What a gem of a place! If you are seeking a leisurely evening meal or a relaxing night out in the Jax Beaches area, definitely consider going to Eleven South. Keep in mind that if you’re not aware of its location, you may not even know there’s a restaurant on that block of 11th Avenue. Named for its address within Jax Beach, just East of A1A, and situated only a couple blocks from the ocean, Eleven South Bistro & Bar is nestled within the coastal neighborhood community. Surrounded by beach cottages, it blends right in to its surroundings. A quick drive by or glance, especially when the restaurant is not open, and it could definitely be mistaken for a home if not paying attention to it. I had always heard that Eleven South was a locals place, with consistently regular and repeat diners who also bring in their out-of-town guests for a great meal while they are visiting Jax. And after hearing this information through word-of-mouth, and then seeing the quaint little building that houses Eleven South, I immediately thought that it reminded me of a perfect little Supper Club. When I lived up north in Illinois, I traveled in and through the state of Wisconsin a lot. And my favorite places to dine in the entire state were all the many and countless local Supper Clubs my husband and I would just stumble across during our travels. We could never go wrong with choosing a Supper Club for dinner. We could be anywhere in the entire state of Wisconsin, and as long as we could find a Supper Club, we knew the food would be good. And these Wisconsin Supper Clubs always gave me the impression they were a very local establishment. Wherever we were the vibe was local and friendly. These were places buried into a community, sitting off on a side road somewhere, most often well off the beaten path, and hard to find. I ate at these places long before GPS on my smartphone could take me there. We had to find them on our own. We would come across them at the end of a long street, buried amongst evergreen trees. And they were the only place around. I remember getting excited when we found one. It was like being a kid playing the license plate bingo game and the excitement of whenever I’d find the state I’d been searching for so long and so hard to find. The needle in the haystack. These were not places along highway rest stops with tired and weary travelers looking for a quick meal and then rush back onto the road. They were places far away from any interstate and filled with locals where everyone knew everyone. These travels in Wisconsin feel like a very long time ago now, and sometimes I tend to wonder if places like this still exist? And was I really alive ‘so long ago’ that I actually lived without GPS on my phone? Or did technology just advance that quickly? Is there any place left where everyone knows everyone when you walk in? Life is so very fast-paced now, with people always rushing and not taking that extra moment to slow down and talk to each other, in person, as much anymore. When I went into Eleven South, it was just as had been described and as I imagined. It is a locals place - that welcomes everyone. It was a warm and inviting atmosphere. It is a not-very-noticeable, off-the-beaten-path, not-near-any-highways type of place. And walking in, it definitely made me think that the old-fashioned Supper Clubs of the world still exist. I had been wanting to try Eleven South since I first noticed it. The only thing that had consistently kept me from going sooner is the parking situation. After my visit there though, I would say do not let the parking situation deter you from enjoying a great meal and a most lovely evening out. Just a quick glance at the property made me note that there are only a tiny amount of parking spaces. And the tiny parking lot had valet staff and many coned off spaces. That was always the issue that had deterred me from visiting, and the situation that evening was no different than what I had witnessed prior. Not being a fan of paying for parking if I can help it, I had just assumed not to go and choose a different restaurant. But that Friday night was different… we were celebrating a special occasion and I knew I wanted to go somewhere we normally wouldn’t choose. So Eleven South it was for us; and parking would just have to solve itself. We saw the full lot and valet and lots of orange cones and took ourselves out to 3rd Street, parked in the siding, and walked over. While walking in we spoke with a very friendly and definitely busy valet staff member. He was running back and forth parking cars and talking to us at the same time. He parked a car, and ran, and spoke to us. We walked - he ran - he talked. If my doubts about the parking made me stay away in the past, this very kind human being made me want to walk in. Only since I lived down in the South have I met such friendly people. He was happy and friendly and literally running around doing his job… and did I mention friendly? He explained that they have an agreement with the dentist office close by for the valet to use their parking lot in the evenings. We went on a Friday evening, right when they opened for dinner. And the lots were already full… I was right about the parking, there’s just not a lot of spots at all. After walking in and toward the hostess stand to the right of me was the bar. It was packed. And they had only opened moments ago at 5pm - we had a 5pm reservation. Everyone was talking and laughing with each other. Friendly hostesses, servers, and other staff greeted us inside. It was quite a typical hot Florida evening and we chose an indoor table to escape the heat and cool off. We were taken to a very large booth loaded with pillows. I had never eaten in a restaurant ever in my life where this amount of pillows surrounded me. I was quite amused by the sight. And I then proceeded to use every pillow… propping myself up and sitting higher, and leaning back on the pillows. Only once I sat down did I understand why they gave us pillows...the booth was enormous and when I sat I immediately sunk in deep. The pillows were doing their job bringing us back to a normal level even with the table. I was so amused by this. Our server was very friendly. He explained some delicious sounding specials and also informed us they have a small garden out back where they grow some of what