Our tiny but mighty Mazada 2 rental.  We took many walks enjoying leaving our heavy jackets at home.

Scott climbed up on the roof to clean off some leaves. While he was up there he strummed a tune on the broom.

A little lizard hung out above our front door.  It reminded me of the lizard that hung out atop our hotel front door during our honeymoon in Jamaica.  I always feel like the little lizards are a sign of good things to come.

We left Chicago with two feet of snow on the ground and –17 degree wind chill temperatures.  We arrived in Delray Beach with eighty-two degree temps.  Our jackets were packed away and we were happily wearing shorts and t-shirts on our walk to the Azucar/ Zucara restaurant down the street.  The Cuban meal was incredibly delicious.  We ended the night with a bottle of Vina DeGana red wine from Aldi’s and a game of chess.

 

Saturday morning we made French toast and headed to the beach.  The Atlantic Dune Beach was a short fifteen minute drive away.  It was so nice to have the Boogie Boards, fins, beach towels, and chairs to use.  The eighty-three degree sunny day was just what we needed.  I gathered some seashells for the kids.  We enjoyed dinner at the Masa Hibachi Japanese Restaurant within walking distance.

The next morning Scott realized he missed a few spots with his suntan lotion!  For the record his back was perfect, as his amazing wife took care of that!  I had to take a picture of my super tanning stud!

Sunday morning (today) we headed to watch our first polo match ever.  The match was in Wellington.  We accidentally stumbled upon the match as it was moved to an off-campus location.  We were impressed by the speed of the horses and the ability of the riders to hang on.  The next stop was our last visit to the beach.  We saw the sun for a bit but then the clouds rolled in.  Reluctant to head back to reality we went for a walk along the shore.  We tried to hang in the beach scene longer by shivering under our towels but the sand, wind, and raindrops had other ideas.

 

We enjoyed stomping the divots mid-game.

I didn’t want to miss a minute of soaking in the Florida sunshine.  Feet out the window!

 

Back at Casa Delray.  We went for a walk around the neighborhood and checked out the pool.

Scott had a brilliant idea to start a new tradition, sharing some wine.  We brought home another bottle of wine Elaine recommended.  Hopefully the next guests of Casa Delray will enjoy the wine and their trip as much as we have.

Thank you! Thank you for allowing us the pleasure of a stay in the Casa Delray.

Scott wanted me to add one of my highlights to the trip.  I didn’t add it as I am not sure anyone else could appreciate it as much as I did, but here it goes…

This is Nadia Bolz-Weber.  I ran into her while we were leaving our flight from Florida at our connecting airport in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Nadia was sitting on the floor against this pole that is the picture.  She looked exhausted and tired of airports.  After chatting she shared that is exactly what she was thinking. She was on her way to more public speaking engagements involving her book.   I was slightly speechless when I first saw her, but I managed to find my words after a few breaths.  After Scott suggested we take a picture and we continued on our journey through the airport a gentleman came up to me and asked who the heck she was.  I shared that she is an ELCA pastor from Denver, Colorado at the House for All Sinners and Saints.  She wrote a book I recently read Pastrix.  She has also written some incredible blog posts that have inspired me beyond measure.  The gentleman didn’t seem impressed at my description of her.  However, to me stumbling upon Nadia was something I really needed at that moment in time and indecision.

~Side note: I had been told I had pneumonia just one week to our leaving for this trip. Time in the sun and away from the daily routine was fantastic medicine and much needed. Not to mention, time to reconnect as a couple! Thank you to my handsome husband for surprising me with this trip as a Christmas present. He even put the present message in a message in a bottle. I am one blessed lady!

Thanks again to the Krause Family for making this weekend getaway a reality!