Twenty Ten

It's been so long since I logged into my blog that I should have to look up my password...but no, I'm good like that. I constantly try to impress the hub with my memorization skills. I'll say: "Hey, I know my very first phone number, my mom's work number from when I was in first grade, every aunt and uncle's phone number, my grandparent's number...really, try me." He is never that delighted. Personally, I think I'm some sort of phone number prodigy, amongst other things. Oh well, we all have our skills. Even if it is only impressive in our own minds ;-)



I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season. On this blog, that consists of all the holidays since Labor Day...I've been quite the slacker. But I'm feeling refreshed and confidant, so come on, feel it with me! A new year, a new decade...hopefully it is starting off with good momentum for all. I choose not to make a list of resolutions this year. Looking back at last year's I would of gotten a failing grade based on completion. I was awful! So, no formal goals for me this time.

I am hoping to play catch up on my blog and share some of the fun things going on around here. So, check back..I've missed you guys.

Friday

Friday mornings are always "donuts with the daughters". It may not be a healthy tradition, but we like it that way. This morning we did our regular donut routine and dropped the oldest off at school. After that Lil' Darlin "S" asked me: "Why did God make this whole big world?". I answered (not very well), "to give us somewhere to live and to make us happy". Then I asked her what she thought and she said: "I think it's boo-ti-ful". Needless to say, it's been a good Friday.

The List

During my walk today I listened to a podcast of Terri Gross interviewing Rosanne Cash. Many of you know that my dad loved Johnny Cash, so our house has a certain familiarity with his music. I believe he is a musical genius and his voice is like no other. When Rosanne was eighteen, she went out on tour with her dad. She had just finished high school, was interested in a music career and wanted to spend some time with her father clean and sober. One day they were discussing music and when Rosanne was not familiar with some of the country songs he spoke of, her dad got a little worried. Later that day he gave her a sheet of paper with his list of "100 Essential Country Songs". She said it best when she noted that he didn't just give her a list of songs, he gave her a little part of himself.

Every person that walks through our life has a gift to offer. Sometimes we don't realize what that is until they are gone. I always knew my dad was special, but after he died I realized his gift of generousity, sincerity, trustworthiness and utmost love had left a void in my heart. When you are so used to someone's goodness surrounding you, it is really hard when it is suddenly gone. It takes time, but now I am more able to see that goodness in other people because of my dad's gift of himself. O.K., so maybe I am rambling. I tend to do that. Oh, by the way, Rosanne Cash just recorded ten of those songs on an album entitled 'The List'....check it out.

CJane

CJane makes my heart sing!!! Read this post.

Monday Blues

I am pretty darn sure that God knew what he was doing when he made me. He knows what is best for me. But sometimes I wonder how he thought leaving that cleaning gene out of my bodily composition would get me by on days like this. Does he really like to see me suffer so, or is he just waiting for me to make peace with this missing link. Maybe once I make peace and succomb to this cluttered, messy house of mine things will change. Pastor Steven did say yesterday that you can not be forgiven of your sins until your lips have confessed them. So here I am, I surrender whole-heartedly to my non-cleaning ways. One favor, can my forgiveness include just a small sprinkling of that clean gene...my husband would be forever grateful.

Energy

I'm not talking about that particular thing that my body lacks a lot of the time. I'm speaking of what Merriam-Webster defines as: a usually positive spiritual force. When I was watching NieNie on Oprah, they spoke about the warm, calming energy that Stephanie's home gives off. It got me thinking...what is the energy in my home? I wonder what people feel when they enter our home, is it welcoming, loving? I know our home is filled with love, but it also has its fair share of chaos too. With four girls, the only calm our house experiences is while we all sleep. I am thankful that I have become more aware of how our attitude towards living can radiate to so many. I want people to feel warm and at home when they enter our doors and I intend to make it happen.

Give.Me.Faith.

At church we recently finished a series called Give.Me.Faith. The music team wrote this song to go along with the series and it really is awesome. It pretty much speaks for itself.

Give Me Faith [Acoustic] from Elevation Worship on Vimeo.

I Love Him So...

