No Small Feat

Ok gnomes creativity is tricky thing. It comes on it's own and doesn't really care if you're ready for it or not. I have been mulling over what this weeks blog is going to be about, I was considering writing all about the indiscretion that took place in a blanket fort... where I was seduced by a yummy twix. But no, that's not something we need to rehash. It's best to lay that demon to rest and move forward, eyes focused on staying positive... not thinking about the sweet cookie crunch... sorry... no, moving on.

So in this weeks blog I will help those who are also casting aside the demon o'bread. I found a few recipes, that are easy, and yummy. And in doing this I hope to keep your faith alive that a world where we can shun the bread overlords is possible and we will rise up! Sans yeast!

Lemon-Pepper Drummers:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons butter, divided
8 large chicken drumsticks
Kosher salt
Poultry seasoning or ground thyme
6 cloves garlic, grated or pasted
1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
1 lemon, zested
2 lemons, juiced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions or chives, to garnish

Directions -

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat in a large pan with a cover. When the butter foams, add the drumsticks and season with salt and poultry seasoning. Shake the pan and brown the chicken on all sides. Cover the pan and reduce the heat a bit. Cook for 20 minutes to cook through. Remove the drumsticks to a platter and add the remaining butter to the pan to melt. Add the garlic and pepper, stir for 2 minutes, and then add the lemon zest and juice. Swirl to combine and pour over the drumsticks. Garnish with parsley and scallions.

Broccoli Chowder with Corn and Bacon:

4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 large baking potato, peeled and diced
1 head broccoli (about 1 pound), cut into bite-size florets, stalks peeled and thinly sliced
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn kernels
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup whole milk
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions -
1. In a large pot, cook bacon over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Increase heat to medium. Cook onion, stirring, until it begins to soften, 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Add broth and potato; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cook until potato is tender, about 10 minutes. Add broccoli, corn, thyme, and milk. Cook until broccoli is crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with bacon.

Crustless Cheesecake:

2 (8 ounce) packages reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, plus
1 tablespoon sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, divided
1 cup low-fat sour cream

Directions -

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, coat an 8 inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 C sugar; beat well, beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp lemon juice until well combined.
Spoon mixture into the baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden; remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, do not turn off the oven.
Meanwhile in a small bowl, combine the sour cream and the remaining 1 TBS sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp lemon juice; mix well, spread over the top of the cheesecake and bake for 10 minutes.
Let the cheesecake cool, then cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

My Beloved

Harold my every present guide and leader, decided that for lent he was going to give up bread. When he proclaimed this in our humble office I felt empowered! I was excited by his conviction, forty days no bread, yes YES! "Me too!" I cheered, promising myself to this noble and valiant crusade against bread and all of it devious deliciousness. Down with the scrumptious foe that has slowly added to my pants size year after year! I will show it, I can deal without sandwiches for a month. I shall triumph, and stand proud with my mentor, saying we were strong and did not yield!

Yeah, didn't realize everything I love has bread in it. Chicken Friand, haha no, it has puffed pastry, bread. The cupcakesmy son made me for valentines day, bread. The dry toast smeared with butter yesterday that my boyfriend used to sop up his food during breakfast, BREAD!

It's like I woke up in the matrix, and instead of machines taking over and making us their drones, it's bread! BREAD has taken over the world my gnomes. We're not safe! We looked away and now pastries, burger buns, and dinner rolls are trying to take over our souls! And it's just day two! How on earth will I last 40 days?!

I will fight the good fight, I will stay strong, and when my boyfriend teases me with bread products, eating them in a sultry pace that can only be compared to that of an adult film, I will hold strong! I will punch him in the teeth, and go eat salad! I can do this.

Let me hear you say "ahhh"

I have been mulling over what to write about this week and just been hitting a wall. A big writer's blocky wall. All thick with gooey-ness keeping me from spluttering brilliance for all to read. I debated talking about the lull you feel after a long vacation, the splendors of not traveling with children, and I think I even kicked around the idea of talking about unusual hotels again... But I went to an outside source and tapped into my dear beloved's brain and he gave me a fun topic I don't think I've touched on, comfort foods.

