Thursday, December 30, 2010

Thursday

Well what a difference a day makes when it comes to the weather. This morning I rode out to the rec on my bike after my quiet times and a breakfast bar for some pickle ball for the first time this week. It warmed up about 20 degrees over yesterday morning and eventually it warmed up close to 70 today. I opened the house up and cut the heat off. We had about 14 or so for a good 2 1/2 workout for the last one this year. The gym will be close until next Monday the third of January 2011. Wow where did this year go???

After getting home from the rec I watered the gardens, did a little hoeing and pulled a few weeds. Right now it seems as if most of the plants will survive because I covered them with sheets and 5 gallon buckets. Amy and the kids came for lunch and I had a great time playing with both Ava and Sam. They took off for home around 2:30 so we decided to postpone our Sam's trip until tomorrow. Nancy had boiled off a large ham to make ham salad for sandwiches as well as froze the broth for a good bean soup later next week. Tomorrow she will make Zuppa soup for our get together with the Ross's and neighbors Dan and Carol for New Years Eve. Looks like there will be some good eatin' as well with some games as we watch the ball drop in Times Square for the year 2011.

Not much else went on except some good spaghetti for supper. LATER

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wednesday

Well this morning when I rolled out about 6:30 I looked out the window and it was so foggy it looked like snow and it was at 32 degrees. Yikes everything was covered in white frost. Luckily I had once again covered most of my garden with sheets and blankets so once again it was spared. I did have some frost damage to the exposed leaves and limbs on the 'maters but basically everything survived and actually the beets, collards, kale, Swiss chard and lettuce look better. After my quiet time and a bowl of oatmeal with some blueberries I headed out to the rec in the truck for some pickle ball. Once again we had 3 courts going at once with a couple folks waiting to play. The games were highly contested and there were lots of wet shirts.

After the rec I headed home and the temp was up to nearly 50 degrees after starting out at 32. The day was starting to really look like a typical Florida winter day. I hand watered then spray fed all of the plants with a little miracle grow to give them a boost after all this cold, dry, windy weather. By the afternoon I had shut off the heat and open the door for some fresh air. I believe it neared 65 today and the next 7-8 days its supposed to be in the 70's and low 50's at night. Now I like that forecast.

Nancy took off after lunch to have her hair cut and colored so I caught up on some reading about the mafia. Good reading and pictures to go with it. What a bunch of brutal people. We were having just a house church meeting at 7 PM, after a supper of fried ham, potato cakes and the first mess of 1/2 runner green beans. Man were they ever good but the cold weather has put a damper on their growth for right now; but I believe they will come back and hopefully produce. Well its close to 9:30 and now the people we were to pick up at Tampa Airport just did a flight update and its after 10 PM before they are scheduled too land from Detroit. Originally it was 8 PM. Oh well!! LATER

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Tuesday

Yikes some one remind this is the sunshine state!! Well it was in the 30's this AM with frost so heavy it looked like inches of snow on the ground. Luckily I covered most of my garden and moved my herbs into the shed or they would have been DRT(dead right there). After my few quiet moments and the last of the fruit slad with an over ripe banana on the side I headed out to check the garden. The collards were a thick coat of ice as well as the radish tops. I turn the hose on to squirt them and the hose was frozen shut. I managed to keep working the nozzle and got about a 1/2 stream of water but that didn't seem to melt the ice on the leaves. I rode off to the rec in the truck.

We had a large turnout once again and 4 of us who showed up early had played 6 sets by 8 AM. Wow what good play and we were without several of our really good women players. After getting home from the 2 1/2 hour workout I headed into the back yard and the garden where I removed all the sheets that covered the plants and then hand watered the garden. Several tomato limbs got burned from the frost last night but the major part of the plant survived and the collards looked like they were not affected by the coat of ice that earlier had covered them. The temps eventually warmed up into the 50's and tomorrow it may even reach the lower 70's.

Amy and the kids came for lunch and we had the leftover vegetable beef soup for lunch. Afterwards we played with Ava and Sam before they headed for home so Sam and Ava could get in their afternoon naps. Nancy headed out to the rec for 45 minutes on the treadmill and then stopped by the post office. I lounged around reading. After getting back fromher workout we decided to take down the Christmas decorations and with 2 of us it only took about an hour. Wow was that ever a record for that chore as I usually don't participate. Anyhow we cleaned up the last of the left overs from the dinner on Saturday except for the meat which we froze for another time. Wow was that ever good eatin." Well not much else going on as I once again covered my garden tonight with old sheets as there is a strong chance for it to frost again tonight. LATER

Monday, December 27, 2010

Sunday and Monday

Well its been eat, eat, eat around here since Saturday. Sunday was a layed back day with no church service so we slept in then headed down to the nursing home where we helped with pushing patients in their wheelchairs to their church service. Many of our regulars where just not feeling well so we had a lite crowd. After getting back I watched our local Buc's beat up on the Seahawks and give themselves at least a possibility with some help from a couple other teams to get into the playoffs. After football I watched our local Lightning hockey team win in a great game over Atlanta. That pretty much summed up Sunday except Amy and Tyler came for homemade vegetable beef soup for supper. Man was that ever tasty on this cold windy evening.

Monday, today it was once again cold and windy down into the 30's with a good stiff breeze. After my quiet time and a bowl of fruit salad I headed out in the truck to the rec for some 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball. We had about 16 players with some really good play. After the rec I stopped off at the library to pick up another read before heading home to uncover my garden from the sheets and then giving it a good watering. I spent the rest of the day reading as it's still to nippy to spend much time outside even though it was sunny. Tyler was having us over for supper tonight as he was breaking in his new Weber gas grille with some Kansas beef, Yikes was that ever good meat and grilled to perfection. Amy had green beans, baked spuds, salad and GG made a pumpkin pie for dessert. We had a grand time playing with Ava and Sam. Not much else going on but when we got home it was 42 degrees at 8 PM. Sure hope those sheets protect my garden. LATER

Sunday, December 26, 2010

CHRISTMAS DAY (Saturday)
























































Well the day started with a little sleep in until about 7:30 after a busy day and evening on Friday. We were having a large group for breakfast so Nancy had made most of the preparations i.e. breakfast casserole the day before. It just needed to be put out to warm up to room temperature before baking. We just chilled doing our quiet time and playing on the Internet until the hungry gang arrived at 10 AM. GG brought her famous fruit salad, Carol brought cheese blintz's, Amy brought home fries and then of course there was juice and biscuits with home made strawberry and black raspberry preserves. We ate and visited until about noon when everyone left to take a nap.

I took out the standing 16 1/2 pound rib roast to warm up to room temp as well before getting it ready to pop into the oven around 2 PM. Nancy did her Santa thing with bringing out loads of presents to surround the Christmas tree. I finished up a good read and then headed over to Tyler's on the bike to help him with putting together a large Weber gas grille his parents had shipped to him from Kansas. That took a couple hours and we were successful. Now we just need some of that delicious Kansas beef his grandfather Sonny raises to see if it really works.

