The MSC Seaside

Soon it was time to checkout of our airbnb and board our cruise ship.

The MSC Seaside is a European cruise ship. It is as big as an apartment building, and I did not get seasick on this boat as I usually do, a big plus!

The adult swimming pools are well over 6 feet deep which is a bit unusual. Most people hang off the edges or tread water in the middle. It is a weird idea.  Because people are treading water, the pool holds less people.

There is a zipline which would close on windy days, and the slides were very busy with long lineups. It is a busy ship with over 5000 guests.

There is a basketball court and a gym.

slide

basketball court

children's pool

zipline

gym

The airbnb

Arriving in Miami at the start of our vacation, we were very happy with our airbnb apartment. It had a beautiful large pool at the top of the building complete with a barbecue area and a giant chess game area. Being a condominium complex, there were lots of meeting and entertainment rooms, also a gym which we used.

We always head to the grocery store for supplies, and I found this lactose free milk for myself called 'Fairlife', which was delicious.

A busy July

It is the Civic holiday long weekend here.

We went on an extended family vacation during the middle two weeks of July.  It was very hectic and fast paced but so much fun.  We flew to Miami, stayed in a beautiful airbnb apartment, and visited with family and friends.  Then it was off on an MSC Seaview Western Caribbean cruise for a week with the extended family and friends.  The group consisted of about 60 people.  Back in Miami we were fortunate to get the same airbnb for a few more days.  My one year old great niece became a celebrity with all the family gushing over this cute baby.  She arrived after the cruise, so there was much anticipation.


Departing Toronto, our first stop was at Wahlburgers restaurant at the airport.  The burgers were very good.  It seemed as if the vacation had already begun!

Paint Party Friday - Sunset abstract

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! Thanks to our hosts Eva and Kristin. I did a sunset for you today on good quality (6" x 6") textured grey cardstock. It is done in permanent marker and Sharpie oil paint markers. The effect seems almost abstract.

Thursday art date

Welcome to the month of August! I am back from my blog break, can't wait to visit you all to see what you have been up to!

Here is my summery calendar page for the month based on my artwork.

I am also posting to Rain's 'Green' theme for her Thursday art date:

And on the weekend husband M and I went to the Queen and Adam Lambert concert downtown. It was a sold out show, and we enjoyed.
It was our third time seeing the concert over the past several years. Thanks to this blog I can see that I went in 2014 and 2017. Adam says they have been collaborating for 8 years.

Blog Break

I have decided to take a blog break for most of July, starting today. I just need some time to get things done around here, the blog will be one less thing to attend to. It will be strange, as I rarely take blog breaks. Take care everyone!

Hummus

A friend was tellling me how easy it is to make your own hummus in a food processor or even in a blender.  So I tried it in my food processor the other day. It is really easy to do.

1 large can of chick peas
1/4 c liquid from the can
3-5 tbs lemon juice (juice of half a lemon)
1 1/2 tbs tahini (a sesame seed paste)
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs olive oil

blend all ingredients together with a few pulses of the food processor. It is delicious with slices of sweet peppers or perhaps with pita bread or crackers.