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending a morning out with my main man. I love it when we have the chance to do that...runnning errands, shopping, eating lunch. And he's just so nice. Of course, he's nice to me. But, when we're out, he is so kind to other people! He addresses everyone he comes across and asks how they are and wishes them a good day. I feel so proud to be married to this handsome tattooed guy. We were at a store making a purchase and chatting up the lady behind the counter...I was too busy with all the chatter that I didn't pay attention to how much she charged me for our items. On the way out of the store I looked at the receipt and realized she had majorly undercharged me. Without a thought, T went back in and paid her the extra amount. What a guy, his momma should be proud.

Old photo by the way

Love These...

I love products with a story. These shoes, as seen on Design Mom, are made by women in Uganda, and are cute as can be. They have changeable ribbons and there is even a printable size chart on their website to make sure you order the right ones. Summer is almost over, but I still love them! You can find them here.

Photography Class

This week was my second photography class and I am loving it! I have learned so much about my camera and how to take different shots. At the end of class today we hit the streets and practiced a panning technique. You focus on a moving object and take the photo with a slow shutter speed, which blurs the background. Here are a few that turned out pretty neat. Believe me, there were a lot that didn't turn out so swell. I have such a long way to go, but the journey has been really fun so far.

Confession

I have a confession to make. Are you ready? I watch a soap opera. Guiding Light, to be exact. As a child I spent a lot of time with both sets of my grandparents and it was a given that during the weekday afternoons the TV would be turned to CBS soap operas. Sometimes when the girls are watching Spongebob or iCarly, I don't feel so bad knowing what I was watching at their age. So, Guiding Light has been with me for a looong time. All that is about to change this week as Guiding Light goes off the air after 72 years. Maybe the plot lines are zany. Maybe the way they have recently started shooting outside is too far from the set-driven world of soap operas. Whatever the case I am still going to miss these people, I've been around them (or their ancestors) for most of my life. Farewell Springfield, thanks for making my life seem so normal and boring at times. Thanks for making me feel smart when I would predict what would happen on the show before it actually occurred. I'll miss you.

Just Call Me...

the "Part-Time Blogger". What do they say about being consistently inconsistent? But, I'm here now, just in time for my one year blog anniversary. I can not believe it has been that long. This year has given me a greater appreciation for the bloggers that I rely on daily to give me a dose of laughter or inspiration. For me, it is not easy to be creative everyday, but I promise to work on that in the coming year. So, if you're reading this...thank you.

I started this blog on September 11. Every year that goes by I always think back to my feelings on that day in 2001. I have such a vivid recollection, even down to what I ate for lunch, the phone calls, the television, the exact feelings that played through my mind as a pregnant woman about to have my first child. This was my original post a year ago. I often go back to this letter as a thankful reminder of love, family and how awesome it is to be an American.

Coldplay is Hot

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Coldplay? A few weeks ago I saw them in concert here in Charlotte and it was one of my all time favorite concerts. It was a wonderful show spent with wonderful friends. Towards the end of the performance this is the sight we experienced...

Millions of tiny paper butterflies! Beautiful.

Fascinated

I have had my eye on some fascinators for a while now. I love them, especially this one. It is gorgeous. Found on giantdwarf.

Back to School

Today was the day! The oldest lil' darlin started her second grade year and I still can not believe it. When kids come into your life, it seems to fly by at warp speed. It feels just like yesterday I was in second grade in Mrs. Bullock's class. Hopefully this will be another great school year and maybe, just maybe it won't go by so fast.

Glamourous

Have you seen the latest issue of Glamour magazine? Apparently this photo has garnered tons of positive attention from readers who identify with a model that isn't stick thin. Not only that, but the portrayal of a woman who is comfortable in her own skin, curves and all. My generation, my mom's generation and definitely my daughter's generation is deeply impacted by body image. Some want to look younger, some thinner, and the youth seem to dress far beyond their years. Because the majority of women are so misrepresented by Hollywood and print ads, etc., we are conditioned to think that "they" are the norm. But I think most of us know that the model in this photo is more on target than a size 0 supermodel. Beauty is individual and we are all so different. Thanks Glamour magazine for reminding us.

Counting Down

The ever-so-dreaded end of summer is quickly approaching and around here we are setting our sights on the new school year. The lil' darlins are excited..I am just dreading the awful morning routine that typically includes me repeating myself a zillion times: have you brushed your teeth, put on your shoes, etc. There are times when I finally get them all in the car that my blood pressure is probably teetering at dangerous levels. Oh, the joy!

