I'm Back...Summer Vacation

It has been just over 2 years since I last posted, but now I'm back!!!  I have been up to a lot and a little, but I am planning to get back in the habit of posting regularly.  I missed posting to you guys!!!

This summer, I visited the Arlington, VA/Washington DC area.  These pictures were taken in July of this year at The National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

Outside of The National Cathedral

I found a Pixxa sized door inside of The National Cathedral.  Wonder what is inside?!!

The area in the front of The National Cathedral.

On the east side of the Cathedral, there is a BEAUTIFUL Bishop's Garden.  

The garden was really my favorite part of visiting The National Cathedral.  It was so quiet (despite all of the visitors), and peaceful and absolutely beautiful being surrounded by all of the gorgeous plants and walkways.

Just sharing...

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Saturday Was a GREAT Day!

This past Saturday, I had THE best time!!  I attended the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Illinois Fashion Doll Club.  It was a fabulous luncheon!!  The theme was: 15 years of Fashion, Fun and Friendship. 

When we arrived, we picked up our name tag and a Golden Ticket, which we used to select not one, not two, but THREE items from the Freebie Table.  I selected some really cool Barbie plates.

At our place settings, we found a custom made (people sized) fashion bag, an IFDC key chain (I put mine on my bag as a tag) and a goodie bag from one of our local doll shops.  And there were door prizes and prizes for the games too!  The purple packages in the basket and the striped boxes were the door prizes.  The red boxes with stars were prizes for the games.  For my door prize, I won this really sassy red-headed HiGlam Julia doll (MCA Entertainment) with THE longest legs, complete with 2 fashion packs.  (I think this line was produced around 2007 or so.)

In addition to socializing, there were games for our entertainment (and competitive spirit...ha ha!).  There was a game where you had to match the collection to the collector.  I did pretty good and got 9 out of 14 correct.  I even won a prize (2 Monster High dolls and 2 Monster High outfits)...YAY!!

And there was a game called "If The Shoe Fits: where we had to identify which shoes belong to which doll.  I didn't get very many of these right.  I only know about MY shoes!

The final game involved guessing the number of items in various jars.  There were 6 jars filled (l-r) with Ken shoes, packing peanuts, purses & luggage, Barbie shoes & boots, combs & brushes and Barbie clothes.  I told you that I know MY shoes...I guessed the closest for Barbie shoes (I guessed 2177 and there were just over 2300).  I won another prize...2 Barbie Basics (a girl and a guy) from the Denim Collection and the Male Basics Accessory Pack and a Bill Greening sketch of one of the Basics girls.  Yes...we really got GREAT prizes!!

The food was delish!  Did I mention where the luncheon was held?  I didn't think so.  It was at Pompei, an Italian food eatery.  We had salad, bread with olive oil and parmesan cheese, pizza and mostacholi---YUM!!  And for dessert there was chocolate cake, cheese cake and cannolis.

Here are some of my friends who were also there...

But the greateast highlight came when the founder of the club was presented with a cartoon rendition of herself...such a cute gift for someone who has everything doll related.

All too soon, the fun was over, but the weather was so nice that the drive home was enjoyable too!  Overall I must say, it was a GREAT day!!

A Visit to a Winery

I'm not a wine drinker, but I was traveling with some friends to Grant-A-Wish (a doll convention...pix to come later) and we stopped at one of the Michigan wineries.

There was lots of different stuff to see and to buy.

And of course there was wine!

We decided to do a tasting.  You got to choose 6 of their many wines. 

Or in my case...three wines...

...and three sparkling juices.  And we even got to keep the glass!  Two of the wines I tasted weren't too bad, but the juices were quite good.

Maybe I'll take a few for the road!  Cheers!

A Day at the Zoo...In January

Decided to make a video of Pixxa and Michael's visit to Brookfield Zoo one day this past January. Here are their adventures.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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A Day at the zoo

One of Pixxa's favorite things to do is to visit the zoo.  Earlier this month, she and husband Michael took a wintery trip to Bookfield Zoo.  Here are a few pix from their day.

 Arriving at the zoo.  Brookfield Zoo is one of the better know zoos in the country.

 Pixxa:  We're here!  Come on Michael!

 Michael:  Hey---it's this way.  Through the tunnel to the animals.

Michael:  Look at that big camel!  And you think they only live in the dessert.

 Pixxa:  Look at the cute little bird!

 Michael:  A wombat...how cool!

Pixxa:  Look over there at the zebra.
Michael: (laughing) He wants in...it's too cold out here!

 Zebra:  Let me in!

 Pixxa:  Look, the stream is frozen over.

 Pixxa's favorite - the giraffes.

 Pixxa:  Hi cutie!

Michael:  Lions and tigers and bears...
Pixxa:  oh my!

 Michael and Pixxa posing by a golden eagle.

 Michael:  Is that a wolf?

Pixxa:  Look at that big polar bear.  He's not white anymore.
Michael:  I know...he kind of blends in with the rocks.

Micael:  Let's pet the peacocks.
Pixxa:  You go right ahead!

 Pixxa:  Let's see the dolphin show.

 Michael:  Hey, that one's name is Tatem.

Pixxa:  What a fun day!
Michael:  Yes, but I'm getting hungry.  It's too bad they don't have any consession stands open in the winter.

Pixxa:  I know.  Some hot chocolate would be lovely!

 Pixxa:  Look...one of Santa's reindeer.

Michael:  Roar!
Pixxa:  Stop it...he's looking right at you!

 Michael:  He's beautiful...let's get closer.

 Pixxa:  Oh my, this is pretty close.  I sure hope that glass is thick!

Pixxa:  awww...no carousel ride either.  Oh well.  I guess it's time to go.
Michael:  Okay...I'm cold and hungry, but it was a nice day at the zoo!