(Caitlin told me to hold her sweet dog Maggie “like a football.” Apparently I need to learn how to hold a football!)
Caitlin is a blogging buddy of mine and we’ve become great friends outside of the internet. I cannot thank her enough for providing Ryan and me with some stellar recommendations during our short stay in Charlotte. I had the chance to visit Caitlin Monday morning before we had to head back to Florida while Ryan was grabbing breakfast with a friend. We split up so we could both spend time with a our buddies and I’m so glad I was able to enjoy a few hours with Caitlin and her sweet family before we had to head home.
I got to meet Caitlin’s adorable son, Henry, her sweet husband and her super cute dogs and cat. I was happily smothered by kisses from Maggie, Caitlin’s dachshund, and James, an adorable German shepherd/dachshund mix, upon my arrival. Maggie seems to share Sadie’s disregard for personal space which had Caitlin laughing because I didn’t even flinch when she finagled her way onto my lap. I assured Caitlin that her behavior was nothing compared to Sadie who gets in your face and follows your face with her face when she sits on your lap! And Jaaaames! James was such a little love machine. I adore him.
I’ve been reading Caitlin’s blog for years and we’ve hung out in person a few times at various blog-related events (most recently at the ZOOMA half marathon), but this was the first time I got to spend time with her family!
Henry is officially the cutest little boy and SO polite!!! He greeted me by name (he said it “Dulie” which melted my heart) and I was so impressed when he repeatedly said “thank you” to Caitlin when she passed him some applesauce and a banana. He is such a joyful and exuberant little boy!
Even though we were only able to hang out for a few hours, I enjoyed every minute and am anxiously awaiting more time with my friend in June when we’ll be reunited during the Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill race weekend. (If you’re in Boston June 7 and/or June 8 and want to run in one of the races, click here for some 10 percent off coupon codes!)
Back in Florida
The drive back to Florida took up the rest of our Monday and we spent the night at my parents’ place in Jacksonville which was a great decision since it saved us an additional two hours in the car. We were also reunited with Sadie!
We owe a big thank you to my sister and Ross who kindly looked after her all weekend. They are fabulous dog sitters and Ryan and I loved all of the picture updates they sent our way. Here are a few:
Clearly Sadie was up to her usual shenanigans while we were away!
Breakfast
This morning I awoke to a super simple breakfast I prepared before bed last night.
Almond butter overnight oats prepared right in the almond butter jar!
I made the oats similar to the way I make my peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough overnight oats and loved every bite.
I hope your Tuesday is off to a good start!
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Henry really is such a cutie!
I have still never made overnight oats, I’m BAD!
He is so precious!!
Jealous! I wish I had blogger friends that lived nearby. 🙂 I can’t quite get into cold oats, but soaking overnight definitely helps speed up the cooking in the morning.
I’ve never used my empty peanut butter/almond butter jars for this before and always meant to. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with a PBJ overnight oats mixture, which really makes me happy. Hope you have a great morning:)
Mmmm…overnight oats! I make them quite often, but I’ve never done them in an empty nut butter jar before, but I’ve loving that idea. It’d be a great way to use up every last drop of that delicious nut butter!
i made your peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough overnight oats last night for this morning and they were stellar as always! and a lifesaver as i woke up starving!
So glad to hear it!!
Blogging really is such an amazing community! And I know now what I am doing with that almost empty jar of peanut butter in my pantry.
The question is did the almond butter oats trump your peanut butter ones ?! 🙂
Overnight oats are the best. My favorite part of finishing a nut butter jar!
I always love your pictures of Sadie! Henry sure does look like a keeper he’s going to melt hearts one day!
Those overnight oats look so good! I loooooove Justin’s Almond Butter!
awww so cool that you got to spend time with Caitlin and her family!
sadie all wrapped up in the blanket, slightly reminiscent of ET, so cute!!!!
Hahaha she totally is!
I literally have three empty jars of almond butter just waiting for overnight oats! I will definitely have to try your recipe ASAP.
I love Caitlin’s blog and her family is SUPER cute! So glad that you were able to spend time with one another! Can’t wait to hear about the Runner World Festival!
do you think Justin’s brand is worth the price? I always see it and consider splurging on it…
I love it and think it tastes amazing but I typically buy whatever almond butter I can find on sale 🙂
Looks like a nice visit! Can you heat the oats in the microwave or do you eat them cold?
I would take them out of the jar since it is plastic before heating them up, but you definitely can warm the oats in the microwave if you like that better!
I probably would, as cold oats do not sound appetizing to me. It would be like having cold scrambled eggs.
MMM oiaj! esp almond butter.. love breakfast!!
Happy Tuesday! I’m off to enjoy some oats as well! Have a good day!!
How fun that you got to spend some time with Caitlin and her family! I can only imagine how adorable and polite little Henry is!
