Weather

We had some pretty cold nights with that last front and I'm hoping that's the last of our winter.  It sure messed up the azaleas....they look pitiful right now.

Three weeks ago the azalea's were gorgeous!

Do any of you use coupons?  I print some and I take advantage of store sales.  Did you know that most grocery stores have a card you can get?  Depending on where you are you can get coupons from their website loaded on your card...no clipping!  It does mean you have to check before you head to the store.  You can also earn rewards such as money off your gas purchases.  With fuel getting more and more expensive this may be a good thing!  For the past couple of months I've been tracking my savings and with coupons and store savings I've saved enough for at least one lunch out a month...$30 or so.  I just wish I could find more coupons for produce, they're out there but few and far between. Of course the Sunday  paper has coupons also and this is where you can find restaurant coupons.  Who doesn't like eating out? Fast food and chain restaurants put out coupons to entice you.

I have found a local produce market, Viva la Verde and I'm enjoying their selection and affordability.  I concentrate on getting the locally grown and organic produce.  This week I'm getting organic celery, a pound of baby bella mushrooms (not local, but so very good!), a pound of green beans, a pound of tomatoes, 3 pounds of russet potatoes and a pound of beets, all locally grown and it will cost me just over $20...

Last month I tried a new Key Lime Pie recipe, I made it for Sonsearae's birthday when she and Chris visited.  It was a big hit!  It took month for me to gather all the ingredients again and I made another one yesterday.  Oh my!  We both love it and I know I'll make it again.  This time we have to eat it all!!!!  I'm thinking it's a good thing I have to drive to St Augustine for some of the ingredients!  It's all non dairy so for me that's great.....unfortunately it's still loaded with calories.  If you're interested in the recipe just check out the Mori Nu website

No-See-Ums

Are you familiar with these itty, bitty blood suckers?  I can't begin to tell you how many bites I have on my feet, ankles, lower legs and arms.  But mostly my feet!  Those little critters do not like me!  Where are they on the food chain?  I need to find something that will eat them.  If you have ideas on how to keep them from biting me, please tell me....I'll try anything.

Not sure if I showed you our new site.  Looks the same, only different!  We have a wooden deck and those &%)* no-see-ums still found me...We're right across from the pool and so far that's hasn't been a problem...to cool to swim!

Wednesday we tried a new restaurant, Woody's Bar B Q, not the worst we've had, but it won't bother me if we don't go back.  The onion rings had to much batter.  I tried the chicken and it was tasty if a bit on the dry side. On the table there were two sauces and neither one stood out.  Mixed they were ok.  The beans were tasty, we both enjoyed those.  I also had mashed potatoes and gravy but I didn't care for the gravy, it was to salty.

We use our phones for wifi and for the most part it's great.  This is what we use for Netflix and if the signal is good we can watch movies and shows without a problem.   Every now and then we do experience problems with streaming.  We can also use our iPads to watch and it works better on the tablet.

Thursday a cold front gave us some rain for our pot luck get together.  No matter, rain or cold weather doesn't deter those looking for good food and friends.  There was chili and clam chowder, key lime cheese cake and  a sheet cake.  Salads, pizza and watermelon...do you like watermelon?  I do and I bought a big one to share so if you need some, come on by!  I still have lots to share

Yesterday was Jim's 70th birthday.  He celebrated by washing windows, taking out the trash, fishing and a wee nap.  We also went out to dinner at Belle's Bistro in Crescent City.  First time we've been there.  We had Paella that came with a salad and Jim had an ice cream dessert (what else?).  On the way home we were treated to a lovely sunset.  Good way to end the birthday boy's day!

Alone

Monday morning and we're up early to take Boo to the Vet in Crescent City.  He's getting his teeth cleaned today and possibly having some removed.  I miss him and worry about the procedure.  

Jim is working and for the first time, in a long time, I'm alone!  It feels really weird without my guys in the house...

We picked up Boo around 1600 and he was very groggy.  I think he was glad to see us but he didn't show it.  About an hour after we got home I fed him as instructed and he did eat.  But what he did best was sleep.  Once he peed, I knew he'd be ok.  LOL

Monday night I don't any of us slept well, but we made it through the night.  Tuesday morning, Boo was still under the influence of drugs and pain killers.  He ate breakfast and slept a lot.  We took him for a walk but his heart wasn't in it....

Last night was still iffy on rest.  He was up a couple times and so were we.  But I'm happy to report that he enthusiastically ate breakfast and went for two walks today.  He's back to normal, giving us kisses and barking at the squirrels!

We need to take him back next Monday and I know he'll get a clean bill of health.

New Friends

Apparently when you write a blog it's a good idea to update it....often? Frequently? Daily?

Life goes on and our daily life isn't all that interesting.  We enjoy it but I'm sure it would be boring to my readers.  Jim worked three days last week training for his new position in the office.  So Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I had to myself!  Boo and I got along nicely, thank you very much!

