Anne Paddock

11

Sep

A Day in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia – one of 17 autonomous regions (similar to states in the US) – located in the northwest corner of Spain. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Santiago de Compostela (below in red) is most famous for being the destination of “pilgrims” that complete El Camino de Santiago which means The Way of St. James or simply The Way. In addition, the town is famous for a cathedral called “Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.” Read more

9

Sep

Peanut Butter – Homemade

Grocery stores in the best of circumstances can make our lives easier and in the not so best times, can make us think we are incapable of making certain products because we don’t have the time, knowledge, or confidence. Before you buy a jar of commercially prepared peanut butter, read the label and notice how much sugar, corn syrup, salt, and other ingredients are added to a product that tastes better plain. Read more

7

Sep

My Favorite Sportswear Companies

Most women talk about their favorite designers but I prefer to talk about my favorite sportswear companies and where I can find comfortable good-looking clothes that can be worn for both sports and day wear. No baggy sweatpants and tee shirts ; instead tailored pants, shirts, and jackets that allow you to move freely and also look great. Read more

5

Sep

Four Days in Jordan

Jordan is a country roughly the geographic size of Indiana that was established in 1946 as an independent sovereign state (previously under a British mandate) with a constitutional monarchy. The Parliament proclaimed King Abdullah the first king in 1946 but when he was assassinated in 1951, his son, Talal assumed the crown but abdicated in 1952 leaving his son, Hussein to ascend the throne and rule the country until his death in 1999. Read more

3

Sep

Summer Lessons

My daughter had her first job this summer working five days a week from 9:30 – 5:00 at a museum. At first, she was excited about the prospect of working and earning money but the honeymoon was over by the second week when she realized there weren’t many young people at the museum. In fact, she came home one day and sadly told me that the people she worked with were so old that their kid’s kids had kids – meaning many of her co-workers were great-grandparents. Read more

1

Sep

What To Do In Bern, Switzerland

Bern is the capital of Switzerland and is almost halfway between Geneva (80 miles) and Zurich (70 miles). Easily accessible by train or car, Bern is a fun place to spend a day. The old part of the city has the most character with traditional architecture and old streets that are interesting to explore. Don’t miss the “Time Bell” which is called the “Zytglogge” in Bern: a clock tower with moving parts that was probably the inspiration for kitschy Swiss clocks popular with tourists (as I’ve never seen one of them in a Swiss home). Read more

30

Aug

The Long Road Back

Warning: If you’re not a runner, the following blurb may bore you out of your mind as only runners talk about times and injuries incessantly. Read more

28

Aug

The Calm Before The Storm

On our way to a friend’s house for dinner, my husband, daughter, and my daughter’s friend jumped out of the car and started walking down a dirt road that led to a steep foot path when I noticed how handsome my husband looked. The conversation went like this: Read more

26

Aug

A Day in Segovia

Segovia is a small city worth spending a day exploring. Located in central Spain, about 60 miles north of Madrid, Segovia is an easy day trip from Madrid. There are five important activities/sites to do/see:

Aqueduct de Segovia
Alcazar de Segovia
Catedral de Segovia
Walls and Gates of Segovia
Mason de Candido Read more

24

Aug

Hand Me Ups and Fashion Advice

It’s that time of year again – mid-August – when we all start to think about upcoming school schedules, immunization records, dental appointments, forms to be completed and school clothes. All summer long my daughter has been wearing (much to her dismay) khaki shorts and white tops – the required uniform for her job – and telling me the only way she can express herself fashion-wise is through her choice of shoes which run the gamut from cowboy rain boots to sneakers to flip-flops. Read more