When you have to go to Fl for a memorial, stay in a place you’ve never been but want to explore.
When you have to go, but a hurricane is barreling in, drive on down to The Keys and stay a night in comfort, away from the howling wind.
We he original Mrs. Mac’s, on Key Largo, has the most amazing key lime pie!
When it’s raining in paradise, make a drive to a fun dive and remember the sunset from yesterday.
When the dockside you want isn’t open and other places are too full or the hours are funky, just stop searching and try to enjoy the mediocre food you find at a cool dive.
Skippers food is decent, but this blonde sundae is to die for!!The key lime wasn’t so great.
When you get burned from the less than desired cuisine, have a do-over at the hotel convenience … sit out on the balcony and enjoy good food, good service, and sweet conversations with both the waitress and your love.
Gus’s Grille at the Marriott in Key Largo is great! The apple pie is delicious! The key lime pie is scrumptious!
Feels like island time already.
When you have to plan for the days ahead and make some decisions, sit out by the island waters, under a tiki hut, in a bamboo chair swing, and let the coastal breeze wash all over you.
When you can’t bring your boys with you, and they made because they missed the adventure, you stop by a favorite to bring our home to them…and enjoy a slice yourself in the beautiful garden out back.
The Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory has the absolute best key lime in the Keys! Their expanded garden is a wonderful place to sit and take a breather, and of course, to enjoy your slice!
When you have a free place, save a little money and head back to your original destination after the storm has blown through.
But take the long way through the swamps. It’s a prettier, more laid back experience.
Remember, you’re here for the adventure.
When you find your place to be amazing, but the beach town to be a little less than, go exploring nearby.
Remember, you’re here to make a memory.
When the days have been upside down and the busyness of life is taking a toll, take a little stroll along the seashore…or maybe two or three.
Along the way, stop and smell the roses, or take in the sight of the massive, gigantic trees, as it were.
The pictures just don’t quite do it justice. The dimensions of this tree are mind-blowing!
When you see that the feasts prepared are good, but maybe not great, find the one suggested and let it remind you why you make a meal an event.
Matanza’s By the Bay is absolutely amazing!!Be sure to get the salted caramel cheesecake and the pb pie…OH. MY!!
Amazing food, beautiful scenery, and fun conversations can bring the two of you back to younger days, deeper love and a stronger friendship.
When you have to go to a memorial, to be there for a friend, make it an adventure along the way.
Remember, it’s not always about the destination. Sometimes, it’s more about the time spent together and dreams fulfilled.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Sometimes, in order to have a Friday Fun Day, you have to remember where you’ve been rather than where you find yourself today…
And you have to find the joys in the truths that exist…
Like having your son return from college to bring his piles of laundry home for you to wash…
Like having a husband who’s worked hard outside, clearing brush and a fallen tree and brought his clothes in for you to wash…
Like having your son love the outdoors so much that he gets out there as much as possible and brings his dirty, smelly clothes in for you to wash…
Laundry might not seem like a joyous celebration, and I’d much rather be on top of that majestic mountain on a beautiful day like today…
But I will make it a moment of joy as I remember this delightful date day with my man and hold the sweet love of my sons in my heart as I know they’re all safe and secure under one roof today.
Gratefulness is an attitude.
Thanksgiving is a lifestyle.
Appreciation is a perspective you choose to live out, or you find yourself missing out!
…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Well, this week was so jam packed, I didn’t even get a chance to sit down and write. The last 10-14 days have kind of been like this, but this week, I didn’t have the extra to add words to the page.
So, today, I thought I might conglomerate them all as one. 😂 I thought the title turned out quite original (lol); now, let’s see how the blog will end up. Maybe great. Maybe a little less than good. But it really doesn’t matter. You can at least say I tried!
A few weeks ago, I threw a little dessert together that I thought I’d share. It’s pretty simple, and you can pick up most items at your local grocery store, and you can adapt it to your personal preferences.
I started with a simple lemon pound cake. I just happened to have Sara Lee’s lemon loaf. I added a couple of scoops of key lime gelato (I love Talenti Gelato!) and dropped a handful of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries on top. And then, I drizzled caramel over all this.
Oh, it was so yummy! Truthfully, because it was a cooler day right at the end of September, I was wishing I’d had this “grand thought” back in the summertime; however, that didn’t hinder my enjoyment one bit!
This one thought, of enjoying a “summertime dessert in the fall,” led me to thinking, sometimes, we can miss celebrating a moment we should be celebrating!
We can get so bogged down with past regrets or future ambitions that we aren’t present in the moment we’re living. Yes, we need to deal with the past at times, but we should be able to put it in it’s proper places. And we should be pushing forward toward those goals and dreams we have ahead, or we’ll never get beyond where we are.
Yet, if we are seeking so hard after those things ahead, or we become overwhelmed by the sorrows OR joys of the past, we will miss what is right before our very eyes!
So, take a moment today.
Breathe I deeply and exhale slowly.
Let your eyes focus and settle in on those things and those people before you.
Cherish the laughter; embrace the tears.
Walk through the days with purpose and diligence.
It’s not always about where you’ve been or even about where you’re headed.
Sometimes, it’s simply about where you are and who is there with you!
Now, go give yourself a treat today and have a whimsical fun day! 😊
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & hard work.
Thomas A. Edison
“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
Sometimes, Friday Fun Days may not be exactly as you plan, but how about just making it the best you can?
We had to return to my home state to honor a great man whom we will miss dearly.
We couldn’t stay at our “regular places” due to the recent hurricane that had left devastation in its path.
We couldn’t eat at our “favorites” due to the same demise.
We couldn’t take time to spend with all the loved ones with whom we desired due to having to come and go so quickly and staying at a further distance.
But we took the hours that we could just to make the best of the trip that we had.
We sat out on the beach in the early morning hours and just soaked in the wind and the surf.
We took an adventure to shop for some fun souvenirs for our boys.
We enjoyed an amazing dockside seafood fare and savored every morsel.
We stopped at a fun little coffee roaster and drank in the delightfulness.
Then, we said our sorrowful goodbyes, packed our bags, and headed back home.
Sometimes, Friday Fun Days might not seem so enjoyable, but if you search hard enough, you might just find a little sunshine peeking through those clouds.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
the grizzle grist mill 