Saturday - Sunday - Last Day of April

Saturday began with some homemade waffles (we freeze a few for future breakfasts - just like Eggo's, just pop in toaster). Plain and blueberry, with grits, bacon and apple slices. Maine maple syrup too! AA's kind of breakfast!

Next, AA went to the last session of Eagle Harbor's Drive, Chip and Putt Combine. Coach Bryan held four Saturdays in a row to help his students prepare for the official DCP contest. AA will participate in June, there are several "local" dates in our area (first step in the process - must be in top three to move to the sub-regional). She made it to the regional once, hoping for a trip to the Master's someday! Coach Bryan held contests (boys and girls together) for each skill and AA won the Drive and Putt. Tyler Mawhinney won the overall contest. AA took second place. She earned two dozen ball, two Master's ball markers, a DCP back pack and two Callaway hats! Plus a medal. A fun event and good competition.

Next, AA went to her Chinese lesson with Miss Nancy. Depending on Nancy's availability, we fit in a lesson whenever we can.
Finally, off to Carolyn's! We were hoping that Ginger likes Carolyn's pool - great exercise and will cool her down as it is almost summer temperatures, but the humidity is not brutal yet. We dropped off AA after seeing Ginger make herself at home and jump in the pool for the first time. Ginger needs to learn where the stairs are so she can get out of the pool herself. Pool temperature was right at 80 degrees. Beautiful day and Ginger loved having the run of Carolyn's large backyard.

Wet dog!

When we picked up AA and Ginger on Sunday - the dog needed hosing off! She loved getting wet and muddy! They had a good night, Ginger behaved herself.
Saturday, Ford and I had an evening without AA (first since last October when Carolyn stayed at our home for two nights while we celebrated Ford's three-month recovery in St. Augustine) and I surprised him by going to a microbrewery we had not heard of in Mandarin (Baymeadows). We enjoyed tasting their beers, even though I really only liked two of the six I tasted. I think they have good food and outdoor seating; maybe be fun to try again.

Next we checked in on Charlie Perry as he was in the hospital recently (blood pressure swings caused by an infection). We chatted with Donna and Charlie and then continued on our evening sans kid!
We went to Corner Taco and enjoyed four different tacos - General Tso, Brisket, Chorizo and Fried Shrimp. I would not get the Chorizo again, just didn't seem like it matched well in a taco.

After walking into Memorial Park and running into Laureen Burke and Isabel, we headed to Biscotti's for a glass of wine. We found out that their huge selection of wines went away when they began serving hard liquor. Sad for us, not many choices for a dry red wine. We did enjoy a two-cheese plate and then headed home. A great evening, but always thinking about AA and missing her!

After picking up AA on Sunday, we rested a bit at home (AA actually napped for an hour - unheard of!!), then Daddy Caddie and AA went to EH for a practice round.
A great weekend! Thank you Carolyn!!

Wednesday thru Saturday 04/29/17

After our busy Tuesday at Leaa's, Wednesday was AA's usual meet-up with Miss Lauren to play nine holes. Thursday was a golf date with Ms. Penny but Eagle Harbor had a large group in for a tournament, so no tee times (we really should check the EH calendar weekly!). AA still attended her EH PGA Junior Team practice while we chatted with Kerri Mawhinny. All is well with her and family, her daughter Morgan is settled with hubby and new baby near Tampa.
Thursday and Friday were FSA math test dates at AA's school and the book fair. Since AA read over 4 million words (!!!) she was awarded four free books (two of her four "one million word" coupons shown below). She chose a Minecraft book, a dog book and two National Geographic books - one is about robots!

We also received her 4th Grade Class photo and her Spring 2017 Student pictures. All good with her beautiful smile!

On Friday, EH had another tournament, so no golfing again! We had a swim in the pool, then AA watched her new movie Moana that she got in her Easter basket.

Saturday, AA is looking forward to her sleep over at Aunt Carolyn's - her first with puppy Ginger. And we get an evening alone - no girl and no dog!

Alivia's 11th Birthday Dinner Party - 04/25/17

As Livi's birthday will be celebrated in Costa Rica (the 27th) on their family vacation (postponed from last Fall, Hurricane Matthew interrupted their plans), we chose to have a small dinner party at Leaa's home right after AA's piano lesson (with Jesse). We missed Liv's Sunday party at Carl and Marsha's due to AA's Titleist Golf Tournament. We snapped a few group photos and Livi opened her gifts from us: a Target gift card, a cuff bracelet made from an old LP record and a Harry Potter movie book from AA. 
The Martha Stewart Confetti cake with milk frosting and homemade purple sprinkles:

Birthday girl and her Momma!

