Did I Mention . . . ?

I struggled for a while on what to title this post.  There were just too many good options with the likes of:

"I'M SO EXCITED!"

or

"IT'S.SO.CLOSE."

or, even the lamest one in the book would have applied here, 

"!!!!!!!!!!" 

However, I chose the elusive and mysterious option that made it seem like I have my emotions totally in control right now: "Did I mention . . . ?"

You're totally wondering what I may or may not have mentioned right now, aren't you? Good, that was the goal.  

I'll just cut to the chase: I'm off to Europe soon! Like as in four days from now soon. I cannot cannot cannot wait! 

I signed up for this trip back in October of 2012, so you better believe that I am beyond ready to jet off across the world.  

My 2.5 week tour has me traveling all over Italy, Greece and a touch of Turkey. Some of the highlights include: Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Pompeii, Delphi, Athens, Mykonos, Crete & Santorini.  Whew! And that's not even everything!

I've been trying to get some posts scheduled so my blog isn't completely abandoned while I'm gone, but with all the other chaos that is going on, that may or may not happen ;) Just know that when I get back I will definitely have stories and pictures that I want to share coming out of my ears. 

If you want a little more info on my trip, you can check out posts that I had written for my old blog here, here & here.

*Sidenote: Guys, do you realize that I just posted two times just today? Looking at the archives, two post weeks are a rarity around here!

**Another sidenote: Yes, I did mention Europe here . . . sneaky, sneaky. 

***Yet another sidenote: This trip will allow me to cross off my third event from my 20 before 20 bucket list! Wooo! 

So, now you know! Have you ever traveled in Italy, Greece or Turkey? Any tips or tricks? Food suggestions? What not to do? Let me know! I need all the insight that I can get!

Well, I better get to packing.  Can't forget the toothbrush. Ciao! 

{20 before 20} Drive-in Movie Recap

I've never mentioned it before, but I have a 20 before 20 bucket list!  You may have noticed it up in my tabs, or you may have not.  Either way, it's not a big star around here.  However, about two weeks ago, I remembered that I had that thing and decided to take a look at it and then I proceeded to get pretty excited.

Excited because that list contains some pretty exciting things that I cannot wait to experience.

As of last Thursday, I now have 10% of that list complete thanks to the great time that I had with a few friends, a couple cars, a big screen and lots and lots of sugar.  That's right, I checked "watch a movie at a drive-in theater" right off that list.

We arrived at the drive-in around 7:30 because we were drive-in rookies and were pretty clueless about the whole thing. This led to 2 hours of waiting for the movie to start.  However, when with friends, two hours is no big deal, am I right?

We chucked a football around, chatted, got even more addicted to 2048 (when I finally beat that game, my life will pretty much be complete), and chowed down on candy like it was our job.

Instead of staying in our cars, we were those people that brought a slew of lawn chairs, blankets and sleeping bags and set up camp right in the front row.  It was great and everyone else was totally jealous.  At least, I'm sure that they were.  I couldn't really tell in the dark . . . 

Finally, finally, the opening credits for How to Train Your Dragon 2 rolled across the screen and it was a beautiful moment.  HTTYD2 was great because Toothless was so cute and he kept reminding me of a cat.  Yes, those were literally my thoughts.

Wrapped in a blanket and snuggled up with friends, the night couldn't of gotten better.  Well, maybe it could have if some stinkin' pizza places were open. That was a bummer.

Anyways, here's to the progress on my bucket list. Cheers!

Have you ever been to a drive-in?  Did you like it?
                                           

Graduation Crasher

This weekend I gained a new title.  Get ready for this, it's a good one:  Graduation Crasher.  Allow me to explain.

Yesterday I got home from a great family weekend in Chicago where we did a ton of eating, walking, more eating, more walking and even more eating.  On Saturday, we figured out the Metra train system just in time to catch the next departure to Hyde Park.

For those of you who don't know, Hyde Park is home to the prestigious University of Chicago-my dream college-and I was beyond anxious to check out the gorgeous campus. However, campus was a little occupied. . .

Occupied by hundreds of graduates and their hundreds and hundreds of closest family, friends and whoever else attends graduations, that is.  But if you thought that that would stop me from taking a self guided tour, then you're wrong.

Between the collared shirts and summery dresses, my family and I, in our jeans and tank tops, stuck out like random tourists at a graduation ceremony . . . oh wait, we were.  We didn't let it bother us though, greeting the weird glances with smiles and even making use of the water station set up for the graduation attendees like we belonged.  We tried to avoid being in the way of people who obviously had better reason to be on campus than we did, but I'm sure a few lucky people will find a random family dressed in street clothes hanging out in the background of their pictures.

Even though I didn't get to see campus as I had hoped, I did get a great story out of it.  And further confirmation that Hogwarts the University of Chicago is the place I want to be.

Any party crashing stories?

Love,
Allison

A Summer Saturday

I don't know about you all, but here in Michigan, it is finally feeling like summer. It's to the point where I'm actually starting to resemble a human being instead of a ghost because I'm not deathly pale anymore!

Yesterday was a beautiful day from start to finish - the perfect day for a visit to the farmer's market!

 A live musician made the day seem even more pleasant as he revisited old favorites with his guitar.

I sampled a little bitty piece of sweet potato pie and decided that it was a good thing for my wallet that I had walked away from the stand before I tasted the pie since it was so delicious.

I ended up buying some granola and a blueberry lemonade to split three ways.

On our walk home, I snapped an "artsy" (I tried!) picture of the gorgeous flowers that my friend had picked out and was inspired to plant my own at home. Giving me an exciting gardening project for next weekend and granola to fuel me, the farmer's market was definitely a great way to spend a summer Saturday morning.  

Do you have a local farmer's market? Any gardening tips to share?

Happy June!

Love,

Allison