Ahhh comfort foods. They can really be anything. I think mine is whatever is fun to cook. In all honesty for me, it's more fun to prepare a gorgeous meal that's going to be delicious. Now there's certain foods I excel at preparing, asparagus, yep we are a good team, and chicken. But the one dish I think I make that's a generic comfort food that makes everyone happy is one taught to my by my best friend, and chef. It's a simply casserole of squash, and gooey cheese. It is so fattening, and god bless your soul if you are lactose intolerant, but damn it's so good.

I needed another reference for someone's comfort so I asked the brilliant Harold, and he said two simple words, Peanut Butter. Two simple decadent words oozing with luscious promise, because when it comes to peanut butter pretty much any food is made better in it's company. It comes in so many different shapes and forms and no matter what it's delicious splendor whisking you away from all your worries and stress. For those blissful moments you devour the scrumptious treat from heaven.

Seeing as an outside source gave me this topic to discuss I decided to keep going with that avenue and asked another outside source what was their chosen comfort. Needless to say my idea that savory was a great method of comfort dining, I was off. Harold had his love for the buttery composition of the peanut, and a friend of mine with candy, well gummy bears was the example given. Yet another hat tip to the world of sweet when it comes to nomming your way into the thralls of comfort, who knew.

I think it breaks down to this. Comfort food is what you reach for when you're feeling like a kicked puppy and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with your favorite *fill in the blank* get snuggly under a blanket and then veg out, be it with a good book or a something on TV  It's food that makes you let out a sigh, and when you bite into it, you feel that moment of tranquility where all your worries about the world and stress drip away and you're filled the deliciousness of your favorite dish, and all you say is "ahhh".

My dear gnomes, I am back, and I have missed you all. I apologize for the long absence but I was detained by life's chaos. I come back to you ready to feed you all with  tongue in cheek wit and brilliant vision. I would blame my lack of sleep. You see, I had a terrible bed. One where not even a troll would live under it because of dreadful back pain. Pain so wretched it ached our bodies and sadden(ed) our souls. But by the kindness of some good people, our suffering was ended and something magical came into our lives - memory foam.

Now when the mattress arrived, I promise this is going somewhere, bear with me, when it came into our feeble lives... We found that something tragic was also happening. Because (strike 'because' start with Where) where the torture bed made us flee from our bed, this new monster, it pulls you in. It locks you in it's embracing comfort and makes you want to stay, linger, or never leave. It's a pit of deception, yes your rest is peaceful and perfect, but when you wake up and it's time to get up, it's impossible to do so without being devastated. it's more torture than the bed of torture!

The great that comes with this bed, is the dreaming, the visions of beautiful getaways, and adventures I want to have, I dream of taking people to. I have inspiration, because no longer do I feel plagued by pain. And with this comfort, I can feel my wide eyes opening to other opportunities in my life. I can imagine the first group I trek through Prague on my first beer tour that takes me to the Augustine. I see the Danube, and those culinary river cruises I know are going to make an impact in culinary tourism so stellar, my phone won't stop ringing with requests.

I see the Danube and Rhine filling with wonderful river cruises featuring the great food and wine of the region. Impacting a new way to get to the heart of culinary tourism... and enticing you to call to request your own personal dream fulfillment!

The new comfort makes me want to go out there and see if there's other's as warm and welcoming. To see what retreats promise you the perfect night's sleep, because I now have this marvel to compare them to. Sweet dreams can come with the ultimate vacation, and I want to see that, and experience that!

It's important to dream, and see your vision. I think believe I was gone for so long because my dreams were so terribly clouded in pain. But now that I can sleep in peace, I can realize what my true goals are, and I'm ready to conquer them... But first let me take a nap in this comfy bed...  The new bed gets lonely!

Learning experiences

The gods of travel have always shown their light upon me.Never  truly shading me in the nightmares that often consume so many others... Being stuck in the middle seat of a plane parked on a tarmac... Missing my flight and having to wait in stand by... Nope not me. I have been given a blessing when it comes to travel. That was until this weekend.  I suppose all in all I shouldn't look at it as a disappointment and accept it as a learning experience.

Rather than writhe in blinded anger and spit venom about how a certain airline gave me the constant run around, lying to me, and clearly blowing smoke up my... nose... yes we'll go with nose. I'm going to shed some light on how you can avoid the headache I was dealt. Said headache was losing my luggage as I went to visit my main squeeze. Luggage I didn't see until I had been home from my vacation for a full day. I was foolish and roasted on what all I did wrong for the first day of my mini vacation.

