Thriifty Decor Chick: travel

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Family getaway

Hello my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend! We were away with family this weekend and it was wonderful. One weekend a year my entire family -- parents (my dad and stepmom), the kids and all the grandkids get together. It’s a treat from our parents and it’s turned into a wonderful tradition for us. The problem is finding a location that can fit us all. I’ve mentioned before that I’m one of seven kids – there are full, half and step and I’m the oldest of them all. I was an only child for ten years too, the oldest and only is a dangerous combination. ;) This time there were about 20 of us – you can see why it’s hard to find a place to fit everyone. Usually we go to southern Indiana in the fall but this year we took a trip down to Kentucky to a spot our parents love. It’s called Mountain Laurel Lake in Harned, KY and there aren’t any mountains and the lake is really more like a pond, but the name is pretty, yes? We were truly in the middle of nowhere: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jVrJWY-eTZPQau5yNF_f1VvD5_P02PVw0XiVzGizySEC6DFOUGz7xGoL-2NU8i_tKeTZBNB-VE9qTcqG8BjxijgUAQwI1l3WbEL5NM3tt6q4kDPgcilrADE1K3WBEBueS10Kti6DDCpN/s1600-h/20140724_161114%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kentucky fields" border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHgQwy3hKXKOR1JWMuUkUkhDH3AWksvspXibtGWWdVwcukhULnB4XNo0VWKKoPMwTtfkghHOxcENMrE8lBUcdIWFiYf1wWjpJP8b8YVyi1P4CRR1Xm4q90ICaYF_6jb97HZ3jmlKgFc2F/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kentucky fields" width="500" /></a> It was SO quiet. And a welcome change from all the activity at our house over the past few weeks. The main cabin was the biggest so it’s where we ate dinners. The kids (OK, and the adults) loved the horses: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMyapGHDYjuAYGQE8rRyugy3o-JtH_Ssu9m6neDpPUnGz1UtKNCjS0CU6CgQR3Ln-f5hEXlwTlbz1QwpwH1FWLbXKc0OmF1Kgx6nsfvorRfpKZp6gCdHOdmCWIfAfNlA0etWOgTGx74M5/s1600-h/20140724_160431%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3tRmor2frjB0qiM4K0k27t_H-PdWrwe0_ydP7gzVYXtoQvtxBZ_YvmLX7dgX1nUKg0C6kaGajIlh7h9v-lNUT32Vn7zjPTAg3nfx7v999Kk8u81Vtx5OMFAKrWT8CuL1rHPhF2lsE80k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> And there was a fenced in area for all the dogs (we are an animal loving family) and plenty of places to sit and swing: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqTISsMs5Fp-XYEZwb0pr9LHKLxQM6u6tYF5jWoPRLrSaM-etJ6Eo-ryZhH5fdXrFEbj0s0XV98AgQf-PVNKDTk5gM0Mb9bnNvK22sWaUwsniXIwrcezYe6Q5TQLooZtNur3GRIk50SiF/s1600-h/20140724_160716%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kentucky cabins" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsACLgYUuo5YzK_zsAgrjEc908F-10rZybvoKtv2S4608EQrZJpNPcN27fEUGwO26ggUO49YC5efjhEPF1woVc6RtzM4cOWFz6VcBoSqXYUXvnVjHx13Cip4XSqM66qxCo6p2H1HJP3z8m/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kentucky cabins" width="500" /></a> Down some steep roads were the rest of the cabins off the lake. We couldn’t swim in it but the view was lovely off our deck: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLJdq45n8A3M62O8S3g4fM7t-vKz3pCMhxoA1enauhEGEWr3mZR_EBgTyEpGNp9zA1-QSxLIbP-u-Gxmr70b8VzEltcAnTFYB2S0AyWpnvcAmyqNmFFrzAYEP7XccLr1mhrSndHla1i1M/s1600-h/lake2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mountain laurel lake" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6omQm44oh_dfKQ54-a6HuwVD3vznxWq4sTg4-f4xdsx-0-5NudsJ0vngYjQpmkepyy4ODqeFs97IeoWVdr10sMJfA6YarT52YPqMFFuJT-qMpejjsT77Bs0KAxC3Q_CbK_50MuY7eKfxY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mountain laurel lake" width="500" /></a> We sat on the deck during a massive storm the last night and it was spectacular! Actually, we were out on that deck about 90 percent of the time, day and night. They had little boats we used to just tool around in or get to the other cabins: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ1ba1hpQco4B7b657kz8Kl48PoNs45p2a50m7a-yVUCwwLkKmy3-U8ligFkG6hbHtOEURKQlL8kPEhpHveOHm8_GdIaWBP7AsiFDb6YsatL3XfjxOzGECs5kzacDvKoUq7vAM1u8L_yi/s1600-h/lake1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kentucky cabin" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK9-sEQFZQHnIGyIuxrSR3h7CaRkUrUEYaR84rSoj54hyOdm7pMxtFOBjmsWpQlahaKIKY6W9cHcyxuSwGukA-g-a5e54ZrVyJa00rdpg5xF5W8opd1pEXEnGhuG6YpJkUXrQ_ZvVSPic/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kentucky cabin" width="500" /></a> The kids (OK, and the adults) loved them! Since there were so many of us we were in three different cabins and this made it easy to get to each other. My favorite part was the hike my Dad kept telling us about. I’ve never seen so many mossy rocks!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8THGmjVBdCucPH77_57OSgDxbQpjSdr2tAZZICZRu_esLI9x63TCAmShIKTZPEPYAtTrcYfeB6MBgH_a6_EkVySNjpXsnMRts3qhdVj1V8sydv1Gj6CmSKhXDOMPyjDBWNj-2ukhSpHGP/s1600-h/20140726_144942%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mossy rock" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT8e1lYctvEGCzhFpmktkO0GJisPhnTfrRjHWozNzsJGiSzUEHxDhA2aqu_EDe4je5pl7Yehcg1SfkWpSRgPBCtyzAm82psgiPy_LG6xHY7ayyVIAWB1uzd88uH9fdZFM0rRy-dPti-9h/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mossy rock" width="500" /></a> They were absolutely everywhere! Big ones too: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rg4RAsBP1uSA4B0cxDhv2nduxUTkaeld_rrQNsJ5RymeTKEg6OCL7jrBimgVjz7f_VT9ahe-qJq75PukhS_o9cXhRt6PsxkasWIrx5Novazg952ka6EWx7yhFhqLia3MPjhKrYysp-lR/s1600-h/20140726_145027%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGf7l1OrbArUr-T0C3CpZvBMTp1Pblz1gDfpsDB29ai0kH3OM_EU7AykDM_W5IpX50l-oKoFEruy57iMItlXKB_kiuhZaCSjV_J5vB0MIsgnfPVLgR-6En6ze9EUHZGjrzuEhDeFQmKYR/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> It was really, really beautiful. I eat this stuff up – just love it: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1q76-7hzfso/U9ZrzMryFaI/AAAAAAAAph8/2l-fEQxCQyw/s1600-h/20140726_145344%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Wg_CCutJYk/U9ZrzxTLRnI/AAAAAAAApiE/HKu8YR1AeVA/20140726_145344_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> The bugs…not so much. I think Dad was a little over his five girls and our fear of ticks and GINORMOUS spiders on this trip. But seriously Dad. GINORMOUS. The scenery was just gorgeous though. Dad said there are usually waterfalls coming down but it hadn’t rained much before we went on the hike: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-472iCVWKWY8/U9Zr08vbmgI/AAAAAAAApiM/gg6lF7J-KiM/s1600-h/20140726_145353%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kentucky hiking" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fwcazvjnMcQ/U9Zr1n6_UlI/AAAAAAAApiU/O0lU-HzgGvc/20140726_145353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Kentucky hiking" width="500" /></a> A few of us climbed to the top: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZTGufDgw9lk/U9Zr2nfWskI/AAAAAAAApic/q1ECidwaMm0/s1600-h/20140726_150237%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bH4bQZCoMhc/U9Zr33O5DWI/AAAAAAAApik/vhQZHAHygDQ/20140726_150237_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> That’s me up there. :) And we got a hiking selfie while we were at it: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SqZUUWK1Y74/U9Zr47Epd1I/AAAAAAAApis/S9NHIgZh7Ik/s1600-h/2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oo8wzqqNn30/U9Zr51YOa7I/AAAAAAAApi0/A38yDyVxNoI/2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> It was another wonderful weekend with some of the people I love most in this world. The only one missing was my husband – he’s been away on a work trip to Singapore for 11 days and is on his way back as I type. We can’t WAIT to see him!! Did I mention there wasn’t any Internet or cell phone service? Well, we would get spotty service up at the main cabin, but we weren’t there much. So we were forced to bond and the cousins had a ball together. It was nice to get away with my boy too: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AS2fpBj6SVs/U9Zr6rL3KJI/AAAAAAAApi8/TmWHbTixArU/s1600-h/lake4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="family cabin weekend" border="0" height="395" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_EXOLrnqt_Q/U9Zr7tpLpMI/AAAAAAAApjE/4mExO2g8Obs/lake4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="family cabin weekend" width="500" /></a> The heart and soul needs weekends like this sometimes. I love our parents for making it happen for the whole family. Do you ever get away with your extended family like this? Any favorite spots? Anyone know of a a cabin big enough for all of us within three to four hours of Indy? We’re considering Lake Michigan sometime – that would be spectacular.

