Beach Weekend: Days 2 & 3

Hi Guys, 


As you may have guessed from the previous post, Fred and I spent a long weekend at the Jersey shore...Diamond Beach, to be exact.  


Our Saturday was full of sightseeing, eating, and even a winery.  To start, we had a wonderful breakfast at a place called Alonsi's.  This little spot was a part of a larger hotel {but the name slips my mind}.  Fred had his usual omelet and I had crepes filled with strawberries.  

After breakfast, we headed south {again} towards the Cape May area and our first stop was the Cape May Winery.  I was pleasantly surprised.  This place was gorgeous and their wine was delightful.  Check out the entrance!

We decided to do some sampling {obviously) and their tasting room was beautiful.  Barrels of wine lined the southern wall and they had little seating areas scattered throughout the large space.  

When we arrived, there was quite a crowd so we got comfortable and made our selections.  

The outside area was also very pleasant.  It was a little chilly, so we decided to enjoy a glass of wine inside.  For Fred, a glass of Chardonnay...and for me, their Red Reserve.

After our visit to the winery we were hungry for a snack, so we headed over to a little place called Lucky Bones, which was a recommendation from the day prior.  As we entered, the overwhelming smell of hard wood burning took over and we were hooked.  Between the wood burning pizza oven and the fireplace, this place smelled amazing.  

We ordered a few snacks to hold us over until dinner.  Fred ordered the Prime Rib Sandwich from the specials board and I ordered an Arugula salad with Green Goddess Dressing and an appetizer portion of Baby Back Ribs.  We both agreed the salad was the best part of the whole meal!


Later that night we headed to a local watering hole, The Crest Tavern.  Then we hit an adorable ice cream shop for some homemade ice cream...chocolate peanut butter for me and plain vanilla for Fred.  Yet again, my photos from these two places are MIA...hmmm...I am wondering what is going on?

Sunday morning was the best day out of the three, weather-wise.  The wind died down and the sun was shining and warm.  I decided to lace up my shoes and hit the roads for a 5 mile run.  The roads at the beach are VERY flat and sometimes boring, but I ran an out and back jaunt.  Part of it was on the boardwalk, which felt good on my legs.  

When I came back, we headed to the beach for a little salty air before we packed up and headed north.  The sand between my toes felt amazing...summer, here I come!

Here's the view from the ocean to our condo...

Next up, a snack at O'Boyle's, a little Irish place in Wildwood.  We split their version of nachos...but instead of tortilla chips, theirs were made with homemade potato chips!

Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end.  However, we made the most of the ride home by driving up the coast through various NJ beach destinations...Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle City and Ocean City, NJ.  

We stopped in Stone Harbor to walk around for a little while and Fred came upon this...

Of course, this was a perfect photo opportunity!


What a relaxing weekend...one we both needed.  Again, I am bummed that some of my photos were lost in the shuffle, but this mini getaway was the perfect glimpse of summer.  


I hope you enjoy your Monday!


Tracy

Beach Weekend: Day 1

Happy Sunday!

The past few days, Fred and I have been visiting Diamond Beach, a shore point in southern New Jersey.  The residential neighborhood of Diamond Beach is nestled in between Cape May and the Wildwoods and it is quiet, quaint, and ultra relaxing.  

Since we will be bringing the girls to this exact spot this summer for a week-long journey of family fun, we wanted to check it out and get our bearings.  


Here's a view of the condo...very beachy!

Check out the pools!  The men were getting them ready for the beginning of the season, which is just a few weeks away.

 

We started our weekend with a glass of Riesling from our favorite New York state winery, Wiemer.  Fred calls it "Nectar of the Gods."  I also brought some brie cheese, crackers and grapes to munch on before our exploration began. 

 

Let the child-free weekend begin!

First stop...Cape May.  It is the southernmost beach destination in New Jersey and it is chock full of Victorian homes, romantic bed and breakfasts, cute shops and restaurants.  This town is a personal favorite of mine. 

This is just one of many adorable streets lined with colorful, old homes.

Stunning...this garden is a work of natural art.

We were a little hungry so we stopped by a local favorite, The Ugly Mug.  It is here where mugs line the ceiling throughout the place and apparently, there is a year and a half waiting list to get one.  Fred and I had a beverage and we split an appetizer of cajun pierogies with sour cream.

A view of Cape May's shopping district...

Fred is fascinated by lighthouses so we headed over visit the one in southern Cape May.  Here it is from across the inlet.

  

The land where the lighthouse is situated is considered a state park.  No swimming is permitted in that area and a bird sanctuary is located on the grounds as well. 

   

We weren't sure what this old structure was, but it seemed to be a ruin of some type. 

