Sending Love to All That Are Suffering From The Las Vegas Tragedy

February 28, 2020October 2, 2017

Waking up to the news of the Las Vegas Tragedy

I have always been described as someone who is extremely sensitive. That’s not such a bad description but at times the burden is great. I am affected by the smallest of situations and react with tears and anxiousness more than I really want to and especially when we are surprised by tragedy.

Today I woke up to the news of the shooting in Las Vegas. I was tired and went to bed early so my first available news was seeing the heartfelt sadness and prayers sent to Las Vegas on Facebook.

I had no idea about any of the details and by turning on the news I quickly learned what had happened. These types of horrific tragedies happen so often it makes me sick to my stomach. The number of mothers, fathers and families that are grieving is staggering. What can I do that can make a difference?

The Farmers Market :: A Saturday Tradition at the San Francisco Ferry Building

February 28, 2020September 28, 2017

A visit to the farmers market is always at the top of my list, especially when I am traveling. Saturdays are slower in the city and there seems to be a little more leisure time. But when the weather is perfect it is even better! I love to visit the markets in other metro areas to see the differences between regions and also observe what is popular with the other shoppers.

Do Not Miss! – A Delicious Walking Food Tour in Chicago

February 28, 2020September 25, 2017

The perfect walking food tour in Chicago ~

Can I get a “woo hoo” for the foodies? A walking food tour in Chicago is a MUST DO for foodies and for people who just love amazing food. Chi-town is a city over flowing with all types of incredible bites, fun cocktail bars and delicious snacks.

On my recent trip to the Windy City, I was excited to join a small group of food lovers on the Second City Classic Walking Tour created by Chicago Food Planet.

Where to Eat Great Food in Pasadena Today – Malbec Restaurant

February 28, 2020September 22, 2017

Social media can lead to great food in Pasadena ~

I have a great story for you! A social media story with a very happy and delicious ending. A fellow foodie named Susan, who lives near where I live, connected with me on Instagram. She found me and followed me and I followed her in return!

I could tell that she and I had a lot in common through her posts. She loves going to outstanding restaurants and eating great meals and she is also very innovative in her kitchen. Recently she posted a gorgeous photo of a lunch dish she was having at an Argentine restaurant in Pasadena called Malbec.

Expanding my world through consulting with bloggers & brands ~ A mentoring adventure

March 24, 2020September 19, 2017

Exciting times at Adventures of Empty Nesters ~

Almost every day, I receive a request from a new blogger who is starting out or a company that would like to reach the Adventures of Empty Nesters audience. I spend a great deal of time answering the emails and doing my best to help without cutting in to my time for writing, sponsored posts, brand collaborations and TRAVEL!

Consulting with bloggers ~

Consulting with other bloggers has become a huge passion of mine and I have come to understand that after 3 ½ years of blogging experience, I have a lot to offer. I grew this blog readership person by person, reader by reader hoping to inform, inspire and connect. I love it. I really love it.

When our paths connect with others unexpectedly, it can enhance our lives immeasurably. How fun is it to watch someone’s dream become reality? How good does it feel to assist someone? To mentor someone?

The answer is fantastic! I just wanted to take this opportunity to share this newest adventure with you and hope you will share it with others.

I offer an introductory package that includes a one hour planning session along with a 30 minute follow up for $150.00 We can then meet (virtually) on an as needed basis.

Outstanding in the Field – A farm to table dinner in a setting that gives you goosebumps!

February 28, 2020September 12, 2017

A farm to table dinner in a magical location ~

Location, location, location. This “restaurant without walls”, farm to table dinner feast was in Lillywaup, WA at the Hama Hama Oyster Farm. Just imagine dining on the west shore of the Hood Canal where the water was so close you worried the tides would rise too fast. It wasn’t scary, it was dreamy.

Although the was dinner was located in the state of Washington, notorious for rain and grey skies, we experienced none of that. Just bright blue sky and vivid green grasses and trees, with white puffy clouds sprinkled on top. Goosebump scenery. You know that other worldly feeling of discovering a new place that you can hardly put in to words how incredible that moment in time feels? This is how I felt and most likely everyone sitting at the one long table set for 150 food loving diners did as well.

A Peek Inside a Presidential Suite at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco

February 28, 2020September 7, 2017

What is it like inside a Presidential Suite in San Francisco?

How about a sneak peek inside a Presidential Suite at the Grand Hyatt, San Francisco? What is a Presidential Suite exactly? Do presidents stay there? Rock stars? The Dalai Lama? How about a travel blogger and her business traveler husband? Check, check, check and check.

We actually did stay in The Onyx Suite in Downtown Seattle just after the Dalai Lama left the hotel. That felt pretty darn cool.

We are offered upgrades to suites of this kind because my husband spends half of the calendar year in Hyatt Hotels. Think of how many days that is. These upgrades are a type of thank you for his continued support and loyalty. It is a lovely perk for the sacrifices he (and I make) when he is far from home so often. Upgrades to this level don’t happen often, but when they do, we are very impressed…and grateful!

Hotel Points ~

I have always suggested that sticking with one hotel chain and building loyalty points for future travel is so beneficial. This strategy helps us build hotel points and has allowed us to stay in many extraordinary luxury hotels. Craig and I just returned from a stay on the island of Mallorca at the incomparable Park Hyatt and we stayed there using points. Many of the hotel chains have credit cards where you can earn points for future stays as well.

Los Angeles Times The Taste – A Culinary Family Affair on Labor Day Weekend

February 28, 2020September 5, 2017

So much delicious food at The Taste this weekend!

It was a big, fat, glorious Labor Day Weekend. We hit the family bonanza when both of our grown children and their significant others could fly down from Seattle and San Francisco to be with us for the holiday weekend. The Empty Nest was full to the brim and no one could swipe that silly grin off my face for three days!

If you have been following our adventures, you may remember that we have downsized in the last year and now our current home is not the spacious dwelling where the kids grew up. No, we are living in about half the square footage with fewer bathrooms. Everyone is a good sport and sleeps where we can find room. Rocco (our dog) was beside himself with joy because he could not decide who he wanted to lay by and cuddle with next!

Come Tour the Incomparable Home of Frank Lloyd Wright with Me

February 28, 2020August 31, 2017

While planning a trip to Chicago I stumbled (luckily) upon a tour of the home of Frank Lloyd Wright. There were twelve different tours to choose from and I chose to take the Wright Around Chicago tour.

“Truth is life

Good friend, around these

hearthstones speak no evil

word of any creature”

Frank Lloyd Wright

I am absolutely fascinated with Frank Lloyd Wright and have been for years, but I actually never knew that I could tour his home! While I was in Chicago, I wanted to divide my time between the more touristy places like the world-class museums, Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”, shopping on Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park, as well as satisfying my passion for architecture. There is a long list of architecture tours to enjoy directly in the city, but on this day I was trying something different.

Ten Summer Activities Perfect for Empty Nesters & Everyone Else!

August 28, 2017

What are your favorite summer activities?

Summer is beginning to wind down and this has caused me to pause and reflect upon what I love most about this time of year. Did you love it when the kids were little and there was no set schedule? When this summer freedom became threatened by the Fall school year, there was almost a layer of sadness when that first day of school was on the horizon.

There is the sweetest little elementary school in our neighborhood and we can see the hand painted welcome signs and shiny new backpacks as the children walk to school already in August. What happened to going back to school after Labor Day?