Destinations Bed and Breakfast in Salem, Indiana

Twists and turns and hills and…finding The Destination Bed and Breakfast in Salem, Indiana wasn’t easy.

We quickly realized where the name for this Indiana bed and breakfast came  from–in more ways than one!

The Destination Bed and Breakfast in Salem, Indiana

The Destination is not just located in a peaceful country setting but it is absolutely a place to enjoy all on its own. There’s horses, cats,  even an antiques and more shop right on the property. But more about that one later.

For those of you who think that a stay at a bed and breakfast means a lot of pink and floral and tchochtkes galore, I am here to tell you that The Destination Bed and Breakfast was anything but typical.

The Destination is classy. The Destination is cozy. The Destination will be your new favorite destination–and it certainly helps that owners Tom and Denise are just the salt of the Earth!

Indiana Bed and Breakfast

Destinations Bed and Breakfast in Salem, Indiana

As if an overnight stay at this Scott County bed and breakfast isn’t comfortable enough (seriously, the Creme de la Creme room is amazing–you won’t believe it),  just wait until breakfast!

Rise and shine to one amazing breakfast! A gorgeous quiche, American potatoes with fresh rosemary, sweet cinnamon rolls, and lots of coffee.

Everything looked so pretty and appealing we didn’t know where to begin! But don’t worry. It didn’t stop us for long! We dug in and enjoyed every single bite.

Breakfast was certainly memorable–and Kid #1 somehow managed to eat not only a full breakfast but two cinnamon rolls besides! High praise, indeed.

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Destinations Bed and Breakfast in Salem, Indiana

In other words, The Destination truly is a destination all on its own–and I haven’t even shared with you yet the antiques and more shop also located on the property! Keep watch though because I’ll be revealing more about that soon!

Tom and Denise have some phenomenal plans in the works. It just goes to show that you never know what you will find in a small town. Small towns: destinations, not drive-thrus. I’m Jessica Nunemaker and this is little Indiana.

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

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Have you stayed at The Destination Bed and Breakfast yet? What was your favorite part of your experience there? Share it in the comments section below! If you found this article helpful, please “like” it and share it with your friends. 

The Destination Bed and Breakfast
206 North Harristown Road
Salem, Indiana 47167
812.896.1369

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175 Best Mini Pie Recipes Cookbook Review

It’s been said that when women are given a choice of either pie or cake, women tend to choose cake–but not me and not you, either after you get your hands on 175 Best Mini Pie Recipes by Julie Anne Hession.

From sweet to savory, there are delicious hand-held pie recipes to suit every need!

175 Best Mini Pie Recipes by Julie Anne Hession

There are so many amazing recipes in this book that I don’t even know where to begin.

For starters, well, let’s skip to dessert! A Cookies and Cream pie, Chocolate Chip Cookie hand pies, Rich Chocolate Pudding pies, Rocky Road Brownies Pies, and, the one that is topping my “to try” list: Campfire S’mores pie!

Like I said, there are pages and pages of great recipes like this one. They sound so easy!

Savory Hand Pie Recipes

But there’s more than just dessert pies in this hefty cookbook.

“Tidy Joe” hand pies (a neater take on your typical Sloppy Joe recipe), Argentinean Beef Pies with Chimichurri Sauce, Jamaican Beef Patties, Greek Lamb and Feta Phyllo pies, Wild Salmon Pot Pies, and Roasted Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Pies to name a few!

Those just sound like a fun and unique entree, don’t you think?

There’s a bit of variety in here as well. You know my love for calzones: there’s a few calzones recipes in here, too!

Mini Hand Pie Recipes Cookbook

The author has been featured everywhere from The Oprah Magazine to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine and even the Food Network Magazine and has won more than $100,000 worth of cash and prizes for her cooking skills so, you know, she knows what she is doing.

I know I am thrilled she’s sharing her knowledge with others! 175 Best Mini Pie Recipes Cookbook is a fun addition to any cookbook collection–and one that will certainly see plenty of use in my kitchen!

little Indiana received a copy of 175 Best Mini Pie Recipes by Julie Anne Hession in exchange for an honest review. Opinions remain mine and mine alone.

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Banana Pineapple Smoothie Recipe

Nothing says “good morning” like a nice refreshing banana pineapple smoothie recipe!

So fast and easy to put together you will wonder how you ever lived without this recipe in your breakfast arsenal.

I tweaked the original recipe from Chiquita Banana just a smidgen. I wanted the addition of ice to make it frosty, I subbed yogurt for milk, and I included a bit of honey just because.

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Born and Raised by Chris Ross

Born and Raised by Indiana author (once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier) Chris Ross is a coming of age story that focuses on an Indiana family. Sort of.

They were a family–at least until their mother ran off with the bookmobile driver leaving their father behind, clueless and dejected.

Born & Raised by Indiana Author Chris Ross

I judge books by their cover so I was a bit hesitant when I saw the cover of this one: two scruffy, probably underage kids smoking? That’s just not cool.

