and Happy Monday!
This is a sponsored post for eShakti, for more information please read my Disclosure Statement located in the top tab.
When I was contacted by eShakti asking if I would be interested in doing another review my answer was a resounding, “yes”. The first dress that I had received was of good quality, had a budget-friendly price and shipped quickly, so it would be my pleasure to review another garment. In case you missed that review you can read it here.
My favorite style of dress is a sleeveless shift because of it’s versatility and I also find that it compliments my figure the best. I’ll wear this style any season, all year long, to work, church and out to dinner with hubby. A shift dress transitions easily from summer to winter, and when the weather changes I’ll throw on a blazer or sweater and thanks to KelasKloset have also worn one with a turtleneck underneath.
For this review I chose item number CL0027971.
When submitting an order to eShakti the sizes are based on actual bust, waist and hip measurements proportioned for women Petite to Tall and ranging in sizes from 0-36W. However, if your measurements do not fit into any of these categories it can be customized for an additional $7.50.
I chose this method when ordering and didn’t order one size up as I normally would, so when I received the dress and opened the box I was loving the cut. I loved it even more when I put it on and found that this style was perfect and that it fit my bust, waist and hips nicely.
This dress was chosen because I didn’t want to wear an uber fancy dress to my hubby’s High School Reunion, but after the death of his mother we weren’t able to attend. With not having that event to wear the dress I needed to find a suitable location for a photo-op that would accentuate the look.
I chose Elana’s Florist and Gift Shop on 500 North Broad Street in Middletown. This once small Floral Shop had been transformed into a more expansive and unique Florist and Gift Shop perfect for a photo op. I promised Elana that I would return next month to do a post for my holiday shopping special.
I know my friend and neighbor Corrine, who is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will appreciate the Red Dress and Elephant background.
For me, the very best feature of this dress were the built-in bra strap holders. Every woman knows how irritating it is to have a bra strap sliding down her arm and then having to pull it up a million times.
The dress is made in India of Cotton and Spandex, is machine washable on a delicate cycle and should be hung to dry. The exposed easy slide brass zipper is also a nice accent.
eShakti dresses are affordable custom-made dresses that fit well and are made for the everyday woman such as myself. eShakti has been featured in numerous woman’s magazines and on daytime talk shows so check them out and sign up to receive sales notifications as well as specials with free shipping.
eShakti believes that all women have the right to wear affordable fashion that is made for them and makes them look their absolute best and I definitely agree.
Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
