What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{July 31, 2017} A fun day, hanging out, seeing friends, fireworks

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 28, 2017} Well, that was a crappy way to start my day..

It got better, it did, but the start, not so much.

I got up, didn’t workout, boo, hard to get started again, that’s on me, apparently my body needs that dew extra minutes of sleep!

I had a rental car reservation for 8am, about a 9 minute walk from the hotel or a 4 minute drive, I opted for the walk. Why take an Uber or taxi for such a short trip?

I was dressed in black and long sleeves, the training room I’m in is chilly, I always have a sweater, but sometimes that’s not enough, go figure, definitely enough this morning!

It was on Mall Loop Road, just follow around from the hotel, no problem, then GPS starts going a little crazy, just when I’m almost at the place, turn around, now go thru the mall. What? I’ve now added to my 9 minute walk. I’ve been walking almost 20 minutes when I call, “yeah, go back outside, to Sears Automotive Center, yes, there are signs on this side” seriously?

I try to be at the training site on the first day no later than 815am, I really like to be there by 800. By now, it’s 820, think I’m happy?

I finally get the car and I’m dripping with sweat, the back of my hair is wet with sweat, not fun. I crank the AC in hopes of drying and cooling myself off. I finally get to the site, park at a meter and go in. It’s now 845 and I need to see what still needs to be set up in the training room.

When we break, I go to move the car to a free lot down the road and I have a parking ticket, what? There is still 14 minutes left. Yeah, apparently the meter I was supposed to use was in front of the car, not the one right next to it. Seriously?

So, not a great start to my day, wouldn’t you say?

It got better, promise. People at the site were happy to see me. The office manager said I was one of the better ones, so nice. The class was good and full of good sports and as I was walking out, one of the folks who works there was so excited to see me, gave me big hugs and was disappointed I’m not teaching her class next week. That worked!

Start low and work your way up, I’ll take it!

{July 27, 2017} If you say it, does it still count?

If you did/do a good deed, do you have to tell people about it?

I don’t know, my Uber driver irked me…I requested a car after I got off the train and when he showed up, he told me too just put my bag in the back seat.

Now, most drivers would get out and put the bag in the car, not him… he finally asked if he could help when he saw me struggling. Not mine…

He got out, put the bag in the back seat and as I got in said “well, that’s my good deed for the day”. Really? I said “not if you say it” and we laughed, but I didn’t think it was that funny.

If you do a good deed, shouldn’t you just do it? Do you have to call it out? Especially to the person you helped?

Ok, done. The picture is in the hall and the duck in my bathroom when I checked in. They made me smile.

Irk gone.

{July 26, 2017} Why? Just why?

It’s oatmeal, plain ‘ole oatmeal.

This is not a food you experiment with beyond fruits and sweeteners. Maybe you add some blueberries, strawberries, bananas. Some maple syrup, honey, brown sugar.
My opinion… not oregano, chives, bacon, chedder cheese. These are not grits people!

The hotel I am staying in is a test kitchen of sorts, trying out new creations and new twists on old favorites.

I’m a creative and curious person, adventurous with my pallet, even being vegan, but, come on, it’s oatmeal, breakfast and for me, one of the few things I can eat.

Its oatmeal for goodness sake…

{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!

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