Cruising Canada On the Costa Atlantica

Photos From Our Costa Atlantica Cruise - The Good
(What little there was before Costa tried to kill us.)

Below is a post I started in 2011 and only just now realized I never posted, 8 years later. Crazy!

Also crazy? Look how young we were! Who allowed these children unescorted on a cruise?

Remember my post 'No Cruising Since October? That Won't Do!'? Last year, Sexy Nerd and I embarked on an almost 2 week cruise from Quebec to NYC. Yes, last year. I really am behind on my blogging. That, and this was such a bad cruise. A truly, disgustingly bad cruise, and we will never recommend Costa to anyone as long as we live. I've read that Costa has not done well in North America and it doesn't surprise me one bit.

For this post, however, let's focus on the good.

The Itinerary
We loved this itinerary, even in the Spring when it was a bit chilly. Canada is our favorite cruise destination. We'd love to go in the Fall when the leaves are changing.

Quebec
Saguenay
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Sydney
Halifax
Bar Harbor
Boston (The city looked okay through our window. We were unable to leave the ship because Costa had made us and most of our fellow passengers violently ill with Norovirus, then pretended they hadn't and refused to quarantine or even feed any of us.)(So much for focusing on the good. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
Newport
New York City

I always knew SN was the king of the world.

We paid for an interior stateroom (no windows) and were upgraded to a balcony, even as first-time Costa passengers. Woo hoo! (And we would still never sail with them again. That's how awful it was.)

Pre-Norovirus, free room service

cruse line with the most beautiful decor

Pre-gum surgery. Pre-braces. Pre-fake teeth.

Look at my effortless, silky curls! I never realized living in the dry New Mexico desert required such a sacrifice for my hair. Usually, it's just a big fluffball.

Is a cruise ship church a real church?

you can save a lot on a cruise during the off season

Merci!

A cruise of Prince Edward Island is a must-do for any Anne of Green Gables fan.

I really wanted to take a photo of this cute purple house, but it seemed wrong to just photograph a stranger's home without permission. (This was back in the pre-Instagram days of 2010.) SN was a good sport.

I told SN that he's my lobster and he didn't get the reference. SMH

Going through these photos in 2019, I just realized these are the same exact jeans I still wear today. Maybe it's time to splurge on a new $20 pair.

Cake Mix Pancakes

This reader-favorite recipe is *almost* as popular as my Cake Mix Cookie Bars recipe . When making Cake Mix pancakes , the scrumptious possibilities are endless. Red Velvet cake mix pancakes. Chocolate cake mix pancakes. Butter Pecan cake mix pancakes. Funfetti cake mix pancakes. (Yes, Funfetti cake mix pancakes!) With this 2-ingredient recipe, you can turn your favorite cake mix into your favorite pancakes. Pancake making at its finest. Cake Mix Pancakes Personally, I think my funny napkin is the icing on the (pan)cake. It's Sunday morning and you're planning to do all the things today - scrub those grody baseboards, polish your quartz countertop that was supposed to be low maintenance but actually isn't at all, sort through the disaster that is the freezer. While on your superhuman kick, you think I'm going to make my family pancakes for breakfast. Not just any pancakes - the best pancakes ever. I may even serve them as breakfast in bed! You pu

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3 Minute Toaster/Convection Oven Smores

These are perfect when you're craving a quick, sugary treat. They work equally well in a toaster oven and a convection oven. Best of all, compared to eating an entire bag of Oreos (something I have never done), they're quite healthy. What's that, you say? You already know how to make s'mores in the toaster oven? Well then, sit back and enjoy the ooey-gooey marshmallowy photos. (And if you're someone who works with me, please keep the "I've seen her polish off an entire bag of Oreo cookies" nonsense to yourself.) Step 1: Put desired amount of graham crackers on a toaster oven/convection oven-safe pan. Looks like it's time to clean this pan, Sexy Nerd Optional 1st step, which is Sexy Nerd's favorite: Spread peanut butter on each graham cracker (I'm not much of a peanut butter fan - WHAT?!? - so I skip this step.) Cover with yummy marshmallows. Top with chocolate chips. Place in the toaster o

Window Seat Idea - Dream Home Inspiration of the Day

See it? Waaay at the back of the photo? I like how the window seat extends past the window all the way to the wall. How about you? If that's not your style, how about one of these lovely window seats? I'll seat you, my pretty, and your little dog too. How perfect would this be in a home office? I'd swap out that wimpy rug with a larger one.

Funny Dog Memes

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Dreaming of a farm-to-table experience on an actual farm? Sexy Nerd and I have discovered Field & Vine, an Oregon company that hosts special dinners and events. Don't get too attached to Bessie over there... Clarification: Bessie is a cow over in the field, not me. You cannot see the cow in the photo. Again, I am not Bessie. A Night of Culinary Connection and Wine-Fueled Friendships Last July, on a quest to conquer Oregon's wonders and combat adulting fatigue, we stumbled upon the "Dinner in the Field" event at Marion Acres hosted by Field & Vine. This wasn't your average dinner party; it was a celebration of local bounty, exceptional wines, and the joy of finding kindred spirits over shared plates. Surrounded by friendly faces and glasses filled with Suzor wines, we indulged in a multi-course masterpiece showcasing the heart and soul of Marion Acres. It wasn't just about the food; it was about the entire experience. Marion Acres: From Humble Beginning

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Although SN and I started out in a long-distance relationship, with me in New Mexico and him in Michigan, drinking that famous Flint water, we haven't spent much time apart since before our wedding 6 years ago, when I took a family reunion trip to the Seychelles and Paris without him. (He "had to work", but I think the idea of 3 weeks nonstop with my mom terrified him. To be fair, it was pretty scary!) Now, he has been gone on a business trip for nearly 2 weeks and I'm kinda starting to miss him. He says he misses me too. So, I decided to have some fun and send him the following email: Subject: Here are some NAKED photos for you Message: Be sure to delete these after you look at them. The photos, one titled "hubba hubba" and the other "you know you love it": "I ain't afraid to show it, show it, show it, show it." "I'm sexy and I know it." Yep, that is a 100% collar-free, naked Pica . Sexy Nerd&#

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