Cool kitties

 

These two crack me up.  They absolutely know when we open the freezer door (as opposed to the refrigerator door), and they expect their own ice cube to be dropped on the floor so they can bat them around.  Silly kitties.

So I forgot to post the soup recipe from the other night.  MM and Dan both said it was a keeper.  Click here and you can check out Italian Meatball and Tortellini Soup.  Yum…and easy peasy.  Ready in under an hour.  Add French bread.

What’s on the menu today?  Leftover grilled salmon from last night for lunch; leftover soup for dinner.  Done.  Cook once; eat twice.

What are you serving?

Enjoy your Leap Year Day.  It’s hot here in paradise, y’all!

Beads and hair and other stuff

 

Hair got in the way of beading yesterday, as in, getting a hair cut.  When I went to the WalMart to get a few things, I stopped by the salon there to see if I could get a quick trim, just in my crown area.  I was starting to get “wings” and they were bothering me and the salon was handy.

Well, a hair guy was conducting a class.  Long story short, his next model didn’t show up and he needed a ‘victim’ and my hair type was just what he wanted!  Probably ANY hair type was what he wanted at that point.

I got a free hair cut, but it did take awhile.  I enjoyed hearing his explanation of doing this and that and the why of it as he explained his techniques to the ladies.  And it is good hair cut (it looks the same, minus the ‘wings’).  Cool!

So I only had time to add a couple of items to the above ‘stash.’  Today I plan to make a few earrings, re-string some crystal bracelets for a friend, and do some other piddly things while the whole mess is out on the table.

And I’ll be praying for Barb and Whitey while I work.  Sweet Whitey boy is not doing well, and mama Barb is suffering too.  Please join me in keeping good thoughts for both of them.

Make today a good one.  It is all we have, y’all!

Beads and soup…a winning combination!

 

Don’t be fooled by this sunshine.  Today Mr. Sun is here one minute, then gone.  Off/on.  On/off.  Rain is expected, so I do appreciate even the few minutes of shine.  I need to make a run to Publix for a few things before the rain does arrive.

Speaking of the rain, it cancelled the race yesterday and it is rescheduled for noon today.  Maybe.  Yep, it is raining in Daytona again.  Sheesh.  Talk about some frustrated folks up there!

Whatever the weather, I shall be beading this afternoon.  Weather doesn’t hamper that activity.  I’ll be trying a meatball/tortellini soup recipe, and will post if it is any good.  See…planning ahead to have dinner in the crock pot so that I can play with the beads.  Smart! 

And now to go check my market list again.

Have a peachy Monday, y’all!

Saturday night

Our dinner at Atlantis Country Club was good last night, as was our entertainer—talented John Davidson.  He still has a great voice and puts on quite a show.  In addition to his singing and instrumental talent (guitar and banjo), he is also very funny and enjoys interacting with the crowd.  He really played up to the fact that he turned 70 in December.  70?  Yep, and still looking pretty darn good.

John at our table.  He worked the whole room, even before he began the show, which was a benefit for our local parish:

 

John made it a point to go over and meet Fr. Paul.

 

 

Those famous dimples are still there, ladies.

Not bad for 70, John.  You’ve still got a few good moves left in you.  And he and his wife have moved here to paradise to be near his daughter and grandchildren.  How sweet!

So today will be church, lunch with friends, and then the Daytona 500…on TV.  No fighting that crowd for us, thankyouverymuch.  Our patio will be a fine place to sit and watch.  WYWH.

Lady and gentlemen…start your engines!!!

Have a great day.  Life is good in paradise, y’all!

Saturday smiles…

 

And, I can give instructions!

Have a great Saturday.  MM and Dan are bonding over coffee and donuts at the rec hall this morning.  MM and I are going to a dinner and a performance tonight. 

Hmm, wonder who he is?  He has a beautiful voice…and is easy on the eyes.

Life is good in paradise, y’all!

Friday wisdom and stuff

 

~ What other people think of you is none of your business.
~ Remember, God heals everything.
~ However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
~ Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
~ Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

MM is outside doing projects today, trying to get a regular TV antennae to work, while I am doing inside stuff.  It is already 79 inside the moho, so we are shutting up and turning on the a/c.  Bugger.  I would rather have the windows open, but sweating is not fun.  Or ladylike.