Family getaway

Hello my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend! We were away with family this weekend and it was wonderful. One weekend a year my entir...

8:27 AM

Let’s go RVing!

Hey there all! I have to apologize for the later than usual posts this week – we’ve been traveling and with the time change I was posting later. And we were on vacation, so there’s that. ;) Every summer for the past few years we rent an RV and take a trip up to Wisconsin for hubby’s work with drum corps. Most of our vacations/trips are tied into his work – sometimes it’s because it’s the only way we’ll see him that week and sometimes it’s because it’s a fun spot that we like to visit. We took a four day trip on the RV up north this week and loved it yet again. I grew up camping every weekend and I still love the thought of it – but not sure I could do it now. One word: bugs. More specifically: mosquitoes. Seriously. I guess you could call RVing “glamping” cause you have all the comforts of home and yet you still get to sit by a roaring fire in the evenings and roast marshmallows. It is the perfect combo for me! We LOVE it. It makes travel easy too – lots of room to move around, you can grab what you want to eat out of the fridge whenever you want, HELLO – no potty breaks cause you can just GO, and our favorite part – it’s easy to take this guy along: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZHfP7Aq3uzwQt27eO1pwpmhn9VnfMsv3KMGGjECqMt2TXTPZn0wIvfZYDJGrlUbJWmmu7H0EbibflOaHbLAoT_ik3Wa1K8zsA772MTYS204ApRff6m-ujsqdpwZ9POefDSFNmnRedKfz/s1600-h/bd%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Peanut butter" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC7Esnblw4MXdIbJL7MUTPREq9g-jkj9ZXsfjK2X4ZBylatr9XFpm4c6Dzqcur99ASgaDoaP5n96qlLU5bXcQzVVpw7oLSGrlMH5jTAxoqRQWl7QphEKwhkWicK7XYLbZkleNfPrKl2_Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Peanut butter" width="450" /></a> The cats are jealous. This year my husband had to work during the day every day, so the kiddo and I took off on various adventures. I find great joy in exploring and finding little local treasures wherever we are. Even the smallest towns have an old little movie theater or a great diner – it’s those kind of places that I love to check out. And the local HomeGoods too, that never hurts. ;) We were based in La Crosse, WI again this year and I wanted to make sure to check out the top of Grandad Bluff this time. The views did not disappoint!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9W5xw8vRIsoN_71MKiLDltAzqqdtykxZlNEBtbuwhIGRolpbVACutUsjq0PT3sBCA0Xkjr320NHymk3ckq6AE1Q5lW2ztiSaLxpbfZGx14u4VbcbcwqV87dEZZzXasThCIcdAm5wXgIi/s1600-h/1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Grandad Bluff Wisconsin" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfas5yht0VUduxO3oo3bq1-G5Ljm2JoFuIgKD4aLpFOisoWgkLowAC66DiEoOGf2vJrvkbhn25CkC_6gr4nTcvVmb5K2WHIxDFd08QPEQd54NKMDwGBgoQzRC62ahL-_-UI8jNUhchNVI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Grandad Bluff Wisconsin" width="500" /></a><img alt="Grandad Bluff Wisconsin" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I8tZsvpIj1cvFjGHM2e07z8FYDqlr2WQ70P3q62-TMoyHNcwE31yaqd7QQRYhVvNhegBXsD7P-WAEmxDdQBSEaQYNs4Fc-3p-12vDsI-zcSpZ0NNA6omYP7PyDu3iR9JRs0RltRTCF95/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Grandad Bluff Wisconsin" width="500" /> It was an easy drive up (it’s actually a mesa) and there’s a small park up there where you can check out the view. I’ve always wondered why this area of Wisconsin wasn’t flat and it turns out it’s a very small chunk of the state that did not have any glaciers go through. I find that stuff fascinating. The city is down in a valley and there are these beautiful hills everywhere around it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyr25tCV89y6Zel82S8uxamwIJBGuq0_y4EXDkoTkzOANbZ8JOqcbJl7X5OqrBT-vUfdNw76IA228rhnhZbC3sN0uDD7PMYyCqq9oHmu_0_BD_v9KSGP4C7D-tjPIW6AUNjwxC_S3yg3s5/s1600-h/5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Grandad Bluff" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkezgGMGarMYePvzAedZM3hkSaX-5JHUTIDGx30LIcGj6hc9CPi67pClX_bx3mKYDK5QT0GAPq7EpsfGnj7NvPeANeMYrTq_BVTHH5Iz-u96vVc1YsU_NxZ0SFiu5LhWv2JziyXXIk4IBj/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Grandad Bluff" width="500" /></a> The next day we made our way to the Mall of America. I actually wanted to go here: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cHiKAI8cQeP2kejpl7wDBVYWLoGpb5ar5LUbXFXcQ0R4g8bajT94ZdlkK-9RkluaAKb0AFRjoDKjlQnO4774Ev2qsDHYKOWKO6TnwlQ4opTm_uA-KMlds95UX1w1D18f78hHORhfLRZJ/s1600-h/10%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBvO9VaCEz-3A6M1cmUdtaitp8mPn6oq-3yCeIeZXIOzHMmPfUbirIc4_XOO6KeoCAV0dNd87tk1dmc7w663gua3emxUybe8gSYTxcusAeVAdOFKS2rgehHLaF1zblxuKGAQw3KL5PrjN/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> Young and the Restless fans, hello! But the Bub wasn’t into that (what?) so we headed on: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLI8IncaIb8MZ_kfaF4UG7bsTMXfefePSJLxoC1XAkmLFvszjv4LI_mvL-_27trx8kpdSIY8HUn7YauI5ow2n_xchyiNYMJS0IFCzYFLMyF83oyik3Ts6eAlcnkwubChjSlRGZchIv71_I/s1600-h/8%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mall of America amusement park" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVhLkSWujNXrIJemlEZ-5rvCrR0f9U88YMhyUH9jR_J0Jd-odOfjR9AUtpe-UMqMme6QrCq2j2ZyqcqicPUW5jLQGexRD7ocHX3OrIDg-yqoQJ09NGJ76vTurl_Zd5j_-adphwHJmjPm8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mall of America amusement park" width="500" /></a> The mall is a good two and half hours from where we were but it was worth it – we spent about five hours at the indoor amusement park and then did a little shopping and eating. The park was actually really fun – he could ride everything and it wasn’t busy