[NOTE from Deborah: Guest blogger Sandy Conner wrote back in September about Monet’s gorgeous gardens in Giverny, France. This new post is also about a beautiful garden area, albeit a bit hidden, here in the States. Enjoy!] Over three decades ago, the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, Kansas touched my heart and soul and left […]
Travel Review
Exploring Old Town Edinburgh’s Spooky Underground at Mary King’s Close
“Have you been under the city yet? You’ve heard it’s haunted, right? Make sure you check out ol’ Mary’s place before you leave!” These words were told to me by a smiling shop lady on my first day in Edinburgh, Scotland – but variations were repeated by others several times over the week. Finally, on […]
Top 5 Highlights of Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland is a very old, very quaint city that is perfect for walking around and exploring all of its mysterious nooks and crannies. Although I didn’t have a lot of time for sightseeing on my recent trip there, I made the most of EVERY spare moment. Here are my top 5 highlights (plus one […]
Andy Warhol’s College Assignment On Display at Crystal Bridges
The doors of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas have only been open for 3 years, but already this locale has become known all over the world as a prominent showcase for artists such as Norman Rockwell, James Turrell, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Everyone from the Huffington Post to the New York […]
Photo Fun Friday: Flamenco in Barcelona
For Photo Fun Friday, I’m ending my series of trip reports from Barcelona with pictures (and a video clip!) from the energetic and highly entertaining “Flamenco Night at Tabloa Cordobes” show. Located on La Rambla, the famous tourist promenade that cuts through the center of Barcelona, this show is presented up to 4 times a […]
Guest Post: Golfing in Barcelona
[NOTE: Today's guest post is from Kathy Copeland (my Mom) who, while we were in Spain, went on a side trip without me that included a repeat visit to Montseratt, wine tasting at a castle, and playing golf at a public course about an hour outside of Barcelona. Enjoy!] I accompanied my daughter on a […]
Exploring the Sacred Rock Formations and Icons of Catalonia’s Montserrat
Of all of the side-trips we had considered prior to flying to Barcelona, the majestic area on top of craggy Montserrat (the “Serrated Mountain”) was the one I was most excited about. Looking at pictures of its Royal Basilica and Benedictine monastery in the center of intriguing, giant rock formations, I had to wonder if […]
The Rooftop Wonderland of Gaudi’s La Pedrera House
The wavy rooftop landscape of the Antoni Gaudí designed La Pedrera House in Barcelona has been described as “brilliantly artistic”, “breath-taking”, and even “just plain weird.” But there’s one thing everyone can agree on – it’s good to be on top! Although the name of this building is actually Casa Milà, it is better known […]
Calella de Palafrugell: A Sparkling Gem on the Shores of the Mediterranean
Peering down at Calella de Palafrugell laid out in all its white-washed beauty on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, one thought instantly sprang to mind: this is very close to how I would design Heaven. Palafrugell is part of the Costa Brava region in Northeastern Catalonia (Spain), and belongs to the province of Girona. […]
A Jolly Good Time at Muskogee’s Renaissance Fair
Walking through the gates at the Castle in Muskogee, Oklahoma during its annual Renaissance Festival truly feels like stepping back into a long ago era. As far as the eye can see, costumed cast members man food and crafts booths, entertain with song and/or musical instruments, and roam around while interacting with guests, often whom […]