Beach Vibes

 

Melissa came to visit and it was a true spring break for her with plenty of sunshine and beach vibes.  She had to work quite a bit, since she owns her own business, but working on a computer pool side is not the worst thing.

We had our fill of tropical drinks both pool side and at the beach.  The day we went to Siesta Key Beach was picture perfect and that beach never disappoints from the minute you step on the white, powdery sand and see the turquoise water in front of you.  Voted number one beach in America on a consistent basis, because it truly is.

One night we picked up yummy quesadillas and a half gallon of margaritas to go and headed to our go to local beach for sunset happy hour.  The sun did not show, with rain coming, but it’s still a great way to spend a few hours with fresh gulf breezes, sand in your toes and a good cocktail.

We also ate delicious food including sushi, my homemade lasagna and an amazing Spanish/Cuban dinner at Columbia Restaurant.  The original Tampa location is historic and well known, but we are lucky to have a closer location at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota.  If you ever go, get a pitcher of Sangria - no question.  The waiter prepares it fresh table side and I highly recommend if you love Sangria like I do.

Finally, but the best part of a daughter’s visit, is just the little things.  The conversations that catch you up, the opportunity to spoil her a bit with a new dress and a manicure and seeing her in your house when you wake up in the morning.  I will miss that.

Happy weekend!

Life Lately in Photos

 

Another fun spring month, taking advantage of the beautiful, low humidity and sunshine that Florida gets in April.  It’s the reason people flock to Florida for spring break and those who live here take advantage of it too and get outside.  

April so far has consisted of an outdoor concert at a lovely, new public space, two lunches with friends for their birthdays and a lot of golf.  I’m in the midst planning the end of season golf outing for my neighborhood golf group as well.

My volunteer gardening work has been keeping me busy too.  Between my own property, the neighborhood HOA work that I do and my one morning a week for the city, I am most likely getting dirty.  But, it is something I truly love and look forward to doing.  Even though Hurricane Ian was in October and we are now approaching a new hurricane season, there is still clean up happening.  But progress too and that is satisfying.

Melissa, my younger daughter visits next week and I look forward to slowing down with some pool and beach time.  

Happy Saturday!

Library Card

 

Sometimes it takes me a long time to do something and then I wonder why in the world it took me so long. Getting a library card has been on my to do list for way too long.  I kept procrastinating and never actually doing it.  I am an iPad/Kindle app reader and buy books from Amazon, but the prices keep going up and up and I read a lot.  I finally decided now was the time to figure out the library e book system.

I have a long love for libraries, but do not enjoy reading physical books any longer.  So as much as I used to love coming home from the library with a pile of books, it’s not something I will be doing.  But, stepping into the beautiful, newly renovated Venice library did bring back all those good feelings about libraries that I formed in childhood.  I couldn’t resist browsing the stacks just a bit, before getting my library card.  

And the e book lending process on first impression, is very easy and user friendly.  I have already read a couple of books that have been on my Amazon Reading List for a long time, but did not want to pay the high price.  But, it’s easy to try a book when it is free.

Apples Never Fall, the newest Liane Moriarty book might be my favorite read so far this year.  It’s very reminiscent of Big Little Lies.  I waited to read it because her book before this one got very bad reviews and I was hesitant to be disappointed in a favorite author. 

 

The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner was also one that lived up to her best writing style. I find her hit or miss lately, but this was a good one, with strong characterization; one of her strengths.

Finally, in all honesty the one disappointing thing about the e book process is that many popular books must be put on hold and the hold times are long.  Some I will wait for, but some, especially from a favorite author, I will most likely purchase from Amazon like usual.  

All in all, its a great system and if your library offers it, it is worth figuring out.

Happy Reading!

Easter Cocktail - Drunk Bunny

 

This is a new to me cocktail and while it is a fun pink cocktail for Easter, I like it so much, it may become my go to pool cocktail too.

It’s the perfect cocktail to make at home, because there are only 4 ingredients that you probably have on hand or are easy to keep on hand - lemonade, frozen raspberries, Malibu Rum and Chambord  (raspberry liquor).  You could switch things up and substitute pink lemonade or raspberry vodka as well.

In a rocks size glass, place crushed ice, a handful of frozen raspberries, 2 ounces Malibu Rum and 1 ounce Chambord (gives it the pink color). Top with lemonade.  Stir and enjoy!

Have a happy and blessed Holy Weekend and Easter.