tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21632089473016363732024-03-18T06:15:04.810-04:00Learn, Live, and Explore!Travel the world, wander locally, learn new things, seek life experiences, and bake in betweenJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.comBlogger521125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-803586583945362522018-04-27T00:34:00.000-04:002018-04-27T00:34:25.883-04:00The End of Cherry Blossom Season in Washington D.C.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's almost the end of April, and the famous Tidal Basin cherry trees have lost their blooms, so I feel safe declaring this weekend as the end of the Cherry Blossom season. I have mixed feelings on the cherry blossom tourism craze as a resident of the D.C. metro region. The flowers are gorgeous, but after so many years of dealing with the traffic jams they create, this season in particular I just couldn't really get into them. I did one sunrise visit, with overcast skies, but only brought my iPhone for photos. Other than that, I somewhat celebrated the annual festival by trying two new themed offerings. The first is a pop up bar and the second a cherry-based afternoon high tea. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Good news, there is still time to visit the Cherry Blossom Pub before it closes after this weekend. <a href="https://popupbardc.com/">Pop Up Bar DC</a> by The Drink Company is known for super elaborate themed drinking experiences that change quarterly at the same venue. I've been once before last year for a Game of Thrones themed bar around the time of the season premiere of the show. Like that GoT bar, the Cherry Blossom Pub was divided into four rooms with different decor. The four themes were cityscape Japan with exposed lighting wires and hanging lanterns, sushi bar with origami swans, a small garden scape with butterflies clustered on large sphere paper lanterns, and the beautiful cherry blossom bar with the ceiling covered in pink blooms (fake of course).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At the Game of Thrones bar, they had a "photo booth" room with the iron throne. With the Japan themed, the Cherry Blossom Pub's photo op was perfectly paired with a mechanical Godzilla that breathed smoke periodically. The drink menu was also cleverly curated. I opted for the bean paste take on a piña colada, the beaña colada, that was served in a cute ceramic cat mug.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't worry if you can't make it into Washington D.C. to catch the tail end of the pub. Since they have already announced the next theme will be The Royals, I suspect that we will know soon the opening date and that it will likely be around the upcoming wedding of Harry and Meaghan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The second cherry blossom offering I tried was <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/washington/dining/modern-afternoon-tea/">high tea at the Fairmont</a> in D.C.'s west end near Georgetown. This hotel does regular high tea seatings, however this one in particular was cherry based - desserts and tea. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The tea sandwiches served were all delicious:</span></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Curried chicken, mango, toasted almonds, and cherry marmalade on a brioche</span></li>
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<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Smoked salmon, horseradish creme fraîche, and salmon pearls on dark rye</span></li>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">We actually opted out of the salmon sandwich and were served a sliced turkey on brioche.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">The tea options had your standard tea selection with an additional black cherry almond tea specifically for this service. The hint of tart cherry was fantastic!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">For the desserts, there were four items, each with a cherry ingredient:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">While this particular menu is no longer available due to the end of the cherry blossom season, I </span></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; text-align: left;">highly recommend the venue for high tea on any week - theme or no theme. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Happy end of cherry blossoms! (some morning iPhone shots below)</span></span></div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-70578703966805190492018-03-05T00:59:00.000-05:002018-03-05T00:59:18.504-05:00Citi Sound Vault: A Night with Mumford & Sons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM7N7K2OzxU5fakdSJsG2OFy03FSqthMHv6VCVMNQDcOnwqV3zkpQD7hTp5mMDG_T-yXXjW0q7NQIJVoyQUcKY0Zc6sL1v2HwLz0qMHmBHCWkPy4Eq7t2wYAc7F_are6jsj5rbfFGhZ3c/s1600/Mumford+-+CitiSoundvault+Sept+2017-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM7N7K2OzxU5fakdSJsG2OFy03FSqthMHv6VCVMNQDcOnwqV3zkpQD7hTp5mMDG_T-yXXjW0q7NQIJVoyQUcKY0Zc6sL1v2HwLz0qMHmBHCWkPy4Eq7t2wYAc7F_are6jsj5rbfFGhZ3c/s400/Mumford+-+CitiSoundvault+Sept+2017-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the many reasons I love the band, Mumford & Sons, is their unwavering commitment to supporting charitable acts, using their fame to solicit for money and peoples' time commitments. Marcus Mumford, specifically, has been named a Global Ambassador for War Child, a charity assisting children impacted by war in their home countries. Just recently, Marcus also created a fundraiser soccer event, called Game for Grenfell, to raise the direly needed funds to support victims of the fire that destroyed London's Grenfell Tower building and took many lives, an event that Marcus witnessed personally as he lives close enough to see the fire from his home. He also performed one song, solo, to open the benefit concert for the victims of the tragic and senseless bombing in Manchester after an Arianna Grande show. What a huge heart, right? As part of the Global Citizen movement and with the support of Citibank and their Sound Vault concert series, it came as no surprise the band threw together a one night only show in NYC last September to benefit Children in Conflict, the U.S. sister non-profit to U.K.'s War Child. A one night special Mumford concert you say? To benefit something good you say? Of course I'll rearrange my travel plans to get there!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeQETyEPaqXWoq0cW7eyAC61r6Lmk8pyK9X7sBx0UvbR2kr7A-J7AZNmm54nSWNQTb2KXqFoo5qvKrfMlaIjO6Ru6PMcE2vWTv3dfiYE9uP2hWog83ZSpNNmOy07wRFMBDJBGUXn_5nxP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-04+at+11.53.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="798" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeQETyEPaqXWoq0cW7eyAC61r6Lmk8pyK9X7sBx0UvbR2kr7A-J7AZNmm54nSWNQTb2KXqFoo5qvKrfMlaIjO6Ru6PMcE2vWTv3dfiYE9uP2hWog83ZSpNNmOy07wRFMBDJBGUXn_5nxP/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-03-04+at+11.53.31+PM.png" width="316" /></a></div>
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While the concert was a standard Mumford concert, no new songs yet still amazing, it was the venue really stole the show that night. Located in Washington Heights, United Palace is an old, grand movie theater, 1 of 5 Loew's NYC "Wonder Theatres" built in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The design details in the lobby and theater are pure golden insanity, almost too much to take in. So basically my friend and I, for 2+ hours that night, were both visually in awe of the event space itself and enthralled by our favorite four lads from London. Magic!</div>
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Here's photographic Instagram evidence of my friend and I having a blast....can you see us, at the end of the green arrow??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJzDehiqylUlZhha-BGNuOs41rfwCICRWd2RhfMP2hKmNlovANrRSouuTeSojW4sEIWBNzgvW8nvRsti9Rno4tqEmjZhBlLJf9xVimxZdfy4tesKxclb4OoP6o86OLT9goErKj-XB9Pk5/s1600/IMG_E6315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJzDehiqylUlZhha-BGNuOs41rfwCICRWd2RhfMP2hKmNlovANrRSouuTeSojW4sEIWBNzgvW8nvRsti9Rno4tqEmjZhBlLJf9xVimxZdfy4tesKxclb4OoP6o86OLT9goErKj-XB9Pk5/s400/IMG_E6315.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
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It's not a surprise that Mumford & Sons, who are often found hanging around NYC when not at their homes in England or on the road, invited some other famous friends to the stage. In the video below, the boys sang their cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer" with their friend, Gil Landry, from Old Crow Medicine Show.</div>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n-Zuc2wpNfs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n-Zuc2wpNfs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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They also sang two songs I've not seen live before: "When I Get My Hands On You," Marcus' song contribution to his independent Bob Dylan lyric project: The New Basement Tapes, and "Where Are You Now." Ok, technically I've seen the former song before when Marcus performed it with Chris Thile at a live taping of the "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show, but I haven't seen Marcus perform it with his band.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qa_nbobkt9Q/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qa_nbobkt9Q?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8xrI6BzoMPQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8xrI6BzoMPQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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No Mumford & Sons concert is complete without their a capella "B-Stage" songs. This night, we were treated to "Sister" and "Cold Arms."<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4oM30Shjh6Y/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4oM30Shjh6Y?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KCcF02o-0Ko/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KCcF02o-0Ko?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Here's the complete set list:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3r23zxN39DB1bLQomilGhyxm2zbds0NBeq42k80R8hHJqv4rBECOnzeV8rGwBG9oKQh_aAzXKqjc_OviFha12g4lK9HdOyXs__M-2TSriy2A7jbkutNSxNANhsszWkY3o_tLVApNeVTE/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3r23zxN39DB1bLQomilGhyxm2zbds0NBeq42k80R8hHJqv4rBECOnzeV8rGwBG9oKQh_aAzXKqjc_OviFha12g4lK9HdOyXs__M-2TSriy2A7jbkutNSxNANhsszWkY3o_tLVApNeVTE/s320/IMG_6253.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Finally, a Mumford & Sons concert post from me is not complete without some photos! They are such a photogenic band, after all! Until next concert....hopefully with a new album to promote!<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-80848157052916410522018-03-04T22:54:00.000-05:002018-03-04T22:54:44.570-05:00Quick Post-Winter Olympics Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey guys! I'm back after a long hiatus, and boy do I have a lot to catch up on. To get the inertia swinging in the right direction, I thought I would do a quick post full of mostly photos because I'm going through serious Winter Olympic withdrawl right now. Of the two seasons of Olympic games, winter is my favorite. To be more specific, anything with skiing on a slope is my favorite: slopestyle, halfpipe, aerials, moguls, big air, downhill, super g, slalom, combined, ski jump, etc. I had the pleasure to catch some of the qualifying action for the men's freeski halfpipe this winter season before the team left for South Korea. I'm telling you, if you haven't seen a halfpipe event live, you don't know what you are missing! Everything about the experience is impressive, but there's nothing like when you're standing on the side of the pipe and your location is perfectly timed for a skier's big trick out of the pipe, where the he is getting huge amplitude and twisting right in front of you. <br />
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Of course, I took my camera with me to the pipe the day I went and got some really fun action shots of the guys. All four of the US freeski halfpipe team members were part of the competition: David Wise, Torin Yater-Wallace, Alex Ferreira, and Aaron Blunk. My favorite photos from the day are below. <br />
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And now that this blogging ball is blog rolling again, I've got a few catch up posts I need to write from 2017 adventures (and some photo edits), then I will hopefully be positioned to get 2018 going strong, albeit a couple of months tardy. Get ready for some lava, some kiwis, some desert, some more Legos, and a little bit (or a lot) of Potter coming soon!<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-11601539155605348992017-08-16T17:34:00.002-04:002017-08-16T17:34:40.918-04:00Hamilton....in Legos!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>"The world turned upside down!"</b></div>
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Today is opening of the Hamilton Los Angeles run, and while I didn't get tickets through the Prizeo sweepstakes to hang out with Lin Manuel Miranda, I finally put the finishing touches on my Lego mock up of the Hamilton stage set. The timing is also great because I'm going this week to see the show for my 6th time! <br />
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For the Lego set, it was challenging to find all of the outfits and still stay within official lego parts. There is a Revolutionary Soldier minifigure that was perfect for the ensemble uniforms in Act 1, so right off the bat I knew which song I was going to portray - "Yorktown." I was able to get different Lego "officer" torsos for Lafayette and Washington, but I was still unhappy putting Hamilton, Mulligan, Laurens, and Burr in the red lapel Revolutionary Soldier torso. I ended up working with a company in England to modify one of their printed after market torsos to allow for the correct cream lapel on their costumes, and those are the ones you see in the photos. Here are some close up of the sons of liberty:<br />
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<b>Hamilton (Lin Manuel Miranda)</b></div>
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<b>George Washington (Christopher Jackson)</b></div>
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<b>Hercules Mulligan (Oak!)</b></div>
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<b>John Laurens (Anthony Ramos)</b></div>
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<b>Lafayette (Daveed Diggs)</b></div>
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Of course, I couldn't leave King George III and the Schuyler sisters out of the scene, even though technically they are not in it - Work!</div>
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Though I couldn't feasibly add all the set details, I tried to hit the major ones, like the dueling pistols.</div>
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I'm actually really excited about the writing desk, complete with a quill and ink, letters, and the sandbags that are under the table in the set. "Why do you write like you're running out of time!"<br />
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I couldn't add the turntable feature because it is way outside my Lego engineering skills, but I embraced the perpendicular wood plank look of the stage floor.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">[Hamilton:]</i><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">After a week of fighting, a young man in a red coat stands on a parapet</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><i style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">[Lafayette:]</i><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">We lower our guns as he frantically waves a white handkerchief</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">[Eliza:]</i><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">Thank you for all your service</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><i style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;"><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">[Hamilton:]</i><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">[Angelica (all men) {all women}:]</i><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">A toast to the groom!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">(To the groom!)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">(To the groom!)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">{(To the groom!)}</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">To the bride!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">{To the bride!}</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">(To the bride!)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">{To the bride!}</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">From your sister</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">(Angelica!)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">(Angelica!)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">{(Angelica!)}</span></span><br />
