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!

As long as I'm reading,

I’m at home. -George Forman

This quote rang especially true for me this summer. Between the move, job changes, vacations, and house hunting, there was one constant between the months of June and August. Books! Those who know me best know that I am never without a book. You never know when you might be stopped at a red light and you have time for just one more page. Or there is a long line at the grocery store and you can squeeze in a short chapter.

Since I am very obvious about my love of reading (I even carry around a tote that says “I have always pictured paradise to be some kind of library.” I know, I know. I’m a dork.), people are always asking me for good book recommendations. These are my favorite requests! I thought that I would take some time and share some of the books that I have been reading this summer. Even though summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean that we still can’t enjoy beach reads. We just might be reading them with a cup of hot tea cuddled up on the couch, rather than while sipping a Corona with our feet in the sand.

Without further ado, here is my list. (J means I highly recommend it!)

• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen J

Fun fact: This is going to be a movie with Reese Witherspoon and Edward Pattinson.

• Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

If I had to compare it to a movie, I would say to wait until it comes out on video. So in book terms, wait for the paperback.

• Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

If you like historical fiction and reading about WWII, pick this one up for a quick read.

• Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

If you are an Emily Giffin fan, pick this book up. If not, skip it.

• The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty J

Fun fact: This book took off in popularity due to a review by Stephen King.

• The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard

I discovered this author by randomly picking up a book on display at my local library (which I love!) This is a fun murder mystery (not sure if fun and murder go together…but you know what I mean.)

• Band of Brothers: E Company, 506^th Regiment, 101^st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle Nest by Stephen Ambrose J

Millions fell in love with the HBO-miniseries, but how many of you read this book. It is amazing to hear the true stories of these soldiers. It was just my luck that the day after I finished reading the book, FX had a Band of Brothers marathon!

• Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler

I’m obsessed with Chelsea Handler. I think that she is the greatest thing since sliced bread. She is one raunchy woman and I love her. If you are a Chels fan, then pick up this book. I didn’t like this one as much as My Horizontal Life but you’ll still have some good laughs.

• The Road of Lost Innocence: The true story of a Cambodian Heroine by Somaly Mam J

This is a real eye-opener about the sex slave industry, not only Cambodia, but in the rest of the world. You will be shocked by her story.

• House Rules by Jodi Picoult J

I will always recommend Jodi Picoult because I happen to love everything she writes. This novel did not let me down! Even Leslie will like this one because it is not depressing like The Pact. She refuses to read Jodi Picoult because she was too upset by the ending of that book, but I think that this one might win her over.

As you can see, I have been busy with my summer reading. I hope that you find something that you might like. If you are a reading a good book, please comment and let me know! If you are not reading a book at all, you are missing out! There are sooooo many good ones out there. If you want to follow along with what I’m reading, join the world’s biggest book club, LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com/) and look for me (kclynne52). It is free to join and you can track what you read.

And now I’m off to finish reading my current book, A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick.

Happy readingJ

A couple of my favorite things...books and beer

Ahhh, what is there not to love about summertime

little of this...little of that....weddings and movies

I love weddings :) I loved my own...but really love enjoying them as a guest and getting to drink, eat, and dance while celebrating friends and family getting married!

We didn't really realize we had so many weddings this summer, till they were upon us, but we had 4 between July and August and one more to go on Halloween weekend! It has been really fun and given us a good excuse to travel to VA which we love.

The last weekend in July went to Charlottesville, VA for Nick's friend's wedding at a beautiful estate called the Clifton Inn. Really lovely outdoor wedding with a fun band!

The Clifton Inn


all dressed up!


You may recognize some of these handsome guys


Pretty table decor


blurry pic of the jon and jessica reda!


with good friends, Trace & Natalie


In between work and weddings, we enjoyed some summer NYC festivities! We live a block away from the Hudson river, which has an AWESOME river park that we enjoy every day. The park goes from the tip of the island in battery park all the way up to the 100's. I think our portion is the nicest though. It includes a boardwalk with lawns and grassy areas and benches along the water as well as a running and biking path...along the water there are also big piers. Some have been turned into grassy parks, some are for events and some are big buildings that house gyms, soccer fields, driving ranges, trapeze schools (yes really), some are ports for the city, and much much more. (google "chelsea piers")

There have been Hudson River Park summer events all summer...concerts, kids movies outdoor, salsa dancing, live jazz and adult outdoor movies. We decided to go watch "Julie and Julia" one thursday night. We got sushi, a bottle of wine, a blanket and found a soft spot on the concrete. It was pretty fun!