Who wants to join us at the Pirate’s Well tonight?  Beer and fish. 

Arrrgh, matey!  See y’all there!!!

Friends…

Haley, I am finally getting around to posting the photos you requested.  Godparents to our kids: Lois and Ray, aka Mr. and Mrs. Claus during the Christmas season.  And Dan over in the shadows.

 

Johnnie and Susan, with MM and Jason in the background.

 

 

Oops, I forgot to turn on the flash, but this is Susan and Christine, texting at the table!

Amy, moi, Joan and Lois at Palm Springs Pizza.  Yum!  Sorry about that flash reflection.

And these two pizza loving wee boys at their own table!  With their own entertainment.

It was a fine evening, and a great (busy!) time having my kiddos down here last week.  My shugah supply had gotten way low, and is already heading back down.  Miss you guys already!

Dick loved all his birthday greetings and sez THANKS!  He wants to have a birthday every year.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

Have a terrific Thursday.  We are doing the usual piddly stuff that is not worth reporting (laundry, paperwork, cleaning out a cabinet, blah blah), but we will enjoy dinner with the high school group tonight.  That’s a good reward for doing all that boring stuff.

Joan, Dan is going with us tonight.  I know you are enjoying those grandkids…………and their parents:)

Life is good in paradise, y’all!

Happy birthday, honey!

 

Yep, today is MM’s birthday.  All day long.

There is cake for everyone.  Have a slice…

May you have many more celebrations, honey!  Oh, the places we have been…but we still have places to go, things to do, and people to see.

Life is good…wherever we are!

Friends, trees, and trips

 

Hello, sweet friends.  Joy and Cathy made it safely back to Mayberry last night.  And cold weather.  Yuck.  We shall miss our marbles partners!

I’ll be posting a few photos, as promised for Haley.  This is one she wanted of the oak tree Dick moved in the bucket of the front end loader and planted at our new house in late ‘79.  It has grown just a little.  Those areca palms behind us were part of our tree nursery that the developer dug up and moved here to screen off part of the public area.  And they tore down our beautiful home, since it couldn’t be converted into a public building.  Oh well…it was no longer ours anyway.

And this was another smallish oak that Dick also planted.  I’m glad they are still there.  Our kids sure had fun playing in these trees.  And in the lake.  Fond memories.

Did anyone watch the new Amazing Race Sunday night?  We enjoy watching that show…and would love to try it out, if we were a few years younger…and had better knees.  But since we don’t have the luxury of either option, we just enjoy watching it on TV, and see a few places we’ve never been but also quite a few places we actually have visited.  That’s pretty cool!

If you could go visit another country, which one would you pick?  Why?

Chilly Monday

The cool front arrived during the night, and windows had to be closed.  No sympathy needed, however, since it will warm back up today.  Our current 61 is still much better than 32 up in Mayberry.

So yesterday MM and I continued Joy’s and Cathy’s local tour to include a look at the Jupiter Lighthouse, lunch at Schooner’s (yum…Dan/Joan joined us for this), and a trip down to see our old family farm.

But first we had to let the gals get their toes in the water (no a$$ in the sand, though).  MM is a Florida native and I lived here for close to 20 years, so we sorta forget that visitors like to not just SEE the ocean, but actually go IN it.  And so they did.  It was a beautiful day for the beach goers and boaters.

Joan and I put our leftovers together last night for a farewell dinner with Joy and Cathy.  They left early this morning, since jobs, kids and home beckoned.  Bugger.  They are already talking about coming back down next year.  Love it!

Life is short ...forgive quickly, love truly,
laugh uncontrollably...
and never regret anything that made you smile.

And now, back to the regularly scheduled laundry chores.  With a smile.

Life is good in paradise, y’all!  Happy Smiley Monday.

About the party…

 

Joan, Christine and Susan

Cathy, Sharon, Barbara, Julie and……..Bee’s knees!  That’s all I got???  Not that the knees aren’t lovely, but still.

And Joy was sitting next to her.  I didn’t get Joy?

