Sometimes our travels take us far and wide and sometimes we don't go very far from home.
On a recent Sunday we didn't stray very far from home at all. We visited a local shopping center that has a special place in my heart because I worked there at a temp job over the summer. I love all the cute shops and outdoor seating areas.
As with most of our outdoor shopping areas, the Crossroads is very dog friendly and Charlie enjoys a visit there as long as we don't visit her doctor who is located at the far end of the parking lot.
She would also prefer that we didn't make her ride in an elevator. She really is not a fan. So, like any good mommy, I made sure to get a picture.
Don't worry, no dogs were forced to ride in elevators in the making of this picture.
She loves to walk on the wide sidewalk and try to visit the stores.
Some of the stores actually encourage her visit.
Of course the reason the hardware store is so pet-friendly probably has something to do with the fact that there is a big pet food store right next door.
On this particular Sunday we weren't looking for hardware or pet food. We were in search of CAKE!
You see, this year Mr. T and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary. Yeah, I know, I can't believe it's been that many years either. Of course, I'd love to have a nice party with family and friends to mark the occasion, boy how I would love to, but that's not in the cards again this year. So we're doing the only thing we can do - we're eating a boatload of cake all year.
Each month, on our anniversary date, we are getting some form of cake to celebrate. This month we had a coupon to "buy one, get one free" at the cake store so that's just what we did.
Mr. T had chocolate chocolate chip and I chose white chocolate raspberry. He made his last 2 days...I can't say the same. I ate that whole thing in one sitting and wished there was more.
It's probably a good thing we're only celebrating once a month.
It's possible that Charlie pouted a little bit because we didn't share.
But she'll be ready next week for another big adventure when we Travel with Charlie!
I started to do a "good, bad, & ugly" post for 2015 but I found myself struggling to come up with much good (except for meeting Victoria and finding Charlie) and was overwhelmed with ugly so I decided to stop and just end the year with pictures. This is how I choose to remember 2015.
Here are my 9 most liked posts on Instagram this year. I wish at least one Florida picture had made the cut, it's mostly Christmas stuff, but each one represents a good memory.
I'll be back later today to reflect on 2015 and let you in on my hopes and dreams for 2016.
and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
Ok, maybe a dog was stirring.
Happy Christmas Eve!
Charlie here! I've taken over the computer while Mama is napping so that I can tell you all about my most recent adventure.
Yesterday was the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Carmel. Originally I don't think I was supposed to be going with Mama and Papa but Mama found this while she was grocery shopping yesterday
Of course she had to have it - it's beautiful and pink and perfect. And just like that she decided that I had to come along to the tree lighting. I couldn't have planned it better myself.
I'm totally adorable, right? We had a looooong walk from the car to Ocean Avenue (that's main street in normal towns) but I didn't mind. I love to walk no matter where we're going. I love adventure.
There were a lot of people there, I mean, like, a LOT, but I was a good girl and waited patiently for the Christmas tree to light up.
But seriously, is it ever going to light up?
Wowee! That was worth waiting for!
After enjoying the tree lights we headed off for the best part of the evening - dinner! Carmel is so pretty at night with all the decorations.
This is doggie heaven...ok, it's really Nielsen's Market and I didn't actually get to go inside (stupid rules) but I downloaded these pictures off Mama's phone to share with you. I would loooooove to get inside those cases!
Nielsen's has a beautiful patio outside that does allow dogs (finally, something for me!) and the weather was perfect for us to sit outside and enjoy burgers.
Mama and Papa say this is the best value in Carmel. I don't know what that means. I do know that it's pretty delicious...and they don't share nearly enough with me.
Hello, starving dog down here!
I do love adventure but it poops me out. Good night everybody!
