Vacation - On The Beach

Once we arrived in Pensacola, relaxation, sun, and sand were our main goals. What is it about the beach that just makes you feel more relaxed just looking at it? The sound of the waves rolling onto shore and the seagulls calling are Mother Nature's form of anti-depressent and blood pressure medication.

I snapped a picture of Nick when he wasn't looking...

so he got me back a couple days later.

One day we rented bikes and toured the island on the bike path that covers most of the island. I think we ended up riding about 12 miles.

We took walks on the beach almost every day...except for one evening. When we got out to the beach...we noticed some dark storm clouds on the horizon, followed by a few strong winds that whipped sand against my legs...and decided perhaps we should take our walk another time. It didn't end up raining very hard or very long... but this cloud convinced us otherwise!

Ominous storm clouds are not the only things we came across on our walks. This little fella scampered across the sand one evening.

He was cute...so I snapped a picture. When I was done, he buried himself in the sand so you couldn't even tell he'd been there at all...which of course made me paranoid that little crabs lurked just below the surface of the sand and would be pinching my toes as I walked along the beach. It's the same phobia I have of the basement at the house where I'm just sure there's a mouse waiting for an opportune time to scamper across the floor when I'm least expecting it.

What would vacation at the beach be without good seafood...we ate at all of our favorites from last trip- Flounder's, and Peg Leg Pete's.

Hanging out with Peg Leg Pete.

Peg Leg Pete's - best seafood on the beach

We also tried some new places - Bull Feather's, Papa's Pizza, Dharma Blue, and Crab's. I would recommend them all!

But like all good things...our vacation had to come to an end. I'll leave you with this parting shot of the sunset against the pier at Pensacola Beach.

Anniversary

Today marks our two year anniversary. It doesn't feel like it's been two years already! And I know the best is yet to come! Happy Anniversary, Nick! At least we got to spend the day together- even if it was at spring conference!

Vacation- Part 1

Nick and I spent last week relaxing in Florida. Pensacola Beach, Florida. I love it there. The smell of the gulf on the breeze, the wonderfully delicious seafood, the daydreams of which beach house we want to buy, nothing to worry about but which book I'm taking to the beach or which activity we want to do today... AHH...

We drove down and decided this time to go through Gulf Shores, AL. We wanted to compare the Alabama side with Pensacola Beach. As we were nearing the gulf...we noticed traffic on the other side of the highway was a little heavy. Nick said, "Is there a hurricane coming?". This struck me as particularly funny... but look...wouldn't you wonder the same thing if you saw traffic headed north like this?!
Our first stop on vacation was Ft. Morgan, just west of Gulf Shores, AL. Ft. Morgan dates back to 1812 and was built to defend the coast and was a Confederate stronghold during the civil war. The fort closed in 1946. The fort itself was kind of creepy with all the different passage ways. Nick thought it was cool and went exploring...I took pictures instead.

My favorite part of this trip came after we were done looking at the fort. We headed out to the small beach area. There was what appeared to be an oil rig off in the distance. I sat down to just watch the seagulls. Next thing, a group of pelicans flew by, flying low over the water. Then as I sat there watching the pelicans, a pair of dolphins swam by. I could have sat there all day! Then as I looked out over the water, in the distance, there were about 20+ pelicans diving for their dinner. It was by far one of the coolest things to watch. They circled high above the water and then dive down, like a kamikaze pilot, diving into the water. They did this over and over.
It was better than National Geographic!

While we had a good time at the Fort...we did notice something in Gulf Shores that we didn't notice in Pensacola. Mosquitoes. Big ones. They didn't just bite. They left welts. And later swarmed our car as we slowed to view other parts of the fort. For a minute I thought they were going to carry us off in our car!

From there we went on to Pensacola...

TO BE CONTINUED!

Colors

Nick and I dyed easter eggs tonight. It was a relaxing activity after a hectic day. I don't remember dying brown eggs before...but I have to say... I love how they turn out.

For some reason, the purple didn't turn out quite like it was supposed to. It was purple on one side...blue on the other. Actually- it was kind of cool (see bottom right egg)!

Easter would not be complete without an Illini egg!!

Hen in the Henbit

I couldn't help myself...I had to take a picture of the hen in the henbit!!

