Today in France

Today was the day I caught up on my sleep. I wasn't feeling well and I think it has been all the planes, trains and car rides through the French mountains, along with jet lag, along with constantly being on the go with 5 hours (or less) sleep each night. I didn't wake up until quite late and then took a nap this afternoon. It was much needed.

Tonight we did travel about an hour to the town of Rodez to go cheer on Team Japan in the FIBA tournament. Random, I know. The family I am with here in France has a daughter who plays on the team. In fact, she is the captain of the team. I don't even really like basketball, but this was the funnest game I have ever been to! Japan won by like 20 points. I think my favorite part were the cheerleaders/dancers. They were such a hot mess. It was very entertaining, yet so painful to watch!

So, once again, no pictures. Sorry. But I will tomorrow. We are going to visit some cheese caves...?

Traveling Day

Today we flew from Madrid to Lyon, France and from Lyon we drove to Millau, France. Our rental car came with navigation, so we were able to select the "senic" route over the "easier-less-complicated-boring" route. We wound our way through the mountains and into little villages that were so charming you wanted to die! At times the road wasn't any bigger than a golf cart path! It was incredible! The mountains were beautiful and the air was very refreshing!

Our castle sits atop a hill over looking the town of Millau. Our view to the right is the Millau Viaduct, "an enormous cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France." And then our view to the left is the charming town of Millau set down in the valley. I can't wait to go get lost there! Tonight for dinner we found a small pizzaria and I had a pizza with stinky cheese, potatoes and ham. It was the employee's favorite kind so I thought I would give it a try. It tasted like funeral potatoes! Haha!

Spain Part Duex

me, the tour guide, Ashley and Fabiola on a street in Segovia.

We went to a incredibly charming and beautiful city about an hour from Madrid called Segovia. It is here that the ruins of the aqueducts the Romans built in the 1st and/or 2nd century. No one knows for sure when they were built.

Amazing.

These aren't little either.

Simply amazing to see that kind of history.

Just a cute building in Segovia.

The streets were very tight and small. We had to step into doorways to let cars pass.

I want to live here. Right here. And swim in that pool.

The Castle in Segovia. One of the coolest structures I have ever been in. With fabulous views. But who am I kidding. Every which way you turn is a fabulous view.

It was breathtaking!

Street art in Madrid. I have seen a lot of really cool graffiti and street art here.

Plaza D Toros de Las Ventas. Translation: where the bull fighting takes place.

Me and the matador statue.

Me and Fabiola at the Prado museum in Madrid. Beautiful, classical paintings. Our guide took us through and pointed out important paintings from different artists with different styles and from different time periods. It was very edifying.

Spain Day 1

My new BFF Fabiola! She is a girl that Ashley Wilkey-Packer converted while on her mission here to Madrid. She is Peruvian and living in Madrid. She is fluent in Spanish, English, French, Italian and German. And just about the cutest, sweetest thing EVER! I have had so much fun with her!

Plaza Mayor. Very charming and traditional. And all the cafes were exceptionally expensive.

Palacio Real

Me and my roomie! She has been a blast! Here at the gates of the Palacio Real (some palace).

One of my favorite attractions! The gourmet grocery store! It was like Spain's version of a Dean & DeLuca! Everything was beautiful and unique!

I bought the best nectarine ever!

Just a very charming street near the hotel. I love the cobblestone streets!

Maybe a real Matador? I don't know. I'm pretty sure he just wears the costume hoping tourists will give him money for a picture. I didn't pay him hahah!

Puerta Del Sol. A famous plaza near our hotel.

In Madrid

We made it to Madrid. I absolutely love it here! More pictures to come:)

I see London

It's true. I saw a quick version of London today. And I love it. So many things remind me of New York. I know I could live here easily. We got in just before noon and went to check into our hotel to freshen up after our flight on Virgin Atlantic. Virgin is a good one. I was impressed.

