March Visitor Fun in Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've had a busy month, with visitors one right after the other. I previously wrote a post about my daughter's visit at the beginning of March and that kicked off the fun. Later in the month, one of my good friends from Michigan came to spend a few days, before continuing on to Naples and we had such a good time. I tried to show her the best places in just a few days, and I think I succeeded. We were also able to spend some time with a couple other friends who either live here or were here on an extended visit. There was a lot of catching up time and a lot of wine involved, so really the perfect few days.

Last weekend, my sister and brother in law came to visit on their way to Orlando and it made me so happy to have family here and be able to show them our new home and the city where we live. We had an action packed few days of beach walking, pool time, shopping, sunsets and my sister's favorite; eating lunch and dinner outside. The weather could not have been more perfect for them and we hope they come back soon.

It is these visits; these little pieces of home, that make this move ok. Making new friends is fun and enriches your life, but those friends and family that you have a history with are to be treasured above all.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Quick Easter Project - Twine Wrapped Eggs

 

 

 

It has been forever and a day since I have posted a DIY project, but Easter is here so soon, and looking back, this has always been one of my favorites. For these Twine Wrapped Eggs you need three things: twine (colored or natural), plastic eggs and a glue gun. Complete instructions are in the link, but really all you do is wrap tight and glue as you go. It's that easy.

I think the eggs would they look perfect grouped together as part of an Easter table setting. Pastels are pretty at Easter, but if you are like me, I'm drawn to more neutrals and naturals. These eggs, grouped in a grapevine wreath as shown, along with lots of pretty spring flowers would be an easy, but beautiful display.

Happy Thursday!

 

{ Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style

Have a Daily Cup

Between Naps on the Porch

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Currently

 

 

 

Doing: Now that we have lived in our new house for several months, we are working on some of the things we weren't in a great hurry to complete, but wanted to live with for a while before making decisions. One of those things is artwork and it's just recently that I have been feeling the need to fill some of the empty space. I don't want clutter, but have found a few unique, coastal inspired pieces that will do nicely. We also are working on getting some glass added to our front door that will solve a problem with lack of light in the foyer area. Our house is designed to be open and full of light in the back, but by living here awhile, we have discovered we would like a bit more natural light in the front of the house as well.

 

Watching: I know I have written many times about my love for British crime shows and I recently discovered one on Netflix that adore. Shetland is set in the Shetland Islands of Scotland and the scenery is as compelling as the crime stories. The two main characters DI Jimmy Perez and DS Alison McIntosh are just fabulous as written and acted. The accents are a challenge, but also part of the charm.

 

Reading: The best book I have read lately, is one I just finished this week. Force of Nature by Jane Harper is about five women who go on a corporate wilderness retreat, but only four return. The story is told in both present time (the investigation) and flashbacks (the camping trip), building up to where the two stories converge and the reader discovers what happened.

 

 

Excited About: Visitors! My guest room is getting used this month and I love it. We just love showing visitors around and seeing our favorite spots through their eyes. I love making them a tropical drink and seeing all their stress melt away as the Florida sunshine does its work.

 

Chateau Chantal, Traverse City

Looking Ahead: My next trip to Michigan will be for Megan's bachelorette weekend in May. It seemed so far away when we booked it, but I will be on a plane so soon and it really is the start of the wedding festivities with her bridal showers in June and the wedding in August. The bachelorette weekend will be at one of my favorite places in northern Michigan (Traverse City) and we will be doing a wine tasting tour. We can't wait to celebrate.

Happy Thursday!

 

Living Like A Local

 

 

It's easy to think of living in Florida as one continuous vacation with constant visits to to beach. And believe me, it can be like that. I still pinch myself when I'm at the beach or the pool on random days, especially in the winter months. But, for a new place to feel like home, you also need some normalcy. I am equal parts introverted (I love to be at home) and social. Finding friends to do things with, either as a couple or girls outings has been slow to develop, but I can feel it starting to happen.

Last week made me feel like I am getting involved, getting out and about and doing things that the locals do.

 

 

 

 

On Thursday night, I went out to dinner and then to the Venice Theatre to see Dreamgirls. The group consisted of friends of a friend's sister, but it's fun to meet new people and everyone was very friendly. The production was good, with a local feel, but I have grown up going to community theatre, so I was ok with that. The one exception was the actress who played Effie. She was fabulous and her credits included The Lion King show at Disney World. It's definitely something I would do again and will check the schedule periodically.

