Always Cookin, Saying Goodbye to Friends, Deans list, Father's Day

Wow - Just hard to believe that the month of June is almost over!  Half way through another year!  Well we celebrated my Birthday a few weeks ago..........and just a few days ago we celebrated Father's Day!   I picked up one of Rich's favorite's at Publix for him to enjoy! He (and ME) always enjoy these huge Chocolate Chip Cookies. 

And  on this Day we recognize and celebrate Fatherhood, and parental bonds.  And I am so proud of these four men in my life!  My husband Rich with his son Dennis on the left.  And celebrating in Heaven - Rich's Father, Robert, and my father Jack!  Love your all!!  

 

 And of course I always have to share pictures of mother nature.... and her friends.   We had a variety of visitors the other day....... The two top left are of the resident Anhinga, The bottom two on the left are of a brand new baby Limpkin!  This was the first time we'd seen a bay, and were surprised to see the colors!  As they get older they will become brown and white.  And of course last, but not least is one of the two new baby Blue Heron, who enjoys looking for food on the roof of our boathouse...but still returns to the nest for Mama to feed .

Of course I'm not going to forget to share a few pictures from our weekly dinner menu! Now I did cook a 9 lb Turkey this week, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole....but when I got the camera to take a picture, Rich had pretty much completed the Turkey carving........and when we had left overs for hot Turkey Sandwiches..........I forgot to take a picture.. However below we have Chicken Chile w/Cornbread, Ravioli w/sausage, Chicken Fajitas w/refried beans and rice...........and a refreshing adult beverage!

Picture below is of our next door neighbors, Jim and Patty.  WELL - they were our neighbors!  Yes they have sold their house nextdoor, and will return full time to the other home in Englewood.  We've so enjoyed having them as neighbors, and will truly miss not seeing them sitting on the dock fishing! This picture was taken in December 2018 when they came for dinner the first time!  They were back in Lake Placid  on Saturday, and took us to lunch at Golden Corral.  Nice spending time with them...... and lunch was very good as well!    We will miss them...........but Englewood is not that far away!

OH MY............I can't forget to share more good news! Deans List for the third year in a row for our grand daughter, Chauna!  Good Job!

ption: The University of Iowa recently announced more than 8,500 of its undergraduate students earned dean's list status for the 2020 spring semester.

Chauna Donald

Majoring in Speech And Hearing Science
University of Iowa
From Davenport, IA

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Chauna Donald named to University of Iowa dean's list for spring 2020 semester

June 11, 2020

Chauna Donald of Davenport, IA 52804-2318 was among the more than 8,500 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the dean's list for the 2020 spring semester. Donald is a student in the UI's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is majoring in Speech and Hearing Science.

Guidelines for inclusion on the list are:

• Courses offered on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) or pass/non-pass (P/N) basis do not count toward graded credit for inclusion on the dean's list.
• Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, the Tippie College of Business, and University College who achieve a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher on nine semester hours (spring 2020) or more of UI graded coursework during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of "I" (incomplete) or "O" (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the dean's list for that semester.
• Undergraduate students in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine with fewer than nine semester hours (spring 2020) of graded credit, if deemed appropriate by the college.
• College of Nursing students participating in clinical courses who have a total of nine semester hours of earned credit (spring 2020), with eight semester hours of graded credit with a GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Cooking, Baking, Yard work, Doctors, Doctors, Doctors!

Well things started to let up, with the Covid-19 virus, and many states have started to open back up and put people back to work.  But what is now taking place in this country is absolutely frightening.    Antifa has been designated a Terrorist group.......and with the help of other bought and paid for hate groups, our country is literally being destroyed.  Killings, looting,  setting fires, destroying historic statues, wanting to defund the police.............and it goes on and on. 