they serve. That fact fascinated me. Locally grown and served restaurant food is also something I think is rare these days. And a gem if one can find it. We had a long and leisurely evening. I ordered one of the specials - a pork tenderloin dish. My husband ordered a steak and a tomato salad appetizer. I skipped the appetizer. Our server explained to me that dinner takes a while to cook and would I like anything at all while I wait? No thank you I stated, but he was so friendly and nice about everything. We chatted about how we live close by and he said he used to live close by as well, and had liked Eleven South enough at the time that he wanted to get a job there. He genuinely enjoyed his job. And was as happy as the valet was on the way in. My pork tenderloin was the most flavorful and perfectly seasoned I’ve ever had. Served with roasted brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes, I would so order this again. My husband enjoyed his steak and asparagus. I tried a piece of steak and he tried a piece of the tenderloin. While we both agreed his steak was good, we both also agreed that my dish was absolutely amazing. Get the pork tenderloin on special - you won’t be disappointed. Then it was time for dessert. I have a thing for desserts. I have a thing for pastries and donuts and cakes and desserts of all kinds. But of all the sweet things made on this earth, I have more than just a thing for creme brûlée. If creme brûlée is on the menu, I’m getting it. If I didn’t plan for creme brûlée I’m still getting it. I love creme brûlée. We ordered the creme brûlée. We both ordered coffees and they came out to us first. My husband ordered the cafe au lait, and I ordered black. Both drinks were not hot - at all. But if you can tell by now, that single disappointment would not deter me from coming back. If anything, I probably could have just asked if they would warm it for me? Then the dessert came and it was the best I ever had. My mother-in-law always says that the dessert she is currently eating at that very moment is ‘the best I ever ate.’ That is how I felt about this creme brûlée. As we were paying the check and leaving, I noticed through the window to the outside a few golf carts come driving up into the parking lot waiting in line to have the cart valet parked. I had never seen a golf cart be valet parked once before this night in my entire life, let alone more than one cart waiting to be valeted. I thought yep, definitely a locals place… that I would love to bring my family to when they come for a visit. ~
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Yes! Autumn is here! I wouldn’t really know it by glancing at the environment around me though. The seasonal changes I’m surrounded by are very difficult to notice within my natural environment. It does not cool down outside - I don’t bring out my favorite warm blankets from the back of the linen closet. I don’t unload my bin of clothing for colder weather; in fact, no such bin exists in my closet anymore. And I haven’t ordered any pumpkin spice lattes yet this season either. I’m just waiting for even one slightly ‘cool’ day to order a hot drink; for now I’m sticking with my usual iced tea. When I first moved down here a few years ago in the springtime, I was very curious about how I would witness the seasons changing in Florida compared to experiencing four very real and legitimate seasonal changes that take place annually in Illinois. That first spring here was heaven on Earth. Sunny every day - perfect weather - blue sky. I was outside all the time. The funny thing was that everyone, and I mean everyone I met during that first season here said that they hoped the weather would improve for us to enjoy it. I was sooooo very and desperately confused. Here I was in perfect weather - it was still snowing in Illinois. I really didn’t know what these people all meant??? It took time for me to understand. Time, and experiencing the seasonal changes for myself. What was there to improve? The weather was literally perfect! It was then that I learned about Florida cold fronts. If it was a nice 85 or let’s say 86 degrees outside, and then a cold front came through, dropping the average weekly temperature to a very low and very cold 83 degrees, everyone hoped for a warm front. Everyone spoke of the cold front. Everyone talked about hoping the weather would improve. When will the weather improve? That’s exactly what was happening during my first season here, it was a perfect and ideal temperature, calm weather. But maybe it was 83, instead of the more ideal 85? It was enough for me to be drinking coffee outside, when in Illinois I still would have been wearing winter clothes. But to Floridians, it was cold out. After three years, if the wind is blowing just right I too get cold now sometimes when the dashboard reads 85 degrees... and I laugh every time… Never thought it would happen to me. I’m truly acclimated to the Floridian climate, and it happened quite fast too. So during that first year living through fantastic and then even more fantastic weather, the seasons blew in and out barely even with me noticing a change. So how does one mark all the seasonal changes in a place where the weather stays practically perfect in every way, year round? The seasons were always tied to weather for me in the past; now, I relate seasons to the events themselves that take place during and within a season. I learned real quick that if I wanted to enjoy fall in the Sunshine State, the best way for me to acknowledge such a seasonal change living in my new home was to put out a pumpkin scented candle… and maybe some autumn themed dish towels placed strategically in the kitchen. That way, every day when I walk in the kitchen, I look at a pumpkin towel and say to myself, oh yeah, that’s right, it’s Fall. Other than that, I could still drink my coffee outside, swim in the ocean, and drive with the windows rolled down, even though the autumnal equinox could be long since passed. Maybe I could change the color or style of my swimsuit instead of getting out some autumn sweaters? Should I change the color of my purse, or the style of wreath hung upon my front door? Some or all of the above do help the transition. Today I put out my favorite ceramic white and orange pumpkin candle holders on my kitchen table. I even