Next month, the theme is Buckets Lists!  I'll be sharing my own list and posting quite a few bucket-list worthy stories from blogger friends.

This evening, I just added one more thing to my list and couldn't wait to share it ... flash mobs.  I want to be right smack dab in the middle of a flash mob some day.  The excitement and positive energy in these seemingly random events is contagious.  I figured it would make a great "Happy Friday" post.

Here are some that made me smile. Comment below and vote for your favorite!

The Australian's definitely know how to have fun ...

Brussels Train Station ... for cycling fans ...

And who would have known the Swedes were such Michael Jackson fans?

Changi Airport Millionaire Dance

Miami International Airport gets a little 'Random Acts of Culture'

And perhaps the one that started them all ... Liverpool Street Station
Life IS worth sharing, isn't it!

Have a happy Friday!

Vote below ... tell me which one of these flash mobs is your favorite!

Rich Greenhagen is on a mission to spread some love ... one kind word at a time.  Not just through blogging and social media, but by carefully folding the words into an origami paper crane and mailing them around the World to anyone that requests one.

From Rich ... "The goal is to write a thousand word poem, then write one word on each crane. But i don't want to keep the cranes.  I want to mail them out to any and everyone who wants one. Together we can piece together the poem. It's a selfish idea I want to share with everyone."

I don't think it's selfish at all!

How do you get in on this love game?  Email Rich at thousandcraneproject@gmail.com or Tweet him at @1KCraneProject and he'll mail you a crane.  Take a photo of it, post it on your blog and also email it to him.

So far, he's mailed out 400 cranes.  I can't wait to see the finished poem.  My crane's word ... "forgot"

-Rachelle

aka @TravelBlggr

http://thousandcraneproject.tumblr.com/

My family has been asking for my holiday wish list.  It's a little hard since I pretty much have everything I "need" and what I really want is Peace on Earth, Continued Happiness & Joy, and a really cool travel experience once a quarter for 2011.  All of those things are challenging to wrap up in a bow and fit under a tree.

If you have a traveler that you're shopping for this holiday season, take a gander at my list below for some some unique things you could add to your list that won't break the bank.

1)  The gift of good directions ... A Compass.  A simple one ... or a fancy one.

I got pretty lost on one of my road trips this year sans GPS.  And when people gave me directions saying, "turn West on ..." and I started squinting at the sky to see which way the sun is setting ... a compass was added to my wish list.

2) The gift of a great tales and stories light enough to fit in a carry on bag ... A Kindle or iPad.

I love to read, but being the multi-tasker that I am, usually there are three books on my nightstand with dog-eared pages and bookmarks half way to the end.  Since airlines are starting to really crack down on luggage weight, this enables me to bring a whole library of reading with me under 10 ounces.

3) The gift of flavors from afar delivered right to the front door ... Exotic Fruits.

My favorite souvenir shopping spot is the local grocery store since you can always find some unique flavor that is unavailable at home.  Chocolate, candies, jams and spices are usually easy to pack and save for later, but fruit is something you have to enjoy on the spot.  Here's a way to bring those fresh flavors home.  (Like the tasty Dragon Fruit I had in Mexico ... Mmm.)

4) The gift of renewal for tired jet lagged eyes ... An Eye Serum.

I received this as a gift earlier this year and it has been a life saver.  At first I wasn't too sure about it because it kind of smells like carrots.  But it really does feels soft and works wonders on fine lines and tired eyes.  A must-have after a long flight.

5) The gift of a good read ... A Handcrafted Journal.

As if an unlimited number of books loaded up on the iPad or Kindle are not enough, re-living a fascinating adventure is sure to put a smile on any home-sick traveler's face.  I actually met the artist that crafts these journals in person when she came to the Mount Dora Craft Fair in Florida.  What I loved about them is that each journal is as unique as the personal stories that can be written inside.

6)  The gift of fragile luggage ... An Ornament.

Besides groceries, the other item on my souvenir list is always picking up an ornament from every place I've been.  And this is one way to enjoy the look and fragility of vintage luggage without having to schlep it through TSA.

7) The gift of style ... A Passport Cover.

Italian leather passport cover?  I'll take one of each color please ...

8) The gift of being organized enough to go through TSA unscathed ... A Messenger Bag

On most flights, I feel like I could use an extra set of hands. Photo ID in one hand, laptop in the other, shoes and luggage being pushed along by my bare feet, and ticket clenched between my teeth.  A bag that I can conveniently throw over my shoulder and toss all the goods in after getting through security is a must.

9) The gift of good coffee ... A Travel Press. 

Because hotel coffee sucks.  Period.  Even if there is room service available.  A plastic travel press is heaven in the A.M.  Now, just don't forget to pack the coffee ...

10) The gift of inspiration for future adventures ... An Experience.

Travelers like to pack light.  So instead of burdening them with more "stuff," try an experience instead.  Such as ... getting behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, sailing away into the sunset on a schooner, or becoming a chef for a day.  I've had a lot of fun perusing the possibilities after stumbling this site and I look forward to checking off a few of my bucket list items here!

And for the stocking stuffers ...  

1. Sassy Luggage Tags
2. Airplane Bingo
3. A disguise
4. Stitching Postcard
5. Foldable Flats
6. Paper Tweet
7. Eco friendly map bangles
8. X-Ray ... for carrying your laptop thru TSA
9. Cleansing towelettes
10. Solid Perfume

Yes ... I am competing for a box of fungi.

Last month some friends and I got together with some tasty libations and a box of dried mushrooms from Marx Foods.

