Jen's Florida Trip - Day #3

     

      On Friday morning of our Florida vaca the girls and I took our time getting ready.  Around mid-morning we packed up and left for the beach!  I was super excited to drive out to Sanibel and Captiva Islands.  Unfortunately the bridge has a toll ($6!!), but it was so exciting to drive over the water!  I spotted many boats and little islands out in the water.  It was also really fun to look at all the beautiful beach houses.  

     We decided to visit Bowman's Beach on Sanibel. Once we arrived and set up our umbrellas I took a dip in the water because it was HOT!  The scenery was so beautiful and natural.  There were many different species of gulls, terns, and other birds flying around.  I was wishing that Patrick was there to help me identify them.  Next we enjoyed the sandwiches we had packed for lunch.  After that we just relaxed!       

 

 

 

 

 

     Back at the condo we showered, changed into comfy clothes, and settled down for a quiet afternoon movie.  We rented the comedy "That Awkward Moment."  At first I was not too impressed, although the movie did turn out to be funny and the ending was sweet.  For dinner we had our Il Pomodoro leftovers.  Thankfully, I remembered to take a photo of the dish because I forgot to take any at the restaurant!    

 

     After dinner we went out for ice cream at The Love Boat.  They have tons of flavors and all the ice cream is made in-house.  I chose oreo ice cream in a chocolate dipped sugar cone.  It was SO GOOD!!! A perfect end to a perfect day!

Jen's Florida Trip - Day #2

     

     As per usual (mostly thanks to Ruby training me) I woke up Friday morning at 6:30.  I was bummed to be wide awake so early, but then I remembered my Kindle.  I spent the next few hours reading (The 100 Yard Journey)  in bed in blessed silence.  It was awesome.  Finally I rolled out of bed when I heard the other girls up and about.  We had cereal for breakfast.  After that we packed for the beach while a repair man came to fix the AC (it wasn't really working).  Bridge and Rach made a trip in to town and brought me back an ocean water from Sonic.  They are so thoughtful! :)

     Later that morning we made it to Fort Myers beach, only a 15minute drive from the condo.  It was a little bit crowed and deffinitly hot, but it was THE BEACH!  It was fun to go swim in the ocean and cool off. 

Gorgeous girls, inside and out! :)

Thought I would add this pic of Bridge with a normal smile to atone for the one I posted with the three of us.

 
    After a few hours at the beach, a storm began to roll in so we packed up.  Everyone was hot and sandy and ready to head home anyways.  Our late afternoon consisted of mani/pedi spa time.  The gal that did my toes did a really great job, probably the best French predicure I have ever had.  ALL the ladies at the nail salon were in love with baby Everett.  He is quite the charmer.

     We made dinner reservations, but still had a few hours to kill.  Shopping time!  We hit an outlet mall that is a favorite of Rachael's.  There was a Vera Bradley Outlet store at the mall.  Funny that we would travel all the way to Florida to buy Vera Bradley when it is made right here in Indiana!  I found an awesome hard cover and zipper case for my Kindle. There were some awesome deals at Columbia, but it was time to get going.  It was decided that we would need to return another day! 

 

     Dinner was at an Italian restaurant, Il Pomodoro, that Rachael recommended.  The food was really good and the atmosphere was perfect for sitting and chatting.  I had a Italian rolls peppered with Parmesan cheese, a refreshing garden salad with the house dressing, and penne al a vodka cream sauce with sweet Italian sausage.  Delicious!  We had a great time!  Back at the condo we watched a movie, Endless Love.  It was a really cute chick flick.  I definitely need to take more photos tomorrow!!! I will try to remember!

Jen's Florida Trip - Day #1

     My girl friends, Rachael (and her 2 month old baby boy) and Bridgette, and I set out on a five day adventure to sunny Fort Myers Florida bright and early.  We were on the road by 5am and parked at an airport parking lot in Indianapolis.  I snapped a photo of this laundromat that was across the street.  Look closely and you will be able to see the play place! SERIOUSLY COOL!  

  

   Getting through security was a breeze.  It was super fun traveling with baby Everett because we were able to line jump, plus everyone loved him.  He is really handsome, smiley, and did a wonderful air traveling for the first time.  He is a natural.  :)

 

    The plane ride was rather bumpy.  See the little rainbow in the photo?  Our in-flight snack were these delicious mini Graham crackers.  We arrived in Fort Myers around 10:30am.  We hired a cab to take us to Rachael's family condo.  The condo was in a gated community and the family leaves a van there to use.  It was PERFECT!  I should have taken more photos, but I was too busy living life in 3D.  The condo was complete with 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, a full kitchen, TV, DVD player, washer and dryer - basically anything you could need!  We unloaded and then headed to town to get some lunch.