So, ways to ensure, the nightmare will never occur:

1. Never under any circumstances, ever, do you part with your wallet. When traveling, at all times, keep your wallet (money, credit cards, ID) on YOU. You should never put it in your bag (even your carry-on), because you never know what's going to happen.
2. Pack a small duffel bag (yes even if you only have a rolling small carry on), with a change of clothes, and the "I can't live without's" ie; toothbrush, hair brush, underpants, and your phone charger. I know it seems like over kill when you don't necessarily need two carry-on's but trust me, you rather be over prepared than go four days with the same clothes, and just your cellphone... I promise.
3. ID tags. They are your best friends. I now plan on putting seven on each handle of my bags, writing out my contact information IN LARGE PRINT! The more clear who the bag belongs to, the sooner you will receive it!
4. Finally... When toting a carry-on, I know you don't think it's important to remove the old white tags from former flights, but it is... I swear it is. Because if you don't, you can bet the grumpy miss who begrudgingly tossed your carry-on onto your rather packed flight didn't remove it and when you get to your next destination they are going to reroute your bag to some unknown location, and you won't see it again until midnight the night after you get home from your vacation! Take the tags off!

It all breaks down to this my sweet underpants gnomes... When it comes to airlines, they are dealing with thousands of pissed off patrons every minute of the day, and you will only be a small voice in the ocean of complaints. Instead of being doomed to deal with the "resolutions" team who clearly have no resolve, protect yourself and go through ANY and ALL methods to ensure you have done all you can do, to make sure your travels go smoothly. Make sure to keep a very thorough record (who you spoke with, what time, when and where) so should something happen you will have a full recount of who helped you. Book your flights with plenty time for your luggage to make your connecting flights, clearly label your bag with all your contact information, and again, under no circumstances do you EVER part with your wallet.

Lost Luggage Department at Miami International Airport

Hey, Pony. Where you been?

Remember when running away from home was a tactic to scorn your parents? To punish them for their insolence and general defiance against your precious desires. It was a wagging finger at their audacity for daring to ask you to perform a menial chore, or passive aggressive chastising for having the nerve to place ridiculous punishment on you. No! You would show them that you were the victor, the one in charge, you would run away from their wretched shackles... until you got to the end of the block and realized the defiant tyrants at your gilded prison are the folk who feed and clothed you, so with your head held high and pride intact (as you were returning on your own terms) you graced the unfitting with your precious presence once again. 

What if it was now an adult standing at the corner, suitcase in hand and deciding where you would flee to? What place in this world would be the ideal place to escape the everyday life that vexes you? Well, I'd start with somewhere I didn't have to think about anything. All inclusive resorts are good for that. All your food, drinks, house keeping, and play time are effortlessly (it would seem) provided for you. The worry about things like cost and time frame slips from mind and you are swaddled in relaxation.

Ok beaches aren't your thing, if you're running away seeking adventure, there's always some nerve racking, thrill based getaway you could attack head on. Like a safari, and I know you're thinking "Oh African safari's are so last year." and I'd tell you that number one, you're full. Khaki's and lion watching are always in season. But secondly you should have waited for me to explain further. As I was going to say Alaskan safari, who feels foolish for jumping the gun now, you do. It's ok, I forgive you. Seriously my wee underpants gnomes, it's really amazing the wildlife one can find when they take a cruise in Alaska, yes there's whales, but there's more than that, it's the most untouched region of North America, our disgusting carbon footprint has barley made a mark there, and the wonders you can see are breath taking.

Trafalgar Square

Finally, if I truly could find a place where I really dream of running away to. I'd go back to London. I love England in general, but London stole my heart and soul when I went there. The culture is amazing, the people were kind, and the history mesmerized me. It's the one place I went and instantly felt like I had found where I belonged. There was no need to adjust to anything, it all felt like I had been lost and finally made my way home. If I truly had the chance to pack up everything I owned and everyone I loved that's where I would go. I'd runaway to London.

STRESS!

Ahh stress, it's a vicious thing stress. It's a virus of an emotion, that seems to only grow larger and more fierce the more you notice it. Indeed, of the baser emotions Stress is the body's Freddy Kruger, only when one puts it out of mind, and forgets it's existence does the nightmare dwelling, die away.

