Still in Florida but beginning to move west

Our "whoa-up" in Sarasota gave us a couple more lovely dinners, some time to read and relax in the sun AND hit the beach one more time.    We went back to a couple fav. restaurants during our unexpected stay.    Dry dock Grill on Longboat (so Dave could have another portion of Lobster Tacos) and, after a sweet day at the beach, another fabulous meal of "shrimps" in garlic and brandy at unassuming little Rick's Bistro.    Oh boy.....we need to tone it down from now on!

our beach companion

Yesterday we drove a whopping 92 miles north to the Traveler's Rest RV and Golf Resort near Dade City, Florida.

this sweet little Palm Warbler was waiting as we arrived

can you see a feathered friend hunkering down in the little island's foliage on the golf course?

lovely views from Beluga's door

  We've recently connected (via email) with business friends we haven't seen in probably 30+ years.    Peggy and Kevin have just moved to this area (a week ago!) and we were able to meet them for dinner last night.   As you have come to expect from me, I took no pictures.   We talked, non-stop, from the time we pulled into their driveway until we said our goodbyes at the restaurant.    It was wonderful to catch up on each other's lives.

We were planning on seeing them again this evening, but.....one of us is not feeling at all well and has taken to his bed.   Uh oh.....

Finishing out the holidays

Judi arrived at the Tampa airport just as Jesse and Erin left.    We  stayed at the same pink house on Longboat and did many of the same things.   Second Cup and Happy Hour in the lanai, beach time, dinners out, floating in the pool, laughing.    Here are some pictures....

a little pre-New Year's Eve Champagne Happy Hour

bird watching on our nearby beach

a gaggle of busy Ibis

one of the wild peacocks in Longboat Village

we made Guava/goat cheese pastry for second cup one morning

dinner at one of our favorites - Rick's Bistro

Lew took full advantage of Judi's feet

don't ask.......

a toast at Harry's

We left the Pink House on Sunday and moved back into Beluga.   There was some discussion about whether Judi, Lewis and I would fit into the Jeep once Dave packed all our "stuff" in it.   It was touch and go for awhile, but Dave managed to jam us all in for the short ride home.    Thanks Dave.   We must have looked a little like a clown car when we all spilled out at the campground!

Dry Dock dinner....lobster tacos!

pretty aquarium at the Sarasota airport

After a bit of juggling and re-booking her airline reservations, Judi was able to head home yesterday.   We'll miss her and our good laughter.  My cheeks still hurt!

bye bye friend....we'll miss you!

dreamy eyes
Lew is exhausted after taking care of so much beloved company

 Dave and I were planning on leaving here (Sarasota) this morning but, after looking at the coming weather patterns, we decided to stay put a few days to avoid the worst of the storms.       We had to move sites in order to stay, but it gives us a few days of rest before hitting the road.

Two more good dinners out and a little beach time are welcome outcomes of our schedule change.

we enjoyed a delicious dinner accompanied by the sounds of Pelicans diving into the bay for theirs!

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!