Yesterday I printed out some fun cards from here. I took a little trip to IKEA and 99 cents later I have a cute little bathroom decoration that hopefully will guide the lil' darlins in their morning routine. It worked with the oldest one this morning, so let's hope it continues. What about you, do you have any helpful hints to make the mornings run a little smoother?

Love it..

I found this girl's blog a while back...I adore her fashion sense and her mom is just as amazing. I swoon over beautiful clothes and especially people that wear them so well.

Daughter: here
Mother: here

My Daddy

I was cooking dinner tonight and simultaneously thinking of a million other things (like most moms do), when all of these thoughts about my dad rushed into my mind. I had already noted on my "To Do" list for the week to brainstorm about blog posts, so it just made sense for me to focus a few of them on my dad. Not to be depressing, but perhaps the stories weighing on my heart are just trying to make their way out. Sometimes, I feel blogging can't be regarded as writing for entertainment, but simple writing for the soul.

Since most of you that read my blog know me, you also know that my father passed away in 2005. I am an only child. He was my main man for the majority of my life. And the same goes for him, I think as soon as I was born, no other girl compared to me. At least, that's how he made me feel. I am reminded everyday how important a father's love is because I have three wonderful girls that are blessed with a fabulous father. It is such a beautiful thing to witness. So, when I see how blessed they are I can't help but think of my own dad and the time we had together. Precious, precious times.

I do not know if it feels the same for everyone, but I still feel that my dad's death is not real. It just seems like he is on a long vacation where he can't accept phone calls and will be returning anyday. He still figures prominently in my everyday thoughts, his physical presence is just lacking. And I miss that; what a void it is. You see, for the last few years of his life, he lived most of the time with us. At times it was hard, but now I see what God had planned and it all makes sense. In the time that he had left, he did not want to be anywhere but with us and for that I am eternally grateful.

Happy Friday!

I discovered Nina Simone when I was a teenager and have loved her ever since. Her voice is so raw and real, it's pure magic. Although she lived most of her life in France, she was born right here in North Carolina. One of the beauties of technology, especially youtube, is that we can experience her performance still today. So, here is one of the lil' darlins favorites, and I hope you have a very happy Friday!

BTW

While I'm sounding off about the "old-fashioned" me, I should go ahead and put this out there as well. Today, I was looking through some e-cards (which is highly ironic for reasons you will understand in a shake). One of the e-cards read:

"I'm hoping for a Facebook application that helps me relearn conversation skills". (found here)

Let me take you back a bit- when I was a kid I spent a lot of time at my grandparents homes. I used to get so excited when a visitor stopped in (unannounced) to, dare I say, "visit". The adults would sit around with a glass of iced tea and simply catch up.

These days, that is almost a foreign concept. If my doorbell rings to an unannounced visitor, they are definitely welcome, but it still feels kind of strange. Only because it hardly ever happens. Cell phone calls, texting, e-mail: they all make surprise visits a rarity.

So, I do worry that future generations will start lacking in one-on-one conversation skills, spelling skills (everything is abbreviated. LOL), math skills (they have a calculator in their pocket), handwriting skills (do some people write anymore). Technology has changed the game.

But, I sit here and write this on my blog due to technology. So, I am not saying it is a bad thing. I love it and its many conveniences. I just don't ever want convenience to take the place of what's real- looking into a friend or family members' eyes and simply talking!

Books, Glorious Books

I have never been the type that easily parts with my books. In fact, I have always wanted a huge library room of books with one of those rolling ladders. I believe it goes beyond the fact that I love to read, but essentially, I love everything about a book. The art on the cover, the feel of turning the page, the smell of a new book, or even the smell of a really old book. I have always found solace in surrounding myself with books, whether it be at home, the library or a good bookstore. Therefore, I haven't embraced the technology of the Kindle or ebooks. Part of me thinks it is really amazing, but a bigger part of me is firmly rooted in the beauty of a good ole' book. I like the fact that someone can visit my house and gain a bit of insight into who I am by looking at my bookshelf. I like to think I'm fairly progressive in a lot of ways, but when it comes to books, I'm as old-fashioned as they come, which is fine by me.

Diggin' It

I am loving this Feist concert poster, found here. Don't you love the colors?

What? Where? When?

