Soaring 175 feet into the sky, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the nation.  A good friend of mine and I decided to embark on the adventure and climbed the 203 steps to the top where we were able to enjoy the fantastic view of the Atlantic Ocean.  The view was only a part of the celebration in reaching the top... MAN are there a lot of steps... and no AC.  The breeze felt slightly better than the spectacular view.  Buildt in 1887, the lighthouse was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998 and is one of the few light stations in the country that still possess all of its original keepers' dwellings and outbuildings.  After the amazing workout that climb to the top provided us, we wandered through the various buildings to peruse through the history of this amazing place.  If you get a chance to get out to Ponce de Leon Inlet, be sure to check out this lighthouse.  Very cool.

Here we are.. about to head in!

Wow... that's a lot of steps

Halfway there!

Ok.. made it! And the view was stunning.

Gorgeous view from top of the lighthouse

Just beautiful... worth all those steps.

This full service restaurant and bar is a popular place for locals and frequent visitors to Daytona Beach.  The famous Sunglow Pier is a favorite for casual days of fishing, sun worshiping and just meeting new friends.  We grabbed a quick bite and a cocktail here on a recent trip to Daytona Beach and snagged a few fun moments visiting with some of the fisherman along the pier.  Great little place to visit for anyone in the area.  Check them out: www.sunglowpier.com

The Sunglow Pier

The view from the pier.. beautiful day!

I'm trying to minimize the number of "new" experiences that are restaurants and with being in Orlando for a couple of weeks I've attempted to cook a few new things.  As you may remember from past posts, cooking just isn't my thing (at least its not my favorite) and oftentimes isn't very promising (Miso Soup anyone?!).  This time I made two new "clean" recipes that were from Tosca Reno's "Eat Clean for Family & Kids" book (though modified due to my dairy allergy): Fish Sticks and Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli.  These may be basic recipes for some people, but it was a first for me to make them.

The Fish Sticks were actually quite easy and delicious.  Most commercially available fish sticks are breaded with dangerous trans fats and are just filled with terrible things.  These are hand breaded and super high in protein and fiber.  I wasn't a huge fan of fish sticks growing up, but adore fish as an adult.  These things are yummy!  It's a great quick clean way to make this popular kids meal without all the sugar and fat.  I use agave sweetened ketchup (Wholefoods) so the entire thing is sugar free.  

The Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli was also fairly easy.  I used the Ezechiel whole grain penne pasta so its chock full of fiber and protein.  In addition to broccoli this pasta also calls for peas and lots of delicious seasonings and herbs.  Another great recipe for kids that is healthy but also yummy.

So this adventure turned out quite well... guess I'm getting some use out of my cute ruffly aprons afterall.  If you want these recipes, just let me know and I can send them to you.  Super easy and delicious!

I will try anything at least once, and though I can't promise to love it, I will keep an open mind.  So when a friend asked that I try "Uni" and "Masago with Quail Egg" last night I agreed.  Then it was delivered to the table.  See... that's the thing about committing to something sight unseen.  First I tried the Masago with Quail Egg.  It's exactly how it sounds... Masago is essentially a subtle and actually bland caviar (bright orange in coloring). Then there is a freshly cracked Quail egg placed on top.  Yolk and all.  Raw.  Not a whole lot of taste and not terrible... though I felt as if I were eating raw egg (which I was).  Moving on.. I next attempted the Uni.  That was much more difficult.  The coloring alone looked similar to something that my beautiful nieces leave behind in their diapers (and for good reason) and the texture wasn't much more appealing.  So I balked and didn't eat the whole roll... just tasted the Uni.  Not a fan.  When I looked it up online this morning.. here is what I found: "it is the Sea Urchin's organs that produce the roe - In other words, the gonads."  So essentially I tried Sea Urchin testicles.  Alright.  Fair enough.  I tried something new.  But they are both moved to the "dislike" column.  At least I tried them, right?

Masago w/ Quail Egg

Uni

CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! is a new “can't miss” live Broadway style stage musical that just recently came through Central Florida.  Who doesn’t love Curious George… the inquisitive and loveable little monkey who takes everyone along on fun mischievous adventures? This show was simply delightful and Gavin and I had a fantastically fun time clapping and cheering on the characters of this World Premiere musical.  Held at the UCF Arena, Curious George swung and flipped his way through a fun-filled story that took us, the audience, from home to Rome.  Since I just visited Rome last year, I was delighted to see many familiar references to Roman culture to which I was able to relate.  Most of the audience consisted of children aged from 2 – 5 years old… and there was lots of laughing out loud, tapping of toes, singing and dancing as Curious George went on a quest to win the Golden Meatball Contest.  It's a story about friends helping friends because of one very special "secret ingredient"!  Definitely a very cute show… wonderful date with LG.  

Chef Pesketti and Curious George... making the meatballs!

