December, 2016 - Lili on the Loose

31 12, 2016

December 2016 Recap

By Lili|December 31st, 2016|Categories: Blog Recaps and Roundups|Tags: 2016, Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Blossoms of Light, California, California Academy of Sciences, Carrie Fisher, Castello di Amorosa, Chinatown, Christmas, Denver Botanical Gardens, Doctor Who, Fortune Cookies, Global Entry, Hippy Van, Hornblower Cruise, I left my heart in San Francisco, Japanese Tea Garden, Lucasfilm, Napa Valley, North America, Panel Shows, Petrified Forest, Rogue One, San Francisco, SSSS, Star Wars, TSA PreCheck, USA, Winchester Mystery House, Wine Tasting, Yoda|0 Comments

Ah the lovely Christmas season in December! I had a great month! Locally I went to the Denver Botanical Gardens Blossoms of Light for the first time! Travel I spent Christmas in San Francisco! This was my second time to San Fran, but the last time was after I recently had ankle surgery and so couldn't really walk that far. So this time I was all GO GO GO! I did and saw so much but still need to make it back! I also got approved for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck! So no more SSSS list cause I'm a Trusted Traveler now!!

30 12, 2016

Auld Lang Syne

By Lili|December 30th, 2016|Categories: Photography, Travel|Tags: 2016, castle, Disney World, fireworks, Florida, Magical Weekend, North America, Orlando, Photo Friday, USA, Walt Disney World|0 Comments

Fireworks at Disney World. Hope you have a Happy New Years Eve tomorrow! Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

29 12, 2016

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

By Lili|December 29th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: Abu Simbel, Africa, Ancient, Antigua, Assisi, Aswan, Austria, Barrier Reef, Basilica of San Francesco, Bath, Belize, Cairo, Caye Caulker, Central America, Champs Elysées, Chichen-Itza, Coiba, Dahshur, Dashur, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Egypt, Eiffel Tower, England, Europe, Florence, France, Germany, Giza, Great Pyramids, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Guatemala, Hadrian's Wall, High Dam, Holy See, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Leanding Tower of Pisa, Loreley, Louvre, Luxor, Mayan, Memphis, Mexico, Middle East, National Park, Necropolis, North America, Notre-Dame, Nubia, Panama, Panama Viejo, Paris, Petra, Philae, Philae Temple, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Pompeii, Pyramids, Ramesses II, Rhine River, Rhine Valley, River Seine, Roman Walls, Rome, Rüdesheim, ruins, Sainte Chapelle, Salzburg, Saqqara, Scotland, Seine, Siena, snorkel, Thebes, Tikal, Travel Thursday, UK, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, United Kingdom, USA, Vatican City, Venice, Venice Lagoon, Verona, Wesminster Abbey, Westminster, World Heritage, Yellowstone National Park|0 Comments

"Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration." - UNESCO There are thousands of world heritage sites. I've been to 30 of them: Salzburg Austria Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg A turtle in Belize Belize Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System Ramses Temple at Abu Simbel Egypt Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis Historic Cairo Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to

26 12, 2016

Museum Monday: Giant Ground Sloth

By Lili|December 26th, 2016|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: 2013, DC, Eremotherium, fossil, Giant Ground Sloth, Museum Madness, National Museum of Natural History, North America, Smithsonian, USA, Washington DC|0 Comments

A Giant Ground Sloth at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. They could reach up to 20 feet in length although this one is *only* 13 feet tall. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

24 12, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: German Porcelain Candle House

By Lili|December 24th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, candle, ceramic, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, clay, Europe, Frankfurt, German Christmas Market, Germany, Kastel Keramik Haus, Lichthauser, market, porcelain, Tudor|1 Comment

One souvenir that you'll see commonly at German Christmas Markets are these little ceramic, clay, or porcelain houses. (Although now you'll see all types of buildings including churches to castles.) Mine are from Kastel Keramik Haus (or they are also known as Lichthauser) and I purchased it at my first Christmas Market in Frankfurt. It was the last night of their market, and so I got some of these little houses for 50% off. They either have a hole in a the back, or separate into two pieces so you can place a candle within it. You'll see the light flickering

23 12, 2016

Antique Ornaments in Munich, Germany

By Lili|December 23rd, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas in Germany 2011, Europe, German Christmas Market, Germany, mangers, Munich, Ornaments, Photo Friday, Red|0 Comments

The stalls at German Christmas Markets are so beautiful. This one had antique ornaments hanging from the ceiling with mangers in the background. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

21 12, 2016

Recipe: Cheesy Potatoes

By Lili|December 21st, 2016|Categories: Food, Food & Drink, Recipe|Tags: casserole, Cheese, Cheesy Potatoes, crock pot, potatoes, Printable, Printable Recipe Card, Recipe Card|0 Comments

In my family we have a tradition of having spiral sliced ham and these cheesy potatoes for Christmas day. Its also one of my favorite pot-luck things to make in a crock pot. You can easily make this either as a casserole or in a crock pot, and the preparation is essentially the same. Here is what you'll need: 32 oz frozen hash browns (thawed if making in a crock pot & you plan on eating quickly) 2 cups sour cream 2 cans cream of chicken soup 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 tablespoon of salt 1 1/2 cup onions, diced

19 12, 2016

Travel Missteps: Sinking Venice

By Lili|December 19th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2005, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Europe, flooding, Italy, lagoon, New Years Eve, rain, Trafalger, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice, Venice Lagoon, weather|0 Comments

Visiting Italy in the off season had its benefits. Venice wasn't crowded on that New Years Eve. There weren't annoying pidgins accosting anyone. And since it wasn't hot, the lagoon water didn't smell. But, I did find it odd that these weird tables were stacked all around the city. I wondered if it was for some New Years tradition that I wasn't aware of. But in the off season you have to deal with poor weather. I certainly got my money's worth out of my new rain boots and jacket. Here you can see St. Mark's Square! Except...the rain and

16 12, 2016

Hope and Joy

By Lili|December 16th, 2016|Categories: Photography|Tags: Christmas, Christmas Tree, Colorado, North America, Ornaments, Photo Friday, USA|0 Comments

My mother's Christmas tree from last year. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

15 12, 2016

Colourful Christmas Doors of Burano, Italy

By Lili|December 15th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2006, All in the family 2005/2006, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Burano, Christmas, door, Europe, Italy, New Year's Day, New Years Eve, Photo Essay, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice, Venice Lagoon|0 Comments

I love taking photos of doors and windows. Here are some of my favorite from the little island of Burano, near Venice, Italy. I had the chance to wander around the deserted streets of Burano on New Years Day a few years ago and to peek into the windows and see the families celebrating together. I also enjoyed the chance to see the beautifully decorated doors amongst the multi-colored houses. Every other week Travel Thursday brings you travel tips and information on the amazing sights and activities the world has to offer.