Puppy Farm: A brightened day is only 20 minutes away!

(Photo courtesy of John Simpson)

Cute? Cute?! You can't handle the cuteness! The photo above shows roughly nine fuzzballs doing their best to keep warm while taking a snooze.

Tugging at shoe strings, house-training and excessive amounts of drool are terms used to categorize puppies. At one location 20 minutes from campus, however, a whole lot of lovin' between humans and puppies occurs on a daily basis. Puppies, you say? Yes, there is currently one litter yearning to be played with and fed human attention. Gap View Ranch & Kennel (known by locals as the Puppy farm) hosts numerous visitors throughout the year, and an influx of JMU students has boosted its popularity exponentially. It is open from 12 to 6 on weekdays for any and all visitors. But there has to be a catch, right? You cannot simply go to a farm and play with golden retriever puppies all day, can you? Of course you can, and donating one dollar upon arrival is your ticket to infinite joy and happiness.

Facebook profiles of JMU students have been blowing up recently with pictures of these golden retriever pups. Friends, sorority sisters and organizations are flocking to this petting zoo of sorts. There are a number of pens and enclosures that house the golden retrievers, large and small. However, all of the "eeks" and squealing result from cuddling, playing and laughing with the puppies. A majority of the visitors to the Puppy farm are college girls, but what about us guys? Why would we want to go?

The answer is actually quite simple, and it is two-sided. The Puppy farm provides an ideal location for guys trying to score some brownie points with their significant other. Many girls would be ecstatic if their guy friends/boyfriends invited them along to play with puppies for an afternoon. Also, think about it guys, one of these young canines could become your own "man's best friend." 

(Photo courtesy of John Simpson)

Truth is, I would love to adopt one of these two! However, JMU students (myself included) who live off-campus must pay a monthly fee to have a pet. Not to mention, the puppies up for adoption at the Puppy farm are not cheap. Prices were not disclosed, but word on the street is that the price range is not accommodating for college students. Oh well, we can still play with them on a college budget, no sweat. What about non-JMU students, they need a reason to come too.

If puppies are not a big enough draw, the Puppy farm has a wide variety of animals to see. There are peacocks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and even a large bull who welcomes you at the entrance. (Disclaimer: it appears to be a cow or bull, do not take my word for it!) There is also a talking parrot inside the stable where newborn puppies are held. Be careful though, he says random phrases that will startle you. Yes, I promise that there are no talking dogs at the kennel.

(Photo courtesy of John Simpson)

The Puppy far provides a cost-efficient place for people to have fun during the week. For students, frolicking with puppies equals stress relief. As for families visiting the area, it provides a unique experience in the entertainment department.

Girl or guy, JMU student or Harrisonburg visitor, the Puppy farm offers a wide variety of playful options for all ages. However, JMU students MUST CALL AHEAD OF TIME AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT. If you are interested in adoption with Gap View Ranch & Kennel, visit their contact page or call them at 540-896-7327.  

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

When I think of fall I think: PUMPKIN EVERYTHING. Restaurants all around town bring out their signs that say “Pumpkin (insert food or drink) is here!” My personal favorite is Pumpkin Spice Lattes but I also have a major sweet tooth for baked goods.

I consider myself a baker, not a cook, a baker. I like to bake cookies, cakes and pies, I leave the other food groups to my roommates. My most recent experiment was pumpkin spice cupcakes. I found the recipe on pinterest, which is where I seem to be getting all my baking ideas from lately. I scrolled through my options and found what appears to be the easiest option. 

Besides the basic cookies supplies that you’ll need (spoon, cupcake tins, measuring spoons), you will also need the following ingredients:

• 1 Package Yellow Cake Mix
• 1/2 c. Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 1 can pumpkin (15 oz.)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tub Cream Cheese Frosting

When I went the grocery store was in the process of setting up its holiday displays, but by now you should be able to find everything in one place. You should see a huge mound with some sort of cornucopia décor, that’s your target.

I will admit the spices were a bit pricey, but I plan on making this recipe more than once, so the cost will eventually even out.

Once you get home put on your favorite holiday tunes and get ready to bake. 

• First Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
• Then get your baking tins prepared and line then with cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla, pumpkin, water, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and eggs.   
• Beat until well blended.  Transfer to the cake pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 min.  or until it springs back to the touch.

