Countdown to the New Year

Well, this week has gone by so quickly.  Seems like only yesterday we were waking up to Christmas morning.  The only thing spoiling the holiday spirit is this weather.  High 80's on Christmas and most of the week.  Best that I don't complain, given the recent disasters from rain and tornadoes across the country, and be thankful that we are safe and could enjoy the holiday.

On Wednesday we were expecting company/family visit, so on Tuesday night Rich made up a batch of his homemade Potato Candy.   A recipe that he got from his mother, and one of his favorites.  All you need is a small piece of boiled potato, powdered sugar, and peanut butter......

I've been spending a little more time on face book recently, and over the past couple of months have become reacquainted with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends we have not seen in years.  Christine Benjamin, my niece, and daughter of my older brother Don............called to say she was coming to visit on Wednesday.  Only through face book, did I learn that she was living only a couple of hours away.

She arrived mid morning on Wednesday and the day just flew by.  Just catching up on family, laughing and reminiscing all the things we did over the years was so much fun.  She is the same age as my younger brother, just three years younger than me, so we spent a lot of time together when we were kids, and even into our early 20's before Rich and I left New York State.

I had put on a crock pot of pasta sauce, early that morning.  So just needed to boil the macaroni for some homemade goulash, a Cesar salad and a little Italian bread.   She even got to spend some time with Uncle Rich reading financial charts.  It was early evening  when she left for home.  We look forward to getting together again.

Today - Rich took a break late morning/early afternoon and we made a trip into Sebring. First stop was for breakfast at the Sebring Diner - our usual bacon and eggs!  And as always it was delicious.  From there it was a quick stop at Lowes,  for a few small items that Rich needed, and then to Walmart, where I had hoped to pick up a pair of sandals (OP's) - but except for a pair of bright pink - that had absolutely NONE in my size!  Next stop was at Spray and Pray Reload, where Rich bought his new pistol, a Ruger 9mm, LC9.  He completed his Concealed Carry course about a week ago.  Then we went next door and checked out the Highlands Indoor Gun Range.  

Tomorrow afternoon we, and another couple are headed for Myakka City to visit and have dinner with friends.  Still had a lot of fudge, no bake cookies and potato
candy in the freezer so decided to take some to share tomorrow.

But......I remembered that Diane can not eat peanut butter ( which is in all three of the above!!) so I made up a batch of chocolate/oatmeal cookies so she could enjoy some goodies too!

Had originally planned Shrimp Scampi for New Year's Eve dinner......But the fridge was full of left over Roast Beef, Ham and Goulash.  So we opted for the Roast beef with potatoes and carrots for dinner tonight!  It will be a quiet evening.  Someone across the canal had the fireworks out before 8:00 PM, but then we had a couple of rain showers.  Watched a movie and a had a Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey and Eggnog......... No champagne tonight - We'll both be having sweet dreams by mid-night.

To all our family and friends we send our best wishes for a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous 2016.  May it be your best year ever!