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Best free spa hotel in Norway with steam, sauna, and jacuzzi in a quaint ski town in Lillehammer where the 1994 Winter Olympic ski jump competition occurred… keep reading.
I started loving spas and especially free spas (yes, they exist)! I discovered the benefits of steam, sauna rooms, and jaccuzis. They’re healthy, relaxing and therapeutic. Turkish bath and Russian bath houses are great but hard to find in the States (Philly and Miami are two places to check out). And good luck finding a thermal spa. When you’re in Europe, they are common. Some are free (courtesy of nature), but most are not.
This was the most amazing “hidden” free spa hotel in Norway I discovered by accident. It’s in the Scandic Lillehammer Hotel.
Down in the basement, where you think the operating controls are for the hotel, there is an entire free-for-guests spa. This hotel spa has a cold dip pool where you walk down stairs shaped as a square (add some unique drama to getting into the cold pool). There are also 3 steam room and sauna rooms set on different heats.
And several additional large pools. For those who like fun, instead of traditional shower heads there are several overhead bushels of water where you can pull the string for a neat shower experience.
It’s very unique.
This is what people used to hear about as jokes when you were sleeping at camp (where they throw a bucket of water over your head). Or what you see that they do on SuperBowl night to the MVP. It’s even better when you’re doing this yourself as it’s not a shock.
Rooms look like this have a view of the Lillehammer ski jump.
I doubt you would go to this hotel, just for the spa (I mean I would, but everyone isn’t like me!). The Lillehammer Hotel is just a few hundred feet away from the Lillehammer ski jump, famous in the 1994 Winter Olympic. It’s surrounded by a cute town. So after you visit the town you can enjoy the free spa and complimentary nice breakfast.
And if you love thermal spas, you may want to checkout Bath.
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The Watergate Hotel is walking distance to the Georgetown Waterfront
The best Washington DC convention hotels and neighborhood areas are just minutes from free museums, the downtown mall, and some of the best restaurants in the nation. I grew up in the area and worked in local DC area hotels. As an insider, I have watched the DC area revitalize. And some areas in the past that weren’t all that safe are now walkable. 🎉
The northwest area where the White House is, is one of the nicest (the Capitol is on the east side as many get confused). Both the east and northeast areas and growing. And Adams Morgan/U Street areas and surrounding are still hoppin’ busy.
Some hotels have changed names and some are built in the middle of the city where there seemed to be no additional space available to erect another hotel building (like the newest Marriott mega hotel – more below).
Depending on where you want to spend your time in DC most, here are some of my favorites based on long-standing reputation, trying their restaurants, and just being in the area (I don’t usually have to stay in a hotel but I have because I love hotels).
These are the Best 5 Washington DC hotel areas (I wouldn’t mind staying in or visiting again as a local guest getaway 😊):
Georgetown and Virginia border (4 miles from Ronald Reagan National Airport). One of the coolest hotels after it got its facelift before 2019, is the Watergate Hotel near the Kennedy Center and just minutes walking into Georgetown (mega outdoor shopping streets) that runs along Rock Creek Parkway (nice drive). The name may sound familiar as that’s where the Watergate Nixon scandal occurred in the early 70s. They’ve remodeled the hotel since. The hotel now has a really neat vibe inside that you’ll feel right away.
…And I’m told this renovation comes with a Mid-Century vibe in hotel personnel uniforms, but I was too busy admiring the lobby architecture, restroom design (check it out!), and food in my face in the restaurant to notice! 😅 Oh, and if you take an Uber or cab to the airport, be sure they drive across Arlington Memorial Bridge so you can catch a glimpse of the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery that you definitely don’t wanna miss!
White House and 14th Street. In the heart of DC, you can stay at the beautiful established Willard Hotel near 14th Street (that has a bridge named after it). The Willard serves a nice afternoon tea comparable to the Ritz Carlton that is known for its tea and scones. The W is one of the best Washington DC convention hotels with views of the Washington DC “mall” on the rooftop bar terrace (POV Lounge). If you take a Segway tour you’ll be able to see the best view of the Capitol from Pennsylvania Ave. even during rush hour!
Convention Center. One of the newest hotels built after 2010 is the Marriott Marquis. It has an open lobby and a covered connector to enter the Convention Center as one of the most convenient, best Washington DC convention hotels. I stayed there for a convention I was actually working at. It’s just minutes from DC City Center, a newly revitalized area that has luxury, high-end shopping, and great restaurants… and just minutes from more great restaurants in DC Gallery Place or Chinatown. During Cherry Blossom season, this is where you want to be.
