Last year was so hectic that we forgot to even plan a vacation.  Then we got so far into the year and so close to the birth of our Little Guy that we realized a vacation was just out of the question.  The year before we managed to get up to our family cottage on a lake in northern MI, otherwise known as “heaven on earth”, to enjoy a very low key and relaxing  time away from work. 

(Shot from the end of the dock out front.)

In 2007 it was Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

(Shot from the party boat.  WOOT!)

and in 2006 we headed down to Sint Maarten/Saint-Marten and Anguilla

(Shot from a hilltop while cruising around the island in our rented Jeep)

and then later that year to Orlando, FL.  In past years there was Hilton Head, SC, St. Augustine,  FL,

(Cathedral on the square in St. Augustine)

West Palm Beach, FL, Jupiter, FL, Jacksonville, FL….yes, there was a bit of a theme going on here.  That theme was all about CHEAP!!!

This year I have been tasked with planning our vacation.  So, what’s the big deal you might ask?  Well, it’s not just for our little threesome.  This time the Mister’s family wants to do a big shindig together some where.  The problem I am having is where?  We will have five couples and two singles, so that means 7 bedrooms minimum- tough issue numero uno.  Issue number two is that we are all spread out and I am trying to find a good spot in between that does not have any of us feeling like we just drove across the country.  Although, with issue number two I am a little less concerned about those family members that will not be traveling with a young baby.  Sorry folks!  I love you all, but I have little patience for lots of crying.  ;o)

I am thinking we are going to end up some where along the East Coast of North or South Carolina.  I have looked at Cape Hatteras, NC, Sunset Beach, NC, Charleston, SC and Hilton Head, SC.  I am leaning toward Sunset Beach since it appears to be a bit sleepy, but nice with the touristy Myrtle Beach a short drive away for fun activities.  Plus, it’s about in the middle, travel-wise, for most of us.  Although, I did just recently discover we might have a family hook-up for accommodations in Charleston, SC.  All of these places look great to me….now is the time for making choices.   UGH!

Before I finish the search I wanted to find out if any of you have any suggestions of places along that strip of coast?  I am all ears if you have any suggestions.

Kitsch Krafts

Yep, I am off again starting tomorrow and through the weekend.  I will be home for a day, then I pack it up to head right back out again.  I just wish I could pack my bed to go with me on these trips.  In the mean time I would like to wish everyone a Happy Spring!  I would say Happy Easter too, but I am still working through the chocolate hangover and just did not want to bring all of you suffering through the same thing right back to that bad place.  ;o)

I promise not to shirk my blogging responsibilities much longer!

Kitsch Krafts

Last year I took a trip to Graceland in Memphis, TN and loved every touristy minute of it! 

Swoooonnnnn.....                      Ah, leather and studs (three of them)!

Me and my Mom on our way through the private plane, the Lisa Marie.  Unreal!

This year I am off to Chicago, mom and aunt in tow again.  We plan to see a show on Friday evening, go through the Frank Lloyd Wright home tour on Saturday and then the times in between and on Sunday will be filled with museums, galleries and eating as much good food as possible.  That is our favorite way to see every city- through our bellies!  I am getting VERY excited because it has been so long since I have visited the windy city and time is ticking down.  We leave next Friday- WHOOHOO!

We have had lots of suggestions for places to go and restaurants to enjoy, but we are always looking for more info....So, tell me what you know!

Kitsch Krafts

So, I just got back from a whirlwind tour of the Richmond, VA area.  The Mister is now working for a company based in that area and I came along for the introduction to the new company and great city.  It was a fun trip because it included lots of site seeing and I also got to visit with the Mister's peers and their extended families.  The tough part was that the company had us on such a stringent schedule that by the time Saturday rolled around we were completely worn out.  It was supposed to be our free day to explore the city completely on our own.  Instead we lounged around in the comfy hotel bed, watched television and occasionally hung out on the balcony overlooking some pretty cool old buildings.  We stayed at a little boutique style hotel, the Berkeley.  It was tiny, but well appointed and very cute.  I have already decided that the next time we visit I want to get more actual shopping time mixed in so I can really check out the Carytown district, as well as, spend some time touring the museums and estate homes. 

Section of funky shops in Carytown.  Image from FLICKR, Wahig.

We did eat at a couple of really wonderful restaurants, one is Sensi and the other is Mamma Zu's. 

Sensi stated it is an Italian chop house and had a variety of items making it a good place for a group with very different tastes.

The very unassuming Mamma Zu's had some of the best home-style Italian food I have ever eaten.  Very comparable to places I have been to in New York.  Plus, we went with a bunch of pure bred Italians and they agreed that this was the real deal.

Apparently Mamma Zu's is very difficult to get in to and will only take reservations for 8 or more.  Luckily we had gathered 10 folks for this night out and were able to get right in.  During our couple of hours there the line of waiting patrons stretched from the back of the little building, out the door and on to the street and did not let up for a minute the entire time we were there.  It was worth it, so I know why everyone was so patient. 

There is definitely a lot to do in Richmond and I would suggest it to anyone as a fun 3-4 day weekend getaway.  Although, I would also suggest going at a warmer time of year.  It got a bit chilly several evenings while we were there. 

Have fun exploring!

Kitsch Krafts

Yep, we are packed and getting ready to head out for the Thanksgiving holiday.  This year we are going to the deep south to visit with the Mister's family and eat and eat and eat....  Although, we both dread and I mean DREAD the long drive down, we absolutely cannot wait to dig in to all the wonderful food.  His grandmother on one side used to own a restaurant and she can whip up the most delicious creations, sans a recipe, you have ever hoped to sink your teeth into.  Also, because of this restaurant experience she cannot cook anything without fat back or whole sticks of butter, and she has no concept of what would be normal proportions for a group of 10. 

Each year that we visit we gather around her large dining table, which is usually about to buckle under the weight of the restaurant-sized aluminum trays of casseroles and meats.  She will slave away cooking a whole ham, many (and I mean like 6) turkey's (both smoked and fried), broccoli casserole, squash casserole, chicken dressing, sweet potato casserole, sliced tomatoes and sweet onions, pickles of all kinds, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, field peas, butter beans......   The table is always so full of food that we all walk around getting a spoonful of this and that and then we have to either balance our plates on the little spaces on the edge of the table in between the trays or rush for a spot at the kitchenette or coffee table.  We wash it all down with sweet tea, as thick as molasses and sweeter than maple syrup. 

After gorging ourselves we lay around for about an hour and then we dig into the many cakes and pies she always has waiting on the sideboard.  There is the standard 10 layer (they are super thin, mini-layers) caramel cake, usually a chess pie, sometimes carrot cake with cream cheese icing and always sugar cookies and other candies.  What is really crazy about this feast is that there are usually around 10 people there total to eat it, sometimes we have up to 15.  So, once we have all succumbed to the Tryptophan and cannot get off the couch, out of the recliners or off the floor, she usually starts to call for back up eaters from around the neighborhood.  Everyone knows Miss Anne's cooking and they come out even if they have already had more then they thought was possible of their own mother's and grandmother's cooking.  She works to get all that food eaten because even though she cooks on a large scale she just has one regular sized refrigerator and cannot store all the leftovers.

It's strange that my mouth is starting to water now, but at the same time my tummy already hurts.  I cannot wait to dig in to the Food, Glorious Food!

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone and I hope you all have a safe one!

E