Good morning friends!
So, I've spent the last 90 minutes mentally playing the "last week at this time ..." game. (Does anyone else take those flights of fancy?)
Won't you pour a cup and let me tell you about it?
Super excited, I needn't have concerned myself about staying alert behind the wheel. Like Sean of the South, "I can't do interstates because they are filled with amateur NASCAR drivers with death wishes." So, I cranked up the radio and gave my vocal cords a run for their money.
Wow. Arriving in my old stomping grounds, I quickly became lost overwhelmed by the sheer growth. :(
As some of y'all know, I've a serious Love Affair with food … and didn't want to wait until the next day to stop for a bowl of chicken matzo ball soup. Still, finding the Lucky Dill in U.S. 19's rush-hour traffic was an exercise!
As some of y'all know, I've a serious Love Affair with food … and didn't want to wait until the next day to stop for a bowl of chicken matzo ball soup. Still, finding the Lucky Dill in U.S. 19's rush-hour traffic was an exercise!
I really need to do a review out on TripAdvisor about my home-away-from-home. From the cheerful and chatty front-desk clerks to my spotless accommodations (I hate this tired old phrase) everything exceeded my expectations.
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| Loved the bath's many built-in's! |
Fully-equipped kitchen - including a generous ice-maker. We don't have a garbage disposal at home … but they do. LOL!
This signage above the thermostat cracked me up. What? I'm on candid camera?
'My only regret is I couldn't figure how to smuggle out the mattress and strap atop my Camry. It's seriously the most comfortable bed I can recall. Since ours is way past the manufacturer's suggested life expectancy, I may call and find out what brand IHG uses.
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The next morning Debbie drove over and we returned to the Lucky Dill for lunch. Their menu can be a bit intimidating, so I just went with the signature Reuben.
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(Stock image from net)
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Debby stopped at their bakery for fresh rolls, but I already had my mind on offerings at our next stop:
I can't believe Mazzaro's existed while I still lived in Florida but I'd never heard of it!
Isn't that an adorable little truck?
My driver seems to have lost his head!
The expression on this dude captivated me. He's probably smirking about the stunned look on my face when I learned the price of the Masi Amarone!
In the end, we settled on bowls of spumoni at the gelato bar. I'd never had gelato before …. do you like it?
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Wednesday I woke before sun-up, all jittery to meet Sandra (aka, the Mad Snapper) for brunch. Debbie came to pick me up and we made our way over the bridge. No matter how many times I've experienced the drive, the Sunshine Skyway still excites me.
Oh my gosh, y'all. Had I laughed any longer or harder, I'd be needing to buy stock in Depends. (TMI?) So reassured to discover Sandra's just as funny and genuine as her blog reads. Not sure, but I suspect between us, we could get in some serious mischief! Who knows if there's not a future wing with our names on it in some unsuspecting nursing home? LOL.
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| It looks like I'm going, "Oh, my aching back!" |
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If it's Thursday, it must be Lakeland!
Unfortunately, Debbie had taken ill the night before so I was on my own, but that didn't curb my enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, Debbie had taken ill the night before so I was on my own, but that didn't curb my enthusiasm.
What a blessing to meet another blogger -- Terri (Your Friend From Florida) … her handsome hubby, Joe … and find myself standing in the darling home I'd only seen in pictures!
Terri gave me a whirlwind tour of beautiful Lakeland -- Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian home, Hollis Gardens, and of course, the Polk Museum of Art from which she retired. What a blessing to witness her positivity and passion in person!
After lunch, Terri gave me a generous goodie bag of her homemade pizzelles. Soooo good and anise-ey! (What do you mean that's not a real word!) I've already requested a pizzelle maker of my own for Christmas.
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Before heading back to the hotel I decided to drive around, revisiting my old workplace (now a nail salon), Caraleigh's daycare (gone now), and my townhome in Tarpon Springs.
Sad at the new paint job (it used to be dove gray), and someone ripped out all the hibiscus bushes.
Finally, a last stop at Lucky Dill for a 'to-go' bag: 3 bowls of matzo ball soup to bring home to Alabama!
It was a great adventure! …
...but given the ferocious rainstorms accompanying my trip north, I was mighty thankful to be home in one piece!
Thanks so much for visiting and sharing my vacay!
