Giving Back Local

When we moved to Pennyslvania 5 years ago to be closer to family, we chose to live in Bucks County which is north east of Philadelphia because of the quaint towns, natural beauty of the rural areas and great schools for our kids.  Bucks County, boasts so many wonderful downtowns like Doylestown, New Hope and Newtown that always reminds me of home, I grew up in East London, England and so anything that reminds me of my upbringing is a good thing.  What makes home for me is the community - I like to give back to my community through food drives, frequenting local businesses and local events. 

Bucks Happening is a local website dedicated to everything thats happening in Bucks County, PA.  I happen to be a happening chick and Angela and Tina from Bucks Happening post my monthly Top 10 freebies for their readers.  Tonight, Bucks Happening hosted a wonderful happy hour for local businesses at Sweet Lorraines in Peddler's Village. 

We were served an awesome array of appetizers ranging from steakhouse sliders, roasted bell pepper & garlic hummus, and avocado crabcakes and best of all pumpkin spice martinis and free music - you know I was in my element with the free food, drinks and music.  There were also raffles from local Bucks County businesses in which I donated two gift baskets filled with wonderful toiletries from my freebie sprees.

While savoring my free eats, I met a local called Andrew from Wash Tyme who makes chemical free handmade soap from recycled and filtered vegetable oil.   I must gravitate to those who also like to reduce their carbon foot print.  We somehow got into talking about our organic vegetable gardens and then onto Andrew's free range chickens which he keeps in his garden, mmmm I wonder if my neighbors will object to little chicks ; ). 

I also met Joanna from Nutrition in Motion who specializes as a sports nutrition coach and fitness coach - we discussed green smoothies, which gives me an idea on what to do with my spinach from my garden. 

Next time you check out your local business get to know the person behind the counter and you'll find they are not just a face and you might have some great common interests.

If you have never been to Peddlers Village in Lahaska, PA (near New Hope), you are in for a treat, there are so many things to do there, from Giggleberry Fair for those with kids to quaint boutique shops and wonderful places to eat.  Tommorow is a school holiday for the kids so we're off to Peddlar's Village to see the scarecrow display, Giggleberry Fair and some shopping time both in the quaint boutiques and the shopping outlet.