These are happening spots now, but both were areas you did not want to walk around in late at night prior to the 90s.
Dupont Circle area. The Omni Shoreham in Adams Morgan/Woodley Park area is also a grand hotel closer to the Smithsonian National Zoo. The area is great if you want to be a little bit further from all the hustle and bustle of the downtown mall area. I planned parties for a few years at one of the popular restaurants across the street, so I know the scene. 🎉
It’s in the downtown heart of many events, and I remember enjoying working at Zoofari (where all the foodie restaurants come together and display a tasting or tapas), Zoolights (great for kids!), and all the fun Embassy events. You get your cultural fill! 🌎
Southwest Watefront (Wharf). And if you want a really nice lounge area, visit the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It’s close to the L’Enfant Plaza metro stop and the popular re-vitalized Southwest Waterfront (The Wharf) area. It’s funny because most of these areas have changed so much… if only you were there! 💭
The Wharf used to be where you bought crabs from the boats on the water to take home, but people didn’t go there as a destination place or to dine at restaurants.. you can now take the water taxi (the bright yellow color of the original taxi cabs) run by The Potomac River Boat Company. They run regularly by the Wharf, Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor.
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In your hotel room, you want to have hotel travel things to calm and center yourself by sitting on a chair or on the floor. And that’s why doing a ‘lil research about the hotel is a good idea (…and that’s what I do and share my finds!).
I like the hotel carpeted floor personally as there is more space. Nicer hotels make me feel less self-conscious… I don’t wonder about how often the floor has been vacuumed or cleaned, and if tired furniture is replaced more often. It’s hard to relax when you’re worrying about cleanliness. Nice hotels are usually less noisy also because they don’t have guests throwing parties and they have staff that have been trained to whisper in the hallways.
Here are 9 Hotel Travel Things to Calm and Center Yourself:
Most hotels these days only provide two body towels per room to conserve on water, so bring your own yoga mat or towel. If you bring a towel you can always put it to multiple purpose/use as a wrap for delicate gifts you buy or bring 😉
Bring yoga or comfortable pants, and workout top or inspiring Tshirt. I find that when I’m stretching out, if I have a pedicure I can relax better, when I look at my toes.
I also recommend having a gadget along with you to set reminders as to when to set aside quiet moments to refresh and center yourself. Use it to set a timer as to how long you will be “centering.” Your smartphone works well for this. Also, the newer Apple watch has a breathing app to remind you to stop and breathe and appreciate the moment. It’s also useful if you get really relaxed and disoriented, to be able to ‘ping’ your phone if you can’t locate it. Use the “do not disturb” door hanger when you’re in “silent mode.” It will calm you to know you won’t be disturbed.
A journal and pen are also good. It’s nice to write the old-fashioned way. You end up editing yourself less as you just write authentically. When you have a keyboard, you can delete easily. It’s also nice to see your own handwriting, as it’s personal to you along with the thoughts you’re adding to paper.
Personal photo or photos. My photos I carry on my phone, but a printed photo will do the same. It’s nice to see familiar faces and places when you start to have travel “sense overload.” It allows you to appreciate the new place you’re exploring, by being calm that all is well “back home”. Photos can have that calming effect. Make them available in your hotel room.
Music. That can also set the mood for enjoyment and relaxation. When I’m in the States, I listen to Pandora or streaming internet music. When overseas, I have to go with my downloaded music. Many hotels still have Ipod hookups on their clock alarms. I know it seems like ancient technology, but I still bring my old iPods with me. They work.
A calming scent or lotion. Lavender is really good for calming. You can buy a small bottle of essential oil and pack it with you in your carry-on bag. Douse a little on your wrists. I also like peppermint as it is really good for headaches. I also use it for opening my nasal passages. It’s really good if you have sinus congestion. You never know when you can be entering a foreign place and experience allergies. Also, when you’re in the shower, try to take a hot steamy shower and add a few peppermint drops while standing. The peppermint fumes will steam up and you will get all the great benefits of opening your sinuses. I also bring Hall’s mentholyptus cough drops for that very reason. …What else?
Peppermint tea bags are also good to have. If you have any stomachaches, you can ask the hotel for some hot water or just rinse out and use the hotel room coffee machine to brew hot water and add your peppermint tea. Some hotels even have water kettles to heat the water. I’m not the only one who uses them. And besides headaches, peppermint works wonders on stomach ailments. And it’s all natural and caffeine-free so you don’t have to worry about it keeping you up all night. Just don’t drink too much so you don’t unnecessarily have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Peppermint is aromatherapy.