Fortunately here in our quiet little town, everything remains pretty normal.   I really miss , being at the lake in NY...........but life must go on!  And so Rich and I continue cooking most of our meals in..... and the past couple of weeks, some of our favorites:  Meatballs ....for meatball subs, and the rest put away for another day with pasta.  Fixed and delicious Pork Loin in the crockpot, and  another favorite: Honey-mustard & Beer Chicken, with mashed potatoes and asparagus.  Pasta night with linguine, sausage and garlic bread. We made a big pot of ham & potato soup, that we enjoyed a couple of night.  And of course most of our meals were complimented with Rich's home made yeast risen bread!

We talked about going out to celebrate my birthday.... but neither of us feel comfortable eating in a restaurant yet!  But I still had a joyful day..........Between mailed cards, emails, and Facebook I must have gotten close to 100 Birthday greetings!     That was awesome! Rich surprised me with a gift certificate for a one hour massage at the Spa!   Dinner? Well - we got a Dock Onion (very much like the Bloomin Onion at Outback!)  - take-out from Dock 633.  And we ordered submarine sandwiches from Subway!

We've continued to watch the Blue Herons...... the little ones have been fun to watch, and in this past week they are both leaving the nest, flying about, and visiting us quite frequently!.  Got a picture of one of them out on the boathouse roof!   And just happened to look out the back window the other day and there was our resident black snake - sunning himself on the deck. 

Finally got a day that wasn't raining, and not quite as hot as it has been.  So Rich & I got some much needed work done in the yard.   He cleaned out the gutters, and trimmed  topiary in the front yard.  I trimmed the bushes and hedges in the front yard.  Still need to trim the palms out front.... but it looks a lot better. 

And hopefully the doctor visits will slow down.  Guess it's a good thing we cancelled our trip north.... because I've been back and forth one place or the other almost every week...........and still not quite done!   Still seeing the eye doctor.... had laser surgery done in the left eye along with a follow-up.  Then trouble starting with the right eye, so saw the retina doctor for that - and a follow-up is coming up in a couple of weeks.   Had my mammogram, and all is good there,    Had an upper -endoscopy done and got good news at my follow up visit.  NO SIGNS of the Barrett's Esophagus which means the medication is working!!!  Was having some pain in the right arm.....so that was a visit to my primary.  He gave me a steroid shot, and a prescription for a muscle relaxant!  Doing fine!

And that's about it!  I am starting prep today for my colonoscopy!  That is Wednesday!

Can't believe it's June already!! Praying for this country

I swear, the older you get, the faster time goes by.  It's June already, and in just a few more weeks, we will be half way through 20 20!   While our state is opening up pretty quickly ( from the Pandemic) (at least in our area) we still have not ventured out to restaurants, or to spend time with friends.  The past few weeks have been pretty much the same old, same old.... except Hurricane season is here, so we are getting lots of rain...........and we've lost power 5 TIMES in the last 4 weeks.

So ...... since we don't eat out much anymore, it's been pretty busy in the kitchen!  What's been the latest on the menu???   Mojo Rotisserie Chicken (From Publix!)with homemade potato salad.  .Rich spent the goo part of the day, one day, in the kitchen making a cake!  He calls it a modified Boston Cream Pie.  A yellow cake, with vanilla pudding and whip cream filling, and a Chocolate Buttercream icing..........His first ever made from scratch cake!  And it was delicious!  Additionally, we made some delicious oven baked pork chops with fried potatoes and beans, Shrimp pasta, with a garlic butter sauce, and a casserole of baked ziti!

'OH and I forgot.... we did order in delivery from Dominos Pizza!  Excellent!  I had the hand tossed
sausage and pepperoni, and Rich enjoyed the hand tossed chicken and sausage!  Delicious!



Hurricane Season has arrived, and that means Rain, Rain and more Rain............. For several days in a row........this has been the view from the back of the house!  So that means losing the Direct TV signal!!!!

BUT....   with all the rain, the back lanai and the front porch were in desperate need of cleaning!  And as soon as we found a day without rain, the hose and broom and squeegee were hard at work, cleaning!  I still have 2 poinsettia plants from Christmas, on the front porch, that are in need of being planted!

