A new recipe...Happy Birthday, Dennis - a new friend for Leia

It seems like we've been pretty busy these last few weeks.........and eating out a LOT.  But in addition to those Quesidilla's that we made while Dennis was visiting, we really have cooked a few pretty good meals........including one brand new recipe.  A few of our Italian favorites, Ravioli & Meatballs, and Pizza..........AND our new first time ever, Crack Porkchops!   Chops are seasoned with Kosher salt and pepper, and browned.  Then covered with Crack sauce, which consists of  barbeque sauce, brown sugar, juice of two lime, and garlic powder............and then topped with a little parsley.  Quick and easy and quite tasty.........along with a baked potato and oven baked asparagus. 😋

Today is our son's birthday.............and he's spending the week (for work) in Orlando at Shades of Green Hotel for military.    Happy Birthday, Dennis Donald...... We love you to the Moon!!  So we sent him a message on facebook today.

Sending Happy Birthday Wishes to my son, Dennis Donald.  So blessed and so proud to have you as my son!  Love you and wish you the best today and always...

And we got the message today that Ryan and our grand-daughter Chauna will be adopting a new family member and new friend for Miss Leia. 

Celebrating our Anniversary

 On Sunday February 23rd we celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary and 50 years together!  Most of the day was pretty quiet............but with lots and lots of well wishes from family and friends on facebook!!!!  That evening our great friends, Nathan & Krystal Showalter  surprised us with dinner at Red Lobster.

We headed into Sebring to meet them but we were very very early............SO!  We had gift card for Chili's Restaurant, which is right next door to Red Lobster.  Rich does not like to eat there, but we still had about $15 on the card, so we decided to just go inside, sit at the bar and have a drink.  We got thinking about the past.....and how often we celebrated with White Russians..... So we each ordered a White Russian.  Just as good as ever

We got to Red Lobster about 4:45 and Nathan and Krystal were already there.  Krystal ordered a Marguarita...........and so I oredered another White Russian!!! Food was Delicious too !  Top row of picture:  Krystal/Shrip Skewers, Rich/Cajun Chicken Pasts (and EIGHT Biscuits!)...Me - Shrimp
Pasta & Scallops,  and Nathan ( bottom row) had Fish & Chips! 

I think we were there for about 2 hours we left for home.  It was fun evening - and it had been a while since we've seen these two!

On the way home we did catch a pretty nice sunset - Perfect end to a perfect day!

So much FUN! Dennis visits for Rich's Birthday!

The past few weeks have been both busy and fun.    The first week was just a lot of planning..... for what to do, and where to go when our son Dennis arrived from Iowa.....  But the weather was beautiful, and we enjoyed watching all of God's creaters that visited.  We have found three different Pine Trees in three different areas  where the Blue Heron are building their nests.  Always enjoy them searching for branches,  working hard on the construction of their nest...........and waiting for the babies to arrive.    Sitting on the lanai the other day we were watching an otter sunning and cleaning himself on the dock across the canal.  And back again was one of the local Iguana down by the boat dock.   And of course there was Valentines day..... No dinner out this year.........but the heartshaped chocolate chip cookie was excellent!

And on Sunday the 16th, we hejuaded to Punta Gorda to pick up Dennis at the airport.  We headed over to the Fisherman's Village for lunch.  Had originally hoped we'd be able to hop on the the Harboube Tour,  just did not have enough time to go to airport, drive to the Village and grab some lunch  before the boat departed.  Had also read that there was a Military Museum at Fishterman's Village - but it seems it recently moved to a nearby location, but was not opened on Sunday.

So................... we wandered around a bit and then stopped at Harpoon Harry's for lunch!  Being  a holiday weeken - the Village was packed, as was all of the restaurants.  But, surprisingly, we had a table within about 10 minutes of our arrival at Harpoon Harry's with a great table overlooking Charlotte Bay.  Service was a bit slow ( because of the crowd), so we enjoyed an adult beverage while we waited.  The food was awesome!!! Dennis enjoyed the blackened grouper, Rich the Roast Beef Sandwich, and I had a monster hot dog, with fries and slaw!  Such a beautiful day.... and the food was Excellent!

And so we headed for home. After the big lunch, no one was real hungry for dinner...........So the guys ate a Turkey Pot Pie............and we finished the Valentines Day Chocolate Chip Cookie!

Monday was Rich's 71st Birthday.  The only thing Rich knew...... was that he was getting a birthday cake.............because I asked him a few days prior what kind he preferred.  So we left him hanging in the morning...... no presents out, no birthday cards....... I'm sure he was thinking that the cake was all he was getting.   But Dennis and I headed for Publix, picked up the whipcream cake, with strawberry filling.........................AND some cookies and cream ice cream...........AND a birthday baloon............ and while Rich was out on the lanai - we brought out his cards, the cake and his presents.   I think he was pretty happy and quite surprised.  He loved his new pellet rifle!   Great picture of him and his son Dennis.  We headed for Sebring to his FAVORITE restaurant, the Hibachi Grill ( Dennis is a Chinese Buffet fan as well) and as usual the food was hot and excellent!  And it was cake and icecream for dessert when we got back home.  I love the picture of Dennis and Rich scooping out ice cream..... it was soooooo hard.............we all got laughing about that!!

