Saturday - 11/30/19

AA attended her Robotics Team workshop until noon. 
The Baileys texted about AA going with Ian to his hospital to deliver some gifts and toys for the kids on his former cancer floor. AA helped them carry the gifts and visited with many of Ian's doctors, nurses.
Once she was home, we drove to the local tree lot, selected and bought our Christmas tree, got it home and upright in the stand with water.
We made it to the River House a little early, meeting up with Hugh and Maureen, recently back from their trip to daughter Erin (Connecticut) for Thanksgiving holiday, and Kathy. There was a private party setting up so felt a bit juggled around, but a beautiful day, no wind on the river and about 74 degrees. perfect!
Our Christmas tree while at the lot:

Still tied up, soaking up water!

I did get the lights on it on Sunday, so now to have the family help decorate. BTW, Sunday was a record high of 84 degrees and very windy, and by Tuesday morning we will be in the 30's - brrrr!!

Happy Thanksgiving to Us - Friday - Day 2!

We planned to roast a turkey at home since we love leftover turkey in sandwiches. I roasted the turkey, made a new recipe of stuffing/dressing (to be baked in a bundt pan - I couldn't find mine!), green bean casserole, mashed potatoes (I baked some red potatoes we had, too dry and hard - don't do again!), homemade gravy. All delicious! I made the apple pie on Wednesday, so that was dessert.
AA played 18 holes with Ms. Penny at the Fleming Island Golf Club, good practice for her NFJG tournament there on December 8th. Ginger and AA had a quiet morning, snuggled on the couch.

Dinner time!

Ford's turkey carving:

Some postings on Facebook I thought worth saving:

Thanksgiving prayer:

Thankful and grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving Day - Marsha and Carl's Florahome

We drove to Florahome, bringing an apple pie, green bean casserole, champagne, two bottles of wine and as a half joke, two cans of jellied cranberry sauce! Quite the group of Cruce family (Cherie Chapman, son Ross with girlfriend Sheryl; Jesse, Leaa, Dylan and Liv; Katie and Barrett plus Stella and Carter; Cara and Pearl) plus us three and Justin. 

Fun outside, the weather was gorgeous!

Pearl was sweet, let me walk her around, played the piano and posed with Dylan:

After the delicious meal of all the "fixins"(including Leaa's greens from the County Line and corn casserole, plus stuffing, turkey, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, my green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, Sheryl's very hot sauce, ham, gravy, etc.), we went for a walk. Carl was in pain from a bad back so stayed at home. 

At the playground:

Wonderful time, just wish we all could be together, missing the Wilhelmy family (and Cathy and Werner).

Thanksgiving Week is Here!

This week has seen me cook more than I have, probably since last Thanksgiving 2018 week!
I only worked one day this week (Tuesday) so had the time to work out, cook and pick up the house. Monday, I baked a pumpkin pie for work (Stacy said she loved pumpkin pie and always buys a frozen one). It was yummy as I had a piece at work on Tuesday with the crew. Ford and AA went to Boost/Achieve;  won't go again until I buy some sneakers. We made Bruschetta for dinner, always good.

Tuesday, I worked. We were to eat leftover Chicken Corn Chowder, but none of us liked the combined flavor, definitely not a chowder in taste. So Ford bought Publix chicken stuffed with asparagus and twice baked potatoes.
Wednesday, finally went to Dick's to buy sneakers for my workouts, I had been using my Teva sandals which are sturdy and great for walking but not for the rowing machine! So we went to Boost/Achieve at 6 pm. AA gets a huge workout with mostly 16 - 17 year olds. She hangs in there learning the new "quick reflex" exercises. Her leg muscles are strong!
Earlier in the day, I baked two apple pies, one to take to Marsha's on Thursday and one for our home cooked turkey dinner on Friday evening. The first one was too brown on top, it maybe the crust recipe I used which has half butter (my usual recipe used 100% Crisco solid shortening).

Second apple pie:

I also made a new soup recipe, Broccoli and Cheddar which was creamy and delicious. I will make again on Sunday as I have plenty of the same ingredients (onion, celery, carrots, broccoli, etc.) leftover. AA finished her science project display board which is due this Monday.

