Our Vacation to Antigua - Part 4

I just love these pictures. On the last day, Phillip and I finally found a place that had good beach snorkeling. It took about an hour to drive there, but it was very scenic. Once we got to the beach, we had to hike over these rocky cliffs to get over to a small little cove that we had all to ourselves! The snorkeling was very different from what Phillip and I had ever seen before. Most of the coral was colorless. It felt like we were swimming over a bone yard - very eerie.

Driving in Antigua was more than a bit of a challenge. Every time Phillip and I got into the car, we would argue. Driving was just so stressful. It didn't matter who was driving. The roads were very narrow (you can't tell from this picture) and curvy. There were potholes - no, I mean CRATERS - everywhere. The locals drove like it was the Indie 500 (not an exaggeration) running me off of the road (no, I was not driving like a Grandma). To add to all of the stress, animals would jumped out in front of my car. And it didn't help that Phillip was a backseat driver (I hate that). The whole driving thing was very tense.

(Brandie in front of a gorgeous church in Dickenson's Bay.)

As we were driving, we came across this gorgeous church in Dickenson's Bay. It is really just a modest church - not like the grand ones seen in Europe and such - but the colors were unlike anything I have ever seen, in person or in picture books. And the red roof against the blue sky!!! I didn't want to stop looking. I tried to peek inside, but there were people praying. I didn't want to be disrespectful...darn my Mama for raising me with manners!!

Phillip and I were happy to get back home. We missed Parker. But it was nice to get away and relax. We are all ready trying to decide where to go for our next trip. Any suggestions?

Our Vacation to Antigua, Caribbean - Part 3

Can you believe that the above two pictures are taken right outside our front door?!? Just beautiful!! I loved being able to see the ocean first thing.

This cute little phone booth was also right outside our door. I just couldn't resist taking some pictures. You don't really see these cute booths anywhere, at least not in the U.S.

Below are a few pictures of the hotel's landscape. It was so lush. Lots of greenery everywhere!

(The hotel's local restaurant, The Coconut Grove. Great rum punch!!)

The above Royal Palm is apparently a direct descendant from a true "ROYAL" palm. Apparently the palm is a seedling from a palm that belonged to one of the Queens...I think it was Elizabeth, but I can't remember for sure. The owner took the seedling and planted this palm here.

This is the hotel's owner and me in front of one of the really cool trees on the property. I loved this man. He is so elegant. Listening to him talk, he spoke like Keith Richards, with a thick accent and a slur...just the right mix of "proper British air" with a twist of Andy Warhol 70's glam. Loved it!!

(Phillip and I in front of the really cool tree.)

This is the beach right outside the hotel property. Imagine walking on this every day. Bliss!

All over the property were these little lizards. I thought they were too cute. Of course I had to take a picture.

I have one more post of vacation pictures coming soon, as well as some of the kitchen project we are now working on.

Our Vacation to Antigua, Caribbean - Part 2

(sailing on Captain Nash's boat)

Right after Phillip and I arrived in Antigua, we walked the beach to get the lay of the land. As you can imagine, all sorts of people try and sell you everything from t-shirts to horse back rides. One of the guys that approached us was Captain Nash (just love that name). He had his own little sailboat and for a very reasonable fee would take Phillip and I sailing and snorkeling anywhere we wanted for the whole day. What a deal!

At lunch time, we pulled into Jolly Harbor. It was very charming and had a bunch of gorgeous sailing boats docked.

I am not sure what exactly this building is, but it is quite grand and beautiful. It looks like some sort of government building to me. It is one of the first things you see when docking into Jolly. Look closely. You can barely see Phillip at the bottom of the picture. It is a huge building.

Throughout the day, Phillip helped Captain Nash sail the boat. He totally got a kick out of that. I swear, he must have asked me to take about 100 pictures of him sailing the boat. Jeez.

I just absolutely fell in love with sailing. We did it all day and I never once got bored with it. I told Phillip that when he retired, if he was ready to sell the house and just sail a boat, I would be open to it. I wonder what the dogs and cat would think of that...

