This past week, we took a nice relaxing vacation to Punta Cana. I love to travel and see the world. I look forward to the day I can bring my child with me and show them the ma y wonders of the world within the United States and outside our beautiful country. I love to explore and learn about our own history and the history and cultures around the world.

We spent five days at a beautiful resort on the beach. We hung by the pool, swam in the ocean, learned about the culture of Dominican Relublic, and spent some time horseback riding and seeing the beautiful nature. We even got to swim with the horses in the water and then get to feed them! The water was a little cold at first but it was so much fun. We got to learn about the game of Polo and how the horses are trained and raised. We also learned how to cut open a coconut and it was full of water which was amazing. The food was absolutely delicious. We had an amazing time and look forward to returning one day. 

When it comes to vacations, I love to choose different places I have not been and see everything I can. I love to learn, especially about history and cultures. It will be great to share these experiences with my child one day and show them all the world has to offer. There is so much to see and explore and something I love doing!

Plant City is known for their strawberries and when they are in season, the festivals start! This weekend was the local Strawberry Festival with Plamt City fresh in season strawberries. They had strawberry shortcake, chocolate covered strawberries, and so much more 😁😁😁. Plus, you must buy strawberries to take home with you to make your own smoothies and shortcake, which I will be making soon. 

This Festival also had a beautiful classic car show. Growing up, it was a tradition with my dad (that continues today) to go to the shows and look at these beautiful cars. It is fun to learn about the all the different cars and how they transformed over the decades. It was a great day to spend with the family and with my dad looking at the cars.

They also had a pie eating contest which is entertaining to watch and participate in. There were dog demonstrations that caught Frisbees which was very impressive. The nearby zoo had animal interactions with a sloth, kangaroo, and a furry cute little animal you could pet and hold. 

Plus, all the local vendors come out with their homemade crafts and such. I love supporting local businesses and the talent is extremely impressive! Finally, the food trucks, so many to choose from. It was a great day, with beautiful weather and a fun event to bring your entire family, including the furry ones. This is one of the many reasons I love living where I live, these festivals and great parks they have them in. There are always great events happening to join in with your community. I look forward to the next festival whish is sea food!

Tis the season of outdoor events with local vendors! This weekend, we went to the Food Fest and Craft Fair at our local park. There were many different food choices- BBQ, Mexican, Philly Cheese Steaks, Hotdogs, Vietnamese, Sushi/Hibachi, and of all different kinds of great ice cream and desserts! Great time to spend tasting many different options and the food did not disappoint 😁.

There were also tons of different local vendors from close by and across the state of Florida. Everyone had their own unique booth. I love local art and designs, especially woodworking. It is simply beautiful and I wish I had that talent. 

We spent the day browsing every booth, talking with the vendors, sampling their product, and of course stopping to pet the cute puppies people brought with them. It is a great family event and besides the food and browsing the local vendors, there is a huge park to go play and when it's warmer a place to swim as well. This is a big park that has many events all year long and great place to relax for a picnic or a day of playing on the swings. 

It was a great day to spend with the family. The weather was beautiful and the people here are always so nice. You get to meet so many people and learn about how they started their business, their inspirations, and how they make their product, while of course indulging in many different sweet treats and food samples 😅😅😅

Next weekend, is the strawberry festival. I am really looking forward to this one because the strawberries are sourced locally at Plant City (which are know for their amazing strawberries). Strawberry shortcake, smoothies, strawberries and whip cream and so much more! No matter the time of year, there is always something fun and exciting to do and explore here in Florida!

#familyfun #marketplace #parks #festival #FoodFest

Last weekend, my dad and I took our annual trip to go watch our favorite hockey team, the Boston Bruins. Living in Florida, we make sure to catch atleast one, hopefully two games each year. It's a fun tradition and I really look forward to going to watch the B's play with my dad. The great thing about where I live is we can catch the Bruins playing Tampa or Florida with only a short drive. The best part, when we attend the games, it's like being back home because of how many Bruins fans there are in the stands. 😁😁 This was a good game, even though we lost with only 1.6 seconds left?!?!?! It was crazy and a lot of fun. The fans on both sides are great sports and there is a lot of comraderie. Of course there's the occasional my team is better than yours and who can chant Let's go louder than the other fan base, but it is so much fun. It makes bringing a family here a great time and I look forward to one day doing that with my own children. 