GG and Pap came around 4:30 so we let the eating begin once again with cheeses, shrimp, summer sausage and homegrown radishes and some of my homemade blackberry vino. The smell from the roast had our mouths watering. Amy and Tyler with the kids were the next to arrive then Bobby and Jill and their kids were next and finally Aunt Betsy arrived with her 2 boys Braden and Garrett. Amy brought a huge salad, Betsy a spinach casserole with mushrooms and Bobby had made a special bread pudding dessert with a hot sauce he later put together. There were mashed spuds with a gravy made made from the roast juices and of course Bobby's own add ins as well as cooked carrots. Well needless to say we were all stuffed by the time we finished with the dessert which was somewhere around 8 PM. I just wanted to find a quiet room to hibernate but we hadn't even opened any presents yet and the girls were bouncing off the walls with anticipation.

Finally we got to the gift opening and it was bedlam. Amy decided we needed to do it in an orderly fashion the way Tyler's family does it in Kansas as they too have large family gatherings during the holidays. The youngest to the oldest then reverse the order. That worked out pretty good except for Ava an Annsley which were hyper, so we just let them open their gifts so they could head off to play. Samuel found one of his gifts we had moved into another room and of course with his Army style crawl he found it and we could see he was entertained while playing with all the buttons, he was so cute. Little Gabey just entertained us with his cooing and smiles.
Everyone had a great time and around 10 PM or so all started to pack up and head for home. I had been in between dinner, dessert and coffee washing dishes so by the time most had left I had a handle on the restoration of the kitchen and the dining room. Man was I stuffed so much I just wanted to hit the showers and then go to bed. Finally it was time to turn out the lights and listen to the wind as it came through with a roar. We are expecting high winds all through the night and into Sunday.

We have been checking the weather for the mountains and it seems they were having a white Christmas which started sometime after lunch and by dark the ground was covered. This morning (Sunday) it looked on the web cam at Roaring Gap there were several inches of the white stuff and still snowing. The northeast and all the way down to the deep south snow was on the ground and blizzard conditions were starting to envelope much of the country. Will someone tell what happen to all those Al Gore's that predicted there was global warming, just another political scam. Oh well!!!
Well it times to get ready for another NEW YEAR, so may all have a blessed one. LATER




















Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Eve Friday



















Well the day started with egg sandwiches after our quiet times. The sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be a nice Florida day with just a touch of chill in the air. I believe the temps did reach the low 70's briefly. Nancy had made her preparations for Christmas morning breakfast when we will once again will have a full house of family and friends and then again later for dinner on Christmas evening. Oh I almost forgot to mention on Thursday evening about 6 PM we lost our water pressure due to a 48 inch water main blow out, so over 200, 000 people were without water immediately and some as I write this post still have no water. Luckily I have a well that water can be used to flush and whatever but when we awakened on Friday morning we had our pressure back to start the day.

Our house church was planning on fixing a bag lunch for the homeless and taking it to them in south St.Pete where there seems to be a large gathering of them at Straub Park. I thought it best that we should find out exactly where to distribute the lunches to them when we found out people without a permit were not allowed to feed the homeless on the street. So I called several charities and learned of a charity that sponsored the homeless. They were excited to get our donations of food and blankets and 6 of us from our Element house church delivered the goodies to the Pinellas Hope Camp.


After getting back to the 'hood we dropped off our neighbors and headed down to the local nursing home were we do church services twice a month and delivered a goodie basket to those health care workers. They seemed surprised and most appreciative that someone would recognize them for their work. We shared with several patients and gave lots of hugs to those we have gotten to know by pushing them in their wheel chairs to Sunday services. It was an uplifting time for us as well.


We just chilled after eating a frozen pizza and salad for a late lunch. We knew we had to leave around 5:30 for Tampa for the Christmas Eve service at Element. We were picking up Nancy's folks as well. The service was super and the music was awesome. There are some very talented musicians and singers in this body of believers and Bobby did a great job with the message of Anticipation. We are certainly proud of him and his endeavors to bring the message of salvation through Christ in a different way to Tampa, great job son. We stayed after the service and took some family pictures of the girls and just enjoyed Jill's extended family as we didn't do our annual domino night with food and fellowship at her parents house this year due to Susan having major surgery and her difficult road to recovery. She seems at last to be on the mend. It was a great time at the service and the grand babies where dressed to the "nines."


We headed back to Nancy's folks and picked up the 16 plus pound rib roast which we will cook for dinner on Christmas Day then headed home where we snacked on some cheese and crackers as we had skipped supper due to the late lunch. We finally were able to get into the shower as we had lost our water the night before due to a ruptured water main. We are still under a boil your drinking water even as a I write this post on Christmas morning. I will post a couple pics from last night's gathering in Tampa at Element. LATER

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Thursday

Well the temps once again cooled down a little from yesterday's in the high 70's but still pleasant enough despite the north west wind. After my quiet times and the usual bowl of oatmeal with a banana and blue berries I pedalled out to the rec for some pickle ball. We were down to about 10 players for the day but had some great play with some unbelievable rallies. We actually played for about 3 hours today and had 3 sets at the end of day that were fantastic with Jim, Mitsuko, Harry and myself. Harry is nearly 80 and is quite the player as he once and still is a skilled tennis player. I was bushed as I pedalled against a strong north wind on the way home.

I watered the gardens by hand until it was time to have a lite lunch. The kids were not here today as they visited GG for lunch so it really was very quiet here. I finished once of the best true story reads I've had in many moons with the book UNBROKEN. Louis Zamperini is still alive today at 93 and the book is about his life as a Olympian runner, bombardier on B-24, cast about into the Pacfic Ocean after a crash in a 2 man life raft for 44 days with out food and water and then captured by the Jap's and interned as a POW in Japan. The brutal treatment he sustained at the hands of one exceptionally brutal guard, his quest to avenge that treatment which eventually led him to a Billy Graham tent revival in California and then to his forgiveness of those guards and finally to carry the Olympic torch through the very town where he was interned. Remarkable story!!!

I then just vegetated reading and catnapping the afternoon away except for a couple chores. Tomorrow will be another busy day as we help put food bags together for the homeless, take a basket of goodies to the nursing pavilion and then head to Tampa for a candlelight service at Element Church at 6:30. Well here's to all who are having a white Christmas at least this year I won't have to turn the a/c on as we are scheduled for some rain and cooler temps on Christmas Day. LATER

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Tuesday and Wednesday

Well it been pretty much the same around here the past couple days except for the weather. After our usual quiet times and boring breakfast of oatmeal I headed out to the rec for some pickle ball each morning on the bike. I'm back to the full 2 1/2 hours of play and we have had a full gym each morning. I stopped by the library on the way home and picked up one of the best reads about WWII I have ever read. Its titled UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand. Its a must true story read and should be a required read for all Americans. I have spent the better part of the day reading the book as its very difficult to put it down.

The weather has progressively gotten better with each day this week and today Wednesday I was sitting in the back yard in shorts reading with the windows open in the house after washing the windows and screens. The garden is loving this weather but there is another cold front heading our way Sunday might according to the forecast. Now today is what Florida is supposed to be in the winter time with middle 70's and lots of bright sunshine.

We spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen after supper tonight and she said it reached the 50's there today and melted much of the ice and snow and that she was waiting for her son and his girl to arrive from Florida tomorrow for Christmas. Amy and the kids came for a short visit today and that Samuel gets cuter everyday as well as Ava. We had good news that baby Gabey and Annsley are finally getting over the illness. Hooray for that bit of good news as we will be having all of the grand babies here on Christmas day. Tomorrow will be my final day at the rec until next Monday so I'm looking to workout extra to make up for all the good eatin' in the next couple days. LATER

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Monday

The morning was much the usual with our quiet times and a bowl of oatmeal before pedalling out to rec on my bike for some pickle ball. The frost was heavy on the roof tops as well as on the grass around the library where there were no trees. We had about 20 plus players and the play was continuous for 2 1/2 hours. I was bushed when I got back after stopping off at the library for some reads. Nancy had taken off for more shopping so I spent the rest of the morning watering the gardens and grass plugs in the front yard.

Amy and the grand babies came for lunch and we had a super time playing with them until it was time for their afternoon naps. We took off for Sam's after they left to pick up some goodies we were taking to feed the homeless on Christmas Eve. We then stopped by Sweet Bay's and picked up a ham they had on sale for Nancy egg and ham casserole she was making for our usual Christmas breakfast with her folks, Amy and her family and neighbors Dan and Carol and her mother, Jesse. Looks like it will be another day for great eating with a rib roast Nancy is making for later in the evening and then Bob and his family along with Nancy's folks, sister Betsy and her family will gather to eat and exchange gifts.

Well Monday was supposed to be the lunar eclipse not seen for 372 years and not to be seen again for 475 years. Not sure what the significance of that is but what I saw was nothing out of the ordinary except for a very bright moon when I awakened at 6:30. Well not much else happened on Monday except it did warm up a little to the high 60's and Tuesday is supposed to be even warmer near 70. Our mountain friends are having once again a very cold winter with snow on the ground as I write with more in the forecast for later this week. LATER

Monday, December 20, 2010

Sunday





































Well here it is Monday and I'm just getting around to writing this post. We had a great time of worship at Element then headed over to Bobby's for the afternoon. We stopped at Publix and picked up a couple rotissere chickens and some salad for lunch then spent the afternoon eating, watching the Bucs lose a game they should won and playing with Annsley and Gabriel. We didn't get back to Seminole until nearly 6:30 so we just spent the rest of the evening watching T.V. and playing on the computer. We watched the final segment of Survivor then called it a night. LATER

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Saturday
















Well we finally got some much needed rain during the night and for much of the day and then again over night into Sunday morning. Its been a soft soaking rain with not a lot of run off. My gardens and new grass plugs will like this plus the temps have stayed relatively warm when compared to last weeks bone chilling 30's. I'm writing this on Sunday morning as we get ready to head to Tampa for worship at Element Church with son Bobby.
There wasn't a whole lot happening with me on Saturday as I pretty much stayed in an read after our quiet times and Nancy's mountain breakfast of buckwheat cakes and eggs. She played on Face book until it was time to get ready to head out to Largo for the Nutcracker Ballet with her mom, GG and Amy and Ava and Jill and Annsley. The girls were all dressed to the nines' in their dark clothing and fancy shoes. It was after 5'o clock before they got back to the house as the ballet was over 2 hours in length, of course after getting home the little ones had to dance the Nutcracker with Nancy and Jill after a snack. They are so funny and serious when it comes to this music and dancing.

It was a fun time for them and the girls seemed interested the whole time and knew so much about what was happening. I think each of them have a movie that depicts the ballet to some degree in a child's thoughts. Oh well these girls are going to be so educated by the time they start their formal education. Jill and Annsley headed about just before dark for Riverview. Tomorrow after church we will head down to spend some time with them and get to see little Gabriel and have lunch as well.

Well its still cold up in the mountains and in Winchester as well, actually it was colder in Va than in the mountains which is usually not the case. We wish all of our family in both places some relief from the cold and snow. Last week was one of the coldest weeks we have had in Florida in years, luckily we are surrounded by water which kept our temps just about the hard freeze and so my garden made it for now. Even after covering most of the plants I still had some leaf damage and may have lost the cuke's for good. LATER

Friday, December 17, 2010

Friday

Well the cold weather has abated and left our area as the afternoon reached the warm 70's with lots of bright sunshine, finally. After my quiet time and a bowl of oatmeal with a banana I once again pedalled out to the rec on my bike for some pickle ball. We has a low count today with a total of about 8 for the morning. There was some great play and once again I managed to stick out the full 2 1/2 hours of play. Boy was I whipped when I finally got back to the house.

Nancy was gone to her Friday morning bible study at SFBC so I hand watered the gardens and the grass plugs in the front yard until Amy, Ava and Sam arrived about noon for lunch. We baked up a frozen pizza with the left over salad from last nights supper for lunch. We played around with the kids until it was time for their afternoon naps and when they left I stretched out in the computer room for a siesta as well. I had the window open and the clean warm air was wonderful after having the heat on for nearly a week. I then opened up the rest of the house for a couple hours to air the place out as Nancy took off shopping.

I had pulled our neighbor Jim some fresh collards early in the afternoon and decided we should have some as well so I pulled enough for a good pot and put them on about 3:30 and slow cooked them until about 6 o'clock when I put a couple rib eye steaks on the grille. We had some leftover turnip casserole so that rounded out the supper. The steaks were a perfect medium rare and that was the last of them we had in the freezer.

The forecast is for rain tomorrow which is much needed after the farmers in the middle of the state drained lots of water from the aquifer to cover their crops in a sheet of ice the last couple of days thus resulting in lots of dry wells and a few sink holes. The area will cool down a little but over night lows will stay in the 40's and 50's. Now I can handle that with daytime in the 60's and 70's. I think the temps hit 80 plus in Bobby's neighbor hood today. Well Nancy bought tickets for GG, Jill, Amy, Ava and Annsley to the Nutcracker Ballet tomorrow at the Largo Cultural Center so the girls will have fun doing that. On Sunday after church Nancy and I will spend the afternoon with Bob, Jill and the grand babies there in Riverview. Well that's about it for today and what we have planned for the week end. LATER

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Wednesday and Thursday

Well as you can tell I'm a little late in putting Wednesday activities to press but first I was lazy after getting back from house church last night and second there was a good Lightning hockey game on TV as well. The morning started out the usual with my quiet time and bowl of oatmeal but with cold temp's and a stiff a breeze. The heat ran all night and day with temps still in the 40's. Finally by afternoon it hit 50 but quickly dropped back into the 30's after the sun started to go down. I once again had to cover my tomato's, cuke's and a few beans as well as move most all my herbs into the shed.

