The Big Apple

New York City is one of the only places I travel to that still intimidates me. No matter how well-traveled I think I am or how much older (and/or "seasoned" as a friend calls it) I happen to be, as soon as I step onto the pavement I feel like a girl from the country who got invited to the big party.

This is last year's dress, but I hope it's not too shabby.....

This time I was just there overnight for work but it was a trip of firsts. The first time I'd been in the city without an immediate family member, the first time I've had a proper camera with me and the first time I had a bit of time to wander around on my own. These are all pieces of a puzzle I think that will one day mean when I step onto the pavement I'll feel like I belong. Not a stranger in a strange land, more like a visit with an old friend.

I had my bearings a bit better..streets looked more familiar. Someone stopped and asked me for directions so the word TOURIST wasn't plastered on my forehead. The food was wonderful and the work was productive. For the second trip in a row though the rooftop of The Met (my favorite place in New York) was closed due to weather. So there is a reason to return, a reason to take more pictures. I still haven't walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. I still haven't been on a boat ride in Central Park. I still haven't been almost killed by a bike messenger. Ahhhhhh....The Big Apple.

Hopefully I'll see you again soon.....

Pink Greyhound

I love mulch. It covers all manner of sins. What I don't love is that when I do my annual spring mulch extravaganza in the backyard I never get enough bags. Not even close, two trips is the minimum. This year I'm ashamed to say it took THREE trips. I just needed ONE MORE GOD DAMN BAG! This ominous knowledge washed over me like a wave and I fell to my dirt covered knees and screamed at God. It was very similar to a scene in Shawshank Redemption. I dream of a day when whatever home project I'm tackling only requires one trip, but so far Kelly 0/ Lowe's 1 billion.

After I was finally finished I was quite proud of myself and felt I deserved a refreshing bevvie. Exhausted and vehemently opposed to another trip anywhere, I surveyed my kitchen and it's contents hoping they would yield gold. Luckily I had a few things on hand and found a fun recipe online for a Pink Greyhound. Super refreshing and perfect for my yard victory lap! The recipe is below hope you enjoy!

Charleston

Traveling with your family, two adorable kiddos in tow, in 90 degree heat and 89% humidity is super fun (really awful!)! Just kidding:). During our vacation a couple weeks ago we decided to take a day trip down to Charleston. We stopped by the aquarium, wandered around the shops and spent some time by the water. We really did have a fun day, but lord it was hot. Heat makes rational people do funny things. At one point or another during the day we all wanted to kill each other. I started wondering how much water a kid actually needed to survive in case the zombie apocalypse hit and I had to ration out the two bottles I was carrying. At a certain point, I'll admit,  I politely excused myself (screamed I'll meet you later) and had a leisurely lunch on my own of scallops and bubbly...sooooo goooood.

By the end of the day we hugged (set aside our need to kill each other) and took the water taxi around the bay. I miss the smell of salt water. I wanted to make it back another day to take in even more of the sites, but unfortunately that didn't work out. Hopefully I'll be back soon to see even more of the city and try some of the lovely restaurants Charleston is so famous for.