Loving January 2026

Written By Josie Gulliksen

We’re deep into January with another week to go and the weather has been absolutely glorious here in Miami. In fact, I had breakfast on the patio this morning. Absolutely wonderful.

So let’s start on Saturday when we indulged Nick and went to see the latest Spongebob Squarepants movie at AMC Aventura. After 90 minutes of a movie that was definitely too long, we grabbed a bite at Five Guys which is right across from the movie theater. That night I planned to go to the exhibition opening at The CAMP Gallery (as I mentioned last week) but was lazy and too comfortable on the couch so I decided to stay home and watch NFL football instead.

Dancers perform Roxana Barba’s choreographed piece at Under the Bridge Art Space on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday however, I did go back to Bridge Red Studios where I enjoyed watching a lovely dance performance choregraphed by the lovely Roxana Barba performed in the downstairs Under the Bridge Art Space and viewing the art upstairs featuring the work of Kevin Arrow and Ralph Provisero. I loved both exhibitions and it was a treat to chat with Kevin and also with artist Lisu Vega who was there and whose fiber and textile pieces I fell in love with the first time I saw them at her installation at The Citadel pop up space. It was great seeing Charo Oquet who runs Edge Zones Gallery and Tom Virgin, my buddy from Extra Virgin Press. Then later that night, after NFL football was over, Vance and I watched the series finale of Stranger Things. It was a bit long but I did like the way they wrapped it all up.

Little raccoon peeking through the mangrove branches. Photo by Michelle W.

The gang on the docks at Gramps Getaway after a great lunch at this beautiful spot. Photo by Kevin W.

Then with Monday being a holiday and Vance still in Miami, we hung out with our friends Kevin and Michelle. We met for lunch at Gramps Getaway on Key Biscayne, the ideal spot for what was a crisp weather, perfectly blue sky day. The waterfront view didn’t disappoint. After a great lunch of conch fritters, hamachi tiradito, BLT and a mimosa, we walked on the docks and spotted cute wildlife in the mangroves and underwater. It was a great way to cap off a long weekend. The only sad part was the University of Miami Hurricanes losing to Indiana Univ. in the College National Championship. It was a truly heartbreaking last-minute loss.

All of this was just $12.60!

Yesterday after attending mass (yes I go to weekday masses on occasion) at Barry University where they have a noon service, I treated myself to a takeout lunch from Little Havana Restaurant right here in North Miami. It’s been my go-to and our go-to here at Casa Gulliksen for years because it never disappoints. I had their black bean soup, tamal en hoja con mojo and a croqueta of course. It really hit the spot. If you’re in the area I encourage you to have a meal here, you’ll thank me.

The rest of the week was pretty quiet except for a few great long walks around the neighborhood. On yesterday’s walk i got caught in a light rain but luckily I was wearing a hooded jacket and honestly, it was kinda nice walking in the rain.

Tonight, I’m looking forward to dinner with my friends Janet, Madelyn and Betty. Janet has invited us to her lovely home in Hollywood for a Mediterranean feast and I’m excited to see them and catch up and also because Janet is an amazing cook!

Tomorrow sadly, I’ll be attending a memorial service for my Aunt Titi who passed away and would’ve been 100 years old on Jan. 27. I am glad I kept in touch with her over the years. I always enjoyed chatting with her on the phone, visiting her at home and going out to lunch when her son Jose and daughter Helena would be in town. After that, Nick and I are hitting the road and heading up to Merritt Island.

While up there, we’re planning to get together with Elizabeth for dinner tomorrow night, make plans with my niece NIcole and her family, visit a few parks and maybe spend some time in Cocoa Beach. Nick and I will be up there until Tuesday so we’re looking forward to spending time with Vance up there, it’s always a nice change of scenery.

I’m also happy to report that I’ve once again been hired to cater for Karen Peterson Dancers for their two big events, this will be my third year and it’s something I always look forward to.

I’ve also once again been hired to cover Seatrade Cruise’s F&B@Sea event in Wynwood in April. I’ll be covering it for Seatrade Cruise News for the third time. I get to walk around tasting food, talking to vendors and attending panels where experts discuss the latest trends in food and beverage in the cruise world. Not a bad gig, to be honest they’re both pretty cool gigs.

Now here’s what’s going on this weekend…

I leave you with that and a picture of an adorable cardinal spotted in the backyard. And for those of you braving this weekend’s winter storm, which incudes my son Michael and also my nephew Grant and his wife Esther in North Carolina, nephews Danny and Andy and their families and my brother Mario in Atlanta, my niece Karli in Nashville, friends in Washington DC and Virginia, friends in Baltimore and Chicago, my daughter Elizabeth’s best friend Zoe in New York and any others I missed, stay safe!

Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you right here next Friday.

Cute cardinal in our backyard, snacking on the bird seed that fell from the feeder.

Josie Gulliksen

Writer, lover of all things cultural, bike rider, nature lover, tree hugger, composter, lover of farmers markets, always working to make the world a better place, empath, avid reader, mom, wife, friend.

https://josiegulliksen.com
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Halfway through January 2026