One of the activities on our first sea day was a wine tasting done by the ship’s Sommelier. Wine was paired perfectly with delicious bites which we enjoyed as he gave us a wealth of information about each wine. Good times!






Living the Dream in Retirement
One of the activities on our first sea day was a wine tasting done by the ship’s Sommelier. Wine was paired perfectly with delicious bites which we enjoyed as he gave us a wealth of information about each wine. Good times!






My two week Alaskan cruise embarked from Vancouver, a city I’ve never been to. After a long day of flying across multiple time zones, I had a fabulous meal then crashed out. I wanted to show up for my first day on the Discovery Princess well rested.














And just like that we sailed away at sunset, the first of many sunsets……
I recently traveled back to Alaska to celebrate my birthday and my sister and her husband‘s wedding anniversary.






I was celebrated with a group singing “Happy Birthday” in our concierge lounge, then on the elevator and again in the dining room after dinner. There were cards in my room from staff members and chocolate covered strawberries delivered as a gift from my cruise specialist.

The towel art was such a fun surprise and remained with me for the duration of the cruise. I felt very loved and this trip will remain a cherished memory of my 70th birthday.
Stay tuned for part two…..
We’ve had a very warm spring so far with lots of rain and I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to buy plants to add to my garden of 2026.
If you know you know. 🌺🌹🌸
I bought 5 new perennials – Delphinium, Bleeding Heart, Champagne Bubbles Iceland Poppy, Columbine and Dianthus. After a heavy rainstorm last night I got them in the ground this morning while it was cool and damp. It felt good to put my hands in the dirt.





The next time you see these beauties they will be in full bloom, stay tuned…
The moon over the ocean is pure magic. I make it a point to get up before daybreak to catch sunrises when on a cruise.
One morning well before daylight, I got to enjoy the moon reflecting in the sea below. Mesmerized, I sat on my balcony with a steaming cup of tea and watched the sky until sunrise. I’ll never know if any other passengers were up that early to see it.
It might’ve just been me and the moon enjoying each other‘s company, sharing a moment…


As the sun came up, the moon hung over this cluster of clouds for a while longer. Stunning.
For a foodie, cruise food is always a treat and this trip was no exception. From hearty breakfasts to salads, appetizers and dinners, the offerings were beautifully plated and delicious while the desserts were decadent and (almost) too pretty to eat.
































It’s difficult to choose the “best of the best” photos from my cruise but I did it! The sea is ever-changing from daybreak to sunset, at sea and in ports. It’s magical.






































This Christmas performance at the Venetian in Las Vegas was beyond what I expected. I knew Lindsey was a violinist who danced while playing but she’s also a vocalist, an aerialist and a charming storyteller. This first video clip was one of the finale numbers but deserves first position in this post. Watch and you’ll see why!








Multiple numbers with her band and dancers were Christmas themed with many costume changes and were very creative. How she can play violin while dancing – including high kicks, sometimes attached to a harness, is hard to imagine.
When in Vegas recently, I once again visited Bellagio to see the beautiful display in their conservatory. Christmas is such a sparkly and festive time of year and Bellagio never disappoints.




















