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Wishing you a Stylish & Delicious Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

Having a party, especially for a holiday, can rack up quite a large bill. That's why grasshaven has come up with some fun and inexpensive ideas, from recipes to DIY, that will make your party rock!

Patriotic Mason Jars : A DIY Project

 Pre-party DIY crafts are a blast! They get you in the party spirit and most of all, handmade decor looks awesome! This simple project requires three mason jars, red white and blue acrylic paint, a paint brush, and any additional decor to ones own liking. First paint two jars completely red, the other completely blue. Wait for them to dry and add the white stripes and stars. We used the jars to hold flatware for the party, but had to use a bit of tissue paper inside the jar to elevate the flatware. They can also be used as centerpieces with flowers inside, as lanterns with tea light candles, or as jugs to drink out of with a straw. Have fun and get creative!

Every Party Needs a Fruit Salad!

 It's true, every party is better with a fruit salad. In the spirit of the fourth, why not make it a red white and blue one! Simple enough! Chop red apples to squares or triangles, rinse red raspberries and blueberries and mix together in a festive bowl or platter.
Optional: sliced strawberries.

Dipped and Sprinkled: Patriotic Party Treats

Easy peasy treats for the party that everyone will love! Gotta have all the flavors: salty, sweet, and fruity. The pretzels and strawberries are the easiest: dip in melted white chocolate and set on parchment paper, add red and white sprinkles and let dry. The marshmallows get a bit trickier, but we have faith in you ;) Dip either end in the white chocolate and slip onto a skewer or toothpick. Sprinkle each end of the marshmallow with a different color and let dry sticking upwards so it does not smudge. You can use other people's hands to hold, or place into a jar as seen in the picture.

Red White and Blue Everything: last but not least, Patriotic Parfaits!

Simple and delicious treat to satisfy everyones sweet tooth at the party! In a clear glass (martini, margarita, mason jar, ice cream bowl, etc...) add a layer of raspberries, followed by a layer of cool whip, then blueberries, and cool whip one last time, then drizzle with raspberries and sprinkles! Add a spoon and they'll be gone in seconds.

Grasshaven Product to get your Party Stylin'

a. Red and White Checkered "Paper" Plates: 7.99 b. Red "Solo" Melamine Cup: 6.99
c. Blue "Solo" Melamine Cup: 5.99 d.+ e. Red and Blue Vintage LED Lanterns: 24.00
g. Melamine "Paper" Plate  Dinnerware: 5.75 - 24.45

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Get your kicks...and visit Amarillo's RV Museum

RV Museum is a MUST stop for RV and Non-RV enthusiasts alike

Recently the Grasshaven team made a visit to the great city of Amarillo.  Notably featured in iconic songs like (Get your Kicks) Route 66 and Amarillo by Morning, this thriving Texas town has long and deep roots in Americana.  Amarillo is also known as a major stop along historic Route 66. 

Gornike 1948 Flexible Bus from Robin Williams movie RV

The convergence of Americana and open-road travel necessitates a visit.  And, any visit to Amarillo should absolutely include the RV Museum located at Jack Sisemore’sTraveland.  During our visit, the gregarious Jack Sisemore greeted us, himself.  A true west Texan through and through, Jack is an expert on all things RV (and much more).  He also has a long history racing motorcycles and his experience with vintage and antique bikes can best even the most knowledgeable two-wheeled aficionados. 

We were here to see the RV’s.  Jack’s dealership offers the most current and state of the art traveling homes for sale.  Featuring brands like Winnebago, Grand Designs and other quality manufactures, his team epitomizes good ole Texas hospitality.  But, if RV history is your thing, than Jack Sisemore’s RV Museum is a must see.  The second most popular tourist attraction in Amarillo features nearly 10,000 square feet of curated and restored vintage and antique RV travel trailers and motorhomes that have been collected, curated and displayed over the past 25 years. 

A bright red 1948 Flexible Bus featured in the Robin William’s movie RV prominently greets visitors upon entry.  However, iconic transportable homes don’t stop there (actually there are 15 RVs on display and even more waiting for the completion of their expanded home). Round the corner and an early 1921 Kamp Kar emerges. Jack notes, “We think slide-outs are a recent innovation, but this old girl invented the idea”.  This early RV was only one of five made by Anheuser-Busch. 

1921 Kamp Kar Antique RV

The museum also features the first Itasca Motorhome ever made, making the museum a MUST stop for all Winnebago-Itasca Travelers (WIT) members; although, even an RV’ing novice can still appreciate these blasts from the past.  Jack and his son Trent have painstakingly sought after and in many cases restored these classic beauties.  Pair that with other nostalgic camping equipment and paraphernalia peppered throughout the museum and this is one memorable experience. 

Jack’s museum is not just about RV’s and travel trailers.  If two wheel vehicles are more your speed, the RV museum is sure to please.  Ten beautiful examples of classic and antique motorcycles line the walls.  One notable beauty is the 1977 Harley Davidson serial number 30.  This awe-inspiring bike was owned by Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum, the historian for Harley Davidson, and features an autograph by Willie G. Davidson, the designer of that series.   

Vintage RVs Displayed with Camping Nostalgia

With visits growing exponentially year over year from around the world and an ever-growing collection, Jack and Trent are currently expanding this traveling tribute.  “We have many more RV’s and motorcycles just waiting to make their debut once the expanded museum is ready”, Jack notes.  “We want to capture nostalgia; a simpler time; when families hit the open road in search of adventure and time together.”

One visit to both Jack Sisemore’s Traveland and RV Museum and you’ll experience first hand the progression of RV’s from their inception till today.  Better yet, the museum as absolutely free.  So on your next visit to Amarillo, pop in,
meet Jack, and go back in time to relive some outdoors memories of old.  And don’t forget to tell them Grasshaven sent ya (or y’all, as they say in West Texas).

With 15 Vintage RVs there's a favorite for anyone

For more information contact:

Jack Sisemore’s Traveland and RV Museum

4341 Canyon Dr.

Amarillo, TX  79110

806-358-4891

www.sisemoretraveland.com

www.rvmuseum.net

Admission: FREE!


Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Grasshaven and Winnebago Winning Pairing at 2013 RVIA Show

As a sign that 2014 is rapidly approaching, new RV units and models make their debut at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky.  This annual show enables RV manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their newest, best and brightest RV entries for the upcoming year.  Like the debut of a debutante, the red carpet is rolled out and everything is polished bright.

At Grasshaven, we've also been preparing for the show.  No, no booth for us.  We've been working with some key manufacturers to bring Grasshaven housewares to this exceptional venue.  Hand selected RV houseware collections, specifically coordinated to fit the beautiful interiors of Winnebago's Trend, Travato, Vista and the Itasca Solei, are off to Louisville.  We sent everything needed to make the RV homes more like home.  This is not RV staging.  These are real products needed to create the RV lifestyle.

We look forward to our continued collaboration with Winnebago and other prestigious RV manufacturers to help all RV clientele have access to houseware options that fit in their units and offer a high level of style.

Balls of Twine, Worlds Largest Statues: Quirky Attractions Await Travelers

As 2013 comes to a close, the team at Grasshaven began to reminisce about the year.  As we started, we thought about our travels.  For fun, we began to compile a list of quirky attractions in each state.  From balls of twine and paint to purportedly large statues, the US is chalk full of crazy and obscure attractions.  Often, all it takes is a little detour to create unique and memorable experiences.  With so many attractions in each state, it actually was a challenge to narrow down the field but here are our favorite, family friendly stops across the US.

We want to know how many have you been too?  

What are the best quirky US attractions you've visited?

Ava Maria Grotto, Alabama

Santa’s House, Alaska

Mammoth Orange Drink Stand, Redfield, Arkansas

London Bridge, Lake Havasu, Arizona

Cabazon Dinosaurs, Cabazon, CA

Randy’s Donuts Inglewood, CA

Coney Island Hotdog Shaped Diner, Bailey, Colorado

Wells Dinosaur Heaven, Connecticut

Huge Doctor’s Bag and Stethoscope, Stanton, Delaware

Largest Aligator, Christmas, Florida

White House Replica, Atlanta, GA

King Kamehameha Statue, Hilo Hawaii

Balanced Rock, Castleford, ID

Lincoln’s Watermelon Monument, Lincoln, Illinois

World’s Biggest Ball of Paint, Alexandra, Indiana

World’s Largest Popcorn Ball, Sac City Iowa

World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City, Kansas

Worlds Largest Bourbon Bottle Bardstown, Kentucky

Giant Mailbox, Newellton, Louisiana

Lenny, the Chocolate Moose, Scarborough, Maine

Shark from Jaws, Berlin, Maryland

ATM Tree Stump, Greenfield, Massachusetts

Worlds Biggest Tire, Allen Park, Michigan

Jolly Green Giant Statue, Blue Earth, Minnesota

Graceland Too, Holly Springs, Mississippi

Celebrity Mount Rushmore, Branson, Missouri

Worlds Largest Purple Spoon, East Glacier, Montana

Ball of Stamps, Boys Town Nebraska

World’s Largest Fire Cracker, Amargosa Valley, Nevada

Mini Trains in a Train, Gorham, New Hampshire

Insectropolis, Toms River, New Jersey

Giant Rattlesnake Albuquerque, New Mexico

Upside-Down Bridge, Lockport, New York

Big Acorn, Raleigh, North Carolina

World’s Largest Buffalo Sculpture, Jamestown, North Dakota

World’s Largest Basket of Apples, Frazeysburg, Ohio

The Castle, Muskogee, Oklahoma

Paul Bunyan Statue, Portland, Oregon

Flying Saucer Statue, Mars, Pennsylvania

Mr. Potatohead, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail, South Carolina

Big President Heads Hermosa, South Dakota

Upside Down Building, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Cadillac Ranch, Texas

Giant Soda Cans, Salina, Utah

Big Lady Squirrel Statue, Salisbury, Vermont

Giant Rollerskate, Bealeton, Virginia

Underground Tour, Seattle, Washington

Mystery Hole, Ansted, West Virginia

Giant Bass Sculpture, Ashland Wisconsin

World’s Largest Hot Spring, Thermopolis Wyoming

Check out http://www.roadsideamerica.com for a more complete list

Best Glamorous Camping and Outdoor Style Featured

When Grasshaven founder, Dawn Bitz sat down with Colorado's Best co-host Joana Canales, you know stylish and glamorous ideas would fly.  Picnic and camping inspirations were presented to get everyone in the family outdoors and camping together.  From camping and picnic food and recipes to outdoor fun and games, ideas abounded in the segment.  And with stylish camping, Rv'ing and picnic ware, you know everyone will want to get outdoors this Labor Day.  Click here to see the full segment