Life Lately

 

A lot of Christmas prep is happening here and things really start to get busy this week with a gift exchange party, hosting a dinner party here, a lanai cocktail party and hosting a stop for the glow ride in our neighborhood.  

What else have I been doing?

Volunteering

The group I volunteer with always helps to decorate a city park and the past few years, I have been assigned to the official city tree.  The whole park comes together so beautifully and it is a lovely and festive spot to walk through during the holidays.  I included photos of the volunteer day and later, the park at night.

All the Christmas Lights

I can never get my fill of Christmas lights, so we went to dinner at a great spot in Sarasota where all of the palm trees (100’s) are wrapped with lights that are synchronized to Christmas music.  It really is beautiful to have dinner on an outdoor patio and just soak in the holiday atmosphere.  Florida style Christmas at it’s best.

Watching

Shetland is an all time favorite show of mine and I have been searching for a way to watch the new season.  Britbox was having a free trial, so I signed up and I have one episode to go, but am loving it and Jimmy Perez, Tosh and Sandy.  Shows where the location fit the storyline and the characters so well are my favorite.

Reading

Anyone else finished the new Outlander book Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?  It’s the kind of book that is good, so you want to read fast, yet you don’t want it to end, so you try to slow down a bit.  Unfortunately, there will probably be at least another five years until the final book in the series (Book 10) is released.  Jamie and Claire are back home on Fraser’s Ridge and are struggling to keep the war from invading their peaceful family days.  It wouldn’t be Outlander if chaos did not find them.

Enjoying Florida in December

December weather in Florida can be unpredictable, but we have had a stretch of sunny and 80 degree days that have me enjoying the pool during the day and savoring the warm nights on the lanai.  I may see snow in Michigan at Christmas, but for now, I will take this slice of paradise.

Happy Monday!

What I am Watching

 

Sometimes, I am more inclined to watch something on Netflix than read and that is where I am lately.  I have found some really good series; some new and some that have been around for awhile.  I love a crime series and found two that really hooked me.  Both are smart, brooding and immerse you in the location (Sweden and Wales) where they were shot, which I love.  The Queen’s Gambit is simply stunning and I especially loved the costumes.  Who knew that a chess tournament could be so exciting?  The Dig is the quiet kind of English countryside story that I enjoy, with the intrigue of an archeological dig and the start of WWII as a backdrop. Think Downton Abbey.

The Dig on Netflix

Hinterland on Netflix

The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix

Young Wallander on Netflix

While The Dig was an original Netflix movie, Young Wallander will return for another season. Hinterland will not from all I can tell.   I’m hoping that The Queen’s Gambit will have another season as well.  There are a lot of shows on Netflix, but finding quality is sometimes difficult.  These are all ones that I was sad to see the final credits roll by and definitely worth watching.

Downton Abbey and Poldark

I’m a little behind, but I finally went to see the Downton Abbey movie and caught up with the final season of Poldark as well.  Both British historical dramas and both dear to my heart and I was not disappointed with either one.

The Downton Abbey movie was two hours of sweeping English countryside views, familiar characters and just enough drama to turn a television show into a movie.  The main plot point is a royal visit to Downton by the King and Queen, but there is a lot more that happens around this event. Though set two years after the series ended, almost everyone is back and storylines effortlessly continue with a few new surprises, both happy and sad.  It is written by the series creator and it is obvious he knows the characters very well.  If you are a Downton Abbey fan, you will love it.

Poldark started on PBS Masterpiece a few weeks ago, but Sunday morning I watched the first two episodes of Season 5 and can’t wait for the rest.  The espionage sub plot is really interesting and Ross is the perfect reluctant spy.  Ross and Demelza are happy at the moment, but I fear (because it’s Poldark) that storms are coming.  There is a sweet new romance blossoming for Geoffrey Charles and some new dastardly characters up to no good with the help of George Warleggan.  This is a series I will be sad to see end.

Happy Monday!

This and That

 

 

 

The photos are starting to come in from our photographer and I couldn't love this one more. It just captures all the emotion of being a mother of the bride and making sure your daughter looks just right on her wedding day. This will be going in a frame.

 

 

A little hot and sweaty at the end of our round, but we had a fun morning on the golf course for my husband's birthday. Golf in Florida this time of year is an adventure and you learn to get your round in early in the day to beat both the heat and the inevitable late afternoon thunderstorms. We had a nice lunch in the clubhouse grill, followed by ice cream from an orange grove farm stand nearby. Low key, but that's how he likes it.

 

I forgot to take a photo, but last night I helped to start a Bunco group in my neighborhood. A little different from my old group, because we play in our clubhouse and different people may sign up each month, but it's a great way to meet people. I had to teach the group how to play during the first few rounds, but since I've been playing for about 25 years between 2 different groups in two different states, I know all the ins and outs.

 

Watched on Netflix over the summer:

 

 

Marcella season two is a show I had a love/hate relationship while watching. It's a great British police show (my favorite) and the acting is amazing, but it's oh so dark and twisty. The finale lost me for a while, but they reeled me back in at the end and I want to watch season 3.