Apple cider vinegar (with the “mother”) in a small vial with an eyedropper is good to have. It can also clear up any congestion. It’s the new “apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Keep in mind, it’s very bad for your teeth so the eyedropper allows you to put a little behind your throat and just swallow. You can get this at any vitamin store in the States or check with the pharmacia overseas.
Every little bit helps… you want to have hotel travel things to calm and center every day on travel. You may even find that the new clear-minded mood you are in, really helps you to soak in the travel adventure you’re on. On another note, I find that Airbnb short-term rentals can be a little tricky for relaxing as they’re all so different from place to place.
They also have a lot of owners “personal touches” that can be distracting. You can make the space work for you, but I’m biased towards hotels where there’s service and consistency, and you know what you’re getting.
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DC Restaurant Week
Summer 2019 DC Restaurant Week is happening now in August! Some of my favorite restaurants were discovered through Restaurant Week. Around Washington DC , as a well known mega “foodie” city, I’ve eaten (and worked) in hundreds of amazing restaurants . It’s always a great experience when you’re an Insider to be able to make recommendations.
Officina’s Open Kitchen (Waterfront District)
15 Favority 2019 DC Restaurant Week Insider Picks:
Washington DC:
-1789 Restaurant– American (Georgetown), 1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
-Acqua Al 2 – Italian (Capitol Hill), 212 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
-America Eats Tavern (Chef Jose Andres)– American (Georgetown), 3139 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
-Birch and Barley – American (14th Street), 1337 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
-DBGB – Modern French (City Center – in between 14th Street and Gallery Place), 931 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
-Officina – Italian (Waterfront District), 1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
-The Hamilton – Sushi and American, Happy Hour and Downstairs Ticketed Live Music Venue (14th Street/near White House), 600 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
This hotel got a massive facelift and has killer sunset water views by the Kennedy Center. This is a hop to Georgetown and the famous “M Street” where you may remember the old warm Brat Pack movie, “St. Elmo’s Fire” that had a pub scene and now a major shopping scene.
Georgetown: Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
This is around the corner from The White House on 14th Street: Willard International Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
Do you want a FREE Complete Packing Light Guide, plus checklist perfect for the modern traveler? Do you want to avoid checked bag fees (bringing carry ons only)? Do you want to avoid lost bags? For access, just click on the FREE COPY!
(Florida West Coast Beach includes Tampa, Clearwater, Saint Petersburg)
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West Coast Florida Tampa map
Who says you can’t find culture in the Tampa area?
The Florida west coast beach side has that.. Besides beautiful beaches with sugar fine sand and aqua color ocean that goes on for miles, the Tampa area is filled with museums.
If you appreciate art, you’ll be intrigued with the Dali Museum located in Saint Petersburg (Salvador Dali was one interesting surreal painter).
And the Chihuhly Museum known for the inspiring colorful glass art pieces you’ve probably seen all over the world (like the famous glass flowered ceilings in the Las Vegas Bellagio Hotel).
In that area, I recommend a boutique hotel, Treasure Island, just footsteps from the Florida west coast beach. It’s perfect for a romantic or solo getaway. The room is modern and has a convenient kitchenette and turndown service (with chocolates 🙂
Tampa area is known for fresh grouper and this hotel serves a delicious grouper meal.
turn down service with chocolates 🌺kitchen inside roomFresh grouper salad at Treasure Island
If you want to be closer to Clearwater, known for its clear waters and awarded beaches (where you can almost go as far out as far as the eye can see), there are 2 hotels I love.
If you are looking for opulence or a hotel with a nice spa, the Sandpearl is recommended.
Opal Sands Hotel is a modern hotel with matching kitchen in the suites. It has a nice pool with pool drinks. And has free bikes you can check out to ride to the market or along the pedestrian/bike path to the pier with beautiful sunsets.
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Lake Placid Lodge
Do you know anyone looking for a romantic and safe U.S. destination wedding hotel venue location to marry? You can make this year one of your best.
Indeed…people are still getting married in 2020, that will go down history as an unforgettable year.
If you want to elope, the U.S. has many great places to consider. Upstate New York is actually a great place to have a summer or fall wedding.
