My #1 Travel Accessory (and giveaway)

Behold the Envirosax. During my 3 months in Europe, subsequent trips and day to day errands she has been my best friend, life saver, and never go anywhere without it gadget. She's made out of super strong material. Is lightweight. When rolled up is self contained fitting in the palm of your hand (no extra storage bag needed--that will quite frankly get lost anyway). And as if that's not enough, here are a few more benefits . . . 

Cheese Chocolate Chowder

It has been 1 year 7 days and 83 entries since I first posted to this blog. The past year has been full (see Ode to 2013 for a summary of highlights). I want to shout a giant THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to all of you that have read, commented, shared words of encouragement.

With that said . . .  I'm still experimenting with the approach for this blog going forward. I'm not ready to close the door, pretty sure this travel bug is chronic and I still LOVE food. So, if you have any requests or suggestions: more pics (about 8,000 still reside on my phone), more stories, more food, more practical stuff --or if you've had enough--I would love to hear from you.

Now for some New Year's Resolutions courtesy of Seattle, WA and sponsored by the letter "C" Done & Done!

An Ode to 2013

It all started with a dream to travel the world

Quit my job and explore

December thirty first two thousand twelve

For one-fourth of the year in Europe I roamed

Czech Republic Sweden France Italy

Slovakia Switzerland two times Germany

Norway Denmark Luxembourg Scotland

Netherlands Austria Belgium England

Wanderlust clinging growing

I itch and scratch

Job free, three hundred sixty five days

Not the original plan, not complaining

Utah Hawaii DC Virginia

Colorado New York Idaho California

Snowshoes to snorkeling and two pierced ears, pain

Just a little, chocolate, gelato in the US not the same

Nine one-way flights, five round trips, my favorite mode oftravel

Feet and Train

One pair of boots carried me through

Resoled battered I sure wish they had drains

Black, houndstooth, plaid umbrellas

Silver and polka dots the latter the good fella

How many days ‘til the money runs out

hmmm, that’s no fun, let’s not count

The people the experiences precious time with: Christmassisters

College roommates

Supportive Family, Friends priceless.

My nieces and nephews in all their cuteness are the realhipsters

December thirty first I sit on a Seattle bound plane

What a beautiful year twenty thirteen

Sweets for Christmas

For the record I'm not a lover of cupcakes but when a cupcake is splendifurous I am in love.

The formula for a Perfect Cupcake =not too sugary butter cream frosting (no shortening-esque icing, bleck)+moist crumb+the right cake to frosting ratio+flavors that taste like the advertised flavor

With all locations being at least 2 states away Sprinkles is a day dream (do you hear that Sprinkles, just bring one to Denver already!) BUT, next week I will be in close proximity to my second love: Sweet Tooth Fairy

I'm thankful for passion fruit and coconut

Driving in the UK

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

Blue Doors

For this Too Good to Miss Tuesday I must address a universal truth . . . blue doors are beautiful. The evidence: substantial number of instances found throughout Europe.

With shades ranging from chicken egg blue (yes they exist--my sister has a chicken that lays blue eggs) to "almost green" turquoise I love them all. Included are a few "un-door" examples too significant to leave out.

"Sky on a snowy day blue" with a "dash of retro vibe aqua"

Clockwise from top left: Riomaggiore Italy, Bratislava Slovakia, Paris France x2, Verona Italy, Paris France

"Solemn-enough" grey/blue fit for nobility and a monastery

Clockwise from top left: Modena Italy, Prague Czech Republic (x2), Inveraray Scotland. Center: Prage Czech Republic

"You know you want to know more" electric blue  juxtaposed with "sophisticated sky" blues

Clockwise from top left: Bologna Italy, Amsterdam Netherlands, Zurich Switzerland, Amsterdam Netherlands. Center: Paris, France

The unorthodox mix . . . of course the Gelato University sign is blue, and the 2 black doors in Amsterdam are made even more stunning by the neighboring blue paint. Those sky blue/grey door and window frames in Zurich are the portals to a cozy home decor shop. I dream of wallpapering a nook with their library/book wall covering just as they did.

Turquoise that's all I'm gonna say

Clockwise from top left: Ghent Belgium, Inveraray Scotland, Dozza Italy, Gothenburg Sweden, Verona Italy, Edinburgh Scotland

And below, the pic of that romanticly lit door caught in a drizzly haze was the last blue door I captured on my last night in Europe.

Ardently Indigo

Clockwise from left: Bergen Norway, London (Notting Hill) England, Paris France