Peeps

Some people prefer the marshmallow peeps in their Easter basket. While those are ok- I prefer the real thing. And the Easter bunny delivered just in time! This morning I went and picked up my baby chicks- 9 barred rocks and 6 aracaunas. Why the mix, you ask? Well, I was going to get all aracaunas. They lay green eggs. I'm all for anything that is going to save me time- if they are already green, no need for dye at Easter. But some of my egg customers were skeptical about purchasing green eggs. I tried to market them like Dr. Seuss- green eggs and ham, anyone? Can you think of a better meal for Easter? But to keep my customers happy, I got the barred rocks so we'll have a mix of brown (for them) and green (for me).

Is there anything as adorable as baby chicks?

No matter where you go, there's always a line at the buffet on a holiday weekend.

To all my friends and family, near and far- I wish you a very blessed, and peep filled Easter!

Home Show

Never in my life did I think I would attend a home show willingly. Mom is probably so proud. And the fact that I actually engaged in conversation with vendors about windows, basement renovations, area rugs, and front doors...well, the people who know me best are probably falling out of their chairs as they read this! But I really did those things- and I learned quite a bit in the process.

One of the first places we happened to stop was the Miracle Broom booth. Nick noticed the of pet hair covered carpet on his display and said "I want to see it clean up that!" We ended up buying one...I admit, it works well, and Nick is now busy raking Pepper hair out of the carpet.

But my most exciting find at the show (besides the wonderful array of hot tubs) was at the Pella Window/Door display. You see...the house originally had a rounded door. When they decided to replace the door, they had a regular front door installed. But look what I found at the show!!

Not only would it tie in so beautifully with the arched doorways in the living room- one continual arch from the front door through to the hall- but doesn't this door just say "Welcome Friends and Family! Come in!"? It's going to take several quarts of strawberries and several cases of eggs- but I think I can save up the dough for this door. It's so pretty...

The Buzz of Spring

Is there anything better than a warm spring day with blue skies, green grass, flowers and the hum of happy bees?

When I pulled into the drive at the house this afternoon, Nick was standing by the crabapple tree in full bloom and waved me over. "Listen", he said. And I did...and I heard the hum of hundreds of happy bees. So, I grabbed my camera. Oh what I wouldn't give for a fancy camera- but all things considered, I did ok with my trusty digital point and shoot. (Yay for Picture Manager with the crop tool!).

I like this picture because of the out of focus grain bin in the background even though the flowers and bee are a little dark. It was much prettier in person.

This lady is busy as a bee!

Her baskets are getting full!

Hope these girls stick around until next summer. My strawberries will be needing their tender loving care and pollination services!

Catch Up

Ok... so I know I've been a little behind on the blogging lately. What can I say- I haven't been that interesting- and when I do think of something cute to blog about- I have been too lazy! But due to popular demand... I'm back!!

Last weekend I had a great time spending a little girls time with my dear friend, Nikki. We went SHOPPING! When I mentioned to Nick that we were going shopping, his response was "what for?" Guys just don't understand that we girls need no particular item to shop for. We hit the craft store, where we worked up an appetite. So we went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory where we stuffed ourselves with yummy food and cheesecake. I could feel my butt getting bigger as I ate it, but it tasted so good, I didn't care! Besides, we worked off our cheesecake by continuing to shop! It was so much fun! I spent the night at Nikki's house and then went to church at St. Joseph's where I caught up with a few more of my Corydon friends.

Monday, after a Toning class at the Y that could double as torture, Nick and I went over to the house to work for awhile. Nick went to put the dogs away while I worked on cleaning up some of the dishes in the basement. I heard a cat meowing as I washed and I thought it was outside, but then it got louder and when I turned around, there was one of the black kitties on the kitchen steps. I knew she wanted outside (Nick had also planned to feed the cats) so I opened the back door. Rather than run outside, she ran down to the basement. Drat. I really didn't want a cat in the house. But to the cat, who only likes me when I have food, the basement was full of perfect places to hide. Nick was able to whoo her out from under the cabinets in the basement with some cat food and sweet talk...so black kitty is back outside with the rest of the cats. Pepper would not have approved of a house kitty.

Finally...some before pictures....In the basement at the house are two cabinets that were originally in the old house on the farm. Nick has decided to take on the job of restoring these old cabinets to their full glory. I'm including the before picture now...with the after to come later.

Can't you just see Nick's grandma's wedding china displayed on these shelves?

And this one would be perfect for pies and cakes and other baked goods to cool.

Nick and I took a vacation day today. We're off to the home show in Evansville where I hope to find some great ideas for the house!! I'm bringing my camera...so I will have plenty of blog material.

Coming tomorrow...Home Show and Nigeria!