Tonight’s dinner was a little too saucy.
I love teriyaki chicken, but I think I made a little too much teriyaki sauce and the broccoli florets I added to the sautéed chicken soaked it right up.
I felt like I was eating sauce with a side of chicken and broccoli.
I still polished off my bowl, but next time I’ll be a little less liberal with the sauce.
The World’s Friendliest Toddler
After dinner, Ryan and I bundled up and took Sadie on a walk around the neighborhood.
(I’m pretty sure that picture is a candidate for AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.)
During our walk, an adorable little boy wandered down his driveway, asking whether or not Sadie was a nice dog. We told him she was really nice but a little shy. (Sadie has a bad habit of doing the “bob and weave” around strangers and prefers to love on people she knows.)
As the kid got closer to us he said, “Hi! You guys can come over any time you want.” (Seriously. That was his intro line.)
Then he ran up and hugged Ryan’s face.
Then he hugged me and my heart melted.
He was the sweetest little boy and his dad came out of the garage and waved to us, obviously understanding that he raised the world’s friendliest toddler.
Ryan then said to me, “I guess that’s how they raise kids in Ocala.”
Ever since our move, we have noticed that the people in Ocala are incredibly friendly. They wave at everyone and nearly all of our new neighbors have taken the time to introduce themselves.
I absolutely love Orlando, but it’s definitely a city of transplants, which I think makes it lack a little bit of that “hometown” feel. People rarely wave at each other unless you really recognize someone and I guess I just got used to that. I’m gradually adjusting to the whole “make sure you wave at everyone you see” thing and I’m loving it.
When we got home from our chilly walk, it was time for peppermint hot chocolate.
Dessert in a cup. Mmm!
Hoping to sneak in an hour of reading tonight.
Enjoy your evening!
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Friendly neighborhoods are so nice sometimes! Since moving back to my hometown I really enjoy seeing familiar faces but at the same time I miss being able to go places without being recognized or stopped to chit chat about my life story! lol. The only aspect of the story with the little boy that kind of scares me is him running up to someone that may not be so nice someday. I think having a bit of stranger anxiety as a child is definitely a good thing because not everyone out there is a wonderful person.
Yum…peppermint hot cocoa!
I made a homemade mix for my aunt for xmas and it turned out GREAT if I may say so..
That is absolutely adorable.
Small towns really are the best. They might be lacking exciting nightlife or restaurants, but you can’t beat the people—or the kids willing to hug your face ; )
Mmmmmm….Peppermint Hot Chocolate! That would certainly hit the spot right about now.
Cute mug, too!
Too much sauce..I didn’t know it was possible. The stirfry does look really tasty in the pic though.
I love the feel of small towns. I grew up in one but live in a city now. I miss the friendly waves.
I’ve actually noticed that Denver, although a big city, is really friendly too! People will stop and help you shovel snow, they’ll help jump start your car… it’s pretty cool! It’s nice that the kids in Ocala are friendly though– kids these days… lol. Nice that you found a pleasant place to live! 🙂
Hha..I love how you “bundled up”. I wish I could bundle up like that. I just put two pairs of sweat pants, a big bulky jacket, gloves, scarf and hat on.. and big old boots.. to let me dog go to the bathroom. Ooh New England..
What a sweet story!!!! I love that kinda atmosphere. I am loving Denver, but it’s DEFINITELY a transplant city too.
Whenever I think of small towns – I always think of Gilmore Girls. I always wish I lived in a small town.
That little boy sounds adorable!
I love Gilmore Girls and loved this comparison! 🙂 If so many more places were as fun with nice people and a strong sense of community
Yes! I’m the stereotypical friendly MIdwestern girl so when I moved to Boston, I was so taken aback by how no one EVER smiles or even makes eye contact out in public. Now when I go back home, I forget and keep thinking I’m not recognizing someone when they randomly wave or smile!
Hey Julie!
I’ve been a fan of your blog for a long time and am finally taking the time to comment! That teriyaki bowl looks delicious, but I am a lover of all things saucy. More sauce and less cheese on my pizza, please! I am a college student right now and I go to a very friendly school, I just love seeing smiling faces when I’m walking to class. Ocala sounds like my kind of town!
thank you so much for commenting, lindsey!! 🙂 i’m so glad your college is so friendly. that’s awesome!
