It's transition Time : Goodbye to Snowbird Season- Almost

As the  Florida season comes to a close for us snowbirds, there’s a familiar rhythm for me setting in. After seven wonderful playful months, it’s transition time—time for organizing, cleaning out, and getting ready to close up our condo before we head back to the Philadelphia area for the summer.

This in-between phase getting ready always feels a bit like living out of two worlds at once. I’ve been sorting through my closet, deciding what stays in Florida and what comes north with me. Since I’m going from warm weather straight into summer again, most of my wardrobe is light clothing—but it still takes some thought. 

Add to that the logistics of packing my supplements, and my husband’s medications, and I find myself double-checking everything to make sure nothing important gets left behind. 

For the most part, we have two of everything, so I don't need to carry things back and forth. But after 7 months in Florida, I forget which clothing I actually have a home in Pennsylvania: I probably don't really need to bring any clothes home, but I'm taking some basics.

In the kitchen, we’re in “use it up” mode for food—working through frozen foods, eating up the fruit, and clearing out the pantry. It’s part practical, part ritual, and it signals that our time here is winding down. I do leave the canned food.

One of the special final parts of this season is the gatherings with friends before we all return back to our respective homes. Most of us live in states along the East Coast—places such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Boston, and Cape Cod—while a few of my friends have officially decided to ditch the snowbird life and stay in Florida full-time in their condo.

Yesterday, we attended one of those special send-off gatherings—a backyard BBQ hosted by friends who actually have a house ( most of us are in condos) who will soon be heading back to Boston. Their Florida home, complete with a pool and a welcoming outdoor space, was the perfect setting for a relaxed and festive evening. As is tradition in our group, every couple contributed a dish, turning the meal into a true communal feast.

I brought one of my favorite go-to salads—and it turned out to be a standout. Not only was it vibrant and colorful, but it also drew plenty of compliments (always a good sign!). link to recipe for salad.

grilled yellow peppers

Our hosts handled the grilling—serving up perfectly cooked chicken alongside an array of roasted vegetables—while others brought vegetarian appetizers, sides, and desserts. And of course, each couple arrived with a bottle of wine to share, making the evening feel even more celebratory.

These are the moments that define our snowbird lifestyle: good food, good friends, fun outings, and finally meaningful goodbyes—over the next 10 days we will be doing lots of partying and getting ready to leave until we all meet again next snowbird season.

Strolling Through Coral Gables- A Charming South Florida Escape

Last week we went to Coral Gables in Miami. Coral Gables is 45 minutes South of where we live in North Miami, if there is no traffic. With traffic (which there usually is) it can take more like 1 hour and 15 minutes. Consequently, we don't go very often. 

Coral Gables is a really lovely area and feels like a Mediterranean escape tucked right into South Florida—lush, elegant, and intentionally designed with beauty in mind. Known as “The City Beautiful,” it’s lined with banyan trees, historic landmarks, and charming plazas that make it perfect place to visit.                                  

One of the must-see spots in Coral Gables is Venetian Pool, a stunning public swimming pool carved from a coral rock quarry, complete with waterfalls and grottos. (sorry no pic)

Another beautiful spot in Coral Gables is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, with exotic plants and peaceful walking paths that create a true tropical paradise. Last year, we attended the wedding of a friend's daughter that was held on the grounds. 

There is also an area called  Miracle Mile in the center of town, lined with boutiques, galleries, and inviting cafés—perfect for lunch or dinner. 

Theater Tickets: 

We had theater tickets for a 7:30 p.m. show at the famous Coral Gable Biltmore Hotel, which was our final destination. We were going to see Prayer For The French Republic- (which turned out to be excellent).

Since we had not been to Coral Gables since before covid, we decided to make a day of it.

We started on Miracle Mile, taking our time browsing the shops and admiring the charm and architecture of the historic buildings and restaurants. 

From there, we headed to the Biltmore Hotel, where we valet parked and wandered the beautiful grounds before settling in with coffee by their iconic pool. The Biltmore Hotel is a grand 1920s landmark with a championship golf course, spa and a theatre for plays.

Photo from the website of the Biltmore Hotel Website.

Their spectacular pool is over 20.000 square feet and is one of the largest hotel pools in the United States. It is set in a grand Mediterranean -style setting which feels like a European resort. It is lined with palm trees and a glamour that feels very old-world.

I totally forgot to take photos for this blog. I did get one photo of my husband on the corridor of the pool waiting for his coffee.  

Their gigantic pool is the centerpiece of the hotel experience with private cabanas, poolside service, and plenty of space to lounge or swim. Being there kind of feels like you've stepped into another era of grandeur. 

While sitting at the pool cafe, having our coffee, I couldn't help observe the abundance of wild green parrots that filled the air darting back and forth across the pool and the entire property. 

wild green monk parrot of Miami- photo from Pixababy

Living in Miami, I've learned to recognize the squawk of green parrots (monk parrots). They are noisy creatures that squawk relentlessly. I find it thrilling to see all the wild green parrots, but it was hard to relax and enjoy a quiet moment with their lively, unforgettable energy. They fly by in groups really quickly and don't stop often, so it was also difficult for me to get a good photo.

After enjoying the outside grounds, we had dinner in one of their covered gardens and then we were on to the show. The dinner setting was lovely and the food delicious. 

Front of the Biltmore at night after the show

Scrambled Tofu (Better Than Scrambled Eggs?)

You say scrambled eggs, I say scrambled tofu! 

The resemblance is almost uncanny—both in taste and texture—making this plant-based version a satisfying swap for a classic breakfast favorite.

Norwegian Aqua Review: Spa, Food, Balcony Room

Norwegian Aqua Cruise Review: Spa Experience, Dining, and Balcony Stateroom

I’m back from a relaxing 5-day Bahamas cruise on the Norwegian Aqua—but honestly, we barely left the ship. This trip was all about unwinding in the spa. It was our first time sailing on the Norwegian Aqua, and I had promised I’d share a full review.