Just another Florida weekend

Weekends are precious here in Florida (as I’m sure they are everywhere else), but I especially love them because for two nights Matt does not need to be studying. Friday and Saturday nights are ours! No aviation manual, no emergency procedures, and no Whiting Field. This weekend was especially fun because we got to celebrate my birthday and spend a lot of time with friends.

We celebrated my birthday on Friday night with dinner at Fish House. If you are ever in the Pensacola area, I would definitely recommend this restaurant. It is amazing. It is my type of place – Christmas lights, water views, outside bar, live music, amazing food. Their specialty is Grits a Ya Ya – shrimp served over smoked Gouda cheese grits smothered with wonderfulness. This is the first time that I have had grits and, let me say, it will not be the last! There is nothing like fantastic food and wine to make for a perfect birthday celebration.

We woke up early early early on Saturday morning to do a Marine Corps Aviation 5k. I signed up with a couple of friends and at the last minute (6:30 a.m.) convinced Matt to do the race with me. We finished before it got too hot, thank god! We were proud to represent Navy with all those Marines;)

After hours of napping and football, we headed over to Rick and Sara's place for smoked pork butt (I just like saying it – I know – I’m five) and a bonfire. They had been smoking the pork for hours and it was amazing. At times like this, I love being in the South! We then walked down the street to a backyard bonfire and spent the next couple of hours hanging out around the fire. It didn’t quite feel like a crisp Fall night, but there were a couple of cool breezes around midnight and plenty of Octoberfest!

Sunday morning was spent in the search of a perfect bagel. We have tried and tried and have not been able to get a good bagel (or Chinese food) in either Texas or Florida. This weekend we tried out Bagelheads and even though it was good, it was pretty expensive. So the search continues. Boy do we miss Brooklyn Bagel! We then headed to the Dog Beach for awhile with Sadie and met some new friends. That is one thing that I love about the military; everyone is so friendly! We met another couple and within an hour we had exchanged numbers, became Facebook friends, and talked about plans to hang out next.

It was such a fun weekend here in Florida. And even though it is only Tuesday, I’m already counting the days until this coming weekend. It is going to be a special one because Tina is coming!!!

Until then, love from Florida!

The Fish House

Only picture we got of ourselves before the camera died - perfect timing

GO NAVY!

It doesn't matter how fast you go, just that you go...

You know that you are in the South when...

The Marines had to run in formation - pretty cool

There is just something about fire...

And it only took a couple of beers before he was convinced to try this one.

Oh the places you'll go....with Sam Adams!

Sometimes my job causes me to travel to new and interesting places! I've been to The Bahamas, Annapolis, Ocean City MD, Atlantic City NJ, West Virginia, all over VA, and DC, and of course Boston.

Now my newest position is causing me to travel in the Northeast a little more. In the 8 months I've been here, I've been all over NYC, Hoboken and northern NJ, the Hudson Valley and Westchester County (suburbs of NYC), Brooklyn, Coney Island, and most recently Saratoga Springs, NY!

I headed to Saratoga Springs for our 2010 division meeting and loved it! Such a nice charming town. It's big draw is the 40 days during the summer when the horse racetrack is open which luckily is when we were visiting. We headed to the races one afternoon and had a blast...even though I lost $30 in betting. Horse betting is so complicated...there are so many combinations and ways to bet. The town of saratoga springs also had lots of little bars and restaurants and lots of live music, very cute!

Here are a few pics....if you're looking for a weekend getaway and a bed and breakfast, Saratoga Springs would be a great pick!

Old Fashion Racetrack


Smiling before losing $30


Hello #5! maybe I'll bet on you...


The Saratoga Racetrack


Let's go #5, #7, #3 AND #9!!


Next week...I'm headed to Vermont!

a regular post?

I believe Casey is going to be making the book recommendation blog a regular post so I thought I'd add a regular post as well.

What would you like to hear about in a bi weekly post:

-fun new york activities
-new beer reviews
-new york restaurant reviews

Let be honest, when you come to new york city you want to do some fun new things and want to eat some great food! You could use these reviews for your next visit....or maybe you just want some reviews on new brews out there?!

Answer by taking this anonymous survey Click here to take survey

Go Hokies!!!

Doesn’t it feel just like Christmas Eve! It is that perfect time when the unknown is so exciting; anything can happen. The Hokies are making their 2010 debut tonight against Boise State. In the land of the Gators, Seminoles, and Crimson Tide, Matt, Sadie, and I will be rocking our orange and maroon tonight. We are headed down the street to our fellow Hokie’s house to watch the game over hamburgers, hot dogs, and beer (not too much for Matt who has a 6:00 a.m. brief tomorrow morning – tell me again why they decided to schedule this game for a work night!) While we wish we were celebrating at FedEx field with the rest of our Hokies, we will be cheering every down here in Florida, just as Leslie and Nick will be doing in New York!

GO HOKIES!!!!!!!

Ahhh, the good ole days of cheering on VT at Bailey's. I think I'll have the chicken tenders...

Our Hokie dog is ready for gametime!