purchased a burnt orange tank top to wear this season instead of buying a burnt orange sweater. Back in Illinois I thoroughly enjoyed the changing color of the leaves and then the falling leaves later in the season. I loved fall. Sometimes I thought it was my favorite season? I embraced the warmer days and cooler evenings. Evenings cool enough at the beginning of autumn to leave the window open at night. But later in the season the windows were closed, and then remained tightly shut for the remainder of fall and winter. And every year, usual mid-to-late fall, there reached a point where it always became officially much too cold in the house. And then, just like clockwork, the annual debate began of discussing how long can we last until we turn on the heat for the first time that season. It was a running joke, how cold can we sleep at night? At what point before it becomes unbearable and much too cold in the house to focus on anything else but how cold it is? I’d pull out layers upon layers of blankets to place upon the bed to help prolong our time in a house without the heat running. And we tried to function in the house during the day. It was a test of will, and stubbornness. I would not want to give in first. Like a child trying not to blink in a staring contest, sitting across from my friendly opponent, who is also trying desperately not to blink. Who will blink, my husband or me? Which one of us will be the one to turn the heat on? Who will break first? Usually my stubbornness would win out and my husband would be the one switching the heat to ON. His excuse would be that he wouldn’t want the pipes to start freezing. And that is exactly where my love of all things fall end. And I’d think to myself, is fall really my favorite season? Forget the cold, I’ll take the Florida sun any day. I recently heard someone say that Florida is ‘Bizzaro World.’ And that only in Florida do we celebrate Halloween in August (at Walt Disney World). And that as fall comes round every year how else would we even know that autumn has even arrived unless we ‘force the sh*t out of fall’... I laughed hysterically and could not agree more with that statement. Maybe fall still is my favorite?... So, in honor of acknowledging and celebrating the changing of the seasons, I’m ‘forcing the sh*t out of fall’ today with my pumpkin decor and pumpkin scented candles. I even hung an autumn themed dish towel in the kitchen. There - I’ve done it. Box checked. Season changed; season acknowledged. Time for people to keep on swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, and soaking in that sun. Enjoy the morning coffee outside on the front porch, eat dinner outside at the local fish camp, watch the turtles, gators, and snakes enjoy their natural surroundings. The globe will keep spinning and rotating onward. And we can all acknowledge and celebrate its angle of rotation once again during the winter equinox come December, on the beach, maybe with a peppermint latte sitting next to me in the sand. ~~~
On a hot Florida summer day, also our 16th wedding anniversary, we took a drive down south on A1A to have dinner at The Reef. Having driven this state route between Jacksonville and St. Augustine numerous times, I consider getting to The Reef a treat in and of itself. A quick glance out of the car window and I am treated to some of the most scenic coastal views around the entire southeast United States. Pelicans flying overhead, waves crashing on the shore line, much of the road bordered by a coastal reserve––it’s a breath of fresh air to drive through so much nature at its absolute finest. Besides Vilano Beach, The Reef is one of the very few eateries to stop at when enroute between Jax and the nation's oldest city. There’s only about one other place to dine (Cap’s), which requires a turn off of A1A heading toward the intracoastal, as well as a gas station and convenience mart. So naturally, The Reef is in quite an ideal location to catch all of the many passersby and tourists who are hungry and aching for a break from the car. Pulling off of the coastal highway and into the sandy parking lot overlooking the dunes and straight out onto the Atlantic, it never really gets old to see such a sight. The ocean water was changing color quickly that afternoon, along with the abruptly changing weather. Then, gazing upon The Reef, one must not be fooled by its low-key and rough exterior. The weathered, gray board and batten structure's exterior provides a casual, laid back and beachy vibe; however, walking in was a different story. The interior is really a place much fancier than I expected. The hostess took us to our seats and we walked past tables adorned with cloth napkins and table cloths, and for a moment wearing my sundress, I didn’t know if I was dressed appropriately? Was I underdressed? We were seated at our table outside, as requested, on the waterfront. The location: most ideal. Service was quite normal––no rush, and not too slow either. The views: priceless. I quickly stopped worrying about what I was wearing once outside. As more people were seated, some were dressed up a bit, and some dressed very casual. We began our meal with drinks and a shrimp cocktail. Cheers to another year of marriage! While sipping our drinks the weather turned very quickly. The skies darkened and a brief late afternoon Florida rain storm came upon us. The staff suggested we move inside before dinner and right as our meal was served it started pouring. We watched the storm chase people off the beach from the window of our new candle-lit table. Our main courses were steaks with seasonal vegetables. The meal itself was a bit pricey to me for what we got but no real complaints at all. We ended with a very tiny vanilla ice cream scoop and a key lime pie tart to share for dessert. While sipping our coffees we witnessed the sky turn blue and clear up just in time to watch the sun go down. While the restaurant was a little expensive in my view, the drive to get there was definitely worth it to pull over and enjoy a meal on the coast any day. And sometimes a restaurant experience actually isn’t about the food itself or how much we paid, or how good the meal was; it’s about the experience of getting there after sixteen years of marriage and dreaming of what’s to come next after that shared meal together.
