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Naples Italy

It’s Different in Naples, Italy: The Neapolitan Playing Card Deck

Differences Between the Neapolitan and American Card Deck Did you know that in Naples, Italy people play cards with a completely different deck than we do in the USA? Unlike the American 52 card deck, southern Italians use a 40 card deck. Also, Neapolitan cards are not numbered, so you …Read the Rest

Traveler’s Show & Tell: From Favelas to Faceburger
My Own Backyard

Traveler’s Show & Tell: From Favelas to Faceburger

Welcome to the January 21, 2012 edition of Traveler’s Show and Tell. This week’s Traveler’s Show and Tell blog carnival …Read the Rest

Transatlantic Cruise Sunsets and How I was Inspired by a Vacuum Cleaner Salesman
My Own Backyard

Transatlantic Cruise Sunsets and How I was Inspired by a Vacuum Cleaner Salesman

One of the first things people ask when I tell them I’m a writer is, “Where do you get your ideas?” I find this kinda funny, because to me, ideas are like spores; they are everywhere, but seem invisible until they suddenly pop up into your mind like tiny mushrooms. For instance, I recently wrote “Is Transatlantic Cruising Right for You?” for The Traveler’s Way. Where did I get that idea? From a conversation I had with a vacuum cleaner salesman.

What is the Traveler’s Show and Tell blog carnival?
Traveler's Show & Tell

What is the Traveler’s Show and Tell blog carnival?

The Traveler’s Show & Tell blog carnival is a roundup of interesting travel-themed articles and photo essays from all over the web that I host right here on Mental Mosaic: Even Home is a Travel Deestination every other Saturday. It’s a fun way to enjoy armchair traveling, while finding interesting blogs to follow. Plus, if you’re a blogger, participating in my carnival helps drive new readers to your blog, while giving your site a healthy inbound link. To view past issues, simply click on the “Traveler’s Show & Tell” link at the top of this page.

New Orleans’ Cafe du Monde: A Taste of History
Food Reviews

New Orleans’ Cafe du Monde: A Taste of History

New Orleans’ Cafe du Monde: A Taste of History When you enjoy a cup of chicory-laced coffee and a plate …Read the Rest

Traveler’s Show & Tell: Road Trips, Layovers and Wanderlust
My Own Backyard

Traveler’s Show & Tell: Road Trips, Layovers and Wanderlust

Welcome to the January 7, 2012 edition of Traveler’s Show and Tell. This week’s Traveler’s Show and Tell blog carnival …Read the Rest

Seven Links Challenge: Tag – I’m It!
My Own Backyard

Seven Links Challenge: Tag – I’m It!

I am not sure who started the 7 Links Challenge, but I was recently tagged by Susan Silver of Cirque du Mot. (Thanks, Susan!) Here are links to posts on Mental Mosaic that are: the most beautiful, the most popular, the most controversial, the most helpful, surprisingly successful, and the most overlooked. I’ve also tagged several bloggers to take the Seven Link Challenge for themselves.

Predictions: Which came true for 2011, and what’s in store for 2012?
My Own Backyard

Predictions: Which came true for 2011, and what’s in store for 2012?

My Prediction Tradition As I’ve mentioned here before, when my step-daughter was little our New Year’s traditions included writing down …Read the Rest

Resound11: How Instagr.am and an iPhone Rocked My World in 2011
My Own Backyard

Resound11: How Instagr.am and an iPhone Rocked My World in 2011

Taking photos is a big part of my life, so it’s really hard to call one single photo “the best one.” Plus, I like different photos for different reasons. Some are great because they transport me back to a special memory, some are artsy, and some just make me laugh. I especially enjoy photos that wake me up to overlooked beauty, such as a photo I recently took of dried cocoa powder in the bottom of my coffee mug. That dirty dish is a piece of beauty I might have overlooked if I had been sleepwalking through the day and had plopped it into the sink without truly seeing it. So, with all that in mind, here’s the photo I’ve chosen as my best of 2011.

Traveler’s Show & Tell: Volcanoes, Jazz and Romance on the Road
Traveler's Show & Tell

Traveler’s Show & Tell: Volcanoes, Jazz and Romance on the Road

Welcome to the December 10, 2011 edition of Traveler’s Show & Tell This week’s Traveler’s Show & Tell blog carnival …Read the Rest

Reverb11: Community in my Kitchen (and the best sugar cookie recipe ever!)
My Own Backyard

Reverb11: Community in my Kitchen (and the best sugar cookie recipe ever!)

Community in my kitchen I could fill several blog entries talking about all the places I have experienced community in …Read the Rest

Reverb11: Santa Meets Synchronicity
My Own Backyard

Reverb11: Santa Meets Synchronicity

Santa Meets Synchronicity What with getting married in the spring and finally unpacking stuff I’ve been carting from one storage …Read the Rest

Traveler’s Show & Tell: Artsy Graffitti & Open Air Markets
Traveler's Show & Tell

Traveler’s Show & Tell: Artsy Graffitti & Open Air Markets

Welcome to the December 10, 2011 edition of Traveler’s Show & Tell This week’s Traveler’s Show & Tell blog carnival …Read the Rest

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