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And for your reference, here's the Tony Awards performance of "Yorktown" by the cast of Hamilton. Enjoy!</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/639vfDnhOVw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/639vfDnhOVw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-91741710254231576992017-05-26T15:01:00.003-04:002017-05-26T15:02:18.333-04:00A Stormy Night with Mumford & Sons in Camden, NJ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was a long day, waking up at 4am to drive to Camden, New Jersey just outside of Philadelphia to meet up with my "mumfriends" as we once again tried our luck at getting on the concert rail at the Mumford & Sons show on May 25th. The concert itself was paused for 45 minutes as a dangerous thunderstorm threatened all of the fans in the lawn section with lighting, hail, wind, and heavy rain. Gentlemen that they are, the band gladly absorbed the performance fine for playing past the 11pm curfew to make sure we all got a complete show. And what a show it was! We even got an attempt at Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia" during the B-stage portion. The concert ended at 11:45pm, and with the help of the Hamilton soundtrack played quite loudly, I got home finally at 2:45am - completely exhausted. Today my friends and I are nursing some seriously sore muscles from standing so long in the pit, despite wearing what I considered "sensible shoes." Oh, but it was all worth it! One of the best sets I've heard from them in a while. They even played "Babel"! And Marcus and Ben, from what I could see, were completely energized by the very responsive crowd. Who needs a gym when you can be a lead singer in a band?!<br />
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Since I'm compelled to see everything I do from a photographic opportunity, I took advantage of this very photogenic (and handsome) group of lads to play around with my point and shoot camera, as cameras with detachable lenses are never allowed at concerts without a press pass. I hope you enjoy the photos! There are a disproportionate amount of Marcus because of his proximity to me. And, to be honest, he's got the most interesting stage presence in the group. There are also a few photos of Marcus and Ben playing with the opening act, Kevin Garrett. <br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-61934723539246735232017-02-12T22:41:00.003-05:002017-02-12T22:41:52.614-05:00I Love You S'more Valentine Cookies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey everyone! I just wanted to share with you some of the fun I got up to this weekend. I've seen a lot of s'more decorated cookies on social media, and while they were all cute, I thought it would add a little extra if I deconstructed the s'more and had the parts be stackable. So, with graham crackers, a chocolate bar, and silly happy marshmallows, I present to you my reinterpreted s'more. <br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-11831233573051751212017-01-21T21:47:00.002-05:002017-01-21T21:47:59.625-05:00Women's March on Washington<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As Lin-Manuel Miranda phrased it in Hamilton: THIS IS NOT THE MOMENT, IT'S THE MOVEMENT! <br />
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I have never attended a rally or a protest march before in my life, but the current status of America, with the election and Friday's inauguration to solidify its results, compelled me to act. I was humbled to be a part of the hundreds of thousands that came to Washington D.C. today to stand up for basic human rights and decency and against the hateful rhetoric endorsed by Trump and his team.<br />
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The start of our day was delayed, leaving home at 11am, but the crowds on public transportation had not diminished despite the rally having started an hour earlier. As we exited at the Navy Archives metro stop, people were everywhere strategizing about how to get over to the march starting site on Independence Avenue. Some were content to just hang out in the plaza or on the National Mall to have mini rallies or just absorb the energy.<br />
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As I made my way south, the crowds were getting more dense. The rally position was supposed to be Independence Avenue starting at 3rd and continuing through 14th. I thought I should play it safe and try to enter at 12th. Well, with just a half hour to go before the posted march start time, 12th street was looking less and less like it was going to happen. I spent about 30 minutes crammed into a packed group expressing optimism that once the crowd on Independence Avenue started to move, we would be able to merge in. <br />
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Needing a break from the smoosh, I decided to slowly make my way back through the side crowd with the intention of meeting up with the march on 14th Street across from the Washington Monument. While there was a lot more room there to breathe, it was still amazingly packed! The log jam was created because there was not one flow of marchers, but several all meeting and merging near the Smithsonian National Museum of African History and Culture. It was fantastic to see. I think it was fortuitous that I made the decision to head further down the march route because I later learned that march officials said they had too many people to actually get moving and marching as planned. Not a bad outcome, I think, but it also meant that people on Independence Avenue were stuck there for longer than they expected as they tried to find other ways to exit and find their path to the White House.<br />
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Taking a detour around the museum to get to Constitution Avenue, I started on the "home" stretch - the home being the White House. The crowd was really well behaved, and I think the Secret Service appreciated it. Some marchers decided to hang out along the fence near the South Lawn, but I wanted to see what else was going on. I quickly learned the amazing movement didn't end there! <br />
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As I walked away from the White House towards Freedom Plaza, a huge group over a mile long was marching up Pennsylvania Avenue and a smaller group started to make their way up 14th Street. The bleachers that were empty the previous day for the inaugural parade were filled up with march supporters. The best spot on the route was in front of the Trump Hotel where marchers did a quick Game of Thrones "Shame" chant every couple of minutes. Overall, the energy was amazing, people were smiling and polite, and the message to me was clear: You are not alone! There are millions - here in the US and around the world - who are sharing in your anxiety and concern for the health and security of the country you love so dearly, as well as the potential walking back of progressive legislation on human rights. There are millions who agree that this is not normal and that we need to be more vigilant than ever to adhere to truth, support others being victimized if we can, and push for accountability and subsequent consequences. Yea women! Big thanks for the men who also came to support their favorite women. And outstanding job by the D.C. Police Department who were really tested the day before by hooligan anarchists causing property damage around our city. I think the police were relieved by the positivity and the self-control exhibited by all the outstanding people who went to great lengths to come to D.C. to be that tiny "ant" in the aerial view street photo that, when multiplied, became a sea of "ants" in pink hats. <br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-43961556212209435242016-12-29T18:22:00.000-05:002017-01-04T23:31:12.867-05:00Finally - 2016 is over!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Before we start, I have to prepare you that this post is going to be heavy at the beginning, but I am going to to my best to climb up to the lighter fare by the end. Spoiler alert, it involves the Thriller dance!<br />
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If you are a regular reader of this blog, I'm not sure if you noticed that I haven't been posting at the rate I produced in past years. In fact, it was maybe a quarter of previous years, so yeah I definitely feel like I'm in an inspiration funk. And I think that this year, while it has had some great moments, a consensus might agree that the good times got overshadowed in the last few months here in the U.S.. When I saw this cartoon in The New Yorker on December 8th and thought it was both funny and distressingly accurate for me at this moment:<br />
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This has been quite a year, especially with my proximity to the Nation's capitol. It's hard to hide from the black cloud of what is mistaken for democracy and politics today.</div>
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OK, warning, I'm now going to step up onto my dais for a moment. Skip this and the following 2 paragraphs if you're not into politics, the one after gets back to business. Alright, you're still here? Can we all agree that the Presidential election took a huge toll on 2016? I'm not going to lie to you, I am seriously dismayed by all that occurred and all that continues to occur. I know this isn't the forum for political discussion, but I am legitimately affected by the uncertainty that has been created by the election outcome and the behavior being displayed during this transition period, by my elected leaders and by casual citizens. I am adapting to a position where, unlike every other election in which I voted, the person taking office (regardless of party affiliation) is someone that I don't respect as a person, is a blatant serial liar with no remorse, has not demonstrated a fitness or a willingness to become fit for the job of President, and has questionable motivations. The elected President has promoted himself as a superior businessman when facts do not support that statement, has consistently shown his inability to read a news report and make an educated assessment as demonstrated by his moronic comments on Twitter of all places, surrounds himself with alarming advisors, stubbornly refuses to condemn the bad behavior of his hate-based extremist supporters, and in general does not seem to be taking the new position seriously.<br />
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Before Nov. 8th, as an independent person not registered with either the Democratic or Republican party I had voted in 5 elections for the person I felt best fit the role at that time, but I can say I've been aware of the President and the importance of the position as early as the 1988 election (who could forget those bushy Dukakis eyebrows!). Of those 5 elections in which I previously cast my vote, my preferred candidate did not always win. But despite not being on the side of the winning candidate, I still respected all of my President elects' fitness for the job, appreciated their consistency for acting maturely and thoughtfully with others and during public speeches, and had the confidence that they had the intelligence to comprehend and respect the severity and consequences of classified information, sensitive foreign policies, and expected norms of behavior when it comes to being gracious in other cultures. The elected President hasn't even been sworn into office and my confidence in my country's future is dashed and my pride for my country bruised. Instead of surrounding himself with the best and the brightest to accommodate for his political (and general) shortcomings, he is identifying people with questionable histories and motives for the top positions who are unqualified. Meanwhile the rumors around D.C. suggest support staff who traditionally would jump at the chance to serve their president are apprehensive of the day they actually get the phone call to come interview. So basically, the best and the brightest are refusing to work for the administration. No Toby, no Josh, no Sam, and no CJ. (Yes, I've been binge watching The West Wing this month.) <br />
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Perhaps this is why I'm feeling a bit melancholy because I spend so much energy trying to keep up with it all and educate myself on the policies and history behind the issues, being often crudely discussed over Twitter by the President elect, due to the shift in my perceived security. I can no longer profess confidence that my Executive Branch of government is capable of having "my back" in a crisis because the assembled team is so lacking and even if it wasn't, the final call comes down to someone who, thinking he's already in charge, is playing a game of "I'm not touching you" with China for the fun of it inappropriately over social media. Stepping off of dais now because it's starting to feel a very superficial in comparison to the atrocities happening just this month in Syria, the loss of life in some of my favorite European cities because of selfish terrorists, and the tragic losses of life here at home from gun violence and other unprovoked attacks. Yeah, while not the worst year ever when put into centuries of perspective, it sucked!<br />
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Now that I'm back on the ground from my soap box, those who skipped the previous paragraphs were probably wise. It was depressing! To counter, 2016 was definitely not all doom and gloom, and it had some intensely bright highlights for me. While adding to my tally of lifetime Mumford & Sons concerts attended (+4 and a solo Marcus performance!), my friends and I were shocked and amazed to see a photo posted after one of the concerts showing us cheering in the front row. Ty Johnson is a fantastic photographer that often shoots the shows for the band, and it was at a concert in Queens, NY where he got the perfect audience perspective and captured pure joy on all of our faces. I can't thank him enough for taking this shot and for sharing it with me.<br />
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Ty wasn't the only one getting some fun shots at the concerts. I got some from my view as well!<br />
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I also got to further explore one of my other obsessions, Hamilton: an American Musical, by not only seeing it two more times on Broadway but sharing the "first timer" experience with my cousin and one of my best friends. On top of the show itself, and I may have to say an even better experience than seeing the show again, was going to see Lin Manuel Miranda perform with his friends and improv group: Freestyle Love Supreme. I had only seen one other member of the group perform before, the beatboxer Shockwave, and I was just blown away with Utkarsh (UTK) and Anthony (Two Touch) as well as Arthur Lewis and James Igleheart. Chris Jackson, another founding member of the group, couldn't make it to the show because he was still performing as George Washington in Hamilton.<br />
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Rounding out the entertainment recap, what an enormously fun opportunity to see another of my favorite bands back performing in a small club where they toured in the early 1990s. Yea Green Day!<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Last year, I didn't really have a normal set of resolutions, rather a five item to-do list that I thought would generate big personal returns.</span></div>
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1. Travel to new places - check<br />
2. Cancel my cable TV account - sort of check<br />
3. Create a website for my photography - check<br />
4. Bake more - I'm in a baking funk<br />
5. Get healthy - sort of check<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Travel:</b></span><br />
Hopefully you've seen my posts about these places already, but I'll give the quick and dirty review. This year I finally got to see, first hand, the beautiful Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada for the first time after lusting after photos for years on Instagram. I went there expecting to be wowed by all of the turquoise lakes like Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, and Lake Louise.<br />
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But, the photo I love the most from that week was from atop the Canadian Rockies, with Mt. Assiniboine peeking out from behind two peaks. If you read my post from the other day with my favorite photos from the year, you may have already known this.<br />
