There is nothing like a visit from old friends

My friends Fred and Mary Etta came to Anna Maria today to visit me! We have been friends since 1982 when we all worked in Zaire. They now live in a gorgeous home they built on the top of a mountain in the Smokey mountains of Georgia. They drove down to Tampa to watch their baseball team play a few spring training games. We toured the island and headed south along the coast and ended up in Sarasota where we had lunch at Columbia, a spanish/cuban type restaurant. Great lunch of coconut mahi mahi and a 1/2 cuban sandwich and salad. We then spent the afternoon at the pool relaxing and chatting...ok the truth is we were planning our next big overseas trip! More about that later. We then closed out the day with a beer at the Rod and Reel watching the dolphins swimming by. All in all, a great day off!

Congratulations Tilghman!

I'm so proud of my brother-in-law! Promotions were announced today and my favorite brother in law, Tilghman, was promoted to Admiral! Join me in congratulating him!

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced March 26 that the president has made the following nominations:

Capt. Tilghman D. Payne has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Payne is currently serving as executive assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy (installations and environment), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C.

Bunnies everywhere

I arrived at work today to find the kitchen filled with bunny sugar cookies and Sally busily decorating every last one of them. As you can see, they were as cute as can be. I took the picture of the pastry case right away knowing they would not last long. Sure enough, they hopped out the door as fast as can be! In fact just about everything in the case went today!

Spring break has arrived

Business has picked up considerably at Rudy's this week and it's been super duper busy! We are having so much fun! After the doors close, there is always lots of preparation for the next day. Here is Julie keeping the slicer busy!

Spring!

It's finally spring and soon the cherry blossoms around Washington DC will be in full bloom. I'm hoping that when they are in bloom my family will send me some pictures....until then, a more permanent kind of cherry blossom.....

Walk your iguana lately?

Just when I'd thought I'd seen it all, this woman had her pet iguana on her back at the recent music fest on Anna Maria. At first I thought it was not real until I watched it crawl up her back at which point I whipped out my trusty camera to share with my readers!

Ellie and her friends

Where the church comes to you

Being an island connected by a couple draw bridges that are raised every 20 minutes, you never know what will pass by....

Seneca Swifty reunion

There is something to be said for people who have remained best of friends for over 40 years. Not only have Julie and I been bestest friends for 40 + years but our parents are still getting into trouble together! They rode the trolley to Sarasota today and had a little lunch and managed to find their way back! Here they are at Rudy's planning their excursion and prior to departure!

Spring Training

My favorite time of year has arrived- spring training. This means baseball season is right around the corner! The Red Sox came to Bradenton to play the Pirates and I was fortunate enough to go and sit right behind home plate! How cool is that! Here are a few shot of my "best day"! Papi (No34) even hit a home run for me!!!

Phoenix arrives on Anna Maria

Carole and Rog arrived for a visit and they wasted no time connecting with old friends and taking them for a tour of the Island in the electric car!

Green and more Green

Anna Maria celebrated St. Patrick's Day all over the island. Here are some of our "regulars" who stopped by to celebrate with us. Julie and Sally made some awesome Baileys Irish creme cupcakes and some great festive cookies to celebrate the day!



Cindy and Cheryl enjoying some coffee talk

A local showing Sally his lucky leprechaun (or something??)

Sue and Fritz enjoying the Bailey's Irish Creme cupcake!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day Parade

The annual Anna Maria St. Patrick's Day parade was held this week and everyone came out to cheer them on. The streets were lined with residents and visitors to help the marchers celebrate. The parade had lots of bagpipes, St. Patrick, electric car floats, an elephant, a camel, local marching bands and of course the town pirate ship. They threw candy and bead necklaces to the spectators and we all came home with a neckfull!

Sam's Club

My first trip to Sam's Club. Had never been there so went with Julie to help her buy stuff for Rudy's. I was quite surprised to see how much it was like Costco. I did notice that instead of putting all the books on tables, they were neatly standing up on shelves making it a lot easier to see what there was. Everything else seemed to be identical! Here's a picture of Julie with her flatbed and wagon filled to the top!

The trio

Today was a very stormy day. Lots of rain, thunder, lightning and of course wind. Since it was quiet at Rudy's I drew the short straw and stayed home with the dogs. We had lots of fun and they helped me prepare a nice dinner for the hard working gals! Here are the results of our little photo shoot!

Meet Miss Ellie, the Mexican Challupa

Meet Rudy, the queen of the hill

Meet Gus, the calm big brother

The three amigos watching the storm

See us now!

Another use for your old plates

On my route to Rudy's everyday I pass by this house and I notice something different every day. They yard is full of plants and little sitting areas but the outside seems to draw crowds. People stop and take pictures of this house just about every time I pass by so thought I'd share with you as well! If you look outside the fence, there are a number of dinner plates half buried along the sidewalk. They are all different and some are quite nice.

Isle of weddings

It turns out weddings are quite the business on Anna Maria Island. Last weekend was "Wedding Weekend" where folks can check out prospective wedding facilities on the island. It draws a big crowd and local businesses book quickly. As we were watching the sunset on the beach we also watched one of these weddings on the beach which took place as the sun set.

Sunset at the beach

We packed up the electric car with our essentials (chairs, wine, beer. munchies and a blanket) and hit the beach for sunset.

All settled in and enjoying the show

Going, going

Gone

Pelicans everywhere

Gorgeous day on Anna Maria so walked home along the beach today. There was a large flock of pelicans obviously chasing a school of fish. As you can see it was quite beautiful.

Secret Recipe

Today was pepper relish day. It's a special and very secret recipe and I am not privy to the whole process but I am "allowed" to clean and de-seed the peppers. This was my project this morning and I have to admit I rather enjoyed it! I must be losing it!