Thursday, Huck and I went to Tampa for my work meeting. We arrived around 4PM and decided to go to Clearwater for dinner. I wanted to find a restaurant on the water. Cooters Raw Bar looked like a good spot. We did not realize there was a road behind it.
I got my water views though!
We ordered a dozen oysters, hot wings, and the blackened grouper sandwich.
The sandwich was amazing!! The fish was cooked perfectly, and the seasoning was really good!
After dinner, we went to, Huck’s buddies brewery, 7venth Sun. Huck has been twice since we moved here, but I have not had a chance to go. I was really sad when we found out they were going to be out of town.
That didn’t stop us from enjoying their beer, though.
We tried 8 of their beers. (They were 4oz samples. We still had to drive back to the hotel) and talked about how much we want a setup like theirs.
Friday, we spent all day in the meeting.
After the meeting, we went to Tampa Bay Brewing Company.
Huck and I ordered the sampler with all their beers. They had a lot of good beers. I couldn’t tell you which one I like the most. After making it through all of them my palette was wrecked. Their IPA and Pale Ale were on the top of the list though. Root beer was on the bottom!
For dinner, I ordered the Gumbo
And Huck and I split the Meatloaf. We seen it on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The demi-glace and potatoes were good. The meatloaf was OK.
After all the greasy food and beer, I need some veggies and fruit for breakfast, Saturday! Sometimes I forget I have a wedding dress to look good in soon!!
We came home on Saturday. We planned to drop the dogs off, and go buy my wedding ring and get some lunch. As we were unloading the car, Huck said Nate called and told him, he was going to use some leftover grains to make us a beer for the wedding. Huck told me, we need to drop off a few things for him before we went to eat.
Nate came out and met us in the driveway. He asked if we wanted to see his new project. I followed him into their kitchen and heard a big SURPRISE.
At first I was so confused. I thought they were surprising us by all being there, too, or just playing, but then I seen Jilda and Warren. I was so confused about why they were there. Everyone else was regulars at Nate’s. It took me a moment to realize it was a surprise for me.
I learned Huck, Sue, Jilda, and Deena have been planning a wedding shower, for me, for months. I got a little teary eyed. It meant so much to me!!
We had lots of food, and some of the best cupcakes ever! I’ll have to get the recipe for these. They were Lemon Poppy Seed and a Blueberry Icing. AMAZING!!
We also had Oreo Cupcakes too. They tasted just like an Oreo Cookie.
They even bought us gift. Jilda and Warren gave us a Food Processer (Which I can’t wait to use) and a serving Plate, Sue and Nate gave us glasses (I was really excited to have glasses without a beer logo on them) and a cookbook, Greg and Brandy gave us our a Christmas Ornament, and everyone else pitched in for a gift card for me to get my nails and toes done.
It was all completely unexpected, but truly meant so much to me!! It made me feel good knowing I have friends that care enough to put together an awesome surprise like this. I loved every minute.
The rest of the night was sent talking, laughing, sitting by the fire, and hanging out of the roof
Sitting by the fire was one of my favorite parts of the night. There is something great about sitting around a fire with people you enjoy!
I would like to thank everyone for everything!! It really meant so much!! And thank you to Huck. You did a great job helping keep this a secret. I’m proud of you!!
Less then 3 weeks!!! I’m come back later with a wedding update!!
Sorry we couldn’t be there. So glad you were surprises, and had a good time. Just the start of it. Soon well be there and I hope we have as much fun. Thank Huck again for being so special. I Love You and Miss You. After today 14 days till I arrive, can’t wait!