Hello & Happy Wednesday.
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Mine couldn’t have been any more perfect. I had the greatest time in Florida, and I can’t wait to share all of the special moments with you. This will be a crazy few weeks for me, but I will be back to normal posting next week. I have many exciting events going on, and I promise to share everything with you soon. I will chop my recap post in half today because I’m trying to manage my time wisely!?
Kyle and I decided to drive all the way to Venice, Florida, to spend Thanksgiving at his mom’s. We wanted to drive so we could bring the pups along. It’s about an eleven-hour trip, so we broke it up into two days. I decided to pack some snacks for the car. I stopped at Target to grab snack bars, pineapple, bananas, peanut butter packs, goldfish, popcorn, almonds, and apples.
We stopped at Starbucks before officially taking off. I had a skinny peppermint mocha latte with three espresso shots, and Kyle had a hot chocolate. Yum 🙂
We made it to our halfway stop around 10:30 pm. If you are ever looking for a dog-friendly hotel, check out La Quinta. They are reasonably priced, have a great breakfast bar, and accommodate your pets. Grumples has been staying at La Quintas since he was a pup.
We woke up around 6 am so we could shower and get ready for the drive. We were so excited to get to Florida for Thanksgiving.
We were so close to Venice. We stopped in Ocala to get gas, take out the pups, and of course…coffee break. The Ocala square was so cute. They were all ready for Christmas.
I only had two more hours to go!
Afternoon lunch: almonds, Honeycrisp apple, and a chocolate chip cookie dough Larabar.
We finally made it to Venice, Florida, around 4 pm! It was beautiful and time to shed some layers!
The pups made themselves right at home. Grumples was begging for the turkey in no time.
I can’t take these two anywhere…
Kyle’s mom cooked up a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for us, and the table was set up beautifully.
The food was perfection. I’m not just saying that either…I truly mean it. We had stuffing, broccoli, homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest, turkey, potatoes, and gravy. I wanted all the recipes.
We took the pups for a walk after dinner. We needed to work off the food and make room for dessert.
It was a beautiful night.
I could get used to a sunset like this.
Kyle’s mom bought some locally roasted pumpkin spice coffee, and it was perfect for dessert.
We had chocolate-covered strawberries, mini pumpkin pies, pumpkin magic cake (to die for), and seven-layer bars. Now that’s how you do Thanksgiving!
We ended our night playing Cards Against Humanity, and it was hilarious. I learned some pretty interesting terms…
I woke up to the most beautiful sunset. I walked Grumples around the block and then headed back for coffee. Imagine having coffee with a view like that every day?
Kyle’s mom made a really cool breakfast for us. She made little egg, cheese, and hash brown cups. They were delicious!
Grumples had so much fun playing with Moe! Look at those floppy ears 🙂
I needed to get out and stretch my legs after two days of driving and all of that Thanksgiving food. I decided to go for a run while Kyle was at the gym. My body was so confused about why I was running in 80-degree weather when I was running in 45 degrees. I loved the weather and the change of scenery. I ran 7 miles and walked 1.33.
Kyle’s mom is my new cooking inspiration.
Look at this!! Why have I never thought about making a sweet potato crust? I can’t wait to run with this idea. This dish had egg, spinach, and feta.
Thanksgiving leftovers are the best.
After lunch, we all headed to Venice Beach.
It was the perfect beach day. I want to move here. Beach in late November? Yes, please!
I love this photo 🙂
Kyle and I were searching for shark teeth. Did you know that Venice beach is the shark teeth capital of the world?
We took a long walk along the beach and soaked up all the sun we could. Afternoon coffee was a must.
Kyle tried to get Leo to swim in the pool for a little bit, but he didn’t love it. I’m sure some of you saw that on Snapchat.
We made a giant bowl of popcorn with almonds and goldfish for a movie night. We ended up watching one of our favorites, The Visit.
I can’t wait to share more of my trip with you! 🙂 Thank you guys for being so patient with me the past couple of weeks! You rock.
Questions for you!
- Do you add any fun toppings to your popcorn?
- What was the highlight of your Thanksgiving?