Thursday evening was the gathering for pizza at the pool house.  It was raining buckets, so no fire....But we all enjoyed ourselves anyway staying under cover, eating good food and drinking free wine.  Bob and Beverly won the Super Bowl pool and treated us to some lovely wine.


Miss Linda is married to Dan

One of the Bills living here, he's a work camper along with his wife Becky

Bill, Becky and Linda sitting around the fire pit

Flippy is a well behaved moocher!  He claims Becky and Bill for his pack

The Azaleas are lovely and with the moss it really looks 'suthern'  :-)

Not sure what this white blossom is but spring is in the air around here

another eagle shot....they really don't get close enough to me!

We hear and see osprey every day

Friday we headed to Crescent City so I could pick up my veggies and have some lunch at a new restaurant.  Three Bananas is our kind of joint!  We had our meal on the screened in porch overlooking the Lake.  What we had was good, reasonably priced and we'll go back again.

Yesterday we drove to Flagler Beach and headed north on A1A.  Just a pleasure drive.  The skies were blue and the sun was shining...just right for a leisurely drive.  We did eat at a new rrestaurant, The Black Molly.  It's in a shopping mall and we'll head back there again.  We had three appetizers that were delicious! The two for one beer was nice too...

We stopped at Walmart to get a mount for the new TV that Sonsearae and Chris got Jim for his birthday.  Also made a stop at Diane's Natural Market to get me some much wanted coffee creamer.  I know we'll be back to shop there...

Then it was a leisurely drive home only to find out that we're having taco's for dinner at the pool house.  So around 1800 we headed over, dressed warmly...though he said he wasn't hungry Jim made a dent in the taco's!  I enjoyed some guacamole and chips.  We sat at the fire for a bit and when I heard Boo barking I headed home.  Jim stayed for awhile which gave me a chance to finish making the bed (clean sheet day) and shower.

Nothing on TV so we watched Netflix, a British mystery, Midsomer Murders.  In bed shortly after 2200...we miss some later network show by going to bed at this time. But we got used to this hour while living in New Orleans and I know for a fact that the shows will be on again!

Tomorrow Boo has a dental appointment...teeth cleaning and removal of some front teeth..so today I have to bathe him and do some trimming.

Lovely Couple

This lovely couple has been seen in various spots around town....I'm not sure why they came into the town itself when the hatchery or someones field would be better!


These magnificent critters are Sand Hill Cranes. So named because they like the Sand Hills in Nebraska.  The Florida Sand Hills are on the endangered list.

Today we have overcast skies and it's still cool.  Overnight we had a gentle rain falling and I enjoyed laying there listening to it.  When your roof is only a few feet from your bed you hear most every thing that happens above you...rain is a nice sound

We see a lot of boaters on the river and Jim would love to get a boat....but I don't think that will happen!  No place to tow it once we hit the road again...

Yesterday was Jim's first day on the job and it was odd not having him around all day.  Of course he came home for lunch.  Since leaving the Rio Grande Valley we've been in each others company, day and night.  You know, I could get used to this!  :-)

Staying put for awhile

If you keep up with us on Facebook you already know that we've decided to stay in Welaka for the next year or so.  We learned after we arrived that the owners were looking for office help but didn't want to train someone for just a few months.  So Jim talked with them and then we discussed it.  This will be good for us financially of course, but it will also allow us to explore this area in depth and hopefully see  family members who live in Florida...



This area is incredibly gorgeous.  Sunsets on the St John's River are beautiful and I've seen eagles almost every time we walk down to the dock. Our drives around the area take us past farm fields and orchards and it will be interesting to see the 'seasons'.  I know we saw some Texas Longhorns and we're trying to remember where so I can get pictures.

There are pros and cons about sitting in one place for so long.  One is I'm not near a Whole Foods store!  But I did discover an Organic Market in Crescent City just south of here.  I can pick up produce daily if I want to drive there.  But Viva la Verde buys local and regional produce and puts out a list every week and you can choose what you want and have it delivered, if you want.  I picked up our produce last Friday and I was surprised and pleased with what I got.  I will be dialing back what I order because it's way to much for the two of us.  We also have Walmart, Winn Dixie and Publix stores so we won't go hungry!

We did have to move to another site...now that we're work campers....and I'm not pleased about that.  It's right next to the office, across from the pool and  fire pit.  Lot's of foot traffic that makes Boo bark and dust from the road. But, we'll move again when another site opens up farther away at the entrance to the property. Of course being this close to the office we will see everyone coming and going!

Our weather the past few days has been chilly.  Upper 60's or higher during the day and mid 30's at night. Lot's of sunshine!  I wonder how many of these cold fronts we'll have before the heat of summer settles in?

Jim starts tomorrow and he'll work 2 1/2 days a week.  Hope I don't have to much trouble getting him out of bed on those mornings!