United States Mint

As a numismatic you might imagine my excitement at being able to visit the United States Mint in Philadelphia, which is the first and oldest mint in our country. Imagine all you like and then amp it up about 75 degrees and that would be me. It was all I could do to keep from jumping up and down as I went through the metal detector. I sure gave the security guards something to talk about that day.

It was totally AWESOME!

Thanks to my wonderful husband who might not be as excited about shiny coins as I am but he takes me to the coolest place where they are made. You rock husband! A better best friend could not be found this entire world round.

Supper at LaScala's

Supper at LaScala's was a delight! Seafood FraDiavolo and Wild Mushroom Risotto! We highly recommend that when you are in Old City Philadelphia you partake of a meal here, you will not be disappointed.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The forecast for this day was rain and as our good fortune usually overrules any not so pleasant forecast it was a bright sunny and beautiful day! Walking around outside playing on the statues and walking through the museum filled with wonderment at all there was to see. We humans have such talent, such vision to create greatness. If only all our lives were filled with the desire to do good works perhaps then we would have peace. True, lasting, wonderful peace.

Elfreth's Alley

Elfreth's Alley dating back to 1736.
I could so seeing myself living here. You?

Christ Church

 

Christ Church Philadelphia ~ WOW!

If ever a cemetery made you stand in awe, contemplating history and all that it means to the present you, this is the cemetery that will make that happen. Christ Church Cemetery on Arch Street.

 

Coffee ~ Starbucks Coffee

We finally have a Starbucks in our hometown but we never go there as Starbucks coffee is a treat and something that we enjoy indulging in while we are on vacation.

16 oz Americano with a shot of hazelnut and plenty of room for cream! 

What is your favorite Starbucks treat?

City Hall

As we walked around Love Park and the fountain headed back to our lodging, we were able to enjoy the views of Philadelphia City Hall and all the sights and sounds that a big city can offer up. There is a funny story about our walk from the Museum of Art back to 8th and Market Street, in which the story starts out with our airplane ride from Seattle to Philadelphia. I was sitting in the window seat, Ken was in the middle seat, and there was a nice lady sitting in the aisle seat. We landed in Philadelphia disembarked and all went about our merry way among the 1.547 million people in the city. Two day later as we were crossing Cherry St. at North 17th Street low and behold from the opposite direction crossing the same intersection was the nice lady that was sitting next to us on the airplane. What are the changes of that? 1.547 million too one I would say.

You can walk through City Hall at all four of the centers of the building and as you enter from the North you can spy the corner stone marker from July 4, 1874.

I just love old cities! Don't you? What is your favorite old city?

Independence Hall

Morning George! You're lookin' good!

A security guard with a smile ~ finally! 

Even though we could not tour the inside of the building on account of the US Government "shutdown" we still enjoyed our visit to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell area.  There is so much to see and do in Philadelphia that our sightseeing list was never short of ideas.

High Five Friday for Philly Love

Hug the ones you love and tell them how much you appreciate them each and every day!  Never take it for granted that you will have tomorrow!

Sharing the love ~ each and every day!

Me & Mr. Weird Bug

So you want me to stand here and have my photo taken?  Wait what is that?  Well hello Mr. Weird Bug.

Okay Mr. Weird Bug you stay over there and I will back away slowly.

Alaskans are not used to the creepy crawly world that roams free every where else in the world.

Philly Cheesesteak Anyone?

Yummy! And by the way the coleslaw was made fresh that morning by the Mother of the young lady who took our order. I just love family run local businesses.

End of October

This has got to be some sort of temperature record for us.  It is October 28th and it is 48 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no snow on the ground.

Oh and it is lightly raining out my office window. Crazy day for sure!

New York Day Dreaming

My post vacation blues are riding the long rails south to the Adirondack Scenic Railroad ~ what a GREAT trip!  We enjoyed every moment on the train with Mom & Bob! Thanks for being our traveling companions.

Do you like to ride the rails?  What has been your favorite train trip?

Happy Monday!

High Five for Philadelphia Fun

The best part of the vacation was enjoying time together.  Life is short and is what you make of it.  High five Friday for vacation time together.

Oh Philadelphia

Oh Philadelphia you have so much history and so many wonderful places to eat.  Thank you for opening your streets, your buildings and your history to a couple of goofy Alaska tourists.  A huge thank you to the Philly Phlash trolly driver as you made our ride enjoyable with your friendly smile and fun conversation. 

Keep on living large and enjoying each day!

Vacation Time

Last week we were in Philadelphia and New York for a sightseeing and family visit vacation.  What a treat to be in an old city with so much history and to spend time visiting with family.  Here are a few of the photos that started our wonderful trip.

The  Fairbanks International Airport ~ the bottom photo is the old Wien Air Alaska hanger which now belongs to Everts Air Cargo and the gray plane in the bottom photo is a DC6 ~ the plane that my husband Captains.

The flight to Anchorage was on Era Alaska on a Dash 8.

We had breakfast in the Seattle airport as we had plenty of time before our flight to Philadelphia. 

We flew over Iowa on the way there ~ Hello Grandpa Wink!

And the M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I from 30,000 feet!
How cool it that?! Way cool says I!

What's Wrong

So what is wrong with this picture?  It is supposed to be something that you stick on your filing cabinet or fridge to share with others how you are feeling 'today'.

So what is wrong with this picture?

Hint ~ how may happy, joyful or uplifting faces are there?

Yup I agree this really isn't that cute or funny.  It borders on sad and things that make me feel sad are not allowed in my life.  

Mr. Face Magnet meet Mr. Shredder.

Happy Monday my friends ~ enjoy this beautiful day and all the gifts that come your way.

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The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto

The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto
from Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

Click on the photo to enlarge

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Tip Tuesday ~ Etiquette Part Two

Everyday Etiquette from Emily Post (this other blog is now MIA)

Etiquette is a code of behavior based on honesty, respect, and consideration.

Your Personal Image

It's no secret that in twenty-first-century America, casual has trumped more formal ways of dressing. But even in this more laid back world, "casual" should never be sloppy. The clothes we wear and the way we groom ourselves represent how we choose to present ourselves to others and reflect the importance we assign to the occasion.

Each of us is responsible for the image we project. Taking that responsibility seriously is a clear signal of your respect for others. If you choose to go on a date without cleaning up first, you are responsible when your date decides they don't want to see you again.

Manners

We use daily manners constantly without even thinking. From greeting and introducing others to making requests and expressing thanks, these simple exchanges are the foundation of all interactions. Since our choices impact others, it is important to make our choices thoughtfully, so as to communicate a considerate awareness of oneself and others.

***
What does your personal image tell the world? Mine is telling the world that I am in need of a hair cut. Happy tip Tuesday!

Fall in New York

 

Fall in Fairbanks Alaska is yellow. Now I like the color yellow probably more than the next guy but can you imagine my delight to visit New York in the fall!?! The orange, the reds and the golden yellows ~ such a joy.  We will be taking a train ride into the Adirondacks with two of our favorite people.  One more day! See you soon!

When we return to our deck it just might be covered in white...

Happy Monday! Enjoy the fall colors!