Monday, October 26, 2009
Key Largo
We went to Key Largo over the weekend to check out some hotspots for snorkeling. It was a great experience. We boated out to a famous snorkeling area and got to see some great fish and perhaps an image I'll not soon forget. A 4,000 underwater statue of Jesus with His arms wide open sets on the floor of the ocean. Marine life have built their homes around the statue and it was an amazing sight to see. A few gift shops later and lunch on the waterfront was indeed the icing on the cake for a great adventure!!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
This Is How "We" Do It, Down Here....
Fall weather appears to be in full swing in every state but Florida these days. I take that back, it is mildly cooling off ever so slightly. The weather forecaster has even mentioned that we may begin seeing upper 60's at night here soon. With this glimmer of hope in mind, I took it upon myself to go ahead and welcome the change of seasons. The house has fall decor, complete with pumpkin spice candles and all. --Hey life is what we make of it right?
Regardless of the temps, it is officially one of our favorite times of the year: FOOTBALL SEASON!! To ring in the season appropriately, Matt took his birthday money and invested in a new smoker. He and Mike also figured out how to rig up Mike's TV outdoors. Now, I wasn't crazy about having to have an outdoor tv, until I actually shared in the game-day festivities. --Needless to say, it was a nice touch and I have added yet another "must have item" to a long list of wants for casa de Schouwink, haha.
Now back to the smoker, don't just think the humans are the only ones enjoying the smoker. Notice the pic of Cooper on the blue float. This has become known as the "Meat Boat". I sliced up some smoked treats (worlds first and largest Smoked Armadillo Egg included) and floated them out on this float for the guys to enjoy as they floated around and watched the game. ---Never in a million years did we think that Cooper Jaxon would be so brave and leap onto the Meat Boat and take it over...eating all of the treats. ---I think he was a pirate in his first life. ;)
All in all it has been a great couple of weekends when we took to the great outdoors to celebrate the season. And, I guess you could say its football, our way, "South Florida Style".
Regardless of the temps, it is officially one of our favorite times of the year: FOOTBALL SEASON!! To ring in the season appropriately, Matt took his birthday money and invested in a new smoker. He and Mike also figured out how to rig up Mike's TV outdoors. Now, I wasn't crazy about having to have an outdoor tv, until I actually shared in the game-day festivities. --Needless to say, it was a nice touch and I have added yet another "must have item" to a long list of wants for casa de Schouwink, haha.
Now back to the smoker, don't just think the humans are the only ones enjoying the smoker. Notice the pic of Cooper on the blue float. This has become known as the "Meat Boat". I sliced up some smoked treats (worlds first and largest Smoked Armadillo Egg included) and floated them out on this float for the guys to enjoy as they floated around and watched the game. ---Never in a million years did we think that Cooper Jaxon would be so brave and leap onto the Meat Boat and take it over...eating all of the treats. ---I think he was a pirate in his first life. ;)
All in all it has been a great couple of weekends when we took to the great outdoors to celebrate the season. And, I guess you could say its football, our way, "South Florida Style".
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
These are the days...
Why is it that you never out-grow that feeling of excitement regarding vacations? No matter if you are traveling mega-miles to some fancy resort, having the visitors come to you, or just puddle hopping to the next town for a day or two, --that fun anticipation is hard to beat.
We just had those feelings with Matt's side of the family a couple weeks ago. Currently, I am feeling it all over again, b/c, we are heading up to Destin to share a short-stay....well "long weekend" with my mother, sister, her husband, and the kiddos. You couldn't bottle the excitement for my nephews. My family is arriving earlier than Matt and I. Conner, the youngest was beyond himself today on the car ride down. He called to let me know he has BIG plans for shark teeth and fish bones when he gets there. Better yet, Edwin, their dad, told me they had been packed now for over a week. All I could hear were the giggles and gasps from an over-packed automobile headed to the beach. These are the memories they'll look back on when this trip is long over. --Priceless.
