Monday, Memorial Day

We enjoyed a quiet day. Ford and AA golfed nine holes, then came home and had a hamburger cook-out. It was supposed to be a windy washout, but instead, had infrequent showers from Subtropical Storm Alberto.
From Mary Flores (Running for Congress/Florida):
In his last Memorial Day as our 44th Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama tweeted, “I hope you'll join me in acts of remembrance. The debt we owe our fallen heroes is one we can never truly repay.”
We would do well to follow President Obama's lead and honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our great nation.

And while I’m thanking those brave men and women who put their lives on the line for the rest of us, I’d like offer a special salute to a living American hero who served as a Captain in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, came home with a Bronze star and a Purple Heart, and dedicated his life to public service.
Happy Memorial Day, Captain Mueller. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Happy Memorial Day! Thanking all our military troops, past, present and future!

Burntshirt Winery, North Carolina

Sunday, on our drive home, we stopped at the closest winery next to I-26, Burntshirt Vineyard, just south of Asheville, in Hendersonville, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was lovely driving to and from Virginia, seeing the mountains, plus the narrow winding roads!
About how they were named: Mountain lore has it that back in the day farmers would burn their fields to clear the land on Burntshirt Mountain for planting. They tossed their shirts in the fire for good luck and the fields yielded a bountiful crop!

The vineyard on Sugarloaf Road:

Several patios to sit and enjoy a glass of wine:

 

We tasted two roses and five reds. All were drinkable. The Cabernet was the best, so we purchased a bottle (sticker shock!!).

It was fun to make the short stop on our way home. We arrived home about 7:30 p.m., just in time before AA and Carolyn arrived home from seeing the new Hans Solo Star Wars Prequel movie; we gave long hugs to our sweet child, we missed her! (and thanked Carolyn for our gift of time).

Visiting the Read's - Love their South Holston Lake Home!

Friday, after Clay County Robotics competition, Ford brought home Jane, Owen. Carolyn was there waiting to take over parenting duties for two nights.
We drove to Walterboro, SC eating Sweet Sensation Outlaw chicken salad, cheese and crackers. Stayed in a Holiday Express, first got key cards that didn’t work for the room they gave us. Went back to front desk, they reprogrammed them, handed back to me. While I was doing that Ford witnessed a couple go into our room. So I went back to the front desk, very peeved, they had some confusion then gave me keys to a different room. Besides a bug in the bathroom and the free breakfast not ready until after 6:30, it was just an okay nights sleep!
We managed to get on the road before 7 am. Cloudy, then rain and fog going through mountains. Ford had selected a few wineries near Asheville to review and stop in, but they didn’t open until noon, and we were going to be just past them at that time. We arrived at the Read's right at 1:00 p.m. We sat and chatted over red wine, got familiar with their property and home. All gorgeous! The large waterfront deck is heaven! When we arrived, we sent AA and Carolyn this selfie:

Beautiful views:

Sitting on their steps to the stream: 

Fish made from license plates:

Their first level deck:

We shot a couple of videos just so we could hear the babbling stream anytime!
Saturday for dinner, we joined their neighbor's birthday dinner, Sharlene. Ate good food at an Italian restaurant and then were tired so to bed by 10 p.m.! They are spoiling us!
Sunday, we indulged ourselves with their espresso machine, making several cappuccinos. Jim made homemade Eggs Benedict - homemade Hollandaise sauce on English muffins, Canadian bacon, poached eggs, capers - plus fruit - all so yummy! And as a hint to making hollandaise sauce (yes, we googled it), if is separates, add to a warm bowl a little boiling water and slowly whisk in the "broken" (or "curdled") sauce, whisking fast! If that doesn't work, start over with one egg yolk in a warm bowl and slowly pour in the broken sauce whisking furiously!!
Next time we need to bike on the Creeper Trail, kayak down the stream, visit their local winery, and more; so much to do near their town if they have us back. A huge thank you for our getaway weekend!
We hit the road before 10:00 a.m. and headed for home (right into Subtropical Storm Alberto).

Nearing the End of School!

The last few weeks of 5th grade have been going from lots of homework every night and State testing to slowing down and having some fun while at school. The 5th Grade field trip was Thursday, 05/24/18 to the local bowling alley. AA did well with her bowling skill scoring over 100.

Friday was the Clay County Robotics Rumble. OPE competed with other Elementary and Middle/Junior High Schools. At the High School level, they get very serious about the competition. OPE didn't win any awards, the kids did have fun!

Handing out awards at the end:

Ford picked up AA, Jane and Owen to take them home; Carolyn was waiting at our home to take over weekend parenting with Alyzabeth! We are off for a quick two day trip to Abingdon, VA (Alvaredo Road and South Holston Lake). Will be good to see the Read's again.

May 2018 Continues

The work week goes by very quickly, we may go to the River House to visit with Maureen, Hugh and Kathy on Monday's, sometimes I come home in time for dinner then to bed! Ford stays busy with AA's after school clubs and golf lessons, PGA Jr. Team practice and occasionally golfing with Ms. Penny. Friday's Ford and AA are always home late after PGA Team practice.
Saturday, we woke up early to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. I made a cup of "Downton Abbey" tea and enjoyed the wedding. We also went to the River House and enjoyed the river views with Hugh, Maureen and Kathy.

