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Travel Must-Haves

 

You guys know I am in Anaheim for the annual RWA conference this week.  It’s an extra long trip this year, from Saturday to the following Sunday.  I had to pack a lot of clothes.  A LOT.  Since I wear shorts and yoga pants every single day at my job (which is in my house), I am not used to dressing up for meetings every day.  So that took a lot of planning.

I had to figure out shoes, and evening events, and so forth.  I was so proud of myself that I got everything into one bag.  I was so proud that I figured out the shoe situation so I didn’t have to pack another whole bag for that.  I got here, I unpacked smugly, feeling like a veteran traveler.  And then I remember I’d left a banana on the counter at home.  Big deal, right?  I am going to be gone 9 days.  I am a little worried about that banana.

But not nearly as worried as I am about my face.  When I unpacked, I discovered I had forgotten sunscreen.  Sunscreen is probably not a big deal to a lot of people, but I am outside a lot, and I always have been, and my dewy baby-like skin is beginning to show the ravages of time and sun.

It is vitally important to my sense of well being.  If I don’t have it, I think that my face is burning to a crisp.  I get a little obsessed with it.

I also discovered, day one, that I did not bring any real sweaters.  Now, in my defense, in Texas, the last thing I am thinking about in July is sweaters.  But man, I wish I’d brought more than the little white one and flimsy green one, because this hotel is cold. You know what else?  There aren’t a lot of sweaters for sale in July.

I forgot walking shoes.  I was so obsessed with getting the right shoes for the meeting that I didn’t think about walking around Disney shoes.  So now I have to decide which shoes are the least likely to hurt when worn for distances greater than a quarter mile.

I always forget something.  Once, I went somewhere with my sister and forgot to pack undies.  Talk about a crisis.

I brought a lot of clothes and make-up, some of which will never grace my frame or face.  But I didn’t get all my must-haves.  It’s always something.  What are your travel must-haves?  What have you forgotten on trips that drove you nuts? Are you on your way to Anaheim?  If you are, please come see my at booth 203 during the literacy event on Wednesday, 5-8, at the Anaheim Convention Center!

The Debate Is On!

The Whine Sisters prefer to avoid political issues, but I thought it would be fun to imagine what we might ask if we could moderate a debate. In order to get to know where these candidates really stand on the issues, I would ask the hard-hitting questions. My top five:

1. Everyone always asks about flag burning, a serious issue. But where do you stand on the flag as a clothing item? Or on food?

2. How did you propose to your current wife? Bonus points: what was she wearing?

3. Once a cheater, always a cheater? Do you agree, why or why not?  Oh, sorry, too personal. Team Jen or Team Angie?

4. Red or white? (Yes, a trick question. The temptation will be for the candidate to go down the middle and say “blush” but that would be a wrong answer for any Whine Sister. Friends don’t let friends drink white zinfandel.)

5. Close your eyes and imagine your perfect day off. Where are you, what are you doing, who are you with, and– what are you wearing?

I turn it over to you. What would you ask? Will you even watch the debate?

MORE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Since Sherri’s blog yesterday started off our week with a smile, I thought I’d keep the trend going and add to my recent “Favorites” theme–since things we love bring smiles.  This week let’s talk about foods.

It’s almost impossible for me keep a list of my favorite foods down to a minimum because I pretty much love everything.  In fact, there’s only one food I really don’t like:  Brussell sprouts.  Figures that the one thing I don’t care to eat has like zero calories!  But other than Brussell sprouts…I’m in.  Yet how to narrow down my choices to just a few favorites?  Ooooh, the dilemna!  But after much thought, here’s my list of my top three favorite foods:

In third place–shrimp scampi.  I love shrimp, I love garlic, I love butter.  Put them all together and you can’t miss.  Toss the scampi over pasta and I’m in heaven.

In second place–lobster.  And I mean the whole lobster–not just the tail.  I don’t cook lobsters very often–they’re very pricey where I live–but it’s always a feast when we indulge.

And claiming the number one spot on my list of favorite foods: linguini and clam sauce.

I swear I could eat this for dinner every night.  I love the delicate flavor of fresh clams, and combined with the garlic and olive oil, parsley and hint of lemon…mama mia.  When we lived near Costco I would pick up a bag of fresh clams every Friday at their seafood roadshow and make linguini and clam sauce.  I can still get clams where we live now, but they’re much more expensive.  I miss my Costco!

So how about you?  What are your top three favorite foods?  Do you make them yourself or prefer to eat them at a restaurant?  Hope your week is off to a good start!

Young and at the Top of Their Game

So Darren Criss, from Glee, is all set to take over for Daniel Radcliff  on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business for three weeks.  And quite frankly I’d kill for a ticket.  Criss is a triple threat, he can act, he can sing and he can dance.   And he isn’t too hard on the eyes either.