While we were sailing, Nash showed us Armani's vacation home. Yes, Armani the fashion designer. I saw some pictures of the interiors in one of my design magazines. I remember thinking it looked like a very relaxing place...now I know why.

While we were visiting, the American Red Cross had a ship docked for the week to help out the island. Apparently, the ship has everything that could possibly be needed for medical emergencies and evaluations. If the Red Cross docs can't help people out on land, then a helicopter will fly patients to the ship. I heard the local docs weren't too happy about that since it was taking away their business. I had never really thought about it before, so I found it a bit interesting.

(Sailing with Captain Nash )

Captain Nash was a great way to start our trip. At one point, he took us out to snorkel at a shipwreck! Phillip and I love to snorkel and going to a shipwreck was new to both of us. It was creepy and cool at the same time. There wasn't a lot of fish but some very strange vegetation that I had not seen before. It all had such an eerie feeling. I kept thinking about all of the creepy ocean movies I had seen. It took a while to get over the feeling of expecting some ocean snake-like monster to jump out at me.

It was a great day! I all ready miss the ocean.

Working on it...

I am trying to get my next set of vacation pictures ready for you. I think there will be three parts. I will do my best to get them up this morning, but I can't make any promises. Today is the first day the contractors will be here to resurface and change our kitchen cabinets. Exciting and stressful! I am not sure how I am going to go three whole days with a toddler and no access to my kitchen! I worked all day on Sunday trying to get the kitchen ready...where do we put all of that stuff?!?

Our Vacation to Antigua, Caribbean - Part 1

Lay of the Land

We finally had our first vacation since becoming parents! Phillip and I went to Antigua, in the Caribbean for one whole glorious week. The weather was perfect, not too hot or too cold. The beaches (as you can see in the photos) were gorgeous. But most important, we got to sleep in without being woke up by a screaming toddler! Pure heaven!

(Phillip going for a walk on our beach)

Above is a picture of the beach right outside our hotel door. Just past the thatched cabana is the HUGE Sandals resort. We were so glad we did not stay at Sandals. Too much going on over there. Our little paradise allowed me plenty of time to veg out and read three whole books without interruption! Bliss! Of course, there was plenty of rum that was consumed while on the island...hey - we were on vacation!

(one of the many beautiful white beaches)

We arrived on Saturday afternoon. On Monday, we took an all day sailing trip around the island. Captain Nash was a fantastic tour guide, pointing out all of the beaches and telling us about the island. The beaches were really white. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, you will find a lot of trash scattered (especially in front of Sandals - shame on them!). I was disappointed to see that. One would think that with how much the island relies on tourism, they would do a better job at keeping their beaches clean.

(Turtle Rock)

While sailing with Captain Nash, he showed us Turtle Rock (above). For obvious reasons, the islanders named the rock after the Hawk Billed Turtle. I kind of think it looks like a frog with a top hat. (Hello my baby, Hello my darling...)

I absolutely fell in love with sailing! I could spend all day on the boat just watching the ocean. I really do miss seeing the ocean on a regular basis. Sorry Minnesotans, no matter what you say, those huge lakes just don't compare.


Above is an example of what most of the homes looked like on the island. Lot's of bright, cheery colors. Also a lot of wear and tear. There were also a lot of vacation homes that were quite big, but none that were interesting enough to take a picture.



All over the island, one would see these broken down sugar mills (above). Apparently, way back when, each estate had there own mill (which was the island's industry). Now times have changed and the mills are broken down and overgrown. The ones that are closer to the beaches have been made into little bars and such.



It was spring time, so naturally there were a lot of baby animals. I wouldn't be me if I didn't try and get every imaginable picture of the little critters. Phillip waited in the car while I risked my life on the crazy streets on the island (people drive crazier here than the New York taxi cabs), trying to get at least one good picture of the babies in this goat herd (it reminds me of a time when I was young...my family lived in Washington at the time. We were on one of our MANY road trips. My mother had just gotten a fancy camera as a gift and was all about taking pictures. She saw some quail crossing the road and made my dad stop the car. She chased these quail so she could get a picture. I remember thinking that it took forever. I am sure Phillip was thinking the same thing when I was chasing these silly goats).