Is a trip to Walt Disney World complete without a visit to Disney Springs? If you classify yourself as a professional shopper then definitely don’t let Disney Springs pass you by. After completing a vast and extensive renovation a few years back, the original Disney Shopping Village Marketplace, and then Downtown Disney, was officially rebranded to Disney Springs. With that rebranding came a whole new array of food and fun. ou can now literally spend an entire day, or a full morning, afternoon, or evening at the Springs, and never once run out of something to do. Many more stores were added, some pricey, some reasonable. I didn’t run into anything that would be considered low cost, but you can definitely make your own fun too with little to no money involved. Parking is still free, thank goodness. And there is usually live entertainment on stage by the World of Disney store every time I’ve visited recently. So grab a coffee from Joffrey’s (a storefront Joffrey’s!) and stroll around the West Side, the Landing, and the Marketplace, for a nice outing outside of the ticketed Disney Parks. On this particular visit we we were searching for dinner reservations at The Boathouse. I was trying to reserve dining through the My Disney Experience app, but I ended up booking dinner through OpenTable. The Disney app has given me nothing but grief and trouble for at least a few years now. So finally, after countless attempts to resolve, I took some drastic Disney action and deleted the app from my phone altogether. As a formerly huge Disney fan (now just a casual fan) this was a big step for me to take, but it had to be done. The app officially would not let me reserve anything anymore, rendering it almost totally useless for me. One of the issues was that it kept asking for an updated credit card, and I gave it this information more than you really want to even know. Error processing notifications were constant. Well, if you don’t give The Mouse your money, The Mouse doesn’t let you play. Dining reservations, theme park tickets, hotel reservations, mobile quick service food, drink, and snack ordering, etc, are all on the app now, and all need your credit card. My husband had the same problem, consistently, and it wasn’t our cards. We were able to reserve over the phone if we called just fine. It was definitely the app. The app also would not recognize a change of address or any other profile update I attempted. I always had to call, and wait in queue, to do anything with Disney. I needed to find a new way to book a dinner reservation with Disney, without wasting too much of my time, and had just about to given up on Disney Springs altogether when I went to my Opentable app. When I searched restaurants in Orlando many of the Springs restaurants came up as available. I was shocked actually because after booking countless dining reservations through Disney in the past, and aware of their ‘if you don’t show up’ fee per person applied to your credit card on the reservation, it ended up being so easy to book Disney dining through OpenTable. And a credit card wasn’t needed, and I earned points in the process as well. We did end up at The Boathouse for dinner, and it was one of the most fabulous dinners of my life in Florida. Having dined there in the past on a trip to Florida before moving down here, at the time I remember thinking the exact same thing - one of the best meals of my life. And that was when I lived in the Chicago area, where the best food in the world comes from, no joke. I do have a theory on why I love the food at The Boathouse so much. It’s owned by Gibson’s, a Chicago based restaurant group. Naturally, the Chicago-instilled history of The Boathouse is why the food is so darn good, of course. As soon as our server first came to greet us at our table I noticed his Disney name tag as being from Chicago, IL. ‘Ooooh!’ I said, surprised. ‘You’re from Chicago! We are from the Chicago area and moved down a few years ago.’ He said he and his wife had done the same thing. Why would anyone live with those harsh winters?!... We all agreed and laughed. It turns out he grew up in my hometown, and went to the high school just across town. He took our order and asked if we were in a hurry? ‘No,’ we said, ‘definitely not.’ We weren’t going to the theme parks, had zero fast pass reservations to rush off to, and were not watching fireworks anywhere that evening. THIS was our entertainment. Knowing we were not in a rush, he said he would bring out our courses on a leisurely basis, instead of the quick pace that some might need and require while on a Disney vacation. Well, I had the best, most flavorful, and absolutely lovely meal of my life. So simple yet so good. Shrimp cocktail to start, tomato salad, and filet mignon sliders for the main course. Afterward we said goodbye to our server and wished him well on our way out. The rest of the evening we spent going in some shops that I hardly ever get a chance to visit. On the way back to our hotel we stopped at Twistee Treat for dessert. Which I have officially-unofficially classified as the best and most quintessential ice cream shop in all of Orlando. I first learned about Twistee Treat from Teresa Echols @ The Dis, (one of my favorite Dis team members by the way) and then, I saw the cone in The Florida Project and knew I had to try it. I’ve been to Twistee Treat a number of times now and it does not disappoint. LOVE that place! So while a professional shopper needs to visit Disney Springs, an ice cream aficionado needs to go to Twistee Treat. Back at the hotel after a lovely evening, I reflected on the night’s experience. Once again, I reminded myself that it’s those little things — those small interactions with cast members — laughing hysterically at the shared trauma of experiencing Chicago winters in the past that we have said goodbye to, magical moments with family and friends, and of course, good food. I may not be a Disney Annual Passholder anymore. Nor a Disney Vacation Club Member, Tables in Wonderland card holder, or even a Disney shareholder any longer. Heck - they are even ripping out my brick on the walking path in front of the Magic Kindgom this year! But my history with Disney runs deep, and I do respect that past. I know that without Disney and without Walt, I simply would not be who I am today or where I am today, literally and figuratively. I’m 38, with no children, and I have always known that if I ever had a boy he would be named Walt. That fact remains today. I love Walt and thank him for the kindness he left in this world. So while my Disney fan status has dropped significantly in the past few years, most of which is due to massive — and what I deem simply harsh — price increases to experience anything Disney present day, there will always be a place in my heart for The Mouse, even if he is no longer on my phone.
Well, we’re really in the dog days of summer now, that’s for sure. Known for being the hottest of hot days of the summer during the time period between July and August, the dog days come around this time each year. This season is absolutely screaming for you to have some quality time in the water... in the pool, in the lake, in the springs, or in the ocean. And let’s not forget about popsicles, freezer pops, lawn sprinklers, and kids playing baseball games in their neighborhood street. When I look straight up toward the sun in the middle of summer and see that bright, hot, and hazy glare staring back at me, I remember being a kid and having so much fun during this time of year. But then the weather always failed me... it got cold out again and summer was over. Along with the hose and the lawn sprinklers and the ice cream melting in my hand as I ate it off a wooden stick. So long until next year. When you grow up in Illinois, summer really is a defined time period each year; and as certain as you are that it will come, you are just as certain that it will end. And out came my puffy winter coat and big, heavy winter boots. But now that I live in Florida, summer heat and that endless summer feeling never end. Like, for real! Weather was the number one reason I moved here and remains the single best reason I continue to live here a few years later. When it’s January 21st in cold Chicago it’s very hard for any Illinoisan to imagine a place where you can stand outside by the ice cream truck and eat ice cream off a stick, on that very same day, year round? Those places were only in my dreams before Florida. I remember seeing in the news recently that Universal Orlando Resort opened a new hotel on their property. That’s pretty big news for Universal, as they have far less on-site hotels than their competitor, Walt Disney World, down the street. Well, they named this new hotel the Endless Summer Resort. And almost immediately after the announcement, in some online travel forums there was talk making fun of the name. Tons of folks complained and made fun of the name Endless Summer for a hotel. How can a hotel be named Endless Summer? They said that isn’t a name. It’s more like a state of being. EXACTLY. A state of being. Universal got it and they got it good. I know exactly why they named the hotel Endless Summer. Endless Summer is not just a feeling, it’s a complete way of life down here. What better theme for a resort catering to tourists from out of state, from let’s say places like Illinois, than to evoke and market coming to stay there based on that endless summer childlike feeling we all want to savor and we all want never to end. I definitely plan on visiting Universal Studios in the near future. And now with the very reasonable room rates, the chic, contemporary and surfer vibe decor, Endless Summer is definitely a place I will consider staying at. But in the mean time, I’ll be soaking up the sun and enjoying doggiest of dog days of my Endless Floridian Summer. So come on down. The water’s warm and the sun never rests. I promise.
