July 2011

a picture is worth a thousand words

As I’ve made the transition to a new computer, I’ve finally done some serious homework in my iPhoto. Perusing through and organizing pictures I’ve taken since starting using a digital camera has been an entertaining walk down memory lane this past week and I still have lots more to go. Surprisingly the most fun part of looking back on my 10,000 collected images from the past 2.5 years has been reflecting on what my intention was taking each photo, and remembering where my head and heart both were at the time of point and click. As I was scrolling through just now, this particular one caught my eye:

My first Alaska ferry ride; August 2010

Exhausted and filthy after being on the road for lots of days, here I am wind-blown. (I’m still trying to perfect those solo traveler self-portrait skills!) This is my first ferry ride in Alaska last summer and boy was I one happy camper that day. I remember the views took my breath away, my face hurt from smiling, and the sense of accomplishment- reaching that goal I had for so many years was unlike anything I had ever felt before.

Here’s to a picture being worth a thousand words.

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annual cheese and friend weekend? i like it

This weekend last year I was hanging out in Madison, Wisconsin with old friends who are my besties who never fail to crack me up:

Jeff and Bill cracking me up again

We did things like wandered the biggest farmers market in the country:

Farmers Market at Capital in Madison, WI

…to participate in a classic Wisconsin cheese-fest fun, like trying fresh cheese curds:

Fresh cheese curds at Madison Farmers Market

(The squeaking totally freaked me out!)

…and fresh-baked spicy cheese bread:

Farmers Market at Capital in Madison, WI

Stella's spicy cheese bread at Madison Farmers Market

Mmm…

We were essentially on repeat that whole weekend cracking up and eating a ton of cheese. Delish. Lucky me, I get to head to madison next weekend and do it all over again. Yeah! Who knew this girl would love the Midwest so much.

Ian’s Pizza~

Yes, I think I should see you annually too! You had me at Mac n’ cheese pizza…

 

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the vacationland state

In 35 days I pick up my 2012 Hybrid Civic in the Garden State and head out for another big adventure! Time sure flies when you’re having fun and then going for more.

Guess where we are going to go to the tippity top of with a couple surprises along the way?

MAINE!

Maine kept popping into my head when I started thinking about a fall 2011 trip. No rhyme or reason, just a gut instinct that I should be there. Wouldn’t you know it, once again that gut feeling never leads me astray, so Honda and I are working on a meeting with quite a character as part of the adventure and he just so happens to be in Maine. September will be the perfect time of year to explore that Northeast landscape I love. You all will be voting on a whole lotta other stuff I do, see, and even what I eat while I am in Maine and other neighboring states. (Side note; Did you know Maine is the place for whoopie pies? I missed this festival already, but you know how I love my chocolate and treats, so a famous Maine whoopie pie stop will be a must. Yeah!)

You all know I am as transparent as saran wrap, so it is hard for me to hold anything back or ever be evasive about anything I am uber excited about, but this is where I will practice being “cool” about giving away too much information for now. I did chat with Honda yesterday, and can share that we’re planning to start the official polling on all Facebook pages next week, so get your Northeast/East Coast thinking caps on for all the things I can’t live without seeing or doing. This is promising to be one heck of a trip!

And who knows- you might be able to be right there with me. (Wink, wink.) More on that to come…

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i got my baby back

Computer transitioning is not easy, especially when you’ve been on the same laptop creating serious habits for 3 years. I am now the proud owner of a much smaller, lighter version of what I had before and whoa mamma! I think my life has changed forever. This means that my “baby” (computer) fits in my purse and has a battery life that can even outlast my coffee shop time per day. Amazing!

If anyone out there ever wants to hold a pep rally for how incredible Apple products are, let me know. I’ll make a sweet poster and totally be there.

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separation anxiety

I’m about to hand off my computer to the Apple folks for a full 24-plus hours. I can’t lie, I feel like a mother who’s sending her first born off to the first day of Kindergarten. I might cry and I think I need a cocktail. (Voice in my head; It’s all for the best in the long run Diane, this is just a part of life. Let go, let go, you can do it.)