Sarah says
The food looks amazing ?
I love staying at La Quintas! My dog loves to go on trips and we’ve always had amazing experiences. So happy to hear you had a great holiday 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Sarah!
The food was amazing 🙂
The La Quintas are always great for the pups!
Hope you had a good holiday as well. xo
Kat says
What an awesome thanksgiving! My dream is to live by the ocean one day!
I loveeee popcorn but just by itself. I don’t normally drink soda but a coke on ice, with popcorn is like heaven to me!
The highlight of my thanksgiving was enjoying the day with my daughter!
Btw you and Kyle are adorable. I’m just waiting for you to announce your engagement 😉
Xoxo
Taralynn McNitt says
That would be a dream of mine too!
Coke & popcorn mmmmmmmmmmmm!
So glad you enjoyed your holiday with your daughter! I bet that was so special.
& Thank you. He’s the greatest!
xo
Kate says
1. Chocolate
2. Seeing family… our drive was 15 hours and we did it in one go. It is not fun, I think the next time we will consider splitting it. My body is a complete wreck from the holiday stress and trip going back to work is wayyy more relaxing ?.
Taralynn McNitt says
M&Ms! 🙂
OMG. I remember when I used to drive home to Iowa from Charlotte or Atlanta. It was 16 hours and I used to go straight through! It was crazy! I hope you get some rest this weekend!
xo
Kate says
Love the pics from the trip! It looks so warm, nothing like November in the Midwest!
We had a low key thanksgiving with the family. Nothing exciting but it was nice to relax.
I saw your snapchat pics- are you moving in with Kyle?!
Taralynn McNitt says
I spent many years having Thanksgivings in the Midwest 🙂 Always sweater weather!
Low key Thanksgivings are always nice 🙂
& no no. Not moving in with Kyle.
Hussain says
You must have enjoyed your stay in Florida. I lived there for one year and 8 months and loved ❤️ this place. I enjoyed reading your post too ?.
I only add salt to popcorn (doesn’t seem to be a fun topping?).
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi There:)
Florida is so great. I bet you miss it!
Salt on popcorn is good 😉 xo
Thank you for reading!
Janice says
Your photos are great! Looks like you had a great time.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Janice 🙂
Carly says
I love all popcorn so I go through phases with my favorite toppings. Right now I’m all about simplicity with light sea salt!
The highlight of my thanksgiving was being home in Colorado with family. And seeing moose get to play with his best dog friend Howie (my moms dog)…. so much dog joy when they were reunited!
Your thanksgiving adventure looks/sounds wonderful! You and Kyle seem like a great pair and perfect pup parents for Grumples and Leo!
Can’t wait to hear more about your exciting changes! 😉
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Carly!
Light sea salt is really good on air popped popcorn!
I love seeing dogs play together!:) I loved watching Kyle’s mom’s dog play with Grumps. They are the same size so it was a nice change for him since leo is so small!
I’m pretty lucky to have Kyle and such wonderful pups!
xo xo xo
Charmaine Ng says
Your Thanksgiving looks so perfect!! I wish we had the tradition where I live in Hong Kong!
– Charmaine
http://charmainenyw.com/
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Charmaine!! You can always celebrate 🙂 xo But I know there are amazing celebrations in Hong Kong that I wish we had over here!!
Jakie says
Are you moving to Venice?
Taralynn McNitt says
I wish! Unfortunately nope.
Emily Weir says
Venice is only about an hour south of me! I’m glad you enjoyed your Florida Thanksgiving; I always dread the warm Thanksgiving day temps so I’m glad someone was excited for them 😉 For my popcorn, I like to add the random ingredients I can find in my pantry: marshmallows, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, walnuts. Random, but delicious! And the highlight of my Thanksgiving this year was convincing my husband to join me for a 75 minute spin class to start the day. He hated it, but I was still glad to start the holiday together.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Emily!
That is so cool 🙂 Do you go there often?
I loved the warm Thanksgiving 🙂
You and me both! All random ingredients get added!
What a trooper & go you!!! 75 minutes of spin!!!! wow!
