Hot Spot of the Week: Juke 'n Jive Creamery

There is NOTHING BETTER than a delicious cup (or cone) of homemade, natural ice cream. For years, my family has enjoyed Juke 'n Jive's ice cream at their Braselton location, but they are NOW {ALSO} OPEN in Hoschton! This is a dangerous one for me: way too conveniently located for me at a location I drive by daily.

We took the kiddos on a Friday evening and beat the crowds! The ice cream was delicious and fresh, waffle cups/cones equally as fresh. The decor is everything you've come to expect from Juke 'n Jive- retro and cool. They also had cornhole set up outside, which my kids loved playing before we left!

So excited to have some delicious ice cream on this side of town!

Juke 'n Jive
Address: 4162 Hwy 53 suite 120, Hoschton, GA 30548
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JukeNJiveCreamery

Looking for some Halloween fun? Maybe the spookiest haunted house? Or just some great Trunk or Treat celebrations? Or even just fun Fall Festivals? Here's a list of fun Halloween Haunts in & around Jackson County this year!

Fall Festivals

October 6-8: Hoschton Fall Festival
October 6-7: Maysville Autumn Leaf Festival
October 7 5PM: New Hope Baptist Fall Festival
October 12 4-6: Fall Family Fun Night
October 14 1-5: Commerce Fall Fest
October 14 12-4: Talmo Fall Festival
October 21 11-4: AuburnFest
October 21 2-7: Harvest Fest
October 22 6PM: Jefferson Church Fall Festival @ Jefferson Elementary
November 3 5-8: Commerce Fall Festival
November 4 10-3: Jefferson Fall Festival

Haunted Fun (May or may not have scary stuff!)

October 15-Halloween Nightly: Halloween Lights Show
October 20 6-8PM: Haunted Gym Maze
October 20 6-8PM: Mummy & Me Dance Party *advance tickets
October 21 8-9PM: Haunted Gym
October 28: Halloween Movie Under the Stars
October 26-30: Haunted Hall

Trunk or Treat

October 20 5:30-8:30: Bear Halloween
October 21 10-2: Halloween Fly-In
October 21 5-7: Trunk-or-Treat at the Harvest Festival
October 21 2-4PM: Harvest Hoopla @ Crossroads Church of JC (Behind DQ in Jefferson)
October 25 6-8: Hoschton Church of God of Prophecy
October 26 4-7PM: Jefferson Halloween
October 26 5:30-7:30: Commerce Library BooFest
October 27 4-7: Halloween at INK
October 27 5-9: Spooktacular
October 27 6-9: Hoschton Trick-or-Treat
October 28 10:30-1: Halloween PathFest & Carnival
October 28 3-7: Flick or Treat

Hot Spot of the Week: Merk Farms

Fall is *finally* in the air, so now is the time to break out all of the fall fun activities! For the very first time, Merk Farms in Commerce (the southern end, closer to Jefferson in the Dry Pond area) has created a Farm Maze! Same idea as a corn maze, but you're walking through a variety of tall plants.

I brought the kiddos on a Saturday at lunch (with plenty of time to get to the TV to watch the UGA game after!) and had a blast! Truthfully, I've never done a corn maze, so I don't have anything to compare it to. But here are some of the things I loved: 1) We had a map- no real way to get lost! They also had number signs so you could orient yourself. 2) In addition to the fun of wandering the maze, they also had 2 other activities my kids loved: A scavenger hunt (find the Sasquatch hidden through the maze that the kiddos could redeem for a treat) and a stamp card (stamp stations hidden through the maze; a full card is entered into a raffle), and 3) A hayride as the perfect end to the fall fun!

Also of note: They have 3 different options for the maze: 1) A track around the outside {perfect if you have littles who want the experience but you don't want to have to work too hard to make it out}, 2) A "kiddy" maze {a couple little loops right at the beginning}, and 3) The full maze. They also offer the maze on Saturday evenings in the dark for flashlight maze time, and they will also be hosting theme nights this season!

I also loved that this is a locally-owned, family farm. You can tell the love and blood/sweat/tears they have poured into this attraction.

Also available were a limited supply of beautiful pumpkins (including Orange Bulldog pumpkins whose seeds are only available from UGA- apparently they are more disease-resistant that conventional pumpkins!) You can also take a peek at the strawberry fields being prepped (YAY for U-Pick strawberries in the spring!!) and see the remnants of the beautiful sunflowers from last month.

We truly had a great time! I would not recommend visiting if you have mobility concerns (it's tended farmland, so it's not going to be smooth! Some bumps and small hills) or serious environmental allergies (you're in the middle of plants!). But otherwise, at $10 per person (kids 3 and under free), this is the PERFECT fun, family fall event!

Merk Farms
Address: 233 Mitchell Road, Commerce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerkFarmsGa
Hours: Friday 5PM-10PM, Saturday 10AM-10PM, Sunday 12PM-6PM

I was SO disappointed when I learned that Inside Story would be closing their doors. But then equally as excited when I learned another local small business would be taking over the space AND keeping the cafe! So, welcome Inner Nerd!

Located near Traditions in the plaza with Warren's off 124 in Hoschton/Jefferson, Inner Nerd combines comics and collectibles with the cafe we've grown to love. There are also couches, chairs, and tables where you can get work done or catch up with friends. While I'm not a comic book or collectible person, it appeared they had a large selection of goodies!

