My favorite aunt, who’s like a big sister to me, turned 70 this week. She had said she was dreading it.
This past summer I realized someone should do something special for her birthday, and that someone was probably me. She doesn’t have a spouse or kids.
I planned a craft project that involved 30+ relatives and friends. And planned a visit for her to Florida with me and my adult kids who she adores.
She had a blast. A successful visit that filled her heart with joy. And a suitcase filled with fabric hearts from all across the country.
And with her, I got to explore my soon-to-be hometown. Tried out some restaurants, explored a park, fell in love with lemon drop martinis, got a massage & facial, saw a lot of art, had good walks and great talks.
It was a costly, busy week with a crap ton of driving but goal achieved!
This past week was a celebration of my aunt’s birthday. And also I:
* learned my way around my future hometown of Lakeland, seeing some new parts and learning geography of town
* learned to love Lemon Drop martinis after we were given free ones at Cob & Pen in honor of Laurie’s birthday
* had great meals at some new-to-me restaurants: grilled cheese & tomato soup on that super cold night at Cob & Pen; a goat cheese & fig jam burger at Garp & Fuss in Winter Park; basic but amazing turkey & Swiss on sourdough from Born & Bread bakery; teriyaki chicken bowl at Riveters near the Tampa airport. Would absolutely go back to the first three.
* found a lovely spa near the condo, where I had a fantastic facial and massage. Definitely going back there.
* visited the Tampa Art Museum which I’ve been told isn’t very impressive. It is smaller than one might expect for a city as big as Tampa and nowhere near as amazing as the Norton in West Palm Beach. But it was lovely and it has ambitions to grow.
* visited the Charles Morse Museum in Winter Park (north of Orlando) which has the largest collection of stained glass, paintings, pottery, jewelry, furnishings designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Amazing stuff, I learned a lot. I’d love to go back.
* walked around a new large park in Lakeland called Bonnet Springs. Definitely a spot to walk our dog this winter.
* used the annual pass for Busch Gardens for the second time. Only spent 3 hours there, only saw flamingos and kangaroos — plus, more importantly, hang out with friends and enjoy a lovely day. That’s the point of the annual pass for a theme park around the corner: just dropping by!
* appreciated Nora’s baking more than ever — her baked goods are delicious and well made. Putting her science skills to good use!
Now I sleep.
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