I haven’t had OIAJ in ages… It’s always a great warm weather breakfast, so I’d say it’s about time!
I make overnight oats all the time but have never tried them in a jar. I should get on that! Enjoy your day.
That’s awesome that you’re friends with Caitlin! I also enjoy reading her blog and think her son is so cute!
I need to try overnight oats with almond butter! It looks delicious!
Sadie is such a cute dog!!! Love her faces 😛
Almond butter overnight oats sounds like I’m doing this for tomorrow with the almond butter left on the jar 😀 Never done this before!!
Looks like a really fun trip. And I always laugh when I see overnight oats (which I love) because it’s only something bloggers, and those who read blogs, seem to know about.
Julie, I’ve been reading your blog for quite awhile now but have never commented! I love all your pictures of Sadie – especially the second one above. She is just adorable! I’ve always wanted a Vizsla – maybe someday! 🙂
Also, I’m running the Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill 10K that weekend and I know a bunch of other bloggers that are too. It’s going to be such a fun weekend!
Hope to meet you in Boston!!
Sadie is such a goof–I love pictures of her 😀 Your pictures yesterday of Charlotte were gorgeous. I would love to visit there sometime!
I love this idea of the overnight oats right in the nut butter jar. I still have not had a chance to try making them. Too many great recipe ideas!
I still have not tried the overnight oats even though I have seen it EVERYWHERE. I have to do this soon!
Looks like you had a fantastic weekend! Sadie could not be any cuter, and Caitlin’s little boy…look at that hair! Adorable! Placing oats right into the jar, you’re a genius! I hate dishes so one less would absolutely make my day. Thanks for sharing!
~Bre
JUSTINS!!!!! Love, love, love.
What a fun and quick trip! I love meeting blogging friends…and those overnight oats look scrumptious 🙂
Henry says “thank you so much Dulie” for all your kind words 🙂
I just LOVE polite little children!! It’s so adorable and I give major credit to their caregivers for instilling those qualities in them early 🙂 Also great timing with another overnight oats recipe. I’ve been lacking in ideas and my oatmeal is just too plain boring lately haha
So random, but just saw you on Wedding Wire! Your friend’s wedding was featured on their Real Weddings section!
Hey Julie-
I am busy planning my own wedding and get TONS of emails from different wedding sites. This one popped into my inbox today and I immedately recognized your friend, Merri, from the pictures you posted from her wedding. I am sure you already know about this, but just in case you haven’t seen it.
http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-photos/real-weddings/classic-fall-florida-park-wedding/i/cb87aa2eae36689e-7f41f39c00dd92f3/c54914d97ef35058?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=Weekly+Newsletter
Oh my word, Henry is too precious! And “Dulie” is the cutest thing I’ve heard all day. Between him and Maggie, I’m overwhelmed by the cuteness!
I don’t think my dog would be very happy if I started using the pb jars for myself! She loves getting the empty jars to lick clean!
I’m going to Jacksonville this weekend for a wedding. Any suggestions on great breakfast or lunch places?
My favorite way to eat my overnight oats is in an almost empty almond butter jar! I have not decided yet whether I like the maple or the vanilla Justin’s flavor better! It’s a tough choice 😉
Those oats look AMAZING!! The maple almond butter is the best! And I’m all about make-ahead breakfast.
Ahh nothing is better than overnight oats right out of the jar! And that had to of been so nice meeting her family and seeing that part of her life!
So so great that you got to hang with Caitlin! And I’m so happy to hear you’ll be in Boston soon! I would love to see you girl! We should try and plan a meet-up or something while everyone is here.
Hope you are well lady!
I’m so scared of leaving Alfie alone with someone here in this new city, new country… I’m not sure if we COULD leave him because we don’t really know anyone around here to ask just yet. Good thing little mister king of the castle is only a ten pounder, and we can cart him around (in my purse) lol actually I don’t…
What a fun way to finish out your trip! I love having blogging friends all over the country! 🙂
Looks like such a fun time!! Henry is seriously one of the cutest kids I’ve ever “met”, and by met I mean that I feel like I know him because of the hilarious Instagram videos Caitlin’s been posting. And I know it’s dinner, buy you’ve got me craving overnight oats now! 🙂
The end of an almond butter jar is such a bittersweet time for me. I’m sad that it’s nearly empty but I love eating straight out of the jar!
Oh my gosh, I love Sadie wrapped in a towel!
Love the Sadie in a towel photo 🙂
I love overnight oats but I HAVE to try these two you suggested !! They are right up my alley of what I love!
I just had to do a double take and check whose blog I was reading!
So fun to get to hang out with blogging buddies in new cities!
What great pictures of you with Caitlin as well as the one of Caitlin with Henry. Sounds like you had a lovely little visit! I seriously need to make overnight oats. Does it keep you full for a while? I need a hearty, protein-filled breakfast to keep me going through the morning.