Sunday, August 17, 2014

Ribs and Things with Friends

Today we were invited to join our friends John and Diane for a "family" get together.  John is originally from North Carolina, but Diane and her family were born and raised right here in Florida.  They've only been here in Lake Placid for maybe three months and already we've come to call them "friends".

John made some awesome ribs......marinated all night long and cooked to perfection on the grill.   Rounding out the dinner was food prepared and brought by those invited and included potato salad, baked beans, Italian and Five Grain breads, pre-dinner hors d' oeuvresof cheese, crackers, roll-ups and deviled eggs.   For dessert we had a delicious home baked pound cake, compliments of Diane, and home made ice cream, fresh from the churn, prepared by Johnnie.  Everything was absolutely delicious.

Pictured below are our hosts, John and Diane (upper left), the ladies: Diane, Donna (me), Waiva and Donna ( Diane's sister).  The group photo is Joe, Donna, Johnnie, Waiva, John, Rich and Diane.    Joe and Waiva live in Zolfo Springs and Johnnie and Diane live just a couple of blocks away right here in Placid Lakes.


Thank you John and Diane for inviting us to meet your family and friends............We had a great time!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

A Little Work...... A Little Play

This past week was a lot of the same - you know, grocery shopping, cleaning house, doing laundry, and watching our favorite TV programs.  One of the things that we miss the most here during the summer is watching the variety of birds and ducks that frequent our back yard.  During the winter months you can go out almost any time of day and see one visitor or another.

With the exception of the little lizards, the only thing we saw this week was the blue heron and our resident black snake that slithers his way out from under the back deck and makes his way across the rocks and through the bushes.  Rich saw the much larger black snake the other day, but in the picture below if you look closely, you'll see this smaller one making his way through the center of the azalea bushes


This week we also spent some time setting some priorities.  Planning our next fun getaway and deciding what we were going to work on next here in the house.  We made a trip into Sebring to pick up a power washer.  The patio area and the walkways all around the house are in desperate need of cleaning, especially with all the rain we've been getting.  I ordered the new material from Joanne Fabrics to redo my kitchen chairs and bar stools, and ordered a new 3 piece stretched fabric wall piece for the kitchen, and Rich's project is to begin building the cornices for over the sliding doors, and getting the windows done.  Then I'm going to paint the fan blades on the ceiling fans and get new cushions for the wicker rockers in the sun room.    The rain kept us in most of the week,  but we did get started on the walkway...............and found enough sunshine one night to even cook out!


Our neighbors, Al and Barb sold their homes up north and arrive this week.  They generally are here only 6 month's or so, but they'll be here full time now.  On Monday Al knocked at the door  with 3 huge
tomatoes.  We had toasted tomato sandwiches three days this week for lunch.  They were delicious.  As you can see - we are down to just one!  

On Wednesday we invited Al and Barb over.   Nothing fancy - we just ordered in a couple of pizza's from Pizza Hut and talked for a couple of hours, catching up on what we all did this summer!  It's nice to have them back.

Friday night we met up with Nick and Tonyia at Chili's for dinner.  We were supposed to go with them to the Tampa Rays ballgame a week or so ago, but I was not feeling well and had to back out.  They've been very busy with their business this summer so we haven't been able to get together as often as we like.  Nick chose the shrimp and steak fajitas, while the rest of us selected the enchiladas; Rich the beef and Tonyia and I the chicken.  Got to remember NOT to sit in a booth there......the bench was so far away from the table that I could actually stand up and WALK out of the booth.  And while we usually enjoy the food at Chili's, this time we both agreed that it was just OK.   But the best part of the evening, of course, was being able to share it with good friends, and we always enjoy the time we spend with these two. 


We're planning our August fun weekend now - and it looks like we might make a trip back to Orlando to visit Old Town and their new addition: Legends-The Haunting of Old Town on a Friday night and then go back to Capones on Saturday night.  Dinner, Drinks, Show and Lodging for one night is only $105.  Can't beat the price. 

And we've already planned our September getaway with a trip to Ft. Myers and the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater.  Nick and Tonyia will be joining us. 

OH - And Rich got a summons to appear for JURY DUTY on August 28th!  I've been called a dozen times - but this will be his first.   Isn't he Lucky? 

Monday, August 4, 2014

Happy Anniversay



HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DENNIS AND CRYSTAL.................



Sending lots of hugs and kisses to two very special people.  We love you!


Wish we could be there to celebrate with you  BUT -this is the best I can do!  

Here is your Dad and I celebrating your special day with you and Crystal........24 years ago today!








Being Neighborly- Finally

John and Diane moved into the house next door about THREE months ago. We talked with them the first week they moved in, and always greet them when we see them outside.  Rich and I have were gone up north for more than a month since they moved in - but still we knew we needed to be good neighbors and welcome them properly.   So Sunday we invited them over for dinner.

The weather in the summer here in Florida is so unpredictable!   Even the weatherman is usually hit or miss.  The forecast for every day is: 94 -75 (or within a few degrees on way or the other).  And the forecast for "thunder storms to begin" changes by the hour!    So we decided not to plan dinner on the grill outside this time.

We enjoyed a Cesar salad, garlic bread and my home home lasagna, that I must admit came out darn good this time!  We really enjoyed their company and conversation and getting to know them a little better.  Hope to do this again real soon.  AND, I think I may have found myself another Mexican Train partner!