Q-TIPS SAY – After our trip to Myakka Park – went to Turtles. Great view on the bay, service, drinks and the food is good. The Q’s have been here before many times when they owned a condo a few doors down.
Mrs. Q had: We shared the Happy Hour Drinks & appetizer & Bar bites.
The Mr. had: Crab Bisque & Happy Hour Drinks & appetizer & Bar bites.
Enjoyed our drinks. Enjoyed everything along with the views of the bay.
Make sure you take a walk by Turtle Beach which is located across the street by Turtles, if time permits.
Salmon
Mrs. Q says: If your near Siesta Key stop at Turtles or if you are in the mood for something a little more elegant just drive down the road a bit and there is Ophelia’s by the Bay.
Ophelia’s by the Bay opheliasonthebay.net is less casual and great food, service and views.
Creme Brulee
Both restaurants are excellent but different types of food. ENJOY! We did.
Posted inFl Restaurants 2026|Comments Off on TURTLES REST. Siesta Key/Sarasota FL 3/3/26
MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 – (941) 361-6511 myakkariver.org
Q-Tips say: $6.00 per car is the entrance fee for the entire day!
Did see some alligators in the waterways.
THINGS TO DO AT MYAKKA: A VISITOR CENTER: w/ displays, movies and information. AIR BOAT RIDE/ TRAM TOUR, CONCESSION:, CANOE/ KAYAK/ BIKE – rent or bring your own. CANOPY WALK, GATOR WATCHING, BIRDING, BIRDWALK, NATURE TRAILS, HIKING, NATIVE TREE WALK, FISHING (Fresh water license required), PICNIC (picnic areas w/tables, grills – bring your own or buy charcoal at the concession stores), PLAYGROUNDS, JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM, RANGER PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, OVERNIGHT CAMPING or LOG CABINS – reservations needed).
Due the Holiday Season & snow-birds/money birds returning – very busy – many more people with younger families at this time visiting.
Mrs. Q says: A GREAT PLACE to spend the day for children of all ages. What fun to see Deer, Alligators, Birds, and listen/ or look for Feral Hogs, and maybe a Bobcat. Bobcats are nocturnal but often rest during the day in trees. Did see a few animals this time and the water level was fine.
When family visits they have fun walking the Canopy Walk.
Animals we saw the last visit: Alligators, raccoons in a cage, beautiful birds, and several two legged animals 🙂
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL & FUN PLACE. Go and enjoy!
Canopy Walkway
Posted inFlorida Parks 2026|Comments Off on MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK Sarasota FL 3/3/26
RINGLING MUSEUM – 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, FL 34243, (941) 359-5700 ringling.org Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 10 am – 5 pm, Thu 10 am – 8 pm Closed only for Christmas and New Years Day.
Q-TIPS say: GO & ENJOY! Went for a walk around the grounds on a beautiful weather day.
. The Museum of Art is FREE on Monday. An outstanding collection of art along with the many pillars John acquired during his lifetime. John put it in his will that the Art Museum always be free admission for public viewing on Mondays. The Art Museum is a site for the eyes. You will need tickets to see all the other exhibits that day. The Circus Museum, Ca’D’zan (their home), and several restaurants are all Great for Children. They have Trams you can take should you need assistance to get around. The Bayfront Gardens are awesome as is the Rose Garden. The Rose Garden is one of the oldest rose gardens in Florida, founded by Mable in 1913. It is laid out in a wagon wheel design. The Gardens are FREE and open to the public from (9:30 to 6PM daily. Tours are available though out the day. Inquire at the Admissions Desk in the Visitor Pavilion for details.
The Ringlings are buried in a private enclosure behind the Secret Garden, where Mable once grew specimen plants, known as “onesies and twosies” given to her as gifts by family and friends.
Mrs. Q says: An awesome, beautiful Museum. You can spend an entire day here and Parking is FREE. Don’t forget to check out the “Special Exhibits.”
Mrs. Q says: Been here before but they have new exhibits which were interesting. Go and enjoy or just walking the beautiful grounds. Unfortunately, Mable’s Rose Garden has been tampered by the storms. Garden is still there but NO Roses.
Exhibit in the Circus museum
Mable & John Ringling home
Inside of a room of the Art Museum
Mable, John & and sister Ida Ringling North are buried n Sarasota.
One of the many statues on the grounds
Posted inFlorida Parks 2026|Comments Off on John and Mable RINGLING Museum – Sarasota FL 3/2/26
Meatball & MORE Madness: 3 different sauces to enjoy your meatballs & salad & salad toppings with various side dishes as, potato salad/pasta. Enjoyed this Madness & had fun with neighbor, Nancy & her friend.
Soup/ Salad/Sandwich Madness: Had the soup. Several options for salads:Reg/just plain lettuce/tomatoes/bowtie & potato salads.Meat Options for sandwiches: Ham/turkey/thin. Many bread choices but bread slices way too thick. Many people just put the meat on the plate minus the bread.