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The year started off weird because I went back to the Sundance Film Festival and the vibe was really off compared to previous years. The ticketing process was new and broken, so we weren't able to get passes or film screening tickets. The actors wandering about were scarce. The non-actor people visiting were there even less for the films and more for the Hollywood spectacle. At least the snow conditions were good, and as a bonus my friend and I missed out on having to dig out of 20+ inches of snow back home! The winter also provided a couple of other opportunities to get my skis onto some fresh snow, so I was really happy about that - especially considering that it was my first season back on the slopes after having ACL replacement surgery last Spring. New knee worked just fine!<br />
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Let's see...Canada, NYC, Colorado, Hawaii, Nashville...yeah pretty awesome year for traveling. And the year rounded out with another new stamp on my Passport from New Zealand.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cancel Cable:</b></span><br />
I said this was a sort of checked box because my bill was cut in half. Alas, I still needed internet, so there was a great package for super fast internet with standard definition basic TV that I chose. I do find myself watching less live TV because I no longer have a DVR, so I have to watch all the commercials AND be home at the time the show. Starting new shows basically presents more hassles and timing issues, which has resulted in less shows to watch. Except for "This is Us" on NBC. That show is outstanding! Watch it if you haven't already!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Photography Website:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.juliepowersphotography.com/">Here it is</a>! Please check it out. I put new photos on there as much as I can. I will post the New Zealand ones sometime in January.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAngz6rC4S3R7lsyyLbdLFLnqj1YxNWHrjXfO8CKVcO9VdmjHOHKYw0HZxEs9XWMHv0-n7FJja2VLG5Kn7Mq3DCSuBPGP-EJy2T_9uL9Lgjb1DmyUfuKHnanw4gswLt_Z_1h6zxdgiS6eP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-18+at+12.36.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAngz6rC4S3R7lsyyLbdLFLnqj1YxNWHrjXfO8CKVcO9VdmjHOHKYw0HZxEs9XWMHv0-n7FJja2VLG5Kn7Mq3DCSuBPGP-EJy2T_9uL9Lgjb1DmyUfuKHnanw4gswLt_Z_1h6zxdgiS6eP/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-12-18+at+12.36.25+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bake More: </span></b><br />
No comment...no really, I can't explain this one.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Get Healthy:</span></b><br />
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As is always the case, some progress made, but no goals met.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Starting Fresh in 2017</span></h3>
How cute is this <a href="https://www.popflexactive.com/collections/all-1/products/2017-blogilates-fit-planner">planner</a>??!!<br />
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It's got a monthly set of daily fitness and food trackers, places to set short- and long-term goals, and spots for inspiration and assessments. It's also very aesthetically pleasing.<br />
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Here are a few other things I want to add to my to-do list for 2017:<br />
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I want to learn the Thriller dance<br />
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I want to take a storytelling class<br />
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I want to learn something new....maybe tap dancing?<br />
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I want to incorporate yoga more into my routine, or stretching at the very least. <br />
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And I want to get my belay certification at the local rock gym so I can climb again.<br />
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Then, of course, the standard annual goals for travel (I want to get more stamps on my passport and visit more national parks) and fitness still apply. Currently, I'm getting into the workouts at Orange Theory Fitness, so that will probably dominate the first half of the year. I've got a few other goals for 2017 that I can't share now, but I hope they will have some huge impacts!<br />
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Thanks as always for joining me on my journey. Maybe some of my adventures and other posts have inspired you in 2016 or may make their way into your ideas for 2017. Feel free to ask me questions and travel advice if you need some. And now it's time to head to Disneyland to finish off 2016 at the "Happiest Place on Earth" and start 2017 with a little magic courtesy of Harry Potter and a mug of butterbeer. <br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-73139683814261471662016-12-27T18:04:00.000-05:002016-12-27T18:04:27.467-05:00Top Photos from 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While I didn't bake as much in 2016 as I have in previous years, I certainly did not slack on my photography. In fact, I'm excited to take things to the next level in 2017. My Christmas present arrived this month - a new and much better camera! I also finally finished creating a separate <a href="http://www.juliepowersphotography.com/">website</a> for the photos I believe would look great framed on a wall, and they are all available for purchase. Trust me, there is a rigorous decision process I go through to determine if a photo is good enough to post on that site. On this blog, I'm not quite as picky on quality because I am primarily concerned about the photo telling the story of the event or the travel adventure. Speaking of stories, here are some of my favorite photos from this past year and quick blurbs.</div>
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I'm starting off with a fantastic memory. This photo was captured with a Panasonic Lumix point and shoot camera that I take with me to concerts to pass the no detachable lens restrictions on cameras. For a point and shoot, it's pretty solid in the low light, with it's 1" sensor, but of course being close to the stage helps a lot! The guy in the photo is Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons, and it was taken in Nashville last spring. About a year prior, I met some lovely women at a very small Mumford & Sons concert, and we became - affectionately - "mumfriends." This concert was the first one where we all traveled to a destination to see a show. My mumfriends are a little more die hard when it comes to location in the general admission pit, wanting to be on the rail all the time which, while it was a lot of time spent waiting in line, worked out phenomenally for me. I spent probably too much time taking photos during the concert when I should have been dancing, to be honest. I love this photo because it is capturing Marcus telling a funny story in retaliation for Winston, on his left on banjo/guitar, revealing an embarrassing tale about Marcus. It really encapsulates the fun bond of friendship the two of them share.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCwZXS_WgIRJ-xfCXU5NOJCgffZR-uxfpaa2GZKdJL-I318o1J-GtCQm6S87Z9skRMYBfK5i3UqbrXLl-xlQw4Fu6a34h4h258lzb-yQdquWrqKVXZeQqS6zADHJjq8eLe3Q9He-UrB26/s1600/Mumford+Nashville-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCwZXS_WgIRJ-xfCXU5NOJCgffZR-uxfpaa2GZKdJL-I318o1J-GtCQm6S87Z9skRMYBfK5i3UqbrXLl-xlQw4Fu6a34h4h258lzb-yQdquWrqKVXZeQqS6zADHJjq8eLe3Q9He-UrB26/s400/Mumford+Nashville-52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My cousin came to visit me this summer for a long weekend, and she's been wanting to learn how to handle her camera a little better. I took her to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens outside of Washington D.C. to shoot the July lotus blossoms in bloom for some practice. Added bonus: we got to collect stamps on our National Park Service passport book. There were a couple of resident dragonflies flying around the many lotus beds, so I was really tickled to capture one when it landed. I wished I had a longer zoom lens though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl6cfkGXuwBZwkdtSLkwvOYb3yilU8Q5OWF3Yp0tx6WSS6TebVCeM6ALWqrengUV3JF-H-9n-5cbDZF9joO8N1N626mthd5LrxYphgNzCxiZ0Hx-Q2dnzA-9OtPn39bLn4VTnXF69oilS/s1600/Lotus+2016-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl6cfkGXuwBZwkdtSLkwvOYb3yilU8Q5OWF3Yp0tx6WSS6TebVCeM6ALWqrengUV3JF-H-9n-5cbDZF9joO8N1N626mthd5LrxYphgNzCxiZ0Hx-Q2dnzA-9OtPn39bLn4VTnXF69oilS/s400/Lotus+2016-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Speaking of NPS passport stamps, a fun national park to visit is the gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument. The gypsum retains moisture under the large dunes, and in the case of this photo, the sand was quite dense with water so instead of the wind blowing loose sand around on top of the dunes, over time the heavier particles made this gorgeous wave pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-P0hJdR7UAHoDeAbMspIMpzYkOC_eZMe9EeCWBS09JwQvCdo2luV1HpHuLe7pU_Ucbi-CVwhqzW1SqrWKoVK7H_kY-kFEgwZMnP-e6zYbliukBFt043_4pAh0Brt5wBw0pWCXGzRgsCu/s1600/White+Sands-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-P0hJdR7UAHoDeAbMspIMpzYkOC_eZMe9EeCWBS09JwQvCdo2luV1HpHuLe7pU_Ucbi-CVwhqzW1SqrWKoVK7H_kY-kFEgwZMnP-e6zYbliukBFt043_4pAh0Brt5wBw0pWCXGzRgsCu/s400/White+Sands-1-3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I have been wanting to travel to Alberta for several years now, and this was the year I made it happen. This was shot at sunrise just off of the side of the road near Moraine Lake. I love the summer mountain wildflowers, the cloud patterns, and the little bit of sunlight that is peeking through the horizon clouds to shine a nice highlighted stripe along the mountain peaks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ88wADp5KNZ1s_C2yT0uqyKikhxslb0ErNWCuzO43rU4AVSUc0WZxBQ4W_SnLBUDRoOrb1w3cBzVC8NDZi_6g03Dg7Zbx0iec6sC1k-7zs6REb9TOmQjx2IPu1gO3I-cYFJiQdKkQY2_7/s1600/Banff-1-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ88wADp5KNZ1s_C2yT0uqyKikhxslb0ErNWCuzO43rU4AVSUc0WZxBQ4W_SnLBUDRoOrb1w3cBzVC8NDZi_6g03Dg7Zbx0iec6sC1k-7zs6REb9TOmQjx2IPu1gO3I-cYFJiQdKkQY2_7/s400/Banff-1-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This shot of The Remarkables mountain range that borders Queenstown, New Zealand is a perfect example of both luck and being aware of your surroundings. I was actually walking along the lake shoreline with my back to the mountains, and I stopped to turn around to see if I liked the composition. In the few minutes I had been walking away from the town, this fantastic rainbow had formed. It actually stayed for a good amount of time, which allowed the sun to set lower and provide a great glow on the mountains.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDPLC7VhWrFNkFhGwjytx8X5WgCe_a6vI5LgidvKKHMLk0dLePpE4sAYCq_U93VQUCawMZblX_d9WRSTWyRAEM6dlmeOBqUmbfUau_6qhhabSRQIOtHdEW9HqYozyuBFj1bJJVht1N1W0/s1600/NZ+Queenstown+-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDPLC7VhWrFNkFhGwjytx8X5WgCe_a6vI5LgidvKKHMLk0dLePpE4sAYCq_U93VQUCawMZblX_d9WRSTWyRAEM6dlmeOBqUmbfUau_6qhhabSRQIOtHdEW9HqYozyuBFj1bJJVht1N1W0/s640/NZ+Queenstown+-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Shooting the gypsum dunes at White Sands National Monument provided endless opportunities because the sand was shifting constantly with the winds. While the wind was helpful in clearing footprints, it made for some challenging photo conditions. Fortunately, the last day I was there, the wind calmed down and the sun put on quite a show that evening.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-_Gf3nrK_OxG7G9ZqXXFANL9WvIq9zcorx4ld0FklnRku-V0IqI8r2OclEKgqnFxHvDpHzFCyLplbBCK8G9SHALGY-RUVFmntldAULLSpRYBuujdw54R1wUcoUT4jZ5NS0yZz99OY6NY/s1600/White+Sands-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-_Gf3nrK_OxG7G9ZqXXFANL9WvIq9zcorx4ld0FklnRku-V0IqI8r2OclEKgqnFxHvDpHzFCyLplbBCK8G9SHALGY-RUVFmntldAULLSpRYBuujdw54R1wUcoUT4jZ5NS0yZz99OY6NY/s400/White+Sands-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Timing can be everything in photography, and while we can't control everything, shooting in the morning and evening light will provide a better chance of getting great light and interesting colors. When we drove down the road to a lake outside of Queenstown, NZ all we were expecting were some good pinks in the sky and maybe some morning mist lifting off the lake. Little did we know we would be surprised by a hot air balloon launch as well!<br />
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And finally, the majority of photos that you see of Banff National Park on social media tend to be of the turquoise mountain lakes, like Louise, Moraine, Peyto, etc. While that was what lured me up there, I can say without a doubt that my favorite experience and equally favorite shot was atop the Canadian Rockies shooting across a large green meadow with B.C.'s famous Mt. Assiniboine making herself known amongst the peaks. This photo also demonstrates how expectations can still be exceeded when visiting a highly anticipated photography destination.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvNxYxsN01F9tOjcZuQRVgpyX17dSaLebSfubrGASOXxJW6st-sq4iNI_KiRVioAKkYxz0VoQVyY8lPcngQmq0cMQpVDNF20ZjGrHneiWjC6KySEbSZmCERHsFztLmS6S7NECUhBdXPCt/s1600/Banff-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvNxYxsN01F9tOjcZuQRVgpyX17dSaLebSfubrGASOXxJW6st-sq4iNI_KiRVioAKkYxz0VoQVyY8lPcngQmq0cMQpVDNF20ZjGrHneiWjC6KySEbSZmCERHsFztLmS6S7NECUhBdXPCt/s400/Banff-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-90742913134443161102016-12-22T22:40:00.001-05:002016-12-22T22:40:34.381-05:00Melting Rolo Reindeer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2tmHKKJsDR14IIxwKVcXLhmVGpoN2EYVJasYON_WkStw_ughrOQq7DptlflDyhuSmW2d5kF1zFR5wwu0yl4yQWGA1L_7yzL-Gz-uhZqWAY3wNImZXRuIjeSUPT_9pfmEWqYSlJNbFSuf/s1600/Melting+Reindeer-2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2tmHKKJsDR14IIxwKVcXLhmVGpoN2EYVJasYON_WkStw_ughrOQq7DptlflDyhuSmW2d5kF1zFR5wwu0yl4yQWGA1L_7yzL-Gz-uhZqWAY3wNImZXRuIjeSUPT_9pfmEWqYSlJNbFSuf/s400/Melting+Reindeer-2-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rounding out the holiday baking season, I was inspired to make these adorable melting reindeers by <a href="http://www.livinglocurto.com/2014/12/rudolph-chocolate-christmas-cookies/">Living Locurto</a>. One of my absolute favorite cookies is the soft peanut butter cookie topped fresh out of the oven with a Hershey's kiss, which slightly melts then is pressed into the cookie to secure it. These cookies are in the same spirit, but with Rolos instead and the dough is mini M&M. The <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-Mini-Candy-Eyeballs-710-7236/52668786?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227057883970&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=161597419132&wl4=aud-261800281900:pla-267913608182&wl5=9008192&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=52668786&wl13=&veh=sem">eyes</a> are available by Wilton, the antlers are upside down Wilton <a href="http://www.wilton.com/gingerbread-man-candy-sprinkles/710-9954.html">gingerbread man candy sprinkles</a>, and the nose is a red mini M&M.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyOYl60UMLuVyd5-zcqAEIBwQoj_LpRFqQqruR5GEv9NypFxKW8GTbV2cTWZmvLcJRKYherJlyWw0pgh_Almgl75t8WKgM9POHpBK56yr-z7Tm7tXkrR4hMmnsqJKEIWRN9kRuwkzn_fy/s1600/Melting+Reindeer-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyOYl60UMLuVyd5-zcqAEIBwQoj_LpRFqQqruR5GEv9NypFxKW8GTbV2cTWZmvLcJRKYherJlyWw0pgh_Almgl75t8WKgM9POHpBK56yr-z7Tm7tXkrR4hMmnsqJKEIWRN9kRuwkzn_fy/s400/Melting+Reindeer-1-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Melting Rolo Reindeer</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></div>
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<li>1 cup butter, softened</li>
<li>1/2 cup granulated sugar</li>
<li>3/4 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>1 small package instant vanilla pudding</li>
<li>2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>2 1/4 cups flour</li>
<li>1 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li>1/2 package holiday day colored miniature M&M candies</li>
<li>1 bag rolos</li>
<li>Gingerbread men and eyeball sprinkles (mentioned above)</li>
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F</div>
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2. With an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugars and pudding mix until smooth and fluffy</div>
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3. Add vanilla and egg, beat until combined and smooth</div>
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4. Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until well combined</div>
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5. Add mini M&Ms and stir by hand or on low speed</div>
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6. Roll dough into 1" balls and place on a lined cookie sheet</div>
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7. Bake for 8-10 minutes</div>
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8. Unwrap the rolos while cookies are baking and prepare all toppings</div>