But what interests me the most about him is that he came to fame principally through putting himself out there on You-Tube and the like.   He was quoted in an interview (and I’m paraphrasing) recently as saying that he never takes no for an answer.  And I believe it.   He literally made his own fame.  Or at least managed to set the stage for it.

And he’s not alone.  Justin Beiber, who I am told rules the teen universe (along with Taylor Swift), was also discovered on the cyber waves of the internet.   (Maybe it’s the new soda shop…where coke floats were served and starlets were discovered for those of you who are too young to remember).

The dude is everywhere these days!  He even has his own fragrance—for women no less.  And all the proceeds go to charity.   (I know this because a certain someone sent me a sample for Christmas  [image error] )  I can’t say that I’ve got Beiber fever.  I’ve honestly never heard him sing.  But I do admire his ability to get himself noticed and from what I read, like Criss, his work ethic.   (And then of course there’s the hair).

Which brings me to another uber-artist.  One who has managed to take the idea of performance art mainstream.  Lady Gaga.   Both she and Beiber were featured on the Dave Clark Rockin’ New Year (yes, my life is so boring I watched the New Year ring in from my sofa—and yes, I missed the Beiber performance so I’m still unanointed.)  She fascinates me.

Not just because I love her music.  And I do.  But because I am held captive even though sometimes appalled by her performances.  She is hugely talented.  But more importantly she’s smart and savvy.  And apparently fearless.  Her songs are the kind you simply can’t get out of your head.  And when the lyrics contain the words “I’m beautiful in my way/Cause God makes no mistakes/I’m on the right track Baby/I was born this way” maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

What about you?  Do you have Beiber Fever?  Are you a Gleek?  Is Bad Romance constantly running around in your head?  What do you think of new media and the internet’s role in redefining of the way we look at entertainment?

Part One–My Latest Adventure

Last week I posted about the first leg of our recent Arizona adventure which took place in sunny Scottsdale where my DH had conference.  When the conference ended,we rented a car and began the four hour drive to the Grand Canyon–a place we’ve both always wanted to visit.

We broke up the trip by stopping for some sightseeing and a late lunch in Sedona, home of the gorgeous red rocks.  Lunch was great and we had another first–cactus fries!  Yes, they’re really made from cactus.  And they tasted like fried zucchini

We the next two hours of driving involved a crazy mountain road.  This is what it looked like on the GPS:

And there was snow.  Lots of snow.  Which meant it was cold.  Really cold.  We checked into our hotel just outside Grand Canyon National Park around 9pm and prepared to wake up early.  Well, when we woke up the next morning it was 10 degrees.  That’s freakin’ cold.

So the first thing we did was go to the hotel gift shop and buy some hats and gloves.  Good thing we’d brought our ski silks!  By the time we arrived at the park around 10am it had warmed up to a balmy 34 degrees.  But dressed in our layers we were warm.  Our first view of the canyon stole our breath.  The vastness of it is impossible to imagine, and photos simply don’t do it justice.

We took hundreds of pics–each vista was more gasp worthy than the last.  We walked the south rim trail west the first day we were there, then east the second day.  We saw deer and elk, and the sunsets were spectacular.  We didn’t venture onto any of the trails leading down into the canyon because they were snowy/icy and if you fall off the trail, well, that first step is a doozy.  Better safe then sorry.

We’ll save hiking into the canyon for our next visit–during warmer weather when there’s no snow.  Because we’ll definitely be going back.

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?  What was the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?  Any travel destinations on your Bucket List?  Where would you most like to visit? Hope you had a great weekend!

YUM! I Love Marshmallows

I love marshmallows.  Love their soft texture, their sweet taste, their ooey, gooey goodness.  I love them roasted, toasted, covered in chocolate, or plopped in hot chocolate.  My favorite sandwich is a Fluffernutter (peanut butter and marshmallow fluff).

My favorite part of being a girl scout was making s’mores over the campfire.   My favorite part of Easter are Peeps.  Given all that, I was thrilled to recently discover two new marshmallow products that have me cheering–and I must share.

The first are giant roaster marshmallows.  These babies are HUGE!  About the size of three regular marshmallows.  I recently used them to make s’mores and they ROCKED!  I’ve also dipped them in chocoate and it was like a party in my mouth.  If you love marshmallows, you gotta try them.

Then just yesterday I saw a magazine ad for…wait for it…Fluffy Marshmallow vodka!  Seriously!  I’m not  normally a martini drinker, but I have GOT to try this vodka.  Unfortunately, since I’m not a martini drinker, I don’t know how to make one.

