I am a firm believer that “living and fun” are synonymous. You must have an element of fun in your life everyday. My fun may not be the same as yours but I just want to give you a few ideas that spark joy.

Here is one that came very unexpectedly to me. Have a contest. During the Easter season I decided to hold a Peeps Diorama Contest.  For those who don’t know, peeps are a little candy treat made with marshmallows, sugar, corn syrup and gelatin.  No healthy snack here. The eyes are sometimes made with edible wax.   To find out how they came to be read their history in the Mariners Compass.

The idea is to make a diorama using peeps as your focal point. Peeps come in a multitude of colors and flavors. The chocolate ones were my favorite.

Pioneer Press started having this contest in 2004.  Since then cities across America have hosted similar contests. Local newspapers generally highlight the winners. So, I thought it would be fun to create my own contest for my friends. They were tasked to make a themed diorama.  Pictures of these works of art would be sent to all of our Facebook friends and family. No one was permitted to tell which one was their entry. They were only identified by their title and number.  You had three days to vote for your favorite piece,  I was very surprised by the creativity each person (including me) put in their diorama.  Also, the comments about the dioramas given by the voters were delightful.

I didn’t win with my beach scene, but at least people noticed I tried to capture the feeling you were at the beach. Here are the entries and along with comments.

“The moment when you realize you protected everything from the sun but your ears”

“The little bathing suits are too cute.”

“I thought the river race was beautiful.”

“Love the fabric river!”

“Honorable Mention #4 for spectrum of Peep political perspectives/ “Power to the Peeps!”

“I really like the name Peep Show and the concept and work behind Peeps at the Beach”

“Dignified models at a car show? Expert mechanics? Prospective buyers? I can’t tell, but I love the background and the expression on the downward-gazing Peep bunny.”

“Peep Show, “I love the title and the car.”

“The red tears on the torch-bearing bun are priceless.”

“The little tear trails gets me.”

“Peeps in the Garden: for superior composition, color, chocolate substrate,  “It’s a beautiful image.”

“That’s some expert flaring of brussel sprout leaves! Probably some excellent-tasting “dirt,” too. Mmmmm.”

       “I love to eat so I chose # 2 “Peeps in the Garden.”   A lot of thought went into coloring the soil to make it brown, searching for the small broccoli which looks like cabbage, Easter grass which looks like green grass, green leaves of spinach which looks like collard leaves, and real orange carrots.  The peeps are in different locations which makes me think they are working in the garden.  I “LOVE ALL” of them.  Each one is ATTRACTIVE in its own way and theme!!!   What a wonderful idea!!!!  

Like I said, the contest was a success.  Although, the official winner was #2, they are all winners.  Everyone who participated had more fun than they expected.   I think this will become a yearly tradition.   You don’t need to do this contest but anything that gets people involved while CREATING and having fun is a win for everyone.  What’s your contest? Let me know.  Maybe next year I will bake my own peeps.

Mariners Compass

Sam Born a Russian immigrant, founded the Just Born Company, (family owned) in 1910. Mr. Born started the company in New York City then later moved to Bethlehem Pennsylvania where it is still based.  Sam’s company was responsible for creating a machine and inserting sticks into candy, the lollipop.  His company also made a process for hardening chocolate for ice cream, moon pies (also called eskimo pies) and sprinkles (jimmies). The Just Born makes Mike and Ikes, Hot Tamales and Zours and Peanut Chews.  The company’s history is fascinating.  If you want to EXPLORE more, check out: http://www.justborn.com