Looking back at my top 10 travel hits of 2012
I’m so glad I didn’t heed the advice of a hotel clerk who tried to dissuade us from checking out a local attraction in Hartford where we traveled for my niece’s wedding.
The Good Life
Sit back, relax and enjoy some of the finer things in life
2012
Final weekend to bid on dream trips in travel writers' annual online auction
The clock is running down for the Society of American Travel Writers’ annual online auction, where dozens of travel getaways are up for grabs.
Harvesting radishes on the first day of winter
I picked the last of my radishes today — the first day of winter. Even though we saw some nighttime temperatures dip into the teens, we’ve had a mild fall season overall. The radishes seemed to do quite well under those conditions. They grew slowly but did manage to reach harvest size. Earlier this … Continue Reading →
Traveling? Hit the ground for adventure
“Boots on the ground,” Katie prodded as we made our way by train from Rome to Naples to Sorrento, on our way to the Amalfi Coast. Her mantra was meant to encourage me and two other friends to talk to the locals, to rely on our own wits and our own two feet, so to … Continue Reading →
Travelzoo picks five best destinations for 2013 travel deals
To my cluttered brain, there’s something orderly and satisfying about end-of-the-year travel lists, whether they recap the past 12 months or look forward to the next. So it’s not surprising that Travelzoo’s latest “WOW Deal Destinations for 2013″ caught my eye, especially since I’ve already visited four of five of the choices and wouldn’t hesitate to … Continue Reading →
Tending my sauerkraut
Sometimes it feels like I’m still gardening even though the growing season is over. For example, I’ve been tending my batch of sauerkraut for nearly a month now.
Deciding where to plant evergreen trees and shrubs
This week I’m helping a friend decide where to plant some evergreens in his yard. Now is the perfect time to make those decisions because the leaves are gone from the trees and bushes in the yard. Since evergreens keep their leaves or needles, their deep green color will stand out from the rest of … Continue Reading →
Travel writers' auction offers dream trips and experiences around the globe
From Abu Dhabi and Petra, Jordan in the Mideast to resorts in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii and other desirable vacation spots in the United States, dozens of travel getaways are up for grabs this month in an annual online travel auction sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers. As a longtime member of SATW, … Continue Reading →
Digging and bringing in rosemary for the winter
Last spring, I had a rosemary plant in a six inch pot that over-wintered in the garage. It looked like it could use a vacation, so, I took it out of its pot and planted it directly into the garden. While in the garden, it suffered the regular abuse that you expect a rosemary plant … Continue Reading →
Holiday Gift Boutique of Unique and Handmade Gifts set for Friday and Saturday
Shop for one-of-a-kind holiday gift items at the annual Holiday Gift Boutique of Unique and Handmade Gifts, set for Friday and Saturday at The Shrine Catholic Grade School. More than 40 Michigan-based vendors will be on hand selling their most recent pieces of work. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is … Continue Reading →