Sunshine State

in All Posts

Home, sweet home!

IMG_0110

Funny how excited I get whenever I return to Florida.  I grew up in Miami, moved to Pittsburgh when I was 18, moved back to Orlando when I was 23, and left for Charlotte when I was 26.   Whenever I see the flat, swampy plains and tall, thin palm trees, I can’t help but feel like I’m back home.

 

Reindeer drove half of the way; I did the last bit.

IMG_0096

This post is mostly about car food.  I am a firm believer in packing food for long car trips since food on the highway is typically unhealthy and meat-based.  Not the best mix for two vegetarians!

 

We ate lots of fruit:

IMG_0106

IMG_0108

As well as peanut butter sandwiches:

IMG_0107 

And pistachios from the gas station:

IMG_0101

The drive wasn’t bad at all!  But I was relieved to arrive in Palm Coast.  My sister- and brother-in-law are already here for the party. 

IMG_0112

I was greeted by a huge glass of vino (this was photographed after I drank half)!  Love my family.

IMG_0114

And my mother-in-law plopped this awesome dinner in front of my face!  Lasagna, boiled cabbage and carrots, and sweet potato.

IMG_0137 

I foresee more wine in my future.

 

Fun side note:  All the photos in this post where taken by my new point and shoot camera, the Canon S90!  I asked for this camera for Christmas purely because Tina has it.  :)  I love having an SLR, but man – you can’t beat the convenience of a point and shoot camera!

 

What gifts are you hoping to get for the holidays?  Here’s my list of Caitlin HTP’s Favorite Things 2010!  Some good stuff on there.

 

Oh – hanging out with young relatives on Christmas Eve?  Do a submission for the Operation Beautiful book!

{ 34 comments }

 

  • Baking 'n' Books December 24, 2010, 6:38 pm

    Oh – Christmas isn’t about gifts! We don’t do gifts (for several reasons) but I just like the lights, the season and the shows on TV :)…and the cookies ;).

    Also, what’s a “point-and-shoot” camera? I know – point and shoot? 😉 But how’s it different from any camera? No shaky shots?

    Merry Xmas!

    • Caitlin December 24, 2010, 7:31 pm

      An SLR is more advanced than a Point and Shoot, it’s what real photographers use. However, P&S make everything automatic so it’s easier to use.

      Point and Shoot are just the regular cameras you see around.

    • JenATX December 25, 2010, 12:26 pm

      My family doesn’t do gifts either.. which is nice because it relieves stress but there is definitely a lag on Christmas morning where present-opening should be!

      BUT my boyfriend & I do gifts & i’m hoping for what many other women hope for… jewelry!

      • Baking 'n' Books December 25, 2010, 1:26 pm

        LOL – well, I hope you got your jewellery! 🙂

  • Shannon December 24, 2010, 6:39 pm

    I sincerely hope that “huge” glass of wine was almost gone when you took the pic. Otherwise your definition of “huge” needs a little adjusting. 🙂 Merry Christmas!

    • Caitlin December 24, 2010, 6:52 pm

      Hahaha yes – that was towards the end!

    • Lacey @ Lake Life December 24, 2010, 8:20 pm

      Ditto! When I saw the word “huge” I automatically thought that maybe I should start going to meetings 😉

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) December 24, 2010, 6:40 pm

    I JUST ordered a Canon Rebel 2 days ago. I feel like a grownup, finally having a dslr…so I am chuckling that you are loving your point and shoot. I cannot wait to get my Big Girl Camera in the mail 🙂

    Welcome Home! And i have eaten so many Lance gas station products when I lived in NC, SC, and used to drive to FL and GA a lot…seeing that wrapper made me smile 🙂

  • Theresa @ActiveEggplant December 24, 2010, 6:43 pm

    I was *really* wishing for an SLR camera & my mom got us one! We actually tested it out today for the first time – I’m in love already!

    Hope you two have a wonderful Christmas!

  • Megan (Braise The Roof) December 24, 2010, 7:05 pm

    I love being greeted with wine. Nothing says “welcome” quite like it. Glad you weren’t driving to the Chicago area- it has been snowing here all day! I’m glad we’ll have a white Christmas, though. 🙂

    I didn’t really have much on my list this year except a new food processor and my boyfriend got it for me and gave it to me before he left for home- and I’ve already used it, even though it’s not even Christmas yet. Oops, hehe.

