Virginia Beach - Again!

Can I take a second to talk about how much we are loving living within reasonable driving distance to the beach. I have made the decision that I have to visit the beach at least once a year. At least. No matter where we live. I've decided that Utah would be the most perfect state if only it wasn't land locked. There are so many things we miss about Utah; we miss the food, the mountains, the hiking, the lack of disease ridden ticks, the dry heat, and of course all our awesome friends and family, but having the beach so close helps us cope with being so far away, we get to drown our sorrows at the beach! But really, Utah needs ocean access. 

So this week we decided to make a last minute trip to the beach. Neither of us were actually feeling great, but we went anyways. The first day we got there it was soooo foggy. You could hardly see the water. It was so eerie! But we swam any ways! And I realized I haven't ever really swam in the ocean. I swam in Mexico in a bay when I was kid with the family once, but the waves were pretty non-existent. But these waves seemed huge and kicked my butt. I am not even joking. Multiple times I was thrown back, head over heels rolling across the sand through the water forced back by the waves. But Dave had a good laugh and despite my sore, sand scrubbed skin it was still fun and won't keep me away! 

Like I said, you could hardly see the water! 

By the time we got checked in and got changed, ready to swim, the fog had faded.

Forever in love with the waves!

The next morning I did some newborn photos for my friends, to be shared soon! 

Got ourselves some oh so yummy breakfast

Then we spent a little more time at the beach. It was blue skies and nice and warm! I think we both actually got a bit of sun! Bring on the summer tans! 

Visited King Neptune,

 And fell in love with the adorable octopus sculptures 

Got some more of our favorite Cook Out (too good!)

And headed home, out before the traffic! We are getting pretty good at this overnight beach trip thing and plan to go two if not three times a month! 

Short and sweet! 

Strawberry Fluff

May is quite possibly my favorite month. It's warm, but not too hot quite yet. It's my birthday month. But most importantly, May marks the start of prime strawberry season. Today I share an easy fruit salad, perfect for any picnic or BBQ, loved by everyone, young and old, and almost too easy to whip up! 

I don't know if this recipe has an official name, but we call it strawberry fluff because that's exactly what it is.

All you need is 
8 oz whipped cream
8 oz of cottage cheese
1 small box of strawberry jello (unprepared)
2 cups of chopped strawberries.

Toss all ingredients together in a bowl until jello powder is well incorporated and there you have it! 

Easy, right? 

And can be easily doubled if needed! And feel free to add more fruit, or experiment with other fruits and jellos!  

Wildflower's TBA

I was desperately craving a good sandwich a few weeks ago after watching this video. So to the store I went. I bought some thinly sliced, golden roasted turkey, my favorite Muenster cheese, bacon, big, juicy ripe tomatoes, ripe avocados, and most importantly a big, oh so soft, oh so amazing loaf of fresh Tuscan bread, as it's titled at the store. This loaf pictured below is from Wegmans, a east cost grocery store (that the rest of the nation is seriously missing out on) but Target has one that is pretty much identical and just as yummy by Archer Farms.

While this is a simple sandwich, good quality ingredients are important!

The next important ingredient is the sauce. Obviously you could top this with lots of things, but my favorite is my homemade honey mustard. Now this is extremely easy to make. But the taste is pretty delightful. Just the other day I was making myself one of these sandwiches and my dad was tasting the honey mustard. And he didn't take just one taste. Taste, after taste, after taste, I finally offered to make him a sandwich and he said, "Actually, I just want a slice of bread with this stuff spread on it." So that's what I got him. Like I said, it's good stuff.

For the honey mustard you need;
4 tablespoons of mayo
2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of yellow mustard

Mix all ingredients together, and that's it! I save leftovers in the fridge. Makes enough for about 4-5 sandwiches.

Assemble your sandwich, turkey, cheese, bacon, tomato, avocado, honey mustard, toast lightly, and enjoy! I promise the flavors in this simple sandwich will amaze you!

Oh America the Beautiful

Virginia is too pretty for words. 

Honestly. 

I know I raved about Virginia in the Fall, 

but Spring is plenty rave worthy too. 

If you ever have the chance to visit Virginia in either season, 

but preferably both, take that chance. 

And let me know and I will also supply you with a hearty list 

of all the best eats. I promise, I won't let you down.  

These purple trees are my favorite. Although this isn't the best picture, they line the roads in many areas through April. And every time I pass by I ooh and aah over that pretty purple. 

Virginia back roads give me some serious anxiety, but you can't beat the views.

It's hard to believe we have now lived in VA for a year, packing the bare minimum for what we planned to be just a summer in VA, while the bulk of our belongings collect dust in storage back home. We never expected to still be here. But it's been a fun year, jam packed with plenty of exploring and adventures. I look forward to see whatever lies ahead of us.

Happy Friday

Some Movies

It's been a good while since I reviewed any movies on here, so why not!


Captain America

Dave and I saw this one a few weeks ago and it was actually a lot better then I expected it to be. It reveals some things that will prove to be really interesting in coming Marvel movies. Plus it's fun to live near DC know and be more familiar with the city. Minus that huge Shield building, not sure where that one is. (haha) Don't forget to stay for BOTH after credit scenes! 

#poorBucky 

Philomena

I rented this movie just wanting something to watch one night while Dave worked late. I didn't expect much, but wow, such a powerful, amazing movie, and from what I understand, it kept quite close to the true story. I cried my eyes out. It's a little slow, but so sweet and touching. I can not imagine being in her shoes. Such heartbreak! And it made me really so grateful for this church I have been raised in. I won't spoil the story, but this is seriously a must watch, a must own. 

Saving best for last...


About Time

Again, another movie I rented one night when Dave worked late, some chick flick that I didn't expect much of. But oh my goodness. Amazing. One of the sweetest movies I think I have ever watched. The message is just amazing. A simple but beautiful love story all about making the most of life, of each day. Plus, Bill Nighy is my favorite. Again, I won't spoil the story, but it really is a must watch, a must own. I even got Dave to watch it and he even loved it. We talked about it for like an hour afterwards. And yes, it is rated R, but honestly it is the most tame R movie you will ever see, I promise! 

I also may have watched the Wolf of Wall Street. And kinda loved it.