Friday Meanderings

It’s cold.

Right?

Cold.

Even here in sunny FLORIDA!

I’m okay with the cold.  I have grandkids in North Dakota which I occasionally visit in Winter.  So I have the clothes.  Snow boots. Warm gloves. Cozy hats.  Puffy coat.

But the grayness. And the wind.  And the rain.

Not so okay with that.

Yesterday we had cold but there was sun.  Last weekend there was NO sun and we had friends visiting.

Our entire life is about living outdoors.  We don’t even have a kitchen table or dining room because we ALWAYS eat on our screened deck.  (YES. EVEN WHEN IT’S 90 DEGREES AND 100% HUMIDITY IN AUGUST BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE DO)

Well almost always.  Even with the space heater we have out there when it’s 36 degrees or below, dinner is on the kitchen island!

And it’s been below!

We’ve had a lot of company since the beginning of December.  Which makes us very happy.  But every time someone arrives so does the ugly gray wet cold weather.  (what is with that?) Terry had a fishing charter scheduled to celebrate his birthday with Alan and Andrew and it was about 45 degrees.  Windy.  Rainy.  They went bowling. And Terry bowled 192.  Happy Birthday!

Jes and Andrew came.  Nasty weather showed up too. We went bowling. (Terry did not bowl 192) And we played a lot of board games. Then went to Top Golf in Brandon.  Indoor driving range.  Brilliant!

Terry and Phil came last weekend.  And so did the ugly weather. Yes.  There were a lot of board games. (I even won at Scrabble.  lost at every thing else.)

Terry’s one of my blog followers.  Comments on both of them. Spent a couple days.

(Okay.  Terry and Phil are also my son-in-laws parents and good friends.  So if you are one of my followers–you might not get the same reception!)

We had planned on going on a cocktail cruise when they arrived because it was warm and the water was in.  The boat wouldn’t start.  (Sheesch) Took them on a golf cart ride to the Shed.  It started raining.  (Really?)

The next day was U-G-L-Y and cold.

Took them to the Citrus County Courthouse Museum.  Yeah.  We were really reaching for something to do indoors!

But…..

In case you didn’t know….

“Follow that Dream” with Elvis Presley was filmed right her in Citrus County.  Yes.  Hard to believe.

There’s even a street in Inglis named FOLLOW THAT DREAM!

The courthouse scene from the movie was filmed at the Citrus County Courthouse.  And Elvis is prominently featured throughout the museum.

Did you know that when they were restoring the courtroom they actually went to the movie for reference??????

Friday Meanderings

And here’s Phil with Elvis!Friday Meanderings

 

And Terry!

Friday Meanderings

Now.  I gotta say the cold weather was really good for us when we went to Three Sisters Springs that I posted about Monday.  This is such a wonderful experience.  We go whenever we can–with or without company!

It was a super weekend.  (and gotta repeat I won at Scrabble).

Hey,  It’s Friday and Steve Jervee–my favorite weatherman–says that it will be in the 70s!  Yippee!  I live in Florida!

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Kathy

 

 

Friday Meanderings

OMG!  Christmas is MONDAY!!!!

Anyone ready?

I was making Christmas quilts for all of our children this year.  HA!

I finished one and gave it as a wedding gift last week.  (What!  Where are my priorities!) We ran into her at the grocery store today and she told me how much she LOVED it!  (Sorry adult child that won’t be getting that one but she was really happy!)

quilt
Here’s the quilt. And an absolutely perfect Christmas tree. It’s real. Really! Best tree ever!

I did ALMOST get one done for Lauri and Alan.  I’ll be finished this morning. Yippee! Now I’ve got to ship it to North Dakota.  Two day priority usually takes four days to ND but I’m hoping that it gets there before she puts the Christmas decor away!  I’ve only been working on these quilts since August!  Thought this would be easy peasy since I had so much time.  Whoops!  I should stay home more!

I guess I’ll give the other three kids IOUs.

I probably told you about our Children’s Christmas Outreach.  Of course I did!  Between the Homosassa Civic Club, The Old Mill Tavern, the Homosassa Rotary, and Cayla’s Coats, we bought gifts for 40 families–104 CHILDREN!  “Wrapping the presents” day was on Tuesday (because the Old Mill is closed only that day)  Started about 1 pm and all the presents were suitably attired by 4:30!

Then the parents/guardians started picking them up Wednesday morning at the Homosassa Civic Club.  Volunteers were there to hand out the gifts.  So much stuff!  Many parents were in tears that the organizations had been so generous. I’m sad because so many of our neighbors are in so much need.  But happy that all these kids will get something from Santa.

The civic club also had a Christmas Party for the Homosassa Children.  The Coolest Santa ever was there with his wife.  (Gotta say that Mrs. Claus looked at me and said “I know you!” and I shouted out that “I’ve been really good this year!”)

santa claus
Santa!

So much fun!

And me!

santa

And all the volunteers.  BIG SHOUT OUT!  We can’t do it without these people.  And when I look at this photo I not only see Homosassa Civic Club volunteers but lets talk about all the other groups.  From the left, there’s Jackie that volunteers for the Good News Club and the Old Homosassa Learning Center.  Hiding behind her is Steve Minguy–head of the Homosassa River Restoration Project, me, Judy Biston–part of so many charitable groups I can’t even list them, Cindy Minguy–volunteers at the Learning Center and does website and everything else for the Homosassa River Restoration Project, Iris Rose–Homosassa River Alliance and Access to the River Committee, Robby, Homossa Civic Club Member and all around volunteer for everything, Barb Fletcher–I can’t even list everything but she is on every charitable group everywhere, Tim Gatto, clown and chairman of the house committe, FRONT ROW, Rhonda Yent–chairperson of the arts and crafts of the Homosassa Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival plus chairperson of the Children’s Outreach, Donna Fletcher, volunteer for everything, and Christine Stuckie, treasurer of the Civic Club and will do anything that is EVER NEEDED!

 

santa helpers

Along with many other people that weren’t in the photo (Terry had just gone home to get ready for the next event!)  We have a GREAT COMMUNITY! It’s totally amazing how much everyone gives back.

Love it!

Have a great weekend and a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Kathy