On Tuesday, Rich and Dennis checked out the new Pellet Gun.............and set up a target for some target practice............... While Rich's shot was the closest to center..............they both got Bulls Eyes!!  A couple of sharp shooters!!!😝

Later in the afternoon, around 5:00 PM - we dressed and headed for the Visani Theater and Restaurant in Port Charlotte to see the Super Starts of the 70's & 80's.  The Edwards Twins were absolutely awesome, especially the guy who did an outstanding rendition of Michael Jackson.  The show was very very good.................the food was excellent!  It was a fun filled evening for all.  Happy Birthday...... Rich Donald!!!   AND---- with just minutes to spare - we made it in time for 2 for one adult beverages....... Beer for the guys..... gin and tonic for me!!

It was well after 11:00 PM when we arrived back home from Port Charlotte.  And the next day, Wednesday was our last full day with Dennis.  Pancakes for breakfast...............and then we headed to Gatorama, a Nature and Wildlife area in Palmdale, Fl........ about 25 minutes from home.  It was a great time, and we arrived in plenty of time to see the gator feeding...... and then met up with the guy who does the feeding...........while grabbing a little gator meat for lunch!  It was a really fun day!

We

We headed back home.............and then made Chicken Quesidillas for dinner!   They were very  good!
This is like a team challenge..... Rich and I working together to create an awesome Chicken Quesidillas!

Quesidillas were awesome!!!

And then it was Thursday morning and time to say good-bye.....  Jack (Dennis's step dad) came to pick him up on Thursday morning.   We enjoyed a great conversation, coffee, and goodies from Publix.............................and then we said our goodby's.   We had such a great time with Dennis..... and it's always so hard to say good-bye...................  But we'll be visiting the family in May for Dalton's college graduation!    Love you to the MOON, Dennis Donald.

And....... so Rich and I will be celebrating our anniversay in just a few days....... and Denns's birthday on the 25th  Miss you so much Dennis Donald....................we will see you again in May!

Time Flies....It was just the New Year.... and already it's the middle of February!

Not quite sure where January went!   But February is always a busy month.  Lots of Birthdays, our Anniversary, Waiting for W-4 Forms and getting paperword together to do the taxes.

Finished all the power washing, and got a most all of the yardwork taken care of.  We had company come in with a bucket truck to cut the branches on our neighbors tree..........the branches that we over our property line.  They were getting close to the gutters/roof  and we were constantly sweeping up leaves on the sidewalks and driveway.  I can't remember the name of the company that came to do the job.... but they were great.  Made sure nothing on the neighbor's property was cut........took all the brances away, cleaned our driveway and raked the yard.

 I know I usually have a lot of pictures of food on here............and given how long it's been since I've added a post here, you'd think I have lots lots more!  But I don't..............I only have ONE!  Yesterday Rich took a short break from the stockmarket and was back in the kitchen making homemade yeast risen bread!  Three loaves.............and I think he waited less than 15 minutes once out of the oven, to cut his first slice!

Today I was on the road real early as I had an appointment at Newsome Eye with the "retna" doctor.  Left eye had been acting weird ( but of course has been much better just before this visit)  Have a very small grey/black circle the sometimes appears ... Told that behind each eye there is some kid of gel.........and it seems that behind the left eye I am losing some of the gel............but I'm told that is normal as you age.  The one thing we are going to keep an eye on is what they call a Migrane. Unlike a migrane headache...this is a problem with circulation, which can be from the heart or the caratid artery.  I was having episodes where I would have lots and lots of black spots - that don't move........ If

 they begin to happen more frequently - the next step will be toForever inake a look at the caratid art!ery!

And today was also our grandson Dalton's 22nd birthday..  Another example of how time flies!

🎂🍨🎈Happy Birthday wishes to our handsome, smart, super awesome grandson! We are so blessed and so very proud of the man you've become.  As you turn another year older today, continue to follow your dreams.  No matter how big they are, reach for the stars.  Celebrate and enjoy your special day.  We Love you to the Moon!  Forever in our hearts!💓

Well - tomorrow is Valentines Day.... and then we have Dennis is flying into Punta Gorda on Sunday so we'll probably stop over at Fishermans Village and the military museun..Rich's Birthday on Monday.........so that will be dinner out, Tuesday is the Visani Club in Punta Gorda for dinner and show, and Wednesday we might do either an airboat ride, or head over to Gatorama...............