We Ran Away…

We hit the road to find cooler temps in the city by the bay.

It was sweet to dodge the heat

And we savored every detail

Especially the characters we met along way

This fellow wanted to know if we were jolly.

And while tempting, we did not interrupt the serious negotiations about the lunch box.

With ocean breezes we felt invincible,

Until we witnessed the toughest fish in the sea…

But we did spy

A room with a view

and directions at every turn.

And now that we are home, again, this is how I feel…

Happy Monday! Stay cool wherever you are!

Fair Weather Friends

We need a reprieve from the triple digits;

so we are heading west in search of cooler temps.

In the spirit of double digits, here’s a double scoop treat:

a musical GPS that tells you where we are headed,

and smile for your Saturday.

I dare you to wipe that smile off your face…

And we are off, our Marriott awaits!

I hope you all have a great weekend; stay cool.

Mama’s Mystery Trip : destination revealed

Over spring break, my kiddo had to come to work with me just about every day – I couldn’t take those days off, and so he ended up with what had to be one of the most boring spring breaks. Ever.  But I had a secret plan to make it up to him.  I just wouldn’t tell him what it was! It was jokingly referred to as ‘mama’s mystery trip’ around our house…and oh, he tried to pry the secret from me. What he doesn’t know? I have amazing secret keeping powers.

My husband knew we were headed outta town for a few days, but I didn’t even reveal the mystery destination to him; but he guessed it a few days before we left.

Kiddo however, had no idea we were even getting on a plane until I let that one slip the day before. And then he asked if we were going to Wisconsin.  { ?!?! }   And I have no idea why.  { What’s funny to me is that while telling this to someone at work today, turns out that person is from Wisconsin, and then while walking out to my car, I overhear a conversation where one person shares that she had been out of state all weekend. Guess where? Yes, Winconsin. Apparently Wisconsin has it goin’ on! }

So, we took to the friendly skies, and headed south…

…and had a special helper on our flight. Ok, not really. But he looks pretty good, if not a bit shocked, sitting there as co-pilot.  And it’s good to know our pilot has fresh breath.

But he still had no idea where we were headed! At the hotel, he spotted a tourist brochure for LegoLand California and exclaims, MOM! Look, they have a LegoLand in CALIFORNIA!  He still had no idea. Seriously. We took the brochure with us to dinner and only then did we let him in on the BIG SECRET. We were AT LegoLand!  [Well, a mile away and would be there bright and early the very next day!]

And the resounding, Yessssss!  sealed the deal. And made all the secret keeping worth it.

Destination Revealed: the Land o’ Legos, California!

It’s real. I am really here!

Starting the day off with some goofin…and gamin’

We had a little chat about ‘don’t like vs. fear” when it came to the roller coaster rides.   Still not sure on that one, so dad rode solo this time…

…but slides are just fine, whether on land, or on sea…

Other high lights included MiniLand, the water park, lots of building and the hands-on robotics class.

{MindStorms Class:  Programming a robot to remove bad cells, replace veins, and deliver pills to a failing heart.  Super Cool stuff! }

My little Knight in Lego Armor loved it all

And, we managed to get in a visit to the ocean. And while we missed the solar eclipse due to coastal fog, we got to see a school of dolphin playing not too far off shore.  I’d say that was more than an even trade.

and we loved hearing, ‘that was the BEST trip EVER!

and then it was time to head north, and fly back into our regular lives. Back to school. Back to work. Great family memories and time well spent!

Do you have any mystery trips planned?

Treasury Thursday :: Breezy Ocean Getaway

This week’s treasury challenge has a bit of a twist..it’s a collaboration between two ideas and my upcoming weekend plans! Last week one of the great ideas was “Ocean Breeze” and who can argue with the sound of that?  And this week, one of the ideas was “Getaway” and again, who am I to argue!?  Especially, since this weekend, I am surprising my boys with a getaway to the ocean. They know we are going somewhere, but they don’t know where…mama’s mystery trip destination will be revealed when we pull into the airport!

But first, this fun collaboration – this week’s treasury is inspired by Aimee of byAimee.com { Ocean Breezes }  and Pam from Bates Mercantile Co. and her blog Mercantile Muse {Getaway}. Sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected places!  With summer just around the corner, it would seem safe to say that we’re all ready for a little getaway, but first, some introductions are in order.

I have introduced you to Pam before, so it’s great fun to have her back for this week’s treasury!  Though we live on opposite sides of the country, it often feels like she is just across town! I always appreciate her creative comments and friendly presence on Facebook and in the blogging world. She has a great blog where she shares some of the best finds, great advice and on many days a stunning capture of a brilliant sunset!

I am happy to have you meet Aimee!  Aimee and I are in the same time zone and often we are both up waaaay too late, but so glad to have another night owl pal.  Aimee has an awesome Website & Graphic Design company and no doubt you have seen her work all over blog town.  She’s also the founder and editor over at Fancy Little Things.    Be sure to stop by and say hello to each of them and tell them PaperKeeper sent ya!