Spending quality time with my family is extremely important to me and enjoying these moments is what is always top priority. I make sure every year to have the NHL and NFL package every year because we really enjoy getting together to watch the games, cook some food and snacks, and have a great family day. This year, when the Bruins make it to the playoffs and face Tampa, we are definitely going to see one of those games! We have a great chance to bring home the Stanley Cup this year and to be able to catch a playoff game would be amazing! Let's go #Bruins!! #familytime #fatherdaughtertime #hockey #Florida #fun

One great thing in Florida are the many different festivals and markets we have year round. This past weekend, we went to the 45th Seafood Fesitval. The weather was a little cooler but it the sun was shinning and it was a great day. There is never a day in Florida where you cannot spend it outside.

The festival had local artists and shops set up. I love getting to see the different talents and homemade gifts. They always have unique and one of a kind things you can pick up, whether a gift for a friend, loved one, or something for yourself. The coolest works are the ones made out of wood. The local bakeries and homemade products are great to sample. I picked up some delicious Thai Thai walnuts and Hawaiin Coconut Banana Bread. They also had a great selection of seafood to taste. 

Besides the food and vendors, they had some local bands all around the event playing everything from today's pop to the 50s and 60s. Definitely options for everyone. So you could grab some food and a seat and enjoy some great music or get up and dance.

Going to these different festivals throughout the year is so much fun. Each festival always has a different theme based on the time of year. The next one is the strawberry festival in March. Plant City is not a far drive for some of the best strawberries and homemade strawberry shortcake! It is a great day to spend with the family 😁♥️. 

#festival #seafoodfestival #plantcitystrawberryfestival #weekendadventure 

One of my favorite things to do is to go to antique stores and look for furniture pieces household items, decorations, etc from the middle 1900s or earlier. I absolute love it when I can find something classic and reminiscent of the days of my parents growing up or grandparents. It's always so cool to see these things. Sometimes you find great things and sometimes you find nothing. 

I also like looking for things that I can restore. For example, I found a 1918 phone that was in good condition but needed some work. My dad helped me sand it down, stain and polyurethane it, replace some of the screws with new brass ones and polish the brass. It was fun to work on this with my dad and know that my grandparents used to use this kind of phone. Once we finished it, I was able to hang it on the wall in my house and it looks perfect! Now, if only I still had that home phone line that I could add a converter to and use it! Maybe one day 🤔🤔😁😁

I also came across an old WWI scrap book from a sailor. It has news paper clippings, photos, maps, letters, and other things. I am going to frame that and hang it in the office. It's great to be able to connect with those who came before us.

This time, I found a great antique store that was actually 2 stories. There was so much to see and learn about while exploring the various booths. I picked up an old vintage video camera and projector screen that still work! I am currently looking for the film because what cooler way to create videos than with vintage camera! Usually, my mom and I go to these stores and browse. She fills me on all the many different antiques, what they are, what they were used for, the ones she remembers, etc. Now, I am starting to see "antiques" from my childhood in the 1990s! We definitely had some great toys and stuff when I was growing up. Cannot wait to share this experience someday with a child and teach them about all the cool stuff I had and my parents had. 

#familytime #antiques #shopping #restoring #1990s 

Sunday is family day! With the weather being a little bit chilly out for a Florida day, I have decided to make some homemade chili. This is a recipe that I have not made in a while so hopefully, fingers crossed, it will turn out good! One thing I enjoy doing is cooking and trying new recipes. Sometimes, the food turns out excellent like last night when I got home from camping and I made shrimp Alfredo and stuffed peppers. Now that the chili is made and simmering on the stove for the next hour and a half and then it will be time to dig in!

We have always been big on keeping our Sundays together as a family with a family dinner. Although my brother's still live back in Massachusetts, we make sure to all connect for a quick chat as a family. Today, they are together cooking hibachi in 35 degree weather outside. My parents are only minutes down the street which is nice. They come over in the afternoon and sometimes they join in in the cooking and other days they join me in the kitchen and observe, of course offering their suggestions and advice as I try new dishes. In the fall/winter, we join together to watch the Patriots play and always have a great day together as a family. But, the Patriots are out of the playoffs so while the chili simmers, we will watch whatever game is on and make a day out of it because it is too chilly to go out by the pool. After dinner with it being so nice and cool out, will probably light a fire in the fire place and watch a movie to relax, a great Sunday!

