TweetIf you’re an American expat, and away from the extended family you’re used to celebrating the holidays with, this time of the year, through Christmas, can really be a bummer.  In some countries you may not be able to find the foods and decorations you’re used to.  And if the climate is wildly different it [...]

TweetSome of my best memories are in the backdrop of the natural beauty of Arkansas, especially its parks: Lake Dardanelle, the lodge at Mount Magazine, taking every single out-of-state visitor up Mount Nebo, the little local park at Piney Bay, near where we used to live.  Hours and hours of fishing, family picnics, romantic walks, [...]

TweetAlmost two years ago, I was sitting in the basement of my mother-in-law’s house in Germany, discussing with my husband which country we should try next. US – can’t go there (that’s why we were in Germany) Belize – too hot. And other issues. Stay in Germany – too restrictive Where else could we go? [...]

TweetHappy Garifuna Settlement Day!  What is that, you ask?  Well, if you’re in Belize around this time of year you’ll be hearing all about it.  Especially if you’re in an area with lots of Garifuna people, one of the major ethnic groups in Belize.  Garifunas are also known as Black Caribs, and they are a [...]

TweetI haven’t written anything in the last few days (bad me, I know), because our ship finally came in and I got to go shopping. Woo hoo! Not clothes shopping, or shoe shopping. Just good old grocery shopping. But that’s a blessed thing, because we were mighty low on everything. And now our pantry and [...]

Tweet1. Stores being open 24/7 so I can miss the rush and go out at 2 AM to buy groceries and go Christmas shopping 2. Cheetos – France has a peanut version and some decent cheese puff things but nothing like Cheetos puffs. 3. Cheap peanut butter!  There are walls and walls of Nutella, chestnut [...]

Tweet1. Free rent! 2. Being able to support organic farming and the little guy 3. Meeting new friends around the world 4. Eating grass fed beef, organic heritage apples, free range eggs, and fresh garden vegetables for free 5. Knowing I have a place to stay in an emergency 6. Learning new skills like gardening, [...]

TweetIf you’re an American used to shopping at Wal-mart, like me, trying to find what you’re looking for in Europe can be like looking for a possum in the backseat of a Mercedes. If you’re looking for household chemicals, baking supplies, good deals, or American cravings, you’ve come to the right place. First of all, [...]

TweetFarmer, Farmer Put away that DDT Give me spots on my apples But leave me the birds and the bees Please! -Joni Mitchell “Big Yellow Taxi” What is WWOOFing? WWOOFing is Willing Workers On Organic Farms, or WorldWide Opportunities On Organic Farms. However you want to call it, it’s a first-rate program that gets young [...]

TweetHalloween is not a traditional holiday in France. Most French people wouldn't know what it is. But a small town near us had a Halloween celebration for kids tonight that was very nice (and free! Something in Europe for free! It's a miracle). Kids dressed up (mine was a mummy) and the grown-ups gave them [...]