Georgia on My Mind

 

This past week my dad had meetings in Sea Island Georgia for work and asked me if I wanted to fly down and be his plus one. These meetings are annual and I've watched my mom go over the years and take painting classes, go horseback riding and make jewelry and I'd always tease her that I wanted to go to "summer camp" with her. My dad invited me to go and then after my grandma passed he wanted my mom to go as well and have both his girls with him. As much as I honestly don't like traveling without Jaden I was absolutely blown away with Georgia. I have daydreamed about walking along beaches like that since I was in junior high and the Nicholas Sparks movie "The Last Song" came out with Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. And let me tell you it was even more enchanting in person. I fell head over heels for Spanish moss trees. I also learned on a bike tour that it isn't actually moss and it was named after Spanish conquistadors beards. 

The resort was absolutely incredible the suite we stayed in was so tastefully decorated and had a full kitchen and dining space where I worked. 

I got to work most of the days and in the afternoons and evenings there were activities and dinners to attend. Unfortunately it wasn't quite warm enough to swim but it was still fun to be on the beach and go out on the ocean in boats. There is something so calming and rejuvenating about being near the sea. 

Mom and I did a dolphin boat tour and saw several dolphins, bald eagles, and lots of other birds.

We also took a cookie making class from one of the dessert chef's which was so much fun. I was so impressed by her talent. She is from Mexico and came up here on a work visa and became a baker and cake artist. She was such a sweet and patient teacher and answered all of our many questions. She also showed us one of the recent groom's cakes she did of a rooster, it was amazing!

Other fun activities included going shopping at local boutiques, bike tour through the cutest neighborhoods, spa day, southern barbeque, and eating delicious seafood and extravagant meals at the dinners. It was fun to get to know more of the people my dad serves with on the NSSF board and always gives me a greater appreciation for the work he does and impact he makes in his industry and of course our family. 

I joked that the last time I'd been on a vacation with just me and my parents was when I was four years old. It was a lot of fun to spend time with them. I am so blessed to be their daughter and love them both so much. 

Peaches

• Eating at a local Southern barbeque spot called Southern Soul that was really yummy

• After seeing Opera Cake on several Great British Baking Show episodes I finally tried some. It was pretty dang good and I was so impressed by how thin and even the layers were. I think Paul Hollywood would have approved.

• Found my dream house while on our bike tour

• Found the cutest hooded blanket at a boutique that I will one day have to purchase because if you know my family you know we celebrate Shark Week like it's a national holiday and my kids will learn to do the same 

• Went shopping at the cutest little boutiques 

• Had to go shopping at a Winn Dixie.  A cute girl I used to babysit was obsessed with the movie Winn Dixie so I definitely thought of Gwyn as I walked through the aisles. We also picked up some Blue Bell ice cream while we were there. I wished there was a way to take some back to Zach and Jenna because it is their absolute favorite. Like seriously they told us when they were dating they road tripped there and back to Colorado in 24 hours with a car full of coolers just to get Blue Bell ice cream. 

• Ate some authentic shrimp and grits. I'm not a huge fan of shrimp but it was probably the best prepared shrimp I've ever had

• Also ate at a yummy Italian place our first night in Georgia

• One night after dinner at the lodge at Sea Island Golf club (Matt Kuchar's home course) we had a glow in the dark putting competition. It was a lot of fun and I felt like I made some solid putts but was unprepared the next day at dinner when they announced the winners and I had taken first place out of everyone! I got a couple of resort gift cards which was super generous. Guess I need to get back into golf. It's been a long time since I've played but I was reminded that I do really love the game, even if it's glow in the dark

• Smitten with this mini seersucker suit. Apparently one of the granddaughter's of the man who created seersucker was in attendance at the meetings and let's just say her family is doing just fine.

• Love a good spinach salad

• Cool lighthouse we found on our shopping adventure

• As much as I hate saying bye to my family it was so good to get back to Jaden
• Sunday FaceTimes with Bridge

Pits

• My parents and I had the same flight into Atlanta and then I went to PA and they headed back to SLC. My mom asked if I wanted her to come with me to my gate and I said I'd rather just rip it off like a bandaid and have them get off at their train stop. Well that was horrible and I definitely ugly cried in front of everyone on the train. I was just a little girl all alone at the airport who just said bye to her parents. Not fun. 
• Missing Jaden, brought one of his sweatshirts with me to keep him close. I would love to bring him back here one day!