Bethany says
Omg! I have a half full ziploc bag of shark teeth from Venice beach!!! My grandparents used to live in Venice, SUCH a beautiful town!! Hope you found some good shark teeth! Definitely one of my most memorable beach trips 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
How were you so lucky finding them? was there a storm!? I read all about the sharks of venice last night! so interesting 🙂
Mindy says
Wow! All of that food looks great. Your photography is great!
Taralynn McNitt says
AWWWW thank you:):)
Olivia says
Glad you got to come down to Florida! I live over on the east coast, we always love running the AC through the holidays because it stays so warm! We’ve even got to the beach on Christmas! Lol
The highlight of my Thanksgiving was moving! I noticed in your snapchats it looks like you moved too. We closed on our house Wednesday afternoon so we took advantage of having 4 days off work to move everything in! It’s so exciting to have a new place but so much work too! I hope your pups adjust well to the move, my kitties did not like it at first but they eventually warmed up.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Olivia!
You’re so lucky to live in FL! I love it 🙂 I remember when we lived in Hawaii and it was so weird during Christmas!
Moving is sooooo much work. Glad you guys took advantage of it and got it done!:) Congrats on the new home 😉 Cats have a hard time adjusting. My dogs are pretty good at adjusting to just about anything!
xo xo xo Have a great weekend and enjoy the new home!!
Ale says
Hi Taralynn!
I have been reading your blog since sooo long, since you had the other blog but first time writing. A few months ago I remembered your blog and returned to this, what an amazing blog. I always can´t wait for your recaps, your lifestyle is really fascinating and motivating, you are always on the go. Really inspiring.
However there are always things I don´t understand from your culture, like pumpkin flavor in everything, whaaaaat hahaha. In Mexico we only use pumpkins for carve in halloween haha. And in here all beaches are hot all year around.
I´m excited to read your part 2 with a cup of hot coffee 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Ale!
Thank you so much for the kind words. That means so much to me. Hearing that you can’t wait for my recaps is what keeps me writing. SO THANK YOU. I love cultural differences and sometimes they can be comedic. This whole pumpkin flavor everything is a trend right now and we just can’t get enough around the fall. There really is pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING & it has yummy spices. Have you ever had pumpkin pie?? It’s kind of like pumpkin pie flavored everything. You’re so lucky to have the beaches warm all year round! We have cold beaches, mild beaches, and hot beaches!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! I’ll be writing that recap today!
Thank you for reading and commenting! xo
Taralynn
lidia says
That picture of kyle and his mom is so precious!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you! 🙂 I agree.
Mackenzie says
Looks like an absolutely perfect Thanksgiving! Was it awkward playing Cards Against Humanity with his family?!? Hahhah. Kyle’s mom is literally Martha Stewart. All that food looked straight out of a magazine. So glad you had a wonderful time.
– Popcorn toppings: I don’t really add many toppings, but yours looks so good. My favorite is boom chica pop, I could probably eat a whole bag of that stuff in one sitting.
– Highlight: I met up with an old friend the weekend before thanksgiving and we did the Night Nation Run in Santa Clara. It was such a blast. HIGHLY recommend!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Mackenzie!!
It really was 🙂 Hahaha you’d think it would have been, but they are so funny and down to earth. I got an ab workout in by laughing so hard. Martha Stewart definitely has some competition!
I love Boom Chica! I like that they have mini bags now for road trips. Otherwise I’ll eat the entire big bag….whooooops 🙂
So happy you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and catching up with old friends is always fun!! That run sounds like so much fun! I’ll definitely look into it 🙂 xo xo xo xo
Taralynn
Adrienne says
Hi Taralynn!
I read your blog all the time but never comment and just had to today….I actually live here in Venice! So glad you are enjoying your visit! Have you taken the pups to dog beach?!
Taralynn McNitt says
Ahhhh you’re so lucky! I loved Venice 🙂 I can’t wait to go back! We did go to the dog beach!!! so much fun & the nicest dog beach I’ve ever been to!