Crazy- right? Sheesh.

I guess this officially means that Blue Lollipop Road is my baby. But I think we all already knew that…

I’ll be back as soon as I can! 🙂

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how do you gear up for a cubs game?

With free double dark chocolate cupcakes of course!

Meet Ellen and Morgan:

Ellen and Morgan

We passed by them on the way to the game Saturday as they were enticing the crowd with: “Would you guys like a free cupcake?”

Heck yes we would!

These friendly cupcake gifters said they drove all the way from California:

Sprinkles Cupcakes license plate

…in their nifty little van with their fresh-baked salt caramel, red velvet, and double dark chocolate sweets- to treat Saturday morning baseball fans. People swarmed them:

Bum-rush for cupcakes

What a fun job. Cheers to Sprinkles!

Thanks Sprinkles Cupcakes!

(Why do I look like a kid who stole candy and hid behind the truck anyway? They gave the cupcakes to us!)

The only and best place fit for a photo of me noshing on the goodness, was of course right in front of the famous Wrigley Field sign:

Mmm...Sprinkles cupcakes at Wrigley Field

Mmm…chocolate.

Who knew one little cupcake could make a girl so happy?

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a year ago today…

*(I’m digging this check back in photo archives and journals for a “year ago” something game I have started with myself.)

…I was sipping this Pinot Gris at Atwater Vineyards over Seneca Lake:

Pinot Gris at Atwater Vineyards

…and today I will be sipping crappy, whatever is cheapest, plastic-bottled, available beer at a Cubs game in Chicago.

Whoop whoop!

Here’s to going from A to Z- living up every letter in between, rolling pish-posh one day, base line the next, and loving being on both ends.

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i might have been in heaven this morning

Actually, I was in Wisconsin driving as the sun rose:

Sunrise near Madison, Wisconsin

I was exhausted and racing back from camping to pick someone up at the airport and grumbled a bit at the early wake up call. That is until I drove out of the park and saw this sky above.

I wish I could properly share how scenes like this make me feel when I am alone, windows down, in the summer, and on the open road. There’s just not a single better feeling of peace for me, or an understanding that anything is possible…

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hello there honda civic tour

More fun news just in:

While I am road trippin’ with my sweet Honda Civic Hybrid in September, I get to go check out the Honda Civic Tour with Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance. Yeah!

-And a few other things, hints, teasers on where I’ll be going, what I’ll be doing and things you might see. (Are you kidding me, this gets better?!):

*Did somebody say lobstah?

*Interesting characters to meet

*A Green Mountain state

*Gee, I bet a partner in crime would be fun

Stay tuned, “like” the Blue Lollipop Road Facebook page here, and get ready to come along for a great ride!

 

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challenge: get more than 3 hours sleep a night during a chicago summer

Because of all the traveling I have done, people ask me regularly what my favorite city or state is. My response has always been: “There’s too much to love! It depends on what you’re talking about; Food, people, fun stuff going on, weather, etc?”

Well kids, I’m finally able to give a straight answer:

Chicago is officially my favorite summer city! Anyone who likes food, music, endless events/festivals, patios to hang on, cold brews, sports, parks, shows, parades, going to lakes, water sports, walking for hours exploring free stuff, every kind of neighborhood imaginable, friendly strangers who invite you in, more food, more drink, the best overall vibe and mojo ever, and just when you think it’s over- the weekend arrives and it becomes double time goodness of all the previous listed. Chicago is quite literally 7 days a week of food, folks and fun. I am just absolutely loving life right now. For me to say I don’t want to leave a place is monumental and something I have never said or felt before. It is sensational.

Every Chicagoan I have met has told me “This is why we push through the brutal winters. For all this stuff!” – I can’t completely see why. (I know, I know- talk to me in January during a blizzard right?) All I know is that moving to The Windy City for the time I have been here- even with some bumps in the road, has been a fantastic experience for me and I would highly recommend a stay here for anyone.

Dear Chicago~

Thank you for every bit of you. I hope my readers forgive me for being occasionally absent from computer and blog posting time because I am so busy participating in all your recreation! Who needs sleep anyway?

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