 

 

On Friday afternoon, I went with a neighbor to the Venice Home and Garden Tour. It was a beautiful day and really fun to explore the homes and their tropical gardens. I was especially taken with the plant shown above (variegated dwarf ginger) and am going to look for a sunny spot to try and grow it. All of these tropical plants are new to me and I find them all so interesting.

Sunday, I invited a friend who is in town to walk with me on my usual afternoon walk and I loved showing her the shaded path to the beach that I love.

What's the saying? " bloom where you are planted "

It's what I'm trying to do.

Happy Tuesday!

 

Missing Her Already

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter Megan left yesterday and I am missing her already. We had so much fun while she was here and while I don't have photos of everything we did, there are a few to preserve the memories.

We had some pool days, as well as beach days. We did yoga on the beach, watched the Big 10 basketball tournament on the lanai (her a Michigan alum/us Michigan State alums) and had some great dinners and lunches at our favorite waterfront spots. We attended a Detroit Tigers Spring Training game and visited my mother in law as well. We watched the sun set from beach chairs and it was one of the prettiest we've seen so far.

But for me, perhaps the best day, was the day we spent shopping for her wedding. We had so much fun looking at possibilities for creating her vision. I now have two cake plates for the dessert table, awaiting the wedding day and that makes me inordinately excited. We also found a cute white dress for her to wear at one of her bridal showers and sitting in the dressing room while she showed me dress possibilities was such a touchstone to all those high school years of finding just the right dress for all those formal dances.

As all the empty nesters know, you go about your day to day life and while you miss your children, everything is fine and you are happy in this new normal. But, there is nothing better than having them home, sleeping under your roof and seeing their smiling face in the morning. And, you miss them even more when they are gone.

Happy Thursday!

 

Oscar Dresses 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling very underwhelmed this morning by the majority of the Oscar dresses this year. It was definitely nice to see color after the all black social statement of the Golden Globes, but there just seems to be such a weight to the broadcast at this point, that I'm not sure it's something I want to watch anymore, even if it's just for the fashion.

The four dresses above were my favorites and all had a wow factor and required star presense to pull off each look. Too many of the ladies looked like the dress was wearing them and were not at all comfortable in their choice, but these four looked confident, beautiful and occasion worthy. I am always drawn to the dresses with a little sparkle and thought Jennifer Lawrence was perfection, including her loose blonde waves. Nicole Kidman always makes interesting choices and this one worked for me, including the oversized bow.

I started to write this by making a list of the things I enjoyed and could really only come up with one thing; the movie clips. It just felt like everyone, especially Jimmy Kimmel, were trying too hard and four hours of that is not much fun.

My favorite thing: having my daughter Megan here to watch with me rather than via text.

Happy Monday!

 

Primavera Stuffed Chicken

 

 

 

 

Don't you just love when you discover a new recipe that is as easy as it is delicious. Especially for something like chicken, that can easily be boring and repetitive. This Primavera Stuffed Chicken is full of veggie goodness and while I used zucchini, tomatoes and red onion, you could easily use any veggies you like, or have on hand. I went light on the mozerella cheese sprinkled on top as well, but you could add more for cheesy goodness. This is a keeper that is even good enough for entertaining.

 

 

Why did I cook this yummy chicken? Because this girl (my daughter Megan) is visiting for both some fun in the sun and some wedding planning. We are going to sit down with our computers and lists and work out all the details. The big decisions are made, but there are a million little things still left to do. For me, that's the fun part.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Primavera Stuffed Chicken

4 boneless chicken breasts (fairly thick)

1 small zucchini ( cut in thin half moons)

1 plum tomato (cut in thin half moons)

1 red onion (cut in thin slices)

Italian seasoning, sea salt and cracked black pepper

Olive oil

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ( I used less)

Place chicken breasts in 11 X 13 baking dish, lined with foil for easy cleanup. Cut 5 or 6 slits in each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. Rub top of chicken breast with olive oil, then sprinkle on Italian seasoning, sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Stuff slits with prepared vegatables. Bake covered with foil at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until done. Sprinkle on cheese and return to oven (uncovered) until cheese melts. Enjoy!

 

{ Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style

Have a Daily Cup

Between Naps on the Porch

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable