For Whom the Belle Tolls 8/29/23 For Whom the Belle Tolls 8/29/23

Palm Trees and Ocean Breeze: A Trip to Turks and Caicos

I am still getting used to cooking for myself and having to do laundry again. Reacclimating to the real world, after spending five wonderful days in the paradise known as Turks and Caicos last week has been a real adjustment. Why, Sunday afternoon, I sat out by our pool and I had to carry my own towels and fetch my own drinks—can you imagine the horror?! As I told a friend yesterday, we did not really even take a vacation last year, so you could have taken me to Daytona Beach and I would have thought it was an exotic getaway, but our escape to Turks and Caicos was a real slice of heaven. Let me show you our pictures and whisk you away to the islands for just a moment, shall we?

Turks and Caicos is actually a group of 40 islands, southeast of the Bahamas. We flew into Providenciales, or “Provo,” which is about a two and a half hour direct flight from Charlotte and headed to the Ritz Carlton Grace Bay, our home away from home for the next several days. We have been debating about whether or not the fact that TCI (the airport abbreviation for Turks and Caicos) is a British territory is responsible for the amazing politeness and hospitality we received while there, because it was far above anything else we have experienced in the Caribbean. Everyone was determined to make sure we were having the best possible time.

We walked into our oceanfront room and were greeted with this, our balcony view. I felt better and more relaxed already.

We explored around the resort for the afternoon and then headed to Da Conch Shack, a cute dive restaurant and rum bar right on the beach. It’s also on the very windy side of the island, as you can see from the way I am clutching my dress in an attempt to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment.

As you can see, we had dinner and a swinging good time (he absolutely hates when I make him do things like this, but what a good sport)!

The next morning, we feasted like royalty out by the ocean at the hotel on banana oatmeal pancakes and avocado toast. Let’s just say it was a step up from my usual vegan protein shake.

This picture doesn’t even begin to do it justice: of all the places we have been, from Hawaii to Tahiti and through the Caribbean, I have never seen water as clear and blue as Turks and Caicos. It is truly spectacular, and why the islands are so popular for diving and snorkeling.

Sadly, we did not scuba or snorkel during our time there. We booked an early bird snorkel session so we could avoid the rum-punch-fueled picnic that always accompanies the half day snorkel tours we typically endure in an effort to get up, get our snorkeling on, and get back to sunning ourselves at the hotel. The “Rise and Reef” snorkeling adventure was, admittedly earlier than we would have liked at 8;30 a.m. on the first official day of our vacation, but we wanted to maximize our time in TCI (okay, to be honest, Clint did. I wanted to sleep late and read by the pool). As fate would have it, we were the only folks interested in rising at that hour, and so our “adventure” was canceled due to lack of interest. We were forced to sleep in and read by the pool. Oh, well. We met a cute couple from upstate New York who were honeymooning who said they tried to book the same early bird outing for another day that week and were also turned away for the same reason, so clearly not many takers on sunrise snorkeling down in the islands. Who would have thunk it?

It’s not vacation without a pina colada (for Clint) and a Miami Vice (for me). Cheers to Turks and Caicos! This is way better than snorkeling.

The resort pool had one of our favorite amenities: the chaise lounges had flags that you raise any time you need service, and a waiter would come over on this pretty cool Segway/Hoverboard hybrid and take your order: usually a mojito or margarita for Clint, water infused with mint or club soda for me (you all know my tummy gets jittery…old age is ridiculous). We were able to order delicious lunches and eat them right from our chairs, not leaving the sunshine for a single second unless we wanted. I wish daily life came with those little flags.

Believe me when I say: I highly recommend!

We came to realize the chairs down on that amazing stretch of beach also had waiter service and flags, so we spent a fun day down on the sand enjoying the ocean as well. You cannot come all the way to an island as beautiful as Providenciales and not enjoy a day (or three) on the beach.

There was a man on the beach selling drinks in coconuts, so of course I had to have one.

And I am not the only one in the family who cannot resist a gimmick. Once Clint saw that other people had floats, he had to walk over the local grocery store and procure one for himself. Look at that smile!

One of the absolute highlights of our trip was our dinners; the food was some of the best we have ever experienced (we ate lobster on numerous occasions and did not feel the least bit guilty about the decadence). The ambience was every bit as lovely as the meals, and we were so impressed with the uniqueness and charm of it all. We would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite place, and we left with restaurants we wanted to try that we did not have time to visit…which just means we will need another trip back. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it….

This is Coco Bistro, where you dine in the largest palm grove on the island of Providenciales. It was so tranquil and our food was fabulous: lobster spring rolls, blackened Mahi, and grilled lobster with smashed potatoes and broccolini.

Most evenings, we would find ourselves a table for two at the outdoor lobby bar at the Ritz. Our bartender made some of the best old-fashioned cocktails in existence and it was a nice place to end our spectacular days.

