Dinner with the Cardoza's

Manny and Marie Cardoza reside at Highland Lakes, which is an active adult community located on US 27, just south of Leesburg, Fl. We met Manny and Marie for the first time just last month when they invited us to play pickleball with their Highland Lakes players. We had a great time that day. Today we got to know the two of them a little better, and thoroughly enjoyed the company, the conversation, the laughter and the sharing of stories about family and friends.

We had originally made plans to meet on Saturday the 15th, but that ended up being an already planned Line Dancing event for them.........so we moved our plans to today. We drove from The Villages to their home. (Manny and Marie - you have a beautiful home!) . Before heading out to dinner, Manny gave us a tour of the community. We had already seen their beautiful club house and indoor arena the last time we were there, so today we got to see just how large the community was. Just over 900 homes, resident owned, the grounds and resident properties were immaculately maintained. They also have a large wood working area and both open and covered RV storage which is free to the residents.

Manny had suggested a restaurant, "just down the road" where you can get excellent Prime Rib for two and a bottle of wine for $25.

The restaurant, The Rusty Fox is located on US 561 in downtown Clermont. A small casual Restaurant and Pub, friendly staff and excellent food. As it turned out the $25 deal is only on Saturday but Wednesday still offered Prime Rib Specials - at a reduced price.

Everyone ordered the Prime Rib and Manny got the bottle of wine for the table. Dinner included bread, salad, prime rib and choice of potato. The food was excellent. Add the wine and great company............and you have a perfect recipe for a very very enjoyable evening.

Marie had saved the best for last, having made a beautiful strawberry pie. Just the right choice after prime rib. It was delicious.

Of course, with Rich at the dinner table, the topic of desserts was definately discussed. Manny and Marie learned that Rich has a great weakness for most anything sweet and I also shared the reputation he earned this winter in Sebring with his chocolate eclair affair!

So when Marie cut the pie, without hesitation , and without asking she cut Rich an extra large portion. Yes it was Rich -

and the picture is here to prove it. Whatever the portion size, it was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Thank you Manny and Marie for a great day. We look forward to seeing you both again. If not before................we will see you in September when our friends Ken and Lynn arrive from South Carolina.

And thanks Marie, for the great Google/Collage Tips!!!