beluga

beluga

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Tuesday

So....after yesterday's news, today is just plain boring.   For you, not for us.  

The weather is lovely and warm.   We drove over to the Venice Rookery to see whats up there and had a nice walk around the pond.   GBH's are nesting and squawking, Cormorants and Anhinga's are swimming and drying on snags and we spent a bit of time watching a tiny tri colored heron fishing along the water's edge.





As I often say, small pleasures.

  We went to the beach also....it was socked in fog.   Warm fog, but fog nonetheless.    We sat beside the surf and talked awhile, walked a bit, found a couple shark's teeth then threw in the towel and went home.   The beach loses its luster when you can't tell the water from the sky!




Monday, December 29, 2014

A Watched Pot Never Boils.....

As you know, we've been waiting and waiting.   Maybe spending too much time and effort waiting.

We finally decided to chuck all the work and worry and let it be what it would be.  Off to the sunny south until we feel like coming home and facing the cold and snow, thats what we decided.

We've been enjoying the warmth of the sun and family here in Florida, putting off thoughts of selling the farm, finishing the little cottage, thoughts of getting back on the road.  We've been enjoying the here and now, the present.  

It did the trick!!!!   We accepted a cash offer on the farm Friday afternoon.  The paper's are all signed and the young couple wants to close as soon as we are able.  They had a house inspection this afternoon and, although we haven't seen the report, it sounds pretty good.    Finger's crossed.....


YAY !!!!!!!!

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Sunday - All's Quiet on the Southern Front

Jesse and Erin are safely back in Colorado and we're settled once again  in Venice for the next week.  All is quiet and calm.   The weather is stunning, high 70's, low 80's and sunny skies for the rest of our time here.  We must be doing something right!      Plus.....we have some potential exciting news.

I have way too many pictures of the last week so if you aren't in the mood, stop now.

beautiful birthday flowers from J and E

guys, guys, are you awake yet, are you in there, come out!

We went to the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium one of the afternoons.   Don't ask me which day, its all a blur.   I do know that we all enjoyed ourselves.




the grinch?


My flower filcher's daily hibiscus gifts kept blowing off the porch,
so we came up with an ingenious windproof bud vase

Jesse and Erin stroll the beach





As usual, the puzzle brought out the competitive side of Jesse and Erin.   That,and they absolutely HAD to finish it before Christmas (their rules, not mine). This led to some lively discussions and twister-esque positions during happy hour.

ahem...children, play nice

Ta Da!  Finished with time to spare


ready for Christmas Eve dinner at Beach Bistro

the opening of gifts

sigh.....

Opening gifts is exhausting work
Jesse and Erin made real Cafe Du Monde beignets for breafast and we all pitched in to eat them.

the sifter of sugar
the plate of beignets never makes it to the table it seems!



cleaning up stone crab claw carnage after happy hour



the son throws things at his mother to keep her from the kitchen

Jesse and Erin do all the cooking on Christmas Day


 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Eve

    We hope you are all happy, healthy and enjoying the moment.   We're thankful you are in our lives.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!



Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Ah......

Today is the day before Christmas and we've managed to dodge all the hysteria.   Jesse and Erin are here, we sleep, work a large, challenging Christmas puzzle, walk the beach, talk, sit on the beach, listen to Christmas music, play ball and go out for wonderful dinners.   Yawn.....

The weather has been changeable.   Sometimes cool (north wind blowing up the beach), sometimes warm and humid (sit on the beach and read).    Sasha has settled in completely, Lewis enjoys the company of his family but worries about the occasional beach passerby and UPS delivery man,    Nothing to be done about it Lew...

I had a lovely birthday yesterday doing just as I pleased.   Beef Wellington's for dinner and abundant  wine with my family - what more could a girl (ahem, no comments please....) ask for.   Life is good.

good morning sweet  Rudolph






happy hour at the puzzle table


Sasha just loves to lie in the sand and watch

The grim reaper and her fiancee at a chilly happy hour






Saturday, December 20, 2014

Its getting to look a lot like Christmas....




Jesse arrived last night and we're off to pick up Erin at SRQ.    Christmas can begin!


Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thursday

This morning we loaded up the jeep and drove up to Longboat Key for the Christmas portion of our little Florida excursion.     So.....we're at the beach til after the holiday - Yay!


Tuesday, December 16, 2014