It was hard to choose a favorite, but we adored Grace’s Cottage and our meal was truly out of this world. We dined outside this adorable gingerbread trim house and devoured a pacific crab salad, bouillabaisse with mussels, snapper, shrimp, lobster, and potatoes, and…

More grilled lobster for Clint! Caicos lobster is some of the most delicious we have ever tasted. Our waitress was proud to say it is because their ocean is so pristine (and honestly, so is the rest of their islands).

We stayed after dinner to enjoy the beautiful bar (the mural behind us is entirely made of tile) and have a nightcap.

Our last meal was at Indigo at the Wymara resort. We started with a seafood tasting plate with a crab cake, shrimp tempura, and scallop crudo and we both ordered the same entree. You guessed it: lobster! This time it was char-grilled with garlic, ginger, rum, and chipotle chilies and served over a pineapple fried rice. It was a perfect last meal on this wonderful island. Oh, and in case you could not tell from our big grins, we were also thrilled with our tiki mugs. Be still our hearts, Indigo.

All in all, it was a superb trip. We felt rested and relaxed and pampered, and I can honestly say the service and people we encountered could not have been better. We left wishing for just one more day, which I always feel is the hallmark of a great vacation. You have to leave still wanting more, before you’ve worn out your welcome. We were already planning our next trip back while waiting in the security line at the airport, and that, friends, is a very good sign.

I also wanted to share this little story with you: on our last night in Turks and Caicos, on our way home from that most delightful lobster meal, an older man drove our taxi back to our hotel. He was (very) talkative and filled us in that over his years, he has traveled extensively all over the world, from Cuba to the Middle East, Dubai, to America and all over the Caribbean to name a few. “Wow,” I replied. “You have seen so much of the world. Where is your favorite place that you have been?” And without having to ponder it for a second, he instantaneously told me, “America! I love it there.” We were honestly touched, and over our old fashioned cocktails that night, we remarked how significant that is: of all the places, America. We long for travel and to get away, we complain about its problems and we focus on its flaws, and yet somehow, it still manages to be the greatest place on earth, even to a cabbie from Turks and Caicos.

No matter how amazing your travels, it’s a blessing to able to call this place home.

Thank you, Turks and Caicos for an amazing time! See you “soon!”

For Whom the Belle Tolls 8/15/23 For Whom the Belle Tolls 8/15/23

Savoring Summer

I bought a sweater online last week. A fluffy, long-sleeved, sweater. This was optimistic because—as I am sure you noticed no matter where you happen to live—it’s been a hot summer. Lord, I don’t know what you’re baking, but it is done. I think because it has been so blazing hot, we are rushing to end the summer and move on to fall. I heard last week that Dunkin Donuts is ready to roll out the pumpkin spice (unpopular opinion: it’s way too SOON). We are already excitedly discussing football season, tailgating, and those glorious days when climbing stadium steps and the way your love for your team makes your little heart race is all the cardio you need for a Saturday. But wait. Hold on a second.

I want to savor what’s left of summer. Let’s remember that, here in the South, even as fall approaches, we will still be hot for another month or more (you have not experienced a Southern football tailgate until you have tried to look cute, have fun, and cheer on your alma mater for a 12-hour day when the heat index hovers around 100 degrees and there is at least 80 percent humidity covering you like a stadium blanket). Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer, so we still have a little more lazy day, barefoot-in-the-sunshine time left to enjoy before we start carving jack-o-lanterns and eating candy corn—although my neighbor did confess he already bought a bag of it last week. Good grief, Mark.

Ah, summer Saturdays floating in the pool. As much as I love fall, I do hate to see these kind of afternoons come to an end.

We tried going to the farmer’s market on two different days last week to procure some decent tomatoes. Yes, we are reduced to the farmer’s market because we are horrible gardeners and everyone knows grocery store tomatoes aren’t fit for deer to eat. Because I can’t eaten gluten any more and ergo, can’t have good white loaf bread, I haven’t had a tomato “sink sandwich” in two summers. I can stand the idea of slicing up a big, delicious tomato and slathering two slices of gluten-free, crumbling, alleged “bread” and attempting to call it a sandwich. But I was going to try and concoct some kind of ode to summer in an almond flour tortilla (you scoff because you can, gluten eaters). The farmer’s market was closed both days; the first time was an error on my part for not checking their very erratic schedule before stopping by, but on the second attempt a check of their website (I am shocked to my core that farmers’ markets have websites. Is the produce delivered in flying cars now? This is the future and we are living in it) revealed that this the week of their annual vacation. What are the odds? I think my sink sandwich itch is going to remain unscratched for the foreseeable future. Perhaps the universe is trying to save me from mucking up a good thing with my almond tortilla no-gluten ridiculousness. Or I have terrible luck. What I do not have, sadly, is a tomato sandwich. I have a couple of weeks to keep trying though. Summer, hold on.

