around my town. Reading, Pennsylvania

I am super pleased to introduce to you 'around my town'. a new feature on my blog that will take a closer look at bloggers and where they live. Bear and I have traveled a lot since we got married and I love getting recommendations of places to eat or things to see from other blogs. That is how this little feature got started. i hope that you enjoy learning about the different towns and all the fun recommendations of places to visit and restaurants to try from bloggers around the country. 

without further ado, I want to introduce to you Betsy. Born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania, a graduate student in Multicultural Education. Her blog, Heavens to Betsy, is all about photography, crafts, food, and fun. 

Let's get to know a little bit more about Betsy and Reading, Pennsylvania. 

How long have you lived in Reading, PA?

I was born and raised in Reading, and other than the last 4 years, have lived here all my life.  I moved to Wenham, Massachusetts to go to Gordon College in the fall of 2007, but moved back home to Reading last December when I graduated. 

What is one thing that you love about Reading?

I love that my entire family is here.  We’re a pretty tight-knit bunch, and it’s great to not be more than 15 minutes from anyone.  But I guess that’s not really about Reading.  I love the diversity in landscape that Reading has.  It’s situated in a valley, surrounded on all sides by mountains.  You can be in the heart of the city drive five minutes and be in suburbia, and drive another five minutes and be on a farm.  It’s situated right between Lancaster and Philadelphia, so you don’t have to go too far to experience some different ways of life.  It’s crazy how fast the landscape changes around here, but it gives Reading a city and country feel all at the same time.

What is one thing that you don’t like about living in your town?

We don’t have an Anthropologie.  (Just kidding!)  While there are a lot of awesome things going on in the Reading area, the city is pretty rough.  It’s not exactly the safest place around.

If you could use one word to describe your state/town/house what would it be?

Community –minded.  

Favorite go-to Dinner Spot?

This is super lame, but I really love Panera & Moe’s Southwest Grill.  Yeah, not exactly unique.

If you had the opportunity to take someone to only one place in Reading where would it be?

Mt. Penn.  It’s one of the mountains in Reading, and houses the Pagoda and the Fire Tower.  The Pagoda is literally a Japanese-style Pagoda.  I think it was a hotel or something, but now it’s a museum of sorts.  And right in the middle of the mountain is the Fire Tower, which you can climb to the top of and see the entire Greater Reading area.  It’s easily the best way to show someone Reading, and it’s pretty cool, too.

Where is the one place that you would not want to forget your camera?

Oooo…this is a hard one.  I pretty much take my camera everywhere that I go, but I’d have to say you wouldn’t want to forget it if you were heading up towards Lancaster county.  The rolling hills, farms, and even Amish horse & buggies are so picturesque!

Favorite weekend getaway?

The beach!  We’re about 2 ½ hours from both the Delaware and Jersey seashores.  Easy day or weekend getaway!

Where would we might find you on a Saturday afternoon?

Probably out with friends, shopping or grabbing coffee, or, as nerdy as it sounds, at home, on my couch, doing homework.  

Best place to satisfy your sweet tooth?

Sublime Cupcakes.  I’m a cupcake addict, and Sublime makes different flavors everyday….my favorite are the Grasshopper, S’mores, and Harvest Pumpkin!

What is on your list of things that you want to do in the upcoming months?

Go up to Hershey for Candy Lane…they decorate the entire park for Christmas and they have the BEST hot cocoa.  (plus, the town smells like chocolate…what’s not to love?)

Favorite blogger? 

I’m a HUGE fan of Naomi over at The Rockstar Diaries.  Her little family is the cutest!