Pics to come! :)
We just had those feelings with Matt's side of the family a couple weeks ago. Currently, I am feeling it all over again, b/c, we are heading up to Destin to share a short-stay....well "long weekend" with my mother, sister, her husband, and the kiddos. You couldn't bottle the excitement for my nephews. My family is arriving earlier than Matt and I. Conner, the youngest was beyond himself today on the car ride down. He called to let me know he has BIG plans for shark teeth and fish bones when he gets there. Better yet, Edwin, their dad, told me they had been packed now for over a week. All I could hear were the giggles and gasps from an over-packed automobile headed to the beach. These are the memories they'll look back on when this trip is long over. --Priceless.
Pics to come! :)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Family Visit
We just had a great 4th of July weekend and the week after with Matt's older sister and her 3 girls. For me personally, I hadn't seen them since '07 so it was a lot of catching up to do. It was good to see my husband's smiles. It was nice to hear about childhood stories from way back when. I got to enjoy some much needed girl time with his sister, as we indulged in outlet shopping, floating, and for me-- way too many fattening snacks, and girly umbrella drinks. Thank goodness for sale racks, salads, and ibuprofen. I am thankful for the visit and new memories created. I hope our neices will grow up one day and set around laughing about that time they drove all the way to Florida for summer vacation. There was plenty of laughing, sunshine, and time in the water for the kids and the adults. We are so happy they got the chance to visit us this summer, and hope it won't be two years gone by before we get to do it all again.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Lazy Days & Crazy Nights...
We've have been experiencing some pretty hot weather around here lately. I think one day it even reached 110-degrees. In addition, we are getting the typical 10-40 minute afternoon showers now as well. We all are adjusting to summer quite well...or at least we remain well-rested. Matt and I got up this morning and played tennis before it got too hot. Believe it or not, 90-degrees is actually quite tolerable these days. We then walked home and jumped in the pool and then showered off. I got dressed to go out, but now I'm wondering for what?? You see this is how the afternoon has balanced out....
But who can complain about lazy days? I mean we do have some, crazy nights. Just imagine, Occasional adult drinks, Bowling, Loud music with Continuous crazy dancing "like", --no I mean, "with" animals until 2am, and--- I even fixed my hair for the occasion. Check us out in action....
Heehee. No South Beach needed here, --we don't even charge cover fees.
Wii Bowling. The best of the 80's & 90's tunes. And a few brats on the grill.
Good Times. :-)
But who can complain about lazy days? I mean we do have some, crazy nights. Just imagine, Occasional adult drinks, Bowling, Loud music with Continuous crazy dancing "like", --no I mean, "with" animals until 2am, and--- I even fixed my hair for the occasion. Check us out in action....
Heehee. No South Beach needed here, --we don't even charge cover fees.
Wii Bowling. The best of the 80's & 90's tunes. And a few brats on the grill.
Good Times. :-)
Friday, June 19, 2009
Crack Kills
Matt had this past Friday off work. We had quite the fun but eventful day. We got up that morning and Matt went for a run. I on the other hand, drank my coffee and decided that it would be the perfect day to head towards the beach area I spoke of in an earlier post. As he returned, it took no convincing, so we gathered up all of our stuff. He would of been fine with a towel and drinks. I on the other hand, brought the sunblock, folding chairs, floating chairs (which we used alot), snacks, deli sandwiches, goggles,...you get the picture. Right before we took off Matt let the dogs out to take care of business. The events began as I saw Matt running to the pool and laughing. Apparently the larger of the two thought he could just jump over the shallow end of the pool to get to his patch of grass. --He didn't make it and was clinging to the sidewall of the pool with his front two paws, as the rest of him was just floating. --He could of probably stood up, but was so scared he just held on for dear life until Matt coached him up the stairs to get out. We laughed and spent the next half hour drying off his thick fur so he could come back inside. *Note to self: dogs don't like the pool, but that doesn't mean they don't take quick dips.
We spent the day at the beach. It was a lot of fun and crowded. We managed to snag an area with a lot of shade from the palms and the mangrove. We laid out our towels, got the cooler arranged, spoke kindly to the the neighbors around us, snorkeled a good bit, ate our lunch a couple hours later, and then floated down the lagoon in our chairs. What a perfect day. Then, we loaded up and headed home.
