Sunday: NFJG Amelia River (4th Place) and More!

AA played in the Amelia River Tournament and placed fourth. Too bad for the double bogeys. Otherwise, good round with a birdie! The weather was hot and sunny, high 80's.
AA's Scorecard:

Dear Alyzabeth Morgan:

Hole	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	OUT
Par	5	4	4	3	5	4	3	4	4	36
Score	7	5	3	3	5	6	4	5	4	42

Hole	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	IN
Par	4	4	3	5	4	4	4	3	5	36
Score	4	5	4	5	5	4	4	3	6	40

Her round began on Hole 10, the back nine. This photo is from the front nine, played as the "back" nine holes.

Finished on Hole 9:

Jack's Newsletter: Our Elite Tour Girls Gold was captured by St. Augustine’s Marissa Cardenas. Cardenas playing in her senior year tied for the low round of the day with and even par 72. She had four birdies on the day against one double bogey three putt which prevented a red score (35-37). Puerto Rico’s Alanis Santiago posted up another great score of 79 to take the Silver Medal and St. Augustine’s Helena Rios (81) took the Bronze.

In the Rising Tour Girls Jacksonville’s Anaiya Nahar is working her way to the Elite Tour. Georgia’s Madison Melton posted her first score of 94, good enough this week for the NFJG TOUR Silver Medal. Fleming Islands Cambree Hodge was one back at 95 to capture the Bronze.

While they were gone I baked a 5 pound chicken/hen, picked all the meat off and made chicken salad with grapes and celery (no nuts as AA is avoiding them per the Dentist).

I used these two recipes as a guide to what I had on hand.

I also, prepared the celery, onions, green bell pepper, garlic, Alabama sausage, spices, etc. and started a slow cooker of red beans (to go with rice). The weather is to be a little cooler tomorrow, so making them one more time before the hot weather is here for good.

The Amaryllis bulbs (4) are in early bloom, such large beautiful flowers (gift years ago from cousin Beth Brooksbank).

Stripped our bed, one load of laundry, preparing AA's Easter basket for next week, wrapping a few gifts (Terri and Carolyn), writing Easter cards, birthday cards for early April, walked Ginger...etc.

Late afternoon, we texted the Bailey's, David and Ian met us at Maggie's for some ice cream. Ian and I had the purple daze, yummy with chocolate covered raspberries, AA had a scoop of mint chocolate chip and a scoop of moose tracks and David, looked like he ordered strawberry in a cup. We chatted outside for awhile, they have been in their pool first time yesterday. Just a quick visit in person (masks on inside the ice cream shop). Dinner was a salad with the homemade chicken salad. And a quiet night!

Monday, Maybe Spring Weather Tomorrow!

We enjoyed a nice morning, I jumped into work for a few hours. Ford and AA did the grocery shopping. Then AA and I went shopping at Dick's Sporting Goods Store (gift cards from my Mom were all spent!). Golfing polo top, golf shoes and sport bras were bought.
AA had a golf lesson with Coach then played some holes with Cambree. We went to the River House for a short visit, still very windy (white caps on river) but enjoyed the brisk air. Our Happy Hour friends declined but we did enjoy a nice river view. Talked briefly with Paul, Bob, Big John (Paul was feeling poorly and they called 911 to check him out). Saw Steve for the first time in a year and he was his usual self!

For dinner I made a new recipe called Very Green Orzo by Ree Drummond. Show: The Pioneer Woman, Episode: Quick and Easy: New Favorites. It has many green vegetables and herbs in it, we all decided it was delicious. Total: 35 min Active: 30 min

Yield: 6 servings. Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 green onions sliced, green and white parts 
2 cloves garlic, minced 
1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes 
2 cups orzo 
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, warm 
1/2 pound skinny asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 
1/2 bunch broccolini, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 
2 medium zucchini, trimmed, quartered and cut into 2-inch batons 
5 ounces frozen green peas 
1/2 cup julienned kale (ribs removed)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish 
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish 
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley, plus more for garnish

Directions:

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat until hot, then add the green onions and saute until softened, about a minute. Add the garlic and chili flakes and sauté for 30 seconds.