Anyone that knows me knows that I have a love for pigs...probably why I love pug dogs so much - it's the curly tail and snorting! Anyway, after practically having a heart attack when this little piglet group jumped out in front of my car (I would have died if I hit these little guys. Knock on wood - I still haven't hit any little critters!), I had to try and get their pictures. I didn't want to get too close because I wasn't sure how "domestic" these guys were. I have heard stories about wild pigs and I did not want to take any chances! You can't tell from the pictures, but these guys were absolutely the cutest things ever. It helped me feel better about not eating bacon for the past year (because I certainly had been missing it!).

More pictures of the trip to come again soon. I am working on the next set now. Promise!

Back Off Nags!

OK fine!! I have heard from many people that I need to get my act together and get to posting. Ugh!! So much to tell you, but never enough energy. What was I smoking when I thought up this whole blog idea any way? I am working on a post right now from our vacation. If it is not up late tonight, it will be by tomorrow. (But I wouldn't bet my pug on it).

Macy's 2009 Flower Show

Earlier this week, I took Parker to the Macy's Annual Flower Show. This is an event that Macy's hosts every year at the beginning of Spring. I attended the event every year when I lived in San Francisco and it was always quite magical - flowers falling from the ceiling, creating beautiful sculptures...the show in Minneapolis was very pretty, but not quite as fanciful and over the top as the San Francisco show. However, the first garden was very pretty with the flamingo topiary and pretty pink tulips and ferns.

The flower show was held on the eighth floor of the downtown department store. As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, the amazing scent of all of the flowers hit us. I had never smelled anything quite like it. It smelled so good.

I think it would be so fun to merchandise a show like this. Some of the details that were included in the gardens were so charming...like the little cat sleeping in his garden. It reminded me of the cats I had growing up, always laying in the sun.

Parker Met Papa Smurf

This past Tuesday, I took Parker to the Annual Macy's Flower Show in downtown Minneapolis. As part of the festivities, Macy's had a family day with Papa Smurf as the "guest star". Parker was not sure what he thought about him.

The Never Ending Quest for the Perfect Light

(Venini Glass Chandelier)

I found a light on 1st Dibs that is almost 100% of what I am looking for. It is large enough to hold it's own compared to my other large light fixture in the adjoining room (18" h x 24" w). It is ornate, but not too feminine. I am sure it is out of our budget. Lights like this usually are...that is the problem I am running into. The larger the light, the more it costs (naturally). But it never hurts to ask, so I am waiting to hear back from the shop and see if maybe I am lucky and the dealer is pricing this light below what his competitors are pricing. I am not holding my breath.

(Brass Sputnik Chandelier)

I found this light on 1st Dibs as well. Again, I have no idea what the price is yet. If the first light is too much, I might inquire about this one. It is completely different from what I really want, but I think this sort of light could achieve the aesthetic that I am looking for. I have to think about it for a while.

I just can't believe how many lights I have looked at. I have looked EVERYWHERE - Craigslist (all boring), eBay (reproduction chandeliers...a route I can go when I am ready to give up my quest) - I still haven't made it to local antique shops, which I have been told are great around this area. It is hard to shop in those sort of shops with a stroller. Sooner or later, I will get to that if I need to. If you have any suggestions, please share.

My Early Birthday Present!

(Astrid chair in Passiflora Missoni print)

Oh my God! I am sooooooooo excited! I have been drooling over this chair for about a year or two now, ever since I saw it. I had made up my mind that this chair would be perfect for our home. It has every color I could possibly ever want to have in our decor. I have been watching it like a hawk for at least a year, waiting for it to go on sale. Well kids, the heavens have opened up and the light shown down on me because it finally happened. The chair is on sale, more than 50% off! I begged Phillip to let this be a ridiculously expensive birthday gift and he agreed!! I have all ready ordered it and it will be in my home soon!! I can't wait!

Not Enough Time

As I mentioned earlier, I (and everyone else I am sure), just can't keep up with how quickly time flies.