Nancy took off after lunch to take GG shopping and was gone most of the afternoon. I settled in to a good book and just did nothing except for hand watering the gardens and front yard plugs. We were having house church later in the evening with finger foods and ornament exchange. No one guessed our ornaments as each person was supposed to bring an ornament depicting something that pertained strictly to them. Nancy wrapped up an airplane, actually a bi-plane for me as I use to fly in the USAF and a Santa figurine for herself as she collects Santa's. We had fun with a full house including 9 kids present. Wow the food was good with a layered taco dip and chips, chicken wings, meat balls, jalapeno poppers, vegetable tray with dip and some dessert which I stayed away from. We had a good turnout even though several folks were away.

Well we received some sad news today as our old mountain buddy Norman lost his wife on the 10th of this month. She has been in real poor health the past couple years and was on oxygen full time and could barely get around unless Norman was there to help her. Anyhow he just called us today and let us know that he was going to stick it out on the mountain for right now. Norman has really become quite a friend and neighbor to us as we saw him about everyday that we hiked. I really enjoyed helping him out from time to time with some of his more strenuous jobs like rotor-tilling his gardens and getting his firewood in for the winter

Well not much else is going on for Wednesday so I will comment on today's(Thursday) activities. The frost was heavy this morning when I rolled out about 6:30 to get ready and head out to the rec for some pickle ball. I'm back today for the full 2 1/2 hours workout for the first time in nearly 2 weeks. We had some great play with a couple new players one of which was visiting from Ashville, N.C. Sue was a complete player and we had some really fun matches with her as well as against her. She was a delight to play with and she also plays in Ashville inside a gym, she acclimated quick to our game. It was cold this morning with frost thick on all the roof tops but I had covered my 'maters, beans, peppers and moved the herbs once again inside. A few of the limbs were touched but I think the plants will survive.

It has really warmed up outside with temps pushing 70 degrees with bright sunshine so I worked out in the garden after lunch; feeding, hoeing and watering as well as trimming the dead limbs and leaves. I turned the heat off as its very nice outside. We are having friends Carol and Dan for supper this evening and then a few games.

I wanted to update all on Annsley and Gabriel health conditions. Seems Gabriel contracted the same virus Annsley had that effects the lungs but they diagnosed it in time so he is on a regiment of medications while Annsley seems to be finally getting over her illness as well. We are planning on spending Sunday after church with them. Ava and Sam are doing well and didn't contract the bronchitis from me which I'm happy about and that both of them are doing well. Sam is now standing by himself for seconds at a time and is just a great kid. He and Ava are so much fun together and she plays with him constantly. She just show's so much concern for him and is another mother to him as well as a super playmate.

Well not much else is going on LATER

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tuesday

Brrr is all I can say from the usual hot and sunny Florida. It was in the 30's this morning with a stiff wind blowing from the north as I drove out to the rec after my quiet time and lite breakfast for some pickle ball. We had a full gym once again this morning but I kept my workout to about an hour an a half so as to keep my strength up as I'm still hacking. After my workout I stopped by the library for a couple reads before heading home.

Amy and the kids were coming for lunch so we got ready for them then played with Sam and Ava until it was time for them to head out for their naps. After they left we took off to run some errands. It was to Sam's for a gas fill up and groceries and then to Publix, next was a stop off at GG's house to deliver some goodies then to the veggie stand and finally a stop at Amy's. We drove by a house in our neighborhood which burned last night from what appears to have been started by an electrical short in the attic. Seems this house was newly remodeled just recently and the owners were out of the country. The roof was completely burned through over the entire house.

Nancy headed to the rec to get her 30 minutes in on the treadmill after getting home from our errands. I headed out to cover my tomato's, beans and peppers with sheets and to move all of my herbs into the shed. Looks like we are headed for a heavy frost in the morning and once again parts of the bay area is under a hard freeze warning. The winds have finally subsided. Hopefully we can once again escape this deadly freeze another night as the temps are supposed to be back up near 70 by the week end. Wow are we ever looking forward to those temp's.

Well we had some good old fashion cooking for supper; mustard greens, turnip casserole and baked sweet potato's with a couple home baked cookies with hot tea for dessert. LATER

Monday

Well it was definitely a "frost on the pumpkin" kind of morning in here in whats supposed to be hot and sunny Florida, what happened to all those who are crying the earth is warming out of control?? The winds never let up all day and with the 40's and 30's overnight it was down right cold. Nancy and I feel for our " mountain family" as they are below zero with the wind chills and down to single digit temps. I see where more snow fell on them over night and more is predicted for the week. We are supposed to see warmer temps by weeks end but my garden whats left is looking pretty ragged. The cold wind has just about destroyed the beans, tomato's and basil.

I started the morning out with my quiet time and a bowl of oatmeal with a banana before heading out to the rec for pickle ball. It was good to see so many new faces and there were 24 total for the day as the cold weather drove lots inside off the golf courses and other venues to the warmth of the gym. I only played for an hour or so as I'm still hacking a little and didn't want to wear myself down and weaken my resistance to this bronchitis. The play was good and I quickly worked up a sweat. After leaving the rec I stopped off at the library for some new reads before heading home to play with little Sam while Amy took Ava for her first dental checkup. She had a good report and was instructed to keep on the routine she is doing as her teeth look great. I show her some of my lack filings and explain to her if she doesn't brush her teeth daily she will get those black teeth like mind. I think that really impresses her when she brushes as she says I don't want teeth like grand dad.

We had the rest of the veggie soup for lunch, my was that ever good on such a cold windy day. Amy and Nancy baked cookies until nearly 3'o'clock and I think they finished baking for this year. Amy took several dozen to give out to her neighbors and post man as well. I delivered 6 plates of cookies to the neighbors as well as to our postman. I've tried to stay away from them some are so darn good its nearly impossible.

I headed out to water whats left of the garden as there was a prediction of freezing temps to the area but we may be spared because of the water that surrounds our county. Just north of our area there were 20's overnight with a hard freeze but if we don't have below 32 for more than a couple hours maybe the plants will come back with a little warmer weather and lots of water. Tonight Tuesday is supposed to once again be as cold as last night. It was 38 this morning but the wind has calmed a little as of now and there is bright sunshine.

We attended a funeral last night at SFBC as the wife of a friend passed from a brain tumor, she was only 53. The church was packed as she was an administrator with one of the middle schools in the area. Well not much else is going on except little Gabriel has contracted the virus Annsley had but so far it just seems to be cold symptoms only. Keep them in your prayers as little Gabey is so young. LATER

Monday, December 13, 2010

Sunday

Wow a day of temperature changes. The morning started out with sunshine and in the high 50's. After our quiet time and a lite breakfast we got ready to head out to Tampa for worship at Element. It was really breezy but with a long sleeve shirt you were comfortable. While at Element the clouds rolled in and the wind and rain were heavy and strong. After the service we hung around as Nancy had and E-Kids volunteer worker meeting. We have so many new children and we need more volunteers with some changes to make in how we register the little ones and make it a safe place as well.

We headed home in the rain and wind, the bay waters were being blown into white caps as we cross the big bridge and the temp's were falling fast. After a quick lunch of the delicious homemade veggie soup we headed out to the nursing home to help with the service we do twice a month. It really gives us a chance to love on those who are infirmed and many are without any families as well as hear a short message and sing. We had several 1-5 graders who came to sing Christmas Carols and we had a good time.

We came home to watch the Bucs beat the Redskins and then about 4:30 we headed over to Nancy's folks to celebrate Garrett's 14 birthday with a dinner of roasted chicken, mashed spuds and green bean casserole. It was good eatin' and by the time we got home I was ready for a rest. I watched a little football before deciding it was time to call it a night. The bronchitis seems a little better with not a lot of coughing so I decided it was time to get back on the pickle ball court.

Overnight the wind increased to near gale force with the leaves, limbs and acorns striking the roof during the night and the temp's were continually falling. Well I headed out to the rec this morning and I took the truck as the winds were to high to ride the bike. We are getting ready for Sam as we are babysitting while Ava has her first dental checkup this morning, LATER

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Saturday

Well last night was one of the first nights in quite awhile I didn't wake up coughing, aha sleep was great until about 5 Am; then I turned over and slept in until nearly 8 AM. The temps here are still quite chilly with 40's and a stiff wind until late this afternoon when the wind stopped and the sun finally showed its face for the day. It warmed up into the 60's for a change so I set the sprinklers on the back gardens.

We had a mountain breakfast of grits, eggs and toast after our quiet times. I phoned our old cabin neighbors The Todds to get their new address and then rang up Kimberly as today was her birthday.Nancy decided she wanted to bake more Christmas cookies so she can hand out to the neighbors and the post man as well as our family members. She spent most of the day baking and made 3 different ones today to go along with the one she made yesterday. I just took it easy and read and did a few little honey-do jobs.It sure was quiet around here today as Amy and the kids spent the day with Tyler. We spoke with her by phone and Tyler seems to be getting better from his bronchitis as well. I found a couple of antibiotics that Nancy had leftover and looked up their protocol and they are used to fight bronchitis which is what I have so, I will take other one tonight before going to bed. Hopefully this is the boost I need to get over the top. I started feeling much better as the day wore on and the coughing has slowed down considerably.

It seems little Annsly has contracted a very contagious respiratory infection and she is on quarantine from little Gabriel as he is staying with his other grand parents(Jills folks) until Monday. Keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers as well. Well Nancy and I made a huge pot of vegetable beef barley soup for supper and we used lots of my home grown veggies; green beans, beet greens, parsley and thyme. Wow was that ever good eatin' on this cool day. We still have our heat on and its supposed to get really cold on Monday, somebody tell me this is Florida!!!

Well not much else is going on except tomorrow is worship at Element, hard to believe Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. LATER

Friday

Not much is happening except I'm still coughing a little although I seem to feel better since I've layed off working out with pickle ball. I slept in until 8 AM then did my quiet time and had a bowl of oatmeal before venturing out in the back yard to set the sprinkler for my gardens. So far the cold has only touched a few of the leaves but nothing too serious as of yet. This next week on Monday is supposed to be the coldest night this year so I may have to drag out the sheets to cover a few plants but we will see as the weather is updated almost hourly. It did get into the 60's today but the cold wind made it feel colder especially when your not completely up to par.

Amy and the grand babies came for lunch and stayed until after 2 as Amy and Nancy made "buckeyes", its a round peanut butter cookie dipped in chocolate. I try to stay away from them especially since I have not exercised in a week. I did have a piece of Amy's cheesecake she made for the deacon dinner which they skipped because Tyler also has this crud in his lungs as well. He was given antibiotics and some other medicine for his condition and they skipped the dinner so they wouldn't spread it around. We watched the kids at their house last evening as they when "Santa" shopping. We had a grand time with them.

Well it looks as if Winchester got some more unexpected snow and the mountains are forcasted with some snow as well. We are forcasted with some much needed rain and cooler temps as well. LATER

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Thursday

Well it was a little warmer this morning but not by a whole lot. After our quiet times and a bowl of oatmeal with a banana I decided once again to for go any kind of workout specifically pickle ball. The cough is still lingering and has so most of the day but I feel like I'm going to just take the whole week off and start fresh next Monday with my usual workout. I did catch up on some reading this past week and have enjoyed the warmth of being inside out of the cold wind.

Not a whole happened except just playing with the grand babies for lunch and again tonight as Amy and the babies came for supper as Tyler is teaching ESL(English as a second language) at church so we have what he usually doesn't care for such as; fresh squash casserole and salmon patties. Well I will get out of here for now, LATER

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wednesday

Well once again it was another cold windy morning here in supposedly warm Florida. It was down into the high 30's with a cold north wind blowing so I decided once again to forgo working out at the rec due to this deep rasping cough which is still lingering in my chest, so after our quiet times and a breakfast of ham, eggs and toast I ventured out about 9:30 to hand water the gardens. I had on 2 shirts plus a coat and a ball cap and I felt the chill that comes with a strong wind. Yikes, we are sure glad we don't have to face the temp's our mountain friends are experiencing with the wind chill at below zero with snow and ice everywhere. Their forecast is for more cold temps and more snow in the next couple days.

I spend the rest of the morning catching up on some reading and after a lite lunch I pedalled out to the library to pick up 4 books they were holding for me. The sun was warm in protected areas out of the wind with temps reaching into the low 50's but you still needed a jacket when being out in the yard. I picked some fresh beet greens for sauteing with our chicken stir fry and rice for supper. Nancy had made a chocolate cake with white icing to take to house church so I has a sliver before she headed out. I didn't want to pass my cough onto to those who would be attending plus I didn't want to go out in the night air. I think I'll wait one more day before playing pickle ball and now I will shoot for Friday to resume my workouts on the court. Last year I over did the workouts while having this same deep chest cough and it layed me up for over 3 weeks plus a couple trips to the doctor; so I'm staying pretty much in until this cough goes completely away. LATER

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tuesday

I slept in this morning as I decided last night on the way home from Riverview with temp's in the 40's there was no need to push this deep chest cough by working out at pickle ball, so after a bowl of oatmeal with some raspberries and banana and my quiet time I stayed in out of the cold wind. It was down in the low 40's with a stiff breeze and cloudy most of the morning. Finally around 11 o'clock I ventured out to hand water the back gardens and pick a few green beans.