Growing up!

 

Werner, Cathy, Ford and daughter Leaa:

Werner made me get in one of the photos:

Grands #3 Dylan and #2 Liv plus AA in the middle:

Happy Birthday Alivia!

Homemade Vanilla 13x9 Cake with Homemade Confetti Sprinkles

I used a new Martha Stewart recipe for a vanilla cake, frosting and homemade sprinkles for Livi's birthday cake. Since we missed Livi's family party at the Cruce's home, we planned a dinner and cake on Tuesday the 25th right after AA's piano lesson.
When Leaa said Livi's favorite cake flavor was vanilla I knew I had to up my game! With homemade vanilla extract and one vanilla bean in the batter, hoped for a delicious cake and it was! AA texted Livi to ask about her favorite color and it was blue or lavender; we went with three shades of purple sprinkles.
Making homemade sprinkles was so easy and looked just like the photo in the MS magazine. We used purple gel coloring and put some sprinkles in the cake batter. In order to put some in the batter, you need to make the sprinkles at least a day in advance to allow them to dry. The recipe says they will keep for a month! Ours were a little thicker, so next time will make smaller "lines".
I love this recipe and the sprinkles could be made in any color(s), think school colors, and on any size/style cake, just add them while the frosting is soft.

Making the sprinkles, should have a steadier hand but once broken up really doesn't matter. Making them thinner and even would be more "Martha Stewart"!

Cooking the milk frosting (flour and whole milk); it needs time to cool, so I made it in advance - beat in the butter and sugar right before serving the cake:

Recipes from Martha Stewart May 2017 magazine; I added one vanilla bean (scraping the inside):

Magazine page:

WINNER!! Two Day NFJG Titleist Invitational WEB.com Tournament - St. Johns Golf Course (Elkton)

AA played on Saturday with regular Foundation girl Leah Shatley (Deerwood) and new-comer from South Florida/Palm Beach area, Madison Hydman. There were about a dozen new/first-time players from South Florida, some may be students of Staci Pla's Mom who is a PGA-Pro-Teacher. Staci is only 10 years old and was placed in with the older Girl's (13 - 18) division. She did well on both rounds placing 8th.
With Titleist as the sponsor, there were lots of door prizes and AA won a dozen Titleist Velocity balls (she can't use these balls, too bad she didn't win the Pro V1's).
AA had the last tee time, at 1:42 p.m. for round 1 (2525 yards) which went pretty well, AA and Daddy Caddie said there were a few strokes that kept her from a good score. With a 44 (+8), she is in first place going into Round 2. Round 2: Her tee time is shared with Leah Shatley (+10) and Alexa Fallis (+17). Another sunny day with a few afternoon clouds. AA went +6 today, which earned her first place. She did well, with a birdie on hole 4 (Par 4)!! She did not par the two Par 3 holes - which is a goal of hers, with the long distances, the Par 3's are what she most usually can achieve, she did drive into the water on hole 8. If she was playing with the Foundation Boys, she would have tied for 3rd place (tied for 4th place on Round 1; Round 2 would have been 2nd place). A good win for our sweet golfer!
{I was going to go watch her play near the end of her round but Ginger has diarrhea so cannot put her in the crate. We are also missing Livi's 11th birthday party at Marsha's home. Hopefully we will make it up to Livi on Tuesday when we bring dinner and cake to their home}.
Photos are from Round 2 - Sunday:

Foundation Boys with local EH friend Emmet K. taking 3rd place (Matthew F. 1st; Richard R. 2nd):

AA did well by scoring lower on the second day (that is the goal of every golfer) and she posted the next to lowest/best score on Sunday, Round 2 (Matthew scored a 41, AA was 42, both from red tees). Mr. Glenn presenting the trophy to AA! {the girls trophies were not available so she is holding a boys' trophy for show}

Alexa placed 3rd and Leah placed 2nd:

Winner!

 

NFJG Professional Staff:

Here's her actual trophy:

From Director Jack: Our Girls Foundation Division found no stranger to the winners circle. Alyzabeth Morgan would post the two lowest scores of the event. She would also post the only birdie as she took a commanding seven stroke lead to victory lane. Leah Shatley would take the Runner-up award and Alexa Fallis would take home Third Place. Keep it going girls I see improvements every tournament.