7/8/2019 0 Comments #2) 3 Wows Plus 1 Piece of Magic I Experienced At Jacksonville, Florida’s Cummer Museum of Art & GardensA few years back when friends found out I was moving to Florida, specifically to the greater Jacksonville area, it was immediately suggested to me that I visit the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Finally, after a few years of living here, I made it there. With soooo many positive reviews online (it was actually very hard to find anything negative said AT ALL) and many recommendations from others to go for a visit, I can definitely see why people love and rave about the place. It’s always quite an experience to visit an art museum. A visit to such a place can take you out of your familiarity and possibly your comfort zone as well, and place you inside so many varied and different hearts, minds, and personalities - simply by seeing and fully experiencing the immersion of art on canvas. Visiting an art museum can open up or awaken your soul to the variations of the human experience. I would definitely say there is a bit of magic going on there - but don’t forget you need to be open to receive that magic and let it come over you and let it change you. You visit an art museum to see the art on the walls. So gazing at all the varied art on canvas and sculptures can go without saying here. See it. Do it. Immerse yourself in it. And see ALL the art, and take your time as well. What I really want to detail here today are some of the things at the Cummer that go beyond the art on canvas. Specifically: 3 major Wows I experienced while at the Cummer, plus a single piece of pure magic. And as I mentioned above about art, I don’t see how going to an art museum, or any museum really, can be nothing but a positive, educational experience. But maybe I’m biased because I’m an artist and I paint on canvas every day of my life. So really it was hard for me to find anything about the Cummer I didn’t like. And I actually only found one single comment online even remotely negative about the Cummer, and that is that they need more seating - that they are very short on seating around the building. This commenter said they were an older individual and that walking around with hardly a place to stop and rest for a bit was too much for them. I’m 38, and by no means elderly, but I COULD NOT AGREE MORE with this review. Why? Why? Why are there never enough seats in public places??? I LOVVVE me a good bench. There were a nice assortment and variety of seats and seating locations outside in the Gardens, but good luck finding a seat (and I mean a RELAXING seat) inside the building with all the art. Sure, there was the traditional chair and/or single bench in the center of an exhibit room, but that is by all accounts not a place for relaxation, or a place to chill for a bit. It’s simply a chair to sit in while contemplating the beauty of the art before you. But it’s not a place to grab a sip of water, take a few calls or texts, or post your latest Instagram shot. Plus, who wants to be selfish and hog the bench for a rest while so many other people are coming and going and may want to sit for a bit as well? Really the only seating inside the museum itself where you could catch your breath was at the Cafe, which meant buying something to eat or drink in order to sit down. This was absolutely more than fine with me and the hubby because we planned this Cafe into our day and knew we wanted to eat lunch there to get the entire Cummer Museum experience. But there were definitely people who wanted to sit in the chairs of the cafe and not order anything. And with the quite obvious ‘PLEASE WAIT HERE TO BE SEATED’ sign as you approach the Cafe, it was clear we couldn’t just walk up to a chair and sit. So yes, there is a definite lack of seating at the Cummer. And really the only strange and awkward aspect of the entire museum was the location itself of the Cafe. The Museum is set up as a series of exhibit rooms, with doors that open and close into a main hallway of the museum. This main hallway is what I would call the artery of the museum and is the main corridor for all traffic coming and going. This hallway takes you up and down the entire length of the museum and all exhibit entry and exits, plus restrooms and gift shop... however, this hallway is where the Cafe is as well. And I’m not saying the Cafe has an entrance off the main hallway - I’m telling you the Cafe is IN the hallway. Like, the Cafe is the hallway, and the hallway is the Cafe. It seemed like the Cafe was a complete and total afterthought to the Museum. Which was somewhat of a disappointment to me. As soon as I saw it I thought THIS is the Cafe?! I was expecting at least a tiny bit more from a museum that charges $10.00 a person to enter. There was no ambiance, no set mood or theme going on or even attempted to go for, and no decor whatsoever. The Cafe is literally tables and chairs set up inside this main hallway of the museum. So everyone coming and going (and going in and out of the main bathroom as well) has to pass by these chairs and the drink station. It was a bit of a bizarre set up.... but I’m telling you right now I would definitely go back. Which brings me to my first WOW of the day. Wow #1 - The Cummer Cafe This Cafe rocks! I know, I know, you’re saying what in the heck? She just mentioned how awkward and strange the Cafe is set up, and yes, all of that is so true. But the Cafe was also very, very enjoyable, and I absolutely loved my delicious and flavor-filled lunch. It’s so, so true that good food can make up for bad atmosphere. And while like I said, there was