Warning: This blog post may make you hungry! In my last post, I recapped my 2024 snowbird stay in Southwest Florida. Today I’m going to share my foodie adventures exploring Naples culinary scene. Ooh, ooh, ooh, I did a lot of eating at restaurants and cafes in Naples and Bonita Springs this winter. Both neighboring towns have vibrant and constantly expanding dining options. I’ve picked eight to tell you about. Let’s dig in! Warm Lobster and Crab from The Bohemian Starting with breakfast in Bonita Springs Breakfast is my fav eat of the day. A good decaf latte or cold brew made with oat or al ..read more

With the start of spring this week, winter will soon be in the rearview mirror. There are only two more weeks left before my 2024 Florida snowbird stay in Southwest Florida comes to an end. Despite a rainy and rather cold January, February and March shaped up with an abundance of sunshine and warmth. Ooh, ooh, ooh, there is much to share about my activities including my time in Bonita Springs (BB) and Naples. Plus this year I spent several weeks further north, exploring Sarasota with my boyfriend E during his first snowbird stay at his Gulf Coast home. There was much to see and do all around ..read more

My friends at Road Scholar are hosting a “Great Global Giveaway” and I’m excited to tell you about it. I’m going to enter and hope you do too. I so want to plan a vacay with this travel company during my retirement. Road Scholar Great Global Giveaway In honor of it’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2025, Road Scholar is hosting a contest in advance called the “Great Global Giveaway.” Seven lucky winners will win one of seven educational adventures to seven continents, complete with airfare for two people. These seven trips, like all the programs Road Scholar offers, will have an emphasis on l ..read more

I had hoped to publish my inspirational word for the new year about four weeks ago. Needless to say it didn’t happen. Time flew by and now it’s February 1st and I’m finally sitting down to write. It’s a bit serendipity because my #oneword for 2024 is balance. These days I find life is a balancing act.  That’s why balance is my focus for the next 11 months. As I get older I’m finding it harder to create balance in my life. You would think that being 10 years into retirement that I would have found a better rhythm. Yet I haven’t. Perhaps it’s because there are so many things I want to ..read more

Last week, I looked back at my daily journal. I flipped through the past 12 months to see what I did each day. My daily journal has become a nightly ritual. I write before I go to bed, jotting down the top three things I hope to accomplish the following day and the three things I’m grateful for. I also record a note about my health. Am I faring well or is something brewing that worries me? (BTW the health journal is very helpful when I go to my doctor, especially at my age when I forget things.) In 2023 I’m grateful for my family and friends and my health Gratitude is overflowing As I re-rea ..read more

Earlier, I told you about my 3-day fall road trip to lower Hudson Valley in New York State which included time at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum and FDR’s home in Hyde Park, exploring downtown Beacon, and a lovely stay at The Roundhouse Beacon Falls. Now I’m back to share Part II of my journey featuring my visit to The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and Storm King Art Center. It was my first time visiting the Culinary Institute of America Getting a resy at the Culinary Institute of America is not easy Being a foodie, I had always wanted to visit the CIA ..read more

Earlier, I told you about my 3-day fall road trip to lower Hudson Valley in New York State which included spending time at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum and FDR’s home in Hyde Park, exploring downtown Beacon, and a lovely stay at The Roundhouse Beacon Falls. Now I’m back to share Part II of my journey featuring my visit to The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and stopover at Storm King Park. It was my first time visiting the Culinary Institute of America Getting a resy at the Culinary Institute of America is not easy Being a foodie, I had always wanted to ..read more

I can’t believe it’s the holiday season. Each year, I have good plans to get my gift guide out in advance however it never seems to happen. If you haven’t finished your shopping, I’ve put together some suggestions. My list includes my favorite things from the 2023 Summer NY NOW Lifestyle and Gift Show and other appealing items that have been sent my way for blogger review. Many of the items are made by inspiring artists and entrepreneurs. There are gifts for home, jewelry, and other accessories. I’ve also featured a few wellness-focused items and 2024 calendars from my fav Workman Press. Plus ..read more

When I lived in the Bronx as a child I remember going to upstate New York to go apple picking each fall. We picked tons of apples and then would make baked apples and apple cake and end up eating lots of apples for weeks. The area was mostly farms back in the 1960s and 70s. Now the towns along the Hudson River are known as Hudson Valley in Dutchess County and are trendy with the millennial generation, especially since the pandemic. Some bouchie millennials have second homes in the area. Some baby boomers have retired to the Valley too. Hudson Valley, especially lower Hudson is a few hours rid ..read more

It took stamina to navigate through more than 1000 exhibitors and 16,000 registered attendees at the 2023 Natural Products Expo East in Philadelphia Convention Center in September. There were 900 brands showcasing the latest and greatest natural and organic products. After reviewing my notes, photos and stash of samples, I’m ready to report on the new food & beauty trends I discovered.  I wonder if I consume these natural foods, beverages, and supplements and apply all the organic beauty treatments, whether I’ll move closer to living to 100. Daily Crunch is a line of sprouted nuts ..read more