Amy and the grand babies came around noon for lunch and we kept Ava as she had a well baby check-up for Sam at 1 PM. He is nearly 20 pounds and almost 22 inches long and the doctor described him as healthy, fit and handsome. After Ava went home for their afternoon naps Nancy took off to the rec for her 30 minutes on the treadmill while I just staying out of the cold wind and read. My cough isn't as bad as yesterday but I still can feel a little rumbling deep down at times. I'm taking a whole garlic clove about 3 times a day as well as doubling up on the Vitamin C, so far it seems to be working along with not having a sweaty workout. I think one more day of resting and I should be back at play by Thursday.

Amy had us over for supper tonight with a pot roast, 'taters and carrots as well as Nancy made a fresh salad using some of our lettuce, beet greens and basil. Yumm what a great meal and Amy is becoming quite the cook. We or Nancy took some photos of the Ross Family for their Christmas cards while I attempted to keep both kids attention and tried to keep them smiling. It was cold outside on the way home but at least the wind seems to have died down, probably will have a frost tonight now that the wind has stopped blowing. Well will close for now, LATER

Monday

Well I'm writing this on Tuesday morning after I just put the heat on for the first time this winter. We didn't get back from Riverview(Bob's) until late last evening so I thought I would update all on whats going on with us. On Monday after our quiet times Nancy made poached eggs in a skillet then spooned them out onto to toast something about cold weather and poached or soft boiled eggs. I passed on pickle ball as I had acquire the aches and chills on Sunday afternoon and had a raspy chest; not a lot of hacking but could feel it there deep down.Thought it best to save the energy to fight this instead of trying to beat up that little green ball with my paddle.

I did venture out to hand water the gardens as I let them get dry out on Sunday, the wind was really blowing and the temp's were down in the 40's. Afterwards I just hung around reading and staying inside out of the cold wind. Amy brought the kids for lunch and we had fun watching them entertain us with Ava's make believe and Sam's noisy chatter. He has learned how to push the button to make the music box play and he was thrilled. They left for their naps around 2 so I jumped in the shower so we could be at Bob's by 4 o'clock. Its about 50 miles but you have to go through Tampa and we wanted to avoid rush hour. The body was feeling much better but the occasional cough was still there so I had to make myself not give any kisses or hugs to the little ones.

Long story short they had changed their plans about driving an hour north in the cold so we just enjoyed Bob's homemade chicken soup with cornbread for supper then hung around and enjoyed the grand babies. Annsley and Nancy have so bonded this past month and she only wants her in the toy room as she also does the make believe voices for her dolls. Gabey is such a good baby and is a little butterball. He is a real talker and smiler, wow is he growing so fast and is already holding his head up for brief moments. We headed for Seminole and the temps were 42 outside with a good breeze so it really felt cold. I know this weather here is just a Fall day in the mountains but us flatlanders have thin blood. Just yesterday afternoon our "mountain mom" Helen called to check on my health when Andy Dalton from the Dalton Gang came by her place in Glade Valley to check on her, bring her a wreath and some fresh home grown eggs. He came in the house without wearing a coat at 17 degrees outside wind chill and said it wasn't cold enough for him and a coat. Oh well what a difference 700 miles make.

Well I've forgone pickle ball once again this morning on Tuesday as last year I played myself into bronchitis after wearing down my resistance. I'm not going to take the chance of doing that again especially with the cold ride to the rec on my bike. I did see some frost on the neighbors roof which is unprotected by the trees in my yard. LATER

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sunday

Well it was a great morning after our quiet times and a bowl of oatmeal before heading out to Element for worship. Bobby had a great message and a super video that really spoke to your heart, There were at least 26 who gave blood and probably more as there was still a line of folks waiting to get aboard the blood mobile when we headed out around noon.

After getting back from Tampa I started to feel achy and feverish and developed a rasping deep down in my chest. I have had a little bit of a cough the past couple days but nothing I thought was serious but the aches and chills through me for a loop. I've been sucking down fresh garlic and vitamin c's along with a little Tylenol for the aches. We are supposed to babysit tomorrow night for Bob and Jill as they have a conference and dinner to attend but I'm a little concerned I may spread this to Annsley and Gabey. Anyhow I will have to re-evaluated in the AM if we should get anywhere near the grand babies. LATER

Saturday

Well it started out a little on the chilly side but by noon it had warmed up enough to wear shorts as we headed out to do some Christmas shopping after our quiet times and a hearty mountain breakfast of buckwheat cakes, bacon and eggs. WOW was that ever good and it lasted me until late Saturday afternoon. I finished off the 2 left over deer burgers around 5 o'clock while Nancy got ready to head out with sister Betsy to a concert GG was singing in at 6:30. I had settled down to watch some good college football the rest of the evening. It seems from these last games it was decided who would be playing who for the bragging rights in all the bowl games coming up New Years Day.

After our clean up from breakfast I hand watered until time to head out to the Christian Book Store for a book to be placed in a gift box for a soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan. I found Bobby Bowden's new book and it looks like it will be a good read. I read his autobiography a few years ago and he is truly a great christian man whether you like who he coached for or not. By the way he is retired now after 40 years of coaching and FSU had it handed to them last night in Charlotte by Va. Tech. Boy was it ever cold there but I didn't see any snow on the side lines, unlike the 4-5 inches that fell at the cabin yesterday. The web cam at Roaring Gap showed lots of the white stuff with temps down into the 20's, Brrrr, nothing like 70 in the afternoon and wearing shorts. We are in for some cold nights next week with temp's down into the 30's.

Well not much else is going on except today Sunday is the gathering(corporate worship) at Element and also our blood drive. We are hoping for at least 30 donors and Nancy and I will be 2 to give. Well better get ready to head out as Nancy has to work the check-in desk for the kids. LATER

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Friday














































Well its sure beginning to feel a lot like Christmas down here in the flat lands of the sub-tropics in Florida. I had to put on long pants yesterday and a long sleeve shirt, actually there is a chance of reaching the 40's tonight. Anyhow after my quiet time and a bowl of boring oatmeal with a banana and a little cinnamon I pedalled out to the rec on my bike wearings shorts but with an extra flannel shirt. I think I spotted a little frost in the exposed area near the library but saw none in the 'hood. Sure glad of that as the veggie garden is looking good and really starting to take off. After 2 1/2 hours of play I was sure glad this full week of play was over starting with the tournament on Monday, Yikes I love this game and those who are becoming so much better with daily play.


















After getting back to the house I donned long britches as I watered the gardens. The air was cold as the wind is still causing the neighborhood flag to wave but the sun was bright so if you were out of the wind it was pleasant. While watering Bob and his family showed up from Riveriew along with Amy and her 2 little ones. We were getting together for lunch so the girls could play together and boy did they ever have a grand time. We got a few quick pictures just after all arrived. I had taken out some ground deer for our burgers on the grill and the girls decided they wanted beef burgers. So we cooked up some tater tots and burgers and my oh my were they ever dewisheous. The kids hung around until nearly 2 as the little ones where taking cat naps and the girls where in their own world of make believe with their dolls. Nancy made fresh chocolate chip cookies all had their fill as well as a bag to take home. I had to restrain myself while the smell permeated the kitchen.


















