On The Road, Again....

Sunset view from my rental apartment in Paris

It's been awhile since my last blog post and I'm sorry for that.  I fear you've been waiting, on the edge of your seats, for my next blog post.  Oh wait.  That's right.  You've been busy.  Out raising your families (husbands included), going on grand adventures in your Airstream trailers, cooking up homemade pastry shells and brown butter rice crispy treats.

It's all good.  I understand.

I've been busy too.

Olives at Paris outdoor market

My busy times these past few months have involved a bit of travel.  Glamorous locations, really.  Los Angeles, Washington DC, Kyoto, Paris and Frankfurt.  I can't complain.

Well, I really shouldn't complain.  But I do complain.  A bit.  I swear it only happens when someone leans back their seat in economy and bumps my knees.  Us tall chicks just don't fit well in the economy seats (does anyone fit, really?).  And don't get me started about my recent trip where the lady behind me put her bare feet up on each one of my arm rests.  I touched smelly, sweaty toes.  I swear.  #disgusting.

The airlines haven't yet recognized me as a frequent traveler.  And it is possible that my life goals include bumping fists with my favorite airline stewards as I head up to first class.  Hmmm, if that is a life goal, it's possible that a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, contemplating my life goals, is in order.  Wait a second....

I should mention that some of the lovely folks on United Airlines do recognize me when I head to Japan.  But we all agree that they are simply relieved to see that I am no longer 8 months pregnant and hauling my very, very large rear end on a 13 hour flight for a week of business trips.  Me too.

In other random but related thoughts, please let me say hello.

You can find more photos of my travels on my Instagram feed.  I'm located @wisteriahouse.  I'm also on Twitter but I'm not going to share my user name.  Twitter has only highlighted the fact that I'm simply not funny.  At all.  But my mind loves data and Twitter is the best at hitting me with short bites of constant data and information.  If you are funny, however, please leave me your Twitter handle in the comment section.  Twitter quips often make me laugh out loud and I would be entirely too grateful for your contribution.

Which leads me to the next statement.  The husband has decreed that one day a week must be technology free in our house.  No phones, no computers, no iPads, no Macs, no Kindle (I really could go on....)  Apparently he thinks that one of us has a bit of a device addiction.

Ah, well, he's probably right.  And I'm terrified of being the person that you read about in scientific studies.  The one who states that they feel like they have so many close friends because they watch Friends episodes on televisions.  Oh, yes folks, such a study has happened with those exact results. Not real friends--just virtual friends.  And you experience the same emotions of friendship with virtual friends that you do with real friends.  I think, in the near term, that's fine.  But I don't think you'll be psyched when you are in your 80's and you need someone to help you to the loo.  The husband reminds me of this all the time.

So, here is to one day of peace and quiet in our household.  To walking to the Farmer's Market, hand-cranking our ice cream maker (we hold beliefs that electric ice cream mixers are wimpy), trying new recipes and relishing our friends and family.

It'll be a shock to the system but I am eager for the technology-ban challenge.  And a bit embarrassed to have to be challenged.  But I've decided to douse any such embarrassment in a bucket of homemade chocolate ice cream.  We made a batch last week and 10 spoons made short work of the bowl in 3 minutes.  3 minutes!  Definitely try this at home.

Off we go...