Rise and Grind

Over the years I have fell in love with coffee!  Every morning I want a good strong cup of Joe, or 2;), to kick off my day! 

One if the many projects for our new house was to create a mini Coffee Bar.  We already had a nice Keurig and it just needed some love.  Jeff put up 6 cup hooks from Home Depot to hang our pretty mugs.  I chalkboard painted a mini wooden sign that I picked up from Michaels for cute "coffee" talk and I found the coffee tin and flavoring containers to coordinate with the sea glass shades we have throughout the kitchen.  The wooden signs still needs to be hung next to the cups but we will get to that on the "honey do" list;)  It's the little things like this that makes me smile and makes that cup of Joe SO much better!

 

 

And this was appropriate for the way I feel today:

 

Now it's time to Rise and Grind! Happy Tuesday:)

Weekend at Home Sweet Home!

For the last couple of months, we have had company or traveled on the weekends so this past was a nice one at HOME SWEET HOME!



Last April when we 1st moved in!!

Friday night Jeff and I went to the movies to see "The Great Gatsby".  Being rushed getting there from work, we picked up a sandwich from Panera to share during the flick.  Obviously that's not permitted by the Cinema but there is a lot you can hide in a big purse;)  We also grabbed a nacho and coke combo and were good to go!  I was definitely engaged the whole time and loved the movie!  Loved the Romance, Gatsby parties and glam, and the beautiful cast!  If only Daisy wouldn't have been a beautiful little fool;)!  Here's a sneak peek if you haven't had a chance to see it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJCz3lMa4Xw&list=PL0D4742FA53C9F23F

Saturday I spent the morning admiring our new storm door that was put up Thursday while I was out of town.  We really needed it to brighten up the front of the house and let some natural light in!  I also put together a new chair for outside.  I will post house updates soon. The rest of the day I was pretty useless and enjoyed being a lazy bum with the cats and Jeff;)

Then Sunday rolled around and I had made a goal to run from our house through downtown over to Vilano Beach, so as soon as my feet hit the floor, I got dressed in my running gear!  I wasn't exactly sure the distance since I had never ran that way before but Jeff had told me to just call him when I got there and he would pick me up.  I headed out and felt good, besides the crazy humidity at 8:30 in the morning!  With no agenda and the sun shining, it was a perfect run through our beautiful St. Augustine.  Along the way I passed the lighthouse, crossed the Bridge of Lions into downtown, ran along the bay into Uptown, passed the Fountain of Youth, and lastly crossed the Vilano Bridge over to the beach.  Once I was finished, I made a pit stop in Publix to grab a chocolate milk to re-hydrate and wait for the hubby to scoop me up.  It ended up being 8 miles and will now be a weekend tradition! It's easy to run when you have good scenery!  Yes, I stop along the way to take pics to share.....

Is anyone running the Vilano Bridge 5K in a couple weeks?  I am signed up and excited about it!

When Jeff picked me up we headed to YardBird downtown for breakfast!  Good stuff and love the quaint cute lil spot!  We then made a Home Depot run to pick out new exterior lights and look at grills.  Will hopefully snatch one during the Memorial Day sales this weekend!!

To wrap up the day, we headed over to the pier for the Taste of St. Augustine Beach.  Local restaurants from the island were there including: Amici's, Beach Garden, Café Eleven, Coquina Beachside, Mango Mango's, Napoli's. Panama Hatties, Paula's Beachside Grill, Purple Olive, Red Frog & McToads, Salt Life Food Shack, South Beach Grill, and Sunset Grille.  We honestly aren't regulars at any of these spots but we enjoy going to get a sneak peek of what they have to offer.  We "tasted" Purple Olive's Beef Empanada and their Blackened Scallop over potatoes and spinach.  Both were d'lish!  For round 2 of our tasting, I chose Mango Mango's Corn Cakes topped with pulled pork and Jeff had Panama Hattie's Artichoke dip. I enjoyed mine a lot and thought the dip was mediocre.  For desert, we split a "Hot Blonde" from Salt Life Food Shack.  It was very good and we are happy to report they are opening their restaurant directly across from the pier this fall!!! We didn't hang around to see who won any "Best of the Beach" awards but enjoyed our samplings and a nice night out by the pier! 

Hope you all have a Sunny week!

Springtime fun and Seaworld!

Days keep flying by!  I feel like I am always playing catch up, but life has been busy and good!

My Mom and youngest sister, Breanna, came down to visit early April during her Spring break.  I was traveling during some of their trip but we took advantage of a beautiful day in Orlando to spend at Seaworld.  This was everyones first time, I had been actually been before but so long ago and before any rides where there plus my lack of memory, it felt like my first time.  Call me Dora;)

Sidenote: My Mom is a little obsessed with dolphins!  Her wedding (to my Stepdad) was mint and dolphin themed....they had an ice sculture of a dolphin, dolphin stamped napkins, matches.....She collects dolphin goodies, has mini anxiety moments at their sightings, ...you've got the point, She was in heaven all day! Dolphin Cove was a start to the day!  We loved doing the dolphin feedings and being able to be touch them, talk to them:) They are so sweet!

