March 2019 Visit from Ariana

My beautiful niece Ariana… is growing up before my very eyes. I have to stop myself and be marveled at life. It really flies by and years go by if we don’t stop to “smell the roses”.


What a wonderful time… I grabbed my cotton white dress and asked her to throw it on- I knew she would look beautiful in front of Lake Helen’s namesake lake.

Me being mayor to our fine city… that alone makes me feel like I am living a fairy tale. I asked her if she wanted sit at the mayors seat on the dais and ‘swing’ the gavel. I really think she put her heart into those pictures – she was having fun delivering justice and order. But truly her words were: “I approve Love!”

All that deliberating can only make a body hungry… so off to the city of Deland, Florida to stroll through the downtown and enjoy some Greek food at Santorini.

With downtown DeLand being named best Main Street in U.S. makes it a must stroll – stopping in front of window stores and peaking in, as well as enjoying the lovely street decorations, banners, lamp posts and murals, one can see the very well deserved recognition.

I heard it once said: People don’t really remember you, they remember how you made them feel.

Time to find the wings! #WingsOfTheWest – By Erica Group “The DeLand Wings Mural received 3 Best of the West awards for 2018! Best Local Attraction, Best Local Tourist Attraction and Best Local Children’s Attraction.”


There always seems to be time for a mani-pedi glam.

We kick off day two with mimosas at Deckers Grill, where we are pleasantly greeted by the restaurant owner herself Nikki Decker.

We even popped into the ” Lake Helen Museum- a walking tour” located inside Decker’s Grill Restaurant – for a little city history.

Historic Lake Helen City Hall was once a school.

Visiting Lake Helen, Florida is not complete without a visit to the iconic water tower.

We return back to my garden for a magical stroll… with Spring around the corner the orange blossoms and pear blossoms are a sight on their own.

Next destination… to locate the next set of #WingsOfTheWest: fairy wings of Cassadaga.

Tell me my dear… where do fairies live?

…and the fairies replied: “If you are open to magic, you will see us.”

“Open your heart to our magic and you will see us in every rain drop, in the fold of leaves, and if you open your mind… we might even let you into our magical realm”

Allow yourself to be captivated by Nature and you will see the Divine in everything.

Making the most of day 2 we head off to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida.

We’ve come this far not only for the captivating beauty of Nature but why not take the next step and plunge for maximum healing benefits of swimming in cold spring water! you want to learn more… click on this link for info

I need another cup of coffee (maybe two!) – since my little millennial is full of butterfly energy. What’s in order? Movie Night. It’s got to be Epic since we’ve had such an epic sorta day… and plus it must have the word angel in it and played at an Epic Theater no less!


… the sun has set and soon the midnight clock will ring. A cool crisp air flows through the Florida night and hot cocoa and jammies sounds like a great way to end this Epic day… with angel food cake of course and a visit from my son – Geordan (in his jammies).

Day three – with a slight chill in the March Florida air… what better way to start the day then with coffee by an open fire.

… and off it is, in search of the next set of #WingsOfTheWestWings in Deltona, Florida… at Lyonia Environmental Center.

When all is said and done, all we have left are the memories. May God watch over you my dear angel… and off she goes – destination: Future!