Maybe as surprise to hear, like it was for me, New York produces some of the best wines in the U.S. The state of New York used to compare to California wines. One of my favorites is Adirondack Winery’s Baco Noir Pinot Noir. The winery store is located in Lake George across from the Sagamore Hotel. And probably one you wouldn’t notice as a small shop tucked in the middle.
In the New York Adirondacks, ritzy Lake Placid Lodge and the Sagamore‘s sister property, is open. They’re taking reservations for weddings as small as 10 guests as long as you stay at the lodge, which is a real romantic treat.
It has a beautiful rustic backdrop and upscale tree top feeling on Lake Placid. You can still make this year a great one!
How does this sound for menu items? Lobster bisque, King Crab Crusted Halibut with Lobster Beurre Blanc, Pan-seared Chilean Sea Bass, Two-tiered wedding lemon cake with blackberry layer, lemon buttercream. …those sound delicious to me.
All are part of several wedding hotel packages to choose from including a cocktail reception and wedding dinner.
If you had your mind set on summer international travel or a destination wedding, since the U.S. has been banned from traveling to Europe and many countries around the world, Mexico is one of the few places open to Americans you can still visit.
Having been to Mexico a few times, the best are Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas. They’re great beach oceanfront cities to hang loose in and relatively inexpensive compared to other places to visit. Value for the money is good as you can find all-inclusive deals!
I wouldn’t want to make the individual U.S. decision whether to let my kids go back to school in a month during a pandemic. Escaping all the chaos sounds like a great idea! But instead of making those decisions, I am actually helping a friend with weddings (or what’s left of weddings) at this beautiful Lake Placid Lodge property. My hotel catering contract and paperwork (but paperless) handling is coming in handy 😉.
I think that would be a kid’s dream and music to their ears to get to have a travel adventure. That’s like skipping school for daily playing adventures.
Blue Duck Tavern – a Michelin star hotel restaurant that was one of over 30 brunch places I tried with DC Metro groups.
Since 2020, many DC Metro brunch restaurants said their goodbyes. But some have weathered the storms and withstood the test of time. Which ones?
All 30 of the ones below that I enjoyed.
All were memorable (company more than food), but one Michelin-star restaurant in the Park Hyatt in Georgetown stood out.
My DC Metro brunch group made brunch a weekend event for almost a decade and this one was a highlight (although most of the food served and service was great!).
Growing up in the area, Georgetown was an area full of bars, and you maybe remember… “The Brat Pack” movies. A scene from St. Elmo’s Fire was from a restaurant group that I worked for in the way-back machine, mentioned further below.
Let me back up a little and fill in some details…
From 2010 to 2020, I was booking groups in my foodie restaurants where I managed parties and events (one location mentioned below).
And, on my free weekends and with my DC metro brunch group of friends, we were trying out brunch-friendly neighborhood restaurants. These are some of our favorite tasting place finds I’m sharing with you… that are still around!
(Even the ones that weren’t historical are now captured in history.)
1. Blue Duck Tavern (L’Enfant) – 1201 24th St NW, Washington DC, 20037
2. Le Diplomate – 1601 14th St NW, Washington DC, 20009
3. DBGB (City Center) – retired but you can still dig into the to-die-for Baked Alaska in the Big Apple.
4. Bastille (Parker Gray) – 606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA 22314
5. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC – 600 Mass Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
For a buffet, I was impressed with the spread. I’m not a buffet fan as I don’t think they’re all that hygienic (pre-pandemic included), but this one was one I would recommend. They even had classy bruleed grapefruit halves. The other Founding Farmers have a mix of buffet or plated options.
6. Medium Rare – Capitol Hill/Barracks Row location closed, but Arlington is open – 3601 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201
Unforgettable steak frites (…need I say more!)
7. Virtue Feed and Grain – Alexandria on the Potomac River – 106 S Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
The view of the Potomac River is worth the visit! If you book an event, upstairs is the way to go!
8. Oyamel -401 Seventh St NW, Washington, DC 20004
More mole? This is a Tex-Mex institution. And it’s one of a few Chef Andres’ famous restaurants in the exciting Chinatown/Gallery Place block. It’s just around the corner from the Theater District (think DC’s version of Time Square).
8. China Chilcano – 418 7th St NW, Washington DC, DC 20004
This Jose Andres’ newest restaurant addition, that’s just as the exotic name implies… it’s a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Peruvian cuisines. It’s a great place to stop in before a concert across the street at the Capitol One Arena. You can choose from ceviches, dim sum, and noodles. Yes, please!
