4.30.2010 "ARE SPRING FLOWERS MAKING AN APPEARANCE YET?"

CAROLINE, ENGLAND (UK)

Tulips reaching for the sun ~ what could be more beautiful?!



BUCKEROOMAMA, HONG KONG

Not exactly spring flowers as they bloom pretty much all year round, but these bougainvilleas add that bit of color to what has been a mostly overcast, foggy, and dull spring this year (weather-wise).


LOLA, UTAH

I didn't post my shot last night because I have been crazy/busy and knew that I hadn't taken time to shoot one. But this morning, as I was pulling photos from my memory card, I saw that Kort had taken some the other day! Yay! He did it as a "present" for his teacher - too funny! So, here are the flowers that are "making an appearance" in the ever cold, ever snowy land of Utah! Tulips are tough!



BECKY, PHILADELPHIA

‘We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.’ ~Thornton Wilder



TEZZIE, FINLAND

Unfortunately, spring flowers haven't made their appearance yet...maybe in a couple of weeks (here's hoping!)



RIKAKO, JAPAM

My favorite is surely cherry blossoms. I am sorry it scattered already at the beginning of April.



NISA, THE BAHAMAS

We don't really have Spring here. Flowers bloom all year round. Again, I don't know what these are. You all seem to know your flowers, so hit me! What are they? *grin*



SUKI, GERMANY

I just love cherry trees and their flowers :)


SONYA, THE NETHERLANDS

Beautiful spring flowers are everywhere to see!



SARAH, GEORGIA

I love seeing the trees in bloom before all the flowers and shrubs start. A few weeks ago the cherry blossoms were gorgeous! This one is in our front yard and it was covered in so many white flowers that from a distance, it looked like snow! My other favorites are the pink dogwoods that are all over the south :)



ROCIO, BORDER OF MEXICO

Our Beautiful "Opuntia Rufida"(Blind Prickly Pear)is giving beautiful flowers...♥♥♥ What I love about this plant is that has two different edible sections: El "Nopal" the pad of the cactus, which can be treated like a vegetable, and La "Tuna" the pear, which can be treated like a fruit.

4.29.2010 "TRANSPORTATION"

BUCKEROOMAMA, HONG KONG

A tram. Apparently Hong Kong has the word's largest double-deck tram fleet. The tram is the cheapest way to get around Hong Kong at only HK$2 (US$0.25) per ride, regardless of distance. And if you are a senior citizen, you could ding-ding* along for half the price. (*How the locals refer to the tram; also, the sound of its "horn" to warn people of its approach.)



ROCIO, BORDER OF MEXICO

The Urban System / "La Marqueta" is how the valley people call this place.



CAROLINE, ENGLAND (UK)

An alternative view of our family minibus :)



NISA, THE BAHAMAS

Does this count? lol!



BECKY, PHILADELPHIA

Here is my ride. Gary's 1998 Mustang. So...we have a nice little family car but Big G doesn't like when the Mustang lets him sit. The obvious thing to do is switch with your wife who works in the ghetto of the city, right? It hasn't let me sit yet. Knock on wood! It is a little smooshy in the back seat.



RIKAKO, JAPAN

The public transport of the town where I live is so good. The bus, the subway, and the train are used. However, it is a bicycle or walking that I use most. As for the photo, my sister is holding my child in the subway terminal.



SARAH, GEORGIA

That's my "mom mobile"! A black, Honda Odyssey. I always said I didn't want a mini-van before I was 30. I got this a couple of months before my 30th birthday. Since I'm short, it really is easier for me to buckle the kids when they are babies, rather than lift them up into an SUV, which is what I had before this car. But as soon as they're old enough to get in the car themselves and buckle their seat belts, I would not be sad to see this car go :)



SONYA, THE NETHERLANDS

Biking is the typical Dutch way of getting around town. Because of how crowded The Netherlands is, it is often the fastest way too.



TEZZIE, FINLAND

My 'ride"...uh, yeah...I'm soooo a middle aged mommy! ;D

4.28.2010 "TODAY"

ROCIO, BORDER OF MEXICO

Today we are buying a bunch of candies for our Mexican Celebration "El Día del Niño" (Children's Day) Every April 30th México makes a HUGE celebration for our little ones! I remember when I was little we always had big school parties. Music, candies, cake, clowns, prizes, piñatas, good yummy foods, etc. I always had a blast! My hubby and I are planning an extra extra special day for our kiddos, I can't wait! Do you have a special day for your children in your country?



SARAH, GEORGIA

Last day of antibiotics for my 2 boys. One has strep throat and the other has an ear infection AND strep throat. We are also getting ready for my husband's birthday tomorrow!!



SONYA, THE NETHERLANDS

Today I baked Focaccia for the first time...watch out Nigella.



SUKI, GERMANY

I ate a few cake balls I made the past weekend. They are delishious.



TEZZIE, FINLAND

Today, I've really got to give Linus a good brushing...he's shedding puppies!



BUCKEROOMAMA, HONG KONG

On my way from the library, I passed by the dry goods section of the local market. Here, they sell different grades of dried mushrooms. scallops, shrimps, cuttlefish, sea cucumber, etc.



