Packing Light: How to pack 1 carry on for a 9 day trip

As I prepare to go off on another adventure, I thought I would share with you how I pack my bag, and how I manage to only have 1 carry on bag to last a 7-9 day trip!

When I was a teenager, I read an article in some magazine that suggested rolling your clothes instead of folding them to save space...I have been doing so ever since!

First, I pick out the amount of shirts, underwear and socks I'm going to need. I usually end up wearing the same thing for the 2 travel days there and back, so that cuts down on space already! ;)

Then, I fold the shirts lengthwise, making sure the arms are folded in like so:

After this, fold underwear in half and put on top of shirt, then add a folded pair of socks (or you can leave the socks unfolded)

Then, roll them up, like you would a sleeping bag:

After I've rolled up around 7-8 of these, I put them in my trusty bag that I've taken with me all over the world for the last 15 years or so, making sure to have my passport and travel papers of course:

And then I add an extra pair of pants, some jammies, and my little zip lock bag of toiletries, as well as a book, snack and camera, and voila! A perfectly packed bag for a 7-9 day adventure!

Much easier than going through the hassle of checking a bag and hoping it makes it to your destination!

Happy travels!

Rachael

#travel light #adventure

Latchhooking 101

Today I would like to talk about latchhooking. An enjoyable craft most people can do! They sell all sorts of kits that come with the proper colors and amounts of yarn and the mesh with the pattern printed on it. All you need to buy besides the kits is a latchhook tool like this one:

latchhook tool

You can find latch hooks at stores like Michael's, Walmart, Joann, Herrschners and online at Amazon.  If you're feeling extra creative, they also sell blank mesh so you can make your own design, you'll just need to make sure you have the right size yarn.  They do sell precut yarn, but if you have some yarn you want to use that is not cut, this is about the size it needs to be (approx. 2.5 inches):

Yarn length, about 2.5 inches

I shall use a kit in order to display the steps needed to create your very own latchhooking masterpiece.

My mom got me this hummingbird latch hook kit for Christmas last year, and I just finished it not too long ago! Here's what the finished design looks like:

Finished hummingbird and flower latch hook kit

How did I get there?

One piece of yarn at a time!

First, you will need to wrap a piece of yarn around the latch hook tool like so:

Then, take your mesh, and put the tool through one of the squares. If you are using a kit with printed color designs on it, make sure you have the correct color:

Then, open the thin piece of metal on the hook and wrap the yarn around that:

Then close the latch, the yarn is now locked into the tool, and gently pull through the mesh:

The tool should then come free of the yarn. Then you can pull on the yarn to make sure it is secured to the mesh:

Then repeat until you are completely finished with the design!

I usually like to do 1 row at a time, which take between 15-20 minutes. It is a time consuming craft, but if you keep at it, doing a little at a time, you too can create a latch hook masterpiece!

Finishing Off

Most of the time I make my latch hook designs into wall hangings, but you can also put them on pillows and make rugs!

In order to finish off your project, you must sew the remaining mesh to the back of the design.

Fold over the remaining mesh behind the design, and using heavy thread and a needle, tack it onto the back. Make sure none of the blank mesh shows in front. Then you can decide whether to make it into a  wall hanging, which is probably the easiest, or a rug or pillow.

Once you tack on the remaining mesh to the back, you can attach a rug binding to the back to hide the yarn. I like to just leave it as is, since the backside will be facing a wall if you make it a wall hanging!

For a closer look at how to finish a latch hook project, check out this site here!

Happy latch hooking!

Rachael

#latchhooking

Celebrating Easter with crafts and song!

As Holy Week approaches, I remember all the Easters past and reminisce about the traditions I grew up with...

Starting on Palm Sunday, we always had (and still do) Palm fronds at church to remember when people lined up along the road and welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with Palm fronds, singing 'Hosanna!'


We would also sometimes make crosses out of the palm fronds. There are instructions on how to make your own palm frond cross here.

Then, in between Palm Sunday and Easter, we would make jello eggs, using real eggshells as the mold! My mom would make a small hole on top of the egg and take the insides out, then gently wash it in water and pour in the jello mix and let it set in the fridge. Then we would peel off the eggshell, and voila! Yummy jello eggs to enjoy:)  Here's how to make your own, using a mold.

We also used to dye eggs, and sometimes paint on eggs as well! Here's one that my sister made when she was a kid:

 And we would decorate styrofoam eggs with pins and sequins, like the ones pictured below:



On Thursday that week we sometimes went to a Maundy Thursday service, which is to remember the Last Supper, when Jesus and his disciples ate together before Judas betrayed Jesus and had him arrested.

Good Friday remembrances were next, when Jesus was beaten, mocked and killed on a Roman cross...dying for us all so we might have eternal life through him! All who accept Jesus' free gift of his own life for theirs will be saved from eternal death, and have eternal life with him in heaven! A life far better than this one could ever be:)

Here's Old Rugged Cross, one of my fav Easter songs, take a listen:



Then, early on Easter morning, we would get our Easter baskets, full of tasty treats like chocolates and jelly beans:)

Then we would go to the 'Sonrise' service to celebrate Jesus' resurrection, when he conquered death once and for all! We would have a skit about the morning when the women and disciples found that Jesus' tomb was empty, and later seeing Jesus before them with the wounds in his hands and feet and side that he took for us.