By the way, I miss Michael, the REAL front man of INXS...who am I kidding...he was INXS. What was up with that pathetic reality TV show the band did last year? Trying to replace Michael with that wannabe? Please! Michael is irreplaceable. If you ever had the pleasure to see him perform live, then you know what I mean. I have seen A LOT of concerts and he is one of the top 2 most charismatic people I have EVER SEEN perform on stage (the other is Bono of U2).

Wild Party, Baby!

This past Saturday night a friend of ours, whom also relocated from Boise to Minneapolis for a job, hosted a party to "Say Goodbye to Winter". Of course while we were partying it up, it was raining and pouring slush from the sky, but hey, it is a state of mind...right? Anyways, she sent this cute picture of Parker and I from that evening. You can't see it in the picture, but he is also wearing a skinny mod black tie underneath his sweater vest. The boy has style, that is for sure.

Sucked Into a Big Black Hole...and I Can't Get Out

(Image from Riolento.com)

Wow! It has been longer than I thought since my last post. I am sure you all thought that I have vanished into some deep, dark black hole in the blogosphere. Honestly, I had no idea it had almost been two months since my last post. I kept intending to write a quick blurb, but time has just been so slippery lately. I just can not believe how quickly the hours tick by...especially since I don't "go to work" anymore. Let me tell you, days have NEVER flown by as fast as they have lately.

Why so busy you might wonder? Well, lots has happened:

First- I FINALLY finished my window shade that I was making in my class. I am so proud of myself! It ACTUALLY looks like a nice London shade!! I will post a picture for you all to admire. :) That took up a lot of time since there was so much hand work that I needed to do.

Second- Phillip and I FINALLY made arrangements for our vacation. We are leaving in the beginning of May to go to Antigua in the Caribbean! A whole week of high thread count sheets, no baby, sleeping in, and the beach! Complete and total bliss and relaxation. (Heavy sigh) Phillip's parents are flying into Minnesota to watch over Parker while we are away. It is such a blessing that they are willing to do that (though I am quite certain that they can't wait to spend a whole week with Parker), but at the same time, I am working my butt off trying to get the house put together, baby proofed and organized so it will, hopefully, be easier on them. Yikes!! Lot's of work. By the time I am done with all of that, I will most definitely need a vacation.

Third - I joined a book group. Not that I actually have time to complete a book (unless it reads like a teen book like the Twilight series does). I have been wanting to do that for some time, but just could not quite get it together. I remember that I used to read ALL THE TIME (before I discovered New Wave music), and I missed it. I hope that this group will give me a chance to read some of the wonderful books that are out there currently, reread the classics, as well as force me to read books that I would never consider reading before. We just finished reading Manhunt - The 12 Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (well, the group finished it...I have about 100 or so pages to go still). I never would have picked this book, but I must say, it is quite interesting. I will fill you all in on that once I actually finish the book.

Fourth- Phillip is working his butt off trying to get the family room project completed in the next week or two so that I have enough time to pull the house together and baby proof it before we leave for vacation. So all of his extra time is going to the project, which takes away the extra time I would usually do stuff like blogging.

Fifth - Phillip and I just decided to have someone redo our kitchen cabinets. They seriously need to be redone. We thought that we would have to throw out all of the existing cabinets and get all new (which is $$$$$), but after talking to a home contractor at Home Depot, we have found out otherwise. So now Phillip and I are trying to pull all of that together; picking a back splash and counter top...etc. I will update you on that project as well once it starts gaining momentum.

Sixth (as if the previous five were not enough)- I signed up for another "How To" class. This time I am going to learn how to make drapes. That class will start in the middle of the month. I have all ready ordered my fabric and will update you all on that project soon as well.

On top of all that I mentioned, Parker is starting to take his first steps! So far he can't make it past three steps in a row, but we are working on it. I have also been trying to do different projects with him on a daily basis. That has probably been one of the things that takes most of my time lately. I blame that all on a new baby book I got that comes up with different daily activities for the toddler for every day of the year.

Whew! I am all ready pooped and I haven't even made it to the gym yet (another thing Parker and I do at least three times a week)!! But I will start posting again (she says while holding her breath).