Travel – Karla's Cottage

Fab food

family, Food and Drink, Travel, Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / February 20, 2026

Did I mention how good the food was in Maui?

The best was at Mama’s Fish House.

My sister-in-law, Terry, is an expert traveler and planner. She booked our reservations months in advance so we could have this special meal in this extraordinary setting.

We had an ideal mix of cozy family dinners made by Terry, by sunset on the balcony and fresh seafood meals at the beach. One special treat was an appetizer of a goat cheese flight at Surfing Goat Farm.

Dinner and a show, we got to watch little kids playing.

We never turned down a dessert either.

Everything was fresh and delicious.

Maui memories

family, flowers, Food and Drink, Travel

By Karla Nathan / February 15, 2026

Maui was a delight.

From the little things

To the majestic ones.

The food

The nature inspired artwork

And the nature itself

Friendships

Grand vistas

Sunsets

Spending time with people we love

And with each other.

Joy and blessings

flowers, paintings, Travel, Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / February 11, 2026

I like to work while on vacation.

Of course, painting pretty flowers in a setting like this does not feel like work.

It feels like pure joy.

Layered in blessings.

Not work at all.

Forgetting my worries

Travel, Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2026

Our Maui visit was very laid back. Every day but one began with a long walk along the shore and typically an excursion, or just some time to chill.

One morning, we explored the other side of the island. Stopping at more than one roadside banana bread spots to compare the treats.

All were deliciously different in small ways, but overall they were too good to chose a favorite.

Along that drive, we pulled over for a walk in the woods. The three of us were the only people there and it felt like we were in a timeless, exclusive space no one had ever discovered.
That was deceptive feeling, because this secluded jungle was right off the highway, and we could see cars parked along the road.

Did I mention it was a scary road? Narrow, twisting, with a sheer cliff on one side and a drop off on the other. When another vehicle came across us, we needed to back up to make space.

I’m terribly afraid of heights and get car sick easily. But on this edge of a mountain road, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat. For some odd, once in my lifetime reason, I had zero worries about plunging to our death. Or even feeling a tiny bit nauseated. And I have deep problems with the much tamer hills of the Appalachians. I don’t know what got into me, but this drive around the volcano was nothing but pure pleasure.

An outing that I will always treasure

Friends I met on vacation

Hens, Travel, Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / January 31, 2026

We passed this kitty on our morning walks.

There were cats everywhere I looked along Kaanapali Beach.

Are they feral? Each seemed content and indifferent to people walking by. I hope they are as healthy and well fed as they look, none were scrawny.

On the other hand, the chickens that roamed everywhere we went did look scraggly. We saw them in parking lots, trees, streets, along the beach, yep, all over the place. I didn’t come across any on the grounds of our hotel, but I was serenaded by their morning crowing.

As I chicken person, missing her flock way back home in Kansas, I both loved seeing them in their wild freedom, and worried about their living standards. From what I’ve read, the over population of these fowl is a big problem in Maui.

The roosters inspired me to do a few paintings in a colorful, flowery style. I gifted this one to my sweet brother-in-law we were traveling with. I might keep one for myself too. Or take them all into Juju, I haven’t decided yet.

Fun in Florida

family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 1, 2025

This pretty much sums up our trip. Lots and lots of balcony time.

Sometimes while painting.

Sometimes with wine.

Sometimes together, other moments relaxed there with a book, napping, or just telling stories and giggling with nieces.

We had a nice kitchen, so were able to eat in when we wanted, but went to all of our favorite restaurants too.

The food was great!

The company even better!

We did get out a bit to shop, and enjoyed a day in the old school side of Tarpon Springs.

We had lots of beach time too. Once a dolphin swam up within a few feet of Shelli.

We were also treated to a night of self care with facials and foot-cials, plus under eye patches. Most nights we watched movies, one night we told fortunes.

It was super laid back. I kept saying that our “job was Beach” and that was Kenough.

Around the neighborhood in the Old West Bottoms of KC

friends, Good JuJu, Travel

By Karla Nathan / August 16, 2025

Typically, when I go to the West Bottoms, I’m working at Good Juju.

Or popping quickly into another open shop during First Friday weekend. And that is rare. But the other day, Beth and I decided to check out a restaurant nearby and do a bit of exploration after a crew meeting.

The old buildings covered in graffiti and chippy paint have an allure that made us want to take some equally alluring photos of ourselves, making use of the gritty, textured backdrops.

I see photo shoots going on in the area all the time for senior pics, engagements, or just for fun. And after walking around the neighborhood, not just driving by, I can feel the attraction to the ambience of the weathered paints.

See, doesn’t the background make us look like tik tok beauty influencers?

One thought that kept recurring to me, was how did anyone reach some of these areas with their spray paints?

Some of the graffiti was arty, some fun, all interesting. But over all, I prefer the natural wear and tear that time provides on the surfaces.