We would also sing several songs, like Because He Lives:



After this, we would have a big Easter breakfast at the church. Then we would go home for a couple hours and have a jelly bean hunt before going back to the regular morning service.

In the afternoon, we would have an Easter dinner with family before going on an Easter egg hunt. My mom also used to give us kids clues, which we had to follow until we found our present!

Easter is a good time to remember all the things Jesus has done for us, and to spend time with family and friends!

What are some of your Easter traditions? Please share in the comments below!

Happy Easter!

Rachael

#Eastertraditions #Eastercrafts

Studying in Scotland: My Year-Long Grad School Experience 2007-8

It was late summer 2007. I had just graduated from college in New Hampshire and was getting ready to head off to grad school at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Before this, I had traveled twice through school to the British Isles (Ireland and England), and was now ready to explore further north, while earning my MSc in Osteoarcheology (the study of bones in an archeological context).

In late August I headed out of Boston to go across the Pond (Atlantic) once more. I always research before going on any trip, and had looked up the different steps I needed to take to get to my destination.

My plane landed in Glasgow, where a few weeks before there had been a terrorist attack. This did not deter me, since I figured it was the safest time to go with the heightened security.

I then took a bus over to Edinburgh, the capital city, and the place I would call home for the next year.

I arrived in St. Andrew's Square bus station and took a cab up the hill to my lodgings, which ended up being right off the Royal Mile near the castle!

Edinburgh Castle (from Prince's Street Gardens)

View out my window of Scott's Monument

 I signed in and was shown to my flat (apartment) that I would be sharing with 4 other girls. We each had our own rooms, and a shared kitchen and bathrooms. One of my flatmates was already there, and we went for a walk. I found out she was from Canada. My other 3 flatmates were from Taiwan, China and Ghana. We all got along fairly well, but I ended up hang out with other people I met elsewhere.

My 2nd day there we had an orientation meeting for the 3 buildings comprising Milnes Court. This is where I met one of my best friends, Sophia from L.A., who I shared many amazing adventures with, along with other friends, mostly who went to New College, right by where I was living!

New College

We all worshiped in several different churches together, including St. Giles Cathedral right on the cobble-stoned streets of the Royal Mile, a must see for all Edinburgh visitors!

St. Giles on the Royal Mile

Over my year spent there, I developed many friendships and explored many places.

Another place I recommend checking out if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Edinburgh is Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park, right near the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the opposite end of the Royal Mile from the castle.

me climbing Arthur's Seat

In the middle of this park it's like you aren't even in a city anymore, a much appreciated spot for country lovers like me to escape the hustle and bustle of city living!

Me in Holyrood Park

The swans agree, as they can be seen near the ponds in the park!

swan overlooking pond in Holyrood Park

I also got to explore several castles outside of Edinburgh with my friends, and ate at a variety of eateries like cafes and pubs, and Chinese and Indian restaurants, and even tried some haggis! (Very flavorful, and good in small quantities).

Craigmillar Castle outside of Edinburgh

 During classes, I learned more about anatomy and physiology, how different domesticated animal bones look, and what happens to bones over time and in different environments. I did my dissertation on exploiting the antler and researched about the ways people have used antlers, specifically roe deer antlers, since they are native to the British Isles, throughout time in the British Isles. I also did a hands on portion and actually got to make some of the items I found in my research!

Dissertation Antler items- digger, stamp, paralleliped die, cube die, gaming pieces, and pendant

About half way through the year, in February, I had to move because of dry rot. So I ended up down the street on the opposite end of the Royal Mile closer to Arthur's Seat.

view out my window of Arthur's Seat and rainobws

In early April, I took a day trip up to the Highlands. This is what many think of as the real Scotland, and I must agree! As far as cities go, I enjoy Edinburgh, but I prefer being out in the country! :)

While only long enough to whet my appetite for more, this day trip allowed me to see quite a bit in a short time. I went with Timberbush Tours, a small group tour company, and we headed out of the city on a snowy morning up north to explore mountains, lochs and castles.

We stopped at Glencoe, saw a hairy coo named Hamish, and got to go on a cruise on Loch Ness and wander around the ruins of Urquhart Castle, a good place to spot Nessie!

Highland Mountains

Hamish the Highland coo

Cruise on Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness

And even though there was snow and rain on and off all day, the sun did make an appearance when it mattered the most, when we were on our cruise of the loch! A worthwhile experience, and one I hope to repeat soon!

Studying and living in another country is a great way to immerse yourself in another culture and broaden your perspective. I highly recommend the experience!

If you would like more information about traveling to Scotland, please check out VisitScotland's site here to explore places and things to do on your own Scottish adventure!

#Scotland #studyabroad