My Christmas Wish List November 29, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Humor, Joke, Magick & Mystery.comments closed
Dear Santa:
I haven’t written to you in a number of years, but I think of you often and fondly.
I hope that you and Mrs. Claus are doing well and staying warm. If you want a warm weather Winter Break after the 25th of December, let me know. We have a spare bedroom and the red tide should be gone by then.
Anyway, I know you’re busy so let me get to the point of this missive. When you make out your list (and check it twice) to find out who’s been naughty or nice, I’d be ever so appreciative if you would include the following gifts for me:
1. A bottle of magic pills that will let me sleep for 8 straight hours . . . every night . . . with no side effects (other than a perpetually cheery disposition).
2. A personal chef who has mastered the art of Gluten Free Vegetarian cuisine (including delicious GF bagels, pizza, and bread) and who eschews cooking with fungi.
3. A magical scale that will let me weigh whatever I want to weigh . . . every day.
That’s not too much to ask, is it? 😀
Ho ~ Ho ~ Ho!
Merry Christmas!
nancy
P.S. I know you can’t give me a personal chef. But a few gift certificates to same would make great stocking stuffers!
Aah . . . that’s the ticket!
Related post: Sunday’s Question! (Nuggets of Gold)
Columbia Restaurant November 27, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Humor, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
On our last visit to St. Armand’s Circle, we made a pit stop at the Columbia Restaurant ~ an iconic venue which dates back to 1905 in Ybor City:
Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., the Columbia Restaurant is Florida’s oldest restaurant℠, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.
We ate at a mini version of the Columbia, the Columbia Cafe, at the Tampa History Center. The restaurant on St. Armands Circle is much bigger.
I ordered a Sparkling Sangria ~ it looked more refreshing than it tasted. Next time, I’ll opt for Red Sangria.
As on our previous visit, we ordered Black Beans and Rice. (You know those jokes about beans and “gas”? Yup.)
All meals (and snacks) are accompanied by fresh baked Cuban Bread, which tested my resolve to be gluten free. (Yup. My resolve faltered.)
Since remaining gluten free was no longer an option, we ended our “snack” with a basket of hot Churros served with 3 dipping sauces ~ chocolate, caramel, and guava.
(The chocolate and caramel each got one vote. The guava demanded a recount.)
Aah . . . that’s better!
Peacocks November 24, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Animals, Humor, Joke.comments closed
Why did the peacocks cross the road?
I don’t know. You tell me!
Aah . . . that’s better!
A Feathered Frenzy November 21, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.comments closed
If you let other drivers ruffle your feathers . . .
You give them control over your emotional gear shifts . . .
Keep breathing, shift to Neutral, and go with the flow . . .
Aah . . . that’s better!
Smile! November 19, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Books & Movies, Happiness, Humor.comments closed
Sometimes silly smile-inducing sights . . .
Rattle my bones . . .
And tickle me pink . . .
You never know what’s around the next fork in the road . . .
Aah . . . that’s better!
Selective Thoughts & Hearing November 17, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Animals, Humor, Joke.comments closed
Regaining control of the remote is a powerful habit which requires practice to master:
In contrast, getting the cat to “COME!” is a practice seldom mastered:
Aah . . . that’s better!
The Best Teachers November 15, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Less IS More, People, Word Play.comments closed
Aah . . . that’s better!
A Hop, A Skip, & A Jump! November 13, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, Nature, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
Have you heard of Bank of America’s Museums on Us program for VISA cardholders? If you have a Bank of America VISA, you can visit participating museums for FREE the first full weekend of every month.
The first weekend in November, we decided to visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. First stop, the Orchid Show.
A profusion of blooms filled the greenhouse from top to bottom.
Every where I looked, there was something to admire.
This motif would be excellent for Easter.
And how about this as a back yard water feature? Can’t you just see Kate’s coy Koi in there?
Exiting the greenhouse, we walked through the Bonsai Forest.
And then headed to the Children’s Rainforest to monkey about.
We both loved the perpetual ebb and flow of the suspended bridge.
And had fun checking out the treehouse.
Back on terra firma, we wandered around the base of the Banyan trees.
“My, what big roots you have!”
From there, it was just a hop, skip, and a jump to the frog pavilion.
Aren’t they charmers?
And they’re ever-ready to enjoy a good game of hoop-de-hop-da-hula.
Especially Ringo!
Colorful, fun, festive . . . and they make great fly-catchers!
After completing our game of ring-around-the-frogs, we headed to O’Leary’s Tiki Bar.
Undeterred by this rude Tiki Totem with the protruding tongue, we grabbed a seat in the sand to quaff a cold one while listening to a decent guitar player who hastened to remind patrons that the more they drank, the better he would sound!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Gator Crossing November 10, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Joke.comments closed
A sign in time . . .
Saves nine . . . or ten toes!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Lotsa Lobster! November 7, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Humor, Vegetarian Recipes.comments closed
As it does every October, BFF’s birthday rolled into view.
Since I’m NOT a shopper . . . I knew just what to do.
Instead of one lobster lunch, I’d get him two!
A few days before his birthday, we headed to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar for lobster al fresco at the Bridge Street Pier. The lobsters served at AMOB arrive “deconstructed” which makes them very “eater friendly.”
And the lobster bib is a great fashion statement . . . that doubles as a poncho if it rains!
But man cannot live by lobster alone. And neither can the birthday boy.
On BFF’s birthday proper, we headed to Bonefish Grill for Hooked on Tuesdays where we both ordered the 3-course lobster tail dinner. I started with the house salad which included hearts of palm.
BFF opted for a standard Caesar Salad.
Our lobster tails came with a choice of sides and individual ramekins of butter because . . . lobster + butter = perfect together!
BFF enjoyed potatoes au gratin and a loaf of hot from the oven bread.
Feeling fabulously full, we requested our desserts ~ a flourless brownie and a slice of coconut custard pie ~ to go. But, as everyone knows, you cannot put ice cream with raspberry sauce in a “To Go” bag, so we ate it in situ.
A sweet ending to a fun (and filling) birthday lunch.
BONUS: When our server found out that it was BFF’s birthday, she brought him a present ~> a box of 4 chocolate truffles! Score!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 