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9. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately top with 1 rolo</div>
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10. Add two eyeballs and red mini M&M, and gently press into the top of the softening rolo</div>
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11. Add two gingerbread men sprinkles head first into the top of the reindeer face</div>
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12. Gently press the mini M&M downwards, away from the eyeballs, if you want to make a more shapely nose</div>
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13. Let cool completely so that the chocolate hardens back up before storing or stacking</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-13407579795104017922016-12-20T02:06:00.000-05:002016-12-20T02:06:09.888-05:00Christmas Cookies Cookies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4i_e-x-V_8xGNOHl45QT9YZfZ6oU5hpS8mwPHgO0FrjTuHuucZzVCr_XGtCVgxS9_RuOBtJLAgtMAna8V3pmSEqfj0_ZHbSjF1aGfJKSbsc30DqwLkuk37RLTBjmIZmH9m-ldqtgmrtJ/s1600/Cookie+Sheet+Cookies-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4i_e-x-V_8xGNOHl45QT9YZfZ6oU5hpS8mwPHgO0FrjTuHuucZzVCr_XGtCVgxS9_RuOBtJLAgtMAna8V3pmSEqfj0_ZHbSjF1aGfJKSbsc30DqwLkuk37RLTBjmIZmH9m-ldqtgmrtJ/s400/Cookie+Sheet+Cookies-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Is there such a thing as method cookie decorating? Even if there isn't, can we all agree things in miniature can be utterly amazing? I was inspired for the cookies on a cookie sheet cookie (note: 50% of the last 6 words were cookie - impressive?) from a post by <a href="http://www.munchkinmunchies.com/2011/12/cookie-sheet-cookies-christmas.html">Munchkin Munchies in 2011</a>. Rather than try to imitate her post exactly, both the sheets and the cookies, I thought it would be more fun to make miniature cookies that I would actually take to a Christmas cookie exchange in real life. Those cookies obviously included frosted sugar cookies, gingerbread men, mexican wedding cookies, decorated cookies (the wreaths), and peanut butter kisses. I believe I posted on some or all of these maybe 3 or 4 years ago, in fact. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiN7_75IRTc1u5lcUQFjDgr_BXvz_aa6jnAKCCBiOO5HNdsxracEPAuSyc1D5hnaRTaG9qlh4-T3XSj0X7zW2CKjRlN_7Gx0HY7C_drcTPGREKEHwgKAO9a5cDq-BvogwSU9PBr2A3cHT/s1600/Cookie+Sheet+Cookies-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiN7_75IRTc1u5lcUQFjDgr_BXvz_aa6jnAKCCBiOO5HNdsxracEPAuSyc1D5hnaRTaG9qlh4-T3XSj0X7zW2CKjRlN_7Gx0HY7C_drcTPGREKEHwgKAO9a5cDq-BvogwSU9PBr2A3cHT/s400/Cookie+Sheet+Cookies-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To make the cookies, I just used a simple cut out gingerbread recipe and a rectangular cutter. The royal icing is a standard recipe I got from my mom, but I always refer friends to <a href="http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/">Sweetsugarbelle</a> for her flawless recipes and tutorials. The piping tips I used for the mini cookies were a #2 round or a #1 round (for very fine work like bows).<br />
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Before piping any of the mini cookies, I lined a cookie sheet with parchment paper and taped it down. This is going to be your one spot to pipe all of the decorations separate from the iced cookies and allow to dry overnight or for several hours until they lift off the paper on their own. The base of the wreath is a <a href="http://www.wilton.com/bright-jumbo-confetti-sprinkles/710-1178.html#sz=30&start=89">Wilton confetti shaped sprinkle</a> that came in a cylinder with green, purple, orange, and blue discs. Using a thicker royal icing, a green ring was piped onto the disc. Simple. The bows were piped in stages - two loops allowed to dry a few minutes, then knot in the middle allowed to dry a few minutes, then streaming ribbons on bottom. Adding the drying time ensures that the shapes of each section don't bleed into each other and you end up with an abstract mess. When the bow is completely dry, you can pipe a dab of royal icing on the wreath and attach the bow. The whole cookie can then be attached to the cookie sheet.<br />
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Mexican wedding cookies are basically a butter cookie ball with pecan bits in it, rolled in powdered sugar. FYI, they are a huge mess to eat! The mini versions were made by piping thick dots in the corner of my tray, then drowning them in powdered sugar to dry overnight. I'm not sure if the powdered sugar would have stuck if I didn't do it when the icing was still wet. I used the corner of the tray to try to keep the powdered sugar from making its way onto the other drying parts.<br />
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The peanut butter kisses are one of my favorite cookies in regular sized form. These mini ones were created with a generous dot of royal icing, immediately topped forcefully by a Nestle Toll House miniature chocolate chip to get the smushed look. I used Americolor warm brown gel very sparingly to create the tan color. Start with a drop, then add more a drop at a time to get your desired color.<br />
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The frosted sugar cookie was more of the same tan royal icing for the base. I let it dry a little before piping on the white "frosting" and adding sprinkles.<br />
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I also had some cookie sheets of gingerbread men in a couple of the photos. It would be very easy to make gingerbread men the same way I made the other cookies using piped royal icing on parchment paper, but why reinvent the wheel when Wilton now has <a href="http://www.wilton.com/gingerbread-man-candy-sprinkles/710-9954.html">gingerbread men sprinkles</a>? Warning, the sprinkles do taste a little fruity, so they may not be the best pairing for the gingerbread base.<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-65167690939091153622016-12-19T22:05:00.001-05:002016-12-19T22:05:58.078-05:00Creating with Legos: Brickenridge Ski Resort - Version 2.0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This time last year I cleared off my dining room table and started to build what became my first attempt at a Lego ski resort: Brickenridge (Get it? Like Breckenridge, Colorado!). Come January, I tore it all down, except the ski lodge, and put it in a large plastic box in storage. Well, it's ski season again, so I decided to try to redesign the slopes a little bit and get my crazy cast of characters out into the powder once again. In this version 2.0, I tried to make some enhancements to the display as well by creating a nice border, a icy river that divides the ski resort from the holiday village, some rock bridges, a tubing hill, and better "rocky" details on the exterior of the mountain. </div>
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Sadly, I had to abandon the motorized ski lift this year. It didn't work that well last year, so after the first couple of attempts, I just made it a static display. I considered putting in a hand crank, but I think I need to make the design a little more sturdy in general. <br />
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Of course, I had to bring the park features back from last year's design. Again, I have one booter and jump for some slopestyle action, one flat rail, and two narrow rail features. The skier is balanced so perfectly on the rail right now, but I've learned that any slight knock of the table and he's falling off.<br />
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No mountain scene would be complete without the guy who wasn't quite so lucky on the slopes. I've been that guy before, though not quite as banged up. I also kept the silly Game of Thrones Jon Snow in the scene making some s'mores by the camp fire.<br />
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The waterfall being conquered by a pair of ice climbers was enhanced this year to include space for the frozen river at the bottom and some better details on the side. And as I mentioned already, this year there's a small tubing feature right by the lodge.<br />
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Across from Brickenridge, I've taken some official Lego holiday sets and expanded them into a holiday village. My favorite part is the photo with Santa area where the kids are waiting in line (a BB-8 from Star Wars is at the front of the line) and the chair is next to a huge Christmas tree with tons of presents beneath it.<br />
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The tree farm and the outdoor holiday food stalls are new this year. And the ice skating pond was expanded, the hockey sticks upgraded, and the cute penguin added. So what do you think?<br />
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Here's a video of the whole set up with my not so smooth camera handling skills and some Christmas music on in the background, with N'Sync taking us home singing an unmemorable holiday tune. Previous takes of the video had Justin Bieber and Britney Spears songs - a pretty epic streaming music channel, I must say!<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-82954800528936130292016-12-11T00:33:00.000-05:002016-12-12T00:33:36.434-05:00How to Improve a Long Drive Home - See Some National Parks!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A week ago, I was driving back to Washington D. C. after a fun weekend in NYC where I saw a live episode of the popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, hosted by its new host and a favorite of mine, Chris Thile from The Punch Brothers. Also that night, one of the guests was one of my top artists right now, Marcus Mumford from Mumford and Sons. Marcus came on and sang two of his songs from his Bob Dylan lyrics collaboration effort called the New Basement Tapes as well as two additional Bob Dylan songs and a cover of Radiohead's "I Will." <br />
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When I go up to NYC for the weekend, I primarily drive because, while it's at least 4 hours in normal traffic, it ends up being more convenient and sometimes less expensive than the train - especially when I have my dog with me. Last Sunday, on my way home, I had no urgency to get back, so I thought I would take the opportunity to get some more cancellation stamps in my National Park Service passport book. These books are a fun way to document your visits to national parks. This year, with the centennial celebration, there is often an additional stamp at each ranger station. My cousin and I are in a very loose and unofficial competition to see who can get the most quantity or the coolest stamps. She got a really neat one up in Acadia. I obtained some unusual ones this year too, but I'm winning on quantity with my unfair advantage of being on the East Coast with access to more parks than where she is in California. When I left NYC, I had identified a minimum of 3 NPS locations I wanted to visit for sure, and a few others if time permitted. The first stop was Thomas Edison's Laboratory in West Orange, N.J.<br />
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This multistory laboratory is where Thomas Edison and his team explored new concepts after Edison made the move to West Orange from Menlo Park in 1887. This laboratory is where Edison created the beginning of the modern movie projector, as well as innovations on the delivery of sound over phonographs and through the creation of recordings. Nearly half of his 1,093 patents were based on things invented or experimented with on this campus. At its peak, around 10,000 employees worked in the buildings and it was one of the first and the largest designated research and development facilities. In addition to the machine shops housed in the large building, there are other buildings for chemistry projects, metallurgy, and pattern cutting. In the research room is Edison's desk, left pretty much the way he last had it organized because it remained closed and locked for many years after his death.<br />
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Just a half mile away from the laboratory is the Glenmont Estate, Edison's home with his second wife, Mina. The house is located in a gated community, one of the first of the time. Edison was not its original owner. He came upon the house for cheap when a bookkeeper for a large department store was caught embezzling, the money from which he used to build this ornately decorated home. Rather than going to jail, the bookkeeper was given the option to forfeit the home back to the company, who later sold the property to Edison. Just before the purchase, Edison had asked his wife if she wanted to remain in the city or retire to the country. Since the couple were both from Ohio, the country was her selection. The house had all of the modern conveniences of the time - central heating, hot and cold running water, indoor toilets, and refrigeration. Edison, of course, made sure that it was also wired for electricity - with the DC electricity being fed from his laboratory generators down the hill on underground cables. In the separate garage on the property, the electricity was used to recharge batteries for his cars. Being close friends with Ford and Firestone had its perks, as Edison was always supplied with models of the latest cars, if desired.<br />
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Heading a little south in New Jersey, the next stop on my NPS tour was Morristown to visit the home George Washington occupied with his staff during the months of December 1779 through June 1780. This is also the location, highlighted in the Broadway hit Hamilton ("1780 a winter's ball and the Schyuler sisters are the envy of all..."), where Alexander Hamilton met his future wife, Elizabeth Schuyler who was staying with her uncle down the street. This home was owned by the Ford family. Mrs. Ford, a widow when her husband died in the war in 1777, and her children occupied four rooms in the mansion while the other rooms were "rented" for offices and accommodations for the General, Martha Washington, and his aides-de-camp like Hamilton. Washington's troops were encamped 5 miles away at Jockey Hollow (see the photo at the top of this post or reproduction camp shelters). <br />
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The dining room turned aides-de-camp work room.<br />
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Aides-de-camp accommodations.<br />
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Washington's accommodations.<br />
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Study turned Washington's office.</div>
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Finally, going a little backwards in time, I made my way down to Pennsylvania to Valley Forge National Park where Washington spent the winter and spring of 1777-1778. The highlight of the 3500 acres is the restored stone house where Washington set up his headquarters. Near this house is a set of reconstructed soldiers huts, one of several sets on the park land. The soldiers held a contest with monetary prizes to see how quickly they could build their temporary homes. I'm sure that the cold weather also provided adequate motivation to build them fast as well.<br />
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I have to admit that I didn't know much about the encampment before I came. In fact, I naively equated the location with the famous crossing of the Delaware, not realizing that not only are the locations 45 miles apart but the crossing occurred a year prior to the encampment. Another example of why you should never stop learning! Sadly, or fortunately, the Park Ranger said it is a very common question people ask her.<br />
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Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge.<br />
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Aides-de-camp accommodations.<br />
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Aides-de-camp accommodations.<br />
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Washington's accommodations.<br />
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Washington's office.<br />
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Aides-de-camp work room.<br />
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Temporary shelters for troops.</div>
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And, of course, I would be remiss if I didn't again mention how this historical site made it into Broadway's Hamilton. Can you tell I love that show?? In "Stay Alive," Hamilton sings "I have never seen the General so despondent. I have taken over writing all his correspondence." These lyrics were actually from the original song by Lin Manuel Miranda called "Valley Forge," but it was cut and the bars condensed into the song now in the show. "Valley Forge" was officially published in a remastered demo version on the Hamilton Mixtape album released earlier this month.<br />
