Catching up

I didn't realize that I hadn't added a post since Thursday. On Friday morning we drove to The Villages to visit with Sylvia and Duncan in their beautiful vacation home. What a lovely place they have; beautifully decorated with Sylvia's hand all over it. We had lunch and then did a tour of the facility/ Keeping in mind that The Villages is home to 100K people, we probably didn't see it all but what we did see was pretty impressive. If you are here, it's worth going for a look, all you want and need, right there at your disposal. Beautifully groomed land and lovely club houses; just so beyond what I expected to see. Golf carts are the mode of transportation in the local area and they too come in all varieties. Quite an interesting day and wonderful to spend time with our good friends, the Dingles. Home by nine; didn't know the Pictou County party was going on. Out of that loop and missed the email. Too bad but we had a great day.

We have done our usual round of touring, out and about every day. Trying to get some pool time and generally enjoying the vacation. Jocelyn turned six on the fourteenth. I can hardly believe that. She and Bhreagh are such beautiful little girls. We are looking forward to seeing them next month for a few days. Skype visits aren't enough but better than nothing. I cannot help but think of absentee grandparents in the past and how they could be virtually unknown to their precious grandchildren. We miss Chris and Laura and The Littles when we are here because for several years we saw them every second day. Life. Change.It's what happens.

We played golf today and that always takes a lot of energy. I was pretty tired when we got home. It's a hot day here, hotter than I like but it's the kind of weather people want when they come to Florida. Especially in light of the cruel winter that dumped more snow on the Maritimes yesterday. We followed the storm with CBC. What did we do without the internet, I wonder!? I listen to CBC radio out of Hfx every morning and again in the late afternoon. Just while I think of it...this morning when we were heading to the GC, we left here around six twenty, and the TRAFFIC on the interstate was amazing. There is just no time when you can anticipate slow traffic. It's always busy here. I often wonder where all of these people are going, and why they are in such a hurry to get there!!

JoLynn and Herbie have arrived in Orlando and are still in the airport navigating the difficult waters of car rental. You have probably been there once or twice and can relate to the difficulties and misunderstandings that often surround that transaction. They will be here this evening. Time unknown.

This is it for me for tonight. I feel there was something I intended to write about but have forgotten and now I think I need to take little reminder notes so that there is something of interest in my posts. Take care everyone, and be good to the ones you love and maybe to the ones you just like. I'll be back in a day or so.

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion

How much of my life revolves around food?! It's amazing that the last two posts are just about food. Roy's has been a favorite restaurant of Chris and Laura for years. They had their wedding party there and we were there with them several years ago. It's  quite the eating establishment and it didn't hurt that the owner remembered Chris and Laura. We had reservations for six o'clock. Mike went to the cigar store and I went to my favorite Barnes and Noble before heading to eat. Combing two favorite stores each with the meal.

I can only describe what I ate and drank and what the table shared. When we sat, we immediately received the bowl of edamame which seem to be boiled or steamed edameme pods with coarse salt and a light spicy dressing. Yummy. Everyone gets those at Roys when you sit to your table. Then came the ribs in a delicious sauce, and a plate of steaming hot towels for our sticky fingers. And then the tray of lobster pot stickers. Yumm-O!! I had a Mojito with pommegrate juice and a lot of mint! My app was shrimp wrapped in prosciutto and served on a bed of cheddar grits. Mike had oysters, Rich had the Calamari and Claire had sushi which we sampled and was delicious. Unfortunately for her, she mistook the wasabi for guacamole and ate the whole bite at once. OMG!!! She recovered to enjoy the remainder of the dish. For a main, I had sea scallops with pork belly and an apple fennel slaw on pureed potatoes. The servings are small at Roys. You don't feel like you are stuffed and that you have to work hard to finish. Three large scallops presented on a long narrow plate. I have pictures. Mike had the swordfish and Rich, the short ribs because it was a favorite of Chris's and each time they were there together, Rich sampled from Chris's plate. This time he had his own and loved it. Much sharing and sampling went on, everyone loved their selections. Before we had a chance to consider dessert, our plates were cleared and new smaller ones and more hot towels arrived. Then, a tray of two chocolate lava cakes, two pineapple cakes, four scoops of pina colada ice cream and mixed fruit arrived. Amazing meal. The restaurant, on a Wednesday evening, was practically full and it's a big place. A big noisy. That was my only reservation. I would love to go back. Maybe next time.

There is a new fish and chips place in Champions Gate, near by. Two years ago it was a little French bistro that we liked very much but there was nothing there last year. It's in a very out of the way location and needs word of mouth advertising. We heard about it from the people in the next house. We will try it!!

