About Me. . . .

About Me. . . .

Welcome to Tropical Life, Food and Fun!  I’m a retired insurance exec who now lives on the West Coast on Florida, south of St. Pete Beach in Pass-A-Grille. You might notice we’ve recently moved! We lived in Islamorada for the first few years of our retirement (after having a home there for 25+ years) but moved to the west coast of Florida to be close to our family. I love it here and want to share our tropical paradise with you.

I have always loved to cook and bake. I have great recipes and great recipes should be shared! Family, good friends, great food and paradise. What else could you possibly want or need?

Be sure to like my Facebook and Instagram pages. Most of the tropical pics will be there and there’s a great following of people who love to have fun! Join us! Just click on the LIKE button on the Facebook icon of my home page.

So, why did I start my Tropical Life, Food and Fun blog?

  1. I had just retired. I’ve been working since I was 14 years old. This keeps me as busy as I want – it’s flexible!
  2. I love to bake and cook and need a place to keep my recipes.
  3. I want to share my great recipes. They really are keepers.
  4. My husband suggested it. He’s smart and knows me pretty well.
  5. I need a new challenge in my life that isn’t laced with stress.
  6. I live on an island and LOVE to share my views and sunsets.
  7. My kids think I’m technically challenged and I want to prove them wrong (although I still have some issues with the tv remote and my phone. . . )
  8. This relieves me of the burden of writing the next great American novel (whew).
  9. This gives me a great excuse to visit other islands and try new recipes.
  10. I really do just want to have fun!

One more list. I thought you might want to know some quick facts about me:

  1.  I was born in South Dakota and lived there until I graduated from the University of South Dakota . (This is where you say “I’ve never met anyone from South Dakota!)  Go ‘Yotes! (AND Go ‘Noles- my husband and three sons are FSU Seminoles!)
  2. My first job after college was in New Orleans – CULTURE SHOCK for a somewhat naïve South Dakota farm girl but oh my, the food was incredible! My taste buds have never been the same.
  3. My husband and I decided to get married after knowing each other only three weeks. 39 years, 3 sons, one daughter-in-law and four grand-dogs later. . .  they are all the loves of my life. And did I mention we’re expecting our first grandson in November? So excited!
  4. I’ve lived in South Dakota, New Orleans, Indianapolis, St. Paul, Richmond and all over FLORIDA!
  5. I play the piano and used to play the organ for weddings. I wish I could play as well as I used to. I can’t. But I’m practicing! I recently got involved with a singing group as their accompianist. We perform for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the area.
  6. I love, love, love sunsets!
  7. I’m not a morning person. You won’t see many sunrise pics.
  8. I like to go to grocery stores and markets. A lot. I love to visit local markets and unfamiliar grocery stores when I’m traveling.
  9. I’m a cookie snob.  There aren’t many packaged cookies I will buy.  I’m sometimes offended when my family buys them.
  10. I love vintage kitchen stuff. I have more vintage stuff than newfangled gadgets. (See technically challenged note above!) (I have an extensive pink pyrex collection! And maybe a few other patterns too. . . )
  11. My niece has my sister site:  Farm Life, Food and Fun. She is another love in my life and embraces her farm life as I love my tropical life. She’s the daughter I never had. People say there’s a little resemblance, too.
  12. I have a problem closing cabinet doors and drawers. You will probably read that my family one day will find me knocked out cold on the kitchen floor from hitting my head on an open cabinet door. I am working, somewhat unsuccessfully, on this.
  13. My dad really DID say “I don’t know why in the hell you think that everything needs to be fun!” Apparently I said “that was fun” or “that sounds like fun” one too many times!
  14. I LOVE Golden Retrievers. We had our Reagan for over 13 years and still miss her. I now have Golden grand dogs. I also have a Goldendoodle grandpup who is so fun! Guess I love Goldendoodbles too!
  15. I like to make lists.

I hope you will enjoy my blog. I am enjoying sharing Tropical Life, Food and Fun with you!

PS – Since starting my blog, I have become a contributing writer to Grown and Flown , Women Who Live On Rocks  , The Today Show , Living The Second Act, , For Every Mom and Her View From Home.

Thanks again for stopping by!! 💕🌴