The main reason for coming back to Sarasota was to meet with our widow friend Jo...
Here we are at The Point in Osprey, Florida.
Jo, with her late husband Dennis, whom we lost on December 20, 2016, used to come here by boat at little Sarasota Bay.
We have come back to Sarasota numerous times, such as here with Dennis still with us: {Made In Italy Pizzeria in Venice, Florida with Friends}
We have met through blogger friends...
Picture taken by Dennis on June 29, 2016 at the lobby of the very Hyatt Regency where we were staying also this time...
Who could have known that less than 6 months later our dear friend Dennis would be gone.
One more reason for never postponing things; do it while your'e all still alive!
It is said that Jo is the spitting image of me...
We have so much in common, she used to design and sew her clothes and she's an excellent Lady Chef.
Jo's cookbook is exceptional: The Treasures of My Family Cooking Italian Cookbook available at Apple Books
Pastry recipes included in the book were served to the King and Queen of Naples.
But also available as a printed book in exceptional paper quality in color on 141 pages!
Just email Jo: The Treasures of My Family Cooking Italian Cookbook for obtaining this book for $ 39.95.
A TRUE Treasure!
An exotic friend from Chenectady, New York but she studied abroad in Naples...
Living in Sarasota, Florida and she often visited back with her relatives in Naples.
Who would NOT love to make an authentic Tira Mi Su?
It is all in her special book!
Beautiful photo from The Point, taken by Jo.
This was my version, from where we were seated.
The restaurant has three levels, with third floor bar for spectacular sunset views...
Husband Pieter opted for the Flat Top Grouper Tacos and I tried the Mini Lobster Rolls (2).
Pieter's Flat Top Grouper Tacos
My delicious Mini Lobster Rolls
It was heartwarming to read this on my MacBook later in the afternoon...
Jo wrote: Wonderful lunch with my best friends Mariette and Pieter. All the way from Georgia. ❤️❤️ priceless.
Pieter mentioned: That was so very special with perfect weather and what a VIEW! Thank you dear friend and Dennis was with us in thoughts...
Jo: Pieter thank you my dearest friend. May God bless you always.
Three of my favorite folks!
Jo: Barbara love you. Thank you. They are the greatest.
Another blogger friend Carole from Katie Isabella tuned in:
Oh you are friends with my dear friend Mariette!
Jo: Carole yes. Love her.
Carol: Jo me as well! And Pieter too.
Jo: Carole yes. ❤️❤️
I've added: Perfect weather and such a nice historical spot at The Point.
Jo: Mariette so happy we had great weather. Loved being with you.
Hope we get to do this again soon.
Love you.
It was such a wonderful get together and it feels as good for the soul as for the stomach to have such a lunch at a beautiful place!
Since Jo is a writer, we wanted to show her our book but we forgot...
So Pieter posed with it once we got back at the Hyatt Regency, to forward to Jo...
Then we both went for a lovely walk but will show that later 😏
Related link:
{Columbus Day and Saint Armands Circle in Sarasota, Florida} | previous post where we explored the area where Jo and Dennis had their business...
I am so loving this blog this evening. The memories you share are sweet to those of us who read them; as those of us here feel the same way about you and Pieter as she expressed. I loved reading her regard for you both. As time has passed, though we have differing life styles, I feel close and keep you both in my prayers. I think the both of you are among the kindest most caring of friends I have had the fortune to meet. So glad you met your dear friend and "twin".
ReplyDeleteDearest Katie Isabella,
DeleteThank you so much and indeed, it was a pleasure to meet with you as well.
Different life styles might be true but each of our friends has the same high moral values and that draws like a magnet.
Your prayers are appreciated!
Hugs and wishing you well with your heart condition.
Mariette
What a lovely holiday and meeting up with a friend. Beautiful photos too as a lovely souvenir for both of you, as well as the many comments on social media. I love Tiramisu. I bet she makes a delicious one. Have you tried it?
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great post today. God bless you all.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThank you and it was such a special time spent together.
Yes, the Tiramisu is one of the desserts I make that is most loved by all. Guess it is almost identical to hers.
Victor I'v mentioned it often in my posts and made it also for each High Tea that we hosted. Here you can see it in detail on video: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2021/11/high-tea-in-november.html
Would love to have you over for a coffee or tea with Tiramisu...💞
Hugs,
Mariette
Yes, I remember that post of yours. How kind of you to invite me. Pity we are such a distance apart. Thank you, Mariette.
DeleteGod bless you and Pieter.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteYou're quite welcome and indeed, the distance is not helping either one of us...
Hugs,
Mariette
Such amazing food and scenery, but most importantly, a wonderful, talented friend. How lovely to connect in person again. ♥
ReplyDeleteDearest Kim,
DeleteThank you and it was one of those picture perfect days!
We savored every minute of being together.
Vitamins for the soul...
Hugs,
Mariette
Such an amazing and wonderful visit you had with a dear friend, Mariette. Thanks for sharing all about her, the cookbook and beautiful Sarasota.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteIt certainly was a wonderful visit.
She is a writer and a very talented Lady Chef and no doubt she has made excellent soul food for many of her loved ones!
Osprey is only a little south of Sarasota but beautiful.
Hugs,
Mariette
Herrlich, liebe Mariette, was für ein wunderbares Treffen ihr hattet. Ja, bloggen ist wunderbar,
ReplyDeletees kann über die gesamte Welt verbinden. Ich habe unter anderem weit im Norden Blogfreunde gemeinsam mit meinem Mann besucht. In Italien waren wir ebenfalls oft und deine schönen Fotos erinnern mich daran. Ich koche und backe sehr gern und mich würden wahrscheinlich am meisten die Backrezepte von Jo inspirieren. Ich habe gerade einen Orange-Mandel-Kuchen mit etwas Schlagsahne auf dem Teller zu meinem Kaffee :-))) Selbstgebacken natürlich... obwohl wir hier wirklich viele Bäcker haben :-)
Alle guten Wünsche für Euch. Danke für deinen schönen Beitrag. Umarmung von Viola
Liebe Viola,
DeleteDanke sehr und du hast Recht schreiben und verschiedene gemeinsame Interessen verbindet wirklich.
Wir leben in eine Zeit wo es möglich ist von einander zu lesen und virtuell zu besuchen!
Kochen und Backen hat mit Liebe zu tun und auch ich habe es immer sehr gerne gemacht.
In Italien haben wir ja auch gearbeitet und gelebt in die Venedig Umgebung.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
Che bei ricordi Mariette!Buona serata,un abbraccio.
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteSono bellissimi ricordi.
Abbracci,
Mariette
Awwww, what a great visit with your friend! Her recipes look soooo yummy! I tried tiramisu many years ago but I don't like coffee so didn't like the flavor... however, I did like the sweetness of it lol. Those grouper tacos look deeeelicious! I love the photos of The Point, what a beautiful place to visit. Kind of like an ahhhhhh and a happy sigh. Am I right? Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDearest Diana,
DeleteIt was indeed a beautiful day and a lovely place with delicious food for meeting with a dear friend.
Yes, Jo is very talented in her kitchen and it is too bad you didn't like the Tiramisu because of the coffee.
Hugs,
Mariette
A meeting of writers and old friends. By the way, I love tiramisu and now I want to eat it.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteThank you and wish I could hand you some... Would love to make it for you to enjoy!
You are another writer that I'd love to meet in person!
Hugs,
Mariette