Fortunately, our ever present caterer, Diana Bess made this transition worthwhile by serving Ron's favorite meal -- ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, and chocolate cake. Can't let him leave hungry! Thursday, April 30, 2009
Bittersweet!
Fortunately, our ever present caterer, Diana Bess made this transition worthwhile by serving Ron's favorite meal -- ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, and chocolate cake. Can't let him leave hungry! Irresistible!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
I'M FEELING WICKED!
I was wickedly warm.
Red Fish, Blue Fish, Flounder and Trout!
Red Fish, Blue Fish, Flounder and Trout isn't a Dr. Seuss book - - it's the Catch of the Day when you enjoy Oldest City Fishing Guides in Mayport Beach, FL.Yes, it's Fresh Fish, Cold Fish - who can resist? How do I get fresh fish? I go fishing!!!!!!

Captain Rob Aldridge, owner of Oldest City Fishing Charters is ready to help you cast your hooks. Rob offers half and full day charters both inshore and near short, light tackle and fly fishing trips, and plain old touring and sightseeing, if that's your choice.
Go ahead, give him a call at 904-403-6136 or find him at http://www.oldestcityfishingguides.com/.
We can swap fish stories!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
La-TEA-Da!
This scrumptously decadent afternoon is all because of Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard. The Bistro de Leon is featuring Tea Time from 2:30 – 5:00pm every Thursday thru Sunday.
And, that's not all! The French pastries served are exquisite and are baked by Poinard and his staff of French chefs. Along with the pastry menu and tea, guests can order artisan breads, tea, coffee, espresso, beer and wine. Now, do I have you?
Tea Time in St. Augustine is the perfect time to relax and take a break from whatever activities have been filling your day. Learn more about the Chef at Bistro de Leon at http://www.bistrodeleon.com.
Together, Jean-Stephane and Valerie Poinard invite their guests to ‘Enjoy the Bistro at Tea Time and live the moment with us”.
Bistro de Leon, #12 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Florida 32084, 904-810-2100,
http://www.bistrodeleon.com/
The Sounds Lou Parisi
The Beaches Newcomer's Club found talented Lou Parisi playing Leigh Cort's grand piano for a few of the guests. While others mingled on the verandah, music drifted out of the windows to lure everyone into the living room while Lou entertained with his easy, sophisticated style.Sunday, April 26, 2009
REMEMBER MOM!
The Casa Marina Hotel has the best venue and most delectable variety of food items at their always popular Mother's Day Brunch. Chef Aaron Webb has been at the helm of Casa Marina's kitchen for six years, and each season inspires him to create yet another healthy and exciting variety of specialty selections. Enjoy Mother's Day this year, on May 10 between 10A and 2P, at this historical oceanfront hotel for only $38.95 per person. Reservations, please! (904-270-0025)
Casa Marina Hotel, 691 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
www.Casamarinahotel.com
For Your Dining Pleasure.....
Coaches are not just for the Ball Field....
On April 23, four FCCA coaches representing FocalPoint Business Coaching (Abby Vega), Easy Wellness Today (Lucy Buckner), Career Choices Unlimited (Marilyn Feldstein), and The Leadership Guild (Gina Maria Jerome) conducted a free “Experience Coaching” event at the Watson Realty office on Southside Blvd.Participants in attendance got to sample different coaching styles from a variety of disciplines (Leadership, Business, Wellness, and Career) as well as understand how coaching empowers people, drives action, measures progress, and produces results! All of the women are members of the First Coast Coaches Association.
Have you explored all your dreams, ambitions, and options, that can lead to greater business success and personal and professional fulfillment? If not, our next event is being planned for June.
Call Abby Vega at 904 285-7222 to reserve your space today.
DO YOU KNOW NIA?
If you are looking for dance, aerobics, and fitness all combined in Fun then NIA Dance Fitness fits the bill.
I've been taking NIA classes from Barbara Lutes, Certified Brown Belt NIA Instructor, for over a year now and love it. NIA is an expressive form of movement and lifestyle practice. Nia Blends Nine Movement Forms - Martial Arts: T’ai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, and Aikido. Dance Arts: Jazz Dance, Modern Dance, Duncan Dance. Healing Arts: Yoga, Alexander Technique, The Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais.
Nia teaches you how to physically interpret and internally direct your actions and choices, and to listen to the voice of your body and allow the body to be your guide in discovering Dynamic Ease. Practiced barefoot to music, Nia is self-guided, adaptable and safe for any fitness level, from stiff beginners to highly fit athletes. Delivering cardiovascular, whole-body conditioning, Nia is based on creating a loving relationship with the body and following The Body’s Way – the innate intelligence of the body.
Barbara's classes are currently being held at the Dansations Studio at Mickler and A1A in Ponte Vedra. She will be there through May and then will be relocating to another TBA location. In the meantime, try it out -- you'll definitely like it!
You can reach Barbara at bklutes@comcast.net or call her at (904) 708-0718.
Dance like there is no one watching!!!!!
