Just Peachy

We're off to Kennesaw, Grorgia to visit Dina today. Dina has two absolutely beautiful children and a husband named Neil. Married to a Neil myself, I feel a kinship with Dina. Especially if he's anything like my Neil. Which is to say sweet, funny and gassy. I keed. Seriously, though, Dina is a fabulous photographer with a great sense of humor, so let's head on over to see her!

Four Lettre Words

Please leave Dina a comment and let her know we appreciate the tour!

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And for Field Trip Friday this week:

Share your favorite vacation photo. Tell the story behind it and why its such a great memory for you. Come back Friday and link up your posts!

Field Trip Friday: Best. Post. Ever.

Do you have a great post from back when no one read you? Or one that you wrote recently that needs a little more love? Here's your chance! Link up your favorite post. Heck, link up two if you're feeling froggy. Please visit at least one other person on the list and show them a little love!

Can't wait to see your posts!

Please link up directly to the post!

Parma Charmers

An Ohio girl myself (now transplanted to Chicago), I am always look forward to BlogTrotting in my "home" state. Today we're visiting Greater Cleveland -- Parma, to be precise.

Today we have tour guides (yes, guides!), the husband and wife team of Gerard and Karen. They love their pets, their books, and their church . . . just to name a few things. Check out all the good they are trying to do with their blog, including the link to the book Karen wrote about her dad.

Let's Go!

Karen & Gerard Zemek

Please leave Karen and Gerard a comment to let them know you stopped by.

And, if you missed yesterday's visit to Mississippi, it's not too late for an amazing tour at Southern Expressions.

Finally, remember to come back tomorrow and link up a favorite post--any post, about any topic. Don't hem and haw about what's your absolute best, just pick one you like and share it with some new readers right here.

Okay, I've done enough bossing for now. Enjoy your Thursdays, BlogTrotters!

Mississippi Here We Come

A couple of weeks ago, there was a kerfuffle when season tickets for Alabama football were sent out. Apparently, the 'Bama folks made a rather significant error and misspelled Mississippi on all of the tickets for that game. They've claimed it was an accident, but I suspect there are folks in Mississippi who might argue that it was an intentional slight. I prefer to think they just forgot the humpback-humpback lessons from their childhoods.

Whatever the case, I am quite certain that today's BlogTrotter will NOT misspell the name of her fine state. 

Southern Expressions

Please leave Nickie a comment and let her know we appreciate the tour!

And don't forget to come back on Friday to link up your best ever posts!

BlogTrotting Break

It's going to be a short and sweet travel week this week. Mep has been traveling and I'm on an unexpected visit home to Kansas due to a death in the family, so our BlogTrotting operations have been a tad interrupted. So we'll be visiting a couple of fab BlogTrotters on Wednesday and Thursday and then I'm turning this week's Field Trip Friday over to you. We'll do a link-up of the all time favorite posts you've written. They can be the very first one you did three years ago or they can be from yesterday. 

Looking forward to seeing your posts!

Field Trip Friday: Marooned!

I was a Lostie. I think partially because it tapped into a fear/fantasy I have of being stuck on a desert island. The idea of giving up all of the trappings of modern life and living close to nature, as people have been doing for millions of years, has its appeals. It's also scary as heck. Because of that, I would want to have just a few amenities along, namely:

1. Toothpaste. I'm a borderline compulsive teeth brusher. First thing in the morning and after lunch, of course, and I can't go to sleep at night without brushing my teeth. A big part of that is minty fresh breath. I think I can construct a primitive toothbrush out of twigs and such, but I don't think mint grows on desert islands, so give me some Colgate and I'll be happy.

2. Sunscreen. I'm not positive I even looked at a bottle of sunscreen until I was 30. For most of my life, I greased up with baby oil when I was out soaking up some rays. But a couple of bad sunburns have left me more vulnerable and these days I am hyper diligent about lathering up with the stuff. Also, have you been to the beach/pool/gym and seen those ladies that are super duper tan and looked like they were a 100 but you know they were only 40? Yeah, I don't want to be that gal.

3. Flip-flops. Sure, I can probably construct primitive footwear out of leaves but I would much rather have my cushy, comfy flip-flops to protect my delicate dogs from hot sand and thorns. Feet are awfully important, after all.

After putting this list together, I realized I probably should have included antibiotics or knives or rope or something more functional. Meh, that's far too practical. Especially considering my list originally had Dr. Pepper on it.

Link up directly to your posts below or talk about your desert island necessities in the comments!

