Take the Oscar Best Picture winner challenge. Watch/rewatch all 94 Academy Awards and the 2023 Oscar-nominated best pictures. Includes a printable Oscar best pic checklist and filming locations for travel inspiration.
Wish you were here: shelter-in-place spring break staycation postcards
Updated with new postcards: April 6, 2020. If you’re needing a little levity during this social-distancing era, here are some shelter-in-place spring break staycation postcards guaranteed to make you smile (courtesy of my friend Jeff).
Best weeknight dinner: authentic shrimp pad krapow Thai recipe
Are you looking for a fast and easy authentic shrimp pad krapow recipe you can make at home? Or are you missing your foodie travels to Southeast Asia during this social distancing era? Then this delicious Thai recipe is a great alternative until you can travel to Thailand again.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel advisory: what should I do?
Updated: 03/18/2020: Has the coronovirus impacted your travel plans? Learn who to follow for COVID-19 travel advisories and travel alerts.
Movie family’s 2020 Oscars predictions
We are a movie-loving family and Oscar night is one of our favorite family traditions. Here are our 2020 Oscars predictions as well as a link to a printable Oscars ballot so you can play along also.
Movie reviews in one word
Our family loves movies and we watch a lot of flicks. So this regular series features movie reviews in one word to help you decide which movies are worth watching and those you should skip. Updated 04/05/22
2020: A year of remembrance on 75th anniversary of concentration camp liberations
Updated 4/19/2020 with details about the 75th Liberation Celebration and Memorial of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp (now a virtual event).
Second in a series: New developments in our journey to honor Jean-Pierre Kolhbach, my husband’s grandfather, a concentration camp survivor.
Is Mexico safe? Travel safety tips and FAQs
After 27 visits to the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Mayan Riviera and the Pacific Coast over the past 30 years, here’s my perspective on how I see Mexico.
Things to do in winter: Experience the Mall of America
If you’re looking for a way to shake off cabin fever this winter, visit the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. The 5.6 million square-foot megamall offers more than shopping. See what my friends and I experienced during our recent Mall of America staycation.
Top 19s of the decade: My top travel destinations, top books, top movies, top concerts
As we say goodbye to 2019 and hello to a new decade, I highlighted some of my favorite travel and lifestyle experiences from the past 10 years.