We cleaned and tidied up as our neighbors Dan and Carol where coming for supper at 5:30. I was grilling marinated chicken breasts and Carol was bringing a bowl of salad. She is on this new diet so I at least didn't have to subject myself to the turning down of a dessert which we usually have on our get togethers. The meal was very tasty and light, no starches at all. Afterwards we cleared off the table and played a round of Phase 10 which Dan won and then 24 hands of Oh W(h)ell which I won. It was unusual for the guys to win both games We had a raucous time with much banter and laughter. It had been awhile since we last got together and was great to once again share good food and a fun time.


















Well will close for now as I write this on Saturday morning and Nancy is thawing out sugar cured bacon to go along with eggs and buckwheat cakes for a hearty breakfast. LATER

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Wednesday

I'm sure you can tell I'm writing this post on Thursday morning, actually we were at the Tampa Airport late pickling up Amy and Tyler and the kids around 10:30 last night so I decided to write a little late. Wow yesterday morning it was a bit breezy with some rain over night so after my quiet time and a boring bowl of oatmeal with a banana I rode out to the rec for some pickle ball. The play was great with some super matches and great rally's, afterwards I headed home as it was still a little breezy and chilly. Actually it was in the high 50's but that was a big change from the day before when it was in the high 80's. Anyhow the a/c is off once again and today Nancy is thinking heat. Its a cozy 70 in the house as I write.

Amy is bringing Ava and Sam by for lunch as she has a ton of errands to run and we can get a little grand baby time in. It was 44 this morning as I rode out to the rec for pickle ball and I finally came home and put on long pants for a change, oh well. Not much else is going on so I will close. I think the Ross's are coming for supper this evening and Bobby and his family is coming tomorrow for lunch so the girls can play and we will have all 4 grand babies here at once. LATER

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesday

Well once again it was a rather hot and muggy day but at least there was a breeze so it was tolerable underneath the big oak in the front yard. After my usual quiet time and a lite breakfast I pedalled out to the rec for 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball, wow what a workout and I was not the only one with a sweat soaked t-shirt. Afterwards I headed back to the house to do some watering while Nancy ran her errands. I had been putting off digging across the front of the house between the big oak and the house to intercept and cut any roots that might try to get up under the house. Last week or so I tried to plant some inpatients along the front of the house and it was nearly impossible because of all the oak tree roots. I cut out and drilled through a wheel barrow load of roots. I took and 18 inch drill and drilled through a couple big roots that I couldn't get too without destroying my recently planted flowers so I just drilled through them and hopefully that will kill the root or at least slow down their getting bigger until next fall.

I worked at that chore until nearly 3 PM then decided to hand water the front yard grass plugs before heading to the back yard to hand water the back gardens. Wow I never sat down all day except for a quick salad for lunch. Nancy headed out to the rec for her workout while I watered. When she got back it was going on 5 PM so we got ready to start some supper. She had picked up a nice egg plant at the veggie stand on her way home from her errands so she fried that in olive oil and I garnished it with fresh oregano, thyme and basil. Yeow that was the best ever as we tried olive oil for frying and fresh herbs made it dewisheous(Annsley's pronunciation). I had picked a bunch of basil to go in the fresh sauteed mushrooms, fresh garlic and onions that were cooking to go over the Pennie pasta, Yikes that was the best yet with a little red pepper and Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, Ummm GOOD!!! So it was a meatless supper for a change but I was mentioning to Nancy if I had the availability of deer meat year round I wouldn't ever eat beef again its that good.

Well not much else is going on except its supposed to only be in the 70's tomorrow and I'm looking forward to opening the windows once again. Just an update on the garden; beans will be ready to pick along with some fresh lettuce next week. Tomato plants continue to set little green ones and the cucumber plant has blooms. The Swiss chard is growing as well is the kale, broccoli's and the sugar peas. The pepper plants I brought back from the cabin have new leaves and some new little green peppers as well. The new red pepper plants I started from seeds now have about 6 leaves each and its almost time to put them in the ground. LATER

Monday, November 29, 2010

Monday

Well the day started early as Nancy kept me awake with her nose symphony as she has the beginning's of either a cold or some allergies, anyhow after my quiet time, spot of green tea and a bowl of oatmeal with a banana I pedalled out to the rec on my bike for some pickle ball. The rec was hosting its first in house pickle ball tournament sponsored by our new senior adult leader, Kristen and assisted by Jersey Jim. We had about 8 teams to compete in both the men's doubles and mixed doubles. I was fortunate enough to have younger pardners in both classes and we prevailed with first place wins in both. My thanks to Larry and Mitsuko for playing so well and allowing me to be part of the winning teams. We played until about 11 AM and there was some good play had by all the teams. I was a little surprised there were only 8 teams entered as we have upwards of 18-20 active players.

After leaving the rec I stopped by the library for a read I had on hold then hurried home to hang laundry,water the gardens and pedal over to Amy's place to water their garden as well. I enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich for lunch then just chilled for awhile reading until the Payne's came by for some fresh homegrown collards. I picked them 2 shopping bags full. After they left I took in the dried laundry and set the sprinklers once again in the front yard. Nancy got home shortly afterwards and headed to the rec for 30 minutes on the treadmill.

I snapped the fresh green beans I had picked from Tyler's garden and Nancy fried up some tenderized deer tenderloin the Dalton Gang so generously gave us, along with the left over spuds from Friday night. I even made a milk gravy from the deer drippings and then put that over the fried deer, YUMM!! Well it has turned warm and humid again as we wait the approach of a cold snap heading our way on Wednesday, so the a/c is once again back on. It's supposed to drop into the 40's for a couple nights with a high in the 70's for the day time later this week. LATER

Sunday











Well what an awesome day of worship, eating and spending time with the infirmed at a local nursing home. After our quiet times and a breakfast of the last of the pecan pies with the Pioneer Woman cream sauce, we got ready to head to Tampa at Element. We were having a Sunday brunch and a service of what we were thankful for as that went with the holiday. There was a huge crowd with tons of kids and I believe 8 or 9 babies were dedicated along with our newest grand son Gabriel. After the service we headed back to Seminole right a way as neighbor Dan was leading the service at Freedom Square nursing home and that has been a part of the way Nancy and I reaching out to the community for the last several years. We go and push wheel chairs, help lead with the singing and sometimes even bring the message, devotion or just share some of life experiences with these who are infirmed.
After the nursing home I vegetated on the couch while moving the sprinkler around in the front yard on the new grass plugs and watched the NFL. Nancy headed out to her parents where sister Betsy and niece Arianne were chillin before she had to leave for Miami. They eventually all took off for Bonefish Grille for dinner. Not much else was happening for the day so I just watched football until time for bed. LATER Enclosed are a few pics of the Christmas decor Nancy put up Saturday.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Saturday

It was another beautiful morning with a cool breeze lowering the temps enough to once again turn off the a/c which we had to turn on Friday night, Nancy and her mom were having hot flashes anyhow after our quiet times and a wicked breakfast for me I ventured out to the garden and yards. I passed on the pumpkin pie Thanksgiving Day at dinner so I made up for it by devouring the last of the pie, 2 rather healthy pieces for breakfast. Needless to say that held me until about 3 PM when I had a handful of pretzels and some Cheetos. I knew we were having a crowd for supper with tons of eats so I coasted until then.

