All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel
Jacksonville Florida is a great place to visit with your family. There are so many fun things to see and do all year round.
Our first time visiting Jacksonville, Florida hooked to this beautiful city that has so much to see and do. The awesome itinerary kept us busy and the wonderful food kept us full and ready for our next activity.
…Visiting Bok Tower Gardens is a great activity to enjoy in Central Florida that the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy the beautiful gardens!
Bok Tower Gardens is a beautiful estate that is nestled in the citrus hills between Orlando and Tampa. It’s a gem in Central Florida that has seen millions of visitors.
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Hey!!!!!! We are just 2 weeks out from Mother’s Day!!!!!
Ladies, share this round up for great gift ideas!!! Hint Hint Hint!!! Guys, pay attention!
I think that a lot of mom’s approach Mother’s Day differently. Some want to spend the day with their kids doing a fun activity. , while others want to get far, far away so they can read a book in peace while they have a mani pedi. Or maybe you kick your family out of your house so you can lay in bed all day.
Whatever you end up doing, just remember it’s you special day.
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I grew up going apple picking, so when I moved to Florida 2 years ago, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t get to experience the joys of getting to pick fresh fruit while living here.
But, Florida has providing me with plenty of great opportunities to get out and pick fresh fruits and vegetables, just not apples. While I miss getting to pick apples, I have enjoyed picking tomatoes, blueberries, and strawberries. Now I can add picking oranges to the list.
We recently went to Dooley Groves, about a 20 minute drive from our house.
Dooley Groves is a family owned grove that was started in the 1960’s. They offer a wide variety of citrus that is available from November to April.
Beside their shop and their you-pick groves, you can order their citrus for home delivery.
I had heard such good things about Dooley Grove from friends that we knew that we needed to check it out. Plus, getting bunches of oranges is so yummy and fun.
We went to pick Honeybell Oranges, which are a hybrid of Duncan Grapefruit and Dancy Tangerines. They are bright in color and densely packed with really sweet juicy meat. Honeybells are in season for a short period of time, which makes them in high demand.
While Hunter was just along for the ride for our picking adventure, he did enjoy the Honeybells when we got home. Man, he loves oranges!!!
Watching this bee buzz around all different flowers was so cool. His legs were packed full of pollen. Off to the hive buddy!
Autumn had a blast at the grove.
She was eager in selecting which Honeybells to pick and to help load them up in our bag. Can’t beat getting to run around in rainboots on a sunny day while picking fruit. Gotta love when 4 year olds dress themselves.
This behemoth is a Ponderosa Lemon. So cool.
Once our bag was full, we headed back to the shop to pay for our Honeybells
Besides selling freshly picked citrus, they sell delicious juice, jams & jellies, and fun Florida centric gifts.
I’m looking forward to going back to pick some Ortaniques. yum!
1651 Stephens Rd
Ruskin, FL 33570
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March 2018
Dear Hunter,
Can I just say that you are amazing!?
Would that be extremely bias? Probably. But I don’t care.
Dad has been home with us the past few weeks, which certainly wasn’t planned, but has been really enjoyable anyway.
It’s wonderful getting to see the 2 of you together. So happy playing around, being silly, learning. I love seeing how happy you are with Daddy. And I know that he is happy getting to spend this time with you. He loves when you reach up to him for him to pick you up. It’s adorable!
Every since you pulled yourself up on me on Christmas, everyone has been teasing that you would be walking by now. Thankfully, that is not the case, you are happily just crawling around and scooting around by pulling yourself along the sofa and on the cabinets in the kitchen. I’m sure that once you are steady, you will be on the go, so I am enjoying this time a bit more.
In the mean time, we are just loving life. Life with you on our walks, in the pool, at the splash pad, at the library, in the park… we are on the go! You are really great with going with the flow. Even at GG’s while she was recovering from her surgery. You didn’t sleep well at night, but were great during the day, so it all worked out. It always does.
While I am really enjoying this moment in time with you, I am always looking forward to the next month as every day is so great with you.
Love,
Mommy
Labor Day weekend is over. I am in mourning.
First, I am not ready to get back to work after the 3 day weekend. I’m just not.
Secondly, I just can’t believe its already September.
How is 2016 flying back so quickly?
I already ad my first PSL of the year!!! It was bliss. But let’s be honest, I did feel kinda gross afterwards. My body was like, “what have you done?!?!” So much sugar in a drink! So much fat! Def a treat from my black coldbrews. ha!
Anyway, it feels like everything is speeding by so quickly. I can’t believe it. I am going to have a 3 year old soon. I can’t even think about it. (Nor, can I deal with the fact that Autumn is back in a crib… I’ll save that for another post!) And biggest of all, we’ll have a house soon!!! It makes me so super excited to think about it.
