Chicago

Since my dad has never been further than Wisconsin. I took it upon myself to take him on a vacation. I've always wanted to go to Chicago and since it is a 7 hour drive from Woodbury i thought why not go.
We were suppose to leave at 6am on Sunday morning, my parents were late so we didn't leave until 7am. With the gps as our guide and the prius as our vessel we were off. Since I was in charge of the driving it was up to me to decide when we stopped for a rest and potty break. I had decided that we would stop in Black River Falls for breakfast. Ooo they have a Hardees mom, lets go there. I haven't eaten at one in years, I got the biscuits n gravy bowl, while the folks got Canadian Sunrise sandwiches. After we finished we were off on the road again. We saw a lot of people pulled over along the way and made one more stop before we hit the Illinois boarder. I have never been on a toll road in my life and had no idea how much you had to pay. My dad sat ready with his bag of coins, mom would shout $2.00 and he would count it out and have it ready for me. We only managed to miss one toll. Oh well.
soon we found our hotel, our room wasn't ready, so we took the EL train into the city. Bad idea the O'hare line was under construction and only went half way. Luckily the Chicago transit people had a well thought out alternative, they had buses waiting at the station to take us the rest of the way. With a little help and one wrong way bus we found our way to Navy Pier. it was fun, but not what I had in mind. Since we hadn't eaten since breakfast we went to McDonald's in the Pier for lunch and looked around in the shops. I found a Piggy Bank with the Chicago skyline painted on it. It was getting late and Pete was tired so we headed back to our hotel and called it a day.

Day 2
We woke up early and asked the front desk if there was any cafes near by. They had suggested that we try Maxs dinner down the street. Our waitress was a delight and the food was very good. I waffle with a side of ham, they give you a ton of food for very little money. After we finished breakfast we decided to ditch the EL and drive into the city. Our first stop of the day was Grace land Cemetery. We did a walking tour of the cemetery in the light rain. This isn't your regular cemetery with tombs designed by Getty and Wright, sculptures completed by by gone artist. It was peaceful and beautiful.
After we finished our tour we headed to Oak Park. Ever since I can remember I've always wanted to visit Frank Loyd wrights Trinity Temple. There it was standing before me in all of its concrete greatness. We paid the lady our $8.00 a piece and walked in side this holy grail of modern architecture. It was greater than i imagined, better than the pictures and TV specials had shown it. i was so moved by his design, his attention to detail that I was brought to tears. The folks enjoyed it too. it was fun walking around Oak Park and Shouting Oooo another Loyd right house.
when walking we had noticed a sign that said Hemingway museum this way. mom a lover of books and all things old wanted to go. So we did. We got to visit the museum and do a tour of the house he was born in. Note; they have the most long winded boring tour guide in the world. The house was your typical Victorian, we ran out on the tour guide. After my dad and I made fun of my mom for picking such a boring tour, we were ready to get down to business. To tour the first Frank Loyd House that he built and desgined. Only to get to it and find out we had missed the last tour of the day. Saddened we got back in the Prius and headed back to our hotel. For dinner we at Chicago deep dish pizza and went to the Buckingham fountain. In which my dad was surprised to find that it was in deed real and not just made for TV. it was amazing and we strolled through millennium park as well.

Day 3
I woke up bound and determined to see Frank Loyd Wrights home. We ate breakfast at Max's diner again and headed out to Oak Park. We got there at 8:30am, 30minutes before they opened and were the first ones in line for our tickets. Success we got tickets for the first tour of the day. All I can say is WOW the house is amazing his concepts in design are funny and mind blowing. it truly is a gem. When we were finished at Wrights home we headed back into Chicago and went to the Shedd aquarium. I had no idea how huge this place is, we got a sneak peak of there new show Fantasea it was very cute and delightful. It was getting late and our tummies were grumbling for food. We went to Ram Pub near our hotel, the burgers were so yummy and juice just like a burger should be. After dinner we drove around Chicago for a while and headed back to the hotel to pack. Our Chicago adventure was coming to a close. I had a great time traveling with my parents and sharing this adventure with them.