We passed on golf this morning. Every once in a while I have a really low morning and today was that day. I am just getting my feet under me now at noon and this afternoon we will get out for a tour, maybe to Downtown Disney or something over at the parks. We are scoping out Universal for St Patrick's day. Last year we went to Pat O'Brien's for the event but we won't go for eight hours this time. JoLynn and Herbie will be here and we are trying to put together an interesting celebration. There's plenty to do; just choosing the right place is the difficult task.

Another shooting in Ferguson. Two policemen.

A beautiful florida day. It rained hard last night after I went to bed. A deluge. And then it was done.

That's about it for now. Time to perk up and perhaps go out in an hour or so. Had a Skype visit with Aron and Rika this morning. I have missed seeing them for the past couple of weeks. Stay in touch; enjoy the day where you are and be good to everyone you know. Till the next time! Thanks for reading.

Whole Foods

This we went to Whole Foods on Sand Lake in Orlando. This is one of the high points of my visit here, going to this store and seeing how some people do their shopping. First of all, we did buy several items. I buy tubes of tomato paste at Whole Foods. I feel rather silly going through the aisles to find that, on the top shelf, and putting several boxes in my basket. It's such a plus to have tomato paste in tubes because, obviously, you use only what you need and you don't have gobs of it in the freezer or in the trash in between uses, Just in the fridge, waiting to be opened when you need it. Back to Whole Foods.

Fresh fruits and vegetables at their finest. Looking their best and displayed beautifully. The smoked salmon display was enormous, offering quantities from the small packs we get at home to full sides. A dozen different types, some in the shape of flowers for the hors d'oeuvre table. The fish! Crab cakes in various types. Ready for the pan. The olive bar. I don't know how anyone would choose which of the olives to purchase as their were SO MANY VARIETIES and combinations. The meat counter. OMG. Samples everywhere and we tasted everything. It was like going to lunch. Prepared foods, breads, deli...all the usual things you would expect to find but so beautifully presented. And of course the classical music in the background. Wine. DID I MENTION THE BAKERY!? Whole Foods is a destination and if you have the opportunity to go, don't miss it. We have been to The Fresh Market in the Dr Phillips area. We used to stop there on our way home from church in Bay Hill so it's in that general vicinity and it's the same thing. An amazing food store. Surpriseingly  the prices are very good. I didn't feel anything was overpriced. We bought shrimp, some wine, some bread and cheese (Cambazola which I would pay between 7 and 8 dollars a wedge at SuperStore...same price) Yes there is a 20% difference, have to say this particular wedge was quite large and generally in the same price point.Also bought rare roast beef deli meat that's very difficult to get here and snacks. A bit of everything and felt we had done well when we left.

Bonus at WF today was the market set up outside offering a lot of the items we find at the Celebration Market on Sunday mornings. Every Tuesday, apparently. 

We had our tea on the deck this morning and our after dinner treats there this evening. A spectacular day. Talked to Gloria this afternoon and got caught up on the antics of Ringo and Daisy. I miss those little guys!! Allan MacDonald just rang the bell so I am off for a visit with him Back tomorrow or the next, be good to each other!!

And yet another one of those days

Beautiful today. We had a tee time for ten to eight this morning and when we set that up, rather forgot about the time change. We got to the golf club in the dark. A few other cars were there and we got out at about twenty to eight which is just about the right time. There were a few people out ahead of us but I decided today I am a nine hole golfer. That's all. The starter let us go out on the back nine, by ourselves, and it was like having our own course. We met up with a threesome on sixteen but that was no problem at all. When we came in, we picked up a bucket of balls and went to the range for awhile and the line up at that time was quite something. There is a big group of people from this area who go out Monday, Wednesday and Friday at ten and there was a big clog as everyone was getting out. We had our lunch and were home mid day. Pool time. We got the sun for a few hours and now with the time change the pool is in the sun for an extra hour. Mike is still out but he is in the shade at this point. I had a great swim, toasted for a while and then took a run to Michael's.....without my list. May as well have stayed home. Another trip coming up but not today. Michael's is about ten minutes from here and I just go myself when I need to pick something up. Exit 57 and we are off 58.

I called Laura's mother last night. We are having dinner with the Lellos on Wednesday at Roys Hawaiian Fusion on Sand LakeRd. We have eaten there before and it was on'e of Chris and Laura's fave restaurants when they were here. The menu is very interesting and the service is absolutely second to none. Looking forward to it very much. There is a great Barnes and Noble store just in the same area and a cigar store that Mike loves to visit when we are here. This will be our big outing for the month. We did steak houses the past two years and a great Italian before that so Roy's will be a treat; lighter more creative dinner options. You ought to check out the menu. Just search Roy's Hawaiian Fusion and there you go.

Mike worked on the pool deck today after we got home. He loves a chore or two. The pool cleaner will be surprised when he comes this week and sees that the deck has been cleaned.

