Family Fun and Feasting in Florida

Our first stop in Florida was Apollo Beach (just south of Tampa), for a few days with Steve’s parents. It’s a Wilson family tradition to dine at Bern’s Steakhouse, an iconic Tampa restaurant, for special occasions. This time we celebrated Dad’s birthday, Steve’s birthday (later this month), and Mother’s Day. Bern’s is famous for top-notch steaks, a huge wine collection, and dessert rooms - private rooms made from wine barrels. After our delicious caesar salad (prepared table side) and Delmonico steaks, Dad had his favorite dessert, a sundae with macadamia ice cream and hot fudge sauce. He is still going strong at age 92!

Then we rented a car and drove to Jacksonville to see Maria’s mom. Maria’s sister Marg and her family (wife Gabriella and seven-year-old son Emmett) flew down from Brooklyn to meet us for a long weekend at the beach. Thanks to a friend of Mom’s, we stayed in a house just steps from the Atlantic Ocean - such fun! Although the weather was mostly cloudy, the rain held off, and we were able to enjoy some swimming, lounging, and long walks on the sand.

Mom and Marg cooked a tasty Filipino feast. For dinner, we had chicken adobo and pansit. For dessert, we had Filipino fruit salad (complete with mini-marshmallows and grated cheddar cheese) and ginataan bilo-bilo (glutinous rice balls cooked in coconut milk with plantains and sweet potatoes). Emmett surprised us by squeezing the calamansi’s sour juice directly into his mouth instead of on the pansit!

On Mother’s Day, we rose early to see the sunrise, had a Filipino breakfast (bacon, eggs, and rice), and went to Mass with Mom. Then Marg, Emmett and I went to Alligator Farm while Gabriella explored St. Augustine’s historic downtown.

It was nice to be able to celebrate Mother’s Day in person with both of our moms, and to spend time with family at the beach.