What to Wear in Iceland

One question that I am always asked is what to wear in Iceland. So, I thought I would give you some tips that have worked well for me on our three visits. First, I am going to get this out of the way --- DO NOT bring an umbrella. It rains often in Iceland, but the weather is so changeable it can rain for 10 minutes then be sunny for 10 minutes then cloudy  for 10 minutes then rainy again, etc. You will always be fussing with it. Due to wind, it will not protect you from rain at angles and most likely you won't be able to keep it open. So, why waste the space?

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Pho An Heights: Pho Comfort in Arlington Heights

Last spring, we tried pho for the very first time while on a road trip. Immediately hooked, we knew that we needed to find a local place for pho. Fortunately, one opened up right in our hometown: Pho An Heights. On our first visit, we fell right in love with the place. So, in the span of two months we have enjoyed Pho An's pho four times. Yum!

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Volo Bog in the Fall

All too often we relegate natural spaces to enjoyment just in warmer months. if we forget to revel in our natural spaces throughout the seasons, though, we miss the beauty that comes with change. We also miss nature's processes that occur throughout the year. During the cooler months when fewer venture out, a visit to a natural space allows us to enjoy the stillness. Lack of foliage can uncover treasures masked by the earlier vibrancy of flora.

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Box Full of Surprises: Degustabox October

I got to try a Jones Pumpkin Pie Soda from my Degustabox!

I know what is slowly creeping into your mind. Halloween is less than a week away---so, we will soon be delving right into holiday territory and you will really need to get those gifts together. The last few months I have been receiving a surprise in the mail. Well, actually I have been receiving a box full of surprises! Enter Degustabox as a gift idea for the holidays!

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Treating Ourselves at The Heart of Europe Cafe {Barrington, IL} CLOSED

**Heart of Europe Has Closed.**


When the cold wind starts to bring the chill to the Chicago area, we start to look for hot chocolate. At some point during the summer, I learned about The Heart of Europe Cafe in Barrington. I am frequently in Barrington during the fall and winter for various events, so I eagerly seized on the opportunity to check the cafe out.

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Scenes Around Reykjavik, Iceland

This past visit was our third visit to Reykjavik and I can say we never get tired of walking around the city. The flavor is so different from home, how could we not be in love? With a population much smaller than our native Chicago, walking around without the hustle bustle is pleasant and quite soothing. The relaxed atmosphere truly allows explorers to enjoy the architecture, squares and artwork throughout the city.

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Art in Nature Nocturne at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington, IL

This weekend certainly was as picture perfect as they can be in late October -- great temperatures and plenty of sun! Late Saturday afternoon we capitalized on the weather and visited Crabtree Nature Center for the Art in Nature Nocturne Event.

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Amazing Arlington Heights, IL Halloween Display

In Arlington Heights, we are lucky to have a pretty elaborate and cool Halloween display on the 600 block of North Drury Lane. If you visit, you will truly appreciate the ability to walk through the display and admire all of the spooky surprises! Light and motion really enhance the experience.

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Touring Game of Thrones Sites in Iceland

While in Iceland, we experienced Grayline's Game of Thrones tour and explored some of the truly magical places that provide epic settings for the popular show. Striking landscapes are a crucial element of the show, so Iceland easily provides some fantastic shooting locations. However if you are not a fan of the show, you will still appreciate the stunning natural settings.

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Indulging Our Passion for Travel Along Iceland's South Coast

Stunning! We spent a day wandering along Iceland's South Coast from Reykjavik to Vik and reveled in the dramatic natural splendor of Iceland. An adventure through the South Coast truly puts in perspective the forces at work within the Earth providing an amazing experience for families.

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Learning About Perspective at the Culture House Museum in Reykjavik

The first exhibit at The Culture House Museum encouraged us to look out a triangular window viewing buildings, a slice of the harbor and mountains in the distance. Through this exhibit, we were charged with considering perspective. From where we were standing, we could view some buildings from above, the mountains rising over the buildings and the bay peeking out from behind the buildings. Thus, we learned about the area based on the perspective we had from the odd shaped window on the top floor of the museum.

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The Settlement Exhibition in Reykjavik Shines a Light on Archaeology and Viking Life

Reykjavik, Iceland is one of my favorite cities in the world and home to one of my favorite attractions -- The Settlement Exhibition. We first visited the museum during our first Iceland adventure in 2012. The museum housing the remains of a Viking longhouse adeptly uses multimedia to introduce visitors to methods for interpreting archaeological finds. Our first experience left such an impression on us that our family jumped at the chance to return last week.

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Four Days Recharging With Nature in Iceland

Powerful and majestic Skogarfoss waterfall 

About a year ago, I learned joyous news -- Icelandair announced new service from Chicago. We had visited Iceland twice in the past with both trips involving traveling to a different gateway instead of the very convenient ORD. When I learned that Icelandair would begin flights from nearby Chicago, I immediately hatched a plan to return to Iceland to continue our exploration of its striking, raw and natural beauty. We opted for a fall visit to witness a different season since our previous two trips were in the summer.

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5 Best Places for Hot Chocolate in the Chicago Suburbs

Decadently satisfying hot chocolate from Heart of Europe Cafe

When the air starts to get crisp, it is time to enjoy some hot chocolate! We are fortunate to have some really wonderful and unique places here in the Chicago suburbs to savor a cold weather treat. Here are my family's favorites for a cup of hot cocoa:

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Visit with Naturalist Mark Spreyer and an Owl!

Norton's U.S.A. in Barrington will be hosting naturalist and new author Mark Spreyer along with a feathery visitor -- an owl -- on October 22 from 2:00PM-3:30PM! The event is free and sure to be fun and interesting to adults and kids alike. Mark will also be available to sign his new book, Natural Digressions.

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