South Beach Wine & Food Festival - Miami, Florida

Florida and Michigan farmers joined promotion committees because Michigan has a lot of milk and not many people, and Florida has tons of people and not as much milk. So, our dairy promoters invited us to come to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, where we are promoting the best product ever.

Kris and I got to Miami and stayed at the Sagamore Hotel. Our room wasn’t ready, so we walked along the sidewalk by the water to Tala Beach, which was a tiki place not far from our hotel. We checked in and immediately went to the beach. When we first stepped in we felt it was cold, but once you got in it felt amazing. The colors were incredible – the blue-green of the water, the blue sky, the green palm trees, the bright sun. I thought, why don’t I come here more often? We stayed there awhile, then stopped to swim in the heated pool on our way back to our room. 

We met up with the promotion team and other farmers (all friends of ours) – and even ran into a friend of mine since high school who happened to be at the same hotel! We walked across the sidewalk to the first night’s event – the Burger Bash. There were about 30 different burgers to try, along with other food and drinks. I tried only two, because it is hard to eat more than that – and what are the chances?! The only two I tried are the two that won! They have a People’s Choice Award chosen by tokens the people put in their boxes, and that went to La Birra Bar. It was delicious…wagyu beef patty, white America cheese, crispy onions, black truffle, and Argentinian chimichurri mayo. (Our friend Melissa actually took us to this booth first, so she was instrumental in me choosing this one.) 

There was a team of judges that we watched eat the burgers - restaurateur Matt Kusher, comedian Bert Kreischer, model Ashley Graham, TV journalist Gayle King, chef Nick DiGiovanni, and food influencer Samatha Schnur. 

The Judges’ Choice Award went to NFA Burger - Billy’s Classic, a smashed cheeseburger with mustard, pickles, homemade seasoning, and Sassy Sauce. (The owner was there and really kind. Apparently he tried 19 different seasoning combinations before hitting on this one he thought was perfect.) I didn’t plan on eating the whole thing…but I did! I couldn’t resist!

Our dairy booth was also incredible. The amount of work that went into it really paid off! It was set up as the MOOn Light Diner, and it had an entire set! Our promoters handed out dairy merchandise like bags and hats that we saw people wearing and using all weekend long. There was an area for pictures all decorated with milk crates and cow pillows, and all the influencers were taking pictures. They offered a QR code for tracking a cow, and a boozy cookies and cream milkshake. People were drinking them by droves, and the people behind the scenes were churning them out like a factory! We talked with some of the influencers our team partners with, and they were great. 

The whole event was huge. So many people, such a huge place. A cover band played, and we stayed until they turned on the lights and kicked us out. 

Day Two

I got up early to see the sunrise and run. Kris and I walked along the water until we got to the South Pointe Park Pier, which was about two miles away. So many fit people – running, walking, rollerblading, biking, playing volleyball – and at Muscle Beach, lifting weights right on the water. There was a guy there who did a handstand on the wall for at least a minute and didn’t even move to adjust his balance. Another level of fit! 

We met up with our promotion team for the afternoon event, which was the Wine Spectator Trade Day hosted by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The info says that it ‘offers a sneak peek of the grandest of tastings, where guests will sample rare vintages, unique spirits, and select pours while networking with fellow industry leaders.’ 

This event made the first night look small. There were three giant tent buildings, then another huge area outside on the sand. There must have been 100 places to stop. It was packed and amazing, with lots of new products we had never heard of or seen before. We stayed the whole time here, too. We had enough time to swim in the ocean again (heavenly) before our night event, which was the Tournament of Champions hosted by Guy Fieri and performance by Rev Run.

The dairy booth was still the MOOn Light Diner, but a whole new influencer area! This time they had a huge, muscled promoter lifting weights that looked like wheels of cheese. I know. So clever. We gave out parmesan wheel pasta and Parm Bars, which were blocks of parmesan. There was always a line to pose with the bodybuilder (who was great and such a nice guy) and people once again took and wore the merchandise. We talked to more influencers, and it was so fun! What a great promotion. It was so well done. I loved seeing people clamoring to take pictures with the wheel of cheese weights!

We tried lots of different booths, met up with my high school friend Courtney and her husband, and gathered in front of the stage for the end. Bert Kreischer sang the national anthem (with his shirt off?) and Guy Fieri talked. Then, surprise of surprise, Rev Run was the guy in Run DMC and he put on a SHOW! Everyone danced to his concert for at least an hour, non-stop. He was so great and we all had a blast! He really had the crowd going.