I did the reverse – I grew up in a town where everyone waved and said “hi” but now I’m that weirdo who says hi to people in a less friendly city. Those kinds of friendly towns are the best – I didn’t really appreciate it until I moved. Enjoy the munchkin hugs!!
i can relate to this post all too well! first of all, i’ve done the same thing with soy sauce and broccoli one time as i was doing a stir fry. i got a little too carried away with the soy soyce – talk about some salty broccoli!
also, our neighborhood here in utah is very “small townish” and everyone waves to everyone whether they know you or not. whenever my husband and i go on walks, people are always so friendly. i love it! i grew up in phoenix and went to school in LA, so i’m used to more of the “big city” feel. it’s taken me awhile to get used to the fact that people will wave at me even if they don’t know me, but now that i’m used to it, i really like it!
Your town sounds cute! There’s no such thing as too much sauce in my book…I love when you order Chinese and get soggy broccoli.
Aww cutest kid ever! Haha love the awkward fam pic 😉
What an outgoing kid!!! I love that! And I really want to live somewhere that has a hometown feeling. Chicago is fun, but it’s a bit big for me long term
Hi Julie, totally off topic question but I wasn’t sure if you check comments from older (Blog Talk Tuesday) posts. Can you talk about your experience with FoodBuzz, and why you chose them as an advertiser?
Secondly, we’re here in Englewood Florida with our goldendoodle (golden retriever/poodle mix) Alfie, and every time we walk him anywhere in public, people surround him and want to ask a ton of questions. Being from NYC (I hate to admit this) I totally check to make sure my wallet is still in my purse after they leave. I can’t help it; I’m just so not used to people being friendly for no reason!
sure! i chose foodbuzz basically on a whim b/c they were who i saw a lot of other bloggers using. i am really happy with them, though i know a lot of people also really like blogher and glam media or bliss. i would definitely just look around and see which one might fit you best. many of them have different payment schedules, so you can see which option would be the most lucrative for your blog.
haha. How cute!! Its funny because I’m from very small towns and when I’m in big cities I feel like everyone hates me (or thinks I’m weird) 🙂
I live in Orlando now and completely with you! Although I love all that Orlando has to offer it is definitely a city for transplants and tourists! It can be hard sometimes.
That little guy is too adorable!
Are you reading The Night Circus yet? I love it!!!
i HAVE to start it this weekend! i’m glad you’re enjoying it so far!
This made me laugh out loud! What a sweet little boy 🙂
How cute!
I notice that here too since we have moved to NC. A lot of people in Alaska are grumpy I always assumed because of the weather (bitter cold and 7 months of winter is bound to do that I suppose) so I am still getting used to it me a while but people here in NC are so nice and friendly!
That is too sweet! 🙂 it sounds like you guys are in a good family oriented place
In North Carolina everyone waves to everyone and I’ve always done it! Now I’m in New Jersey and I wave to people and I’m pretty sure they think I’m a crazy person. I actually waved at someone once and got the finger back…oh how I miss that Southern hospitality! I’ll have it back one day!
Aw that kid sounds adorable! I love when kids come up to see my pug… they do say the funniest things!
I moved to a very small town where everyone waves at people. At first I really thought I must have looked like or drove the same car as someone else because EVERYONE waved at me when I was driving. After awhile I just realized people do that around here.
Now when I go “home”, I notice how rude people are when I am out running. No one waves, and most of the time they barely manage to slow down and get over a little bit for me.
yes! i thought the same thing when i went back to orlando. no wavers!
Peppermint hot chocolate sounds fantastic about now.
Okay taht is the cutest thing EVER! I would ahve hugged his face right back.
I love that small town feel. I moved to Orlando from Indiana and felt like I moved to such a big city! I love Orlando but sometimes miss that friendly small community vibe.
