Monticello

Today is "Stay at Home Because You Are Well" day.

Lake Tahoe {2}

 Lake Tahoe can be found at an elevation of 6,229 feet.

  It is the highest lake of its size in the United States.

It is also the 3rd deepest lake in North America

and the 10th deepest lake in the world.

Lake Tahoe {1}

San Francisco {2}

 Fog rolls into San Francisco Bay through the Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco #1

 Lombard Street

Cable Car

Victorians

Skyline

Golden Gate Bridge

{anyone in the mood for rice?}

Zentangle Typewriter Post Card {by me}

Postcards Are NOT Extinct!!!

Postcards declared extinct by German radio moderator

Today around 14:45 a radio moderator from the southwest German radio station SWR3 declared the postcard for extinct.
Now some of us German Postcrossers would like to convince him that he's wrong and the postcard still is very much alive! And we'd love you to help us and send this guy cards from all over the world.
This is the address if you want to send a card:

SWR3
Sebastian Müller
Hans-Bredow-Straße
76522 Baden-Baden
GERMANY

Michigan Campfire

National Game & Puzzle Week

To Kick off National Game & Puzzle week, I'm sharing with you another of my zentangles.  The quote I found online somewhere; thought it was cool.

 Puzzles

From the Denver Library in 2010:

• The Book of Kakuro: Over 100 Totally Addictive Number Puzzles
• Will Shortz Presents Kenken Easiest 100 Logic Puzzles That Make You Smarter Vol. 1 by Tetsuya Miyamoto
• Classic Lateral Thinking Challenges by Paul Sloane and Des MacHale
• The Big Book of Stickelers: 320 Fun and Challenging Brainteasers to Sharpen Your Mind by Terry Stickels
• How to Solve Sudoku: A Step-by-Step Guide by Robin Wilson

Games

• Family and Party Games by Trevor Bounford and the Diagram Group
• The Unplugged Play Book: The Essential Parents' Guide by Bobbi Conner
• Teach Yourself Visually: Bridge by David Galt
• The Treasury of Family Games: Hundreds of Fun Games for All Ages, Complete with Rules and Strategies by Jim Glenn and Carey Denton
• Hoyle's Rules of Games: Descriptions of Indoor Games of Skill and Chance, with Advice on Skillful Play: Based on the Foundations Laid Down by Edmond Hoyle, 1672-1769 edited by Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith

The History of Games and Puzzles

• The Pattern in the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws by Margaret Drabble
• From Square One: A Meditation, with Digressions, on Crosswords by Dean Olsher
• Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling by David G. Schwartz

Documentaries on Gameplay

• Darkon
• The Dungeon Masters
• The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
• Second Skin
• Wordplay
• Word Wars

Saturday Sunset in Florida

 Ten Things To Do On The Beach

Fort Lauderdale

 History of Fort Lauderdale

National Clean out Your Refrigerator Day

Just in time for Thanksgiving, it's National Clean out Your Refrigerator Day Who said springtime was the only season for cleaning? Get out your trash bags (and plastic gloves and gas masks), because today is National Clean out Your Refrigerator Day.

It's high time to remove the Chinese food cartons that have turned into science experiments and start making room for the Thanksgiving leftovers that will soon be occupying space in your fridge.

The origins of National Clean out Your Refrigerator Day are not entirely clear; one Web site pins it on a Whirlpool Appliance Ad campaign from years ago, while other sites say it's to make space for Thanksgiving provisions.