Quality family time is very important to all of us and even though my brothers may be 1200 miles away, we always make it a point to connect today as a family. I look forward to passing this tradition on.

#familytime #chili #sundaydinners #together #cooking #traditions 

Living in Florida, there are so many places to go camping, whether on the beach, the river, or a national forest. This week, I took the RV to St. Petersburg to camp on the bayou. The weather has been perfect in the high 60s low 70s which you cannot ask for better weather. Camping has always been a family tradition over the summer time during our school breaks and I am glad to continue that today. During the week, I have camp fires, long walks on paths, bike riding, fishing and seeing the sites. Spending a vacation outdoors is very relaxing and a great place to take the family including those with four legs. 

Today, I spent the afternoon fishing and ended it with a camp fire and roasting marshmallows. Staying on the river, I can just walk right to the back of the camp site, grab my chair, and cast the line. Fishing can be very relaxing and something I did growing up my my family and friends. We had a pond next door we could fish at or on a nice afternoon take the boat out and go fishing there. Sometimes we catch a lot of fish and other times we do not even have one bite. Today was a day that the fish were not biting but we enjoyed the day outside anyways. Tonight, we will light a camp fire, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy a beautiful Florida night with temperatures around 65 degrees. You cannot ask for better weather to enjoy a day of fishing and ending with a camp fire. Tomorrow, we will take the jeep and head beach side to see the sights and enjoy the outdoor marketplace. I love looking at the local crafts and art work. There is always something unique to find to take home as a souvenir! 

#camping #campfire #fishing #marketplace #Florida #family #localart #outdoors 

Living in the neighborhood I live in provides me a great place to walk with Cleo and Murphy. An afternoon stroll, especially in cooler weather, or as we call it cooler is anything below 85 degrees lol, is relaxing, refreshing, and an enjoyable walk. My dogs love to get out and go for their walks, see the neighbors or their puppy friends, and explore the area. Everyday, we take one to two long walks around getting some exercise and spending time outdoors. Sometimes when the weather is cool enough and not too hot, we turn that walk into a jog. 

Cleo and Murphy know when it’s time because when I walk to the door and move my hand to reach for their harness and leash they are up, at the door, sitting, and waiting patiently. I plop their harness on, grab the leashes, if my family is around they will grab a leash and out the door we go, Cleo and Murphy smiling and happy. It's great when we run into our neighbors along the way and spend time catching up while Cleo and Murphy get some extra attention. Each day we go for our walk, they love to take a different path and explore the neighborhood. Other days, we hop in the car and head to the dog park or a local trail to take a walk in the woods. Very close to my house is a nice wooded area with a couple mile cement walkway path that we like to take. The dog park is just down the street and they love to spend the time running and playing with their friends, chasing each other or a ball. Anytime outdoors is a great time for them and myself. #Outdoors #puppies #goingforawalk #love #fun #neighborhood #community 

Enjoying a nice evening, watching some football with the fire lit. Tomorrow, I will take the Christmas tree down and pack it all up until next year.

My favorite time of the year are the holidays, enjoying family traditions, Christmas movies, lights, and of course a fire in the fire place! Murphy finds himself quite comfortable on my lap to enjoy the game as well. Lighting the fireplace reminds me of back home in Massachusetts where there would be snow on the ground, hot chocolate in the mug, and a good movie on or a book in hand. Living in Florida, I have everything but the snow 😅 Also, regardless of the weather outside, I will light the fire even if it is 100 degree summer night or one of our Florida "winter" nights 😁. 

Of course, today is Football Sunday in my house so we gather together for some food and snacks to start as we watch our favorite team hoping and cheering for a win. Although my brothers still live up north, we all enjoy football together with text and calls to discuss the plays, bad calls, and of course who had the better choice of food was it the pizza with the various toppings or the wing selection for each quarter of the game 🤣.

Before or after the game, depending on the time, we have our traditional weekly family dinner. My parents come over and we take turns cooking dinner and desserts and we never miss this each Sunday, no matter how busy the week may have been. It is a great tradition that I will always carry on. Then we end the night with a movie, some popcorn and for the holiday season, we have some hot chocolate made with milk and add in some marshmallows or fluff. It is a great way to end each weekend with family ❤️