It ended, they turned the lights on, and the dairy team started getting ready for the next TWO DAYS. They were serving firehouse mac & cheese with brisket on Saturday, and Brazilian cheese bites with a trip of sauces on Sunday. But they would have to promote without us, because we were heading back home…

Day Three

But our flight didn’t leave until later! I ran to the pier again, then Kris and I biked 4 miles north. It was kind of hard when we left, because there was so much foot, bike, and rollerblading traffic! It was gorgeous out. We checked out and walked into town to Lincoln Street, which is a pedestrian area with lots of shops. There was also an art installation called Mr. Pink, which had an inflatable baby in many spots, some flying. It was delightful. 

We also saw the robots that deliver things, which I haven’t seen in real life before. They seemed to have a hard time because people didn’t notice them and the robots tried not to run into people. We found a street with lots of trees and plants and shade and ate outdoors at Oh Mexico, and then we went to the ocean to say goodbye to it before we left.

Miami was beautiful, warm, the colors were great, there was so much to do, and I’m so proud of our dairy team. A great trip! Now go eat some cheese – I am!

 

Prague, Czech Republic

When I moved to North Carolina in 2002, my friend Jodie introduced me to the one person she knew who lived there, and she in turn introduced me to some lifelong friends. We have been going on trips together since. This time was to the Czech Republic!

Usually long flights don't bother me, but this one was particularly uncomfortable in a small middle seat, and I had a cough I tried to suppress for 7.5 hours. Somewhat unsuccessfully.

I was the first one to arrive in Prague, and I exchanged my money at the airport because you have to pay the city tax to the Airbnb host in cash. The woman at the exchange desk told me what the coins were worth, told me I should keep some to pay for bathrooms, and finished with "I hope you like it here."

Bolt is the Czech version of Uber, and I got one to our Airbnb apartment, about 30 minutes away. As I rode there, I thought "No one in the world knows where I am right now." But a 100% success rate in riding with strangers in other countries!

Our nice Airbnb host met me at the apartment and chatted with me about the area. I immediately left to go for a walk - a beautiful day! - and then my friends arrived! Aimee and Laurie from North Carolina, Alicia from Maryland, and Anna from Germany.

We went to a place called U Flecku, which is Prague's oldest brewery, operating since 1449. It is a touristy place known for liveliness and accordion playing, and it had both! We ate Czech food there (goulash for me) for the first and last time of the trip.

We walked to the Charles Bridge, finished in 1402, and it was gorgeous. So many people out!

Anna had made us reservations at a speakeasy called Anonymous, where we entered by a secret door bookcase, the server wore a mask, and we chose our drinks (or rather THEY CHOSE US) by looking at Rorschach Blots.

These drinks were very dramatically presented, with lights and ice and flourish. We went upstairs afterward, which was called Ideas Are Bullet Proof. We spoke with the woman working there, and she said she was from Prague, she’d lived other places, and she didn’t like it here because people weren’t nice. We asked her for suggestions and she gave us a lot of them and we took them over the whole rest of the trip! Despite not liking it, she had good suggestions!

Day Two

Aimee and I ran along the river and saw so many cool things. The boats along the river had both ice rinks and saunas on them. We went to Dancing House, which is a famous building that looks like people dancing, for coffee. We got our friends and went on the Prague Boats tour, which was a narrated boat trip on the river. From there, we walked to the Jewish quarter and saw the cemetery, and then we went to the Old Town Square. I loved the square! It had a gorgeous church and the astronomical clock that goes off every hour. There were so many people, tourists, locals, everything. So lively!  

There was a long line to see inside Idiom, the ‘Infinite Book Tower’ in the Prague Municipal Library, but if you just go in the other doors and see it from the outside, there is no line! Really cool sculpture.

We wen to the Kafka Humous Café for lunch, and then stopped by to see ‘Hanging Man,’ a life-size  model of Sigmund Freud hanging by one hand from a roof.

We went to the rooftop bar Teresa U Prince, which had a gorgeous view of the city. They had it all set up for Valentine’s Day and so of course we took a lovely picture with their flowers and hearts.

We ate at Pho Vietnam and walked around a different part of the city, by the National Gallery, where there was an ice skating rink set up in the street. I couldn’t help myself and bought a fur hat. They were for sale everywhere and irresistible. As soon as I put it on, it was the first time anyone addressed me in Czech instead of English. I obviously looked the part!

We went to a very fancy place called Forbina, where the drinks were again presented with a story, and when they arrived there was dry ice, a giant bubble, a whole little show and tell.