I've been thinking of ways to relieve life's stress. Not saying I'm stressed, I'm just simply curious about the means of letting said wretch go. When the world sucks, and you feel pulled in all directions getting away for a short... or very long vacation, can be the perfect answer to your stress problems. If you're on a budget look for something local to do. Just a day or two out of your element away from your razor sharp hub of undeniable pain and misery, can help you look at your problems with a level and sound head.

My perfect get away from the monster that never let's you sleep... A beach. It's cliche, I know. But something about laying out on a warm beach, umbrella drink in hand, sound of the crashing waves. It's paradise, especially if I leave my smart phone in some void where no one can reach me.

Now you might wonder if I'm going to give you some great ideas in the sandy tranquil beach department, and you'd be right! Direct from Dallas there's a lot of places one can hop a plane and be in the soothing paradise of your choice. Places like Puerto Vallarta, San Juan, and Cancun, and if you don't mind a longer flight you can always high tail it to Hawaii. Between now and early summer you can take advantage of mid seasons fares that are so cheap you have to take a moment and wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. It does though, it's just a great price for a much needed break from reality. The all inclusives in the Caribbean are even more relaxing, as once you are there, generally everything you do, eat, or drink is included in the price of your stay, and often have package deals with your airline.

The only question that really remains at this point is, when are you going to treat yourself and take a much needed break and return home and fully relaxed.

Let's try a new spin...

I have been deep within the search for all the most fascinating cruises one can enjoy. I wanted to get away from normal, you know the whole four day cruises around the Caribbean with three stops one always being in Mexico. Yes they are all amazing cruises and you see some of the most breath taking scenery in the world. But it's been done, a lot. It's time to branch out, go for something that is outside of your comfort zone (Ha! Someone has said this to you before, must have been a genius). There's so much to discover and to pigeon hole one's self because you know it a good time from the fifteen times you've all ready done it, well you're robbing yourself.

River cruise, I know they sound a little 'eh' because when you're from this country, rivers are meant for white water rafting, fishing, or providing a ridiculously long word to learn for your third grade spelling bee. But river cruising in Europe and Asian is something to behold. It's one of the ways to see Europe untouched by modern day. You travel down these canal and rivers and see the world as it was ages ago. And the history you learned about as a child is right there. At your finger tips. Not to mention, it really fine cruising, and by fine I mean high end. The restaurants are five star dining, and the cabins are some of the finest accommodations I have ever seen anywhere, and the ships are not filled with thousands of patrons, they're small, and you have this intimacy you cannot get on an ocean liner.

Now let's say, you want an ocean experience, but you're willing to step outside of the box. There's a vast amount of options for you out there. One of them is cruising north to places like Alaska. One of my favorite cruise companies explains cruising around this area is like seeing the world before it was touched by the human footprint. You can see glaciers, go whale watching, even see the aurora borealis. Again, it's top of the line. There's no cramped cabins, packing in a family for four into a closet. No these places are meant for lavish luxury, and the ship fits the bill. It's the perfect marriage of experiencing top end, luxury travel and witnessing nature in it's truest, untouched setting.

So that's two options of two very different types of cruising. And the options are really limitless as to where you can go, what you can see, and what sort of cruising you want to do. It's a matter of know who to contact so they can help you find it. Like I don't know, maybe your favorite wide eyed traveler.

I'm on a boat!

Boats. Yep they're awesome. And strangely a HUGE part of travel. Ok, well it's not strange when you think about it. It's actually a brilliant way to travel. When I had to pick my specialty I was smack with a hard reality, that there is a roughly a billion specialties to chose from. From business travel, to eco tourism. It's a massive spectrum, and being thrown into the mix and being told I better pick or I'll drown in all the options, well it's scary.

How does one decide what is the one focus they want in this career, it's broad and amazing what all you can do. But it's not practical, and it's not smart business to be all over the board. You can't know all the tasty details over every kind of travel out there, you have to set your focus and become the uber guru to your chosen specialty.

I started thinking about what I love to do, and I kept going back to three things. First, was that I love the creepies! I do, I cannot get enough of that stuff, but again when being practical, it's a very limited field. And then there's Island travel, white sandy beaches, sending my clients on a vacation that seems to take place in paradise. The problem I find with that is, it's not diverse, not really. Yes there are several resorts and beautiful locations to be seen, but the diversity really breaks down to what you can afford.