The result was Champagne Risotto with Wild Mushrooms.

Click It!  Try It!  Share it!

VOTE:  Inn the Kitchen - Champagne Risotto with Wild Mushrooms.

I should get into the habit of posting a fun foreign "word-of-the-day." Every once in awhile something will strike me as funny, get me tongue tied or instantly become a part of my daily vernacular.

While reading a recent recipe, this is a word that jumped off the page and hit me. So I asked Chef Steve to explain it on video so we could get the correct pronunciation.

And of course we had a few outtakes. Though, they weren't over the pronunciation ...

So, if you want to make some "zabaglione," here is the recipe ...Zabaglione

Click here for the whole Biramisu recipe.

Here are my favorite travel tweets from this past week.  They cracked me up!

From @hbaskas

"If cowboys - and cowgirls - do it, why can't you? New airline seat is "like a saddle." http://ow.ly/2ChMv (From USATODAY.com)"

From @Marilyn_Res

"RT @waynecurtis Man on cell on Houston flight: "Daddy will get home & we'll go to the farm & ride 4-wheelers & burn stuff." cc @twaggies"

From @MobileLawyer

"There are luggage stores at the airport. I'm lazy.... but seriously, how lazy would you have to be? "Nah, I'll just pack there." ;)

From @LuxeTiffany

"Soup of cafe latte? Forgive me if my tweets start to shake! #coffee #buzz http://twitpic.com/2od1f3"

From @NdorphinAddict

"My worst was still int'l. In Peru got the body scan: "You have gas but no drugs." #tmom #travel #tni (RT @GoBIG_GoHome)

Got any travel tweets, quotes or news that tickled your funny bone?  Comment below so I can have a giggle with you!

One of the things I really enjoy about Twitter is getting a 140 character dose of laughter therapy throughout my day.  Just a little phone-sized snippet of fun that makes me smile.

Here are the funniest and most interesting things I saw this week ...

1) From @MyMelange:

"OMG. Check out this photo of what NOT to wear on a plane! Holy-fashion-nightmare-Batman!!" (Photo)

(I'm not responsible if it temporarily causes you to go blind.)

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2) From @TravelDudes:

Whoa.  No toilet tweeting please!

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3) From @AdventureGirl:

"Looking 4 sum "kitschy" follows from across the globe? Check out @big_ben_clock 4 LONDON time & @riverthames 4 tide info!"

Both are great useful travel tools!

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4) From @EliteTravelGal:

Hmm.  I'd get sneaky about swiping breakfast too!

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5) From @Vagabondish:

"I found my calling. Going to be the first man to circumnavigate the globe on this bad boy - http://bit.ly/bNAAWw. Freakin' sweeeeeeeeet!"

Hilarious caption for that photo!

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6) From @santafetraveler:

Love the hash tag!

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7) From @BudgetTraveller:

Some Traveler's Night In (#TNI) humor ... didn't know I needed to add "Man" to my travel list.

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8) From @UKLAGirl:

A little #Traveler's Night In (#TNI) Gross Out!

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9) From @AvWeekBenet:

"The World's Best Airline Passenger Complaint Letter ... http://ow.ly/2xjhq"

Hmm.  I should write a thing or two to Sir Richard.  Though, it wouldn't be complaints!  LOL.

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10) From Maranda on Facebook ... an airline with a sense of humor:

Said by flight attendant:  "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane." -- Kulula Airlines

--Rachelle

a.k.a @TravelBlggr

The right quote will get me motivated, focused and uplifted in an instant.  Or it could make me laugh and instantly applaud the writer for their clever quick quip.  I am actually addicted to quotes.  I have a million quote books and can easily become distracted online reading them or searching for just the perfect one.  When I find a few that are worthwhile, I have to share.

Here are my Top 5 favorite quotes of the week.

INSPIRATIONAL:

I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be scaled by a
man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special
secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy, and the greatest of all
is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way,
implicitly and unquestionable. ~Walt Disney

FOOD:

After all the trouble you go to, you get about as much actual "food" out of eating an artichoke as you would from licking 30 or 40 postage stamps.  ~Miss Piggy

TRAVEL:

“Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.” –  George Carlin

HUMOR:

"There's no half-singing in the shower, you're either a rock star or an opera diva."  - Josh Groban

SEASONAL:

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." -Russell Baker

The right words can spark inspiration, ignite and idea or simply bring a smile to your face. Sometimes I read them and break into spontaneous hopping up and down applause.  I'm a big fan of quotes and post them often on Twitter via @Travelblggr.

Coffee quotes are usually my favorite ... but here are my 10 picks for cooking, eating & food ...

1)“I like a cook who smiles out loud when he tastes his own work. Let God worry about your modesty; I want to see your enthusiasm.” - Robert Farrar Capon

2) "Bollocks have never frightened me. I'll eat a bollock any time." - Germaine Greer

3) "Vegetables are a must on a diet.  I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie."  ~Jim Davis

4) "If God had intended us to follow recipes, He wouldn't have given us grandmothers." ~Linda Henley

5) "One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating."   ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright

6) "There is no love sincerer than the love of food."  ~George Bernard Shaw

7) "Cooking is like love, it should be entered into with abandon or not at all" - Harriet Van Horne

8)  "Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first."  - Josh Billings

9) "No one who cooks, cooks alone.  Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers.' -Laurie Colwin

10)  "I feel a recipe is only a theme, which an intelligent cook can play each time with a variation" -Madam Benoit

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