Fun fun day at the beach!!! The weather is just perrrrrrfect!
This morning Matt and I suited up and went for a long walk on the beach
What we did not realize is that the Gulf Of Mexico is quite different from the Atlantic Ocean. Of course there are just teeny waves, but also the sand here (at least at this beach!) is super shelly
We walked for about 30 minutes, tip-toeing around shells and doing the “ow ow ow” dance. Finally we retrieved our flip flops and did another 30 minutes pain free.
We also got attacked by a tornado of birds!!
No poop in my hair – thank goodness!
There was pool reading
And beer podcast listening
And a short walk to lunch
We ate at a place recommended by a fellow vacationer called Stilts
A very swanky setting with a gorgeous view!
I had a lump crab salad with almonds and goat cheese, which was delicious but a bit airy
And half of Karen’s grouper taco! The jalapeno slaw on this guy was incredible!
We’re all checked into the Great Harvest conference, and are still waiting on our hotel room to be ready for Matt and me. In the meantime, to the pool we go!
{ 99 comments… read them below or add one }
ahh it looks beautiful! I am craving some 80 degree weather and ocean hair
Okay, I’m insanely jealous of your beach day! It looks so sunny and warm – a total difference from the “warm” 50 degree weather we’re having where I live!
Love the beach cover-up, by the way. Where’d you get it?
Thanks. Target a few years ago, I think!?
I was going to ask the same thing about the beach coverup…what a fun pattern!
Me too! Love love love!
I love it too!! I can’t wait to put on the summer dresses soon!!!
Those beach views look amazing. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to that?
What a beautiful day!! I’m sooo jealous of you right now. What I wouldn’t give to be lounging on the beach at this moment!!
Those bird shots are gorgeous!
Erika beat me to it – I was gonna ask where the beach cover-up was from, it’s gorgeous!
A beer podcast!? What’s that about?
I have to say – suuch stunning photos, I love those bird ones! Though if I’d been there, there may have been a minor freakout…flocks of birds scare me a little :p
I LOVE the Thorn Birds! I remember it was the first real adult book I read in middle school & was my favorite for years. Now I totally want to read it again.
p.s. Everything looks gorgeous there…I’m so jealous!
Cute Cover up from Target!! I love that store! Im so ready for the beach!
Now THAT is a working vacation! The Gulf of Mexico sand I know is super soft, snow white and makes puppy wimper noises when you walk in it barefoot. Must be a different part. Holy birds!
The sunshine and the beach look glorious!! Hope you have your sunscreen.
Stilts…very swanky setting with a gorgeous view…indeed! Looks wonderful!
As do you! You are just radiant in that sundress, Kath! It’s such a cute look on you!
So glad you’re enjoying the beach! Wow, I kinda wish the beaches in San Diego were half that warm right now!
Those crazy birds are scary! I’m glad you didn’t get pooped on.
Your salad looks good.
I meant to ask you last summer… Your bathing suits are so cute. Where do you get them?
Most are old navy .. with a little Target mixed in.
All of those birds would freak me out! The beach looks beautiful. I wish it was warmer here, I’m so jealous!
It looks beautiful there! Enjoy the rest of the day and the conference!
i’m jealous of your vacation pics! so bright and cheery!
i wouldve died if i got caught in that bird swarm!!!! hahaha.
Enjoy the sun! And cute cute dress!
so jealous
I’m so jealous of your gorgeous day! And cute coverup! I love the gulf and all the shells. The bird tornado would freak me out!
The bird photos are gorgeous!
oh my – that swarm of birds woudl have had me running for cover!!! lol
Not all Gulf sand is like that! I grew up super spoiled in Sarasota, FL (a bit north of you!) with Siesta Key Beach…sooooo gorgeous with the super fine white sand.
Enjoy your time in FL!
Those bird pics are awesome! I would not have been able to stay in the middle of that to take the pictures, birds kinda freak me out.
I love that dress! And like everyone else am jealous haha!
Beautiful!
Makes me want to go to the beach right now!
So nice and sunny! Jealous as I sit here and look out the window at grey skies and dirty snow.
Looks lovely! Hope you have a great time getting your vitamin D!
I definitely agree that not all sand is the same on the gulf side. The sand near the Destin area is beautiful and white. I actually can’t even find shells at those beaches.
Are you from near Destin? I just moved to Chicago from there! I was going to comment and say that there are absolutely no shells there! My mom likes to go shell huntin at other places bc of it haha
Gorgeous weather and time with family…seems pretty perfect to me. BTW, you look so happy and adorable in your summer weather gear, love your dress! Have a great time at the conference.
I love your bird shots- truly lovely
So jealous of your beach adventures! The dress is super cute – also if I’m not mistaken, that is the same Thorn Birds cover that is on my mom’s copy from decades ago. Awesome.
WOAH. I don’t eat fish but Karen’s taco/french fry basket makes me really want to try this combo.
Hahaha, I love the transition from terrifying bird swarm to reading the Thorn Birds. :-p
Love your view and walk on the beach. It is cold and snowy here – what I wouldn’t give to swap places with you for a few hours and feel some warm sun!
Enjoy the conference!
So jealous, this looks amazing! I skipped the big vacation this winter but all these pictures are making me wish I hadn’t. Enjoy the sun!
My mother in law!
(Oh, and also business partner)
I see, creator of the veggie lasagna recipe
Thanks for filling me in!
Girl, I love that cover up! You are gorrrrgeous, and so is that beach! Bee tee dubs when birds fly in swarms it freaks me out, I’m glad you’re still alive!:)
AH, it’s gorgeous and so are you! Although the birds would have startled me, those pics are awesome! Have a great time!
