Hi there 🙂 I am a thirty something surfers wife, mother of two fantastic monkeys, always looking on the bright side, coastal, southern girl. I have lived on the east coast for the past 26 years and would not trade it for anything in the world (humidity, mosquitoes and all). I believe in trying to stay optimistic as well as looking for the fun in life, even when faced with adversity. So Tickled Red will be a place to show case all of the little things that make me smile, say thank you and breathe just a little easier.
When I was 18 I went inland to study costume design and well when they realized that I wasn’t the best with a sewing machine (who knew that was a necessity) it was time to come home a couple of years later and decide what direction I should go with my life. I had the amazing fortune to meet and fall madly in love with my husband. Unfortunately he was a California surfer boy. You see growing up at the beach I knew all about surfer’s and they were not my first choice when it came to dating. I am a pale, freckled, redhead who can’t take the sun for more than 15 minutes without looking like a bottle of ketchup. So getting involved with a surfer didn’t seem to bode well with us being able to find quality time together. Needless to say I got over all of my misgivings, he learned the in’s and out’s of sunblock and that tents are not only for camping. I also fell in love with the surfing lifestyle and we were able to find our quality time together despite our busy lives.
Our life is filled with two fantastic monkeys’, surf wax, sunblock, endless fun, piles of sand and multiple loads of wet towels. We are going on 15 years strong while loving every minute of our lives together with the monkeys. Along the way costume design was buried somewhere in the sand but not my love for art, theater, literature and all things creative. So in the days to come, as I get used to having a blog, you will see a lot of the things that I like to do. Cooking, gardening, refurbishing old furniture, painting, surf contest and during Halloween…costumes 🙂 Most of all you will find me talking endlessly about my monkey loves and my darlin’ surfer. I hope that you will enjoy my blog and I look forward to meeting you.
Tickled Red
Tickled Red 
November 21, 2009 at 3:19 am
I couldn’t be more proud of you; this is what you were born to do! Good luck and wishing you much success as you embark on your new life journey.
Love – Mom
November 22, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Thanks so much Mom. I love you 🙂
January 18, 2010 at 12:58 am
I loved reading this bio. Hmmm….we definitely have a few things in common. Looking forward to reading more of your blog.
January 20, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Thanks for stopping by my blog…will definitely have to set some time aside to read yours! Looks like some good recipes. 🙂
January 20, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Thanks so much 🙂
February 19, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting:) I, too, married a surfer (from Santa Monica) and we still live in CA. though he hikes more than surfs now:)
It sure looks COLD at your house! I just visited Nebraska where I thought it was freezing, but I think you have me beat!
February 19, 2010 at 9:18 pm
I know what you mean mine also mountain bikes as well as various other activities. He just can’t sit still. I wish…the snow was still here. It was completely gone in 2 days. We very, very rarely get snow, hence the enthusiasm. Your blog is simply delicious 🙂
May 6, 2010 at 11:19 am
You sound like a lot of fun. I could see you smiling while reading your About bio.
My best friend is a redhead, you remind me of her, she’s always smiling. Althought she does not take good care of her freckles, which I love BTW, when we go for a run/jog, I’m the one carrying the sunblock lotion, she always forgets to put some on.
Anyway, it is nice to meet you 😀 I’ll continue reading your blog.
Take care of your freckles 😉
Alba H. Rodriguez
May 6, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Thanks so much, I think I actually might smile a lot…I guess I need to look and see 🙂
Your friend does sound like me. I am notoriously forgetting things like sunblock, phone, age…
Thanks for stopping by and the wonderful compliments.
May 31, 2010 at 8:12 pm
I love your bio… never clicked over here before! Sounds like you have an amazing life. Wish I lived near the sand and surf 🙂
May 31, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I am so glad that you did stop by Kristen 🙂 I always enjoy seeing what you are up too. Come and visit anytime.
June 18, 2010 at 8:22 pm
I know Mama Joe & Buddy would be so proud. Wish them & Joe Boy could have got to know you! Hope you can bring your surfer & two monkeys to family reunion so we can meet & get to know them to. Love ya, Nan
June 18, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Thank you very much Nan you always warm my heart. I think of Mama Joe often and I am very glad that I was able to know her up into my early teens. Email me when the next reunion is 🙂
July 2, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I am definitely going to like your blog. Costuming is my favorite (well the only) thing I will sew.Costumes don’t have to fit!!!If it looks good from 3 years away it’s a winner on stage!
I also JUST started surfing at 40+something 🙂
Keep writing. This is great
August 4, 2010 at 6:19 am
Hi. I just had to click on your site from “the art of doing stuff” because your name is “tickled red” It struck me because I entered a contest a couple of years ago to design a wine label and name a Bordeaux wine. I named it (you guessed it) Tickled Red Bordeaux. No, it did not win but it did bring me here. Thoroughly enjoyed your blog, reading about the surfing life and your monkeys. Those pies look delicious! Best wishes and good luck with your business. and One Redhead to another . . . do remember your sun screen. Your freckles will love you for it.
September 8, 2010 at 11:51 am
I love your family picture–I’m with you on the pale and freckled part. 15 minutes in the sun will do me in . . . I accidentally “forgot” this one morning while kayaking and had a miserable couple days.
Anyway, I like your blog!
October 26, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Really cute site and I like your writing style too! You have found fulfillment in your everyday life – good for you!
October 26, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I’m really happy to have stumbled upon your blog as I’m always searching for something interesting and inspiring to read!