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By the time I finished with Valley Forge, the sun was setting and the remaining parks on my list were closing, so I'm going to have to save those parks for the next trip up I-95 that I have planned in the new year. Stamps!!!!!</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-2473817371936597712016-12-06T01:11:00.000-05:002016-12-06T01:11:01.941-05:00Personalized Lego Dioramas Make Great Christmas Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I think the idea of taking an ordinary environment and "Lego-izing" it is not only a great stretch for my imagination, but it's an unique way to celebrate the people who are receiving the resulting Lego dioramas. This holiday season, I wanted to embrace their awesomeness and send my cousin and cousin-in-law scenes that highlighted their passions. They both like Game of Thrones, but I knew that diorama theme had to go to my cousin-in-law. I had a lot of fun reimagining a typical office by replacing the desk chair with the Iron Throne from the series.<br />
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The Iron Throne incorporates three varieties of Lego swords, with 18 in total used. I wish I could use more, but there just wasn't any room! On the back of the chair, I used 10 swords, then three on each side and two in the front. The minifigure sits with a slight forward tilt on the chair because there is so much going on behind him. From a practical standpoint, that Iron Throne looks like the world's most uncomfortable office chair!<br />
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The rest of the office includes a stereotypical office art piece of a bridge, a clock, and a bookshelf. The desk is meant to represent the mess of a busy accountant during tax season with piles of tax returns, cell phone, two sources of caffeine, returns to be mailed for signature, and money just hanging around. Hey buddy, be careful of what's in that mug! (just kidding)<br />
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The second diorama embraces two of my cousin's biggest passions: architecture and her horse. The building, itself, was the idea behind the dioramas as gifts in the first place. I had received the bricks and instructions in the November 2016 monthly <a href="http://www.brickloot.com/">Brickloot</a> box (I'm trying it out for 3 months right now). The building is an original design by Lego microbuilding architect, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Architect-Tom-Alphin/dp/1593276133">Tom Alphin</a>. My cousin loves modern architecture, and I had the horse sweatshirt torso in my stash, so I went with the dual concept. When I took the photos, I forgot that I had taped the building a little to secure it for shipping. So ignore the tape you see! I've already shipped them, so I can't retake a tapeless photo, unfortunately.<br />
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I needed to add one more element to the architecture side, so I quickly designed some blueprints on scotch tape and crudely made a tile sticker. Sorry to all the Lego purists!! <br />
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Do you have someone who would love to receive a personalized diorama as well? Once you have your design in mind, the first and probably only stop you have to make is <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/">Bricklink</a> for all the parts. That's where I go for all my individual pieces. Have fun! If you have any questions about the parts I used to make these, let me know in the comments section.</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-22832390909642094442016-12-05T21:04:00.000-05:002016-12-05T21:04:24.436-05:00New Zealand Nuggets: Fiordland Crested Penguins!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Besides what I already had planned in Queenstown this past October, there was absolutely one thing I wanted to see no matter what while on New Zealand's south island. Once I saw a photo of the adorable yellow eyebrows of the Fiordland Crested Penguin, or Tawaki in Maori, I was sold on this little flightless sea bird. There are other penguins on the south island, like the blue penguins on the east coast near Omaru, but the Fiordland Crested are notoriously hard to find and skittish when found, so a solid spotting session, when it happens, is enjoyed by all!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwnLiU3yHxNQIbCM0wjvQID3J0ayICBVjScHmGXpZT9lECjwC4jznfYPaDHzBpUQ4n-4TK3wru2m8NEN3HFQFfbCygdnpvFF3TCOGREV3j_50aEfDtK82aqDqTOmYY9RzwbtuB3g9JAP0/s1600/New+Zealand+Penguins-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwnLiU3yHxNQIbCM0wjvQID3J0ayICBVjScHmGXpZT9lECjwC4jznfYPaDHzBpUQ4n-4TK3wru2m8NEN3HFQFfbCygdnpvFF3TCOGREV3j_50aEfDtK82aqDqTOmYY9RzwbtuB3g9JAP0/s400/New+Zealand+Penguins-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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While the Fiordland Crested Penguin, the second rarest breed of penguin in the world, can be found in and around New Zealand, South Australia, and Tasmania, it exclusively breeds on the south island of New Zealand. The breeding grounds are primarily on the west coast, but some of the larger known areas are being threatened more and more by New Zealand's growing ground pest issue, as stoats and weasels are getting to their nests and eating the eggs. Finding the nesting grounds can be tricky because they are often hidden off the beaches in the coastal forests, under tree roots or in scrub bushes sometimes hundreds of meters inland. And the fishing pattern of the adult penguins is all day, in and out, instead of the more predicable dawn out/dusk return pattern of the blue penguin. Their timid nature with humans also doesn't help when it comes to finding a colony and observing them over a period of time. When we were photographing these penguins, we were semi-hidden behind rocks and I was using a focal distance of 200-300mm on my zoom lens. It also took about 45 minutes before we saw our first penguin pop out of the forest. Over a 2-3 hour period, we were lucky to see over 15 penguins either coming in or going out. Supposedly, the daily average is higher in November as the baby birds grow older and more demanding of food.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bNzlFa6yEZYjuIukAT7kWcxcA7stJLfDXdcIh3ED5Aq6BPn9YFtXhEOKRoxE-GjSsPQixahhBhPLQFuJZwEmHYMPO7ukrAn9NeZz2RbW_bVRUrS0CuoGc6iRHo6J26tMH1XVOkEKwRpF/s1600/New+Zealand+Penguins-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bNzlFa6yEZYjuIukAT7kWcxcA7stJLfDXdcIh3ED5Aq6BPn9YFtXhEOKRoxE-GjSsPQixahhBhPLQFuJZwEmHYMPO7ukrAn9NeZz2RbW_bVRUrS0CuoGc6iRHo6J26tMH1XVOkEKwRpF/s400/New+Zealand+Penguins-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I mentioned "we" before, and that is because I was with a special guided small group tour. Since seeing these penguins was a goal, I knew I was maybe going to have to go to extra monetary lengths to find them. I had the timing correct, since October and November are the best viewing times, but I still needed a location. What I ended up doing was staying at the <a href="http://www.wildernesslodge.co.nz/new-zealand/lake-moeraki-wilderness-lodge/">Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki</a> just north of Haast. The couple that runs the lodge are avid wildlife conservationists and keep a keen eye on the annual populations and breeding patterns of the local penguin colonies. They also maintain the area on a beach that is favored by the breeding penguins to ensure safe passage from the nests to the ocean and encourage the penguins to return the following years. They lead small tours to this beach for an additional fee, which I was more than willing to pay. There are also other group nature walking tours from the Lodge that are free during your stay, and I had a lot of fun learning new things on those too - especially the glow worm evening tour where we not only saw a huge colony of glow worms that looked like Christmas twinkle lights but the skies gave us a show that included the Southern Cross and Magellanic Clouds, or two dwarf galaxies only visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Oh, and one more comment on the lodge - the food was good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5O431owdvaDbNLQcZeumlQtnxY3zvz5xmJI4T5HRwquI8yAq_yMfThDNIpx8SQ7gz5t3XPaA98UbP0RhgZE4Sqtp5wNttvKEwEqT69nn6u-td-s5pPzO_4JvAInHv5wnkZc3eUT-CJWG/s1600/New+Zealand+Penguins-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5O431owdvaDbNLQcZeumlQtnxY3zvz5xmJI4T5HRwquI8yAq_yMfThDNIpx8SQ7gz5t3XPaA98UbP0RhgZE4Sqtp5wNttvKEwEqT69nn6u-td-s5pPzO_4JvAInHv5wnkZc3eUT-CJWG/s400/New+Zealand+Penguins-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, it took a little - no a lot - of effort, but I think it was all worth it. The drive to Haast is about 4 hours from Queenstown through the aptly named Haast Mountain Pass. There are beautiful views along the way, though, and stop to walk to the Blue Pools and several waterfalls if those interest you - maybe hit some on the way out and some on the way back. If you are driving from Queenstown, I recommend taking the road through Cardrona into Wanaka at least one way. There is a famous lone willow tree in Lake Wanaka that you can visit. Wanaka also has a cute downtown area. A long way to drive, a little pricy to stay, but those bushy eyebrows are worth every penny and every minute behind the wheel!</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-33342413519153465342016-12-02T23:49:00.001-05:002016-12-02T23:49:53.861-05:00Holiday Gift Picks 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1yXOfCdAd5Zrgq8qhMdGj_pml63MZmfo_Jba3PV7Jr5-GkdPXjFAUTMYh5ys2FGj8VLE_37KnagCV-lukFjo3njPpBH5c2qn6qZTqJQ5V_87-wyyTGY9HbKN4OgN77fnwmjzhQjDuXE0/s1600/xmas-giftsc-0_468x321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1yXOfCdAd5Zrgq8qhMdGj_pml63MZmfo_Jba3PV7Jr5-GkdPXjFAUTMYh5ys2FGj8VLE_37KnagCV-lukFjo3njPpBH5c2qn6qZTqJQ5V_87-wyyTGY9HbKN4OgN77fnwmjzhQjDuXE0/s1600/xmas-giftsc-0_468x321.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's that time of year again where we stress out trying to find the perfect gifts for the people who have everything or want nothing. I am relieved that my family, well at least the adults, have finally agreed that exchanging gifts is no longer necessary - primarily because we have already bought what we wanted when we wanted or needed it. Though I did drop a not so subtle hint that if my mom wanted to, you know, pick up a Sony a7rii mirrorless camera for me, I wouldn't return it. Just kidding, mom! I am nearly done picking up gifts for the kids in the family because those are both easy and fun to buy. Actually, my niece made it even more fun than I expected this year when she dropped this text conversation on me: </div>
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Niece: "i'm rlly into vintage stuff rn"</div>
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Me: "Oh! Have you ever shopped at modcloth?"</div>
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Niece: "ya"</div>
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Me: "Good?"</div>
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Niece: "eh"</div>
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Me: "It's all vintage! Or are you talking 80s/90s?"</div>
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Niece: "ya like real shirts from the 80s"</div>
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So my niece has now declared the outfits I wore as a kid to be vintage. Therefore, I am dropping a huge 80s clothing bomb on her for Christmas. If she wants real 80s, she shall get it! It involves some crafting, so I may document the process and post about it after I give it to her. It's going to be epically funny, well at least to me. Can we all agree that 80s and 90s clothes are not yet vintage....please?</div>
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Ok, I digress. So, even though I, personally, do not technically have an obligation to get gifts for adult family members, nor do I really exchange gifts with friends, I still love shopping for ideas. Just like in years past on this blog, I've collected some of my favorite things I'm loving right now and thought I would share them with you because maybe you need some gift inspiration this holiday season...</div>
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Home Brighteners and Hostess Gifts</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju056M38EEEz7bijdgYTuNnGgBcNnhXWngTtktYX6lN2Y5oxZD0BRJvXg9ZsimWvRo2F3CgLBYoKdfChySChnwP_B-EycY1T4NNEM7AoV_cmhZwtdufckCBdOSPWfX5hnl3sJ3yJSzSs4E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.19.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju056M38EEEz7bijdgYTuNnGgBcNnhXWngTtktYX6lN2Y5oxZD0BRJvXg9ZsimWvRo2F3CgLBYoKdfChySChnwP_B-EycY1T4NNEM7AoV_cmhZwtdufckCBdOSPWfX5hnl3sJ3yJSzSs4E/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.19.58+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/bedside-smartphone-vase">Bedside Smartphone Vase</a> is the perfect introduction to bedroom decor, as it not only serves a practical purpose, but brings a spot of freshness into your personal space.<br />
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$32 at Uncommon Goods<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM16mSkIRPonb7r4w1AVlFfiAbnVMLPqNKw3TURkdDj2ELOOHBBaSFckH4PebeCbkHRuI8C9k8S_FAp90nE6JKYpt4PXirQ5_S9UGHIIr5UM8Ie3cjlPzTLWlLw41QKGzbkylbCfOnvHo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.31.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMM16mSkIRPonb7r4w1AVlFfiAbnVMLPqNKw3TURkdDj2ELOOHBBaSFckH4PebeCbkHRuI8C9k8S_FAp90nE6JKYpt4PXirQ5_S9UGHIIr5UM8Ie3cjlPzTLWlLw41QKGzbkylbCfOnvHo/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.31.17+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.fishseddy.com/catalog/product/view/id/38050/s/brooklynese-coffee-set-gift-box/">Brooklynese Coffee Set</a> is a cute gift for the coffee loving host or hostess in your life. This servingware set is just one of several awesome items at this quirky kitchen store located in the Flatiron district of NYC.<br />
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$58.95 from Fishs Eddy<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWPrApj2f9GOYKwRnVlAuZT1B_4Ay6nO04hg4A1VLBX4OQVy71uM0SmcfEUNXc_Ji-mTUQ71l9EH9LvvTEOFhv4kS68AY5zRoZgid37k3-Kf3b43TtAAHi0fSGdz3UkeikJXt3uzksx53/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.33.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWPrApj2f9GOYKwRnVlAuZT1B_4Ay6nO04hg4A1VLBX4OQVy71uM0SmcfEUNXc_Ji-mTUQ71l9EH9LvvTEOFhv4kS68AY5zRoZgid37k3-Kf3b43TtAAHi0fSGdz3UkeikJXt3uzksx53/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.33.19+PM.png" width="285" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/uKeg-Pressurized-Growler-Craft-Beer/dp/B00YR9NUEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479173800&sr=8-1&keywords=pressurized%2Bgrowler%2Bfor%2Bcraft%2Bbeer&th=1">Pressurized Growler for Craft Beer</a> for that guy or gal who loves to keep that fresh from the tasting room experience while doing a local brewery tour of favorite microbreweries. If you know someone who is a regular user of the Untapped app, this is a no brainer present.<br />
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$139 on Amazon<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6qhaQQvnl_mvnby6ZAqgcQTitbkivPBjfcyYyd2flIDOd60rflnucKSpEXFmX4suPxWaU5DzYP0r1PX6-F6vN8SV9LZZrizC62tSNzCy6TS3ftDFjx_RX2E2M0LXIjG2NFZo7hCE0OEo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.34.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6qhaQQvnl_mvnby6ZAqgcQTitbkivPBjfcyYyd2flIDOd60rflnucKSpEXFmX4suPxWaU5DzYP0r1PX6-F6vN8SV9LZZrizC62tSNzCy6TS3ftDFjx_RX2E2M0LXIjG2NFZo7hCE0OEo/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.34.55+PM.png" width="289" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-Outdoor-Complete-French-Press/dp/B00AE6APSW/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1479173752&sr=1-1&keywords=handpresso+outdoor+complete+french+press">Outdoor French Press </a>is perfect for anyone who loves hiking and camping, but can't go too long without a high-end coffee fix.<br />
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$159.99 on Amazon</div>
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World Wanderers or Wanderlust Afflicted</h3>
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<a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/wanderlust-cross-stitch-map">Cross Stitch Travel Map</a> for the crafty world traveler who wants a new way to show off all of their adventures. In a past gift list, I suggested the scratch map, but since I'm doing more road trips and multi-destination travels lately, this map looks like a lot more fun (and less messy because the scratched off bits go everywhere, just like lottery tickets).</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