Of course, we can not forget Memorial Day!...... No we did not have our annual get together, or cook out that day........but we did remember ................

Yes - we have seen a lot of rain............but it we also enjoy our resident birds!  The two baby Blue Hereon, we watch every day from the back lanai.........and it looks like after 60 some days they are ready to leave their nest!  Mamma still does a lot of feeding.............but we had the opportunity to watch her rest..............as she perched on the back deck.  I watched from inside, from the kitchen for 2 or three hours!

As you know.... the Graduation ceremonies were cancelled in Iowa...but Dennis sent us the local
Daily Iowan................which included congratulations to many of the 2020 graduates.......That's Dalton in the upper left corner, along with a picture of him with his Dad, Dennis when he was very young.  We are so very proud of Dalton!  We also received a package from Dennis.........that were face masks for us to wear during this pandemic............hand made, University of Iowa!!  WE Love Them!!

And also taking place in Davenport, IA......celebrating Onyx's Birthday
Happy Birthday fella!!  He turned 14 years old on June 1st!!

I guess we are pretty lucky to be living in a small town.  No longer do we hear an awful  about the Pandemic............instead we've seen a Black Man murdered by a police officer!!!  And the whole country reacting!  In deed the whole country mourned the death,  and together want to see justice!

BUT - there are far left organizations that have taken this sad time.............to try and destroy our country.  Taking advantage of those who are in good faith protesting against the police brutality.  (Mind you..........I support our police 100% -  these four are not the norm)   Antifa, and other far left Socialist groups are destroying cities across the country............. Here is link  that explains very well what is going on.  So very sad to see this happening in the USA............

Antifa, Other Far-Left Groups Exploit Protests for ‘Revolution’

Click on this link to read the article"  https://amac.us/antifa-other-far-left-groups-exploit-protests-for-revolution/?campaign=daily-news-email&fbclid=IwAR04TVPU18v42nwr95anBIbmzW-m9adgroWEjSJ2ggy_tABhMYnDhsd4cNs

God Bless our President................and our Country!

Just another couple of weeks.... but we're still healthy and surviving the pandemic!

Nothing super exciting going on.  Rich was once again outside/away from the house ( this makes a total of 5 times in over three months!  He drove to the Chinese Restaurants, while I went in to collect the take-out order.... and on the 20th (Wednesday) he drove to the Surgery & Endoscopy Center in Sebring, and sat in the car for about two hours, while I had my Upper Endoscopy.   None of the doctor's offices, will allow anyone in the waiting area that is not a patient.... and in some cases make the patients wait outside, until space ( 6 ft apart) is available in the waiting area.   While I have not yet seen the results of any Biopsy, Dr. Thakker told me that everything looked good, no sign of cancer.......and that I can go to every two years instead of every year for the endoscopy! 

Speaking of doctor visits -  I was scheduled for laser surgery on my left eye a week or so ago. My doctor who comes in from Tampa, got caught in traffic (accident) and was almost two hours late.  I was the first called in........BUT the laser machine was not working!  Had to reschedule.   Two days later I arrived at Advent Health (previously Sea Scape) in Sebring for my annual mammogram..... upon arrival, and after being checked in.... the mammogram machine was not working.  Had to reschedule!  Both coming up within the next couple of weeks.

BUT...... still got the cookin' and bakin' going on!  On the menu for the last couple of weeks has included.. Chicken Parm, Pork Chops w/stuffing &; au-gratin potatoes, Chicken fajitas, Pancakes w/ cherries & whip cream & sausage... and from the baker...... chocolate chip cookies and DELICIOUS cream puffs!

The floral arrangement that Dennis and the family sent for Mother's Day..... was a bit delayed (by the Florist).... I received it a few days after Mother's Day, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Both of the kids have finished the year in College............with Dalton graduating, and Chauna with one more year.