..That is how I feel during the summer. Not really sure what the dates are, but knowing they are flying by, nonetheless. I honestly don't know what I was thinking when I thought I would blog over the summer. It sort of goes along the same lines of frequenting the gym during the summer...great intentions, but it just doesn't happen. There are more important things to do: going to the pool, going to the beach, sleeping in, gardening, enjoying life sans schedule and just being us. Each year that goes by, I enjoy summer more and more. I even start to feel that uncontainable excitement I felt when I was young and the last day of school finally approached. It was such a feeling of freedom and pure happiness. Although schedules are good, there is something about the leeway of summer that makes me so content. So, as August is approaching, I am trying to get my mind into all things "normal", which includes blogging. I'll be back soon, I promise. XO

Greetings...

Topsail Island, originally uploaded by iivv82.

from Topsail. I'll be blogging from here for the next two weeks. If I get overly ambitious I'll post pictures from around the island and give you a little history about the place.

Four Years

Four years ago today my lil' darlins were born. It is such a cliche', but the time really does fly. Each year that passes they are at a different stage of their life and it is such a pleasure to be a part of it all. I'm counting on this summer to be the best one yet. Happy Birthday girls, I love you.

Busy Celebrating

We've been busy around here the past few days...celebrating the last day of school, celebrating the lil' darlins birthday "week" and preparing to go off to sleep away camp for the first time. Tons of happenings to start off the summer!

Long Lost Letters

When is the last time I have sat down to compose a long letter and instead of pressing "Send" on the keyboard, I licked the envelope, addressed it, stamped it and sent it on its way? A card or note may have recently passed through my fingers, but it has been a terribly long time since I have sent a letter. It is bittersweet how the busyness of our culture and the instant gratifying appeal of technology reigns these days. Letters just aren't quick enough and that is a travesty. Future generations won't have a treasure of letters as a way of linking to their past. For me, having a file on a computer that is full of e-mail correspondences just isn't as charming. I am thankful for the letters I have saved through the years and I regret some of the ones I threw away. When my dad passed away I received a box of his letters that he wrote when he was in the Army. They were all to family members and the fact that they were saved all these years and I can still enjoy them warms me. It gives me a slight glimpse at the young man he was. There were also some letters written by my mother when she was pregnant with me. How neat to know that I was so much a part of their world even before I was born.

When I was a teenager I asked my grandfather to make me a wooden box to hold my treasured letters. At that point I had no idea I would have such an important collection. But I look forward to passing them down one day to my daughters as an insight into their past. For now, I write my girls an annual letter on their birthday which they will be given when they are much older. I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to putting pen to paper. Who knows, by the time my girls are adults they may feel nostalgic about my blog as a means of communication. As Bob Dylan sang, "the times, they are a-changing".

Prada Pangs

Back in the 90's (that feels really weird to write) I had a minor obsession with high fashion. I did not obsess over owning it, because that was totally out of the realm of possibility, just loved admiring it. Miuccia Prada was one of the first designers that I so adored. I loved her clean lines and colors and still remember the exact outfit that I fell in love with. So, it is fitting that my Prada shoes were the first designer addition to my wardrobe. They were expensive, they were comfortable, they were modern, they were oh-so-chic and I loved them. I still love them. I have loved them for well over 10 years. They have walked many streets, fetched many compliments and have never gone out of style. This is my testament to the fact that paying a lot of money for good shoes is well worth it. We had almost 12 years together and I am happy with that, but they recently walked their last walk. Shoes can be a girl's best friend and I had to pay homage to my dear ole' soles....RIP.

Wedding Cake

Isn't this gorgeous? If I were in the market for a wedding cake, this would absolutely fit the bill. The silhouette sealed the deal, so classic and simple. I loooove it. You can find it here.

Toni Morrison on Censorship

“The thought that leads me to contemplate with dread the erasure of other voices, of unwritten novels, poems whispered or swallowed for fear of being overheard by the wrong people, outlawed languages flourishing underground, essayists’ questions challenging authority never being posed, unstaged plays, cancelled films – that thought is a nightmare,” she writes. “As though a whole universe is being described in invisible ink.”

From the book Burn This Book, edited by Toni Morrison.

Day 1

Today is day one of the lil' darlins being away at YaYa's. This morning was so quiet with no major quarrels about who was going to sit where and beside whom and who was going to get the purple sippy cup. The oldest darlin' is so used to the chaos (of which she is an active participant), that I think she kind of missed it. She quickly asked when the girls were coming back. I miss them too, but it is also nice to catch my breath.