Science Project: If you can taste the artificial sweetener from real sugar, you may make different choices for your health (assuming artificial sweetener is bad for your health):

Remainder of the week schedule: 
Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving Day at Carl and Marsha's with Cara, Katie and Jesse's families.
Friday: AA plays 18 holes with Ms. Penny at the Fleming Island Golf Course (she has a NFJG tournament there in December). AND I cook our own turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green beans, plus another pumpkin pie!
Saturday: Hopefully will buy Christmas tree (tall and skinny!), unpack all the Christmas decorations out from the garage. and hang icicle lights on the back deck railing (I will not attempt any lights on the front of the house this year, way too high for me, peaked roof).
Sunday: AA has a NFJG Tournament near Ormond Beach. I will make another batch of broccoli cheddar soup for when they arrive home. I always get to babysit Ginger, we take long walks and play outside if nice weather.
Monday: AA will be back to School! And AA's Dentist appointment, last one before braces!

Homemade Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Soup recipe - It's a keeper. I added a chopped clove of garlic to the Step 1 and used shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Homemade Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Ingredients Servings 3
3 tablespoons butter
¼ small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup half-and-half
1 ½ cups chicken broth
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups chopped broccoli
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 ¼ cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese

Step 1: Melt butter in a stock pot over medium-high heat; add onion and saute until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in flour and continue to stir until mixture turns golden brown, about 5 minutes. Slowly add half-and-half to onion mixture, stirring until mixture is smooth. Add chicken broth; season with salt and ground black pepper.

Step 2: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer mixture until thickened, about 10 minutes. Add broccoli, carrot, and celery. Simmer until vegetables are tender yet crisp, about 20 minutes.

Step 3: Reduce heat to low. Add Cheddar cheese to soup and cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

Cook's Note:
This is just half of the original recipe. If you want more just double the ingredients. If soup is too thick, add about 1/4 cup water to reach desired consistency.

November 18th - Saturday 24th New Recipe, Visit with Noah and River House!

Another typical week, with some cool weather. Still doing the Achieve/Boost twice a week while Ford goes daily on the treadmill. AA is not golfing as much due to only an hour from the time school lets out, she arrives home, has a snack and gets on the course at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, we planned to eat dinner with Hugh, Maureen, Kathy and Penny at the Fleming Island Golf Course Irish Pub, but when Ford and Penny arrived, said it was crazy loud. So we headed to Peppers, a favorite of theirs for Mexican food. We enjoy it there, but with all 7 of us, the long rectangle table doesn't let us hear of join in the conversations (and more expensive than Talon's). Ford and AA at Peppers for dinner (she golfed right before):

Thursday, I went to Carolyn's for dinner and stay overnight, then off to work in the morning. Friday, Ford and I headed to Talons for dinner (had to ask to make sure they made my power salad the regular way, many things are changing due to a new Chef) while AA worked on her science project.

Saturday, AA had Robotics Team workshop (and on Monday the 25th) until noon. I drove to pick up Noah at Ravines/Middleburg and AA and he had a short afternoon playtime until we headed to the River House. Beautiful weather, sat outside! Noah's parents, Mark and Colleen came and we had a good time chatting with them, even got deep into childhood stories.

Sunday, I made a new recipe, chicken corn chowder. I was fine, not very creamy and having the strong chicken flavor took away from it really being a "chowder". Probably will not make it again. I also made four more pie crusts ahead for this coming week (two apple pies, two pumpkin pies). AA played golf with her coach from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., then took a bath, ate lunch and got ready for Connor's birthday party. Photos after her golf practice (inside B&W, one outside):

Sunday, Ginger sitting patiently by the front door:

Grand Kilee asked for a photo of Ford so I took these two:

She sent back a Family tree she worked on, but it had a different photo of Ford....

Sunday: Chicken Corn Chowder in the slow cooker, plus pie crust making in progress:

That was our weekend!

Sunday, 11/24/19 Connor's Birthday Party - Splitz!

Connor's family hosted a birthday party at Splitz, a bowling alley with arcade, food and bar service. Very nice set-up. The kids had fun: Connor, sister Courtney, twins Dylan and Tyler, Noah, Owen, Abby, Jane and AA. They bowled (we were not there, but found out Owen won), enjoyed pizza and birthday cake. At the end, they received a card to play in the arcade. Many neat games plus the air hockey is always a favorite.

Blowing out his candles:

Arcade fun:

Next time they will be together (OPE 6th grade squad) will be December 20, new Star War movie!

November 17th Visit with Ian B.

