We suited up as Warrior Merida and William Wallace for Celtic Weekend at both the Maryland and St. Louis Renaissance Festivals in 2022. It was an unforgettable adventure—our first out-of-town Ren Fest trip with our friends Anne and Geran, and the perfect opportunity to introduce our niece and nephew to the magic of the faire. Bagpipes, battle cries, and braided hair… what more could you ask for?
Opened in 2020, Globe Life Field is MLB’s newest stadium – but despite its modern amenities, it doesn’t quite hit a home run. The fully air-conditioned interior offers welcome relief from the Texas heat, and the adjacent Texas Live! complex provides a lively hub for food, drinks, and entertainment before and after the game. True to the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas,” the concessions are a standout, with giant hot dogs, beer bats, and bold local flavors that steal the show. We were lucky to attend a sold-out game, cheering on the Rangers to an 8–0 victory alongside my cousin Christa and her husband Sean, who live nearby. While the crowd energy was electric, the steep, sometimes obstructed seating, difficult vertical navigation, and a lack of distinctive design or deep franchise history left us feeling like this state-of-the-art stadium still misses some of the charm and character found in older parks.
We hosted a delightfully wacky Alice in Wonderland tea party to celebrate my niece’s first birthday—welcome Emory to One-derland! From many little Alices and curious rabbits to the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, Cheshire Cat, and White Queen, the whole Wonderland crew made an appearance. Naturally, I 3D printed a collection of character figurines to bring the magic to life!
Excited for the new Thor: Love and Thunder movie! Made a quick TikTok montage of the Stormbreaker 3D prints on my CR10 SMART and CR6 SE as well as the finishing process that included sanding, wood filler, spray paint filler, black spray paint primer, and acrylic paint.
The question is, do you think I can convince Scott to wield Stormbreaker on opening night at the theater? 😉 I’m tempted to make him the 80s t-shirt for him to rock as well!
Dearest Reader, how could we possibly resist the allure of scandal and spectacle at the Queen’s Ball – Bridgerton Experience in Chicago? We strolled beneath cascading tunnels of wisteria, made our most graceful curtsies before Her Majesty, unraveled a tantalizing Whistledown mystery, admired an endless parade of stunning gowns, and danced the night away beneath chandeliers that shimmered like secrets.
The Cards vs. Cubs rivalry is one of baseball’s greatest – and watching the Redbirds take on the Cubs in their legendary North Side ballpark made for a truly unforgettable experience. The stadium oozes historic charm, with its hand-operated scoreboard, ivy-covered walls, and vintage architecture – though that also means tight aisles, steep ramps, and some obstructed views. We stayed in Wrigleyville, the lively neighborhood just outside the gates, packed with bars, restaurants, and rooftop vibes. Inside, the concessions were a mixed bag – the iconic Chicago dog and garlic fries didn’t quite live up to the hype, but the souvenir cocktails and local Goose Island brews were a nice touch. While there aren’t many modern amenities inside the park, Gallagher Way offers a much-needed open-air hangout with family-friendly space to roam. What truly made our visit special, though, was the incredible energy and hospitality from Cubs fans – they were some of the nicest we’ve encountered, and the bleacher section was an absolute party, complete with chants, jokes, and even a beer snake that Scott got to anchor. From rivalry drama to timeless design, this visit was one for the books.
