Cake By The Ocean

Valentines Day used to be my favorite holiday.

It was a bright spot during the gray and cold winter months.

One of my favorite memories from my childhood is decorating the white paper bag that would hold Valentine cards from my classmates and hanging it below the chalkboard at the front of the room.  I always made sure that my name stood out in big, bold letters so that everyone knew that it was mine.  

I chose the cards that I gave to my classmates with great care.  Images of cute skunks or bumblebees went to the girls I played hopscotch with on the playground.  Cowboys or astronauts were the choice for any one of the three (or four) boys that I happened to have a crush on that year.  Less popular designs, such as cats with sayings like "You're Purrrrrfect for me", went to the classmates who were rumored to pick their noses and eat their boogers.

Today, my Valentines Day is pretty boring.  We work all day and avoid the pink-frosted cupcake because of the sugar and calories.  We decide that we won't get Valentines Day gifts for each other because "what do we really need anyway?" and we watch those crazy, young lovers spend way too much on flowers, candy, and jewelry.  We don't need that.

Many of these lovers (young and old) will be heading to the resort towns for the weekend before Valentines Day (2/10 - 2/12) to spend some time getting cozy by the sea and take advantage of the numerous hotel and restaurant specials that the area has to offer.

Here are some fun and romantic ideas for those who still like to celebrate:

1.  Take a warm blanket to the boardwalk in OCMD on Saturday or Sunday between 11 AM and 5 PM for a Valentine's Horse & Carriage Ride.  For $40 per couple, you get a box of chocolate, a rose, and champagne for the ride.

2.  Make Pussy hats.  The Wool and Fiber Expo is happening at the OC Convention Center on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  This annual event promotes the natural fiber industry by offering shopping, classes, and demonstrations taught by artisans.

3.  Love Yourself.  The Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach is hosting the 2017 Beebe Health Fair on Saturday 2/11 from 9 AM - 3 PM.  This event offers free health screenings, cooking demonstrations, educational materials and giveaways, light refreshments (probably no chocolate or pink-frosted cupcakes), entertainment, and free flu shots.

4.  Chocolate and Antiques.  The Lewes Historical Society's Historic Chocolate Demonstration and Antiques Sale is on 2/11 from 10 AM - 4 PM at Midway School #178 (110 Shipcarpenter Street).  Volunteer living history interpreters in period gard will demonstrate historic chocolate making techniques (including drinkable chocolate) and offer free samples to visitors.  In addition there will be a small sale offering antique jewelry, glassware, and dishware.

5.  Create Your Own Fun.  As you can tell from the above suggestions, there's not a whole hell of a lot going on at the beach this time of year.  However, most of the hotels and restaurants that are open off-season are offering some pretty sweet deals for couples this month.  Check out Boardwalk Plaza in Rehoboth Beach or Dunes Manor Hotel & Suites in OCMD for some really nice packages.

As for me, I may take a trip to the beach house with my forever crush for a night or two.  

Happy Valentines Day to all.  Whatever your plans are, I hope that you get some love, give some love, and give extra love to all of those who may need it.  XOXOXO

I Wish...

Happy 2017.

Not that I'm counting or anything, but we are only 10 weeks away from Spring.

Last weekend, I bundled up and took a chilly walk to the bay and the ocean to pay homage to nature and reflect on the past year.  As always, I am grateful that I have easy access to the beach and all of its beauty.

I have no real resolutions because I don't like to put pressure on myself.  I know most of the things that I need to change about myself and I like to look at it as "continuous improvement".  There are things in my life that I wish were different and I suppose I could try to come up with ways to gain more control over those situations.  But there are many things I can't control and I find myself increasingly frustrated about that.

Instead, I will now share the wise words of the great poet, Skee-Lo..

Hey, I wish I had my way

'Cause everyday would be a Friday

And you could even speed on the highway

I would pay ghetto games

Name my kids ghetto names - Little Mookie, Big Al, Lorraine

There you go.  That made me feel happier.

Due to responsibilities in Wilmington, my time at the beach has been pretty limited lately.  However, I did check out a new restaurant in North OC last weekend.  The Northside Pit & Pub opened up last month on Coastal Hwy at 127th St. (next to Ledo Pizza).  This location used to be JC's Northside Pub and not too much has changed.  They moved the tables around and brightened the place up a bit.  I enjoyed everything that we ordered (especialy the pulled chicken nachos).  My crabcake had a good flavor but was waaaaayyyy too salty and I couldn't finish it.  I'll give this place another shot for sure though.

January in the DE/MD beach towns can be challenging.

There's a whole lot of nothing much going on and it can be pretty chilly if you're standing on the sand with a cold wind blowing.  Double chilly if it's raining or snowing.

However, there are some good deals at the Tanger outlets in Rehoboth Beach and West OC and it's always refreshing to take a stroll down a chilly Rehoboth Ave. on a sunny winter day.

I'm hoping to be back on the sand real soon.  I'll check in later this month.  Stay warm!