No Easter Bunny

Easter Sunday Greetings to our Family and Friends in Australia. Although we are separated by many miles you are in our thoughts today.

Please think of us as you sit together for an Easter meal and tuck into your chocolate treats.

The Easter Bunny didn't visit us in our digs at the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston. Please don't be concerned we are quite comfortable here.

Thawing out

Now that we have hit Boston we are beginning to defrost. The temperatures here are warmer than in Chicago and we are not missing the biting breeze that chills Chicago from Lake Michigan.  We were up at 4:45 am to get to the airport for out 7:00 am flight (I love cheap plane fares). I have been very pleased with our two flights on South West Airlines and will book with them again. Their planes seem newer and cleaner then American and Delta, they allow two pieces of checked luggage per person, they give a drink and a snack, the staff we have encountered have been very pleasant and we like their organised system for boarding.

I'm in luck with hotel our selection in Boston. That we were given a room on our arrival at 11:00 am started our visit off on a positive note. The hotel is sleek and modern and on the waterfront. As one who always books the cheapest room in a good hotel I didn't expect to see the water but we were upgraded at checkin to a (big, bright and airy) waterfront room so I am seated at the desk watching out over the view pictured below.

To the left

And to the right The Boston Tea Party Museum (front) and The Boston Children's Museum (back)

When I enquired at reception I was told that internet is not included in the tariff. I mentioned that this is what I was told at the sister property in Chicago but after I posted a message on Facebook expressing my disappointment I was give free internet. The Boston reception desk lady then said "I suppose I can give it to you". I am rather pleased as I wasn't going to pay $17.95 per day for this convenience. I'm glad I don't have to go in search of a McDonalds or Starbucks to get my internet fix.

Today we took a Trolley Tour that conveniently passes by the hotel, tomorrow morning we will visit the Tea Party Museum and in the afternoon are being taken on a car ride by genealogy friends Heather and Vincent.

I wonder what surprises tomorrow afternoon will bring? 

Fortunes

I hope the prophecies on our fortune cookies from dinner tonight at P F Chang's in Chicago,  are accurate as we continue our holiday.

This was the first time we had dined at this restaurant chain, it won't be our last. 

Morton Aboretum

Thanks to Paul and Carol Milner, our mates in Chicago, we had an excursion out of the city to the Morton Aboretum yesterday. 

Our day started with a train trip on the Metra to the town of Park Ridge where Paul collected us for our adventure.

The Aboretum shop was a den of temptation

The Morton Aboretum Library - a stunning facility with a fantastic display of ancient plant books

It wasn't too cold for this man to take a walk in the Aboretum  woods

Chicago Weather Yesterday

No Need For Text - These Photos Tell The Story

Breakfast In Chicago...

And then We're Off On A Behind The Scenes Tour of The Aquarium  Thanks To The Milners.

The Holiday Begins

After A Hectic conference Week We Are Leaving Salt Lake City For Chicago.  Presently We Are Sitting In The Airport Waiting For our Flight To Chicago.

Fanfare in Salt Lake City

Those of you who follow my Geniaus blog will know that I hit the ground running in Salt Lake City. I've had a great time so far meeting up with old friends, organising a dinner for the Aussies who are in town and doing a spot of research.

I also exercised restraint on my visit to Macy's only buying one pair of shoes and a couple of other items. The newly opened City Creek shopping center just up the road from the hotel is very tempting.

The Harvard basketball team, their cheer squad and a Harvard band are also resident in our hotel. I travelled down in the lift this morning with a delightful young man and his trombone. He was kind enough to pose for me when we reached the hotel foyer.

Ready for takeoff

Sitting on a Qantas A380 ready and looking forward to our next adventure. First stop Salt Lake City.

Dirty Granny

Look at the cider the family offered me at a gathering yesterday.

What sort of granny do they think I am?

Captain Greybeard

I love reading and writing blogs but mostly I confine my reading to genealogy blogs or those whose content I can apply to genealogy.

As a frequent traveller I read a small number of blogs on this topic. One blog I have been reading and enjoying over the past few weeks is Captain Greybeard from  the UK that is devoted to news and gossip about one of my favourite modes of travel, cruising.

If you, like me, enjoy life on the ocean waves the Captain's blog might appeal to you too. Here is a link to his latest post.

Transatlantic party to celebrate 10th birthday of Cunard's Queen Mary 2

Quite tasty

I found this recipe amongst my bits and pieces the other day and thought I'd  try it for dinner last night and I managed to get it right. The quantities mentioned gave three decent servings (you'd be still hungry if you tried to stretch it to the suggested 6 servings).

The verdict of those I served was "You can cook this again."  I'm sorry I didn't take a photo as it looked rather impressive.

There's an app for that..

I am constantly amazed at the range of apps available for tablets today.

When my granddaughter grabbed her iPad for piano practice I said "Why do you need that?"  She hastily retorted that it helps with her scales ... and it does.

She uses "Awesome Playing" to select scales for practice.