Day Three

I ran to a park and across a bridge to another art sculpture. Aimee ran to a monument. There are so many artistic things to look at in Prague. Every building has a gargoyle or a face or a man hanging from it – so fun to see.

We went to the river to the farmer’s market, and it was huge! Lots of people there, and not just tourists – lots of locals and families out at the farmer’s market like in every city. Food, art, music.

We walked to the Prague Castle, which has great views, especially of the cathedral. We were too late to get tickets, so we checked out the Golden Lane, the grounds, and the views. On the way back, we were on the street by Charles Bridge again, and I love it. So many shops, people, activity. We celebrated Aimee’s birthday, and we went to Bruxxe for dinner.

Day Four

We took the train to Kutna Hora, which has an ossuary, or bone church. Boy, was it creepy. People had used bones to make a giant chandelier, and pyramids, a family crest, and really some unattractive art. I mean, teeth holes. But am I glad I saw it? Yes I am! This was next to The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, and that was pretty. Prettier than bones, anyway.

(The train was not terribly difficult to figure out. Everyone will answer questions and almost everyone speaks English.)

We went back to Prague and ate at Las Adalitas Mexican restaurant, and then we headed over to the circles on the Vltava River. These circles were so cool. They were used for storage, and then they made them into shops, cafes, and galleries. They are a circle of glass and it turns to let you in and out! These looked awesome, and the sun was shining in, and it was beautiful.

Anna left for her train back to Germany, and the rest of us went to the top of Dancing House to see the gorgeous view of the city at dusk. We got pizza at San Carlo because who wouldn’t want to see what Mexican and pizza are like in Prague?

Day Five

Anna had accidentally left her purse, so we went to the post office to send it back to her. This should be a test in all countries. Find a post office. Take a number. Buy an envelope. Figure out how to do this simple task when everything is different. No problem – done!

We went to see the rotating Kafka head, which was another amazing art installation, because it doesn’t rotate like once or twice, it does it at random and in weird ways for 15 minutes!

We walked up the hill to the Strahov Monastery, and it had two absolutely gorgeous libraries. Like the Sistine Chapel. They also had a collection of books that were made from the wood of the trees they were about – and had the seeds and leaves inside – and a gallery of art. The view from here was great – so high, Petrin Tower, a little dusting of snow.

We went to Black Angels and they told us no photos or videos, so I thought the drink presentation was going to be like the other places but…nothing! No pomp and circumstance. They didn’t get the memo.

My favorite things – how old everything was, walking around the city, the river, the bridge, the road next to the bridge, the square, the churches, the bones, the libraries. Every time I go somewhere I know this is probably the last time I’ll ever be there, so I like to live it up and see as much as possible.

I was kind of dreading my long flight home BUT a woman sitting on the aisle next to me tried to move up, but the flight attendant said no, those seats cost more, but did she want the exit row? She said no, and I said, "I DO!" while leaping over her to sit there. I had the row to myself! It was actually an enjoyable 8.5 hour flight. Plus, my cough was finally gone...and the woman I was going to sit by had a way worse one! 

We went on our first trip together with these (exact) friends in 2011, and we’ve been on so many since. I feel very fortunate to have such adventurous and fun friends! Here’s to years of more trips!

2011

Irving, Texas

I went to Irving, Texas for a work conference. 

I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, which of course was nice. I particularly appreciated their multiple desserts with gold topping and their tiny condiment packages. The Tabasco was the size of my pinky finger!

Outside the hotel, we ate at Hard 8 BBQ, which was a traditional Texas BBQ place with outdoor smokers and giant meat plates, and I liked it. We also visited 3 Nations, which had a good atmosphere, and Barrel and Bones, which was another giant meat plate place.

Other than that, I ran around the hotel grounds and area and saw the drive to and from the airport. It was 20 degrees when I got there and 60 when I left. I did enjoy seeing the sun and my coworkers! 

Muskegon, Michigan for New Year's Eve 2025

I like to spend every New Year's Eve somewhere new. This year we chose Muskegon!

We went in two cars - Gage, his kids and Charlotte's fiancé Will, and Kris, our boys, and me. A solid 11 of us makes a party wherever you go! 

We drove straight from home to Lake Michigan, because I love the lake in the winter, and Will had never been there. We set our GPS to Pere Marquette Park, just 110 miles from home. 