I decided I definitely wanted to participate - and said a prayer that those responsible for cleaning the office fridge would also want to get involved. Sadly, there wasn’t a whole lot in my refrigerator to clean out. There wasn’t much in there at all, just a jug of milk, a jar of peanut butter, several sticks of margarine, two cans of frosting, and half of an onion. True, it’s been a while since I actually filled my refrigerator with food that would warrant purging on this most sacred of days. But, should I ever stop living like I’m in college and actually fill my fridge with food, what exactly do I need to know about cleaning it out? I consulted my friend and registered dietician Lindsay Elshalzly, who was recently certified as a ServSafe food handler. She said it’s always good to consult the expiration dates on food labels, but sometimes foods are safe well beyond that date. And, sometimes they expire before. How’s that for vague? “When in doubt, throw it out,” she said, adding, “The truth is, bacteria can grow on food whether or not it’s in the fridge.” The colder temperatures simply slow the process. To keep food safe, Elshalzly said a refrigerator should be kept at 40 degrees or below. “The danger zone for food is between 41 and 135 degrees. That’s when bacteria have the greatest chance for multiplying and contaminating food." So what about the Thanksgiving leftovers the “refrigerator clean out” are intended to make room for? The USDA recommends storing cooked leftovers in airtight containers and using them within three to four days. Elshalzly concurs. So after everyone has gone back for seconds, make sure to chill the leftovers as soon as possible to avoid contamination. “You don’t want to leave food sitting out all day,” Elshalzly said. And thanks to today’s clean out, your fridge will have plenty of space for stuffing. Posted by: Stephanie Gallman -- CNN Filed under: Food Holidays • Food Safety • Health News • HolidayShopping • Thanksgiving

Florida Sunset

 There are over 2,500 different palm tree species in the world. Palm trees can be separated into few major types depending on their trunk, leaf structure, growth rate, size, and cold tolerance. Aside from this basic segregation, palms also differ in salt and drought tolerance, leaf color, fruit and flower production. Most of them grow in tropical and subtropical climates, others can tolerate cold temperatures down to -20F. 

How to Make a Beautiful Palm Tree Garden

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 Gerard Romany took this photo of Fort Lauderdale with a cruise ship in port.

Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches, arts, culture and events. From shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, to gondola rides on the canals, to a historic riverfront, Fort Lauderdale makes for an exciting Florida vacation.

Let's visit Florida!

Florida

 My dear friend Stephanie, found these while unpacking.  She used to live in Florida, but has moved to Idaho and is an aquarist at the Idaho Aquarium.

What a great place to read or write letters or sleep!

Zentangle Art Journal

 Years ago, I came across a handful of black hard-bound blank books.  I purchased them simply because they were $1 each.

After we moved to Idaho, I gave my oldest son one of these when he began showing an interest in art.  

A couple of months ago, I decided I could use one to doodle in, too.  My favorite art to work on with pencil & sharpies is Zentangles.  Not sure why, but I find it relaxing.  Plus, it's a good excuse to surf the net finding new patterns to try.  So, today I share with you one of the first from my art journal.

Transatlantic

To finish out the week, I received this gem from a swap-bot swap.  

This is totally what I look like when traveling.

{reality: flip flops, shorts, t-shirt, ball cap}

 I do have some old suitcases from my father.  (circa 1945-1950 give or take)

Portland Rose Garden

A very sweet friend brought me today & yesterday's postcards.  She purchased them here:

rosegardenstore.org

 How fun would it be to take a stroll through these lovely gardens?!

Eugene, Oregon

This is a bit closer to home so maybe I'll actually get to go there!!!

{fingers crossed}

 Recreation and fitness opportunities are everywhere in the university town of Eugene, Oregon. Rated as one of the top ten cycling cities in the U.S., Eugene has miles and miles of biking, walking and jogging paths. The paths are built along the Willamette River, through parks and gardens, and even next to shopping centers. Canoes and kayaks can be rented for a pleasant day boating on the Willamette River. For picnicking, camping, swimming, water skiing or sailing, Fern Ridge Lake is just outside of town. Fern Ridge Lake is also great for anglers, supplying trout, crappie, bass and catfish in the spring. If you prefer whitewater rafting, Eugene is close to the McKenzie River, with Class II and Class III rapids.

Welcome To Eugene

Denali Alaska

 Denali, which means "the high one" in Athabascan, is 20,320 feet above sea level, making it the highest peak in North America. But Denali National Park and Preserve is much more than the mountain --it spans 9,492 square miles and attracts nearly half a million visitors each year.

Alaska.com/denali/

Let's go!