Morning — Where Ancient Rome Opens Its Arms 10:45 AM — Colosseum Full Experience (Arena Level) I will leave my hotel around 9:45 AM to give myself a little time to stroll, take photos, and perhaps grab a quick coffee along the 1.2 miles through the historic district to the Colosseum. I am looking forward to stepping onto the arena floor like I'm walking into a story I’ve been waiting my entire life to read. The light, the arches, the quiet echo of history under my feet — it’

My final full day in Rome will be where everything I’ve seen, learned, and felt will begin to settle into the softer corners of my heart. After four days of extraordinary art, ancient history, and tear-worthy beauty — Day Five will be my invitation to breathe, savor, and simply be  in the Eternal City. Morning — Quiet Wonder at the Baths of Caracalla ✨ Taxi to the Baths of Caracalla My day will begin at the Baths of Caracalla , one of Rome’s most soul-stirring archaeological

Today is meant to feel gentle at the start, full of flavor and charm in the middle, and absolutely breathtaking by the evening. It’s a day that unfolds like a ribbon — soft, colorful, and entirely Roman. 🌤 Morning: Slow, Charming, and Full of Heart Leaving the hotel → A soft 8–10 minute stroll to the Jewish Ghetto I'm told there’s something about beginning the day in the Jewish Ghetto  that feels like opening a book quietly and lovingly. The early sun warms the stones, baker

There are some days in life that feel like they’re stitched together with threads of awe—and my third morning in Rome will begin just like that. I’ll slip out of my hotel before the rush, coffee in hand, the city still stretching awake. There is something tender about Rome at dawn… as if all the centuries hush themselves long enough to let you hear your own heartbeat. My first stop is the Vatican Museums, a place that holds more beauty than the mind can fully process. It’s no

Some evenings in life feel like they’re meant to become memories, and this one — a slow, golden-hour wander through Villa Borghese followed by a twilight entry into the Galleria Borghese  — is already stitched into my heart before I’ve even arrived. If you ask me, this is the perfect way to meet the Borghese: softened by a garden stroll, steadied by a breathtaking terrace view, and then swept into a world where marble turns to skin and myth turns to movement. I will cry, I’m

There’s a kind of magic that happens the moment your feet touch Roman ground. Even through the sleepiness of an overnight flight, the excitement wins. It always does. I’ll land at 10:30 AM, drop my bags at Albergo del Senato , and let the city guide me into my first day—softly, sweetly, and with just enough structure to feel intentional. This will be my gentle arrival. My invitation to awe. ☕ A slow beginning, with coffee that hugs you back Once my bag is in the hotel’s care,

With Rome only a week away, I’ve been thinking a lot about how important it is not to postpone love, curiosity, or joy . Romance isn’t something we wait on—it’s something we offer ourselves, day by day. Life is far too precious to keep setting things aside, whether it’s a dream vacation, telling someone you love them, or showing yourself  that same tenderness. Intimate romance is lovely, of course… but I’ve learned that romancing ourselves is just as beautiful. It’s in the li

This weekend in Augusta reminded me just how blessed my life is. I spent time with my parents, shared a meal with my brother and sister-in-law, and my daughter, son-in-law, and my sweetest little best friend—my granddaughter—drove over from Atlanta to be with us. At only 22 months old, my granddaughter is the funniest person I know , and her bright little spirit fills every room with joy. I could not imagine my life without her. Being her Honey has changed me. She sees only t

There is something about Italy that feels like it has been quietly calling my name for years. The art. The stone streets. The light that seems to glow even in photographs. And this March, I finally answer. Not in a rushed, checkbox sort of way. But slowly. Intentionally. With walking shoes, a medium suitcase, and a very open heart. Amalfi? She deserves ten days all her own — and she will have them. Just not this year. Portugal is waiting for me later this year, and Amalfi wil

Valentine’s Day makes me smile. Not because I believe February 14th holds some mystical claim on love. But because love — real love — is far more interesting than a holiday. This year, I am spending Valentine’s Day in a chapter I didn’t expect to last this long. My solo chapter. And here’s the truth: It is bringing me more peace… and more happiness… than I ever imagined it could. Do I long for someone to kiss? To reach for my hand across a table? To wrap his arm around me whi

