I invite you to visit the '30 Days of Cozi' to read my newest article about using the Cozi Family Journal.
Cozi is a free online family planning system... and so much more!
I have to admit, the commercials made me skeptical. I'm a failure when it comes to foreign language. I completely bombed jr. high Spanish; my girls know more espanõl from watching Dora than I do. I tried learning Gaelic from a book and CD but couldn't get beyond what I already knew: craic (pronounced crack; it means fun, entertainment, enjoyable conversation) and slainté (pronounced slanj; it's a toast meaning good health or "cheers").
So when I was asked to try Rosetta Stone I was hesitant. What made their approach so different? Well, they treated me like a 3 year old. That's not a bad thing. Not many of us can remember a time when we didn't speak. But if you have children you know that they learned to speak by listening and observing you. And that's how Rosetta Stone works; you listen and observe. Within minutes I could identify girl (cailín) and boy (buachaill), woman (bean) and man (fear). The software went on adding plurals, eating, drinking, walking, reading, swimming- all quite seamlessly. I was learning new words without even trying!
The software has a voice recognition system that helps you with pronunciation along with a visual system that helps you match the words and phrases to the correct images. It's really quite nice, but difficult to explain. To see it in action click here. To try it yourself click here.
I used the Irish and, after listening to me for a few nights, Doug tried it too. We were both very impressed and are planning to buy the full set soon. I really like that it comes with Audio Companion CDs that I can load into my iPod and listen to anywhere.
Rosetta Stone is kid friendly and easy enough for a 3 year old to use. Both of my girls tried it and asked to "play the Irish game" again. (Just a thought for Rosetta Stone- a Nintendo DS version would be amazing!) Rosetta Stone is available in 31 languages including English (British- which I must say I am intrigued to play with!), French, Spanish (both Spain and Latin America), Italian and Chinese.
If learning a new language is on your New Years resolutions or a foreign vacation is in your plans Rosetta Stone can help achieve your language goals. As for me, I hope to be speaking decent Irish by May.
Disclosure: Rosetta Stone let me demo the software online and sent me a headset to try it.
I've been working on plans for the past few weeks for a winter getaway for us. Because Doug's family is in Texas it made sense to plan something in the south. We haven't been down in almost 3 years and it will, hopefully, be warmer there than our home in Iowa in late December. Here's the plans so far:
A bright and early departure and 12+ hour drive to Dallas. I'm not yet sure where we will be staying. Any recommendations for family friendly lodgings?
We'll spend 2 days in Dallas then head down to Houston to stay 3 nights at The Woodlands Resort. Hopefully it will be nice enough for the girls to play in the pool. We're looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the nature trails. Any Houston experts have a "not to be missed" attraction?
Our drive back will also begin early, but we won't do it in one day. We'll come back through Louisana and Arkansas with a stop in Ozark, Missouri at Lambert's- the home of the Throwed Roll. We've eaten at Lambert's once, years ago and can't wait to take the girls.
After filling our bellies we'll drive a few more hours to Kansas City for a good night's rest. Then another filling meal: Irish Breakfast at Raglan Road before we visit Chocolate: the Exhibition at Union Station.
We'll need the chocolate buzz for the drive home.
Look for individual posts about our destinations and activities coming soon! And be sure to give me some Houston tips!
CheapOair is having a 12 Days of Travel contest beginning Monday November 30. Prizes include gift certificates for travel and gift cards for American Express and Macy's.
It's a Twitter contest so you need to follow CheapOair and re-tweet the phrase of the day. There is no limit to the amount of prizes you can win but you can only tweet once per 24 hours.
Check out the info, rules and prizes here.
I am the featured travel blogger during the "30 Days of Cozi". Cozi is a free online calendar- and so much more!
Today's topic- how color-coding my calendar helps travel planning. Click here to read the article.
Forget your troubles and enjoy relaxing in the luxury at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, co-sponsored by SpaWeek.com.
The Sweepstakes winner will receive the following: accommodations for the winner and one (1) guest for two (2) nights at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa; one (1) Pas de Deux ninety minute couple's spa treatment; anda one hundred dollar ($100.00) credit at REDS Restaurant at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa - a prize worth approximately $1200.
One entry per person. Enter here.
Contest ends 11:59pm EST, November 30, 2009. Rules are here.
Don't overlook all the great activities Iowa offers. Here are my picks for this weekend:
Top Pick: 18th Annual Holiday Stroll & Bazaar in Marshalltown.
See reindeer and Santa at the parade down Main Street for the annual lighting of the holiday lights on the courthouse square. Businesses open late with treats and free entertainment.More events around Iowa
Music, song, dance and comedy headlined by vocalist Tony Kenny, Ireland's Entertainer of the Year. At the Grand Opera House.Southeast Iowa: 16th Annual Arts & Crafts Show at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City
Over 150 talented exhibitors will be presenting and selling the Midwest's finest handcrafts with thousands of unique creations. This is one of the area's largest shows. Among the various items presented at the show are oak furniture, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, metal art sculptures, pet products, yard art, pottery, candles, clothing, floral wreaths, stained glass, and many more original products.Central Iowa: Pella Historical Christmas Walk
Exhibitors will also be selling food items such as salsa, barbeque sauce, dips, jams, dried food and soup mixes, fudge, and gormet bread, All items offered for sale to the public are handmade by the exhibitor present at the show. Most exhibitors will also accept special order requests.
Admission to the show is only $3, with anyone 10 and under free. Show hours are 9 AM to 4 PM.
Enjoy complimentary cookies and coffee as you stroll through 20 buildings lavishly decorated for the holiday season.Southwest Iowa: A Bite of Bedford
Holiday shopping, food samples, festive atmosphere in small-town Iowa.Northwest Iowa: Holiday Collections Craft Fair at the Sioux City Convention Center
23rd Annual Holiday Collections Arts & Craft Fair Saturday, November 21 from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday, November 22 from 10am-4pm! A $5.00 paid admission is good for BOTH days, and kids 12 and under are FREE! Over 150 exhibitors showcase handmade items to get your home ready for the holidays. As always, the Sioux City Convention Center offers free parking, and enter to win door prizes throughout the event.Get out and explore Iowa! If you would like your community event listed here please contact me. For more events around Iowa visit Travel Iowa.
This past weekend I hosted the I_Blog Conference at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa. I have to say that beyond the beauty of the hotel the staff worked very hard to make sure a good time was had by all. They worked with me every step of the way to make sure my event would go off without a hitch. Everything was perfect from the food, to the social hour, to the conference room we used. I highly recommend the Hotel Pattee if you are looking for a hotel for any event.
Now, on to the hotel... I stayed in the Irish room.
The room was tastefully decorated with Irish woolens, Aran knits and rough hewn furniture. Irish knick-knacks were around the room and Irish sayings rimmed the ceiling. When lit from just below with a dimmer it was almost ethereal. My favorite part of the room were the built in cabinets. Mine had a small nook with a pull out writing table. This room was so comfortable... I could have easily curled up in here and let the weekend pass by.
The bathroom was large with an oversized sink/ vanity and a bathtub/ shower combo.
The Hotel Pattee is a boutique hotel and has only 40 rooms, each with it's own theme. All have the wonderful built in cabinets, some have whirlpool tubs and some are handicapped accessible. Two rooms, the Kids' Suite and the Travel Suite, are family friendly and overlook the whimsical sculpture garden.
The wonder of the Pattee isn't only in its' rooms. It begins as you walk through the heavy wooden doors into the lobby. I think breathtaking is the only way to describe it. The tiled floors, the mahogany desk and the stone fireplace, modeled after the one at the Biltmore in North Carolina. It's beautiful and inviting and unexpected.
Just to the side of the fireplace is the library. Shelves of books, floor to ceiling, invite you to peruse, choose and relax. Even the bathrooms are fabulous!
In the basement of the hotel is a rare treat: a two lane bowling alley. Leave the husband and kids there and go relax in the spa. There is also a fitness center, steam room, sauna and hot tub.
If you're hungry you don't have to leave the hotel as the best food in Perry is found on property at David's Milwaukee Diner. I recommend the quiche. If you are there on a Sunday morning don't miss the brunch, served from 10 am - 2 pm.
The Hotel Pattee sits on the edge of Perry's quaint downtown area. Wander around, take in the small town atmosphere,relax and just enjoy your stay.
Room rates vary depending on type of room and day of the week. Be sure to check for special package deals.
My friends Tamara & Ryan are having a fundraiser to raise money for a sibling adoption. Please take my word as gold when I tell you that they are a great family and are not going to abscond with your money: there will be a winner for this raffle.
The prize is: 2 airline tickets + a 5 night stay at a Marriott anywhere in North America, Central America or the Caribbean.
A minimum of 350 tickets must be sold, a maximum of 600 tickets will be sold. Pretty good odds for your $5.
Rules and contact info can be found here.
Iowa is filled with so many festivals, celebrations and activities. These are my picks for this weekend:
I will be hosting the first annual I_Blog Conference at the incredible Hotel Pattee in Perry this weekend. There are still a few tickets left for this great line up of speakers, fun and I_Bloginis! click here if you are interested in attending.
Central : Iowa's Premier Food & Wine Expo, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, November 13 & 14
Iowa's largest culinary celebration! Iowa's Premier Wine and Food Expo will be a destination to collect recipes, sample wine, spirits and speciality beers, including those from local brew pubs and wineries. See live demonstrations and more!West: Victory Fighting Championship, Mid-American Center, Council Bluffs, November 13
Celebrity Chef appearances by Duff Goldman of Food Network's Ace of Cakes and Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channels Bizarre Foods.
Tickets $20 per day or $35 for both days. Friday noon-10pm, Saturday 10am-9pm
VFC 29:THE RISING fight card will have ten plus fights on schedule, full of great regional and national MMA talent.Northeast: VMH Foundation Christmas Fantasy, Allamakee County Fairgrounds, Waukon
Tickets:
General Admission: $23 ($28 day of show), plus applicable fees
Reserved Ringside: $103, $93 and $83, plus applicable fees
Reserved Tables of Ten (must purchase entire table): $730, plus applicable fees
Time 7:30pm
Uniquely decorated Christmas trees, food, music and other events and attractions to get everyone in the Holiday spirit. Many items for sale as well.
Free event. Open Friday 13 thru Monday 16.
Exhibition of decorated trees, wreaths and lights. Visit with Santa on November 15 and reserve your spot at the gala fundraiser November 21. At the Muscatine Art Center. Free event, 1-5 pm.
After spending three months in Scituate and seeing all the sights in and around Boston it was time to begin our long drive back to Iowa.
We passed the Skylon Tower. We didn't ride to the observation deck, though I hear it is an amazing view. I also understand that the food in the revolving restaurant is absolutely fabulous.
We did, however, take a spin on the Sky Wheel. (C$10 adults, C$6 for kids; we had coupons and saved a bit.) The wheel turns quite slowly and we were able to get great photos. We fit 4 adults and 4 kids into one "pod".
After our chocolate stop we actually made our way to the falls. I love this photo over the spring daffodils looking across the falls into the US.
Something else I love are the signs warning you not to climb over the fence. What I truly adore about this one is that the decorative fence on the sign looks just the the fence it is on! (See top photo.)
As we left the next day we made a quick stop at Souvenir City. This place is huge. Inside is a glass blowing factory where you can watch the blowers create amazing figures with melted glass and their breath. It is one of a handful of places in the world that make cranberry colored glass. Yes, I bought a little something.
Win a getaway for two to Kansas City, Kansas! This package includes:
~ Two-night stay at Candlewood Suites
~ $50 gift card to The Legends at Village West
~ $50 gift card to Cabela’s
Enter here. One entry per person. Contest ends January 3, 2010. Rules are here.
Win a 6 day trip for two to India! Sponsored by Conde Nast and the Food Network.
Prize includes: three (3) nights’ accommodations in a Luxury Grande Sea facing room in the Palace wing of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, India; two (2) nights’ accommodations in a Palace room at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India; breakfast for winner and guest each morning; airport transfers between the Mumbai airport and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, and between the Jodhpur airport and Umaid Bhawan Palacer; Connoisseur Membership to Indagare (terms and conditions apply); and $1,000 spending money that can be used to cover travel expenses.
You can enter daily. Rules are here. Contest ends November 23, 2009.
About half an hour west of Des Moines lies the tiny town of Dexter. Dexter may be most well known as the location where Marvin and Blanche Barrow, of Bonnie & Clyde notoriety, were captured. (For more information on Dexter please view my article at UpTake Attractions.)
Lesser known, but nearly as famous, are Drew's Chocolates. Drew's Chocolates began in 1927 when Helen Drew began making candy in her Dexter home. Today Drew's is in the same location, on the west edge of Dexter.
The house is unassuming though the small sitting area just outside the door invites you to relax for a bit and enjoy the treats you've purchased.
After entering you carefully walk down the steps into the basement shop. Suddenly you have left the tiny house and have entered a chocolate haven.
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