Dream House

Good gracious alive, if I won the lottery I would buy this house tomorrow. Then you would have to come visit me in sunny Santa Cruz, California where you would have a lovely view of the ocean. Found on BeachBungalow8, you have to peek at the article to see all the gorgeous pictures.

Butterfly Gap

I received my Southern Living today (a little peeved I might add, because I saw it on the newsstand before it was in my mailbox....that drives me crazy), and there was an article about Butterfly Gap outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. It is a couples-only resort that looks heavenly. Exquisitely furnished cabins with homemade delivered breakfasts. Should I go any further? You must check out the website and drool over all the wonderful scenery.

Earth Day Project

The oldest lil' darlin' had to do an Earth Day recycling project where she found a new use for something that would have been thrown away. After much contemplation, we decided, I mean, she decided that we would make a pen holder/toothbrush holder out of a cashew can. This is how it turned out. She/we did a pretty good job and now it makes its home on my desk.

Going Global

Why is it that Rick Steves gets one of the best jobs in the world...why can't it be me?? I whole heartedly believe there should be a family oriented travel show because people definitely travel with their kids. I have several ideas of reality-based travel shows starring me and my family traveling the world and all the drama that would entail. Or, I would be fine exploring one place for an extended amount of time if that would be easier on production costs, say Paris or Prague. I am flexible. So, if you know someone important that I could pitch my idea to, please let me know. I even have a title: 'The G's Go Global'. No laughing!

Carolina Chocolate Drops

I stumpled upon this very segment on PBS a few weeks ago and fell in love with this group from North Carolina. I had heard of them before, but didn't really know their story. It's quite interesting. It is refreshing to see young artists have such a passion for the music of past generations.

Our State - The Carolina Chocolate Drops from Pete Bell on Vimeo.

Vavoom..

I finally did it! The chandelier went from dull to daring and it's much more fun to look at. It's bright and shiny and has a whole new personality. If it could, it would probably kiss me out of gratitude.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any good "before" pictures, so I had to crop an old picture taken in the kitchen.

My Experiment

Perhaps you recall my post a while back about gardening. My main dilemna was where to place my garden in order to get the most light because we have so many trees surrounding our back yard. Well, instead of tilling up a big spot in my back yard with no guarantee of success, I opted for the girls' old sand box. It's now home to a tomato plant, purple basil, regular basil and thyme. So, far it seems to like the spot. So, if all goes well maybe we'll have a permanent garden in that spot next year. I also have a hanging cucumber plant that is thriving and some squash plants that are doing o.k. Keep your fingers crossed for some small doses of freshness around here, I know I am.

Backyard Trampoline

Backyard Trampoline, originally uploaded by withflourish.

When I lived in Australia one of my friends had a trampoline just like this. I had never seen anything like it until now. Isn't it so much more pleasing to the eye??

Garden and Gun

I received my Garden and Gun magazine last week in the mail. It is a publication dedicated to the south with many interesting articles. Some are a bit too manly for me, but it is still a good magazine nonetheless. There was an article about Secret Supper Clubs that got my wheels spinning. You see, I love to entertain. I have countless ideas in my head of fun nights to host, decoration ideas, menus, etc. Sometimes I feel like I should be a party planner. That way I could utilize all of these ideas on someone else's dime. Anyway, the photos make me want to have a huge dinner party just like this one. I have the perfect lawn for a super-long table! Do you think if I do all the planning and decorating, someone else would cook for all the guests? Just kidding, maybe it could be a Fall Potluck chock full of hearty dishes....

Before Sunrise/Before Sunset

Both of these movies have such a fond place in my heart. I am such a geekess that I have even read the screenplays because the beautiful draw of the films are the honesty of the conversations. The great writing, the European scenery and the intimate connection between two strangers make me crazy in love with these movies, but there is also a different connection that I feel with the characters. (Note: the basis of the two films surrounds two people that meet on a train to Vienna and spend a night together and plan to meet again months later)



I suppose I will divulge my story....I was on a crowded train from a small town on the Eastern coast of Spain going to Barcelona and I locked eyes with a handsome brunette. There were no words exchanged, it was a simple moment of eyes meeting and that feeling of "I would like to know him". The moment passed and I did not see him again. I got off the train in Barcelona to explore the city and find a place to stay. Later that day, I was walking with my friends and came upon the same guy from the train. He stopped and gestured like he knew me and we spoke for a moment about previously being on the same train, what we were doing, where we were going, etc . Then we went our seperate ways once again. Yes, it may sound like a trite memory, but for years after that trip I thought about those moments. It was more than a quick gaze on the train and the fact that we came upon each other on the streets of Barcelona is crazy. Perhaps he was supposed to be in my life in some way. Maybe if I had insisted on talking to him at greater lengths we would still share a friendship today. Since that is not the case, I have a neat memory of sharing a few moments with a stranger that felt more than coincidental. I am positive that everyone has moments in their life that feel contrived by a higher power, showing us the beauty of human connection.