Sunday, May 20th: I took AA to the OP Mall, as she is growing out of all her clothes! We found several tops/skorts at Dick's Sporting Store, AA fits in the XS Misses, so more to choose from. Then to the Old Navy store for shorts and bras. We came home, and we all three went shopping at the Barnes and Noble then met with Carolyn and Kayla at the Mandarin V's Pizza. Always good food, many draft beer choices, wings and salads. Kayla doesn't care for beer so tried the pineapple hard cider. It tasted like a dry juice, could drink that way too fast!

Wednesday, we went to the River House to listen to Shane Myers. We invited a few friends: Anita and Tom Palenica (Kerry's Mom) joined us with snacks; then Jean, son Aiden and her Mom Barbara Scott arrived. Fun to visit with friends.
My invite from Facebook: If you are a River House member or would like to check out the River House in Orange Park (Astor Street), join us this Wednesday to listen to Shane Myers, he is amazing and worth getting to know our local talent. Learn about the benefits of joining the RH and relax on the river front deck.

Next up another week of school and work!

Sunday Mother's Day 05/13/18

I won tickets from JaxMomsBlog to the TPC for Mother's Day. That was perfect and with partly cloudy skies, we did not get sunburned! We saw Tiger Woods at Hole #2 and enjoyed tacos at the turn again. 
First, on Saturday, AA had a PGA Jr. Eagle Harbor Golf match, her team won.

At the Sawgrass Players Championship, we love having tacos near Hole #12:

Selfie!

Following the players, up close! Kim Si-woo and Brandon Grace:

After shooting 1-under following the first two rounds and barely making the cut at The Players Championship, Tiger Woods came out roaring on Saturday and Sunday.
Tiger Woods putting:

We left before the match was over, hoping Tiger would continue his round of birdies, but not to happen, Webb Simpson kept his lead. He was tied for third, but finished T11th. It was our first time seeing him in person, so that was fun!

Mother's Day Prayer by Bob Bushong

Bob Bushong
May 12 at 7:35pm
A Prayer for Mother's Day

Holy God, the One whose loving work gave birth to the universe, we give thanks for those women through whom you brought us into the world, and for all the other women who have been your instruments of love and nurture and wisdom and strength in our lives.

We thank you for women who cared for us when we were infants, who gave us our first impression of what it means to be loved and cared for. Thank you for women of faith in our lives who have shared with us the truths of your Word, for strong women who have modeled life’s possibilities, for wise women who have helped us overcome our fears and instill confidence in us. Whether our experience of being mothered has come through one woman or through many, we thank you and praise you for all that we have received through them.

We pray for those women who currently are raising growing children. Enable them to experience joy in the challenging role that they are in. Give to them a keen sense of discernment to see the unique treasure that you have created in each of their children. Give them wisdom to prepare their children for life in this complicated world in which we live.

Be especially near to those who raise their children as single moms and to those who live with deep concern about some particular need or issue present in the life of one of their children. Give to them an extra measure of stamina and insight that enables them to sense your gracious love at the core of their children’s lives. We pray this day for those mothers who grieve over the death of a child or over a broken relationship.

For all mothers, O God, we pray that you would supply their needs and refresh their spirits. Through the indwelling of your Holy Spirit enable them to sense as real and powerful in their lives the warmth and encouragement and hope that come from resting in the strength of your loving arms.

Finally, gracious God, we ask that as a larger community of faith you would guide us in claiming the role that each of us has in raising the children among us to become strong women and men of God, that in and through them the world may see the fierce and tender love with which you, O God, have loved all of humankind since the very beginning. Amen.

Cousin Carolyn, PGA Jr. Golf and Shrimp Pasta Bacon Recipe

After a fun day with cousin Carolyn, breakfast with all four of us at Metro Diner (used gift cards that AA gifted to me!) shopping at BJ's then a trip to Pat's Nursery to check out citrus trees for Carolyn's yard. I was a bit tired, did some decluttering around the house and then did a mini-panic about dinner (AA and Ford were at an Eagle Harbor PGA Jr. Golf Match, which AA's team won). I found a recipe that needed only a few items I didn't already have; had to brave the Winn-Dixie while JEA had several power outages that made us all wait for the cashier register/computer system reboot several times! Still a great day, catching up on "The Players" TPC golf round 3; so excited that we are going tomorrow, Sunday - Mother's Day!

This is a new delicious favorite recipe. I was in a hurry, wanted something simple, and of course, our family loves pasta, bacon, shrimp and cheese. So this fits perfectly! Easy too. Can be on the table in 30 minutes if you use already peeled/deveined shrimp (I used frozen, defrosted and butterflied in half).

Bacon Shrimp Pasta

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a52296/bacon-shrimp-pasta-recipe/

Serves 4. Cook/Prep time 30 minutes.

Made 05/12/18 Delicious!

