Not-So-Newlywed Map
Have you ever heard of a Newlywed Map? I hadn’t until I saw this post on Heather Drive. You might remember that Heather and I have teamed up for some Operation Baking Gals teams in the past. I can’t remember how I found her blog, but I’ve enjoyed following it. She’s got a mix of food, travel, and life posts in her blog.
The idea of a Newlywed Map is that you mount a map of the world on some foam and frame it. Then you mark all the places you’ve traveled with your Hubby. We have been married almost 4 years at this point, so we’re not quite Newlyweds, but this is still a great idea.
Hubby and I added places we’ve visted together and individually since we met. Hubby spent a couple months working in India and traveling near there and we didn’t want to neglect those travels. When we sat down to make our map, we realized that we’ve been to the Caribbean a LOT (thanks to 3 cruises), and all over the East coast and Midwest. Other than that, there is a lot of world out there that we want to visit!
This project was really easy and Hubby and I had a good time putting it together. First I ordered a map and some pins online. My craft store didn’t have foam in the 24×36″ size, so I had to go with a tri-fold science-fair board. It worked out perfectly. We just used some packaging tape to tape the flaps down to the board so it was twice as thick.
Next we used spray adhesive to glue the map to the board. Once that was dry, we placed it in the frame. We got lucky because about 7 years ago I bought a big painting from a starving artist sale to go over our mantle in our first apartment together. The painting was the kind that just pops out of the frame. Since we don’t have a mantle in Boston, the painting has been in our basement since we moved. The frame was the perfect size and our mounted map popped right into the frame.
The next step was the fun part. Placing all the pins on the places we’ve been. It was a good time reminescing about various trips we’ve taken. And lastly, Hubby hung it on the wall. You might remember me mentioning that during our kitchen renovation, they put a circuit breaker box in our hallway when the electrical got updated. We have been searching for something large enough to cover the box ever since. This map hides the box perfectly!
One Year Ago: Spicy Orange Shrimp
Two Years Ago: Dairy Free Cheesecake Pops and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
OMG that inscription is fabulous!!! hahahahaha Alton is totally a cute nerdy guy… I would have tried to hug him for sure!
That’s so awesome, I’d love to meet him too! I tried the chewy and it didn’t work out, but I blame that on myself. NONE of my cookie recipes turn out right, and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong…
I love what he wrote!! It would be so awesome to meet him!
That is wonderful! It’s such a great feeling when you get to meet someone who inspires you so much!!
Ahhhhhhhh, you’re so lucky! What a great inscription. I would totally frame that book!
I can’t believe I’ve found such a huge Alton Brown fan. He’s like the food version of Mr. Wizard, another nerd show I watched back in the day. I think Good Eats and Iron Chef America are my two favorite Food Network shows. Your night sounds like a blast, I’m sorry I didn’t hear about it and get to join in fun.
SO fabulous that you met him!!
Oh how cool, I’m totally jealous! 🙂
I just looked in the mirror. It’s true what they say…. I AM GREEN. LOL So exciting. I watched the 10th anniversary show last night on FN. I love him!!
(Side note: I think he got toooo skinny. He needs to be fattened up a smidge!)
That’s awesome! His inscription is so funny!
Alton Brown is the ONLY FN star I would want to meet ever! And I live in his State..his county…heck… his city and shop where he shops. I never get to “bump” into him 🙂
You are so so lucky!!
Awesome! I love meeting people like that and I love it even more when they are cool and nice in person!
Sitting in RI jealous that you got to meet AB. You are so right about The Chewy! That’s the ONLY recipe I use now.
HUGE AB fans down here 🙂
Lucky you!!
Very cool! One of my faves!
How cool! What a great experience!! And the picture is awesome to boot!
Joe – did you see the 10th anniversary episode? Apparently when he was dreaming up the show he said he wanted it to be Julia Child + Mr Wizard + Monty Python.
Sorry to make everyone jealous, and I do agree that he looks TOO skinny.
Everyone be sure to check back tomorrow for a big AB giveaway!
LOVE!
How fun! I love his shows, he seems like an interesting guy.
how exciting!
Very cool!
i cant say it is a specific favorite tip or show memory…but i always seem to remember his handy tricks and tips whenever i am making something!
I think my favorite episode is the one making biscuits with his grandmother, but my favorite recipe is the one for a dutch baby.
how awesome is that!! love the story 🙂
That’s awesome. Too funny! I love AB.
Oh wow, how cool!!
Alton Brown is ultimate because he actually teaches you WHY you do things in certain recipes. A lot of steps that I would probably skip I learn why I shouldn’t
I am a new follower of your blog (which I must say is an absolute inspiration with me having just started my own. I hope that one day mine can be half as good as yours!) and I literally squealed when I saw this post. I’m a huge fan of Alton too. What a guy! 🙂