Then I’ll be busy with that and speed will fly by and ugh, I can’t think about it!!
The #1 thing I can’t think about is buying so much stuff for the house.
Actually, that will be loads of fun. But bye-bye money!
My husband has started a mega list of things we need and want for the house from the refrigerator, sofa, storage options in the garage, and the rain barrels we plan to get. It’s all about staying on budget and watching out for sales!
Thankfully, we have been living at my Dad’s since moving down to FL so we are saying loads of money on rent (thanks Dad!) so that is a huge help for us.
As well, I have been doing my best to cut out getting breakfast out. Making quick stops to Starbucks or Dunkin’ or the local deli just kills the budget. $4 here. $7 here. $5 here. It all adds up.
So, these freezer burritos are a big help with saving money and for making the mornings a lot more manageable too. We can toss the burritos in the microwave while getting ready and they are done in just a few minutes, ready to enjoy!
I layered the ingredients on the burrito but I think I will mix everything together and then fill the burritos for a more even bite. But, it all works!
I hope these Freezer Breakfast Burritos will speed up your morning and put a bit of pep into your step with a quick, affordable breakfast.
Makes 6 burritos
Ingredients
Process
Do you know what happens when you have a baby? You get Mommy Brain (I swear it’s a thing- don’t argue with me!) and forget that you drafted this whole post about your babymoon. Thankfully, when your mom is visiting you, giving you some free time to do some blog housekeeping, you discover the draft (and a few others) sitting there, just waiting to be published. So that is exactly why I am sharing this babymoon recap 5 1/2 months after Autumn was born… derp…
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When Price and I were looking around for places to go for our Babymoon we eyes places where we could get a nice tan since we needed some fun in the sun! Plus my Dr’s advised that we should stay in the U.S. incase anything happened, like pre-term labor. While that would be stressful, dealing with the baby’s omphalocele would make things extra complciated. So we eneded up focusing on Florida, The Sunshine State!
Price then found a great deal through Jet Blue. We like flying Jet Blue so he was checking out their vacation packages and found a great one including our flights, hotel stay, and a car rental. Win!
A silver Mustang convertable… a must!
We flew into Ft Laurderdale on a Thursday morning, grabbed our rental car, and headed south to The Keys. First we stopped off for some lunch and then for some pictures at the Homestead Race Track. We passed through Key Largo, Islamorada, Long Key, and then ended our drive at Duck Key. We pulled up to our hotel, Hawks Cay Resort, in the early evening.
A storm off to our West on our drive down to the keys
There are tons of shops and restaurants to check out on the way to/from the hotel. We did skip the shops since we didn’t want to get touristy T’s and sea shells but they are always fun to browse.
I do suggest stopping off at Robbie’s of Islamorada to feed the tarpons there. There is a restaurant there, where we enjoyed a fantastic, massive breakfast one day. Plus, there is a facility where you can feed the tarpons at the docks there. It is soooo much fun. But be careful since they jump and will get ya!
The Hawks Cay facility covers a large portion of Duck Key. There are plenty of options for where to stay and what to do, including a kids camp, marina, and plenty of tennis courts.
We stayed in the main area of the Hawks Cay Resort complex that had the hotel rooms and suites. But there are also rental villas in the Sunset Village, Sanctuary Village, and Harbor Village, and Marina Village. They range from attached 2 bedroom villas to detached 3 bedroom villas with private plunge pools.
The large beautiful lobby showcasing big fans and a water feature
We checked into our room to get our stuff put away and to explore the rest of the resort quickly. We had one of their standard rooms with a king size bed that was crafted in West Indies island decor syles. The room had a TV and plenty of outlets, which were great for using out laptop at the desk. There was plenty of room for our bags and for lounging around. The rooms have ceiling fans which was nice to circulate the air and keep things cool without having to blast the AC.
The room came at a great rate but it was extra affordable with the promotion of staying 3 nights and the 4th was free. When booking the room, keep in mind there is a daily $29 fee. The fee local and toll free phone calls, includes wireless Internet access, transportion throughout the resort, self and valet parking, and access to the Indies Club and Calm Waters Finess Center. As well unlimited use of the Putting course, Sports Field, hard and clay Tennis Courts.
Checking out the balcony
Price had requested that we have a water view room but in the end we ending up with a room that was back facing of the property. While at first glance it was disappointing to not get what we requested, we ultimately realized that we put us in that room because while he requested that we have a nice view he made note in the reservation that we have a quiet room. When we were at the pool we realized they put us in the back because the water view rooms were packed and adjacent to the pool.
The very large bathroom in our room
This would be such a nice bathroom to have at home! A big mirror, a seperate toilet from the rest of the space, plenty of hooks, and lots of counter space to use as well. Plus, it was well lit, which is always helpful when needing to check if you got your back completely covered with sunblock.