no real decor to the Cafe, there was a vase of fresh flowers on the table we were seated at. Adorable. I so love fresh flowers on a table, it brings immediate joy and delight into any day. I sat down and ordered an iced tea. Well, when iced tea is served to me in a mason jar, I’ll be happy for the rest of the day. Add a delicious and delicately fruity taste to the cold, refreshing tea, and I declare it the best tea I ever drank in my life any day of the week and twice on Sunday. And this tea was just that and more. I ordered the breakfast quiche as my dish, which was served with a light and fresh seasonal greens with strawberry salad including a vinaigrette dressing on the side. Wow. I so thoroughly enjoyed my meal that I wanted the chef to come home with me and make this meal for me every day for lunch for the rest of my life. Hence the wow factor here. Loved the Cummer Cafe, yes, would go again. After we ate and received the check, I overheard a woman at the next table order an iced latte. The server asked her if she would like whipped cream on top. She said yes. I love hearing people talk of coffees and creams. Well we were stuffed from the delicious lunch and passed on drinks and desserts. As we were paying our check the iced latte walked past us, and my jaw dropped. Wow, whipped cream will always do that for me. That drink looked so gosh darn amazing and refreshing, I know exactly what I’m ordering when I go back, no need to even give me a menu. Actually, I’m quite sure that whipped cream drink is going to haunt me in my dreams every night until I get it. Wow #2 - The Gardens There’s a reason it’s called The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. & Gardens was not an afterthought. The Gardens at the Cummer deserve their own Wow and you should include time during your visit there for sure. I thought ahead and tried to time my visit around the afternoon Florida summer thunderstorms, so we experienced the gardens before visiting the special Impressionism exhibit later into our afternoon. Walking out back of the main museum building to the Gardens grants you a breathtakingly scenic view of the St. Johns River. So with the flowing river water as a backdrop, and flowers, trees, quaint little pathways and vines, trellis’ and canopy’s and quaint seating, and let’s not forget ponds and fountains, the Gardens are certain to impress. I was right in my element walking around all the natural Floridian beauty before me, so many future scenes I dreamt of painting from that single experience. Visit this Garden... and soak all of it in to take home with you. Wow #3 - The Live Oak As you enter the Gardens outside, you cannot help but see the beauty and majesty of the Cummer Live Oak Tree. A miracle that Hurricane Irma didn’t take this tree, this Live Oak should require its own visit just to IT if you are visiting or live in Jacksonville. I’ve never seen a tree quite like it. It was a tree out of a fairy tale book. Spanning the top of the gardens and its various branches winding down to the lowest levels of the gardens reaching out toward the river bank, this tree definitely has a personality and life of its own. This tree owns the place. This tree is the boss. I immediately thought of Disney’s classic film ‘Pollyanna’ when my eyes first gazed upon this Live Oak. Trees are and really can be gifts from God to this Earth. Breathing life into anyone who is willing to accept the gift. In the film, Pollyanna’s friend Jimmy Bean (played by Kevin Cochoran - otherwise known as Moochie if you are a classic Disney film fan), always wants to climb trees with Pollyanna, and she basically is like, now why would I ever want to do that?... not understanding the appeal). Well, Mocchie says, God put them there so I could climb them. Simple as that - matter of fact. I have always loved that part of the film for some reason and apply it to many aspects of my life. And while there are clearly represented signs everywhere at the Cummer Gardens informing you NOT to climb the tree, and rightfully so considering its age, history, and safety issues, if Moochie was around to see this tree today, I’m not sure if there would be anyone who could stop him from climbing it. After all, isn’t that why God put it there? While the food, fun, and fabulousness of the Cummer was an ideal Saturday outing I highly recommend, and be sure to catch all of my three wow’s mentioned above, there was one more piece of magic both hubby and I didn’t expect but were blessed with. 1 Piece of Magic As were were looking out at the beauty of the St. Johns River while standing at the edge of the Gardens and watching all the boats go by, I quickly saw a flicker off the water out of the corner of my eye. I focused my eyes on the area, not too far in front of me at all, and watched. Only about a second later I saw it again. A dolphin jumped right out and back into the water. He seemed to say hello to us watching him. I gasped, shocked, never, ever, ever sick nor tired of seeing a dolphin out on nature. I wondered to myself - why was he here? Right here. At the banks of the River. We watched and followed him with our eyes for a long time.... he seemed to be all alone in the water. Just him jumping to and fro. We continued watching him swim farther and father from our sight, still jumping, until we couldn’t see him anymore. I hoped and prayed he wasn’t lonely, afraid, or injured - although he seemed just fine from my quick gaze. He was well on his merry way, exploring the Floridian waters, many adventures ahead of him. Something in the back of my head made me think he was there because God put him there. At that place at that moment in time. He was meant to be there, for reasons the heavens above and him alone to know his purpose in life. But because I’d like to think God put him there, I was able to say hello to him that hot summer day before he went on his way. ~