At the movies!


Edamame, anyone?


outdoor movies on the hudson


Then we were headed off to another wedding for our friends Colin and Cherie at Smith Mountain Lake in VA. LOVED making the drive to southwest VA...especially since we won't be able to go a VT game this season. Also loved being on the lake. We stayed in the condos at the lake community where everyone stayed and where the wedding was held....somehow our condo become the "party condo" which made for fun times and interesting stories. Saturday during the day we rented a boat from the local marina...the boat sucked, but we all had fun skiing (or trying to) and riding around. The boat kept shutting off at idle and having to be started up again...repeatedly. Nobody in the group but myself had driven a ski boat before, so I was left to figure this out and restart it every time. Eventually the marina came out and gave us a new boat, just in time for me to ski!

me skiing


Nick skiing


me skiing some more


The wedding itself was gorgeous...on a deck on the lake. Colin and Cherie aren't very traditional, so everything was a little different and cool. I loved it! The ceremony was short...and by short I mean, bridal entrance, vows, rings, kiss and done...5 mins tops! So we pretty much ate, drank and danced from 5pm to 11pm...so much fun. The food was amazing, nick and I ate an entire platter of these tuna ceviche edible spoon hors d'ouvres to ourselves...can't help it when the server comes right back to you everytime! The bartenders were great and the dj rocked it out. needless to say it was fun. Sunday was also great...pretty much my perfect day...hanging out at the lake, boating, skiing and swimming. We should've left to drive back to NY around noon, but we just couldn't tear ourselves away so we didn't get home till 2am, but it was worth it.

umbrellas for the sun


marriage is a beautiful thing


ceremony space with lake backdrop


Krispy Kreme cake...yummmmm


stunning bride


her awesome bouquet she made of family pins, buttons and broaches


my handsome husband


tent :)


the beautiful couple


hanging out with joelle at our table


the addictive tuna ceviche...i must be in a food coma since my eyes are half closed


ending with a dance party

Swimming...Swimming...in the Swimming Pool

...when days are hot and days are cool...in the swimming pool! That's the start of a swimming song we used to sing to our campers at summer camp when it was their pool time. Oh the careless days of summer camp...life seemed so complicated then...little did I know it was the easiest life will ever be!

Recently we've been doing a bit of swimming or rather drowning when it comes to our work! Nick has been swamped, as have I. Selling beer is not a fun job when it involves walking blocks and blocks in this heat, sweating through your clothes and coming home with black feet since you're wearing sandals.

When I took a few days off to visit my family during their TWO WEEK vaca in sunset beach...I got lots of beach time, relaxation time, and swimming in the ocean time. Sunset Beach is where we go every year...Nick was sad to miss it this year, but it's the ultimate quaint, quiet beach town in southern NC. Just arriving in the teeny tiny myrtle beach airport was enough to slow down this city girl....all I could hear were the carolina twangs on everyone's voice around me. Sometimes I really miss the south. Here are a few pics:

Andy, Shan and I beachin' it


Annual Smith Putt Putt Tournament....I did not represent the Guptas very well, I came in last! :( Dad won this year...taking the spot that usually rotates between Andy and Shannon. Nick is usually up there in the ranks as well, but has yet to win the top spot.



Annual Sunset Beach family pic


Smith baby on the way!


A couple weekends ago nick and I were home with no plans and it was great! the weather was beautiful and when it's beautiful here, you really appreciate the city and get out and enjoy it. We went to a new restaurant, Mermaid Inn Oyster Bar...yummmm. the food in nyc never ceases to amaze me and a new bar, the collective....very cool. On Saturday afternoon, we headed to a state park about an hour north of the city, call Bear Mountain State Park. Very pretty and it had a lake, so guess what we did?! Taught Cole to swim!!! It was hilarious and he LOVED it! he was a real natural and was retrieving stick after stick in no time.

only 45 mins from downtown manhattan!


Cole's first try at swimming