Another beautiful 2 Days

Sunday dinner at grandma's was one of the best tasting and prepared roasts we had in quite a while. The top sirloin was medium rare with such tenderness you could cut it with a butter knife. The gravy from the dripping of the roast ladled over the smashed spuds was superb along with the baked spinach casserole and garden fresh salad. YEOW!!! What a feast! The dinner was prepared to celebrate the GAB(great aunt Betsy's) 54th birthday with coconut cake for dessert.
Ava entertained us all before and after the meal with her little antics and startling new vocabulary. She is learning so fast and is so cute.

We had a nice phone talk with Helen(our mountain adoptive mother) Sunday afternoon who indicated it was cold, damp and overcast in the mountains and didn't want to hear how warm, sunny and nice it was in Florida. I keep telling her to come down for a spell but she has decided to become a native once again to N.C. her birth state. She and Joe are doing well and manage to get off the mountain once a week to eat out. Brrr it's hard to believe its that cold already and its not even Thanksgiving yet.

Monday brought a cool morning here as well as it was down in the low 50'; but with bright sunny skies and a warm up to the high 70's in the afternoon. After my quiet time and a fresh navel orange from the Botbyl's tree I headed to the REC. for some much needed exercise after all the rich chow we put away this week end. I got in 2 good hours of pickle ball and a few minutes of crunches for the abs before riding home on the bike. WOW was it beautiful with no humidity and a slight breeze. I then transplanted some broccoli, lettuce and cosmo flower seedlings. Amy and Ava came for lunch and then took off to Kohl's and Target for some Christmas shopping. Nancy and Amy are fixing 2 shoe boxes each filled with toys for needy kids around the world. This is a yearly occasion for our church and a worthwhile endeavor for kids who are in need.

While the girls were shopping I picked a few navel oranges from the top of the Botbyl tree with my fruit picker for them and me and then found out why my dill herb isn't doing well. Toooo much water!! Never would I have guessed that but the Internet says to back off on watering to a couple times a week whereas I was watering twice a day.

Nancy made a superb dinner(meatless) of penne pasta, fresh broccoli and fresh herbs(basil, oregano,parsley) from my garden with butter and garlic. YEOW was it ever delicious. I feel energized already. This morning I felt sluggish after all that red meat at dinner last night. Maybe there is something to cutting back a little on the red meat!! Well will close for now. LATER!!

Saturday was another Super Day

The morning air was cool at 4:41 AM when we first heard little Ava Mae let out a "holler." She had spent the night with us as her mommy and daddy had an evening out and then could sleep in on Saturday morning. We finally put Ava in bed with us but from that time on we never really fell back to sleep as she was restless and kept wanting to lay on both of us while trying to get back to sleep. We were up for the day at 6:30 as she wanted to eat and play with toys. She is so cute but determined in what she wants and wants to do.

Nancy had set 8 AM for breakfast; buckwheat cakes, eggs and turkey sausage. Amy and Tyler came around then and we had a delightful meal. After eating we played out in the back yard as Ava loves to be outside especially while I water my garden.They took off around 9:30 and Nancy and I got really to go to the beach.

What a beautiful day at the beach. We met our neighbors and good friends, Carol and Dan. The water had cooled off to about 68 degrees but I found it refreshing as I took a nice 15-20 minute swim. We walked in the surf for about an hour then laid around talking and planning on what to do in the evening. First we decided to go out in eat as Nancy was past preparing a big meal as she had done that on Wed. and Thur. Carol mentioned she had some chicken thawed out and it needed to be used so she suggested King Ranch casserole with some rice and a salad. They did the whole dinner, and was it ever good. Thanks Carol and Dan.

After dinner we got in 3 games of cards which was new to them and it goes very fast. Nancy's folks call it "oh hell"so that's what we will call it. It's very fast and there is lots of bidding on how many tricks you will take. FUN!! FUN!!!. We were back home by 9:30 and time to catch up on those couple hours we missed Friday night.

Well will close for now as it time to get ready for church here in Seminole. Dan and Carol are taking some friends to Element Church(Bob's church)in Tampa. Bummer, we would like to go as well, but Nancy and I have the nursery today plus she has to sing in the choir. Will fill all in on the big roast beef dinner this evening at grandma Everett's. LATER!!!