RIKAKO, JAPAN

We walked around the shopping street with the family.



BECKY, PHILADELPHIA

We helped Grammy pick up sticks in the yard so Pop Pop can mow. You know how a lot of men pride themselves on perfectly manicured lawns? My Daddy prides himself on being the last man in the neighborhood to start mowing in the Spring... I just love my family! Isn't my Mom the cutest thing?



NISA, THE BAHAMAS

This is a portion of my "to be read" pile. I think I better find some reading time.



LOLA, UTAH

We went out to take some pics of Kort and my 6 1/2 month belly. This is one of my favorite shots. The look on his face is priceless. So much joy there. We have all waited a really long time to have a baby on the way! This is the smile he wore when we told him he was going to be a big brother, and this is the smile he wore when he found out that we were having another boy, and this is still the smile he still wears every time he talks about "Baby Bob."



CAROLINE, ENGLAND (UK)

The moon by day!

4.27.2010 TUESDAY AROUND THE WORLD - "WHAT HELPS ME RELAX"

Okay friends, it's that time again! Time to link up and share your Tuesday with us! We want to know, what helps you relax? Post photos of what helps you relax on your blog and then link it to our site! Be sure and share what you're doing and link back to communal global so your readers know how to jump in and get involved as well! Next Tuesday , our theme is simply "Today" so be thinking about what part of your day you want to share with us then! But seriously, what helps you relax?

SUKI, GERMANY

All I need is a rural spot, the sun, a book, my camera and my glasses. Then I am all set :)



TEZZIE, FINLAND

...is being out in the fresh air, capturing nature scenes...and then playing with the images in photoshop afterwards!



BUCKEROOMAMA, HONG KONG

Manhattan Transfer's Tonin'.... Does that betray my age?



CAROLINE, ENGLAND, UK

I used to relax like this, now my son does ~ playing guitar, flat on his back, in the spring sunshine!



LOLA, UTAH

Well, cooking can be REALLY stressful at times (of course), but when I have time, and a little bit of quiet, it can be one of the most relaxing activities I take part in. I am having a serious love affair with artichokes these days.



NISA, THE BAHAMAS

Practicing music helps me relax.



BECKY, PHILADELPHIA

When I drive home from the city and I am stressed and tired and grumpy, this little boy totally makes me relax. He is funny and snuggly and truly my perfect match. I would be a gigantic uptight mess without him! Kaish is my relaxer!



RIKAKO, JAPAN

When I was thinking what helps me relax, my kid was wearing "Relax" outfit! Anyway, it is the silence, and specially silent night after my kids goes to sleep helps me relax.



ROCIO, BORDER OF MEXICO

just laying down next to my pink angel in front of our beautiful resaca...♥♥♥



SARAH, GEORGIA

Time to myself is what helps me relax! I enjoy taking and editing pictures. I also enjoy cooking -- reall cooking, not just "kid foods" :) But my all-time favorite relaxing activity is getting a pedicure!!

4.26.2010 "TODAY"

This week we are excited to introduce two new contributors! Caroline from the UK, and Sonya from the Netherlands. We look forward to seeing more of their lives and the countries they call home. You can learn more about them by clicking on their names (in the header) and reading their bios.

Remember, tomorrow is "Tuesdays Around the World" and we want YOU to participate! Tomorrow's theme is "What Helps Me Relax" - so tell us...wait, better yet, SHOW us! What helps you relax? Remind your friends. Share your sliver of the globe. The linky will be up tomorrow!

BUCKEROOMAMA, HONG KONG

My husband and I had a "race." He decided to cross the street; I decided to use the footbridge. He won --only because I stopped to take pictures!



CAROLINE, ENGLAND

I watched a bee take flight ~ through my viewfinder!



LOLA, UTAH

Today I'm mapping out a little garden. Hopefully my 6 year old won't trample/dig up/flood ALL of it before I get a few tomatoes out of the deal! But if he does, I'm taking a page from Becky's book. I'm smiling and saying "Oh well! I am going to enjoy EVERY moment that comes with mothering a six year old, because he won't be six for long..."



NISA, THE BAHAMAS




BECKY, PHILADELPHIA

Gary works 7 days a week. A minimum of 10 hours a day. On Sundays he typically works 12 or more hours. Today he is working 16. Kaish doesn't get to see Gary on Sunday as he leaves at 5am and gets home very late. Every Monday he gives Gary a back massage with his feet as soon as he gets home from work. They have a special bond.



RIKAKO, JAPAN

“Southern Maid Donuts" for the first time. The only shop in Japan is here in Fukuoka. Why do children want the same one though there are a lot of kinds?



ROCIO, BORDER OF MEXICO

Today is a Perfect & Colorful Monday!...【ツ】 & I am ready to start this beautiful week...♥♥♥



SARAH, GEORGIA

We went for ice cream!



SUKI, GERMANY

The sun came out all week and we barely have bad weather. I love it. It finally gets warm too.



TEZZIE, FINLAND

Today, I start my second week of work placement...learning the trade from an old 'master' :D