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christmas down under
When I think of Christmas, I envision the rural rolling hills of Pennsylvania farmland, white with snow on lucky years. Family, good friends, good food, scarves and mittens and boots and warm jackets. Isn’t that the dream? I often forget that I spent Christmas away from home as a fifteen year old girl. Gram took me on a month-long tour of Australia to visit with my uncle and his family, who had moved there when I was little. For those that don’t know, December in Australia is dead in the middle of their summer. I’m talking 100+ degree heat and long…
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how to plan the perfect new year’s eve (we hope)
I think it’s a pretty universal feeling, but New Year’s Eve has always stressed. me. OUT. There’s so much pressure to have it be the MOST AMAZING NIGHT OF THE YEAR, and really? It’s always just weird. This year, we vowed to keep things simple and though we won’t know for sure for another week and a half, I have a feeling this is going to work out much better for us than the last few years. Maybe I’m counting my chickens before they hatch (or whatever. I hate that saying but it’s Monday), but I do feel like I’m…
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tips for succeeding in new york as a holiday tourist
Friday, Friday, Friday! Ahhh this week has been a long one, and I’m excited for a seriously Christmasy weekend ahead. We have wine & cheese parties to attend and presents to open and cookies to bake. It’s going to get real festive up in here. One thing not on the list? Anything remotely close to midtown. Though we had a lot of fun, hubs and I checked the obligatory Rock Center tree visit off a few weekends ago while hosting family, and I’ve had my fill of the craziness that is midtown during the holidays. However, for those of you…
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a few of my favorite things: salzburg edition
You know what has always puzzled me? Why “Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music is considered Christmas music. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there isn’t one mention of Christmas in that movie. And I doubt that I’m wrong, because I’ve watched The Sound of Music upwards of 200 times. Maybe its the mention of crisp apple struedel. That seems somewhat holiday-ish. Doorbells and sleigh bells, sure, but schnitzel with noodle? I’m just not buying it. It took an actual winter trip to Salzburg, Austria for me to see why the setting of The Sound of Music invokes the image of…
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jetsetters: @2travelaholics – part one
That’s right, travelers. We have a two-part jetsetters cliffhanger happening this week. It’s getting serious around here. This week’s jetsetter is the mrs. half of the 2travelaholics, and we’re particularly jealous of this traveling duo. In the midst of planning for their Round The World trip departing this coming June, we’re excited to follow along on twitter and their blog as they map out their next adventure. Without further ado… Mrs. Travelaholic: Favorite Place: Vancouver. I went there a lot growing up and really love the city and its people. More importantly, favorite meal: Without a doubt: sushi. I could…