Another knee shot that included Kathleen and Henrietta.  Ah, so this was when I was interrupted and put the camera down, never to pick it back up again!  Buggers.  Hostessing and photographing are not a good combination.  But the party was fun.  We did laugh…and play…and nosh.  And repeated.

Thanks, gals!

I declare today a day of rest, and taking it easy.

What about you?  Are you joining me in this declaration???

Life is good in paradise, y’all!

People want the  front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.

Smile!

Saturday in paradise

 

I plum forgot to tell y’all that my sweet friend Joan is our BSP Valentine Queen!  She has her own tiara now…doesn’t that mean that we have to book a cruise soon so that she can wear it again?  Yes, that is what we have to do!

Of course Joy and Cathy totally enjoyed John G’s yesterday, the ride along the beach, seeing Worth Avenue (where all the hoity-toity shops are—places we do NOT shop).  We hit some thrift shops and the Habitat resale place, then kicked back for a bit here on the patio…before their next paradise introduction: our fave Friday night gathering spot.  They got to meet Bill, Barbara, Wade and Ginger and have some awesome seafood.

Today’s adventure:  girlie time here so some of my local gals can meet my precious Mayberry gals.  And maybe playing marbles or Monopoly.  Definitely noshing…and laughing…and wishing my bloggy girlfriends could join us.

Life is good in paradise, y’all!  Make it a great Saturday for yourself.

The gals have arrived!

Joy and Cathy are in John G heaven! Well, except for the line we are standing in, but it is worth the wait. WYWH, y'all!

You are my sunshine…

My only sunshine.  You make me happy……..…and sleepy.  Yawn.  I’ll just take a little nap.

But I run and hide when there is too much noise.  The noise can’t find me by that foot pedal thingy.  But don’t tell anyone.  KC is safe there.  Yes sirree…purr…

He and Missy had lots of quiet time while the humans went to John G’s today for lunch.   Boy was the food good:  petite fish and fresh fruit combo…my lunchtime fave.  I’m full as a tick now, but no time for a nap—Ray and Lois are coming up to play marbles with us and Dan and Joan.  Woohoo!

Life is sunny and good in paradise, y’all!  WYWH!!!

The flower guard

 

Who me? Not me!  I didn’t knock that thing off the counter.  No way.  KC did it! 

“Not Me” still lives with us, even with all the kids gone.  I thought s/he moved out with the last kid, but that obviously didn’t happen. 

Looking at the positive side, at least the vase didn’t break.  And the sun is out and the windows are all open so the spilled water will dry out quickly.  And we get to see some special folks today.

Life is never dull…and it sure is good, y’all!  Attitude is everything.

Happy Valentine’s Day

 

Flowers from my sweetie.

Perfect.  Thanks, honey.  ILY!

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.  So love the people who treat you right.  Forget about the ones who don't.  Believe everything happens for a reason.  If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.  If it changes your life, let it.  Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Life is good in paradise, y’all!

Hello, sunshine!

 

Goodbye shorts!  Brr…it is a long pants day today here in paradise.  The cold front arrived and cleared out the rain, as predicted.  Thankyouverymuch.

This photo was from the day we paddled the Wekiva River.  Dick had just put our canoe (with HARD seats) in the water.  That was a fun trip…but not one I would want to do today.  Did I mention it is cold?

So the flea market trip got canned yesterday, which was no big deal.  It will be there another day.  I made several earrings, played WWF, and just piddled the day away until time to have enjoy Dorota’s cooking (that got changed to last night, just in case you are keeping up with all this).  Yum. 

Speaking of yum, we had THE best lobster bisque Saturday at a little place, Mike and Mike’s, that used to be the Boathouse.  Guess where we are going tonight?  It is only an occasional menu item, so tonight it is.  I seriously wanted to lick my bowl clean.  I’ll try not to embarrass myself tonight.

Beading stuff has to be put away so I’ll have room to play chef tomorrow.  No way do I want to go out on V Day and fight the crowds, plus our ‘guests’ include some short people.

Speaking of V day, raise your hands if you are sick of those big bear commercials?  What woman wants an almost 5’ tall stuffed bear???  Pu-lease.  Guys, don’t fall for that load of bollocks because that is what it is.  And that outfit with the feet on them?  Just let me say that you will be VERY disappointed if that is what you present to your sweetie.   Try flowers.  Or bling.

