Life in our AluMINIum CondoMINIum

Life has slipped past quickly this month. We meant to post more frequent updates, but failed. So, we've placed some of our pictures from the the last three weeks in a slideshow. The song that accompanies our pictures is "Living in Aluminum" from the album "Trailercana" by Antsy McClain. How appropriate for us as we live with our Bauxite Betsy.  Enjoy!

Swamp Walk

A swamp walk has been on our priority list ever since Paul and I watched a video presentation in the Everglades two years ago. Disappointed we didn't get to it on our trip to Florida last year, we made the necessary arrangements and set out last Thursday for the Everglades.  What did we need for this excursion? Reservations with a tour guide, our walking sticks, old tennis shoes and long sleeved shirts and pants. Oh, and a "spirit of adventure." 

Venice was a two hour drive from our destination.

We met our tour guide, a naturalist named John with a doctorate in plant pathology, at a quirky little store in Chokoloskee, just south of Everglades City. From there, we drove to the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, known as the "Amazon of the North."

John was an excellent tour guide for us. He left no stone (or log, for that matter) unturned. We made numerous stops as we drove to the swamp to look and learn about native species,

both floral

and reptilian.  Below is a glass snake, a legless lizard we saw on the road. The last 18 inches of this creature can break off, thus the glass reference,  and continue wriggling as the little guy scurries away from its predator. Amazing!

We eventually found our way to the entry point to the swamp walk.  Our tour guide knew he had us hooked and we slid in without hesitation.

The swamp forest in the Fakahatchee Strand is fed by freshwater. I never once thought, "there is no way I am walking though there" during the entire walk.

Within minutes of stepping into the swamp, we watched this egret catch and eat a crayfish.

John pointed out many interesting points along the way. We learned to watch for these snail eggs.

He would have us stand and turn 360º and point out as many orchids as we could see. As we learned, Paul became excellent at locating them. No surprise!

I can't describe the beauty

or the peace we experienced.

It was cool and quiet. Because the water was moving and therefore not stagnant, there was an absence of mosquitoes.

We were continually amazed and John was an inspiring teacher.

 We both knew before we were done we would be back.

And, to top off our experience, we watched a panther on the road back out of the swamp. We were at a safe distance and too far away for pictures, but it was an incredible moment nonetheless.

Our tennis shoes and socks were REALLY dirty!!!

We'll talk to you soon.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Paul and I celebrated our 32nd Anniversary last Thursday. Many years, we would say "Happy Anniversary" to each other as we headed out the door to work and that would be it for another year! You know how it is, one's job consumes the day. Now, we've decided to have an "Exploration Day" as our retirement tradition.

Early Thursday morning we set out for Tarpon Springs.

Tarpon Springs, incorporated mainly by Greek immigrants, was once famous for its sponge diving industry. Now, the sponge dock area is mostly gift shops, museums and restaurants.

Fishing boats are now much more predominate than sponge boats, but there are still a few along the water as tourist attractions. We had fun poking around.

We asked a local for a restaurant recommendation and we were glad we did!

He sent us to Rusty Bellies, which is located right on the water. In fact, the restaurant even has its own boats! We sat at our table and watched them unload the shrimp. It doesn't get any fresher than that!!!

We definitely enjoyed our anniversary lunch! Crab cakes and fritters, calamari and shrimp. I never tasted the onion straws on our plate. Why???

After lunch, we headed to Ybor City. This Tampa neighborhood has been designated as a National Historic Landmark District. It was founded by cigar manufacturers in the 1880's.  

Paul and I visit Ybor City during the day, while 99.99% of their clientele visit at night, judging on how many of the buildings are now occupied by nightclubs and tattoo parlors! There even is a store where you can buy a personally tailored pirate suit!  Dandy!!!

We go there for the food and the cigar shops even though we were obviously too full to eat there this trip. Paul likes to pick up a bundle or two of hand rolled stogies for his evening smoke out under Betsy's awning. 

It was a great day! It's been a great 32 years!! Love you, Paul.  Let's go to the beach!!!

Time just slips away!

We have been enjoying life in Florida, Paul, Bauxite Betsy and I.