Address: 55 Freedom Parkway, Suite 109, Hoschton, GA
More Information: https://www.facebook.com/innernerd

I could eat pizza every day of the week. I swear, I could! And I am ALWAYS on the hunt for the most delicious pizza because, let's face it, Pizza Hut/Dominos/Papa Johns just don't cut it sometimes.

I tried Sliced soon after it opened in the Hoschton square and immediately fell in LOVE! They seriously have the BEST pizza, cooked fresh and made or order. DELICIOUS! And y'all... their garlic knots with the best marinara sauce in the world? YUM! And then I always throw in some salad just to feel better about eating pizza. When I was pregnant, I couldn't get enough of their mozzarella sticks.

Sliced is my ULTIMATE pizza stop, and easily my favorite meal in Jackson County. Oh, and have you tried their draft root beer? YUM YUM YUM!

Address: 21 City Square, Hoschton AND 1769 N Elm Street, Commerce
Website: http://slicedhoschton.com/

If I had to choose my FAVORITE spot for a chill weekend dinner: Revival Hall Taproom!

Located in the Jefferson square, Revival Hall is Jefferson's watering hole! While they do not serve any food, they serve up a number of delicious brews, most of which appear to be local. Seriously, it's a great variety of beers! Plus some ciders, wine, non-alcoholic root beer on tap, and some sodas. Want to try a few? Get a flight!

While they don't serve food in their establishment, they do invite popular food trucks from across Georgia to set up shop in the parking lot on Fridays & Saturdays!

And then the environment? Can't be beat! Such classy, beautiful decor, and a great atmosphere. Large variety of tables, large and small, to fit any group (or make some new friends at the high-top!). They have it stocked with some board games, cornhole boards and giant Jenga on the patio, and most important during football season- a large TV!

The owners were SO SWEET! My hubby is a huge Ohio State fan (married a Yankee, much to my father's dismay!), and the owner so-graciously saw my message and had it on and ready to watch when we walked in the door.

We are always highly impressed and even our kids LOVE to come!! 

Business Information:
Revival Hall Taproom
16 S Public Square, Jefferson
Open Thursday & Friday 4PM-10PM, Saturday 12PM-10PM, and Sunday 2PM-7PM
www.revivalhall.com

Need a healthy boost of energy? Nutrition 53 offers loaded teas (all that good caffeine you crave with some healthy stuff your body needs... and they taste delicious!) and healthy shakes to start your day off on the right foot. They open early, so you can switch out your morning cup of coffee with something healthier that'll still give you that energy you need to get going! If your New Years Resolution was to make healthier choices, this is a great, easy way to make a healthy change.

I am currently enjoying my Cotton Candy tea... yum! Located on 53 in the same little complex as Northeast Georgia Motorsports!

For more information about Nutrition 53, check them out:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nutrition53ga
Address: 3388 Highway 53, Hoschton
Phone: (706) 684-3762

Struggling to find a gift for a lady in your life? Need a little home decor? Seriously, you MUST stop by Wilson Home Decor in downtown Hoschton!

I went in on the hunt for some small decor items. Came out with some super cute little signs for my laundry room & bathroom (Husband got a kick out of the "Ready. Aim. Fire." bathroom sign!), plus an adorable sign for my entryway. I had to stop myself from buying more, although with such reasonable prices, it wouldn't have killed the budget for me to pick up an additional item or two!

EVERYTHING in there is so stinkin' adorable! I seriously need the owner, Tori Wilson, to come style some spaces in my room. The sweet girl working the register told me they often have customers come in with a photo of a space they need to spruce up, and Tori is able to quickly and easily style the space with items in her store- just by looking at the picture!

Home decor, birthday gifts, housewarming gifts, or just because- you really can't go wrong with Wilson Home Decor!

For more information about Wilson Home Decor, check them out:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilsonhomedecor
Address: 45 City Square, Hoschton
Phone: (706) 870-5263
Shop Online! www.wilsonhomedecor.com

I have been hearing about Huck's Cafe in Commerce for years now, specifically about their burgers! So when we happened to be in Commerce around lunch time, I knew we had to stop and give it a try!

Huck's has that small-town cafe vibe where you feel like everyone knows each other (super cool!), and all of the food is hand-made and delicious! We all opted for burgers and were NOT disappointed! You can certainly tell they were fresh and hot off the grill. YUM! We will definitely be back and look forward to trying some of their other menu items!

For more information about Huck's Cafe, check them out:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hucks-Cafe-Commerce-337260056393114/
Address: 605 Homer Road, Commerce
Phone: 706-335-6346

In the spirit of the Braselton Artisan & Antique Festival this weekend (yipee!), I thought what better way to celebrate than to celebrate one local Artisan & Antique shop!

I am new to Pretty Petals & Pickin's but stopped in a couple weeks ago and loved some of their items! I had also been eyeballing some adorable metal pieces they had hanging outside.

Located on 53 in downtown Hoschton, this is a GREAT spot for gifts or decor!

The Porch Frog:
**Unfortunately, The Porch Frog has closed its doors for good. We will miss you, Porch Frog!

Pretty Petals & Pickin's:
Address: 4165 Georgia 53, Hoschton, GA 30548
Website: https://prettypetalsandpickins.com/