Y'all have a good week … be safe!
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Before heading back to the hotel I decided to drive around, revisiting my old workplace (now a nail salon), Caraleigh's daycare (gone now), and my townhome in Tarpon Springs.
Sad at the new paint job (it used to be dove gray), and someone ripped out all the hibiscus bushes.
Finally, a last stop at Lucky Dill for a 'to-go' bag: 3 bowls of matzo ball soup to bring home to Alabama!
It was a great adventure! …
...but given the ferocious rainstorms accompanying my trip north, I was mighty thankful to be home in one piece!
Thanks so much for visiting and sharing my vacay!
Y'all have a good week … be safe!
Hugs,
Myra
OMW! was Debbie sick from listening to me, the conversation hog?? I loved every minute of our time together and love the idea of the nursing home room share... YEARS away for both of us.. he he he… now I am feeling a little like a boring host since your Lakeland friend did so much.... my oh my... what a fun trip you had... so glad the hotel was wonderful. good to know that.
ReplyDeleteBoring host … are you kidding? It was such a great time. Thank you, Sandra!
DeleteIt's great to have you back home, and to learn you had a grand holiday.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
I'd quite forgotten, you (across the pond) call it a 'holiday.' I like the sound of that!
DeleteSo glad you had such a good adventure...and a wee bit jealous you got to meet Teri in person. I love how positive she is, too! I'm hoping your hotel room just has a motion sensor or something on the door, but given how our TV's, smartphones, and computers spy on us, you just never know! Creepy. I've found that going back to see a former home tends to be a little sad every time....it's just a reminder that while it's been frozen in time in our minds for x-number of years, that time hasn't stood still and nothing stays the same. Anyway, glad your back and it was a safe trip for you.
ReplyDeleteExactly! That's why I'm reluctant to visit the community in which I grew up … and no doubt burst the bubble.
DeleteMyra, I so enjoyed your visit and only wish it could have been longer!! There is so much more to see here in Lakeland and lots more conversation to be had too! Come back... bring Tom!! Loved meeting you in person! Keep me posted on the Pizzelle iron! I'll share the tweaks I've made to the recipe! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to, Terri! Of course that goes both ways … we'd love having you and Joe visit!
DeleteIt seemed like you had a delightful trip!! Fun too to meet up with 2 bloggers face to face!! I'm sure many a memory will live on of your wonderful road trip adventure!
ReplyDeletebetty
I'm so glad to have met you, as well. Lots of great memories, for sure.
Deletewhat a lovely trip you had visiting all the old haunts and some new ones too. great memories.
ReplyDeleteGood for the soul, indeed!
DeleteDang! That was a fun trip. I’m looking that restaurant up when I go back through there.
ReplyDeleteYou won't regret it!
DeleteSuch great fun! Glad you and Terri were able to hook up.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Myra!
Aren't blog friends the best? Thanks, Martha!
DeleteWhat a great trip you had with good friends and good food and a comfortable bed to sleep in too! That was a lot of miles to travel but well worth all of them. Glad your trip was a safe and happy one and welcome you back home. Your comments were missed as were you !
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you so much for saying that, Pam!
DeleteSounds like you had a good time. I love eating at all the different places too!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid eating has become my new favorite hobby!
DeleteOh boy, I enjoyed hanging with you. Of course we have hit the Lucky Dill a couple times at your recommendations and have NOT been disappointed. Mark still stops by there.
ReplyDeleteLakeland, where we bought our first BIG coach. I thought of you sever times hoping you were having a great time.
Love you lady and glad you are home. I know Tom SMILED! I do wish we had been home instead of marking time here.
Love from NC, Sherry & jack
Funny you should say that, Jack. It actually crossed my mind whether to call Mark for lunch! You and Sherry are definitely on my short list! :)
DeleteThat US 19 is something else. Sure do love their matzo ball soup. I always get a reuben but recently I've started eating the Cuban Reuben which is delicious. I always get a cannoli. I brought cookies home for Mark this year. The first time I went over that bridge was to meet up with Sandra and we meet up at the same place! Sounds like your time with Terri, I love Frank Lloyd Wright homes. So you made this trip on your own???
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, memories and good food you shared! Sounds like you loved every minute of your trip! I like your blonde hair.
ReplyDelete