at all so we had our run of the place:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhMgq5wo6hJlYA_uzDtstbDZKua5dl7wzP4JlPWi0fQOYfN6Dia_mi2PSmFUM67NGcJfDaBeTUt9d4rtrydJ4HMfg7BfW3ZXuTAKKqVvAn7F4pmqzexgBPefQelGipBPWOMbWfNlO65_V/s1600-h/9%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mall of america" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mk8EgpBTzr4/U6Rse1zXKLI/AAAAAAAAov8/MjI0C-PbkDA/9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mall of america" width="500" /></a> The weather was CRAZY up there (and at home too) – but worse there. Two nights of storms and downpours: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RPRRkhRTD9Y/U6Rsf1Sp6yI/AAAAAAAAowE/Oa67W1xZ8pw/s1600-h/7%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="557" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KtSflrNQr4k/U6RsgqREekI/AAAAAAAAowM/mU_uj19Nnyg/7_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> Our RV was moving a little too much in the wind for our liking and the rain on the metal roof is SO dang loud – so we didn’t get great sleep on the trip. Our bed felt amazing this morning. :) The flooding was unreal – this was our view of the Mississippi from the back of the RV at the campsite: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pOV_MQ9rreo/U6Rshs0GgCI/AAAAAAAAowU/6z1K3yUZ7FM/s1600-h/11%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="RV campgrounds Wisconsin" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1kzhbFwi_wE/U6RsiQVLq0I/AAAAAAAAowc/sIHtb2BPI-g/11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="RV campgrounds Wisconsin" width="500" /></a> It’s not supposed to be that close. :) Both my husband and I would check out the back window all night both nights because we were so afraid the water would get too high: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mYUF62cFdYA/U6RsjWvBhqI/AAAAAAAAowk/vzj3dmNvCRY/s1600-h/12%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mississippi River" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jf9WkeBb2Pw/U6RskIacMgI/AAAAAAAAows/bjk0b7EribQ/12_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mississippi River" width="500" /></a> I heard from a reader that there’s terrible flooding in Iowa too – hope everyone is safe and doing OK. Looks like you’re finally getting a break from the rain today! Here’s a look at our ride for the week: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IhBFpv7Y4ho/U6RslAJu4cI/AAAAAAAAow0/9KuhVRLkatc/s1600-h/13%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="RVing" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WXnB5Bq0juc/U6RsmI6oK_I/AAAAAAAAow8/x1qfLJvAeh4/13_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="RVing" width="500" /></a> I can drive one this big but prefer not to so we rented a small car for me to use instead. It was SO worth it. The last day we were planning on visiting a water park at the Dells but it was pouring, so instead the kiddo and I took a trip to a cave in Minnesota: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t_scsKYMKxQ/U6RsmqEX2dI/AAAAAAAAoxE/88L8bNW2iDY/s1600-h/14%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cave tours" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tig7ib0qxGY/U6Rsng8yUnI/AAAAAAAAoxM/B1x9UjWGFFo/14_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cave tours" width="500" /></a> This is something I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do so I was so excited I could barely stand it. It’s called Niagara Cave in Harmony, MN and it was literally in the middle of farmland. I kept expecting rolling hills or something, but no – it started from a sinkhole in the ground on a farm: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X76P_bZMABo/U6RsoZUUTCI/AAAAAAAAoxU/fH_3kZn_dB8/s1600-h/15%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niagara Cave, Minnesota" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HyAh-8njFU0/U6RspYyna4I/AAAAAAAAoxc/UJMlgjai8cE/15_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Niagara Cave, Minnesota" width="500" /></a> The farmer was losing pigs and found them (alive) down there. ;) He discovered the cave in the 1800’s. It was totally awesome:  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LIy7J9QpPXU/U6RsqGCDnwI/AAAAAAAAoxk/C7a1bimYFhg/s1600-h/17%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cave tours" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZMcu3S1lWgM/U6RsrHPJWUI/AAAAAAAAoxs/VsQKV0arjwg/17_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cave tours" width="500" /></a> It was an easy one mile walk and I loved it. It did get pretty tight in a few spaces, but it wasn’t so bad because it was so tall above: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uAwBvfz6_OA/U6Rsr_89Y-I/AAAAAAAAox0/aFb-o6AAfds/s1600-h/19%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niagara Cave" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KkoLSz-jprQ/U6RssZiWiRI/AAAAAAAAox8/lhuJ7X8tbjM/19_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Niagara Cave" width="500" /></a> I’ve been planning a trip down to the caves in Indiana and Kentucky so it was a cool surprise to visit one up there. I can’t wait to do it again! We had a lovely few days exploring and relaxing – and we got to be with my husband which was the best part. :) It’s SO good to be home though – my goodness I love coming home to our house. Have you ever been RVing? Do you enjoy it? My dream is to take a trip out west to Wyoming soon. I did it as a kid on a girl scout trip and it was the best trip I’ve ever been on. Have a great weekend all!

Let’s go RVing!

Hey there all! I have to apologize for the later than usual posts this week – we’ve been traveling and with the time change I was posting la...