The third calling I felt drawn to was cruising. At first I hesitated to even consider it, because I thought it more than likely lacked a lot of diversity. But when I started going through brochures we had here in the office, I found that the cruising we saw Kathy Lee promoting, wasn't all that was out there for people to do. There's whale watching cruises, theme cruises, and what got my attention, European river cruises. The field of cruising is endless, and it's got something for anyone who is looking for a great vacation, that is affordable.

So there it is my gnomes. My chosen field is cruises, of all shapes and styles! I found my yellow brick road, and I'm really off on this adventure.

Lesson #1, they're called ships, not boats.

From the swells of distraction.

I'm back my dearest underpant gnomes! I apologize greatly for my wretched neglect and pray to your chosen higher power that I can please dissolve this shroud or rancid let down that I pulled over myself shunning those I hold near and dear to my aching heart. Please I beg of you, please find it in your tender, warm souls to forgive my misgivings and enjoy this new entry I bring to you with love and new found direction.

Taking this journey has been at times a calm and steady stream, but at other times, it's fast moving and sometimes difficult with maintaining the smooth and steady focus I hold so precious. It's when the current of my office life is off the rapids that I can find it easy to sit down and write something profound and inviting, gaining smiles and hat tips for a sound quip, or remarkable tongue in cheek comment that really gets you thinking.

My thoughts have been centered elsewhere, creative writing class, writing a bio that seems to have no end in sight, or picking a specialty. All of these paths that would have amazing pit stops here on my dear sweet blog but no, I have shunned away what inspires me, and that is wrong. So I am back, focused on all the avenues of my new career. Heading down this path with a new found focus thanks to some direction from my fearless and brilliant mentor (that's a freebie!). I'm going to get back to walking my path and sharing it with my readers. No more shutting you all out. Nope, back to being your quick witted wide eye'd traveler.

I can't wait to roll you with giggles on the metaphorical floor as I explain to you the search for what wide eye'd traveler has chosen to specialize in.

The list is life.

Ok I know it's wrong to use Schindler's List as a title to a blog, but it's gonna be a good, blog! You'll see.

I wanted to start my bucket list off with a bang. Something that when people read this, their jaws would drop and nod silently, awestruck by the flooring discovery I had brought to them, something they too must visit before their end of days. It's a tall order if you think about it, I mean just writing about random thoughts is hard enough but this, this is some heavy hoo-ha. So the only place I can picture living up to such a grand challenge would have to be an oasis of awesome.

I found Emirates Palace Hotel when looking though some of my favorite sites for fascinating locations. It is so astounding that I am contemplating breaking off my love affair with the Augustine to devote all my love and attention to this magnificent desert rose. It's this completely self sustaining morsel of perfection. Allow me to explain.

It took three billion dollars to build this and that's not with a "mmm" it's with a "bah", billions! When you go to most resorts in the world, it's wonderful because you're at the beach, all your needs are met, you can just kick back and relax. Take that philosophy and multiply it by a bajillion and you have the Palace. Unlike most resorts with let's say ten (I'm being generous) places to chose from for your dinner, this place has one hundred and twenty-eight! Where most places when you lay out the staff is happy to get you a refreshing beverage from the bar, this place has a staff who will bring you a cool towel for your face and rotate your umbrella for you to protect you from the sun's devious rays. And it's gorgeous, really, I am happy just to stare at the pictures all day, heck I'm writing this blog so I have another reason to stare at it some more. I'm having a virtual vicarious relationship with this place, yes my very own VVR!

This place is like being taken to another world, a whole new world if you would. I understand that most don't consider Abu Dhabi when they first think of luxury resorts, but I assure you, it's leading in the way of luxury. But it's not just luxury, it's becoming a real hub for every sort of tourism you can think of. From some of the most fascinating ancient archaeological site dating back thousands of years to the world's largest indoor theme park Ferrari World. There isn't a narrow minded view when it comes to travel, if you can imagine it, they probably have it.

Awe Reflections.

