It’s amazing how a location just four hours from Orlando can seem like a world away.
Ryan and I visited Sanibel Island and Captiva during our last minute totally re-planned honeymoon and had a blast. It’s fun to be back!
After breakfast this morning, we covered ourselves in sunscreen before heading to the beach.
Guess who did Ryan’s back?
Since none of our bodies have seen the sun in months, we loaded up on the SPF. I didn’t want to turn into a lobster!
Once on the beach, my family, Ryan and I spent the afternoon enjoying the sun, reading our respective books, and going on leisurely walks up and down the beach.
Look what I stumbled upon!!!
What a total coincidence!
I loved relaxing in a beach chair and totally zoning out. Vacations need to happen more often.
After several hours of time in the sun, we headed inside for lunch.
While preparing our main course, I snacked on pretzel chips with pine nut hummus.
I felt like a pretzel monster! Put dip and anything dip-able in front of me and I go to town!
Once our main meal was ready, I dug into a small bowl of corned beef hash with eggs and fresh blueberries.
Corned beef hash and bacon may be the two best smelling breakfast foods of all time. Yum!
Now everyone is out at the pool and I feel left out, so I’m off to join in the fun.
We have plans for a fancy schmancy dinner tonight and I can’t wait!
Just in case you missed our Sanibel/ Captiva honeymoon posts, here’s a little flashback for ya:
Happy Friday!
Meg says
Everyone thinks I’m SO wierd when I order corned beef hash but it’s so damn tasty!! Hahah 😀
Sadie must’ve left that in the sand for ya’ll 😉 She wants a PBF, obviously!
Laura @ prettylittlewords says
Cute!!!
Mr. Ryan has quite the, er…muscle-y back 😉
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Ahhh! I’m so jealous of you! I need a vacation! Enjoy it girl!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
This sounds like so much fun!! Wish I had a beach nearby … my skin hasn’t seen warm weather for ages, or SPF – well except for my face! 🙂 Have a great afternoon Julie!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews says
I love corned beef hash too!
Kacy says
I am jealous! The beach sounds AMAZING right now!
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
Sounds like you’re having a fun day!
Are those pretzel chips from Trader Joe’s? I’ve tried theirs before, and they’re so good!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
haahaha.. you crack me up.
and I’m so, so jealous of your vacay! send some rays to va beach, puh-lease!
vanessa says
I’m a bit jealous, the nearest beach is 4 hrs from me but sucks and smells like petrol. There are nicer beaches but they are 6-8 hrs further out. Enjoy for all of us that can’t beach out!
Hope says
That beach looks so nice! I am jealous! You are at the beach and I’m sitting at my desk at work. Not fair! Haha! Have a great time! 🙂 Can’t wait to read about your dinner!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
The sun sounds glorious right about now. Glad you’re enjoying the time with your fam!!
Brooke says
Looooveee Sanibel! We used to vacation there when I was little – I want to go back!! Have fun!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
What a coinky dinky! LOL Love the writing in the sand, so awesome!
Allison says
I love Sanibel Island! Haven’t been there in 8 or 9 years, but it was so beautiful! I’d love to try running on the beach, except I live in Chicago and there’s not way I am going near a beach anytime soon. Is it super hard?
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
oooh i’m so jealous! i wish i spent today at the beach 🙂 have fun!!
Lily says
Ahhhhh love Sanibel……grab a piece of cake at the Bubble Room for me!!!! 😀
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl says
Dip is one thing I have zero willpower against! It’s just so….easy. And so…good!
My poor husband always ends up with random spots on his back that I accidently miss. Thank goodness he loves me!
Amy @ ChicFitness says
I’m insanely jealous of your beach front vacation! Cross my fingers that I’ll be headed somewhere warm for spring break.
I’ve never tried hash but my boyfriend loves it. Honestly I wasn’t even sure what it was until I read this post!
Annette says
Enjoy your vacation 🙂 I love spending time with family-glad you get some time to do that as well! I too love pretzels and dip…… hehe
Amy at TheSceneFromMe says
I am loving that you just ate corned beef hash! My mom knows how much I love that, but it’s something we only eat on vacation when we are camping.
I am booking my Sanibel vacation this weekend.
Are you going to the whimsical Bubble Room to eat at some point?
Michelle says
Hey Julie! Enjoy your weekend!
Laura @ Backstage Pass says
That beach looks incredible! Have an awesome afternoon / evening!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I can only imagine if that sunblock heart wasn’t spread out before heading outside..he’d have quite the tan tattoo!
Maryann says
I am so curious…Is Ryan flexing there?! Either way, hes fricken buff!
peanutbutterfingers says
haha no… he has a ridiculously big back. he’s my big bear. 🙂
Maryann (The Balanced Bean) says
Aww haha, I love strong guys too! They make me feel safe 🙂
Kiran says
OMG! We’ve gotta check out Sanibel. Looks like a fantasy escape 🙂
Chicago Cuisine Critique says
Sounds like such a fabulous day. Can’t wait for the rest of the recaps. Enjoy yourselves!
Allison@ Happy Tales says
Yayyyyy I am LOVING this!!! And I am totally living vicariously through you. I sent you some more recommendations via twitter (amazing breakfast place = OverEasy Cafe, and next door is this aweeesome boutique–ask for Dan!) And the dog store right next to that allows pups, so Sadie would be in heaven!
peanutbutterfingers says
thank you so much, allison! i’m trying to convince my family to go to the overeasy cafe this morning!
alyssa - fashion fitness foodie says
I’ve never had corned beef hash – call me crazy! Have fun with your family and Ryan – vacations away are so much fun 🙂
Angie says
Enjoy your vacation Julie! After reading your post for a 5 mile run today I knocked out 6 miles in 56 mins on the treadmill! I’ve never in my life run for 60 mins straight! I was so proud you truly did motivate me! 🙂
peanutbutterfingers says
angie, that’s amazing!!! congrats! 60 min. is a LONG time!
Runeatrepeat says
Did you leave the <3 so he had a heart tan?
Carrie says
AHH SO JEALOUS!! im sitting at my desk looking out my window right now and its pouring rain and freezing cold… you are so lucky!
Grace @ YourDailyGrace says
I have to have some sort of dip with every meal…I’m not sure why? I think I just may like dipping things? I am about to be stuck inside for a while so I am so jealous or you right now!
Amber K says
Isn’t all dip, dip-able? 😉
pawsitivelife says
Hi Julie,
I have been reading your blog for a while, but this is my first comment. What is this ‘sun’ you speak of? Today I ran in -17F on pure sheets of ice….ahhh winters in Ottawa, Canada. I am uber jealous of a run on the beach….5 more months of winter to go! 😉
Ross says
What a huge back! This motivated me on the spot to hit the gym. I can only hope one day my back will be as wide haha.
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
Love pretzel thins. Sounds like a relaxing time!