Add the orzo, salt and pepper to the pan and toss to coat the grains, a minute or two. Add the warmed broth and gently stir. Allow the broth to come to a simmer, then cook for 5 minutes.

Add the asparagus, broccolini, zucchini and peas. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the kale, Parmesan and lemon zest and give it a good stir, then allow to cook for another 2 minutes. Add the herbs and stir to combine. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan and additional herbs.

Tuesday: Beautiful day! AA was back to school, I worked from home and got my haircut/color today. AA and Ford headed to the driving range. I made a new recipe - Spinach Pie.

Wednesday: Walking Ginger near the pond, a "free" grapefruit tree in bloom.

Ford made "air fryer salmon" for dinner, a new favorite!

Thursday: The weather is warming into the 80's! Work and School, nothing unusual. AA played six holes on the back of the golf course with her Coach after their 4:00 p.m. lesson (chipping and pitching).

Carolyn arrived with eggs and stayed for dinner of homemade pizza.

How did I not take any pictures of Carolyn!

Friday: I made waffles in honor of International Waffle Day (a day late, was on the 25th - BUT National Waffle Day is on August 24th!).

Work and school again. AA finished her CVA physical science class with a score of 96. She has one more lesson for her CVA World history, then will be done. We found out that she has to take the 8th grade science state test even though she took the class last year as a 7th grader, trying to find refresher material for her!

After school AA played the back nine holes with Kalia, Cambree and Jenna with Coach Bryan. So nice he takes them out together, they will be the top four of five girls on the high school golf team next year. Took a photo from across the street to Hole 18 (AA in darker pink shirt):

Here's the FIHS Team Names for 2020-2021:

Saturday: Lazy morning (I did two hours of APTIM work), then Ford and AA off to the grocery store. We had leftover chicken tenders (from FI Meat Market, dinner last night) and then AA practiced golf until 4:15 p.m. AA stayed home while we joined our Happy Hour group at the River House. The weather was in the high 80's and we thought we would be hot outside, but it turned out GORGEOUS. Slight breeze with the sun setting behind the trees. I rarely take pictures of our group, but they seemed amiable - so I could send them to AA, who stayed at home.

Maureen and Kathy:

Ford cooked steaks (ribeye) for dinner and AA continued her countdown to Easter:

Off to bed on time, as Ford and AA must leave the house by 6:15 a.m. for the Amelia River NFJG tournament.

Saturday and Sunday FSGA - FJT Placed 5th

Saturday, before the start of her FJT tournament, I took a few photos while AA was playing with Ginger on the screen porch, licking her, jumping on her and always leaning on someone! It was a cold, windy, rainy weekend - northeaster in the area late Friday through Monday.

Florida State Golf Association's Tournament: Florida Junior Tour at Eagle Harbor (13-18) *Non-Exempt, 5745 yards.

She did not play close to what she normally does when practicing. This started over a year ago when she had difficulties at her home course, and now whether it is nervousness or confidence, she plays average with a few bad holes. Not sure how to help her. First round, played +12 over, score of 84.

For dinner, I had delicious pork tacos ready, with radishes, pickled red onions, avocado, jalapeno peppers, etc. Yum!

Quick pickled red onions with JK's honey and apple cider vinegar:

Sunday: COLD, RAINY and WINDY! 48 degrees outside! Ford was a brave soul and walked the 18 holes while I stayed inside, working for a couple of hours, then dishes, food preparations and looking over correspondences needed in April and nursing either allergies or cold, not sure what I have.

Not many photos, just too cold and wet. Round 1 Saturday:

Round 2 - Sunday Hole 1 (played as back nine, began on Hole 10 Sunday). Scored a better 79!