Honeymoon

I have studied abroad twice while in college and fell in love with traveling. This is a passion that I have given to my husband. In March we took an NCL cruise in the Mediterranean. Our itinerary included Casablanca and Aquadir Morocco, Las Plamas Gran Canari, Funchal Portugal, Malaga and Barcelona Spain. It was an amazing magical trip that made me fall in love with my husband all over again!
A Ports of Call recap
Casablanca Morocco:

is the economic capital of Morocco, so there wasn't to much to see. We took a shore tour that took us to a mosque, the palace the Islamic quarter and to a market. I found Casablanca to be a bit unorganized, they are doing a lot of construction to attract more tourists and developing the city. The people are very friendly and almost a little to eager for you money.
Things that I bought, Two stone turtles made out of the different types of granite found in Morocco and a Hand painted bowl.
Aquaidir Morocco:I found Aquaidir to be much better than Casablanca. Sadly Aquaidir has been completely rebuilt do to an earth quake on leap year day in 1960. Over 15,000 people died in the quake as it occurred at midnight and most of the citizens were asleep.

The citizens did not want to rebuild the old city, instead they filled it in and it is this bleak mound that sits above the new city. We took a shore tour to the Fantasia Horse Show and Camel ride. We got to view Berber horses and riders in costumes, musicians and the husband rode a came. There was even a snake charmer. Once finished here, we went to a small shop owned by a woman and she explained the different spices and products to us. Once finished we headed back to the ship.
Things that I bought: 35 spice blend 3 packs for 8 euros
Las Plamas Gran Canari: This by far was my favourite port. We did not do a shore tour, we elected to navigate Las Plamas by our selves.

We bought tickets to the open top bus that drove around the city and pointed out things.The town is beautiful, the hills are dotted with brightly colored homes. there is a teal green one that i have my eye on, no matter where you went in the town you could spot it on the hill. I told the husband that we need to buy it in 10 years so that when people come to visit we can say we live on the only teal green house on the hill and they will be able to find us. We also did a little shopping in the mall that was conveniently located next to the port.
Things that I bought: 2 t-shirts from C&A
Funchal Portugal: Is a city on an island, the city was very lovely. Again we did not do a shore

tour. Instead we bought another open to

p bus ticket. The bus took us all over the island.
Things that I bought: a tea towel with bananas having a little fun on it (wink wink), a metal chicken, a bread basket and a spoon holder
Malaga Spain: I really liked this city too. They have a church with only one bell tower that they lovingly refer to as the One Armed Lady, the money to complete the bell tower went to the Revolution. They have a great promenade lined with shops. We did take a tour, we went to Njea, to see the caves. The caves were great. The husband got his first taste of gillato cookies and cream, he liked it alot
Things that I bought: A turtle, picture frame, bull, key chain and olive oil.
Barecelona Spain: After our cruise ended we spent a day in Barcelona, we stayed at a little hotel on Las Ramblas. I had a great time, I haven't been to Barcelona since October 2004, so it was fun to show the husband where I went and what I did where. Nothing much has really changed about the city.Things that I bought: a turtle and sangria

Eau Galle

Eau Galle is a Tiny town nestled along the lake in Dunn County WI. It is a place forgotten by time and un touched by our modern world. This place is truely special don't expect strip malls, fancy cafes, or quaint shops. It is what you see and if you blink you will miss it.
Out side of town on country road D down in the valley sits an old log home amoungst the tall pines and blooming apple trees. This house built of logs is much like the town untouched by our modern world, you will not find running water, heat, or electricity. This is the place I spent my summers, playing in the woods, telling stories by the gas lamp and cooking on the fire. When my parents found the home it was long forgotten and run down. With a little love and know how they brought this old house back to life. They made it a place for their kids to play far away from the city lights, a place where the outside world stood on the edge, a place where time stands still.
Sitting at home I realized that since I've been out of college I hadn't been out to the cabin but twice in three years. My visit was long over due. The husband was working on labor day and I had nothing to do. With the dogs in the car off we went. they enjoyed there long ride stopping along the way to do there business. It was funny seeing all of the barns painted with anti farve signs. With a chuckle only in wiscosin I said. Soon the familiar scenery was closing in, the crisp air along the creek and the red barns in the horizan. Driving through the long forgotten town ships and coming in to Elmwood which hasn't changed in years. Oh wait, what happened to the gas pump that use to be on the roof of the gas station. Huh the UFO gas sign is gone too. Hmmm the must of given up the ghost either that no one believes in UFOs anymore.
As I drove on i passed the welcome to dunn county sign, i knew I was almost there and with butterflies in my stomach i turned on that fateful road, county rd D. Nothing has changed on this road, just a few new houses that blend in with the pines, soon I spied the pump and knew our drive way was there. As I turned in my dad greeted me with a wave, the dogs barked and there she was in all her glory, the place of my child hood. A home built of logs. I did my rounds and visited the graves of my best four legged friend Britteny and my kitty miss mitty who rest amoung the lillies.
Most of the apple trees that i helped plant as a child are gone, the berry patch long for gotten, and the grass over grown. An my dad just standing there telling me if it weren't for the bugs right now this is heaven on earth. it is i said. it is heaven on earth. The dogs loved it, there were things to sniff, sticks to grab and turkeys to chase. Mystra enjoyed a cool drink from the spring, its natures water untouched and at its finest. We couldn't stand the bugs any more and the girls lost the turkey. So i looked at the old house and said until we meet again my friend. I know that even though i turn and leave, she will always be there standing strong amoungst the pines waiting for my return.