9. Tabard Inn – 1739 N Street, Washington, DC 20036 (Dupont Circle)
This is the oldest running hotel. You’ll feel it when you realize you’re sitting on modern antique furniture and floors. Don’t let that intimidate you as they serve traditional DC metro brunch foods like their version of chicken and waffles and Eggs Benedict.
10. Birch & Barley – 1337 14th St NW, 2nd Floor, Washington DC, DC 20005 (Logan Circle)
11. Columbia Firehouse – 109 S Saint Asaph St, Alexandria, VA 22314
12. Hen Quarter (Old Town) – 801 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
13. Del Ray Cafe – 205 E Howell Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 (Del Ray in between Alexandria and Arlington)
14. Vermillion – 1120 King Street, Alexandria, VA
15. Blackwell Hitch – 5 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Your choice of sitting outside or inside makes this a great DC metro brunch place.
16. Rosa Mexicano – National Harbor location is the busiest- 153 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD 20745 – fresh guacamole made tableside
17. Fiola – 601 Pennsylvania Ave. DC 20004
Best restaurant week experience and Italian food 🇮🇹
18. Officina – 1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington DC, DC 20024-2417
When I was a kid, this used to be where we bought live crabs. This under developed area is now the popular Wharf area with concerts, restaurants, and the outdoor seafood-fish market spruced up.
19. Sequoia – 3000 K Street, Washington DC 20007 (Georgetown Harbor waterfront)
20. Mia’s – 100 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Busy corner of south King Street (Old Town Alexandria) where Mia’s sits (formerly Carluccio’s)
21. Al Dente – Chef Roberto Donna used to run this restaurant. He was the one who put foodie restaurants on the map.
22. Chop Shop Taco – 1008 Madison St, Alexandria, VA 22314 – tex mex
23. Clyde’s Gallery Place/– 707 7th St NW – related to the bar from the St. Elmo’s Fire movie reference I made above, Clyde’s is a DC metro eating institution. Old Ebbitt Grill is one of their well-known restaurants in the country just a few steps from the White House. If you don’t know what to order, you can’t go wrong with the fresh crabcakes or Eggs Benedict.
24. Aqua al 2 – 212 Seventh St SE, Washington, DC 20003
25. Lebanese Taverna (Westover location) – 5900 Washington Blvd., Arlington – this one is neighborhood-friendly. The other locations you can find in big shopping areas like Tysons II Galleria, Adams Morgan, and Pentagon Row. So this quieter neighborhood location (you’ll probably never heard of unless you’ve lived in the area) is a great place to start a meal.
Of course I’m a ‘lil biased because I planned all the parties for these restaurants for a few years when I wasn’t brunching. I don’t mind the adventurous eating once in a while when I’ve tried everything else…
Westover Lebanese Taverna
26. Nat’l Press Club/Fourth Estate Restaurant – 529 14th St. NW, 13th Fl., Washington, DC 20045
This was a fun DC metro brunch place to find once you’re in the building. But after sat, we’re happy and see that they do serve good food!
This is a typical brunch, but the Fourth Estate Restaurant at the Naional Press Club is not a typical place as many famous people (think kings, prime ministers, and media) have dined here.. Notice the old-fashioned carpeting ubiquitous for historical venues, i.e. The White House blocks away.
27. Compass Rose – 1346 T Street, Washington, DC 20009 (U Street Corridor)
28. Commissary DC – 1443 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
29. Carlyle Grand Cafe – 4000 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206 – this is a well-known DC metro brunch in Shiriington Village, a quaint shopping center. You’ll also find some boutique-y places like Cheesetique that has its own brunch menu with charcuterie and mac-n-cheese.
30. Brabo – 1600 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 – inside the Lorien Hotel and Spa in the north end of Old Town’s King Street
If you’re coming to town for leisure, brunch or a convention, the best time to come is fall when you can appreciate the fall leaves or spring when you catch the cherry blossom display.
You can have your own Arby’s Deal Roast Beef Classic Sandwich Picnic Party Table for $5. Kick up your roast beef table and you have an elegant buffet in 10-minute prep time. No kidding! ⏲️
Party table featuring Arby’s roast beef classic (5 for $5 deal)
Arby’s deal with the fixings prepared here: homemade rolls, feta cheese, capers, radishes, pickles, horseradish, and homemade au jus. You can always use Arby’s sauce or horsey sauce, but using your own sauces help to kick up the spice and flavor level if that’s what you want (giving a luxury catered party vibe 🎉… for the $5 price). That’s something to smile about!