10:17 AM

Roughing it

Hello everybody! Hope you had a lovely weekend! We just got home from a little family excursion up north. We took off late last Tuesday for a four day RV trip through Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. This is our second RV trip -- we took our first one a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/goings-on.html">couple summers ago</a> and it’s safe to say we’re hooked. :) RVing is SO fun – this time we rented a smaller one (the first time we got a huge class A and this time it was a smaller class C). The smaller one was still plenty big and we all loved it. (And I could drive it no problem – bonus.) This trip was all fun for the kiddo and me, but some work for the hubs since we were traveling around with the drum corp he works with. Back in our old days when he and I were dating we would take off on these kinds of trips often in the summer. I love doing the same with our boy. :) We love RVing because we can travel at our own pace, stop when we want and still have plenty of space to stretch out as we go. We saw some pretty countryside in Illinois on the first day: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SDUvTuRHX2PPXKQWuS38mU-m7WDv4PgByzBRRv8s5pLGysUb5jurO_3q3mtvtGvRn8AjsFgJnBaQtOJLxwqljs2JI2clT5XGnTRsFNu4a_1cnEax3-n_bWyt3-4wc58xkTDSfKLEIQx7/s1600-h/IMG_67893.jpg"><img alt="illinois countryside" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpkoZIdRug2Pss8IqvgcsQD7Vv2LeuGDSD7MWaB9xpE70l04QxB6tga1CE_RLnwZhTh-9IorlTldryHG6t2n1ZM1XICTnUmQKqugx-8zYyAfmyQBV3oDHlnCzFHnYDN73tYb1m4oxcEIW/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="illinois countryside" width="450" /></a> While my husband worked with the corp the kiddo and I explored the cute little town of Metamora, IL – and ended up spending most of the afternoon at their awesome public pool: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WWqdeE_kO3x_gdBT7BHnNJMEbS1AU-GJOGWH5bLhvnM3wkjfJo3p1gg87V9rGbd1VOh8h4wrCSCMusqt6VmPjdqQxdw99k-hWw8xzYoEPrl7M5tOdM1TGDTRRjKtYJX3ufedSWPr0H1O/s1600-h/IMG_67863.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpxAVBGyRFROLn8VSrMJk3lhJrZ9ZJoBqJU7MXxTOK-Ix_hDdz2E1s-_MY86ItVIbgjpG5vVWWn7nbjhJiqQr5GHoIym4EVc8Jn36ZQ1kAyYCJbbl4sybvWYi2RXStxOQujI-E_3SursC/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a> It took a few hours, but right before we left the Bub got up the courage to go down that slide and LOVED. IT. :) When we RV (or when we drive anywhere really), we like to hit up local restaurants, shops…and apparently pools. It was just by accident we happened on that and it was a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. The next day we headed to our stop for a couple days – La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Bub and I did some shopping at some local antique stores: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HFzN3RjYr6lsFg3ZvWRkrL46uQH2EhEENSsJwKgmSSBhQR7AVMcu9_qZKGAZ81EL6exoFycPhw1nI_UmeoOuoMevu4gJjBrVlPOXCZrYRf0kwWPFdy8zqHUU0nB4Max8oKMEtmg-_MBG/s1600-h/IMG_68034.jpg"><img alt="la crosse wisconsin" border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8h46ymanKb5DLGIGZwLJmplKlowrker2MHGG59ozlnqK5NhhWx9kFA9lHkCN3qwiMY_QbR8OHNNOePCp4BFc7ir3b3XZoj6AInvQdoHKNe77qDiH0BQlA8svtBeMZx7FuniCFHKOC8F0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="la crosse wisconsin" width="450" /></a> I didn’t find anything I had to have, but I did come across a huge selection of these glasses that totally took me back: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHvj3-WpyjiTmFVHcnH43U5ago08qFIqzT3YamX0gud7WIZENdQlD3qT2qxnyb6IIQffHDkK9cZaGKlts_XMhn-fQwczxpS8saxktieezF7fXK46DzQC5BruinK4CNqPWC2zTf_x-eGzX/s1600-h/IMG_68013.jpg"><img alt="old hardees glasses smurfs" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglv8_rkCUsOLtj8GaPFv9DUwXaMeoPFIE1XOonqmu4d9c5ahdH6zb4HzMVR-QCt3wdJQoFN1XKigb7BFRS-3lWMeg_1n0JkAq8s4giN48z8QOYZfij6h4WIInf5G3Mumc0_IddfF1DZjSM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="old hardees glasses smurfs" width="400" /></a> Man, I was so close to getting a few of them. I still kinda wish I had. They had all of the ones I remembered from my childhood – Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Muppets, E.T. It was such a fun blast from the past. :) And of course, when Mama saw the HomeGoods sign I pulled that RV over faster than you can say, well…HomeGoods: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4tIrrIstpYenp6_-I7v6mQt_dtJxHkOJVsajXLWnkZTU3EEUrAPbMvRisUvikXsGDaX8PV_3wGFO19OJZ-5GV4BSITe9bL2m6qU9F6KSgQAHc63Y6SHHuRatDXTiYERI1JFSkbopEcO7/s1600-h/IMG_68003.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg935L78xmTRkgcDuPHu08g1wCBaUWHVulOmNDLNjmkCDO5MwOAsJknboxx-r2DLteYNmtyIwoH00_LeO3TjGey0fcja3rSa6Sk9_4eLouGRqJPKt1TP2H2sRD632Lumo4-BED05CEpJU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a> We actually came across an awesome find there – I’ve dreamed of one of these for our basement for years: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5o-vm2tGJuPNWFqzXa2zq0esTMOnh6RyZLxhwXg2_d9YptO3aCx1pHkebYfLWIS3AW2icxm1vxYssXqTSnsunUlODk_Oga6pbnhnlRUecnv1NBtRqo19Eu_AzJJZKzDXwO5g4XrXG6wq/s1600-h/1000947_CCP300_A_6004.jpg"><img alt="standing popcorn machine" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHGjugymqqssZBmC1YpALa5uZQpSjXeZPrWGMl_sSJqpIzNBJcnTUMehTE8FH9JU9TrY9qbCbHY_QUyU8Li5AQ1EeFIdCgoTdob4xKlRsIwxiGkkGGwkkkoIiTgWTnmkDJut_yO7srLdl/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="standing popcorn machine" width="500" /></a>   We both freaked when we saw it – the bonus was that it was $70 cheaper than what I’ve found online. (It was missing a couple measuring cups, no biggie.) Just another reason I love traveling in an RV – plenty of room to take the treasures home. (And I’m sure it was a sight seeing me loading this thing into the big rig.) I was so tempted to use it one night on the RV, but we didn’t have the popcorn or oil, so we waited till we got home. I have to say, I think it made better popcorn than my WhirleyPop! That’s saying a lot cause I adore my WhirleyPop people. (The popcorn from the machine was much crisper, if that makes any sense.) Anyhoo – that was our best find on the trip. :) We saw a good share of drum corp rehearsals while there, with the backdrop of the beautiful Wisconsin hills: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGAfaYJ41IPVvf8WTnvB1VHRIjIVrN35TdGiA3MAheD7qenO9-IyJq2HZpbMtnPH3jvMqA0hjk0DZJsG_AHzzg2u0K_nnLsIpbN7R6GKQ4s5XSxERDZIzy0PA6rUS2wtwnZ-se_ptTnpu/s1600-h/IMG_68113.