Photos

January 24, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Links, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, Photos

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 24

1.24.13

Mexican Fiesta indeed!

Oh I wish I was on a beach in Mexico right now. Brrr!!! Since when did North Carolina adopt Vermont winter weather?! I guess for now eating Mexican food is what will have to keep me warm. Don’t tell anyone, but this was basket and bowl of chips & salsa # 2 for me and my friend. (#ReasonsWhyIGetUpExtraEarlyToRunInThePolarVortex.)

Mmmm…chips and  fresh salsa…and pretending I’m in a Corona commercial (this one cracks me up) as I sip…

Ok, back to business:

I’ve just gotten a couple really cool submissions from a few cutie & creative kids in Louisiana that I’ll post this weekend. Send me your submissions: Diane(@)bluelollipoproad.com

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #TGIF

0
0
January 23, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Links, North Carolina, People, Photos, Reader Submissions, Restaurants, Travel Tips and Tricks

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 23

1.23.14

Hello submissions! We are on a roll!

This just in from a new Blue Lollipop Road reader, Grace:

Here she is!

She makes maps for a living. (Um…how awesome is that?!) She’s been stuck at her desk all day today, so she said she was happy to participate in the BLR project fun.

Here’s to getting creative, even when you might feel stuck, and to letting yourself daydream about anything and everything during the middle of a work day.

Thanks Grace!

Who else is ready to make a BLR?

Send me your submissions: Diane(@)bluelollipoproad.com so I can share here!

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #CubicalCreations

PS~ If you ever get to Wilmington, NC– you should definitely go nosh at Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn. It is gooood…

0
0
January 22, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Photos, Reader Submissions, Virginia

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 22

1.22.14

*Technical difficulties yesterday. (Boo!) Day 22’s post is coming in far after midnight, so I’m doubling up today. (There’s a very good chance no one out there even pays attention to the time/date stamp on these posts, but I do, so I’m calling myself out here:)

Day 22 of BLR 365 is a submission from a chef friend in Virginia:

…before she started chopping for dinner. Mmm! Comfort food on cold days = yummy!

Have you made your BLR yet?

Send me your submissions: Diane(@)bluelollipoproad.com so I can share here!

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #ComfortFood

4
0
January 20, 2014 In BLR365, Photos, Travel

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 20

1.20.14

I’m completely obsessed with maps. I’m completely obsessed with travel and adventure, so I’m pretty sure that’s how my map obsession started. I always want to travel and be on the road, but especially this time of year. I can’t help those get-me-outta-winter-dodge-yesterday-please, wishes.

Sometimes I pull out my collection of maps just to dream, like tonight:

The problem is, then I get all these itchy, I want to go, see, do, be, even more, feelings. So? I put those pesky maps away to avoid that instinct to just pack my car and go. I’m told I have to be patient.

Sigh.

For now I will dream of all those places there are to go explore that I haven’t been to before. Watch out, day I figure out how to live on the road and make a living too. I (or hopefully we)- are going to tear you up, world! Just you wait…

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #NomadAtHeart #Maps

0
0
January 18, 2014 In BLR365, Inspiration, People, Photos, Virginia

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 18

1.18.14

From the Megs Miles Facebook Page sent to me by a good friend a couple days ago:

Meg Cross Menzies was tragically killed by a drunk driver while out for her morning run on January 13, 2014. As an avid runner, member of the Richmond Road Runners Club, and Boston marathoner, she was a member of the running family nationwide. In her honor, our hope is to raise awareness of drunk driving, texting and driving, and overall safety of runners and cyclists everywhere. 

This Saturday, January 18, 2014, no matter what your distance, no matter where you live, run for Meg. Take in the fresh air, be aware of your surroundings, keep your headphones on low, feel the heaviness in your lungs, the soreness in your legs, and be grateful for it–for all of it. The sweat, the pain, the wind, the cold…everything. Be grateful for that moment. 

I’m a runner and I lived in Richmond for many years, surrounded by amazing friends and a wonderful community. When I heard this news I of course wanted to participate in honor of Meg. What a tragic story and another reason to be thankful for the time we have the people we love. Today I have “made” my BLR my run for Meg, in honor of a woman I didn’t know personally, but a fellow runner, and someone who sounds like an amazing person who was very much loved by all she crossed paths with.

Pre-run:

My big smile might look a little too happy, before a bit of a somber run- but all I was thinking when giving the thumbs up, was about celebrating time with those who are so special to each of us. Blue Lollipop Road is in honor of people who were taken from me far too young and far too soon, like Meg- but the spirit of those who we have the fortune to spend time with that are as special as my friends were, and it sounds like Meg was, will truly live on forever.

Here’s to love and support for Meg’s family far away, and to knowing that to live in our hearts, is never to die.

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #Megsmiles #ThingsThatMatter #RunForMeg

0
0
January 17, 2014 In BLR365, Inspiration, Links, Photos, Recommended reading

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 17

1.17.14

I’ve been doing my best lately to read a bunch of books I’ve wanted to for a while now:

I usually read and pass on, but obviously I’m way behind in my homework hours (tsk tsk.) In my attempt to knock out the titles above I haven’t yet, I’ve challenged myself to a book a week until March 1. This weeks book is Start Something that Matters. I’m loving it and It’s given me a stellar Idea for BLR too! Not pictured here, out on a borrow- my recent favorite; Walden on Wheels. Soooo good and a definite must read if you haven’t already. I just might be meeting up with Author, Ken Ilgunas in the next couple weeks. I’m super stoked about that. He is one smart cookie and I love his mindset.

Off to read!

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #BookWorming

0
0
January 16, 2014 In Be active, BLR365, Great companies, grow, Links, North Carolina, Photos, play, TTAA

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 16

1.16.14

I’ve recently started working with a fantastic organization called Soccer Shots. As I was getting my gear in order this afternoon for the kick off of the winter/spring season next week, three letters popped in my head:

Blue Lollipop Road and soccer go hand in hand! Do you know the story? If not, click here to read it.

If you have kids between the ages of 2 and 8 years old, and you don’t yet know about Soccer Shots, run- don’t walk to the nearest computer to find a program in your area and sign them up! This organization is incredibly well-organized, professionally run, and the curriculum is exceptional. Every last person I’ve met since starting with them, really cares about their job and the kids. I am thrilled to be a part of the team, and to have found a company who’s words and actions actually match. Such a rarity! Super bonus? The Soccer Shots mission, method, and motivation are very much aligned with what BLR is all about. Love that!

I started playing soccer at the age of 5 in tiny little Shaftsbury, Vermont at a place called Howard Park. (The same spot I’ve hosted BLR Play It Forward the past two years.) I’ve been playing ever since. The friends I made, the teamwork and dedication I learned, and the fun I had (especially during those young impressionable years), have had a huge part in shaping who I am today. I’m happy to be a part of the soccer community, and proud to be a part of Soccer Shots. To be in the position to coach young kids now, and teach them some of the lessons I learned through team sport, feels totally awesome.

Here’s to the love of the game, and to STRONG MOJO!

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #SoccerRules

0
0
January 15, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Photos

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 15

1.15.14

Maybe I should call this 365 days of food instead of 365 days of Blue Lollipop Road! (Or maybe I have a career in food staging/photography, or something alike that I haven’t thought of before. Hmmm…)

I have a mild addiction to roasted pine nut hummus and carrots. (I suppose there are worse things to have a hankering for every day at that 3pm slump timeframe!) Welcome to my snack time.

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #SnackTime

0
0