The One Where Aimee Meets Baby G

Last weekend Auntie T and Auntie Aims got to hang out with new mommy Lindz and sweet baby Grant in O-Town. It was Aimee's first time meeting baby G, so of course it was a bit of a party.



We all loved the QT so much that we Orlandans are working on getting Aimee to move to Orlando! DOOOOOOOO IT AIMEE! We went out for dinner and the sweetie slept the whole time! Until he was hungry of course, but aren't we all like that :)


Gratuitous handsome husband photo.


Happy Monday and last day of February! Where the hell is the time going?!

Cocoa Beach Weekend

We have been having the most gorgeous weather here in Central Florida lately (sorry snow babies!). Seriously, just gorgeous. Last weekend we decided to make the most of it with a trip to sunny Cocoa Beach. After stopping for sandwiches and beer at Publix (yes you can do that in Florida, sorry again!) we parked ourselves on the white sand and just chilled out.

Was it ever perfect! My honey, some tasty food, and the sun and surf... pretty sure that's what heaven is like. After the beach we had to check out world famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, because after all, it's one of a kind! I was sure not expecting it to be quit as intense as it is, but we were glad to have seen it.





It's supposed to be 85 here this weekend, we may just have to hit repeat on our beach day. Have any fun in the sun (or snow) plans this weekend?

Valentines Night

I forgot to share a pic from our first married Valentine's date! My handsome husband took me out for a delicious thai dinner surprise and of course some stimulating conversation :) I know this doesn't look like the most sexy location but the restaurant is actually really romantic inside and it is one of our favs in Orlando. You did good sweet!



My honey's the best!

Good Friends

My wonderful friend May Lynn has been visiting us the past two days now that she is back in the US after volunteering with the Peace Corps for the past 2.5 years! She is a true inspiration as a person and also a true friend. Basically she's a catch!

May and I met 5 years ago as newbie teachers in LA and instantly hit it off. After 2.5 years in different countries we picked right back up where we left off as if no time had passed. It is friends like her that remind me how lucky I am to get to be me!


Even though the trip was too short and it was sad to say goodbye to her yesterday, at least I know we are in the same country now and I will be seeing a lot more of her. Thanks for being so amazing May!

Reason #12 to Visit Orlando

...Kilwin's on Park Ave. 'nuff said.



Park Ave isn't bad either :)

Sunset Date Night

They really should have named this town Lakelando because there's water water everywhere! I love it.

I'm sure you have heard me blathering on and on and on about Orlando's famous Jeremiah's Italian Ice? Well... folks... as if it wasn't already amazing, the hubs and I found something out about Jeremiah's that makes it even BETTER. Hard to believe I know.

Turns out there is a church around the corner from said Italian ice that has an outdoor amphitheater right on one of Orlando's famed lakes. Why does that make Jeremiah's better, you may ask? I think these pics can speak for themselves, but basically it means you not only get to enjoy your frosty goodness, but you do so with a front row seat to a beautiful lake sunset.





Gorgeous!

Not only are we a stone's throw from a beautiful lake no matter where we are in Central Florida, we are also pretty darn close to some of the country's best beaches. I am hoping to spend some QT with my main squeeze at one of those beaches this weekend, enjoying our high 70's and low 80's temperatures!

Have any fun weekend plans?

Good Morning Beautiful

In my opinion, it is a major bummer to have to wake up early... until you are actually out of the house, and then it is one of my favorites. I love driving around on the quiet streets, bundled up in the car, when everything is still fresh and possible.

It is foggy most mornings in Florida and I usually get to watch the beautiful hazy sunrise on my drive to work, holding my honey's hand and singing some Brad Paisley. Not a bad way to start the day, right?


Hope you have a great day!

Spring Kitchen Craze

I know they say cold weather brings out the chef in all of us, but we have been having gorgeous weather in Central Florida lately and all I want to do is hang out in the kitchen. When I say gorgeous weather, I mean seriously PERFECT: beautiful blue skies, temps in the 60s and 70s, a slight breeze. Sorry Midwest... just keeping it real. :)

It's a good thing I have a hungry husband to feed because sometimes inspiration just strikes and it isn't always a masterpiece. Fortunately, I was pretty proud of this grilled chicken melt sandwich with caramelized onions and mushrooms. Jonathon didn't seem to mind it either.


Om Nom!


Besides my scrumptious sandwiches, I have lately been doing what I do best... baking! My work recently had a Relay for Life Charity "Cake Challenge" if that makes any sense and I decided (since I'm really just not a cake person) to make my all time favorite cake ~ carrot! Unfortunately, the coordinators of the contest used my cupcakes as table centerpieces (ok, really?) instead of entering them in the contest. I guess they thought they were too pretty to eat? It was ok in the end because it just meant more leftover cupcakes for me and Jonathon.

These babies were freaking DELISH. Here they are cooling in all of their glory getting ready to be cream cheese frosted. YUM.


I used the recipe from Ming Make's Cupcakes but by substituting in brown sugar and using much less sugar than called for in general. If you are looking to make some carrot cupcakes... seriously, use that recipe, and thank me later.

Has Spring brought out any interesting habits in you?

Valentine's Day Trip

Happy Valentine's Day! Did you do something sweet this past weekend?

My honey and I went for a little day trip to the quaint town of Mt. Dora, Florida to celebrate our <3... We snuck past the town's mandatory age limit of 65 (i think we were the only people in a 10 miles radius NOT collecting social security) and enjoyed the lake, coffee shops, antique shops and sweet shops the sleepy town had to offer.



We enjoyed the view of big beautiful Lake Dora from the "harbor" downtown where Bartholomew's Yesteryear Cruises take place (!) but SOME of us were a little too terrified to do much pier/lake exploring. Poor Teeny, he looks like he is being led to the plank.





After Mt. Dora we drove about 30 minutes to the tiny town of Yalaha, home of the world famous Old German Yalaha Bakery. Yea, we ate some.

Jonathon had a liverwurst sandwich (ew) and I had a turkey sandwich. I don't think either of us was super impressed with the deli although it was pretty good, just not mind blowing. It was so peaceful in tiny Yalaha, and the baked goodies... those were well worth the drive. Of course we had to try the goodies!



Happy Valentine's Day to my stomach! Below you will see strawberry rhubarb streusel, Swiss apple tarte and some spicy chocolate cookie/brownie amalgamation that was SCRUMPTIOUS.



It was a sweet day for sure. Hope your Valentine's was fantastic too!

DIYish Valentine's Project

Looking for a last minute DIY "I love you" for your valentine on this upcoming sweeties day? Well don't say I never did anything for you...