No complaints about the weekend, even with the time change. I found the perfect way to really mess with the body clock; spend Saturday having a great time, checking out everything from what the donuts were like at the Southeastern Guide Dog Walk-A-Thon to the St Pete Saturday Morning Market to the Dunedin Brew Fest. That much walking is good for the soul and for a good night’s sleep. But please, the walk may be over but they are always in need of volunteers, even right down to puppy-hugging! Click on the link and see what you can offer.

   But to start the weekend, a stop in downtown St Pete and visit to The Hooker Tea Company on Beach Drive with a friend who wanted to pick up a new tea diffuser and choose from their many loose teas. The best part about that is in the choosing, with the fantastic aromas of each selection. It’s so worth the trip for either a new supply of tea, or an iced or hot tea to enjoy out on the patio, as most people were. But the thing that caught my eye were the whiskey stones. They’re actually soapstone rocks, that are tumbled smooth into small cubes that you’re supposed to keep in the freezer and use to chill drinks. I know what you’re thinking - you want to put a rock in my drink? The selling point is not having any ice in the glass to dilute your beverage of choice. But honestly, since you can still find ice cube trays to fill with something like leftover iced tea, coffee, whatever you choose to drink, I keep a supply of those on hand to keep the drink cold and avoid dilution. Now, if you choose to use them in your mixed drinks, that’s different. But I still don’t think I’d want something like a stone in a fine piece of glassware. But that’s just me.

   The St Pete Saturday Morning Market is a fine as ever, and I loved the work of the chalk artist at the entrance. But just a heads up that this Saturday, they’ll be relocating for the week then closed on the 23^rd. You could see all the prep work for the Honda Grand Prix right next to the Market, so head over early this week, and perhaps check out a new market for the weekend of the 23^rd. There's never a shortage. I also enjoyed a walk along Central Avenue, ran into a few friends there and just enjoyed what a gem downtown St Pete really is.

   The Dunedin Brew Fest was a nice event down on Edgewater Drive, and I have to say the Blue Crab Salad Sandwich I had from Cheney Brothers was the best - lots of crab, and a great roll. Since I really hadn’t eaten since the walk that morning, I’m afraid I might have eaten just a little too fast, and would have loved another! It was good to see Dunedin Doggie Rescue there, benefitting from the event and with pet adoptions right on site.

   Did Sunday morning come way too fast? Of course, but it always does. But with such beautiful weather and the great people watching for spring break, the entertainment was free and fun. Topping it all of with a fantastic salad from Nature’s Food Patch just made my day, and the weekend. It was also a good opportunity to check into the many free classes they offer. Get on the mailing list so you don't miss out; I'm thinking about the one on raw juicing is something I need to check out. Just like the juices I was looking at this weekend!  Hope your weekend was just as good, and with St Patrick’s Day coming up this weekend, it’s going to be a party!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

"There is no love sincerer than the love of food." - George Bernard Shaw