beluga

beluga

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Our holidays

I had a wonderful birthday surprise this year.    Jesse and Erin were scheduled to  fly in to Sarasota on Christmas Eve to join us at the VRBO house we rented on Longboat Key.

the pink house

Rocky was adorned with falling Hibiscus flowers

  Instead they were seated in the restaurant when Dave and I arrived for my birthday dinner, two days early!    I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them sitting there.....and to think I was grousing all day about him not calling me on my big day!    Dave was in on the secret, I didn't know he had it in him!   What a wonderful birthday.


We shared a good dinner at Euphemia Haye and even went upstairs to their fabulous dessert room afterward.    We ate too much, but it was a birthday - right?

Lew is intoxicated by my birthday flowers


We had a relatively quiet time together this year.    Erin's beloved mother died recently and she was on all of our minds.



 

Here are some pictures from our time together.

guy talk


Lew daydreams on one of the beds

and greets Erin
and kisses Jesse


and tolerates Christmas decorations

and watches us cook

and waits patiently in the elevator.....


the canal dock behind the pool lanai

Dave roots in the foliage trying to reach a beautiful Egret feather for me.
(mission accomplished)


Lots of birds in the undergrowth along the canal





We had rain on and off during their stay but tried to enjoy the pool when we could.



deep conversation

The beautiful white sand beaches of Longboat Key were just a short walk across the street.   We visited as often as we could, taking lunch or happy hour there.



the shelling stoop






Working our traditional puzzle took up a lot of our time, in between flu or cold induced naps that is.....


the last piece!


Lewis had a daily window visitor




he took his landscaping duties very seriously

hanging mangrove roots were tempting

We ate a few dinners at favorite restaurants and enjoyed a few at our pink house's dining table together

Bouillabaisse at Beach Bistro

Foggy night at The Shore restaurant

walking on the docks at The Shore restaurant on Sarasota Bay

Jesse and Erin left for Denver on New Year's Eve morning.   It was hard to let them go this year.

Sunset over what was once the beautiful Colony Beach and Tennis Resort

On the bright side, as they left, our dear friend Judi arrived to spend the next week with us.  More, later!


8 comments:

  1. Glad Kewis didn't spill the beans about your Birthday Party and the time with the kids went so well.
    Wishing your entire Family a Safe,Happy and Healthy New Year.

    It's about time.

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  2. It's always so special to have our children visit and spend time. Lovely photos of your time together. I especially enjoy the casual shots at the house relaxing and enjoying some good conversations and time together. Of course I am thrilled to see my furry boy enjoying his time with his brother. A special memorable holiday. Thanks for sharing your time together.

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  3. The Holidays are better with family!
    Happy New Year !!!

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  4. Birthday surprises that involve our kids coming to visit earlier than expected are always welcome! You find the best VRBO homes for Christmas...looks very relaxing and birds close by was the bonus! Now, heading west, right?? Cindy

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  5. What a beautiful place to spend the holidays and what a treat to have such an awesome birthday surprise, ESPECIALLY when you thought you'd been forgotten! HA! It looks like you had a wonderful time and what awesome photos of the birds and the beaches! That storm cloud picture is just incredible! Happy New Year to you all!!

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  6. Such a sweet, sweet time together....made all the more special by Jesse and Erin arriving early to celebrate your birthday! Dave did a good job of keeping it a secret. :-) You chose another beautiful place to spend Christmas. I'm so glad you had such a wonderful, relaxing holiday. Happy New Year, dear friends!

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  7. I’m so sorry to hear about Erin’s mom. What a delightful birthday surprise...and so proud of Dave for keeping the big secret a secret! Lots of awesome memories made. What a sweet collection of pictures...

    Happy New Year!

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  8. I'm catching up on your Florida time and won't comment on every post. You're welcome. But so much to love about this holiday time with the family. Lewis does a great job of keeping you all in line! That pic on the beach with the storm dumping in the background is incredible.

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