We added a screen house to our set up, so we have a defined outdoor dining area. We are finding our new cabin on wheels to be a very comfortable place to live. Of course, the country club set doesn't comprehend our happiness, but oh, well.

The routine seems to be pretty well established.  In the morning, we are around the camper. I do my computer work. The rest of the day is usually centered around Caspersen Beach. The beautiful weather makes us, we can't help it.

I can usually be found under "my" personal palm tree,

while Paul is off down the beach, looking for whatever washes up on the shore.

When the sun gets to us, we head back and pick up something at the local market that looks good. Last week we were in a salsa state of mind. Good deals on tomatoes and peppers were too good to pass up!

Tonight will be the fourth straight evening we'll have seafood for dinner.

That is all. Simple. Sweet.

But, I miss my kids. Can't have everything, I guess!!!!

Happy Birthday, Jim!

This one is for our family.

As you know, yesterday was Jim's birthday. The Florida family, minus Kent who is in Los Angeles this week, met at a local Mexican restaurant. Someone at the table alerted the strolling Mariachi band it was his big day.

Dance to the music, take a swing at the piñata and wear the sombrero. It's your birthday!!!

This guy would NEVER have smiled through this attention in his younger days. He even refused a graduation party!

Happy Birthday, Jim. We love you. I'm glad we were able to be here to celebrate with you.

2012 New Beginnings

Hello again!

I've been absent from this spot for awhile.

We were busy. You know, the holidays, family events and traveling across the country.

And now, we are in Florida. We arrived in Venice on New Year's Day. We're getting "moved in" to our little spot at Camp Venice Retreat.

We're tired. Last night, Paul read and I worked on my knitting while we listened to music.

It was great.

We plan to start our container "garden" soon. So far, all I've started are the two mushroom gardens Suzanne gave me for my birthday. They grow in recycled coffee grounds.

I'll bet people are SO looking forward to visiting us. We are such an exciting couple!!!!

It's not much, but we're back, sharing our action packed lives!

I'll talk to you soon. Hopefully, the mushrooms will grow so I have something to report.

Julia Child Night 2011

Our 3rd Annual Julia Child Night 2011 has come and gone. I think Lisa and I have created a fun tradition.  Lisa captured the evening and posted it on her blog earlier today. You can read it by clicking here.

Our menu this year was inspired from a Julia cookbook I've had in my library for 25 years. Appropriately, she titled her menu

CASSOULET FOR A CROWD

A Menu Inspired By Julia Child

Assorted Cheese and Olives

Olive Tapenade and Crackers

French 75

Consommé Parisienne

Bread Sticks

Honey-Roasted Pear Salad with Thyme Verjus Dressing

Cassoulet

Pickled Red Cabbage Slaw

Dinner Rolls

Apple Crisp

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Coffee

The living room became a dining room for the evening. It was a "bring your own chair" event.

We had lots of good help. Nick and Ellen enjoyed a quiet moment before the crowd arrived. Ellen is already wearing the required apron...it's a tradition!!!

Another tradition is enjoyed by our youngest generation. They know right where we store some of Suzanne and Nick's old toys. Remind me next year to hide that "construct your own musical instrument" toy before the event. Seriously, these grand nephews are the best kids ever!

While the kids played in the laundry room, the adults mixed it up before dinner in the family room. It was standing room only!

Lisa and I are ready to start our meal. Is everyone seated?

The apron Lisa gave me is the most feminine clothing item I own! 

Enough with the explaining, Barb and Lisa, let's eat!!!

The beef consommé was worth all of the effort and time to prepare. Thanks, Julia, for your wonderful directions!

I really did make "cassoulet for a crowd." We served twenty-one, but I made enough for thirty. I am Val's daughter, you know!

Matthew enjoyed the homemade ice cream his mom, Julie, brought. And, the apple and pear crisp his Aunt Lisa and Grandma Marlys made. It baked in our oven while we ate the main course. Yum!!!

Can you tell we had a fun evening? 

We already have ideas for next year. We're thinking everyone should consider French stripes and berets!

I'll talk to you again sooner or later!