Florida is beautiful!

Something is always blooming in Florida, it is simply beautiful here.  And when the sun is shining and there is a light breeze on a low humidity day, it is as if you have arrived in paradise. We have had a number of those days recently and have loved every moment.  So it was time to be outside and have our picture taken under one of my favorite trees. I have long admired this tree, a glorious blue green specimen that towers over everything. 

And then there was the little bottle brush tree in our landscaping.  The poor little thing had been butchered by the previous owners and was in pathetic shape when we moved in.  Do we keep it and hope for the best or start over?  When we considered the task ahead and the idea of spending even MORE money, we decided to give it a chance.  Two seasons have passed and our dreary little tree has grown and taken on a lovely shape and is now blooming its little heart out.  It will probably be at its peak after we leave but it is once again a happy plant.  I am glad that we decided to give it a chance just as I am always grateful that God has never given up on me.

Brotherly love

We had a wonderful weekend and I am so glad that Billy and Christina came for a visit.  On Friday we ventured over to the coast to the  Kennedy Space Center.  It really is an impressive place and they have done an incredible job of documenting our history in space.  Atlantis was the highlight of the day. None of us had been there in many years and it was a great way to spend the day.

 

 

 Saturday we spent the day looking at OLD things, old cars, people and antiques.  First there was the
Solivita Car show followed by antique shopping in downtown Kissimmee and then a trip to Old Town for the Saturday night stroll.  I think as far as Billy and Christina were concerned this red Camaro was their best in show.

Sunday we introduced them to Pickleball.  No pictures to prove it but what a hoot!!  I am always grateful for my family.....it is good to spend time around people who know you and love you anyway!!

Pickleball

Once you start pickleball it is hard to stop.  John has had a great time challenging himself with this new sport.  Weather has kept him from being on the court as much as he would like, but I did find an opportunity to catch him in rare form.

Action shot

Dancing with the ball

Poised and ready to go!!

Photography & Pottery

There is an artistic aspect to almost everything in life and for some reason my creative side needs to be nurtured on a regular basis.  This winter I wanted to focus a bit on improving my photographic skills. ( do you like my play on words )  I have met a member of the photography club in Solivita and his classes have been very helpful. It has been fun to at the very least improve the composition of my pictures.  Here is a shot that I took at Bok Tower Gardens.

 And of course I have always enjoyed pottery.  I dabbled a bit in college and have recently found the opportunity to get back into it.  Classes are taught here and the students in the class are an abundant source of inspiration. 

New friends and long time friends

I have discovered that new friends just happen to be friends

 that you have met more recently

 and long time friends may be friends that you have known longer

 but neither are not necessarily OLD friends.

 We recently had the pleasure of hosting some newer friends from Cherokee Valley, our community in South Carolina, and some friends that I have known for more years than I can count.

Ginger and Buddy were returning home from a Caribbean cruise and stayed for a night on the way home, sharing details of their wonderful trip.  And Keith and Julie, came over for a weekend from Naples and shared their experiences, wit and love of plants with us.  We enjoyed a Motown concert together and traveled to Bok Tower gardens for a tour and Carillon concert. Friends, whether they be newer, older, younger or not are such a blessing!!

Hyde Park Presbyterian Church celebrates their 100th anniversary

John and I were invited to join the celebration as Hyde Park Presbyterian Church celebrated their 100th anniversary.  This church holds a special place in our hearts because I was Director of Christian Education here when we met and this is where we held our wedding. It was delightful to return and see friendly faces that I have not seen in 14 years. The choir was decked out in vintage clothes from that era and the order of worship also reflected days gone by. We stayed for a lunch following the service which added to the celebration of this ministry to God and community of this wonderful church.  I was so fortunate to have been a part of this staff and John and I reminisced a bit over the joy of celebrating our love and our wedding in this beautiful place.

Time with the kids!!

Children grow up so fast!! 

 John and I head to Florida in early December and I returned home last week, at the end of February to check in with the kids.  They have changed so much in just those three months.  Celia has a new edgy attitude, Lily is so outgoing with her friends at school, Jack is more responsible and self sufficient and Sam looks more like his Daddy.  How can that happen in such a brief time?  But one of the things that hadn't changed was that they were still ready to laugh and snuggle and play hide and seek, have a goodbye lunch at their school with me, read books before bedtime and go out for a special surprise at Chick Fil-A or boldly beat me at video games and enjoy ice cream at McDonald's in your pajamas with their Nana.  I am so incredibly blessed!!!