Summer Collection

Sand dollars and shells from Navarre Beach, Florida. Rocks from Macu Picchu, Peru. Fossilized sharks teeth from Calvert County, Maryland. We found some good things this summer. What about you? What got stuck in your pockets, buckets, or in the back seat of your car? 

I love the bits and pieces that find their way home with us. I just wish I was better about labeling/organizing/keeping them. I have a friend who puts little discoveries from their trips into shadow boxes. They have a wall of boxes filled with rocks, shells, feathers, and coins from all over the world. It's wonderful and I envy it. We, on the other hand, have plates, jars, ziplocks bags, and camera cards filled with finds but never put into any permanent state of display. One day, maybe one day, I will eventually do something big and fabulous with it all, but for now I am happy to have a white platter filled with summer souvenirs on a table by our front door.

Travels with Pacy: Peru

We had so much fun traveling with Pocket Pacy in Pisa and Barcelona, that we decided to take her with us to Peru!

Pocket Pacy was a gift from Grace Lin as part of her book party for her Dumpling Days book. Her newest book, Ling and Ting Share a Birthday is about to be released and she will be celebrating with another special book party at White Square Books. Wish we could attend in person, but here in DC, we are especially excited about Grace's upcoming appearance at the National Book Festival. I think Pocket Pacy (and a few others in our house) will enjoying getting to hear Grace read at the Festival. 

Peruvian Flash Mob

Market Day in Pisac

One of the most unexpected moments in Peru came when we were a part of a flash mob dance in Cusco. We happened to have lunch next to a friendly guy who revealed that he was directing a flash mob on the main square as part of a national ad campaign. And sure enough at 2pm, things starting happening on the square. It was a ton of fun and one of those things I have always wanted to experience. Just never thought it would happen in Peru!

Blue Doors in Urubamba

In addition to loving the blue doors we found on a little, dusty street in Urubamba, we also enjoyed: lunch at Kaia, dinner and art/crafts at  Paca Paca, and staying with Liz at Lizzy Wasi

Peru!

 A land of bright colors, high mountains, hard working people, strange animals, amazing fruit, dusty streets, intense hospitality, awe-inspiring ruins, bulls on rooftops, and glorious ceviche. 


Camille was a serious little trooper and ended climbing more ruins than we ever thought possible! We enjoyed the time with just the three of us, but we also kept commenting on how much Noah would have enjoyed Peru, so we are already dreaming of a return trip. Actually, it's a place that deserves several return trips. Not only is there so much to still see and sample, there is also a great need and that touched all of us in striking ways. Similar to our time in Thailand, the beautiful bits are tightly woven in with the sad bits.

Heading South For The Winter

Navarre Beach, Florida

Although it is clearly summer here, we are digging out a few winter clothes and heading south. South of the equator to Peru, where it is now winter! Adam has already been down there for a week doing humanitarian work. Camille and I are now on our way to join him. Stay tuned for tales (and photos) of llamas, mountains, and Incan ruins.