Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival

Hey lovelies! 

We meet again on this Monday morning and I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend.

On Saturday, we headed to Tampa for Busch Garden's Food & Wine Festival. It was a hot day in Florida but we lasted a solid eight hours. I have to say Busch Gardens definitely outdoes Disney when it comes to crazy/scary rides and I didn't go on one of them. Not one of the scary ones. (I plan to do a full recap of the park later this week). 

In a nutshell, I saw some beautiful animals such as this cute gorilla.

Went on the Congo River Rapids and got soaked!

Saw the Iceploration ice skating show.

Then ventured on to the Food & Wine Festival

Tried several small plates of amazing food...

And a beer flight with the husband...

While watching Daughtry in concert.

After the show K went on a couple scary rides while I relaxed my aching feet (old age is a bitch) and took photos. 

We checked into our hotel on Saturday night which turned out to be in the ghetto (I'm not even going to get started on that). Tampa is an interesting place....

On Sunday morning, we went to Ella's American Folk Art Cafe for some brunch/lunch which I was told was a must-do while in Tampa. The food and drinks were amazing and then we hit the road to head back home and call it a weekend. 

Another fun weekend for the books!

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup. 

Weekend on the West Coast

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm in San Francisco for most of this week for a work conference. I flew in on Saturday and have been adjusting to the time difference but definitely enjoying some new scenery. 

On Friday night, K and I went out to a new Korean BBQ place which was amazing! We cooked different meats on the grill in the middle of the table and the dinner also came with a cold bar which had sushi, edamame, cocktail shrimp and lots of other things. It was a great date night and perfect way to spend some time together before I flew out.

I headed to the airport bright and early on Saturday morning and spent most of day traveling over to the the west coast with a quick layover in St. Louis, Missouri. Saw some pretty views from the plane and snow in Colorado. As I always say, snow is pretty from AFAR.

 I landed in San Fran on Saturday afternoon and got settled before heading out to explore the city and do some window shopping (which turned into actual shopping). What can I say. lol

I walked around and did some site-seeing in the night and then stopped off at a restaurant to have some Prosseco overlooking the Bay Bridge.

On Sunday, some friends picked me up and we drove out to Sonoma to check out some wineries and have lunch in wine country. It was a gorgeous day! 

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Joining Biana for her Weekending linkup. 

Spring Wedding & Weekend Fun

With us losing an hour over the weekend, I can't say today is my favorite Monday of the year. I blame that on not being a morning person but it's officially Spring and I think that's exciting enough. 

Friday night was relaxing. We watched Horrible Bosses 2 at home with a glass of wine to unwind from the hectic work week.

Of course Lola loved all the attention and snuggles on the couch.

On Saturday, we headed two hours south to K's hometown for a friend's wedding. The ceremony was at an old historical church built in 1887 which was quaint and beautiful.

 The wedding reception was at the South Florida Museum which is also the home to the Snooty the manatee. It was a beautiful outdoor setting in the middle of the museum.

And here's Snooty who I've actually been wanting to meet for a few years now.

Some photobooth fun was also had...

On Sunday, it was time to hit the road to head back home.

Once we got back into Orlando, we stopped at Sea Dog Brewing Company for some lunch. I have to admit, I had a hangover from hell and it was much needed. Their buffalo chicken dip is delish!

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Valentine's Weekend Festivities

Another busy, busy weekend...

On Friday evening I came home from work to find Lola dressed in a cute Valentine's outfit and some roses from my two loves. You can tell she's getting big but I still love picking her up like a baby!

 

K and I then headed to Downtown Disney to have dinner at Planet Hollywood before the SOJA concert at the House of Blues. SOJA is a reggae band from Arlington, Virginia that I absolutely love. My sister gifted used the concert tickets for Christmas so I've been looking forward to the show for a while.

 

 

On Saturday we took Lola to her final training class at PetSmart. She passed her graduation class not exactly with flying colors and got her certificate of achievement so we're done with puppy training!

After training, K and I headed to Epcot to continue the Valentine's festivities. 

We did some shopping in China and had some drinks in Japan, Morocco and England.  

We capped off the night with a double-date dinner in the France pavilion at the Monsieur Paul restaurant. I had the duck entree which was amazing and same for the wine was but holy expensive!! On the plus side, we were seated by the window which overlooked the 9pm fireworks so the view was priceless.

By the time we were done with dinner it was at 10:30pm and the park was closed for the day so we had a peaceful walk back to the car without tripping over a million people and got some great photos. It was the perfect end to Valentine's day!

Sunday was a relaxing day at home. Lola played dress up in her new Chinese kimono I bought at Epcot and I also love the little Buddha statue I got for my office desk.

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Weekly Roundup & Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! 

I love when the holidays come around because it's my favorite time of year although December is going to be a busy, busy one and now we have a puppy which makes it that more difficult to juggle. 

My work holiday party is tonight and I have several more upcoming parties and events on the agenda:

- 2nd holiday party for the year with friends

- Staycation and birthday trip to Disney

- Friend's wedding on my actual birthday

-  A friend's housewarming party/3rd holiday party

- Christmas long weekend with the in-laws

-  NYE celebrations with friends

After the 4-day weekend for Thanksgiving, it was really tough going back to work and leaving Lola at home for most of the day. I now know how parents feel leaving their babies/kids/pets behind when they head to work. 

A girl friend of mine was in town visiting so our college clan went out for Japanese hibachi and sushi dinner to catch up. 

Joining Amanda for Friday Favorites.

Favorite Purchase:

Bath & Body Works goodies for myself and Christmas gifts.

Favorite DIY/Craft:

Seriously thinking of creating my own advent holiday calendar.

 

Favorite Sips:

Really good seasonal beer ~ Leinenhugel's Cranberry Ginger Shandy.

Favorite Quote:

I ran across some Marilyn Monroe quotes while reading a documentary of her life at the hairdresser a few weeks ago.

Have a great weekend!