$35 from Uncommon Goods</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz9SxUIR4bOmzhFO0psa3T3JM075YkDCi4F0RwFLfVE4r0JXDoV5qPzfuH7k4N_TG0lKfIj_x2hy5KiE8I778L5Fu6AZ2r4bnzNuIYC14U2CvpSyf3QgbufG3I6IyXmyG-emgEdh-H0hR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.46.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz9SxUIR4bOmzhFO0psa3T3JM075YkDCi4F0RwFLfVE4r0JXDoV5qPzfuH7k4N_TG0lKfIj_x2hy5KiE8I778L5Fu6AZ2r4bnzNuIYC14U2CvpSyf3QgbufG3I6IyXmyG-emgEdh-H0hR/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.46.29+PM.png" width="264" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GRMVP0E/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_6_w">Leftfield Backpack</a> is great for men and women who want something stylish and professional yet simple and convenient for a work bag. This bag is perfect for carrying a laptop on a crowded subway because of its slim profile. Also perfect for fitting under the seat on an airplane, and it comes in several colors. This bag is on my to-buy list!</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
$75.99 on Amazon</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYfewePn3A8hWLKcUhFLLnZcYx29PDht_swEGiWnSD7pSgezzkTuQOaxzmISDJ0XrPEC0k5Zso42cjtFIUaYhRrsWl_-ujxQeqtV7DSntVwDfm0ZZL4kNKOO4axmLEwxCPTAvpwzTLsoq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.49.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYfewePn3A8hWLKcUhFLLnZcYx29PDht_swEGiWnSD7pSgezzkTuQOaxzmISDJ0XrPEC0k5Zso42cjtFIUaYhRrsWl_-ujxQeqtV7DSntVwDfm0ZZL4kNKOO4axmLEwxCPTAvpwzTLsoq/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.49.59+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.ebags.com/product/travelon/anti-theft-signature-ew-shoulder-bag/276982?productid=10359720">Anti-Theft Purses</a> are really important when traveling in certain countries where crimes of opportunity are plentiful, like pickpocketing. There are several styles of the Travelon anti-theft purse on eBags, but I liked this midsize one the best. It has the features I look for, including locking zippers, slash proof straps, and protection from credit card hackers. Prosafe makes good anti-theft products as well, but they are a bit more clunky for everyday use, I think. Though I do like their camera strap.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
$55 on eBags.com</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMwCW5MKjFqlWVdk2HA1tdKkIOogVJRR7NTRPs_Re-Ksa2h1xM8KNMLcIPZNDqnkzHG_A73EUEz0xLH1HK03Jtqb-K65MpyLjV4Kq0dE_wLYXpE_6U-xysRc699SZb7m5tDtAtSVtqL-_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+9.11.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMwCW5MKjFqlWVdk2HA1tdKkIOogVJRR7NTRPs_Re-Ksa2h1xM8KNMLcIPZNDqnkzHG_A73EUEz0xLH1HK03Jtqb-K65MpyLjV4Kq0dE_wLYXpE_6U-xysRc699SZb7m5tDtAtSVtqL-_/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+9.11.01+PM.png" width="189" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Native-Union-TAG-Cable-Luxury/dp/B01FUM7MB2/ref=as_at?creativeASIN=B01FUM7MB2&linkCode=w50&tag=travandleis07-20&imprToken=HOS2FOWnZhfD47Y2P6OYLQ&slotNum=0">iPhone Mini Lightning Charging Cable Bag Tag</a> removes the annoyance of untangling charging cords or finding one buried deep in your bag. Just clip this compact cable on your bag strap, and you're one second away from getting your battery juiced back up.</div>
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$60 on Amazon</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Gadget Goodies </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIQz7fx0NsoN-icyoplO5I3Tz0izFmBVFdEQcQa2BSNPelq7HXb73nMXhN2wc4CIoU0tcW3T6NQ993kDs3NwqL5PH3IbRZX6XM8rd2zna-TXSJReAh4_WT0yStRfti8vqjrh_tgsJXZys/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.40.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIQz7fx0NsoN-icyoplO5I3Tz0izFmBVFdEQcQa2BSNPelq7HXb73nMXhN2wc4CIoU0tcW3T6NQ993kDs3NwqL5PH3IbRZX6XM8rd2zna-TXSJReAh4_WT0yStRfti8vqjrh_tgsJXZys/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+8.40.42+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nintendo Classic Mini - a miniature version of the original NES game console that we all knew and loved, loaded with 30 of the most popular games of the late 80s.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
$59.99 at Gamestop, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, or Amazon (if you can track one down, that is! Check <a href="http://www.nowinstock.net/videogaming/consoles/nesclassicmini/">NowinStock</a> for help or pay the ridiculous reseller prices on Amazon and eBay if in a pickle.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIe0vShO2FfWmoNKNjNiZe_PVfFKI5-zccEK-4IV06-mpRgkrL9zlnFt4iBuZ3_PG-dLdr0sJukwE9cPlKamniaIwLCzxxgMCqIHdzBZjmDOh6hmpKP2xqBadbeW1uzo7dcZ1-Hi2QN4KS/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+9.47.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIe0vShO2FfWmoNKNjNiZe_PVfFKI5-zccEK-4IV06-mpRgkrL9zlnFt4iBuZ3_PG-dLdr0sJukwE9cPlKamniaIwLCzxxgMCqIHdzBZjmDOh6hmpKP2xqBadbeW1uzo7dcZ1-Hi2QN4KS/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-14+at+9.47.27+PM.png" width="254" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1276287&gclid=CjwKEAiA3qXBBRD4_b_V7ZLFsX4SJAB0AtEVVHGosqwXuEi7OON9uIlVbKdgjZUbYWFevC2CFXMaMRoC8C_w_wcB&Q=&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C92051677442%2C&is=REG&A=details">DJI Smartphone Osmo Gimbal Stabilizer</a> is the only "selfie stick" I approve. This stick holds an iPhone to promote motion continuity and remove camera shake when you are creating videos. As more and more people are using videos in Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook Live, and Youtube, this is an easy way to make better use of the camera you already have on your phone, instead of going out and buying a GoPro or something similar gadgetwise. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
$300 at B&H Photo<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ui5p7pBbtS0kquWGII1zTESCQYJwkxeXclKPQtC5ygNsUAZZkhgPdzMQCDJDu9Gk1lpDLE6iVCSzY1fsN4dH9IAOYxcfztOIHJnyMZjrgP1QQ5VKN6IemhrgHYIBLHLxFesUgCjiP-Cb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-29+at+9.13.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ui5p7pBbtS0kquWGII1zTESCQYJwkxeXclKPQtC5ygNsUAZZkhgPdzMQCDJDu9Gk1lpDLE6iVCSzY1fsN4dH9IAOYxcfztOIHJnyMZjrgP1QQ5VKN6IemhrgHYIBLHLxFesUgCjiP-Cb/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-29+at+9.13.07+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/DJI-CP-PT-000500-Mavic-Pro/dp/B01LZ8QTSU/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1480471137&sr=1-3&keywords=dji+mavic+pro">DJI Mavic Pro</a> is high quality "pocket" drone. I've been toying with the idea of getting a drone for photography, but I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet because I don't know how much I'll use it or if it's worth the hassle getting permissions to fly everywhere I go. But if I did change my mind, I like the price point, size, and features of the Mavic. If image quality is really important to you, and ranks much higher than size/weight, the Phantom 4 at $500 more may be a better idea because the sensor is 4x bigger, the gimbal has better range of motion, and the anti-collision technology is in front and back (it's just in front on the Mavic).<br />
<br /><br />
$999 at Amazon and other retailers<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Other Things: To Splurge or Not to Splurge</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqdpcnHsZ8elovBXsg2XWrJm-MvW2yQq-FHtLzSP-NW12w6CZjPMiB53PSma9O897vuOTWECx7qFnucU7diAh2Onl1hLiXy5IxYuvyodAHaHSzlb4JAIiFvkEcHO-0XQD0brqHi7vqUrQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-29+at+10.36.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqdpcnHsZ8elovBXsg2XWrJm-MvW2yQq-FHtLzSP-NW12w6CZjPMiB53PSma9O897vuOTWECx7qFnucU7diAh2Onl1hLiXy5IxYuvyodAHaHSzlb4JAIiFvkEcHO-0XQD0brqHi7vqUrQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-29+at+10.36.01+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Hamilton Mixtape (Big Value, Low Cost)</strong> - If you haven't heard of the Broadway show "Hamilton" yet, you need to close this webpage and go search for it on Youtube. Listen to the songs, watch the episodes with Charlie Rose and "Hamilton's America" on PBS, look up the performances at the Tonys and Grammys. It's a phenomenal musical. Originally, its writer, Lin-Manuel Miranda thought it was only going to be an album, not a whole show, so he started writing songs for his Hamilton Mixtape project. Well, we all know what happened instead, but the mixtape was still something he knew he wanted to do. Fortunately, with the popularity and influence the show has gained, LMM was able to get some major artists to come and reimagine his songs. Some of the artists included actually were inspirations for the music originally, like Busta Rhymes and Ashanti/Ja Rule, so the whole experience came full circle for him. My favorite songs are "Burn" by Andra Day and "An Open Letter" performed by Watsky and Shockwave.<br />
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$14.99 on iTunes (or $11.88 CD on Amazon)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeHOKRtS4xrHEhEq0xTlpjQ3LSdilLmMtTsFvpTJ36C5-JiV8GamN-P5ntvclcP1w7373JcFsSwJELMyfX5Yija9MawvPQTcBMa7pAFxBzCNLyChLVDg6MHii2DopIjVBsE4MKCxUQRwk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-29+at+10.34.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeHOKRtS4xrHEhEq0xTlpjQ3LSdilLmMtTsFvpTJ36C5-JiV8GamN-P5ntvclcP1w7373JcFsSwJELMyfX5Yija9MawvPQTcBMa7pAFxBzCNLyChLVDg6MHii2DopIjVBsE4MKCxUQRwk/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-29+at+10.34.22+PM.png" width="292" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.catbirdnyc.com/wedding-engagement/curved-snow-queen-ring.html">Catbird Curved Snow Queen Ring</a> from Catbird in Brooklyn NYC is one of the most adorable, stackable rings I have ever seen - especially in rose gold. I actually love a lot of the items for sale in their store and online. Of course, this is the biggest splurge on my list! <br />
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$1296 at <a href="https://www.catbirdnyc.com/">catbirdnyc.com</a><br />
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OK that's it!<br />
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<br />
Happy holiday season and happy gift hunting!!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-6683643708008488082016-10-28T05:03:00.001-04:002016-10-28T05:03:05.599-04:00New Zealand Nuggets: Hobbiton <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgSg75VnobydIB0sz20G_uolvggWhxefVJFQp9QMrZPkJBKUXMwAucTVmBoRrR3ulieS14aTD8dx5B5fSueW0So76XUqASyM7K8EoK3stoKnAQ6KSnYiI9tCZbFSHUtjknk8-rxzM3y1-/s1600/hobbit+yellow+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgSg75VnobydIB0sz20G_uolvggWhxefVJFQp9QMrZPkJBKUXMwAucTVmBoRrR3ulieS14aTD8dx5B5fSueW0So76XUqASyM7K8EoK3stoKnAQ6KSnYiI9tCZbFSHUtjknk8-rxzM3y1-/s400/hobbit+yellow+door.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Despite having not read the books or watched the Lord of
the Rings Trilogy or Hobbit Trilogy movies, I decided to visit New Zealand’s main
attraction on the north island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get
to the Hobbiton movie set, you have a few choices: find a separate tour
provider that has Hobbiton on the itinerary and an official guide joins your bus when you get there, take a bus to the site from official pickup spots in either
Rotorua or Matamata, or drive there yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My suggestion is skip busses and organized tours, rent a car, stay the
night somewhere nearby, and sign up for the 9am tour that leaves from Shires
Rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> No tour group ahead of you so you basically are only competing for photos with your lot of 40. </span>Better yet, skip the crowded day scene and see if they are doing
one of the evening dinner events at the Green Dragon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told that not only do you get the
escorted tour of Hobbiton for the first hour, but then you get to feast and are
given a lantern to take back out into Hobbiton after dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought the dinners were only on Wednesday and Sunday, per the
website, but my guide told me there were other nights as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was super bummed because I could have gone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Hobbiton is the actual movie set designed by Peter Jackson
to be used in the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your guide
will point out specific details that he insisted upon only to have the detail
show up on the screen for seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I think about how the total run time of all 6 extended versions of the movies
is over 20 hours, my eyes pop out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is some attention to detail!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
39 hobbit holes in total, plus the party green, a mill, and the Green Dragon
pub where you can actually enter and order a tasty beverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course you don’t have a whole lot of time
to sip and savor since you’ll eventually be told you have to leave to catch the
bus back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep, the set is on private
farm land, so there is absolutely no unescorted access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some pretty intense fans of these movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told the story of one German fan who
came dressed as Bilbo Baggins, then refused to leave the Green Dragon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took hours for the staff to get him to
leave, after which he said he was leaving because he had an adventure to start,
which I think is a reference to the movie. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Most of the hobbit holes were built to size, as you can see from the perspective in the photo below. They were also built as either facades in the hill with just a small bit of room inside the door or actual filming interiors like the main house - Bag End. You can tell the occupation of the hobbit often by the goods for sale on the tables out front. The main homes of lead characters were scaled up for their heights to accommodate that they were over 5'4", or hobbit height.<br />
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Anyway, yes it is a 2 hour drive from Auckland, but think of
it as a way to get out of the city and do a nice drive into the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The north island is populated with hundreds
of farms, mostly cows it seems in comparison to the predominantly sheep fields
in the south island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While you are down
in the area, consider taking an extra hour to drive further south to visit the geothermal springs
around Rotorua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t smell good if you're not a fan of sulfur, but
the colors of the Champagne Spring at Wai-O-Tapu are somewhat similar to
the rainbow at Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I suspect the difference is the depth of the drop off after the first orange shelf.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Also check out the Blue Springs north of Matamata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The color of the water is so clear, it’s like
the plantlife are captured in resin. The springs are about a 10 minute walk up a designated path randomly in the middle of pure farm land.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-50961712697953854492016-10-13T21:56:00.000-04:002016-10-13T21:56:17.105-04:00I finally made it to the Canadian Rockies! - Banff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__g77mr9EDH0vNcQqiS1Td0mHWYTj54DkUlF4z1QFJE1oqPfXaHSuqowhfdYV-OtENBCNz4BzTF1wCgIN7zhExPEwfqFL2V1duO5jJ-8mio9fy5HzmfUTz_P0gRJm43ooQWBAVnseSWPc/s1600/Banff-1-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__g77mr9EDH0vNcQqiS1Td0mHWYTj54DkUlF4z1QFJE1oqPfXaHSuqowhfdYV-OtENBCNz4BzTF1wCgIN7zhExPEwfqFL2V1duO5jJ-8mio9fy5HzmfUTz_P0gRJm43ooQWBAVnseSWPc/s400/Banff-1-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I joined Instagram a couple of years ago and started to slowly discover a group of landscape photographers who consistently produced some stunning images. As I looked a little deeper into their portfolio, I realized some of them had a common thread. They were all primarily shooting in Alberta's Banff National Park. And it was there my obsession with the bright turquoise Canadian lakes was born. After a too long period of lusting after these photos, I finally made it to see the beauty with my own eyes! My adventure started with a few days in Jasper, as I talked about in a previous <a href="http://www.learnliveandexplore.com/2016/08/i-finally-made-it-to-canadian-rockies.html">post</a>. It was a great idea to get warmed up for the big leagues down in Banff. First stop, THE lake of lakes in my opinion: Moraine Lake! Here are a few shots at different times of the day. Sadly, the clouds and lightning started to roll in before I could get all my Milky Way shots completed. Best time for the bright blue, besides heading to the park in July and August, is late morning when the sun's angle maximizes the illuminating rock flour in the water.<br />
