Paging Passenger Maggie...

I know, I know...I've been a little silent recently here at my slice of the internet.  With work picking up, the holiday season upon us, and Mr. C and I trying to get ready for a move to a new house, I just haven't been making the time to sit down and check in with you all.  Well, I will make the time and I will return soon, so don't go away (or if you do, take pictures and tell us all about it!).

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Until next time (which will be soon, I swear!), travel on...
Maggie

Happy Turkey Day!

I hope everyone out there in bloggy-land is able to take time today to enjoy loving family, delicious food, and good drink.

If you are traveling, take it slow and get there safely!

The little stuff...

When I am exploring somewhere new, one of my favorite things to do is to find Main Street.  I love to meander down a bustling street that flanked by bakeries with fogged up windows from fresh bread, eclectic shops that display their wares on the sidewalk to entice you inside, and pubs with open-air fronts that allow the boisterous laughter of their best customers to spill out onto the street.

Why do I love this so much?  Because it is small.  It reminds me of what downtown areas probably were like decades ago.  I enjoy seeing things that you will never see at your standard grocery store, mega mall or Target.  And of course, it is really great to know that my business has supported the little guy.

So, why am I telling you about this now?  Well, as most people know, Black Friday is coming up.  A day to sprint through stores, claw your way to bargains, and stand in long lines at the register while you hold your $8 all-in-one waffle iron/coffee maker/blender.  While I admit that I do shop on Black Friday and I do shop at the mall and Target quite often, this year I want to support a different tradition.  Small Business Saturday is a day to cross some items of your holiday shopping list, find unique gifts with character, and to once again, support the little guy who isn't likely making millions of dollars, but truly has a passion for their business.

There are all kinds of small businesses to support - restaurants, liquor stores, yoga studios, dry cleaners, hair salons, and of course, etsy shops!  If you aren't familiar with etsy, it is an online marketplace for homemade and vintage items.  I used it quite a bit during my wedding planning to add special DIY details to the day that were beyond my skill level. 

Our awesome etsy wedding invites from Cricket Printing!

These days, I have my own etsy shop that combines my interest in DIY, my business-school learnin', and my love for doggies!  Check out The Muddy Paw Dog Treat Barkery!  While you are there, be sure to check out the etsy shops of awesome crafters to see if you can find any gifts for those who are on your list this year.

Until next time, shop small!
Maggie

What do forts, notebooks, and shooting stars have in common?

Well, it is almost here - Thanksgiving.  Food, family, and football.  People are already stating to get their grocery lists, dining room tables, and stretchy pants ready. Bring. It. On.

Let's not forget what the day is really about - we are supposed to take time to give thanks for the great things in our lives on this holiday.  If I wait until Thanksgiving to think this through, I will be halfway into a tryptophan-induced coma before I am able to make my list.  So, tonight, as I find a few moments of quiet and calm to myself on the couch, I'm doing just that - making my list of what I will be giving thanks for this upcoming Turkey Day.

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I'm thankful for the fact that my life lead me to find Mr. C.  I don't remember the exact moment that I realized that he was going to my best friend for the rest of my forever, but I've been convinced of that fact for quite a few years now.

I'm thankful for the wet-nosed, bed-hogging, crazy-shedding dog named Murphy who joined our family.  From the moment that he licked my suede shoes at the shelter we adopted him from, I knew he was ours.  He is a good sport that puts up with me showing him human love by hugging him and petting him and snuggling him and I adore him when he shows me puppy love by giving licks to the face and dropping his favorite toys at my feet.

I'm thankful for a career that has a clear purpose which in turn gives me purpose.  Like most jobs out there, I experience tough days, stressful days, frustrating days, and long days in my job, but for every one of those days, there are those rewarding moments that make all of the tough stuff worth it.

I'm thankful for my healthy body.  Health is definitely something that is tough to appreciate until it is gone.  It takes effort to remember how special it is that I have muscles and joints that move like they should, a heart that pumps like it should, and senses that let me see, hear, taste, and feel like I should.

I'm thankful for chocolate.  Thai food.  Funfetti cake.  Blanket forts.  Pretty notebooks.  The color blue.  Lucky numbers.  etsy.  Pink nail polish.  New running sneakers.  Fuzzy socks.  Yankee candles.  Shooting stars.  Bargains.  Sea glass.  Traditions.  Organization.  Country music.

