Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

Well, it's time again to say thank you to that wonderful woman who gave you life and is always there to listen or lend a hand when you have a problem. I am certain my mom is in the place where special moms go on the other side, but I want to thank my three daughters who have all turned out to be such fantastic women, with loving skills that they share with everyone around them; as well as my dear son Michael. I am lucky to have them to learn from, and thank God for giving me my time with them. I think being a grandmother is really the best hat I've ever worn, at least I believed this until I became a great-grandmother to Nolan and Theo. Little Theo Tanny was born on April 5.

Cody, Leo Maxime and Natasha have brought me more joy than I can ever express, and I have no words to describe the love I feel for my great grandsons Nolan and Theo, who are a source of constant smiles. They are such little characters and so adorable. There is an unspoken connection with grandchildren and one that no one can explain, but it's there and it's the best! A special May 30th happy birthday wish to my #1 daughter Kathleen who is relocating to Atlanta right now. So enjoyed a five country cruise with her last year in May. You're the best Kat, and I love you!

I wish to honor all the great teaching nuns, and women in my family who have helped me grow and become the woman I am today, especially, my aunt Dolores (Marcella Joyce Stein), my mother, daughters & granddaughter Natasha who have shown me so much. Thank you to great women who have inspired me including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Mother Theresa, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Queen of Austria "Sissy" and Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D. We all have a collection of great women whose books we have read, paintings we have admired, designs we wish we could afford to wear, recipes we wish we could duplicate, and exceptional political women who continue to fight with courage for our rights as women, but most of all I thank my dear women friends who have been there for me through the really tough times and the joyous moments over many years. I love you all so much and feel so grateful God put you in my life, especially the special angel 'steel magnolia' from Beverly Hills.

Pope: Focus on Peace - Pope Francis has added his voice to the serious condition on attacks against Catholics, particularly the Sri Lanka murders on Easter. Prayers for those who lost their lives and to the family members they left behind.

In this issue we vist the Villa del Palmar at Loreto for "Taste & Sip" haute cuisine adventure and overall view of a magnificent resort on Danzante Bay. We also have great tips in the travel section, special reads in BookBites and great food and beverage ideas in Culinary Coup. Bon Appetit! Don't forget about the wonderful trains in the US and Europe that provide speed and comfort for vacationers. Amtrak has some great discounts for travelers. New Blique by Nobis Hotel opens in Stockholm Sweeden.

Don't miss my latest story up on the Loreto, Mexico face lift and things to see. Wheels has airport kudos, while Cooking Up Dreams story in Culinary Coup section shares top chefs cooking for charity, and BookBites summer recommendations.

My dear friend Lauren's latest story in Tastes of Italia, the best food magazine on everything wonderful that's Italian, features her Cooking Vacations site filled with Italian Cooking Vacation ideas for spring & summer. www.cookingvacations.com.

We hope your Mother's Day is peaceful and happy. Great gift ideas that can be delivered before mother's day are here in our Gift Guide. God Bless and we thank you for joining us this month. Look for our Father's Day issue in June, which will be devoted to men who make a real difference in our world. Sending a tearful goodbye to the mother of women travelers Evelyn Hannon, publisher of Journeywoman.com who passed away this week and will be so missed. RIP Evelyn Hannon.

Additional contributing writers are included on an individual issue basis. Please contact the editor with questions regarding journalist assignments. Email: writebc@aol.com