Florida has Sunshine!

After a few weeks of typical January weather, including a week with the warmest temperature still being below zero, a quick trip to Florida was an amazing break from the cold!

We went to the NAFDMA Agritourism conference and what an amazing time it was!

Our hotel was right next to the Universal Studios, and we got to walk down their lanscaped walk ways in the sunshine. It was beautiful, but I'm beginning to wonder if Alligators really exist. . . There are always these signs saying to watch out for snakes and alligators, but I've been to Florida several times now, and I've still never seen one . . .

The vendor show had 120 different companies represented, and we had a lot of fun checking out all the fun things to add to the farm. A lot of the things we saw weren't necessarily things we'd use at our maze, but they were sure fun to look at!

We did manage to find a little crabcake and shrimp shop along the coast, and they had amazing food! If you're ever near Daytona Beach, check out the Grilled Cheese and Crabcake Shop!

I love this picture, because it looks like we've got a new dog! It's actually not ours . . . a gentleman out walking his dog offered to take our picture. I handed him my phone, and he handed us his dog!

There was frost that morning, and with the damp breeze and cooler temperatures, it was still jacket-weather, but we still managed to get out and enjoy a bit of the beach!

When I rent cars, I always debate between size, comfort, price, etc. and I usually end up with the cheaper option, but at the check-in counter, sometimes you can get a free upgrade. Getting a free upgrade to a jeep was pretty great.

The conference had dozens of great sessions, and I think we all came home with a pile of notes and ideas! It was incredible to be in a place surrounded by people who understand all the quirks of life in the agritourism world.

Then, when I went back to work, I discovered that we'd gotten a new espresso machine!

A hazelnut hot chocolate anyone?

In the writing world, I'm still working with an editor on my book, Prisoner 1-8-6 that's scheduled to be published sometime in May if all goes as planned.

I'm also working on finishing up the rough draft for Fatal Fraud and Fruitcake a Christmas mystery that takes place in Duluth, MN and is a companion to my other three Christmas mysteries.

I'm also heading to the ND Homeschool convention end of the month, where Dad and I are doing a workshop!