What is going on your list of things to be thankful for this year?

Who needs stickers?

Both Murphy and I had doctor appointments yesterday, so as a reward for putting on our brave faces, instead of getting "We were stars at the doctor today" stickers, we decided to take a drive into the historical town of Lexington, MA.

The sun was out and the air was crisp, so I decided to put down the windows in the car.  As Murphy gets older, he is getting more and more comfortable with putting his sniffing snout out the window and taking in all of the smells that are flying by him.  Also, as he gets older and older, I'm getting somewhat better at not being such a clingy parent and can now actually allow him to reach the end of his nose out the window.

 

 

Our first stop was to pick up a special treat for me and Mr. C to enjoy for dessert later in the day.  When he and I were in Napa Valley this past summer, we found a great bakery that is known for their macarons (stay tuned for a future post all about Napa!).  Macarons, with one "o" are delicate pastries made with almond flour, not to be confused with macaroons that are made with flakes of coconut. 

Needless to say, we really enjoyed these special treats in Napa, but with the exception of small bakeries that are nestled in large cities, it can be pretty hard to find these tasty, crispy, melty macarons.  About 6 months ago, I found Macron Sweeterie, located on Mass Ave in Lexington. 

This small boutique cafe features macrons, gelato, and coffee.  Before you even taste these little treasures, you eyes are dazzled by the colorful hues of both the cookies and their fillings.  I thought the fig and honey lavender macarons looked the most beautiful in the case, but my taste buds were drawn to the Nutella, salted caramel, almond, and dark chocolate macarons.

Next up on our list of fun places to visit was Wilson Farm.  I love stopping here, especially in the fall months.  Here, you can purchase every kind of fresh fruit, veggie, cheese and bread that you can want in addition to flowers, plants, and pumpkins.  The best reason to visit Wilson's Farm though?  On the weekends, they make fresh apple cider donuts outside and you can smell the deliciousness all the way from the parking lot. 

For just 50 cents, you can watch dough be dropped into hot, sizzling oil which puffs up the batter into a perfect ring.  Soon, it travels on a conveyor belt that slowly inches the golden dough closer and closer and closer to the brink of being tossed into a giant bowl of cinnamon sugar.  Before you know it, that freshly-made apple cider donut is picked up in a small sheet of parchment paper and is in your hot little hands (no, seriously, the donuts are still really, really hot!).  Talk about heaven.

So, the macrons are already gone and the donuts will be following suit really soon.  Do you have special treats that you have found at shops around town?

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Falling Back

What are you going to do with your extra hour of time this weekend as we "fall back" for daylight savings?  If you are anything like my friend Stephanie, you will probably be using it to work on some project in your house or for some craftiness as you turn something that was outdated and old into something fresh and fun. 

Stephanie's blog, Sandpaper and Glue, features the projects that keep her and her fiance Matt busy as they continue to settle into their first home that they purchased last year.  I always read along loving all of the ideas she comes up with and being secretly super jealous of her mad skills!

Another reason that I like to follow her blog and another reason that I am proud to call her a friend - I love seeing updates about her dog Dutch who was rescued through the Lucky Lab Rescue last year!  Look at those ears!

Stephanie is hosting a fun giveaway on her blog through this Monday.  Want to know what the prize is going to be and where it is coming from?  Well, I've got the answer for you!  I recently opened my etsy shop, The Muddy Paw, which features healthy and homemade treats for pups.  I really enjoy making special dog bones and treats for my dog Murphy and realized that I could take it a step further by starting my own little business venture.  Check out my shop and let me know what you think!

Also, when you read Stephanie's post about the giveaway, you can learn about how your purchase of Muddy Paw treats can actually help other dogs at Lucky Lab Rescue who have not yet found their forever families, but are certainly in the best hands possible until then.

Want your shot at winning some treats for your four-legged friend?  Find out how to enter Stephanie's giveaway here!

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

On a summer must-do list...

Every summer, I make a list of must-do's for the span of June, July, and August.  Towards the end of this summer, Mr. C and I decided to take a drive on a Saturday afternoon on back roads to see where we would end up.  After driving through many centers of small towns and driving down narrow roads that were hidden beneath leafy overhead canopies, we arrived to Nashoba Valley Winery.  On this balmy August day, we just stumbled on this spot, but it was in fact one of the last remaining items on my summer 2012 must-do list!

