Blowin' in the wind....

The wind is howling and the sky is grey …but wait the temperature is 23C degrees. Oh yes , this is Florida. It has been a roller coaster week with the weather as rain and wind have settled over the area. The week started out well with sunshine and pool days but then quickly took a turn on Wednesday with torrential rains, cooler temps and wind gusts strong enough to blow small dogs off the sidewalk. Friday evening there were gale force winds and rain that pounded against the hurricane resistant windows rattling the outer screens.  Here we are on Sunday morning and the wind is still blowing. When you step outside you expect it to be cold, but no you are greeted by a warm muggy blast of air.  So strange. By Christmas Eve the weatherman says we should be back to normal. I am looking forward to my Christmas day poolside!

The week has been quiet due to the weather. Roger missed his golf game and paint out and I have had no pool aerobics either.  We did some shopping and ran a few errands to keep ourselves busy. I even managed to do a bit of Christmas baking. Roger has to have his Christmas butter tarts!  Thursday night we went out for supper with friends and Friday was Euchre card night at our condo. I am a newbie at this game but have managed to hold my own against the more experienced players.  Secretly, I let them have a few drinks before we play and then their guard is down! LOL. We had many laughs though and a very fun filled evening.

The week ahead brings Christmas and we have plans in place with our friends. No traditional turkey but a mixed grill BBQ and some tasty side dishes. A different and very easy Christmas dinner after a day at the pool.

Roger and I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

Florida life.....

December 17,2019

Another week has passed and I wonder what we have done all week long.  One day runs into another and before we know it the week is over. I never seem to know what day it is and if it were not for the calendar on my phone I would miss planned events and appointments.

Roger has been doing his outdoor painting with his fellow painters and I have my meditation group with some great Zen people!  I am not really too Zen but I blend in! lol. It is strange how I can be distracted by the quiet music playing in the background while most people love it. It is suppose to create a mood of calm but I find it irritating. I never have been one for background noise as peace and quiet is my motto.

Our weekly card night has started with our friends. My Euchre playing is improving but I wouldn’t bet on my skill. It is fun and we have lots of laughs and that is what is important. We tried a new restaurant this week that just opened a couple of months ago. It is a small Italian place with pizza and other great Italian dishes. Everyone had a really good meal and the price was really reasonable. Roger was able to have his Eggplant Rollatina so he was happy.  I never thought I would see the day when Roger preferred the vegetarian dish over all the meat and seafood options. Keep in mind though, he does not get eggplant at home so it is a treat to have it when we are out for dinner.  

Fortunately the weather has been wonderful the past week which has meant lots of time outdoors and pool time. Roger has been able to get his bocce games in and is off to golf tomorrow afternoon.  The evenings have been really warm and perfect for an evening walk after supper.  Many people are out and about and we stop to chat and then carry on our way.  Some walks are long and others are short but it is great to be able to get out and about in the evening.

I have made my first and second batch of Coquito which is Puerto Rican eggnog and it turned out really well. It is the family recipe of our friends who gave us a bottle and then graciously shared the recipe with us. It is made with coconut milk and coconut rum and sooooo good. It does not have a lot of alcohol in it compared to the other liquid so it is not too strong.  I suppose you could add more alcohol but I follow the recipe and it is delicious.  I am not a traditional eggnog lover so this delightful treat is perfect for the Christmas season.

I hope you are all getting prepared for the fast approaching Christmas !

Merry Christmas Everyone!

December ...the parties have started

The air smells of fresh rain and the warmth of the new day is welcome on this wonderful Sunday morning. A very slight breeze sways the tops of the palms and there is barely a ripple on the water. Fishing boats are already heading out to the calm ocean and the faithful walkers have started their circuit before the day heats up. The sun is peeking through the billowy gray clouds that are starting to dissipate after the nights light rain. Patches of blue expand across the sky promising a bright and sunny day ahead.

This past week was relatively quiet as it was a week of cool temperatures that did not lend to pool days. However, we did some reading and relaxing, even sneaking in the odd nap, a bit of shopping, quick walkabouts, and I baked some cookies. It was not so much the temperatures but the cool wind. By Florida standards it was cold with temperatures dipping down to 5C at night. By Friday afternoon we were back at the pool sitting in the sunshine.

Roger went out to his plein air paint group twice this week for something to do. Dressed in his long pants, long sleeve shirt and polar fleece he managed to stay warm by sitting out of the wind and in the sunshine.   I mostly relaxed and read my book, browsed the internet and watched a few Hallmark movies.

Friday evening we attended the Christmas party at the club house. A great evening with friends enjoying the fabulous catered Italian food, dancing and laughing.  The Eggplant Rollatini (eggplant stuffed with ricotta) was my favorite, but the rigatoni a la vodka was a close runner up. All the food was good though and served nice and hot. We will definitely visit the restaurant that catered called Tutto Fresco. The tables were beautifully decorated with white table clothes, red napkins and colorful Christmas plates and center pieces of sleighs filled with greenery and lights. Following dinner , music filled the air as people danced the night away on the new installed dance floor.

Saturday we were up early and off to the fresh market to get our vegetables for the week, followed by an afternoon at the pool. Saturday evening was the boat parade party. Every year local boat owners decorate their boats and parade up the intercoastal water way.  This year our friends from building 2 invited us to a party on the third floor to watch the parade. It was a warm evening and people stood on the front breezeway and watched the parade.   A potluck table was full of everyone’s favorite dishes and people nibbled away all evening.  We met some new people and it was nice to put names to faces for people we had seen but did not know. This was a different crowd than we normally hang out with but was really an enjoyable time.

I am not sure what lies ahead for the next week but something always arises. Today is the Santa Claus parade and tree lighting but we have opted to pass on that this year.  I know that Roger already has a golf game planned and I have a meeting about book club. The rest will fill in as the days go by and the weather this week looks great….which means …fun times at the pool.

I am feeling blessed to have this wonderful time down here in Florida!

Take care all.   

 Carol

Into our second week....

It has been just over a week since we arrived in Florida and it’s been a great start to our winter. There is always the start up of groceries and settling in but every year it takes us less and less time. The exceptional weather has given us daily pool time willing us to relax and soak up some sun and get a base for our tans.  It feels so good to feel the sun infuse the body bringing life to the tired bones. It energizes and yet calms the soul and all seems right with the world.

The fish is a delicious as I remember and the grilled Mahi is still my favorite. Melt in your mouth delicious.  Our favorite little Mexican restaurant, Azteca, survived the off season (many don’t) as it is not a chain and depends on the local economy. It is authentic and serves the best guacamole made right at your table, not to mention the to die for Margaritas.  Everything on the menu is good and everybody has their favorites.

American thanksgiving was spent with our friends at a country club which served a most spectacular Thanksgiving buffet lunch. Following the meal we came back to Harbour  Isle to swim off our dinner. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed the company of our winter friends.

This week seems like a quiet week so far although things always pop up for us to do. Tuesday, Roger starts his painting with his plein air group and is looking forward to it.  Wednesday I slip back into the meditation group here in Harbour Isle which I have really missed.   Friday is the HIE Christmas Party , Saturday we are invited to a boat parade party and Sunday is the Santa parade and tree lighting downtown. We will keep busy! :) Hmm…,maybe its not such a quiet week after all.

Hope you are all warm and cozy and not too stressed by the holiday season.  Stay safe on those winter roads.  Take care all!

Carol