Compassion for Haiti - Opportunities for Mission Work

One of the great priviledges in my life has been to perform work and service to those who are in need.  I've been reflecting on my past mission trips (with my church) to Mexico as we view on television the utter devastation in Haiti.  There are many great aid organizations for donating money and I like American Red Cross and Franklin Graham Ministries.When we connect with our brothers and sisters of the world, whether in the U.S. or abroad, I have found the people providing aid get as much out of their service as those on the receiving end.

Yucatan house




















Local Man Staying Cool in the Shade
I have been on two mission trips to Mexico and plan to return next year.  My church has developed a wonderful relationship with different outreach groups in the Yucatan.  We built in the tiny village of Sitpatch, along with volunteers from other churches, a Presbyterian church (from the ground up). Last spring, we added a laundry room to a facility that provides assistance to children in need. We have also given financial gifts, food, clothing, household supplies, prayer and Bible classes to local villagers.  During last year's spring break, my two high school age sons came on the trip and they said they can't wait to serve again.

Wining and Dining Through Italy

Who doesn't want to go to Italy?   For many people it is thier number one dream destination.  Many who have had the good fortune to go to Italy crave a return adventure. If you fall in either of these categories, we are custom-creating Italian travel programs with  Joseph Walker's Italy Revealed that will let us see an "insider's view" of this fantastic land on a journey you never imagined.

Italian Market

If you have been thinking of going to Italy but don't know where to start, consider our program for this coming October.  Spaces are limited but it's open to anyone who wants to wine and dine like true Italian.
Popular Georgia Chef  Leonard Guillame, owner of Mama Lucia's Restaurant at The Forum at Ashley Park in Newnan,  will be co-hosting an exciting culinary program to the cradle of European culture and history. The adventure will begin in Rome and then meander down the Amalfi Coast October 9-16, 2010.  We will be touring many popular and hidden historic gems, guided by Joseph Walker, PhD, European history.  Having lived in Italy for 22 years, Joseph's incredible knowledge and personal contacts make this trip one in a lifetime!  And Chef Leonard will bring along his culinary expertise and will be co-teaching three Italian culinary classes with chefs from Italy.  The two hosts bring the perfect blend of knowledge and food.

Chef Leonard Guillaume, Mama Lucia's

Leonard's restaurant has been a local favorite for years and  he wants to take his "show on the road" with you.  Leonard plans to learn a few new culinary tricks from his Italian counterparts and the other traveleers will be learning along with him- while enjoying the fabulous fare created in class.

If breathing in the living history of Italy, eating great food and drinking fabulous Italian wines appeals to you, take a look at this abbreviated itinerary. We will start in Rome and learn about the "Rome of the Caesars".   The group will be fortunate to take a  behind-the-scenes look at the Vatican Museum and receive a unique and personalized tour of the Forum, Colosseum, Circus Maximus and other exciting Roman monuments.

The Colosseum

California Here We...Were!

With two teenage sons, Pat and I are cognizant of their interests when planning family trips.  Happy teens equal a happy mom; well you know the saying!  What could please two boys (and daddy) more than a week centered around college football games - in Southern California?  Well, I'm sure lots of things but that's for another day.

Right after landing at LAX we had to satisfy an URGE... for In-n-Out Burgers.  Anyone who has been to In-n-Out understands.  If only this chain would come to Georgia!













We started with a fab stay at an incredible Del Mar beach house and saw old friends to boot.  We came to watch the Arizona Wildcats play the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Holiday Bowl (Nebraska vs. Arizona) as special guests of a dear friend who is on the Bowl Committee. 

If you are ever looking to attend a football bowl game, this one is it!  It is a top bowl destination with terrific events, fabulous treatment of the visiting teams and well - it's in San Diego!  Of course, my sons claimed their highlight was having their photos taken with the lovely ESPN reporter Erin Andrews.  I think they are joking... Truly, a highlight was attending the U.S. Bank Kickoff luncheon when we dined and chatted with several very polite Arizona players.

Searching for Seaglass...Or a Stucky's!

"I can remember the first time I became aware of Stuckey's.  Can't tell you where we were traveling to or from but I can tell you that somewhere along our route, I suddenly saw, outside my backseat window, a sign proclaiming that it was only 153 miles to Stuckey's."  "I couldn't imagine what could be so all-fired important about this thing called Stuckey's as to require so very much  consistent advance notice, but I knew that, whatever it was, I did NOT want to miss it." 

So wrote Jill Conner Browne, AKA Tammy, head Sweet Potato Queen in her latest book "American Thighs".

I totally get that.  Excitement for what's coming, what's around the next bend - I DO NOT want to miss out!  There are certainly people more well-traveled than me; but I've logged a few miles.  Searching for Seaglass is a blog about the love of going someplace else and the excitement that comes with new adventures.