Biking Shark Valley (Everglades National Park)

Gilles said he could fit all the bikes in his truck so we packed up and spent a gorgeous 80 degree day with scattered clouds biking the 15 mile trail of Shark Valley.

We saw lots of alligators, lots of birds, lots of
people, lots of turtles, and it was all great!











At the seven mile marker is the tower, with Francine and Gilles.







And that's where we ate lunch...




fresh pastrami on rye sandwiches with a bottle of nice cabernet and a little chocolate for the ending.

Ah, a very nice little lunch.











The alligators were spectacular, but I really like the pink flamingoes. This one was showing off!

The Olympics--Palm Garden Style

For the second annual International Shuffleboard Tournament the two man French team thought it only fitting to have an American manager (Mitch) so the American team decided to have a French manager. Of course the French couldn't speak English and the English couldn't speak French. So with big cigars and drinks around the games began.

Bobby, Manager Bebe, Mitch, Jacquelyn (aka Christian), Joe (Bobby's partner), Raymond, and two guys holding the umbrella to usher the group in.

To make things even more interesting, we had had a baseball toss tournament during the day and Mitch's team included Christian who is really good but couldn't do a thing right. Then he took Jacquelyn's place on another team when she had to leave and couldn't do anything wrong. So he decided to "dress" the part and we called him Jacquelyn the rest of the night!

The French won this year but the Americans won last year so it was decided they'll have to play again next year!

Spending Time with Bob and Jo

Bob and Jo have a timeshare condo in Orlando and we went to spend a few days with them. We did some fun relaxing, but had to celebrate their 36th anniversary at Roy's in Orlando. It was a very special evening and we enjoyed the food and the company.








We do enjoy eating (and cooking) with Bob and Jo, but Mitch opted out of our Wednesday night meal--fried liver and onions!!!! I think Mitch missed out!

Jo was a Minnesota farm girl and she makes the best liver and onions I've ever eaten, so after a visit to Plant City for some fresh strawberries--and strawberry onions, liver was so obvious--we just had a little trouble finding fresh liver. Thank goodness for the new Whole Foods built close to their condo. (Mitch had a big juicy hamburger!)

Thanks, Bob and Jo, for a really fun time in Orlando, and many more Happy Anniversaries!

Fin Gourmet (Foodies)

Gilles and Francine enjoy cooking (and eating) as much as we do and invited us to dinner Valentines evening. What an "event"! We had some wonderful food we had never eaten before so that was fun. We had a little discussion about the tasty appetizer of cooked honey green raisins with bleu cheese on a piece of baguette toast. Gilles explained he cut the green raisins in half (and I'm thinking green? cut in half?) and then we all realized in French they are raisins, in English they are grapes!!! I love learning French by eating it!! Thanks, Francine and Gilles, the food was wonderful, the presentation gorgeous, the conversation fun, and we had a great evening.

Happy Valentine's Day

February is one of the reasons we spend the winter in Florida, however, we are seeing a streak of 60ish daytime temps. A little too cold for us!












We don't let the weather put a damper on our fun though. We had a Valentine Spaghetti Dinner that Mitch put together.


He cooked his special pasta sauce and added Italian sausage, made Ceasar salad, and garlic French bread. The dessert was one of his favorites, Coconut Dream Pie (a little take off of Paula Deen's Banana Pudding Dessert). We had some great kitchen help, thanks Francine, Gilles, Audrey, and Bobby.

Everyone had their fill to eat and had a good time to boot!!!

Happy Birthday, Barb??

Norton had talked about his specialty, checkerboard cakes, and I told him he could bake one for my birthday. So what does one do on a chilly Florida morning? Bake a birthday cake for Barb--so what it's not really her birthday!!!

So we had a little cake sharing birthday party for happy hour! What a lot of fun! Thanks, Pat and Norton, for being so thoughtful and making a wonderfully delicious and beautiful cake!

Back from Hawaii

Addy and Macy are so excited that Mommy and Daddy are back from Hawaii.

It has been a fun week in the Minnesota cold and snow, but those little girls do a wonderful job of warming the heart. I'll miss you two!

Addy

This is my big girl, who at the age of 2 1/2 can carry on an amazing conversation and is the sole caregiver for a crib full of animals whom she includes by name in her "God blesses." I think she has talked me into just about everything she wants. (Sorry Sarah and Shayne, but she is just so darned sweet.)

"I miss you Mommy and Daddy and I love you very, very much. And Daddy, you are very handsome and I like your golf shirt!"

Personality Plus

This is Macy and I am having a great time with her. She is a little snugglebug.

Mommy and Daddy--this smile is just for you! I miss you and I love you!