I went to college at Ohio State and the school was absolutely huge! I could walk around campus the whole day and not see one person I knew. When I went to vist my now husband at his school, there were maybe 2500 students and everyone seemed to know everyone! They all played sports together and could point people out by name. Kind of like your city comparison, I definitely missed that ‘homey’ feeling when I would get back to Columbus. There are good and bad about both, but it is nice to feel noticed and welcomed 🙂
Awwww that little boy sounds absolutely adorable! What a sweet thing to have happen during a dog walk.
That is beyond adorable! A new family moved into a house near us on our walking route and they have a 3-4 year old boy who ran out of the garage the first time we walked by and just jumped right into a conversation with us about being an astronaut. It definitely took me by surprise at first. I’m not used to kids being so outwardly friendly!
Ocala is definitely a great place to raise a family 🙂 minus the fact that all the old people don’t know how to drive. At least they’re friendly.
aaaand i just realized i totally spelled your name wrong in my afternoon post! ah! so sorry, lindsEy! 🙂
No biggie! I’m used to it. At least you corrected yourself unlike most people 😉 ps I need to pick up a mag. I didn’t even get to talk to u about any of your articles! Oh, and text me your email please. I’m going to send some recommendations for things around town 🙂
I am the queen of over-saucing things. That sounds weird…
I mean, I worry that things will be bland, so sometimes I also put too much sauce on my food. 🙂
That meal looked SO SO good…too bad it was too teriyaki-y!
Something about seeing broccoli makes me crave it…weird?
ha, i love it. maybe when he grows up a little (or now?) he can become a dog sitter/play buddy for sadie?! 🙂 kiddos are the best (especially when they don’t notice/care about
odd things they do, such as hugging a stranger’s face. lol)!
I’m assuming you’re reading The Night Circus?! How far are you – it’s been a little slow start for me but I’m almost hooked!
i’m terrible and still haven’t started. i meant to last night, but got side tracked. hoping to begin this weekend!
I moved from College Station Texas (home of howdy and the ultimate small town feel) to huge Dallas Texas and it was so weired that everyone didn’t say hi to one another! I really miss that!
I’ve loved in NYC my whole life were no one even wants to smile in your general direction, but my parents have a house in PA and everyone there is so nice and friendly. They do the wave thing. I wave more there in a weekend than in a year in New York! I love the friendliness and cannot wait to get out of the big city.
That boy sounds so sweet…I love coming to the States because I find everyone SO friendly compared to London!
That is just so friggin’ gosh darn CUTE! i love that he hugged Ryan’s FACE! That is just so sweet 🙂 I love friendly towns that scream safety, warmth, and comfort…….kinda like that mug of peppermint hot chocolate in its rightful mug!
it really made me laugh b/c ryan HATES when people touch his face. 🙂 it was too cute!
So sweet! I love that little kids do stuff like that – they don’t even think about it, just natural 😉
People in Orlando are definitely not the friendliest! I hope when I finish school I move somewhere a bit more homey…and even if your dinner was a little saucy it looks amazing!
I so wish I lived in a place like that! That was my favorite thing about going to college in a small town is it kind of felt like everyone knew each other. I’ve lived in my house for over a year and still never even seen most of my neighbors!
i love this photo of your family! hahah! so cuteeeeee!
That stir fry looks really yummy!!! What kind of sauce did you use?
a homemade teriayki sauce!
I would love your recipe!!! Maybe a future blog post 🙂
i loosely followed this recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/teriyaki-sauce-55859 🙂
The photo is cute… but maybe a little bit on the awk side haha. It would be more funny if your pup was posing for the camera! Peppermint hot chocolate sounds amaaaazing!
I live in the DC metro area and people are so like those people in Orlando! No one speaks to anyone and rarely smiles LOL! Which is so odd to me b/c I’m from a small area in Oklahoma and people are overly friendly… down to even the person at Walmart and the Gas station. Evyerone asks how you are and smiles. I miss my small town 🙁 THanks for your story though. I can understand 😉
You usually share your recipe and/or ingredients. That stir-fry looks amazing and I am also a big fan of teriayki. Please share your homemade recipe!! Have a wonderful weekend!! 🙂
BTW – did your heart-pumping “3 rounds” circuit yesterday and i was sweating bullets. awesome workout!
i loosely followed this recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/teriyaki-sauce-55859
so glad you liked the circuit!!