A Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Kind of Day

A mixed dozen of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

The first day of summer and it was a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts kind of day.

Now and then I have a Girls Day Out and meet with one or more of my girlfriends at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Pensacola. This morning it was Betty and I and some very yummy donuts. Betty bought a couple dozen donuts to take home and for friends. She got a dozen still-warm original glazed and a dozen assorted. They looked so yummy that I had to take some photos.



My yummy Key Lime Cake donut.

I only ate one donut, a Key Lime Cake, which was fabulous. Believe me, it took a lot of willpower not to eat a dozen.

Imagine sitting there for a couple hours watching all those warm donuts coming off the conveyor belts. A couple hours of looking at the glass case filled with every kind of donut imaginable. A couple hours of watching one person after another downing one donut after another. Not to mention a couple hours with all those yummy donut smells.



My Key Lime Cake donut was as tasty as it looked.

Shouldn't I win some kind of award for sitting there all that time and only eating one donut?

So you ask, why did I only eat one donut? Thinking back on it, I'm asking myself the same question.

Well, at the moment I was thinking of summer and wearing a bathing suit at the beach and not wanting to look, well, you know, like I shouldn't be wearing a bathing suit. So I only ate one donut. And now I'm thinking I should have eaten two or three or four.


Tonight I'll be dreaming about those donuts I really should have eaten. I mean, how many calories are we talking about? In the overall scheme of things, would it have made that much difference to eat more than one? I swear, on our next Girls Day Out I'm eating at least two donuts. Or maybe three?

In case you want to go there: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Pensacola, Florida

Shades of Summer - Hot Summer Reads

Coffee and 'The Monmouth Summer' by Tim Vicary.

Tomorrow is the first day of summer. So this is the perfect time to start stocking up on great summer reads. For that reason, I decided to give you a list of some of the summer reads on my Kindle Fire.  I hope you find some you'll enjoy in the list below.

Barbara Freethy's 'Summer Secrets' on my Kindle.

Summer Reads (in no particular order):

Summer of Fire by Linda Jacobs
The Monmouth Summer by Tim Vicary
Summer Secrets by Barbara Freethy
One Summer in France by Bev Spicer
Summer's Storm by Denise Domning
That Summer in Cornwall by Ciji Ware
Summer Lovin' by Donna Cummings







Denise Domning's 'Summer's Storm' on my Kindle.

Last Summer by Teresa Weir
Summer with Fidel by R. G. Lawrence
The Days of Summer by Jill Barnett
Summer Storms by Rebekah Lyn
One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake
Summer Days by Susan Mallery
Endless Summer by Christopher David Petersen

Ciji Ware's 'That Summer in Cornwall' on my Kindle.

Summer Rose by Elizabeth Sinclair
The Summer I Learned to Swim by Shannon McCrimmon
Summer on the Mountain by Rosemarie Naramore
Secrets of the Lost Summer by Carla Neggers
Summer by Edith Wharton









Thanks for stopping by. I hope y'all have a wonderful summer filled with lots of great summer reads.

NOTE: Please feel free to add your own summer reads in the comments below.

Shades of Summer - It's all about the Sun

A metal art sun hanging on my patio.

Summer is only a few days away. Those hot, sultry days languishing in the sun. Feet in the sand and sipping a Tequila Sunrise. Doesn't that sound fabulous?

Well, here on the Florida Gulf Coast it has felt like summer for the last month or more. Hot sunny days, tropical breezes, sugar-white sand and warm Gulf waters. And yet we haven't even reached the official start of summer.

A copper sun on the weathered cedar fence.

This morning I got to thinking. What does summer mean to me? Yeah, that sounds just like some grade-school writing assignment. Hmm! I guess summer is all about the sun. A sun so intense you have to wear sunglasses when stepping outside. A sun so hot that shade is a welcome entity.

A sun hidden by vines.

I grew up in Southern California where the sun shines pretty much 365 days per year and where it feels like summer almost every single one of those days. I was always barefoot, except when I had to go to school. When the dismissal bell rang I'd slip off my shoes and run barefoot all the way home.