7/4/2019 0 Comments #1) Happy Birthday America! - 4 Simple Tips To Help You Have An Easy Americana 4th:July 4, 2019 It’s Independence Day! Go ahead... run that race you’ve been wanting to run. Eat that slice of pie you’ve had your eye on. Wear that red, white, and blue hanging in your closet. Or, better yet, wear that perfectly 'instagramable' and completely pre-planned spirit wear you knew for months was going to be your Independence Day apparel. Celebrate! Live free! And do everything you please, and nothing you don’t. The 4th of July can be an easy holiday to celebrate, or a hard one, just like any other holiday. It’s you and your mindset that make all the difference. You could work all day in the kitchen, serve a bbq to a hundred people in your backyard, and never sit down once all day. Which is great! - - If that’s your cup of tea. Or you can do a slightly different version, which I’m calling the Easy Americana 4th. Don’t get me wrong, I’m calling it easy, but I don’t necessarily want it too easy... or lazy. I like a challenge, I like to be busy, and I like constant improvement. But after so many very busy and chaotic holidays celebrated in the past traveling to multiple locations in a single day, I found that it’s the simplicity of a holiday that will make it the best one ever. Living in Florida has done that for me. And every single holiday I spend in this great state is my best holiday ever. Yes, I did wake up at my usual five am before sunrise hour. I got a great workout in by running a race, I walked the dog, got ready, made coffee, and l wore my favorite new spirit wear from Old Navy’s 2019 Americana clothing line. As well as going out to lunch and work in my studio. We also ate my completely fabulous dinner, all Americana food themed, yet utterly simplified. I can accomplish all that while at the same time absolutely NOTHING about the day is chaotic, and nothing about the day is anything but celebrating the reason for the day and chilling out of course. 1) Choose ONE Event To Attend: First, choose one event, ok, maybe two, that you want to or need to attend. Then, bypass everything else and make some time to yourself. No is the answer to every other invite you get. For example, I planned that I would run my local 5K at 7:30 in the morning. I knew after that the rest of my morning was open. I ran in the Celebration Run 5K which routed through the quite streets of the Baymeadows neighborhood in Jacksonville. I then was able to go home, walk the pooch, get ready, and get a bit of work done. The one other thing I knew I wanted to do was go out to lunch - and go somewhere fun. I left the place wide open, to have some spontaneity and for my hubby and I to pick the place when we left the house, no reservation needed or wanted. We chose Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, a local restaurant at the beach with a very casual vibe, has multiple locations, and headquartered in Georgia. We had never been so that was part of the fun, trying somewhere new. And we ate lunch in a bus! 2) Make Time For Yourself: Then, make some down time. Holiday or no holiday, it’s really important to have time to focus on what you love to do. The remainder of the afternoon I worked in my art studio. I finished off an 8x10 red, white, and blue themed piece while my puppy sat right next to me. She was terrified of the brief afternoon lighting and thunder that came through as usual on a steamy hot Florida summer afternoon. And whenever it storms she becomes my shadow and looks up at me and says with those precious eyes, ‘Is everything going to be ok?” Yes, I say. We’re all good here, no worries. Eventually, even she settles in, falling asleep by my feet, and took a long nap... Dogs are natural pros at making time for themselves. 3) Have Dinner - Simplified: When dinner time came around, I was all ready for my quick and Easy Americana meal. I chose the time in my studio today over cooking from scratch. So on July 3rd, along with every other person in town, I went to Winn Dixie and bought my holiday meal, working mostly the perimeter of the store. First, the bakery = because dessert is imperative. I grabbed a Winn Dixie Bin Apple Pie from a display very near the front of the store. Next, the deli - I grabbed a tub of potato salad. I walked past the meat fridge and grabbed the hot dogs. We use 100% wheat bread as our buns so then I grabbed a loaf of bread. Two more quick aisles in to grab frozen steamable corn and a can of Bush’s Baked Beans. All we had to do when dinner time came on the 4th was to quickly heat things up and our meal was set. 4) End the Evening with some Relaxation:
And as we quickly prepped our meal and binged watched some Scandal on dvd, I decided to call this evening my how-to-get-dinner-done-in-two-minutes-flat plan. I’ll choose this holiday meal any day if it means doing what I want all day long before the meal. Because I got to spend the morning with my hubby at a road race, the afternoon with my puppy in my studio, and an evening at home with both - all together, no stress. I watched the local town fireworks show literally from bed, looking out my bedroom window, which granted me the perfect end to my Fabulously Simple Florida 4th. *****Now get out there and have YOUR best 4th - ever. Easy as pie.***** |
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