Not going to lie…while I always love and appreciate seeing my parents, visits home have gotten exponentially more fun and relaxing since they moved to the beach. Prior to moving to Florida they lived in Atlanta for a few years and Houston for a few years before that. Both cities were great to visit but the beach will always win in my book.
I picked my fiance up at the airport on Friday afternoon and we headed back to my parent’s condo for some time on the beach and another outdoor dinner.
My dad grilled steaks.
Along with scallops and asparagus.
I made salads for everyone. We sat outside for hours catching up before heading inside to cut the cake!
My dad baked a carrot cake for my birthday (it’s a toss up between carrot or strawberry cake when it comes to my favorite cake flavor). My mom frosted it with love (I have to give her a little credit here!).
My nightly ice cream ritual became a cake and milk ritual instead. I don’t drink milk often but it was so perfect with the cake.
We spent most of our days on the beach. I plowed through two books while I was there. I loved, loved, loved The Rosie Project
On Saturday night we went out to dinner for my birthday at Cafe Italia. Again, we were able to sit outside and on the water so it was lovely. We started with stuffed mushrooms.
And a salad to share for the table.
I was all over the place on my entree and ended up making a last minute decision to get broccoli pesto penne and I added scallops and sundried tomatoes to it. It was really good.
My mom surprised me when she had our waitress bring out a cake!
We ended the night with cake and then my fiance and I went to play mini golf. It was a fun way to do something active and interactive after dinner. (Jewelry: Erin McDermott Beach Cabana Stackable Necklace layered with her Tiny Buddha Necklace)
Okay, I didn’t mean for this to become a three part post but the last group of pics I have are too good not to share. I’ll post them in the AM! 🙂
Have you read The Rosie Project? What did you think?
If you HAD to choose…would it be beach, big city or mountains? (Hard, right!?)
I love the beach. I just love the sound of the ocean, so the beach wins for me too. Happy birthday!
Thank you!!
How nice to celebrate your birthday with family (and at the beach!!) The ocean is therapeutic!
I came across your blog googling about golden retrievers! Your dogs are so lovely. I love reading your posts because it makes me feel happy and good inside, not to mention hungry! Ha
Am glad you had a nice holiday, happy birthday!
Ha! Thank you!
The BEACH…someday I will live on it again…someday!
I read the Rosie Project and thought it was okay. A good beach read, but not one of my favorites this summer…
I finally ordered the luxe box from Erin!!! Can’t wait to be decked out in all her styles. My accessory box needs a facelift! 🙂
What WOULD you recommend as a good summer read? I don’t read nearly enough, so I don’t have time for “bad” books!
Happy belated birthday! I’m adding the Rosie Project to my book list 🙂 I’m currently reading My Berlin Kitchen on my Kindle, and it’s really good!
Thanks! I’ve heard really good things about that!
I think your third post will be wedding photos!
haha! good guess but just family pizza night! 🙂 wedding photos later in the year! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aww! Are you all going to do a destination wedding, or marry in Charlotte? I know it’s your second, so may not be as big as the first. Is this your finance’s first marriage?
the beach always wins 🙂
What fun!
If I had my way, we would live by the beach and never ever move! There’s something so magical about being near water.
If I had my way, we would live by the beach and never ever move! There’s something so magical about being near water.
What a great time!!! Happy be-lated birthday!!!
I live in the mountains (Asheville) and simply adore it here. I’m always counting my blessings that I ended up here. I am obsessed with the beach though and would also love to live there. I’m not a big fan of big cities.
I LOVE Asheville! It’s one of my favorite weekend getaways
Happy belated birthday!! What part of Florida is that? I’m in South East Florida!
Loved the rosie project and just finished the rose effect, but think I like project best. I would never choose big city and I live in the mountains. Beach is usually too populated for me, but there doesn’t seem to be a crowd where your parents live, I have never been to Florida.
I haven’t read The Rosie Project yet but I plan to. I’m pretty sure I’ve already purchased it on my kindle. I’ve heard great things about it and can’t wait to get started.
thats a hard one. i would say beach. i just love the beach and like you love to read at the beach. but i just got back from NYC and i just love it there. i would love to live there but only if i had $$$$. mountains i could skip
Beach trip, no doubt, beach trip is what I will always pick and love!….I am so happy you had such a great time for your birthday and of course I love all of the cakes 🙂