It's been six months since I started this blog. It's easy to get lost in all my rantings and tongue in cheek comments, but sometimes you go back and look at where you started and you can't help but smile about it. On average it takes me about an hour and a half to decide and start a blog. About half an hour to write it, letting the words come with a natural flow that makes the piece cheeky and dripping with persona, but that usually leaves a huge amount of typos and run on sentences. Another thirty minutes are given so I can let Harold read it and listen to his brilliant comment and suggests (don't worry boss, that one was a free bee). And then another hour to go over it a few more time inserting images into the right places, ensuring that what I want to say has the image I pictured when I wrote it. 

The effort seems like a lot but it's merely a drop in the bucket compared to how satisfying it is when I finally publish. It's putting something out there, that came straight from my heart. I'm not writing these to work an angle for any company. Yes, I write about travel and there's a goal to make this about travel, that it's a vehicle to make me a better consultant. But I am free to write what I chose, so it's all me. The eleven hundred viewers are taking a deeper look into who I am and that's truly uplifting,

This blog has brought me inspiration and joy in more avenues than I ever anticipated. Of course, it made sure that I took some key interests in travel, helped me learn that I can pitch almost any destination I want without compromising my personality to do so. But it has also reminded me that I love to write, and being a travel consultant can do more than inspire my love for looking up exotic and creative destinations and experiences for people. It's a means of being a writer, fulfilling my dream to put something out there the masses will read and enjoy.

So in honor of the spark that lit the flame, I'm going to repost my first blog, as a thank you for making feel creative and helping me smile everyday.

"Today is my first official blog as a travel consultant. I'm new to the travel industry, but quickly learning the ropes with incredible enthusiasm.  I’m working for Epicopia Culinary Journeys (Epicopia.com) working for the great Harold Partain (he pays me $5 every time I tell people about how awesome he is). We book tours and create our own small group special programs all over the world. We make sure where ever you go it lives up to what you dreamed of and then some.

 

We have some wonderful associates one of which is Aliza Green (AlizaGreen.com). She is the Experience Director for our, Italian Maremma & Umbria: A Pasta Lover's Culinary Tour (we only have two spaces left).

 

I suppose I should explain my chosen name for  this blog. Ever since I started working with, Epicopia, every time I look up a new location for a tour, I’m awe-struck by either  the culture, food, or the beauty of the location. Everything seems like a fantasy. I started out only dreaming of sandy beaches with crystal clear water, but now I dream about the Red Square in Moscow, and seeing the breath taking Blue Mosque in Istanbul. So now, I do my research with wide adoring eyes feeling a rush of excitement that I never felt filing paperwork or doing massages… However there were a couple massages where stinky feet lead to me having watery eyes…

 

Join me for this new journey in my life."

Bucket List O'travel!

Hello my gnomes! I hope everyone had a fabulous New Year celebration and welcomed 2012 with happy open arms. This is my first blog of the year! Everyone throw some confetti and dance the jig. Alright now that's enough. I have been stewing over what to write in my blog  all week. Should I write about my goals as the newest most amazing travel blogger of all time? No. Should I speak my mind about the hardships mankind faces? No. Should I write about the Mayan's calendar stating that this is the end of time and we are all doomed?! No.

No!

Let's look to a happier subject.... These are the places I want to travel to before I die. I understand that the subject of death isn't sunshine and flowers but we're all going to come to a demise, so let's try and see as much of the world and explore our dream locations before we meet our makers. Let's face it, there are certain things and places you can visit at a certain age. Like I want to go snorkeling in Fiji, not something to do when I'm eighty. I'm not saying no one CAN go snorkeling at eighty in Fiji, but I think it's an act of kindness after seeing how.... fluffy my grandmothers were at that age to just go ahead and do it now. Remember folks, spandex is a privilege, not a right.

The list one makes about where they want to go can be a looking glass into their soul. I always dreamed of being a princess living in a beautiful castle when I was a child. So it would seem logical that on my list is... Well every castle ever in the world, and Red Square. I also dreamed of being a mermaid, hence my desire to go to all the most luxurious beaches in the world.

It's more important to have a desire to travel than it is to have a set list of places you want to trek to. We have this life, just the one, to see what out there in the world makes your heart soar, and brings sense of accomplishment to your life. I often find myself wondering what would have happened if my parents had put me in ballet, it's odd but I really reflect on that often. It's a vanished dream because I can't go back to being five and try it, the chance to be a ballerina has long passed me (I still think I can wear a tutu).