 

 

There is a new season of The Great British Baking Show on Netflix, even though an older season was just shown on PBS. Confused? Me too! But, the Netflix season is the newest version from the UK and the new judge and hosts are not bad. It seems like a softer version of Paul and I don't mind the new judge, Pru. The new hosts are a strange choice and do not seem to go together personality wise, but they grew on me as the season went along. Still the same amazing bakes and sweet, quirky contestants.

 

 

The last book in the Shetland series was available on Amazon this month and I read it with both enjoyment and sadness. I think this police series is one of my all time favorites and I knew while I was reading it, I would be saying goodbye to the characters at the end. Luckily, there is still the television series to look forward to and I hope it continues for some time. I'm not ready to leave DI Jimmy Perez and the beautiful Shetland Islands.

 

 

I did buy one thing from the Lilly sale, but I waited until the last day to avoid the madness of waiting in a virtual line. I didn't want anything specific, so while a lot of items had limited sizes in stock at that point, there were still plenty of choices. Also, I used a gift certificate, so it was practically free :-)

Happy Thursday! When you read this, I will be packing and getting ready to leave for the airport and a quick trip to Michigan for a good friend's son's wedding. I'll be seeing a lot of other friends too, so it will be a great time. I also get to see my daughter, Melissa, albeit briefly, but I'll take what I can get.

 

July So Far

 

 

 

The day before the 4th of July, we had a new palm tree put in and I hope we have finally found one that will thrive in this spot. This is try number three and it's very odd, because palm trees basically grow like weeds here in tropical Florida. This one has a warranty and is being watched closely by the landscape company. It wouldn't be a Florida house without a palm tree, right?

 

 

I wrote about our sailboat trip on my birthday weekend post, but I found this photo on the Sail Venice Facebook page and thought it was a good one to share. We love retirement and Florida and this photo just about sums it up.

 

 

 

 

There are three shows that I am watching this summer and loving them all. First, the second season of Anne with an E is on Netflix. The cast is wonderful and while this new season doesn't follow too closely with the original Anne of Green Gables, it still is a lovely period piece.

The Great British Baking Show is back on PBS and it is just as good as ever. Delicious bakes and sweet contestants in all their quirky, British glory, make this one of my all time favorite shows.

Season two of Marcella is also on Netflix and while I haven't started it yet, it's next on my list. Season one was very good. It's a dark and gritty police drama with an interesting and flawed heroine. In my opinion, British crime shows are just so much better than those in America.

 

 

Speaking of British crime shows, I am a big fan of Shetland and caught up with the current season a few months ago. While I am waiting for Netflix to add the newest season, I decided to read the books that the tv show is based on. I'm finding the books quite different and a favorite character (Tosh) is missing, but the writing is really good and the use of different points of view, moves the story along very well. I'm on book three, so I will be enjoying this series for awhile.

Happy Thursday!

 

This and That

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a strange weekend weather wise here on the gulf coast of Florida, with Tropical Storm Alberto scheduled to bring rain and wind. It did rain a bit, was breezy, but no more than usual this time of year and I wouldn't call what we saw a tropical storm at all.

We did get out quite a lot, including a walk on the beach near the yoga circle, a trip to the nearby orange grove for orange ice cream and on Monday, a late lunch in downtown Sarasota at a new to us barbeque restaurant. We are trying to discover some non beachy type restaurants; less touristy and better quality food.

I was able to finish watching Little Women on Masterpiece and I loved it so much. The reviews gave this adaptation a mediocre rating, but I thought it was beautifully done, with a bit of a modern feel. For me, the heart of Little Women is Jo, and the actress who plays her had all the charisma needed for the part. If you love this classic novel and especially Jo March, you will enjoy this version.

Happy Tuesday!

 

What I'm Watching

 

 

I rarely watch network television, except for a few favorites that I have watched for years (Grey's Anatomy) and one new show (This Is Us). And, I still watch the housewives, but I'm down to three (NY, OC and BH). Southern Charm on Bravo is a favorite too. On demand has made it easier to keep up and catch up with these kinds of shows. Lately, I've rediscovered an old favorite and finally caught up with the big Emmy winning hit from last year. Here's what I'm watching.

 

 

Yes, I was way behind on watching Big Little Lies, but we don't have HBO and I don't usually like book adaptations, so I wasn't that bothered. But, we had a week of free HBO and I knew it was the one show I wanted to finally watch. I did enjoy it and thought the acting was pretty amazing. Some of the changes from the book were choices I didn't really understand, but overall it was very well done. I would like to see Season 2, even with Meryl Streep, who I do not care for. If nothing else, that proves how much I liked it.

 

 

Once Upon A Time is one of those shows that used to be great, so I stuck with it the past few years. However, I just couldn't get through it last season and thought I was done. Characters left, new characters were introduced and when I read the last eposode would bring back pretty much everyone, I decided to get caught up, so I could enjoy the series finale. And, much to my surprise, it's a pretty good final season.

