Neighborhoods and Activities in Baton Rouge

This fall I visited a corn maize for the first time.  The Baton Rouge area corn maize is north of Denham Springs on Hwy.16.  The maize is a journey thru the field with clues for your family to solve at each turn to help you not get lost.  It engages every member of your family, even the younger ones.  For example one of the clues involves singing the song "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and deciding the direction from that song.  Threre are many other twists and turns; so don't go too close to dark unless you bring a flashlight!  For the more adventursome there is a haunted trail after dark on some evenings.  Call to be sure before you go.

In addiiton my family loved the puppets that sang songs in the barn area where everyone gathers to catch a "cow Train"  There are 2 types of rides:  one a fast train and the other a bucking cow train.  This was a highlight of our trip.

Additionally, there are duck rases where plastic ducks compete on water flowing from old fashioned hand pumps. (It will use up lots of your family's extra energy pumping that water!) 

This morning I came across a novel idea I wanted to share.  If you are looking to redo a room in staging your home for sale or just want to have a simple winter project to give a little color and light to a drab area, consider this tip from Southern Living Magazine's Anne Turner Carroll.  Create Do-It-Yourself artwork by framing a colorful piece of wallpaper that you like.  It's such an inexpensive and great tip that you can change up your color frequently!  I am an avid reader of the magazine and highly recommend it.  In the Nov.2009 issue (go get a copy for holdiay recipe ideas too) you'll find this tip plus many others for ways to "Wake Up a Tired Bedroom".

Along with an extension of the existing 1st time homebuyers tax credit with a few minor changes, Obama is expected to sign into effect today, Friday Nov.6th a tax credit for existing homeowners.  This credit will be $6500,, purchase contract to be dated before April 30, 2010 and after date President signs bill, must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years, actual closing to occur before July 1, 2010.  Complete summary of 2 bills by Nar 

For a summary of the Basics of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, visit this article The Basics: Extended Home buyer TAx Credit 2009/2010

This afternoon the bill extending the first time homebuyer credit passes the House with a 403-12 v0te.  The President is expected to quickly sign it into effect.

The $24 billion package also contains extension of the unemployment benefits. The IRS says some 1.4 million people applied for the homebuyers credit through August, according the the Business Report. The legislation would extend the program through June of next year, as long as the buyer signs a contract by the end of Apr.il. It also offers a $6,500 tax credit to those who have lived in their current residence at least 5 years.