Island Fun

My family is not all that big on traditions.  I remember as a grade-schooler we would have to write down all of our family traditions and share them with the class.  I was always left making something up or just sounding really lame.

Ummm, we eat a turkey on Thanksgiving. 

OR, equally obvious,

We watch fireworks on the 4th of July.  

Gee, thanks for sharing, Allison.

Snapshot Sunday: Along the Mackinac Shoreline

Hello?  Is anybody out there?  What year is it? 

Just kidding, it hasn't been thattttt long since I've posted, just, um, 2.5 months . . . 

Snapshot Sunday: Conversations in Grand Rapids

Thought of the day:  Have you ever realized that millions and millions of words are created just out of 26 letters?

Well, if you're Spanish or Mexican, then it's 27.  And if you're Finnish, 29.  If you're Chinese . . . well, let's not even go there.

You get the point.  It's a little mind-boggling to think about.

Snapshot Sunday: La Villita Love

I know, I know.  You're reading yet another post about La Villita in San Antonio.  But it was just so stinking cute, I can't resist!  

Going in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday led to places being nearly deserted.  Which didn't bother me in the least bit. 

Snapshot Sunday: Ombré - Bloomfield Hills Style

So you guys know that gorgeous ombré-ish flower that I spotted in San Antonio a few weeks back?  (Still looking for a name on that baby by the way.  C'mon, know a flower lover? Hook me up!) Well, wonder upon wonder, I found a replica replacement flower that's also slightly ombré-ish right here in Michigan!

Greek Island Hopping: Mykonos {link-up}

Guys, this is a milestone.  My very first link-up.  I know, I know, my blog is growing up so fast!  I can barely believe it myself!

Anyways, keep moving those eyes for my take on Wanderlust Wednesday: Europe.

So far in my #Europe2014 adventures (see what I just did there?), we've covered how excited I am to go and how excited I am to eat gelato.

Yep, that's it.

So I figured that it was time for another dive into my future European adventures.  Since Italy got the spotlight last time, it's Greece's turn.  But even more specifically, Greek islands.  And even more specifically than that, Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini.

After exploring Athens for a few days day and a half (aka not nearly enough time), I'll hop onto a cruise ship and set sail for these Mediterranean beauties through the Aegean Sea.

To give each of those islands the credit that they deserve, I'll split them up into three separate posts.  First comes Mykonos.

Snapshot Sunday: Riverwalkin'

When I look at this picture, I can't help but flash my Disney side just for a moment.  You have to admit, "Just Around the Riverbend" totally applies. 

C'mon, you know you want to.  Here, I'll help. 

Treetop Hotels - That's a Thing?

Growing up, I was a pretty typical child.  I ate Kraft mac & cheese by the box, hated bedtime and played outside all day long.

Don't mind me, just being a typical child here. 

Oh, and I wanted a treehouse.  What kid doesn't want a magical castle, rickety pirate ship and super secret spy fort all high up in the trees?

I'll wait while you try to find one.

No one?  Okay, I'll go on.

Snapshot Sunday: Mackinac Bridge

Labor Day.  The time of year where the tans begin to start fading, school supplies fly off the shelves and white pants are a big no-no according to my mom.  This holiday really has nothing going for it.  Who wants to trudge back to classes and blend in with their favorite white bottoms that they are no longer allowed to wear? 

Not me.  

If You Give a Girl a Greek Salad . . .

. . . she's going to ask for a glass of milk.

Just kidding.  It would be water.

But if you didn't catch the reference, I had a "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" type of experience yesterday that all started with my Greek salad.

This is not my Greek salad.  I got it off the Jet's Pizza Website. I know, I shouldn't even be called a blogger. 

Holy Guacamole!

Have you ever been so in love with a food that you jumped onto the table and screamed "I LOVE THIS FOOD!" to everyone in the entire restaurant? 

Yeah, me neither.

But believe me, I was on the edge of my seat, ready to spring onto the table top and announce my passionate and undying love for the guacamole and chicken fajitas that graced my tastebuds to all the other patrons in Guadalajara Grill.

