The Empty Nest :: The Renovated Kitchen and Dining Room Are My Happy Place

February 28, 2020February 12, 2018

A renovated kitchen and dining room adventure ~

I receive a large number of emails asking about our “fixer upper” and questions regarding the entire adventure. Everyone loves HGTV these days don’t they? Every season there is a new city where couples are fixing up old homes and creating amazing living spaces. I can’t get enough. How about you?

Our “updated Spanish” designed kitchen and dining room are my happy place. They are bright and cheery, quaint and efficient. We don’t have a lot of extra room for “stuff”, therefore, we do not purchase multiple sets of dishes and glasses like we had prior to downsizing. Just the basics. Downsizing feels good. Everything has a place and if we want to buy something new, we need to get rid of something in order to make room.

Adventures of Empty Nesters :: New York City at Christmas

February 28, 2020December 13, 2017

New York City at Christmas is the best time of year to visit!

Greetings!

We make every attempt to continue a Christmas tradition of traveling to New York in December to soak up the sights and lights of this beautiful city during the holidays. I just wanted to check in to say hello and let you know you can follow along over on our Instagram ===> Here! And on our Facebook Page ==> Here!

Do you have special plans for the holidays? Check out our trip to NYC…

An Almost Travel Catastrophe & How to Handle It

February 28, 2020October 9, 2017

travel catastrophes — Early Sunday morning ~ Happy to have just arrived at our destination in Seattle.

A travel catastrophe averted ~

We can all try to be as organized and prepared for travel as we can, but when an airline cancels your flight, you are not in control.

For those of us who like to control our lives and stay on top of everything this can be extremely frustrating, especially at 5:00 am.

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?

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.

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?

How To Have Fun With Your Adult Kids :: Food, Drink & Music

February 28, 2020May 30, 2017

How to create happy events when your nest is empty ~

Who knew you could have so much fun with your adult kids? At first when the nest was empty I had a difficult time adjusting to the lack of schedule and focus on the kids’ every need. As time went on I learned that I was in charge of my own happiness and had to turn that focus back on to Craig and me.

I realized that although our children are no longer in our day-to-day lives, we could lead successful fulfilling lives, as well as build an equally happy adult relationship with them.

Now that the kids are grown and living on their own, we need to change the way we hang out, but we can still have lots of fun (maybe even more fun).Two times in three weekends we have spent quality time with Nick and his girlfriend Kylie and it worked out perfectly!

A New Online Travel Magazine for the Over 50 Traveler ~ A Must Read!

May 7, 2017May 2, 2017

A Brand New Online Travel Magazine Adventure!

Two award-winning travel writers, Janice and Irene asked me to be one of the original contributors for their online travel magazine Getting on Travel, which offers a fresh take on luxury for the travelers over fifty. Now this is not to say that everything we write isn’t for just about everyone, but we are focusing on the people whose children are grown and flown from the nest, with more time to spend traveling.

At this time in our lives, our travel requirements have changed a bit and really where can we go to find this type of information? Both Janice and Irene are avid world-wide travelers and knew that this generation has seen a bit of the world. We are looking for fresh ideas and to find new experiences. Most of us would like a little added comfort and luxury when we travel as well.

A Sensational Spring Flower Display in Seattle

February 28, 2020April 3, 2017

The rain showers of the Pacific Northwest bring a spectacular spring flower display ~

If you were asked to describe where you would find the best spring flower display, does Seattle come to mind first? It is doubtful. The Pacific Northwest owns the quintessential bad weather rap for constantly raining with never ending gloomy skies. However, that is just a ruse, because I lived there last spring and it was spectacular.

An Empty Nester Foodie Lunch Adventure at Kismet in Silver Lake

February 28, 2020March 29, 2017

It’s Kismet!

Just down the road from the Griffith Park Observatory is a cute little shop with delicious Mediterranean food created by two clever chefs, Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson. I was familiar with Kismet only from reading popular food and wine magazines, as well as a recent glowing review by the Pulitzer Prize winning, food critic, Jonathan Gold of the Los Angeles Times.