I don't want to be old and look back in... some years and wonder why didn't I take the chance to go see Red Square when I had the chance. I'm not going to let my ballerina let down also be my travel let down. Yeah I realize I was suppose to make a list but I got a little side tracked. Next time my gnomes you will have a list you can dream over.

Floating on Air.

Ok we all know that New Year's Eve is the night to go out and party, and it is believe me I know (I'm still planning my attack for all the parties I want to attend that night). But what about New Year's Day? I think we all dismiss it as a day to recover from the wild night prior to it, but why can't New Year's Day, be the day you use to set the tone for the rest of the year? I, of course, am going to issue a challenge! Make New Year's Day something special for you so that you start the year off with a bang. I am challenging myself to plan the most romantic date possible for my main squeeze before he has to go back to the desert and get back to his larnin'. 

I sat down with the genius who guides me, Harold (cha-ching!), and we brain stormed over what would make for a wonderful date in good ole big D. Initially we tossed around restaurants, he highly recommended Adelmo's Ristorante off Mckinney, they apparently have a very cozy spot for lovers to dine and smooch on the second floor, the food is out of this world too. But it seemed that if you're planning the perfect date, a bed and breakfast feel is what you want. It has to be something where you feel whisked away from your life and plunked down into a fairy-tale written just for you (and no that doesn't mean go to Medieval Times, put on a crown and run around screaming I'm a princess). 

We narrowed down the list of perfect settings for the perfect date to three locations, the criteria was that the hotel had to be lavish and luxurious, it had to have a restaurant with one of Dallas' finest dining, and it had to be an amazing location. The three who made the list were the Stoneleigh Hotel, the St. Germain, and of course the Adolphus.

Let's start with the Stoneleigh, it's a classic hotel that silver screen actors from the 40's used to flock to as it was the hotspot to visit when one came to Dallas. It's one of the staples of lavish Dallas history as it has been around since the 20's and with it's new reservations it's got the feel of a brand new starlette fresh from a 1920's movie screen. Along with the phenomenal accommodation that will make you stay tucked away in your room, there's the Bolla Restaurant located in the hotel. This uptown dining delight is under the watchful eye of  creative Chef Cesar Gallego's. For those of you who are budgeting after the holidays and worry that such a fine establishment is well outside of your price range, they offer these amazing four for forty menu's, it's a prefixed menu with a four course meal of some of the Chef's most innovative creations for your delight at such an affordable rate that it's ridiculous!

Next is the Adolphus. I shouldn't even have to tell my readers why the Adolphus is amazing because I have loved it so much that I think you have all come to love it too. However, I will never pass up the chance to gush about my beloved. The reason one should stay at the Adolphus is because it's one of the most romantic places in Dallas to be. The rooms are glorious and so comfortable with their french antique inspired themed. There's no need to leave your room because the staff is willing to bend over backwards to do whatever they can to make your room the absolution of a romantic getaway, but you should leave your room. You should get dressed to the nines grab hold of your significant other and go down to the French Room. There's nothing more romantic than sitting in a cozy table in the corner of one of the most beautiful rooms in Texas while serenaded by light piano music and devour eyerolling extraordinary five star dining.

Last on the list is definitely not the least but it is the smallest, which makes for it's very intimate feel and appeal (see what I did there). This hotel comes with the Harold stamp of approval, it's the Hotel St. Germain located on Maple. It's the only one of the three that is an actual bed and breakfast. It's decorated with a french theme throughout the entire estate and is truly marketed to lovers. The dining is a European themed candle lit restaurant that over looks the ivy covered french quarter styled garden courtyard. It's really the perfect place to go if you want the feel of being isolated in a romantic french cottage but still want the option of hitting the town seeing as Dallas has a lot to offer especially in that area. But again, it's the intimacy you're getting here, where the other two are luxurious and classic, this place is very cozy and small, there's only seven rooms in the entire venue!

I hope you all have a great and safe New Year's Eve*, and I truly hope your year starts off bright and inspiring. There's nothing more wonderful than the promise of a clean slate to start fresh. Happy New Year everyone!

*There's no excuse to drink and drive this New Year's Eve. AAA is offering Tipsy Tow: Even for those whithout a AAA membership, from 6pm-6am New Year's Eve/Day they will tow your drunk self and your car home for FREE. Save the number (800) 222-4357