Nine hot air balloons were in the air on our route to church on Sunday. Not for the faint of heart. They lift off just outside our complex, in a gigantic field and I have absolutely no idea where they land. Will never find that out.

So this is our second MOnday at 321. We like the house; our previous residence is empty and I will find out why when we talk to Claire Lello later in the week. The renters are friends of hers.

Hope all is well where you are and with you and yours. I heard there was a bit of snow in Nova Scotia this morning and on CBC Mainstreet they still talking about the mess of the streets in Halifax. I hope the snow banks are starting to melt. Sounds like it's going to be in positive numbers by the middle of the week. Take care and I will be back in 24 or so.
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Another one of those days

Today is another one of those glorious Sunshine State days that come along fairly regularly. Low humidity, plenty of sun and a little breeze, temps in the mid-20's. Fantastic. A pool day and a time to take advantage of the outdoors. Just a great all around day.

There is a lot of construction underway in Florida. In those years that we have been coming here, we have seen lots of construction and years of none. The pick up is obvious this March. Lots of new developments underway and road improvement, additional lanes being built, and of course the inconvenience that accompanies that. A good sign nonetheless. Roads that were under construction when we were here last year are done and so great to drive on. Where Interstate 4 begins, just south of Daytona, was a nightmare last year and we just whistled through a week ago. What an improvement. Prosperity. Road and home construction. It's happening.

We went to Mass this morning at Celebration. Picked up the bulletin and saw that 4500 people attended Mass last weekend and contributed in excess of $30 000 to the Church.There were about 500 people there  this morning, at eight thirty. They add that extra Mass in the winter months. The Church was quite full. We went to  IHop for breakfast and before you judge that, let's just say it was delicious. My breakfast joint of choice is Cracker Barrel, for the grits. They do a wicked breakfast and we never eat there except in the morning. Second is IHop. Even the once close to the prison on John Young!!! Chris couldn't believe we ate there, one morning, when he lived several miles away. The prison and the bail bondsman and a gun shop were all within shooting distance. Some of the clientele that morning looked a bit shady but the food was good. Often on the road you don't have the opportunity to be too choosy but here in residence, we most frequently eat in the kitchen. After breakfast we headed to a home show and by the time we got home, it was pool time. NASCAR racing at Vegas and soon time to be thinking about supper.

The Proper Pie Company - found that name in the book here on the counter, left by the owners, to give us some guidelines to follow while in their house. Apparently the English love their pies and this place, a little spot in a strip mall, hard to find but apparently well supported, had meat pies of all kinds, one of which we will be having for supper, with a salad and strawberry shortcake. We bought a couple of small fruit pies as well, one of which I liked but Mike thought the pastry wasn't flaky. No comment. I liked it. Steak and Mushroom for tonight or maybe just the strawberry shortcake. The berries were the best we have had, red all the way through but not quite as tasty as they are in NS in July. A worthy substitute.

I have a jig saw puzzle started on the dining room table.

Brian and Leslie are celebrating their 7th anniversary today in Mexico. I can't believe seven years. Such a fun time at their wedding. And great Gumbo.

Golf tomorrow morning. Changed the time, as everyone did, so we will have a very early start for our 7:45 tee time. Half hour to get there, breakfast before leaving....early start.

Mike washed the pool deck this afternoon. I should have called the management company but he preferred to do it himself. Go figure. Looks better though.

That's it for now. Hope all is well where you are, back in 24 or so, take care!!

And so it's Friday

We went to a Quilt and Fabric Expo in Lakeland. When I see these kind of events put on in an area such as this, I am astounded. ASTOUNDED. First of all, the size of the venue is mind boggling. Who uses this complex?! The show itself had over a hundred vendors. A hundred. Every sewing machine imaginable and every quilting machine and stand you would want. Mike was chatting up one vendor and the set up she had was over twenty five thousand dollars. Now that's for a business. Obviously. There were smaller less complex machines as well, ones that an average person who wanted one could afford (with some consideration). Embroidery machines. All kinds of them. And enough fabric to cover Polk County. I didn't look at fabric because it would have been a guess and a grab and I wasn't into that. I bought a few patterns for paper pieced projects I hadn't seen before and liked very much

. There were hundreds of people there when the doors opened, including us. By the time we left, a few hours later, the crowds were heavy. There were classes and demos, and Nancy Ziemann was there signing her latest book or any of her books you purchased. I watch Sewing With Nancy any time I can find it on the cable system. She is very clever and likeable. There were people demoing rulers of all kinds and gadgets of all sorts. The things we call Gadgets and Gotta-Haves. Things you see and think you cannot live without and then when you get home, you find that you can do the same hing with the tools you have but quilters are a lot like golfers: they will buy almost anything if they think it will make their product better or easier. I have bought the rare ruler that was required for a particular pattern and when that project is done, the ruler goes in the envelope with the pattern, not to be seen for some time.On the other hand, I have bought a ruler that I like how it's used and make a second or third project with it. I pointed out a 60 degree ruler to Mike, indicated it's $19 price tag, and reminded him that he had made one for me out of PelTex which works very well, thank you very much, but having a transparent ruler is definitely a bonus when you are cutting fabric. If you can make the adjustment to using another material, you are ahead of the game.

