by Wendy
I kept a list of books I read this year and met my goal of 12 – barely. Here are a few favorites – keep in mind these were not necessarily published in 2016, but ones I read (or reread in 2016). Last year’s list is here. When you cannot travel as much as you want, reading is a great substitute. Continue reading
by Wendy
October, November and December are busy months for Jack at work, so our travel is often limited to day trips or family visits during the holidays. Fall is one of my favorite seasons, and while I would love to see Madrid or Rome or Cophenhagen (the list goes on) this time of year, we have many beautiful weekends in the Mid-Atlantic. Here are a few photos of fall, both past and present. Next week I’ll probably go back to writing about London and Iceland.
by Sunny
follow me on Twitter @Sunnylooksleaps
So many times, I wonder how many travel memories stick with my 7 year old. She’s been traveling since she was 6 months, and I know that many of those early memories she only remembers through pictures. But every once in a while, she will surprise me by recalling a past travel memory that has stuck with her. Recently, she recalled a favorite travel memory during Social Studies class. The second grade was studying communities and on this day, markets in particular. The assignment was to draw a picture of a market and write about it. And though MJ remembers it being in “Sam” Francisco, Pike Place Market is what she chose to draw and write about. (In her defense, we visited Seattle and San Francisco during the same vacation.)
by Wendy
It is really hot outside and temperatures in this area of the country may continue to rise. Evening approaches and it still feels like 103 degrees. Weather like this can make you feel so lethargic. Around town, tourists look desparate to visit as many sights and monuments as they can before the sweltering heat practically forces them indoors.
I keep reminding myself that it will be like this soon enough, so it’s important to enjoy the summer. Time to be thankful for air conditioning, chilled drinks, ice cream and days when I don’t have to ride the sweaty metro train. Time to take refuge from extreme weather with Netflix and a bottle of wine (also fun during snowstorms). Time to seek out beautiful beaches and refreshing pools. May we all feel as cool as a Barcelona rooftop pool for the rest of the summer.
by Wendy
When I happened to walk past these flowers earlier this month, I knew they were too pretty not to share. Enjoy your weekend and all the beautiful gardens of the world.
by Wendy
Graduation season is wrapping up, with the last of the crowds of students in caps and gowns with proud families blocking downtown sidewalks and slowing traffic. I wish them all well!
While I can understand the importance of marking the occasion, I thought my high school graduation was so boring, I skipped both the college and graduate school ceremonies. After I finished college, my Dad wrote a letter to me that I reread recently. I realize how lucky I am to have such constantly supportive parents, though I have taken it for granted at times. Both he and Mom taught my sisters and me the importance of hard work and education, a commitment to family and faith, and that being a good person matters so much more than being pretty.
I’d like to share some of Dad’s words of wisdom here – they still inspire me today and no commencement speech could ever have meant as much. I think both recent and not so recent grads can appreciate this – especially devoted travelers and aspiring writers. Continue reading
by Sunny
follow me on Twitter @sunnylooksleaps
I’ve always been a huge fan of shopping. Malls, Marshalls, Target, online, I love to browse even if I don’t actually purchase. I guess this is not surprising considering my mother and grandmother’s love of shopping. I was always happy to tag along with them on their outings and owe everything I know about finding a bargain to them.
When MJ was born, the shopping frenzy took full force. Everyone loves to shop for a little girl! During her first year, I remember her having more pink frilly sleepers, dresses, and rompers then she had time to wear. At a year old, she would open her closet, look at all of her clothes, and say, ‘WOW.” She loved to dress up, loved to wear costumes, and still loves to put together her own outfits. She has a one-of-a-kind style that only she knows the rules to. Her outfits are loud, often mis-matched, and only sometimes seasonally appropriate. While I have always made rather sensible and safe fashion choices, MJ wears what she wants without a thought as to what other people may think. And while I love this about her, shopping trips and picking out an outfit can be a challenge.
by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps
Jack and I met up after errands on a mild Spring evening and decided to walk to a popular French restaurant in a trendy neighborhood. We were seated at one of the cafe tables lining the sidewalk in a row. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining, and we ordered wine and steak frites. As I strolled back to our table after a quick trip to the powder room, I spotted it. A beautiful shoe. Kind of a platform, ankle strap, with a high, colorfully-striped blocked heel. Like a shoe out of those mesmerizing Dolce&Gabbana magazine ads where everyone’s wearing elegant black lace or vibrant sundresses and giant sparkly accessories while chowing down on pasta in Sicily – and it all looks impractical and totally believable at the same time. I didn’t notice the shoe owner’s outfit. She had her leg crossed and the cool shoe was dangling out there daring all of us to be jealous. I nearly stopped to compliment the shoe and in a different mood, I might have. Instead I returned to Jack and our lovely evening, a bit more conscious of my choice of ballet flats. Continue reading
by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps
After visiting a cool city, I realized I have a post-trip habit of telling Jack that we must find a way to move to New York/ Madrid/ London/ Paris/ Copenhagen/ San Sebastian etc. This goes on for a week or so and I’m sure it’s annoying. As much as Jack agrees that those places are amazing – and while he’s not opposed to visiting them often or even relocating for a period of time – Jack patiently reminds me that we already live in a great city.
When I moved to Washington, DC over 15 years ago, I honestly thought it was temporary. I had previously lived in Chicago for a year and figured I would spend 2-3 years in DC before settling someplace new. Funny how life works out. And while the choice to stay was originally due to Jack stealing my heart – not the city – I have grown very fond of DC and am happy to call it home. Below are a few things I love about Washington, DC. Continue reading
by Joe
Mom’s birthday would be March 18th. She would have been 95. However, she died a year ago last October ending a wonderful and beautiful life. Mom was a traveler both physically and mentally. She was a reader, of everything. I think that is why she loved to travel. She was an explorer and a searcher for knowledge. She was a prodigious reader and went to so many places in her mind as a young girl that she wanted to see them for herself. She was an only child and through her teenage years, she took several trips around the US with her mom and dad and sometimes with her aunt Doodee. She was fortunate enough to attend and graduate from the University of Wyoming. As an English major with several years of Latin, French and German she explored, lived with, and became part of many cultures through her extensive reading. She was a several books a week kind of reader up until a year before she died at age 93. She had an incredible life. Continue reading