Have yourself a ginger peachy day.  Life is good in paradise, y’all!

Chilly Sunday

 

A girl has to work on her tan however she can.  Notice the two kitty beds in the windshield…that Missy managed to mostly avoid.  But she is currently lying in the L one (hers) right now, surveying her domain.  It is 47 outside and windy, but the sun is trying its best to come out and warm us up.  My bet is the girl will stay in that bed all day.  KC is stretched out on the back of the couch, snoozing already.  What a life these two lead!

So what are the big kids doing today?  The motley breakfast crew (Bill, Barbara, Dave, Dorota, us) is going up to a flea market in Stuart this morning.  No telling what we’ll find, but if there is anything interesting (People of Flea Markets?), you know the camera will come out…and I just stuck it in my pocket so I won’t forget…and it will get posted.

Do something for fun today…and leave me a comment about it!

Life is good, y’all!

Saturday in paradise

 

This photo from Sorrento is much prettier than our wet drab outside that is still here, but it is better than Mayberry, where there is a dusting of snow going on.  Nothankyou.

So what I created yesterday was mostly a mess, but that has to happen with beading.  Stuff here, stuff there.  No photo of that wanted!  I am mostly fixing and re-doing some things.  Stuff wears out and breaks;  I change my mind and want something done a little differently.  Even a small project requires all the tools to be out and available.  I like having my STUFF here so that I can play. 

The disadvantage to moho, small-space living is the lack of project space…but MM doesn’t mind the mess.  And Dorota is cooking dinner for us tonight, so I don’t have to put it all away just yet…and can still play awhile with my beads.  iLikey!

Two kitties sleeping, MM internet surfing…life is good in paradise, y’all!  It’s beading time!!!

What…the sun is trying to shine?!  Come on sun!

Grounded!

 

These guys aren’t flying anywhere around here this morning.  Maybe not today.  We have a seriously weird rain pattern going on right now…weather radar shows a huge band split, part going north, part going east, and part stationary.  Come on cold front---it will sure clean out all this krap!

So that’s your weather report from paradise, just in case you were wondering.  Of course we’ll take this over what Ivana is enduring in the beautiful boot country!  They have been inundated with record snow.  Yuck.  You know, maybe this rain isn’t so bad after all.  Where’s a snorkel?

So today I actually plan to do a couple of small beading projects.  If I remember how!  Sheesh, it’s been way too long since I have played with my beads.  Yessirree, I’m fixing that.

So who has weekend plans?  Ours is low key, but we do gear up next week for folks to arrive, so this is a heads up with my WWF buds…I may be a ‘slow’ player.

It’s all good.

Windy morning

So where is Mr. Sun?  Hiding again, dang it, but the birds are happily chirping outside our windows right now, probably safely in the bushes (since I can’t see a single feather) so they won’t get blown away!  Is it March already???

So the good news is that the girls beat the boys last night, and there were six of us playing.  That rocks!  Twice, but I try not to brag.

Kathy wants to go to the Sailfish Marina for breakfast this morning, so off we shall go…all 6 players.  Um, eaters.  If the rain cooperates, perhaps we shall have a grudge match later on.  Game on, boys!

Have yourself a great day.

Life is good in windy, cloudy paradise, y’all!

Old homestead

We drove out to our old farm to show Dorota and Dave where our family used to live.  Dick and his family moved there when he was 8…a two-lane dirt road that ended at their house.  It is now a six-lane major road!

We had a dock just behind my shoulder that frequently had kids and dogs playing around it.  The house was to the L where the white fence is (now the community area of this development).

Our beautiful three story house sat right here.  It had to be torn down because it couldn’t be turned into a public building because of local codes.  Dick moved that big oak tree and planted it back in ‘79, when it was maybe 12’ tall, plus another one or two just like it.  They are now huge.

Next we took our friends to see what we referred to as “North Lake,” another lake that Dick and brother Bob made.  They had seriously big toys to play with in the sand way back then.  It was hard work.