But inside, well, I was happily surprised! Chris Ross and his writing sucked me in. Once I began I didn’t stop and finished it in two days.

Theirs is a life different from the one that I knew while growing up in Indiana and yet (at least judging from my Facebook feed anyway) it’s a life many kids still understand, unfortunately.

Growing Pains

The main character, Sean, drinks root beer floats for dinner and watches his father, Roy, change his style much like the seasons.

When Roy is not caught up in his own appearance and trying to snag female attention (if only for a night), he is most likely arguing with his daughter, Billie. Billie is…I don’t know exactly how to describe Billie. She’s a  force to deal with and has her own agenda.

Sean is largely left alone. Sean is neglected, yes, but is one of those people with an inner strength to cut through the garbage (like his family’s dysfunction) and have a chance at a life that is a bit happier than the rest of them!

Southern Indiana Setting

This is not a book that I would recommend for everybody. It’s edgy and definitely for an adult reader but it’s also a delightfully different read.

Chris Ross has a very nice turn of phrase: “Resetting her rearview mirror, she turned her fever blister to me—How’s it look? I said—Like you should leave it alone. She said—I can’t.”

He makes you feel for these characters. You may not always like them but you get them. In fact, a few of them will probably disgust you. And yet…from the beginning to the end, this is a page turner. Especially for an optimist like me–I hope for things  to work out in the end! Do they? Well, you’ll have to read the book yourself and find out.

Great Summer Reading

I didn’t move from our front porch swing for two days. Those of you who don’t mind a dark story every now and again will appreciate the writing in this one, too.

Find it at an Indiana bookstore near you!

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Not so artsy? While I’m convinced that just stepping inside of this Madison, Indiana art supply and more shop will give you the inspiration you need to get your projects going, they do offer classes as well as a selection of locally made gifts!

So, even those of us not so handy with paint or pencils can find something neat right here and support a local business in the process. Don’t give the same old gifts, give something that’s unique and one of a kind–much like the fantastic Jefferson County shop itself.

Galatea’s Art Supplies and Gifts in Madison, Indiana

Galatea’s Art Supplies and Gifts in Madison, Indiana

Galatea’s Art Supplies and Gifts in Madison, Indiana

Galatea’s Art Supplies and Gifts in Madison, Indiana

Galatea’s Art Supplies and Gifts in Madison, Indiana

Galatea’s Art Supplies and Gifts in Madison, Indiana

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

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Galatea’s Art Supplies and Gifts
324 Mulberry Street
Madison, Indiana 47250
812.274.2787

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There are many great benefits to business blogging. However, many business owners are nervous about their writing skills. Follow the steps below to help make sure your readers see your expertise, not your spelling mistakes.

Keep it simple

You don’t need to write a book to prove you know your stuff. More often than not, keeping it short is the best way to get your point across clearly. If your article is longer than 500 words, consider breaking it into two or more parts.

Break it up

Similar to keeping things short, it’s important to make things easy to read. One of the best ways to do this is to make your article easy to scan. One dense paragraph of text is tough to read. Break things into paragraphs to make things easy for your audience to read.

Edit after writing

The internet is full of people who take an extreme amount of time to pick apart others’ grammar and spelling. After you’ve finished writing your article, go back and read it again. Look for and spelling and grammar mistakes. Make use of spell check. You’ll also want to make sure that your writing flows well so that your point is easy to understand.

Headline

People naturally gravitate toward pieces that have interesting headlines. In a world where people have limited time, they are likely to read only the things which seem the most interesting. Once you’ve written your article, make sure your headline or subject is eye catching so that people decide to click through to read it.

More than likely, you are an expert in your specific field. If you follow the steps above, everyone will focus on your expertise rather than your writing style.

Interested in learning more? Head on over to Eli Rose Social Media or follow them on them on Facebook or Twitter.

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

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Hilltop Drive In in Cambridge City, Indiana

Cambridge City, Indiana folks have been visiting Hilltop Drive In for more than sfds years.

Set on a bit of a hill, this mom and pop shop has been providing area folks with sweet treats and food served fast for decades.

Hilltop Drive In in Cambridge City, Indiana 

You will find an assortment of items on their menu perfect for lunch or dinner (I hear the chicken cutlet is a local favorite) But for little Indiana and family this time around, cold drinks were in order!

We stopped by and had a tough decision to make: do we get ice cream kind of stuff that sounds really, really good or do we just get something a little easier to take along in the car.

In the end we went with milkshakes for all! Well, except for me. I actually got a slushie.

Indiana Ice Cream and More Shop

Hilltop Drive In in Cambridge City, Indiana

There are pork tenderloin sandwiches (both breaded and grilled) on the menu. Patty melt, grilled cheese, and a handful of others round out the real food offerings here.

When it comes to ice cream, they’ve got a fun selection! Flurries are available in flavors that range from Turtlette, Chocolate Covered Cherry (now that is something I need to try!),  peanut butter cup, chocolate chip, and plenty more! Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

Of course, your standard dairy desserts are also on the menu. Sundaes, parfaits, and one of my favorites: the banana split!

Go There

Hilltop Drive In in Cambridge City, Indiana

Hungry? Hot? Snacky? Hilltop Drive In in lovely Wayne County is the perfect place to enjoy your favorite treats.

Further proof that good things are found in small packages. Small towns: destinations, not drive-thrus. I’m Jessica Nunemaker and this is little Indiana!

What is your Hilltop Drive Inn recommendation? Please share it in the comments below! If you found this article helpful, please consider “liking” it and sharing it with your friends!

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that  little Indiana sent you!

Hilltop Drive In 
705 W Main Street
Cambridge City, Indiana 47327
765.478.5880

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little Indiana on PBS: Huntingburg, Indiana

little Indiana is back on PBS with a new segment! This time I explore Huntingburg, Indiana!

This Dubois County town is so gorgeous it has been the site of three movies–and that includes A League of their Own! Check out League Stadium, the super fun shops downtown, and you’ve got one phenomenal small town.

You can watch me in Cambridge City, Indiana right here (below), on the PBS website, or on YouTube. There’s always more where that came from! With a little luck, I will be able to snag a sponsor which would mean a full length “in the field” show for you!

Watch and share the video (and my plea for a sponsor) with your friends, acquaintances, and rich aunts or uncles.

little Indiana on PBS in Huntingburg, Indiana

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

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Huntingburg, Indiana in Dubois County

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This mom and pop coffee shop carries coffee from around the world, serves breakfast and lunch, and has such a warm, homey atmosphere.

Look for changing specials and that local flavor you know and love. Then get busy! There’s a lot of fun shopping around this area of Nashville, Indiana!

The Daily Grind Images from Nashville, Indiana

The Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Nashville, Indiana

The Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Nashville, Indiana

The Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Nashville, Indiana

The Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Nashville, Indiana

The Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Nashville, Indiana

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that  little Indiana sent you!

The Daily Grind
114 S Van Buren Street
Nashville, Indiana 47448
812.988.4808

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Indiana Blogs: Leman’s Studios

Leman’s Studios is an Indiana blog that serves as a launchpad for this Indiana photographer to share not only photography tips for aspiring photographers but also advice for folks looking for a photographer.

So, if you want to up your image quality, you can find that here. If you want the reasons behind choosing a wedding photographer and why it should not be your Aunt Lucy, that’s on here too.

But if you just like looking through images, you can find Lee’s portfolio on here as well.

Indiana Blogs: Leman’s Studios Blog

Why did you start Leman’s Studios Blog?
I started the blog because at first people wanted to get to know the artist so to speak. Writing gives people a view of who you are and what’s inside. It also gives you an opportunity to voice thoughts, ideas and opinions.

The later blogs have came from things that have a need to be addressed. The even later blogs were a request from an online magazine to use as articles. I don’t write as many blogs as I would like because my time is spent on the marketing and business end of photography more than the photography itself. However, I do jot down ideas when they come.

I have a giant list of things to write about, now to find the time!

What about that name? Why Leman’s Studios Blog?
Ah, the name. The name came about as a result of a very long search for the web site. It’s too much of an easy way out to just add the word photography after your name. I really didn’t want this. I wanted something thought provoking, and something aside from the norm.

As it turned out, my name was an easy combination, Lee Mandrell / Leman’s. No different than say J-Lo or A-Rod, or LiLo. It’s definitely different and after an extensive google search, unique for photography and anything other than racing. It became and easy choice for me at that point. I ran with it, and created a brand around it.

What are three of your most favorite posts ?
“The Expectation That Photographers Should Work for Free” is my favorite so far. Most people simply don’t understand what really goes into making good photos and everything that is involved in getting a shot. It has to be read to be completely understood from a photographers perspective.

“The Overlooked Importance of Wedding Photographers” was written after I did my best to clean up bad photos taken from a supposed professional photographer. I wanted to give people a source of information of questions to ask and things to look for when hiring a wedding photographer. No bride should ever have as bad a pics taken as what I tried to save. I hope people read it and pass it around to save someone some grief.

“When Spectrum’s Collide” – I like this one because I was approached by an online magazine to write an article explaining the technique I used to create a photo in my Smokie’s gallery. I had never written a how to article or blog and they also had a time slot on how fast they wanted it. I took it as a challenge, stepped up and came in ahead of schedule with it. In the end, there was only one edit they requested to the entire article, and I agreed with it, made the change and they ran with it. It was a nice experience and they have ran a second one as well.

The link will take anyone to my blog page, and you simply have to scroll down to read which one you are interested in. Comments can be made at the very bottom.

What keeps you ready and raring to post? Why do you blog?
These days it’s fulfilling to try and be informative. When you specialize in something, obviously you will have knowledge that others don’t and sharing that knowledge can help people out when they need it or are looking for it.

Say “Cheese!” 

With the weather changing and flowers blooming, I can’t think of a better time to get out there with a camera! Thanks to Lee Mandrell for popping over to little Indiana today!

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that  little Indiana sent you!

Don’t miss a moment. Subscribe to little Indiana and receive instant updates to stay on top of everything “little.”

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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