If There's a Heaven...

...I hope it has gold brick sundaes. This past weekend, I re-visited my bookshelf and found the above book my Grandfather gave my Grandmother Trudy for Christmas in 1981. (I love the gift of literature - I think it's madly romantic in any form, whether it's a book of maps, a coffee table book full of photographs accompanied by minimal text or a hardcover novel). My re-discovery immediately gave me a deep sense of nostalgia thinking about the time my family and I have enjoyed in Sea Island, Georgia. It's been some time since we have visited (the resort has changed considerably since then), however it was a place we looked forward to visiting every year and perhaps part of the reason I want to spend a part of my life living in the south one day.

Time spent in Sea Island was the epitome of carefree. My sister and I would spend our days swimming to our hearts' content, searching for sand dollars on the beach, or playing shuffle board while our parents and grandparents would soak in the sun reading the paper. Afterward, my sister and I would reward ourselves with the resort's iconic "gold brick sundae" and in true southern style, a Mr. Pibb, to satisfy our thirst.

Cocktail hour seemed to always start an hour earlier when on vacation, and the adults were easily obliged. They'd sit outside on our terrace with their gin and tonics overlooking the marsh while discussing topics completely foreign to us youngsters. In the early mornings, my Grandparents would zip off on their bicycles to play tennis, and upon their return, they would ride with my sister and I in the driveway. By nightfall, we'd head to The Cloister for dinner, dancing and bingo. I would be taken by the elaborate bird cages lining the hallway of the foyer of the building with beautifully colored parakeets flooding the room with their sweet music. To this day, I have visions of dancing to Frank Sinatra after dinner with my Grandfather Jack, looking up at him with admiration as he hummed to the tune of the music, alive in his own euphoria.

Sea Island was indeed a "happy isle" for us and I look forward to going back sometime in the near future. I think it's lovely to share a destination as a family to cherish for a lifetime, whether it may be close or far from home. Do you have a "happy isle" you enjoy with your family?

Craving

I'm finding myself incessantly crave the sea, sun and sand. Salty hair, sun-kissed skin and the smell of the ocean are some of my favorite pleasures. It seems everyone battling the polar vortex back east found shelter in sunny climates this past weekend which has made me insanely envious. image via

Carnival Season

Above, my Grandmother Gertrude "Trudy" and Father in New Orleans in 1958. I always loved the name Gertrude - the name actually translates to "spear of strength" which is relevant because Grandma Trudy was a tiny, southern belle with a dose of punchy pep and resilience. While I won't get my share of king cakes and Mardi Gras this Carnival season, I'm looking forward to enjoying the annual Jazz Festival in New Orleans in just a few months.

Skijoring and the Swiss

The White Turf races in St. Moritz are most certainly high on my bucket list. Underway this month, the Engadine valley in Switzerland welcomes many skijoring racers eager to be crowned "King of Engadine". The sport, over 100 years old, was invented by the Swiss and today, The White Turf is regarded as one of the world's unique, top-class events. On the 16th of February, race-horse owners, jockeys, trainers and fur-adorned spectators will gather around the lake and snow-capped mountains of St. Moritz for more winter races. The final day of races will take place on the 23rd of February. Until then, the champagne will continue to flow, the oysters shucked and athletes keen on becoming the new legend of White Turf. Read more, here.