Cherished Family Portraits

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." ~ Joyce Brothers

A highlight of our recent trip to the Gulf was meeting up with sweet friend and photographer Lauri Ann Itson. With son Carson heading to college soon, it was very important to me to capture this precious moment in the life of our family -- this last fleeting summer before our dynamic changes. I appreciate Joe and the children for indulging me in this special photo shoot. These heart-melting images are a priceless treasure to me!

"Having a place to go is a home. Having someone to love is a family. Having both is a blessing." ~ Donna Hedges

More Grand Garden Views

"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses." ~ Hanna Rion

"In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful." ~ Abram L. Urban

A Taste of Italy in Fairhope

"Life is a combination of magic and pasta." ~ Federico Fellini

On our way home from vacationing at The Grand Hotel, we happened upon a quaint eatery in Fairhope just in time to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the veranda.

Pinzone's Italian Downtown Restaurant offers authentic regional fare in a casual atmosphere.

The weather was perfect for dining alfresco.

Who could resist homemade bread served with drizzles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar -- especially when accompanied by a sprinkling of fragrant herbs?

Savory Black Italian dressing tops this mixed-green salad with red onion and tomato.

Joe sampled the Lasagne Verdu, a hearty specialty topped with a spinach-cheese blend that includes mozzarella, Parmigiano, ricotta and Romano.

Tucked into the quaint community of Fairhope, Pinzone's offers a culinary escape to a village in Italy.

"At the table with good friends and family, you do not become old." ~ Italian Proverb

The Grand Hotel in Bloom

I will be the gladdest thing

Under the sun!

I will touch a hundred flowers

And not pick one.

~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

Enjoying the abundance of blossoms is a highlight of visiting The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala. Here are a few of the images I captured during strolls around the property.  

"To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat." ~ Beverly Nichols

A Grand Escape

After last week's commencement festivities, we slipped away to one of our favorite summertime destinations, The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala. After a busy month of concerts, banquets, and other end-of-year activities, I was eager to spend some unhurried time with our little family -- especially our grown-up grad who will be leaving for college all too soon.

Our rooms in the newly renovated Marina House afforded tranquil views of the seaside, filtered through the branches of gorgeous live oaks.

Watching other guests pass by on their bicycles made me even more eager to tour the area on two wheels. I feel like a kid again gliding around the property on a beach cruiser!

We also admired the boats ...

dipped our toes in the sand ...

played in the surf ...

enjoyed friendly competition ...

strolled through the gardens ...

indulged in delicious fare ...

and made many more Grand memories.

I will share the bounty of blooms we encountered next week!