Snapshot Sunday: Ombré - San Antonio Style

Hello out there!  Are there any flower experts that happened to stumble upon this particular post?  If so, you are in the place you need to be!   I have been dying to find out the name of these gorgeous blooms so I can cover my house, car, neighbor's house and cousin's girlfriend's uncle's sister's dog with them. 

Happy Fourth! (Two Days Late . . .)

I know, I know.  I nominated myself for "worst blogger of the week" award and I won by a devastating landslide.  The last time I posted was nearly an entire week ago (a.k.a. wayyy too long).  However, in my defense, my schedule was absolutely and completely packed and I had no access to a computer, so you can forgive me, right?  Right?

Anyway, happy Fourth of July!  (Let's just pretend that I wrote this 48 hours ago, alright?) I hope your day was filled with relaxation, beaches, parties, BBQs, fireworks, and most importantly, American pride.

I was fortunate enough to watch two amazing displays of fireworks this year, each very different from the other, but both very beautiful.

The first show took place the night before I left for San Antonio.  (Note to self: late night fireworks & bonfire + early flight in the morning = incoherently tired).  A laid-back get together with family friends, food, a fire and fireworks over a lake was perfect to get into the Fourth of July mood.

Snapshot Sunday: Capitol Hill

Sorry for the crappy image quality.  You have no idea how far back I had to dig to find this memory.  I'll tell you though: all the way back to 7th grade.  That's right, major flashback here.  Should we call this #SnapbackSunday?  I think yes.

Top Ten: Ways to NOT be a Light Packer

Looking for tips on how to pack light?  You have come to the wrong place, my friend.  Here, I don't skimp, skip or forget anything.  Well, that's a lie.  I forget lots of things; but usually not when it comes to packing.

Overpacking runs in my genes.  Christmas road trip! 

Snapshot Sunday: Navy Pier

A Chi-town classic: Navy Pier.  Being able to see the lights from our hotel room tempted us, and we decided to go out and experience the sights, sounds and smells of the pier.  It was a beautiful night on Lake Michigan and it would have been a crime to miss it and take a taxi.  So we walked.  My dad, "Sacagawea" as we later lovingly dubbed him, wanted to find the shortest way possible - which turned a nice half hour stroll into a seriously sketchy walking-so-fast-you're-almost-running type of walk (during which I'm pretty sure we witnessed a drug deal).

ONE YEAR.

I'm sorry for screaming at you in the title.  I really am, but I am just so incredibly excited.  ONE YEAR (there I go screaming again) from today, I will be boarding a plane.  And I will sit on that plane for about 13ish hours.  But I won't mind, because I will be so pumped for what the next 18 days will hold in store for me.

A Summer Night in Petoskey

Sometimes I wish that I could be in multiple places at once.  But this isn't unique - I mean, who else wants to be at home sleeping at the same time that they have to be at school.  Or, be at a party when they have to work?

I certainly do!  The reason that I brought this up is because I have a problem.  Anyone who has been to Petoskey, Michigan during the summer (or really, anytime) will understand me.  Although they might not have the same feelings as me, they would understand me.

The problem is that I have fallen head-over-heels in love with Petoskey.  The views of the bay, the quaint downtown, and the historic-ness of it only add to my obsession.  But I live four hours away.  In a town without gorgeous views of a bay, a less quaint downtown and no where near the amount of historical coolness that Petoskey has.  I mean c'mon, Ernest Hemingway didn't hang out in my town!

Railroad tracks running behind the town. 

Snapshot Sunday: The Lights of St. Kitts

Light and dark.  One of the most popular contrasts for kids learning about opposites.  This statement is most likely true because of the glaringly obvious difference between the two. 

One Day in San Fran

San Francisco, California is one of those places that I have always dreamed of visiting.  Even if I had only a day there, I would make the most of it and see all that I could see, eat all that I could eat and live all that I could live.  It's just one of those classic American cities - a must-visit.

Before starting this post, get in the San Fran mood by listening to this (not-so-classic) song by Train honoring the City by the Bay