July Newsletter

The Hens' Den's July Newsletter is full of beautiful scrapbooking inspiration.  My newsletter project features Teresa Collins Fabrications Linen and pictures from our trip to the Taos Pueblo.

Open publication - Free publishing - More altered items

This week I have actually been making more cards than layouts (lots of birthdays!)  The first one is a monochromatic layout that I made using MME's Abbey Road and Lush lines, and the second one is based on a Basic Grey sketch using their Dawson line.  

Thailand Days 4 through 6: Culture, Food, and (of course) Shopping

We returned to Bangkok after our trip to the beach, and started the day off with the breakfast of champions -- bird's nest!  (You know, the mix of bird saliva and blood that it hacked up to create a nice place for its babies to squat in that would stick to the side of a cave wall).

Can you tell how Jesse feels about it?

We decided to explore the Temple of the Dawn, a place that we had never been to before.  

Almost as soon as we got there, we resorted to our old antics (and you have to admit, we are good at it!)  Can something be so cute and so disrespectful at the same time?

The temple itself is gorgeous and there are series of increasingly steep stairs to get to the top.

We made it though (look, we're smiling) and had great views of the city.

After our morning excursion in the middle of Thailand's hot season, we gratefully escaped to a nice, air conditioned mall.  Even Jesse enjoyed himself because Paragon (the mall) had a mini-luxury car show.

Since we were in Bangkok, engaging in cutsey Asian poses was a must.

After some shopping, movie-watching (Men in Black III) and mani/pedis, we fell sound asleep (our jet lag manifested itself in our ability to be completely comatose by 9 p.m.)  We managed to scarf down some Asian goodies first though!

The next day, we were treated to lunch at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club by Aunt Da, where we feasted on good food and had amazing views.

We also did some shopping with Aunt Da (I found a cute dress and a huge cockroach!) and headed over to the driving range where I again demonstrated my complete lack of coordination.  This looks about as painful as it felt!

Jesse was a pro and needed a drink after watching me butcher the sport.

We ended the day with AMAZING dessert at a hip new sweet shop called "After You."  

Nicole left veeeery early the next morning and, after my dad returned from dropping her off at the airport, the rest of us headed out to the floating market, which is another cool Thai attraction that I have never been to.

There were tons of tourists and vendors there -- it got very congested!

We bought a picture, Rachel got a ta-craw ball and some soap, and we also picked up some fruit (we look really proud of the starfruit in this picture!)

Speaking of fruit, for the record, Asian fruit is the best!

We ended our last day in Bangkok at a graphic design exhibit and library located in another fancy mall.

Goodbye Thailand -- we'll come back soon(ish) I promise!

Thailand, Days 2 and 3: Hua Hin

No trip to Thailand is complete without time at the beach.  I mean, they made an entire movie about just that, intuitively named The Beach, starring Leo.  Here's the quote from IMDB:

Twenty-something Richard travels to Thailand and finds himself in possession of a strange map.  Rumours state that it leads to a solitary beach paradise, a tropical bliss - excited and intrigued, he sets out to find it.

I'll ruin the suspense:  the map leads to the decidedly blissful ocean front Hilton Hua Hin, with extensive manicured grounds and multiple pools.

Our rooms were exquisite and very lux, with a wrap-around balcony and beautiful views.  

Unfortunately, such living is training Krystle for the good life.  I guess I better work on that promotion.

Just like Leo, we spent most of our time relaxing and splashing around in the pool, dunking the Mrs. 

But I hear you asking, what about the actual beach?!?  After a little coaxing, I got everyone into the ocean.  The scariest thing out there were some sharp rocks.

Rachel was of course scared of the tiny crabs that had infested the sand between the high and low tide lines. She somehow convinced me it was in my best interest to protect her recently manicured toes from tiny crab pinches.

Being right on the ocean, near some very productive fishing grounds, means any and every kind of seafood is on hand, fresh out of the water.  Upon arrival we started off lunching on some lobster:

After a rough day by the pool (see above), we supped on more crustaceans and fish:

Did you know prawns are an aphrodisiac?

Finally, just a few minutes from our hotel was a night market, with food, art and various crafts.  It was very chill and a lot of fun.

As you can no doubt tell, I have no idea what The Beach was actually about.  You'll have to tell me, who had more fun at the beach in Thailand, Leo's character or us?