Sunday In The Sunshine State

On our final day in Florida, the weather was a bit dreary, so we decided to just take it easy.  After a lazy morning lounging around, we ventured out for lunch to try a new Mexican place where the margaritas may have been flowing and decided to hit up a local German bakery as we made our back to The Plantation.  Yalaha, meaning "yellow orange", Bakery was filled with homemade pastries, so many it was hard for me to decide, I wanted them all! I opted for two sugar cookies, two hazelnut cookies, and this amazing dessert called the Sinkhole.  I had already tried their almond croissant and scone, which were nothing short of delicious.  Besides, they have the cutest little patio to hang out on!  While waiting on my Mom and Sis to finish ordering, I decided to step outside.  And unbeknownst to me, they snuck out the side door, hopped in the car and preceded to drive off, waving and videoing my reaction. Hilarious, I tell you.  I was totally distracted by the little older Italian couple that had just passed by me, saying hello, and I immediately wanted to engage in conversation with them.  Instead, I ran down my ride home.  Check them out at www.yalahabakery.com.

After having a food coma from lunch and baked goods, we hung out relaxing before heading to the pool.  Even though it was cloudy and a bit rainy off and on, we made our way via golf cart to enjoy the pool and views of the Plantation and marshlands behind it...I was hoping to see some gators, but maybe next time! The pool was a tad too cool for me but I managed it for a while before we hopped into the hot-tub. And did I mention, we had the whole place to ourselves.  As it started to rain, we headed back to the house, this time I was driving the golf cart and I am definitely a better driver that my sister, although I am sure she would disagree.

That evening we prepared to head home the next day, I always hate having to pack to leave.  And after having a light dinner, we moved to the sun-room and while Phil played guitar. My sister and I joined him in singing a few tunes ranging from Baby's Got Her Bluejeans On to I Think We're Alone Now to Walking After Midnight...it was a fun way to end the night.  The man is a genius too, his guitar playing and singing skills are like none I have ever heard.

We took off early the next morning and as we made it to the airport, we sat down for breakfast and two overpriced drinks before boarding the plane.  A quick flight back to KC, an Uber ride from the airport and my sister was headed home to see her family.  I feel so lucky to have been able to travel with her, much needed sister time for sure. Happy Mother's Day Shelli, I hope you enjoyed the trip!

Another successful trip to The Sunshine State!

Shona

Palm Tree's and the Ocean Breeze

Recently I had the chance to visit my Mom and her hubby Phil while they were in Florida for a quick vaca and it was just what I needed to unwind!  Between school, two jobs, and lack of sleep from studying, I needed to get away to the one place that calms me, the sand and sea.  I can't give away all the details quite yet...but something exciting is soon to happen, and I will tell you it's going to be great!! So stayed tuned for that!

Friday night, I arrived fairly late but we ended the night with light appetizers, cheap wine and sitting in the sun-room enjoying the Florida weather. Saturday after breakfast and coffee, we took a day trip to the Atlantic and ate at one of my favorite beach-side spots, Toni and Joe's.  They have an amazing patio and allow dogs...even better since we had their's with us, it was his first trip to the sand and sea. We ventured around all day, cruised the A1A, stepped our feet into the ocean, collected a few seashells and lastly found a beach just for dogs....Dodger wasn't too sure what to think about that, but he can now mark that off of his doggie bucket-list.

While driving back to the vaca home, we ran into the wildfires there, road closed...no getting through and that meant we had to adventure back about 2 hours to go around it.  A terrible thing to witness on television, let alone in person.  Florida is a state full of water so there are no "back roads"...we had one way out.  Fortunately from the report I read on CNN, no one was injured, but many homes and habitat was destroyed.  So venturing another 2 hours isn't really a problem when you look at it that way!

Sunday morning meant the usual walk with Dodger and meeting new people, breakfast, snapping a few photos and preparing for my journey home.  My Mom made Easter lunch comprised of chicken and noodles, green beans, mashed potato's and for dessert, strawberry shortcake...two words: food coma! Shortly after they dropped me off at the airport and I was headed back to reality!

Florida, you were just what I needed. 

Shona