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh3EbDShPKR_m1E0HIbz-wEEsmdAzWp8JYwKzXJiRs1xUFPnvQaQaOijwIrFyfeFP053OdhbC0nq0HM01jq0JYnjijC-0DrT3xMGOCME1zfXZVdyLCNPSZOXTTdlTnk-FhgS9v5HjgvZm/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a> And one of the highlights for me at least was the cauuute cabin we stayed in: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PJPogMMXmiKsg6koMrFfqaxA3eTbakWExLPD4XG013dw08peJQiquK1GqBbjjNKGnneBHBpMAjS1QWwtF3H7XQyMOjFBoncL1_W7V5zQSTSLFbjGV2w_hWkXLNrzmEpUr_wo1ERnhWax/s1600-h/IMG_67913.jpg"><img alt="rustic cabin in the woods" border="0" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL6kHOerbVdPT9u27tRGI1UuWnoxsmbnCoIsaSLphtSfCDRj2uDPG9-a89K9DWHcioInPEgwJBGtvUKLQ0Iad-6ZFVcZRO2Z_nddciFy4y0EDlyVb0yXxT8jOe9GFMl_H7397BhU6QRzt/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="rustic cabin in the woods" width="500" /></a> This was at an RV park that had cabins, so we were able took hook up the RV and still camp out inside that night. It was so totally precious: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGR5TOVrC-K67iG6z4xueFe4HNgiF_2Ynwhun3zOeysdrNyKSbwmyvjDRZXcHjEIuEPAyiSXWhm0WUnNLIIfxd1h3sjp_1RmKm5RwYo4ClSZZPotMCbTjFC0SyQtP8oGOYY_JVMGe5NI9/s1600-h/IMG_67943.jpg"><img alt="rustic cabin in the woods" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXftobgFZG5OzXxvrTJuYZGwqm7MOekBN1gkYtX6k7_3GXAIV0SuZQtnGKgAST40D5V9ieSt6V77C_ZR3A3U8ehPtxadxmeydFcKdMtHbQHomHnFZNhNTNqVXl6-BKoM3DKOMsiSP3wt3/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="rustic cabin in the woods" width="500" /></a> A few of you on Instagram wanted to see the inside so I made sure to take a few pics before we left. It was very rustic, but had all of the modern conveniences you could need (including air!). It had a cute little bunk room that would sleep at least four and a bathroom with all the basics:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HulR3UiqEhssqH3q2rHLqWXeutfJhvN-B0WmS19HpnWgEDFGju9S3LKCHNx0WW-AkoEjm4kS9i783WhLPeG6d-QrwTy8R-ga3sntLAS-Tpu6qyCv_TIOHnZViB_aqq6bnNxO8SNaRrwa/s1600-h/IMG_68175.jpg"><img alt="rustic cabin bunks" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-c_oQ5FstiG7QMZFVDQGB6tFWdjvbZmIlZ8trHfEYDEg9V76uP4a4WioXVpY2XwI0PW9fw93Rbhv9HKNC3l6LANH3EKw6Y15bo-ik75cguMBSF7i2wcnhi8QotoY9320trb3b6Z2xCCi/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="rustic cabin bunks" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB5BprshWdTRIot0kasePIKqy7fGiRHDQ0SMY9upGgQf8ymgMAPL-LrpQ3x24LRgc6Ojd47pKgp8zILPFy_4EGNFYQ8E0PcqjeNbtjUr9zy_-D7Fra0jUaTPYIZ7qs8r-oBasYQhZybRJ/s1600-h/IMG_68213.jpg"><img alt="rustic cabin bathroom" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji3asL-hsOhuoI_LTdqVe0YVAFSPcx6n66VDSMyBKmRY5tRto-fOoI7xV01HQhoQa3oVlcZyfJQL-Mi4HjUv53qxPjLggfaksy9txgNLQM6uYOyzi4kyi0K_ME6oLMJTaEDZC5RcdsEsp/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="rustic cabin bathroom" width="290" /></a> The main part of the cabin was one big room with a kitchenette: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUjmLCxLCtomj2ZEYne86oz-d5C1xcFET4lHnkD6Nu9KsAn-KC5JxTChfhsDE_N1A0_2rn8zwcNoVxa8rpljS7loyeCy1tFAUOhyphenhyphen3sYwi8ZR866RhQCpopkpapgxjaacerawWVcSSPc1j/s1600-h/IMG_68223.jpg"><img alt="rustic cabin interior" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6OaB6tMOrZWt0giF4JLst1nGi75i1WiHMp4jJLTifoO-2gvjFntI3ZsyV590n01iTw7joBuEa5avSMi8pxGQqn3ReoeThvZpA0iqTx7vzMvDHwaJVOSzWoNtseMZrCHSuWE63PGk7G00/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="rustic cabin interior" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP9ZKWWUcxc7X0YU0TJVFVFzW4jUoIowFQommKWZ5ythvoOz4F0gel49akBF592-GcqJXfGDHr04HUJIy5YXqDgUL-xrPaitIkXW9QQOG_cPs_zIBpBU6Z_8hfkaHdiC2W1tC9hjaVLKd/s1600-h/IMG_68233.jpg"><img alt="rustic cabin" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RdzlhJIn6xibnbBDhn1oJ6H76kyZVKTD2b7RPhMeqDs0dz6X-mee9XFFOOQCmoli1KHe9mEn5rkMxsPQI9J9ahD5MRNn9CjyavH95zcndoms0kSk8DPjbZPL2gJoVqaQ3UUtLEywOONm/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="rustic cabin" width="290" /></a> And another bed with trundle: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UWy_mXQWr71Q5jDPR265mRYrWCG8r9PHK55HCHLj4TzRn_226dy5q697xydefjoRFAWJf2jPdQINsbqnAbA0wxHIYudQ4iQJ4vSdP_Ls60OQo1k2R0_CjQHoRkdQL1IM5-QeIT7ONcBl/s1600-h/IMG_68263.jpg"><img alt="rustic log cabin" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6Sdgf_xFw1DXdmwCID0iAmhte7Eg7A24jhnACENS17TQmaV_f8SPT-w_zVkxaL3OD-yZr9SjREgWbhgaP81cNZYud-AzEyWb-NrfJgH61MLtGsAgavhGWMaG9snRP2Jfn35FElr2rYy-/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="rustic log cabin" width="450" /></a> And a TV!! Glorious TV! We didn’t have it at all on the trip otherwise, and I actually really didn’t miss it. But it was nice to have while we were there. We only ended up turning it on a couple times though – it was nice to disconnect for the most part. They had everything you could need while there – toiletries, dishes, cookware. It was great! I drank my wine out of a coffee cup: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnJ4DjQI4FsT6CmDCHLjJwjvmIRqbzhlfDAKVtLvC6UpK1ago1VJh96dZ6ioVpSyJAOz9Vve29yAAN4FWAhSTaMhJSt40UxdbxJmhr0e9qcr1G-orVRt9i_CI2YzwhimBLdlsTZEtcXFO/s1600-h/IMG_68134.