Friday Things
My Chief Culinary Consultant and I have high-tailed it south for a little (well, long) Florida getaway. Each time we drive down, I make a mental note to take photos of the state signs as we cross the borders, and then I promptly forget. What you see above is my failed attempt this time around. First off, my cell phone camera is totally subpar. I got the first two states down, and then was either driving when we passed a state line, forgot, or it was dark. Maybe on the way back I’ll have more luck! In the meantime, I’ve got a whole list of fun randomness for this Friday’s stuff n’ things edition. Enjoy, and have a fun and safe long holiday weekend!
1. Road trip love. This is the 5th time that my Chief Culinary Consultant and have driven down to Florida together. A lot of people think we’re crazy for making the 17-hour drive, but we absolutely love it. We pack tons of snacks (we totally overdid it this time), have satellite radio and an iPad for entertainment, stop and stay overnight halfway through, and have so much fun. What’s the furthest you’ve ever driven? What are some of your favorite car snacks and music?
2. Labor Day weekend! It’s a long weekend! What do you have planned?
3. Paul Rudd rocking Black & Yellow. Have you seen this promo for the new Madden NFL13 with Ray Lewis and Paul Rudd? If you’re a Steelers fan, it’s awesome. If you’re not, well, you probably hate it ;-)
4. I’m an old fogey when it comes to music. I have completely turned into my grandma and now understand why. When we were teenagers, she would tell us our music was garbage and they didn’t make good music anymore. I feel like all of the new music on Top 40 radio stations sound exactly the same, so I don’t listen to it. True story: I didn’t hear the uber-famous “Call Me Maybe” song until earlier this week. I live for 70’s and 80’s rock, 90’s alt rock and current alternative/indie rock. Grandma was right… music these days just isn’t what it used to be!
5. I saw my first American Chopper bike! I became a fan of the show American Chopper a couple of years ago. I had never watched it before because I’m not really into motorcycles, but my Chief Culinary Consultant convinced me that I would probably like it. So, I gave it a shot aaaaaaaand I loved it. On our drive, we made a pit stop in St. Augustine, FL to check out the World Golf Hall of Fame’s pro shop, and had lunch at Murray Bros. Caddyshack, which is owned by Bill Murray and his brothers. The Caddyshack bike that Orange County Choppers designed for Bill Murray was on display in the back of the restaurant:
6. Holy Tomatoes! I think it was only a few weeks ago when I picked my very first tomato from the garden and then, BOOM! It totally exploded!
That was one morning’s harvest this week. FOURTEEN tomatoes! That was followed up two days later with eight more. Unbelievable! Looks like we’re going to have to do some canning and freezing!
7. Fall Bucket List. At the beginning of summer, Kristen from Dine & Dish came up with this awesome summer bucket list. I had every intention of making one, and suddenly summer was almost over before I could start! I am going to make one for fall – recipes, things I want to do, etc. Do you make bucket lists? What would be on yours for the upcoming season?
8. This. Face. I’ve only been gone for two days, and I miss him already…
9. Amen. This is the reality of fantasy football.
Speaking of which, Yahoo determined that I had the best draft in our league, in which I’m the only girl. The boys think it’s hysterical and that there’s a bug in the software. I think they’re jealous ;-)
10. TGIF! Relax and enjoy the long weekend! :)
I love road trips… the excitement of getting to our destination and seeing all of those new things along the way…
We love road trips and always pack snacks and music. But we also always bring our dog. She rides comfortably on a soft blanket in the back seat, wearing a harness and safely clipped to a loose doggie seat belt. She can move around and lie down but, heaven forbid we stop short or get hit from behind, she won’t go flying through the windshield. If she can’t stay with us overnight than we board her nearby so we can get her in the morning and have her with us all day long. We bring her back at night so tired that she just goes to sleep until we come get her the next morning. Can you not bring Einstein with you to Florida?
Hi Anita, Unfortunately we couldn’t bring Einstein with us to Florida :( My boyfriend’s parents live in a condo community that doesn’t allow pets.