So I turned to fellow Whine Sister Sherri and she offered up a possible recipe for a S’mores Martini–or, as I prefer to call it–a S’moretini.   The recipe is untried, but Sherri and I intend to give it a go.  In case you’d like to as well, here it is:  one ounce of the marshmallow vodka, 1/2 ounce chocolate liquor (like Godiva or creme de cacao), 1/2 oz Buttershots liquor and 1/2 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream (the last two combine to make a cookie taste).

Shaken over ice, poured into a glass. Dust the rim with crushed graham crackers.  Sounds good to me!   I suggest a Whiner S’moretini Party!

Do you like marshamallows?  What’s your favorite sweet?  Your favorite drink?  Will you try the new Fluffy Marshmallow vodka?  Do you have any great drink recipes to share?  Hope your week is going well! xox

My darlings…

See you on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, on our websites, and anywhere we happen to be together. We’ll miss bringing you daily snark and witty insights here. Thank you, again, for a memorable and fun almost-decade of whining together.

Sherri Browning Erwin on Facebook, on Tumblr, on Twitter, on Pinterest, and at her web home, www.sherribrowningerwin.com. Follow me, I’ll follow you.

Jacquie D’Alessandro on Facebook, on Twitter, and at her web home.

Terri Brisbin on Facebook, at her web home.

Wendy Etherington on Facebook, on Twitter, at her web home.

Jenni St. Giles on Facebook, on Twitter, and at her web home.

Molly Harper on Facebook, on Twitter, and at her web home.

Julie Kenner on Facebook, on Twitter, and at her web home.

Dee Davis on Facebook, on Twitter, and at her web home.

Julia London on Facebook, on Twitter, and at her web home. 

And check out the books of Kathleen Givens.

One last Cosmo, Cheers to You!

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Remember When…

We whined about annoying people doing annoying things? Pet peeves. One of mine is people who leave their shopping carts in the middle of the parking lot, especially when they are right next to a cart return. How hard is it to put your cart in the right place? I understand when there are extenuating circumstances. 

We used to have a Real Men Don’t segment. Like, real men don’t cheat on their significant others. Or on their taxes. Or at games. Real Men Don’t Cheat! Or lie. Or flash pictures of their penises all over the Internet. We used to love talking about things Real Men Don’t do. But we also love seeing Real Men do great things. Like Real Men being great dads, is there anything sweeter?

Halloween! Remember when Julia London used to get all hot and bothered over Halloween? She really hates Halloween. We also liked to talk about our favorite Halloween Candy (I love Charleston Chews) or people who dressed up their pets. 

We used to discuss celebrity gossip, most often about Madonna or the Olsen twins or Tom Cruise jumping on couches. 

We also loved sharing fashion with you, from runway shows to awards shows to crazy fashion innovations, like picnic pants. 

Remember when… we used to struggle to find ways to promote our books to you without actually hitting you all over the head and screaming “Please go buy our books!” Yeah, that’s what the Whine Sisters was all about, in the beginning. But we were never quite comfortable with begging you to buy our books and so we talked about all kinds of wild and fun stuff instead. 

We’re going to miss you. Thanks for coming around.

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Weekend Reads: Kathleen Givens

For our last Weekend Reads spot, I had to honor one of our original Whine Sisters, Kathleen Givens.

Her books are out there, and they are amazing! If you’re still dragging your feet and haven’t read one, do it! Do it now!

It all started with Kilgannon. 

A place where love and war collide–and she would be possessed by the Scottish chieftain they called . . . barbarian

Enter a world of breathtaking romance and rugged adventure. Enter the world of Kilgannon–an unforgettable story of love and treachery in a great Scottish clan. Kathleen Givens’s magnificent novel sweeps from Queen Anne’s London to the Highland wilderness . . . and into the hearts of one proud, passionate family: the MacGannons of . . . Kilgannon.

Mary Lowell wasn’t interested in marriage despite her aunt’s determination to find her a husband by the end of the London Season. Then Alex MacGannon, Earl of Kilgannon, strode into the ballroom and commanded her heart. They called him a barbarian, a rough-hewn Scot–chieftain of clan MacGannon. They said no woman could hold him, as he set sail on the high seas. But Alex returned to claim Mary Lowell as his own, to carry her off to Scotland, to his magnificent ancestral castle, Kilgannon. And as the Highlands are torn by rebellion, Mary will find passion–and danger–in the rugged land she would now call home.

Kilgannon was actually pretty epic, and was divided into two volumes. So you don’t want to read Kilgannon without also picking up The Wild Rose of Kilgannon. It only seems like a lot of reading. Trust me, you’ll charge right through them and be glad you did.

And then you might want to pick up The Legend, *The Destiny (RITA Award Winning!), On a Highland Shore, and Rivals for the Crown.

Shop for Kathleen Givens Books: At Amazon. At Barnes and Noble.

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