Mother's Day

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Mother's day was quite some time ago, but that doesn't mean I can't still relive it and celebrate my mom each day :) 

This year, my dad and my brother were at a playoff hockey game for the Tampa Bay Lightning so my mom dropped them off at the arena and headed out to an afternoon of fun. It began with a trip to Sea Critters over in St. Pete for a dockside lunch of our favorite crunchy almond shimp salad. I've posted about Sea Critters on here before, but it truly is my favorite spot to go to when I am back in town. It's a little bit of a drive for anyone that lives in Tampa, but if you are up for some pretty amazing seafood and a trip to the beach or an evening to watch the sunset, make the drive over! And do not leave before ordering the crunchy almond shrimp! 

When I was little, my mom used to surprise my my brother and me by taking us bowling after school. She was always a really great bowler and I for some reason made it up in my head that she used to even be part of a bowling league for the Sheriff's Office...sorry mom, I have no idea where I came up with that, but I definitely told everyone that until about three years ago. She was just that good ;) So this time, I took her bowling and we made a bet: the loser of 3 games must buy the winner the popsicle of her choice at The Hyppo in St. Pete. 

How fun is this bowling alley! I loved the pink exterior and it was just as much fun on the inside with the coordinating color blocked walls and carpets. 

See below for the bowling champion...to be fair I did beat her in the first game! The other two were pretty close as well ;) 

How sweet she is! She even offered to buy ME a popsicle even after I lost; but, alas, a deal is a deal and I held up my end of the bargain. Here she is with her black pepper cantaloupe trophy!  

She is easily the most selfless person I have ever met and I hope that I can one day spread as much kindness as she exudes daily. She really is the greatest for all she does for myself and for our family. I love you mom and I am so thankful to call you my own! 

Sea Critters Cafe

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From the first time I dined at Sea Critters in high school, it has easily been one of my favorite restaurants in the Bay area. Although it doesn't look like much from the outside, everything that they serve is freshly prepared and so delicious you'll be craving it again as soon as you leave. They offer daily soup, fish, and entree specials as well as a full menu with staple appetizers, sandwiches, and seafood platters. There is seating inside, outside on the deck, and if you own a boat you can park and eat dockside. I recommend the onion rings to start with, they are the best I have had, and the house salad or one of their featured fish sandwiches for your entree. The house salad comes with feta cheese, sunflower seeds, and my favorite dressing of all time-a sundried tomato vinaigrette. They offer sandwiches to be fried, grilled, blackened, jerked or crunchy almond crusted. Get the crunchy almond coating and you can thank me later; I promise it's that delicious. 

For dessert, if we don't get a slice of key lime pie from Sea Critters, we hop over a few streets to the beach for ice cream at Paradise Sweets. I couldn't decide between the shaved ice or a scoop of rainbow sherbet. The sherbet ended up winning...until I got in the car and took two licks and the entire scoop of sherbet fell off and onto my shirt. Le sigh. It was tasty while it lasted and thankfully my favorite striped shirt came clean :) Next time, I'll try the shaved ice! 

Happy Saturday, friends!