I do suggest being a bit careful in the shower. We found the floor a bit slippery.
The first night there we went to the ocean-fed saltwater lagoon and took dip in the water. It was nice and refreshing but if I am floating around in salt water I want some waves, which this did not have.
The large pool had plenty of chairs around the perimeter giving you the option of sitting in the sun or enjoying the shade with the umberella that is paired between every few chairs.
You have to sign out towels so be sure that you keep track of them. I suggest getting 2-3 per person so you have some to cover up the chair, which gets hot from the dark fabric, and for drying off after dipping in the water.
On our last day there we noticed on the map that there was a separate pool just on the other side of the Beach Grill. Such a bummer since it was the Tranquility Pool, which is reserved for guests 21 years of age or older. This would have eliminated our feelings towards the swarms of kids who though that used drink cups and their parents used metal beer bottles were appropriate toys for the pool although the staff kept telling them otherwise.
Next to the pool is a big fire pit with a lot of loungers around it. It was always nice to relax next to it at night when it was lit up!
While at the pool we often enjoyed food from the Beach Grill. You can either sit there and enjoy lunch (11am-5pm) or dinner (5pm-10pm) or have it served to you at the Resort Pool, Tranquility Pool and outdoor sandy dining area. For it being on site dining we felt it was pretty reasonably priced.
The food and drinks served were always fresh and really tasty. For example the Fish Tacos were realy good as the mahi mahi was marinated in fresh, local citrus juices and then grilled. The tacos were served with a green papaya slaw and chipotle mayo. They have several gluten-free options as well.
Price enjoyed some of the mixed drinks there including the Rum Punch Bucket from their 32 oz Rum Buckets of Fun menu. I on the other hand suck with water, iced tea, and virgin drinks. I had a virgin pina colada one day as a treat (yikes- lots of calories!) but only had it once because I was a bit bummed that the virgin version was $9 and a regular one is $10.
You do have to be careful when you are enjoying your meal as the sea gulls there are fearless and will try to steal your food if you are not careful. Do not leave it uncovered!
Hey Flipper!!
One day we got to watch the bottlenose dolphins at the Dolphin Connection perform some tricks while they were getting fed. Fonded in 1990, this is the only on-property resort dolphin program in the continental U.S. In 2010 Dolphin Connection became only the 2nd marine mammal facility to be accredited by the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA).
We didn’t partake in the variety of interactive programs they offered because I was pregnant. But there is a nice selction of things to do that have different levels of involvement with the dolphins from just sitting on the dock feeding them to swimming with them.
Ahh, doesn’t get much better than this!
Hawks Cay was in such a great location because it was midway through the keys giving us easy accessibility to plenty to do on the keys. We drove to Key West for a day trip and didn’t have too much of a drive from the Ft Lauderdale airport to the hotel either.
There are plenty of beaches, resturants, and things to do around Hawks Cay Resort. We suggest grabbing dinner The Wreck and Galley Grill and The Stuffed Pig for breakfast. We enjoyed both places very much. As well, dinner at Lazy Days South and Morada Bay Beach Cafe, which are a bit further away than the other 2 places but worth the drive.
We loved our vacation at Hawks Cay Resort! We will hold this vacation in a special place in our heart as it was our last vacation before our beautiful daughter arrived. As well, we got engaged after almost 9 years together on the docks at sunrise. We are looking forward to one day traveling back and staying there again!
61 Hawks Cay Boulevard
Duck Key, FL 33050
888.395.5539
I am just itching to go on vacation.
At the very least planning one would cool my wanderlust urges. I just love adventures and times to relax in a new setting. I love to discover new places and try new things.
Price and I are looking into cruises for next January as a way to celebrate my 30th. I think a week in the Caribbean is just the best idea to break up the cold winter up here. Plus I think turning 30 while sipping a daiquiri as I soak up the sun is they best way to spend a milestone birthday
As well, I’m waiting for Jet Blue to release more dates next year so that Emily and I can have a girl’s weekend. I can’t wait to check out Seattle and have her show me all around. Everything she has been telling me about the PNW sounds awesome. I think it will be such a fantastic time. yay!
Anyway, let’s check out this awesome pie for Pieday Friday!
This banana cream pie should be illegal.
It’s that good. Really really good.
The flavor is so good. The silky smooth pudding filling is a great companion to the fresh bananas.
Price came back from work and I basically shoved a spoonful of the pudding into his mouth the moment he walked in. I don’t think he minded though. Well, maybe it was a tease because he had to wait for it to set up. ha!
I suggest that you make the pie well in advance of serving it. You can let it chill for an hour but I think that the longer the better. Then you garnish it right before serving so the bananas don’t brown. And I think that some whipped cream is great for a garnish as well. yum!!
What pies should I make next? I’m taking suggestions!!