AA waving to me as she walked by our house (wearing her Rain Girl jacket):

Made in Maine - the Dog "DooLoop", I bought last year when searching for gifts made in Maine. Very handy.

Facetiming with my Mom and drinking hot tea:

Sunday Lunch/Dinner - We ate leftover pork tacos, radishes and fixings, delicious again! I went to bed, resting as not sure if I have cold or not. Thankfully, AA and Ford are feeling fine.

The weather is so bad, will not be going to the Zoo on Monday! Last day of spring break for AA.

St. Patrick's Day and More!

Tuesday: Donna cleaned our home and I worked at home. AA did school work. Bike ride to Waterfront swim pool and back. Tacos for lunch, then to the library to check out the old series of All Creatures Great and Small (1978). More golf practicing with Daddy golf cart driver.

AA making funny faces at her Daddy.

Wednesday: St. Patrick's Day! Ford and AA went for a 2-mile bike ride, then shopping at Dick's Sporting store.

Ford put together the slow-cooker corned beef, carrots, potatoes, celery and cabbage, plus I made Irish soda bread once I arrived home from working at the NGS office.

Irish Soda Bread Recipe. Many options to make this a bit sweeter by adding orange zest and currants.

Thursday: Called Kilee today, left a message as it is her 17th birthday. Worked at home. AA played some holes with Coach at 2:30 p.m. Windy day with storm expected this early evening, actually had a tornado warning for about an hour at 4:30 p.m. We prepared our walk-in closet with three seats (and room for Ginger) just in case, as it has no outside walls.

Friday: I had my first COVID19 vaccine. 

Got a coffee to go from Spring Park Coffee shop (buy local) as a reward (smiley face). 

AA did some putting drills with Stephanie (Coach and others were going to play some holes, but the course was too busy).

Ford cooked air fryer fish, yummy, we loved it. We played Rummikub during dinner, AA won both games!

Saturday and Sunday, a two-day golf tournament in our "back yard"! FJT by Florida State Golf Association.

Monday and Spring Break!

Monday, we drove to the Ravines in Palatka (after our handyman arrived to clean out our gutters). We enjoyed a beautiful, fairly brisk hike on the Azalea trail, took just an hour. Ford was a little sore by the end, but a good trooper as he usually wants to walk very slow! More people came as we were leaving (11:30 a.m.) so we enjoyed meeting only 4 or 5 families during our walk. We wore masks inside the building, and wore them briefly as groups walked past us. A family (mother) recognized us from the Orange Park UMC church! We chatted a bit about not going to church, she said the same, with three boys, they were sure to make others uncomfortable, being in close proximity. 

Entrance fee was $5 on your honor - put in envelop and display the tag on your rear view mirror (which we did not read the rules first and just put the $5 cash directly in the box).

Ready to start!

I liked this garden poem:

I told Ford that the trail walk was nice, fairly easy pathway - then he saw the SIGN! The Azalea trail was marked with red paint, but we still got lost near the end.

Lots of steps, changes in elevation, narrow paths and lovely bridges. The very bottom has a pond and running stream, very flat, easier walking on the "Yellow" trail.

Selfie at the end of our walk, sun in our eyes.

Selfie halfway through our walk, even got AA laughing:

Wonderful day, high 70's, sunny! We went to Angel's diner to patronize a local business, the "cook to order" food took about 20 minutes, then we found a parking spot in the shade and ate in the car, not our preferred way, but Angel's was busy and the picnic tables we saw at the boat ramp/park were all taken. Ford had the burger, which was HUGE, I splurged on the fried fish basket (onion rings were delicious, not the fries). AA had a grilled cheese sandwich.

Home by 1:30 p.m. to check on Ginger, have a little rest, then AA was ready for her golf lesson (and played 7 holes with Coach).

We went to the River House, met Hugh, Maureen and Kathy out on the deck. It was nice weather, but the strong breeze off the river brought cooler temperatures, we all wore a sweater/jacket and enjoyed our visit.