November 25, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 3 DAYS

A Pinch of this and a Dash of that..

​Well Hello there and Happy Wednesday to ya!

I survived my shop-a-thon Tuesday (Remember: the one that usually intimidates me). I had a very long shopping list and my original plan was to hit 7 stores - well that turned into 10 stores. But I did it!
It really wasn't all that bad after all.

There are a few items that I'll need to pick up at some point today, but aside from that I am ready to Rock-N-Roll in the kitchen!!

Our cabinets and fridge are full to the max, so overstuffed that I needed to keep some items on our countertop.
​I'll be making some adjustments as the day goes on and things start being prepped and prepared. So we'll see how I do with utilizing the space.

​Now not to totally be offensive but if that is how you decide to take it...up to you.
One thing I noticed while I was out and about yesterday was the really long line out of
Honey-Baked Pigs. Obviously I'm vegan - I love pigs and all other animals!
A true pig hugger (but that is getting off topic).

The topic and point is: I cook everything from scratch - as does the majority of my family (I know that Elisa and Danielle are hard at work in the kitchen today).

Doesn't anyone else in this country cook for their families anymore??

​Let's not forget:

How sad. Are we (not us - but them) too busy to spend the time adding the most important ingredient (LOVE) to our loved ones meals?

When did our society become so consumed with being busy that we put of families and relationships on the back burner and let all of our priorities go haywire??

Food for thought. Let's try to be more conscious of our actions and what the effects from our actions will be.

Now since it's W2GW, I wanted to share a few things/places for you to go!

My numero uno for Thanksgiving is -
THE ICONIC MACY'S THANKSGIVING PARADE

AND
Did you know that, according to Travel + Leisure: An anonymous donor gave $50k to make California Parks Free on Black Friday!
For more on this and a list of some of the participating parks CLICK HERE 

As you know, we will be heading to Catalina Island this weekend:

Here are the Top 5 things to do on Catalina Island:

• Tour the Catalina Casino and Avalon Theatre.  - The Catalina Casino is not a gambling hall, and residents of the island insist that it never will be. Instead, this is a casino in the Italian sense of the word—a house of entertainment and gathering. 
• Rent a Golf Cart: Catalina residents drive golf carts because it's difficult to get permission to bring an automobile onto the island, but most visitors do it just for fun. 
• Take an Inland Tour: Hikers and residents with special driving permits can go inland, but for the rest of us, a tour is the only way to get to see Catalina's back country.
• Ride a Glass Bottom Boat: Santa Catalina Island is famous for crystal clear water and glass bottom boats—a perfect combination for fun and discovery.
• Visit the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens: The Memorial honors the memory of William Wrigley Jr., who lived from 1861 to 1932. Although best known as the founder of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, largest manufacturer of chewing gum in the world, he also played an instrumental role in the history of Santa Catalina Island. 

And that about sums up my thoughts for the day, the rest is all about the food!!! Time to get to work!

​-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 23 DAYS

Why & Where We Travel on Thanksgiving

Howdy to you!!  Baby, it's cold out!  
My car thermometer read 31 degrees this morning when I took the kids to school.
BRRRRRR!!

​Though, I have to say, I do love the cold weather! (cut to a month from now, when I'm shivering non-stop wishing for Summer!)

Will you be traveling for Thanksgiving? If so, you are in good company.  

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the following travel patterns can be expected during the 6-day Thanksgiving travel period:

How many, and how far...
* An estimated 42 million people will be traveling this year for Thanksgiving.

* The number of long-distance trips (to and from a ­destination 50 miles or more away) increases by 54 percent during this period.

​How do we travel...
* Most long-distance holiday travel, about 91 percent, is by personal vehicle, such as by car.

* While crowded airports and bus and train stations receive heavy media attention on Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, 9 out of 10 travelers use personal vehicles.
​
When do we travel...
* According to the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) reveals that Thanksgiving Day is actually a heavier long-distance travel day than Wednesday.

* For those traveling by air, bus, rail, or other commercial mode, Thanksgiving travel ­patterns follow a traditional pattern where Wednesday’s volumes are higher than Thursday’s.

If by car...
* This year, 42 million people are expected to take to the road 

* For those traveling between 50 and 99 miles (44 percent of personal vehicle trips), more travel on Thursday than Wednesday, and more return on Saturday than Sunday

* For those traveling at least 100 miles away (56 percent of personal vehicle trips), trips are spread almost equally throughout the Wednesday through Sunday travel period.

* The average Thanksgiving long-distance trip length is 214 miles
​
* About half of holiday travelers make same-day trips without spending a night away.

Far, far away...
* Long-distance travelers who make overnight trips at Thanksgiving spend an average of just under three nights away.

* Over 99 percent of the long-distance trips that begin during the Thanksgiving holiday period are to destinations within the United States.

* Visiting friends and family account for 53 percent of all Thanksgiving long-distance trips.

Who are the travelers...
* The average age of Thanksgiving travelers is just under 34 years

*  At Thanksgiving there is a nearly even split between male and female travelers. 

Now that you know who and why people are traveling on Thanksgiving, let's take a look at the busiest airports...

According to Orbitz, the 10 busiest airports in the United States during Thanksgiving weekend are:

1. Los Angeles International (LAX)
2. Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
3. San Francisco International (SFO)
4. Denver International (DEN)
5. Boston Logon International (BOS)
6. John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
7. Orlando International (MCO)
8. Newark Liberty International (EWR)
9. Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW)
10. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)

Today...
I'll be doing lots of cooking for our big Thanksgiving feast tomorrow.  I'm in charge of the salad, one of the desserts and the cornbread.  I'll be making that today with my two little helpers!

We'll also be helping my sissy and her mother in law with the rest of the goodies including mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, string beans, glazed carrots, stuffing and some other surprises!!

Well, my dear friends, I hope you have a wonderful day today!! And if you are traveling, do so safely!

-E
xoxo