Peaches Prattlings











{August 4, 2017}   Happy Birthday JCT!

It’s August 3rd, happy birthday to anyone celebrating their birthday, but today is my friend, JCT’s, birthday!

JCT and I have been friends since 2009, wow! We met on the same project I met RJS and ST, we hit it off and we’ve been friends ever since. She has recently come off the road traveling for work, we used to swap stories, ideas, give each other advice, how to get the best bang for the buck.

She and I have a lot in common and some fabulous differences. Her family seems to have adopted me! Am I complaining, not a chance! Her brother and I have been friends for a while. I call her mom, mom, her daughter calls me auntie, how awesome for me and their dogs, well, let’s just say their boy pug, BooBoo, has a great affection for my arm, we’ll leave it at that!

JCT and her mom love cooking for me, I never turn down home cooking, especially some of the great Chinese treats they make! I love listening to JCT and her mom have conversations, Chinese, Chinese, Chinese, Home Depot!

When I’m in Atlanta and our schedules connect, I will spend the weekend or at least the night. We talk, talk, talk, I know, shocker! Then we put on our pjs, lean the recliners back and talk some more and then fall asleep, sometimes while we’re in the middle of a conversation.

Weeks can go by, sometimes a little longer, we pick up the phone and it’s as if we talked yesterday. Those are the best friendships and I love counting her as not only a friend, but a sister.

祝你生日快樂,親愛的朋友。我愛你。



I don’t know if you know…I travel for work.

What? Say it ain’t so! Ha ha. Well, that being said, you know that some weekends I stay with friends, which I love, for so many reasons.

One if the things I love is showering and getting to try new and fun products, some even fancy and expensive. RJS always tells me what new treats are in store for me!

I don’t spend that much time I the shower when I’m in a hotel, nothing very exciting, but at my friends houses…

Ahhh…



That sounds like a good day to me, you?

We slept in, ha ha. Ok, slept in is exaggerating, but stayed in bed, that’s more like it. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to sleep in, but it was definitely comfy! I was sleeping on a double height queen sized blow up mattress, super firm and comfortable, window open and I could hear the traffic go by, made me feel like I was at home in my bed at my dad’s house, slept well!

We got up eventually, went to brunch at a local diner in the neighborhood, yummy. Then headed back to downtown Chicago, walked around, window shopped, went to our favorite nail place for some massages chairs and attention to our claws and paws. The fun part, we weren’t there right before closing, we could take our time and not worry it was just before closing.

After our spa treatment, we needed some munchies, I was craving guacamole, so off to The Taco Joint for just that and some other treats, yum!

Later that night, a treat! The architectural fireworks boat tour! This was my fifth boat tour of Chicago, which I love, DLP hadn’t done one yet, touristy check! You know, when you live in a city, you don’t always do the touristy things! Even better, LJ and her beau, JD, joined us.

It was a great tour and out guide is one that I’d had on another tour, he was a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed it and the fireworks at Navy Pier were a lot of fun!

After, we went to see their new apartment, great view, location and feel, perfect for them. Next, food! We were hungry!

It was a great night with great friends!



{July 30, 2017}   A new vegan restaurant!

I love trying new places, especially when someone else is excited to share it with me!

This weekend I’m staying in Chicago with DLP, no definite plans yet but one, dinner at a new vegan restaurant in her neighborhood, Majani!

It was inviting when you walk in, small, but cozy. The restaurant is open, including into the kitchen, only separated by a counter. Wooden tables, some that are family style, just sit where there is an open seat.

The menu was simple, on a chalk board on the wall. They had a dinner special, tonight it was glazed carrots, lentil sausage croquet, spinach rice and salad. We also ordered a crab cake. For dessert we got a vanilla cupcake and two slices of carrot cake, to be eaten at some point, we were completely stuffed by the end of dinner!

The presentation was lovely, very vibrant colors and tasty too! Always a good thing! DLP was teasing me because everything that came out to other tables I looked at and wanted to order and as she said, “you can’t eat everything! And we can come back!!” Ok, fine… she’s right, of course, but it all looked so good!

When we got there, there was a family of four sitting at the table next to us, who were enjoying their meal very much, especially the baby who eventually had icing all over himself!