StillWater MN

Just a few miles down the road from Woodbury is the town of Stillwater. I have never been until recently and have fallen in love. The main street is lined with red brick and stone buildings straight out of the 1800s. Lined with quaint little shops with your typical antiques and cafes.
With the husband working the labor day sale and nothing to do on Sunday I called my parents and asked if they wanted to go to Stillwater with me. So off we went, this was my Mom's first time to Stillwater. She instantly fell in love with this little town.
We walked down the main street popping in and out of the shops. One store had a plack that read:
"I take life with a grain of salt, a wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila" it had a little margarita hanging from it. I am so going back to get it. It was totally cute.
It seems that when every we travel my dad always gets hungry. There is a cute little malt shop on the main street called Leo's. It looked busy, so we took that as a sign that the food must be good. it was we dined on tasty sandwiches and shakes. Our bellies were full and with doggy bag in hand we walked on.
I spied the chefs gallery when we first came into town. With my mom being a chef I knew she would love it. In deed she did. We were like kids in a candy store looking at all the gadgets, pots n pans. My oh my you could complete your kitchen here. Way in the back corner my dad spotted cookie cutters. They had all shapes and sizes, with the holidays on the horizon I went for the mitten, angle, snow flake and my mom proclaimed we needed a tree, because she broke our old one. Next to the cutters there was a shelf full of edible glitter, gems, and dust, sprinkles of every color, flavourings of every kind, and alone box of royal icing mix. I scooped up the royal icing and looked around some more. My dad had enough of the crowded store and went outside in search of a bench. I found a handy little gadget for my sink. its a stainer of sorts for your sink. With my new found kitchen treasures in hand we left and went down the street. Low and behold we found Pete outside the candy store. he slyly said, " I knew you two were gonna come here with a laugh." so we handed him our bags and trotted in. they have all sorts of candies and home made fudge. My mom went for the maple fudge. while I checked out the truffle case with glee I looked at my mom, yes they have white chocolate truffles. $7.00 for a half pound can't beat that,so i went on my way picking them out. Oh so yummy, I made sure to get a cherry truffle for Pete who was patiently waiting. Soon it was time to go, stores close at 5pm on a Sunday in a small town. Back to the prius we went and enjoyed our drive along the river bend back to the burbs we go.

State Fair Part Two

My parents haven't been to the MN state fair since 1970 something. i figured it was about time that they return. So off we went. I choose to do the park n ride, this was my mom's first time on a metro transit bus. it was funny my dad was amazed on how much the buses had changed since he lived in the cities back in the late 60's early 70's, he thought air conditioning was a great and welcomed improvement.
When we got to the fair they couldn't believe how much it changed. machinery hill was no longer filled with tractors and plows, instead it was filled dodge, ford, Saturn and Toyota vehicles. That there was more food booths than the eye could see and everything on a stick one could imagine. My dad was the first to indulge in a tasty fair treat, Australian battered potato's and a cold diet Pepsi. After our snack we walked on over to the DNR building and looked around. Then it was past the big slide round the K102 booth and over to the cheese curds. yum my mom and I split an order as my dad wondered into the food building.
We shared a basket of pop corn chicken. Oooo what is that he says, popcorn chicken dad, really can I try some of course dad. he ended up eating half.
While exiting the food building he spied the horticulture building so in we went looking at the plants and displays. I spied Ice cream made with wine, I didn't have my id so I looked to my mom and she bought it for us. It was raspberry ice cream with Merlot wine. it was so good and creamy.
When we saw everything there was to see in the horticulture building we went outside and walked into the international bazaar, my mom and I got Christmas ornaments and found my dad sitting on a bench patiently waiting for us. We walked a bit more, mom got onion rings.
At the fair you just walk and eat, eat and walk. My mom spied the nut roll stand so she got hers with cashews and chocolate. Sadly i can't have chocolate so my dad and I split a plain peanut roll.
With dad being hungry and not wanting something on a stick I mentioned that Famous Dave had a booth and off we went in search of the holy grail of chopped pork sandwiches. We found them and devoured our sandwiches. Wait um where did mom go? She comes back with a corn dog and a cone of cookies in her hand. Oh did I mention they got sucked in by the sham wow guy. yes they did. So with our bellies full, tired feet and sham wows in hand we boarded the bus back to woodbury. My parents had a great time and are all ready asking about next years fair.

