Dec 222009
Ho, ho, ho - just one week to go!

Follow along with our contributor, Beth, as she finishes up a fun-filled Advent season in southwest Michigan.

It’s hard to believe we have finished three weeks of our Advent plans and it is only 3 days ’til Christmas! I don’t know who is more excited – me or my little ones (aka the Vikings). We started [...]

Dec 212009
Holiday shopping for kids in downtown St. Joseph

With just a few shopping days left until Christmas, you may be scrambling to find gifts for some of the special people in your life. Sure, you could drive an hour away to one of the bigger shopping centers, but why deal with the crowds, the crammed parking lots and the time spent in the [...]

Dec 152009
Seven days of fun; seven more to come!

Follow along with our contributor Beth and her family as they make their way through a Southwest Michigan family advent!
This last week week in Southwest Michigan was a busy one for us. And, the weather didn’t make it any easier. Fortunately, there is  so much great family fun in this area that it was easy [...]

Dec 122009
Opera, Opera and Carols in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph

This week offers several opportunities for music lovers in Southwest Michigan.
TONIGHT, Saturday, December 12: The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra presents Amahl and the Night Visitors. Family matinee is at 3:30 PM, evening performance at 7:30 at the LMC Mendel Center mainstage.Tickets at www.smso.org, tickets $5 – $35.
Sunday, December 13: the Fairplain Presbyterian Church in Benton [...]

Dec 082009
Week 2 of a Southwest Michigan Advent - Preview

We jumped into week two of our Viking Family Advent Calendar last night. My two little raiders tackle two craft projects last night – both leftovers I had in our “Christmas box” which had been unpacked Sunday to dress the tree.
The week coming up is pretty craft-heavy but, as far as my kids are concerned, [...]

Dec 072009
Flown by: Week One of Our SW Michigan Advent Calendar

Follow along as our contributor, Beth, celebrates the Advent season in Southwest Michigan.

As I write this, we just finished putting up the Christmas tree. And, for the first time in years, I had fun. Having little ones underfoot the last few years has stolen much of the peace, quiet, and contemplation (what are those things [...]

Dec 042009
Holiday Celebrations in Baroda, Saugatuck, and St. Joseph

It’s official: December is here in Southwest Michigan, and with it come a huge selection of holiday-inspired festivals, performances, and other events. Here’s three that sound especially fun:
A Baby Changes Everything -  A Christmas Musical
The story of the nativity is told through music (including Christmas favorites as well as some new selections). Free, December [...]