Art in the Park - Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach is on to something! The 6th Annual Art in the Park was held last Saturday at Johansen Park in Atlantic Beach. If you missed it, you missed it!
Over 60 juried artists, dance troops (including belly dancers,) and musicians filled the park with their art, crafts, and creativity. The shading of the oak trees made it a day to bring the chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets and stay a while!
Adding to the variety of artists, I met the delightful Rudell Kopp, first time author of the adorable book - 'Just Like Brothers....in the Beginning.' Rudell's goal has been to make a difference in children's lives, and has accomplished this dream by unleashing this first book and inspirational tale. Between the amazing illustrations, provided by James Lynch of Atlantic Beach, who brought the characters in the book to life visually and her charming blend of characters -- this is a must read for our children and grandchildren.Rudell is out and about promoting her book -- you can find out where at http://www.rudellkopp-kidsbooks.net/ or rudell@aol.com.
My, last-but not least, favorite of the day was Araceli Diaz - photographer and artist. Using a fish-eye lens and a panoramic view, Araceli creates the most unique paintings of our local spots in the Jacksonville Beaches and surrounding areas. She will be at the Artistree Gallery soon and can be contacted for more information at photographyby_arachelidiaz@hot.mail.com -->
By the way, the Troupe Basheera Belly Dancers: ssredsmith@aol.com or 285-7969.
Create!
Pinkies Up!
Not My Aunt Kate!
Local beach residents may remember Oscar's Old Florida Grill that burned down a while back. Aunt Kate's was built right on the same spot. Built in a 'cracker' style -- it has a charm all of its own.
On Friday night, the crowd had already gathered and our wait was 50 minutes for outside and 40 for inside. With the no-see-um's beginning to buzz around, we decided to eat indoors. We didn't mind the wait though, because our timing was perfect. We strolled along the deck, boardwalk, and pier capturing this most beautiful sunset.
Just head south on A1A until you pass Cap's and see The Reef on your left -- immediately on the right is Euclid Avenue - turn right and go to the end. You'll see Aunt Kate's, proudly outlined in the sky!
JEWELRY IS A GIRLS BEST FRIEND!
I might have missed the 7th ANNUAL ARTISAN JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW and Opening Night Reception on 4/17 at Eclectic Galleries in Jacksonville Beach, but I didn't miss checking it out last week on a lone shopping spree!
Six new jewelry studios were introduced, and expanded collections from the gallery’s current designers were also featured. As usual, Debbie Suchy, the owner of Eclectic Galleries, brings us the most unique and creative designers and artists from all over the country to enjoy.
If you haven't made it by yet, she is open everyday for you to browse and dream. I couldn't leave without placing a few items on my Wish List -- after all, Mother's Day is coming!
Be sure to visit Debbie at Eclectic Galleries at 2405 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL or call her at 904-247-3750. You may also visit her website..... http://www.eclecticgalleries.com/
Crazy Fish Kayaking
A group of 12 women, including me, from the Beaches Newcomers Club, slathered with sunblock and prepared with bottled water and sun visors, took to their kayaks and 'headed upstream with their paddles.' A gloriously warm April day in Jax Beach and the calmly rippling waters of the intracoastal were all we needed to continue our adventure.
Crazy Fish Kayak is located on the backside of the marina on Beach Boulevard (before crossing the bridge and across the waterway from Billy's Boat House) in the old marine patrol building at 2510 2nd Avenue North. Josh Schrutt is the owner of the business. Crazy Fish is about food and watersports and besides the hot menu there's Italian Ice and gelato, snacks, and beer and wine. Josh also has many subcontractors who will teach water sports of all types, will do fishing charters, and he sells limited gear such as life vests. It's a little hard to find, but worth it when you get there.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
TRULY CLASS ESTATE SALE!
A little birdie told me that this estate sale, listed on craigslist.com and being held in Ponte Vedra, is going to be awesome. Check it out!
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/gms/1136726035.html
An Awesome Deal!
VERO BEACHCheck out the special package they are offering! Shall we join you?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
NOT FOR ADULTS ONLY!
We were invited by our grandkids to join them at a book signing at the Town's Center Barnes & Noble by their favorite author -- Mary Pope Osbourne!
With their books in hand and smiles of excitement on their faces, they were herded around the aisles, around the service desk, out the doors, down the street, around the corner, and finally to the end of the line to wait their turn with their number safely around their wrist. After 2 1/2 hours of anticipation, they were finally next in line!
As they approached Mary for their photo and signing, she glanced down at them and exclaimed, 'Oh my goodness, it's little Jack and Annie!" Jack and Annie are the characters from her book who are a brother and sister and a year and half apart, just like our grandchildren, Alex and Savannah! Together, they go on adventures in a magic treehouse. How interesting!

