Memphis

We recently took a two-day trip to Memphis, Tenn., to stay at the historic Peabody Hotel and see the infamous duck walk.

I've said it before, but it's been a while so it's worth repeating: I'm a hotel kind of girl. I love, love, love a great hotel.

The ducks come down from their penthouse palace each day at 11 am and spend the day in the lobby fountain.

Then, each evening at 5 pm, the ducks head back up to their palace for the night.

It's quite the show!

And because two rowdy kids need more action than hanging out in a hotel lobby all day, we spent some time at the Memphis Zoo.

This is one awesome zoo. It might rank as the best zoo I've ever visited. Practically any animal species you can think of is at the Memphis Zoo. The vast feline species is quite impressive.

It was overcast and cool. In short, the perfect day to walk around a zoo.

A Saturday in May

As this day comes to a close, I can't help but reflect on the beauty of it.

A morning antique shopping for the perfect bedroom table, chair, book shelf and table runner

The delightful aroma of fresh gardenias hand-picked from the back yard

Roses from the front yard

My very last first time making a pot of gumbo

Taking orders from my grandmother on pruning bushes

Seaside

If you are looking for the perfect beach getaway, the small community known as Seaside is an ideal spot. Seaside, where most of the movie "The Truman Show" was filmed, is made up of colorful homes and great places to eat.

Once you are all checked in, you don't have to drive again until you leave for home. Unless, of course, you wanted to venture out and head down 30A for more of a choice in restaurants. But part of the allure of Seaside is that you don't care to leave because there are food trucks, shopping and fantastic restaurants all within walking distance.

Early May, before summer prices kick in, is an excellent time to visit. The weather is perfect; though the water is still on the cold side.

We went for a short weekend, but my sister-in-law, who actually booked the house we stayed in, is there for the entire week. We were happy to be along for the ride!

My children loved this trip for three special reasons: the ocean, the sand, the cousins.

Bud & Alley's is Seaside's best known restaurant, and for good reason.

It's upscale dining in a casual and fun atmosphere. They change the menu each time we visit. I have to say, I wasn't as pleased with the menu choices this time around, but their signature crab cakes made up for that.

Great Southern is just that: great and southern.

We ate dinner Sunday night and breakfast Monday morning there. For dinner Matt, Mattie and I shared a bowl of gumbo as an appetizer. I was impressed she was willing to try it. I was even more impressed she out ate Matt and me.

The kids enjoyed popcorn shrimp, while Matt and I both got fish. Grouper for me and mahi-mahi for him with sides like fried okra, creamed potatoes and black-eyed peas. Breakfast was equally good. Jack ordered the beignets (he had New Orleans and Cafe Du Monde on his mind!), Mattie got the Mickey Mouse shaped pancake and I enjoyed a classic pancake, egg and bacon breakfast. Because Matt veered from his usual steak and eggs breakfast order, I can't seem to remember what he ate.

Books We're Reading

"To a genuine lover of books no house is completely furnished which has not a good many of them, not arranged formally in one room, but scattered all over the house." Margaret E. Sangster

With that thought in mind, here's the books that have been scattered around our house the past few weeks:

For the Children

Plenty of Mo Willems - Our library holds so many of these hilarious tales.

"Charlotte's Web" - This is the theme for Mattie's upcoming dance recital. We might move on to other E.B White classics when we finish this one.

"The Hardy Boys" Audible Style - Our latest Audible craze is none other then the Hardy brothers themselves.

For Me

My Yearly Re-Reading of Clay and Sally Clarkson's "Educating the WholeHearted Child" - I love the gentle reminders and pearls of wisdom dispersed throughout this book. I'm also amazed each year at something new that pops out at me based on the season of life we are in.

 

Jo Nesbo's "Police" - I'm not sure I've ever been so disturbed by a book. I'm all for a good murder mystery and could stomach "The Girl With..." series, but this was pretty sadistic.

Ben Lerner's "10:04"- I have no idea how to describe this book other than I really liked it.

Jennifer McMahon's "The Winter People" - This is my current read. It's creepy, but in a good way.

Ian McWan's "The Children Act"- This one is sitting on my nightstand waiting to be picked up next.

Cumberland Island

Off the coast of Georgia is an uninhabited island full of wild horses, hiking trails and long Atlantic coastline. When I say uninhabited, I mean for the most part. There are a few people that live on remote parts of the island and visitors can take a ferry to the island year round.

The island came to my attention years ago when John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette married there in a candlelight ceremony in the tiny First African Baptist church. Our one day trip last weekend didn't allow us time to find the church (total bummer for me), but it did give us time to make our way along one of the trails to enjoy a day on the beach.

It is absolutely picturesque being on an island where wild horses roam. You just have to step very carefully, if you know what I mean.

While there is an inn on the island, it is high dollar. It also does not allow guests under six. Because of this, most people stay nearby and take the ferry onto the island. You can go for a day trip, which is what we did, or making camping reservations and take a ferry back to the mainland days later.

We stayed in St. Mary's, Ga., at the Cumberland Island Inn. The suites are basically two connected hotel rooms, but they are clean and spacious.

The Inn also offered two free ferry tickets as well as a $40 coupon for one of three local restaurants. We chose St. Mary's Seafood, which has to be the most popular place to dine. Our whole gang - all seafood lovers - gave it two thumbs up.