Message from Dennis on Facebook today!
"Once again, but Always proud of the kiddos!  College is done for the year & finished wit a brain... or bang!  Dalton Graduated!  Both Dalton & Chauna made the University of Iowa Dean's List for the last semester with a 3.6 GPA.  So Dalton's first & last semester for college life & Chauna;s on 2 consecutive Dean's List. Congratulations,  Way to Go & Love y'all!"

With Covid-19 - the graduation was cancelled, and Dalton elected not to participate in the "virtual graduation" to college planned.  Instead he will be walking with his sister next year.  Some more memorable's that he mailed to us.

And this is the Thank You card we received.  Beautiful!  We are so very proud of Dalton and Chauna. 

Well, since we are not making the trip to NY this year.... we've been keeping an eye on the weather forecast.  Yesterday, late afternoon we had a wicked Thunderstorm. The winds was racing, the trees were swaying big time, and the rain was blowing into the back lanai in all directions!    And it seemed to last forever!  

NOAA says there is a 60% chance of an above-average season, a 30% chance of an average season and a 0% chance of an average season.  They are predicting 6-19 hurricanes, with 3-6 of them reaching major hurricane strength,(Category 3 Status) which means winds of at least 111 miles per hour!  We are starting early this year..... already had our first,  Arthur!   So next on the list is Bertha!

Enjoying Nature, Still Cookin, Mother's Day and lots of Dr. appointments

 So for right now we are going to remain at home - and most of our friends are doing the same.  I just wish we could remain away from the public somewhere else - like at the lake in NY......But instead of heading north in just a few days as originally planned..........we must endure the hot summer right here in Florida.

So pretty much the same ol' same ol'.....Spending lots of time in the kitchen.  The past few weeks has been some of our favorite meals, including Stromboli, Baked/barbecue ribs, Mac N Cheese (with a little ketchup on mine), ham & scalloped potatoes.....oatmeal raisin cookies......

The weather hasn't been too bad lately so we've been spending a little time outside And it has been so awesome just enjoying Mother Nature..........a few storms here and there.... but lots of visitors to the back yard.  And we've been entertained by many of them.  The hummingbirds love the nectar we seem to refill about every 3 days!  We watch the Anhinga, stretching it's neck.... looking for food..and the Blue Heron caring for the new babies.

and then................we have the return of the Yellow Throated FlyCatchers who are back this year nesting in the bird house down near the water.... and tapping on our sun-room windows.  The other bird - I have not been able to find exactly what kind of bird he is..... but pretty, and has at least 3 new babies that we saw walking in the back yard...And then we have our resident black racer snakes...

A little bit more rain recently, and the yard is looking pretty good.  The elephant plant is nice and green.... the Ixora bushes are in full bloom, and beautiful, and we have three nice pineapples that are ripening nicely.  And just the other day we finished covering the boat for the summer.

 And of course - Sunday was Mother's Day.  Rich fixed eggs and toast for breakfast, and we decided to get Chinese takeout for dinner.   (We are so waiting for the day we can get back to Hibachi Grill). Dennis had ordered flowers for me, as he does most every year...... but this year they did not arrive.  He received a FTD message that they had been delivered on Saturday..... but it seems they must have been left at a different house.... Dennis contacted them.....but by Monday they still had not arrived so they refunded him.  But we had an awesome, very long conversation on Sunday...........and got be laughing soooooo hard.  He is such an awesome step-son.... Love him to the moon!!!

And a very special Happy Mother's Day to our Mom's in heaven.  We miss you so much every single day............Love You!!

We sent off a gift to Dalton, who graduates this year from the University of Iowa..............He received that, and sent us very nice thank you message.   And below is a great video of the University of Iowa band performing a Virtual fight song! Click on the link just below the picture to watch the video.

https://ktiv.com/2020/05/05/ha.wkeye-marching-band-releases-virtual-fight-song-to-boost-spirits/#.XrnsjZHD8Rt.gmail

Corona Virus still Keeping us at home....I really want to go out for dinner!!!