With Magic Treehouse in hand, and everyone happy, they knew the wait had been worth it. What a momentous occasion for these 500+ young readers. Now, they await the upcoming musical and curl up to read their new books.
To see all of Mary Pope Osbourne's books and upcoming events, visit her website at http://www.marypopeosborne.com/.
Keep Reading Little Ones!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
DID YOU SAY FRENCH KISS?
Kristin, barely visible above the podium at a petite height of 5', delighted us with her enthusiastic presentation. Kristin's genuine love of writing was obvious as well as her desire to share her world, her stories, her joys, and her challenges as she has grown and matured in her writing and in her style.
By the time Kristin graduated suma cum laude from our very own University of Florida, she had written her first book, and knew she was living her passion. With a love of travel, a vibrant personality, and an upbeat outlook on life, her readers are in for many delightful stories now and in the coming years.
Kristin's books appeal to the 20, 30, and 40 year old female and, therefore, are considered 'Chick-Lit.' However, I think they're the perfect 'beach read' and I'm over 40! Ladies, since when is 'Chick-Lit' a negative thing anyway, right?
As you read Kristin's novels, you'll enjoy international travel with her lead characters sharing with you -- 'How to Sleep With a Movie Star,' 'The Blond Theory,' 'The Art of French Kissing,' and coming soon, 'Italian for Beginners.' (all carrying disclaimers as the intriguing titles can be misleading!)
Kristin doesn't leave out the young adult readers either. Check out her website for all of her books and scheduled events at www.kristinharmel.com.
Now, if only my daughter will share the two books I purchased for her!!!!! Hmmmm?
Gotta go!
Sites: Vic DiGenti @ http://www.windrusher.com/
Ponte Vedra Friends of the Library: http://www.friendspvlibrary.org/
DRUM BEAT
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Purple Olive Restaurant - St. Augustine, FL
RESERVATIONS, PLEASE!
You say toe-mah-toe, I say toe-ma-toe. You say po-tah-toe, I say po-ta-toe; you say creative dining - I say 'Purple Olive.'
An invitation from our friends to dine prior to the Joe Cocker concert on Friday sounded like a great idea. Leaving the restaurant choice to our friends from St. Augustine, we merely followed their directions south to 4255 A1A and then right into the Seaside Plaza. Our destination restaurant - The Purple Olive International Bistro.

We sauntered into the bistro hoping for a quick meal and then a dash to the concert. What we experienced was far from a quick meal, but a perfect meal, it was!
The Purple Oliv
The staff was aware of our sense of urgency, yet in no way compromised our service or dining pleasure. We were served quickly and were delighted with our selections -- seafood marinara, seafood bisque with just the right amount of 'bite,' a caesar salad like no other, and a few other delectable treats suggested by our waitress,Tara. In a way, we were sorry we had to dash off, but knew we would be back. Do yourself a favor and check out their website for their unique story and then hurry on by to treat yourself to this local bistro. http://www.purple-olive.com/index.htm
Our compliments to the chef!
Joe Cocker

Friday, April 17, 2009
Always Have Plan B

FreeTherapy4You
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Cruisin' The Beaches
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Trivia Night At Billy's Boat House
Do you know how much money you start with in a monopoly game? I did!!!! $1500.00. It didn't help us win though, but we came in 6th. Not bad for 6 of us against a typical table of 10. How about the first time DeNiro and Pacino were in a scene together? Heat. . . . .Now you know!
We had a blast as we watched the pouring rain and winds from the windows overlooking the marina at Billy's. Perfect night to be out, but in! Can't beat the food - I had the best Teriyaki Chicken Salad that I've had anywhere. No complaints at that table for sure -- and our waitress, Jessica, treated us with kidd gloves keeping us settled and happy so we could focus on the game.
Oh, by the way ......... What profession was Elaine's dad on the Seinfeld series???? -- an author.
Now....shall we see you next week?

+(2).jpg)