Since we were out roaming around, we drove out to see our old hangar that Dick built in ‘76 at a private airport.  It was basic white when we owned it.  He also planted lots of trees on this property, including orange and grapefruit trees.  Yum.  We thought about building there after the farm sold, but moved to Mayberry instead in ‘86.  That was a smart decision.

Oh yes, the blue hangar has a big blue house to go with it.  My oh my.  Changes for sure.

We were lucky that the skies cleared up for our travels.  We arrived back at the park just in time for a few afternoon raindrops to hit us.  Good timing.

Life is good…and very interesting, y’all!  The only thing constant is CHANGE.

No sunshine

OK rain…enough already!  I know we needed it, but still…all day yesterday was good.  Today is overkill.  We have a ‘new’ table outside and that is where we want to eat our dinner.  Bugger.  Four inside at our small table is just a tad cozy, but we managed.

We taught Dave and Dorota how to play Aggravation (marbles) last night.  Boys: 2 – Girls: 0  There will be a rematch!

So not much going on here in paradise, except laundy, cleaning (slightly) and paperwork.  Bleh.  And waiting on the sunshine…that is making a small attempt to arrive!  Come on…almost……….…I think the sun will play peek-a-boo all day.

And we shall enjoy it.

Life is good, y’all!

What's for breakfast?

Barbara, Bill, Dorota, and Dave...enjoying a feast at John G's. Why not?! WYWH, y'all. It's all good!

Thought for the day…

It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

 

Please share a hug with someone special today.

It’s all about Amy!

Happy birthday, baby girl!  She’s a busy wife, mother, sister, teacher, friend…funny and loving.  You wear many hats, and wear them well, and certainly make life interesting for all of us.  Srsly.  I’m not saying that just so you’ll fix me dinner.  Did I mention that she is a great cook?

Dad and I love you bunches ‘n bunches, honey girl!  Enjoy your birthday season!!!

Sad day in paradise

No flowers for Sarge today as he is laid to rest with full military honors that are very much deserved.  Instead, I offer this patriotic heart for this true patriot.

There will be plenty of tears as we all say goodbye.  And hugs for Miss Bee and their family.

It is a sad day, but we will all try to smile, just for you.

RIP, Sarge.   We will miss you, our sweet friend.

River run and other stuff

Trust me, this guy is NOT made of concrete!  He was a real, live gator…about 10’ long.  Dick and I were lead canoe when I spotted him sunning himself by the bank of the river.  By the time the fourth canoe came around, he decided that was enough paparazzi and he was going to check US out and flipped over into the water.  We decided this was HIS turf…and he could have it!  We paddled on and gave him his space.

We saw 3 other smaller gators during the course of our four-hour trip, plus other assorted creatures:  great white heron, baby blue heron, a raccoon, several squirrels, pileated woodpeckers, ibis, butterflies…many turtles…NO bears (thank goodness) nor deer.  The last canoe occupants even spotted a great horned owl.  And the rest of us heard owl hooting later on downstream.

It was a fun trip, with a lunch stop about mid-way through.

Tom, Dixie and Mary Ann went on back home, so that the rest of us could head to Orlando to Scott and Holly’s house for a great dinner and visit with them.  We’ve got to get wee Molly and Mason up to visit with their Mayberry cousins!

It was a tiring day, so everyone was happy to get back home to warm showers.  I know that I will be sporting sore muscles today!

Dick and I say goodbye to Bob and Lynne this morning and then head on back to WPB.  We have stuff to do there, and people to see.  It is time to close up, head out, drive south a bit………park, set up again.

That’s what the Travelingbells do.

And why not?

Paddle…or float?

Embark on a canoe or kayak adventure, just minutes from the Orlando area, where you can explore the heart of the breathtaking Wekiva River, one of Florida's only Federally and State designated wild and scenic Rivers. Wekiwa Springs State Park Nature Adventures offers several trips which will assist you in fulfilling your fantasy River Adventure.

So this is what our group is doing today…paddling down the river…….floating down the river……………up the river?  No, not up the river!

Hat.  Check.

Sunscreen.  Check.

Water.  Check.

Food.  Check.

Ready, set……….we’re off!

Later, gator.  Oops, hopefully no gators!   Just beautiful sunshine and scenery, thankyouverymuch.