I didn’t watch the Super Bowl halftime show last night, but I woke up to such a wave of opinions — sharp, angry, and honestly exhausting opinions — that I finally sat down with a cup of tea and watched Bad Bunny’s performance . And do you know what happened? I smiled. I felt my shoulders loosen. And my feet wanted to dance. It made me wonder: What exactly are people so angry about? Because from where I sit — a conservative woman who has lived a lot of life, who has known deep

A cozy, wholesome way to use your sourdough discard — and fill your home with the most heavenly scent. There’s something so comforting about creating a recipe that turns “extra” into something extraordinary. That’s exactly what these breakfast bars do. They’re a beautiful way to use your sourdough discard instead of wasting it, and they come together with real, nourishing ingredients that make your whole kitchen smell like cinnamon, citrus, warmth, and home. These bars are te

by MaryNell — written from the heart, with love, curiosity, and science There’s something incredibly powerful about learning how our daily choices shape the future of our hearts and minds. Food, movement, and small, steady habits have enormous influence. This isn’t about fear. It’s about confidence, prevention, and taking ownership of our life’s story. Below is a roadmap to help you become the director of your own long, healthy lifetime. ❤️ Foods That Support Arterial Health

I went to my endocrinologist today, and for reasons I don’t fully understand, every visit with her seems to open a tender place inside me. Maybe it’s because she’s one of the few people who has witnessed the full arc of my medical journey. Maybe it’s because sitting in that exam room reminds me of the truth I rarely give myself permission to say: I have endured a tremendous amount of trauma. On the drive home, I listened to Chapter 8 of Dr. B’s new book, Plant Powered Plus, w

Why Turmeric & Magnesium Glycinate Are Two of the Kindest Gifts You Can Give Your Body If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey of healing, rebuilding, and learning to truly listen to my body, it’s that the simplest things often make the biggest difference. Food, rest, rhythms, gentle nourishment — the things our grandparents would’ve recognized — still have the most profound impact on our well-being. And today I want to share two of my very favorite “quiet powerhous

There’s a particular kind of magic in the moments before the snow begins to fall — that hush in the air, the stillness, the invitation to slow down and savor what’s right in front of us. Today, my granddaughter is watching soft flakes drift down over Lake Oconee, and my parents are looking out over the golf course in Augusta, watching their backyard turn into a quiet winter painting in WestLake. And here in Mount Pleasant, the cold has settled in — crisp, clean, and full of p

There’s something powerful that happens when you choose to listen to your body — truly listen. Not with fear, but with respect. Not with dread, but with a quiet understanding that your body has carried you through every storm you’ve ever survived. And when you’ve faced cancer… when you’ve looked it in the eye and said, not today, not ever again… you learn that strength isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s patient. It’s the way you keep moving forward even when the uncertainty tries

A reflection on love, loss, clarity, and the quiet courage to begin again Sometimes healing doesn’t come with fireworks — it comes in quiet moments, like watching snow fall outside your window and noticing that your heart is finally telling you the truth. This is a story about love, loss, clarity, and the gentle courage it takes to choose yourself again… even when part of you still aches. It’s for anyone learning to let go with grace — and hold onto hope with both hands. Ther

The Secret Life of Microbes, SCFAs, and Your Body’s Beautiful Ability to Begin Again If you’ve ever slipped into a weekend of sugar, stress, travel, or ‘convenience’ eating and suddenly felt puffy, moody, bloated, or “off,” you’re not imagining it — the gut responds fast. But here’s the part I love even more: When you nourish it again… it responds just as quickly. Sometimes within hours. Often within a few days. Almost always within a week. Today, I want to walk you through w

Using Food Alone — and a Little Awe for What Your Body Can Do If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this long, winding path through surgeries, healing, and rebuilding my insides from the ground up, it’s this: Your gut is always trying to love you back. Even when life gets chaotic. Even when you’re stressed, tired, traveling, grieving, or grabbing ‘convenience’ foods. Even when your organs have had to reinvent themselves — the way mine have. And yet, the gut is surprisingly fra