Memorial Weekend 2013–Cape San Blas, FL

Picture heavy post ahead…

As in several years past, this year was no different as we all packed up and headed to Cape San Blas for our annual camping trip at St. Joseph State Park!

Beach ready hair!

David and I headed down to the coast on Thursday and spent five glorious sunshiny days with our toes in the water and butts in the sand with about 24 other people!

As soon as we pulled into the park and saw the water I took the picture above. Paradise I tell you!

We spent a few hours getting set up (we were in a spot next to my parents) and then it was really time to start the vacation because the work was over!

We were tent camping this year. We owned a camper in the past but due to some life events, we sold it and are now tent campers! Some may call it “glamping” because we sure enough have a window A/C unit hanging out of the door. Wait, that’s not glamping, that’s redneck.

Anywho, we had a seriously wonderful time and couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was perfect, simple as that. The only things missing were our poochies but two big dogs + small tent = not a good combination so they didn’t join us. One day we really hope to be camper owners again!

We spent our mornings cooking bacon, our days lounging in the sand or boating, our evenings bike riding and sun-setting, and our nights gathered with family and friends around camp fires. It was bliss and of course went by too fast. We already can’t wait until next year!

This year we had 7 sites all together and a whole lotta people. There’s always someone to visit or something going on.

Mom’s horse shoe crab creation!

Mmm bacon over an open fire!

 

 

 

David won this game of LCR ($60!) and kindly gave it to me to buy whatever I wanted. Sweet hubby!

Hanging out at the Woods’ camper after LCR.

Sunset crew.

Mom and Dad’s site.

 

  

The water…it’s just stunning. We saw sharks, sting rays and fish swim by all day.

Momma love.

 

My feet are under water…it’s just that clear!

Mr. Bob & Dad wondering what the rich folks are doing…cause it can’t be this good!

Mode of transportation.

Right in between these pictures we saw some dolphin in the surf…check out the cloud below. It’s a dolphin!! Right when we saw the ones in the water!

It was eerily cool!

Ms. Fran & Mrs. Rhonda soaking up the sun!

Beach crew on Day 3.

Perfection.

This is Hot Daddy. Let’s just say Rhonda is our hero for getting the picture for all the girls! Other than that we’ll leave the story as what happens at the Cape, stays at the Cape!

The girls. Take one.

Take two.

We also had our annual Fish Fry on Sunday. We have our regulars that are camping and then other folks travel from near and far to join us just for the FF. It’s always so much fun. I almost ate it this year. As in, ate the dirt. I may or may not have tripped on a fan cord with a plate full of food in my hands. I did quite the jig when I fell forward but somehow managed to keep myself upright and save my plate of food. Everyone saw me do it and it warranted a round of applause and a bow from me. Clumsy much?

Silly Pops!

Oh yeah, come to Momma you little A/C unit-that-could!

Last day. Almost everyone went home except for the two of us and my folks.

One of my favorite pictures of the trip. Taken on the iPhone! Thanks for the capture Momma!

It’s been a while since I put together a video, but I finally remembered to capture video clips to include so I will be making a fun little video recap of the trip. I hope to get that up soon!

Is it time to go back yet?!

High Five For Friday!

1) This time next week I will be knee deep in the water somewhere and my only worry will be if the tide is going to reach my chair! Hallelujah. We’re going to be camping in a tent. With a window unit to keep cool. We’re civilized tent campers if nothing else!


2) Tomorrow I’m going to get my first ever Brazilian Wax. TMI? I’m sure. But, that’s what blogs are right? TMI all the time. So, now you know. If you see me waddling around somewhere tomorrow, that’s why! Lord help me.

3) I am wearing my new tennis shoes today. Yay for casual Friday at work and comfy friggin’ feet! Seriously, I am over heels and wedges. They’re cute and I’ll always wear them, but they kill my feet.

4) I’m planning to win the Powerball Saturday night. We were making plans last night about what all we’re going to buy Monday morning. I can hardly wait! But seriously…how unbelievable would it be to be $550 Million Dollars richer?

5) It’s FRIDAY people – get excited!!