We found a place to park in the big gravel lot and strolled past the apple trees that would soon be covered in crisp fall fruit and past the small pond filled with tadpoles before getting to the main house on the property.

As I mentioned, we were visiting on a particularly warm day, so the beer tasting bar actually called our names right off the bat.  We shared a set of samples and tried a light, seasonal summer ale, a frothy, dark ale, and a hard cider made from native apples. 

I made a few of the selections and Mr. C made a few as well. Spending an afternoon at a winery probably isn't considered the most "manly" of activities, that is, until you hear that he ordered the BBQ brew.  I gave this a try - I mean, hey, we were there to sample and try new things, but let me tell you - this was a big mistake!  This tasted like I licked the bottom of a meat smoker and washed it down with some used wood chips.  Bleck.  Not your best work, Nashoba, not your best.

After recovering from the smoky beer, we moved from the beer tasting bar to a room in the back of the building for wine tasting.  This room was pretty packed and we had to nestle our way into a space at the bar between bus tour groups and rowdy bachelorettes.  Nashoba makes both traditional grape wines, but also quite a few wines from other fruits like blueberries, apples, and raspberries.

We again enjoyed sharing a tasting flight between the two of us - we were after all driving ourselves home.  We made our way through the dry and sweet whites, then the reds, and found that we had one remaining sample. 

We both thought that trying the Oak-Aged Apple Brandy would be a good last selection.  The bartender smirked a bit as he poured the small splash of brandy into our sampling glass and I now know what that smirk meant.  "Good luck you crazy kids, prepare to feel like your lungs, throat, stomach, and face are on fire on this hot August day in this packed, sticky room filled with too many people."  Yipes - I'm pretty sure we both hacked a little bit after taking little sips of this brandy.  I think that if I ever want to give brandy another shot, it will have to wait until the winter rolls into New England, which shouldn't be long now.

We enjoyed our afternoon adventure together and I'm glad we were able to check this item off my summer to do list!

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Drum roll please...the total is...

Well, we have made it to the end of October and I know that for me, it flew by faster than expected.  I guess that is just another sign of getting older - you could tell me that it is still August and I just might believe you.  Time seems to just slip by in the blink of eye, which means I need to make even more of an effort to enjoy things in life so I don't miss them!

I always enjoy seeing that my blog has another view or that a particular post is popular, but this past month, it has been extra rewarding to watch your comments and shares come through as I aimed to raise both breast cancer awareness and funds to support the cause.

 Here is what we ended up with:
- Seven comments on the blog post "Keep Calm and Fight On"
- Ten shares, likes or posts from Facebook

Overall, based on the deal I originally proposed, this would mean that I would be donating a total of $17.  There is just something about even numbers, so I will gladly be rounding up that number to an even $20.  Sure, $20 is not tons of money, but just think, it is $20 more than would have been donated if it wasn't for your words, your clicks, and your posts.  How easy was that?

Thank you to everyone who shared my post, especially those who maybe I haven't talked to in a while, but felt it was worth taking the leap to share anyway.  Thanks to those who I don't even know, but were willing to share my story.  Of course, thanks to everyone for your warm, loving, funny, supportive comments on the blog!

Until next time, FIGHT on...
Maggie

A Windy, Rainy, Stormy Day of Forts, Cards, and Flashlights

Today, as I sit on my couch safe and sound since work is closed due to the impending weather from Hurricane Sandy, I was thinking back to my younger days.  Growing up in Central New York, we had our fair share of big storms in the winters in the manner of blizzards or ice storms.  In summers, hot days that were cooled off by cold fronts lead to storms with huge thunder claps and giant bolts of jagged lightening.

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I've always loved storms - I love gathering flashlights and candles to light the way when the power goes out.  I grab all the pillows and blankets around to make a cozy fort to camp out in.  I find all the playing cards around so games of crazy eights and rummy will make the time fly by.

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So, today, while I get my flashlights, blankets, and playing cards ready, I will keep in mind that we are lucky to probably just get some big wind gusts and heavy rain.  I know that others will not be as fortunate today as this storm passes through.  Hopefully you will be one of the those who get to just wait out the weather.  If so, what are your favorite stormy day traditions?

