Doug finally got to go deep sea fishing. A 10 hour trip, 34 miles out yielded this haul. Six amberjack (limit),  12 king mackerel (limit allowed) and some red snapper (good eating). He had a great time with 5 other fishermen but unfortunately the season for grouper (lg fish similar to haddock) ended Jan 31. He's hoping to go at least once more before we leave in April.

In the meantime, while all our northern friends and family were dealing with massive snow falls, we were treating ourselves to a lovely lunch at Myakka River Oyster Bar where there was a car show/cruise in. Not too many cars but it was nice to see some cars besides the ones always at our car club.
 We mentioned several times how we wish you all were able to enjoy the balmy breezes and warm sun with us, sorry.

 We've been busy and were happy to have family visiting for 2 weeks in January. We love showing off what we love about Sun N Fun and all the things to do here. And we loved getting to know our newest grandson and spending time with Karen and Dakota.  Janet and family visited next and they got to go to Disney - finally - for a day. Jennifer and Janet spent time giving me tips for swimming (I'm now practicing a butterfly stroke) while Steve and Corey played games.

So Doug saw someone fishing down the road and asked what he was catching. Turned out there were lots of catfish. He went back the next day and caught several of these catfish. He only kept this one but we couldn't identify it so we didn't want to eat it.

While he was fishing I took a fiber arts class. I had a blast, because this was right up my alley. The instructor let me use her sewing machine and my finished project is a post card that can be mailed. Haven't decided if I can give it up to mail or not. I might make another one and keep this one.

Next I took an oil painting class. Despite a love of crafts, I have never used a paintbrush that wasn't on a wall. So in 3 hours and a Bob Ross technique (you may have seen him on TV years ago) this is what I ended up with. I might try again but certainly not my cup of tea. I'd rather be sewing or scrapping which I have also been doing weekly. You can see me online with the others in my class at http://www.ucanpaint.com/Student-work.php

The day after Christmas we went to view the light show at Marie Selby botanical gardens. It wasn't too crowded at this time so we had a leisurely stroll through the gardens with lights and some music.

 
This tree was fun, it looked like melting icicles all over it.
I was able to catch a couple in the camera.

Even Santa takes a fishing break down here. It says "Attention Elves, take a break", Santa

We found one other place that has lights too but they weren't open after Christmas. Maybe next year we will check it out.

Last weeks post

 Imagine a beautiful warm sunny day and you are so thankful to score a parking place under a huge shady oak tree. You take a walk, maybe fish awhile and








This is what you come back to!

 

No, thankfully it's not my car but I'll bet there was a very unhappy fisherman at the end of the day. There
must have been 15 pelicans perched on the top of the tree. This isn't so bad, we've seen some that are much worse.

My Christmas tree

I looked and looked for my mini tree before we left home with no luck. I knew as soon as I bought one I'd find the other but then we saw these little live pines at W/M and thought it would be perfect. It's covered with glittery sparkles and I added the drums.

Doug finally got his fishing license so he will be at the fishing jetty soon. He's only been waiting 8 months to get back out there.

Olive is still hanging in there, but probably not much longer.

Today it was 84 but down to 47 last night. We aren't suffering too much though. Only 5 more days till Christmas! Really?!?!

We've had off and on showers the last couple days but I guess it's much needed since we've been told it is the first rain since October! We are still doing things around the park while waiting for our car to be delivered on Friday (it's Weds now). Today  I'm going to go  learn how to play Bunco and Doug is going to try to tease the fish onto his hook at the lake.

Thought you'd get a kick of our UPS delivery "truck" here. What a job! Every day till Christmas we see her driving around the park. After the holidays the big brown truck will be back.

Olive is still not her usual self she kind of rallies and then stops eating again. We're taking good care of her though.

Our Second Home

We have arrived in Sarasota for our 4th winter in Florida. We got here a week earlier then last year. (I seem to sense a pattern here) and plan to stay till the end of March. This time we were able to take off during a mild spell at home and only encountered scattered showers. Luckily our muddy road froze the night before (even though it doesn't look like it) we left or we may have been stuck there till spring! 

We left on a Tues and arrived Fri afternoon for an uneventful trip. Our car is being transported down for us and it should arrive by next Friday.  


We had a scare with Olive last night, she hadn't drank or used the litter box all day. Luckily she did eat a little wet food so I added some water to it to try and keep her hydrated. She still isn't herself but is better today. She's still able to jump on the sofa where her bed is so she isn't too weakened but I was worried. Especially since we won't have a car for another week.
Today it is almost 80 and so very nice.We'll  be thinking of all of you. . . .

So far behind

 

Saving the best for last.  Our best February news was the birth of our newest grandson. He was born Feb 22 and weighed only 5lb 3 oz. named Synjin Riece. This picture is in his first week - love the wide open eyes. Can't wait to hold him - he is just precious to us.

Jewelry making

I have been taking some classes in beading while down here. The coral/brown bracelet is called kumihimo and is a form of weaving with the beads. I just finished the matching necklace and just need to put the clasp on it. 

The second necklace is a spiral beading technique that I made with 2 kinds of crystal beads and black faceted beads. Very sparkly. I finished another last night, goes quickly.

Next week I will take another class to make a wire crocheted bracelet. And then sadly the store is closing but the gals doing the classes will still do some so I will get to try more new things next year!

Doug has spent a bit of time fishing learning what does and doesn't work in the salt water down here.  He finally got a "keeper" spotted trout, it was 22" I think but neither of us thought to weigh it. We haven't eaten it yet but it should be good.

So much to do, so little time!

We actually made it over to Daytona for Speedweeks this year. We went to the Duel qualifying races. It was a long day with a 3 hour drive each way but we were glad to go. We were getting low on exhaust fumes in our systems after missing Loudon last summer. The wheelchair accessible seating is front row so the view isn't too great. If we go again we'll splurge for higher seating.

Here is my buddy Mark Martin (yes still driving) at his 55 pit stop. It was coincidentally right across from where we sat.

This is a southern lobster. Doesn't look anything like ours!

See the one on the left hanging upside down by the tail?

There are 4 or 5 in this pic.

Last week we went to the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota. It was small but very enjoyable. I liked watching the seahorses and jelly fish.

Busy week here. For Valentines day, Doug got me this beautiful hydrangea. Sure hope it survives to make it home. I never have good luck with them but the colors are so pretty. We also went to dinner at the restaurant here and had a great meal. Then the next night we went out again for dinner and a show- the monthly murder mystery here. Good for lots of laughs. No one figured out the murderer. 
Doug's been fishing a few times this week but no luck. Still trying to figure out the tides, moon and whatever else seems to influence the fish biting. Still, a bad day fishing is better then any day at work!

I got in the pool twice this week, I'm up to 7 laps now. We tried swimming on my stomach but Doug was afraid I'd sink and he didn't want to play lifeguard so I'm still looking for someone to help with the swimming.
This weekend was overcast both days but very humid. Reached 80 without any sun. Very windy today too, felt like a warm fall day with leaves falling all over.  So weird to hear talk of spring coming when I feel like it's August and fall is on the way.