Scrappy Travels

Even though I live very close to VA, I'm hardly ever down there.  There are loads of fun places to go I've learned, but I never think to go to them.  Until this week, I'm not sure I'd ever actually been to Alexandria.  But I'm sure it won't be my last.  It's such a cute little city. It really reminded me of Boston, with the old town feel and main street shops.  Of course, stores and streetlights decorated in Christmas garland and ornaments, can make any city gorgeous.  But in Alexandria's case, I'm pretty sure it's adorable in the spring, summer and fall as well.  My attempt at creativity...obviously, it really didn't work out as planned...  Uppy Shot! Heh, I see what you did there : ) Think Misha Collins owns this coffee shop?   All the uppy shots!

I've seen this quote a few times and I've really tried to understand it, but the truth is that I'm not sure I do.  I'm sure the author meant something very deep and zen but every time I try to wrap my brain around it, I just can't.  But that doesn't stop me from trying.   Today's ponderings on it brought me to decide that Travel me was very different than real me; which admittedly is a bit of a stretch when talking about this quote, but there you go.   Travel me, is always ready for something new - something to see, something to do, somewhere to eat. If travel me is in a new city or country, then she's sure as heck not going to go to Chic-Fil-A for dinner or heading to a Starbucks for some tea.  She's going to visit all sorts of new destinations and explore her surroundings.  Regular everyday me is much less adventurous and pretty much sticks to the same 10 restaurants and stores.  Regular everyday me hasn't seen much of the state she's...

For the past 25 years, Kennedy Krieger has held the Festival of Trees.  It's their biggest fundraiser of the year.  If you're not familiar with it, the premise is simple.  Families, businesses, companies, etc. decorate Christmas trees in all sorts of elaborate themes and ornaments - some handmade, some store-bought.  Then all of the trees are set up at Timonium Fairgrounds and hundreds of people, who love Christmas, come to ogle a them. After the exhibition, the trees are sold and all of the money made goes directly to Kennedy Krieger to continue their work with children battling serious illnesses and other disabilities. Basically it's a winter wonderland for all who love Christmas.  Oh, and have I mentioned, it's pretty awesome?! Even though I've lived here in Maryland, my entire life, I'd never been up until last year.  But after seeing the spectacle for the first time, I got hooked.  One of these years, I'm so doing a tree or a wreath at the very ...