Mixed Media Weekend!

Hi darlings!
I hope everyone has had a great weekend. Mine was super jam packed, but so much fun! Warning, mega post ahead, we've got a lot of catching up to do, and not much time to do it in!

After an "interesting" day at work on Friday, including being mainstayed by the mentally handicapped janitor at our school over the disposal of the seriously dead cats in my store room (long story, but someone was sticking his special little nose where it didn't belong, and I'm ready to wage war!) and running around like a crazy chicken with my head cut off trying to get things ready for students on Monday (tomorrow! ack!) I was beyond ready to hop in my car for a weekend of birthday celebrations and a last hurrah of summer for the 211 girls before we all start back for the school year, this time as teachers! I met up with Jenna, the Orlando bestie, and her bf in Otown and we carpooled the rest of the way down to WPB. Upon arrival we broke out the champagne, of course in traditionally 211 style and gossiped the night away before crashing into our respective beds-or couch, in my case.

Eats on Friday included a banana-fest for breakfast:Oatmeal Squares and Life with 1/2 a banana and reduced fat milk, plus the other half of the banana with Naturally More PB and honey. I can't seem to get enough of this combo, so don't be surprised to see it again.

Lunch was burgers and baked beans from provided by the Florida Farm Bureau. I forgot to take my camera to the Ag Shop where lunch was being served. It was tasty, but nothing to write home about. I'm really glad that I didn't decided to go veggie, because I wouldn't have been able to eat any of it. Even the beans had meat in them! Welcome to the country, ya'll. haha. I don't think anyone even knows what "vegan" is here!

Dinner was a bust, kinda. I attempted to get a "healthy" dinner at Micky D's, so I got the Chipotle BBQ snack wrap and the Apple Walnut Salad.Small much? I think I had about 6 apple slices and 2 whole grapes!...the snack wrap was tasty, but not enough to really fill me up for long.

So this happened later in the car on the second leg to WPB.Bad Jess. Twisted Frosty with Fries. Mostly yum. They put the coffee toffee thing in my Frosty by mistake, and considering I already had part of a Heath bar this week it didn't work for me. Tooooo Sweet. The sole male in the car enjoyed it though, and we all know it's important to keep the driver happy, so it wasn't a complete waste.

Saturday morning broke a bit breezy and overcast but we braved the weather, and the deli lines at Publix, and before long we were geared up with rented kayaks and trucking (or paddling if you want to get technical!) over to Peanut Island for a fun afternoon of hiking, swimming, grinder nooshing, beer drinking and photo shooting fun....wanna join? See below!

Yes, I matched my kayak and yes, we do like to jump- a LOT.

I really enjoyed the kayaking, since it was a fun way to get in some exercise and really concerted the idea in my head that I want my own kayak. Come on Christmas! ;)

After a furry of showers we headed off too YardHouse for dinner. It's a restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens that has 100+ beers on tap. We had a mixed media of beverages at the table:

Cider, porter, Bloody Mary (mine) and a Raspberry Martini. I really enjoyed my Bloody Mary, it was super spicy, and I needed a break from all the beer that had been consumed on the island already.The break didn't last too long though, since my next drink was a "Black and Blue"Guinness with SeaDog Blueberry. Yum. Love doing combos with Guinness. I get "snakebites" a lot too, which are Guinness with cider.

Dinner was interesting. I ordered the Chicken Enchilada Stack. I was intrigued by the description of:
chicken and roasted pasilla peppers in garlic cream layered with jack cheese, fresh corn tortillas, pinto beans, tomatillo and red chile sauce I found the chicken to be a bit tough. I wish I had tried to order this vegetarian some how, with more peppers and onions and beans, or something, but our waitress was a bit ditzy and thought it would be easier just to go with the flow. I ended up picking it apart and ate mostly the peppers and beans. The flavor was great though!

After dinner we went to see a local band play, The Midnight Life and then out for more (unpictured) drinks with the boys, especially since our Birthday Girl has been dating the lead guitarist and vocalist since we were in college, so yes, we know all the guys. If you like hard metal give them some love ok?

I woke up feeling great after a day of crazy drinking. Carrying water with me all night really helped I think. I went for a leisurely run around the neighborhood (they have asphalt running paths, love it!) and stopped at the park I had found on my last trip for a water break (gotta love water foutains-cause I dislike carrying a water bottle when I run) and some yoga in the shade. I felt so calm and relaxed that I just walked back to the house while having my own little "church" service. I love all the beauty that is in our world and think that God likes to hear some appreciation now and then. It was a lovely Sunday morning.

Ham and cheese toast was a nice refuel after a cold shower.Eventually we got packed and started the trek back north, but not before a pit stop at Chipotle. I love this place and don't go enough! I got the Burrito Bowl and had it filled to the top with:

Rice
Pinto Bean
Sauteed (and spicy!) Onions and Peppers
Shredded Pork (it's the best-if you are a meat eater like me!)
Tomatoes
Corn Salsa and Tomatillio Salsa
Guac
Light Sour Cream
Lettuce
I know you can't see that huge list of yum under the lettuce, but it was the bomb dot com and I had a ton leftover! Lunch tomorrow? Oh yes. Paired with a lovely "Arnold Palmer" which is just iced tea with lemonade, if you didn't know.

After a nerve racking "game" of will we make it to the gas station before running out of gas I decided that some treats were needed. I got these to share with the car. So sour, so good!On my second leg of the drive I called one of my loves that lives in Gville and she suggested I stop by to chat, since I was driving right by. Of course I said yes! and what better place to chat than at TCBY?
I got a "Junior" size (5oz) of the Original Tart with raspberries and cookie dough pieces. Hit the spot, since I've been craving FoYo this week. I'm going to swap the cookie dough for dark chocolate chips next time though!

I finally made it home to find my Mom had cooked up a pot of homemade turkey soup with the carcass from last week's roast turkey. So of course I had to do some "quality control" and had a bowl. Oh so good. Have I mentioned that I LOVE soup? Because I LOVE soup! And there are some perks to living at home, walking right in to a cooked and on the stove top meal. I'm such a lucky girl!Now this lucky girl needs to get her arse in bed, since I have to head to the school early and get a few things finished up before the kiddos arrive. Wish me luck!

Love to all,
~A ready as I'm going to be, Jess

PS. Check out the beautiful flowers my M&D sent me on Friday. They freshen up my smelly classroom!