The rides! We were lucky and were offered "Quick Queue" passes from our hotel which was a front of the line pass for every ride 1x!  You can also purchase this an an add-on.  The Manta was a lot of fun, smooth, lil splash of water, and the perfect rush!  Definetely ended up being my favorite!  They also have another roller coaster, the Kraken, and it was a bit much for me, very jerky!  Breanna's fave was "Journey to Atlantis" which was a water flume/coaster:)  Oh, and we can't forget the Jazzy Jellies!  Who doesn't love to spin and go up high!

The Shows! They're amazing!

 

 

This was the Shamu Concert show at the end of the day.  It was a fun ending and here are the Shamus' waving goodnight:)

 

 

There were beluga whales, sea turtles, manatees, polar bears, sting rays, and more to see!  I love the concept that Seaworld cares for the animals and helps save and return many back to their natural habitats!

 http://www.seaworldcares.com/

 

Tips for anyone looking to visit:

• mousesavers.com offers coupons
• Buy tix online for savings
• If you stay at a nearby hotel, they offer free shuttles so you don't have to worry about parking. Also see if hotel offers quick queue passes!
• You cannot bring in outside food/snacks unless medical reason. Pack light because you do have to get lockers if going on the rides!
• Take advantage of the "all you can eat" day pass!  So worth it and all the food we had was good!

Loved our trip to Seaworld and spending time with my Mom, sister, and Jeff!  May have to be a tradition on their annual Spring visit to see us!



 

Have you been? What are your fave things to see and do? 

Our Magical Easter

Easter Weekend my friend Anna and her family made the trip to visit.  This was their 2nd year to spend Easter with us in the Sunshine state:)

We spent Saturday at the Magic Kingdom and it was a perfect day filled with Sunshine, Cool Breezes, and well....Magic;)

Even though we've been to Disney on Easter before, somehow we've always missed the Special parade.  I loved it! So many Spring colors and Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail!!

 

 

We enjoyed a yummy lunch at the new "Be Our Guest" Restaurant.  Anna, Stephen, and Tanner posing at our table in the "Beast" Room:)

 

 

 

This is definitely such a good "quick service" option and recommend for lunch, esp if you have kids.  The fine dining dinner here is so nice, but not sure the lil ones really notice the difference,but your wallet will;) I would suggest the dinner if you get an adults night out!  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/be-our-guest-restaurant/

 

The afternoon was full of rides, mickey ice cream, popcorn, and fun!  The teacups were a hit with Tanner and Jeff! They had to see who could go faster and Tanner won;) 

 

 

 

Easter morning Anna and I did our own "Hippity Hop 5K" in the Anastasia State Park by our house.  It is one of my favorite places to run since there are trails, sidewalks, little traffic, and it's right by the ocean! 

We then spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach soaking in the Sun.  Had to get a pic by the Sand Easter Egg that someone had made earlier in the day;)

 

Last, but not least, Easter dinner was a success!  It consisted of Ham, Easter deviled eggs, sweet potato casserole, green beans, biscuits with honey, and sweet tea.  I failed to take a pic of our tablescape but it was a wonderful way to wrap up the weekend with friends.....

Happy Birthday to my Big Seester!

My older sister Beth just  turned 30!! (Her birthday is 3/29 and I am finally sharing this post I started 3 weeks ago!;) I was happy to have a chance to celebrate with her when as her family stopped in to see us on their way down to Disney.

They all had hoped to soak up the FL Sun and have a beach day but it was pretty chilly and windy.  We headed to Vilano Beach to look for shark teeth and enjoy the views in our jackets instead!

The kids all had fun looking for shells.  Unfortunately no one was lucky enough to find a shark's tooth, but Jeff did find a neat piece of sea glass!!



Zac*Brie*Abi

The Schultz Family-Beach Bummin!

 

 




Abigail running with her "Daisy" stuffed animal;)

 Later we wandered downtown for lunch and opted for Al's Pizza. Beth and I enjoyed the delicious pepperoni pizza with the kids, while the men opted for a salad. It was a little backwards and not normal for them to be so healthy! We walked off lunch through historic St. George St and the Bay front. 

 

 No Birthday is complete without cake!  Frosting shots at Luli's Cupcakes:)

We wrapped up the evening by a round of putt putt at Fiesta Falls on the island.  It was Abigail's first time playing and she won!! If you count walking up to the hole and putting the ball an inch away to hit it in.:) Zac, Brie, Jeff, and myself all had a hole in 1...Zac actually had a couple! 

 

Happy Birthday, Beth! Hope your next 30 are the Best!