Notes: Chop garlic, tomatoes, spinach, shred hard parmesan cheese, cook bacon)

Ingredients

6 slices bacon, chopped

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 c. chopped fresh tomatoes

3 c. baby spinach (rip into halves)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 c. heavy cream or half-and-half

1 c. shredded mozzarella

1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish

12 oz. cooked angel hair

Sliced fresh basil, for garnish (I have plenty growing, never have to buy any!)

Directions

1.            In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon fat, and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Break into bits.

2.            Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions and drain (dry pasta about 4 minutes).

3.            Add shrimp to skillet (with 1 TBS bacon grease) and season with salt, pepper, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until pink, 2 minutes per side.

4.            Add tomatoes and baby spinach and toss until wilted, 1 minute. (created some water, I drained).

5.            Add heavy cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan and let simmer 2 minutes. Add cooked angel hair and bacon and toss until completely combined.

6.            Garnish with basil and Parmesan and serve.

 Enjoy!

May 7th and More: River House Hotdogs, TPC Practice Round and Golfing

Joy left this morning to drive to Missouri for a month. We cooked hot-dogs at the River House for the first time in a very long time. Our old hot-dog cooker had rusted and was harder to clean each time. Ford ordered a new one so we are back in business!
Hugh and Maureen brought potato salad (and their nephew Tim who was traveling so much, I could not keep track! From Mexico, Chicago, Cuba, etc), Kathy brought baked beans, Penny brought potato chips and Ford made cole slaw, diced onions and cooked the hot-dogs! I just came home from work and enjoyed!
This is TPC week! We received practice round tickets from Colleen, so Ford and AA will go on Wednesday as that is early release day from school. We won tickets for Sunday, so that will be a fun way to celebrate Mother's Day.
AA is finishing up FSA testing this week, plus having her golf clubs fitted. This Saturday is her first EH PGA Junior Match.
We learned our River House friend and ROCA neighbor, Arnie Reynard passed on May 9th. He had been in declining health since taking care of his wife, Janet who passed last summer from cancer.
Arnold Victor Reynard, 84, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2018. He was born December 23, 1933 in Jarrow, County Durham, England and resided in Orange Park, Florida. He was world renown Combustion Engineer, an avid sailor and traveled extensively. Mr. Reynard is survived by his daughter Jackie Heap (Alan), his son David Reynard (Shirley), step daughters; Patricia Lynn Wilson (Hambone), and Melinda Canaday. Grandchildren; Grace Searles, Gary Wilson, Eric Wilson and Great-grandchild Bryce Wilson. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Janet Canaday. 
Teacher Appreciation Week:

Golfing practice with Lauren and Emma:

Wednesday, TPC fun:

They sent me a selfie!

Jordan Speith:

Our week continues with more golf!

Leaa and Jesse - Hosted Cinco de Mayo on Sunday!

It was a cloudy but still beautiful day for a family gathering at Leaa and Jesse's home; hosting the dinner for Nana Joy's visit. We chatted, ate delicious food including Leaa's pork tacos with fresh slaw, beans and rice, salsa and chips, queso dip, Mexican casserole and we brought guacamole and a Mexican pasta salad. So much food! And no pictures to show how much and the variety!
We were introduced to their new kitten, a calico:

Walking to the beach, we encountered this very speedy turtle, not sure what the hurry was!

We enjoyed cool beach breezes and the four girls all swam and "frolicked" in the waves! Nicole, Jordan, Christa, Cathy, Werner and Ford all stayed behind, no beach walking for them today.

Photo of Nana Joy with her two Grands - Leaa and Alyzabeth. Jesse (Grand-Son-In-Law) and Grand-Justin in the background (Great-Grands Dylan, Liv and Kilee were there too):

Dylan jumped in, it took AA a few minutes longer:

Riding the waves:

Running:

Running a little closer:

A fun visit!

Week of May 1st and Nana Joys Visit

We had a good week with AA surviving more FSA school testing. One more week to go. We finally jumped in our pool after school on Wednesday, the water is up to 82 degrees and it was the first time we have been in it!

MIL Joy arrived Friday afternoon while AA and Ford were still on the golf course. We ate dinner at Whitey's Fish Camp, always good fried shrimp and Ford's all you can eat fried catfish.

Fun chair at Whiteys:

Saturday, was AA's OPE Math Club competition which we did not know if she was going until the last minute as she was an alternate. When she was asked to be on the team, we had to reserve May 5th for this competition. So she missed the first Drive, Chip and Putt at TPC and we rearranged the weekend thinking she would be tied up all day. And then she wasn't allowed to go unless she was "needed as an alternate". Oh well! Joy and I visited our favorite store {snort} - Goodwill. I found two very nice tops, she bought a bathing suit.
Saturday was the St. Johns River Mug Race plus the Kentucky Derby party at the River House. Joy and I enjoyed sitting on the deck (after lunch with Ford and A at Tijuana Flats), watching sailboats come up the channel and then joined Hugh, Maureen and Kathy for the appetizers and race. Ford and AA joined us after her golf practice/game with Coach Bryan and Emmett.

Champagne Sunday! We went to church, made the guacamole and Mexican pasta salad, took a break before driving to Leaa's for a family gathering.