I had a year-around golden tan back in those sunshiny California days. I practically lived at the beach. I spent hours lazing on a beach towel and consuming one great read after another.







A painted pottery sun on the cedar fence.

Yes, summer for me has always been about the sun. So maybe that's why a variety of suns grace my yard? A metal art sun hangs from the lattice-covered patio. More suns hang on the weathered cedar fencing. I guess you could say I love the sun.

I hope you'll stop back from time to time to read more of my 'Shades of Summer' posts. You won't want to miss the next one about 'Hot Summer Reads.'

Dude and the Dog Park

Dude in action at the dog park.

My dog, Dude, is a sociable guy who loves going to the dog park. In fact, he's passionate about going to the dog park. So that's where we go most days for an hour or more of action-packed fun.

The meet and greet.

Fortunately, the dog park is only about a mile away from our house. So it's easy to make a trip over there once a day, when the weather is nice. Now and then, if Dude is insistent, we go to the dog park twice a day.

Two holes are better than one.

Twice a day? Believe me, some of Dude's dog buddies go to the dog park three times a day.






The goalie.

I've had dogs most of my life, but never one who loves the dog park. So this is a relatively new thing for me.

Dude is two and a half. Well, a few months ago I thought, Why not take Dude to the dog park? How was I to know this would become a big part of our daily lives?




Discussing the play.

Dude can be napping and suddenly he'll wake up and insist it's almost 3:30 and we need to make our afternoon foray to the dog park. I swear he can tell time and knows to the minute when he needs to let me know I have to get ready to head to the park.





Mixing it up.

If I take longer than a few minutes to gather up his dog collar, some bottled water, my wallet and car keys, well, Dude starts nudging me in the direction of the front door. If I dawdle too long he stomps his feet, barks and then starts spinning in circles at the door. At that point we absolutely have to walk out the door.




King of the Sand Hole?

At the dog park it's high-speed action interspersed with water breaks and a five minute rest period in the shade of the huge Magnolias and Naval Live Oak Trees.

Today I decided to take my camera to the dog park to get a few photos of Dude and his dog buddies in action. Today there were only eight dogs, but sometimes it's as many as fifteen dogs of all sizes and breeds.




After the game.



Lately, the big game is "King (or Queen) of the Sand Hole." Since we live close to the beach, our dog park has lots of sand and sand is perfect for digging. One or more dogs will dig a hole, or sometimes two. Then the game is on.

They confer with each other to plan their strategy. There's almost always a goalie or two. The winners change from one minute to the next.

To heck with chasing a Frisbee or tennis ball. This Sand Hole game is much more fun.




My older dog, Shani, would rather stay home.

I hope you've enjoyed the photos of Dude and his dog buddies.

A special thanks to the team: Harley the Australian Shepherd, Abby the Husky, Bella the Chocolate Poodle, Dice the Black and Tan, Abby the Golden and Dude. Watching from the sidelines: Morgan the Golden and Jumbo the Chihuahua.

Note: My older dog, Shani, doesn't care for the dog park. She'd rather stay home.

Joe Patti's - A Pensacola Icon

The Captain Joe and Joe Patti's Seafood.

I love seafood, so it's not surprising that Joe Patti's is one of my favorite places in Pensacola. Shrimp, grouper, oysters, red snapper. Ahhh, I could go on and on. Joe Patti's is the place to buy any kind of seafood you can imagine. Then take the purchases home and cook up a storm.


You can't miss the Joe Patti's sign.

I'm lucky in that my husband is the chef in our household. Oh, I can cook alright, but I don't particularly enjoy it. My spaghetti and lasagna is fabulous. Yes, ask anyone who has eaten one or the other. But my husband can cook anything and give it a 5-Star rating. His fried oysters, grilled grouper, etc. are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

You can buy all kinds of yummy goodies at Joe Patti's.

Joe Patti's is more than just seafood. They have everything there, from deli meats and cheeses to yummy bakery goods to sauces, wines, souvenir t-shirts and hats, and a whole bunch of other stuff too. It's one of those places where you want to wander around and look at everything and then you'll want to buy.



Joe Patti's Memorial Reef Project.

