It was a week of Thanksgiving food prep including a pie crust I am pretty proud of and my famous homemade Cranberry, Apple and Ginger Chutney.  We drove a bit north of Tampa to my mother in laws in New Port Richey this year, so no big turkey to prepare for me. It was a nice change after so many years of hosting, but also a little sad too.  I do love a big holiday crowd. My very full, beach inspired Christmas tree is up and I added some sparkle in a corner by the kitchen this year with this cute little flocked tree I found at Target.  I seem to shop at ..read more

  Florida just keeps taking the hits this hurricane season and Helene left so much damage in my little corner of the gulf coast.  When locals say run from the water, hide from the wind, this storm was a perfect example. The power of the surge was not something you would want to be caught up in.  Many rescues were needed, beachfront homes flooded and belongings were tossed around.  Sand was deposited like snow drifts.  For my city it was primarily a beach event that will take some time to recover. Both the Venice Jetty and the Venice Pier are closed awaiting repair ..read more

  Some of you might remember that on January 1st, I started the new year with morning yoga on the beach and was determined that 2024 would be a year of consistent movement for me.  I am happy to say that I have done really well towards that goal.  Most weeks I am doing some form of a yoga practice three times over the week, other weeks it is twice or sometimes once along with other exercise like golf, walking and gardening.   Beach yoga is wonderful and I look forward to cooler weather again and the end of rainy season to be able take advantage of it a bit more.  Last ..read more

  Life has been good and busy and honestly, too busy to even remember to take photos to share here.  But, I am ready to get back to normal after the hurricane clean up and celebrate the holidays.  I feel like all of the Florida Gulf Coast feels the same way.  Hurricane season is finally over and our normal sunshiney days await for the next 9 months. Since we returned to Florida from our trip to Michigan, there has been a lot of catching up, but also fun. Snowbird friends are arriving back for the season, so we have been out and about.  Golf and yoga are always part of ..read more

  We arrived in Michigan reeling from a quick evacuation due to Hurricane Milton, but ready to enjoy time with friends and family and worry about clean up we return.  Of course the main event and the reason for the trip, was our Granddaughter’s first birthday party.  We were feeling fortunate to be there for the party and to spend time with her.  She is so much fun and a happy girl.  The party was filled with “One-toberfest” details including giant pretzels with beer cheese dip, bratwurst, cider and german beer.  Audrey loved her smash cake, made with love by our ..read more

  Now that Milton has left the state of Florida and unfortunately left so much damage, I am focused enough to give a recap of the week.  Also, I want to thank all the readers who were kind enough to leave comments on Instagram as I updated that I was safe. As the forecast and track became more and more dire, we had to make a decision on Sunday whether to stay and miss a planned trip, or evacuate early to get out in time and safely.  It is not an easy decision to evacuate and face the traffic on the highways, gas shortages and just leaving your house not knowing what you will com ..read more

  It is a few days past Easter and April is already whizzing along for me with a lot on my calendar.  Melissa’s bridal shower is fast approaching and I am hoping for a flurry of rsvp’s to come in this week, so I don’t have to follow up with people.  I am working on menu cards and some table top signs and still need to place a flower order at Trader Joe’s.  Otherwise all is well with that.  3 months until the wedding! I didn’t take any photos on Easter, but do have a few fun shots of our Good Friday.  As is our tradition, we went to Stations of the Cross and then d ..read more

    We did all the hurricane prep yesterday and now we wait.  Because we added permanent storm screens, the process is much less stressful and much easier to do.  Anything that might fly, goes on the covered part of the lanai and down comes the screen with the press of a button.  We most likely won’t get hurricane force winds in the outer bands, but it’s always better to be over prepared. Having ridden out Hurricane Ian, we know our house can take sustained category 4 winds, so we feel like old hands at this now.  We have become Florida people with hurri ..read more

  The funny thing about living in Florida, especially being from the midwest is that September does not mean anything changes weather wise.  In fact it can be even hotter and hurricanes are more likely.  So for us, seeing the fall season through the experiences of those up north are as close as we get.  I did buy some cider at Publix though - and will drink it poolside. September is the start of football season and it is always a good fall Saturday when Michigan State wins. Also, anyone who is a Detroit Lions fan is extremely excited for this season, which starts Sunday. &n ..read more

My daughter’s wedding is one week from today and in just a few days we will be on a flight to Michigan for all the pre wedding festivities. We still need to put together the hotel welcome bags, get manicures and pedicures and pick up my husband’s tux.  There will be a family pre wedding dinner with the groom’s family. The next night is the church wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at a fun polish restaurant in Detroit. Finally, a welcome party at the lovely hotel bar.   Then of course, wedding day and all the excitement that brings. I am looking forward to so much. 1.  Seei ..read more