As far as the show was concerned, it was a dandy. $8 for parking, and an admission charge of $15 each. Chatting with two women on the way in, one of them gave us two free entrance tickets!! That, she said, would make our day and it didn't do it any harm.  We walked through and saw what we thought was everything, had ourselves a lunch nearby and were home by three. That's enough work for two people on vacation.

It's overcast all day today. Tomorrow morning we are going to a flea market about half an hour from here and on Sunday after Mass I think we will go to the market at Celebration which is quite nice. Worked on my music for awhile again today. Trying to do that every day or at least not to miss two days in a row.

I think I will take a little rest, have a cup of tea and get my hors d'oeuvre ready for the party tonight. It will be fun to see some people. We have seen a lot of each other for the past week. A lot!! LOL!! Thanks for bothering to read this latest update. BTW, Aaron you can drop me a note you know; I am still receiving email!! We could set up a Skype chat! Be good to each other. and take care. I'll be back.

Thursday

Well, it's Thursday and a week ago we were in winter. Today was far from winter for sure. It was our first day on the golf course in almost a year. A year for me, but Mike played a few times last summer. It went as well as could be expected. The first day is pretty ugly for someone who plays as rarely as I do but I had some very nice shots, and as every golfer knows, you only need a few to come back for more. We teed off at about seven, a few minutes ahead of our tee time but we were early (quelle surprise!) and the crowd hadn't arrived. Just the two of us, which was fair for the golfers who were behind us. We certainly didn't hold anyone up and kept just behind the four ahead of us. They were slow. We booked a time for Monday but couldn't get out quiet as early. nonetheless we will be out before eight and back in by noon. It gets hot these days by then. When we got home, I was into the pool IMMEDIATELY. So nice. Then toasted in a lounger and back in for a second time before a shower and rest. Jeepers but I am tired. That's a lot of work, having fun.

On the way back to 321 we stopped at Panera at The Loop. It's one of my favorite food places as their scones are positively delish. My fave is orange but there isn't a bad one there. Also recommend three berry and cinnamon crunch as well. Enjoyed bits of two with some tea and that just perked me right up. I was going to take a run to Michael's this afternoon but luckily remembered that there is a Sewing and Quilt Expo in Lakeland tomorrow. I know there is a big quilt show in Sarasota as well but not driving that far. This will be a biggie in Lakeland and perhaps I will get an iron there! There is plenty going on in the Sunshine State and I am tempted by a seafood thingy in St Augustine but once again, not driving that far. After three and a half days in the car, I am very picky about where and how far I want to drive. Especially since we have been here only five days. I am still finding my way around the house.

Party tomorrow night at Anne and Allan's. Have to make something to take along. I was watching The Pioneer Woman this afternoon and she made Chili Con Questo using an onion, sausage meat, a great big hunk of Velveeta (although she didn't name it) and a can of ROTEL TOMATOES. I am NOT  going home without a dozen cans of those babies this year. Additionally she used a jalepeno pepper  for heat (after the Rotels I am not certain that was necessary) and a couple of cans of shopped green chilis. I believe that's what I am going to bring to the party. I made a batch of my version of the same last year when the party was at our place and everyone loved it. I made it just with the Velveeta and Rotels but the sausage and onion will be great additions and perhaps one can of the green chilis.

The Food Channel here in the SS is a quantum leap beyond the Canadian version. Honestly I could watch this all day. It's on right now. Already this afternoon, while I was doing other things, I have been in the company of Trisha, Rachael. Anne Burrell, Giada and a team of kid bakers. And they're on every day!! No Brier but lots of cooking shows. One has to do the best with what Brighthouse brings our way.

So that seems to be it for today. I tried to get this done earlier today, just now six-thirty. Time change on the weekend. I just got used to EAstern Standard and now another change. Essentially back to where I was a week ago, an hour ahead. On vacation it really doesn't matter what time it is. We eat when we are hungry but tomorrow we will be heading out early to get to that Expo in Lakeland. Not far, maybe an hour? Maybe less. Sometimes I wear out at those things before I have seen everything there is to see and judging from what I saw on line, this could be one of those events. I will do my best!! BAck tomorrow evening, or Saturday morning after the party!! Take care everyone.