Friday was Another Beautiful Day

The morning started out with a coolness in the air but with clear skies. Now I know why we live in Florida in the winter time. After my quiet time and a lite breakfast(a ripe pear) I pedal to the Rec. and played hard for 2 hours.On Friday we split the gym in half for pickle ball and half for badminton. I got in an hour of each and honestly I think badminton is a more strenuous game. But either way it was a great workout, wet shirt and all. Afterwards I headed for the weight room and got a few crunches and lifts in for the arms and chest area's as well as the abs. I love being retired.

I stopped by the library(same complex as the Rec. and college) and picked up a little reading material for this week end as we plan on working on our tans at the beach tomorrow.Supposed to hit 80 before a cool front moves through and drops the temps back to the low 70's. Wow I love these cool fronts.

I got a little yard and garden work before Amy and Ava came for lunch. After lunch Ava and I worked outside in the backyard. She just loves being outside and keeps her self thoroughly entertained with picking my flower heads and tearing them to shreds. Phoenix(neighbor's little 2 year old) came over to play with Ava again today. I took them both on about a 3/4 mile wagon ride and they loved it.

Amy and Tyler left Ava at our place for dinner and the night as they took off for a night out. Ava loves bread with butter on it and that's about all she would eat for dinner. She likes to snack with fresh fruit and chips. She does drink her milk real good. Enclosed are a few pics from today. Later.

A Beautiful Day with a Great Dinner

Well Thursday morning started out with a little of the same overcast we had the past 2 days. But by mid morning the skies cleared and with a light breeze the day turned out to be one of the very best. No humidity and the temps got to the middle 70's. It was an absolutely beautiful day. After my quiet time and fruit for breakfast I headed to the REC. to play pickle ball. There were 5 of us and we had a great 2 hours of continuous play and I ended with a wet shirt.

After the REC. I helped Nancy get ready for our family dinner. I got the smoker ready for the ribs and got them on around 11:30. After lunch I managed a little garden work before taking Ava and Phoneix on a long wagon ride.Amy and Ava left around 3 PM so Ava would get her nap in before Annsley came to play.

I took the ribs off of the smoker around 5 PM then cut them up and then cleaned my smoker. Wow did they look pretty and we smoked 2 full racks. Every body started arriving around 6 PM so we let the girls play for about 1/2 hour before setting down to smoked ribs, parsley potato's, salad and brocolli. YUMMM what a feast and I believe we will eat leftovers tomorrow night for dinner. Nancy also made a pumpkin pie for dessert.

Ava and Annsley played very good together and now Ava call's Annsley, A's. How cute is that??? We all sat around and a few of us danced with girls to the Nutcracker. Wow that warmed several bodies up to the near boiling point; but the girls loved it and continued asking for more. The girl bathed together and then got their pajamas on. Every one left around 9 PM. It was a great day that was made even better when your children and grand children were there to enjoy it with you. Later.

Tuesday on Wednesday

Well Tuesday turned out to be one of those days that you seldom get in sunny Florida. After my quiet time and a lite breakfast I rode my bike to the REC. I got in 2 good hours of pickle ball before Nancy and I decided to go vote together then go Sam's Club for the goodies for Thursday nights dinner. We picked up all the shopping necessary for Wednesday fellowship meal at church as this will be her first week back since we left for the mountains in May and for our family dinner of smoked ribs.

Amy and Ava came by and we had lunch together but the sun never came out at all during the day and it was cool(60's) with almost a little mist at times. We stayed inside and played with Ava until it was time for her nap. I piddled around in the garden for a little while and read for an hour or so but by 5:30 it was starting to get dark so we had dinner and then just watched the news.

Today Wednesday we awakened to find the democrats had swept the board so hopefully they will quit blaming everyone but themselves for a"do nothing congress" of the past 2 years. We will just have to wait and see what happens. Anyhow there's not much we can do except PRAY for our nation.