Sunday was a day of rest, all of us a bit tired. AA worked on her science project, writing all the different parts that will go on the display board.
Since AA had not seen Ian in a few weeks and really didn't have a chance to visit at his party yesterday, we called to see if he wanted a visitor. We spent the afternoon catching up with parents Shannon and David, while AA and Ian played video games. We learned that at the party Ian said a funny, made it up about not "roasting his Mom" as you're not allowed to burn trash or ''you can't burn trash". I guess it was pretty funny joke as he said his Dad told him which in reality his Dad had not. We learned they collected snacks and toys to give back to the hospital, to families who need to entertain kids during hospital visits. Next up is Ian's Make a Wish Disney trip, we are looking forward to sharing that adventure with them.
Ian's Mom, Shannon asked AA to write a letter to Ian, about having a friend with cancer. Here is her letter to Ian:
Dear Ian,
Before I start, DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR ANYTHING THAT I MENTION! NOTHING IS EVER YOUR FAULT! (Unless it actually was)
I can’t begin to imagine what you went through. I do know that you are a very strong person who has made it through a very rough patch of your life. When I first heard you had cancer it was on a Monday at lunch, I believe that it was the Monday after the Sunday that you had found out. I was sitting with Matthew L. and Matthew M. at the usual table we sat at. I had assumed that you were sick, since you very rarely missed school. When I first found out that you had cancer from Matthew M, I almost didn’t believe him, but there was a part of me that thought the worst. When you made the announcement to the entire 6th grade class I remember walking to Mrs. Dougherty’s classroom filled with dread and anxiety about what was happening. I was standing in the back of the room watching you tell everyone and people were starting to cry, I’ll admit that I was crying too, even though I was trying not to. I know that if I was in your position I would not have wanted to announce the news to everyone.
It was spring break and Noah, my mom, and I was coming back from hiking in The Ravines state park. We had stopped at your house to say hi. Noah and I ended up playing Minecraft with you for awhile. You were losing most of your hair, and I think you shaved your head that night. I had fun that day, (although I still don’t forgive you for killing all the baby pandas and kittens). It was nice seeing you since you were missing so much school.
The first time me and my parents went to visit you in the hospital it was sometime soon after your surgery. We played Jeopardy together, and then you had to do your PT. It was hard and painful for me to watch as you moved and stretched your leg. I remember you saying that you would kill your mom because of what she was doing. (And I’m glad that you didn’t follow up on that.)
June was when we officially became rising 7th graders. One of the only things that made me want to cry during the 6th grade promotion was when you played Perfect on the piano. It was beautiful, and very touching. I am glad that you were able to make it.
Thank you for inviting me to your home, and out with your family multiple times. I enjoyed coming over to your house and playing video games and board games with you, going to see Toy Story 4, and just being with you in general. I really missed you at school that last half of the year, and I wish we could have gone to school together for the next two years. I can’t wait until we have more adventures together.
Before I end this letter, I wanted to ask, do you remember when we first became friends? It was in 5th grade, in Mrs. Rauth’s first period science. We were made to sit together because she didn’t want anyone to sit alone. I think it’s cool, and I am proud to say that I was the first member of the original squad from 4th grade (Tyler, Abby, Owen, me, Jane, and Connor) to become your friend.
Your best friend,
Alyzabeth

November 16, 2019 OPJH Robotics and Ian's Party at OPE!

AA's OPJH Robotics Team participated in a competition at Oakleaf High School. The outcome was Lakeside taking first place, while OPJH earned "Silver".
New red T-shirt - the Gladiators!

Front:

Owen and AA at competition. Ford said the team did not get together with the award, so stole a few photos from Facebook (Jana Kinder).

Kevin (background on right), Ben and Francisco, Owen in front of Kevin.

Coach Glenn Hair:

Next competition is in December. 
Off to Ian's surprise party at OPE! (I worked all day Saturday so went directly to the River House, Ford and AA stopped in after the party). Ryder, David R., Ryan Tillis, Eli Cobb, AA, Noah:

Twins, Dylan, Tyler Collins, James and Joseph Fryman, Connor, Ian, Jane and AA:

Ian Bailey's family:

Furniture Shopping

A few photos of our progress furnishing the Players Club Drive home. China Closet purchased at a used furniture store, Bryson's (Phillips Highway, JAX). It is very narrow, not deep, fits in the entryway way nearest the dining area.

Couch and chairs purchased on Kingsley Ave, OP:

End tables (used furniture, probably from the 70's, exactly what we wanted with storage!) found at "Junque 'n Trunk", Fleming Island shop:

We have a long list of items we need including the entertainment/office wall furniture for the living room, narrow bookcases for the den, a foyer table with storage and a buffet for the kitchen ''eat-in" area.