Wing Madness: Glad it is back. Really enjoyed “Wings” & various salad/sides options. WING MADNESS is our favorite MADNESS.
However, NO MORE, melted cheese, Queso.
Build you own Taco Salad was:
OK- Various Meat to build your tacos – Turkey/Ham/Beef with soft shell tacos & Chips. Various toppings & salad choices.
Subs & More – was ok. Did not eat all the bread just ate the meat & various salads.
Slider Madness:Was ok. Meat options/cheese /toppings & a salad bar.
Had our usual Libations: Mrs. Q had:Old Fashion & a Cosmo. Mr. Q had:Perfect Manhattan & a Glass of Wine.
Monday Madness – you get 50% off Well Drinks, House Wines, Beer & Beverages & All you can eat buffets. Q-tips say:Yes, go if you like Monday Madness.
We will stick with Wings & Slider Madness. Perhaps Pasta Night.Subs & More Madness was just so so – way too much bread.
Slider Madness:Was ok. Many meat options/cheese sauce/toppings & a salad bar.
Mrs. Q had: Taco/Nacho Madness. ok
The Q-tips say: Munchie Madness was nothing special.Everything was breaded & fried. Because of the breading, & no signs posting what it is, was difficult to know was in the pot. We had our usual Libations. Ordered off the Reg. Menu instead MUNCHIE MADNESS.
Pizza Madness?? ?Maybe. Taco madness? ??The meat- beef/chicken was good but many just piled the food on the dishes instead of tacos.
Cannot orderfrom the regular menuanymore on Monday Madness.
Cosmo
Pulled pork Sliders
Chicken slider
Posted inFl Restaurants 2026|Comments Off on Monday Madness – Meatball Madness
Mr. Q had: Perfect Manhattan & Clam Chowder & Garlic SHRIMP SCAMPI Traditional Louisiana shrimp scampi with fresh rosemary in a lemon beurre blanc sauce and a side of garlic bread.
Mrs. Q had: An Old Fashion & French Onion Soup & Blast Stack – Field fresh greens, lemon infused olive oil, basil avocado aioli, vine ripened tomatoes, diced Hass avocado, signature smoked salmon, hardwood smoked bacon strips.
Dessert: We took our dessert home: Delicious Beignets with 3 different sauces. Beignets are iconic, deep-fried pillowy pastries traditionally smother in powdered sugar often served in New Orleans.
BRIO – 190 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, FL 34243,
(941) 702-9102 brioitalian.com Q-Tips say: Happy Hour begins at 3:00 to 6:00 in the bar/or outside sitting.
Each Q had: Their Old Fashion. Shared the bread- they have a new delicious bread service.
Each had their Happy Hour – Old Fashion.
Mrs. Q had: Soup of the day: tried the Minestrone – it tasted like Chile & sent it back &Carpaccio – Shaved tender beef, field greens, capers, mustard aioli.
Mr. Q had: Soup of the day tried the Minestrone – it tasted like Chile & sent it back &Carpaccio – Shaved tender beef, field greens, capers, mustard aioli & a glass of wine.
Indoor/outdoor/bar area seating.
Lobster Bisque
Carpaccio
Happy Hour
Posted inFl Restaurants 2026|Comments Off on BRIO Italian Rest. Sarasota FL 2/26/26
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams.
Q-tips say: YES, watch it. A great movie because of the stories and actors. They did an amazing job representing two average people pursuing their dreams and finding love and heart ache while doing it.
It was a heartfelt story about two people who used their love of music (and each other) to overcome their addictions and problems. But no number of Neil Diamond covers can soften the blow of the way Brewer depicts Claire’s accident (a shot he repeats to scare the audience), showing how he’s playing up the drama in the couple’s life.
Mrs. Q says:The Neil Diamond songs are some of the tunes the more mature audience will remember. So, put on the captions & you can sing along with Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson.
Posted inMovies 2026|Comments Off on Song Sung Blue
2/18/2026 – YES, to Rosebud. Go in the Dining Room.
During “snow bird/money birds & spring break time,” make a reservation for the dining room.
The dining room is much nicer & not as loud so you can actually carry on a conversation especially during “prime season“.
Also, those who know waiter, Tom, he is doing fine & still working at Rosebud.
After a Dr. appt. off to Rosebud for din-din.
We shared the bread & butter & had a doz. Oysters.
Mrs. Q had: Old Fashion up – dirty ice on the side.
Dinner:The Q-tips shared: Liver & Onions w/ a baked potato.
Mr. Q had: Perfect Manhattan & Wine.
Some of our favorite dishes: Awesome Prime Rib dinner, delicious fish items such as Salmon, several whitefish choices, ribs, shrimp, best Liver & Onions around. Go in the dining room & enjoy.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Q-tips say: Enjoyed it. Mrs. Q enjoyed it more that the other half. He enjoyed the original Wicked better.