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrbBj1taeRpJuC47vnAWzAb7p5UAaSkUOReEfNmkTcAey_Fgph-YHgcbp8uZU383rmiPDu0biQCv3EHWnaHscfPg8p1DMxD1wJ2dtlIJ12tdZZGw7cfux6bm5v9VeTNXa-LnGDViIfABt/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a> Ha!! Told you…rough. My favorite parts of the cabin were the ceiling: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp5Z-tzzH8LFD5cG-M5A8L_i7GsU9Jpj4HLB5axxTKb1ANnUrW9vU__Sb1Hie9VX1CJPsLrLMADOXyPpTGGSf40RP_kZwSoD-W-cQgJCCH1CPjI_rgIsLflyzuioQioYTRIJRcTnn78cO/s1600-h/IMG_68253.jpg"><img alt="rustic cabin ceiling" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoB70YyoEkQn3_mh48YnjkftQiocr55H8E10AoOoI2xf2IAxibxcUyXtW9xHr-4P1cBLqSsIurBCtVVH33ohWonNqxBbU2iqZhdOYU3mbBs71rHC6U1Hfouwbs1HqwTsTDEHSQ3HztnQm1/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="rustic cabin ceiling" width="450" /></a> The view: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_4Uqou3RIQsvRFvooIvlu09LoKOWfQdj9YbjeRVgl9lT6ROy4tZ8K9BIECXoZf7fxweCXhEMiexfaxKQhV4O-SQBhJEPCzSdAUGXd3VDcy4S-OpM4YOkWyRqjM-tc7yDXRg_nxf1QphD/s1600-h/IMG_68163.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-L37duW5cT35y6q6VwIkLjmrkCXhQitDyfdKukPOWXlfcXFq16XIGUZl8wfbNNTTKPi6GcWxwQfGNCHpaMmulbGRE8tk-uDj_6MPH3K4EjdfErTEcpQo8Q4FsfC81oad-hp757gr6gg2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a>We were perched right at the edge of a cliff in the woods– I thought we had the best cabin there. :)   And the AWESOME screened in porch: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uTvcweOjzfjukTblLZMvX554e_jmnGe6atBtK9aPaw6L2xQ_S9RFa_lGDYroudtomO7Lg7fT6C7Arl1JqWH-4bnpDKphDdDbw1V2pOOUpFh1Q1247agh3nGQsSSqQeuPAj7PjM0BfzgB/s1600-h/IMG_6827%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cabin with screened porch" border="0" height="666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o9n_PRDU3AEsiTjp5DtkoFL2_F60zFNK0NCwlZ21ivGWRNoqPf73WgbzNn51D_TUXPzqRpRjyFd_7nsjPgyNshjE42hDaAKf3BAJgTe7ObZNO1-HmnUaXZvYxZS_dZRMe9sHCHDUFaei/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cabin with screened porch" width="500" /></a> Usually when we travel to Wisconsin or Minnesota the mosquitoes are horrible this time of year – but this time the temps and bugs were both great! Low temps and very few bugs. Then it was time to head on, this time to beautiful Minnesota: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkz67-vRamgmxvfe8AgAQhAuRgHE_Nx2erPcJbgXVInCYdFCzGuiHG-DI9pzdhk_I3PImP6hDkOcBVVPebLXtTcgXNTCyl3mwWngvsi57QSPpmMatRydvyL_f3cc388Oxuw3mM2isUCbX/s1600-h/IMG_68343.jpg"><img alt="Minnesota lakes" border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhervasS17osHmJpyDImU_fW2tkvCJtPugIx-VX0PWbcdc5YB4ETQq7IyRXtNPaafptGP734Ho0g48FcjS7IAnlrPal35KdNW0Zk3X5FPW-c_UUUSYouIoWCPlLxrMe091tN8VaBsaCElJ_/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Minnesota lakes" width="500" /></a> We stayed in the RV that night and heard the Kenny Chesney concert nearby. :) The weather was PERFECT…at least till later when a crazy long storm came through. Pouring down rain hitting a metal roof for three hours straight doesn’t really make for a great night’s sleep. :) The next day we spent a few hours at the Mall of America: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fESNf8ZThF9p9kGx1YUizImiTCRBMmM0C1qqMRX_7sFYUWPT5-XHUTKHVOtEcgT4Gi1_J3_1TfZrkTuNW7icTvzZC_0m7fFQXvpFd6wJW6Si5hMZ28plzqwrtSjAmPpgfMXFs6fwOl1b/s1600-h/IMG_68443.jpg"><img alt="Mall of America " border="0" height="679" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnD07p_cwDSVfUnbjr0RjvbT0q16k2tiQnEtJyE2eVvjXBib-FhcR_5MXb3k3I4u12p6odc8JeA2sIWTYbhdd0ezh2_LkYF_PC8jO1ip2txrLulUbBNgIY-THCp1kEmfxN-zAADQ1v7bR/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Mall of America " width="500" /></a> The hubby and I had been briefly years ago, and this time we were excited to take the Bub to see it. All he cared about was the Lego store, of course. And they were having a huge Lego event throughout the mall all weekend – perfect timing! We ended up heading home early so didn’t get to do all the rides and stuff – we definitely want to go back! What a fun, relaxing trip! I loved having all of my boys to myself for all that time: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kWzJJfF14AhyR8uRv4lGtye3_MrCvjOYLmxBfseHNVh3SzrVn2zMCKUjqv2pDJUonFyvdHA75I4naTdkSo9uZLrEVReXDgJfp6LNkLb8X1PL7QkywyximwBTWIJ16RzuTZeVj0BnG9Ob/s1600-h/IMG_6837%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXWVT9F6qDaFWEX3cS_t7viGBEzfZwMBOgWDEQ_UAR-udj4uSBC5WB-kwLwELa9eT8Ef_aD95f63bI5d7WYQ9CQR7R5VrwBPqgSIBBSiheFNOF3zZAJaNQ0SrqCsUH1wukLjXFOpfJSOu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a> It was just lovely all around. I love that we’re doing these trips with the Bub – growing up I spent every weekend in the summer camping with my parents. We were out on the lake ALL the time. I wish my boy could experience that, but at the same time I’m not sure I want to rough it quite as much as we did back then. :) RVing is the perfect compromise – you have a safe, comfortable home on wheels, but you also enjoy the best parts of camping – making your meals, sitting by a fire, enjoying the outdoors. We love it! We looked into buying an RV earlier this year but held off – it may be something we look into next year. I am dreaming of a long trip out west to see all the sites I saw on a girl scout trip as a kid – Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park, Snake River, Jackson Hole. It was an amazing trip that I still remember so well and I want the Bub to see all of those sights as well. And as much as we love to travel, it is always SO good to come home. When we travel I find I’m so much more appreciative of everything – how lucky we are to take trips like that, how much I love exploring our country, how wonderful it is to come back to our sweet house. We are lucky indeed. So have you ever been RVing? Did you like it? Did you camp a lot as a kid or do you do it now? I keep hearing the term “glamping” lately – I guess you could call an RV trip that? :) Air conditioning and no bugs – two of my favorite things. **Here’s <a href="http://www.neshonoclakeside.com">the campsite</a> we stayed at in La Crosse for those who asked! :)