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Moraine Lake's popularity on social media has created a serious traffic and parking problem in the area. Every day I was there, the road to the lake would often close by 10am and not reopen until 4pm or 5pm because parking is very limited and it was not safe to park along the road. While the rockpile is the destination for visitors wanting iconic photos, there are several trails around the lake that appeal to varying levels of skill and interest. The easiest trail is the shoreline trail to the right of the lodge. Just down the hill from Moraine Lake is an equally popular destination: Lake Louise. With Victoria Glacier across the lake from the luxury Fairmont Lake Louise hotel, you're in for some fantastic views. The same crowding issues exist at Louise, and often they will close the road leading up from town to both lakes, forcing tourists to head down the highway to a designated shuttle stop/parking area.<br />
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Heading into the actual park, another popular lake is the oddly shaped Peyto Lake, named after an early park warden of Banff National Park. There is a designated viewing platform as well as other, better views of the lake along hiking trails. Yes! It is REALLY THAT BLUE!<br />
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You can't miss the other lakes that are right along the Icefields Parkway: Bow Lake, Waterfowl Lakes, etc. Take advantage of pullouts on the road to stop and soak it all in.<br />
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While I came to Banff for the blue water, my absolute favorite experience was hiking to Sunshine Meadows located in the back country area of a local ski resort. It is also a starting point for hikes heading toward the Canadian Rockies' tallest mountain in the southern range: Mt. Assiniboine<br />
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There is a viewing platform that is ideal for photos and meal breaks at the top of a peak. The afternoon I was there, the clouds were at their best creating dancing light on the bright green fields. And the visibility was so good that there was a clear view to see Mt. Assiniboine peeking through (photobombing) two other peaks. The mountain had the perfect amount of snow to make it a near replica of the matterhorn ride at Disneyland.<br />
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Oh hey, there's Lego Julie taking photos too!<br />
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In addition to lakes and high elevation hikes, Banff National Park also has some great rivers that are rushing through beautifully shaped gorges. You really need 5-7 days to enjoy it all.<br />
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Normally when I go somewhere with high expectations, I am somewhat disappointed. I can say with absolute certainty that my expectations were sky high for Banff, and I left with them exceeded. When can I go back!!??<br />
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For lodging, we stayed in the town of Lake Louise, and it was the perfect location. There were several restaurants there for dinner and a few smaller shops for breakfast. </div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-27801993586899150412016-10-07T22:26:00.000-04:002016-10-07T22:26:08.610-04:00Green Day! At a SMALL CLUB!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This post is a few days after the fact, but on Monday I had the most amazing opportunity to see one of my favorite bands put on a show not in their normal arena venue but at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC! I'm not sure why Green Day decided to do the small club tour to promote their new album, Revolution Radio (out today!), this time around, but I'm certainly enormously thankful for it and hope that they do it more often. I mean, they don't need the money any more with all of their success in music, on Broadway, and now in the movies since "American Idiot" has been green lit for production at HBO. Super excited for that to come out too! The concert capped off a fantastic set of days that included watching my absolute favorite current band, Mumford & Sons, then hanging out in NYC to see Hamilton for my 4th time, enjoy the reactions of my cousin and best friend seeing Hamilton for the first time, and then seeing Freestyle Love Supreme - the improv comedy rap group that includes Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda - perform live. I was just starting to feel today like I'm close to catching up on my sleep and reenergizing only to be facing a super busy weekend dominated by a huge to-do list, including prepping for my next global adventure. I'm also going to finally post tips and photos this weekend from my summer Banff wanderings that I promised in my last post. In the meantime, I took my handy concert point-and-shoot camera with me to the Green Day show and got some fun shots that I hope you enjoy. Is it just me, or is Billie Joe really good looking? I love it when he wears his ties.</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-72522908159934821372016-08-17T01:38:00.000-04:002016-08-17T01:38:03.079-04:00I finally made it to the Canadian Rockies! - Jasper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Do you have a place you've pinned a lot on Pinterest or liked a lot on Instagram? That place for me over the past few years has been photos of the Canadian Rockies. I follow several photographers from Alberta and an equal number of Visit Alberta-type tourism accounts, and I'm never satiated by the beauty presented in those photos. I am a glutton for snow-peaked mountains and lakes!<br />
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I finally found an opportunity to visit the Canadian Rockies in July, and my expectations were exceeded. I first spent a few nights in Jasper, then later met with some photographers in Banff to cover that end of the mountain stretch. My trip was an open jaw ticket, with me flying into Edmonton, since that was the closest to Jasper at about a 4 hour drive, and out of Calgary. Prepare yourself for some long, straight stretches on this drive with not much else but farmland for a while. I hadn't grabbed any lunch before I left, so I was relieved to finally find a Subway just off the road. You will pass through two larger towns with several restaurant options later on in the drive, with the second town indicating that you are almost to the park entrance. If you don't already have a Canadian Parks permit, prepare for a little bit of a wait on busy days at the entrance. If you're staying longer than 7 days in the parks (Jasper or Banff), it makes sense to consider a pass instead of a permit. Bonus - in 2016, the annual park pass is actually good for 2 years to celebrate the 150th parks anniversary! <br />
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Once you get into the park, prepare for a feast of the eyes. There are endless temptations in Jasper National Park urging you pull over and watch the light blue rivers rush by or the cloud breaks create dancing light on the mountains. I didn't see many animals in this part of the park, but be on the lookout. You're more likely to see traffic stopped in the middle of the road or cars pulled over with cell phones sticking out the windows before you see the actual animal. You shouldn't be surprised to see elk, mountain goats, and long horned sheep. The only bears I saw on the side of the road were in Banff National Park. OK, I've rambled on enough. Time to get to the good stuff!<br />
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The photo at the beginning of this post is of Spirit Island on Maligne Lake (pronounced Mah-leen - it's French). Directly above is a shot of the same island, just from a lower viewpoint. This was my #1 desired destination in Jasper. To get to Spirit Island, you have to take a boat tour that is about 90 minutes round trip and allows for 15 minutes on land to hike up to the overlook and take some photos. I was ready on the back deck to jump off the boat as soon as it was tied to the dock in order to make good use of every second within those short 15 minutes! The tour guide on my boat was very knowledgeable about the geology and history of the glaciers and lake, so the 35 minutes each way were an educational bonus. If you preferred, you could also stand on the back boat deck and just absorb the beauty without the running commentary. While back at the Maligne Lake Lodge, you can grab a snack, use the restrooms, or do some casual hikes along the lake. It's a bit of a drive back to Jasper (up to 1 hour), so make sure you're all set.<br />
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On the route back into Jasper, if you have time, stop at Maligne Canyon. You can't miss the turnoff sign. I found that the best time to go was in the evening hours. Much less crowded, meaning no tour buses. Oh yeah, we will get to the tour bus issue later! Maligne Canyon is an out-and-back hike where you follow the water as it cascades down the narrow gorge created over thousands of years, crossing the river on bridges at certain points of the path. You will see rapids, small waterfalls, large waterfalls, pools, curves, everything! If you already went on the boat tour at the lake, you will have covered the reason for the bright blue water. And that reason is the rock flour that is created when the glaciers melt and fine grains of rock are collected by the water on its way down the mountain. These particles create a gray, milky color the closer the run off is to the glacier itself. Once the water flows into a glacial lake, it can take on the turquoise color. The water in Maligne Canyon is, perhaps, this bright blue because it is sourced from the lake and not the glacier itself. The hike from the top of Maligne Canyon is great on the way out, but what goes down must come back up, and there are some steep parts. The path, though, is well worn and easy to follow. <br />
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There are a few other spots in Jasper that I had hoped to photograph, but I was restrained by bad weather. Those spots are Pyramid Lake with Pyramid Mountain opposite the shoreline and Mt. Edith Cavell and the glacier and meadows located along well marked trails. The weather did cooperate on my way south towards Banff, though, and I made some stops at some popular waterfalls along the Icefields Parkway. The first stop was the powerful Athabasca Falls. Easy parking in the morning hours, but I have to assume the accessibility of this site would be attractive to tour buses. Oh yes, prepare yourself to share the road with lots and lots of buses filled with foreign tourists, in addition to numerous camper rentals. Use the rule of thumb of getting where you really want to go in the beginning of the day or at the end of the day, or else accept you will be dealing with crowds, many with surgically attached selfie sticks.<br />
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The next major waterfall heading south on the Icefields Parkway is Sunwapta Falls. This is another very accessible waterfall from the designated parking lot. Out of the three I visited, this one was my favorite. I love the island splitting the water flow right before the descent. <br />
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My final stop before crossing over into Banff National Park was a waterfall that is impossible to miss because it's right on the side of the road - Tangle Falls. You have to be prepared to see it because the parking area is a quick jerk of the wheel into a gravel turn out. <br />
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As you continue to drive south, you will encounter a giant glacier on your right with a popular visitors center - Athabasca Glacier. At this point, you will know you've entered Banff National Park. And while Jasper was beautiful, let me tell you that Banff was beyond stunning! But, I'm saving all the good stuff for my next post... </div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-540192054506404212016-07-17T23:43:00.001-04:002016-07-17T23:43:34.398-04:00Annual Lotus Bloom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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July in Washington D.C. means two things for flowers - lotus blossoms and sunflower fields. This year, limited in time, I chose to head over to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to check out the lotuses and water lilies. The shots I've seen from the sunflower fields are all showing a less than average bloom up there, which reinforced my lotus decision. <br />
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Mid-July is a great time to head to this free national park just off of 295, near the National Arboretum. The lotus blooms are in various stages - budding, open/prime, and post-peak. While you're likely to encounter other photographers, if you go during an off-peak time it's not hard to find some space to work. Plus, the ponds are large and plentiful to accommodate those with or without tripods. The site is also great to practice various photography skills, including macro shots, finding objects to focus on that are not the lotus itself (insects, birds, etc.), or getting real abstract shooting the lotuses indirectly, like a reflection in the water. So much to do and fun to be had! Here are some samples of the shots I ended up taking. I'm very lucky to have had such a cooperative dragonfly while I was there.<br />
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The lotuses and other photogenic flora at the gardens also provides a plethora of opportunities to play around with your shots in post-processing to accentuate the focus of the image, oversaturate some colors if desired, or to do some dramatic black and white. <br />
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Bottom line, get outside with your camera and shoot and have fun!<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-52128673620251664982016-06-04T18:31:00.000-04:002016-06-04T18:31:10.553-04:00Roadside Attractions (and Distractions) - Ohio Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A long holiday weekend to me means roadtrip! And roadtrip means it's time to break out the iPhone and plan some roadside stops at yet more oddball things scattered around the U.S. My latest roadtrip destination was Ohio to visit family over Memorial Day weekend. Time limited the quantity of places I could check off my list, prepared with the assistance of Roadsideamerica.com, but I think I got some classic stops. This Ohio edition of roadside attractions and distractions starts with baskets, baskets, and more baskets...</div>
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20 Foot High Longaberger Apple Basket, Frazeysburg OH</h3>
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This was my favorite basket stop of the three. It's a 20 foot high, world's largest apple basket that resides on the Longaberger Basket Homestead property. You will have to turn into a parking lot, park the car, and walk a little ways onto the campus, but it's not far. I put my dog in the photo at the bottom to give it some perspective. </div>
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Longaberger Headquarters, Newark OH</h3>
Talk about an awesome headquarters building! The Longaberger Company has been weaving handcrafted baskets officially for 40 years, but basket making has been a part of the family history for many years beyond that. Today, the company is known for the highest quality baskets for both practical and decorative purposes, plus other lifestyle goods. <br />
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Single Story House-Sized Wicker Basket, Dresden OH</h3>
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It is Longaberger country after all, so I shouldn't be surprised a third oversized basket is in the area. This one is about the size of a small 2 bedroom home, just off Main Street!</div>
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Toy and Plastic Brick (a.k.a. Lego) Museum, Bellaire OH</h3>
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If you follow my blog, you have to know that I'm a huge fan of Legos. The man that owns this museum is an even bigger fan. Of course, it's an unofficial museum and cannot use the Lego term. Sadly, the hours were not conducive to my roadtrip times, so I missed out on going inside. </div>
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Giant LL Bean Boot, Columbus OH</h3>
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I like big things and I cannot lie! This giant LL Bean rain boot is located outside the store property within a larger outdoor mall in Columbus. This mall is particularly interesting to me because I visited it a long time ago when I was a financial analyst of retail companies in a previous career, and I was reviewing the Limited Brands headquarters nearby. This mall served as kind of a "test kitchen" for their new retail concepts.</div>
