U*Le*Le

I loved the restaurant we went to and it had such a beautiful story behind it. It was such a labor of love for the family that opened it. So much thought went into every bit of planning and trying to make it 'green'.

It seems in Tampa history, some 70 years or so before John Smith and Pocahontas, Ulele (the Tocabaga Chief's daughter) felt pity for some Spaniards and threw herself onto one of them so that her father would spare his life. The restaurant is named after the princess (and so are the nearby springs) and outside the building is this bronze statue that tells the story of how she saved the Spanish explorer from her people.

After an eight million dollar renovation the 1906 Water Works Building was transformed into the oldest restaurant in Tampa that we got the pleasure of eating at. The thought behind Ulele seems to be keeping all the ingredients organic and fresh from local family owned and independent companies. I really love when a modern convenience (like eating out) aims to keep the families in business and cares about you as a patron as much as the money (at least in illusion).
The menu is native-inspired using ingredients when they are available just like their ancestors did.  It kind of blew my mind how some of the ingredients are so casually listed: frog legs, alligator, quail, boar, venison, duck. Before doing my research I though it was like lox in New York and just what they eat here but it was more about using what is available. I have to say they make some delicious food. I enjoyed alligator hush puppies, charbroiled oysters, and duck bacon ice cream. I didn't know duck bacon was a thing either but it was tasty.

The coolest part of dinner was finding Cliff's wine namesake. We flew all the way across the country to discover that just a few hours south of us in our home state is a winery with his name. We would have had a glass but they were out so we'll have to obtain some when we get back home.

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We're making a lot of changes to our Christmas traditions. Making new ones, keeping old ones, changing expectations. Today is possibly my favorite one that we always plan and usually don't get to: Baking day!

Cliff made Pumpkin Rolls with Gator, Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bear, and Butterballs with Bug.

Best. Daddy. Ever!

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A perfect end to my evening: Tea and a game with friends. Yes, this is my happy place.

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I'm a sucker for vista points and even though this one isn't the best (and not new to us) I couldn't resist asking Cliff to pull over for some sunset pictures. It's hard to see Shasta in the background, but I'm really glad I made him take a 'facebook' picture of us. The kids all had a blast running around, too! 

365 Day 328

 I was supposed to camp out for Black Friday at Target like I do every year. 

This year Target opened at 9pm on Thanksgiving. I like Black Friday, not Black Holiday. I was planning on getting our shopping done and then stopping at the donut place I was told about earlier this week. Change of plans. I didn't go out, but I still had plans to try the donuts. 

Cliff and I were wanting to cook ribs for our family so we went out this afternoon for the mean. Perfect time to stop for Heavenly Donuts!

Oh and they were! I'm more than happy to skip my novelty Voodoo Donut for these things.

365 Day 324

I noticed on Friday that since it's finally time to replace our wiper blades. I asked Cliff if he wanted me to do it or if he wanted to handle it (sometimes he likes to take care of 'car stuff' because I do it wrong). Anyway, he didn't have time to get any before we left and for the life of us we couldn't find an auto parts store in Oregon.
Today we ran down to Woodland to get groceries and stopped at Napa. It was funny that he parked in front of the sign that tells you they will install wiper blades for you (I always have a hell of a time doing it). It must be man code to not ask for help because he came out solo. Perfectly fine by me.

He started on the first side. Cleaned the window and then tried to get the old blade off. It wouldn't come off so he fidgets with it some more and then finally pulled out his pocket knife. It still wouldn't come off and that's when I realized I had already listened to two songs on the radio and I had my camera in my purse. As soon as I pulled it out he realized what my goal was and tried (jokingly) to block the sign. He's actually laughing here because he knows what I plan to do with the picture I get. 

He did get the wiper off soon after I pulled out the camera and he completed the other side in under a minute.

Hats off to anyone who wants to stand in the cold and rain to replace the wipers when it could be done for you in less than half the time, but at least I got a great chuckle out of this one as well.
Thanks for the picture, honey. 

I love you and how you always make me smile, even when you weren't trying to.

365 Day 317

I got to spend a few hours filing for the company today. I loved it because it felt great to do some work outside the home, it was great to help the company, and lastly it was awesome to see physical proof of how much my husbands hard work has accomplished. I love that man!

365 Day 310

All finished with the Parent Teacher Conference. 

Bug's getting a chance to drive us home. Or rather, that's what she thinks. 

365 Day 308

Cliff is trying out a new beard (is that what it's still called?) and I'm trying out a new backdrop.

I told him he should shave his beard like this for Halloween  wear his cowboy hat and a dress shirt but he wouldn't go for it. Instead he's going to wear it to work. Good thing he pulls off facial hair well.

365 Day 302

Today we were planning on taking Gator to the pumpkin patch to make up for being stuck at home last week because of his brothers bad mood. We got all packed up and were walking out the door to pick him up when we discovered that our water heater had busted and created little rivers through our entire garage.

I'm grateful that we are no strangers to flooded garages because of the duplex so we were almost prepared. 90% of our boxes are plastic now and the few that were not were mostly baby clothes. A pain, but not detrimental.

I love Cliff but he is not happy playing handyman. Getting a new heater and installing in (especially when he wouldn't let me help lift because I'm pregnant) quite literally took the whole day. It's in, and works, and the garage is again dry.

The way I see it we spent that much money and time on this thing I might as well take it's picture!

365 Day 301

While painting during our date night the lady behind me ran into Cliff's elbow. Naturally it was just as he was getting ready to add black to his light yellow flower.

Okay, accidents happen, but this lady didn't even acknowledge it and certainly didn't apologize. She had been leaning on me the whole time. I'd love to say maybe she's just that clueless, but I think maybe she was just rude and desensitized to other peoples personal space due to her plus size. Luckily for all of us Cliff and I kept a positive attitude about the situation. Black is very hard to cover though... 

365 Day 298

Not quite as awesome as the Gorilla Pimp, or as entertaining as the farm worker, but oddly he can pull off the yellow and purple pimp. We had too much fun in Goodwill tonight and I realized we need to have a 'Goodwill Costume Party'. So many options, so hilarious, and more unusual than the stereotypical 80's party. *In no way am I putting Goodwill down*

365 Day 295

I finally did it. I took a preggo picture. I still feel more thick than pregnant, but since people are that don't know me are starting to recognize the bump I'll get over my insecurities. I lost my hair to the background, but here is my prego belly, half-way done

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We can always count on Daddy to get some giggles. After trying on costumes he found out how he would look as Merida.

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Two of my favorite people snuggling on the couch to watch "The Voice" with me. 

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"Any old running shoes" he said. 

"Whatever they have" he said. 

4 pairs later I finally found a pair Cliff is willing to keep so that he can go running with Gator.

At least the shopping is finally done

365 Day 251

After growing a full face beard for the last few months it was time for it to come off. At least until the heat is gone. We decided to take pictures when it came off for the fun of it. After the first 'style' our little one wanted in on the picture taking, too. She's glad Daddy's fuzzy is going away.