Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Kathryn Smallpage and Lida Kostmayer have recently launched Linfield Designs, and they are the local represenatives for Annie Sloan chalk paint.  Annie Sloan started a revolution in painted furniture by foregoing the tedious steps of priming and prep work.  Thus, you'll have a jazzy new piece of furniture in your house in no time!  They are offering a workshop on August 10th in Slidell.

Couch Surfing

Two Sundays ago, I learned of the phenomenon called couch surfing.  My cousin's cousin is bike riding across Europe and sleeping on couches.  Its all very fascinating to me because I don't think that after a long bike ride, I would want to sleep on someone else's couch.  But, I admire his adventurous nature, and it is these types of differences in people which makes the world all the more interesting. 

Check out the couch surfing website; there is a whole community devoted to housing people on their couches as they travel.  You don't just get anyone; there is a vetting process.  The concept is cool because most seasoned travelers like to take the road less traveled and experience what locals do in their community. 

And, follow Mark on his blog as he travels thru Europe one bike and one couch at a time.  His mother said that navigating is the most frustrating part.  Could you imagine biking down a road for miles and miles to then somehow (and not sure how) realize you've been traveling down the wrong road for an extended period of time?  No, thank you.  Bravo Mark, for your patience and your sense of adventure!