We are back in Ocala and are officially reunited with the princess herself!
I missed that crazy face.
While we were in Sanibel, my mother-in-law and her boyfriend kindly watched Sadie for the weekend. We’re pretty sure she had a blast chasing the reflecting light in their yard and commanding their undivided attention. She’s already passed out on our couch and we only arrived home 10 minutes ago, so I think she had a good time!
After breakfast this morning, Ryan and I drove to his mom’s house in Sarasota to pick up Sadie, eat lunch and spend a few hours with his family.
His grandma and her boyfriend came over to visit and brought their adorable maltese, Dottie.
Isn’t she a sweetie?
She is a little camera shy, so getting those two pictures of her took some coercing… or some super-fast picture snapping!
We ate a late lunch that seemed more like a gourmet dinner. I was a fan!
My mother-in-law is a fantastic cook and prepared a meal that began with fresh caprese salad, topped with olive oil and salt.
The main course included lots of delicious food and I filled my plate, returning for seconds of almost everything.
And no meal at my mother-in-law’s is complete without dessert.
Vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on top of fresh strawberries and a slice of shortcake was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.
Ryan’s mom sent us home with the leftover meat which will be tonight’s dinner.
We made great time on the drive back home.
The ‘90s pop station on Pandora served as our road trip music.
Gotta love Sister Hazel. Ryan said he owns their first CD and it’s somewhere in a box in our house, so my mission tonight is to dig it up! I love popping in old CDs after not listening to them for years. Nostalgia!
Tonight’s plans include being a lazy bum on the couch and catching up on old shows on the DVR.
See ya bright and early in the morning!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Ahhh I wish I had someone to cook me homemade meals! Sounds so good, and those strawberries look amazing! I’ve actually never listened to Sister Hazel, I’ll have to check it out!
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says
Love the ’90s music! As much as I love iTunes, sometimes I miss the days when I would listen to a CD over and over again until it got to the point where I knew exactly which song came next before it even started playing.
Katie @ Raisins&Apples says
glad yall had a great trip!
Yellow Haired Girl says
Sounds like the trip was a success! And honestly, what better way to cap it off then with some ’90s hits?!
…we have the same plans for tonight. Sooo looking forward to it!
Sana says
🙂 Hope your MIL reads your blog, that is a sweet compliment!
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says
How is that celery prepared? Is it roasted? I’m so intrigued!!
Also, I LOVE that picture of Sadie!! Her face is precious!
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes says
Welcome home! Yes that maltese is too adorable to exist.
Danielle says
Love listening to old music. It’s the best! Enjoy your princess. I’m excited to get home to see my pups tonight.
Raquel @ Toned, Tan, Fit & Techie says
I totally know what you mean about coming back to your doggie! We are doing the Napa Valley Marathon (well I am doing the 5K, my BF is one of the top frontrunners to win it), and we have to leave our dog for the weekend. I get super sad when we leave him, but he is always jazzed to see us when we get back.
And that Caprese salad looks noms!
peanutbutterfingers says
good luck at the big race!!
Raquel @ Toned, Tan, Fit & Techie says
Thanks Julie! Ill wish him luck from PBfingers. He knows I read your blog religiously! Its nice to be sponsored in a race and have everything paid for and have running magazines interview you. I’ll never be that fast, but I like doing it for fun! 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
My mother in law is an awesome cook too! We always used to go over there for Sunday dinners while we were dating.
Joss says
mmm every meal should be like that!
Dottie is so cute 😀
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Our day consisted of a roadtrip as well and it surely was so nice to be reunited with our pups too! Great weekend with the family but so glad to be home… I’m sure you can relate! 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Oh man strawberries and ice cream sound PERFECT right now…
Katie M says
That 90’s station seriously is the bomb! It might be my favorite
melissa says
Yay Sadie is back!
Random but I don’t remember seeing what Ryan got you for valentines day? Did I miss that post?
peanutbutterfingers says
i thought i blogged about it when i talked about our v-day dinner, but i think i actually forgot! he assembled a gourmet food basket for me, filled with foods i love but rarely buy b/c they’re pricier. i loved it and most of them are already gone! 🙂
melissa says
Ah, that is sweet! Very thoughtful:)
Lauren says
I have been LOVING 90’s on 9 on Sirius XM radio. Jamming out to some counting crows on my way home from the store today…so many fond memories.
Alaina says
I love Sister Hazel! I saw them live back in 2000.
That meal looks delicious! I would love to eat that well on a random weekend. 🙂
Caroline says
I bet you’re loving having Sadie back! If I’m away from my puppy for more than a day I miss him too much!
Camels & Chocolate says
We have SEVEN Malteses at the moment, and they really are the sweetest dogs ever!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
I love caprese salad! And that maltese! So so cute 😀
Paige @ Healthy Hits the Spot says
That salad looks amazing! And that dessert- I want it! Love your pictures, and your attitude! My friend and I were just talking today, about how we love how natural your blog is 🙂
peanutbutterfingers says
thank you very much, paige!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
Glad you’re back safe! That salad looks totally awesome!!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
That’s quite an elaborate lunch!! Everything looks delicious!
Khushboo says
Your MIL put on quite the spread, that dessert sounds amazing!
Tasha @ Voracious Eats says
Everything about that meal looks delicious, but it’s the dessert that is calling my name!
Chelsa says
the caprese salad look so good
Hilliary @Happily Ever Healthy says
The meal your mother in law made looks delicious!
Maureen says
Love that Sister Hazel song! I busted out my Alanis Morisette CD a few months ago and relived my teenage angst from years ago! 😉