Think Nation Not Waffle

Most BlogTrotters will need their passports for today's trip! We're visiting the beautiful country of Belgium. Our tour guide today is Mieke. I love the simple but powerful header of her blog and the amazing photographs peppered throughout her posts.

Can't wait for this tour! Let's go!

Art and Herbs

Please leave Mieke a comment to let her know you stopped by!

Remember to join in tomorrow for Field Trip Friday. What would you need when stranded on that mythical desert island? Write it up and link it up here tomorrow.

Road to Rhode Island

Today we're BlogTrotting in New England. Time to visit the beautiful state of Rhode Island which is, coincidentally, where my brother works. That's only a coincidence because my brother is sitting across the room from me right now in my parents' family room in Ohio.

Our tour guide today is Nanny Dee, a nanny, mom, and college student. Be sure to check out her recent posts about Sittercity and about tips for crafting effective ads for childcare providers.

Let's go!

New England Nanny

Please leave Nanny Dee a comment to let her know you stopped by!

Consider joining us for this week's Field Trip Friday. Our topic: If you were marooned on a desert island, what three things would you absolutely, positively want to have with you? Write up your post and link it up right here!

The First State

We're visiting a mom and dad team today. Melinda and Rob co-blog on their fun and informative blog Look What Mom Found...and Dad Too. They are a great resource for products and activities for kids of all ages. As the parents of a 3, 7 and 14 year old, they've got every age group covered. But beyond great reviews and giveaways they also give an interesting he said/she said perspective on their life together.

Despite a couple of years spent in Baltimore, they are lifelong Delawareans, so I can't imagine better folks to give us a glimpse into their neighborhood! So let's head on over to see them!


Look What Mom Found...and Dad Too

Please leave Melinda and Rob a comment and let them know how much you appreciate the tour!

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And for our Field Trip Friday topic:

If you were marooned on a desert island, what three things would you absolutely, positively want to have with you?

Come back Friday and link up your posts!

Field Trip Friday: Yellow

When I thought of this idea for a post, the very first image that jumped into my mind was of my bedroom in my last house. It was a hundred year old rowhouse in the Canton area of downtown Baltimore. Like so many of it's kind, it was long and narrow, only 11 feet wide. But what it lacked in square footage, it made up in personality.

From the stained glass windows over the front door and front window that were rumored to be Tiffany; to the original woodwork and moldings around doors, windows and on the staircase; to the pyramid skylight in the center of the second floor. When we did some remodeling where we tore out part of a wall to enlarge the bathroom, we found newspapers dated June 1933, along with a small fortune in square nails.

It was a house with charm. But my favorite room was my bedroom. It had the most gorgeous light in the morning. Facing east, but blocked by the buildings on the opposite street, it glowed in the early hours of the morning. This effect was magnified by the color of the walls: a soft, buttery yellow.

When I bought the house, the walls of the room were white, but it had an interesting ceiling. Floating on the pale blue ceiling were painted a number of cottony, fluffy clouds. I knew that sky demanded a platform as uplifting as it was and I set off to the home improvement store. When I looked out over the sea of color samples, my eyes landed on this yellow and that was it.

I lived in that house for five years. Those sanguine yellow walls and serene blue sky overhead never failed to make me smile.

When we moved into our current house, I briefly contemplated painting our bedroom the same yellow color, but it just wouldn't have been the same.

Smiley. Bright. Happy. Yellow.

So what about you? What does yellow make you think of? Link up your posts or tell us in the comments. Please link directly to your Field Trip Friday post, please!

Knoxville Star

Fifth graders at my school were asked to do a big state report and project. When it was my turn to choose a state, on a whim I selected Tennessee. I've had a soft spot for Tennessee ever since and have visited Knoxville, Nashville, and Gatlinburg. I can't wait to go back to Knoxville today!

Our BlogTrotting tour guide is Jessica, a young newlywed and student. Read all about her love story while you're there.

Let's Go!

One Shiny Star

Please leave Jessica a comment to let her know you stopped by. Remember we're going "yellow" for tomorrow's Field Trip Friday post.

Anchorage on Stage

Today's BlogTrotting destination is especially inviting for all of us battling stifling heat and humidity this summer! I know it's not the Arctic, but I think Alaska enjoys more moderate summer temperatures. Right?

Laura O., a busy homeschooling mom of four boys, is taking us on a tour of Anchorage. I'm always eager to learn more about life in Alaska. Interesting fact: Laura's blog is the first I've seen with its own patron saint. Pretty cool. Also, homeschooling parents, you may want to check out her for sale list.

