shhh… it’s a surprise

21. Feb
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These 50 States
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1 Comment

About a week ago we surprised my parents. It. Was. Awesome. The funny thing is that I dreamed of showing up at their doorstep years ago to tell them I was pregnant, but that opportunity came and went. So, when I was sad about leaving them at Christmas, Doug had the plan to visit them in February as an early birthday present to my mom (and secretly to me as well). And what Michigander wouldn’t want to travel to the southern coast the weekend of a crazy snowstorm. Maggie was a champ on the plane ride down (and I planned for weeks ahead on how to conquer the plane ride … more on that to come). We rented a car in Pensacola, FL and arrived at 11pm on Friday evening. We rang the doorbell and Maggie greeted her grandparents with giant hugs. We took the next few days to enjoy Mardi Gras parades (more on that to come…) and eat the freshest seafood right from the gulf. This will be a special trip in my memory book – and a warning out to all that I love… you never know what time I will ring your doorbell to say “hello, I love you”.

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conversations in seattle

It was about two years ago that we headed off to Maui and thankfully Doug scheduled a lay-over for a day in Seattle. We knew we were pregnant at the time and I remember Seattle with conversations of what it would be like to be a parent. I love discovering new places with my best friend and our travels together are filled with some of the best talks.

up up snap of the day

While watching the snowfall in Michigan today, I thought of one of my most memorable snowfalls – our visit to the Grand Canyon. It was in March and we were wondering if the flakes would hold off long enough for us to see the canyon. We had such luck that we arrived and the clouds cleared and we were amazed at the beauty and epicness (yeah it needs it’s own made up word – it is just that amazing) of this natural wonder. I can’t wait to take M back to share this with her.

Have you ever had a nature experience like that?

My magazine cover debut…

When I opened my mailbox this past month and received one of my favorite travel magazines, Travel + Leisure, I felt a great sense of arrival. I had made the cover. I had sat in one of those beautiful ocean front chairs (exactly a year ago today). As a kid I had always dreamed of traveling the world and it is truly amazing to see some of the places I have discovered in the pages of a magazine. I am a traveler. Can’t wait to make my next cover…

heidelberg project #traveltuesdays

Located in the heart of Detroit exists a community committed to fueling the creative spirit. Tyree Guyton started the Heildelberg Project with found objects and HBO even documented the city’s protest and destruction of his vision and the evolution of this art experience since then. Doug and I stumbled across this work of art while exploring Eastern Market one weekend. I heard about this unique Detroit landmark from one of my students at CCS and couldn’t resist seeing such an iconic creative project that serves as a metaphor for the city itself. The two blocks offer a unique, urban point of view on politics, community and the city of Detroit. A full block of houses are covered in everything from stuffed animals to coins. Sculptures grow out of the ground made of discarded doors, wandering shopping carts and painted boards. As an organic element, each summer, towering sunflowers surround the installation and this element always makes me smile. Nothing like starting off the summer with an interesting and educational stay-cation. What places have you explored in your town?