Part II: shelling on Anclote Key and singing with joy

The Grands love shelling.  All three filled a bag provided by the boat (Spongeorama) with shells and a large sampling of wet sand!   They were entranced by a little crab that we, at first, thought was dead.  He surprised us all when he scurried into the sea weed.

We had a half hour on the Key to shell and take pics before we reboarded the boat back to the Sponge Docks.  The crew played reggae music for our entertainment and the twins sang along at the top of their lungs without any inhibition what so ever.  Have to love it that they are so free and have outgrown any shyness.

The boys play off each other and here is Landon's reaction to something his brother said.

And, as you can see, Colvin is quite pleased with himself. 
Last, but by means not least, are Mama and her baby girl.

 Leighton took off her shoes and socks and Mama was not happy with her.  The ride back was a bit bumpy and we were asked to stay seated.  Leighton was not happy with that.

I am so glad we did not wait til today to take the Grands on the "big" boat ride.  We've got torrents of rain, gusts of wind and perhaps hail to come.  While Thursday was cool and a bit overcast, we had a great time.

Boat Ride Part I

About a year ago when E and I were getting  ready for our almost a month trip to Australia and New Zealand, I ran off pictures of the jumbo jet and the cruise boat and put them on the Grands' fridge at their house.  I did not want them to think we had left them forever.  When we returned, all the little guys wanted was our promise that we would take them on a big boat some day.  Yesterday was the day.

We took the 3 o'clock tour boat from the Spongeorama on the Sponge Docks.  We booked the two hour tour down the Anclote river, through a bayou or two and out to the south end of Anclote Key for some shelling. 

The day was cool but we came prepared.  The kids were able to see an osprey next with both parents in residence, the 100 year plus home that figured in the movie "Under the 12 Mile Reef" and our lighthouse.

Here are some of the shots of the Grands on our ride out to Anclote Key

I got a look at how the boys will look in grade school.  It is scary to me how fast time has gone by.  The twins will be 4 in June.

Part II tomorrow: shelling and singing joyously to reggae on the ride home.

Morning Walks

I started walking seriously the year I retired from teaching.  Being a tactile person, I wanted to embed images of a place I had called home (Autumn Lakes in Maryland Heights, Mo.) that, when Gene retired, we would no longer live.  So, I walked.  I tried to walk every day: rain, sleet, snow, heat, humidity...and, more often than not, I did.

When we moved to Ft. Myers, Fl., I biked more than I walked.  It was cooler and easy to transport my bike to places like Captiva Island, Sanibel, etc.  Since E and I have moved here to my beloved Tarpon Springs, Fl, I only bike during the summer and walk the rest of the year. 

Walking has been and probably always will be my therapy, my release and my way of solving problems.  While I started off walking to upbeat music to set a pace, now I set my own pace and let my surroundings be my music. 

I use to struggle to walk a mile and now I average between 3 and 5 daily.  The only weather I do NOT walk in is thunder and lightening storms...I do not have a death wish.  Since my town finished the outdoor gym, I've added that to the mix 2 or 3 x a week.  I started this with my pal, Jo, who winters here from St. Louis. 

I've taken long walks with almost everyone who has come to visit us here in our charming town and see no reason to stop.

To all of you who comment so nicely on face book when I post my morning walk photos, thank you.  You have inspired me to continue with my walk about. 

Just another Sat. in Paradise

The sun was out but there was still just a bit of chill in the breeze so we decided to have our last fire in the fire pit.  It was about 1 ish pm and we fixed a tray of cheeses, pears and crackers...and, of course, some wine.

 While we were down in the "lower lawn" I got some pics of the last of the blooms!

I threw in several color cones and still have a bunch for next winter!

\

Goodbye fire pit til next year...sigh!

Happy Fat Tuesday

Muffulatta recipe

1lg round sourdough loaf (or a round peasant bread 7-8 inches in diameter and 5 inches high)
3/5 c Creole olive salad (recipe below)
4 oz. motadlla
4 oz. capocolo
4 oz. mozzarella
4 oz. provolone
4 oz. salami, genoa

Slice the bread in half horizontally and remove enough of the dough to make room for the fillings.  Spread about 1/4 cup of the olive salad and its oil on both top and bottom, spreading to saturate the bread with oil.  Alternately layer the bottom bread with meats, cheeses and remaining olive salad.  Replace the top of the bread and cut into quarters.  Wrap tightly in butcher's paper or plastic wrap and let sit 30 min. to marry the flavors.  Serve on a plate with pepperoncini . (optional: you can heat to melt the cheeses if you wish)

Creole Olive Salad (can be purchased in most grocery stores or follow this recipe)

1/2 c pitted brine-cured black olives, sliced
1/2 c large  (queen) pimento stuffed olives, sliced
1/4 c olive oil
1 T minced shallots
1 T finely chopped parsley
1 t minced garlic
1/4 t fresh ground pepper
Combine all ingredients, mix well and chill.


`

Magic Monday (starring Leighton Kaye)

After a run to Sam's for princess panties for Leighton and super hero ones for the boys and an umbrella tent for the beach this summer, we put the top down and headed out to lunch at Miss Vickie's on the Anclote.  What a day we had.  Great food, big birds and boats plus the Goodyear Blimp in town for the Innisbrook  Balspar Championship , add sunshine and one gorgeous grand daughter and our Monday is complete. 

This is my favorite of all the pics I took today:

 

 Leighton shared a burger with Papa, had a handful of my clam strips, a portion of french fries, all of Papa's pickle and about 1/4 of my coleslaw.  She is a good eater!