First thing we did was hop on the double decker bus. Cheesy, but really the best way to get a quick overview of the city. It hasn't been too humid and actually a little cold. We did have to get off the bus in the shopping district so I could go buy a jacket. Just my luck there was an Anthropologie right in front of the bus stop. Darn:) I'm glad I got it especially when it started to rain. A lot of rain.

Anyway, all my pics are from the top of the bus. And none of them have me in it. Sorry mom.

After our bus tour, we made our way back towards Victoria Station (our main hub) because we went to Wicked which was so conveniently located right around the corner. I have never seen this show (sad, I know) and I absolutely loved it! The story, the music, the staging and costumes! Amazing! I know I sound like a broken record because that is what everyone thinks of it, but it is so true! The story is so clever and SO funny and so sweet! I was in tears during the number "For Good" (you can listen to it here. maybe) Really an incredible show! I had tried reading the book and hated the book, but really, the two are different.

Today was really great! I love it here! My feet are blistered. I am tired, jet-lagged and sore, but I will worry about those things when I get home and back to reality:)

Tomorrow, we get up early and head down to Madrid! Amazing, right!?!

I miss you guys! Give Maggie a kiss:)

Let's Give it Another Go!

Ok, my last attempt at blogging. If I stop again, that's it. I'm done. The revival is coming so I have somewhere to post my pictures from my upcoming trip for my family, friends and anyone else who stops by.

Tomorrow, I leave for Europe! I am so excited! I've never been across the big blue ocean that way. London, Madrid and the South of France. I don't know which location I am more excited for! London because... well, it's London. Madrid, since I have always had a small obsession with Spain. But more importantly since Spain just won the World Cup! Madrid is going to be out of control! And France *sigh*. It'll be a dream! We will be staying in a beautiful chateau dating back to the 12th century.

This trip is all so-last minute! I will be helping in the kitchen in France, going to the local market, and preparing meals for the group! Literally my dream!

You can hate me. I would hate me too! Check back when you can since I will try to upload pics everyday.

Bonjour!

The Art of Racing in the Rain

Stop whatever it is that you are doing. You must read this book! It is fabulous and oh so delightful! Go. You can thank me later. And, if you want to borrow my copy, you have to wait until I finish it... again.

Business Card/Gift Card Holders

Maybe this post would have come handy.... oh I don't know... maybe before Christmas:) Oh well! When I got my cards made, I wanted a cute little case to carry them in. I found a couple of cute little tutorials before just buying a silver metal one. Anyway, these would be great to use when gifting a gift card.

Martha Stewart Business Card Cases

Amy Butler Business Card Keeper

very cute!

Phew!

Ok. It's all over. Now I can get back to posting! So much to show & tell:)

Real quick... The nephew is in Hawaii visiting his other grandparents. I wanted to die when my sister sent this picture! Look at those curls!

Jayson's hair + humidity = aDorAbLe!!!!

Happy New Year to all! And thank you to everyone for their Holiday wishes! I love getting cards in the mail with pictures to see all the changes that have taken place in the year!

Thread Sketching

While surfing the blogosphere looking for ideas on what to make for those last minute gifts, I came across thread sketching on clutterplunk via sew, mama, sew.  I don't know anything about it, but it looks self-explanatory.  And I doubt there is a right way or a wrong way to do it.  

This is right up my alley.  I am totally going to give it a go tomorrow!  I am going to be strapped to my machine trying to get it all done in time.  Oh procrastination... there is nothing to push you like a deadline:)

Homemade Marshmallows

I made homemade marshmallows a couple of Christmases ago.  It was really fun, easy and super yummy.  I want to try it again after seeing these chocolate dipped ones!

Help!!

I think I am a little bored with my blog and layout and computer-y stuff.  Does anyone out there want to spruce it up for me?  I'm not exactly computer savvy.  I'll trade you a sewing project for a blog face-lift.

Doesn't this fat-so scream "Merry Christmas!!"?

{image}