Places I’ve Been

Finding the Best of Halloween

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So I know this is traditionally the post about the best places I have been . . . and believe me, the list is very long. However, all week I was thinking about all the fun things that I would like to do in regards to my favorite time of year, fall and, my favorite holiday, Halloween.

This year has been weird with the move, the lack of cooler weather on a consistent basis, missing my Halloween decorations and of course no party. I have really tried to get in the mood but for some reason I still feel like I am on some extended summer vacation.

So I have been dreaming about all of the things that I want to do in my life regarding fall and Halloween and I decided that I would share with you my top five. Do any of you have a fall dream?

 

  1. Ireland– yes, Ireland. I want to be there not for St. Patrick’s Day but for Halloween since technically Halloween is an ancient Druid holiday started by the Celts. We can visit the church that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula, climb up an old decaying castle at midnight and tell ghost stories and I am sure, party with the best of them in Dublin. 
  2. Romania–I guess we can see why I would want to go here. I would actually love to participate in one of the Halloween parties that take place every year at the Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle). 
  3. Mexico–so the celebration starts on October 31st but it goes until November 2nd because it is Dias de los Muertos! Fiesta anyone?! Mexico is full of such vibrate color and life and to celebrate your ancestors for 3 days . . . what could be more wonderful than that? 🙂 
  4. Salem, Massachusetts–You have to visit the “Witch City” at least once in your life. Besides that, everyone knows how beautiful the fall foliage is this time of year in Massachusetts as well. Make a weekend of it!
  5. Fall Drives–that is right; you can’t celebrate this season without taking a leisure drive through beautiful country, stopping at cider mills for hot cider and donuts. I have been on at least 5 of these in my life time and I am positive there are more and the most important one I still need to do is drive through Sleep Hallow, Vermont. 

HAVE A WONDERFUL FALL SEASON AND A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Madison Wisconsin

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Yes, Friday came and went. It was a recovery day for myself and my family and is also why I am posting today instead.  I flew into Madison, Wisconsin for my sister’s wedding on Thursday. It was a beautiful wedding and a whirlwind time in a beautiful state. I wish I would have had more time to explore and I could use some ideas of what to see the next time I am there. In the meantime, here are 5 things that I loved while I was there for two days.

  1. Obviously, my sister’s wedding. She was married out at Badger Farms enjoying the beautiful Madison countryside. IMG_5973
  2. I use to live in Kansas and one thing that I miss the most from the Midwest is the thunderstorms. There was a fantastic storm during my sister’s wedding. IMG_6145
  3. We went out to beautiful Lake Mendota the day after the wedding. IMG_6270
  4. We also perused the campus of University of Wisconsin-Madison and had to get Wisconsin cheese. IMG_6376
  5. Right before we headed into Illinois, we had to stop in Beloit, WI and take a picture as a cheese-head. IMG_6398

 

The Commute

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So I am still looking for that perfect place to put down roots. I am planning on renting right now and in the future buying after I have had plenty of time to stake out ideal areas and the best price. In the meantime, I haven’t stumbled upon what I really want even for renting. It is okay except for the HORRIFIC COMMUTE.

On a good commute I can make it to my office in 1 hour. On a typical commute, 1 1/2 hours. On a bad commute 2 1/2 hours ++

SHOOT ME NOW!!!

I have to be up by 4:15 every morning and on a night like last night–I got home at 8. I actually quit my last job in the hopes of having some more “me” time only to now find that I am developing a very deep and personal relationship with my car. Don’t get me wrong, I love my car but I didn’t want to be married to it.

So I have decided to share my top 5 views along my commute. If you have a commute what beautiful thing do you get to look at?

  1. Mt. Hood 
  2. Columbia River 
  3. Willamette River 
  4. Downtown Portland 
  5. Fort Vancouver 

 

Driving the Southern Route

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We made it through another week . . . thank heavens! I am finishing up all of my efforts to acquire great outfits for my whole family for my sister’s upcoming wedding. I have learned some things along the way with number one being that you should really look at the return policies for things you order online. If it isn’t free returns or a store you can physically take it to; don’t order it unless you are sure. I spent $70 returning items yesterday and needless to say, I am a little ticked. However, if you need to order and are unsure then make sure you order up a storm from both Nordstrom and Macy. They are wonderful!!!

Now on to this particular Friday’s post on places I have been–I have decided to showcase San Diego and surrounding area. My littlest sister lives in San Diego and absolutely loves it. So she showed me a few of her favorite spots and I then showed her a few of my favorites.

What are some of your favorite hidden gems in San Diego?

 

  1. Everyone has to start their day with breakfast and Snooze is a great place to do it.

  2. Speaking of food my sister and I are always on the lookout for great sushi houses and Sushi Deli hit the spot.

  3. We spent a great day out in the water body surfing at Carlsbad  State Beach. And speaking of Carlsbad; if you have never been here you should go. It has a cute downtown area with shopping, restaurants and generally beach hanging out.

  4. We had the most peaceful time looking out at the ocean and the lights of San Diego when going out to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. There are great pictures to be had out here and a great place to grab seafood to take back home as well from Point Loma Seafood.

  5. Of course my lists could go on and on since one of my most favorite hotels in the world is in San Diego but I feel I should mention to everyone that you can’t call your trip to San Diego complete without visiting Old Town.

 

Get out there and explore everyone and have a great weekend!!