Christmas - Lili on the Loose

8 07, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Nightmare Before Christmas

By Lili|July 8th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2016, Christmas, Disney, Disney World, Florida, Jack, Magical Weekend, Nightmare Before Christmas, North America, Orlando, Sally, USA, Walt Disney World|0 Comments

Happy Christmas in July! I wanted to share these two dolls I got in Orlando last year. There was a full size Sally, but she just looked weird and that bothered me. So I went with the smaller cartoon-like version of her instead. But the smaller cartoon-sized of Jack looked funny, so went with his more true skinny version. Both were found in the Christmas shop in Walt Disney World. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

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!!

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.

10 12, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Christmas Pyramid

By Lili|December 10th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Christmas Pyramid, Egypt, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Guatemala, Lichtergestelle, Mexico, Munich, Pyramid|0 Comments

I've seen ancient pyramids in Egypt, Guatemala, & Mexico. But while traveling in Germany I frequently saw larger than life Christmas Pyramids at the Christmas Markets. A glowing Pyramid in Munich Christmas Pyramids originated in Erzgebirge aka Ore Mountains of Germany (like the Nutcracker) and is rumored to be a predecessor to the Christmas Tree. It is designed more like a tiered carousel which often depicted Christian scenes like angles or mangers, while others might feature forests or everyday life. The spinning motion at the top was often achieved by candles whose rising heat would help spin the propeller.

5 12, 2016

Travel Missteps: Best Job in the World

By Lili|December 5th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2011, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, pretzels|0 Comments

The Christmas Markets of Germany are magical places full of Christmas cheer and goodwill....Or at least it is for the visitors. For the vendors? Not so much. Mouthwatering Pretzels at the Frankfurt Christmas Market. On the last day of the Frankfurt Christmas Market a few years ago, my family was delighted to find good deals as many stalls had discounts on their products. While we shopped we worked up a good appetite and saw these amazing German pretzels. While we looked them over, my little sister made small talk with the owner. "This market is so magical! You

1 12, 2016

Holiday Gift Giving Legends Around the World

By Lili|December 1st, 2016|Categories: Culture, Travel|Tags: Austria, Christkind, Christmas, Culture, Europe, France, Germany, Infographic, Italy, Krampus, La Befana, santa, Santa Claus, Travel Thursday, USA|0 Comments

Its December 1st, and while getting ready for the upcoming holidays I cannot stop thinking about the Christmas seasons I've spent abroad. Its amazing the different stories we have for the holiday gift giving around this time of year. Here are the top 10 "Santa Legends" from around the world. Courtesy of: Milkwhale Every other week Travel Thursday brings you travel tips and information on the amazing sights and activities the world has to offer.

26 11, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: German Boot Mugs

By Lili|November 26th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, boot, boot mug, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Cristkindlmarket, deposit, ein Pfand, Europe, Germany, Glühwein, mug, mugs, Munich, Pfand, Weinahtsmarkt|0 Comments

As I've written before, collecting German Christmas Market Mugs can be addicting! Here are two examples of the elusive "boot mug" that you might find at Christmas Markets. I cannot recall where the red one is from (yes I bought way to many mugs) but the blue one is from Munich. It also is more molded, with buttons, laces, and more "fold" texture around the base of the mug. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

7 04, 2016

Gondola Ride in Venice, Italy

By Lili|April 7th, 2016|Categories: Activities, Travel|Tags: 2006, All in the family 2005/2006, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Christmas, door, Europe, Gondola, Gondola Ride, gondolier, Italy, New Year's Day, New Years Eve, Photo Essay, ride, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice, Venice Lagoon|1 Comment

On a cold rainy (and a little snowy) New Years Day I found myself in a actual Venetian Gondola. I was being serenaded by a man with an accordion. And while it was rainy, it was also magical. We were the only boats out that morning, and due to the cold the typical "smelly water" was nowhere to be smelled. It was amazing gliding through the side canals, under bridges. The few other tourists we saw took our photos like they were the paparazzi. If you make it to Venice you must take a ride in a gondola, no matter the

12 12, 2015

Souvenir Saturday: Mugs from Munich’s Medieval Christmas Market

By Lili|December 12th, 2015|Categories: Drinks, Geek, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, deposit, ein Pfand, Europe, Feuerzangebowle, Germany, Glühwein, Holy Grail, Indiana Jones, Indiana Jones and the Last Cursade, Mead, Medieval, Medieval Market, Middle Ages, Mittelaltermarkt, Movie, mug, mugs, Munich Adventsspektakel, Odeonsplatz, Pfand, renaissance festival, rum, Warmer Met, wine, Wittelsbacherplatz|0 Comments

There are hundreds of Christmas Markets in Germany during the Christmas season. A of the unique one that I visited was in Munich, and it was a Medieval themed Christmas Market. Found in Wittelsbacherplatz, a short walk from Odeonsplatz it is called the "Adventsspektakel und Mittelaltermarkt" (Advent Celebration and Medieval Christmas Market). Since Christmas Markets in Munich date back to the Middle Ages, it is easy to get in the mood here, with the stalls decorated like a mini-renaissance festival. You'll see people in period dress and they play their roles well. You may also be treated to dancers or musicians for entertainment. The stalls