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

A Fall Favorite - Apple Picking

Recently, Mr. C and I spent a Saturday afternoon up in New Hampshire and it was a perfect day for apple picking.  We chose to go to Brookdale Farms, which is actually a spot we have gone apple picking at every year since we were in college together. 

Even though we don't necessarily need apples at home, it is a fun tradition to keep up together.  I love driving down the dusty and bumpy road to the orchard.  My favorite part is coming around the final bend in the road and seeing a sharp, pointed steeple from a local church piercing the blue sky filled with puffy clouds.

Every year, I have to hunt down Empire apples.  I love how crunchy and tart they are - most people rely on apples like these for baking, but they are some of my favorite to eat (and I always try at least one while out picking, but who doesn't?).

Does anyone else ever feel bad for all of the forgotten apples that are spread around the ground beneath the trees?  I know, I know...apples don't have feelings...but still?!

We picked such a nice day to go, I didn't even need warm boots or a jacket!  Fall is my favorite season for sure, but there is no need to rush the cold weather, now is there?  I broke out the flip flops and made my way through the stringy hay in the orchard.

It was a succesful trip of picking a few good apples, sampling one here or there, and of course, grabbing a pumpkin to bring home to adorn our front porch.

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

A Weekend Away, Eh?

While traveling for work isn't always as glamorous as it may first appear, there are in fact a few benefits!  I recently was working in Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Canada.  This meant that the Niagara area was practically begging to be visited!  Since I have been away from home quite a bit this past month, Mr. C decided that he would come spend the weekend with me.  I already had the hotel, the rental car, and my expenses paid for thanks for work, so we only had to worry about getting him to me!  He flew into Buffalo on a Friday night and stayed through Sunday afternoon.  It was great to get a special weekend away together amidst the many weeks of me being away from home and my new husband.

Now, most people from this part of the country have visited or at least heard of Niagara Falls, but what about Niagara-on-the-Lake?  This little gem that is less well-known should be added to the list of must-see spots for anyone who loves charming lake towns, tasty restaurants, and small wineries. 

Niagara-on-the-Lake is situated right at the edge of Lake Ontario - one of the Great Lakes.  This region makes for great grape growing conditions.  Many wineries in the Finger Lakes and Niagara region are known for their sweeter wines, but upon exploring, there are some great dry Rieslings and full-bodied Malbecs out there as well.  I usually am not a fan of white wine, let alone dry whites, but Mr. C and I tried a Riesling at Maleta Winery and the crispness of the wine was what really struck you, rather than a sharp dryness. 

In terms of sweet wines though, I would be remiss if I did not mention the amazingness which is icewine.  Icewine is created when grapes are left on the vines until the temperatures drop below freezing.  This wrinkles and crinkles up the grapes, extracts out the water, and leaves just pure, un-diluted grape juice behind.  These grapes are then harvested and made into sweet, nectar-like heaven!  Icewine from the Niagara and Finger Lakes region is commonly made from a grape varietal known as "vidal" but if you get the chance, I think the harder-to-find Cab Franc variety is a winner in its own right.

We came home with a bottle of icewine from a small, family winery called Between the Lines.  Streets in this area are called concessions and lines rather than the typical street, road, drive, etc.  This winery is situated between two of the lines, earning its play-on-words name. 

The operation is led by two brothers from Germany and one of their wives is the "face" of the winery.  She was a lot of fun to talk to while sampling.  I hate when you feel awkward sipping away at your wine and you have the person behind the counter just staring at you.  She knew her stuff when it came to wine, but she was still relaxed and welcoming as well.

No visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake would be complete with out a meal.  The heritage district is where you can find the "Main Street"-esque action of cafes, boutiques, wine shops.  The sidewalks are bustling with tourists and locals and the center of the road is anchored by a large clock tower.

Mr. C and I found a small Irish pub for lunch and enjoyed good drinks and food.  The best part of our meal came at the end when we ordered traditional Irish custard.  I had never heard of this and was honestly a little skeptical from the waitress's description of it being more runny than a frosting, but thicker than a pudding.  We didn't know what to expect, but the dish was beautiful to look at as it was swirled with sweet toppings.  After we hesitated for maybe a millisecond about not messing up the pretty design on the custard, we dove in and found that it was lighter than we expected, fresh, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet.