I’m obsessed with the first shot of you in your sunglasses. The reflection of all the people in the beach chairs is too cool!
So jealous of your life right now
I am so excited for summer so I can go to the pool!
You’re gorgeous! The weather is gorgeous! The birds are gorgeous! HURRAH!
Oh Kath this looks so divine! What a beautiful conference trip. I am so pleased you’re having a sunny time. It looks AMAZING
Heidi xo
I am quite jealous of the sun and beach! Have fun and get a beautiful tan
Hi Kath!
I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend the restaraunt called Skillets for breakfast! They are located in that area of Florida! It’s AMAZING!!!
By the way, I’m new to your blog and still trying to get up to speed on the storyline.
May I ask who Karen is? I’m guessing business partner or relative?
Looks like a fitting book given the situation on the beach! What do you mean by “airy”? Light? I was wondering who Karen is as well – is she doing GH with you guys as well??
1) super cute cover-up, I saw one of your replies above that it was from Target-love!
2) holy birds
3) those grouper tacos are making my mouth water!
Enjoy the rest of your time there!
Just out of curiosity, what camera and lens do you use? I know it’s a Canon but I was just wondering which model it was.
Canon XSI DSLR with Canon 35 mm f/2.0
oh my god the birds! like outa hitchcock!!!
Your cover-up is very pretty Kath!
I’ve been to that beach too and it is full of shells. Too bad most of them are broken up.
Soak it up girl!
Those smiles just won’t quit with great weather and scenery like that. You guys look so great. Hope the conference goes well. Enjoy!
You look great Kath and I wish I could be in that warm weather right now
Tough life Kath!!
I love that first photo…
I don’t travel AT ALL but your photos sure make me want to start!
That salad looks yummy too!
The water looks incredible! And I love the shots of the birds — how beautiful!
I love those sunglasses! They make me want to pull out mine, but I think I’d look like a giant tool if I walked around wearing mine in the overcast, rainy weather right now.
Glad you’re enjoying your trip so far!
Jealous– the looks of these pictures scream summer and that seems SO far off for me! Enjoy paradise
Super cute dress, can’t wait for warm weather and summer clothes.
omg, those birds! I love it!
Looks like a great day. The birds would have killed me…I HATE BIRDS!
You look adorable with your up! And I’m jealous you’re at the beach!
Looks like so much fun! Enjoy the sun and sand!
That looks amazing, have fun!!
{jealous!} you look adorable!
I’m closing my eyes and pretending I’m there where it’s warm. Have fun tonight!
Beautiful sunshine! Great pics. Love the first one of you
The weather looks amazing! Have a fabulous time!
That locale looks so dreamy!! I’m swooning over it here in humid Texas. That salad looked really good and refreshing! Can’t wait to see more from your trip! Have fun!
I also love your beach cover up – sooo cute!
I have that same old copy of The Thorn Birds that you have. I bought it used a couple years ago and finally started reading it this week.
Haaa I love the picture of Matt peering from the side in the Stilts restaurant! That place looks gorgeous…
And yes, Southern FL does have quite shelly beaches! My family always vacations to Sanibel Island and it is the seashell capitol of the world! Looove it there, it’s like my second home
Too funny about the birds, I’ve had that happen to me so many times!! Did you have snacks on the beach (esp bread?!) That always starts the show for me…
Have fun in FL!
I LOVE Sanibel island! it’s near where my grandparents live and just gorgeous!
Looks like a fabulous day!! So jealous! Nothing but muddy melting snow and 30F degree temps here in upstate, NY. *sigh* I’ll vacation vicariously through you.
How are you liking the Thorn Birds? I read the book then watched the mini-series and loved it.
So jealous where you are and it looks so warm! I’m up in Maine and we just got more snow!
Jealous of the beautiful weather!
That bird attack is insane!
You guys look so happy, and the first picture of you looks great! Reminds me that soon spring/summer will be here.
Ohh the grouper tacos look uh-mazing!! I love seafood tacos!
How fun! Enjoy the sunshine:)
hi — just started following your blog and really enjoy it. super jeal that you’re enjoying that beautiful sunny weather.. where i live (NYC) there’s still snow on the ground. i have to comment on your book of choice “the thorn birds”… i so loved the movie/tv adaptation of the book from the 80′s with Richard Chamberlin.. classic and wonderful movie.. the book must be even better..
Love the sunglasses!
Love Love LOVE, the dress! The pictures of the birds are crazy (in a good way), and just the words lump crab can make me hungry but the picture is throwing me over the edge!
So jealous of the weather and gorgeous water!
I just started reading The Thorn Birds too. So far, so, so good!
Enjoy the conference!
Still totally jealous, but glad you guys are having a lovely time! :]
I love the print on your little dress!!! SO cute!
xoxox
Kathleen
‘Round here most of the beaches are crushed coral!
I’m so jealous, it’s freezing where I am now! I love your sunglasses by the way, where’d you get them from?
No idea!
They look just like mine, but mine were from Forever 21 and they were only $1.50
Does the ring a bell Kath? I love them!
I miss flocks of seagulls.
I love the bird tornado!!
Too funny you are reading the Thorn Birds! Love it! I actually remember watching it when I was a kid on TV back in the early 80s and wanted to move to Australia ever since.
Also, I was just at that “swanky” hotel in October. It’s a timeshare and I actually sell that property on Marco Island from out here on Maui. Pretty random huh?