December 23,2023 Middle Island, NY
We left Sarasota on December 14.
Before we left, I spent some time on Siesta beach. 
I love it when I spy my blue heron friend.
This is Point of Rocks…the actual rocks are beyond the point.
Looking north from Point of Rocks.
We met up on my way back.
He started to accompany me…
Then changed his mind.
See you next time…
So here’s an annoying fact: sometime during the Covid year…these yellow flag/signs began to appear on the beach…prior to their appearance, access to the entirety of Siesta beach was free to everyone.
These signs restrict access to the sand in front of the condominiums that sit on Midnight Pass Road – south of the “public” beach.
We Sarasota taxpayers, are restricted to the sandy space between the gulf and the mean high tide mark.
Here’s the silly part…the beach front is enormous and in five+ years, I’ve never seen more than a few people on this stretch of the beach. What I have seen: beach attendants from the Gulf and Bay Club ask “trespassers” to move. Beyond galling. Especially when you consider that Sarasota County maintains and replenishes the beach after storms. Anyway…I make it a point to always cut straight through the forbidden zone. It’s petty, but very satisfying.
Here’s a photo that I took while trespassing. Not a condominium resident in sight. Whatever.
I also took a spin around my neighborhood and through Ufer park. These colors are as close as we get to a change of season.
The birds are Ibis…at first I thought they were snowy egrets.
We had a late afternoon flight from Sarasota airport into LaGuardia on Delta. I am so grateful that we can use an airport close to our home.
I twisted 180 degrees in my seat to produce this shot.
Before we knew it, we were landing.
Well we thought we were landing…I think we made a few passes over lower Manhattan.
I never tire of the beauty that is New York City at night.
Can you spot the Statue of Liberty in each of these pics?
We landed a few minutes early, walked a mile (or two) to the Hertz shuttle, picked up our rental and were out on the Island before 9:00 pm.
Dinner at Drifters hit the spot …so did the Yuletide Mules 
Not only is the food yummy, but the holiday decorations are terrific 
…I was tempted to sit next to Santa for a photo, but it was 28 degrees. (Yikes)
The freezing temps remind us of why we escaped…
…and this is why we continue to return to Long Island…the LoveBugs. We picked out a small Christmas tree for the family room and fetched Claire and Isabel to help us decorate. But first, dinner. Claire made the sauce, Isabel the chicken…and they each cooked their own pasta, because Claire wanted bow-ties and Isabel, fusilli.
While the girls cooked, Timmy strung the lights.
After we finished decorating, we played “Diner”…I’m the customer and the girls take turns being the chef and server. I savor these moments, because you just never know when it will be the last time. I try to remember when it was the last time that I played Diner with Grace and Charlotte and I think it was right about the age of these two. One minute you’re playing Diner and staging fashion shows, the next they are off to college.
Here’s Claire totaling my lunch bill. Beyond bittersweet.
On the drive back to the girls’ house, a moron ran the red light right in front of us and crashed through the fence of our local Historical Society.
We were all in shock and a bit shaken up.
The truck hit the berm in front of the building and lifted up in the air…it was something.
This is the scene about an hour later as we returned home.
The next day Timmy and I decorated the living room tree.
Our local fire fighters making the annual Santa run. Always fun
Timmy set up his selfie stand and we had fun taking some holiday pics…I’ll spare you all the other out takes…but I do love this one ♥️
Here’s the keeper…I love it♥️
The other day we drove out east to Gingerbread University to fetch the Gingerbread Houses. Although cold, it was a beautiful drive, past some of our favorite farm stands and wineries.
The sun was setting (at 4:30!) as we headed back home.
We made a stop at Homestead farm and reveled in the Christmas vibes.
I think we’d be hard pressed to achieve this magical feeling anywhere else.
The moon was rising and I was feeling so grateful for this life we have ♥️
We continued on our way, taking in the many beautifully decorated homes on Sound Avenue… singing along to Christmas music on the radio. It really is the simple things…I know how lucky we are, I’m grateful every day and I do not take any of it for granted.
We ended up at Drifters.
Of course we did…enjoying a Christmas Sangria and White Cosmopolitan.
And burgers.
Timmy decided to forego dessert and had a Gingerbread Martini instead. The cookie looks weird but it was yummy.
I spent the afternoon preparing for Christmas Eve…I made the cookie dough and the sauce.
Not much makes me happier than cooking for my family…well the beach does…and sailing…but cooking for them is a definite fourth…because my number one happiest moments are spent with Timmy, my sons and our LoveBugs.
As is my norm, I’m going into the holiday with no expectations…just a desire to be present in and savor every moment.
I wish you the happiest of holidays and a joyful , peaceful heart. ♥️