I'm not sure why this Stay at Home thing with the Corona Virus is such a disruption.  It's not like we leave the house real often anyway...... Maybe we do make more trips in to town, or extra trips to the grocery store.................and definitely enjoy dinner out more often.  I have my daily chores pretty much scheduled on what cleaning and cooking I'm doing for the week, but during this pandemic, my house is 100% sanitized daily....there is just not much else to clean!  Well - I guess there is if you include the garage, and storage shed.   Anyway............just can't wait to see some of the restaurants and stores opening again soon.

In the meantime, yes, there's been a lot of cooking going on.  This past week included a few new meals, or something we have not fixed in a while.  The Shrimp Scampi over linguine, with Rich's homemade cheddar biscuits was definitely one of my favorites.  We had Chicken Quesadillas,  Oven Fried Chicken w/potato and green beans, and a new recipe - Crock Pot Chicken and Biscuits ( with potatoes and veggies included.  A new recipe, and it was pretty good.  Definitely will fix again

We both like to sit out on the lanai and watch the birds and ducks and so on.....and I missed some good photos of a Cardinal, and Robin, and the Ash Throated Flycater's  that seem to nest in the back yard every year.  But I did get a couple of shots of what is becoming our "resident" Limpkin, the Blue Heron down on the dock, and a pretty good shot of one of the hummingbirds coming to feed. 

A lot more people on Social Media today........as this virus is keeping a lot of us pretty much quarantined at home.  Lots and lots of political stuff.........but there has been a lot of fun games 

and such being played, birthdays to celebrate,   and lots of cheers for essential workers.  Lot's of people bringing out a lot of old photos too!  A lot of the kids that went to South Side Highschool with Rich in Elmira..... also went to Riverside Elementry......... Here is a picture of the Riverside Graduating Class of 1961 That's Rich in the middle in the back row (5th from left)

And we begin the month of May sending Happy Birthday Wishes to a special friend, Nathan Showalter!  Hope you enjoyed your day Nathan. 

Still Social Distancing, Leia's Birthday...Back yard visitors

It seems like forever since we've seen friends, gone to a movie, gone out to dinner,  or even shopping.... I've even stacked up on food to last for two or three weeks so that I limit being in stores.... and to practice social distancing ( although that's got a bit easier in the grocery store where they now have one person per cart, and arrows on each isle to tell you what direction to walk...)  We have our face masks, gloves, sanitizers..... wash the hands 100 ''times a day.....and watch the President's   Corona Virus briefing every night!  Rich finally drove the car for the first time in about a month and a half.....when we went to pick up take-out for dinner!
..
Nothing much different on the menu the past few weeks Finished up all the left-overs including chicken and rice, and tuna noodle casserole.  We did Chicken K-Bobs w/potato salad one night, followed by burgers and potato salad the next night.  I baked some chocolate chip cookies..... and we had a Beef N Beer Stew that was excellent.... as was the cheddar biscuits that Rich made.  We did get takeout from Subway one night, and Pizza delivery from Domino's another..........and I think it's about time for Chinese takeout!  I MISS GOING TO HIBACHI!

The weather has been pretty nice lately..........and we continue to be entertained  watching the Blue Heron in their next,  and the whistling ducks.  Got a few more shots of the Blue Heron along with the Limpkin making himself at home down at the boathouse.  And I think we're re-filling the feeder for the humming birds about every 3 days!  They are nesting in the magnolia tree down by the water, but come over often to feed.  

On April 20th Ryan and Chauna had a mini birthday celebration for Leia... for her 2nd birthday! 
( Leia with the pick hat..... And Chuba seems to be enjoying the treats as well.  Happy Birthday Miss Leia!