I transplanted some zinnias and marigolds as well as bulbs then weeded the beets and parsnips. This is the first time I've ever tried growing them, parsnips. They are a delicious root veggie much like a carrots but only sweeter. I bought a package at the veggie stand last year and loved them. They are up about and inch. My tomato plants have grown 3 feet in height since we've been home and are loaded with small green tomato's as well as the 1/2 runner beans have climbed my poles and are settings beans as well. I should have both for Christmas dinner. The beet greens are magnificent and oh so pretty and delicious as well as the transplanted lettuce seedlings will be ready for the salad bowl in a week or so. Kale, broccoli and snow peas are coming along as well. The collards are huge and I called our Galax friends who live near us to come on Monday and get a mess. They freeze them as well for later dates. Well that's about all the updates on the veggies except the radishes are growing as well is the cucumber plant. I have a volunteer potato plant that is a couple feet tall from peelings I've composted, curious to see if it will make. The front yard grass plugs are growing as well as the Bahia sod. I've been watering it everyday as well as sprinkling a little fertilizer around it as well.

Well Nancy got in the mood to put the Christmas Tree and other decorations up so I was in the attic getting down all these tubs of stuff. Our tree would make our mountain friends probably think twice about us because we have a synthetic one but its beautiful. Thanks to the Dalton Gang we get the real tree smell from the wreath they made and sent home with us. If and when we finally move to the cabin we will decorate our 2 large blue spruce's in the front yard but they will probably be too big by then, oh well it was a passing thought( the move permanently).

We were having Nancy's folks, GG, Pap, sister Betsy and niece Arianne for supper and it was dewisheous(Annsley word) with bone in pork chop, red spuds with fresh parsley, buttered carrots and a cooked spinach casserole and a fresh salad and of course a loaf of French bread. They all had warmed brownies with ice cream and whipped cream for dessert, I passed on that as I picked every one's pork chop bones, that was my dessert. Anyhow Pap and I watched tons of football while the gals sat in front of Ariannes computer looking, laughing and dissecting every photo for over 3 hours and they still wanted to do more but it was 11 PM and Pap and I were ready for the showers and some horizontal lab. Finally they left around 11:30 as we had to say good-by to Arianne as she heads back to Miami where she is a private school teacher, she also teaches voice and piano. Such a beautiful, talented, and single young woman. I think she is having so much fun going all over the world she hasn't really decided to settle down and copy her mother and sister who have 17 kids between them. She comes from a family with 11 children and her older sister(4 years older) has 6 all under the age of 7. Yikes that would be enough to make anyone decide to stay single plus all she has to do is visit and she gets her maternal nurturing fulfilled, anyhow she is such a delight and a fun gal and what a talker and laughter. She has us all hanging on to her every word.

Since I'm writing this Sunday morning we must get ready for worship at Element and we are having brunch there as well. Check out her picture on Friday's blog; Arianne is the one with the dark black hair with her hands on Annsley back in the picture with Jill's sisters. LATER

Friday, November 26, 2010

Friday
















Well it was a relaxed day with not much of anything going on except for the usual morning routine of my quiet time and a lite breakfast after sleeping in until nearly 7 AM. We got back from Riverview around 10:30 last night after a great Thanksgiving Day dinner with son Bobby at his house. We sure missed Jill's mom and dad as Susan was recovering from surgery a couple day ago. Leslie and Kristin were there but Laura and her family had gone to Arkansas. These last 3 gals are all Jill's sisters.

I did a little hand watering the gardens and yard before heading over to Amy and Tyler's to water their garden then headed to the library on the bike but they were closed today. Not much else went on except for a little football in the afternoon as Nancy took off with her mom, GG and niece Arianne to the mall then to the movie Rapunzel. Oh well!!! They got back around 5 PM then we had her cream tuna on biscuits with green peas for supper. It looks as if GG, Pap and Arianne are coming around 7:30 for some cards and then we can eat the left over desserts of pumpkin and pecan pies.

I'm going to include a few pics from yesterday dinner at Bob's. LATER

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thursday(THANKSGIVING DAY)

Well it's a warm breezy day here in sunny Florida as we get ready to head over to son Bobby's house this afternoon for a big dinner with family and friends. I spent the morning after our quiet time watering the gardens and the front yard plugs. The garden is doing great and I picked enough beet greens to share with neighbor Carol last evening.

Well we were able to see Nancy's high school band from Seminole, Florida on the Macy's Day parade this morning as they were one of only 12 featured bands, what an honor for those group of high schooler's and for Seminole.

We have the windows open with a nice breeze and its just delicious with the smell of pumpkin pies baking in the oven. We are taking 2 pumpkin and 2 pecan pies with Pioneer Woman's whiskey sauce as well as spinach dip, green peas with white onions and mushrooms. GG and Pap are riding with us and she is making her famous dried stuffing and candied yams. I think I may take a bottle of homemade blackberry wine as well. Well it should be a day of renewing friendships and eating lots of high calorie foods.

Nancy and I are so thankful for our family and friends and all the blessings that GOD has made possible for us to share. LATER

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Wednesday
















Well another great day with warm temp's in the low 80's and a nice fresh, clean, cool 50's this morning. After my usual quiet time and a couple slices of banana nut bread for breakfast I pedalled out to the rec for some pickle ball. We had 12-14 players for the day and we will be off until next Monday when we have an in-house tournament. I'll be participating in both men's doubles and mixed doubles. Should be a fun time with lots of good play.

After leaving the rec I dropped by the library for a read before heading home to water the gardens, yard and transplant some lettuce seedlings. After a lite lunch of salad I headed over to water Tyler's garden and to pick a couple handfuls of green beans. I then helped neighbor Carol with a few little odd jobs before heading into the back yard to read awhile. Nancy was frying some fish along with white rice and asparagus for supper.

Well tomorrow is turkey day and we are heading over to Riverview which is about 50 miles one way for dinner with son, Bobby. We should have a big crowd as several out of town guests as well as lots of family here in Florida will be there. Too bad Bobby's mother-in-law, Susan was just operated on and will miss this special occasion. We certainly wish her well and for a speedy recovery.
Check out the real turkey and his side kick who live next door. My garden is starting to grow as well as the beautiful purple orchids. LATER