Mandy and Jace

I think I like vacation way too much. I just got off of one and I am ready for another. Does anyone else feel this way? We spent all last week in sunny, HOT Florida with Jace’s parents and had a blast. I know I normally keep everyone very updated on Facebook and Twitter about our vacation encounters but we decided that it would be smarter for us to not let the world know that our house would be vacant for a week. Not that I don’t like having house guests but I would like to be there when people are at my house and I’d rather not give an open invitation to the bad guys. The good thing is this will all be new to you.
We were met at the airport by Jace’s parents, brother and niece Mary Elise. I had a blast with this little bundle of energy. The only thing is I wish I knew what she was saying, she clearly knows what she’s talking about. She already has great taste in shoes!

We did a lot of relaxing and exploring. We took our very first trip to see a lighthouse. Before last week the closest I had ever been to a lighthouse was a Thomas Kinkade print. Now I can say I have been all the way up to the top of one. My sore legs can also second that. It was a long way up with no AC but it was totally worth it once we got to the top. You could see so far and the ocean breeze felt amazing. I also took some really cool pics.

We then went to a really old fort in St. Augustine. It is the oldest fort in America and it’s scenery did not disappoint. I got some cook pics here too.

After that, THE BEACH. This was the only thing I really wanted to do while in Florida. I love the beach. I think it was one of God’s masterpieces. So calming, beautiful and fun. The only thing we were disappointed in was the lack of sea shells. That was easy to get over, though.

I decided not to do a meal plan this week. Sorry guys, I’ll do one next week. In the mean time enjoy a lovely little story about the chaos of the Gregg household

We have more gadgets than we know what to do with. I swear I woke up one morning and realized that somehow by osmosis I have become a geek. Don’t know how it happened but here we are, and I am not sure what to make of it. So, I decided to kind of take an inventory of all the techie gadgets we have. People, we may need an intervention. Computers, IPhones, iPods, hard drives, game stations, the Blackberry, the list goes on and on. I am attached to my iPhone. Literally, if it’s not in my hand it’s in my pocket. Don’t believe me. Here’s a look at the back pocket of my jeans.

Believe me now??? I don’t have a ring from my chewing tobacco, I HAVE A SQUARE THE SHAPE OF AN IPHONE ON MY BUTT!!!!! If the iPhone isn’t enough I have come to the realization that I can’t just watch TV. I have to have my laptop in my lap to watch TV. I don’t have to be doing anything on it, but it needs to be open so if I want to check my email, Facebook, twitter, blog, randomly Google something or email my husband who isn’t listening I can with speed and ease. A normal evening for us looks like this. Both of us on the couch with iPhones and blackberries within reach and both laptops open on our laps, watching the shows that we have recorded through the week. What is wrong with this picture? This is the other problem with tons of gadgets.

Chargers. When we travel we have to have a separate bag for our chargers. No, I’m not exaggerating. It’s almost funny to watch me unpack when we get to a hotel. I have to get all the chargers out, and put them in their designated spot. Phone chargers and docks by the bed (once again for fast checking of crack like websites or 3am texting and phone calls) and the computers get plugged in because I most likely ran the batteries down on the way to our destination. I’m sure with all of our gadget and my hair appliances we rack up quite and electric bill for the poor hotels we stay at.

We may need help soon.

Last Saturday was my 25th birthday and it was a great day. I’ve realized that I really don’t feel older but I feel more grown up. It hit me like a load of bricks on Saturday that I’m 25, a home owner and married. Wow! I’m an official grown up. When did that happen???? It seems like just yesterday I was in high school getting my first car.
My birthday actually started Friday night when my sweet hubby took me to dinner at Italian Village (I couldn’t find a website to link to, sorry). They had to have the best marinara sauce I have ever tasted. I could have just eaten a bowl of that and been happy but I couldn’t. So I dipped amazing fresh fried mozzarella in the amazing sauce and then died and went to heaven. It was that good! Saturday, I woke up and had birthday cake in bed and it was as great as it sounds. That evening we went out with friends and family to Shoguns where the cook insisted on seeing how much food would fit on my plate. Seriously I ate it then, the next night both Jace and I ate on it, then we had enough left for one more lunch. I feel very blessed to have the best husband ever, great friends and a loving family. I couldn’t ask for more!

Here are some of the candids from my 25th birthday.

We are still enjoying our vacation, so I will not be doing a meal plan for this week. Hope everyone had a great 4th and has a great rest of the week.

Happy eating!

Tuesday evening we had our first BBQ in our new house. We fired up our never used grill and got to cooking. I was a little nervous becuase I had never had lamb chops. The closest I have had to them was in our meatballs. Turns out they were delicious. I am so excited about the summer season, now. Last summer we wanted to grill all the time and we couldn’t so now we are going to try to get outside more.

Lemon thyme rice
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups white rice
1 carton chicken broth
4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
zest of 1 lemon
salt and pepper

Pour the oil into a pot set on medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the rice and cook for about 2 minutes to toast the rice. Add in half the carton of chicken broth and the thyme and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the rice absorbs the liquid and is soft. Add more chicken broth during cooking if needed.
Pour the rice into a serving dish and stir in the lemon zest. Salt and pepper to taste.