Makes a 9″ Pie
Ingredients
Process
Sourced from All Recipes
It is finally going to be nice out tomorrow so we are going to test drive some cars!
I feel like I’m betraying our other car. Ahh poor Frank the Tank.
But Frank is just too small now. Not in the ‘we have a new baby and have tons of stuff small’ but ‘we have a new baby and no one can sit in the passenger seat now because of the car seat’ small. Yep, that’s what happens when your Scion Xa is the size of a matchbox car. It means with the car seat in the back you can’t sit in front. Well, you can but then your knees are touching the dashboard and that’s not the safest thing.
Now we are getting a new car so that it doesn’t mean that one of us is playing chauffeur.
Thankfully, Frank has been paid off for years so he is sticking around and will be the car we use when we are just running errands. I can’t ditch Frank yet! He only has 115K miles under the belt and he has plenty more in him!
Tomorrow we are looking at a Mazda CX5 and then next weekend we are going to check out a Toyota Rav4. Price has done endless research on endless models of cars and they are our top 2 cars.
Truthfully, I’m a bit nervous to test drive cars because I’m so used to how mine handles and this time we are going to get an automatic (for various reasons). Aside from rentals, I’ve only ever driven standard cars and when I drive automatics I tend to drive with 2 feet. I’m sure the sales guy is gonna love it…
Anyway, today is Pie Day here on the blog and Pi Day! #doublepieday
So I made this doozy of a pie for the occasion. This Frozen Samoa Cookie Pie is what happens when you stuff some Samoa Cookie pieces in and on a Cool – Whip based pie. And don’t forget the added coconut, caramel, and chocolate that is in and on the pie too!
This takes almost no time to whip up but the killer part is waiting for it to set up and freeze again. But the wait it worth it.
DIG IN!!!
Makes 9″ pie
Ingredients
Process
Inspired by Beyond Frosting
{Friday Night}
dinner out with Autumn @ Chili’s
{Saturday}
So if you have had a rough Friday The 13th like me (random street glass in my big toethis morning) this would be perfect for you!
I have a GIVEAWAY!!!! FOR YOU!!!
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Have you heard about the upcoming food conference in Providence?!?
Taste Trekkers is hosting the Nation’s First Food Tourism Conference, being held Friday, September 20th – Sunday, September 22nd, 2013. The Taste Trekker’s Conference will feature fantastic speakers, panels, and plenty of food options. What more can you expect in the city city ranked #1 for Food/Drink/Restaurants in Travel + Leisure’s “America’s
Favorite Cities 2012.”?!?!
Matt Jennings of Providence’s Farmstead, Inc. is the keynote speaker. He is a two-time James Beard Foundation Best Chef Northeast nominee and has national recognition as one of “Most Sustainable Chefs in America,” in part due to the development of Providence’s Trace and Trust program.
Even Mayor Angel Taveras will be there too to kick things off on Friday night. woohoo!
While I can’t make it to the conference it doesn’t mean that you should miss out on this wonderful experience so be sure to enter the giveaway (see below)!!
Additional highlights of the conference include:
Breakout sessions featuring:
Panel Discussion: Food Tripping: Culinary Tourism Today and Tomorrow, hosted by Gail Ciampa, Food Editor of the Providence Journal. Featuring speakers:
Tasting Pavilion at the Providence Biltmore Hotel featuring regional purveyors including:
Culinary Tours on Sunday morning with Rhode Island’s Cindy Salvato, Newport Gourmet’s Mike Martini and A Taste of Rhode Island through the historic neighborhoods of Providence.
Food Truck Brunch on Sunday featuring some of Providence’s most popular Food Trucks, including:
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To enter the giveaway for a ticket on Saturday just tweet the following:
“I love food & travel! I want to win a ticket @TasteTrekkers Conference next wknd in Providence from @iamahoneybee. http://wp.me/pzEAP-3MY “
Just come back and leave a comment here that you did this!
For extra entries:
I’ll annouce the winner on Sunday night at 10pm!
If you would like to secure your ticket now then be sure to buy here and get a $15 DISCOUNT!! Awesome! http://tastetrekkers2013.eventbrite.com/?discount=iamahoneybee
So I was going to post a bit earlier but I slipped into the hotel hot tub, hurt my foot, and had a meltdown. So I had to compose myself and clean up my raccoon eyes before getting around to pick a Boston Brunchers 1 Year Birthday Brunch winner. So here goes…
I wrote down all the commenters, followers, and tweets for all the entries all bits of paper. Then I yanked out a colander out of the kitchenette in the hotel room.
Shake!
Shake!
Winner!
Oh, oops the photo is upside down.
Congrats to BostonMo for winning a spot to the brunch!! I hope that everone else that entered gets a chance to enter another giveaway and I get to see you there.