State Fair Part One

The Husband and I went to the MN State Fair on Monday night. I love the state fair you can get everything and anything on a stick. Our first choice of food was the yummy Cheese curds. Then we walked around for a bit to locate his Green Mill Pizza on a stick. The husband thought it was just ok......After his Pizza was eaten and the stick discarded we walked around looking for my foot long corn dog stand. I found it all right and used a $2 off coupon to get it. Corn dog down, so we decided to walk around the fair to see what there was, I spied mini doughnuts from afar, I looked at the husband and said want to share. In deed he did want to share. So there we sat on a bench doughnuts in hand watching the people go buy. While sitting there I remembered that there is a booth that makes salt water taffy right at the fair and that we had a coupon for $4 off a jumbo bucket. The husband indulged my need for this tasty treat and off we went in search of the stand. I choose butter rum, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Yum Yum, with my bucket o taffy in hand I looked up at the hub and said, wanna go for another round of cheese curds. he said if that's what you want with a sly eye. Off we went to indulge yet again in the greasy deep fried treat. It was about 9pm and I was getting tired so we parted ways with the fair and said good buy till next year. Well for the hubs any way

A Little about Me:) !!

1. What time did you get up this morning?5:00am
2. How do you like your steak? I don't like steak
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Hangover
4. What is your favorite TV show? Anything on Bravo & Food network
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you? Las Plamas Grand Canari
6. What did you have for breakfast? String Cheese and Blueberry Muffin
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Comfort food, Italian, Native American Dishes
8. What foods do you dislike? I'm not a big veggie eater, beef
9. Favorite Place to Eat? The little oven on white bear ave
10. Favorite dressing? Me eat a salad never
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? A 2002 PRIUS his name is Bert:)
12. What are your favorite clothes? I'm a dressy girl so dressy shirts and pants
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? South America
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Half empty
15. Where would you want to retire? Las Plamas Grand Canari
16. Favorite time of day? morning
17. Where were you born? Red Wing MN
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? The Olympics
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? don't know
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? don't know
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? hmmm
22. Bird watcher? I look for Eagles:)
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning
24. Do you have any pets? Yes! 3 rescue pups Mystra, Hazel, & Freckles, Plus a Bird named Sofi ( she stays with Grandma & papa so hazel won't eat her)
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I have a job interview on Tuesday
26. What did you want to be when you were little? President
27. What is your best childhood memory? Vacationing at our summer home and playing in the lake while eating ice cream
28. Are you a cat or dog person? Both, i love the fuzzys
29. Are you married? Yes, May 31st 2008
30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes, I totally am and I get pissed if you don't wear one in my car
31. Been in a car accident? 2, Once when I was in my mama's tummy and I was hit by a car when I was 6
32. Any pet peeves? people who speak ghetto, come on english is easy to use
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Ham, baccon, and sausage
34. Favorite Flower? Tulips
35. Favorite ice cream? Maple Nut
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Mcdonalds
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 1 time
38. From whom did you get your last email? facebook
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The Chefs Gallery in stillwater
t40. Do anything spontaneous lately? I went to stillwater
41. Like your job? most of the time
42. Broccoli? yuck
43. What was your favorite vacation? My first cruise with my husband
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? The husband
45. What are you listening to right now? My coworker talking
46. What is your favorite color? Pink
47. How many tattoos do you have? 1, its a book worm studying law, My bestie Aim drew it for me.
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 6:45am
50. Coffee Drinker? Lord yes, its the fuel of life