The local businesses had some interesting details that they added too.
Like this restaurant we chose, called The Ship, with a whole ocean/cow town theme.

Yep, ocean/cow town.

Sounds oddly random, like the owners threw a bunch of themes written on slips of paper into a hat and plucked two out, then said, okay, this is it.

The place was hopping, with a live country band and 20-30 yr olds dressed up in their best cowgirl outfits whooping it up on the dance floor.

I'm afraid we were more sightseers than patrons. At my age, a loud bar is interesting to peek at, but not where I want to sit and talk during dinner. Maybe we can go back on a night when there isn’t live music. I did mention my age, right? Ha! Getting me to stay out after dark in Kansas City is a rare occurrence. I enjoyed our night out (we drive to a tapas place, and I didn’t get home til after ELEVEN PM), but the odds of dining out at night in KC again soon aren’t great.

Jammy time in front of the tv calls out to me pretty early on most evenings. But it’s good for the soul to get out and explore sometimes. I recommend a walk through the Bottoms to get out of your own rut if you’re in one as deeply as I am.

At sea with the Pirates

celebrations, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 25, 2025

The Disney Wish cruise was a magical weekend, and not nearly long enough. 3 days zip by, and I’m just starting to figure out how to find my cabin when it’s time to leave.

While there was a ton to do, and so many activities that you could never do them all, I have to say the pirate night was the highlight for me.

My kids and I have always been all in for any reason to play dress up. Add in a night of frolicking , dancing, and glee?

Under a rainbow of sparkling lights in the sky?

Surrounded by people I love, family who came from long distances to celebrate together?

Aargh, matey, ye can bet thy barnacles I was ready to dance the night away like a swashbuckling sailor and love every minute of it.

Our kiddos were over 18 except Dewdrop, who seems older than her age, so we joined the party from the upper deck away from the heavy crowds down below us on the dance floor. I’d asked a bartender where the best spot was to view the fireworks and watch the band, and he was right. We hung out together above the fray on the adult deck lounge, as he suggested.

Plenty of seats, and a big open space to dance or just watch the spectacular made me almost glad that I didn’t have tiny grandfairies to tend to. (Almost, not quite, I’ll always miss those sweet, magic years with preschoolers). There is something to be said for traveling with near adults.

I don’t think I’d ever even seen the adult deck before. Let alone watch the serene sunset with a glass of wine while enjoying catching up with family. Which doesn’t mean I was too grown up to abandon my own adult behavior and dance like a kid myself once the band of pirates began rocking out to 80s music.

It’s of course, good to be home again. But my heart might still be at sea for a bit. I’m missing my pirate gang.

Crafting Crowns with Randy

guncles, jewelry, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 19, 2025

Of course Randy and I made time for hanging in the craft room!

One of our go-tos is making crowns.

Lots of crowns!

Then we have fun playing with them, finding critters around the house and yard to wear the new creations.

Soooo much fun! We never have quite enough time for all the projects we want to get done, but we love the heck out of each we do.

Treasured times in Guncleland

dogs, Food and Drink, guncles, jewelry, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 16, 2025

We enjoy traveling with our dogs, and there is no better place to take them along than to the Guncles’ house in Jax. They get the full royal treatment there, complete with a throne to rest upon.

They aren't the only ones feeling queenly on this vacation. Randy and Kevin make us all feel special with their pampering.

See how they feed us? Deliciously beautiful!

We’ve been crafting, touring the antique mall they have a spot in, drinking good wine, and playing with pups.

As well as being fed the best meal I think I’ve ever had. Honestly, the red snapper and rosemary honey carrots rank at the top of anything I’ve ever eaten.

The dinner was so perfect that we couldn’t think of erasing it from our taste buds by eating dessert. So, I’m considering having this tart for breakfast instead.

I’d brought fresh peaches from our tree and made this a little differently, with a tiny bit of brown sugar, spices, and some white wine drizzled over the fruit. I think it will be an appropriately decadent breakfast for Guncleland.

The girls are enjoying the trip as much as we are. They travelled well, stopping at dog parks along the way. All are freshly groomed to be their loveliest selves for the adventure, including Honey. We take the doodles into the groomer a couple times a year, with home trim ups as needed, and regular baths in the garden hose.

But not their mama dog, I didn’t even think about getting a haircut for a golden retriever, til I saw one being styled when I picked up the golden doodles from their appointment.

So Honey Bunny got the full treatment, including a furminator brushing. Worth every penny! On the drive here, no clouds of hair were wafting from the backseat and floating up my nose. Who knew you could avoid fluffs of fur like that? And doesn’t she look pretty for going to see the Guncles?

We are heading out to a cruise this weekend, and the dogs are staying behind in the lap of luxury here on Sweet Cherry Lane. I know they will love every minute of it. That’s how we all feel here.