 

     We chose to eat at a cafe called Crispers.  It was really cute and delish.  I chose the Cuban which is pictured above.  I had been hearing about all the amazing shopping from Rachael and Bridgette for years, so we had to hit the Bealls Outlett and Ross immedaitely for some shopping.  Also because Bridgette needed a swimsuit which is necessary for beach and pool activities.  I went a little bit overboard at these two stores, but we put our items on hold because there was a 15% off sale the next day.  I will have some time to think about what I really want to keep.
      Next on the agenda was grocery shopping.  There was a new Winn Dixie near the condo, so we decided to shop there.  It was difficult to hold back and not buy more food then we would need.   We also sechuled mani/pedis for the next day.
     Back at the condo we prepared chicken and veggies for dinner and watched the movie Crazy Stupid Love (a fun movie).  It was so nice to relax! I am beyond excited for beach time tomorrow!!!  Going to sleep might be hard, but this super comfortable bed feels really great. 

Blueberry Buckle

 

   This coffee cake recipe comes from my Maternal Grandmother, Alice Davidson.  My mom taught me how to make it and it is one of my favorites!  I especially love to make it with freshly picked blueberries from Patrick's Paternal Grandfather, Dean Ruhl's, blueberry patch in Star City, IN.  Please note that I usually make Blueberry Buckle in a 9x9 cake pan (this is the size of pan the recipe calls for also), but used some circular foil pie pans in these photos.  I was making these to give away and did not want to worry about getting pans back.  Below my family recipe book is pictured.  My grandma Alice passed away when I was young, but my mom found this handwritten recipe that she was able to put in my book.  It is really special to remember her as I read her handwritten notes while I make this family favorite!

Blue Berry Buckle Coffee Cake

 Ingredients:

• 2 cups biscuit mix (I prefer Jiffy, but Bisquick will also work)
• 2 tablespoons sugar, also 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/2 cup water or milk (milk is usually what I will use)
• 1 Egg
• 2 cups well drained fresh blueberries
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (more like a heaping teaspoon for me)
• 1/4 cup butter (keep cool until ready to use)
• Pam, other spray greaser, or butter to grease pan 
  

Utensils:

•  medium or large mixing bowl
• small mixing bowl
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• fork
• mixing spoon or spatula
• 9x9 cake pan

Instructions:

     Preheat oven to 375.  Grease 9x9 cake pan.  (My grandma's notes say to lightly flour the pan, but I never have done this and the cake always turns out great.)  Mix the biscuit mix, 2 Tbs sugar, milk, and egg in the larger mixing bowl until most of the clumps are gone.  Add the blueberries. (I often use frozen blueberries and it is usually no problem!)  
      In the smaller mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon.  Once these are mixed, then use a fork to smash in the butter into the dry ingredients.  Do this until the butter clumps are a tad smaller than pea sized.  (If you mix too much or the butter is too melty it will start to look like paste, which is bad.)  Sprinkle on top of the cake batter in the pan.  Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes.

This is the tricky forkin butter step.

  The crumble topping is one of the best parts so it is crucial to get it right!

 

 

 

One of my finished cakes! Yummmmm

Song Leader

     Elmwood Church of Christ has been Patrick's home church since he was born and our church since we were dating.  He frequently leads singing for the congregation and I am always so proud of him.  I know I am not the only member that is blessed by his song selection and directing.  This Sunday I couldn't help snapping a few photos of him. 

Patriotic Punch

     Every year we attend an Independence Day celebration/cook-out at the home of some friends.  I volunteered to bring drinks and found this neat punch recipe on Pinterest.  It is super simple to make, but I don't think it tastes very good.  In the future I will use a smaller jar and just make enough to create the neat effect. 

 

Patriotic Punch

Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Blue Frost Gatorade

Diet 7-Up

Ice

Fill the container with ice. (I did not have an endless supply and did have a very large container, so I did not fill it up all the way.)  Pour the cranberry juice cocktail in first.  Next, slowly add the blue Gatorade Frost.  (VERY SLOWLY!  And pour right onto ice cubes to prevent mixing of the layers.  If you try to rush this you will end up with lavender punch.)  Finally, gently pour the Diet 7-Up on top.  (Slowly!)

     I noticed some distinct Pros and Cons to this punch.  Pro - it looks really cool and does not take any prep to make.  Con - the taste really depends on what layer you are currently at.  Also, the white layer is not really visible up close or when you are looking down at the punch.  Notice that effect in the first picture?     

     If I was making this punch again, I would try to experiment with a clear/white beverage that could sit between the red and the blue.  The layers stay separate because of the sugar contents of the drinks.  Cranberry juice cocktail has a large amount of sugar, so it sits on the bottom.  The blue Gatorade contains less sugar so it sits on top.  The Diet 7-Up has even less if any, so it can sit on the very top.  Any thoughts about different drink combos?  Maybe regular 7-Up on top of the cranberry?  Or that is too much sugar, mix Diet 7-Up and regular? 

     When all was said and done, we had a fun afternoon with family and friends! :)

 

Bill, Patrick, and Joe rockin' white, red, and blue!