On Wednesday I went to a Red Hat Ladies luncheon at NICK'S Boathouse. You can check out my previous post for more about that outing. Anyway, after a yummy lunch, some of us Red Hat Ladies went over to Joe Patti's.






Metal Art on Joe Patti's Memorial Reef.

One of the things we went to see is Joe Patti's Memorial Reef Project. The barge reef, which is adorned with lots of cool Metal Art, will be sunk offshore as a fishing and diving reef. If you get a chance, be sure to check out Joe Patti's Memorial Reef in its temporary location moored behind Joe Patti's Seafood.

Blue Angels Metal Art on Joe Patti's Memorial Reef.

Here's the link to: Joe Patti's Seafood

A little info on Joe Patti: Joe Patti - Pensapedia

If you want to read more about Joe Patti's Reef:

The Joe Patti Memorial Reef - Pensacola News Journal

Joe Patti's Memorial Reef 2013 - YouTube

Joe Patti Reef Project - WEAR ABC 3 TV


Before I forget, when you visit Joe Patti's you might want to eat at Captain Joey Patti's Seafood Deli. You're sure to find something yummy to eat.

Captain Joey Patti's Seafood Deli - Menu

Now my stomach is growling. How about yours?

Red Hat Ladies

Red Hat Ladies: Judy, Betty and I.

 

My girlfriend, Betty, belongs to a group of Red Hat Ladies who meet once a month for lunch. So Betty invited me to join them today for their "Red Hot Renegades June Luncheon." How could I resist that kind of invite?

NICK'S Boathouse, Pensacola, Florida.

The luncheon was at NICK'S Boathouse in Pensacola. The restaurant is right on Pensacola Bay with a huge trellis covered patio facing the bay. A beautiful view with a tropical Gulf breeze, yummy food and an awesome group of Red Hat Ladies. What fun!

Here's the link to NICK'S Boathouse - Pensacola, FL

Some of the patio seating at NICK'S Boathouse.

Betty and I split a "Spinach and Artichoke Flatbread" which was quite tasty and just the right amount for a light lunch. In addition to spinach and artichoke, it was topped with marinara sauce, tomatoes, black olives and feta cheese. Yum!






The Red Hat Ladies at NICK'S Boathouse.

The Red Hat Ladies ordered an assortment of different seafoods for lunch. As I recall, every plate was cleaned and everyone was pleased with their choices for lunch.

A to-die-for yummy chocolate dessert.

Then came dessert for those who still had room for something else. One of the ladies ordered Key Lime Pie and I noticed she didn't share. (Nope, I wouldn't share Key Lime Pie either, which is one of my favs.)

Two ordered some death-by-chocolate kind of dessert of huge fudge brownies topped with ice cream, chocolate syrup, whip cream and a cherry. Well, extra spoons were delivered to the table and we all had to try that chocolate delight. Check out the photo to see this to-die-for chocolate dessert.

Some of the inside seating.

The service at NICK'S Boathouse was great. Our waiter was wonderful and readily agreed to snap several photos of our group. As I already mentioned, the view was gorgeous and the Red Hat Ladies were a delight. I can't wait until the next Red Hot Renegades Luncheon.

I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of NICK'S Boathouse so I could share them with you. If you happen to be in Pensacola, I'd recommend that you stop there for a yummy lunch or dinner or even just for a drink.

The fish tank at NICK'S Boathouse.

The inside seating is really nice, but sitting outside and gazing at the beautiful bay is even better. It was such a tranquil setting, I could have stayed there for hours.

Oh, don't forget to check out the 450 gallon fish tank in the restaurant. I've included a photo of that too.

Me as a Red Hat Lady.

For the record, Betty let me borrow a Red Hat for the occasion. Next time I'll be dressing in purple and sporting my own Red Hat. Hmm! I really liked that borrowed hat, so I just may have to borrow it again.

Betty also loaned me one of her books:  THE RED HAT CLUB by Haywood Smith

A special thanks to the Red Hot Renegades. It was great getting to meet all of you and I'm looking forward to the next luncheon. Until then, I hope you'll join Betty and I at our regular hang-out at Krispy Kreme in Pensacola for some yummy donuts and coffee.

Our regular hang-out: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Pensacola, FL