Happy New Year ! Wine Shop - W90+

As you all know, we love our red, dry wines. We also have a tradition of Champagne Sunday's.
We used to shop regularly at the local Wine Warehouse stores, chatting with Bernie as he discussed all the value priced good wines. They catered to having wine less expensive than other retail stores. No longer. No longer is there any Wine Warehouse stores but we can find very good wines at our local grocery store and several box wines are very economical (like Boto Box). We also had developed an acquaintance with Bernie over the years, he knew we wanted the cheapest "good" dry red wine, preferably under $6 a bottle. Not impossible. Fast forward to a new wine store that has a very different mission: great wines that score a "90" or higher, called W90+. In other words, no $6 wines. Bernie works at the W90+ Avondale store and I stopped in just to see what they had. They advertise that 50% of the wines they carry are priced under $25 per bottle. Yikes!  Bernie showed me the value wines and one brand is Alamos. We had not tried the new Red Blend. Also, we have our favorite champagne which is priced on sale occasionally so pick up a case once a year. Bernie steered me to a new one to try: LaMarca. Considering the price difference, I think we will stick with Freixenet Brut. I really enjoyed speaking to Bernie again, he's very knowledgeable. Maybe you will visit the local W90+ stores for a special occasion!
Happy New Year 2013!

River Bend Golf Course, Green Cove Springs

On Friday, December 28, 2012, AA played in the final day of the River Bend Kids Golf Clinic taught by her golfing coach, Doug Cody. She missed the sessions on the 26th and 27th as we were visiting her Grandparents. Coach Doug allowed her to play in the final day as she has had lessons all along. I didn't go as it was a six hole final day and I really wanted to pick up the mess, laundry and ironing in the house, time for me to get caught up on chores.
There were nine or ten children up to age 13 years old (he played on tees about 25 yards behind all the others). AA teed off at the same place as the older kids (yes, she was the youngest). She was paired with the 13 year old boy and with Doug's grandson, Evan Townsend (seven years old). AA had the lowest score of all the kids (yes, she bested all the kids age 7 - 13!)! She received a trophy for her score of 32 and Evan received a trophy for the lowest (best) score for the boys (34). AA played a really good game per her Daddy. He didn't take a camera, so no photos of her at the course. Maybe one of the other parents will share a few. Congrats to AA!

Another trophy on her shelf! Next up is two tournaments in the Orlando winter tour, 12/30/12 and 01/06/13.

Christmas Eve - Auntie-M's Gifts

My sister in Maine sent AA lots of gifts. We decided that AA would open them on Christmas Eve. So much fun, AA was so EXCITED! Thank you Auntie-M!

Love seeing the joy in this little one's face!

Pre-Christmas Visit with Kilee

We were not going to be able to see our son and granddaughter on Christmas Day, so drove to his town for a visit on the 23rd. Kilee showed AA the new chicken coop while we admired all Justin's new wood creations: cupboards, a pantry, window boxes etc. He is using some river cypress and cedar logs that were acquired from our old riverfront property. He is very talented and a great "handyman". Kilee is cute and talkative as ever! We will miss them this year on Christmas Day.

Day After Christmas!

Since I am scheduling this post in advance, I hope you and your families had a wonderful Christmas yesterday. I always have enjoyed the post-Christmas glow! Still listening to Christmas music, enjoying the peace for a few more days!


AA always looks at the red balls outside the target stores and I know what she is thinking. She has seen "bigger" kids jump and sit on them. Somewhat envious. So on December 24th as we were out having "girls" time alone, I let her climb on one. She needed help. No way she could get on it by herself. Guess it will be a major milestone when she can climb on all by herself.
Love my daily does of AA!

Have a safe and fun New Year Celebration! Happy 2013!

Daily Dose of AA - Merry Christmas!

Just before going to Leaa's home for a visit last Monday, I took a few pictures of AA in her 2011 Christmas dress. It is so cute, I was glad she could still wear it (it is a pillow case dress with a very cute Minnie Mouse applique on it) and it was a warm day. My sweetie is SO, SO, SO looking forward to Christmas this year!

I tried the 1960's photo look; maybe never again!

Merry Christmas!

Letter to Santa

AA insisted that she had to write a letter and mail it to the North Pole. I hope our Mailman is used to this sort of thing! This was her practice letter. Only one misspelled word! Her final letter was in the envelop and sealed before I could get a picture. Hope Santa already knows that all she wants is more Legos!

Grand #1 - Kilee's Christmas Dance Recital

Photos of our beautiful and talented granddaughter right after her Christmas dance recital. Hubby attended without us, as it started so late that there was no way we were taking AA (no one survives the next day if AA goes to bed three hours after her normal bedtime!). Kilee is a happy girl when she is dancing!

Merry Christmas to family and friends!

Daily Dose of AA - Biking

It was a very warm last week. We all went for a walk and bike ride at Moccasin Creek Park which has a wide path around the playground. She still has training wheels on her bike which is more our fault, not getting out and working with her on her balance. Soon, very soon.

Dylan Turned Three!

Our youngest granddaughter turned three years old! She is so adorable and loves to run up to us and greet us with a very happy "Poppy" and "Nana"!
With all the holiday rushing going on and Dylan's Daddy busy with lots of gigs, our daughter Leaa, planned Dylan's birthday party while Jesse was playing an early gig. We don't see Jesse at work much as his gigs usually begin after 8 or 9 p.m. We all gathered at the Conch House and enjoyed good music and watching the kids run around out on the wharf. The fog rolled in so made it chilly for us adults; I don't think it bothered the kids at all!

Happy Birthday Dylan!

Plaster Palace - Birthday Gift

AA received a gift certificate from friends Kenny and Pam for her 6th birthday; it was to a new local store on Fleming Island. The Plaster Palace is near one of our favorite Sports Bars, Taps.
Anyone can do this project by selecting a plaster "blank", gathering your paint colors and several paint brushes - then start! I painted the Peace sign and AA painted a dog and skunk.
AA had fun and the time went by fast. You don't have to be a perfect artist, the spray gaze and glitter at the end hides many flaws!

I had one slight "icky" moment - each smock was well worn/reused t-shirt (yes, as in someone else just took it off; there were rows of "used" shirt to put on your kid). I would recommend bringing your own old t-shirt or smock for your kids (and yourself). So don't make fun of the Georgia t-shirt on AA, I selected what I thought was a plain black shirt; we are NOT Georgia fans!
All in all, it was fun so AA has already selected her next plaster project! Thank you Pam!