  • Sarra December 24, 2010, 7:11 pm

    i always thought you were an only child for some reason!

    • Caitlin December 24, 2010, 7:30 pm

      I am! All in-laws 🙂

  • The Peanut Butter Addict December 24, 2010, 7:12 pm

    I know what you mean about having to lug a dslr around with you all the time! I’m glad my iphone takes decent photos as a result, because I don’t always take it with me.

    Enjoy your holidays!

  • J. December 24, 2010, 7:49 pm

    I’d really like to buy a camera, but their all too much money – even the tiniest ones. Not sure how all you bloggers do it 🙂
    No gifts. Gifts aren’t important and I couldn’t be bothered with them. Hey…I have no furniture or anything – but I’m trying to turn my attitude around, and it can make a difference in appreciating the season for what it truly, truly is.
    Your bread always looks so yum. I’ve been overdosing on the carbs (from desserts to breads to potatoes at every meal and snack)..and the sugar… and the fat 🙂
    Neverending…I go to bed comatose, and wake up to a hefy-coma breakfast and day all over again.
    Hope you enjoy a lot of special family time.

    • Tammy December 25, 2010, 1:28 pm

      Wow. Every comment? Really? Every comment is the same from you.

      You really know how to bring down everybody.

  • carlee December 24, 2010, 8:07 pm

    I really want T-swifts new CD.
    and money!!!!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life December 24, 2010, 8:18 pm

    There’s really no present I have my heart set on this year. My parents got me a laptop a few months ago as an early Christmas present when my old one died, so I’m happy just to have that!

    Merry Christmas Caitlin 🙂

  • sarah (the SHU box) December 24, 2010, 8:33 pm

    yeah S90! i have one, too 🙂

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss December 24, 2010, 8:38 pm

    I already know two things I’m getting for Christmas- one of them I bought myself. A Nikon D3100!! 😀

    Glad you had a safe trip back to FL. Merry Christmas!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) December 24, 2010, 8:54 pm

    Woo hoo! Florida! My home state! (I was actually at that EXACT same rest stop last night when I was returning home from Maryland!) 😉

    Have fun and have a very Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • Anna S @ History Running Girl December 24, 2010, 9:13 pm

    My ex lives in Palm Coast. Haha. Have a great Christmas.

  • Camille December 24, 2010, 11:11 pm

    I think it’s definitely essential to have a point and shoot!
    Merry Christmas!

  • Babs December 24, 2010, 11:38 pm

    i love the apple-in-the-mouth shot 🙂

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate December 24, 2010, 11:46 pm

    I LOVE my canon point and shoot! This is my second one (I had the first for 5 years!) and it takes the BEST pictures!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing December 25, 2010, 12:34 am

    I’m supposed to be going to FL for new years, can’t wait!

  • erica December 25, 2010, 3:17 am

    the canon s90 is my christmas wish!

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous December 25, 2010, 8:57 am

    All I EVER want is money and clothes. So impersonal, I know. But it’s what I NEED!

  • Amber K December 25, 2010, 11:40 am

    Merry Christmas!! I don’t usually get many presents. No one really has money so we mostly bake each other stuff.

  • Paige @Running Around Normal December 25, 2010, 1:47 pm

    I would LOVE to be in Florida for Christmas, however we DEF have a white (blizzard) Christmas here in Illinois. It was crazy scary traveling yesterday.

  • Orla December 25, 2010, 2:00 pm

    Got my garmin 305- over the freaking moon!! Happy Christmas.

    • Caitlin December 26, 2010, 10:36 am

      Hahah merry christmas! the 305 is great!

  • tieghan December 26, 2010, 8:40 pm

    Where is the palm coast?

    • Caitlin December 26, 2010, 8:42 pm

      Between Daytona and St Augustine

  • Megan@frizzybaker December 27, 2010, 2:56 pm

    My husband and I moved to Gainesville Florida last year but I grew up in the mountains of Asheville Noeth Carolina. It’s funny how those Spanish moss trees, which signature home for you, are foreign to me. Here, the snowy mountains and spring water remind me of home! I love things people notice to identify home. Safe travel back to the mountains!

Healthy Tipping Point