I got in 2 hours of pickle ball this morning after my quiet time and lite breakfast. Nancy was cooking at church so I made a lite lunch then sanded the kitchen table and applied 2 coats of polyurethane. Then I staked my tomato's which are blooming, transplanted some marigolds and got my sugar pea area ready for transplanting the new seedlings that are up. I will leave here at 4 PM and head to the church where we will serve about 50 people for dinner(that's small as we sometimes serve up to 80). I'm the chief dish washer and gopher!!! We usually get out by 6:30 or so. Well will talk at you on Thursday. Looking forward to our big dinner tomorrow and a visit from Nancy's folks, Bob's family as well as Amy's family. So it will be great as both grand girls will be here. LATER!!!

Sunday and Monday

Wow was Sunday a great day of worship and family get together with Bob, Jill and Annsley. We ventured out Sunday morning to Tampa to worship with our son at Element. There was a good crowd once again and it seems he is attracting a few older than 50 in the mix. The majority is still in their 20's but with lots of young marrieds and 10 or more kids.

We met Bob and Jill at their house after stopping at Publix's to get a few last minute items for lunch. Bob grilled some amazing burgers with all of his spices. Lunch was a good one and to make the afternoon even better was a come from behind victory for the Bucs. Bob and I had some great father/son time as well as loving up on little Annsley Elizabeth. She has become very independent in her 1 year period of maturation, but such a delight.

Sunday brought lots of rain on the Tampa side of the bay as it rained hard at times and was drizzling when we left Bob's about 4:30. The Pinellas side got a little much needed rain. We spent the evening watching football and eating popcorn.

Monday morning brought clear skies with temp's in the 60's and a nice off shore breeze in the afternoon that reached the middle 70's. Perfect weather!!! My garden is doing fantastic as we are starting to harvest a little lettuce plus lots of herbs; basil, dill, oregano and rosemary. My tomato's are blooming and 1/2 runners are running. This is just great weather for a garden.

Ava and Amy came for lunch and spent the afternoon. Ava is such a delight and starting to talk more so every day. She understands all you are telling her. I find it so hard to imagine a government who would allow and even promote by running on a campaign promise the killing of unborn babies. GOD forgive us as nation who promotes and even makes laws to promote this unmerciful act.

All is well with us. I got in 2 hours of good pickle ball play(a wet shirt) this morning as there were 10 of us player's. The interest has grown and our players are getting so much better. The bad thing about this game is that it is addicting. Well I need to go and fire up the grille as we are having chicken on the barbee', brussel sprouts and something else. Take care, missing all. LATER . I left my camera at Bob's so no pics until he come on Thursday for smoked barbeq ribs.

Saturday on Sunday

Well Saturday morning was another beautiful sunny with just a touch of dryness in the air. After our quiet time Nancy made her famous buckwheat pancakes with blueberries and a banana in the batter. After feasting on those pancakes with an egg on top I headed outside to put down some weed and feed on the yard.

We got ready to head to Sam's club for some last minutes things for our trip to Element Church on Sunday. Then after worship we will spend the afternoon with Bob, Jill and Annsley grilling some burgers and watching a little football. We try to get over for worship with him at Element every other week.

After getting back from Sam's we took a little trip to the beach which is about 15 minutes away. The air temp was in the 70's but with bright sunshine. There was hardly anyone at the beach which made for good walking in the edge of the lite surf. We walked, took pics of the many different birds, crabbers checking their stone crab pots(the season just came in a couple weeks ago and they are delicious) and layed around catching up on some reading and of course our tans. After about 2 hours (our first trip back since last May) we headed home.

Amy and Tyler invited us to dinner; Amy was making grilled grouper coated with a bread coating of herbs and spices, rice pilaf with pine nuts and fresh broccoli. Nancy and I brought a fresh garden salad. We stayed late playing a couple games of cards and the boys won both. Oh well!!! Ava was such a delight and kept us entertained the whole evening.

We headed back home and got ready for bed and hour earlier than usual as we loss and hour last night; which had us waking up and hour early due to our internal alarm clocks. Oh well the things we do mess up our habits.

Will close for now missing all our family, friends and mountain buddies. Later, will catch all up on our visit to Tampa probably on Monday as we will get back late Sunday evening.