Busy Day in the Kitchen

This is our only day off together, so... After Tom's pancakes for breakfast, I made Zuppa Tuscana for lunch. Shrimp and grits will follow for dinner. In between I did a batch of lasagna roll-ups for the freezer. They work well with our crazy lifestyle, and even the family's Italian cook approves. (That would be Tom.) Not looking forward to weigh-in in the morning...

Before Seven O'Dark Thirty

I hate time changes! Holly didn't get the memo about falling back, so she had me up waaa-aaay too early to go out in the dark and pouring rain. By the time I gave her breakfast, I was awake so we sat and waited for Tom to get up. After a 60+ hour work week, he should have been sluggish, but he came flying out of the bedroom with his laundry and then headed outside to wash the cars in the rain! Now he's making pumpkin-chocolate chip pancakes with Door County cherry syrup. I'm glad somebody is happy...

Losing My Grip...

It's the season for seafood festivals here, which means it's time to get cracking. Yesterday we took on stone crabs with friends. With many years experience at this event, we arrived fully prepared to do battle. Newbies laughed as we unloaded aprons, drop cloths, hammers, and clamps, but they didn't laugh long. We felt sorry for the band performing to the banging percussion of improvised wooded clubs smashing claws. Place sounded like a constructions site, with an occasional screech as someone was hit with shrapnel or a spritz of crab juice. It would be embarrassing to list everything consumed at our table, so we'll just blame most of it on our friend Eric and his two hollow legs. Next year: more cash, surgical instruments, and vice grips!

Signs of Fall

Brewing my first cup of tea for the chilly season (blueberry bliss!). Humidity has broken, and this morning it's 55*/13C. Back to lovin' northern FLA!

Glorious!

On-the-job sunset. With wine and treats. Doesn't get much better!

Score!

The cooler weather got us out exploring today, and we discovered a great recreation area across the road from our new place. We hiked around the lake--don't tell my doctor!--and thought about coming back with our kayaks until Tom spotted a big gator (6-7') hanging out on a little island. Hot tub is next, but we're looking forward to seeing what else the place has to offer. Also need to return for better pix when there's a blue sky.

Surprise, Surprise!

I had a trusty vehicle that I intended to drive forever. Unfortunately, my knee is going south again, and clutching my way through city traffic became pretty unbearable. Tom went with me this morning to look for a replacement with an automatic transmission, and somehow we came home with "twins"! We're both thrilled. (As are my knee and my back.)