As we got home, we jumped into the pool to wash the excess sand off. The landscapers were out and came in the gate to cut the yard and suspiciously stared at me as I was lounging on my stomach on the raft. I didn't think too much about it. They weren't rude at all, they just kinda looked, and left quickly.
Matt then looked at me and said, "Oh dear, we have a problem." I looked at him in question, and he proceeds to say, "Well I didn't notice it all day, but I wasn't really paying attention, and umm, well, you might not wanna wear those swim bottoms anymore." "Why?", I asked, as I tried to get a glimpse of my butt without falling off the raft. "Well", he continues, "you got a lot of big holes in the back and I can actually see your crack". Sure enough, just like pantie hose have runners, thus did my swimsuit. Aaaahhh, the humiliation. In my world, I would like to believe the ocean water did this and it didn't actually tear until I got home from the beach and got in the pool....after the landscapers left. Perhaps that's what I'll just believe.
But, don't even think I'm gonna be swimming today when they come back to cut the grass.
Kinda puts a spin on "making an ass of myself" doesn't it?
We spent the day at the beach. It was a lot of fun and crowded. We managed to snag an area with a lot of shade from the palms and the mangrove. We laid out our towels, got the cooler arranged, spoke kindly to the the neighbors around us, snorkeled a good bit, ate our lunch a couple hours later, and then floated down the lagoon in our chairs. What a perfect day. Then, we loaded up and headed home.
As we got home, we jumped into the pool to wash the excess sand off. The landscapers were out and came in the gate to cut the yard and suspiciously stared at me as I was lounging on my stomach on the raft. I didn't think too much about it. They weren't rude at all, they just kinda looked, and left quickly.
Matt then looked at me and said, "Oh dear, we have a problem." I looked at him in question, and he proceeds to say, "Well I didn't notice it all day, but I wasn't really paying attention, and umm, well, you might not wanna wear those swim bottoms anymore." "Why?", I asked, as I tried to get a glimpse of my butt without falling off the raft. "Well", he continues, "you got a lot of big holes in the back and I can actually see your crack". Sure enough, just like pantie hose have runners, thus did my swimsuit. Aaaahhh, the humiliation. In my world, I would like to believe the ocean water did this and it didn't actually tear until I got home from the beach and got in the pool....after the landscapers left. Perhaps that's what I'll just believe.
But, don't even think I'm gonna be swimming today when they come back to cut the grass.
Kinda puts a spin on "making an ass of myself" doesn't it?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Can You Tell I'm Hungry?
I don't normally post food stuff. However, I had a craving for this old recipe I haven't had in a long time.
It puts a different spin on broccoli-- if you're in to that kinda thing.
Sweet, Tangy Broccoli Salad
Dressing
1 cup Mayo
½ cup sugar
¼ cup Cider Vinegar
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Salad Mix
1 or 2 medium sized bags of fresh broccoli
½ of a medium sized red onion chopped
¼ cup roasted sunflower kernels
1 cup shredded cheddar
½ cup crumbled bacon pieces
*You can also mix in shredded carrots, raisins, or even dried cranberries. I don’t care for these as much in this mix, so, I left them out. Add more or less of the sunflower seeds, cheddar, onion, and bacon to suit your personal taste.
Mix dressing in small bowl, then pour over remaining ingredients and toss. Allow it to chill for a few hours before serving. –The red onion will mellow as it chills.
--Now, back to life. :-)
It puts a different spin on broccoli-- if you're in to that kinda thing.
Sweet, Tangy Broccoli Salad
Dressing
1 cup Mayo
½ cup sugar
¼ cup Cider Vinegar
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Salad Mix
1 or 2 medium sized bags of fresh broccoli
½ of a medium sized red onion chopped
¼ cup roasted sunflower kernels
1 cup shredded cheddar
½ cup crumbled bacon pieces
*You can also mix in shredded carrots, raisins, or even dried cranberries. I don’t care for these as much in this mix, so, I left them out. Add more or less of the sunflower seeds, cheddar, onion, and bacon to suit your personal taste.
Mix dressing in small bowl, then pour over remaining ingredients and toss. Allow it to chill for a few hours before serving. –The red onion will mellow as it chills.
--Now, back to life. :-)
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