 

 

I love discovering a Netfix series that is binge worthy and Retribution is a great find. It's British, dark and twisty; just how I like my crime dramas. You won't believe the ending in this one.

Looking forward to watching: Little Women on Masterpiece Theatre (PBS) starting May 13th and another installment of The Great British Baking Show (PBS) starting June 22nd. I think it's our last season with Mary and Paul and I wonder if the new version will have the same charm.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Some blog housekeeping: I hope to do a blog design update sometime later this year, but it's bugging me that I don't have an Instragram button making it easy for you to follow me. So, in the meantime, here is a link to my Instagram page. I don't do a lot of stories, but I love them and am going to try to do more in the future.

 

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!

 

Currently

 

 

 

Currently...

 

Noticing: My puppy seems to have adjusted to life in Florida just fine. She doesn't seem bothered by all the changes and in fact seems to love the freedom of the lanai where she can feel like she is outside. The heat has been an issue with our walking, but I have learned to keep the walks to early morning or evening when the sun is less intense and she is fine. She had the run of the backyard at our Michigan house and loved chasing squirrels, but is not allowed in the back here at all due to alligators in the pond that is quite close. No squirrels, but she has discovered that sand cranes are fun to bark at when they walk by.

Watching: Broadchurch season 3 on BBC America. I usually catch this series on Netflix, but discovered it showing this summer and quickly caught up with on demand. This is the final season and I am enjoying it very much, especially my favorite, DI Ellie Miller. The actress who plays her is so talented and she really shines in these episodes dealing with a sexual assault.

Reading: I just started the new Sue Grafton book, Y Is For Yesterday. Welcome back Kinsey!

Feeling: Going to yoga regularly has got me feeling strong. I feel more flexible too and intend to keep it up. Life in Florida, with the older crowd, gives you a lot of incentive to keep active and it really is amazing to see those twenty five years older than me, biking, running, playing golf and tennis and living the Florida lifestyle.

Excited about: My Daughter's wedding! After we picked the venue and the church there was kind of a pause on decisions, but things are starting to happen. The bridesmaids are asked, the save the dates are ordered and in October, I will be joining Megan for a wedding dress shopping weekend. Can I keep from crying? Doubt it!

Looking forward to: A trip to Michigan this weekend! I fly out on Saturday for a visit with Melissa, my parents, my sister and my friends. I'll write all about it when I get back, but is really going to feel great to see everyone and feel like I still have one foot in Michigan, even though I am so far away.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

What I'm Watching

 

 

The good news is that we now have cable in our new house. The bad news is that due to a construction error on our street, we went one month without cable and had only temporary, very slow internet. So, I'm very behind on some shows I wanted to watch.

I did catch up on two shows that I have been looking forward to this summer and they are both British shows on PBS.

 

 

First, Tennison: Prime Suspect is the prequel to Helen Mirren's portrayal of Jane Tennison in the original Prime Suspect series, of which I was a big fan. I read a lot of British police procedurals and both this new show and the original were very good at translating those genre of books to the screen. Gritty, true to life and detailed about solving a crime in a British police station.

 

 

This new series (only three episodes, so easy to catch up on) takes place in 1973 and the style, clothes and depiction of that decade are fabulous. Lots of facial hair on the men and no cell phones or computers to be found. I really enjoyed the characters, the look and feel, as well as the story.

 

 

Quite a different change of pace from a crime drama, but I always enjoy The Great British Baking Show for its sweet, calm pace. It's just a lovely look at lovely people, baking lovely things. This is the fourth showing here in the states, but we get a combination of older and newer series as shown on the BBC, in no particular order or timeline. I love everything about it, even though I get confused every time a cookie is called a biscuit :-)

Happy Tuesday!

 

Some Favorites

 

 

As I reside in this in between time, there is really not a lot that I need to do, besides a few errands here and there. I am basically recharging after the busyness of moving out of our house and reserving my energy for the Florida move in. I have been catching up on favorite television shows, discovering new shows and reading some good books. Here are a few of my favorites.

 

Home Fires (PBS)

Unfortunately this is the final season, but I highly recommend this quiet little show about life in a small English village during World War II.

 

Call The Midwife (PBS)

This is another great season of this touching series that in my opinion, keeps getting better every year. They are now deep in the 1960's and the cultural references are so interesting.

 

Southern Charm (Bravo)

I definitely have Real Housewife fatigue and only watch a couple of the shows anymore, but I do love Southern Charm and its peek into the Charleston social scene.

 

Beauty and The Beast

I was pleased to finally see this movie and actually be pretty happy with how it was adapted. Was it only me or were others (Downton Abbey fans) wishing we could see more of Dan Steven's handsome face :-)

 

The Second Mrs Hockaday

I stumbled across this Civil War historical novel on Amazon and it became one of my favorites this year. It is written in a series of letters and it's one where you know something bad happened, but don't discover until the end what that is. I found it to be a real page turner.

Happy Wednesday!