 I personally stick to the toothpick method. Poke your cupcake with a tooth pick and if it comes out without batter sticking to it when you pull it out, then the cupcakes are ready.  

• For the finishing touch, frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting.

Just a tip for icing your cupcakes: use a Ziploc bag as if it was a piping bag. Just turn it inside out and then scoop out the icing as if you were wearing the bag as a glove. Then turn the bag right side out. Zip it shut. And then snip a small hole in the corner. You now have a homemade piping bag, that will make your cupcakes look like you spent more time on them than you actually did. 

Home Away from Home for the holidays

Spending the holiday months away at college will never be something I will get used to. Don’t get me wrong, JMU has made many efforts to bring the comforts of home right here to Harrisonburg, but nothing truly compares to home. But since I don’t plan on dropping out of college during the months of October through December, I have a few tricks that I use to make myself feel the most at home.

The Smell.
This may see extremely weird, but we all know that our house has a certain smell during the holidays. Whether it is your mother’s baking, your Christmas tree, or just simply you family’s favorite air freshener there is always a way to fake it. Personally I love the smell of my house when my mother and I have spent the afternoon cooking desserts: A mixture of my freshly baked cookies cooling off and my mother's pumpkin pie in the oven.  I try my best to mimic this smell by burning two candles simultaneously: pumpkin spice and vanilla. If you live in a dorm, burning candles won’t be an option, but look into a wax warmer. They sell them for cheap at Wal-Mart and you can melt the scent that remind you most of home.

Cozy Nights.
Growing up, winter meant lots of blankets and gallons of hot chocolate. There is no reason this tradition cannot be continued at college. My first suggestion is get yourself a BIG coffee mug. Bring your favorite from home. Buy one from the store. Steal one from the dining hall. No matter how you get one, a mug is a necessity. Hot chocolate in a Styrofoam cup just isn’t the same as holding a ceramic mug in your hand. Once you have a mug, get some hot coca mix and just add water. And since most of us are law breaking college students, feel free to spike your hot cocoa with a splash of Baileys Irish Cream.

The Sweets.

Don’t be afraid to try and make your family favorites for yourself. Years from now you will be making these treats for your own family. Might as well get the practice in now so by the time you grow up you’ll be an expert.

I know my mom keeps all the family recipes in a bunch of disorganized cookbooks and I am almost positive that she’s not the only one to do so. So think back at your childhood. Pick out your favorite foods. Then get a copy of the recipe. You might need a lesson or two on how to perfect the dish, so take advantage of your time at home and get a cooking lesson from the family chef.

In later posts I will be doing tutorials on some of my favorite recipes. If you have any suggestions feel free to let me know. 

The Smith House: An Artistic and Cultural Landmark in Harrisonburg

(Photo taken by John Simpson)

Culturally appealing? Check. Historic landmark? Check. Most importantly, is it affordable? You better believe it; free of charge in fact. The Smith House, located at 311 South Main Street, represents a feasible option for students interested in viewing fine art in a cozy setting. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The house is the fourth oldest in Harrisonburg and rotates new artwork in and out monthly. This month features artwork by Dietrich Maune, an  Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Letters and Professor in the School of Media Arts and Design. He is one of us and his art lines the walls of Smith House. Let's take a look, shall we?

"Lou and the Babies" by Dietrich Maune (Photo courtesy of John Simpson)

Maune has a total of nine pieces hanging on the walls of the Smith House. Eye-popping, delightful and intriguing are a few words that can be appropriately used to describe his work. Thanks to Arts Council of the Valley, Maune's artwork is appreciated by the masses. Each piece featured an animal, and one cannot help but ask: why? Is it a fascination, a passion for animals? Not quite, but Maune elaborates. 

He describes how his artwork plays on naturalism and our experiences with the world, saying, "the paintings are not about portraiture or pure representation; they are about experiences and relationships. The relationships we have with the natural world, with ourselves, and with others in our lives and the places we live" (Arts Council of the Valley).  

"Vision at the Olson House, Cushing, Maine" by Dietrich Maune (Photo courtesy of John Simpson)

Calling all JMU students, the cultural and artistic beauty train has arrived! The paintings are awe-inspiring and tasteful. The collection may not be impressive in size, but the shear quality of work trounces the aforementioned statement. 

Certain JMU students appreciate the opportunity to attend such a prestigious university. However, many miss out on the wonderful opportunities nestled inside the cultural landscape outside of the "JMU bubble." Did I mention that you do not have to pay a single penny to enter? The Smith House provides an incredible experience that every single student can enjoy. No excuses, especially since it is less than a 10 minute walk towards downtown from the quad. The Smith House also does its part in promoting more than just the art inside their building.

Here are a few other student options that are offered by both The Smith House and the Arts Council of the Valley:

1) First Fridays Downtown Harrisonburg

• Held on the first Friday of every month, the event celebrates culture and community building in downtown Harrisonburg. Includes live concerts, art exhibits and other related activities. The last one of the year is in December, and JMU students are encouraged to attend!

2) Court Square Theater

• Sponsored by the Arts Council of the Valley, Court Square Theater hosts film festivals annually. A prominent show featured recently was "Rocky Horror Picture Show."
• THEY ALSO OFFER MEMBERSHIPS. Includes individual memberships ($45), household memberships (couples or parents & children, $75) or student memberships (with valid I.D., $30). Each membership lasts one year and includes the following: 10% discount on all CST events, unlimited FREE popcorn, priority seating for general admission shows, and recognition on the CST website.

- John Simpson

Poll: Where to Next?

Hey everyone! I need your help!

Where should I go next? What type of restaurant or food option are you looking for?

Cast your vote! Just go to the poll on the bottom of the left side bar. I will search for a cool staycation option depending on the results!

Thank you!
Taylor

Local and Cozy Breakfast: The Little Grill Collective

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

Are you looking to eat a home-cooked meal at an affordable price? Look no further than the Little Grill Collective.

Staycation Ratings:

Food: ★★★★★ (Homemade and delicious)

Price: ★★★★★ (Really cheap!)

Uniqueness: ★★★☆☆ (Many breakfast options around town, but they get creative with pancake recipes!)

Comfort: ★★★★★ (Cozy atmosphere)

Overall Experience: ★★★★☆ (Great service, but I wish I could have paid with debit or credit card)

What?

The Little Grill Collective is no ordinary restuarant. Since the 1940's, the Little Grill has been reincarnated into a local music scene, a soup kitchen, and a grocery store. Today, it is a full service restuarant that boasts local, healthy, and home-cooked meals. Prices are cheap; almost every item on the menu is under 10 dollars. They have a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, but they are most well-known for their breakfast.


Why?

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

Why is this restuarant worthy of your staycation? Well, the point of a vacation is to relax, right? You will not lack any relaxation here. The service is welcoming, and the atmosphere is extremely informal. Even if you have never visited before, the combination of mismatched furniture, random wall decorations, and home-style food will make you feel as if you are a regular customer.



Who?

{Photo courtesy of the Little Grill Collective}

As far as employees, every single worker essentailly "owns" the restaurant; hence, the "collective" part of the restaurant's name. Similar to a democracy, each employee has the potential to operate the restaurant as an owner, and therefore, each employee is dedicated to their job. Service is great!

As far as customers, there is something for everyone. If you are over 21, they serve alcohol focused on local brewers. If you need to entertain kids, there is a cheap kids menu.


When?

The restaurant is open every day of the week except Mondays. But, word of advice: check the hours before traveling because they are a little inconsistent. Visit their website here to see their hours of operation.

Also, if you are looking to add a little extra flare your staycation, they host local bands, open mic nights and speciality food nights. They have an entire list of events on their website


Where?

The Little Grill Collective is located in Downtown Harrisonburg, right across from Our Community Place. It is about a fifteen minute walk from JMU's campus. Their address is 621 North Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.


My Experience?

I had never been to the Little Grill Collective before. But, I have heard through many of my friends that it was delicious. I have been searching for a good breakfast place, other than iHop, and this restaurant is famous for it's monthly pancake special.

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

I tried their pancake special for this month: Spiced Chai Pancakes. And, personally, I thought they were delicious. If you like cinnamon, these pancakes are definite must. Also, I ordered a side of "hot" fried potatoes at our waitress' suggestion. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were Old Bay potatoes, and since I am an avid Old Bay fan, I ate the entire thing.

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

But fair warning to all: the Little Grill Collective does not take credit or debit cards. You can only pay via cash or check. I was unprepared, and had to have my friend help me out when it came time to pay. Also, because the restaurant is so small, the wait can get pretty long. I only had two people in my party, so the wait was only about 15 minutes. But be prepared to wait if you have a large party.