— Personal —
The Best Day of Our Lives
I grew up alongside many incredible children because my mother ran an in-home daycare, but one of my absolute favorite daycare kids was a boy named Nick.… Read More The Best Day of Our Lives
— Grief —
12 Ways to Ease the Pain of Grief
It’s been a little over a year since my mom passed away unexpectedly. Recently, a young woman reached out to me and asked, ‘Does it get easier?’ I told her, Yes, it does get easier. Or maybe you just get stronger. She had come across one of my blog posts as she grieved the unexpected loss… Read More 12 Ways to Ease the Pain of Grief
Grape Harvesting and Stomping in Sonoma County
I am continually blown away by the activities available in Sonoma County. It feels like every weekend we have something new and fun to try. It really feels like you could spend years here and not get bored. This past weekend, we checked off one of our California bucket list items and joined Old World… Read More Grape Harvesting and Stomping in Sonoma County
California Redwoods Near San Francisco
When we moved to California a couple of months ago, I figured that the famous redwood trees could only be found near the northern border of the state. Imagine my excitement when I discovered Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve just 30 minutes west of our place in Santa Rosa. To top it off, parking was… Read More California Redwoods Near San Francisco
I’m Always Stinky; The Laundry Struggles of a Backpacker
We arrived in Santorini, Greece, where everyone dresses to the nines. We stopped for lunch at an upscale rooftop bar. It had been about a week since we last did laundry and it was our third day wearing the same clothes. We were stinky. Hey, laundry is hard when you’re hopping from country to country… Read More I’m Always Stinky; The Laundry Struggles of a Backpacker
— Blogging —
13 Quick Tips for New Bloggers
It’s been two years since I started Emma No Problema. I remember setting up my WordPress.com account and debating whether or not my blog would be called, “Emma No Problema” or, “Traveling With Emma.” My husband insisted, “It’s gotta be Emma No Problema! That was your plan over 10 years ago!” Read about that “plan”… Read More 13 Quick Tips for New Bloggers
Burano, Italy is a Colorful Slice of Heaven
The first time I heard of Burano it was on one of those, “Brightly Colored Towns you Have to Visit,” blogs. Today, images of Burano flood Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. Many refer to Burano as an, “Instagrammer’s paradise,” because you really can’t take a bad photo here. Bottom line: this place is touristy. However, if… Read More Burano, Italy is a Colorful Slice of Heaven
A Gloomy Day at Point Reyes
I love the fog in Northern California. We didn’t have much fog in Colorado. I remember one foggy morning when I was in elementary school. It was so foggy I couldn’t see the stop sign down the road. I thought, ‘The sky is falling! The world is coming to an end.’ I was a little… Read More A Gloomy Day at Point Reyes
Sleeping in a French Bubble Hotel
To start, I’ll say that staying in the Attrap Reves Bubble Hotel in Allauch, France was a huge highlight of our trip. It was high on my bucket list when we started planning our adventure and it didn’t disappoint. This is true “glamping,” or “glamorous camping.” You get to sleep under the stars, wake up… Read More Sleeping in a French Bubble Hotel
Tips For Traveling With Your Parent As An Adult
Last year after my mom passed away, I invited my dad to join my husband and I on our Europe trip. “Yes,” he said, “This is the first thing I’ve been excited about since your mom passed.” My offer was genuine, my husband and I did want my dad to join us on our trip.… Read More Tips For Traveling With Your Parent As An Adult