We arrived safe and sound...well, kinda!

We arrived early Friday afternoon to sunny Florida!  Dogs were as happy as Bob was! They are on watch already! 

 Two and one half days of driving gets old...or  maybe it's just because we're getting old!  Either way, Friday was hitting the ground unloading the car, putting items in rooms (to be put away later), then off to grocery store for me and down to the club house for Bob!  After dinner, we unpacked suitcases and space saver bags.  Other than the 'sewing/spare room', it looked like we never left!  The spare room is another story!  Empty suitcases, art supplies, sewing  supplies...but I have four months to put away and then pack up again.  HA

I felt like I was getting a sore throat Friday night but thought it just sinus...then the hot flashes, chills started in.  I only had runny nose and sore throat but no real cough...thank goodness.  Got 'drugs' on Saturday and just sat most of the day even though it was in the high 60's!!  I sat with a turtle neck and sweater and wrapped in a flannel quilt. 

But in between resting, I read instructions for using my InstaPot my Dawn (daughter) and daughter in-law, Kris gave me for Christmas!  I am thrilled with it!!!  Thank you girls!!!!

 I made chili and it was delicious and I didn't have to get up out of the chair to stir the pan...you know how critical stirring is when your chili is simmering...if you don't, it sticks to the bottom of the pan.  Well, the InstaPot took care of that for me!!!  I never had to get up once to stir!  Even Bob said it was the best chili I've made! 

That  same night I made the girls their brown rice for the turkey meals that I freeze.  Wow!  It took only 20 minutes and was perfect!  Normally, it takes at least 45-50 minutes and even then it may need more cooking time.  Well, I couldn't stop there so yesterday (Sunday) I made chicken parm and spaghetti squash!  This might not look so appetizing but it was delicious!

Normally, it is so hard for me to cut the squash but with the InstaPot all I did was put 1 cup water in the pan, lay the squash on the trivet, pierce the squash about a dozen times and set the timer for 15 minutes!  Quick release and it was perfect as well!!!  Another great dinner!! 

At least I'm cooking, because I'm sure not doing anything else...just feel wore out and yucky...better each day but now Bob said his tummy isn't so great!  Our weather has turned cold, which is a good thing..Bob won't golf for a few days due to cold and rain predicted.  I think we both need the rest. 

Our weather turned cold last night and as I write this post it's 41 degrees and overcast, which is unusual for us.  But weather here is normally cooler in January, which is fine with me.  I like this weather for walking the dogs but poor things haven't been for a walk in weeks!  With minus degree temps back home and not feeling well we are just couch potatoes!  Speaking of potatoes...I'll have to look up some InstaPot recipes for potatoes!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Not a lot going on here...although, I'm never home so one of us is busy!  We've had some great meals this week!  I know...so what else is new!  We've been having dinners at the new restaurant in our community.  Taco Tuesday, which was delicious!  Two tacos, chips and salsa and a Corunna beer for $6!  Yep!  Only $6!

The week before Bob and I had their 'Italian Night' which was lasagna w/small piece of garlic bread and a glass of wine!  Again all for $6!  It was so good...not a huge portion but perfect size!  Same with the Fish Fry Friday...$6 for piece of fried fish, french fries and a drink!  You can't beat that nor make a meal at home  for that price (along with the drink!  HA).

Wednesday we had a great meal with the gang at Dan Zano's in Ocala!  WOW!  What another great meal.  I had cheese pizza and a side salad which was GREAT!  Salad so fresh and pizza delicious.

 Others had spinach stuff shells and vegetable lasagna and they all said the dishes were wonderful.  We will go back...and the service was fantastic!  Robbie Jo waited on our table of 12 (along with the rest of the restaurant!!) and all our dishes came at the same time and they were all hot!  Just great service!  And food!

Last night we headed back to the cafe here in the community and Bob and I each had 'two sliders with fries' and they were, once again, really good!  I think they were $5.95 each but no drink included. We were  still quite happy!  Tonight I was a good wife and made dinner!  Woohoo!

I am busy working on my 'Communciation' theme quilt for our online challenge.  Due date is the 31st and I'm hoping to have my piece finished by this Sunday or Monday.  Of course the 'squirrel' is getting two beads added slowly but surely!  In fact, I picked up some grey/blue beads for his chest and belly area.  I think they'll look much better than the lighter beads I've tried using 3 or 4 times!  I'm getting tired of 'unsewing' all those beads!

Annual New Year's Day Party

Yep, it's the LaPlante's annual New Year Day bash!  Bob was playing golf so he missed the entire feast! But we did make a plate for him to take home, along with lots of leftovers!

Everyone brought an  appetizer dish which is so great!  Marilyn and John provided ham, shrimp, Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's!

Of course, we have to have dessert!  Yes, this area was all dessert...fudge, bark candy, apple pie, candy....yum!

Patricia, Verna (back) Marilyn, Susan, Jan and Rene

Jan, me, Sally and Sue

 OK, so my readers know I'm usually the one taking pictures, therefore, I'm not in most pictures of our get-together...so, GO FIGURE, the one picture I pose for and they catch me doing something dumb!  It's a long story and Jan would kill me if I said what I was doing!

The men are waiting for the OK to EAT!

Finally, the line starts!

I  had such a good time and it was so nice to see everyone again!!!  I feel like we never left Ocala last spring!  Bob had a fun time golfing but he sure missed out on a very special day with friends and food!

We're Here!

We arrived around 1:30 Thursday afternoon to 80 degree weather!  This is what the back of our SUV  looked like (and I even took out dog crates and some other bags! ).

I use the space saver bags for pants, shorts, bedding and towels.  The bags work great on the seat so the dog crates can sit higher and the girls can look out the windows!

Works for me!  And them!

Girls anticipating arrival to our winter home!! We were pulling into the community.  They aren't allowed to be loose in the car while we travel. 

I couldn't resist these next two pictures.  We were going through Tenn. and the sight was beautiful!

Today the weather was more to my  liking...around 68 at one point and sunny!  That's perfect for me!  Only problem, I took the girls for just one walk today and that was at the library in their parking lot!  I had lots of stops to make  and with it being cool out this a.m. the girls got to ride along.  I didn't get home until almost 2 and by the time I finished unpacking my sewing/art supplies; setting up printer; putting away more groceries, making dinner and doing laundry (mainly dog bedding..ha) I honestly didn't feel like walking in the dark! Tomorrow is another day.  Yep, I'll be back to two walks a day!

New Year's Eve Bob and I just may have an early dinner at the new cafe here in the community...we aren't sure but it's a thought.  We sleep through any New Year's celebration!

 Sunday is the annual New Year's get-together at LaPlantes!  They are such great host and hostess and we do look forward to seeing all the gang again.

Hope to be back at making some art soon!  In between, eating, drinking, 'tooting' around!