a fast week....

December  7th

We have been here a week today and have been enjoying the beautiful weather.  I almost feel guilty saying that considering the stormy weather in Manitoba.  A real Manitoba blizzard from what I hear. The guilt passes quickly once sitting by the pool soaking in the sunshine, lathering on the sunscreen and taking a dip in the blue refreshing pool. 

The days have passed quickly as we settle in and start get back to our Florida routine. Roger starts his outdoor painting group tomorrow and I am out with the ladies to the Christmas ladies luncheon at Shuckers on the ocean on Friday.  Morning exercise is our daily start to the day and I am finding muscles my body forgot about over the summer.  It’s a fun time in the pool and the hour goes by before you know it.

December 8th

We continue  hear about the storms up north and realize how lucky we are to be in sunny Florida. The thought of blizzards, shoveling and bad roads make me shiver.  My sister Norma and husband Russ were not impressed either and spontaneously purchased tickets to come see us, and fly in Sunday.  I think they are really getting into retirement mode.  We look forward to seeing them and I am sure we will have a blast.

Roger had his first plein air paint of the season with a local group of artists he paints with every week. His new venture into water color painting is coming along nicely. I appreciate that it is much less messy than oils.  I am busy reading my book for book club starting in January with the first pick being The Art Forger. It’s pretty good so far and is an easy read so I should whip through it pretty quick.  This afternoon we tootled on down to Vero Beach to do a bit of shopping and check out a few favorite places. The Fresh Market grocery always has delicious treats and today I could not resist picking up a few olives from the olive bar. They are fresh and delicious.  I checked out a few things for the future and although the seafood bar was calling I managed to escape with only pumpkin bread and olives.  The good thing is I get all the olives to myself as Roger always makes a funny face when I offer him any! ;).  There is  a large Italian population that comes for the winter so they always have lots of different olives. This time I tried the huge olives stuffed with prosciutto, feta stuffed olives and sun-dried black and pitted Kalamata.  Oh yum!!  

December9th

Here we are at Friday and today was the ladies luncheon at Shuckers on the ocean.  Its  a great seafood restaurant with a large menu that would fit anyone’s taste.   I opted for the fish tacos which were delicious.  The young waitress had a deep southern Carolina accent and was an efficient sweet young woman.  Perfect southern manners.  There were lots of laughter as the Christmas cheer took effect, pictures with large grins and funny stories of Christmas past.  Those girls from New Jersey are crazy wild!!!!  

This weekend many of our friends are leaving for the northern US to return home for Christmas.  Boy do I wish we could get $39.00 flights home.  Some have left or are leaving

for cruises to the Caribbean and others are just arriving. Come January all will be here and ready to roll for the winter.  Most will arrive just before new years to take in the New Year’s Eve Party and Dance. Live music and champagne, bring out the masses.

Will try and update next week. Stay warm and safe.