Roughing it

Hello everybody! Hope you had a lovely weekend! We just got home from a little family excursion up north. We took off late last Tuesday for ...

7:13 AM

My new love

Hello all!! Happy Monday! I’ve already mentioned that I’m slowing down to my normal sloth-like pace on the blog this summer, but this also means my posting times will vary quite a bit. OK…they do anyway, but they will even more so in the summer. I’m not a good blogger that writes posts ahead and has them ready to go first thing in the morning. I wish I was. *Hangs blogging head in shame.* So things will be a little erratic, I hope you’ll hang in there with me. :) So. I’ve fallen in love with a new city. Well, I should say park. A big one. You all know how much <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/NYC">we love NYC</a> – it’s our favorite place on earth, other than home. But now it has some competition, named Disney. ;) Last week we took a very quick vacation down to Florida. And when I say quick I mean only about three days. And when I say vacation I mean VACATION – this is our first real family vacation (other than to New York) that we’ve ever taken anywhere that didn’t have something to do with work. I’m serious people – every trip we’ve ever been on as a family (or heck, even as a couple!) has had something to do with hubby’s work. Every. single. one. And now that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/bittersweet.html">he’s retired</a>, we were able to carve out a few days to get away. That would have never happened in summer’s past! So the whole fact that we got away was so special to me, you have no idea. And the fact that my son and I (yes, I was a Disney newbie) finally got to Disney made it even more special. We spent our first day in Legoland actually – the Bub is Lego obsessed so we HAD to go there. I think he was more excited about that than he was Disney! We had some interesting moments with downpours and tornado warnings and taking shelter in the restrooms with everyone else in the park, but after about an hour the day turned much better and we were able to really enjoy the park without crowds – it was perfect! That evening we headed to our hotel at Disney and I started falling in love. We stayed at the Polynesian and it was STUNNING: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZelJdMdnVVbobUBNo6YbQh4WdOlNsACkepqSbdkAgzEDpsR7fGOTWTigdi3x7UAELl0I8AFA8RVspYLKRLKIbsb_MGhg8o7EEFMMO-sGYnhBEYLmTuHcSIRcshb8KZIPnGrseNdXSfo/s1600-h/IMG_6221%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityOC17QLuFeVszSwlh7k54MQUkUo6_1o5VFWrLwkzTUF-6o4ck9fZBZ7HfvJCfSXcuRC8plpL-olcOToSPYUR9oHcS6OxH3SLRqi7NlZ7OYZLN8BXZDgrYRz5V72dr8iYlGAxNPu1hV0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> I wanted to spend about an hour taking pics but we just didn’t have time while there. I will do it next time – the grounds are just gorgeous! So I totally got the Disney “thing” the second we walked in to the hotel – we were greeted and escorted through the hotel to our building. The squealing started (from me) when we walked in to our room and I saw the cute little touches everywhere: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqrqFXbpd0b_VsVdFRGoCEaNh__HcR_zXwMcjSCPo6PIVyIn7gu_jxodSUhhpwyVCc5G01KcRwTsKdpocvBO8e03xlTgh8WudJfTAQgeMadxo1QCP5ZTAkFVS9QMqz1OpkyGXk0BItBU/s1600-h/IMG_6074%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgnBsJcjVZGzyjIhmjWCHgP5UkjBTu6w34GVTL0DPAH2vWd7WvfZljIB9CNLORpyBlQ58D3f15qE7XqsQbYmBeepkukOA8Cuyc4gb3OEqMhjgYlsAWVrwnb1mRz2WagBRvmqZ7U6-Xhw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> And it continued when I realized the view from our room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGuP6zTA8me2SJUPABJJDoEkb6BhgH9s9nB3iRjoBpg7A6v_dN8lJGlB7E6JkFTJf7z_S-kMKUr9lfXPdlioP3PAOJqeegizQvnjhU8uiijbEcWrsJSdAg_iD00iP7YNf1jzo18f6aCA/s1600-h/IMG_6076%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGp_rIiHYbobTl9Ej3KijXPimfiCKys9NvVRRsEVPq6u4tsxq4NJd0l13nVWls9UCixdnf3YjCKIcnTU9bpAtg8TyaEuQnjSrO0hqjGTcb740GwGe4zr5KbORWHvZ77UbkZ3ACCSUJz2Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> I almost cried. I <strike>almost</strike> cried a few times on the trip. It was emotional to finally get there after 37 years – it made me so giddy and happy. The emotions certainly didn’t stop when we walked in to the park for the first time: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZjcY1FTIxmnXh9hOEOXG03eXZwxhLSaKUawBoBT5528yzTxj1hXZxjg-dlTVZs0zXGwrL5PHbEPu-cCe2qjSfryb2yMDBM98qjbTy2-t3RhUs1blOWfW-Mj35W77Y9A8sJC52ifA1zY/s1600-h/IMG_6083%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Main street Disney" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58MpJqbXIVmP0aqMqL0hBgjXXBI2SaI2OJgbIMhDAU3SR42AiMb1gNSMt_FGVKsADSu3q6zBi6TFy6dA1ZgnNq0b98EmrMqixvwSnDDxZsjqc0s6EcW0MklkjltwXe5lCEJEnQqQYQUg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Main street Disney" width="450" /></a> I had an obsession with Cinderella’s castle. I could have spent an hour just walking around that one thing. It’s magical, of course: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TwOve_sb4SHOrFIU_7XmDMdKqVyYRMgn_KkmAnrN23r5dgRD9svp8zFKR1npKUeZUNKQYdnkDJWT1ZPdgW49Rhdlx7bKHIgilzKuatIlsIG7H0tS1nLuDnTDJhnFjOCZYtcy348EV84/s1600-h/IMG_6251%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e7GBdOO0gi8G5ClZauehlRcxdlyt-rtiPWSnuPWUHXJuyDAel8FMVxXMiq2s84Ro5-aRdtTnJez7h7AZ3pjs56DCwXas3UXIyAZMucjK76bSb8u5H9PwEmjZEQoTV4l6_3AL2KGwpK0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> So I mentioned this was a quick trip and I know so many of you experienced Disney folks are freaking out that we only spent two days at the parks. I know. But it was our only chance to get away in June (hubby is retired from teaching but so busy with other obligations already) and I didn’t want to go later in the summer when it was stupid hot, so this is what we got. And we took full advantage! We rode a TON of rides in the short time we were there: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHiglB0ygovja5p5zTBM7SP19aIaobOLFnHxg6SJuoXGm8CB-_Lpa1Kq-zNVcPg22U_utG_U9XBHOLNXCvKfd50nMIJiIzw8d6t1Ki4z7kqLmijynU8LtgUUWfRnENaawNK8bah4ULB0/s1600-h/IMG_6085%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cars at Disney" border="0" height="706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeCY2TYf4FJNKy2nLftXZZwn5LSulJ5Cto8kHfwO_h5IyUAZRi_LDHa1-G5IuRDruAPrAxTF2HQcLGkjAR0V5vuWDJoa0cp32sRl9iRPDSguAqXZ56kyqHSW_YpxZ85T_HkoVmpXAw7M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cars at Disney" width="477" /></a> The Dumbo ride was one that I was especially drawn to – it just screams Disney to me: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO0ooZGx1xYnbWT_HckiUfrsPJ3Kpuv5OUIPII4BG1R90T9zyGiMzQ-NW_3d1qKUvtr3Gz8xXSkWLiws3TVLgbKs3wQxrx3M2E1gAMHm5980GVbwBDDQD4dIBRK6yp2V1xFjJZ1RFFL8/s1600-h/IMG_6104%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dumbo ride Disney" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8EyU5qWe1Mb5x3AqeofoXekFX1EYODRvDHIvxr8DuIfDXHsHKkIH421tLO0C6GRNoX4WNWiUqoWql0rJcoQp3uzQEjhXAqE14shHpx89c3vXRYqXQIRMwPt0j2sSowB9r_UMBI6KxhQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dumbo ride Disney" width="500" /></a> The small world ride was one of my favorites