The next people who sat at that table were nice couple who we started chatting vegan with and let me tell you…I found a kindred spirit! Our reactions to some of the same items at different places, the milkshakes at Chicago Diner! Kitchen 17! Oh, we were trading and oohing and aahing! DLP was just laughing, but she could talk to some of those places, she’s been wonderful to go with me!

This is really inspiring me to launch my new blog, don’t worry, this one isn’t going anywhere, I love sharing my life with you, but I love telling you about the fabulous vegan I encounter, so my new blog will only be about being vegan on the road. Keep an eye out for it ‘A short, round vegan on the road’!

Bottom line, I really enjoyed this new find andI would love to share it with everyone, thank you DLP for introducing it to me!



{July 25, 2017}   Camp bound!

Wow! It’s here! Time for summer camp!

Not just summer camp, but sleep away camp!! It’s the third year for EJS and the first for MGS!

For EJS there’s excitement, eagerness to be away with old friends, making new ones, friends for life, new experiences, something special every day.

For MGS, there’s excitement, nerves, a fear of the unknown, hope for something great, awesomeness.

The car was packed, with gear and family, let’s go! They sent pictures getting ready to go, a stop at Dunkin Donuts, that always helps.

Then the pictures of drop off, big sister first, all smiles and I have a feeling an attitude like mine was, ‘ok, I found my friends, I’m set, thanks, bye’, ha ha. Next little and after a minute…’I found my friends, I’m set, thanks, bye ‘.

What comes next? A big sigh of relief from the parents. A successful drop off and happy kids and parents, what could be better?

I can’t wait for my first letter!



{July 23, 2017}   Going through withdrawls!

It’s true, I am! 

For my friends, the beach, the constant companionship of vacationing together! 

Do you ever get that? It’s happened a few times for me, the first was when I took a cruise with neighbors in my last neighborhood on Georgia. We spent seven days together, breakfast, excursions, dinner, entertainment. Then you go home, back to reality and you don’t see them every day, it takes adjusting!

After spending a week with some of my closest friends, literally 24/7, how do you go back? I texted the girls earlier, they all agreed! Sigh…

Looking forward to the next trip! And the bonding and the friendship and the lice and the beach and the… and the…



{July 21, 2017}   Mexico Day 6

Our last official day here in Mexico, Playa del Carmen. What a great trip it’s been!

The day started too early! But… that means some beautiful images from the beach to share with you!

We spent some serious time at the pool today and at 12pm, we had a photo shoot on the beach, great pictures! Then some lunch and trying a shot of tequila, um, one was enough! But I did it!

After lunch, more pool time, SDL and CKM went for some massages and DJL and I had some one on one pool time with MissA.

SDL and CKM back and we played a little more, then it was time to turn in our pool towels for the last time. Sigh…

Back to the room to shower and get dressed, we had a sunset photo shoot scheduled! It was a lot of fun and the photos look great!

Then it was time for our next dinner reservation, at the Japanese restaurant. Again, they accommodated my dietary needs, everything was cooked in the kitchen, delicious!

After dinner, we selected photos for our package and then went to the show, Mexican Folklore. It was a lot of fun, dances from different regions of Mexico, the costumes were fabulous!

Then it was time to dance our way back to our rooms to pack, tomorrow is coming very early! Our shuttle to the airport is picking us up at 6am! Ugh!

What a great day! Buenos Noches!



{July 20, 2017}   Mexico Day 5

Wow, day five, already? Yes! And time for an awesome adventure!!

The animals greeted us on the way to an early breakfast, we had to be in the lobby at 7am!

Then the adventure begins! We drove about 45 minutes to Tulum, the site of ancient Mayan ruins.

Tulum is the site of a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city serving as a major port for Cobá. The ruins are situated on tall cliffs along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. 

Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. 

Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have resulted in very high fatalities, disrupting the society and eventually causing the city to be abandoned. It is one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites.

It was also a city of great class distinction, you were either part of the 15 percent wealthy, underclass, including nobility, artists, philosophers or, you were part of the 85 percent working class who served them. 

We teased MissA, we were her 85 percent!

Next, it was a cenote, pronounced si-notay, if that helps! is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. They are especially associated with the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, cenotes were sometimes used by the ancient Maya for sacrificial offerings.

This was amazing and as soon as I can get some photos off my go-pro and they’re decent, I’ll share. 

You go into the cave with a life jacket, helmet and headlamp, its a wee bit dark! You see stalagmites, stalagtites, a few albino fish and bats. The bats didn’t bother us at all, they were tiny and kept to themselves in the cieling. The water was fffrreezing! But what a mechiah, a relief, after how hot Tulum was! 

We had a muy fabuloso guide named Oscar, very knowledgeable and funny. Gave our tour in English and Spanish, for the other family that was with us.

After the cenote, lunch at a local beach, a little play time in the water, so beautiful!

Then it was back to the hotel, get a little pool time in, we had some time to kill before our dinner reservation at Mare Nostrum, the Mediterranean restaurant at the resort. With our package we got two reservations at one of their formal sit down restaurants. We chose Mediterranean for tonight and Japanese tomorrow. 

It was a lovely setting, the small buffet was set up for appetizers, nothing like the buffets we’ve been to for other meals. There was some salad for me and they made me a verdura, vegetable, tempura from the Japanese restaurant next door and Chef Mario happened to be there and spoke to our server and one of the chefs you be sure I got something that I could eat, love him! 

After dinner, a nice stroll around the resort to the beach to take in the sight, smell, fell, pure fabulousness of the beach at night! Sigh…

Tomorrow… another day in paradise. Buenos Noches!



{July 19, 2017}   Mexico Day 4

Today we ventured out!

Sunday travel, Monday pool and beach, Tuesday, more pool, and food, of course, so much fun, so today… let’s venture out!

CKM and I went down to the beach to see the new day and soak in the feeling, sounds,  sights, smells. 

Next breakfast, then straight out into town, Playa del Carmen, more specifically, head to 5ta Avenida, 5th Avenue, to be exact. On the way, first stop…Starbucks, then stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe Golf Club, which was a good thing, because it started to sprinkle, then the sky opened, it was a great place to hide from the deluge!

When it finally cleared up, we were off! Eventually, we got to Playa del Carmen and the shopping district. Don’t you love the playfulness of the skeletons? This was the beginning…

Before shopping, there was lunch, we needed to build our strength for the afternoon to come! We ate at a place that specialized in brick oven pizza, yum! I even got a Sidral, which is a Mexican apple soda, a favorite from childhood. I figured if I was going to do this, in for a penny…

We had some friends visit outside, lagartija [lizard], wild boars and the sereque, the cute rodent that we have at the resort, really cute!

Now… time to explore and shop! We saw Parque los Fundadores, the Founders Park with the beautiful arch leading to the ocean, the Danza de los Voladores, Dance of the Flyers, wow! They climb up the pole, wrap the rope around the pole and their legs and swing down…um.. wow!

As we walked, we found shops, of course, sights, sounds, smells. We did a little retail therapy, gotta shower those we love with gifts! Wow, I realized this was only the second time I’ve been on a trip and not looked for something for MissA! The last time was five years ago on our trip to the Dominican Republic!

We had a full day of excitement, fun and excursion, back to the hotel for dinner and a walk to the beach, showers and bed! 

Tomorrow is another exciting adventure! Tell you then! 

Buena noches!



{July 19, 2017}   Is there anything better?

Than showering after a day at the beach?

I don’t know about you, but it’s one of those things I don’t really think about until I’m actually taking one. Funny how that works. 

But while I’m taking that shower, it’s the thing there is. You’ve been at the beach all day, sun, surf, sand, lunch, play… repeat.

Its been fabulous, you can’t imagine anything better, you might even rinse off before you go home or back to your home for the night, you know, so you’re not tracking sand everywhere. 

But until you get to wherever you’re staying, step into that shower and let the warm water wash over you, starting from the top of your head, shampoo your hair, let that soak in, rinse, you didn’t realise how fabulous a shower after the beach could be. 

In top of that…an outdoor shower, hopefully at a house near the beach, wow. Showering with the open sky to look at, feeling the air and energy and calm all around you as you get cleaned up, wash away that top layer to feel clean and refreshed…

There is nothing like it.  Ahhh….



et cetera