As always... problem-solving skills are a part of the story

Gavin was "really hungry"... of course it was for "something sweet and blue"

Two lil monkeys

The Curious George Chef Hat... Gavin got one and we're sending one to Kameron since he couldn't be with us at the show!

Once again... I've discovered a new "favorite"... I just LOVE it when that happens and the place is right under my nose.  The Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar is just a few blocks from my condo, right off Bumby Ave near the Colonial Plaza.  I pass it quite often and at first was drawn to it simply because of the name (and the fact my friend Scott would crack up at the concept).  I checked it out this weekend and fell in love. Not the "lust" sorta love that you feel when you find a really great restaurant with a chic ambiance and an eclectic crowd sipping lattes and milling through intellectually stimulating literature.  The sorta love that consists of vegan treats, dairy free brownies and yummy gumbo.  Yep.. I'm in love.  They serve breakfast and lunch all day long.. plus tons of great coffees, smoothies and teas.  Check them out if you are in town:www.drunkenmonkeycoffee.com

This place reminds me a lot of the coffeehouses I managed in New Orleans... eclectic yet sassy with a wide offerings of wraps, coffees, teas, smoothies, soups and more.  The mismatched furniture and random decor adds such a fun vibe to this place.  Great stopover for us to grab a quick bite.  Definitely a place I'd frequent if I lived closer.

The City of Orlando held "Fireworks at the Fountain" last night from 4pm-10pm at Lake Eola. Surrounded by good friends and family, it was an evening celebrating patriotism with fun, food and fanfare.  There was lots of entertainment including bands, breakdancing, capoeira and meeting "Ben 10" from Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Invasion.  Unfortunately Mother Nature decided to grace us with her cool waters, but living on the lake provided an amazing advantage and we just retreated back to the condo for more food and drink.  The fireworks were amazingly brilliant and energy alone from the crowd was uplifting.  A very fun way to spend the 4th of July.

Our favorite freaky statue in front of Publix was all dressed up!  Not so scary with a blue & white flower bra

First order of business: face painting for Gavin.  He looked like he was at the spa

End result: one fantastic looking Spiderman!  Thanks Face Painting guy!

Red, white and blue (just in the wrong order).. enjoying Paw Paw's coconut run... yum!

Gavin and I with Ben 10

Quickly becoming a hot sweaty mess... but loving every minute of it.

"OMG! I wasn't supposed to make that basket!"

The nice guys at the Magic booth were kind enough to give Gavin these shakers... which we of course turned into fighting swords.

The capoeira performers (AMAZING!)

Fireworks time!

Beautiful fireworks... not done justice with my little Sony Cybershot

Dana and Rich during the fireworks

Now we have the right order... Red, White and Blue! 

Who knows why they handed out these goofy 3D glasses... didn't really do anything

Family - for what I'm most grateful for this July 4th!

Track Shack Foundation held the annual Watermelon Run 5K bright and early on July 4th.  I joined the Leach Family at the early hour of 6:30am along with thousands of others, and participated in this festively colored run.  Caden and Gavin walked with Katy and I while Ryan ran ahead (and did quite well!)... Gavin did pretty good walking on his own and then caught a ride of Aunt Kee Kee's back.  He did FANTASTIC in the Kids' Fun Run.  What a fun morning.. great way to kick off the fourth of July!

THOUSANDS of people out early for the 5K!

We're off....

Gavin did great... and the added weight for the mile I carried him probably gave me a better workout! :)

The "Watermelon Heads" with Miss. Watermelon

There was lots and lots of watermelon available post-race

The finish line... always GREAT to see that!

Post-race... all done!

Caden was also really happy the race was over... hee hee

Gavin with his Kids Fun Run Ribbon - Great Job Gavin!!

This past month has gifted us with some beautiful days here in Florida so when a dear friend of mine invited me to join in on a early morning ride on the motorcycle, I eagerly accepted.  What a great day!  The early morning ride turned into a 10 hour day filled with lots of different adventures, but the ride itself was one of my favorite.  Lots of backroad beauty, tourist filled beach scenery, the infamous "loop" through Ormond Beach.. lots of freedom, sunshine, open road and graceful curves.  Florida's natural beauty is simply stunning and experiencing it on a ride like we did was breathtaking.  Definitely one of my favorite "experiences" this year... just a great day.  

Ormond Loop

One of the many Sugar Mill ruins we passed

Just so peaceful!

Ocean front dining at it's best... Chases has the best idea.. Bloody Mary bar (as in make them yourself).  Though I didn't have a Bloody Mary... I'll be back to partake.  Fabulous quaint spot right off New Symrna beach... yummy margaritas! www.chasesonthebeach.com

This place is fairly typical.. your run of the mill sports bar known for its wings (Wally Wings) and multiple flatscreen TVs.  Located in Destination Daytona, its smack in the middle of biker heaven so I'm confident the business thrives despite our current economy.  The food and cocktails were quite good... company even better.  Plus you gotta love a place where the bartender's name is "Bon Bon - like the candy" (her quote not mine).