Lehigh Valley InSite

VeloFest 2012

On the morning of Cinco de Mayo, I attended VeloFest at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. It was and most likely will remain the premier cycling flea market on the east coast. And it’s right here on the west side of Lehigh Valley in Trexlertown, Pa.

I showed up 15 minutes before the gates opened and the line was already snaking through the parking lots. There was the smell of someone cooking breakfast on a grill, the smell of bacon is just good. Anyway, there’s no shock at the line or interest, as I mentioned before the premier cycling flea market on the east coast. This is a big deal.

happy mother's day

Ok, I admit it. I’m the mother of an 18 year old. I find that hard to believe because I really don’t feel that old. I still remember putting him on the kindergarten bus and yet next month he will be graduating from high school. It brings both tears of sadness and joy to my eyes. For those of you who think it’s over once your kid turns 18, ummm, let me tell you, it’s far from over. It may be a new chapter, but their need for their parents is probably just beginning, especially the way the world is today.

So, with Mother’s Day coming up this weekend and my son taking on a new chapter of his life, I’m thinking my time is coming for some awesome “payback” gifts to come. Not that his handmade cards and gifts weren’t the best. I’ve loved each and every one of them and still have plenty of them around the house. I would love even more just spending some quality time with him. I’m lucky if I get a, “hi mom” out of him anymore. It’s usually, “I need money.” Oh the joys of motherhood!

Shopping

For the second day/night of my roomie reunion in Lehigh Valley, we planned to do what girls do best: shop till we drop. As we arrived at the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, I could feel the buyer’s remorse coming on already. After yummy comfort food at Red Robin, we grabbed some caffeine, planned our attack, and mentally prepared ourselves. We did the most damage at New York & Company and Sage, a really unique store with anything from Vera Bradley to Ugg and the coolest dressing rooms I’ve ever seen. A second stop at Starbucks and we were on to the main event.

Finally, our visit to the new Coach Factory Outlet at the Shoppes at Sands was upon us. I could have sworn the angels sang as we walked in. We meandered around the store for over an hour, marveling at the amazing prices and attempting not to buy everything. It took some justifying as to why we came in for one item and left with five, but we had already forgotten about it by the time we got to Lehigh Valley Mall. Macy’s, Forever 21, Sephora, and Coach (just in case we missed something) were all we could handle after such a long day. Being a fashionista is exhausting… plus we couldn’t fit any more bags in the trunk.

PEEPS

Easter will be here this weekend and I couldn’t think of a better time to “get down with the Peeps” that are made right here in Lehigh Valley, Pa. I have written a previous post about all the crazy people out there that are obsessed with this treat, but in keeping with the holiday spirit I simply couldn’t resist writing more. Plus, I just happened to catch a clip of David Letterman’s “Top Ten List” that was done this past Tuesday night. I mean, it’s not every day that Lehigh Valley’s city of Bethlehem gets featured on national television with the “Top Ten Questions Received by the Marshmallow Peeps Hotline.”  That’s when I really felt compelled to do some more research and publish some of the new things I found on this famous candy. Here’s what I found:

I’ve found that people appear to love the Peep or are just so obsessed that they create competitions, events and movies around them:

Shop!

This past Saturday my sister and I decided to have a girl’s day/night in the valley. I suckered her into running a few errands first, like food shopping. After that we were supposed to go to the gym together, but while in the car she said “do you want to skip the gym and go to the mall instead?” Without skipping a beat I shouted YES! Good thing my apartment is on the way to the mall because we pretty much played ding dong ditch with the groceries.

Warning: for inquiring minds or shopping extraordinaires who are reading this, I added visuals to sooth your thoughts of “I wonder what *insert item* she chose or was looking at?”

Antique Toy & Collectible Show

This past weekend, the magical world of toys came to Lehigh Valley. This world is unlike any other and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Antique Toy & Collectible Show was held at Merchants Square Mall and it was wonderful. I got to see toys from my childhood, which made me feel old, and then I saw toys from my fathers and grandfather’s childhoods and that made me feel young.

There weren’t just toys either, there were albums and costumes (Mr. Peanut pictured in the Gallery and an Iron Man suit as well), there where parts for old toy cars and kits and parts for track cars.

Hot Tamales Dispenser

My wife and I paid our first visit to the Shoppes at Sands last week. Okay, I’ll be honest, we really went to go to Peeps and Company, the other stores were an afterthought. This is Just Born’s third Peeps and Company location and we had visited the location at National Harbor in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.

After a warm welcome by the staff and a taste of a Peepster (Vanilla cream inside a dark or milk chocolate shell), we explored. There were all things Peeps, Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. There’s clothing, plush peeps, books, toys and a lot more. The back wall is a huge dispenser for various flavors of Mike and Ike and increasing “heat” of Hot Tamales.

Things To Do on Super Sunday

This list is not intended for the sole use of people who don’t care about football. I also dedicate it to all of my friends who are Eagles or Jets fans, who can’t root for either side.

1. Go Skiing It is winter and although your backyard may not have snow the mountains do. Both Bear Creek and Blue Mountain are ready for you to hit the slopes.

Christkindlmarkt 2011

I was having a little trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year so I was glad when Don’s sister Joan and her husband George decided to come up for a December weekend in Lehigh Valley. I’ve been talking about doing most of my Christmas shopping at Christkindlmarkt for years, so of course that would be on our agenda.

We planned on a leisurely dinner at home Friday night since it is a two hour drive from their home in New Jersey. Saturday we left our house relaxed and ready for a full day of activities. Christkindlmarkt was packed, but I have to say everyone was in good spirits, politely yielding to parents with strollers heading to have their children’s pictures taken with St. Nick. Joan was really impressed with the quality of the vendor’s crafts and left with quite a few bags of gifts.

Chewie-and-Yoda

This past weekend, superheroes, stormtroopers, kids, adults and even a wookie invaded Lehigh Valley. Yes, it was the Great Allentown Comic Con. Two days full of fun for the child in your family as well as your inner child.

Saturday, I sat in on a few panels, the first of which was “Comic Greats and Legends.” Tom Smith, Niel Vokes and Bob Hall spoke of their work in the industry as well as the changes happening within it. My second panel of the day was the 501st Legion, a garrison of Stormtroopers who told us stories about, well, being stormtroopers. They also provided insight into how they make their armor and weaponry. So day one was wonderful, full of great stories and comics and trade paperbacks purchased. All done, right?