Dear reader, it was a miserable. The wind was blowing so incredibly hard and it was bone-chillingly cold - 17 degrees. Evelyn and Jude didn't even get out of the car, and I didn't blame them. I had imagined (like so many times in the past), strolling along the water, enjoying a beautiful winter day. Instead, we walked to the water as the wind whipped sand into our eyes and teeth. We looked at the wild waves that looked like they would swallow you up. There was, not surprisingly since this is Michigan and we are outside no matter what, what looked like a father and son there, and I asked them to take a picture of us. I could tell he was reluctant to take off his glove to do it, but he did. 

It was obvious we weren't going to be able to spend any time there, so we quick headed back to our cars. I mean, Will was only in a sweatshirt!

We had already decided we wanted to go to Unruly Brewing Company, because they had a whole Irish day planned. First, we watched The Mona Shore fiddlers, and after they left we were able to get a table for all of us together! You could order food from the cashier anytime, so some people had pizza and burgers. We then watched Irish dancers and then a full Irish band. There were also lots of people wearing kilts. 

Gage commented, "They sound so Michigan!" as in their Michigan accent. When I didn't live here I would also notice this, but of course I don't any more. The woman announcing the dancers said at one point that the girl had "earned her sparkles," and that was delightful. Apparently you work up from plain costumes to fancy ones!

I loved all of it - they even had a live stream from Dublin on the TV, since they were going to celebrate New Year's Eve for them - 7:00 p.m. for us! We didn't stay there for that, though. At about 4:00 p.m., we left to go check into our houses.

Both of our houses were nice and affordable and owned by a man named Evan. Gage's house was closer to downtown and was incredible! It was old and had huge, tall windows and doorways, but he also decorated it in the style of old, including furniture and books, so it was really cool. We went over to his house, and Kris pulled out the microphones he had just given me for our (24th!) anniversary.

Then followed one of my best moments of 2025. We all sang karaoke! Cole and Ty started off, and let me tell you - if you know me, you know that I love singing and theatre and music and everything that goes along with it. The fact that I was spending New Year's Eve with my family that will happily sing just made my night. And my year. They sang a duet (This Love), Max and I sang a duet (Die with a Smile), and then Kris started a duet for us (More than Words), which we used to sing together. This was particularly meaningful since Kris had vocal cord surgery in 2025, and before that he couldn't sing for a long time, and the fact that he once again could is just so wonderful. My heart! Gage sang a song I love to hear him sing (Wondering Why), Max and Ian sang a duet (Hotel California), and then - Gage suggested Charlotte sing. Oh, what will she sing? He suggested At Last by Etta James. I wondered if she even knew that song. Then she started, and I couldn't help crying. She PERFORMED it. She had obviously sung it a million times and she had such a beautiful voice! I hadn't heard her sing a solo before, and I couldn't help but cry. Will took a video of her, and he was all heart eyes at her, and it was just a perfect, beautiful moment brought to you by karaoke. Thanks family!

We played some games including spoons and golf, and then we headed downtown to eat dinner. Gage's house was just a couple of blocks from downtown. We had no trouble getting into a place and finding two tables. We chose Carlisle's Restaurant, which is attached to a hockey rink. It was a happening place, and really good! A woman walked by with two LED balloons. I had only become aware of them earlier that day, because my friend Aimee was making them at her NYE celebration. I asked the woman if I could take a picture of it, and she said, "Here, you can have one!" I was delighted.

We ate there and walked back to the house, then watched a little of the coverage on TV, played some more games, and went downtown for the band and ball drop. It was still really, really cold. Like, I wore snowpants. They blocked off the whole downtown but oddly, it wasn't plowed, so you were standing on stamped-down snow. The band was good and we danced around and had a good time. Then they started talking, and there was a lot of swearing...I thought, were they billed as family-friendly? Then, the speakers just kept talking, introducing people on stage, thanking people, and we were like, "Uh, it's 11:59 p.m., shouldn't they start the countdown?" Happily, the person dropping the ball (literally not figuratively) started lowering the giant, color-changing ball, and we started the countdown. Midnight! We sang the new year in, then watched fireworks! We walked home to Gage's, collected our stuff, and drove to our own Airbnb.

The next morning, Gage and I planned to do a polar plunge into Lake Michigan. We did it first at Bald Head Island in 2008, and let me tell you it's easier to do it in NC than MI. This time, we were about five miles from the lake, and the logistics of getting there and getting back seemed cold and daunting. Gage suggested we just plunge into Motz Park, and I loved that idea. Turns out that was also frozen, so we ended up rolling in snow in our bathing suits, then jumping in my parents' hot tub. 

A great end to a great year!