Our Staycation Adventures - January and February 2011

As we reflected on this year, we decided this year we would really try to do more in our neighborhood - explore Tampa, try to meet up with friends who were travelling to the Tampa/Orlando area, and take days trips to nearby cities. Here's how we have done so far:

A good friend of Angie's came for a visit at the end of January. She was very interested in the kumquat tree in the backyard so we decided to have a kumquat fest! We made a relish for pork, candied it and even invented a drink. It was so much fun to use what was right in our backyard.

The first weekend in February we headed over to Tampa Bay Downs for Glenn's first trip to a Racetrack. The day ended up being cold and windy, but we had fun betting on the horses.

Tampa Bay Downs fulfills every stereotype of what a race track should be - from the cigar smokers to the surly men taking your bets to the slight film of grime. It was a perfect introduction for Glenn.

The weekend before Valentine's Day we headed down to Sarasota to meet up with Glenn's Best Man and his wife. Before we met them for lunch at Sarasota Brewing Company, Glenn and I decided to check out the Ringling Museum.

 It's an amazing property. It has several museums covering the Ringling's art collection, the history of the circus and circus memorbilia. We also toured their estate. It was so interesting - especially since the Ringling's acquired most of their furniture through New York estate sales. The styles were all mixed together. The chandeler from the Waldorf-Astoria hung over a desk from the 1500s. The property is right on the water so it was a beautiful view.

After our tour, we met up with Barry and Lisa at Sarasota Brewing Company.

The inside was pretty dark. The beer sampler was pretty standard though I did like the Porter. After lunch, we headed to the Selby Botantical Gardens. The hot house and koi pond were my favorites.

The next day we headed to Disney World to catch up one of my college roommates, her husband, mom and dad, and two daughters.

Note to self: Giants cast a big shadow

We had so much fun with them at Hollywood Studios. The oldest girl just wanted to get autographs so we went from place to place looking for characters. Luckily the Toy Story line had things to do.

That cute little finger in the corner is my roomate's daughter's.
I think she took a pretty good picture!

It was so great to get to catch up and to meet their adorable daughters!!

After hearing about our adventures, a couple more of my college friends let me know when they are going to be at Disney World. I can't wait for all reunions!!

This past weekend, another of my college roommates and her husband came for a visit at the Spusk B&B. We went to the Red Wings v. Lightning hockey game where Glenn was very excited about the free clapper we got.

We also spent a lot of time enjoying the nice weather, playing board games and video games. Saturday night we took a boat tour of the Tampa harbor and had dinner at one of the restaurants right on the River. It was a fantastic weekend and I definitely did not want to say goodbye!

We have lots more on tap in the upcoming weeks! We'll keep you posted!