So funny that you mentioned the bucket list because we are doing a fall one too… guess I’d better get on that! Maybe a school year bucket list? I shall see.
Enjoy your road trip, my friend! Safe travels!
Haha, love the fantasy football meme. Hope you have a great time in Florida!! :-)
Last summer we drove from WV to AZ to see our new grandson (we might do a repeat of that next summer!). Before we left, our beautiful yellow lab had to be put down…he couldn’t get up anymore…he was 13. I cried on and off the first couple of days of the trip. Then cried on the way home because I knew he wouldn’t be there to greet us. Dogs can sure steal your heart!!!
You have a gorgeous dog, BTW!!
Have a safe trip!!
Aw, your story brought tears to my eyes! Hugs to you; dogs can absolutely steal your heart!
Hope you have a safe and fun road trip to Florida! Love that you had the best draft in your fantasy league, that’s awesome!! We are getting so excited for college football season…Notre Dame fans here :)
Longest drive and longest vacation happened in 2010 when we drove cross-country in four weeks and 7200 miles. We loved it. The weather was perfect except in Yellowstone- light rain. We never saw an accident ! And it was low
70’s in Vegas. Our entertainment was my brand new IPad , XM Elvis Radio and taking photos from the moving car. Our snacks were dried fruit and nuts.
I have always taken photos of food- great memories!
We drove to Florida this year with our two girls for spring break. 14 hours. That WV welcome sign looks familiar. Did you drive on 79 south?
Yes, we did! We head down 79 south, then catch 77 south through Charlotte, cut across South Carolina and finally pick up 95 north of Charleston.
Sing along with me – “On the road again. Just can’t wait to get on the road again…”
When my brother and I were young (maybe 2 and 4 years old?) My parents drove us from our home near Seattle WA to where I grew up, in Sacramento CA. Luckily I don’t remember much of this drive ;) My BF and I drove up to Oregon recently, only 7-8 hours so not so bad!
Your dog is adorable!! I would miss that face too!
I drove from NC to AZ by myself pulling a trailer. What a trip! But I made it all in one piece! Also did the bus trip thing from AZ to VA once. Been there, got the t-shirt! lol Much prefer flying – I like to get there fast. But someday dh and I would like to take a road trip together and tour the US. I think the travel would be much more fun with a companion and no arrival deadline!
Aww poor puppy!
Paul Rudd is hysterical in that commercial!
Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations for SoFla!
I drove from Minneapolis to Daytona, then down to see the second to last shuttle launch. Totally worth it, but next time, I would demand a stop half way through. The 15 hour drive by myself to Memphis was bad enough!
Hope y’all have a safe and wonderful trip! I’m driving home to south Georgia to see my daddy for the Labor Day weekend. :) Snacks and good 80s music will happen!
I’m a Pats fan, but I love Paul Rudd (and that commercial). Have fun in FL!
furthest I’ve driven….on my own entirely….Deadwood South Dakota to Michigan…..my hubby was sick at the time and we needed to get home….at the time I was smoking….so I smoked alot and drank alot of Diet Mt. Dew…..made it home in 18 hours….and then I proceeded to sleep for a day and quit smoking after that.
Favorite roadtrip food….Diet mt. Dew, beef jerky and Pringles Cheese potato crisps.
I made a bucket list not too long ago and hope to share it on my blog soon. Life’s too short not to set goals. I have to say I love all kinds of music, but Top 40 is my favorite. Though I’m not much of a traveler, all my favorite songs on satellite radio keep me going when I have to hit the road.
I love road trips too! Have driven cross country twice + Los Angeles > Texas and back. I’d drive everywhere if I could! Enjoy your trip!
Enjoy your long weekend!
such a great commercial haha, enjoy the trip!
Have a fantastic and safe trip! Love the idea of seasonal or even yearly bucket lists but I’m really horrible at sticking to that stuff.
I do the same thing with state signs on road trips! Love it!! Have a fun long weekend…
Lots of RELAXATION is planned for this long weekend and that’s about it! Oh, and probably some baking, too :)