A few months ago I had the pleasure of hosting close friends for a weekend on Florida’s Space Coast. This 72-mile stretch of coastline and beaches in Central Florida is a place I love to call home. With support from the Space Coast Office of Tourism, I was able to organize a small retreat that showcased the area’s beauty and hospitality.
Friends are the family we choose, and mine have always supported me through thick and thin. They keep me grounded, celebrate my successes, and remind me when I need perspective. Putting together this weekend was my way of giving them a memorable experience—and it felt like a gift to share my home with people I cherish.
Photo by Lindsay
We stayed at a stunning property called Azure Estate in Melbourne Beach. The large, welcoming kitchen quickly became the gathering spot while I arranged flowers supplied for the houses. The estate’s sweeping views and elegant spaces provided a perfect setting for our retreat.
Flowers added a bright, personal touch throughout the house.
The rooms were ready with two goody bags for each guest, filled with items I selected with care. I curated the bags with favorites I hoped everyone would enjoy: comfortable Tieks shoes, a monogrammed leather bag, planners, chocolates from a local candy company, monogrammed totes, custom mugs, baking supplies, snacks, sunscreen, hand cream, and jewelry. These small luxuries set a thoughtful tone for the weekend.
As guests arrived we enjoyed cupcakes and homemade macarons—little treats to kick off the gathering.
One afternoon we explored Cocoa Village, a charming area filled with shops and restaurants. I loved this candid of Jessie in front of the ice cream shop.
For dinner we visited one of my favorite local spots, Crush Eleven. Their seasonal menu always delights, but a few staples—duck fat fries and a decadent mac & cheese topped with pickled vegetables and housemade tater tots—are not to be missed.
Back at the house we created a snack station stocked with favorites—chocolate-covered potato chips and Almond Nut-Thins among them—so everyone could nibble between activities.
One morning we had a memorable meal at Sand on the Beach—the spicy shrimp and crab waffle left a lasting impression. The stroll back along the shore was peaceful and rejuvenating.
We also tried paddleboarding for the first time with instruction from Ron Jon Surf School. It was a fantastic outdoor experience and a highlight for many of us.
Lunch at the house was catered with flavorful Mexican food that everyone enjoyed. Later, a local winery hosted an intimate tasting, and Wild Ocean Seafood Market supplied fresh local seafood for dinner—rock shrimp and clams that celebrated the region’s bounty.
One special evening we staged a “taste of nine blogs”: each guest prepared a dish from her own blog and we all cooked together. The menu included coconut green curry clams, olive oil mashed potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, red wine-braised short ribs, grilled lobster tails with sriracha butter, banana pudding, Nanaimo bars, and the local seafood provided by Wild Ocean. It turned into an unforgettable communal meal.
That night the group surprised me in a deeply meaningful way. I had prepared a small booklet with bios and notes about each person—expressions of things I love about them—and then each guest took turns sharing what they appreciated about me. Their words moved me to tears; it was a gift I won’t forget.
Each guest received a personalized mug featuring a meaningful photo and monogram, accompanied by the same inspirational quote: “you get in life what you have the courage to ask for.”
We visited the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex—a favorite destination for out-of-town guests. The Shuttle Atlantis exhibit and a powerful new display honoring Challenger and Columbia astronauts provided both inspiration and reflection.
For another perspective on the coast we took a helicopter tour with Florida Air Tours, enjoying aerial views of the port and coastline—cruise ships visible in the distance—an unforgettable vantage point.
Azure Estate continued to charm us throughout the stay—its architecture, outdoor spaces, and thoughtful details made it the perfect home base for our activities.
Our final dinners included a memorable deep-fried baked brie at Djon’s Steak and Lobster House and a brunch featuring citrus waffles and fried chicken at Backwater—both standouts that capped the weekend beautifully.
Surrounded by flowers and thoughtful details, we celebrated friendships and created lasting memories. I feel grateful to have shared Florida’s Space Coast—Brevard County—with such generous, talented friends: Christine, Glory, Joanne, Suzanne, Lindsay, Jessie, Susannah, and Brenda. Their presence made the weekend truly special.
To commemorate the retreat, Jessie created whimsical paintings of each of us as desserts—gifts that add a joyful, personal touch to the memories we made that weekend.
Many thanks to the Space Coast Office of Tourism and the local partners who supported the event. I organized this retreat and did not receive any compensation for doing so.