And instead of North Carolina barbecue you can have roast beef with your own North Carolina-style vinegar barbecue sauce using white vinegar (or any vinegar you have on hand), Worcestershire sauce, cayenne or red pepper flakes, onion powder, salt and pepper. And who doesn’t love Dijon mustard!?
This Arby’s deal: 5 classic roast beef sandwich deal for $5 is good until 7/2! Just in time for July 4th 🇺🇸 and keep your eyes out for other weekly deals!
You can’t beat the roast beef classic sandwich that has been around as long as I have been around (and longer!)… and maybe you have been too.
And since we’re talking history…
The Arby’s chain started the same 1964 year as the Beatles landed in New York. It’s a true classic with the horsey horseradish sauce. And with the 5 sandwich deal, you can share with 4 other individuals… OR you could make a party smorgasbord like I did where you add your gourmet picnic cheeses like brie. And your fancy cornichons and capers. And voila! you’ve got a sharing platter good for a small party of 3 or more.
PLUS… you’ve got leftover buns for your next holiday 🧨 or other celebration. I mean, c’mon! It doesn’t get any better than this for fast food. And actually lemme give you the skinny on what happened (the fast food part).
Rewinding back my steps… I did the rigamaroll of downloading the Arby’s app in the morning and paying for the sandwiches which came to $4.79 for 5 sandwiches. Umm… isn’t that like 1964 rollback prices? Or what you pay for one sandwich in 2023 inflationary costs?
…When I pulled up to the drive-thru, they couldn’t find my order. Oops!
I saved the confirmation receipt sent to my email and took a photo… I didn’t want to take any chances having never ordered from them this way before. AND I double-checked the location before I left. Boy, that’s a classic #1 mistake: people making reservations at the wrong location. Not tragic but imagine if it’s for a restaurant reservation with others.
I’m a planner so that’s just not me. I wouldn’t want others to have to deal with my lack of planning on their dime. Time is money.
…So, they had me pull up out of the drive-thru and a few short minutes later, handed me a fat brown bag full of these sandwiches. They didn’t even check my confirmation. But of course, that’s because I had it on-hand just in case. And they even apologized for the delay… um, what delay? 😊 Just sayin’.
Then I smiled and drove on my merry way. I took those roast beef beauties home, and enjoyed one as a snack. I disassembled each one probably as carefully and systematically as they were assembled. We took a field trip in kindergarten to ooh and aahh over fast food operations at a local Mickey D’s (but that’s a story for another day! 😅).
I digress, but my inner child remembered.. and I stacked the buns on top cookie-cutter style onto one of the foil paper wrappings that could be reused, and put them in my freezer for a later day. Hey, they are good sesame buns (never eaten) and good for re-purposing on any meat or burger occasion. 🍔
And I took the thinly sliced roast beef and fluffed them up out of their round compactness.
Arby roast beef $5 party table
And here we have a delightful picnic you can take along outside or enjoy indoors on a hot summer day. 🧺
If you’re feeling a bit wanderlust, you can re-energize with a reset by visiting a local zen garden. Maybe they’re low on your bucket list, but they’re an easy checklist item for this week.
And if you take a look at flora and fauna in your area, you realize that it takes more than a green thumb gardener to grow plants. There’s a level of expertise needed to have a community of diverse plants that get along and grow together. And well… patience and a ‘lil TLC. 🌱
We know that we breathe better when the oxygen in the room is fresh. One source is plants that take in our CO2. And from a global view, a reduced carbon footprint and emissions help our global warming effects that impact every part of the globe today. The hottest temperatures on record have been recorded in July 2023.
So preserving trees is one way to shade the unwanted weather effects for the livelihood of both the human and the animal kingdoms.
The Botanical Gardens Conservation International reports that 30% of the world’s trees today are at risk for extinction. The BGCI is an organization on a mission to make a positive impact in all-things plants. They have a green initiative that includes an accreditation program for plant diversity, conservation, and sustainability.
And in the garden domain, The Univerity of North Carolina makes noteworthy news besides sports and free tuition announcements. Their sister school in Charlotte has a shaded zen garden all are welcome to appreciate and to help keep summer cool.
Adding a waterfall and pond feature is not only visually zen appealing, it also adds to a soothing zen listening experience. This Asian zen garden is found at the University of North Carolina campus in Charlotte.
If you like rose gardens then these pink ones around the world are bucket list worthy.
Rooms look like this have a view of the Lillehammer ski jump.