That wraps up the Spring season at NFJG!
Just some added verbiage about these Web.com Junior tournaments - AA plays in the nine hole Foundation group and will not move up to the 13 - 18 age group until she is most likely 12:
Players from all Tours will compete in their respective age and gender division. Age divisions are typically Boys 10-12, Boys 13–15, Boys 16–18 and a Girls Division. The Girls Division is typically one division, but could change if entries are such to warrant two separate age groups. The 9-hole Foundation TOUR is also invited to play in these events on a space available bases. Players from the Foundation TOUR may opt to play in the 36-hole age group with the approval of the Executive Director.
The Web.com Junior Player’s Tour will also allow you to earn exemptions to the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and Florida Junior Tour (FJT). The FJT STEP program was designed to forge an easier pathway through the various levels of junior golf. This program is a strong reason to support the NFJG Web.com Junior Player’s Tour as they are local events and played on some of the best courses in the North Florida area.Exemptions may be earned by the Boys 16-18, Boys 13-15 and Girls 13-18 Division.

Weekly News April 17 - 22nd

Our week began on our usual routine, school then Robotics Club after school. I made a ham and potato soup that was fine, it had flavor but was too much "potato". If you really like potato soup, this was good, heavy and creamy; just maybe too much of a good thing for us.
Tuesday, AA went to her piano lesson, now at 3:30 p.m. and then to a practice round at the St. Johns Golf Course (SJGC - Elkton - near CR207 and I95). 
Wednesday, AA played a round with Senior High Lauren. She played her best with a 37 on the back nine!! With longer drives and her usual good short game, she is having more success! We then jumped in the pool before at hour long visit at the River House and then dinner time.
Thursday, while playing nine holes with Ms. Penny, AA had two drives over 180 yards and a score of 41. Yahoo! She went to her PGA Jr Team practice and ate the tuna salad at Talons for dinner. I actually went so have a few photos - Four girls on this team - all at the driving range:

Boys and girls, both did the balancing exercise:

Friday, we are watching the puppy Ginger as she has diarrhea (again), second day. So not going anywhere for me! AA and Daddy Caddie took in a second round at SJGC, lots of practice every week! I made a new shrimp and snow pea stir-fry with rice. It was pretty good, just need to up the spice factor. And I usually take Ginger on two walks, a short one and a longer one along the river.

She really likes her short hair cut, much cooler and we don't have to brush as much (which seemed like torture to her!).

Saturday (today) is AA's two day NFJG Titleist Tournament at the St. Johns Golf Course. Several new girls are playing so hope AA has two amazing rounds! I made a HUGE pan of lasagna this morning, haven't done that in awhile. I love that I am growing parsley, basil, rosemary and sage. Fresh herbs in my yard. We will probably have to freeze most of the lasagna after making several meals of it this weekend.

Homemade sauce with meat and tons of vegetables, I used the Ree Drummond/Pioneer Woman recipe for her vegetable lasagna and added one pound of mixed ground beef, turkey and Italian sausage (omitted the summer squash):

Home grown tomatoes to enjoy! AA picks them and eats for snacks or, as in today, with her lunch that she is eating on the way to the golf course.

The weather is nice, partly cloudy and warm - hoping for a successful tournament this weekend!

Easter Sunday!

AA's Easter basket included marshmallow eggs, peeps, some chocolate crisp bunnies, a larger Snickers bunny and the movie Moana. Also, the Easter bunny hid eggs that had one of her favorite candies in them, mini-tootsie rolls. She also opened a card from her Nana Ann of the North with another $2 bill in it (we are going to send AA off to college with hundreds of these bills from her Nana!!). We headed to the early church service at OPUMC and then Hubby-Daddy made us breakfast.

For the afternoon, we headed to an Easter afternoon that Leaa and Jesse hosted. Some beach time. Some good food! Cathy and Werner bought me a birthday cake, card and wine! Sweet of them!!

Carrot cake - dense, moist, sweet and YUMMY!

Walking to beach - Leaa, Jesse, Stuart, Christa drove and parked where we cross A1A. Dylan and neighbor friends Lily and John were walking in front of us (Mom is Abbey).

Leaa and Christa:

 Christa, Stuart and Alyson {me!}:

AA's writing in the sand, her legs are really dark as I was experimenting with getting the writing to have more contrast, still need to work on this one!

Looking into the sun, so lots of squinting:

I asked them to "fight" over the stick they used to write in the sand - trying for a fun pose, didn't get one this time.

AA writing in the sand:

Hubby and Werner stayed at the house and watched golf and chatted. I sent a message to Ford in the sand:

The girls wrote their names and birth dates in the sand; I turned one of Livi into a "sketch", trying out the new photo editing program - FastStone Image Viewer. I was trying to make the words in the sand more visible.

It was a good visit including Stuart and Christa; missing Justin and Kilee, also Nicole and family. AA had a good time, which was great considering we don't go to the beach very often. Next up is Livi's birthday party at her Mimi and Carl's home.