Back from the Big Apple

So sad...our last trip for the summer:( But it was fantastic! The kids and I had such a great time and crammed the most into every day. We visited some great sites and exhibits but I was totally unprepared for the throngs of people everywhere we went, and the smell...it stunk! There's no sugar coating it, I'd rather smell farm aroma than city funk any day. Despite the unpleasantries, I'd love to visit New York again, there is still SO much more I'd like to see, not to mention the shopping. I'm thinking a visit during the Christmas season would be nice.

Our first stop...the Museum of Natural History. This was an all day affair and I still felt like we rushed through. There's so much to see and explore.

Day two...rain :(...but we made the best of it and trudged out for more site seeing.

New York City Skyline from the ferry

A rainy visit to the Statue of Liberty

The #1 reason for visiting NYC...Caleb was desperate to visit the King Tut exhibit. Very interesting, lots of wonderful artifacts.

Off to Time Square...I was in awe of all the people, lights, advertisements. We even went back the next day and I was gitty all over again...lol.

St. Peter's Cathedral...it was so beautiful! The architecture is amazing. I wished I had more time to stroll around in the church, but the kiddies were bored. Maybe next time they'll be old enough to appreciate the views.

the ceiling in St. Peter's

Day three...wonderful views of the city from high atop the Empire State Building

A stroll around Central Park

Balto statue

Home, home jigity jig

What a great experience!

Over Here...

Oh, yep, right here...I'm back, all though it's only momentarily. I can not believe it's nearly the end of August. We have been enjoying our cabin in central PA this month. It's the perfect place for a little rest and relaxation. There was plenty of wildlife, fishing, kayaking, swimming, reading, day trips, and very little beading. And I'm sad that all that has come to an end:( but we have one last trip planned to end the summer with a bang...We're heading to New York City! Just me and the kids...we are all very excited.

While I was away, the mail was piling up, and the August issue of Bead Trends was sitting on my doorstep waiting my arrival. I was all too excited to have a necklace published in this issue. The photography is fabulous! They really put forth the effort to make every piece of art "Pop".

Now, I have to make the most of my short time at home and get out into my workshop! There are less than 3 weeks until my next art show!

Have a great week!

81 to 19 in 2.5 hours

It's been a winter like no other...

Last week the kids were on winter break. We headed down to Florida for a first time visit to Disney and finished the week up in Palm Beach. It was wonderful...an escape from school and the frigid temps at home. We LOVED Disney although it was exhausting. It was a whirlwind of activity and opening and closing the parks everyday. The weather was perfect, just cool enough that a sweatshirt was in order most days.

The last two days of vacation we headed down to a friends house in Palm Beach. Fabulous weather...sunny and 80+ degrees, besides we needed a vacation from our vacation. We enjoyed lots of R&R in the sun while the kids swam. Unfortunately, the beach was closed because of the sharks:(

Saturday, we flew back amongst lots of flight cancellations and horrendous winter weather. This always seems to be our luck! We finally landed in Philly, a brisk 19 degrees and our departing flight cancelled. Desperate to get home we rented a vehicle, took our lives into our hands and trudged for home. We arrived home to 10 inches of snow on the ground (that's A LOT for us!) This much snow cripples our area...all the schools are closed, and we are confined to the house today as the roads are a total mess! I'm hoping to see a snow plow today, lots of sunshine to start melting the roads a bit, and our luggage.

All in all a great trip and we love the snow...as long as we don't have to travel in it.

Here's to a fabulous week!