Jaime says
1. I love adding m&ms if I want the sweet/salty combo but if I want straight up salty, it’s really good to mix in chex mix!! Love the smartfood delight popcorn too. So yummy. Def going to try adding goldfish because they’re my fave 🙂
2. My favorite part this year (other than the food lol) was a new tradition my sister started. We all got a sheet of Thanksgiving related trivia questions that my sister (a history teacher) made and we all filled it out..with cellphones taken away! The person with the most questions right got a stack of lottery tickets.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Jaime!
M&M’s and popcorn are true soul mates. I almost added them to the mix, but I didn’t want to get tooooooo crazy 😉
I think that is awesome. I love trivia games and escaping from the cell phone world. I always use my phone to take photos and then throw it away.
Hope you have a great weekend! xo
Taralynn
Melissa says
Aw, that looks like the perfect, relaxing getaway! Kyle’s mom just might be my cooking inspiration, too, haha.
I once made a quiche with a spaghetti squash crust. That was super good but the sweet potatoes look even better!
Excited to see part two. 🙂
xo, Melissa || http://www.greenpalatelife.com
Taralynn McNitt says
It most certainly was and she really is an inspiration. I’ve heard of doing a spaghetti squash crust! That might be added to my list.
xo xo xo
Carol says
Hi Taralynn! Your thanksgiving trip looked wonderful. I love your popcorn mix and am going to make that up this weekend! I like to pop kernels in a brown paper lunch sac then add a little bitty bit of honey and some cinnamon and shake it up 🙂
I live in Texas with that 75 degree weather, so I bet that run was such a huge change up after your cold weather runs! Love your pups btw 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Carol!
Thank you 🙂 I had so much fun! The popcorn mix is so good and I’m going to make it again this weekend! I want to do one with sweet goldfish now.
I have never thought of doing honey and cinnamon! Does the honey stick to your fingers?
You get that weather all year round! lucky!
xo & thank you!!
Taralynn
Amanda says
Please please share the egg, spinach, feta pie recipe from Kyle’s mom! Sweet potato crust sounds amazing 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
I forgot to get the recipe before I left, but I’ll get it from her!! 🙂
Brooklyn says
I love adding hot sauce to my popcorn, it is SO GOOD!
Those sunsets and the sunrise? Beautiful 🙂
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
sriracha + honey on popcorn! try it!!!!
Both amazing views 🙂
Brooklyn says
Sriracha & honey sounds interesting! Will try it for sure 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
LIFE CHANGING
Linda @ The Fitty says
Sunset after dinner, wow! What time do you eat dinner there? Must be before 4pm?!
Taralynn McNitt says
Around five 🙂 Just in time to watch the sun set! xo
Lacey says
I live super close to Venice Florida!! Looks like you guys had a blast. Love your blog I’ve been ready for years!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Lacey!
You’re so lucky to live so closet Venice! 🙂 It’s so beautiful.
& thank you for reading. Means so much! xo xo
Taralynn
Lauren @ Following the Path of Life says
Taralynn, I’m so glad that you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving!! You and Kyle made memories this weekend that will last you a lifetime — treasure them. Thanks for letting all of your readers kind of tag along on your trip — it was so much fun getting to watch your journey on Snapchat and Insta!
1. I tend to like my popcorn plain, but sometimes I’ll add cinnamon and/or melted honey. Granted, then I have to eat it with a spoon because it’s so sticky — hehe!
2. Hmm…probably just getting to have a quiet day with my hubby. We’d tried to invite some people over, but they were all busy, which was apparently God’s plan. He knew well before we did that we kind of just needed a day to ourselves (except for one friend coming over for a short while in the evening to play games and eat pie), and it was pretty special that way.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Lauren!
Thank you for the kind words 🙂
I am going to try my popcorn with cinnamon and honey next time! I love doing cinnamon, but I’ve never done the honey!:)
Glad you had the chance to hang out with your husband and relax! Games and pie? count me in!
Have a wonderful weekend!
xo – Taralynn
Allie says
Ahhh! I grew up in Sarasota and miss it everyday. So happy you enjoyed the west coast of FL ?
Taralynn McNitt says
It was so much fun!:) xo
Paer says
Marry each other.