Love in the Library: Savoring Summer Days...

Do you have a hard-wired urge for summer reading? I have an internal clock that sounds invariably within these months; the summer is not complete without at least one leisurely lingering in a beautiful library.

Have you heard Jimmy Buffet's gentle song, "Love in the Library"? An unusual one in his repertoire...love it all, of course--but it's a very sweet song if you haven't heard it yet. We've been enjoying his album, Fruitcakes, this summer.

The book at the top of the stack is The Swimming Pool, I began it and have almost finished... a beautiful first novel (2010) from Holly LeCraw. I'm trying to slow down the reading... just like the summer.

One book I picked that didn't make it into the top pic (because it was by the bed, already being perused) is Cowboys are My Weakness, by Pam Houston. I like her writing... looking forward to that one.

Have not read Wolitzer yet, but thanks to other bloggers who've recommended her I am excited to read her work.

Right now, as in, right now at this moment, Mr. Wonderful is reading Tourist Season by Hiaasen; I enjoyed that one a while back-- so glad he's doing some pleasure reading too!

Any "must reads" to pass on? Thanks! Enjoy your blissful reads.

One of my "must reads" is our current (and first) giveaway: How To Allow.... enter for your chance to win a copy here (2 winners!).

xo xo,
Miss Bliss

From Jimmy:

"And it seemed like the whole world was in forced retreat
I paid no attention, revolved through the door
Passed the newspaper rack on the worn marble floor
Near civil war history my heart skipped a beat
She was standing in fiction stretched high on bare feet

Love in the library, quiet and cool
Love in the library, there are no rules
Surrounded by stories surreal and sublime
I fell in love in the library once upon a time

I was the pirate and she was the queen
Sir Francis and Elizabeth the best there's ever been
Then she strolled past my table and stopped at the stairs
Then sent me a smile as she reached for Flaubert..."

Finding France in Miami --and a Tropical Library

Astrid and Stephanie's creation

A La Folie, Miami Beach

A La Folie, inside

Coral Gables, FL public library

Do you have a favorite cafe? In Miami Beach we like Astrid and Stephanie's, "traditional artisan bakery and restaurant" for its authentic French menu... it's like stepping out of Miami and into France, this week we met the lovely Stephanie, "of Astrid and Stephanie," she smiled, and I savored that lovely chocolate treat.

In South Beach, A La Folie is a fabulous authentic French cafe located on Espanola Way, a great pedestrian street. You could miss it since it's at the end of the shops near the residential area, but don't--have a coffee or savory crepes with amazing fresh ingredients of your choice, wine, dessert... just a lovely cafe. I can hear the French music in my head just thinking about it. A La Folie has wooden walls lined with magazines, whetting your reading appetite, too.

We stopped by the beautiful Coral Gables library, a veritable tropical oasis, the other night to stock up for some good summer reading. I am going to blissfully soak up each remaining summer day!

Soon to come: our trip down through the North Keys yesterday--an Islamoradan and Duck Key adventure. How are you enjoying these August days? Any must-read suggestions?

xo xo, Miss Bliss

Don't forget to enter to win my favorite new book... here.

images: 1, ours, 2, 3, google images, 4, ours

The best place to skinny dip under tropical stars...

Having lived in the midwest and East Coast, when I encountered Coral Gables, FL, for the first time ten years ago, I did not know what hit me! Since then I've never been able to get enough of its gorgeous architecture, sweet little details, and tropical bliss. The city was dreamed up by a poet, George Merrick, and called "The City Beautiful."

He envisioned it as the American Riviera, and today people dock boats behind their houses in some sections, and the heady mix of tropical foliage and Mediterranean detail never fail to make me happy. In the hot summer, the Gables seems to take a collective deep breath and simultaneously drink many cold drinks, and skinny dipping in the backyard pools under the stars is the way to go!

I once spent a summer healing my heart in a Gables backyard, when the summer air and the pool water blended together...quite ethereal... Each morning I marveled at the profusion of red hibiscus and the ever greener, greener than green tropical greenery thriving under daily afternoon showers.

If you come, be sure not to miss the Venetian Pool, The Biltmore Hotel, the UM campus, shopping on the Miracle Mile, Books and Books on Aragon Avenue, and a few hours to bike or walk around the streets of the Gables, the Little Gables... such beauty to explore! Wait until we cool off a little... you will love it.

Shhh!!! My secret swimming oasis...

This is where I swim from time to time, I'll show you more...

One of the many reasons I live in Miami!
Isn't the purple fabulous?
Orchids creep along this pool...
You can climb the waterfalls...
Nap in the shade....

This pool even has a beach...
One of my favorite spots in town!

Have a little lunch...
Mediterranean architecture waits for you...
Ready to get down here?
Just pack your suit; see you there... can you believe I moved to this town not knowing the first thing about it? Just came for school and wanted to be near the beach... little did I know, one delight after another was waiting! This pool is fresh spring water in a coral/ limestone quarry--lots of tourists stop to photograph, but you *really* need to spend the day.

Godiva delivers again!

Dear shiny Godiva chocolate store in the Village of Merrick Park of Coral Gables, FL,

As you know, I could not resist you today. After probably a dozen times of passing you by, today your beckoning could not be ignored, the truffles called out from the shiny glass case.

And now you have Extra Dark Chocolate Truffles?? And a Key Lime truffle?

And a Bananas Foster truffle?? And a special free *peach* truffle?

What exactly are you trying to do to us? I live at a beach, you know. They were superb, of course.

Please keep it coming; you know I'll be back the next time I cannot ignore your premium chocolate calling out to be enjoyed...