too, but Splash Mountain was our family fave hands down. SO. much. fun. We spent one evening in Epcot where we dined in Mexico: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECX4A2HS5OeDbsUmSRYMgIBDaG_K_MEH1AGQtznS539zsGco1myn0e2BAmZ1282UXM1aA50IMcCzuC32Ff3MQk8BFsQeP1Va4si9RBvItHvuC0cD5pfPaGpUG-zX0wehjApQbUTmfL1g/s1600-h/IMG_6114%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IXZKFK5QSVuGWKIgRK_n7OhTkaWMGGSsrYLNdjH2Ek5zfgzps40o1EQ5Q0Bv4GLldOHwvulPtI1Ni_lnwgk7etA0joyVghKRWA3aycajV0xMkNbzCyUT9NGxdKraxVzim6sVnlkri5g/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIGtcjJRoRVUmjc1400HQtnXUPBTbVPYzNgWYjFWK4804UbjwXgJF5gHYQzGfm_ImKIweI8Fp6r6816qEP0SJyOw34pHYpeujTjBdXo0n8XsTOTqZUPvHYfc2X7qWFiM_iIWQwWApo9Q/s1600-h/IMG_6115%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH40rQU9-rEa_aDGYwXI9YQInHz_jpFawXXi8oj6qYI5uisAprhpLdWCu1uxxNffWJy1Q9MImkTtdD5XtZqsAYwz-m6qvRen7ZZKv1mVwqfwKkaojenwtDCwu7R9q6U52-sDGnCOZxrcE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> And it was incredible. ;) Hubby wanted us to stay for the Illuminations show that night, it gorgeous evening: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUr62SgJEmIv8qZthTRshmCHNKsQA_q_hC-nFSReET9xfAKqFFRumNwgNUMCRm_Qj7DN6ckjeNPY7nEW0uML3X2C2coozWaASaHmSDZ1iN1g4oYsMagcdCX8Ub91nXNU4LLUmCae8B9o/s1600-h/IMG_6133%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ajOgRjkp0rnvugUx2Bm2Il0cX_UQfViwnbcAuEh1rQok4risxXLWNq4LzpufuiTi5Qq3G5T1OpmyDd9J3P0vUxApqlqYLEoy_BN7BG2MfDg3XuRovfaGv0fclqwgfJS5XtImGvfKdqc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> The show was AWESOME, we all loved it. Although hubs said it used to be even cooler and was more of a laser light show: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18VmQs8yZoxYz3gNFbo8lGGteXjJhH_Sy0xKZTHViI90RMzJ2MD7nd1KYCssBnxYc04OzGvbDVe7ffR-O2Yp6-OLFL-vgQFXCP8vGsxorFT1kE-8rLZRZcAyfy4mhweLvfwW9XN222Kk/s1600-h/IMG_6136%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyKzuTAq3m-xbQHnTpLtU3eVs6MFOD4Mo00n_vN0QTuL8ZZf46rUK6_a4L5yQrw6NwvFWJQAtzDTH8R9wpDa1BsVodf9KhNpScC0GXewCXt3fGdQWfDo7uwIgEqRgPenbyCk2Hl0pK7A/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> This view was another one of those that made me misty: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmYePZdteN5oQDKeWsQn7pXvCTUvT535m3mUZZn5u5qOediK2v5ToUrs0lCO1WY_hAYCTB1y17Rw8BWs6Eld76W51PRwYYFxs9nnb22MiBMZON_MVSTtLSx6FCbnhcm09OqvxYbJ6ah0/s1600-h/IMG_6167%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="epcot at nig" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgR6uJxx1vwavb32944902l_5L1rCpkocCn0nlxRrk2klZt1B55yqBFOP3CVsHvX5LkmjieMVg31phABS0mIqOA3cN0XqwCec8hRflISs-GZeVqtwf-Ayt65dCAOJFYM8iKKvWU9M39Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="epcot at nig" width="450" /></a> It was an amazing trip. I totally get it now. Totally. I am hooked. I didn’t plan for our first trip like most would – I didn’t ask friends what we should do, didn’t read any blogs, didn’t make any dinner reservations. I’m the kind of person that just needs to figure it out for myself. I didn’t want us to be trying to rush to this or this “must do” while we were there, I just wanted us to experience it as we would. And we did. And it was perfect. :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhZnoO9OFfbufJeCjEXyjNoVzq-w8rY7S_WKFTBZv-UaqIrnvjuDkue-w5gD6UThCgiuUGhGRCYgp8pwIA65jZ0FYFpprAuMvH0Rg3eJCf5F6irPY8ZiXLX7UZw3r2dnVFdFD6aQHqRM/s1600-h/IMG_6257%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Mickey Mouse at Disney" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYsQS2O5lQGjRTDTn1iUb6EoTrvpVWspWkSlbeywNLdebpyx1-Ws4sFKRejR7HrWhcMzBMELgGZoTzuHfM3czC-ynvenCzGV2GgmWidLuLK1DFYTzVajMKrEbd9asVHVSZZschjbyqhQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mickey Mouse at Disney" width="450" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2rl60ku-uUJCBr9hESz51m2McoROuqOnwuhmO91CPIpBZp5oiQJ5ObknkjXvm8jjj0W9HVr9QLR5bnlZc2fDzr_p2aR2mFmBA5ibF7dda-yswzECHbnR0W1lshrnlYExiCtQVGm4ROI/s1600-h/IMG_6264%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fireworks at Disney" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zEmb8smquoMTVW9W1rf7MpgjzZGSn9N4GL4o_DrnWQnH2LfeWjK2ASGnOscBcnSXBcyx6YU9OSuBatGfFckpGOyTvq_tUgUKpj5BUfQykJ5YwDd2PXR_0fCPzvjmU750C_UyqachxCE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="fireworks at Disney" width="450" /></a> I figured out a few things fast on this trip – here are my tips for any fellow newbies who may be going this summer: 1. Don’t try to look cute. Just don’t. The heat/weather/splash mountain gods will laugh at you. 2. Buy the fan with the water in it that you pass on the way into the park and think, “I’m not so not spending money on that!” For all that is good…BUY IT. 3. Dole Whip is seriously the most amazing, beautiful, delicious thing you will ever, ever, ever eat. Ever. That’s just about all you need to know. :) We didn’t even get two full days in the parks – the last day we got slammed with this: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdRPiWeiM82f7-NwaNhHLacJRAa4xoxi3dGMycyrKGvHvNZvUyQ3dDxvfJ3sHxaMbRBQ5Y0Ysd2SDBqfN-xzO22thUAHdKtzo1PN0VFDMxZAruQDpluH0-YJeY97JORbvhKU_Wo4gL6I/s1600-h/rain%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="downpour in Disney" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWhXSUizI4sZlfIAFYeKw5FhgcCoPsfQYruVDsV8WNczzVmiASpQjeSFR788Hbjew83pycg8_2kRGxK9_OXjYKMkdUuk2Cyc10qReRrLrrc6Kljn4VY4GLgw3toUDtuCf913PA1I_Kxc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="downpour in Disney" width="450" /></a> We waited it out for about an hour, then when it calmed down a bit we did a little more, but it was just too intense. We headed back to the hotel for a much needed nap and a great meal. Usually when we head home from a trip I’m ready. The only time I’m not is when we’re in New York. I felt that this time too – I was SO sad to leave. I wanted to stay for another week – and for this homebody that’s saying something: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HfrwG_n9HcnwJy8VCo1Ld7J33hcMt3nvboj3zjpazMSJjiamnRk_sgM09CSx2v8R0mStTpPUT6_NYkvn6P3fxxb4qsI7r-EfZx8-qKENfPmMwmHEIZMKP6gk_c2rxOn2qvBMaj46SxE/s1600-h/IMG_6275%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtFXE5E2Jlm9GlMif02UehSPnN4ulwGhvLbacjNJsPm3SGK_wAakXk2P7z2CitxDLG0ne2UlvTlaf8kGJYeygBc0jXrDrREy9OqQLcryU0TVYbffOjjf01Yldgd_vviAXBMoc5qilYXs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> We’re already planning our next trip. Hopefully later this year. :) I cannot WAIT!! Are you a Disney fan? Did you feel like this after your first trip? How many times have you been? When do stop missing it? ;) **P.S. Early June was a great time to go – I wanted us to go at this time of year on purpose. We were there before so many schools were out for the summer, the weather was hot but not as hot as it gets in mid/late summer and we actually got a hotel discount for staying that week. The only issue was the rain – I hear it’s an especially rainy season for Florida.

My new love

Hello all!! Happy Monday! I’ve already mentioned that I’m slowing down to my normal sloth-like pace on the blog this summer, but this also m...

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My new love

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