We are leaving on Sunday for our vacation—woo hoo! We did not take a summer vacation last year, and our only real getaway was a long weekend in the Bahamas in December. It was nice, but very short, and I am ready to throw my swimsuit and flip flops in a suitcase and get out of dodge. I want to smell like salt air and suntan lotion for a week, and we are going to visit the Turks and Caicos islands for the first time. I cannot wait to get there…and do a lot of nothing. We have (of course) looked at menus for some amazing restaurants and made dinner plans, but other than that, our biggest decisions will be beach or pool, breakfast a la cart or buffet, frozen drinks or on the rocks. I love summer because it means vacation season is upon us. Summer, hold on until I get to the beach.

The days in the summer are the longest they are all year. We get lots of sunlight and time to do things like going to the lake, running through the sprinkler, and eating outdoors (I love a good summer cookout). What says summertime more than going to a baseball game? Or, like us, are your neighbors STILL working their way through all the fireworks they bought for July 4? (Seriously, people. That was fun, give it a rest.) We have had some cooler afternoons where we have chosen an adventurous cocktail from the Internet and had a patio happy hour, just me, Clint, and the dogs—well, the dogs didn’t imbibe, but you know what I mean. We can continue that in the fall, but more daylight just feels like it gives us more time, and summer gives us the excuse to slow down a bit. Summer, hold on. I want to savor it just a little bit more.

Summer happy hours are one of the things I will miss when life gets busy in the fall.

I adore fall. When the weather is cooler and it is time for autumn leaves and pumpkins, I will be ready to embrace and enjoy all the wonderful things about that season that I love so well. It’s just not quite time yet. And so, for a few more weeks, eat Popsicles. Go for a swim. Wear those shorts and flip flops and enjoy the fact that t-shirts are formal attire in the summer months. Sit on the porch with a glass of lemonade. Find some shade and read a book. Catch lightning bugs. Eat a tomato sandwich and when the juice runs down your elbows, think of me. Savor these last fleeting moments of long, hot summer days before they’re gone and enjoy every bit of them, like salt on your watermelon.

Happy summer! (No big hair was harmed in the making of this picture).

For Whom the Belle Tolls 8/2/23 For Whom the Belle Tolls 8/2/23

It’s Christmas (in July)

Ah, Christmas: such a magical time. The lights, the decorations, the time spent with loved ones. It seems like such a shame we only get to enjoy such a joy-filled holiday once a year. Or do we? This past weekend, we hosted our second Christmas in July pool party and I can say with confidence that for our group, Christmas now comes twice a year. It may look slightly sunnier and tackier, but it has all the fun and festivity that I love about the holidays…in July.

Let’s get this party started…at the front door. A wreath with miniature beach balls, red and green flip flops, and some festive sunglasses did the job.

The gate to the backyard got merry with a tropical themed wreath of its own.

And then there was the 16.5 foot inflatable Santa, who was a subtle touch. Go big or go home, especially for Christmas.

Where there is Santa, naturally, there are reindeer….

A talented little elf named Clint made this Jell-O shot Jenga game—because what’s a holiday soiree without red and green Jell-O shots?

Even Rosie, our flamingo pool float, was ready to mix and flamingle!

This is our swimming Santa, with his goggles and beach towel at the ready. Almost too cool for Yule.

Here’s our beverage station with Jingle Juice (spicy cranberry margaritas) or Grinch Punch (regular margaritas).
Like the banner says: Baby, It’s Warm Outside.

We asked everyone to bring their favorite holiday themed appetizers and snacks. Because of all my dietary restrictions, we got lots of veggies (bless them), and also goodies like Christmas cookies, cheese wafers, dreamy dips and decadent desserts. My friend Ryan made a charcuterie board that was an absolute work of art. After all, what’s Christmas without the food?

It should surprise no one that I put out Christmas Peeps.
Easter, Halloween, Christmas—it’s not really a holiday until the marshmallow Peeps show up.

We had to have some Chick-fil-A nuggets as well. They just make any occasion better…even Christmas!

I love that these guys really got into the spirit of the occasion. We had a cousin Eddie AND an ugly sweater, in July. My heart was full.

Speaking of holiday spirit, check out my friend Tamaryn on the far right in her Hannukah outfit that LIT up. Highlight of my day, pun intended!

Suddenly, we heard the sound of jingle bells and: Santa appeared!

No naughty list folks here, Santa. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.

The halls weren’t the only thing decked out—I love that my people embrace a theme as enthusiastically as I do.

Here we are, the founders of Christmas in July, taking a moment to congratulate ourselves. It really does come twice a year now!

A Christmas tragedy befell us: my technology failed me, and this candid picture of us prepping for our group shot is the closest thing I got to an actual group photo. Please imagine two dozen fabulous people having an absolutely joyful time, all decked out with Santa and some holiday props. I promise to do better next year. Coal in my stocking on this one!

Photography failure aside, our Christmas in July celebration was a success. We spent our afternoon sipping, snacking, splashing, laughing, listening to Christmas carols with a tropical vibe, and enjoying the best of the summer along with a Yuletide poolside party. Naturally, like any amazing Christmas, we are already counting down until the next one (and making big plans). The most wonderful time of the year, twice a year? I can get on board. Stay merry!