I want to win it..but am probably NOT going to

While visiting my sister in Jacksonville FL - she got tickets to tour the HGTV Smart House as an early birthday present to me.

We first had a wonderfully delicious lunch at a well kept secret restaurant in Jacksonville, FL - The French Pantry.  They are only open 11 am to 2 pm Mon-Fri

One of the interesting things that this restaurant does, is they seat you at tables, when there is an opening. So when we first were seated there were 3 other ladies who were just finishing their lunch. After they left - 2 ladies joined us for the rest of our lunch. They were cousins, one who lived in Jacksonville and one who was visiting from Sarasota (my side of the state).  One of the cousins is an accomplished artist, and the other an accomplished author of pre-teen books.  It all made for lively conversations. We talked about copyright issues, online piracy of artists works etc. And we talked about food too :). 

Took home leftovers which were great the next day.

Now on to the tour of the HGTV Smart House. Have to admit, I loved the decor, but the house isn't as smart as I'd like. An outdoor shower on side porch by drive way seems useless, no sink, or small fridge included in outdoor kitchen (or really just a gas grilling area), no awning over outdoor dining area or screened in areas.  No home office.  I'm sure who ever wins it will take the cash alternative prize or rent it out to snowbirds ;) I've always wanted to tour the HGTV Homes that they build and give away - so seeing this one is one more thing checked off my bucket list :)

 guest bathroom off main hallway near master bedroom with a "smart" toilet for your guests

 Master bedroom with glass sliding door out to pool area

 Master shower and tub all behind same glass doors

 upstairs landing lighting

 1 of 2 bedrooms upstairs - no office

 2nd guest bedroom of 2 upstairs - only 3 in the house. Each bedroom has its own bathroom

 Small sitting area on upstairs landing with a TV to add to the 5 others

 This display is between master bedroom and guest bathroom off entryway

 Kitchen is nice - there is a large walk-in pantry and laundry room off the kitchen

 Dining room

 Only living room area - except for sitting area on 2nd floor

 As long as everyone has headphones and their own remotes - 3 family members can each watch their own TV

 Outdoor living space - no sinks, no screened in areas

just make sure you have lots of bug spray and sunscreen

 The contest winner also receives a GMC Acadia and $100,000

Tea with my sister in Riverside ;)

 Afternoon Tea Lunch at the Tea Cozy with my sister in the Riverside neighborhood of Jacksonville FL on Apr 23

we grew up in the Riverside neighborhood of Buffalo NY -
see too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverside,_Buffalo,_New_York
and played often at Buffalo's
 Riverside Park

Photo is Jacksonville's Riverside Park

 and the 4 Anderson siblings attended Buffalo's  Riverside United Presbyterian Church. 
this is Jacksonville's Riverside Presbyterian Church

Raspberry Honey Tea at the  Tea cozy

The Tea Cozy afternoon tea with tea sandwiches etc

wasn't available until later in the day. So we ordered

off the menu - everything was Tea-litefully delicious

Took home an assortment of Chocolate Truffles and 

a bag of 

loose Chocolate Mint Tea - YUMMY for the TUMMY

A few pictures around the Neighborhood