Lollygag

Gettin' outta here

I'm packing, printing out directions and maps, and getting ready to go on my trip!
The girls at work gave me a "bon voyage" package yesterday. They're all so sweet! Totally made my last day even that much better!

(Kona just had to get in the picture too)
Look at all this cool stuff! I am definitely wearing that mask on the way over. I plan on sleeping the whole way so I can get off the plane and go. Already checked the in-flight movie. "Just My Luck" with Lindsay Lohan, hmmm, I think I can miss that one. ;)

My pal Amanda got me the cool papersack mini album. She's so sneaky! We saw these in Chicago last week and I thought they were so cool. I'll be collecting lots of neat things to fill the pages. She sure knows my style. Thanks buddy!

Did you see the "Euro Kini"? Here is some verbiage from the packaging:
Let the "girls" see the world and world see the "girls". Comfortable & Classic Bikini Bottoms (top not included)
Caution: Not responsible for wandering eyes, propositions by hairy old men or catty comments by jealous women.
Amy, my partner in crime at work created the graphics for the packaging. I thought these were for real when I picked them up. Until I read the verbiage that is! They're referring to the topless beaches I may encounter while I'm over there. Looks like I'm ready to jump in!

Okay so I'll see ya in a couple weeks! Chuck and Dad have stayed behind to watch the "homestead". I cleaned this morning before packing and I hope they'll be a little bit of cleanliness left when I get home!
See ya later. I'll be back with pictures and hopefully some really good chocolate. :)

So thankful . . .

for this.

One more daddy is home with his girls.
I was there to take pictures when he walked off the plane and met his daughter for the first time. What an honor. And these pictures are just breathtaking. I'm not going to share anymore since this was a private moment for them.
I am so happy she has her husband and the little one has her daddy. So much love! The neatest thing to me was how the baby snuggled right into her daddy. It was like she just knew it was him.

Once again I want to thank these brave men and women who are fighting for our country overseas. They make *ultimate* sacrifices for all of us. We owe them every ounce of gratitude we have.

Some advice

I'm constantly hearing people talk about the wonderful people they've met through scrapbooking. I most definitely have to agree.
I wrote an email to Sande Krieger after reading about her Paris trip on her blog. I asked her *if she had time* to write me back with some suggestions/ideas for my own trip. She went above and beyond what most people would do.
She gave me ideas about photography, food, flea markets, you name it! It was a best of Paris & Venice list! She got me that much more excited to go on this trip.
Here's one of the MANY suggestion she gave me:
Best thing to eat: Nutella & banana crepes at any of the roadside creperies.
(our favorite place to get these was on Rue Cler)
Dang, that sounds good!

And for all of you that are hungry now, here's a crepe recipe you can try on your own. *Note I have not made this but it sure sounded good. Post any review back here in the comment section!

Basic Crepe Recipe
by Carroll Pellegrinelli

4 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons melted butter
Measure all ingredients into blender jar; blend for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides. Blend for 15 seconds more. Cover and let sit for 1 hour. (This helps the flour absorb more of the liquids.) Makes 12-14 crepes.

Recipe Variations:

For a Sweeter crepe:
Add 2 teaspoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

For a Chocolate crepe:
Add 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce to sweet crepe recipe.