In The Pipeline

These two photos perfectly illustrate the contrasting days of weather we’ve been having in Scotland this month. Although, the clear, clear blue sky days are pretty rare. Most days definitely look more like this photo. Still though, I flipped the calendar to April this week and am happy to be progressing towards longer days. Plus …

Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland March Walks, Snapshots of Scotland

Snapshots of Scotland: March Walks

Walking in Scotland throughout the Month of March  We spent the first weekend of March in London, but since then, we have gotten out for forest walks every Saturday in March. Additionally one Wednesday, I went with a couple of friends to do a local coastal walk. I think getting outside has gotten me through …

Chasing Daylight in April

Chasing Daylight in April

It’s a new month! And time for a new outdoor challenge! April will be all about city walks for the Chinos. My days (and Instagram feed) will be filled with some fun new-to-me cities this month! We’re off to Amsterdam for the first week of Easter holidays and then later in the month we will …

Snapshots of London, From the London Eye, England, Ten Days in the UK, What to Do in London, London with Kids

Snapshots of London

Oh London Town! You just don’t ever get old. Sometimes I dream about living in London. Just for a season, I think it would be fun to be surrounded by this much history and culture and beauty! Our most recent visit was a short weekend escape sponsored by Travelodge, City Cruises and Context Travel. Taido …

London History Tour, Context Travel, Thames River Treasures

Bankside Beach Combing for History

Bankside Beach Combing for History: A London History Tour Simon was waiting for me as I got my usual pat down in security. (My dreads always have to be manually checked to be sure I’m not hiding something in them.) We both walked over to where his backpack had been flagged. The man behind the …

In The Pipeline: 8 Year Blogaversary

How’s your week been, folks? We’re excited to be officially in  spring. Even though the temperatures are not dramatically warmer, there is a noticeable difference in the landscape. Daffodils are starting to bloom and hyacinths are pushing up from the ground. I love this time of year. Only two more weeks of school for our …

Mornings in Malta

Snapshots of Mornings in Malta

I just couldn’t say goodbye to blogging about Malta without posting a few of these memories from my mornings. I always get up early when I’m traveling. I watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee and write in my journal. The mornings are usually my quiet moments before full days of sightseeing and I …

Malta Limestone Heritage

With A Rock and Stone

With a Rock and Stone: A Story about Malta’s Limestone Heritage I could not stop taking photos of the detailed limestone carvings. After my third or fourth question about the soft honey-colored rocks, my attentive guide made a phone call and added an unplanned stop to our itinerary. “I haven’t been here since I was …

Malta, Blue Window, Gozo, Azure Window

Snapshots of Malta

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RDcMHc5tlhs/VQC5GYJa2oI/AAAAAAAAwyY/OLNF6NccyGU/s144-c-o/IMG_2050.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/100212479652479288017/HighlightsOfMalta#6125099012436187778″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”IMG_2050.JPG” ] Sharing a few of my favorite shots from my recent trip to Malta with First Choice Holidays. Anytime I’m near the water, I try to catch the sunrise, which is a lot easier to do when you can see it from your balcony. [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P95CuHnWoqg/VQC5Gb31QYI/AAAAAAAAwyY/dS2j5NSwPF4/s144-c-o/DSCF5778.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/100212479652479288017/HighlightsOfMalta#6125099013436162434″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”DSCF5778.JPG” …

Chasing Daylight, March Challenge, Outdoors

Chasing Daylight in March

Happy March! I’m always happy to say goodbye to February and this year is no exception. March may bring the spring rains, but it also brings daffodils and longer days. This month’s challenge is to walk somewhere you would normally drive. I already walk a lot of places, so I’m going to push myself to …

In The Pipeline, Let's Be Wanderers, Journal

In The Pipeline

Hello friends, What have you been up to this month? This weekend we are saying goodbye to February with an ice skating outing. And on Monday, I’ll be saying Hello to March with a trip to Malta with First Choice Holidays. Please let there be sunshine. I went on a walk for February’s #ChasingDaylight challenge, …

Aberdeen Beach, Water, Explore the Elements, Scotland

Explore the Elements

As soon as I saw this Explore the Elements Photo Contest, I knew that I wanted to enter it, and I was smitten (and a little intimidated) by this incredible example entry by one of the judges. I love the idea of exploring the elements, the raw power of nature and the way it connects to …

Chasing Daylight, Arbroath, Scotland, Cliff Walking

Chasing Daylight in Arbroath, Scotland

“Well, this is some family hike!” Ben was indignant from the back seat that the family hike we had been planning for over a week for our Valentine’s Day outing was being missed by two members of our family. Somehow the perfectly reasonable 10am leaving time had become not-so-reasonable to everyone involved, the result being …

Airplanes and babies, Flying with kids

A Story about Babies on Airplanes

Would it be awkward for me to come up to you on an airplane and ask to hold your crying baby? I mean I know that you don’t know me. But I’m melting over here into a puddle in 30D because your frazzled state is taking me back. I remember the sweating from the endless …

In The Pipeline, Happy Valentine's Day, Chalkboard Art

In The Pipeline

Well, now that I’m back from a few days of poolside cocktails and sandy toes, Cape Verde seems like a dream. But I’m excited to be bundling up for the weekend back here in Aberdeen. The kids have a few days off of school, so we’re heading into the woods tomorrow for Valentine’s Day. And …

Sal, Cape Verde, Africa, Snapshots of the World

Snapshots from Cape Verde

Highlights of Cape Verde, Africa . I hope you’ll excuse me for getting just a little out of control on Instagram last week while I was in Cape Verde. Sunshine has a way of making me slightly giddy. I also took my big camera along to Cape Verde, and these were my favorite seven shots. …

healthy cookies, gluten free, sugar free, vegan

7 Ingredient Healthy Cookies

Y’all I am not really all in for dieting in January. When it’s cold outside I want the comfort of food. Real. Food. But we went home to Arkansas for Christmas and we ate ALL THE THINGS. And we ate A LOT of all of the thing things. Like I’ve had to wear my curvy …

Chasing Daylight, February Challenge, Chino House

Chasing Daylight in February

So did you manage to catch a sunrise in January? If not, you can still do January’s sunrise challenge anytime! I will still cheer you on. 🙂 I, for one, am glad January is over and that we are one month closer to spring and summer. February’s outdoor challenge is to go on a walk …

IN The Pipeline, Chino House Chalkboard Art

In The Pipeline

Y’all, a couple of weeks ago I painted a wall in my kitchen with chalkboard paint and it has made me ridiculously happy. Seriously. Adding the tiniest bit of creative to my life + my house was a really good idea! We even used it to write the background for our latest Chino House youTube …