Well, as I had posted before, we will not be making the trip to Iowa this year to visit family, as Dalton's graduation ceremonies were cancelled.  We did get an e-mail though, that the University would be doing a " virtual" online ceremony on May 15th for the 2020 graduates, with their photos.  They had the choice of the virtual ceremony or to walk, next year with the 2021 graduates.  Dalton chose to do both...........so he will also be walking with his sister, when she graduates next year!

We also cancelled our trip to NY/Black Lake this year.  Given our age, and both being high risk to get the Corona virus.... we felt it was not the best idea to drive that distance, stopping three nights in hotels.  Some of the states are starting to open up..... but NY is one of the heaviest hit with the virus, so it just makes more sense to stay home.............and staying in, is still what's best for us.   But we've already booked our 8 weeks for next year.

April Birthdays, Siblings Day, Easter Sunday

Well Covid-19 continues to require us to stay at home, practice social distancing, wash  hands 100 times a day, wear a face masks (when we're grocery shopping), and not be able to spend time with or share dinner with family or friends.  So we've been staying in touch with people in NY...... and trying to figure out whether or not our trip to Black Lake gets cancelled or not - like our grandson's graduation did.  And of course....... staying busy at home cooking and baking. 

Rich has been doing a little more baking, three more loaves of yeast risen bread, and a couple of pumpkin pies for the Easter holiday.  We did order Chinese Take-out one night, but then a little creative cooking with a few new dishes  we haven't had in a while, including Noodles & Beef,  Meatball Subs,  Pizza (ground beef and sausage for Rich, sausage & pepperoni for me), a delicious batch of Chocolate Chip cookies, Cajun Shrimp Pasta, and Baked Chicken Burritos! 

The weather is changing.  I guess you call this Spring in Florida.  With the exception of a few days, it's been 80 to 90 degrees and NO rain! Most of the neighbors have left to go back north.  It's pretty quiet around here.  Get a kick out of the Whistling Ducks.  They're spending a lot of time  in the yard, down by the boathouse,or ON the roof of the boathouse..... and we are enjoying watching the Blue Herons.  Looks like there might be two babies in the nest now..... and keep trying to get a picture!!!

April is another month for multiple family member birthdays.   On April 8th, Rich's brother Bob Donald celebrated a birthday.... and his wife Diane will be celebrating her's in just a couple of days on April 12th.  Happy Birthday to both of you..........and wishing you many many more!

And on April 9th our granddaughter Chauna celebrated her 21st birthday.   Generally the family celebrates going out to dinner....  but this year Mom and Dad drove to Iowa City, where Chauna and her boyfriend Ryan, and her brother Dalton share an apartment.  Certainly looks like they had a great time.  Home baked  Birthday Cake with all the candles...and the ordered curbside takeout from Texas Roadhouse!  Looks like the two dogs, Chuba and Leia had a good time as well!  Happy Birthday Chauna..... Love you to the Moon..... Forever in our Hearts.

I have to admit that with all this Covid-19 Virus - people are having a lot more fun on Facebook!  Everybody is getting involved with playing silly games, and most recently, because graduation has been pretty much cancelled for 2020 graduates.......everyone is honoring them by sharing our Yearbook Pictures!

Yes - Rich and I shared our as well!  Enjoy!

And we can't for April 12th was National Siblings Day! So again.... everyone was posting family photos on Facebook.   As did I.  This is an OLD picture.... but the only one I have of the me and my eight siblings ( along with Mom). 
Back row : brothers Mick, Chuck, Dave, Bill.  Front row: Sisters Ronda, Sandy, Mom, ME, brothers Jim and Don.  Except for me and brother Dave.............they all live together with My Dad............In Heaven.  And I miss them so much.

That brings us to today!  Happy Easter Sunday! And again - with social distancing many churches were still having services.........but the majority were doing them on line which was a great idea.  Rich & I both took part today.  Pretty quiet today!  For the past several years, we have always fixed a big Easter Dinner with friends and we really missed that today.  Rich did get a couple of chocolate - Au-Gratin  potatoes and carrots.