This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here represent my own. In addition, my thoughts and opinions change from time to time…I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This weblog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot and the manifestation of the various memes running around my brain, and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed within out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those I may hold today.
45 Years
Anchored in Love: 45 Years of Tides, Adventures, and Prince Charming Some love stories begin with a sunset. Forty-five years. If you laid them end to end like seashells on a shore, you’d have a collection so long and so varied you couldn’t take it all in at once. Some...
Gasparilla’s Littlest Buccaneer: A Kid’s Guide to Tampa’s Pirate Parade
Ahoy, Young Buccaneers! Have you ever dreamed of being a pirate? Well, every January, the city of Tampa, Florida transforms into a pirate paradise during the legendary Gasparilla Parade! It's one of the biggest pirate festivals in the entire country, and kids...
A Note to Self: When the Mask Falls
A Note to Self: When the Mask Falls Dear Self, As a young girl, you watched the Vietnam War unfold on television—the protests against our soldiers, the Bob Hope specials trying to lift spirits, and the movies that tried to make sense of it all. You saw family members...
Journals Make Perfect Holiday Presents
The greatest gift you can give a child isn’t just one book or one journal—it’s a culture of literacy. Here are some ways to nurture reading and writing during the holidays and beyond. So this holiday season, wrap up some wonder. Package some adventure. Give the gift of reading, writing, and imagination.
A Christmas Box
A Christmas Box began with a single ornament, a tiny bear on a swing with “Baby’s First Christmas” painted in gold script. For a young mom, buying her baby’s first ornament was a moment of pure happiness, a simple act filled with love and the promise of memories yet to come. That ornament became the first chapter in a tradition that would span decades.
Welcome To Chez Stiles Books
This season of gratitude let’s teach our little ones the true meaning of thankfulness and kindness. At Chez Stiles Books, we believe that stories have the power to nurture grateful hearts and inspire acts of kindness that last a lifetime.
Gather around the table or curl up with a cozy blanket and share tales that remind us of what truly matters: family, friendship, and the simple joys that fill our lives with warmth. Explore our collection of heartwarming stories that celebrate gratitude, generosity, and the spirit of giving.
Happy Thanksgiving week from the ChezStilesBooks.com family to yours! 🍂🦃📚
Christmas in July: A Festive Mid-Year Celebration
Christmas in July: A Festive Mid-Year Celebration While most of us associate Christmas with the chilly winds of December, the concept of "Christmas in July" has become a beloved mid-year celebration for many. Originating in the Southern Hemisphere, where July is the...
Mirada Resort Style Living
Celebrating the Fourth of July at The Mirada Lagoon in San Antonio, Florida The Fourth of July, America's Independence Day, is a time for celebration, reflection, and community gatherings. Among the myriads of places where people celebrate this patriotic holiday, The...
Smash Burger Tacos
Happy National Taco Day! This is the day we celebrate the deliciousness of tacos, in all their forms. From classic street tacos to gourmet creations, there’s a taco out there for everyone. Here’s my favorite recipe for Smash Burger Tacos!
Creating a Beach Lifestyle
Sometimes you just need a beach bag … some bread, wine and a blanket. Beach Lifestyle: Everything You Need to Know ...Living the beach lifestyle is a dream for many people. It evokes images of long days spent on the sand, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying the sun...