So, thank you Pam and Aimee for your unwitting collaboration! And to everyone, I hope you enjoy the treasury, it’s full of what you will need if you are lucky enough to have an ocean breezy getaway in your near future.  And since not everyone can sneak away, there are a few items tucked in to bring the ocean breeze to you!

Camper Necklace – Getaway – Airstream – Hand stamped – Sterling Silver – Trav… mytweedledee $28.00

fly away with me, to where we feel the ocean breeze – 8×8″ beach photogr… SusannahTucker $30.00

Vintage Blue Luggage / Set of 3 Nesting Suitcases / BANTAM thevintagetreehouse $79.00

Typography Art Print Illustration, Original Wall Art Print Typography, Retro … BatesMercantileCo $16.00

Vacation Mini Album – Island Getaway Scrapbook ElvesInTheAttic $34.95

SEASIDE GETAWAY – Hydrangea Flower Headband in Vintage Aqua Blue flowerbucketboutique $8.00

Luggage Tag / Gift Card Holder – Natural Butterflies MADE TO ORDER PlaidCupcakeDesigns $12.00

Striped Tote in Turquoise and White French Stripes tullerie $85.00

Passport Cover ,  Tangerine Fabric , Floral , Pocket Style jackandbeedesigns $14.50

She Sells Sea Shells – Australian Getaway – Fine Art Nature Photography 8×10&… happeemonkee $35.00

Spa Bath Soak – Ocean Breeze- Reflection, Romance, Gentle Ocean Breeze AphroditeBotanicals $10.75

Rustic orange floral statement necklace, vintage brooch moss turquoise stone … soradesigns $74.50

Will Drive the Get-Away Car – Girlfriend Scrabble Tile Jewelry RuivoArmadillo $8.95

Medium Double Pocket Wet Bag / Adjustable and Removable Strap / Michael Mille… monkeyfootdesigns $34.00

Breeze Necklace, book page necklace, literary necklace ESPARTOstudio $10.00

Ocean Breeze Spa Blend Bath Salts sagemooncottage2 $3.50

$3.50

Cheers!!

Treasury Thursday :: Set your sails and find yourself a world away

We are back for another week of  Treasury Thursday challenge and this week, let’s make it a double. A challenge for me, and a challenge for you. More on that later.

First off, each week I appreciate how the challenge gets me into new territory; finding shops and items and art that I would have never seen, found or even thought to look for on my own. Tonight when I notified the shop owners that their item is in this Treasury, I realized that I was sending convos all around the world; the East Coast, West Coast, in between, { like Ohio, Leah! } and London, Singapore, and India.  And how perfect is that; for a theme about setting your sails to get away and find yourself a world away!  I tell, ya, serendipity is just cool. And yes, I do just like saying the word serendipity. Serendipity. I think you like saying it too.  Besides, how can you argue when something good just happens?!

photo via Print Press by Flea Market Trixie

Today’s challenge from Facebook comes from Leah Marie who runs her shop on Etsy called LeahMarieV and her blog LeahMarieV DIY Home and Life .  She gave me this challenge

Nautical!! Addicted right now! Lets go sailing…

While spending time on her blog to get to know her just a bit, I realized we have two important things in common…having a never-ending to-do list and an appreciation for good wine!   In her Etsy shop, LeahMarie offers custom signs, subway art, photography, and prints – home decor just for you!

Pack your virtual bags and be ready to chart your course to escape life and get away…I hope you find yourself a world away without leaving your chair!

Now, for the double challenge…hard as it might be, Etsy put out a challenge for Treasuries that fit their theme, “Get Found” in sync with their Etsy Success Symposium and they will be looking for treasuries to put front and center in the next couple of days…so let’s see if we can get these talented artists and crafter a spot on the FPOE!  Tweet, blog, post, stumble, and click on it in Etsy!  Ever the optimist…

Leah Marie, thanks for the inspiration and to all things nautical, ahoy mates!

{ Now, it’s time to go sailing….do a little daydreaming… }

Escape Recylced Fused Glass … glassismyname $15.00	Sailing through life whimsystudios $18.00	Let’s Get Away Print smalltalkstudi… $20.00
Compass Ring shoresidechic $16.00	Sailing photo -The Undiscove… KeriBevan $30.00	Ocean Seaweed Original Art G… EvelynMcCPeter… $38.00
Sailing Boat Hand Stitched P… LeobellaBoutiq… $6.50	Steampunk Map Pendant: the g… ElainaLouiseSt… $28.00	Two Tone Multi Hex Rope Brac… AllBeta $17.00
Come Sail Away – Nautical Ea… hawleywood $20.00	Sailing Bag Handmade Orange pinkbrowncoppe… $25.00	Unisex Nautical Stripes Cott… AnytimeScarf $22.00
Nursery Print, Baby Nursery … leahmariev $24.00	art print, map,vintage map, … Printpressfmt $12.95	Custom Vintage Map Cufflinks… Juanitas $40.00
Beach lotion – Sunscreen, Sa… ParadiseBodySh… $11.00

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