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(Former) F-ART Statue</h3>
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Sadly, a new structure has blocked the key angle needed to capture two sequential parking lot lamp posts to essentially generate the "F" needed to mock the ART statue. The silly girl inside me was really hoping that this was going to work out! Fart.</div>
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Gambrinus - King of Beer Statue, Columbus OH</h3>
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Located in the Columbus Brewery District south of downtown, the statue is of King Gambrinus is over 100 years old and has its history tied to the Gambrinus Brewery founded in 1906 by Bavarian immigrant, August Wagner. It has been moved from its original location on the facade of the brewery building to a park and, now, to highlight the redeveloped brewery district.</div>
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Hug Me Jesus, Solid Rock Church, Monroe OH</h3>
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Drive on I-75 from Cincinnati to Dayton, and you can't miss the Solid Rock Church on the east side of the freeway. For years, drivers were treated to the comedic giant statue of a 62 foot torso and head of Jesus, next to a small lake, with its arms stretched up into the air, affectionately called by locals "Touchdown Jesus." Sadly, in June 2010, Touchdown Jesus was struck by lightning and destroyed by the resulting fire. In September 2012, TJ's replacement was dedicated. This slightly shorter, 52 foot statue is of the full figure of Jesus with its arms now stretched out to the sides. The new locals nickname? Hug Me Jesus!</div>
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Fort Rock, Monroe OH</h3>
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Driving into the parking lot for Solid Rock Church, I saw this wild west town facade on the right, so I took a photo. It's actual purpose is anticlimactic. It's a cover for the ground maintenance shed. Random nonetheless!</div>
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Traders World!, Monroe OH</h3>
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Just south of Solid Rock Church is a giant weekend flea market with so many fiberglass statues of animals and other randomness. There are several colorful interpretations of giraffes, dinosaurs, and a (sadly) fake muffler man. </div>
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The Cone, West Chester OH</h3>
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Not only is the building cool, but the soft serve ice cream is delicious. I went for the orange and vanilla swirl. As delicious as any creamcicle could be!</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-37624460198133535452016-05-30T19:56:00.000-04:002016-05-30T21:23:12.394-04:00Roadside Attractions (and Distractions) - Mexico Border Towns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I can't travel to a new place in the U.S. and not see what kind of fun and odd things are on the side of the road! During a trip to White Sands National Monument, I traveled the El Paso - Alamogordo - Las Cruces triangle and found some gems, thanks to advance research done on <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/">Roadside America</a> (the best!). I had actually done some research on the I-10 corridor before when I had considered a road trip from LA to Austin, so I was glad to finally make it to Dave's Pawn Shop...see the story below!<br />
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Grave of HAM the first Astrochimp, Alamogordo NM</h3>
In January 1961, Ham the chimpanzee was the first of 6 monkeys that "graduated" from a chimp space training program to be launched into space. During his training, he learned how to do some simple tests while on his mission. These tests resulted in scientists learning that similar tasks can be performed in space, though likely in a slower amount of time. Ham survived his up and back in a day space trip, and was sent to live out his life at the National Zoo in D.C. He now rests at the Alamogordo Space Museum.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
World's Largest (fake) Pistachio, Alamogordo NM</h3>
Located at McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch on US 54, you can't miss this giant nut statue. After taking your photos, make sure to head inside the gift store to taste some interesting flavors of pistachios and pistachio-based food products.<br />
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White Sands Missile Range</h3>
I didn't expect the missile museum to actually be located inside the military test base, so I was surprised to have to go through the extensive security screening, which included a quick background check and a complete inspection of my car (hood and trunk). Once I passed the screening, the museum and missile graveyard are just up on your left. White Sands is most notable as being the first test site for the nuclear bomb, though the "Trinity" site is not close to the museum's location. It was also where the post-WWII continued development of the V-2, the world's first guided ballistic missile, occurred. The V-2 versions built in New Mexico were an expansion on a Nazi missile, the Vergeltungswaffe or Vengeance Weapon, that destroyed many allied targets and cities. When many of the engineers that worked on the V-2 surrendered to the U.S. Army, including Wernher von Braun its inventor, a good portion came to America to continue their work using the 80 captured V-2s as a base.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Muffler Man, Las Cruces NM</h3>
I do love me a muffler man! Located at Big Daddy's Flea Market off a frontage road next to Rt 70. Sadly, this man had his arms removed or stolen, but a clever handler hid it well with a big sign.<br />
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At the other end of the flea market parking lot, you can't mis the giant El Toro!<br />
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World's Largest Chili Pepper, Las Cruces NM</h3>
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Well, I guess you know you're too popular when you have to build a wall around your 47 foot long fiberglass chili pepper and create an actual tourist attraction. That or maybe there was a history of consistent damage. Even if you can't get a clear photo of the big daddy pepper anymore, you can find his mini me on top of a light blue VW bug.<br />
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Pat Garrett's Grave, Las Cruces NM</h3>
When I was in junior high, I went through a period where I was obsessed with the Young Guns movie franchise, the sequel in particular. In that movie, Emilio Estevez's Billy the Kid character had his long-time friendship with Pat Garrett dramatically change to where he was being hunted and was finally killed by the man in the end (or was he??). The Garrett family has a plot in a cemetery in Las Cruces, and you can see Pat lived another 27 years after the 1881 death of his former frenemy.<br />
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Pancho Villa's Trigger Finger, El Paso TX</h3>
This stop was on my I-10 list of must-sees. I walked into the shop too quickly to see that the mummified finger in a box was actually displayed in the front window. The shop is full of the standard pawn shop items as well as some really weird preserved animal body parts, as well as mummified animals and an actual human (allegedly). I'm not sure which came first, the finger or the other stuff, but the finger was pawned at the store in 2004 and has been there ever since. Not for the squeamish!<br />
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1919 Gas Station, El Paso TX</h3>
I've seen a lot of vintage gas stations, but never a round one. This station was a 2008 restoration. It's on the route back to the airport, so it was a perfect last stop for the trip.<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-89745080243831111372016-05-29T10:30:00.000-04:002016-05-29T22:33:17.686-04:00Photographing White Sands National Monument<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm from Washington D.C., so I know my monuments, but here's the secret: White Sands is not a monument at all! Located a little over 15 miles from Alamogordo, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument is 275 square miles of white gypsum sand dunes. It is a perfect place for photographers from sunrise to sunset because the large dunes complement the soft colors in the early and late skies; and during the typical mid-day bright light times that photographers tend to avoid, it's actually a great time to play with dramatic shadows, curves, and sand ripple lines. <br />
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When you turn into the national park, the ranger station is located to your right. Make sure to grab some water there if you forgot to bring a bottle. There is nothing but picnic tables and restrooms for facilities inside the park. Also, if you wanted to sled down the dunes, you can pick up a rental there. After you stop at the ranger station, get ready for a 10-15 minute drive to get to the big dunes. I found that I spent most of my time on the left half of the loop drive, near the back country camping area parking. The dunes were bigger over there, but you sacrifice getting a yucca plant for the foreground. The yuccas tend to be mostly located before you hit the loop. Timing a trip for the yucca bloom is tricky, so that may be a moot observation.<br />
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The park has varying opening hours throughout the year, so check the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm">NPS website</a>. If you find that sunrise and sunset times fall at or within the open times, there is an option to get a permit to enter the park 1 hour early or leave the park 1 hour after closing. To get this permit, you will have to stop at the ranger entry gate before the park drive (where you show your annual NPS pass or buy a day pass). Some quick paperwork and a cash payment ($50 for each hour), and you're in. I would suggest calling the park before your trip and making sure that a permit is available/a ranger will be there to let you in on your preferred day(s). Winter months are better bets to not have to pick up a permit because of the later sunrise and earlier sunset times. The photo below was taken of a sunset within normal hours. I did have to pack up quickly to make it out of the park in time, though. Winter months are also better for temperatures. It can get very hot in the summer. The gypsum, unlike other sands, tends to stay cooler though because it tends to better retain moisture. One more note on timing, the less busy times also means less footprints in the sand.<br />
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Wind at White Sands can be your friend and your enemy. A decent wind will help to quickly erase footprints and leave you with some pristine dunes to shoot. A decent wind will also help maintain the neat ripples in the sand. Of course, wind also messes with sharpness of plants and edges, especially with the softer morning and evening light where you have to slow down shutter speeds to get more light to the sensor (or bump up ISO, but then you deal with noise). Where the sand is more moist, the "frozen" sand patterns are incredible. The photo below is one of my favorites I shot, and the proceeding photo is of a gorgeous fan pattern. If you are planning a trip to the park for photography reasons, I would suggest giving yourself at least two days to accommodate for weather, wind, and sunrise/sunset quality. I found the park rangers were very helpful when it came to permits, even calling me on their way home to check to see if I wanted to come back early again the next day. The best way to get to White Sands, if not doing a regional road trip, is to fly into El Paso, Texas and drive the hour and a half north. Alamogordo is the closest lodging available. Check out my next post for some fun oddball sites to visit in the area! <br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163208947301636373.post-29957632566991149232016-05-28T13:30:00.000-04:002016-05-28T13:30:30.799-04:00NYC Broadway Binge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I went on a Broadway BINGE this Spring, and of course it included going to see Hamilton again, for a third time! It's the best show on Broadway right now and probably since RENT in the 1990s. The media loves to say how hard it is to get tickets to see the show, but it's really not hard if you plan in advance and don't try to get one a week before. Granted, I bought this ticket for this night about 9 months prior, but just recently the Hamilton producers cracked down on ticket scalping agencies and did a purge of the inventory of tickets that violated Ticketmaster's ticket limits. Around 7pm on a Wednesday night, on Twitter and Facebook, it was announced that a new block of tickets (the reclaimed scalper tickets) for shows November 2016 - January 2017 were being released at 9pm. Unlike an Adele concert, the new block of tickets were swept up within an hour instead of a minute, so you had time to look at different dates and seating locations. My point is tickets can happen at face value if you "wait for it, wait for it" - oh man, quoting the show now. Bottom line, this show is worth any wait, so go and get them! I suspect the February 2017 and beyond block will go on sale soon.<br />
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On the train ride up to the city, the Broadway binge started out perfectly because I had some free Amtrak reading material on the aforementioned topic - Mr. Miranda's Hamilton. That show wasn't the only reason I was excited to head back north to the Great White Way. I've been anticipating the opening of Sara Bareilles' new musical, Waitress, since the release of her preview album with Jason Mraz. <br />
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Based on the film of the same title, starring Keri Russell, the Waitress experience starts as soon as you walk in the door. They claim that an actual pie is baking somewhere in the lobby. It definitely smells good, and not too strong or off putting like a Yankee Candle Company candle or plug in scent, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out where the smell started and how they would allow an operational oven inside a historic theater. If only I could let mysteries remain mysteries! The pie theme did not stop there. At the concession stands, the were selling little pies in jars!<br />
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Walking into the theater, besides the image of a lattice top of a cherry pie being printed on the stage curtain, the side of the stage had two large towers of spinning pie displays, like a diner would have. Obviously a lot of thought went into the design of this production.<br />
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The show was outstanding, and all of the actors were impressive. It's hard not to fall for Drew Gehling as the OB/GYN doctor, but the show stealer is Christopher Fitzgerald as Ogie, the nerdy customer who wins the heart of one of the waitresses.<br />
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I also caught the Roundabout Theater revival of "She Loves Me" starring Laura Benanti, Zachary Levi, Gavin Creel, and Jane Krakowski. This is your old school, Broadway romance musical style show. Cute for sure! "She Loves Me" is the inspiration for the movie "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan -- two pen pals who have fallen for each other and don't realize they are adversaries in real life.<br />
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To round out the binge, I saw an off-Broadway production of "The Robber Bridegroom" with Stephen Pasquale that was too cheesy to enjoy. I also suffered 3 hours and 45 minutes watching Jessica Lange and cast mates slowly inch their way through the script for "A Long Day's Journey Into Night." I had high expectations for that play, but I'm not sure if it was the writing, the melodramatic acting, or both that had me itching in my seat to leave, only to be stuck in the middle of the row overpowered by manners.<br />
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Even with the two misses, I still think that it was a good spring show binge. I also did a lot of exploring in the city and found Fishs Eddy in the Flatiron District that had some fun kitchen and serving ware, including these Hamilton Musical-inspired shot glasses - "I am not throwing away my shot!" (more quoting)<br />
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My other big find for the trip was so gorgeous and so tasty, I had to go back again the next night. I HAD TO! Amorino - on 8th Avenue in the Theater District or at 3 other locations. Gelato flowers, people!!!<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09303391808545628660noreply@blogger.com3