Goodbye 2011

Back on Anna Maria to ring in the New Year but also back to say goodbye to 2011. Gorgeous day for an afternoon boat ride with friends. Can't think of a better way to say goodbye to 2011! Thanks for the memories!

Christmas in North Chicago

Spent a wonderful but cold Christmas in northern Illinois with my family.

My niece and nephew kept peeking under the tree to find their presents!

My niece all dressed for her piano recital!

My nephew and his young admirer!

The proud grandparents!

Dinged again!

Came home last night to find this decorated Florida Christmas tree on my porch! I just love it so I brought it in the house and found the perfect corner for it so I can look at it all the time! Thanks Julie and Sally!!! (The shipping label on the box gave you away!)
Don't you just love it!

Cookie Night

It's that time of year when everyone needs to make lots of cookies for the holidays! We got together and made them together and shared them so we all have a nice variety of cookies! As you can see, everyone was busy with their jobs and the cookies all turned out great. We made sugar cookies, gingerbread men, butter balls, crescent cookies and lemon cookies.

Anna Maria Christmas Parade

For a small island there is always something going on. Today's festivities included a Christmas parade the length of the island. We gathered at Rudy's and watched. Here are but a few of the highlights!

When in Florida

you've got to go with the theme. My wreath this year:

Holmes Beach Christmas

Holmes Beach celebrated the holiday season by hosting a Holiday Open House at the local shops this weekend. We wandered through the shops and enjoyed the festivities!
Santa and his reindeer were there

Even Elvis made an appearance!

A little music

The gang

Some lights

Guess I've been naughty....according to Santa

My first Ding and Dash!

Came home last night to find this surprise on my front door step! A mystery person or persons came by when I wasn't looking and left this wonderful holiday mat for me! A quick survey of my pals revealed that several others also had a similar surprise. The suspect list has narrowed!!!

9 years - where have they gone?

Seems like yesterday I was holding my newborn niece. Alas, today is her 9th birthday. I've been blessed to be able to spend so much time with her but am missing her today on her special day. Happy 9th birthday Sara! XO

Happy Birthday Grampy

My grandfather was born on November 19th, 1902. Wow that was a long time ago. My grandfather was one special man who, sadly, we lost in 1987. I sure would enjoy spending a day with him now, following him around his yard, helping him push his lawn mower, talking about his many inventions or just to watch a Red Sox game with him.

Love these old pictures of him as a kid!

The Gulf was kind to us today

It was perfect day for a long walk on the beach. The humidity left during the night and a cool breeze allowed me to turn the air conditioning off and open up the house to enjoy the sea air! Just before sunset some big puffy clouds arrived and and I captured these shots from the shore.

And it was a good day for finding sand dollars. A friend found 15 and I found 8 so as he said "the Gulf was kind to us today".

Dolphin sighting

Another gorgeous day on the Gulf coast today which we enjoyed on the water. There were so many of us we went in tandem pontoon boats and tied up and visited in the middle of the Bay! On the return we were lucky enough to spot a dolphin swimming by. And so it goes...

Veterans Day 2011

Today I'm very proud to honor my Dad's service to our country among the 24.9 million military veterans in the United States. Go Navy!

Happy Birthday Steve

We had a good laugh today remembering high school days and how we all ended up here on the Gulf coast of Florida. We celebrated Steve's birthday at the Beach Bistro on Anna Maria. Great sunset, wonderful food and lots of laughs! What more could you ask for!