Heart Choices: Times of Refreshing -->

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Times of Refreshing


Times of refreshing are so important. In the busyness of life, how often do you take the time to simply sit and relax with friends?
Do you choose to take the time to celebrate the events in life that hold special significance?

I keep hearing the phrase "enjoy the moment" but it's easier said than done. When life is coming at you hard, do you make the choice to take a day off and simply have fun?

I had that opportunity yesterday. My good friend Terri invited me to a surprise brunch for her husband, Steve. After much time, thought and reflection, Steve recently made the decision to retire after a long and successful career. Terri invited her cousin Janet and me to join them in their celebration of this event.

I was so excited because the brunch would be held at T. Cook's Restaurant in the Royal Palms Hotel. This is a fabulous place and so beautiful. President Bush always preferred to stay at this hotel whenever he came to the Phoenix area.

Janet and I arrived early so we would be there to suprise Steve. He definitely was surprised and ...we had a great time of celebration.
I thought I'd share some of the photos I took with you.

This is the entrance to the hotel.

To get to T. Cook's Restaurant, I had to walk through an open courtyard.

It's really a beautiful time of year in Phoenix. The flowers are in bloom and the temperature is perfect in the high 60's to low 70's during the day. I know many of my blogging friends are still dealing with snow and cold temperatures. But hang in there, spring is coming!

Another outdoor courtyard with fountains.


This unique floral arrangement was delivered to our table for the guest of honor, Steve. Terri always seems to remember those special details.

This was my first course. Now, for my Fitness Friday friends, please notice the small portion sizes and the fruit. Very low in calories, Sandy!


But I have to admit, I had a hard time as the pastry chef brought out some freshly made goodies.

Oh no ...my resolve is going!

The lemon tarts and chocolate looked so tempting.

Take a quick look at this fabulous chocolate cake decorated with M&M's. I promise I only looked.

We even enjoyed live guitar music to add to the experience.


The Royal Palms is such a beautiful place to visit.

So, in the midst of these challenging times, do you take time to enjoy the moments? I'm thankful for my generous friend Terri for inviting me to this very elegant brunch. But even times of sitting by a lake or hiking a mountain can be a time of reflection and a moment to simply stop and enjoy! How do you get those times of refreshing?

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Debbie Petras
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11 comments:

  1. I have been there Cook's is one of my Mom's favorite "fancy" restaurant places! Stunning photos. So glad you got a day of refreshment.

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  2. Debbie,

    This looks just beautiful and that chocolate cake looked marvelous, dahling!!!!!! Well, everything did.

    I have to admit that a time of refreshment is easier said than done for me. I like to afford it to others but when I stop I tend to feel guilty. I'm working on it.
    :)

    Blessings to you, sweet friend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful pictures .... if I close my eyes I might imagine being there .... hhmmm almost as good. Great post thank you!

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  4. Those pictures are beautiful! The food looks so yummy!!! Too bad we don't have "taste-0-vision" ... ha.

    Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you had fun!

    Beth

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  5. Lovely place, lovely food! Paul and I are thinking of taking our annual anniversary road trip to Arizona this year, and seeing these beautiful pictures make me like the idea more and more - though we steer clear of the upscale spots and absorb more of the landscape - which is much more affordable! Thanks for sharing your special day.

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  6. I enjoyed seeing the pictures and hearing about your celebration with friends. I need a day of refreshment too. The most I can do here in the middle of winter is maybe to meet a friend for coffee and have a good chat.

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  7. Dear Debbie,
    some of a 6 star restaurant.
    I am happy for the retiring husband that he got treated with such concern.
    One feels the warmth, the wishing you the very best all the way to frosty north.
    I rarely visit restaurants of that standard,- we actually haven't got any so stylish to my knowledge.

    Friday I was out shopping with two of my best friends. neither of us could resist the tempting white and brown chocolate cakes.
    I kind of think the goldlining to festive days should be kept.

    Life's many everydays can easily be sober.
    Yesterday we went for a four hour hike in heavy wind on icy paths.
    We made two stops, drinking tea and coffee from thermos and eating rye bread and cheese.
    Tasted wonderful outdoors in Celcius minus degrees.

    Life has so many kinds of pleasures.
    I was overjoyed being out hiking for the first time this year.
    Chatting, laughing and using my body till my limbs were aching.
    Eating garlic to avoid a new cold when I got home.
    From Felisol

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  8. Debbie, I wish I could have jumped through the computer, the weather there looks so devine ahhhhh.....
    We have like 3 monre inches of snow UGH. and those desserts mmmmmmm......

    could you do me a favor and follow my blog again, I lost your picture in my transition and I miss seeing your face in the sidebar- you are still listed as a follower.
    thanks

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  9. Didn't you post about a place like this back in the Fall? If not, something close to it. Now, if you really wanted to relax a bit, you should have indulged in that cake. That's taking the day off!

    peace~elaine

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  10. Elaine- The place I wrote about before was the Phoenician. Again, my friend Terri invited me there for Christmas tea. The Phoenician and T. Cook's at the Royal Palms are a few of the very elegant places to eat in Phoenix. It really was a special treat and not one I frequent on a regular basis.

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  11. A super place and a special treatment for you Debbie, what else! Very nice!

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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