Story by staff writer Betsy Villanella. Photos Copyright © Betsy Villanella. MY FAMILY used to have our own version of a secret garden, though it is much bigger than a garden. We live down the road from a state park. It’s not large compared to a lot of state parks in the US, but it has some beautiful...

Story by staff writer Judy Clement Wall. Photos Copyright © Judy Clement Wall. DESPITE ALL THE Decembers I’ve lived through, the month always comes upon me suddenly. I know it comes right after November every single year, but I’m never ready for it. And while I love Christmas it has a tendency...

By guest blogger Cathie Nichols. Photos Copyright © Cathie Nichols. BEING AN EAST COAST (outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) transplant living on the West Coast (Carlsbad, California) can be a real bummer during the Christmas holiday season. White sandy beaches are definitely not the same as a sea of...

Story by guest blogger Terri Harper. Photos Copyright © Terri Harper. SANTA ARRIVED IN ChristmasVille at Glencairn Garden, Rock Hill, South Carolina on an adorable modern-day sleigh loaded with presents. It was a perfect southern December day for children to hear A Story With Santa in the Garden. Santa...

Story by staff writer Betsy Villanella. Photos and video Copyright © Betsy Villanella. My husband had to go to Kansas City for his job, and I decided to join him. I have never been in KC during the holiday season and thought it would be fun to see the Christmas decorations and all their celebrations. I...

Story by Milli Thornton. Photos Copyright © Brian Williams. LANTERMAN’S MILL is located inside of Mill Creek MetroParks in Youngstown, Ohio only a few minutes drive from our house. Brian and I met up with our friends Ron and Joanne of Yellow Creek Theater (see Movies Under the Bridge) to enjoy...

Story by staff writer Judy Clement Wall. Photos Copyright © Judy Clement Wall. OVER THE Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I headed back up to Mt. Diablo to see if I could get some pictures of the breathtaking view that was less than breathtaking last time I visited. (See Rock City and The Legendary View...