Overall, it was a great weekend spent together enjoying our neighbors to the North in Canada!

Until next time, travel on, eh???
Maggie

Blogeo #2

Still figuring out this whole video blog thing, but here is attempt number two!  Enjoy!

Until next time, travel on...

Maggie

The Eternal Debate: To Recline or Not To Recline...

There it is...one small, silver circle...one little button. 

How could something like this, when pressed, lead to some pretty strong feelings from most people?  Well, when you have paid three-hundred-something dollars to sit in a pilly-fabric chair, 30,000+ feet above ground in a metal tube filled with other fellow airplane travelers, that is precisely when just one little button can lead to something much bigger.

Nearly everyone has an opinion about reclining seats on an airplane.  Some feel that it is their God given right to press that little silver button and they will recline if and when they want to, damn it!  Others would never consider doing such evil as they wouldn't wish a reclined seat on even their worst enemy.

Where do you stand? 

Is it your right to get a little more space and fly in a more comfortable position? 

Is it rude to shove yourself back onto someone else's lap during your time in the sky?

Do you think it is more of a "case by case" situation - does it matter if you look over your shoulder and ask first?  What about the length of the flight?  Exit rows?  So many variables!

Let's hear your thoughts!

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Sights and Bites #3

Hello from the Garden State!  Currently, I'm in New Jersey for a week of business travel.  Last night, after a full day of traveling through the rain, I decided to find a place for a relaxing and refreshing dinner.  Having covered this territory for three straight years, I can confidently say that I know the lay of the land and have found my "favorites" in many categories.  I have a favorite hotel to stay at, favorite roads to take, and favorite restaurants to visit. 

One place that I found my very first year is a restaurant called Grato in Morris Plains, which is today's featured place to grab a "bite".  This restaurant has a warm atmosphere and ambiance as the stone walls are dimly lit with over hundred candles.  The white table clothes let you know that you are in for a top-notch experience, but the friendly staff keeps the place from being stuffy.   I can't figure out if Grato reminds me more of Italy or Sonoma, CA, but either way, I always have a nice time here.

When first seated, guests start their dining experience with freshly made, crusty-on-the-outside-yet-soft-on-the-inside bread and pesto ricotta spread.  After a few minutes of reading the dinner menu from my seat at the bar, I decided to order an arugula salad with ripe fig, soft Gorgonzola cheese, crispy pancetta and a lemon olive oil drizzle.  I also decided to make an easy choice and enjoy a glass of the house red wine, but they have a pretty extensive list of other wines by the glass and bottle. 

Of course, no meal for me is complete without indulging in some sweetness.  Per the recommendations of both my waiter and other nearby diners, I went ahead and ordered a desert called tartufo.  This was a large scoop of hazelnut gelato covered in a soft shell of chocolate and hazelnut crumbs.  It was plated with caramel sauce and homemade whip cream and the best part was the surprise middle!  In the middle of the scoop of gelato, I found crisp almond biscotti and candied cherries. 

As I was sitting around and taking some time to savor my desert, the bartender was describing an interesting basil lemonade that they have been serving.  From seeing that both my and fellow bar diner's curiosity was perked at hearing about such an interesting sounding drink, he barely hesitated a second before insisting that he make up a small batch of it for us to sample right then and there.  It was crisp, refreshing, just the right amount of sweet.

Overall, it was a great meal with great service in a great location.

Today, yet another drizzly, cloudy day, I was looking forward to stopping by one of my favorites places.  Now for those of you who know me, you can probably guess what I'm about to name as this post's "sight" and for those of you who don't know me as much, well, I can't wait to tell you all about this great spot.  Drumroll, please - today I spent part of my afternoon at a Wegmans grocery store!

I know, I know - when you think grocery store, you think meat, dairy, produce, freezers, check out.  This is so much more!  The variety of things to see, sample, and enjoy seem endless and the people who work here are friendly and helpful.  I enjoyed strolling up and down the aisles of Wegmans today, picking up an item or two to bring home to our pantry once I return from this trip.  I grew up in Central New York and we typically shopped at Wegmans, so visiting one of these stores while I'm traveling gives me a little taste of home and comfort.

