Hello, beautiful readers! Welcome to day two of the #RRBC 30-Day Blogging Challenge, where I am sharing a day in my life for the next 30 days along with other authors of the Rave Reviews Book Club. So, here is day 2!
I woke up early this morning to pick up my parents from the Ft. Lauderdale cruise port. It's about 30-45 minutes from my house, depending on traffic, but it was an easy drive today. It felt great hugging each of them and seeing them again.
After dropping them off at home, I went back to my house to wake up my son for his eye appointment. His eyes are perfectly fine. This is more of a wellness checkup. I believe in preventative care and catching things early. I'm happy to report his eyes are as healthy as he is!
Then, I headed to lunch with my sister and my niece at Cooper's Hawk. My niece is a beautiful fourteen year old ball of sass, and I love her just the way she is! My sister and I always have lunches or dinners together. We are two years apart, and we are best friends. We included my niece this time because I don't ever get enough time with her, and we wanted to bond with her without the boys around. I won't be posting any pictures with my niece because I'm very protective of her and don't trust everyone's intentions on the web. But I will share a couple of pics of our day:
My sister and I are avid wine drinkers, and this is one of our favorites. It's called Vin Chocolat Almond by Cooper's Hawk. It is delicious and smooth, and you can completely taste the chocolate in it. We tend to have their brussell sprouts, which are amazing, and the Napa Chicken Salad. It's a nice, relaxing time together - no rush and great company.
I'll also share with you a few other pictures, but these are all drawn by my niece. She is a talented, self-taught artist. All three of our children are talented in some way. My son is athletically talented. My nephew writes spoken word poetry, raps, and creates his own music. And my niece draws. Here is some of her artwork:
These are from her Instagram page (click here to see more). She also has a YouTube page where she posts clips of her creating her drawings and animations (click here). Yes, I am a proud tia/aunt. If you want to make a budding artist happy, follow her. ;-)
After enjoying a long meal with my sister and niece, I had no desire to work out, but I do plan on getting some stretching in later. Stretching is important, too, so that will count for focusing on my health today.
So, I came home and balanced my checkbook, registered my expenditures for the day (maybe I'll elaborate on that on another day), and got a couple of hours in at my part-time job. Then, as almost every day ends, I made dinner and watched a show with my son. All in all, another great day!
Do you have Cooper's Hawk in your area? If so, what is your favorite wine?
Hi Yvette--No, We don't have Cooper's hawk here in New York. I am having trouble with my website (the hosting guy is working on it now), so this comment is anonymous (but it's Wanda Fischer). I hope that at some point today, my blog will be posted because you, as a teacher, will really understand about my exciting day as a volunteer reader in the local school district. Your day sounds like great fun. And I agree about being protective of your niece. Good practice.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your post, Wanda! I appreciate you stopping by even with your website issues. I hope they get fixed soon. :-)
DeleteYvette, your day sounds as if it was amazing! Being an "aunt" is almost as wonderful as being a mom. And of course, girls are so much fun! (Strictly girl-mom on board here).
ReplyDeleteI don't drink, my husband doesn't drink, nor do our daughters, so I am going to take your word that the wine you mentioned is simply divine! But, I will say that since it has the taste of chocolate in it, you can't go wrong there! Chocolate makes everything better, doesn't it?
I'm pleased to hear you say that your sister is your best friend. I cry each and every time I ask my daughters who their best friends are. And, I have always (and still do) ask them this question separately, and they both always say the other is their best friend! Talk about proud mommy moments! Clearly, your mom did a great job with you girls :)
Your niece is so talented! I love those drawings! Does she want to be an artist, selling her work out of galleries around the world? How awesome would that, be, Tia? And the boys sound as if they are amazingly talented in their own lanes as well.
I can't wait for tomorrow's post! This was awesome!
Thanks for sharing!
Nonnie Jules
www.nonniewrites.wordpress.com
Thank you, Nonnie! I know how much you love being a girl-mom, but I'm definitely a boy-mom. My niece isn't into the girly girl things nor is she into the typical boy things; she beats to her own drum. She isn't sure what career she wants in the future, but I don't think a professional artist is on her list (yet). She draws as a form of release and enjoys it. My sister tried to put her in art classes, and she refused because she doesn't want anyone telling her what to draw. She's strong-minded and strong-willed, and no one is going to influence her path in life but her (and maybe her parents and tia). ;-)
DeleteYou had a perfect day. I used to wish for a sister. When my daughters argue, I always tell them they will never find someone closer or who loves them more than their own sister.
ReplyDeleteWow, Yvette, what a full day! I hope your parents enjoyed their cruise. Your date with your sister and niece sounds fantastic, and although I don't drink wine, I might make an exception for the chocolate variety. Your niece's artwork is outstanding! Your entire family is talented! Looking forward to reading your post tomorrow! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patty! I enjoy a nice glass of wine, and this one is great! If you have a Cooper's Hawk in your area, try it! The food there is fantastic. You can ask for a taste of it for free. Fair warning - you will want a whole glass. ;-)
DeleteHi, Yvette, You had a sunshiny day, doing things that brought sunshine in your heart and made you happy. We all need days like that. I like drinking a glass of wine also. Mostly, Italian, French, or German red wines.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day today.
Shalom Aleichem
I enjoy mostly red wines as well. I prefer foreign wines over American wines; I think the soil is just richer in other countries. I'm happy you stopped by, Pat. :-)
DeleteHi, Yvette! I like Coopers Hawk, too. I get the Reisling or sometimes their Romance Red which is really sweet. I don't like dry wines, so the Vin Chocolat Almond sounds like a good try. Your niece's art is beautiful. I will follow her.
ReplyDeleteThank you for following her, Linda! She will be so excited to see new people seeing her art. I like everything from sweet to semi-dry and even some dry wines, but I don't like oaky or smoky wines. Maybe one day my palette will change to include those. I'd love to hear if you enjoy the chocolate almond once you try it. :-)
DeleteYvette, I have never been to Cooper's hawk, but we do have one and it sounds like I need to go! My mother went with a friend there on New Year's Eve. Have a great day! -Pamela S. Canepa, RRBC Member
ReplyDeleteIt's delicious! Let me know what you think of it when you go. :-)
DeleteLunch sounds perfect! Now I’m on the lookout for chocolate wine.
ReplyDeleteIt's SO good, Karen! I've had a couple, but this one is the best! I hope you find it. :-)
DeleteHi Yvette, Donna Atwood here. Your niece is quite talented! We don't have a Coopers Hawk here, but I did find one up in Chandler, AZ which I definitely plan to check out! : )
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Donna! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it once you visit Cooper's Hawk. Thanks for stopping by! :-)
DeleteHello Yvette, Yes, I've been to Cooper Hawk (we had one back hone in Illinois). And it is a great place to wine and din. Haven't been to one in Georgia . . . don't know if they even have one.
ReplyDeleteSeems you had a well-planned day. For sure, you brought back those memoires of the times sister and I would share bonding (may she RIP). Wow! Your niece is very talent. And will follow her on the site. Thanks for sharing your amazing day with us.
P.S. Love the fact you're into wellness!
Thank you for following her, Nina! It means a great deal to her to build her following, and she needs all the encouragement she can get! I'm sorry to hear your sister has passed. :'( I can't imagine my life without my sister; she's my best friend.
DeleteHi Yvette, I'm circling around to catch up on the blogs that I missed. I have to make sure I'm following you. We don't have a Cooper's Hawk here. Too bad! Nice drawings too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley! I appreciate you stopping by. :-)
DeleteThis is Shirley Slaughter talking about Cooper's Hawk and such...
ReplyDelete