Are you ready? Let's Go!

Day by Day in Our World

Please leave Laura O. a comment to let her know you stopped by. Consider joining us for this week's Field Trip Friday. The topic: yellow. Do what you can with the color as inspiration for a travel/BlogTrotting/globetrotting post.

Also, remember to let us know if you have a cool vacation post you would like us to link to!

Where The BlogTrotters Are

We're not actually heading to Fort Lauderdale today but Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville is in the northeastern part of the state, it hosts gorgeous beaches and I have no doubt sees its share of spring break revelers, so the most likely outdated movie reference is appropriate.

Our featured blogger today, Kristin, is a great photographer with an eye for the funny, so lets head on over to see her!

The Goat

Please leave Kristin a comment and let her know the BlogTrotters appreciate the tour!

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And now for the Field Trip Friday topic! One of the writing tips they gave us at Blogher '10, which I attended this past weekend, was when you're blocked to pick a color and write about it. How it makes you feel, places or people it brings to mind. So since I'm still recovering from Blogher hangover, I'm going to take a page out of that book and throw this out there:

YELLOW

And GO! Come back on Friday and link up your posts!

Field Trip Friday: Shandy Not Sandy

My favorite red zinfandel on a hill in Napa Valley.

Strongbow Cider with views of Notting Hill and Edinburgh Castle (not with the same mug!)

Margaritas on the rocks with salt with views of my Chicago neighborhood.

A cold Miller Lite and Notre Dame Stadium in sight.

Tom Collins and views of Midwest wedding ballrooms in the late 90s.

Cheap (but French!) red wine with the Eiffel Tower about a hundred yards away.

DosEquis on the beaches of Cancun with mayhem all around.

Years and lifetimes ago, it seems.

In the past few years, I have not had the freedom to do much traveling or, thanks to pregnancy and breastfeeding, much "drinking." We won't be visiting any beaches or landmarks this summer. With a four month old at home, there won't be many (any?) nights out. I do miss the opportunity to relax, celebrate, and savor a moment with friends, loved ones, and a lovely adult beverage. Such opportunities are rare for me, but I'm going to create one tonight.

After an extremely tough and emotional six months of trying and failing to sell our house, we have committed to our Chicago city life for another year.

My hubby has been traveling for work for the past three days and arrives home tonight. We're going to sit on the deck and enjoy the view of our own backyard. We're going to try some Summer Shandy (a beer/lemonade mixture) and toast in celebration of and recommitment to the life we have here and now in this home, to the beautiful children asleep inside its walls, to the lovely summer evening, and to whatever views and toasts our future holds.

Tell us about you, your view, and your "brew" . . . Link up your post below! Cheers!

Swazi Girl

We're off on a long trip, one I am quite excited about! Today we're visiting Miss Jane in Swaziland! I confess that aside from it's general geographical location, I know next to nothing about Swaziland. What little I have gleaned from movies and books would probably not even help me to successfully answer the most basic of Jeopardy! question about the country. Maybe when Alec calls my name now, I'll be ready for it. So let's head on over to see Miss Jane!

Miss Jane's Blog

Please leave Miss Jane a comment and let her know the BlogTrotters have been through town! And come back tomorrow for this week's Mad Libs edition of Field Trip Friday!

"Live your dreams, share your hearts." (UPDATED!)

Update: Mountain Woman had some technical difficulties and wasn't able to get her post up until this morning. Please go see her!

That's the tag line for today's featured blogger and I think it is an excellent approach to life. Looking through Mountain Woman's blog, it looks like she has very much taken those words to heart. Living in her own slice of paradise in Vermont, she is living the dream. So let's head on over to see her!

Red Pine Mountain

Please leave Mountain Woman a comment and let her know the BlogTrotters have been through town!

And be thinking about your Field Trip Friday posts! It's the Mad Libs version! Fill in the blanks: I was ___ at ___ while drinking a ___. Go into as much or as little detail as you want.

My Friends Marge, Miller, Zin, and Mo . . .

And I almost forgot my bestie, DC, and my lifelong pal, Agua!

What in the BlogTrotting world am I talking about? This week's Field Trip Friday topic. It's quick, it's easy, and you need to participate.

There's you, a view, and a beverage of your choice (not necessarily a "brew"--though that would rhyme). Fill in the blanks so we can pull up a chair and sit next to you and grab a glass as well.

Start thinking about you, your view, and your "brew" (any favorite refreshing, relaxing beverage). Write your post and link it up here on Friday!

And now, guess what, it's still Monday!