Summer Vaca Recommends

Having just spent a week on the beach of Lake Michigan, I know I have a lot of recommends to share but most of them have gone out the window, or maybe off the hammock.

I did enjoy a few things, guilty pleasures if you will.

Real Simple magazine. Always a very useful read. There are tips, recipes, health related stories and a variety of things to use right away and file for future projects. My favorite items are the recipes, usually with some kind of theme like summer foods or new vegetable preparations, and the HBA products they test and rate, like sunscreen.

I'm so in love with author Gabrielle Zevin. Her second book in the series hasn't been published but I got an ARC at ALA. It's called "Because It is My Blood." This is the continuation of "All These Things I've Done" and I am happy to learn more about Anya Ballenchine, the strong lead character, daughter of the deceased mob boss and heir to a black market chocolate empire.

The Olympics were on so I watched a lot of that, except track and field because I'm not a fan of those sports, but two of my fav shows (the only kind of reality shows I would watch--cooking and sewing) are back! Top Chef Masters and Project Runway, Season 10. Although I'm not connecting with too many contestants this go round, they are always fun to watch. I am happy to see Tim Gunn back -- and he has a new book out -- and some of my fav chefs including Luc, the Chef in the Hat. I am hoping I can get a reservation at his restaurant when I'm back in Seattle at the end of the month. On the television drama side, I'm sad to see Brenda Lee Johnson and "The Closer" end their run, Rizzoli & Isles is also coming to a close this season but I'm looking forward to welcoming "Grimm" back!

My dad had a few nice bottles of Zinfandel, 7 Deadly Zins. It is a great addition to a meal of beef or pork and nicely priced. Always a good gift to bring to a party.

The Karaoke Kab! What can I say? At my sister's bachelorette party, we had a little further to go to find the dance club and my cousin Molly made the night. Turns out that there is a miniva/cab that you can ride for $3pp and it will take you where you need to go as you sing your heart out following the words on the screen. Why yes...we did do a fantastic rendition of "Don't Stop Believing" and "Baby Got Back" among a few other favorites. It was such great fun even if we aren't, unlike Molly professed, taking it to Broadway.

The ride followed by cheesy dance songs, yes please! I am feeling good about the fact that I was all up on the dance music. Nicki Minaj, Pitbull, Flo Rida and some new boy bands...Fun, One Direction and The Wanted. All in good fun.

Now it's back to the ranch. Hope you had a great summer vacation too!

My Recommends: Today's Places

I've been thinking about what I want to write about lately. There has been a lot going on and every so often, usually in inconvenient places like the shower, I come up with something brilliant to post.
And then I forget.
Oh well.
So today I'll focus on some foreign places that I have visited which I would recommend. I love to travel and I have had such good fortune to be able to go to as many places as I have. I was able to study abroad, travel as a teenager on a People to People trip, go back as a young professional, enjoy New Year celebrations in Lisbon, Vienna, and London, and spend time getting to know the people, often by renting a car and driving the countryside.

SCOTLAND
The Olympics are going on so naturally, I often think about the UK. Most importantly, I remember back to living in Edinburgh, Scotland. I just loved it. I went with an American program that put me in classes and dorms with students from around the world. I really appreciated that. With Arthur's Seat as my backyard, interesting classes, the history of Edinburgh all around me and some Scottish friends (and their families) to teach me about this majestic country. I have traveled from north to south, east to west and would be so grateful to return. Some of the recommended places to see besides Edinburgh are St. Andrew's, Aberdeen, Inverness, Arbroath, Glasgow, the Borders, and Isle of Skye.

IRELAND
Ireland, it's the one place on earth
That heaven has kissed
With melody, mirth,
And meadow and mist.


I love Ireland and all it's places. I have been all around the country many times and to the islands. Each time I have traveled there are more parts that enchant me, even more beautiful home places, rainbows, mountains, the sea and the people. Be sure to spend time up in Westport, Kilkenny, Killarney, Cork and the Ring of Kerry.


CANADA
Oh Canada, my home and native land...
I love Canada. Not just because I grew up in Michigan which often feels a kinship with the border nation. We accept their change without looking twice. We used to not even have to show ID to cross the border. I think the most extraordinary thing about Canada is how different all the places are. I had the good fortune of taking a Canadian Studies class and it was fascinating. Many people do not realize how interesting and unique this country is. I have been to Montreal and Quebec many times. True joy. I'd recommend a trip to Vancouver and Victoria Island--gorgeous especially in August and September. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are extremely interesting and the mountains of Banff are perfect for more than just winter sports.


Other recommended places...
Salzburg, Austria--I am a huge "Sound of Music" fan (both play and movie). My brother and I danced around the gazebo in the snow. Also enjoyed New Year's Eve and Sylvesterabend, the eve of St. Sylvester.  There are food stands all over the street where people can spend the day and evening eating and drinking a glog like punch.


Caernarfon Castle in Gwynedd, Wales is a beautiful place. Lots of castles and places to visit in Wales. I think a lot of people hit the bigger cities and miss some of the smaller or out of the way places. I was fortunate to be able to drive all around the country with my good friend Aki.


County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Best known for the gorgeous Giant's Causeway. Also worth seeing is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge linking the mainland to the island of Carickarede. Breathtaking, and a little scary too.


We went to Belize in one of the stops. I am sure there was so much more to see so I  would recommend another trip back. The people were wonderful and the water so blue.


Barcelona. There was something so great about the blending of historical and contemporary in this beautiful city. The food is outstanding and the Picasso Museum is a not to be missed site!


Venice. My favorite city in Italy. I could have spent so much time but was unable. The Hill Towns are also gorgeous and worth visiting each and every one, especially Assisi.


Portugal. I really loved the people of Portugal, especially Lisbon. A beautiful city to walk and the craftsmanship in the pottery is wonderful.


There are never any shortage of places I want to go...
Japan
Australia
New Zealand
Puerto Rico
Paris (been to southern France but not Paris!)
Seychelles
Argentina
Iceland
Copenhagen
Sweden


Maybe one day...


Finally, a recommend for my aunt's cousin, Duncan. http://www.duncanjdsmith.com. He is a travel writer and photographer, explorer and storyteller. Having grown up in England, he now spends most of his time in Vienna. Take a look at his website and you might want to track down some of his books. They are wonderful.