So, that's that folks - a great place to find a tasty Italian meal and spot that can help fellow Central New Yorker's reminisce about home with a visit to our equivalent of Mecca.

Until next time, travel on...

Maggie

Keep Calm and Fight On

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!  For those battling breast cancer, a special month certainly isn't needed to be aware of this nasty disease, but for others, it is a great chance to take time to learn more about prevention, symptoms, and how to fight for a cure.

For me, it is ironic that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month as two years ago, it was a night late in October when I first noticed that something seemed "off."  I had carried a heavy box that day and figured I must have just pulled a muscle in my chest or shoulder.  I didn't want to think anything of it (even though the little voice in my head said to pay attention).  I remember telling Mr. C about it in passing and I probably don't thank him enough for pressing me to call my doctor.  I wanted to dismiss it, assuming it would just go away with time, but finally decided to call my doctor to run the situation by them. 

Fast forward a week or so, one ultrasound scan, one biopsy later, and one unforgettable phone call asking me to "bring someone with me" to hear the results of the biopsy.  Just like that, my life was changed forever.

I was going to ask you to take a moment this month to schedule that overdue mammogram soon or to take a few minutes to check yourself at home or to at least learn about your family history and risk factors.  I was going to ask you to do all this for me, but then I thought, no, that isn't right.  

Do it for you. 

Do it so you never have to make a phone call to your family 300 miles away with heartbreaking news.  Do it so you don't have to learn how absolutely fab-u-lous you look with no hair and no eyebrows.  Do it so you don't have to quickly get over your inexplicably crazy fear of needles.  Do it so if there is something to catch, you catch it early!

For each comment received below or link to this post on your own blog, I will donate one dollar to breast cancer research.  Do your part by spreading the word and I'll do mine by supporting the cause!

Until next time, travel fight on!
Maggie

You're Making Me Blush!

Well, you've all gone and done it again!  Another big milestone hit in bloggy land - 1,000 blog views here at my little slice of the internet.  I appreciate your visits, your clicks, your comments - they are little pieces of encouragement to keep the posts coming!

Thanks for being readers of my blog!

Until next time, travel on...

Maggie

My First Blog-eo

I know, I know...all the cool kids call video blog posts "vlogs," but I'm thinking I like the sound of "blog-eo" much better.  I did this with just one take, so please excuse the shaky camera, the run-on thoughts, and the complete overuse of um.  Anyway, with that, here is my first try at a "blog-eo."

  

Thanks for watching and feel free to share your favorite travel tips below!

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Keep Your Routine and Travel On...

It's 6:00am.  You wake up to the repetitious hum, hum, hum of your cell phone alarm, feel the balminess of the 5-degrees-too-warm room, pull back the overly-crisp white sheets, and put on your flip flops that you strategically placed at the side of your bed last night so as to ensure you never, ever step on the orange/black/maroon/brown colored burr-burr carpet below you.

Welcome to another day on the road.

Mornings are usually not my favorite part of the day, especially when I'm not waking up in my own bed with a good morning kiss from the hubby and a brief cuddle session with the pup.  Away from home, I usually have the multiple layers of hotel curtains drawn so tight that not even a single ray of sunshine can come through.  This, of course, is due to the fact that I had to shut them the night before to block out the bright sports stadium-esque lights that are all seemingly positioned outside just my window in the hotel parking lot.

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When you live a significant portion of your life on the road for work, mornings like the one I described above can be a real morale killer.  After multiple seasons of being on the road from September through November for my job, I realized that I would have to change a few things so I could stay positive and frankly, less grumpy.

Do you have morning routines that you enjoy?  When I'm at home, I always turn on the Keurig, gather some snacks for the day, make my coffee, and try to take just a little time, even 5 minutes to sit down and watch the news, read a few pages of a book, or just enjoy our back deck while taking in the frosted morning light.

So, as I recently prepared to leave for a week of travel, I packed some of my favorite granola bars, a recently-borrowed library book, and an actual coffee mug.  By leaving my travel mug behind, I'm hoping to make time to actually enjoy sipping away at my morning caffeine boost in my room instead of taking gulps in the car while looking at the GPS, checking the traffic report, oh, and singing along to that annoying-but-oh-so-catchy Taylor Swift song (bonus points if you know what song I'm thinking of...).

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie