Parting shots

It's been a year filled with big events and so, so, so many pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.

Blind bag Brussels

We're all familiar with blind bag models... 

But did you know there are blind bag flights, too?

First, you select a category. 

Carol and I chose Culture. 

Then you are shown the list of cities from which your blind bad will be drawn. Our options were Amsterdam, Brussels, Leipzig, Vienna, Barcelona, Milan, Zagreb, Berlin, Dresden, Rome, Bremen, Krakow and Sarajevo. Secretly, I was hoping for Vienna or Barcelona.

We bought the tickets, and held our breath as we waited to see where we were going. 

So this morning we flew to Brussels.

We checked into our hotel, then caught a train to the Atomium...

and Mini Europe.

Then we rode the train back to the hotel and walked to the Manneken Pis.

That part of Brussels smells like waffles...

and chocolate so, of course, we had some of each.

It's been another good day. I look forward to ringing in the new year here in Belgium.

Today

Today I walked up seven hundred and fifty narrow spiral steps to spend time with the gargoyles on Europe's tallest church.

Then I had a riding lesson on Tornado, who is perhaps Europe's tallest school horse.

Today was amazing. Tomorrow we fly to Brussels.

Weekend Showcase: Frida

Once again, Kylee Parks has outdone herself. The NaMoPaiMo 2020 medallion is spectacular. I can not wait to share him with everyone, but before that happens, I want to take a moment to celebrate the 2019 medallion, Frida. Here she is in all her painted glories. Thank you to everyone who made NaMoPaiMo 2019 such a huge success. I can't wait to see what you paint in 2020!

Kristen Eidsmoe

Airen Chandler

Andrea Brygidyr

Caroline Sigwalt (work in progress)

Carrie Keller

Christina Riley

Stephanie Blaylock

Oksana Kuks

Tara Reich

Tyler Rogers

Stacy Kianese

Jean Sorensen

It's really happening

On Thursday, my entire family drove me to the airport.

I went to the North security line specifically hoping to see Teresa, and I did! 

She x-rayed my horse bag carry on, and told me all the Mini Whinnies looked pretty funny.

I walked to my gate and looked at the sign. Wow. This is really happening.

Then I boarded the plane.  

It takes nine hours to fly from Denver, Colorado to Frankfurt, Germany. 

That's a really long time, and I was awake for every minute of it. 

I changed planes in Frankfurt. 

This flight was only forty minutes, and the plane was almost empty. 

My first look at Stuttgart. 

And finally! I got to take a picture on Carol's amazing balcony. 

I can't believe it. I am in Europe. This is really happening!