Jerrod + Alana: The Engagement

Something about these two love birds and this awesome location made this one of my favorite shoots yet!

Alana “does” my hair. I say it that way because “does” typically implies something ongoing. Well it still counts as ongoing if it’s only once a year…right? What can I say, I don’t do much with my massive hair! Jerrod plays softball with David. The girls get to hang out at the ball field while the boys play. Fun fun!

We’ve all been waiting for this engagement to happen for quite some time, so when it finally did, I was absolutely thrilled for them! Then Alana asked if I would take engagement pictures and I jumped at the opportunity. They are two of the nicest most grateful people you’ll ever meet and I am so honored to be a part of their story!

I couldn’t post just a few. There were too many favorites. Gorgeous people picture overload ahead!

Jerrod proposed to her with this canvas he painted with one of her favorite sayings.

So sweet!

 

 

 

Elk Elk Baby–Spring Pinterest Challenge!

I’ve been into antlers lately…

They’re sprinkled around the house.

I collected them from my Dad who had them in his house growing up.

Then recently I got a very happy call from my Grandma who offered me a set of elk antlers. She got them from Jackson Hole, WY several years ago and said they have been collecting dust for the past couple of years.

I told her I’d love to have them but gave my usual disclaimer that I couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t be painted. She okay’d it and I started brainstorming!

My first thought was to paint them a gorgeous glossy white but then I came across painted antlers. More specifically, Katherine Nichols at The Painted Antler.

Via

Gorgeous, no? Seriously, you must go check out the eye candy on her site.

Anywho, that’s when I decided I wanted to paint mine in a color-block fashion too.

I brainstormed forever on colors and ended up with Silver, White and Sea Glass green. I used acrylic paint from Hobby Lobby.

First things first I taped off the sections with painters tape. I tweaked them along the way but decided on this general design.

Helpers are not required for this part but it’s always nice to have company.

I went back and forth but ultimately decided not to prime them. I’m glad I didn’t. It wasn’t needed, the paint covered really nicely. One coat would have been just fine, but I put two on to make sure it was a solid layer.

Doing what I love!

Weird stuff…according to David.

I planned to paint the natural sections white but I re-evaluated and decided to leave the small sections original. I wanted it to still look authentic and not store bought.

I bought a $2 wooden plaque from Hobby Lobby and painted it white. I should have sanded the edges, but I didn’t think about it until it was too late. I decided after some googling that a European Mount was how I needed to mount it to the plaque.

I picked up a nut and bolt from Walmart as well as a pack of washers.

Oh and I used the back to test paint colors!

There were two prong like pieces sticking out from those back corners but a few clamps of the pliers and they broke right off. I needed a flat backside to mount it to the plaque.

 

I drilled a pilot hole and put the bolt through….

I then set the antlers on the plaque, and fed the bolt through the hole and put the washer and nut on top and screwed it tight.

Now that the skull was attached to the plaque I had to figure out how to put it on the wall.

But first, and most importantly, where would it go?

This is when it’s handy to have a helper. My hubby held it everywhere I could possibly want it and I took pictures so I could analyze it later.

He loves this part of my projects. Or not.

Fast forward another week and I finally got the balls courage to hang it. That sucker is heavy and more than two feet wide. I had to make sure it was hung sturdy.

Enter, my can-do-anything-Dad!

Every time my parents stop by for a visit, my Dad somehow gets put to work. What starts as a “Hey Dad, I am planning to do X,Y,Z…what do you think?” always turns into a “Let me take a look…oh well here just let me do it!”

Works for me! Thanks again Pops!

So that’s the story of the antlers on the wall.

Oh and we’re not hunters, in fact we feed the deer on the lot next door with corn! We love zee animals.

Taken a few days ago out of our bathroom window.

I do love a good antler decoration though, if it’s given to me I’ll take it.

That peeking stenciled wall always makes me smile.

So what do you think? A little weird? Or right up your alley?!

I really love them and the fact that they’re from my Grandma and a place that’s so special to her, it makes them even better!

PS that giant succulent on the counter is REAL. I l-o-v-e it. For $10 at Home Depot and my added succulent obsession, I couldn’t pass it up!