Post Script: In order to write honestly about myself, I have to include parts from my entire life...before husband, before kids, etc. So, please know that no human feelings were harmed in the writing of this, my husband knows that I wouldn't change our life for a second and he also understands the curiousness of human nature to ask , "What if?".

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my mom! I love you so much and you deserve to be celebrated everyday!!

Silhouettes

On a whim I decided to try a silhouette today. I don't think it is so bad for my first one, but I still need lots of practice. This is one of the lil' darlins from last year, now on to the others.

Invisible Children

If you haven't heard of Invisible Children, you can check out their website here. It is amazing what these young people are doing to raise awareness and make change in Northern Uganda.

Social Media

P020109PS-0339, originally uploaded by The Official White House Photostream.

Facebook, Twitter, flickr, blogs, Wickipedia....you don't even have to own a computer to know about the surge in social media. President Obama has been twittering for awhile now, but now The White House has a photostream on flickr that is pretty amazing. I have always thought being the official White House photographer would be an awesome job, now I'm convinced. You can check it all out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/.

I Heart IKEA

We have a new IKEA in Charlotte...yippee! It is definitely a good spot for recessionista shopping. In fact, this week, I bought a new rug for the playroom. It is fun and spunky and only cost $39.99. Hooray for deals!

Prescription for Color

Yellow Painted Chandelier, originally uploaded by deardaisycottage.

I am in need of some color in my house...there are just way too many shades of brown, black and white and it is driving me crazy. I posted an update on facebook recently about having the urge to paint my kitchen chandelier a bright yellow. I'm sure there were several people squirming in their chair, but some said to go for it! I'm still thinking about it, but not set on the yellow...maybe even blue, who knows. Stay tuned.

Shoot Out

The Light Factory, a photography and film museum here in Charlotte, has an annual fundraiser called The Shoot Out. It works like this: you pay a fee, you get a portrait session with a top Charlotte photographer, they provide makeup if you need it, and they will shoot up to seven family members and also your pets. So, you get wonderful photographs and the money goes to the programs they sponsor at the museum. Fabulous, such a win-win deal! This is our first year participating and I am very excited! Our session is Mother's Day weekend, so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Happy Birthday

Today is my mom's birthday. It has been a few weeks since we have all seen her, so we had to send her a video (you know I loved that!). The girls practiced for days and it was perfect in my book. Mom, I love you so much and am so thankful for our friendship. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, you deserve that and more.

(I tried to post the video, but am experiencing some minor technical confusion. sorry)

I need this

found here

My New Toy

I am over the moon with the recent purchase of my Flip video camera. It excites me to know that my girls will now have some live footage of their childhood because our other video camera has done nothing but collect dust. For instance, today I was able to film a few minutes of my daughter's field day at school and then slip it back into my pocket (it's that small). I love that I can have it with me wherever I go and it is not a huge nuisance size-wise. Then you just plug it into your computer and download the videos, it is easy as pie. It's also easy on the wallet which makes it even better. Can you tell I'm in love?

Cuba

Cuba-52.jpg, originally uploaded by Leo Caobelli.

If you asked my husband about one place that I have really wanted to visit, he would quickly say Cuba. He thinks I'm crazy, but that's not solely based on my desire to travel in Cuba..hehe. With the news of certain travel sanctions being lifted, I am hoping that Americans will be able to freely travel there soon. Do you have a place that you have always dreamt of seeing?

Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

We did! It was a beautiful weekend here and we spent most of it outside...more pics to come. I made this garland after seeing it here and it really added a festive touch to our kitchen.

Discovery Place

Luckily, we have a nice Children's Museum here in Charlotte. The Discovery Place currently has a circus exhibit that we recently checked out. The girls had so much fun!