There was a sunken ship located about 150 feet off the pier {Sunset Beach} called the S.S. Atlantus.  Apparently, it was a large concrete vessel that was built during World War I, but ultimately it was not practical for military use.  They transformed it's use into a ferry, but a storm hit and the ship broke free.  After several attempts, they couldn't release the ship and it still remains there today. 

This is a restored World War II lookout.  Soldiers used to stand guard and keep watch over possible incoming German ships. 

On our way out of Cape May, I saw this sign.  

 

Back in the late 90's, I ran this exact race for several years in a row and I was so glad to see that it was still "running" strong!  

We also saw this realty company and it reminded me of my little guy at home...Willsey!

For dinner, we went to an authentic New Jersey Italian restaurant called Gia's.  I took a few photos, but for some reason, they are MIA on my camera and computer.  We enjoyed a bottle of Cabernet from the Californian North Coast called Silver Palm.  Delicious!  To start, we ordered Fried Risotto Balls with marinara and parmesan.  Fred enjoyed a meal of Veal Picante and I ordered Chicken Marsala.  If you are ever in the Wildwood area, I highly recommend this place.    

Day one ended and Fred and I were exhausted!  I really think the girls are going to love it here. 

Enjoy!

Tracy

Flower Power

My friend, Katie, makes these adorable paper flowers out of recycled book pages and colored paper.  She initially made them as decorations for her sister’s bridal shower back in the fall, as well as embellishments for the wedding in January.  What started out as a little project for those celebrations led to a small side business on the side...and she now sells her creations on Etsy. 

Check them out:  Lille Syster 

Katie made me this vibrant yellow flower to wear in my hair by using a  hot-glue gun to attach the bud to a bobby pin.  Voila…an adorable {and fashionable} hair accessory.  

Can you believe it's made of paper??  

That day I wore my hair in a low, side ponytail and attached the flower above the band.  The golden hue added a bright burst of color to my otherwise, dull outfit.  That’s what is great about any accessory…they make the ordinary, extraordinary!

Have a great day!

Tracy

Ladies Night at the Apollo Grill

Good morning!

Wednesday night was filled with lots of laughter and commotion as the first grade room moms {and the teacher} hit the town for another party planning meeting.  I use the term “meeting” loosely since our outing was more about gathering together to chat,laugh, and have fun, but as the end of the year approaches, we all felt that we needed to get together one last time to discuss and delegate items and ideas for the classroom celebration.  

The place?  Downtown’s Apollo Grill, a perennial favorite of both Bethlehemites and out-of towners.

Who? The four room moms: Heather, Sue, Rebecca, and me + Alisa {i.e. Mrs. Gonzalez}.  She was brave enough to venture out and join us this time…

There were tons of chuckles over the numerous stories involving first grade mishaps and daily doings.  I have to say…God Bless Alisa.  First grade is TOUGH! 

More importantly, what did we eat?  Usually when I go to a restaurant with dim lighting, the photos are less than stellar and that night was no different.  The Apollo is known for their amazing food and honestly, I have never, ever had a bad meal there.

The Apollo could be considered a restaurant featuring American fusion cuisine and they have a variety of scrumptious selections on their menu.  They have an extremely large and diverse appetizer menu and sometimes people make a meal out of those alone.  In addition, the Apollo offers half portions for select items, which I love. 

Again, the photos below are of a less than satisfactory state and I apologize for the overexposed images.  :)

I got my usual, a half portion of Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce.  This meal comes with their vegetable and starch of the day which happened to be a veggie medley with roasted potatoes.  

Rebecca went back to her beach roots and ordered the catch of the day, which consisted of two Soft Shell Crabs on a Bed of Spinach with grape tomatoes and a remoulade sauce.  The dinner came with a side of jasmine rice.  She said they were “cleaned so well and perfectly crisp!”

Heather knew exactly what she wanted upon arrival...the Panko Crusted Sea Scallops with Orange Shallot Sauce and a side of jasmine rice with coconut, peas and cashews. 

Alisa ordered their Mesclun Side Salad with homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette to start, followed by the Crab Stuffed Shrimp with Tomato Herb Butter.

Susan decided to order a mixture of items from the menu and went with the  Mesclun salad, along with a cup of the Crab and Asparagus Bisque and the Macadamia Nut Panko Scallops with a ginger, carrot, cirus rum sauce.  

I love getting together with these ladies.  Our children are what brought us together and I look forward to the many years we have ahead of us to work and make their school lives even more special than they already are.  We are all sad to end the year with Mrs. Gonzalez because she has been an amazing inspiration to our kids, but I know I can speak for everyone when I say that the children are well-prepared for second grade and what is to come in the future.

Enjoy your Friday!

Tracy