Meet Darlene of MyPrairieCreations. Darlene is from Kansas and her prairie life influences her work.  In her shop you can quilted ornaments for various holidays and occasions from the upcoming St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Christmas and Valentine's Day.  I know you'll enjoy browsing her lovely shop.

St. Patrick's Shamrock Quilted Ball Kimekomi Clover Green Ornament and Gold

Meet Cynthia of PrayerNotes.  Cynthia has incredible inspirational items such as travertine coasters, bookmarks and notepads with scriptures and inspirational sayings. She has items that are perfect for many occasions:  weddings, birthdays, various holidays, shower gifts, Sunday School teacher gifts or just cheering up a friend.  I love her old world map items. Enjoy her shop.

Coasters Religious Art Travertine Cross and Faith Set of 4 Coasters in Gold and Lilac and Royal Purple

I have been developing a lot of experience packing for long trips. My packing method is the result of much trial and error. Of schlepping 6 pounds of frozen hot dogs and 5 pounds of frozen cookies from the frigid north to my children who live in Florida. Not wanting the cookies to be crumbs when I arrived I chose to hand carry them, not thinking that when I arrive at the halfway point of Atlanta, I am going to have to tote 11 frozen pounds of food up and down escalators, in and out of trains connecting terminal A to terminal D, across miles and miles of airport before I arrive, totally spent, at my gate. This harrowing experience taught me to always have wheels in airports.

I purchased a very reasonable wheeled backpack. It slips right under the seat in front of me in the cabin. It's got zippers and pockets galore. Inside goes the food for starving children, knitting, and a book. I'm going to suggest you also carry a small plastic bag with toothbrush, comb, a change of undies and whatever little makeup will make you look presentable in the A.M. Reason for this is my most recent travel experience. My trip was interrupted in NYC late at night. No more flights to my town til morning. The airline put us up at a hotel for the night. They provided all the transportation, of course, but they kept the checked baggage, ostensibly, to reload it on the flight they were planning to put me on to complete the remainder of my trip. (that didn't happen, but that's another story). This involved a hotel overnight stay with no clean undies, no toothbrush or comb, no makeup. Horrible - is all I can say. I do have to confess that the hotel did have toothbrushes in their gift shop but they were the ones with enough brush bristles to brush your hair with and not made for normal sized mouths.

Any meds should be in your carry on, otherwise you may not take meds for a long time. Your laptop (if you're bringing it) should be in there too.

Last winter I was away for 7 weeks. I brought 1 suitcase, my trusty carry on wheeled backpack and my fannypack (which I wore around my waist).

I knew I had a laundry available at my son's house, so it's not necessary to pack an outfit for each day.

I went to Italy several years ago and the tour company permitted just ONE suitcase. We would be traveling all over Italy on a bus which only has so much cargo space. This is where I really learned to travel light.

I usually wear a jogging suit to travel in. The TSA likes this. Traveling shoes should be easy to get off (no laces, buckles, etc.) Of course, when I get to Florida, I change to sandals immediately (if possible, have them in the carry-on) and remove the jogging jacket, tying it around my waist. I usually never wear this again until I'm ready to return home because it's too hot. If I return home to temperatures in the teens and single digits, I wear a sweater under the jogging suit, slip a pair of gloves on and wear the hood. (its a good thing to check the weather reports). I'm usually only outdoors a few minutes to catch the tram to my parked car or someone picks me up.

Sometimes the Florida winter might have some chilly days (like 55-60 degrees, which they think is freezing). Then I might have to get out my jogging suit again.

Here's how I pack: 1 pair of shoes besides the traveling shoes. 1 purse (pack it in the suitcase/no valuables in it). Wear a fanny pack. (hands free) You'll be getting your I.D. out a lot, keep it handy. My fannypack has two compartments. I keep my I.D. in one compartment and nothing else, so I can whip it out whenever needed.

Now for clothing. Pack things that make interchangeable outfits. i.e. a shirt that you can wear with a skirt and also with capris, then use it as a light jacket with a cami under it. ALL my bottoms are black (black slacks, black capris, black skirts) Varied colored shirts and 1 wrap (sweater, shrug or something like that). Here's a link to SueR's blog where she sings the praises of the pashmina. http://suerunyondesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/travel-tip.html

This wardrobe will take you anywhere you may want to go. To church, out to dinner, to the mall, even just staying in and watching TV with the granddaughters.

All my clothing is knits (comfortable, stretchy, light, wrinkle free) and if necessary can be rinsed out in a sink, hung up to dry and ready for another day.