Life Lately

 

A lot of Christmas prep is happening here and things really start to get busy this week with a gift exchange party, hosting a dinner party here, a lanai cocktail party and hosting a stop for the glow ride in our neighborhood.  

What else have I been doing?

Volunteering

The group I volunteer with always helps to decorate a city park and the past few years, I have been assigned to the official city tree.  The whole park comes together so beautifully and it is a lovely and festive spot to walk through during the holidays.  I included photos of the volunteer day and later, the park at night.

All the Christmas Lights

I can never get my fill of Christmas lights, so we went to dinner at a great spot in Sarasota where all of the palm trees (100’s) are wrapped with lights that are synchronized to Christmas music.  It really is beautiful to have dinner on an outdoor patio and just soak in the holiday atmosphere.  Florida style Christmas at it’s best.

Watching

Shetland is an all time favorite show of mine and I have been searching for a way to watch the new season.  Britbox was having a free trial, so I signed up and I have one episode to go, but am loving it and Jimmy Perez, Tosh and Sandy.  Shows where the location fit the storyline and the characters so well are my favorite.

Reading

Anyone else finished the new Outlander book Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?  It’s the kind of book that is good, so you want to read fast, yet you don’t want it to end, so you try to slow down a bit.  Unfortunately, there will probably be at least another five years until the final book in the series (Book 10) is released.  Jamie and Claire are back home on Fraser’s Ridge and are struggling to keep the war from invading their peaceful family days.  It wouldn’t be Outlander if chaos did not find them.

Enjoying Florida in December

December weather in Florida can be unpredictable, but we have had a stretch of sunny and 80 degree days that have me enjoying the pool during the day and savoring the warm nights on the lanai.  I may see snow in Michigan at Christmas, but for now, I will take this slice of paradise.

Happy Monday!

Easy Gingerbread Latte

 

When you can’t easily make it to Starbucks, this easy recipe has you covered.  And, even better, you most likely have all the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.  It has all the flavors of Christmas and is good both hot and cold.  If you don’t own a frother, I highly recommend getting one (an inexpensive hand held one works great) and stepping up your morning coffee game.  Happy Monday!

Easy Gingerbread Latte

3/4 cup strong coffee (prepared in advance)

3/4 cup milk 

1/4 cup 1/2 and 1/2

1 tsp brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Put milk and 1/2 and 1/2 in a large glass measuring cup and mix in brown sugar and spices.  Whisk until well combined. Place in microwave and heat for 45 seconds or until hot.  Froth the milk mixture and then pour over top of coffee in a large mug. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving, Anniversary and Boating Fun in Photos

 

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving Day, both weather wise and because of the time spent together.  I was ever so happy to finally sit down and have everything prepared (and delete all my lists).  It’s a great holiday, but I was tired by the end of the day.

We got up early the day after Thanksgiving and headed out for a boat day on Adam and Megan’s last day of their visit. We took their dog, plus Cooper, so that was fun and had a great day in the sun with a stop at Stump Pass Grill for a Pina Colada and then beached the boat for a few hours at Stump Pass Sandbar.  Not to mention, we hit the jackpot with so many dolphin sightings and even dolphins swimming right next to the boat as we headed south on the Intercoastal Waterway.

Finally, our 39th anniversary fell on the day after Thanksgiving as well and I can’t think of anything better than spending the day on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico with a tropical drink in my hand.

Happy Monday!