Manatee Swim

Luckily my friend's camera did not get waterlogged as mine did during our manatee swim. It was a VERY early ride out to Homosassa Springs, FL to swim with the manatees. We had to be at Captain Mike's at 5:30 am, which meant leaving our house at 4 am. As I am entering the water the sun is just starting to rise. The earlier you're out in the water and the colder it is, there is more of a chance to swim with multiple manatees. So we were not totally crazy for getting up early on this chilly morning. 

If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend swimming with manatees. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget!

I hope to have have more photos to post later. The disposable camera is being developed as I type this. I was unable to look through the viewfinder when taking the photos, so hopefully some of them turned out okay. 

New Shoes

I have been in need for new walking shoes and also new nursing shoes. They are Nike Air Zoom Vomero +3. I found these shoes in the Fit2Run store at our local mall. They have you run on a tread mill while video taping it, then play the video back to watch how you run or walk. This gives you information on what kind of shoe you ned for your running/walking style. 

(Photo from Fit2Run website.)

Hopefully these shoes will help on my long 12+ hour days as a new nurse. 

Pug Pumpkin

A few years ago I carved a craft pumpkin with this Pug template. It turned out so cute and was a sure hit with all the neighborhood kids. I'm trying to figure out how to post this template so it is downloadable. I posted it through photo bucket. Let me know if you're having trouble.

Why I Do Rescue

Here is a video of just a few of the Pugs we have helped rescue over the years. I am thankful everyday that I have the opportunity to help these precious angels. 

Seltzer Water

This is my new favorite replacement for soda. No calories, no fat & no sugar. Soda can add so many empty calories to you daily diet. I try to only have soda once maybe twice a week. I found this seltzer at Sweetbay Supermarket. Another flavor I have tried and really like is cranberry lime.

Things I'm Loving Right Now

Peet's Coffee, House Blend. A medium bodied coffee with a smooth rich taste. Next if I'm brave I'd like to try their French Roast.



I'm enjoying my new Peet's coffee in a French press. The experts say that this is a better way to enjoy a good cup of coffee. Very tasty. Last summer I was making cold brewed coffee the old fashioned way. Course ground coffee 1/3 cup into a mason jar, fill with 1 1/2 cups cold water & let brew over night. The next morning strain the brewed coffee to remove the coffee grounds. You end up with rich concentrated coffee that you can mix with creamer/or milk and sugar. This makes a wonderful iced coffee for the summer. I've read that you can do the cold brew in a French press. I'll have to give that a try next.



If you have a curvy figure you'll love these jeans from the Gap. They are so comfortable and for us short people they come in a 29inch inseam for a perfect fit.





Last but not least, these lime green Havaianas sandals. They're a perfect bright green for summer. I picked them up at Dick's Sporting Goods on the clearance rack for $4.95! Can't beat that price.



Lately I've been loving all citrus scents. There's just something about the the scents of lemon, lime and orange that brings about a happy feeling. Plus with summer just around the corner the two are perfect together. Makes me think about being at the beach with a fruity drink in hand.
Satsuma Home Fragrance Oil by The Body Shop is a wonderful way to fill your home with a clean energizing scent. I just wish they had a lime scent. Then I could mix it with their coconut or vanilla scent, mmmm I can just smell the goodness.


The Yankee Candle Company has some great summery scents. I've had the Vanilla Lime for awhile now and it's one of my top favorite scents.

Comfort food.

Is this really bad for me? My indulgence consists of frozen yogurt, a banana, walnuts and fat free caramel sauce. How good does that sound! I know that eating the banana and walnuts alone would be much better for me, but I think I really am addicted to ice cream. Even though frozen yogurt doesn't taste exactly like ice cream, it comes very close. I need to go back to just having my Tevana tea at night after dinner. It is truly much better for me. Yesterday I found a recipe on the web for homemade Frosty Paws for dogs. Why did I never think about making my own. They really are easy to make, and then you know exactly what your dogs are eating. The recipe is as follows:

32 ounces vanilla yogurt
1 mashed banana or 1 jar of baby fruit
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey

Blend all together and freeze in either 3 ounce paper cups or ice cube trays. Microwave just a few seconds before serving.

You can find this recipe along with many others online at PetnBlog.

I went to Walmart and found the perfect Frosty Paw mold. It's a silicone cupcake pan. You just pour the mix into the mold cups, freeze overnight and the next morning you can pop the Frosty Paws right out. It couldn't be any easier. I then just stored them in a container in the freezer and we have a cool treat for the dogs.

Here's what I used.


We will be trying out the new treats tomorrow night. I'd like to say I'll be letting you know if the dogs liked them, but I'm sure they will be a big hit.

Yummy drinks.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person. Here are some breakfast things the make waking up a little easier.


I love this coffee. It's got a mix of tropical coconut, hazelnut & caramel! What could be better. I like to add a little Coffee Mate Coconut Cream. It gives it a hint more of that great coconut flavor. You can buy this coffee at Costco or direct through Manattee Coffee online.


Some mornings eating breakfast is not an option. Due to running late or just not feeling like it. On those days I like to drink Nature's Plus Spiru-tein Chocolate Shake. I've tried various other chocolate breakfast shakes and I think this one tastes the best. It still has a slightly chalky flavor though. So to disguise this I like to add a teaspoon of instant coffee or a little peanut butter.



A great alternative to soda. IZZE is naturally sweet. No refined sugar, no caffeine, no artificial anything, ever. It's just natural fruit juice with a splash of sparkling water. My new favorite summer time drink.