Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts

Easter Weekend in SW Florida



It was nice having Good Friday off of work so we could head south towards my in-laws and enjoy a long weekend with Lola in tote. I took very little photos but I think we accomplished a lot on this quick trip visiting friends and family along with new babies and new homeowners.

Easter Weekend


We had a fun-filled long weekend spending time with family and friends in Sarasota.
 

TBB Asks: Spring/April Edition


I hope everyone enjoyed Easter and had a good weekend. I'm linking up with The Blended Blog ladies today sharing a fun Spring Q & A.

Easter Weekend Getaway


We made our way over to Daytona Beach on Friday afternoon for a little weekend getaway. Not your typical Easter weekend but we both felt like some sunshine and relaxing were in order.


We checked into our hotel around 3pm and got settled admiring the ocean view from our room before heading out to explore.

 

We met up with some friends who were also visiting from Orlando and walked and walked (in the wrong direction) to go to a local Tiki Hut Beach Bar but finally made it there to grab a cold one. #Tourists.


After relaxing the feet for a bit, I browsed through some of the cute beach shops and even got a little airbrushed outfit for Lola.


In the evening we found this gem of a restaurant with the best rooftop seating area to hang out and enjoy the views.




Saturday morning was overcast so we had a slow but relaxing start to the day with some coffee and breakfast at the hotel. The sun started making her appearance so we decided to go for a 2-mile walk on the beach towards where all the shops and restaurants are.



 We stopped in Sloppy Joe's for a beverage and some coconut shrimp and then the heavens came pouring down so we were stuck there until the sun came out again.
 


Once the sun was out it turned into the most gorgeous day to walk around the Daytona beach boardwalk and just explore.






The last stop was at Ocean Deck for an early dinner and some live music. We were worn out with all the walking and a little too much sun so we went back to the hotel to call it a day.


I slept for almost 12 hours on Saturday night. Blame that on the comfy bed, blackout curtains, and of course all the sun we took in the day before. In fact I was looking like quite the lobster. 


On Sunday the weather was perfect to enjoy some sunshine by the pool before checking out of the hotel. We made one final stop for lunch at Ocean Deck before making the drive back home in the afternoon.


It was the perfect little getaway even though we didn't celebrate Easter but the relaxing, sunshine & change of scenery was just what the doctor ordered.


Joint the lovely Biana for her weekend linkup.

Easter Entertaining & Favorite Recipes


On Sunday I hosted our annual Easter party for friends who don't have family in the area to come and enjoy a nice meal plus it gives me an excuse to dust off my entertaining ware that never gets used. K likes to cook a turkey in the oil-free turkey fryer we got as a wedding gift and I bake a ham which both take around 2 hours to cook each.



I usually try to host Easter dinner on a Saturday so we have Sunday to clean up and relax but since we already had plans to go to St. Augustine, we had no choice to host it on Sunday but luckily a few friends were able to make it while many others already had plans.


Since it was a small group I kept the appetizers minimal and served mini chicken pot pies from Trader Joe's and Andrea's amazing Slow Cooker Island Kielbasa recipe, which is so easy to whip together with only 4 ingredients (I used pineapple juice but not the chunks). Everyone raved about how good the kielbasa was!


For Easter decorations, I kept it simple and put together some Pinterest-inspired mason jar flower arrangements and added slices of lemon to the water.


Easter Dinner Menu:






Garlic mashed potatoes and gravy were pre-made from the store because I was worried about not having enough time to cook all of this on Sunday morning so decided to take a couple shortcuts.


For dessert, Kate made some amazing Pistachio cupcakes and another friend made some S'mores Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels. Both desserts were incredible and we have tons leftover which is slightly dangerous. 


Finally, K concocted some Moscow Mules for a refreshing evening cocktail.


I'd say the Easter dinner party was a success this year spent with good friends and a delicious spread. Lola also enjoyed all of the attention!




Easter Weekend Entertaining

Hi everyone! 
Hope you enjoyed the weekend and Easter Sunday yesterday however you decided to spend it. 

Friday was a wash for me after returning home late on Thursday night from a work trip. Thankfully my job gives us Good Friday off so I was able to rest a bit before going grocery shopping and organizing our house for Easter entertaining. 


We hosted an Easter open-house party and potluck for friends on Saturday which was a fun and busy day. We baked a ham, fried a turkey and had a bunch of other appetizers and sides.


Kerri and Kate both came to celebrate and it was so fun hanging out with them. 




I hosted the same Easter party last year and hope to continue the tradition as it's the one holiday we get to entertain friends and cook up a big meal. Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually spent with family out of town.

Sunday was perfectly lazy which was much needed. I had plans to go for brunch but decided against it and stayed home to relax before the busy work week.

How was your Easter weekend?

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup. 

Easter Dinner Party Planning

Every year we host an Easter dinner for our friends since many of us don't have family that live close by. We always bake a ham and fry turkey but I'm always looking for new ideas for sides, desserts, and cocktails.

Deviled Eggs


Sparkling pineapple lemonade

Crockpot Maple Brown Sugar Ham

Easter Bunny Rolls

Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries

Sweet Corn Casserole

Glazed Orange Carrots

Strawberry lime moscato punch

Carrot Cheesecake


What's on your Easter dinner menu?